Fishing In Rivers, Lakes and Bays

[Meerkat]

Today went looking a good place to put in at and think we found one.

We were warned about jumping Sturgeon Fish. Forget the many snakes,allegators be worried about 200 lb. fish that has already jumped in boat and killed a 6 yr.old this year [ according to rumor,will see if in news ] .

We found a very nice deep place to put in and told there are plenty of fish several kinds of bass alone. Talked to several men catching lots of fish today .

 

[Cnsper]

Sturgeon is good eating.

 

[Meerkat]

Sturgeon is good eating.

I hear they can weigh up to 200 pounds though, thats a lot of fish to clean. Is that true?

2015 6 injured and a 5 yo child killed by jumping sturgeons.

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[Cnsper]

I hear they can weigh up to 200 pounds though, thats a lot of fish to clean. Is that true?

2015 6 injured and a 5 yo child killed by jumping sturgeons.

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Depends on the type of sturgeon but yes they can. In the Columbia and Cowlitz rivers I have seen heads come out of the water 1.5 to 2 feet in diameter but they would be a different type of sturgeon.

White sturgeon 2k pounds
Beluga sturgeon 4k plus pounds

But since those down there are threatened I would not keep it in the boat.

 

[backlash]

The biggest Sturgeon I have caught was 8'5" long.
No idea what it weighed.
The size limit at that time was over 3' and under 6'.
I have seen pictures of Sturgeon that were drug out of the Columbia River with teams of horses.
They are good eating.
It's also getting harder and harder to catch a legal keeper and it's mostly catch and release now.

Unfortunately the story is true.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...ls-5-year-old-girl-on-suwanee-river/29693981/

 

[kappydell]

Wow. I didn't know sturgeon jumped....maybe getting revenge? I ate smoked sturgeon as a child, it was delicious, but it was one ugly fish, looked like the tail of an alligator. Far as I know they are not in our local (GA) rivers. I have always fished rivers, it seems I found better variety in fish in rivers. Everything from catfish, to bowfin (not good eating, that one, ugly, too) we tasted. Canned up lots of redhorse - they are very bony, but canning takes care of them and you don't notice them. The fish themselves are nice and firm, excellent canned. Just toss in a little liquid smoke and brown sugar in each jar, and you get smoked-tasting fish cooked right in the jar! Mmmmmmmmm. Pickled Northern Pike are excellent too, and even bluegills make great mock shrimp cocktail. Game fish are fun indeed, but rough fish fill the cookpot.

 

[Meerkat]

Well now weather may hold up boat trip. So guess it will be a day or so.

I did set up table and chair in the boat and ordered a Bimini top. it fits nicely near the front. Still checking on pontoons but so far looks like I'll have to make them myself,since hubby is not a fan. I already have the plan in my head for PVC types.And I saw some PVC fence post that can go on the ends that are pointed and if I use an elbow on both ends it should work ok.

Mine won't be this big and they will be able to be secured by the boat or detachable when not needed.

 

[Meerkat]

First day out in boat, thought this tree was pretty ,picture does it no justice. There are little fores of these up and down the river.

 

[Woody]

Interesting thought, pontoons.



My first black Labrador Retriever had great balance and we had no troubles going fishing in a canoe. She would balance herself in the canoe, even peering over the side. She even would counter balance me, by leaning the other way, if I leaned over the side. No problems jumping in/out at the shore either.



Last lab not so much. I had a 14’ x 3’ Jon boat and that thing was all over it. I think she would have preferred it to be swamped all the time, rather than staying dry. If I leaned to one side, she was right there helping tilt it! I had to be attentive of where she was and give her orders to stay in one position or move her to another spot in the boat to balance it. Pontoons would have really helped!

 

[Meerkat]

Interesting thought, pontoons.



My first black Labrador Retriever had great balance and we had no troubles going fishing in a canoe. She would balance herself in the canoe, even peering over the side. She even would counter balance me, by leaning the other way, if I leaned over the side. No problems jumping in/out at the shore either.



