Will fishing in Salt water bays hurt my motor?

[jwateacher3]

Will fishing in Salt water bays hurt my motor? I would like to take my bass tracker tx17 to Port St. Joe in the spring and do some red fishing and was wondering if I flushed it out every day would that be OK or would that harm my motor (80hp mercury)? The area I fish is protected from wind and is only about five feet deep or more shallow.

 

[SpurHunter]

As long as you flush it after each trip, you will not have problems.

 

[rsimms]

Yea, what Spur said. Just flush it an you'll be fine.

It's been too long since I fished St. Joe Bay... have fun and don't fish anywhere around Black's Island. It's terrible. emoBigsmile

 

[slo-ride]

and wash the HECK out of your trailer if it's not galvanized!

 

[Possum]

Is your cowling completely inclosed, if not you may want to pull it off and spray silicone on the inside. Get the starter good. Wash the trailer down if you are going to be there awhile. I you are not going to be there a long time, don't worry about it, come home, take boat and trailer to lake and let the trailer soak. Run moter while trailer is soaking. Go to car wash, and wash down with soap and water, rinse real good. I you can unhook the water line on you motor and hook garden hose to it and let it flush for a couple of hours when you get home. This is my routine anyway. You will also find that most of the boats down there are aluminum boats alot like yours. Be careful, water is shallow. If you put in at the marina, hang a left and go to the leftoward the park , there are some good grass flats near the park that are pretty productive. When are you going.

 

[outcaster]

I take my bassboat down several times a year. Always keep in mind that you are using a boat designed for freshwater in saltwater. Pay special attention to the steering cables, especially back at the engine. You may want to take the trolling motor completely off (you may encounter wave and wind splash over the bow) After you pull you boat out of the water, be sure to flush the engine and spray EVERTHING down with fresh water (rods and reels included). Two must have items for saltwater bay fishing is a good anchor w/chain and a cast net.

 

[Possum]

outcaster - 12/12/2008 7:44 PM

I take my bassboat down several times a year. Always keep in mind that you are using a boat designed for freshwater in saltwater. Pay special attention to the steering cables, especially back at the engine. You may want to take the trolling motor completely off (you may encounter wave and wind splash over the bow) After you pull you boat out of the water, be sure to flush the engine and spray EVERTHING down with fresh water (rods and reels included). Two must have items for saltwater bay fishing is a good anchor w/chain and a cast net.

I would stay home before I took my trolling motor off. I fish for redfish and trout like I bass fish. You are right about the rods and reels, I usually soak those in 5 gallon buckets. You probably will catch more fish with pinfish and live shrimp, I just don't like fishing that way. There is very little difference between saltwater trolling motors and outboards than freashwater models. If I am wrong I would like to know how, I have not been able to tell the difference except for color.

 

[outcaster]

The problem that I have seen hs not been with the trolling motor itself, but saltwater spray from wind and waves getting into the foot pedal area. I also use pinfish, shrimp, and artificials, but nothing beats a livewell full of greenies.

 

[antman1331]

Be sure to soak down the carpet... I had a 03 tracker like yours... After a week long trout fishing trip the only thing i didn't wash and treat was the carpet... later that year the glue under the carpet dissolved... I believe this was due to the salt water... SO you may want to consider washing the whole boat inside and out...

 

[Possum]

My next boat (fishing boat) will not have carpet in it. I have not had that problem. Have a hard time beleiving salt caused that. Like I said earlier, I see a bunch of boats like yours down there and talk to those guys on a regular basis on a forum much like this one. Never have I read where that complaint was made, but who knows.

 

[shootkrt]

I took my boat in salt water only 1 time during a trip to S.C. I took good care of the trailer and motor but didn't think to do anything with the trolling motor cuz I didn't use it. It was a brand new trolling motor at the time But the spray caused allot of damage about 4 months later due to rust . Release spring and bearings on the shaft all had to be replaced. Be sure to wash your trolling motor really good.