Fishing Till Ice Over

[boostr]

As I'm a recent new boat owner up here in the North East, I wanted to keep on fishing until the lakes would start getting iced. I chickened out and winterized my boat as soon as the temps hit 30. For you guys that fish till the ice shows up aren't you concerned  the water that still remains in the motor after you pull her out would freeze over night and do some type of damage? Is there any trick or is it something not to worry about? Cause I would love to keep on fishing till then... well starting next year.

[slonezp]

Drain the motor by raising it up and down a couple times and then bump the starter to get rid of what's left. If you are using the livewell, pour some RV antifreeze in the drain and some in the pump cartridge. Keep the livewell lid up as well or it's going to freeze itself shut.

[boostr]

And then your ready for the next day?

[IndianaFinesse]

Just make sure to replace the lower unit oil and check it to ensure there is no or little water leaking into it.  I don't even find it necessary to fog the motor, and I have yet to have any issues caused by freezing water.  My "winterizing" is really just the regular maintenance of replacing the lower unit oil, there isn't any real need to fog it or anything IMO.

[slonezp]

2 hours ago, boostr said:

And then your ready for the next day?

Yes and the otjer thing that is imperative is to allow the motor to warm up properly before gunning it

[WCWV]

I carry RV antifreeze in my truck and as soon as I come out I drain and the plug my live well and dump a hallon in and run it through. 

My out board, I raise and lower as many have said, and just for my peace of mind and if it's going to be a few weeks before I get to go again. When I get home I get some help and run a gallon of 50/50 automobile antifreeze through my outboard. A gallon always makes it through and pumps a stream out.

This has served me well for over 25 years. 

[TOXIC]

I fish year round and here in Virginia we do get freezing temps.  I have never winterized any boat I have owned.  Make sure your livewell system is good so that you can keep water out of your livewells.  If I am going crappie fishing and plan on keeping them, I put a 30 gallon cooler in the boat.  Always store with your motor in the down position so that it drains completely and no water sits in the prop hub area.  I always unscrew the water line on the side of my motor because it holds some water.  Always store with the plug out but make sure you put it in BEFORE you trailer to the lake because if there is any water left in the bilge, it will freeze in the plug threads.  My last motor was an EFI and my current is an HPDI and I've had -0- problems with winter fishing over the last 20 years.  

 

 

[boostr]

Well, seems simple enough. Thanks