Newbie With Lots Of Startup Questions

[T-Rick]

Hello,

 

I happen to own a home in a lake community and recently started fishing the lake.  It is a 330 acre spring fed lake which allows motor boats.  I went out fishing a few times on my pontoon boat and was able to land two bass (~12-15”), miss a few,  and I ultimately got the “fishing fever”.  Since the recent outings, I haven’t fished since I was young so I am excited to re-engage in this activity.  Over the Labor Day holiday, we closed up the house and took the boat out of the water.  So, in the absence of being at the house for any extended period of time, I am looking to get my winter plans working so that I can jump back in fishing during the spring.  Therefore, I wanted to ask a few questions and share my winter preparations and ask for help and feedback on my plans.

 

·  I went out and bought some new tackle, a new tackle box, and also a new rod and reel.  I went with a BPS Pro Qualifier with the Johnny Morris CarbonLite rod (7’ medium/fast)

o I am using practice plugs to learn how to manage the new baitcasting setup as  I only used spinners before this past week.

o I need to learn to tie better knots.  This is a significant area of need for me.   For some reason, my improved cinch knots come undone so I have moved to start trying the trilene knot

o Any recommendations on where to buy tackle and gear online?  So far, I have used Amazon and BPS.

 

·  I need to outfit my boat to be more fishing friendly.  I assume that the 16’ pontoon is a better choice for basic fishing over my 18’ wooden Old Town canoe (a very old model).  The boat is older and I really don’t want to put a lot into a 1983 model but I do have some somewhat random boat questions:

o Do I need a trolling motor or could I just use an anchor?  If I go with an anchor, is there a preferred spot to mount or attach the cleat to the boat?  Should I use two anchors?  My biggest problem fishing the lake on the pontoon was that I was often starting the engine to reposition as I would either float into or away from shore.

o If I go with a trolling motor, do I add a second 12v marine battery for power? If so, do I need to take that battery with me and charge it for each use?

o Since the boat is already out of the water, is it at all possible to determine which size shaft to buy?

o Regarding the existing marine battery in the boat, can I use a regular battery maintainer over the winter or do I need one specially equipped for a marine battery?  I currently have an older sears battery charger used for lawn tractor and car batteries that I was planning to use.

o I have a used fished finder and depth meter that I need to install over the winter too.  I assume this also wires directly to the 12v battery on the boat.
 

· The wife wants a kayak for next summer; I am looking into one for her and maybe a fishing kayak for me.  Maybe a dual purpose kayak would suit us both fine and save some space in the garage.  However, I think I should focus on one of the above options (fishing from the toon or canoe)
 

· Lots of reading to do here and online to learn more about fishing.
 

I apologize for all the questions but I don’t know many people at the lake and not many fishermen or boaters in my family.  Thanks for your feedback on the questions above and if you think of anything else a newbie should do, please share.

 

Thanks,
Tom

[Mike2841]

A very simple and strong knot is the palomar knot, if you look it up on YouTube it will show you how to do it. There is also an app called knot wars that is very useful.

A lot of people buy gear from tackle warehouse online, and you can buy a lot of gear below retail on ebay.

[roadwarrior]

This topic could have gone in several sections, but I think this one will

give you plenty of responses.

 

-Kent  a.k.a. rtoadwarriort

Global Moderator

[kingkong85]

I wait until there is a holiday sale. You'll find some places that offer 15% or more off most items. I am also a member at tackletour.com. on their forum they have a hot deals sub forum. Another great site to hang out. Palomar knot is what I use. Trolling motor is convenient. When bass fishing it's good to move around to find the bass. Anchor is helpful but I'd like move around the lake. Having both is doesn't hurt. Some trolling motor requires 24v and some only require 12v. So if you get a 24v trolling motor then you'll need a 24v power source. Batteries for trolling motors require to be charge before each fishing trip; otherwise you can't use the trolling motor. Marine batteries need a trickle charger.

[kowz76]

Everybody here seems to use the palomar knot.  I use the san diego jam knot, never had a problem with it, although I have not used it with braid before.  http://www.animatedknots.com/ is a good place to check out.

 

A trolling motor is a big convenience.  There are lots of times I wish I had one (ok, like ALL the time), but I just fish with an anchor.  Generally I try to figure out which way the wind is going to make the boat drift and start as far upwind as I can, then just lift the anchor to move the boat.  As for batteries, I would suggest getting a 12V trolling motor if you get one, and then yes another battery for the motor and possibly tie the fish finder into the second battery as well.  Getting stranded on the lake with a dead battery is never fun.  Over the winter, keeping your battery on a standard battery charger isn't the best idea.  Like kingkong said, you want a trickle charger and generally I just put it on to keep it fully charged every couple weeks in the off season.

 

As for the kayak, I've never had a FISHING kayak, but generally it seems a LOT nicer fishing from my 16' Old Town (circa 1920) than from a kayak.  If your canoe is the square stern model you can always slap a stern mount trolling motor on it.

 

Good luck and happy fishing!

[joeyfishes]

Palomar knot and the canoe with a trolling motor would actually be better than the pontoon. It would be better because you could get into those creek channels and get closer to cover without spooking the fish. 

[T-Rick]

Thanks to all for the nice replies.

 

It looks like I should learn the palomar knot.  Thanks!  

 

I will also look into a trolling motor for the pontoon.  I agree the canoe is better to get closer to the fish but there are no locations the pontoon (with a decent cast) can reach any water on the lake.  I still do plan to outfit the canoe for some fishing so that may be my next post in the boats forum.

[Long Mike]

I would very much suggest that you go to our Fishing Articles section and start reading.  There is an encyclopedia of information there.

[Missourifishin]

^^^ I agree. Check out the articles and videos. I found them very helpful.