Trolling Motor Only Lakes

[Arauthator]

Ok, what's the deal on these lakes. I've been out twice on Deams Lake recently, the Conservation Officer within walking distance of the boat ramp both times. First time, I had a short with the on board battery charger and kicked off my trolling motor power. Which I didn't figure that out until I got home. Started up the engine and scooted slowly across the lake about 300 yards to load up the boat. He didn't say anything to me. Second time, I couldn't get the boat back on the trailer without the gas motor, started it up and loaded the boat, he didn't say anything to me that time either. Is it ok to use your gas motor in emergency and loading your boat situations on electric motor only lakes?

[SteveM4A1]

I would say yes. The CO's use their gas motor every time they are on those lakes, so they can't really say much. What else you gonna do? Swim your boat back?

[idbefishing]

Yep. Even ran WOT back to the ramp once. Beached the boat and ran up to the shelter house. A storm suddenly blew in with bad lightning, you bet your azz I wasn't going to hang around. I'd take ticket, banned from the lake or whatever over getting hit by lightning any day.

[lroberts]

I would say he was using common sense.....had you planed it out on your way to the ramp i would think his reaction would be different! My brother lives in the Richmond, Va area, and on the T.M only lakes there (most of them anyway) you have to put some type of protective bag over your outboard

[ClarkIR]

I fish out at Deam on a pretty regular basis. My fiancees dad and brother are in charge of beach concessions and also are camp host.

The lake does not permit gas motors except for personnel. Really the only time ive seen a gas motor used on the lake is when they are collecting row boats and need to get around the water faster. Gas motors are not permitted due to the fact that the waves generated will destroy the banks.(Im sure you probably know that already but just being thorough)

Technically, you are required to have paddles in the boat at Deam so if the motor goes out you have to essentially row the boat back to shore. Now Im not familiar with your boat/trailer/winch system but Ive never needed anything but the winch to get the boat onto the trailer. I have seen people before at deam rev the engine to get the boat on the trailer... not sure if that is even permitable.

Now the usual CO for that area is Mack. Hes a pretty nice guy, and im sure if you told him he would probably let it slide. But you are essentially rolling the dice on what kind of CO you get and the mood he is in.

[orca]

The CO on deam is Mick. Good friend of mine. He might give you a warning or a ticket. Pretty much easy going guy. He is not out to bust your balls. On the other hand, there are several other CO's that frequent Deam on weekends if Mick is running the river patrol and can't help you with them. Also obey the speed limit going into and out of Deam Lake. They use RADAR frequent.

Bass are hitting watermelon flukes on grass flats. Went out Tuesday evening and caught 22 bass in 2.5 hours. Three were keepers. Good fishing

[Arauthator]

Thanks Clark & Orca. I went out and didn't catch a thing. Going back this coming up week though. I got them watermelon flukes. So I'll throw some on. My brother and I been going around 8:30 in the morning. I got an 88 Ranger Bass Boat, Silver with Red Pin Stripes. So if you see that boat, that's us. ClarkIR, I don't have a wench long enough to reach the boat in the back of the trailer. The only way you can get it on the trailer is to spark up the motor for about half a minute to get a good push up to the wench. The water line is so low right now, the tailpipe on my truck almost hits the water just to launch and load it. I don't have the money to put 2 paddles in the boat right now, but I'll get some soon. The reason I don't have them already is because I carry a marine radio, I'm usually fishing on Patoka Lake, and my insurance covers all towing charges on the water. So on Patoka, if I ever get stuck, I just call it in either on cell phone, or on my marine radio, hand them my insurance card, and they will tow me back to wherever I need to go. But anyway, I don't like to gamble, I like to follow the rules, but I honestly don't see any other way to load my boat at Deams without starting up that motor for that short little time. Oh, and thanks for the heads up on the speed limit. Not that it matters much, I'm the guy people are always cussing for going too slow. LOL.

[SteveM4A1]

Thanks Clark & Orca. I went out and didn't catch a thing. Going back this coming up week though. I got them watermelon flukes. So I'll throw some on. My brother and I been going around 8:30 in the morning. I got an 88 Ranger Bass Boat, Silver with Red Pin Stripes. So if you see that boat, that's us. ClarkIR, I don't have a wench long enough to reach the boat in the back of the trailer. The only way you can get it on the trailer is to spark up the motor for about half a minute to get a good push up to the wench. The water line is so low right now, the tailpipe on my truck almost hits the water just to launch and load it. I don't have the money to put 2 paddles in the boat right now, but I'll get some soon. The reason I don't have them already is because I carry a marine radio, I'm usually fishing on Patoka Lake, and my insurance covers all towing charges on the water. So on Patoka, if I ever get stuck, I just call it in either on cell phone, or on my marine radio, hand them my insurance card, and they will tow me back to wherever I need to go. But anyway, I don't like to gamble, I like to follow the rules, but I honestly don't see any other way to load my boat at Deams without starting up that motor for that short little time. Oh, and thanks for the heads up on the speed limit. Not that it matters much, I'm the guy people are always cussing for going too slow. LOL.

Be careful with that. You don't want your insurance rates jumping up.

[Embrey]

i see no reason why anybody cant load with a TM. ive loaded my 20 ft skeeter,and it aint bad

[Panfish Man]

Its not fun, and there is definately a sceince to it, but you can load with your TM, or get a rope and pull your rig up close enough to hook up. Not that I care to see someone power load, but would hate to see somebody get a ticket for it.

[Arauthator]

i see no reason why anybody cant load with a TM. ive loaded my 20 ft skeeter,and it aint bad

I can't load it with my rig using the trolling motor. Mainly because at this particular lake right now, I don't want to submerge the tailpipe in the water and suckup water into the engine of the truck.

You would have to be there to see what is going on.

[shane2480]

i also fish Deams quite often and very easily load my 19 foot glass bass boat with the trolling motor. it can be done if you use the tm and momentum. put the tm on high and as you near the trailer start lifting the tm and let the momentum carry you to within easy reach of your winch strap.