DNorton Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Took my oldest boy out with me yesterday afternoon for our maiden voyage in the new to us 16' Misty River boat. We decided to hit the welland river due to it being my first time launching the boat and wasnt about to get into the shenanigans at St Cath game and fish ramp. Pulled in, 4 jet skis coming out, a boat just launched and one pulled in right behind us. Great... looking for a quiet launch for a first time and its busy, either way we drove the 40 mins we were getting her in the water. Launch the boat without to much trouble or so I thought. I went through my pre-launch checklist had everything ready for a speedy launch and to get out of the way, prepared my boy (hes 12) for what he needs to do while i move the truck and trailer to pull the boat to other side of the dock out of the way etc.. backed down the ramp first shot all excited and ready to go! Forgot to put the plug in... DOH! Only realized that after i had moved the truck off the ramp and came running back down as the boat was taking on water. Quickly jumped in put the plug in and hit the bilge pump whew! crisis averted.. or so I thought. Trying to start the engine could not get it to turn over.. again panicking as these really patient guys were waiting i throw the trolling motor in and move out of the way. Were off but motor still not turning over, trying to keep my patience about me as im cursing under my breath trying to figure out whats wrong, my boy walks over and asks " what does this switch do?" apparently they had flipped the kill switch on the motor when they were playing in the boat prior to us getting ready to go. Sure enough flip the switch and off we go! Thank god! a little embarasing to say the least but we got her out and running great! The fishing on the other hand not so good. In all my pre check lists I forgot the Tackle box in the truck, the net, pliers, and basically anything we may have needed to fish. Destined to not be a complete bust we fished with what we had rigged on from last time out which was a small spinner bait for me and a chartuse tube on a jig. Managed 1 perch off the jig and that was all. We did have quite a blast just cruising around the river and figuring out how the fish finder worked, the trolling motor etc and just exploring. All in all a good day out for a first time. Props to the guys that were behind us waiting to launch as they were awesome and didnt seem bothered at all! I atleast worked out some of the kinks as to what to do for next time and am sure glad I didnt try a busier launch. Will throw some pictures up after, once i figure out how to get them from my phone to the laptop. If any of you see us on the water don't hesitate to stop and chat! or any tips / tricks always welcome. I don't plan on hitting lake O until I can master the slower launches first! cheers! Bubba14, NiagaraRiverFisher, Darryl L and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba14 Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Good for you for getting out, I haven't even brought my boat home yet! DNorton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 41 minutes ago, DNorton said: any tips / tricks always welcome I have a piece of cardboard with a list of things for the boat and one for the canoe and bank fishing , put inside a zip bag . I went fishing "once" and forgot my rod(s) ! I believe the anticipation of the fishing trip clouds the mind sometimes ! ha ! Good to see you and son had a well deserved great day . They don't call it a "kill" switch for nothing ...... Learning can be fun ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl L Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 1 hour ago, DNorton said: Took my oldest boy out with me yesterday afternoon for our maiden voyage in the new to us 16' Misty River boat. We decided to hit the welland river due to it being my first time launching the boat and wasnt about to get into the shenanigans at St Cath game and fish ramp. Pulled in, 4 jet skis coming out, a boat just launched and one pulled in right behind us. Great... looking for a quiet launch for a first time and its busy, either way we drove the 40 mins we were getting her in the water. Launch the boat without to much trouble or so I thought. I went through my pre-launch checklist had everything ready for a speedy launch and to get out of the way, prepared my boy (hes 12) for what he needs to do while i move the truck and trailer to pull the boat to other side of the dock out of the way etc.. backed down the ramp first shot all excited and ready to go! Forgot to put the plug in... DOH! Only realized that after i had moved the truck off the ramp and came running back down as the boat was taking on water. Quickly jumped in put the plug in and hit the bilge pump whew! crisis averted.. or so I thought. Trying to start the engine could not get it to turn over.. again panicking as these really patient guys were waiting i throw the trolling motor in and move out of the way. Were off but motor still not turning over, trying to keep my patience about me as im cursing under my breath trying to figure out whats wrong, my boy walks over and asks " what does this switch do?" apparently they had flipped the kill switch on the motor when they were playing in the boat prior to us getting ready to go. Sure enough flip the switch and off we go! Thank god! a little embarasing