Fishing with my dad this weekend - nervous

My parents are coming to visit me this weekend and I am planning to do some fishing with my dad on Saturday. I am certainly looking forward to spending time with him, but I'm also a little nervous because my dad is the one who taught me how to fish and I want to make sure that I can put him on some. I could care less about getting skunked if I was taking a buddy fishing, but I always want to impress ole dad:cool:. I haven't been able to fish for a couple weeks because my motor has been in the shop (just got it back this morning). So I haven't been able to consitently pattern the fish as I would have liked. He and I are old school when it comes to crappie fishing - long pole jigging or minnows/jigs under a bobber - so trolling is out. We'll be fishing above Fate Sanders, so I guess I am going to look for them first in about 10-15 foot range then move shallower/deeper if needed. If the spawn has ended and if they have moved out of the post-spawn staging areas on Priest like I have heard people talking about it might be time to try out some of the deeper brush piles I sunk back in January. We'll see. Wish us luck out there. Sorry about the long post, just thinking this through.

Hey lots of luck impressing your dad this weekend.If you find the fish Saturday me and Thrillseeker might need some help.Think me and him is going to be taking Easter Seal kids out of the YMCA camp around noon.Was really looking forward to it till I bent the shaft on my trolling motor and now it is hard to turn with the foot control.I backed the bearing off the shaft where they meet together and that helped some.But we hope to get the kids on the fish so they can have a big time.

Black Crow,
I'm going to head out that way on Friday if I find out anything worth passing on I'll let you know. I more worried about these storms today shaking them up again like last week.

Quacker

I am impressed that you are taking the time for you dad. He will be pleased.

I am the one here that usually does the "taking". I got kids over 40.:)

black crow acting like he doesnt know how to fish.....................Dad has made a son nervous. Good luck....you'll do fine I'm sure.;)

Pm Sent!

Ha ha, thanks for the encouragement guys. My mom has now decided that she would like to come with us, so this could get interesting quick :D. If any of you are on Priest anytime on Saturday and see two guys with a lady in a wide-brimmed hat in a crowded jon boat, give us a wave.

quackermasher - Please pass along any good news you have after your trip tomorrow. I'll be praying the weather treats you favorably.

What end of the lake you going to be on?Think me and Thrill going to leaving out of the YMCA camp area.We seen a couple last week on the lower end of the lake in a narrow john boat and all the bigger boats was zooming by them.I told Thrill look at the brave soles but all I could see is them bigger boats tipping the little john over and we was ready to run to the rescue in case they needed anything but they didnt.Be careful and keep an eye out for us.In a blue bass tracker with a 90 merc on it.

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Originally Posted by crappietime

What end of the lake you going to be on...keep an eye out for us.In a blue bass tracker with a 90 merc on it.

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That's you guys in that blue boat?!?! Ha, do you put in at Fate Sanders sometimes? If so, I think I know your boat :D. I've seen a blue bass tracker on the ramp there a couple times. I'll introduce myself next time I see you guys.

As for your question as to where I will be fishing - I spend 85% of my time fishing around Fate Sanders. I stick around Spring, Stewart, and Fall Creek, and I hang around that big island off the channel there quite a bit. The other 15% of my time I spend right outside of the Four Corners Marina. So it looks like I'll be on the other end of the lake this weekend.

You guys be carefull out there too. I think it is awesome that you and Thrillseeker are taking those kids out. They will never forget the time they have out there.

I've got 100 bucks on Mom!!!

Yeah I put in at the Fate Sanders recreation picnic area.Give me a shout sometime and I will try and point you in a direction up on that end of the lake sometime.I usually put in there alot during the week due to east access for me after I get off work.

My prize from Friday! Not bad for 6'lb test and a 10' crappie rod..29" 12 lbs 4 oz...:):)

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/IMG_4713.jpg

Way to go Quacker very nice catch!!!!!!!!Well me amd Thrill didnt get to do as we planned today.Had things happen so we didnt get on the water till late this evening and we got fish that is all we can say.

Very nice fish.........hurry up and loan it out too "Black Crow"
so he can impress his dad

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Originally Posted by crappietime

Way to go Quacker very nice catch!!!!!!!!Well me amd Thrill didnt get to do as we planned today.Had things happen so we didnt get on the water till late this evening and we got fish that is all we can say.

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Had things happen? More like **** happens. :eek:I'm afraid that I might be a jynx to every boat I set foot on. Is there anyway to reverse this?

Well...how did the trip go with Mom and Dad?

Well guys, here's the rest of the story...

