It's Been a Long Winter but it's Almost Time... 2/26/2026

The only added items the dealer is installing for me are the iTroll, a Cisco TM stabilizer mount, the third Garmin for the rear of the boat that was shipped loose, because I had the Cicso mount needed to mount it, some Miller Tech Lithium batteries for the Ulterra, and a longer pedestal for the Air Wave on the driver's side. (I like to sit above the windshield, so I can read the waves better....to make it a smoother/safer ride for my customers. The passenger side will stay lower, so they are behind the windshield, and protected).

March 7th, I'll be at the South Shore Marine Seminar with the Off Shore Tackle display, but I will not be a speaker at this event. Jake Romanack, with "Fishing 411" will be the guest speaker, and is guaranteed to give all attendees a plethora of information about walleye fishing Lake Erie. So, if you haven't secured a ticket yet, there's still time to do that. Contact South Shore for more information.

Once I have the boat here, I'll have to get that 400 Verado V-10 broke in. Unlike my old Evinrudes that didn't need a break in, it's important to get the initial two hours done on the Merc, following the break in procedure, per the Mercury Marine instructions. That way, there should be no issues with the motor this season.

The 2025 ran flawlessly last season, so I hope this season is another issue free year.  I hope Mother Nature will give us at least a few days of nice weather in March, so I can get that done before I have customers in the boat.

There really isn't much to do, other than load everything back in the boat, and choose which crankbaits boxes will start the season. All the Off Shore boards are updated with new flags, foam, and releases, so they all look brand new again. 

The FishHawk was sent in towards the end of the season last year, and they refurbished it, to brand new condition. I did order another one the other day, so I would have a back up if I needed it.  It was on sale, and 150.00 off, because they are discontinuing the old clear probe that uses AA batteries, and replacing it with a lithium run probe that is rechargeable. I just didn't want to spend 500+ on a new one, when the old one works just fine, and I could get a back up for only 200.00. 

I need to spool up some dipsey leads, which doesn't take any time at all. I usually just do 12 at a time, and when they run out, I'll tie up more. I simply tie a snap on one end and snap-swivel on the other end of a 6' lead, and wrap them on a cut piece of a pool noodle. That cut piece fits easily into one of the many storage compartments on the boat, so it's always handy when I need it.

I'll check my crawler harness supply, and tie some of those up too, if needed. I usually try not to use crawlers if I don't have to, but sometimes that's what they prefer on the tougher days. I find that during a Mayfly hatch, that a crawler harness with rootbeer colored beads and a #5 gold hammered hatchet blade works well to mimic the doomed little creatures, and gets bit. ;)

That's about it....now, it's just a waiting game. Come on Spring! :)

I still have 9-10 days open in April, and around 15 days open in May and June, too. So, if you're looking to get out fishing on Lake Erie's Western Basin, and it's only 2-3 of you, give me a shout.

Stay tuned....

Capt Juls