Winter Bass Fishing Projects

[Susky River Rat]

I can’t say I really do anything because I keep up with it during the season 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Smirak said:

That is so a lie. You don’t wait until the winter to buy and sell 😂😂😂😂

This is true.

But I never said I did.

Just wait until the big casting reel sell off this spring.

#epic

A-Jay

[Smirak]

20 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

This is true.

But I never said I did.

Just wait until the big casting reel sell off this spring.

#epic

A-Jay

I’m already saving my pennies 😁

[FishTax]

Our winter in nc was this week. Not sure if spring will be here to stay next week or not. So far this week since I was too cold to fish, I just bought a bunch of stuff on sale. If it comes in in time, I will spend the rest of my winter putting line on my new rods and organizing tackle. If we get a really bad winter defined as more than three weeks of below freezing temps than I may take apart some reels and try to clean them. Most of my reels are cheap and I just replace them though.

[Motoboss]

On 12/4/2024 at 9:50 AM, CastingClinic said:

 

I also have a project planned to add an ESC to my Newport 55lb trolling motor.  I started the year using a PWM but that proved not to be robust enough and I burned through two before setting it all aside for winter.

 

Being able to throttle my motor down until the prop barely moves was unbelievably helpful on my canoe. 

Tell me more……

[Mr. Aquarium]

Depends, I fish all winter too when there’s weather windows. SE Ma is very temperamental in the winter. It’s 31 right now but 50s next week.  Warm and cold stretches!  I’ve  had some d**n good days in the winter! I spend time with friends and family. Tie jigs, video games, organize gear! 

[Texas Flood]

Ice fishing keeps me sane during the winter months. I'll clean reels and respool and also spend more money than I need to on more gear.

[CastingClinic]

4 hours ago, Motoboss said:

Tell me more……

I’m not the expert and have to brush up on it myself.  This video is a good one on the subject.

 

https://youtu.be/d1gT2n0BvbQ?si=obEmk-uYp_FjLdpa

Here’s the short of it.  The problem for me with a basic trolling motor like the ones from Newport vessels is that it runs off a switch and on my aluminum canoe setting 1, the slowest, is still too fast. In calm conditions I’m moving almost 2mph which isn’t practical for just putting along pitching a weed line and so I’m stuck constantly switching the motor on and off.

 

Without getting into the details of how the circuits work a PWM (pulse width modulator) and ESC (electronic speed controller) are both placed between the motor and battery and create, essentially, a throttle allowing for speed control that goes 0-100%.  You can dial the speed down until the prop barely moves and fine tune to your liking.

 

Each are different in function but have the same results.  A PWM is analog and simpler but larger, generally built cheaply, and more susceptible to current fluctuations.  I blew one up plunging it in backwards and another by overworking it through thick weeds.

 

An ESC is what RC cars/boats/planes and electric skateboards use.  It’s digital, smaller, can be setup with a wireless controller like some expensive trolling motors, and more protected from the electrical current but a bit more expensive and complicated to setup.

[Motoboss]

16 hours ago, CastingClinic said:

I’m not the expert and have to brush up on it myself.  This video is a good one on the subject.

 

https://youtu.be/d1gT2n0BvbQ?si=obEmk-uYp_FjLdpa

Here’s the short of it.  The problem for me with a basic trolling motor like the ones from Newport vessels is that it runs off a switch and on my aluminum canoe setting 1, the slowest, is still too fast. In calm conditions I’m moving almost 2mph which isn’t practical for just putting along pitching a weed line and so I’m stuck constantly switching the motor on and off.

 

Without getting into the details of how the circuits work a PWM (pulse width modulator) and ESC (electronic speed controller) are both placed between the motor and battery and create, essentially, a throttle allowing for speed control that goes 0-100%.  You can dial the speed down until the prop barely moves and fine tune to your liking.

 

Each are different in function but have the same results.  A PWM is analog and simpler but larger, generally built cheaply, and more susceptible to current fluctuations.  I blew one up plunging it in backwards and another by overworking it through thick weeds.

 

An ESC is what RC cars/boats/planes and electric skateboards use.  It’s digital, smaller, can be setup with a wireless controller like some expensive trolling motors, and more protected from the electrical current but a bit more expensive and complicated to setup.

Thank you.

Very nice! So are you using a reostat dial or wireless remote? I’ve now watched a couple videos and most are using one or the other with the same Hobby Wing 880 solid state controller . Just depends on how you want to configure it.

 

I assume you are still controlling direction by hand.

 

 

[Don Harris]

On 12/4/2024 at 5:26 AM, Spankey said:

Don’t have a lot of maintenance to do on my setups. All are in very good condition. Closer to restart of the season I’ll have lines I want to replace. I have some drop shot baits and terminal tackle I want to reorganize. Make up the kit to fit my needs better. I want to take one of my ML setups and one of my Medium setup and convert it to a braid and Fluoro leader setup. I’m willing to bite and see if sensitivity is increased. Been a long coming to try this. 
I’m not sure how well my winter downtime is gonna work out. I’ve been dealing with a major problem with a rotator cuff and bicep tendon issue for months. The medical system sort of sucks to where they are dragging this out on me. Is taking forever to get an MRI and surgery or whatever all I need. If a major surgery is needed I want it now. Probably is something that takes months to recover and I want to be fishing by the end of March at the latest. I struggled fishing the last couple few months but I didn’t let it keep me down and out. 
I’ll catch a couple of shows and seminars over the winter I’m sure. 
I’m the most bummed out because I can’t shoot because of this injury. I can’t hunt like this. I can’t shoot sporting clays or trap like this. I just have to get it resolved so that life gets back to normal. 

