I went boating........

So my FIL asks if I want to go fishing on Saturday to get my mind off my dad. I was stoked and did some research through JJ and Rocco. Rocco suggested West Lake as the river fishing was bad. JJ agreed but said they are there. I have fished West Lake with him before so we agreed to try pool 13 since he has never been there and I talked highly about it before.

We get up to the Dam and the water is crystal clear. I can't believe it, I might be sight fishing on the old muddy miss. Then we get across to the area we want to start and I can't use the TM as the weeds are too bad. I push pole it for a while then we call it quits there after an hour.

We head north. Drop in at Big Slough. Lots of trailers but no boats. hmmmmm must be on the good spots I guess. We head out and make the long run North. about 2/3's across I get stuck in what I called "Christmas Tree Grass" This was a small nest I had to rip off. The larger one had ornaments and tinsel ... lol
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Where does this stuff come from??? Anyways it bogs down the motor so bad I have to stop, clear the motor and try to continue. Well that didn't work. I cleared the prop about 8 times then decided I'm done trying to make it to the other side, I'm heading back to the "open" water to find a new place.

We hit the cut through South of the island then go across to the large flat South of the Silo. Full of Lilly pads but we pitched the outside ditch for a while. I then realized the ditch went all the way around. We followed it around and then BAM I hit my first stump, continued on though, no damage but sure made me cringe. I get all the way back to a dead end. I just can't catch a break I was trying to make it into the little pool.

Oh well we start fishing and can't even get a nibble. I'm rocking the frog and swim jig with no luck. FIL killing the spinnerbait and swim jig (since he can't fish a swim bait through the pads with his exposed hooks.) He had to borrow my drop shot rig and switch it up as his reel broke. Guess the 1970's spinning gear does give out eventually.

We decide to call it a day before the rain soaks us.

No fish but I got to play with the boat and the newer motor. It started on the first turn of the key also. That was nice!! Too bad I am trying to sell it now though.

So I went boating today instead of fishing, lol.

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I heard it was tough today. Especially running around where you havent run. good effort- keep at it and it will get easier (never easy though)

I need my doctor good luck charm to help me catch fish. I just sit back and watch where he runs to learn and learn.

I am trying the river more and more as it's more intimidating and harder to follow the patterns than lakes. I like the difficulty level. I do appreciate any day on the water though!! Each cast is an adventure and hopefully I can trick these bass to wanting MY lure.

That grass is a pain in the butt for smaller outboards. With a bassboat you can run WOT through it and it'll just blow it all off rather than get wrapped up in it, but it really messes with smaller outboards than you can't trim up and run close to the surface. Fishing is always tough in spring lake this time of year, at least for me. I found some decent fish last weekend close to where you were at, but they weren't there anymore on fri.

I was trying to trim it up to make it run easier but I am not sure what to do on this whole driving boats thing yet. I have driven less than 6 in my life and that includes twice in this boat.

I'm learning though....

I was more afraid of burning up the motor because it was blocking the water somewhat from getting to the pump.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Shoot &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I was trying to trim it up to make it run easier but I am not sure what to do on this whole driving boats thing yet. I have driven less than 6 in my life and that includes twice in this boat.

I'm learning though....

I was more afraid of burning up the motor because it was blocking the water somewhat from getting to the pump.</td></tr></table>

That is something to worry about. My friend had an old tracker with a 60 on it and he could never trim it up, because it would start to porpoise bad and I have found that out with alot of aluminum rigs with smaller motors. A good prop will help though. You may be able to run wide open through without any problems, just go for it and keep an eye on the motor to make sure its peeing while you are running.