[NeWcS]

Can anyone give me some tips on boat fishing alone as far as loading and unloading the boat alone. My fishing partner(My Brother) can't go fishing as much as I can/want to due to the fact he is about to get married and we know how that can be. With that said, I have a feeling ill be doing alot of fishing alone.

Im thinking: Back the boat/trailer into the water with the winch rope pulled out some, tie the boat to the dock with a long rope. back it into the water and let it off the trailer with the winch catching it?

Is this how its done alone???

-Jay

 

[Guest]

Nope.

Keep all off it tight till your ready to move it. Use waders so you can get in the water.

Put one end of a rope on the bow cleat and one on the stern cleat. (Side towards dock). Back boat in till it just barely floats. Push boat off the bunks. Since you have ahold of the rope you can just jump up on the dock and walk the boat back and tie off to the dock cleat.

Reverse method to put boat back on trailer.

I see lots of people only have the rope attached to one part of the boat and it causes the boat to swing all over.

 

[slayerfish]

If you dont have a dock,tie a short rope to the bow eye and the other end to the back of trailer.Have everything unhooked so boat will float.Back in until boat floats free of trailer then slowly pull ahead until boat comes aground. Wa-Lah!

 

[NeWcS]

Im thinking: Back the boat/trailer into the water with the winch rope pulled out some, tie the boat to the dock with a long rope. back it into the water and let it off the trailer with the winch catching it?

I ment the winch rope in the front and another rope from the side of the boat to the dock.

-Jay

 

[slayerfish]

Heres how I do mine:Tie a rope to either center of boat or both the front and back cleats.Also tie boat to trailer somewhere you can reach it.Unhook boat so it will float free.Back in right NEXT to dock (this makes the procedure much simpler).Boat should be floating,untie rope to trailer,grab center rope(or both frnt and back ones),pull boat back from trailer then tie to dock cleats.Done-Except when docks dont have cleats,which I'm seeing more and more it discourages tying off.Practice makes perfect!

 

[idratherbfishing]

I keep the boat attached to the winch though I let out a foot or two of slack. I back up far enough to float the boat. Unhook the winch and then tie the boat off as close the end of the dock that I can. That way while I am parking there is room for another person to launch also. (On longer docks that is)

If I am at a dock that does not have cleats to tie off on then I try to lauch on the windward side if there is one of the dock. That way the wind keeps the boat against the dock and keeps it from blowing away.

Dan

 

[Bronco]

I'm usually by myself and all i do is losen up the winch a little put it in the wate runtil it comes off the trailer, just walk on the tongue and unhook the boat and throw the p on the side and time it to the dock.

 

[Nawanda]

Jake, here's what I've done for a 14' aluminum with electric motor:

At home, with the boat empty,

1) I pick up the trailer and hook it to the wonder truck. I add the empty cooler between the proper seats.

2) Oars, life vests (make sure you have a WHISTLE, and a spare "safety" paddle/oar, as its required).

3. Add batteries to the back end of boat, w/MOTOR, Some like to take the batteries but no motor, but you don't have to imitate them. Have your Boat REGISTRATION & Fishing licenses.

4. Before leaving home, do 3 things: A: check brake lights
B. Have plug in back of boat, and a spare plug. in the boat. C. Make sure the (gray) Nylon safety strap is holding boat on trailer

5. Load vehicle with ice, food, coffee thermos, bait (if you forget the lunch you can eat some bait), water jugs, all tackle, HAT!!!, coat & rain gear, fanny cushion, flashlight/lantern as necessary w/batteries, pocket knife, needle-nose pliers.

6. At the res, I back down the ramp, tail gate down, to water's edge. With boat unloaded & light, I start to push it mm......18" or so off the back end of the trailer, then I put most of the gear in. With the trailer hook unhooked, I attach the BOW-LINE of the boat to the trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, then give the truck a little gas and slam the brake about the time the trailer lights touch the water or thereabouts. The boat slides off and I can hook it to the dock for more loading etc (I've taken to greasing the rails with clear petroleum jelly to help it all slide)

7. Park truck, hit the restroom, jump in the boat, motor away and hook on bait

RETURN.

A. Tie boat at dock & retrieve truck, putting the brakelights close to , running the hand-winch line with hook a few feet past the end of trailer.

B. Leave all gear in boat, motor it up to the trailer and grab the winch hook & attach it to the boat. I'm agile enough to jump off the bow and walk UP the trailer like an acrobat pulling along with the winch line, then winch the boat up all the way.

