I took a work colleague out today on my bow rider on EM. We started out about 9:00am and headed again to the very north of the lake. We fished for catfish in about 3 feet of water. We threw everything we had at them including Secret 7, spam, cut bait (blue gill) and shad. There was only 1 taker in about 90 minutes and even that was a dink. We then moved even further north into the river inlet. We found a nice shady area under a tree and again in about 90 minutes caught 1 little cat fish. A couple of sandbass were also caught from a lure.

All in all, horribly hot and fishing would best be described as "poor". Normally I am happy just to be outdoors on the lake whether I catch something or not but the lack of wind and the heat (even this early in the year) made me tired.

In the mid afternoon, we headed south to some buoys by the dam. We anchored up there and the catfish bite was much better in a depth of 25 feet. I am thinking (without any knowledge or skills to back it up) that the heat has driven the cat fish to deeper water.

About 4pm we called it a day and started motoring back to my marina when the engine stalled and wouldn't restart. I don't know anything about engines so we were basically stuffed. Thankfully a very kind gentleman in a huge power boat gave us a tow all the way back to my marina (a considerable distance). I offered to fill his gas tank and other considerations but he would have none of it. In the past I have given tows to other folks and knew that one-day, it might be my turn and today was that day. Thank you kind sir.

Back at the Marina, I bought a new battery thinking that was the problem but it didn't help at all. The engine turns over just fine and the electrical system seems ok but it just doesn't "catch". Another kind soul looked at my engine and after taking off the distributor head felt that my problem was that fuel wasn't getting into the system. He had me swear that I had gas in the tank (which I am sure I do .. I filled her to the brim last weekend and during my outing today remember glancing at the gas meter which showed more than 1/2 full).

He believes it is either my fuel pump or my fuel filter. I have no skills to replace these so am now actively seeking a mechanic (or someone skilled in this area) to come out to my boat and affect the repairs/replacements. Naturally I am more than willing to pay for parts and labor so if you have anyone to recommend, feel free to call me at 817-939-9916. I'd like to get the repairs done this coming week as my niece is arriving next weekend and I promised to take her tubing and would like to make good on that.

So ... all in all a pretty poor day out. The highlights were some fish were caught. The lowlights were very few fish caught, ugly heat/humidity and a boat that is out of commission which has already cost me a new battery and will of course cost me a lot more before all is said and done.

Neil

get a hold of spanky. He is up your way and can help you out..do a search for his info. I just don;t know his info

Thanks.
I made an appointment with Eagle Marine. They tell me they will be out to take a look next week. They say it will be $100 a trip plus parts and labor with at least two trips ... one to diagnose and one to bring parts. Oh well. Just gota grin and bare it.

Boat is apparently fixed. Got a call from Eagle Marine. Apparently it was a blocked fuel pump and they reversed the polarity on it and ran it backwards a few times and now it works. Again, I know nothing about engines ... so hopefully that is all to report.

Fee was reasonable (opinion).

1 hour trip to lake
1 1/2 hours labor
$250