Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by drh146 on 09/15/09 - 9:50 AM

Hey guys,
Just wanted to find out if im missing out on a fishing technique. Im new to the 'fishing with a boat' scene as up till now ive been landlocked.
i got my whaler but i dont have a trolling motor, so ive just been just anchoring, fishing, starting the engine, pulling the achor, moving, anchoring, starting the engine, pulling up the anchor, moving, etc, etc.

I know i can drift and just 'go with the flow' but some areas i dont know how shallow itll get where i end up, and i dont know whats submerged, and i dont want to be rushing to get the rod in, starting the engine then getting out of the way.

just wondering if theres a slick idea im not thinking of

Edited by drh146 on 09/15/09 - 10:01 AM

Posted by Barryg on 09/15/09 - 10:28 AM

Go buy anything in Electric Chicken color and give it a try around any structure(Docks,bridges,creek mouths....)I anchor most of the time and do well. Also try Charleston fishing forum for more info. Nothing better than fishing in a BW.BG

Posted by chris55386 on 09/15/09 - 3:30 PM

I am fishing in lakes and i do a fair amount of drifting,I have two drift socks and they are great for controlling the speed of the drifting. i would highly recommend having two of them and this time of year they are on sale. i just bought a 4.5 hp trolling motor and look forward to trolling with it using very little fuel...

Posted by drh146 on 09/16/09 - 3:42 AM

Im fishing for the most part in rivers (New Bern, NC).

Id like to target bass trout and flounder, but so far only have found croaker and pinfish. I think if i could move easier it be easier to find and track the better game fish.

Posted by Barryg on 09/16/09 - 5:24 AM

If you would try a popping cork with a fresh shrimp that should do the the trick(docks,bridges, and creek mouths). I only use a TM when drifting out of a creek for boat control , not neccesary but nice. Look for ORG(Old Retired Guys) they know what there doing.BG

Posted by JPB on 09/16/09 - 7:37 AM

Like Barry said...Find some structure and anchor within casting distance. Live shrimp under a cork will be hard to beat. It will help to find structure with some moving water on either side of the tide. Good Luck!

Posted by chris55386 on 09/16/09 - 7:40 AM

I have been using a lindy rig and leaches on the weedlines drifting and I have caught some very nice bass this summer. The leaches are becoming out of season so this Friday i will be using the Lindy rig set up with a crawler harness. I plan on catching Walleye and bass. I fish the deeper structure between 15 and 30 feet. It seems the bigger fish are down there.
I look forward to reading how everyone else does it...

Posted by MW on 09/16/09 - 9:36 AM

#11

You have to "Match the Hatch", find out what they are feeding on at this time of year, and what bait fish are in the water now. I saw some Monster Blues in the back bay chasing "Bunker", I threw a clam belly (it was all I had) with a wt. on it into the middle of the "Blitz", I could see a few of the fish follow it with some interest but, they would'nt "Strike", very frustrating since they'll eat "anything" but, they wanted "Bunker" only.

Posted by Troy on 09/16/09 - 10:19 AM

#12

Alright here is a crazy idea that I got from my dad. This is a possible idea for a guy who just bought his first Whaler and wants to troll, but doesn't want to shell out some more money on an electric trolling motor just yet. Back in my dads younger days when he and his buddies had no money and no trolling motor, they would drag a five gallon bucket and troll with the regular engine. This allows you to slow down the boat as you are pulling it on a rope from the bucket handle. You could idle around for hours fishing this way. I guess its a poor mans drift sock! This could be a band aid solution for you until you can pony up some funds for a proper trolling rig. If nothing else, I thought it was a fun story!

Posted by chris55386 on 09/16/09 - 11:43 AM

#13

Off the subject but I got the boat cover from a company called Permatop, they have a great website. They made it for me along with new seats in the original materials and a bimini top. The cover cost me about $550. and fits like a glove. They do ship and if you are interested you can call Kurt at 952 472 7800 website is www.permatop.com they are well known around the Lake Minnetonka area.

Posted by CES on 09/16/09 - 12:43 PM

#14

Troy, that's a great idea for a sea anchor! Just listening to old timers will provide a lot of insight to lifes issues.

Posted by chris55386 on 09/17/09 - 9:27 AM

#15

I am going fishing tomorrow morning and I am going to try using a floating chartreuse Rapala with a lindy rig type set up to get it near the bottom. We have been catching walleyes at 15 to 30 feet on the rocks and I think this may work as long as I can control my speed and not have the Rapala just dive into the bottom and get caught on the rocks. i will also be bringing along the
night crawlers.

Posted by benboat on 09/17/09 - 10:40 PM

#16

I am a new boat fisher too. The best idea we found for trolling without dropping 2 grand for a trolling motor is a trolling plate. I personally really like the easy troller. It has a hinge so if you accidentally hit the throttle it won't ruin the part. you can see them at

http://www.savvyboater.com/p-35-easytroller-trolling-plate.aspx

Good Luck!

Posted by mattgeiger on 09/18/09 - 8:02 AM

#17

I don't have a trolling motor either. I usually scout an area with the sounder, then go upwind of anything that looks good, cut the engine and drift. I keep and eye on the sounder and adjust depth as needed when downlining. If it is windy, I'll throw a 5-gallon bucked over the stern to slow me down.

Posted by chris55386 on 09/18/09 - 1:23 PM

#18

Well today was not the best day fishing but that old saying applies, " a bad day fishing beats a good day at work". My idea to use a Lindy rig type set up with a Charuruse Rapala worked and I caught Bass and some very agressive Sunfish. My new old kicker moter worked great for the first 20 minutes them killed and I could not get it started. So after spending the morning on the water I brought it back to the repair guy.

Posted by chris55386 on 10/02/09 - 12:18 PM

#19

last time I was out I drifted in a strong wind with my two drift socks deployed, it worked perfectly. At one point in 18 feet of water I had a sunfish take my leach and when I reeled it up to the boat there was about a 50" Muskie following the sunfish right to the side of the boat. wow was that thing huge! I am going out tomorrow for walleyes, they are biting on Crawlers in 14 to 20' of water.
Chris