to say the least but we got her out and running great! The fishing on the other hand not so good. In all my pre check lists I forgot the Tackle box in the truck, the net, pliers, and basically anything we may have needed to fish. Destined to not be a complete bust we fished with what we had rigged on from last time out which was a small spinner bait for me and a chartuse tube on a jig. Managed 1 perch off the jig and that was all. We did have quite a blast just cruising around the river and figuring out how the fish finder worked, the trolling motor etc and just exploring. All in all a good day out for a first time. Props to the guys that were behind us waiting to launch as they were awesome and didnt seem bothered at all! I atleast worked out some of the kinks as to what to do for next time and am sure glad I didnt try a busier launch. Will throw some pictures up after, once i figure out how to get them from my phone to the laptop. If any of you see us on the water don't hesitate to stop and chat! or any tips / tricks always welcome. I don't plan on hitting lake O until I can master the slower launches first! cheers! I did the exact same thing when I bought my Lund. I hit up all the smaller quiter launches until I felt a bit more confident. I remember the first time I went to Crystal beach and saw the lineup of boats, and the parking lot jam packed I almost had a panic attack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 I remember when I first got my boat. The thing was a POS. Corroded wiring, the thing never wanted to start. Start it at home oh ya no problem. Take it to the lake nope not starting. That thing was a nightmare. Glad it’s gone. I love when it’s an easy fix “flip the switch” im glad you guys got out safely and put your first fish in the boat. Plenty more to come. Add the pics straight from your phone it’s the easiest way I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 99% of us have done something "rookie" at a launch, it happens. Most of the guys are patient because we remember. Port D on the other hand used to give me fits, the current used to play havoc with bringing the boat in to trailer home. Saw a few boats get way out of shape and one actually hit the boat on the other ramp. Worst thing is I don't find it consistent at all, probably dependent on the spillway current. Eventually I got the hang of it and you will as well. All part of the process, good fishing. DNorton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toaster Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 There should be a reality show on the palm wood boat launch. No shortage of comedy gold on a good day. Bubba14 and NiagaraRiverFisher 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 47 minutes ago, toaster said: There should be a reality show on the palm wood boat launch. No shortage of comedy gold on a good day. I would would make you cry ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surf and Turf Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 1 hour ago, toaster said: There should be a reality show on the palm wood boat launch. No shortage of comedy gold on a good day. Yes what a gong show! I hate launching there my grump old man syndrome is sure to kick in, not at the newbies but at the rude and inconsiderate that like to bud in line, hog the dock, etc. Not to mention any offenders, but if you see someone yelling at a jetski or bass boat operator stop by and say hi! NiagaraRiverFisher 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toaster Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 3 hours ago, Surf and Turf said: Yes what a gong show! I hate launching there my grump old man syndrome is sure to kick in, not at the newbies but at the rude and inconsiderate that like to bud in line, hog the dock, etc. Not to mention any offenders, but if you see someone yelling at a jetski or bass boat operator stop by and say hi! Maybe you were the guy last summer who threatened to beat the person on the jetski doing donuts as boats were going in and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surf and Turf Posted May 5, 2021 Report Share Posted May 5, 2021 56 minutes ago, toaster said: Maybe you were the guy last summer who threatened to beat the person on the jetski doing donuts as boats were going in and out. Lol, no that wasn't me. Missed out on that one! Bubba14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishingking Posted May 5, 2021 Report Share Posted May 5, 2021 On 5/4/2021 at 7:32 PM, toaster said: Maybe you were the guy last summer who threatened to beat the person on the jetski doing donuts as boats were going in and out. Lol ...i was down there when a guy freaked out on 4 guys from toronto last august during covid ....they were asian guys saying they couldnt fish anywhere else and the guy yelling said put your boat back on its trailer and head back home ....dont you know were in a fffffnnnn pandemic and you drive 2 hours to where the cases are lower than your hometown bunch of fffffnnnn jokers and so on ....amusing to say the least. toaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatman Posted May 6, 2021 Report Share Posted May 6, 2021 Check out the 79th street boat ramp on YouTube. 8 lanes on the ramp and some crazy mishaps. A guy is making a living filming and posting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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