C. Put gray nylon safety strap & motor away

[if I forgot something, I'll add it, and others can help you make a good checklist]

 

[Nawanda]

Oh yeah, I take extra pants socks & sneakers in case I get wet ;D

 

[idratherbfishing]

Personally I usually put the plug in after I notice my feet are in 6 inches of water. I guess it would make more sense to do it before I put it in the water.

Dan

 

[slayerfish]

You know,dan- It took me 7 or 8 times of forgetting the plug till I finally got the hang of remembering!Thank god for bilge pumps that work!

 

[Guest]

You know,dan- It took me 7 or 8 times of forgetting the plug till I finally got the hang of remembering!Thank god for bilge pumps that work!

I forgot the key at home one time. Good thing the lake was only 30 miles away.

 

[Nawanda]

Dan, it's really no big deal to forget the plug at the back of the boat. Many's the time I've fished the entire day with my thumb stuck back to plug the hole while my other hand steers! ???

 

[Pete]

Yeah,

I no longer forget to put the plug in the back of the boat. Developed a habit of putting the plug in the boat, just before sticking the key in the truck's ignition and driving off to start fishing. I took a buddy and his wife fishing once, forgot the plug, and his wife spontaneous cumbusted into speaking tounges. We took in a couple of gallons of water, and when she freaked out, she scarred the heck out of me, until I realized what was going on. I NEVER forget to plug!.

As far as dropping the boat into the lake by your lonesome. I remove the two back tiedown straps, keep the winch hook on, back in as close to the dock as possible until the back of the boat starts to float. Grab the side ropes tie up onto the cleats quickly, step-in unhook the winch, step out of the boat, untie from the cleats, pull on the ropes while walking along to dock, and sliding the boat off the trailer.

Jay after you do it a couple of times, it becomes a snap.

Pete

 

[epic]

All these boating tips I just wanted to throw something out there too, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE wash your boat everytime you are going to switch lakes. If you are hitting the same lake evey day/weekend then it isnt that important. But if you are going to switch lakes please wash your boat and wash it good. There are so many parasites and nuisance species that are spread from lake to lake simply because they dont wash their boat. A simple 2.00$ or less at the carwash and the pressure washer takes all these right off. Make sure you clean the bilge and live tanks too and let everything air dry for atleast 5 days.
Since you dont always have 5 days notice before you are going to switch lakes try washing your boat after every time you use it just in case.
THANKS!

 

[Jimmy]

The best that I know Jay, is to let your brother help you put the boat in the lake. Then when he is finished fishing for the day, take him back to shore. You can than stay on the lake as long as you want. You can always use the excuse with your wife, " the wind was blowing so bad when I tried to get off the lake I could not do it be my self with out destroying the boat or my vehicle, So I had to wait for help." Then when your brother returns in a few days or weeks which ever, after a good of fishing he can help you load the boat back on the trailer. I do know a number to a good marriage counsler if you need it. One last thing, make sure you have enough bait and food for at least 2 weeks. One for when you are on the lake and the other for when you are spending the nights sleeping in the garage. Hope this helps.

 

[NeWcS]

LoL

Thats why im not married. I can come and go as I please..............Well........n/m


-Jay

 

[Jimmy]

Sorry to hear about that Jay. I am married , not by choice but for survival. You see I could not make it without my blushing bride, she says it not blushing but complete embrassment from being seen with me, but I now the difference. With out her I would have to give up fishing. The boat is in her name and her SUV has the only hitch. Besides that she makes all the money I spend on fishing gear. I really feel every fisher person needs a spouse. This way when you go to the store thay can pick out your clothes while you wander through the fishing department. Once she insisted that I buy my own clothes. I still don't know why chest wadders and a new fishing shirt was not exceptable for her sisters wedding, its not like I was the best man. So from that day on she has picked out all my clothes. Hope you have a good day fishing.

 

[epic]

Haha, if I didnt have a woman I wouldnt have any money. She is the only thing that keeps me out of the sporting goods section, but it works both ways I keep her out of the clothing and clearence sales sections.

 

[Jimmy]

Mine once thought about a seperation but I was able to whine,cry and through a temper tantrum in the middle of the store to change her mind. While I was laying there on the floor kicking my feet she came to her senses as a crowd began to develop. Where could she find some that could fit into my clothes and the would they like the smell of fish on them any way. As she put her hands and walks away you could hear her mumble, : What did I do to deserve this?" I really know what she meant was why do I deserve such a wonderful spouse. I did get the new lures anyway.