Joystick Controls

I wanted to take a moment to discuss boating using a joystick. I know it seems as if all those hours playing games during your childhood have now finally come into some use with your adult life with using a joystick to operate your boat.

Joystick controls allow you to preform maneuvers that would never have been possible with conventional controls. One of the most obvious new ways is the ability to move your boat sideways. This maneuver makes it easier to dock but only once you have practiced for a bit first. The boat tents to lean away from the direction that it is moving and when you lay off the joystick, the boat rocks back toward the opposite direction. If you keep the boat moving until you have completely reached the dock, you run a risk of dinging the side of your boat when it settles.

Another maneuver is the ability to keep a boat in place while spinning in a circle. This makes moving around is tight spaces a breeze. Just as before, you can't just hop in a joystick operated boat and be able to flawlessly navigate. You will need to practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Joystick controls have their advantages, my favorite being the ability to hold fast. Meaning, with the help of control system with built in GPS, you now have the ability to keep the boat in one solitary position with the push of a button. Potential uses, waiting in line at the boat ramp & gas dock or seeing if you have found the perfect fishing spot. Your boat will keep itself stationary. That doesn't mean that you can just leave it unmanned. The technology is not there yet for a man less operation.

Even with the new maneuvers that you can do with a joystick operated boat; you will not be able to hop in and be proficient. Take your time; there is a learning curve as with anything new. Don't give up and keep practicing.

Safe Fishing Tips

We love to go fishing and we know that you love fishing just as much as we do. When you head out on the water for your next fishing trip keep these next few tips in mind to keep you and everyone else out on the water with you safe. 

The first thing to remember when you are getting ready for you next fishing outing is to prepare. Preparing starts with checking the forecast. Just because the weather looks good right now doesn’t mean that it will be like that all day. Keep an eye on the sky and the weather app on your phone. Being prepared also means that you are dressed for the day. Dressing in layers and ending with a water/wind protection layer. Appropriate footgear is required for safety. That means not sandals or bare feet allowed. Your goal is to stay dry and warm.

Another way to prepare before departure is to pack the extra item that you will need on board including water, flashlights, maps, insect repellent and cellphone or radio. Keeping these extra safety items in the boat are helpful in emergency situations. Another important safety tip to remember is to always keep your fillet knives sharp. You wouldn’t want to be out on an unstable boat trying to sharpen a knife.

When you are on the water, make sure to wear your life vest at all times. Having it within reach does not count. In an emergency you will not think or be able to grab it before hitting the water. Put it on before leaving shore. Once out on the water, use caution when you bait or remove hooks. They are sharp and the boat is constantly moving so make sure to handle the fish carefully. Because of those reasons, you should always use safety glasses when you are casting.

One of the most important tips to remember is do not fish in areas where it is not permitted. They are off limits for a reason, either to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety. When you choose your fishing spot, always consider safety factors.

Using these tips will keep you and your new fishing buddies safe while on the water. Remember fishing is fun and following these rules will ensure that it stays that way. Now, let’s go fishing.

The Fishing Hook

We love fishing and one of the most prevalent accessories in fishing is the fishing hook. How much do we really know about the hook. We know it hooks the fish but do we know much else? Let’s get started with what a hook is. A fishhook is a device that is used to catch a fish by “hooking” the fish by the mouth. The hooks come in many different shapes, designs, sizes, and materials.

The hook looks like a simple piece of metal, but it is much more complex than it looks. It is made up of different parts coming together to form the traditional J shape. It starts at the top of the hook (the top of the J) with the eye followed by the shank, which is the long spine of the hook. The shank flows into the bend then it finishes off at the point of the hook.

The point is the business end of the hook, it is where all the action happens. The point of the hook is where the fish is caught onto the line. There is another piece of metal that is attached to the point which is called the barb. It is in place to prevent the hook from slipping out of the fish once it has been caught.

There are different types of hooks. There is the traditional J hook, which looks just like a J. This hook is best used with natural (live or dead) bait. J hooks are the most common as well as the oldest hooks on the market.

There is also a hook called the treble hook. This hook has three different points attached to one shank. You will find this hook usually attached to artificial baits.

