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Random Quote: I still miss my ex , but my aim is getting better !!
Funny, I dont believe it ever hit 100 degree's this summer, we have had all kind of hurricanes,
and are already getting Canadian air masses.
I'm already cleaning out the garage to put the boat away for the season, but wondering if we can expect a reprieve before the cold sets in.
I doubt there's gonna be any more days for the kids to kneeboard or tube, but hopefully there are a few more decent weeks for fishing.
Some of you are gonna say 'damn, but you call it quits early'
but I am not that hardcore about fishing that I wanna get cold and possibly wet.
Maybe theres a few decent days left to be had?
That, and I have other stuff I do when it gets this time of year. (read: venison)
When do most of you put the boat away for the season?
PS: There IS NOT anything offensive or controversial about this post or question,
I'm tired of folks on this forum who get bent out of shape over anything they dont happen to agree with.
Me thinks you are being premature. There will be some decent weather and good fishing at least thru Oct. Matter of fact, I think I enjoy fishing in the fall more than any other season. You will have to pick your days, but don't put her up just yet.
Usually I'll give the SpaceShip a rest in January and February if the weather is really cold.
Let's see, last year it was striper time 'til late November at Kerr Lake so I think I put the boat up in late November . . . wait, no it was December. Uhhh, naw, actually I started to put it up in late December but my buddy turned me on to saltwater striper fishing at the coast. In January it was striper time at Oregon Inlet, so I had to do keep the SpaceShip ready to go. She did get a brief rest from late March to Easter weekend, then it was off to Cape Lookout for the startup of spring fishin'. She's had some down time due to fishing with other guys on their boats and due to hurricane season, but really she's been in service all four seasons.
That's the problem with fishing in North Carolina. It's a year-round thing if you want it to be.
But, hey, that's not really a problem is it??
Good luck with your deer hunting, Semi.
__________________ "There's nothin' like fishin' to cure a case of the blues"
Way too soon to park it. The water will stay above 70 november and the best fishing is in october-dec for me. Those 70 degree afternoons will make you glad you kept the boat out. And don't worry theres always a few really warm days. Like that 80+ day we had after new years. Enjoy the fall fishing...
Never have put a boat up for the winter.Stripers and bluefin keep us going through March.Mar-Apr. is about the only downtime my boats see.And of course you got duck hunting.You always need a boat.
*“Big” Bailey stays ready to go year round, she may sit but she’s ready. “Little” Bailey does go year round between fishing, frog gigging, trot lines and hunting she is in the water year ‘round. Don’t put her away just yet, just have her “standing by” in case……….
Unfortunately those of us with I/Os (even with fresh water cooling) have to winterize during freezing weather.
It can be undone immediately, and redone in about 10 minutes, but it's about $10 each time (cost of antifreeze) - attach earmuffs and tank of non-toxic antifreeze, start engine, shut off engine when antifreeze comes out of exhaust.
My old 21' Dixie (470 Mercruiser IO with full fresh water cooling) had the ideal setup: It was possible to easily and completely drain the raw water system; there was a drain plug on the heat exchanger. I could winterize that boat in about TWO minutes with no antifreeze required (Of course the closed cooling system had a 50/50 mix in it)
FWIW, I never winterized any of the outboards I owned; just put them down so they would drain. It probably wasn't the best practice in the world but I never had any cooling system problems with them.
the last 7-8 weeks have been most frustrating due to the hurricanes and rough seas- hoping for some of those great days later part of October and first of Nov- generally don't consider putting my boat up until after Thanksgiving- hoping to make a few gulf stream trips before I put her up- Cobia 254 with twin yammies
Let see, I'm heading down to Harkers Island during the third week of Oct for a week and try to get itno some nice fall kings. Another five days in Dec to hit the shoals for stipers and maybe catch a speck or two. Seems like the only down time I take is between the end of Jan through mid March. Based on the awesome spring yellowfin action that occurred last year, and since I have a new KenCraft 235, I will definitely try for spring YF's this spring. Based on those pictures some of you guys posted last spring, I have no choice. No choice at all!
SeaWitch, I just wanted to let you know that this year throughout February and early March there was still excellent striper fishing in the area around Oregon Inlet. Big fish and lots of them.
Also, I will be fishing out of Harker's Island either the second or third week of October. Which week depends on how things go at work for the next two or three weeks. If I go during the week of the 9th through the 16th I'll try to give you a realtime fishing report before you go. If I'm there the third week I wouldn't mind teaming up with you if you're interested. Two boats are safer than one. I'll be kingfishing too.
__________________ "There's nothin' like fishin' to cure a case of the blues"
Expect a 'Indian Summer' this year? 
!!! 
