So I see the Ross Barnett has a lot of stumps

[Rfjeff9]

Just below the waterline. Scary for me this weekend, it was my first time putting the boat in (12ft johnboat). I put in at Tommy's and stayed north of 43. I was trying to get the motor a good shakedown, had not been cranked in 4 years. FWIW, the motor is in tip top shape.

But the wind picked up and I decided to putt back to Tommy's along the east side in what Google Maps says is Long Lake. I hit ALOT of stumps in that area With the motor. Gently though so as not to mess it up. I was not expecting that.

Now I am rather concerned about motoring anywhere in the Rez south of the mouth at speed. So I have a few questions.

1. Should I worry about stumps between the markers? I would think not, right?
2. If I am not between the markers, I should probably be really careful for stumps, yes?

I am now thinking of just sticking to Ratliff Ferry and heading up/down from there. Of at least as much importance as fishing, the duck strategy may have just changed for me. I think it more likely that I will look for an oxbow or lake at first light and then float down river and jump shoot in other lakes I pass.

[cwink]

1. Should I worry about stumps between the markers? I would think not, right?
2. If I am not between the markers, I should probably be really careful for stumps, yes?

The markers indicate the river so there should not be any stumps in there.. But you will see floating logs sometimes.. The problem with the markers is that because they follow the river the twists and bend of the markers can get confusing and hard to stay between sometimes.. I have been running through that stretch before and focusing on a set of markers only to realize that I cut across the markers and got out of the river.. it will take some time for you to become familiar with the markers so just take it slow..

[Rfjeff9]

Thanks for that. I caught myself skipping a set of markers once also and didn't think too much of it until later when I saw all the stumps off to the side. I am going to take it easy.

[deltadukman]

Stay inside the channel markers. Do not run full speed outside the markers until you know what you're doing, and even then you'll hit a bunch of stumps. A 12' jon boat in the rez is dangerous as it is shallow and can blow up and get nasty pretty quick. If you see the BASSCAR guys running WTFO outside the channel markers note that they have probably done it a long while and konw the paths, have torn up many a lower unit, or an idiot that wants to look cool going to catch a fish...or any combination. Best advice, and I know the lake like the back of my hand, stay between the markers when running open until you know where you're going.

[Rfjeff9]

....A 12' jon boat in the rez is dangerous as it is shallow and can blow up and get nasty pretty quick....

I guess by this you mean exactly what happened earlier this week? Where water seemed calm enough, but maybe 2 hours after I went up into the river, the wind started blowing and when I tried to get back to Tommy's I had to skirt to the east in the stump riddled area?

Those waves were a blessing I suppose, otherwise I would not be so aware of the stumps and would not be so cautious next time. But yeah, the weather fooled me with those waves. I admit, the setup I have is odd - my motor is too big for my boat. So the back end sits lower in the water than should. Not good while struggling with waves. But fortunately I learned a good lesson the easy way.

Before he gave them to me, this was my dad's boat and motor he had when he was able to get out and about, so I blame him for the oversize issue. Not sure why he did it. I may even see if there is a 5hp out there someone might want to swap for an 8hp.

I really didn't like the way the back end sat in the water.

[rjohnson]

Let me tell you from experience there are stumps and fallen trees in the channel markers. $7000 in damage to my Nautique a few years ago. Last year a friend in his Malibu same thing north of Ratliff. But typically as long as you stay inside the channel markers you will be fine especially if you stay in the middle of the channel. Outside of that remember that before it flooded just about all of that land under water was trees so yeah there are stumps everywhere. Running it wide open or high speeds in outboard outside the channel markers is asking for trouble. In a 12' boat in the open water above 43 it can get hairy if the wind picks up. It doesn't take much to turn that area into a whitecapping rough ride even with a bigger boat.