5/6

[tomm]

Fished from around 4pm until 7:30. Water temps right around 65. Started at the Lyndell ramp and fished my way towards the bridge with nothing, not even a bluegill bite and I was throwing the tackle box at them. Headed back towards the main lake where there was a bit of a breeze and while drifting along a grass flat, hooked a 3 pound LM, a 10" perch and a 15" LM within 15 minutes of each other. Turned around and drifted the flat again but the breeze had quit and only caught one 12" LM. All fish caught on a spinnerbait, chart skirt, gold blades.

Peace

[Midnitebasser]

Hey tom I've tried throwing my tackle box at them also, it didn't work, it made such a big splash that it scared all the fish away within a 100yds of my boat. ;D ;D ;D

[tomm]

Hey Herb, that was my first time at MC this year. Kinda sad...haven't been out much. Working 6 days a week is taking it's toll.....

[vanmc]

Was out from around 10 am till 4 today. Had one of the better days I have ever had on the lake. (Granted I have only been fishing it for a year) I got 8 LM's in the boat. 5 off of beds. Ranged from a pound and a half to 4 pounds. I find it so cool how after you release them they head right back to the bed within a few minutes. Only bad part of the day was my batteries ran so low I couldn’t get back in with the wind blowing. I have a 24 volt Minn Kota motor and I actually run 2 12 volt batteries in parallel so it last longer. But after 6 or so hours with out fail I have trouble getting back in. Does anyone have any advice as to how to fix this issue? My best guess is I am going to have to go out and buy two more 12 volt batteries and run them in two banks in series then together in parallel to deliver 24 volts with double the amps. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[tomm]

vanmc, what thrust is your motor and what series batteries do you have?

Tom

[dertman]

vanmc said:

Was out from around 10 am till 4 today. Had one of the better days I have ever had on the lake. (Granted I have only been fishing it for a year) I got 8 LM's in the boat. 5 off of beds. Ranged from a pound and a half to 4 pounds. I find it so cool how after you release them they head right back to the bed within a few minutes. Only bad part of the day was my batteries ran so low I couldn’t get back in with the wind blowing. I have a 24 volt Minn Kota motor and I actually run 2 12 volt batteries in parallel so it last longer. But after 6 or so hours with out fail I have trouble getting back in. Does anyone have any advice as to how to fix this issue? My best guess is I am going to have to go out and buy two more 12 volt batteries and run them in two banks in series then together in parallel to deliver 24 volts with double the amps. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

vanmc i had the same problem today, went over to the musky cove by the dam and the water on the ride over was a sheet of glass on the way back after the motor died there where white caps and gale force winds. we had to paddle from the dam to the lindle side against the wind and waves. some nice older gentleman seen us from the bank and told us it has happened to him and there is some small solar panel you can buy that recharges the battery while your out on the lake. Im buying one this week because that was the worsttt. if i didnt catch 6 nice sized bass i may have flipped. caught them on white tubes, white spinners, green dingers.

[vanmc]

I have two MK 27 DP Minn Kota Batteries. My motor is a Minn Kota 70lb vector 3x motor. When I rig my two batteries in parallel giving only 12volts to the motor it lasts much longer but it still never last the whole day (today’s problem). Typically I like to fish 8 plus hours. When I rig the 2 batteries in series giving the motor the 24 volts it needs it rarely last 4 hours.

Dertman,
I feel your pain. It really stinks when this happens. It was a great day but what a way to ruin it when you have so much trouble just amking it back to the ramp.

[Midnitebasser]

vanmc, unless you are running your trolling motor on the higher speed settings a lot you should be able to fish for 8 to 10 hours without much trouble. I had a 72lb 24 volt Minnkota on my bass boat for about 5 years and never had any trouble fishing all day or night as long as my batteries were fully charged. Are you sure you are getting a full charge in them. If you want to try new batteries, I don't know how much you are willing to spend but you might want to try a couple of the bigger AGM deep cycle batteries. They are maintenance free and seem to hold their charge better, but they are expensive.

[bassboogieman]

Sounds like your batteries are on their last legs. How old are your batteries? Are they properly filled with distilled water? Properly charged? Check all your connections - any corrosion will affect the drain on your batteries. You should be running in series, or 24v, batteries will last longer. Mine will move my 18'-6" 'glass bass boat all day in the wind, at the very least 8hrs. Be sure to charge batteries when you return from fishing, don't wait, batteries sitting with a low charge will be weakened. The above advice is good regarding the AGM batteries, that's what I have and they are great, and I'm usually running on high to get where I want to fish then get back to the ramp. You can test the batteries, you may have a bad cell in either or both, if so, get them replaced.

[tomm]

Yup, sounds like the batteries are on they're last leg, but, before you replace them, make sure that your t-motor prop spins ok. If there's a bunch of line or crud against the shaft, it'll make the motor work more than it should and kill the batteries. Pull the prop and see. I bought two 30 series AC Delco maintenance free marine batteries last year and I've never experienced any drop in power from them. I run an 82# thrust MG, it's 24 volt.

Tom

[Hawgcatcher]

You might want to keep in mind that the reserve capacity on your minn kota batteries is 145 minutes. Which means if your drawing 25 amps you have 145 minutes of full power before your voltage is going to start dropping off. I know its a pain but you can try and keep track in your head how long it takes you to get to a spot on high speed. And then to your next spot and make sure you leave time to get back to ramp. It works for me but then I'm also running a 24 volt 70lb minn kota but use a 55 lb 12 volt to do all my slow trolling. If your useing your 70lb to also troll around with its going to be tuff to keep track. They do make meters or gauges you can hook up to your battery to let you know what percentage is left in your batteries.

[scumfrog]

This is a commom problem. This year Iupgraded my motors and batteries. The minnkotas with maxamizer work well! I run an 24volt 80# for getting to and from, and a 55# on the bow for slow trolling. I was out for 12 hrs. Sunday from Lyndel to the bridge back to the dam and both batteries were still on 75%. The new motors have an intergrated battery level indicater. Two good things you can do if you do not want to buy new motors: Buy the highest series batteries you can afford, the heaier the battery the better it is. Second, buy a good charger that will take your power down, recharge and then maintain. Good luck!

[vanmc]

Thanks for all the info. I think i am going to look into getting some of those AGM batteries. anyone have any advice as to which are the best to buy? Also do they carry them at Gordons?

[vanmc]

Also in repsone to the age of my batteries. I just purchased them last summer. Last night i opened them up and tha water comes to just under the holes so I am assuming it is fine with the water. I think i just have to bite the bullet and buy some expensive AGM's. I really stinks when you have to stop fishing on a day like saturday long before you are ready to go in.

[Hawgcatcher]

If you go with the AGM make sure you have a good charger. What ever you do don't use a car battery charger on them.
If you over charge them from what i've read you might as well throw them in the trash. Also if you have a gas motor on your boat and are going to have your alternater hooked up to them you might want to do some reading up on that.