Batteries, not gas.

[HURRICANEBOB]

I think I might do more on the trolling motor this year, and little or none of the fishing after long runs on the big motor. Economy is slow, job went south, boat motor has worked hard for 15 years and I think its due a vacation.

I think of all the places to fish, where success is just s few yards from a ramp. Like Cumberland at Jamestown, where a ramp-in, a troll thru a no wake, and a left turn puts rock bluffs on the port, and a nice deep channel to starboard. One battery pulling boards gets me darn near the whole way to Allegator 2, and now easily to Allegator 1. Two batteries, and I got a round trip.

Taylorsville Settlers Trace ramp is a short troll from the right hand outside the no wake, and jumps at the hump and deep water towards the dam. I can troll that whole area 4-5 times and get to back to the ramp with only one batteries worth of trolling juice.

Nolin at Wax, or Moutadier, or Barren at the Narrows or at the dam, or Green from the state or Green Marina Ramp works too.

With a couple less bucks to spend on gas, just maybe I'll learn to slow down, focus on the goal, dial in smaller areas, and learn to fish them just a little better and more productively. Who knows, having less money, one fewer job, less gas........might just make me a better fisherman.

Now if I can just figure out how to tow a 20 foot pontoon with a "Smart Car", I'll be in business. Maybe I'll hang a 20 foot lightning rod on the towing electric car's hood, and only fish this year in thunderstorms...........

So how is the ecomony changing your fishing habits?

[Matt S]

Sorry to here about the job, man. I know it's no fun to be in that position. However it seems your looking on the bright side.

The slow down hasn't effected me very much, only lost one of my jobs.

[leakinwader]

Bad news about the job, just have more fishing time.
Sounds like you have conquered and overcome.
I use a solar charger to get a little longer out of my battery.

[catdaddy863]

One of the best trips to Cumberland was 2 years ago in January,when 4 of us put in at LILY CREEK and we had 2 boats.One pair of fishermen went running all over the lake,looking for good spots. My buddy and I were stuck at the ramp with big motor troubles.I told him we would just use the t-motor and fish.He said let's just load up and go home.We started fishing and after we ran out of shinners(boat load of fish) he was fit to be tied because our shiner supply was running all over the lake,cell phones are a b when u can't get signal.With the last shiner on the hook,we ease around the point and see our other buddys eating a sandwitch.They said they were leaving because they did't have a hit.We said ok just leave us them shiners!!!!!!!

[HURRICANEBOB]

One of the best trips to Cumberland

I hear ya ! Oct 2006, wife and I and another couple kicked off Jamestown dock at 3 pm to do a little Striper fishing. Weather was threatening, rain had just stopped, and winds dropped to zero. So all we did was come out the no wake, hung a left and right at the point starting the walls on the left, we dropped planer boards with shiners and free lines. Started a slow troll half on the channel and half on the flat nearest the banks. We weren't at it more than 20 minutes when the first board took a dive, followed in short order by a downpole bending down, and a free line taking off. With 3 landed inside the first hour, and still within 400 yards of Jamestown, the Stripers started hitting the surface off the points along the bluff walls. With the trolling motor and a little stand off space, we followed then up the bank cashing in with one or 2 each time they started the surface attacks. Within in an hour, we caught and released 8 Stripers from the jumps, and were right back at the point looking into the Jamestwon Marina. And never did turn the big engine on, not from the time we left the slip, till the time we called it quits 2-3 hours later and came back to the dock. Lesson learned, but soon forgotten, now resurrected.

[gocards40]

My 8hp yamaha fixes my gas problem on the water. But my Dodge ***** up ever bit of the money I save....LOL!

[philipj]

I have been rowing a boat since the 8th grade in school, and am now 65yrs. Up until age 55 I never owned any type motor, until a girl friend gave me an electric motor. Up until then the highest tec thing I ever did was get some oarlock inserts to make my fishing quieter. I now do use a"Hummingbird Fishing Buddy". Being very quiet, learning how to fish deep has allowed me to be accused of having some secret lure. I watch folks with the $30,000.00 bass platforms and to my self "wonder why".

[fishhound]

well how i handle gas prices use trollin motor if fesable,outboard 50hp,
truck is a 6cyl. and who ever fishes with me must help with gas if not they don't fish.

[HURRICANEBOB]

My 8hp yamaha fixes my gas problem on the water. But my Dodge ***** up ever bit of the money I save....LOL!

Okay, hree's the deal. You bring the boat with the gas for the 8 hp, and the beer........and I'll meet ya at your place and tow the rig to the lake.

Just rememebr to buy the low octane gas, and teh high octane beer~