This is the eleventh year that I have written this article, a tradition begun by Tim Coleman, founding editor of the New England Fisherman and encouraged by each of his predecessors. From spring to fall, Harbor fishermen had a variety of opportunities to experience the many faces of this exciting fishery. As many Draggin' Fly clients will attest, the 2007 fishing season will go into the books as one of the best in recent history. Stripers were available throughout the season in good numbers. Trophy bass over 40 inches were caught on light tackle and flies throughout the season. And some real monsters were caught during the season. Bluefish were certainly not as numerous as in the past few seasons, at least not until the fall. However, the ones that were boated were bigger than those usually encountered in Boston. It was not uncommon to catch jumbo choppers over 3 feet.

This past spring, the wind blew and the rain came, putting a damper on the early season making it difficult to make runs to cod grounds and even to the more sheltered waters favored by flounders. As the weather improved so did the fishing. While most anglers chased early arriving schools of bass, dedicated bottom fishermen found excellent numbers of legal-sized cod on Harbor ledges. North Shore bait fishermen did equally well in the deep water rock ledges and wrecks east of Nahant. Again this year, the ledges to the south in Situate and Cohasset did not produce as they have in the past. Flounder were found in good numbers in their regular spring haunts through out Quincy Bay, Hingham Harbor, Hough's Neck, and inside of the Gut.

By-mid May, Harbor striper fishing broke wide open. There were the usual massive schools of juvenile bass, but this year, big bass arrived much earlier. While most herring runs across the state continued to experience major population declines, Boston Harbor's rivers and estuaries had an ample supply of herring to attract bass during the early season. Early June also saw a decent run of mackerel which added to the bait mixed and attracted even more bass into the Harbor. For almost three weeks, the fishing was truly awesome and anglers had opportunities to stalk large bass throughout the Harbor. Bass chased mackerel from Minot's Ledge to Grave's Light to Egg Rock off Nahant. Massive flocks were the tell-tale sign of feeding fish. Later in June, bass moved into bays and rivers throughout the Harbor attracted to the massive schools of drop back herring and fry-of-the-year.
Bluefish also made an early appearance. Our first encounter with them was in the Inner Harbor in mid-June. These fish were very aggressive and much larger than normally encountered north of Cape Cod Bay. However, these schools of blues did not stay for long nor could they be found in the Outer Harbor or the off-shore ledges where they took up residence in previous seasons. By early July, these schools had moved north and out to Stellwagen Bank.

From July through early August, much of Draggin' Fly's efforts were concentrated on fishing the shallow waters of the Inner Harbor. We spent much of the time casting to bass along the airport flats and its finger channels. The shallow waters in Quincy Bay and Hingham Harbor were also productive. It was sight fishing at its best… and provided challenging angling experiences for Draggin' Fly's clients who enjoy stalking and casting to fish with light tackle and flies. On many trips, anglers jumped big fish and had opportunities to cast to trophy bass in very skinny water.

As many veteran anglers will explain, fish in the shallows are easily spooked and difficult to hook. Yet, several anglers caught very large bass during this time and missed other opportunities as these fish proved very difficult to land. Patience and accurate casting were required. Again this season, the success of The Draggin' Fly during this time was very noticeable among the fleet. Captain Bill believes that the success of his clients during this part of the season was directly related to their commitment to be on the water before dawn, long before other anglers, and sticking with the strategy of hunting the shallows.

As bait became more plentiful in mid- August, fish that were elusive just days earlier became very aggressive. The Draggin' Fly began to fish some productive waters of the North Shore. Since peanut bunker were not as plentiful as juvenile herring until September, the fishing was more on the eel grass flats than along the rocky shorelines as it had been in past seasons. At the end of the month, peanut bunker began to invade the Inner Harbor. The bass were bigger and more bluefish were in the mix.

The fall migration Boston Harbor and surrounding waters exploded with some of the best fishing in recent history. Throughout September and early October, schools of bluefish and bass could be found from the Fore River right into downtown Boston and in every estuary in between. Almost on a daily basis, there were amazing bass blitzes around the Harbor that even the most seasoned anglers would long remember. During this time, many trophy fish were caught and most were released.

The 2007 season went into the record book as one of the longest and most productive in the Draggin' Fly history. The Draggin' Fly finished charter trips in late October and fish were still available in good numbers. If you didn't fish Boston Harbor last year, you missed some of the best fishing in years.

