zadvorney

Small Boat Harbor Launch Review Getting in and out of the parking area was easy. Parking is ample and close by. The launch is a little steep and I was glad I left my bow lock on. The boat would have slid off for sure as there was a lot of tension on the pulley once I got down the ramp. I hit the breaks a little hard at the end and slid into the water further than I wanted. The docks can't be seen in the rear view mirror when at the top of the hill so follow the lines. It is very well lit so night launching will be no problem. The launch dock starts as a high cement wall/dock and leads to a floating dock. The wall is very high and for someone who is launching alone you will have to walk back up the ramp to get on the dock. Similar to the State launch at the Catt. Like everything else, it will take some time to get used to. They could use a few more cleats on the dock to tie off to.

I will now

Mostlymuskies, you post a crap load of great information and helpful tips. I also bet you are a lot like me in my boating habits. Pretty safe. Nothing personal but this subject makes me scratch my head. It's about looking out for your own safety and in doing so you benefit everyone. I hate to see someone ruin their day of fishing on account of an avoidable incident.

I'm sure as heck not going to argue with anyone doing what they're doing. Until it affects my boat.

Troll where you want. All I'm saying is that if you are obstructing the passage of a craft in a shipping lane or restricted passage, and doo doo goes south, then your craft can be to blame as much as the navigator that was going too fast through the same area. Both equally to blame for the accident so to say. I doubt heavily that you troll back and forth exclusively in the gap. But if someone did then I'd suggest NOT to do that. "Recreational boaters should be aware of USCG Navigation Rule # 9, in particular, which states: (a) A vessel of less than 20 meters (about 65 feet) in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. (b) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway. Boaters must stay out of the way of large vessels working in the channels, and if you’re fishing, you must stay out of the way of any boat in the channel." And yes I agree with most of us power boaters that 10mph inside the breakwall is not an answer. Where is the meeting held?

Correct Jimski and Mostlymuskies. The gaps are a pinch point of navigation and should not be a place ANYONE should be fishing for just that reason. All of the gaps are great places to find fish. A great spot is the North gap for instance. Trolling in the area of the navigation buoys back to the gap has produced many fish. That said, only a person with a death wish does this on Sailboat Race Day. It's a called navigation channel for a reason.

Warning to boaters and kayaks Last night I went out for a few hours in the boat. Launched, fished and got skunked. No biggie. When driving at night, I'm always cautious of spring time debris and boaters of all kinds. In fact I run a spot light most nights to highlight things in front of me. That said I've noticed a few times that guys don't have proper running lights on the boat. After one evening of the doing the Walleye Cha-Cha any newly minted boater can recognize that a boat with the colored lights on the front (bow) and a white light is on the back(stern). Using the lights helps others tell your direction of movement, even from quite a distance. Basic. Easy...I guess not. I am not interested in your excuse that you only go out once or twice. The lights are too expensive. I ONLY HAVE A KAYAK AND DON'T NEED ONE.... Really.... Get the proper lights displayed, preferably brighter than the bulb that illuminates your brain housing group. And a bright headlamp doesn't cut it. AND DON"T PARK YOUR CRAFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SOUTH GAP-WITH NO LIGHTS- AND EXPECT ME TO NOT BECOME IRRITATED AT YOU! You have now become an obstruction and a hazard to navigation. When I fish I like to give everyone a large arch around them to give them space. It's a big lake and I'm the one who is more maneuverable so I will yield the right of way to a less maneuverable craft. You can and should fish any damn place you want on the lake and in any craft you deem safe enough. Have at it. BUT don't be part of a problem due to ignorance or apathy.

Come on in, the water's great.

Give it a go and let us know how you do. I've cast for steelhead at the mouth of streams and I know of a few guys who ice fish around the mouth of some streams on Erie and target the trout. Good luck.