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Post by 17HMR on Aug 14, 2008 7:09:32 GMT -6
Going to coon trap out a boat for a few days for the first time this year. What are some of things I might need to know or equipment that I need to bring that I might not think of? Any advice a all would help also. Thanks
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Post by passinthrough on Aug 14, 2008 7:52:56 GMT -6
#1:
A long rope- to tie off your boat every time you get out.
"That ain't goin' anywhere" can turn into, "Oh, (no)!" in a hurry.
Passin'
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Post by northof50 on Aug 14, 2008 8:26:03 GMT -6
Zip locks for your cell phone.
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Post by thebeav2 on Aug 14, 2008 10:46:58 GMT -6
Nothing to do with gear but you need to get out and scout and then scout some more. There should be no surprises along the way. A line with a two prong grapnel will give you a quick hook up when you leave the boat. Remember you will be out of the boat more then you will be In It. If It's a long line take a change of clothes In a dry bag. Wear a life jacket. If your running a motter take along some repair Items.
Try and run your line up stream from your take out point so if you do have problems you can float back to the take out point.
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Post by rk660 on Aug 14, 2008 10:54:49 GMT -6
extra shear pins and spark plugs for motor, and wrenches needed to change out. if shallow stash equip along the way so not dragging bottom and dragging boat over shallows. chest waders instead of hip boots keeps azz dry, as seat will get splattered with water every time you lift leg over it. no fun having wet azz all day. grapple hooks on 8 ft of chain each side of back end of boat, keeps boat pointing down stream instead of having to turn around every time. Biggest sponge you can find for bail bucket. wet fur and getting in and out adds a lot of water/weight to boat.
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Post by northof50 on Aug 14, 2008 17:52:38 GMT -6
Cold beer waiting at the end of the line. Or a really hot thermos of coffee. This way you can pour it in 1 litre pop bottles and pull your wet socks over them and in 1 minute they are dry, and your coffee is cooled. In line water filter on the gas hose, really helps because of the temp changes in the fall and condensation in the tanks. A couple of # 2 lead pellets in the bottom of the tank also helps with condensation and rust in steel tanks from building up. It's always reasuring when the motor sputters and the tank is shook NOT to hear the pellets bounce..ie out of gas...pass the oars. Push poll 12 feet, so you don't break so many pattles getting off shore or breaking ice. Use it as a flagging up-right in seat when you are getting out, after a while every willow looks the same. Reflective old lisence plates cut up in 2=2 squares hung in trees ; act as reflectors to find sets in the twilight with the flash light.Good for when the spring run is on and night checks are productive in removing beaver befor damage occures. If your going up then down, be prepared to skin for 4 hours at the end. You would be surprised what happens on the return checks.
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Post by mustelameister on Aug 14, 2008 17:59:26 GMT -6
grapple hooks on 8 ft of chain each side of back end of boat, keeps boat pointing down stream instead of having to turn around every time.You can't find that kind of advice in any book on the shelf, eh?
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Post by thebeav2 on Aug 14, 2008 18:31:37 GMT -6
If the current Is slow and the stream Is wade able I tie the boat to my waist. It's always out of the way but always In reach with a tug on the rope.
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Post by mountainman on Aug 14, 2008 18:44:18 GMT -6
I do the same thing beav. I use a fairly long bow line with one of those large size tool hanger snaps for a towing handle and it easy to snap to me or run the line around a limb for a quick tie up while working at sets.
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Post by tommy52208 on Aug 14, 2008 22:12:47 GMT -6
What river are you trapping? What is your boat/ motor setup? Do you have anyone to give you a ride upstream? How many hours could you devote to running this line? What are Nebraska's laws and check times on drowners? How many coon are you planning on catching? How many traps on drowner do you currently have setup? What is the avg depth of your river? Answering these ?s can help us help you!
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Post by thebeav2 on Aug 14, 2008 22:29:42 GMT -6
Those are some very Important questions.