	Fishing early has its rewards

Boston Harbor encompasses almost 200 nautical miles and its inshore fishing rivals any in the North East. Each year the harbor's fishing continues to improve and last season's fishing was encouraging in several ways. For the first time in many years, anglers had a variety of fishing opportunities. From cod to flounder, to bass and blues, anglers were able to target their favorites with good expectations for success all season long.

I have trained my clients to meet me at dock and be ready to sail long before dawn. My clients are not often casual anglers: they are true bass-aholics willing to forsake sleep in order to stalk bass in the shallows in the wee hours of the morning. When I first meet new clients and announce the start time, I can tell very quickly if they are serious anglers by their reaction.

And I'm serious about leaving dock long before most normal people would ever think of stirring from a night's sleep. It's not that I do not like crowds … and I don't. But I know that the prime time to catch big bass in skinny water is when the sky just begins to pinken in false dawn and for the next few hours. Sure on cloudy or overcast days, this bite may last longer, but on most mornings, the shallow water bite is short lived. Dawn is a very special time to be on the water, and this early morning bite can be very productive year-round.

Fishermen armed with even a cursory knowledge of the behavior of big bass know that low light conditions provide opportunities to encounter trophy fish right on the surface. On many mornings, my clients will be stalking and casting to several jumbo bass long before the sun begins to heat the water. There is also very little boat traffic to spook these fish. For the most part, I know most of the other boaters, at least enough to say good morning. I am sure that if you join the dawn patrol with any regularity, you too will become familiar with many of the players.

Dawn is the time I explore the numerous shallow bays, small coves around the Inner Harbor Islands, tidal flats, and the mouths of the rivers. The best areas provide quick access to deep water. To catch big bass regularly, take the time to learn these shallow waters and how these fish move in and out. To the novice, all these areas look similar. However, veterans know that bass use finger channels to slip into the shallower water under darkness in search of food. These anglers look for feeding lanes along bars, mussel and clam beds, points of land that drop-off from the shore, and other structure that tend to hold large numbers of baitfish, shrimp, and crabs. Many of these use the shallow waters to incubate their young.

My best advice is take the time to explore shallow areas during outgoing tide. As the structure exposes, it is often much easier to identify primary feeding zones and finger channels that bass use to move around in the shallows. Do some homework. Use nautical charts to determine contour and water depth. These charts will also reveal detailed information about vegetation and bottom structure.

Be sure to pay close attention for any signs of fish. Many times bass move very slowly along the surface waiting and watching for movement of baitfish. These fish will be barely recognizable to the untrained eye. Many inexperienced anglers unintentionally look down into the water rather than scanning the surface. I use specially tinted polarized sunglasses to aid in my search. Look for fins or any noticeable movement on the water. At times, bass will be found herding the bait and trapping it on the surface. However, I often see bait fleeing and jumping clear out of the water, long before I pickup on the bass.

When approaching shallow water, be sure to do so slowly and keep the noise to a minimum. As a number of my brighter clients like to point out, sound travels much faster across water than it does through the air. While I can not explain the physics behind this as my clients can, I can tell you that even the slapping of waves caused by the wake of a boat will often spook these fish. Remember that bass hear much better than you so if you can hear noise, there is no doubt that they will pick up on it.

Once fish have been located, use the wind and tide to position the boat. Set up drifts far enough away so that the fish do not see the boat. Cast lures or flies well ahead of cruising fish so that your offering lands in sight of the fish. Allow lures to rest before beginning the retrieve. Bass often hear the splash of the lure hitting the water and quickly begin to focus on it. Fish use their eyesight and lateral line to track it as you retrieve. A well placed cast and the correct action in the retrieve will result in success.

Fly fishers should come prepared to cast a floating line with long leaders. I prefer an 8-wt. rod that delivers the fly with some delicacy so that it does not make a big surface commotion. In my homewaters of Boston Harbor, I tend to use sliders rather than poppers. I find that these create just enough surface movement to get the interest of most bass but do not spook them. If I am using a popper, it will be a small soft-body fly. I have also had great luck with white snake flies in sizes from 2-4/0 depending on the size of the available bait. When the fish are keyed in on particular bait, such as shrimp, I will match this bait and present what they want.

Those anglers who prefer light tackle have plenty of choices to make. The first and the most important is line. I use 10-12 pound monofilament rather than one of the newer brads. I find that this line will deliver longer casts that are necessary in this type of fishing. I also use a flourocarbon leader connected directly to the mono with an Albright or Uni-knot.

