Old Scaley

We might have to change that @Simmo28. Happy to give you a deckie spot when you have the time.

Good lessons there @GregOug. Why don’t those things happen when there is no one around? I bet you got plenty of advice and encouragement from the peanut gallery at the ramp.

Cow Bay?

I reckon all the ramps would have been busy today. I am so glad I can get out on week days now, although the mid week se3ms to be busie4 now than it used to be. Probably more people not working. I hope everyone can get back to work soon, for many reasons. Did you put th3 boat in @GregOug? When I used to be restricted to weekend there were more than a few occasions when I have turned around and gone home rather than tackle the madness of overcrowded ramps and parking areas, especially if fishing solo. Still, can’t blame people for taking advantage of this weather.

Ok, so I now have my nice shiny new Minn Kota iPilot 55lb 54” and have spent a bit of time over the last few days installing it. I was originally going for the 48” shaft but in the end went for the longer shaft because I can always raise it up 6” (keep it clean @ellicat) but can’t make it longer (again, @ellicat, let that through to the keeper). I looked around for prices but decided now is a good time to support local businesses that you want to still be there when this crazy time is over, so went with the same place I bought the boat and where I get it serviced. All up with the quick release, 120ah battery and other bits and bobs I have spent around $3k and that is with a self-install. I thought I would put up a post to help anyone else thinking of doing the same because I found @Ryannnnnnnn‘s info in this topic very helpful, so here goes: This is the packaging it comes in, plus a few extras I bought at the same time: First job was to set up the mounting plate for the quick release. One tip to remember is that the template for the mounting block is carefully hidden on the inside of the packaging. It is actually the inside of the cardboard pack: I spent a bit of time positioning and repositioning the template to make sure I had it right before I realised that the Sea Jay factory had already put pilot dints in the mounting plate which were in the right position for the quick release mounting block. There were a few little problems getting good access to the underside of the the mounting plate but I soon had the quick release bock in position. I worked out that the length of the cables from the motor wouldn’t leave much slack once connected to the battery so I went to Jaycar to buy some more cable and also a new battery charger. My old one seemed to charge my 100ah agm deep cycle that I use for accessories ok, but the manual said it was for batteries up to 80ah so figured a new charger might give me better life from the new battery and the accessory battery. I also picked Anderson plugs and waterproof covers for the Anderson plugs. Next, I needed to put the 60amp fuse into the positive cable. The fuse holder comes fitted with 8 strand wire and although I had bought the biggest solder waterproof joiners, they were too small for that cable so I needed a new waterproof joiner. Off to Whitworths to see what they had. The best he could offer was some paint on electrical tape. You just keep applying layer after layer every 10 minutes or so and it builds up a waterproof layer. So I stripped down the wire and used the largest connector I had, then applied a heap of this stuff over 2 days. Seems ok, but I would be happy to hear better solutions for a good waterproof joiner that will handle 8 strand cable. The next challenge was locating the battery box in the front hatch. The crossmembers on the holder in the hatch were at right angles to the way the strap holders work, so I screwed an old poly cutting board in place so the straps could go around it. Now every thing was ready to connect up and test. Here are the Anderson Plugs with their nice neat covers and the finished installation. I have a question for people with similar setups. If your fuel tank is close to your battery, do you take the battery (or the fuel tank - it might be lighter) out before connecting the charger. Although it is a sealed battery, I worry about the spark when I attach the charger leads to the battery terminals when the fuel tank is in a connected hatch about 40cm apart? Am I over cautious? Thanks for reading. I hope this helps someone sometime.

G C Seaway?

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Nope

Nope.

Baroon Pocket Dam?

Thanks @Another Wazza. The reason I ask is I just bought one for my 4.35 metre and was going to get the 48inch shaft but ended up with the 54” just to be sure it would stay in the water in chop. Might have been a good call. Installed it today and can’t wait to get out there and test it out next week.

Well, @Another Wazza, that is a pretty impressive first post. One question please - what length shaft on your Minn Kota?