The final type of fishing hook is called the circle hook. It is very similar to the J hook with the exception that the point goes further in pointing toward the shaft. This makes it look like a circle. The circle hook is the hook for beginners. There is little to no work when you are catching the fish.

Now when someone asks you about a hook, you will now more about the history and types of hooks that are on the market. Take what you have learned and head out to find your next fishing hook. Let’s go fishing.

*Photo Credit: Mike Cline

Is It Time For An Engine Repower?

Car engine and boat engines are quite a bit different. With your car, once the engine decides it has had enough; usually your car body is ready to kick the bucket as well. With your boat, when your engine starts to give you problems, there are still many years that are left in the body of your boat. That is where we come in. We can perform an engine repower in order to lengthen the life of your boat.

How can you tell when your boat engine is ready for a repower? There are a few reasons to get an engine repower over just buying a new boat. The first big reason is if buying a new boat is out of your budget. Engine repowers are drastically less than if you were to buy a new boat outright.

Your engine doesn't have to be having problems in order for you to want an engine repower. You could want more performance from your boat, increase your boat's resale value, want to upgrade to the latest technology, or you just want to reduce your fuel costs. There are many reasons why you might want to get your boat engine repowered and any one of them would make it worth it. Let us help you to get, or keep, your boat on the water for many boating seasons to come.

Fishing Is Great, What About The Bait?

Fishing is one of the more relaxing things that we spend our time doing. With work, kids, endless chores around the house, fishing is our time away from it all. The fishing is always nice, but sometimes, the catching is not the greatest. The most important thing to consider when you are looking for a lot of fish to start biting, is to consider your bait. Once you have that figured out, you are ready for a relaxing day sitting on the water with your fishing pole having fish after fish after fish biting on your hook.

What is bait? Bait is what you will use to attract a fish and entice him to eat the bait. Which in turn hooks the fish on your line. There are a range of bait options from live bait, to no bait at all. The three main categories of bait are live bait, dead bait, and artificial bait. The bait you choose, depends on the type of fish you are looking to catch, the water in which you are fishing, the time of the year, and even the natural food source of the fish.

Live Bait

Live bait as it sounds is bait that is alive when you put it on the hook. Things such as worms or leeches. Ask any angler and they will most likely say that live bait is the way to go no matter what. The reasoning? Fish are used to the look, smell, and taste of a live specimen that inhabits their waters. When you are using live bait you can either catch it yourself using insects, worms or other small fish that you catch in the same body of water that you are fishing in. Or, you could buy live bait from your local bait shop. Be sure that if you are purchasing live bait, to make sure it is indigenous to the area where you are fishing or the fish won't come near it. 

Dead Bait

Again, just like it sounds, dead bait is bait that is dead when you place it on the hook. Dead bait has all the same benefits as live bait. It looks like, feels like and smells like the real thing. The same types of baits are available for dead bait that you can purchase alive. The advantage of dead bait is it's far less expensive if you are purchasing it and if you are planning on spending your day fishing, you don't have to worry about keeping the bait alive all day. The disadvantage, you have a little more work cut out for you. You will have to make the bait appear alive by moving it through the water. 

Artificial Bait

Artificial bait is not natural, it is manufactured. This type of bait includes bait from using just hooks, to large plastic creature like objects. Artificial bait is a huge part of the fishing industry. Every year manufactures come out with new and improved baits that are guaranteed to catch you fish. It can be said, that artificial bait is more to catch the fisherman than the fish. With the cool look to the bait, to the creative packaging and marketing, I'm sure you have picked up a lure because it looked awesome in the store. 

Regardless of the bait that you choose, make sure that you are using the appropriate sized bait for the job. A good gage  would be the bigger the fish the bigger the bait. Not to say that you couldn't catch a big fish with a little bait, but it would be quite difficult to catch a smaller fish with bait that was meant for something much larger. Take what you have learned today and start to catch more fish, turn a good fishing trip great! Let's go fishing.

The Right Plug

With today's modern fuel injection changing your spark plugs is few and far between, that day will come that you will need to know how to properly change a spark plug on your boat. That is where we come in. Here are some tips and tricks for changing your spark plugs.

Using The Right Wrench

Spark plugs have a porcelain tip on them that is protected by a foam cover. Using a standard socket wrench could crack the porcelain. You will need a steady hand, socket extension and tight gripping socket.

