1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

[jcsercsa]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Ok John, now I have one to tell on myself! I just back from fishing and really had a miserable time. The out going tide was ripping thru my usual spot, anchor wouldn't hold and to top the day off nicely, "I threw my favorite Penn 350 level wind in the brink!" I had slimy hands from the blue crab I had just put on and thru my rod and real right in the 25 foot water. Can't remember the rod name brand but it was a good setup! Ok guys now you can make fun of me! "I'll just go somewhere and cry."

HAHAHAHA now i don't feel so bad !!!!! thanks man !!! lol man that really did s--k !!! my reel was a ambassador 7000i , man i miss it !! lol John

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Just bought another Penn 350 off eBad and an Okuma 7' Sarasota 20-40 lb rod from the local tackle shop. The reel looks in better condition than my old one and with the new Okuma rod it should be a very good set-up.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Just bought another Penn 350 off eBad and an Okuma 7' Sarasota 20-40 lb rod from the local tackle shop. The reel looks in better condition than my old one and with the new Okuma rod it should be a very good set-up.

Cool , I been looking at a ardent, spincast , Like its made in the usa !!I like the pens also, Are they that good ?? John

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

I've always liked the level winds over the spinning reels. Guess I'm just "old school." I just bought my first spinning reel last week because I was impressed with my son's Shimano 6500 Baitrunner and bought a new Shimano 4500 Baitrunner. I don't think you can beat a good Penn level wind for bottom fishing. They are strong and the used ones a cheap option for having several boat rods laying around "in case you drop one in the bay!" Ouch!

 

[triumphrick]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

I've always liked the level winds over the spinning reels. Guess I'm just "old school." I just bought my first spinning reel last week because I was impressed with my son's Shimano 6500 Baitrunner and bought a new Shimano 4500 Baitrunner. I don't think you can beat a good Penn level wind for bottom fishing. They are strong and the used ones a cheap option for having several boat rods laying around "in case you drop one in the bay!" Ouch!

Hey, Ron...take a weighted treble hook out there when you go back and do a little "dredging"...
If you don't find yours, you may find another! Those big drum surprise a lot of people. Many a child has had their rigs pulled away by big drum.
Good job on the Shimano..I have several we use..all the way up to a 6500. It's big and strong enough to pull grouper up.
Glad to hear that you are getting some good fishing in!
Next month is the start of some really good months for grouper up here..hope to hook up.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Hey Rick. Went out again this morning with two buddies and caught four more 40 pounders average. I bought a grappling hook and one of my "buddies" knocked it off into the water so I didn't get a chance to look for my rod. I'm sure it's at least out by the Skyway Bridge by now. Yup I would like to go out grouper fishing with you soon. I post a couple pics in a few minutes.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Good to see you and Gene out and about....seems like you both had another good day on the water. I take it the boat is running fine. Catching fish like that is addictive! You're always wanting to go back and do better...
PM me your email address and I will be sure to get back with you. As mentioned, the fishing up here is about to really take off soon. Would love to have a trip set up..

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Got my replacement Penn 350 reel yesterday. It's really a lot nicer than the one I lost. It almost looks new and functions perfectly. I put some Ande 60# line on it, cause it was cheap and that's what I already had, but I gotta tell ya that is really some stiff line. I'm sure that it will work just fine for bottom fishing though. $40 shipped was a good deal for this reel.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Bet no one had done this before! Ha Went fishing last Friday, idled out of the marina, gave it the gas and noticed that the engine just sounded "funny" and couldn't imagine why. After a short distance I put her in idle and raised the outboard drive to look at the prop. Nothing! Everything looked fine. Pedal to the metal again and oil and temp fine but still sounded funny. All of a sudden everything smoothed out and no problems rest of the day. Got home that afternoon, cleaned inside and out. Went to put on the water to the foot and couldn't find the water ears! Thought a second and then it dawned on me that I hadn't removed them before fishing. Bet that is what the funny noise was. Glad I didn't burn up the lower pump! Of course this "never" happened to anyone else! Lol, Ron

 

[zach103]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Wait so you left the muffs on there??? i wont laugh i swear lol.. at least you knew that something was up and didn't push it.. deff hasnt happend to me tho

 

[betayv]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

woaaaa you very lucky didnt burn the lower or the engine, great hey how the fishing been going what you guys been catching?....

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

It was getting some water thru the hose fitting. When I added speed the ears probably were letting more water get past the sealing area and then were eventually pushed off by the boats speed. Good thing I had a long skeg welded on or the ears may have got into the prop. Anyway your right! I got lucky. No serious fishing. Just riding around having a little fun here are there.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Lucky guy!! The boat Gods were smiling on you. Remember next month (November) is when you can start getting some meat on the table. The grouper will be coming inshore and I can hook you up on some spots up my way or send you to the shipping channel and have you troll for them off the rockpiles. Either way, we need to hook up..take care, Rick

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

I'm still here but not doing much in the way of boat repairs. Still have to do painting the deck and restore the cuddy cabin. But it soooooo cold! High 60's yesterday.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

And 28 here this AM...not for our Yankee friends to fret over, but damned cold for a couple of Florida Boys....

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Well my boat hasn't been started up in a little over a month so I figured today I would get it running and run the gas out of the carb. Figured the batteries would be dead. Put the key in, after putting water on the foot, and "burrrroom," she started right up and idled just perfectly. Ran the out-drive up and down a couple of times and everything checks out good. When warmer weather gets here I guess I start on the painting again. Lately I've been distracted cause I bought a lathe and milling machine and have been doing a lot of shop arranging to make my little shop into a machine shop. If interested you can see my efforts here in two or three different forum headings:

http://www.machinistweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1368

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Cranked her up twice since my last post. She just started right up with no hesitations. Weather has been good here but the wind is just too much to put up with in March and early April. Can't wait to get it back into the water and use up last year's ethanol. Yes I did treat the gas but I don't think that is any guarantee. Dad blamed squirrels got in up under the boat cover but didn't do any damage other that some squirrel poop.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Haven't been out in about three months as it has been pretty windy on the days that I could have gone. Bought an elctric boat winch at Harbour Freight last week and have yet to put it on. Don't know how good it will work so I bought the 2-year extended warranty. Thinking I might take her out this coming Monday if the weather is right. Need to burn up some old fuel.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Took the Grady out last Monday and the cheap $49 boat winch from HF worked pretty good. Let's just see how long it last! She hasn't been in the water in 4 or 5 months and no problems at all. Well there was one little problem with one of the transom scuppers. The flapper rotted off. Bought couple of new ones so I'm good to go. My fishing buddy and I, Mike, caught five Black Drum in the 35-45 lb range. I don't normally keep them because of the fear of "worms" in them. A Haitian guy, who details my cars, asked for one and so I kept the biggest one and gave it too him. He grilled it and said it was "delicious!" I gotta figure out how to launch my boat by myself.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Anyone have any idea for me to be able to launch my 24' Grady by myself? It takes two people to lauch my boat, so unless I can find a fishing buddy to help I'm unabel to go by myself. Problem is that when I back down the ramp, and get the hull in the water, it maks the bow so high that I could not get into the boat to back it off the trailer. I would have to swim to the stern to board! Next time I launch I'l try and take a couple pics that demonstrate my problem.