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Post by SteveCraig on Aug 14, 2008 23:25:35 GMT -6
If you want to set out of the boat, and need to stabilize it, simple attach a set of rings at the bow end of your boat. I like 4, one at each front corner of the bow on a flat bottom. Three on the bow of a canoe. Get as close as you want ,to where you need to place the trap, run a long T-bar down through whatever ring you need to, and the boat will not move on you. The type of soil in your area will determine the length of the T-bar. This way, you dont have to be running out all kinds of rope up on the bank. FWIW
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Post by thebeav2 on Aug 14, 2008 23:39:26 GMT -6
When trapping rats and I don't want to get out of the boat to set I use a T bar stake attached to a bungey cord attached mid ships In my skiff. Pull up to the hut jam the t bar into the house and set your trap. But most of the time to make a blind set or a pocket set you will have to get out to do it right.
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Post by Danny Clifton on Aug 15, 2008 3:51:47 GMT -6
What passinthrough and rk660 said. I like to carry along a can of lighter fluid and some waterproof matches. Dealing with water and winter a fire can be mighty nice.
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Post by 17HMR on Aug 15, 2008 6:42:44 GMT -6
Tommy, What river... Not telling. What boat... 16' jon boat w/20 hp. Get a ride upstream.... Maybe. Hours to devote to this....24 hours a day for 3 to 10 days. Law on drowners... 48 hours. How many coon planning on.... All we can, hope to have to skin on the way. How many set up n drowners... Not many now but have 10 weeks. Ave depth.... I guessing from 10' to 30' foot right now, but dont know what it will be in nov, going fishing/ scouting in the near future, and will go once a week before starting to scout and maybe prebait. Dang that was a lot of Question, did I miss any? Also great advice in the other posts, Thanks.
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Post by Wright Brothers on Aug 15, 2008 7:20:19 GMT -6
Waterproof ammo can tied off in boat for wallet, lighter, gun, etc. Extra clothes in garbage bag, in bucket with lid, also tied off.
Been there...
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Post by mustelameister on Aug 15, 2008 8:15:45 GMT -6
Here's my "little river" rig. 14' V-bow with 9 hp Honda Go Devil. Here's the rig on the trailer. I've got an 18' flat with a 35 hp Go Devil for the big river, but this is my favorite for the smaller river. 14' V-bow is capable of holding many more 'coon in the front end than a flat bottom would. V-bow is also better at glancing off logs and other timber when running at night. Note tractor floodlight mounted on the front. Wire is run through PVC tubing mounted along the side of the boat to battery in back. Switch for light is mounted on transom. Go Devil is electric start. Bow light is permanently mounted on the front, spot light can come off if needed. Both stern light and bow light are wired to the same switch. Extra stern light kept in the back if/when I snap the other off. Dry box with extra change of clothes. Ammo box with LP and click start torch for quick starting a fire if there's a problem. Note channels mounted to back side of transom. Wheels fit into these and if I'm at a busy landing I can slide the boat off the trailer at the parking spot, lower wheels into place, lift the bow and "walk" the boat to the drink. Wheels then flip up. Extra oar bungeed inside boat. Cell phone for calling in incidental otter or problem. Scoped .22 with scope light for knocking down 'coon out of trees. Extra oil, spark plugs, tools, in separate box. As much weight stashed along river route as possible before season, so as not to load boat down too much. MSN Terraserver map copies of entire river route, enlarged, and marked with set locations. Compass. Rain gear stashed in dry box. #220 with long cable that has quick attachment used for 'coon dispatch if necessary. Say you've got a 'coon that's hung up on the bank and didn't go down the drowner system. I #220 the critter, hold him down with my boot, squeeze the trap off his foot, then attach the cable with the quick attach to an oar lock, depending on which side of the boat I'm on. While remaking set 'coon is being taken care of. Spare tire and lug wrench for the trailer in the truck. Strong rope, cable, or strapping for pulling boat up on trailer. I like those side PVC pipes for centering boat up on improvised landings. Also, first middle roller on trailer has the spiral grooves that center the keel as you winch it up. That's the berries! Fun, ain't it?
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Post by 17HMR on Aug 15, 2008 10:23:48 GMT -6
Mustelameister, You trying to scare me? LOL Very goood post with lots of good info.
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