I mentioned in my original post I just got my motor back from the mechanic who had it for two weeks. He rebuilt the carb and replaced the spark plugs for $230. Fine with me, it's a 90's model two stroke Mercury and it's probably time to replace the carbs anyway. He gave it back to me Thursday and said it was working fine and that I was set to go. Great!

Well, I put the boat in the water and cranked it up. It ran beautifully for about 15 seconds and then sputtered out :(. I cranked it again, it ran for about 10 seconds then died again :(:(. Cranked it a third time with the same results :mad:. I have a very low patience threshold for mechanical problems with my motor - especially after letting it sit in a mechanic's shop for two weeks paying $230 for new carbs. So with my blood about to boil I pulled the boat to the bank. After 30 minutes or so of me and my dad tinkering with it on the water (tinkering defined as manually opening the throttle, checking the fuel filter, removing and blowing out the fuel lines) we decided to take it back to the house to look at it.

I parked the boat in my driveway and filled my 50 gallon trash can with water and cranked it up. It ran 15-20 seconds then died - same result as at the lake. Next time I cranked it I pulled the throttle with my finger and it ran for about 30 seconds, but here I noticed something important - the motor was not cycling water. At this point I attached my hose flushing kit to the motor (you know the thing attaches to a hose that forces water into the water inakes) and it did cycle water; however it still would not idle without pulling the choke in and out while simultaneously pulling the throttle. So now, after a thorough troubleshooting session that the mechanic should have done, I have determined there are at least two remaining problems:

First - There may be a problem with the impeller, which would explain why it will not cycle water. This would cause the motor to overheat and lock up, which partially explains why it will only run for 15-30 seconds.

Second - There is a problem with the choke/throttle. The motor will not idle without manually pulling the throttle with my finger while pulling the choke in and out at the same time, which made me feel like I was playing an accordion.

Anyway, I called the mechanic and left a polite message despite my frustration and explained that I would be bringing the motor back to him today at lunch. Hopefully he'll be able to tell me what's going on and truly fix it this time.

Sorry about the lenght of this, but I wanted to let you guys know what happened after all the buildup and hype I made last week about this weekend. I hope all of you had nice weekends with better luck than me. I know quackermasher sure did, NICE FISH my friend:)! Also, Thrillseeker and crappietime, I'd love to hear how things turned out for you guys at Easter Seals and also how you, Thrillseeker, think you are a jynx :D.

That sucks Crow sorry to hear about the troubles!!

Sorry we all are having bad luck with our boats.My boat has a bent shaft on the trolling motor and needs to be replaced makes it real hard to turn and work the calf muscles.For some unforsaken reason I cant remember to lift the trolling motor lately.Seems Thrill is haveing fuel pump problems.

Ya my trolling motor has been acting a little goofy lately. When I put it in high it likes to just quit. Leave it at about 70% and it's fine.

Sorry if I'm talking down to you here man - don't know your level of experience with outboards. Certainly not trying to insult anyone.

Year, HP and make of motor?

Crow - man that sounds like one of two things. The simple one is the fuel line bulb. It needs to maintain positive pressure. If it has a tiny pin hole or the lines are cracked (dry rot) the engine will run for a 30 seconds or so and quit. Basically until the bowl in the carb is empty. My 150 XP Merc will cough and quit when the bulb is getting weak. I've had to replace it 3 or 4 times over the last 11 years. It's an inexpensive solution if it works. Even if yours is brand new, get another one and try it - make sure it's facing in the right direction. There is an arrow on the bulb for fuel flow direction.

Second - if you are using a portable gas tank, the red plastic ones, check the cap. There is a rubber O ring around the cap to help maintain a little pressure. If it's bad you could be loosing pressure that way too. Basically the bulb bleeds back down into the tank and the carbs run dry. Pump it back up and it will run for a few seconds.

Either way it sounds like it's starving for fuel.

Your mechanic probably started it, let it run for a few seconds and let it go. When you spend that kind of money make them start it and prove that it's fixed before you leave. I have found that they make a lot of assumptions and are not ashamed when you bring it back. They just find some other sh_t to charge you for.

Changing the impeller is easy on most smaller outboards. I takes about 15 minutes. I have about 10 Clymer Manuals for Johnsons, Mercs and Evinrudes. I'll be happy to scan the page that shows how to change it out if you want.

A good rule of thumb is to change the impeller and the lower unit oil every two years.

Just trying to help a brotha' save a few bucks. Let me know.

Mark

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Originally Posted by Black Crow

Well guys, here's the rest of the story...

