Beaverdam Swamp afternoon trip 3-22

**PanMan_VA** · 03-22-2012, 09:19 PM

I went to Beaverdam Swamp for a couple hours this afternoon. The primary purpose of the trip was to check out the 858C on the bow and get more data for my contour map. Any fishing was secondary.

My 858 has been having trouble keeping bottom lock and has not been displaying as much data as I think it should for a while. The likely culprit was a bad transducer so I ordered a replacement. The new quadrabeam TM mount transducer solved the issue and the unit is now doing everything as expected. I also got some nice data to fill in some of the sparse areas in my contour map. I never paid much attention to one area of the lake but it has great depth and weed cover. I am going to have to try and fish that general area a few times when the fish come off the beds.

I only fished one area where the crappie stage before going to the beds. Did not get a bite in the 30 minutes or so I stopped mapping to fish. Water was stained with a surface temp of 70 degrees. There was floating algae in the back of a couple of coves but there were only a couple places where it would have interfered with fishing.

I did discover that there is no way I will ever be able to get the boat back on the trailer at TM only lakes by myself. I am just too weak from the cancer. I had prearranged with my wife to meet me at the dock and help with the boat. It just about killed me to get the boat back on the trailer even with her help. Every time I get to go out fishing will be very special to me from now on as it may well be my last trip.

**undertheradar** · 03-23-2012, 04:22 AM

When I got back to the dock I'd fire that big motor up say the heck with it.

**Slack Tide** · 03-23-2012, 05:32 AM

pan man get you an electric winch my friend, where there will theres way, bet you can get one cheaper than a high end transducer. I am not young as I think I am at times and load my 27' Grady White on my own with ease thanks to the electric winch..they make a pole that ya hook the tow hook into and reach out and attach to the boat and stand back and push buttons and watch her come on up

**PanMan_VA** · 03-23-2012, 06:35 AM

Been thinking about an electric winch. I presently have a two speed manual winch and, although the handle is easy to turn, it is still more than I can do given my poor physical condition.

**PanMan_VA** · 03-23-2012, 06:42 AM

VDGIF was out taking surveys with one of their shocking boats while I was out yesterday. I have got to get me a generator and some electrodes for the boat. The guy up front was as busy as a one-armed paper hanger netting fish. I guess we will be able to read the report later this year.

I also used the track file I made of the bottom contour at Beaverdam. Was able to easily follow along the 12' depth contour line. That is usually my target depth to follow once the weeds get up. The fish like to hang out in weeds from 8' to 10' deep much of the summer.

Word at the concession was fish were biting very good early in the week but action had slowed the last couple of days.

**Ranger690** · 03-23-2012, 07:07 AM

Glad you got out Keith. Watching the shock boat is very cool. You should rig one up. That way you could occasionally land some fish !!!!!

Love you Pumpkin!

**Percidae_Papermouth** · 03-23-2012, 07:10 AM

glad to see ya report keith, like utr said fire up that big motor to load, no one will say nothing

**HeyCharlie** · 03-23-2012, 08:46 AM

The last time I was there they had traps set up, looked like they were counting turtles..
Ran into some guys that fish there often, they had been doing well Jan and feb at top landing where marker poles end . I watched the guys on the floating pier catch alot of crappie.. But my limit seemed to be place at 1 crappie a trip! ( sad face)

**jim.b** · 03-24-2012, 04:38 AM

good report keith. good to see ya at the bash

**Roy** · 03-24-2012, 09:46 AM

I agree with firing up your big motor, don't think anyone with any sense would see a problem with that. Glad to hear you made it out.

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Beaverdam Swamp afternoon trip 3-22

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