Saturday, May 14, 2016

Photo Hosting Again

I need these on another site..



Finishing up the Kayak Trailer (Part 3)

    Friday I wired the trailer up with a longer set to accommodate the long tongue.  I ran it up through the inside of the tongue. When I want to use the shorter one I will pull it out and run it through the short tongue.

 

    After some research, I decided to go with a set of Malone SeaWings to hold the kayak to the trailer. They came in yesterday evening so I installed those this morning to finish off the locking kayak trailer.










    I still want to change out the plastic upright guides to metal ones and also add a couple side access doors to the front of the box so I can get to stuff with the kayak on top. Eventually, I may add a rack up front to hold a cooler.



PART ONE Building the top and lid.

PART TWO Extending the tongue.

PART FOUR Additional Support


    Each page has a link to the other parts.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Team Maggie Tournament 5.7.2016

    Last week was busy from the start. I knew I wanted to perish at least once if not twice before tournament day. Watching the weather I chose Wednesday and Friday.

    Wednesday I went alone. I trolled around south of Little Hall focusing on humps and points. Not much luck. I managed a small Spot (Black Bass) in the morning. On the way back to the ramp I hooked a catfish that wreaked havoc on all of my lines. I ended up cutting 3 of the 4 lines I had out to free it.










    Friday I met up with a couple of LAKE members who wanted to go along. We set out at a decent hour in search of Stripers. Unfortunately we only found Spots. Better than nothing though. I did learn a lot and felt better prepared for the tournament.





    The morning of the tournament went smoothly. I got up on time and made it to Hammond's just before they opened the doors at 5:30 am. The tournament ticket allowed me 2 dozen free Herring from Sherry's Bait and Tackle but I decided that would be a mess with everyone else showing up for free bait. Also, I have never been there and was not sure what to expect as far was procedure, parking, lines etc.
    I think a few others decided the same. When i arrived there was already a two deep line at Hammond's all the way to the road! All went quickly considering. I left out of there with 2 dozen Herring, another dozen from Friday, and 6 Gizzard Shad. I showed up at the Ramp just after 6.
 
    I was surprised that there were not many boats on the ramp and the parking lot wasn't packed either. It helped that you were allowed to launch from any where o the lake provided you checked in at Little Hall end of day (2PM).


    My boat launches easily with one person so I was set and on my way by 630. I ran North up to the back of Johnson creek and started throwing a spook for some top water action to no avail. One I was satisfied that wasn't happening I started setting up rods to troll out.  I set the trolling motor to stay on heading and ran about .8 mph. I baited up 6 rods and put them at various depths behind the boat. 4 planer boards and 2 floats. All the way out and around Keith's Island I finally got a hit off a hazard marker only to reel in a stick. I unhooked and freed the stick back to the lake. When I dropped my hook with Herring into the water I immediately got a strike! I few seconds later a small Striper was in the boat. At least it was not going to be a skunk!








    I continued trolling back towards the ramp. I ran across a pile of fish, or trees the fish finder thought were fish (LOL) so I hit the electronic anchor and pulled in the planers and floats. I set all threads up as downlines and hoped for the best. Nothing.



    I wanted be a little early at the ramp so I could avoid a last minute rush of boats since I was loading up alone.

    I did not check in my baby Striper since I knew I hand no hopes of winning anything. Top place in the boat division took it with over 80 inches between two fish (limit).

    A great experience for my first ever real tournament and all for a great cause. Go Team Maggie!