Howdy!



The wind blew from Thursday through Monday. And not just a breeze! I'm talking a 20 + mph gale! Even fishermen with 70 pound thrust trolling motors were intimidated by the velocity of the wind and moved into sheltered bays and coves.


My son Adam, grandson Logan, brother Charlie and friend Brian arrived Friday and Saturday. Charlie and I were thwarted in our efforts by a bad trolling motor battery. Brian brought his boat and found bass fishing to be quit good. He boated over 15 bass using a 6 inch Zoom lizard. Adam and Charlie focused on crappie and finally found some shallow Saturday right at sunset. Charlie boated 5 and the biggest was 13.5 inches. Adam boated 3 the biggest was 12 inches. All the fish were caught on jigs under bobbers set at 3 feet. Most of the fish were missing eggs. I never caught fish!


Sunday had the makings of a nice day. I cooked a nice breakfast for everyone and Charlie and I decided to pull my boat out of the water and exchange the brand new battery for one that works. Charlie had never backed a trailer into the water so he got the job of driving the boat. Hmmmmmmm!?



The wind was a gusting gale so landing the boat wasn't going to be easy. Charlie panicked just as the boat was blown past the trailer end and jammed the boat into reverse so hard the throttle return springs (which were weak to begin with) broke and the throttle stuck in high reverse. As the boat plowed backwards with water gushing over the transom Charlie shifted from reverse to forward in high speed! The lower unit made a horrible squeal and thunk and there was Charlie speeding away from the launch with no hopes of an immediate return. He finally turns the key off. Thank you God!


The wind blew him back but across the cove from the launch. I got a paddle from my brother Steve but the wind was blowing so hard that for every two paddles forward charlie went 10 feet backwards. So Charlie decided to connect the trolling motor I borrowed from Jim to the starter battery. That worked except Charlie broke the thumb latch which releases the tilt on Jim's trolling motor. Charlie told me about that much later. He was traumatized. Jim, Charlie says he is sorry and I've been commissioned to fix your latch. I'm looking up a replacement part today.

We let the boat drift into the back of the bay. The land is clear there, my neighbor Greg owns the property and it used to be a boat launch a long time ago. We landed the boat. Thanks Greg. And I took it to the barn. So, in a matter of minutes I went from a boat that just needed the trolling motor battery replaced to:
1) Pull the carbs and replace the springs
2) Review throttle and shift connections
3) Inspect the the lower unit
4) Find and order a new thumb latch for Jim's trolling motor
5) Replace broken thumb latch

I may not be on the water for 5 or more days.

This past Friday I killed a turkey which some hunters consider a rare trophy! Story coming.


Hey! I got a 24 foot single slip dock for sale!!! 4 foot plus decking all around!!! Brand new, never been in the water. Call or email me at 314-614-9290 or mikeo@ubetchaoutdoors.com.For current water conditions click on the HOME button or http://www.ubetchaoutdoors.com/



Fish On!!
Mike O.
UBetcha Outdoors