Exciting times Kelvin. That should see you sweet for a few years now.

Hamish, it was the humble half pillie that did the damage. It is an easy and successful bait for most fish, especially snapper. And I was using my new Stradic reel on a Nordic Stage Favourite Rod. 15lb JBraid line with 16lb Rock fluro leader. Size 2 ball sinker above the swivel and a 5/0 circle hook. Really hunting snapper but happy with a flat fish as well. @ellicat, it is a very chubby fish.

I have been laying low because of the current restrictions but had to get out for a fish this week with all the signs pointing to a good week for essential food gathering. Decided to just stick around Port of Brisbane since last time I went there I got a heap of just under snaps so thought they may have grown a little since then, or their bigger rellies may have moved in. Got to the ramp just before dawn (very early start for me fishing solo) to find it was already packed. Must be a lot of people not working at present I guess. After a short wait at the ramp I was in the water and had a line in just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. Beautiful morning on the water. As usual when I have an early start there were no bites until about 8am. I felt the soft tug tug and thought “I know what this is”. Sure enough after a fight that felt like pulling up a ballet slipper, up pops a biggish catfish. Not a great start but a fish to get the day going. Not long after I felt the old familiar long pull of a flathead. This fish had a bit more go in it and turned out to be a nice 60cm model. I dropped one this size beside the boat last trip and haven’t landed a decent flattie for ages so it was a welcome addition to the esky. Just before the high tide the bream started chewing and I landed about half a dozen in quick succession with biggest at 32cm. Once the tide turned the bite slowed right down to zero pretty quickly so home I went. Not a single snapper but hopefully they will pick up as the weather cools. I have an electric motor on order that should be ready for pick on Friday so I am hoping for some more exciting reports in the future. Also looking forward to the time that I can safely fish with mates again. I like a solo trip but also enjoy a bit of banter and company. Stay safe everyone.

Information you could have used 2 years ago Kelvin. Lucky you are an independently wealthy playboy and patron of the Arts.

Disappointing that a 17 year old outboard is ready for the scrap heap @kmcrosby78. Looking forward to hearing what caused it to fail. On the plus side, Kelvin, how nice will it be to get a new donk on the back and not worry about breakdowns.

Nah, just my eyesight Mark. I was looking at the speaker. When I zoom in I can see what it is.

Were you with me when I caught that tailor that had about 30 cm of leader and just the rusty eye of a hook trailing out of its date? The rest of the hook must have been eaten away by salt and digestive juices and the fish was expelling the leader slowly. Never seen the remnants of a plastic, or any other plastic for that matter, inside a fishes gut but it would not surprise me. Especially fish that inhale bait such as cod. Sometimes flathead take them down a long way as well.

Very nice tidy little setup Mark. Is the box under the sounder your switch box? And is that the MK remote recessed into the box? Are you running separate batteries for the electric and the sounder? So many questions, sorry @tugger.

Ah, memories hey @rayke1938

Nice work @AUS-BNE-FISHO. You could have kept that one for “essential food”. They are good chewing.

Small shark? School mackerel.

Thanks @Ryannnnnnnn. That is helpful looks like you had the bow rail on that side removed. I think I can avoid that by running the MK at the same angle as the bow rail, but will need to check that when I see the motor. Is that an Anderson plug in the 5th photo? Is that just to make it easier to remove when you use the quick release or are the leads short? I wonder why they didn’t spend another $20 to put the battery in a battery box? Just thinking about keeping salt water out if you are castnetting, prawning or crabbing? Looks like your fuel tank is down the stern end of your boat. The configuration of my tinny is 3 separate hatches up under the casting deck at the bow end. The anchor well is at the front, then a hatch that would easily hold the battery, then a bigger hatch that has the fuel tank, lifejackets and safety gear. The hatches have aluminium walls between them but are open at the bottom. This means the air (and possibly petrol fumes) circulates between them so I am not sure about having a battery and a fuel tank in adjoining hatches? Thanks for the info and photos. Food for thought.