Author Evan Goetler
There has always been something appealing to me about fixing something yourself. I have often
made jokes like, “Why buy a new one for $20.00 when I can fix it for $50.00?” I think the stress
of wondering if I can fix something motivates me. I like learning how things work and sometimes
the best invitation to do that is to tear something completely apart.
This past weekend was the opener in Wisconsin. I usually have had my boat out several times
for spring Walleye fishing, and this year was no different. Except this year, I had been taking my
smaller boat out due to the bodies of water I was fishing. I had a good friend that was having a
small baby show on Saturday, so I was not going to make it out. Don’t worry, he knows, and it
will not happen again. Sunday was my day. I had invited my mom to come out with me since it
was Mother’s Day, and she agreed to tag along when I promised lunch afterwards. I went to
grab my boat Saturday morning before the shower to get it ready. Everything was going great.
The motor fired up quickly, I rewired a new transducer for my Humminbird, and my trolling motor
batteries were set to be charging all night.
Mom showed up at 5 in the morning on Sunday and we bolted to Madison. I had heard stories
of some decent action from Saturday on glide baits, one of my confidence lures, and I was
pumped. We were the third boat on the lake and I slowly pulled us to the other side of the lake t
o set up on a spot. I took about 10 minutes to teach my mom how to use a baitcaster, and how
to figure 8. She caught on pretty quick and we drifted around pretty aimlessly while I was getting
rods ready and setting the boat up. I threw on a Hellhound and I stepped up on my back casting
deck and thought, “The front end is drifting out a bit, I need to make an adjustment.” I rotated
the trolling motor and turned up the speed only to continue drifting the wrong direction. I
rehooked my Hellhound and went to investigate.
About 5 p.m. Sunday, I finally gave up. I tore down my Minn Kota and put it back together a
total of 5-6 times. I lost count to be honest. After looking for parts, cleaning magnets, rewiring
connections, and just generally beating myself up, I started to scour the Facebook Marketplace
for a used trolling motor. I like to think I am usually prepared for a lot of unseeable events, but
this one got me. I still have yet to make a cast targeting a Musky this year, but I did take
something away from this experience. There was literally nothing I could have done to
prepare or be ready for this to happen. We like to be prepared in the Musky fishing world,
but when it comes down to it, this is still a hobby for most of us and we need to enjoy what
we can. I got to hang out with my Mom for a few hours and taught her a few things about
something I am so passionate about. She even enjoyed it…maybe? Either way, I will always
have that time with her.
Also, if you know anyone selling a used Minn Kota, please let me know.
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