bluedevil

Thanks Mike. I hope I can get it fixed Saturday and maybe fishing Sunday.

Excelent point Mike, thanks. I will look into that but my guess it is from lack of use last year. I was having finacial problems and going through a divorce last year so I only made it out like 5-6 times last year. This is the steering system that I have.....http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&classNum=401&subdeptNum=222&storeNum=6&productId=33295 There is no way that I know of to access the cable at the helm. The cable is inside the "hose" and goes directly into the long bar seen in the pic in the link, no nut like there is at the motor. Kinda leary about tearing that apart since it is stamped right into the unit, "DO NOT DISSASEMBLE, REPLACE ENTIRE UNIT". Thanks for the input guys it has really helped point me into the right direction.

That was my thoughts also.....

I was just looking at the same thing at the West Marine site and thought that might work. The one in West Marine was only $13 but did not come with the lubricant. Any thoughts on just using normal marine grease? Just trying to save a few $$. But I think I am going to try that product this weekend and hope that solves my problem. I need to get out soon.

After looking into a little more, I realized that it is not a hydraulic system. Bare with me cause this is my first boat. I have had it allmost 4 years but still learning "mechanical's" on it. The steering cable on it is rather large and the fitting on the end at the motor just really looked like a hydraulic fitting. I got into it a little more today and tore it apart at the motor thinking the same thing you said Mike, that the cable had "seized up". I could move the rod at the motor freely so I know it is not there. It still may be the cable but I have not seen anywhere in the system to lubricate it. I got to busy most of this weekend to work on it to much but hope to have it fixed next weekend. I have all week here in Grand Rapids to think about it though.

Well I got the boat out of storage today and was working on it and discovered I have a steering problem.. I am hoping someone here can help with figuring out what is wrong. It is hydraulic steering but the steering wheel is VERY hard to turn. I greased the zerk that is in the front of the motor for the steering arm thinking that was the problem but it is not. Is there a way to check the hydraulic fluid? Any other ideas that I should try or look for would be helpful. I really dont want to have to take it in but I may have to. It is a 19' Starcraft with a 125hp Mercury outboard. Thanks,

Thanks for the report Rick, and good job on the fishies. That just gives me even more insentive to get the boat out of storage tommorrow.

I log on with 2 different pc's also. Last time I logged on with the pc in Grand Rapids was Thurs. and I am on my home pc now and both are fine.

I have never been on one but would consider a trip with the right captain. My main choice for going would be to learn some new things. I am really not that interested in reeling in fish all day, I have more fun driving and running rods/riggers on my boat. I get the greatest kick out of putting a newbie/rookie on fish and watching them grin from ear to ear.

Yup, looking good Mike. Looking forward to seeing the random pics from the brown blast up there.

Thanks Jim. I thought about going into Brenners but have not heard good things about the staff in there. Heard they are pretty rude. I will check them out since it is close to me and if they give me the cold shoulder, Al and Bobs here I come.

Is there a bait shop in or around the GR area where I can get spawn for steelies? I think I may give it a try next week in Rockford. Have not fished for steel in the rivers in a few years. Thanks,

I agree with you on this Mike. I was a smoker for about 12 years and just quit last June and until a few weeks after I quit I never realized how bad it can smell. 9 times out of 10 it does not bother me when others smoke around me now, but every so often it does. When I did smoke I NEVER did it around children or people that did'nt smoke.

Welcome to the site Frank. Frank I hate to admit it but I think I am a little jealous of you. That Islander would be my dream boat(unless I was filthy stinking rich:D ) and it looks like you live right on Lake Huron judging by the lake in the back ground in your pick.

I also use the straw method like Wayne said, but I may try the swim noodle method this year. Sounds like a pretty good idea. I liked using the straws cause I could keep them small and put them into a plano box.

Hey Nick, Welcome to this site. Most all of us are willing to share info so dont be affraid to ask. By the way did ya ever catch a laker this weekend??

Those baits will catch fish. Most use the rule of thumb "slower the better". Alot of guys will use there trolling motors out there. I find that 1-1.5mph works best for me.

I agree, I was not to impressed with my driver today at all. Tony had a good car that could have won but he had to go and get to agressive and bang it up and upset others in the proccess.

Yep, What Wayne and Jim said above.

#20 Tony "Smoke" Stewart.

Now that was funny. I, for the most part, stick with what Steve said. I try and gain as much info I can before I even hit the water. But if I was to just pick a port and head out blind(so to speak:) ) I would be having my eyes glued to my electronics on the way out. I would be looking mostly for either baitfish or my target fish on the graph. Also, if I came across a temp break I would stop and try there for a while.

I will second that....Welcome to the site.

I am still learning my self when it comes to spring browns but here is what I can tell you from what I have learned so far.. The first thing I do is go to this website and check water temps...http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/twomichigans.html Keep in mind that site is not 100% accurate but it will useally point you in the right direction as to where the warmer water is. This will give me a game plan of whether I will go north, south, or stay close to the piers. Once I find warmer water I will run long lines down the shute, as many planers I can legally get out without making a mess, and I will also run run a 1-2 color core whenever I can. I begin running these setups as slow as I can get my boat to go(mainly 1-1.5mph) If nothing happens I will play with the speed but the norm is the slower the better. As far as depth, I stay really tight to shore for the most part. I scan the water ahead of me looking for small holes or shelves close to shore and I try and get my outside lines(not the boat) to run right through those holes/shelves. In "MOST" cases the warmer water will be tight to the shore line unless there is an eastern blow. (If fishing Lk MI) That being said dont be affraid to go a little deeper. Bright sunny days and heavy boat traffic will push the fish a little deeper. Thats another good point...Try and avoid other boats. You could find the mother pod of fish but just a few boats making a few passes will scatter or just plain shut down those fish. This is why you will hear very little radio chatter in the spring fishing for browns. You DO NOT want to broadcast an area you are fishing that is producing fish. In a matter of min you will have everone and there brother fishing on top of you and it will shut those fish down. Hope I helped.

Well I am going to have to disagree with you on this one Jim. You have definitly proven yourself more than once. I myself have never tryed running spoons of off flashers or dodgers simply because I very rarely run them. Never cared for them simply for the fact that they are so speed sensitive and you have to match the rest of your spread to the slower speeds. If I run any type of attractor it is a hoochie or spin doctor, but I did start to play around with the kingfisher attractor's last year a little.

I have never tryed it in the spring for browns and such but I have run spoons behind hoochies in the summer for kings with mixed results. I pretty much only go this route when things are slow and I start experimenting. I have caught fish this way but found you need to have at least a 3' lead behind the flasher. I feel you get way to much spin on the spoon with any shorter lead.