Boat photo

[CrappieRadio]

Here's a photo of the boat I'm using to track crappie on Sardis Lake. I look forward to meeting you on the water.

Caleb

[img]http://www.***************/sites/default/files/01312010%20026.jpg[/img]

[tritonman]

you got plenty of room in there for sure

[Wannabe...]

How many channels you get with that thang? And where's the rod holders?

Wannabe...

[CrappieRadio]

How many channels you get with that thang? And where's the rod holders?

Wannabe...

This boat is still in the process of bring converted from shark research to tracking crappie. I had to redo all the wiring because of salt corrosion and we mounted the new motor. I'm told four-stroke motors cause less radio interference than two-strokes and the new 75 gets me around the lake a lot better than the old 35 would have. I built the mast for the antenna from some scrap PVC. Don't look like much, but it has improved range. As for rod holders, I won't get to do much fishing for this project unless you count trapping fish later in the spring. Rod holders and trap nets have this nasty habit of getting tangled up. John Woods was gracious enough to take us in his boat to catch the fish that we tagged on Dec. 18.

Caleb

[slydog1227]

Would you get better reception from an "in the water" antenna? Or are you actually doing your receiving from a satellite?

[CrappieRadio]

Would you get better reception from an "in the water" antenna? Or are you actually doing your receiving from a satellite?

Radio frequency transmissions travel farther in air than water. No satellites involved. I built that mast you see in the picture from some scrap PVC and I think it has improved the range some, but it's still not great. When fish are deep, the water really hurts the signal and range may only be 100 yards or so. Shallower fish may have a range nearer 300-400 yards or better. Manufacturer claims around 1/3 mile (that's 587 yards), but I'm sure that's in air and with the antenna pointed right at it. The antenna is directional and the beep I hear in my headset is louder when it is pointed at the transmitter, loudest when I'm right on top of it. Good thing that four-stroke is pretty quiet or I wouldn't have a chance.

Caleb

[slydog1227]

So you pretty much have to travel the full circumference of the lake each time you are there to get a really accurate reading on the fish locations? Thats a LOT of water to cover.

[CrappieRadio]

So you pretty much have to travel the full circumference of the lake each time you are there to get a really accurate reading on the fish locations? Thats a LOT of water to cover.

Can be pretty daunting. I try to cut it into manageable sections. Searched from dam to mouth of Clear Creek and Point 7 in about nine hours on Sunday. That's going a good ways up the creeks on both north and south shorelines and trying to cover the open water, too. Should get a little easier as the fish move shallower because that will increase signal strength, until they go so shallow I can't follow.

Caleb

[slydog1227]

Your a patient fella! .... You oughta try fishin! ....