Skunked at Otter Lake Today...

Took the new, used Lowe Stinger on her maiden voyage... Runs Great and love that front deck. Ran boat around some and played with new Humminbird Helix 7. That new fish finder had me stymied a good deal of the time. Back to the online user manual...

Finally got around to trying to catch some Crappie. Nary a fish. Used the Hot Chicken Sausage head on 1 pole and a white with pink head Road Runner on the other. Tried the points, the coves and the drop-offs in the main lake.
Windy as all get-out. Water was like chocolate milk above Airline Road - got a lot clearer closer to the dam.

Called the Park office last night to see if they were selling minnows yet. Not until this Thursday. Also the office/bait shop will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesday until April 15th. I asked Mr. Moroney what about paying a boat launch fee for today. He must have felt charitable - he told me to not worry about it. So if you want to launch for free on Tuesdays or Wednesday before April 15th, I guess you can.

I had the whole lake and ramp and parking lot to myself... Should have went to Rend, but that a twice as far drive, and I was mostly interested in testing out the boat and new Humminbird.

Sure is a pretty lake and besides the wind, it was a nice day getting out of the house.

Getting the "new" boat wet and playing with a new sonar makes for a fun day even if the fish don't cooperate.

Water temp?

One of my favorite lakes.

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Originally Posted by IL86

Water temp?

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The temps near the bridge were hovering around 39F at around 11am. (Was going to fish the South side of road, next to the rip rap, figuring the sun had heated up those rocks and drew in the bait fish and Crappie. But the dang wind was pretty strong out of the SW and made it hard to control the boat. Wanting to see how the boat/motor planed out made it easier to decide to head South and "let her eat." The 60hp Merc planed the boat fast, and was nice and stable in the semi-rough water.)

About an hour later, farther down the lake in deeper water (30-40'), the water temps got up to 43-44F. In the side coves down there, the temps were about the same.

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Originally Posted by Kenny

Getting the "new" boat wet and playing with a new sonar makes for a fun day even if the fish don't cooperate.

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Amen, Kenny :cheers2

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Originally Posted by Tarzan

The temps near the bridge were hovering around 39F at around 11am. (Was going to fish the South side of road, next to the rip rap, figuring the sun had heated up those rocks and drew in the bait fish and Crappie. But the dang wind was pretty strong out of the SW and made it hard to control the boat. Wanting to see how the boat/motor planed out made it easier to decide to head South and "let her eat." The 60hp Merc planed the boat fast, and was nice and stable in the semi-rough water.)

About an hour later, farther down the lake in deeper water (30-40'), the water temps got up to 43-44F. In the side coves down there, the temps were about the same.

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Thanks for the great reply.. Nice to see that you had you new boat out..