Last lab not so much. I had a 14’ x 3’ Jon boat and that thing was all over it. I think she would have preferred it to be swamped all the time, rather than staying dry. If I leaned to one side, she was right there helping tilt it! I had to be attentive of where she was and give her orders to stay in one position or move her to another spot in the boat to balance it. Pontoons would have really helped!

My reason for pontoons is although the river scenery is beautiful here I still prefer the salt or brackish waters near the coast.
I see enough wildlife and moss here in the woods so I want more balance and safety in the ICW and bays and inlets.
We had some really fast boaters go by leaving strong wakes and our boat did great taking them on.
After a couple more river test trips its St Augustine time.

 

[gumpy]

My reason for pontoons is although the river scenery is beautiful here I still prefer the salt or brackish waters near the coast.
I see enough wildlife and moss here in the woods so I want more balance and safety in the ICW and bays and inlets.
We had some really fast boaters go by leaving strong wakes and our boat did great taking them on.
After a couple more river test trips its St Augustine time.

I'm glad your ship has been proven seaworthy!

 

[Meerkat]

Gump ours went from worse than that to great. I plan on a trip very soon. I did take all my ' stuff ' out though, hubby insisted. So plenty of room.

 

[Meerkat]

Hubby is still hanging incognito with the millionaires. He was looking for parts and came up on this forum to ask a question about stirring.
They all like [ he is total non political,except he voted for Trump] him and he helps them with some of their mechamical problems.
He was just looking at one of his 'buddies' yacht and said our boat wouldn't make a dingy on that. So far nobody has ask him about his boat.

 

[TMT Tactical]

@Meerkat I like the boat. It is looking good.

 

[Meerkat]

@Meerkat I like the boat. It is looking good.

Thanks TMT, we like it too. And I offloaded all that stuff I had in it too. So hubby is happy. Plenty of room now.

 

[TMT Tactical]

Thanks TMT, we like it too. And I offloaded all that stuff I had in it too. So hubby is happy. Plenty of room now.

Yeah, when I first saw the pictures of the boat loaded your way, it reminded me of the wife's purse, which I refer to as the suitcase. I have seen bug out bags smaller. It looks nice and slim and trim now.

 

[Meerkat]

Yeah, when I first saw the pictures of the boat loaded your way, it reminded me of the wife's purse, which I refer to as the suitcase. I have seen bug out bags smaller. It looks nice and slim and trim now.

I have a bad neck so I need a table to lean on when it gets to hurting but now I'll just use the little snack tray type tables. And a smaller chair.

 

[Meerkat]

We use to go here and camp with the kids and grandkids and couple years ago great grandkids. It is a nice little place in the woods on river and springs.

 

[Meerkat]

I found out last trip out last month that the carpet sheds little spec's of green crap all over you if you sit on it. So that has to be covered with something.

Now plan is to go to Matanzas River and put in at St Augustine. I ordered flares today not that we plan on needing them of course since not getting near the ocean.
@Caribou , what do you think about the VHF radios in case of pirates not that I can imagine one wanting our boat but times are bad.
I'll get a pic of the one we may get next month.

• 
  

Uniden UM415 Fixed Mount Class D VHF Marine Radio - White

 

[backlash]

There was a big discussion at a walleye club meeting last year regarding flares.
One guy said they were required by the Coast Guard even tho we all fish mainly in the Columbia River.
Another guy said they were not required by the Coast Guard.
Then we found out the County Police will ticket you for not having flares on the river that is in their jurisdiction.
However the next county over will not ticket you.
They weren't that expensive so I went ahead and bought them.
I have all the required Coast Guard safety equipment for a boat the size of mine ,17 foot, just to be safe.
I am going to get a UHF Marine radio probably a portable handheld one.

 

[Meerkat]

There was a big discussion at a walleye club meeting last year regarding flares.
One guy said they were required by the Coast Guard even tho we all fish mainly in the Columbia River.
Another guy said they were not required by the Coast Guard.
Then we found out the County Police will ticket you for not having flares on the river that is in their jurisdiction.
However the next county over will not ticket you.
They weren't that expensive so I went ahead and bought them.
I have all the required Coast Guard safety equipment for a boat the size of mine ,17 foot, just to be safe.
I am going to get a UHF Marine radio probably a portable handheld one.

