retired chem teacher

Hey guys --thanks for all the good advise and ideas--I have looked at youtube but wanted to get ideas from this forum. As always, I get good info from here. Now need to put collected info into real use.

Right now I would like to start off with solar panels charging the 12 volt batteries with the panels with the option to add the inverter later. The Jackery system looks like a great option but out of my price point-- if I am looking at your system. What watt size are your 2 solar panels? As stated my boat and trolling batteries spend most of their time in a building so time on panel charging would not be an issue. Another question if you don't mind is--How portable are your panels? I am thinking of putting boat on trailer in storage area at a lake 2 hours away with no electric hook up.. Would like to have a solar charging setup after I leave and have batteries ready when I come back. Any input on this idea of possible or not??

So the Jackery unit is basically an inverter --correct?? --

I have a building that I keep my 18 ft Lund Fisherman in that has no electricity. I have a 4000 watt generator in the building but don't like running it long enough to charge trolling motor batteries (2-12 volt -group 27 flooded) . Would like to put solar panel on building to charge batteries after use and maintain them when they are fully charged. Boat is not used daily but would like batteries ready to go when needed. I have watched countless you-tube videos and still am confused as what is the best way to go and not break the bank. Main concern is should I try to charge both batteries when connected in series (24 volts) or charge each separate like the onboard charger does? Also, not over charging batteries when they are fully charged. Any recommendations and personal experience on panels, charge controllers, wiring ,etc on size and brands would be a big help to a "solar newbie"

We find "green worms" here in Iowa along the Missouri and Nishnabota Rivers. They do stink and they do catch fish. We would keep a potato fork in our boat and pull up to a dark colored mud bank and start digging. Cheap bait!!!

We have stayed in the cabins at state park for many years. Used to give off season rates, not sure about now as it has been a couple of years since we stayed there. Electrical hook-ups, nicely equipped kitchens, and outside grills. We would get the two bedroom cabin and have another couple with us and split the cost.

I still try to buy ethanol free gas for all my small engines and add sta-bil and a little mystery marvel oil to each 5 gallons that I buy--- has worked for me for years so guess I will stay with it --have a riding lawnmower with over 1000 hrs and still running with little or no oil consumption between 50 hr oil changes ---only add sta-bil to boat gas and occasionally sea foam--- I have heard and seen problems with hoses and gaskets using ethanol fuels so try to avoid- I am old and so are my boats and motors but both me and boats are still going for now --still curious about running engine with fuel line detached until it dies for the winter--I always did this with a 2 stroke 25 hp merc carb engine--50 to one mix not oil injection--and not efi--now don't have that motor anymore but still running --now I have 1998 merc 150 efi 2 stroke that the oil injection went out so I mix oil in gas in boat tank--will running it dry so to speak mess up the efi or something else.???

I know this probably has been on here lots of times and I have missed it. But with all the ethanol fuel out there what are you using to combat the problems??? I always try to find ethanol free high octane fuels but that is hard to do in a lot of areas. Plus who know if they are really ethanol free?? Also lots of ideas about storing with with tank full of fuel vs part full?? What about running outboard out of fuel with fuel line detached for extended periods?? All help appreciated

My wife and I spent the last 6 days in Branson. We fished two of those days ---one day on Lilley's dock and second day on a rental 18 ft jon boat from Lilleys. Want to give a 5+ star rating for the great work those people do. Even though we didn't stay there and the fishing wasn't the best for us, the friendly service from all of the people was. Until the next time we are in Branson, I will keep watching one cast and wanting to be there

Looks like the future looks good. We will have to start going south instead of north for walleye. Fun to catch and yes are good eaters if so inclined.

i have some of the erie dearie too --- never really fished them much ----maybe need to get them out ---agree that real crawlers are the go to bait . Looks like Beaver--Table Rock and Bull Shoals are becoming walleye lakes.

Update on search bait. Lure is made by Kalin not Acme .. Boley uses a lot of Acme lures but search bait is made by Kalin. Sorry for miss information. My last SD trip I used power bait worms dipped in Spike- it chartreuse garlic on slow death red hook under a bottom bouncer with or without spinner. Worked that time but still like the real thing --Power bait stays on better though

FYI Not sure you are a youtube person, but do a search for Tom Boley. He is a walleye expert north of you but kind of in my fishing area. (SD and ND and WI) I have fished all of them ---but fish are fish. His new go to bait is an Acme google eye search bait. Watching his videos with him fishing with these is unreal. I haven't found any yet as most places in my area are sold out. He has lots of followers on youtube and around here as he does seminars at Sheels and other venues. I have learned lots from watching his videos. For what it's worth

Thanks again for the good advice. In the excitement of a large walleye on the end of a spinning rig attached to a bottom bouncer I forget where the snap swivel is and will bang it into the tip.. I guess you could call it "walleye fever" Also I'm thinking a longer landing net handle might help also. You guys and OAF are the best for expert info and advice. Glad to be part of it.

Thanks for the replies---Any thoughts on quality tips??? I have had issues with the ones that Scheel's use.. Could be me---when reeling in I sometimes bang swivel of a bottom bouncer into the ceramic eye especially when I have a long leader attached. Thought about putting a silicon bead ahead of the swivel/snap. Open to other ideas.