Grabbed the little Smokercraft Tracer and headed to the lake around 8:00am for some "hydrotherapy" and a Easter fish egg hunt. Pleasantly surprised to see only three other rigs in the lot. Pulled the boat into position to get ready to launch. When I hit the switch to raise the main motor, there was nothing. Thought I forgot to turn on the battery switch and then remembered my little boat doesn’t have one. Did a quick once around to try and find the problem, and realized I had left the fuel gauge switch on last weekend after I refueled the boat. DAMNIT….dead battery!

I was set on being out on the water, and had no desire to head home with my tail tucked after a bone head mistake. I decided to start the kicker and try to charge the battery enough to fire off the main motor. After 10 minutes of a fast idle, I had just enough juice to lower the main into position. Still not enough power to even turn over the main. Figured I was going to be trolling anyway, so might as well enjoy it. I hooked up the easy steer, said screw it and headed out.

Rigged up a squid/dodger combo and started trolling just north of the boat launch. Followed the 60’ line up to the weather buoy without a bump. Switched over to a spoon and worked a figure 8 pattern around the buoy a couple times. Fish were rising all over but no takers. Had enough juice to fire up the main and headed over to the West shore. Changed over to Apex and trolled south. Switched up the offerings again and worked further south. Finally picked up a small & skinny one about 15” long.

Marked plenty of fish in the 22’-26’ depths, but just couldn’t find the right combo. It was a beautiful day with no wind and bright sun. Smoked a couple cigars and enjoyed time relaxing on the water. Talked to the guys in two other boats, and they had no fish. Sure happy that I spent the little bit of money to have a rectifier charging kit included on the kicker upfront. Definitely paid for itself in my mind.

Will be taking the big Hewescraft out next weekend to see if Lake Washington yields anything. Hopefully the weather cooperates & the fish are hungry. Tight lines!

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