Found the fish 65-80ft off the river channel both Saturday and Sunday morning. Had 4 man limits before 7:15am both mornings with quick and steady action from the time baits hit the water. Caught the bigger fish on the mag BP. Fish were hungry and seemed grouped up again unlike last weekend.
Good report. Thanks!
I’m looking forward to getting back on the home waters Saturday after the butt whippin’ we took from the wind and the competition on the Hill this past Saturday. Having done well on our last trip there, all we could get Saturday were skinny 2.5-4 pounders under the conditions. Our bait was all alive in the live well but not lively on the hook. All this has forced me to take a long look at my methods and how I keep a lot of bait during hot weather. That’s how we grow in our sport. Changes are coming.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
sounds like a bait tank is coming … 
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
quote:
Originally posted by Lawcrushersounds like a bait tank is coming …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
He’s gonna need a bigger boat…
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad (1/13/37 - 9/27/16 I love you Pops)
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
quote:
Originally posted by FogmanGood report. Thanks!
I’m looking forward to getting back on the home waters Saturday after the butt whippin’ we took from the wind and the competition on the Hill this past Saturday. Having done well on our last trip there, all we could get Saturday were skinny 2.5-4 pounders under the conditions. Our bait was all alive in the live well but not lively on the hook. All this has forced me to take a long look at my methods and how I keep a lot of bait during hot weather. That’s how we grow in our sport. Changes are coming.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
Go get yourself a nice tank Capt.
Now you can get others to pay for it AND it’s a tax write off! LOL
Seriously, FWIW, IMO and I know Charles was kidding, but you really might should consider a bigger boat with some more room for a tank as well as walk around room for people you take out. Theres quite a few guides and in the summer, parties are going to catch limit with any guide they go with, so I would think the things like how comfortable the boat is would be a major factor.
As well as you do fishing, along with the fact you are free all summer, including weekdays, I would think you could cover all your expenses for the year in those few months.
Disclaimer: the above advice is from someone who owns a Carolina Skiff and had never owned a filtered bait tank.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Got my eye on a 50 gallon Creek Bank with Dannco. I’ve measured things out. I can take the fish cooler out, and the tank will go in it’s place against the front deck with a dedicated battery in the storage compartment. The rear live well will be the fish box. I’ll use plenty of ice during hot weather. During cold weather, I’ll run the aerator to keep our fish alive as long as possible, translating to a few more ounces for weigh-ins.
I’m also going to try to embrace the technique of pulling down lines on planers. With as windy as it was Saturday, my usual drift didn’t cut the mustard. I’m certainly not likely to double anchor and fish cut. I’ve been over that for a while. For the most part, the boats ahead of us were doing one of those 2 things.
As for my boat, it’s plenty comfortable for me to carry 4 adult passengers. The seat in front of the console is comfortable, and back deck has 2 fold up jump seats port and starboard. The 4th guest rides with me at the console. 22 feet 3 inches, it has as much maneuvering room as a comparably sized Tidewater or Seahunt. It only looks small due to the low gunnels. A new 2500 in a GMC, Chevrolet, or Dodge will come before a new boat.
We got this! I’ve got a party Saturday. Should be more than half way to buying the tank with that trip.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
Fog,
I’ve got a older 50 Creek Bank retro fitted with Danco bulkhead venturi kit from Creek Bank for sale if your interested.
Troy 803.513.9282
Grady 223 Tournament / G3 1860 CC
Your guiding on the lake and don’t have a bait tank? How much bait do you typically use for a guided trip?
Usually 4-5 dozen. The in deck live well is 27 gallons and usually does fine. We had more this past Saturday on the Hill for the tournament. Like I said, they lived in the tank but weren’t lively on the hook.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
Troy, I’ll give you a call a little later— if not tonight, sometime this weekend.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
Bait tank is now in the boat. Since I can’t seem to post photos here anymore, y’all will have to look at how well it fits on my Facebook page. I simply took the large cooler out and replaced it with the tank. A small lawnmower battery in the front compartment, and I’m ready to go!
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
Lotta ass up front, how does it ride? I run a 30 gallon vest in my 24 sea pro bay and you know when its there.
quote:
Originally posted by FogmanBait tank is now in the boat. Since I can’t seem to post photos here anymore, y’all will have to look at how well it fits on my Facebook page. I simply took the large cooler out and replaced it with the tank. A small lawnmower battery in the front compartment, and I’m ready to go!
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
James - here are your pics from FB …
Two observations …
First Observation: You are NOT going to like 50 gallons on the bow of your boat - especially when you add 2-4 people to the boat … 50 gallons of water = 417 pounds NOT INCLUDING the tank … I used to use my 50 gallon G & M on the bow of my boat and she plowed like you wouldn’t believe … Even when I filled my 40 gallon livewell in the back it just doesn’t balance the load well enough … and that’s just the bait tank - once you add 2-4 people … well, you get the point …
That’s why I had a 50 gallon bait tank custom made for the BACK of my boat … Now it rides correctly and I don’t worry about taking water over the bow if/when I come off plane too fast …
Second observation: You gotta move that finger brother … LOL especially when taking pics of clients for FB …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Third observation: Now that I actually looked at the pictures, you’re going to want to put a towel underneath that tank to keep it from sliding … You’re also going to want something more substantial that a rubber bungee strap to hold that tank in …
When you take off and your bow rises that 450+ pound bait tank will slide … So you’re going to want a strap (and tie down hooks/points) that are rated for at least 500 pounds … 
4th observation…Lawcrusher knows EVERYTHING:smiley:
Messing around…you minner boys are funny
quote:
Originally posted by LawcrusherThird observation: Now that I actually looked at the pictures, you’re going to want to put a towel underneath that tank to keep it from sliding … You’re also going to want something more substantial that a rubber bungee strap to hold that tank in …
When you take off and your bow rises that 450+ pound bait tank will slide … So you’re going to want a strap (and tie down hooks/points) that are rated for at least 500 pounds …
James, I would just put something rigid in place instead of any kind of straps.
I think I may still have some 1.5" square aluminum railing around to fasten to the deck just behind the tank to keep it in place if you want.
Gotta agree with others though. I would think that 50 gal tank that far foward will be a problem.
Have you tried a dry run yet with a tank of water?
How’s that for an oxymoron? #128522;
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Nope. Haven’t ran with it yet. Just picked it up yesterday afternoon. I know I’m not done yet. I do plan to install some L brackets to hold it in place. As for how I think the boat will handle, I’ve had several people north of 300 ride on the cooler up there with no ill effects on handling. For most trips, I probably won’t have the tank totally full. We’ll see. With the hyper-lift hull, I get very little bow rise on take off. I think I will take it for a wet/dry run before I use it with clients.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
There is a guide on Clarks Hill, Rocky, that runs a larger Express and he moved his console all the way to the very front against the deck and I believe he sits on his bait tank. It looks a little weird and plows a little water but the boat seems to handle it fine.