Choose The Right Plug

A tad short or not the right heat range won't fly. Close enough will not work when installing spark plugs. The best way to figure out the right spark plug is to contact the manufacturer. 

Using The Right Gap

The gap is the distance the spark has to jump. If you have a gapless engine, then this is one step that you do not have to worry with. If your sparks need to be gapped, I would suggest investing in feeler gages. The gap setting can be found on the emissions plate of the engine or in the owner’s manual

Using The Right Torque

Over tightening is one of the biggest mistakes. If you overtighten the spark plug when reinstalling it, you could strip the cylinder which would be costly to remove and have it re-threaded. The average torque wrench setting should be between 18-20 pounds per square inch. Make sure to check with the manufacturer before use.

Quick Tip: As you are changing your plug, check the others. Look for water droplets, aluminum bits, or a white substance on them. If you find any, take it to your dealer before you head out again.

Now that you know how to change your spark plugs, don't let the fear of what might go wrong stop you from enjoy a day relaxing on the water. If you are looking for some more tips on the subject, check these out.

New Georgia Boating Laws In Effect

New boating laws have taken effect in Georgia, and they apply to everyone boating in the state - whether or not you are a resident.

The biggest change is this: anyone in Georgia born in 1998 or later must take an approved boating safety course before taking the wheel of a boat or personal watercraft. (This new education requirement, however, will not be enforced until July 1, 2014.) While taking a boating safety course has always been a good practice, especially for younger boaters, such a course is now required by law.

The following persons, however, are exempt:

• a person licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel;
• a person operating on a private lake or pond; or
• a non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA approved boater education course or equivalency examination from another state.

Where can you find state-approved boating safety courses? There are actually several options to choose from. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources website lists several resources for finding courses near you. Courses are often run by local Coast Guard Auxiluary units, DNR law enforcement or sail and power squadrons. There are several online options as well, including Boat-Ed, Boater Exam or the Boat US Foundation. Information for these online courses (including pricing) is on the GADNR website.

Other provisions of Senate Bill 136, which went into effect on May 15, 2013, include lowering the maximum blood alcohol level from .10 to .08 for anyone operating a boat. This now makes the legal blood acohol limit the same for boating and driving. The new law also increases penalties for those caught boating while intoxicated. In addition, the new legislation tightens life jacket laws, requiring anyone on a moving boat who is 13 years old or younger to wear a life jacket (previously, it was recommended for kids under 13 and required for kids under 10).

These changes stem from the three boating-related deaths of children in Georgia last summer. We think they are good changes, ones that should make our children safer and keep everyone a bit more responsible for safety on the water.

What do you think of these new boating laws?

The Most Popular of Them All

Over the past several weeks, we have sold lots of Lowe 175 Stingers. A whole heck of a lot of them. You might have seen the pictures on Facebook. But just in case you haven't, here are a few of them again:



Now you might be wondering why all of these people went with the same boat. We'll tell you why. And we'll also tell you that you should get down here before the rest of them are gone.

These alumninum boats are unlike any other in their class. They were designed by bass, crappie and multi-species anglers, and are more stable and run better with lesser HP outboards and heavier 4-stroke engines. They also have the widest decks - up to 50% wider than other boats - which make them great for fishing and super roomy (why do you think all of these couples are buying this boat?). In fact, the cockpit will sit 3 people - and comfortably at that. And there are 36 square feet of bow deck space. The boat has dual aerated livewells, a Lowrance fish finder and a rod locker. And there's other storage compartments for your other gear. 

Right now, if you buy this Lowe 175 Stinger, you'll get a $1,000 rebate and a free cover, which is pretty sweet. 

So, what else could you want in a fishing boat this size? Come on down to check them out before everyone else has one and you're left out!

Finding the Life Jacket for You

You might not like to wear them, but life jackets (also known as life vests or PFDs) are an essential part of staying safe on the water. Sure, you might be an excellent swimmer, but what happens if you get tossed off your boat and are knocked unconscious on the way in the water? Or, if you fall into chilly waters, how will you conserve energy and stay afloat? Now, we don't want to be all Debbie Downer. But we do think it's important to know how to choose the best life jacket for you.