@backlash , what do you think of the VHF above? I'm not so good with hand held little buttons and things. Plus I like the large lighted screens on the standards. I have to wear glasses to see the small ones.

 

[backlash]

@backlash , what do you think of the VHF above? I'm not so good with hand held little buttons and things. Plus I like the large lighted screens on the standards. I have to wear glasses to see the small ones.

I haven't done a lot of research on VHF radios yet so I don't have an opinion. For the cost it seems to be a good option. Don't forget you will need to buy an antenna and that will add to the cost and installation issues.
The Amazon ratings seem OK, but people are complaining about the mic holder breaking off.
I am leaning towards a handheld unit so I can take it with me if my boat should happen to sink.

 

[Meerkat]

I haven't done a lot of research on VHF radios yet so I don't have an opinion. For the cost it seems to be a good option. Don't forget you will need to buy an antenna and that will add to the cost and installation issues.
The Amazon ratings seem OK, but people are complaining about the mic holder breaking off.
I am leaning towards a handheld unit so I can take it with me if my boat should happen to sink.

Ok thanks BackL. I just have a problem with hand held devices. I can see ok but the little buttons bother me. Not decided yet though.

 

[Cnsper]

Vhf is a thousand times better than a CB. They also make antennas for boats that fold down when you pull it from the water. Hand held does not have near the range. I consider a handheld more of a survival tool in a survival bag. If I were on open water I would want the one with more range.

I have talked 30 miles on a vhf radio. We were both on top of a hill but it still reached that far. Monitor channel 16 as that is the emergency channel.

 

[Meerkat]

Vhf is a thousand times better than a CB. They also make antennas for boats that fold down when you pull it from the water. Hand held does not have near the range. I consider a handheld more of a survival tool in a survival bag. If I were on open water I would want the one with more range.

I have talked 30 miles on a vhf radio. We were both on top of a hill but it still reached that far. Monitor channel 16 as that is the emergency channel.

Thanks Cnsper, good info on this.

 

[backlash]

I know a guy that had to use his VHF radio because he's an idiot and got himself in trouble going fishing on the Columbia River when the wind was blowing. He wound up running aground behind an island.
He tried calling 911 but had no cell service. He made a mayday call and the Coast Guard answered him back from Portland, OR.
He was over 200 miles from Portland.
The County Sheriff rescued him after a tug boat pushing a barge contacted them for him.
He didn't even catch any fish.

 

[Meerkat]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cobra-MR-F45-D-VHF-Basic-White/15860530

Antenna,

This is the one I got. Tried to avoid all the bells and whistles , that much less to go wrong with it, I hope.
Hope it is a good one. Guess we will find out.

All comments welcome. Also wonder if our US Power Squadron certificate is ok to work it or we have to take radio course?

 

[backlash]

You do not need a license however since that radio has Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Capability you must obtain a nine-digit maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number and have it programmed into the unit before you transmit.
If your vessel does not require a license you may obtain an MMSI by contacting either BoatUS, Sea Tow Service International, Inc., Shine Micro, or United States Power Squadrons..
There should be information that came with your radio telling you how to get this number.
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/ship-radio-stations

 

[Meerkat]

You do not need a license however since that radio has Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Capability you must obtain a nine-digit maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number and have it programmed into the unit before you transmit.
If your vessel does not require a license you may obtain an MMSI by contacting either BoatUS, Sea Tow Service International, Inc., Shine Micro, or United States Power Squadrons..
There should be information that came with your radio telling you how to get this number.
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/ship-radio-stations

Thank you backL the less surprises the better.

I hope to spend as many days as possible on the water. While we are still able to go time isn't waiting on any of our plans.

 

[backlash]

I'm with you on spending time on the water.
I didn't go fishing but 1 time last year.
It was just laziness on my part and this year I will go as much as I can.
God does not count time fishing against your life span so fishing time is free.