Stopped at Grapevine early 1 morning to fill bait tank with shad before going to Texoma. Launched the boat and forgot the drain plug. Turned on the bilge pump and headed to the aerator. Threw 2 casts and headed back to ramp. I had left trailer on ramp so just loaded boat and was on my way to Texoma.

1 time I was fishing Texoma when my boat was fairly new and heard water running in bottom of boat. Figuring I had forgot drain plug I stripped down and hung over the transom. With half my body under water and someone holding my legs I figured out the plug was in. Of course it was winter. Boat was only several months old and Ranger had not properly secured the front livewell hose.

One Spring, my brother was on Boliver with his RV for a week. I had a 4 day weekend so the plan was to meet him with the boat. The pollen was so bad that I had to pop Zyrteca. Anyway, I get to the stall and run my mental checklist; check tires, check transom safer, plug boat, check lights, check straps, and etc.

The plan was to hit the jetties but the winds were pumping out of south, so we fished an area called the Barge Graveyard near Point Bolivar. I notice water on the floor but I thought is was from the wind and waves from running the boat. The kids are catching fish, and while I'm taking pictures. I am noticing that I have way too much water on the floor. I can feel the plug, so it must be the live well or plumbing.

At this point, I have a problem and need to run the boat in protected water to allow the boat to drain. I asked my brother to grab the helm so that I can check the plug. Yelp, it's still plugged and I insured it was on tight because the plumbing was good . We hit the marsh's near the ramp, but it's starting to fill up again. Now its time to out the boat on the trailer for a hull inspection.

I had the plug on the live well drain. I never knew how much water the deck could hold but it felt like a week for all the water to drain.

You are the McGuyver of the fishing world! Very clever!