Freezing Temps This Weekend

[mwfischer]

Hey all, my group of guys has our annual trip down scheduled this weekend, and looking at the weather we're thinking it may be tough if not impossible. We all drift from boats so would need to launch at either Cooper or Scotty's in downtown but can understand that at 25 the ramps may be just a bit slick to say the least. I have a new boat this year and am also worried about running it in this cold, thinking primiarly about leaving it in the water overnight if temps really do drop to below 20.

Any recommendations? Thanks.

[Gatorjet]

I have launched at both places in cold weather. Downtown only because Cooper Creek was snow covered, and is much steeper. The ramp downtown is a lot flatter, and even with some snow on the ground there wasn't a problem launching a 20' inboard jet. As far as leaving your boat in the water there shouldn't be a problem. If it is an outboard, the engine block drains when you shut it off. Also keep in mind that the water in Taneycomo is actually warm compaired to other lakes this time of year, and with any generation doesn't freeze. That 50 or so degree water radiates some above the surface as well. I don't drain my inboard's block unless they are predicting temps of 0 or below. When it is in the low teens, I will fire it up before bed time, and bring the temp up to the normal operating tmperature of 170.

[Phil Lilley]

I see where temps are forecasted to be in the 20's at night and 30's daytime. I don't think the ramps will be an issue. We have been known to throw icemelt on the ramp if needed. As long as the sun is out, it won't seem that cold.

[mwfischer]

Thanks, I wondered how much the warmer water would actually keep things right at the surface from freezing. The coldest we've ever fished was about 28 or 30 in the morning and then into the 50s later in the day so we just fought frozen rod guides. With 50s on Wednesday after a possible bit of snow I don't think the ramps would be snowy but who knows. It's a strange forecast.. looks like a fairly strong dry front coming in Friday. Brr.

[mwfischer]

Thanks Phil as well, I am planning to dock at your place with a couple boats so we have power provided they don't keep dropping the temps even further!! I know it's tough to freeze with generation and warmer water but I can't get the picture of my brand new boat frozen in a dock slip out of my head.

[Phil Lilley]

Oh gosh... the lake has only froze once in 30 years I've been here and that was after a week of no generation and sub zero nights. It froze over night one night and the next morning they ran water, breaking it up. There was only a very thin sheet on the surface. This was back in the 80's.

[mwfischer]

Makes sense to me, looks like we just have to bundle up. Hope the fish don't care!