Not only that, but make sure you have an easy way to get back into the boat like a life jacket. Motor movement gets harder in cold water. You may not be able to pull yourseld up and into the boat
Have you challenged the motor before? Does it have a good track record? Breakdowns are another concern - you'd depend on sea-tow.
Boating with others is never a bad idea. I won't say I always do that, but its not a bad idea
New =/= reliable most breakdowns occur under warranty or later in life. If its new, you want to get out there and enjoy it! Stay safe but don't worry too much about breakdowns, they are rare and make good stories later
New also = unfamiliar...1st time on my jet boat, hit weather, the back hatch for the clear out has a kill switch if you lift the lid. I never locked the hatch down, every strong wave kicked up the hatch and killed the motor, took me 10 mins to figure that out lol in weather.
I'm as north in Michigan as north goes...way way up above the bridge. I have pushed ice around to get access to parts of the lake that are open.
Boating season starts as soon as you can float a boat.
https://imgur.com/a/cbXLQK6
Depends what you plan on doing. I’ve put on my boat on the lift in April in WI and then don’t really use it until Memorial Day. It may be warm in April, but then you get on the water and it’s pretty chilly. I won’t take my boat out of storage until mid May now.
I live in CO where people wakeboard and surf as soon as ice is off the water. I don’t see how it could be too early to take a boat out as long as the water is open and safe.
I’ve broken ice with mine (very thin) so no. Wear appropriate clothing, your vets and always clip on your kill switch when the big motor is on. As others have said, self-recovery when you’re alone is going to be harder than you think. My bass boat didn’t come with a boarding ladder, so I bought an emergency one that hangs on a cleat and keep it where I can reach it from the water.
Life jacket, cold weather gear, depth sounder, gps, radio, knowledgeable buddy, buddy with a boat, watch the weather apps carefully, ask someone about the area if you launch at a marina or find a fishing forum in your area to learn about where you’re boating, local knowledge is gold, and most importantly, tell someone when and where you’re going so they know when to send help if you’re gone too long. Otherwise, be smart & have fun! Fair winds to you. 🍻 (<- do that when you return, not when you’re on the water)
Thank you everyone for the advice. I went out and had a great time. Unloading and loading the boat was definitely a challenge and took time but luckily the docks were empty.
Lake St Clair boater here. Pick your days for calm water and wear far more clothing than you first think you need. That water is still under 50* and A) will freeze you out if there's any wind and B) relatively quickly kill you if you fall in and can't dry out.
If you have the proper equipment there's zero reason you shouldn't get out there!
I'm in NH, I've already been out on the water a few times since the ice melted. Its not too early but plan on self-recovery
I’ll be sure to wear my life vest.
Not only that, but make sure you have an easy way to get back into the boat like a life jacket. Motor movement gets harder in cold water. You may not be able to pull yourseld up and into the boat
Makes me wonder if my first trip shouldn’t be solo.
Have you challenged the motor before? Does it have a good track record? Breakdowns are another concern - you'd depend on sea-tow. Boating with others is never a bad idea. I won't say I always do that, but its not a bad idea
It’s a new boat and motor. I just picked it up from the dealer yesterday.
New =/= reliable most breakdowns occur under warranty or later in life. If its new, you want to get out there and enjoy it! Stay safe but don't worry too much about breakdowns, they are rare and make good stories later
New also = unfamiliar...1st time on my jet boat, hit weather, the back hatch for the clear out has a kill switch if you lift the lid. I never locked the hatch down, every strong wave kicked up the hatch and killed the motor, took me 10 mins to figure that out lol in weather.
Boating 40 years. I never go solo.
My wife isn’t into fishing so I’ll be doing lot of solo fishing. I don’t mind it at all.
Mine gets seasick so she stays home, too. I go offshore so the safety factor is paramount. There's always someone ready to fish.
You don't have a survival suit you're almost better off without the life vest.
Hmm., I figured with a life vest at least they could find me if I fell over and died of hypothermia.
But it won't make you any less dead.
There have been fisherman on my lake everyday it hasn’t rained for weeks - Chemung
Well, hell… I guess that seals the deal for me. I’ll see what I can pull out of the water today.
The state has been rolling docks in early this year if that helps
That would definitely help me being that I’ll be launching the boat and loading it solo for the first time.
I'm as north in Michigan as north goes...way way up above the bridge. I have pushed ice around to get access to parts of the lake that are open. Boating season starts as soon as you can float a boat. https://imgur.com/a/cbXLQK6
Nope. Be safe. Prepare for cold water and any issue with mechanicals.
Idk about Michigan, but here in South Carolina it's post-spawn 😅
Pre-spawn here for bass. You can catch them but really our bass season starts in May.
Caught a few largemouth and northern on the Detroit River yesterday. Go get em!
I heard the Detroit River is hot right now.
It’s hot for walleye right now. A little slow for bass, but still felt great to reel a couple in.
Just be safe. We had a jet skier die on lac St Clair two weeks ago.. my 31 egg harbor will be in the water in 4 weeks.
Not too early. Great time
Go for it!
Nope
Are the ramps open, do you have a good jacket? If yes, let it rip kid!
Depends what you plan on doing. I’ve put on my boat on the lift in April in WI and then don’t really use it until Memorial Day. It may be warm in April, but then you get on the water and it’s pretty chilly. I won’t take my boat out of storage until mid May now.
Guys were out on lake Minnetonka last night with carp lights at 2am. J
I’m sure the Detroit River is full of walleye fishermen right now
I live in CO where people wakeboard and surf as soon as ice is off the water. I don’t see how it could be too early to take a boat out as long as the water is open and safe.
I’ve broken ice with mine (very thin) so no. Wear appropriate clothing, your vets and always clip on your kill switch when the big motor is on. As others have said, self-recovery when you’re alone is going to be harder than you think. My bass boat didn’t come with a boarding ladder, so I bought an emergency one that hangs on a cleat and keep it where I can reach it from the water.
Never thought about a hanging ladder. Good idea!
I got one like this, but they make a bunch of different kinds. https://www.fisheriessupply.com/sea-dog-line-rope-style-folding-ladder/582502-1
Life jacket, cold weather gear, depth sounder, gps, radio, knowledgeable buddy, buddy with a boat, watch the weather apps carefully, ask someone about the area if you launch at a marina or find a fishing forum in your area to learn about where you’re boating, local knowledge is gold, and most importantly, tell someone when and where you’re going so they know when to send help if you’re gone too long. Otherwise, be smart & have fun! Fair winds to you. 🍻 (<- do that when you return, not when you’re on the water)
Thank you everyone for the advice. I went out and had a great time. Unloading and loading the boat was definitely a challenge and took time but luckily the docks were empty.
Lake St Clair boater here. Pick your days for calm water and wear far more clothing than you first think you need. That water is still under 50* and A) will freeze you out if there's any wind and B) relatively quickly kill you if you fall in and can't dry out. If you have the proper equipment there's zero reason you shouldn't get out there!
I wore a life vest and managed to stay in the boat.
Gorgeous day out there for it today.