Requirements
All recreational vessels must have at least one Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (life jacket) that is U.S. Coast Guard-approved, the proper size for each person on board, in good condition and readily accessible. Additionally, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one Type IV (throwable) USCG-approved personal flotation device on board (and it needs to be easily accessible). Any person younger than 10 years old must wear a PFD in Georgia. The only exception to this is when the child is in a fully enclosed cabin.

Choosing
We like this graphic from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission that explains the different types of PFDs:

For adults, chest size will determine what size PFD is necessary. For children, this is determined by weight. Once you've selected the right size, follow these steps:

• Loosen all the straps, put PFD on and zip up.
• Starting at the waist, tighten all the straps. The PFD should feel snug but not uncomfortable.
• Have someone pull up on the shoulders. If it moves up past your nose, tighten the straps. If you can't and/or it still moves, you need a smaller size.
• If possible, test your PFD in a pool or shallow water. It should not ride up or slip over your chin while floating.

To fit a child, follow basically the same steps. Pick them up by the shoulders of the life jacket, and make sure the vest is snug overall.

We recommend: Once you've adjusted your life jacket to the perfect fit, leave it that way! Keep extra jackets on board for your guests. That way, your favorite jacket is always the right size.

Do not alter a PFD to make it fit - choose one that works for you. There are many different styles, and many companies make separate men's and women's fits. Further, automatic inflatable vests have become increasingly popular, which allow you to wear a slimmer, more minimal vest that automatically inflates if you hit the water. Choose whatever vest you will be the most comfortable in.

Caring
Like with many things, if you treat your PFD with care, it will have a long life. Don't use it as a cushion or boat bumper, which can decrease its buoyancy. Don't leave your PFD laying in the hot sun for extended periods of time - this will cause the fabric and inner components to wear and crack. Upon your return from a salt water adventure, give your vest a rinse with fresh water before allowing it to drip dry (not in the direct sun!). Store in a cool, dry place with good ventilation to prevent moisture from building or sitting.

What suggestions do you have for anyone looking to purchase or care for a PFD? Any tips or tricks you've learned over the years?

Win a Jon Boat!

Yes, it's pretty much as simple as it sounds: Lowe Boats is giving away a free Jon boat in one of six colors.



What are they giving away? One lucky winner will receive a Lowe 1436 Jon boat in their choice of 6 available colors. The boat has all-aluminum construction which makes it a rugged and durable workhorse for a variety of uses. According to their website, "every Lowe boat delivers premium quality and versatility at an unbeatable value, including high-performance bass and deep-V fishing boats, innovative new pontoons, professional-grade jons and more."

Interested? Just go to their website and register to win! 

If you're looking for something a bit more upgraded from a Jon boat, check out our inventory of Lowe boats - it's the largest in the South!

Packing for a Fishing Trip

Are you planning on leaving our fairly mild weather in Georgia to go fishing in much warmer climates? Or maybe you seek ice fishing? If you're driving, you can bring whatever gear you'd like. But if you are flying to your fishing destination, then you know you need to think a bit harder about what you bring. So here are some tips and tricks on packing your fishing gear for that plane trip:

Packing your rods: If you're bringing along rods, pack them in a sturdy rod tube you can check or pack 4 and 5 piece rods that can be packed in your main checked duffel. It's easy enough to use PVC pipes and plastic caps to make your own tubes. Just make sure they are clearly marked with your contact information and the ends are securely fastened if you are checking them.

Use a soft tackle bag: Hard tackle boxes can crack when tossed about by baggage handlers, so make use of a soft-sided tackel organizer instead. You can sometimes fit more in these bags than in your traditional box anyways! Consider taking apart your lures to fit more in. This creates a little more work upon arriving at your destination, but it may be worth it if you need a variety of sizes for fishing success.

Practice: Do a packing trial a few days before you need to do it for real. That way, you can experiment with how everything fits and alter your packing list as needed. Nothing like a little preparation to make the night before you leave a little less stressful!

Go incognito: If you don't have the latest in fishing travel gear, not to worry. It may be better to use bags that are not branded from a fishing company. That way, no one knows what's inside, and your gear is much less likely to be meddled with - or stolen.

Check out FishAbout for more packing tips (some of which are not specific to fishing).

Where are you taking your gear this year for a great fishing trip?