Fishing in Skim Ice

[WATERHAM]

Due to the fact that I live in Michigan and love to fish, I am faced with the reality of 1.) An awesome Walleye is bite occuring in my backyard, right now as we speak of TROPHY proportions 2.) A couple of good buddies are coming up in the morning to let these fish "taste test our hooks", and 3.) I winterized my boat last week.

Do I have to do anything special, besides let the motor set in the water and get acclimated to the 35 degree water 3-5 minutes before starting and smoking like a house on fire. Will it start up any slower/different than it would any other day? The motor is a Johnson 77' 70HP Seahorse. Any tips are appreciated.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Fishing in Skim Ice

My motors have no problem with the cold...been out three times in the past week and half.
One day I had to break through 3/8" ice to get out of the creek. That'll get the scum off the hull!

 

[WATERHAM]

Re: Fishing in Skim Ice

Saginaw Bay (a part of Lake Huron) is the place to be late Fall, Winter (through the ice) Spring and Summer. Just awesome Walleye fishing especially when close (12 miles from my driveway). The Saginaw River 1.1 miles from my driveway) is where all the big Females (some pushing 13 lbs.) come to make babies. Mix that in with some very indecisive friends, an organized boat owner who can't tell these friends NO! during below freezing temps, and that seems to be the perfect recipe for multiple winterizations on 1 boat. You are right though, my hull is clean. On the plus side, we caught 600-700 keeper Walleye this season from my boat ( and 1 planer board). We did not keep all those fish for all of you wondering. Have pics, lots of pics

 

[Dovekie]

Re: Fishing in Skim Ice

I will try to remember to take a photo later this winter, but in answer to qn. whether there is anything that you need to do before starting your outboard in sub-zero air &/or water temperatures - other than trying to make sure that all the water was clear of your engine when you put it up or last run it, and allowing sufficient time for it to warm up once started, I don't think so.

Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, outboard motors are routinely started & run throughout the winter, often in temperatures below minus 10 C (~ 14 F), sometimes to - 15 C ( 5 F) & perhaps even colder; water temperatures to -1.8 C (~ 29 F) which is ~ freezing point of salt water. Motors can be harder to start and can quit; carburator icing & freezing does occur, but as often as not, they get the job done. I guess there's nothing really unusual in this as snow machines are run same & lower temperatures.

It's a good idea not to have any fresh water, or the least amount of water possible in cooling passages, water jackets, fuel (FUEL) & esp. lower ends. So when you get back from catching those fish ... :- )

Please bear in mind that I'm not an outboard mechanic, nor especially experienced in running motors though the winter (though I do make a number of trips in every month), so please don't be vexed if you have problems.

P.S. I did forget to say that it's 9 C (~ 49 F) with fog here this evening, so you might be inclined to disbelieve my remarks ;- ) Climate change is real!

 

[WATERHAM]

Re: Fishing in Skim Ice

Thanks for the tips. Alot of folks in most areas don't have the pleasure of sub- zero temps getting in the way of there fishing. I was worried with such an old motor (30 years old) I'd screw something up; after all it is my middle name. Everything ran fine, smoked like hell though (Fogging Oil). Boated 1 Walleye today that measured 28.5" we figured 8.5-9 lbs.(Released) . 4 more between 3 and 5 lbs. I am glad I listened to my damned friends.

 

[mars bar]

Re: Fishing in Skim Ice

I fish year round in Niagara, just make sure all water is out of your engine! Start it for a second just as you pull it out of the water. Big Browns and Rainbows here in the river.