Side view of my Bluegill rig....

Comment

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 6, 2012 at 1:36pm

There you go Jeff - thats my attitude, to a "T."

Most panfish are abundant and you dont have to go far to find them. You need to know how - and more importantly, WHERE -  they live throughout the year. But, once you have that sorted out, nearly any body of water will yield some. A lake burning boat with a 200/day fuel budget isn't necessary.

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on February 6, 2012 at 10:26am

The most important thing to see here is that fishing from a boat can be affordable and doesn't have to break you....Many locations I go, I can start fishing immediately where I launch the boat......Some days I fish all day on five dollars and other days I spend thirty, but I can control that with my fishing decisions.......I still enjoy bank fishing with my granchildren but have every intention of teaching them responsible boating so they can take advantage of our most precious thing outside of family and health, the great waterways our country has to offer the public and the rewarding hobbies associated with them! Which for me is obviously this great fish we know as the Bluegill and it's close cousins in the panfish family!

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 5, 2012 at 5:34pm

Good to take it slow at night, Jeff (thats what she said!)

I recall once camping at Lake Murray. We were camped alongside the causeway leading from one side of Billy Dreher Island to the other. At some time well after dark, I heard country music and thought it was a fellow camper. But it kept getting louder and louder... and was coming from the direction of the causeway. "What the hell is that?" I asked aloud. Since I was the only one that had been awakened by the racket, I was alone by the waters edge. Only the moonlight lit the water.

Waylon Jennings was blaring loudly when I finally saw the source of the music: a large pontoon boat was roaring by under the causeway - and I mean barely passing under. There was what looked like inches between the top of the guys head and the bridge.

That pontoon was going hell bent, and in a hurry to get there. The engine was screaming and the water flying - - and not a running light was seen. The whole thing was almost surreal. First came the music then the pontoon rip-snorting from beneath the causeway, but only the cold moonlight to light the scene. I was waiting for the crash, but it never came. The last I heard of him was the wailing of yet another country song wafting across the lake. All I could do was shake my head and go back to sleep. 

Worst of all, I don't even like country music.

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on February 5, 2012 at 12:53pm

I love fishing at night for Crappie and Catfish...I just don't care that much about going alone and nobody around here is that interested.......My dad and I went often winning Gar Rodeos in Louisiana and catching a break from the summer heat.........With him in his 70s now, he  doesn't care to go at night anymore.....I'm  a slow boater at night David...too many hazards in these waterways.....

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 5, 2012 at 12:19pm

@Jeff... I like to fish well into dark. I prefer the night bite as much as anything for the challenges it presents. Light so take on a whole new significance out on the water. This is especially true when runnin a fast boat like yours.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 5, 2012 at 12:06pm

@2lbgill..... It's sort of like electrical devices in general. There isn't any science behind them; thats just what they want you to believe. It's really it's all magic smoke. Once the sparks fly and the magic smoke gets out, thats it. Theyre finished.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 5, 2012 at 9:27am

Probably not an uncommon thing for a deputy, some fisherman forgetting to hook up his lights.
A little off-putting, though to think you can only get two seasons from a set of lights. There has to be a solution to that problem. At least attach the lens with thumb nut screws, so it can be taken off handily for servicing...

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on February 5, 2012 at 8:23am

Trailer lights are sealed also but still only last about two years at the most........I always disconnect from my truck when launching.....I have even forgot to hook them back up as evidenced by the local deputy on the way home! Just a friendly reminder.......LOL

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on February 5, 2012 at 8:20am

The running lights are portable and plug in to protected inserts on the bow and stern....One switch controls the lights....I also keep a rechargeable halogen in my bag as I will push it to dark fishing and ride back to the launch under darkness....I just really enjoy that last 30 minutes of fishing....peaceful and often very productive.......Must be familiar with your water to do this....hazards, etc..

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 5, 2012 at 7:49am

Okay! And how about the lights... are they sealed against water?

(Just bein' nosy here, as I still am looking to my own boat...)

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