I mentioned in my original post I just got my motor back from the mechanic who had it for two weeks. He rebuilt the carb and replaced the spark plugs for $230. Fine with me, it's a 90's model two stroke Mercury and it's probably time to replace the carbs anyway. He gave it back to me Thursday and said it was working fine and that I was set to go. Great!

Well, I put the boat in the water and cranked it up. It ran beautifully for about 15 seconds and then sputtered out :(. I cranked it again, it ran for about 10 seconds then died again :(:(. Cranked it a third time with the same results :mad:. I have a very low patience threshold for mechanical problems with my motor - especially after letting it sit in a mechanic's shop for two weeks paying $230 for new carbs. So with my blood about to boil I pulled the boat to the bank. After 30 minutes or so of me and my dad tinkering with it on the water (tinkering defined as manually opening the throttle, checking the fuel filter, removing and blowing out the fuel lines) we decided to take it back to the house to look at it.

I parked the boat in my driveway and filled my 50 gallon trash can with water and cranked it up. It ran 15-20 seconds then died - same result as at the lake. Next time I cranked it I pulled the throttle with my finger and it ran for about 30 seconds, but here I noticed something important - the motor was not cycling water. At this point I attached my hose flushing kit to the motor (you know the thing attaches to a hose that forces water into the water inakes) and it did cycle water; however it still would not idle without pulling the choke in and out while simultaneously pulling the throttle. So now, after a thorough troubleshooting session that the mechanic should have done, I have determined there are at least two remaining problems:

First - There may be a problem with the impeller, which would explain why it will not cycle water. This would cause the motor to overheat and lock up, which partially explains why it will only run for 15-30 seconds.

Second - There is a problem with the choke/throttle. The motor will not idle without manually pulling the throttle with my finger while pulling the choke in and out at the same time, which made me feel like I was playing an accordion.

Anyway, I called the mechanic and left a polite message despite my frustration and explained that I would be bringing the motor back to him today at lunch. Hopefully he'll be able to tell me what's going on and truly fix it this time.

Sorry about the lenght of this, but I wanted to let you guys know what happened after all the buildup and hype I made last week about this weekend. I hope all of you had nice weekends with better luck than me. I know quackermasher sure did, NICE FISH my friend:)! Also, Thrillseeker and crappietime, I'd love to hear how things turned out for you guys at Easter Seals and also how you, Thrillseeker, think you are a jynx :D.

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No insult taken at all. I am by no means an expert with outboards, so I appreciate the advice.

The motor is a 25 hp, 2 stroke, Mercury. I am certain of the year. I bought it last June and what I can tell from manuals I have seen in stores, the motor is around a 1992 model. I'll post a picture of it later.

I had actually considered the bulb and fuel line from the gas tank to be the problem. However, the bulb remained firm the whole time I was working on the motor and through all the times I let it run. I still might run by the store on the way home from work and get a new bulb and fuel line just to be on the safe side.

I have a 25 merc on my duck boat.It did the same thing when the impeller went out.It has a heat sensor that shuts the motor down when it gets too hot.

I had a 25 merc on my boat. Guess what? I like my yamaha a lot better.

Well the motor is back in the shop today. Hopefully the mechaninc will get it running this time.

Oh, LipJerker, I been looking at Yamahas too. Depending on how this repair turns out, I might be in the market for a new motor. I just hate buying anything new. I am an extreme tightwad. The new Mercurys over at Bass Pro are $3,100. So we'll see. I was hoping to get another couple years out of the one I have now.

Crow,

I looked at the repair manual for that motor. The impeller is very easy to replace. Not sure about an over heating sensor on that model. But some of the ones built in the early 90's did have them. It basically interupts the ignition. So if it quits on you again. Just pull the plug and see if you are getting any spark when it turns over. You will know in a second or two if it's a fuel problem or an ignition shut off issue from over heating. I can tell you that most of them have a simple horn that sounds when there is a problem. It all depends on your model. I wouldn't let the mechanic charge me more than $100 or so for the impeller change out. It's a 30 minute job at most with the part being about $30.

I have a buddy that has a brand new, still in the factory box, 40 HP Yamaha outboard. It's a tiller controlled model, never been started. I think I could get it for around $2,500. I'll vouch for it being ligit. PM me if you want me to talk to him about it.

Mark

Well while we are talking about motors.I got a question when I crank my 90 Merc 2 stroke up and get ready to take off and give it throttle it acts like it smothers out.But if I let it run for a bit then take off it is fine what can be my problem.It has the electric choke on it.