If you have to have the surgery done, take your time getting back to fishing. I had it done and rushed it and reinjured mine. It takes about 4 to 6 months to fully heal. Take closer to 6. You'll be glad you did. I had a buddy do the same thing I did and reinjure it by coming back too soon. It will drive you nuts watching warm weather slip by but you don't want to lose it all again. 

On 12/4/2024 at 5:26 AM, Spankey said:

Don’t have a lot of maintenance to do on my setups. All are in very good condition. Closer to restart of the season I’ll have lines I want to replace. I have some drop shot baits and terminal tackle I want to reorganize. Make up the kit to fit my needs better. I want to take one of my ML setups and one of my Medium setup and convert it to a braid and Fluoro leader setup. I’m willing to bite and see if sensitivity is increased. Been a long coming to try this. 
I’m not sure how well my winter downtime is gonna work out. I’ve been dealing with a major problem with a rotator cuff and bicep tendon issue for months. The medical system sort of sucks to where they are dragging this out on me. Is taking forever to get an MRI and surgery or whatever all I need. If a major surgery is needed I want it now. Probably is something that takes months to recover and I want to be fishing by the end of March at the latest. I struggled fishing the last couple few months but I didn’t let it keep me down and out. 
I’ll catch a couple of shows and seminars over the winter I’m sure. 
I’m the most bummed out because I can’t shoot because of this injury. I can’t hunt like this. I can’t shoot sporting clays or trap like this. I just have to get it resolved so that life gets back to normal. 

Sorry for double post. Please delete if possible. 

[Spankey]

2 hours ago, Don Harris said:

If you have to have the surgery done, take your time getting back to fishing. I had it done and rushed it and reinjured mine. It takes about 4 to 6 months to fully heal. Take closer to 6. You'll be glad you did. I had a buddy do the same thing I did and reinjure it by coming back too soon. It will drive you nuts watching warm weather slip by but you don't want to lose it all again. 

Sorry for double post. Please delete if possible. 

Thanks man. I just FINALLY got my MRI done on Thursday night. I’m not gonna push it. It will take what it takes. If they do operate I should find out real soon when to expect it to be. Even if I can’t start my bass fishing until mid June that is fine. If later, that will have to be fine.

I'll be bummed out over not fishing some winter and spring trout fishing but I’ll go and be somewhat of a one armed guide for my one grandson. We’ll still have a good time. 
Hunting was a bust. Can’t shoulder my rifles or shotguns. Just can’t afford to hurt it worse. Next season, all I can do. 
But I trudged through from mid August up to a few weeks back bass fishing with it. Got use to bait casting both right and left handed this season.

Good luck with your upcoming season. 

[CastingClinic]

7 hours ago, Motoboss said:

Thank you.

Very nice! So are you using a reostat dial or wireless remote? I’ve now watched a couple videos and most are using one or the other with the same Hobby Wing 880 solid state controller . Just depends on how you want to configure it.

 

I assume you are still controlling direction by hand.

 

 

Planning to use the Hobbywing 880 but haven’t settled on wireless or a wired yet.  The idea of a wireless controller sounds great but I’ve used an electric skateboard remote before and understand how it might not be that practical.  I’ve also seen remotes with, essentially, a plus/minus where you incrementally increase/decrease power but those also seem imprecise.  The PWM setup I was using worked off a potentiometer and I was able to really fine tune the power so without having tested anything yet I think I’m leaning towards a wired setup but will probably experiment with both.

 

And yes, I’m still planning to control direction by hand.  I’ve seen that video but that design seems a bit much.  The hobbywing 880 can support two motors and so, in theory, I could mount a simpler 12V linear actuator and rig up a collar on the trolling motor to control direction but still be able to connect/disconnect easily on the water and still control direction by hand. There are videos of setups like this and they seem to work well enough.  It’s something I’d be able to add on at a later date if I wanted.

 

In fact, I’ve thought about some ways to include relays and footswitches into the circuit to create a completely hands free setup but at this point I’m probably over complicating things and getting away from the real project which is just upgrading the trolling motor switch to a more functional throttle.

 

I'm very much a DIY tinkerer so a lot of the time I’ll overcomplicate things just for the fun of it.

[Motoboss]

2 hours ago, CastingClinic said:

Planning to use the Hobbywing 880 but haven’t settled on wireless or a wired yet.  The idea of a wireless controller sounds great but I’ve used an electric skateboard remote before and understand how it might not be that practical.  I’ve also seen remotes with, essentially, a plus/minus where you incrementally increase/decrease power but those also seem imprecise.  The PWM setup I was using worked off a potentiometer and I was able to really fine tune the power so without having tested anything yet I think I’m leaning towards a wired setup but will probably experiment with both.

