Corpusfishing.com

tailchaser30 · Finger Mullet Joined: 09 Feb 2014 Posts: 19

Well, I should be getting my new boat early this week and hopefully have it on the water once the weekend hits. It's a 17' Carolina Skiff with a 50 HP. Any advice you would give to a 1st time boat owner? Never had a PB down at the coast so not sure what to expect/look for/ be prepared for. I usually use my kayak down at the coast but now I hope to explore waters I never knew existed. I will probably spend most of my time in the AP/Rockport area and I can't wait!!![/quote]

CopanoCruisin · Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:37 pm Post subject:

Be aware of reefs and sandbars. I know that Carolina skiff will run shallow, although I promise you all,of them will stop suddenly when you run aground. Believe me, I know from my first time boat owner experience probably 30+years ago. That does sound like a sweet set up. Enjoy........cC

MakoJJ · Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:48 pm Post subject:

Use your eyes...I know it sounds obvious but you can often times spot any sandbars before you hit them. When I got my first boat three years ago, I relied more on GPS. You can imagine how that ended Laughing

Anyhow, you'll eventually hit something (hopefully just a little mud!). Don't worry about it too much, it happens to everyone.

Good luck and you'll have a lot of fun.
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JJ

tailchaser30 · Finger Mullet Joined: 09 Feb 2014 Posts: 19

Yea I plan on taking it REALLY slow for a while till I figure things out. I'm amazed at how guys just FLY on the water and know exactly where they are going. So if you see someone on the water that looks clueless please don't extend your middle finger too many times Very Happy

Went on a guided trip a few years ago and was blown away at how we would be flying, he would kill the motor, and we would have lines in the water before you could blink haha

Predapex · Horse Mullet Joined: 06 Sep 2013 Posts: 181

Keep the hammer down and don't be scared to put that lower unit down in the mud when stuck. Lol..Getter done!

Baffinboy · Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:10 pm Post subject:

Buy lots of Stabil ethinol treatment especially before boat sits a while and make a check list for when you rig up to include everthing needed to be legal, tickets suck.
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But you ain't got no legs Lt. Dan, I know that

Baffinboy · Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:19 pm Post subject:

Buy lots of Stabil ethinol treatment especially before boat sits a while and make a check list for when you rig up to include everthing needed to be legal, tickets suck.
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But you ain't got no legs Lt. Dan, I know that

huntnetime · Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:33 pm Post subject:

Have all the legal stuff on board in case you get stopped by Game Warden or Coast Guard. Don't rely 100% on your GPS to know where you are going. Learn landmarks and bottom terrain with your eyes as much as you can. DO NOT tear up the seagrass. Even if you have to idle a ways to get to deep enough water to get up without tearing it up, do so with the motor up. I hate to see guys in the grass flats romping on it. I have a boat that can run in 8-10" of water and I still spend a lot of my time in the channels. Call me a wuss. But most of all be safe, courteous and enjoy.

ironmanstan · Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:01 am Post subject:

Your trips will start out short and then over time you will venture out further and further making every trip a new and rewarding experience. Have lots of fun with your new boat.
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I LIKE MINE FRIED.

Blazin Cajun · Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 11:59 am Post subject:

rodandroll · Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:39 pm Post subject:

Get a beeg checkbook!!! Very Happy

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Now that food has replaced my sex life I can't even get into my own pants!!!!!!!!

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Moisticles · Pony Mullet Joined: 06 Jul 2012 Posts: 71

Be sure to be courteous at the boat ramp if there's a line. Don't be surprised when your trailer lights go out. Be mindful of where other people are fishing. Especially someone working a drift. Nothing worse than to have someone burn across your drift path. And most importantly explore and have fun!

BlueWaveEd · Horse Mullet Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 132

Best thing you can do is get one of the inflatable PFDs and wear the dang thing. Clip the kill strap on your pfd. That way if you somehow get thrown out of the boat, the engine will quit and not kill someone.

Remember courtesy goes a long ways. Most of all enjoy the boat.

blackhawk78418 · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 6:48 am Post subject:

Get out on the water as much as possible and learn the limitations of your boat and you should be ok. Keep up with the maintenance. Most important don't forget to put the plugs in before you launch your boat..

tailchaser30 · Finger Mullet Joined: 09 Feb 2014 Posts: 19

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it. As far as looking for structure and things like that, is it something that is difficult at first? When I was in the kayak I found it to be difficult to identify different parts of the water such as potholes, oyster beds, and sand bars? Maybe I just wasn't getting out far enough to see those things but it was kind of like blind fishing. Just hoping it gets easier.