 

And yes, I’m still planning to control direction by hand.  I’ve seen that video but that design seems a bit much.  The hobbywing 880 can support two motors and so, in theory, I could mount a simpler 12V linear actuator and rig up a collar on the trolling motor to control direction but still be able to connect/disconnect easily on the water and still control direction by hand. There are videos of setups like this and they seem to work well enough.  It’s something I’d be able to add on at a later date if I wanted.

 

In fact, I’ve thought about some ways to include relays and footswitches into the circuit to create a completely hands free setup but at this point I’m probably over complicating things and getting away from the real project which is just upgrading the trolling motor switch to a more functional throttle.

 

I'm very much a DIY tinkerer so a lot of the time I’ll overcomplicate things just for the fun of it.

I’ve used a wireless remote on my AP120 and felt it was a constant “fidget” to control speed and direction. I like the variable speed idea but think I would prefer a dial of some sort over the wireless.

Thinking this may be an upgrade to my 55# Newport come this Spring.

Thanks for the idea and information 👍🏼

Good luck with your project, remember KISS!

[A-Jay]

 I am in the process of converting the remaining split grip rods I fish into what I'm going to call a "Hybrid Full Grip" - both spinning & casting rods are getting the treatment.

I've had this 'idea' bouncing around in my head for a while now but was somewhat hesitant to make it happen. Initially I was just going to re-home many of these sticks, but there are way too many memories wrapped up in them at this point so I went to plan B. 

Finally took the plunge, purchased 'the supplies' and went to work. 

I'm about half way through the 10 or so rods that need it

and it's coming out a bit better than I actually expected, which rarely happens.

More to follow

Winter project #26 

A-Jay

[herder]

Unfortunately my main winter project is rehabbing my shoulder.
 I believe that I damaged it on my last camping\fishing trip where I misjudged the strength of the tide coming back to the launch.
This was in a saltwater inlet on the end of a super moon tide, where a normal 30 minute paddle took 2 hrs of constant paddling which included actually going backwards into a shoal area. It was the first time being scared that this might not end well in 20 years of fishing in a kayak. My son was with me and even asked if channel 16 was the correct channel for calling the Coast Guard.
 Anyway, my wife was concerned because I did call a Dr and made an appointment. X-rays and a series of movement tests suggested it was a torn rotator.  
Dr said due to my age (72) that surgery would be the last option, that recovery would take a long time and a strong possibility that it would not take anyway.
 I told the Dr that unlike the Rolling Stones, time was not on my side.
I did get a cortisone shot while there.
 So off to PT, which I’ve been doing now for a couple of weeks.
I’ve been working out for years with my focus on exercises related to paddling a kayak and strength for being able to load and unload the kayak off the roof of my car.
I realized that I messed up my shoulder and it wouldn’t just go away when I couldn’t even bench press with an unweighted bar.
 

[A-Jay]

New casting reels spooled and ready to  ~

Project #22

A-Jay 

[12poundbass]

I’ll be here all winter making sure the members in the frozen north don’t lose their minds and post crazy things. 
 

Myself included. 
 

🤪

[A-Jay]

On 12/12/2024 at 10:21 AM, A-Jay said:

 I am in the process of converting the remaining split grip rods I fish into what I'm going to call a "Hybrid Full Grip" - both spinning & casting rods are getting the treatment.

I've had this 'idea' bouncing around in my head for a while now but was somewhat hesitant to make it happen. Initially I was just going to re-home many of these sticks, but there are way too many memories wrapped up in them at this point so I went to plan B. 

Finally took the plunge, purchased 'the supplies' and went to work. 

I'm about half way through the 10 or so rods that need it

and it's coming out a bit better than I actually expected, which rarely happens.

More to follow

Winter project #26 

A-Jay

Done ~

A-Jay

[Columbia Craw]

21 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Done ~

A-Jay

Kind of like this

[GoneFishingLTN]

5 hours ago, A-Jay said:

New casting reels spooled and ready to  ~

Project #22

A-Jay 

No harm in spooling so early and having them sit?

[A-Jay]

35 minutes ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

No harm in spooling so early and having them sit?

Line is already sitting and on a spool.

I just moved it from one spool to another.

Also, it helps when you invest in the best line.

A-Jay

[detroit1]

I respool in March .

[geo g]

I moved here 48 years ago so I would never have problems with months of no fishing.  We are just getting into some of the best fishing of the year.  

[T-Billy]

On 12/1/2024 at 1:34 PM, gimruis said:

Ice fishing, no chance.  I'd rather spend a night in jail.

No thanks. I spent six months in there in my younger ornerier years. I'd much rather be ice fishing. 😂

On 12/2/2024 at 8:37 AM, king fisher said:

We have a winner!!! 

 

I need to service some reels, and build some bucktails. 

[33oldtimer]

Keep an eye on clearance fishing gear at Walmart. Watch fishing videos on Youtube. Hope for a a huge warm weather front to push up from the south for a week or so--and go fishing. Probably won't happen till at least February though.