When stalking bass in shallow water, I have switched almost exclusively to using soft plastic baits such as Bass Assassin Shads, Slug-Gos, and Fin-S Fish. These lures land on the water more softly than traditional wooden and hard plastic lures. I also find that bass will come back time and time again to attack these lures. I believe that these lures have a more natural feel to them. I also find that soft plastic lures can be worked in many different ways. Whether it a slow jerk, the walking the dog technique, or a quick pop, soft plastic baits are very versatile.

As the sunrises higher in the sky, bass will move into deeper water. To consistently catch fish during these transitional times requires changing tactics. Fly fishers will need to change lines to get flies down into the water column to reach these fish. I favor the Clouser Minnow and the Half 'N Half patterns fished on sinking lines. Light tackle anglers will have better luck working leadhead jigs. While many prefer traditional bucktail jigs, I have had great luck with plastic swimming jigs such as Harrison Hoge's Vivif lure and Storm's Shad. The depth of the water will determine the amount of weight needed.

It is very possible to catch trophy bass in very shallow water year-round. The trick is to get on these fish when they are most active… at dawn. Stalking big bass as they hunt the shallows is not easy but will often be reward with some explosive action. Proper boat handling and skillful casting are necessary. Increase your success by taking the time to learn the basics of shallow water fishing and making the commitment to get on the water early. You too will find yourself among the regulars who duel at dawn with trophy bass.

Captions

1.Dawn is the prime time to find bass feeding in the shallows.

2. Dawn is a special time on the water.

3. Join the Dawn Patrol and increase your success in shallow water.

4. Dawn is the time to stalk bass in shallow water.

5. Low light conditions provide great opportunities to encounter trophy bass in the shallow.

1. The 2004 season was a year of big fish.

2. Mackerel kept big bass busy during the early season.

3. The airport flats fished well throughout the season.

4. Last year, several trophy bass were landed north of the Harbor.

5. Another Boston Harbor trophy bass pulled from the rocks.

6. August was the time to target big bass in the shallows.

Not too long ago when flats fishing was the topic of discussion thoughts turned to Florida and other warm exotic areas. Now a days, more and more New England anglers are discovering the excitement and challenges of skinny water fishing. My personal addiction to shallow water striper fishing began several years ago when I got a surprising phone call from a client wanting to do some light tackle casting for stripers. His father, an avid Florida flats fisherman was going to visit that summer and wanted to try his hand at Boston Harbor's bass fishing. The catch was that he only wanted to sight cast in shallow water. It was winter so I had plenty of time to review my logs and study charts to develop a fishing plan.

I chose two days around the new moon in June because of its exceptionally strong tidal flow. I decided to hunt Governor's and Deer Island flats off the airport. There are also some deep-water channels adjacent to these shallows. I knew that herring are abundant at this time of the season. I was quite confident that I had the right ingredients for some great striper fishing.

The first day didn't seem too promising. It was quite cold and overcast. It was blowing southwest, the direction I like. But it was blowing hard enough to stir the water and even kick up white caps away from the shore. It would be difficult to locate fish on the surface. Nevertheless, we were going to give it a try.

I met my clients just as the sun began to peak over the horizon. The tide was still slack as we pushed off the dock with a plan to fish the airport flats on the turn of the tide. Bass often move out of deeper water and into the shallow water of this area as the tide begins. The problem we faced was that this area offers little protection when the wind blows as hard as it did that day. Small bait fish such as silversides and spearling often slip into this area with the tide. Just off the airport's approach pier is hard bottom that attracts lots of crabs, small lobsters and fin fish. Just outside of the adjacent flats is a deep-water channel frequented by big bass especially in spring and early summer when herring are in the Harbor.

After several unsuccessful drifts along the shore, the son switched techniques and began to fish deeper using a half ounce jig rigger with an olive/white shad body. Almost immediately, a fair-sized schoolie attacked, and we were tight to the first fish of the day. While his dad continued to try a number of surface lures, the son repeated his earlier catch several times during the drift. The schoolies were holding just off the bottom in 6 feet of water. Dad continued his search convinced that the bass would eventually take surface offerings.

As the sun came up higher and the tide began to flood we noticed some bird action further offshore in the Anchorage off Deer Island. We motored over to this area and set up a drift. Almost immediately both anglers were tight to fish, a situation repeated many times until the tide began to slacken again. A good ending to the day but not the shallow water sight casting on which we planned.

We met again the next morning just before sunrise. Wind would not be a factor this day. I decided to try the shallows along Wollaston Beach. Arriving just after dawn, we immediately notice some nervous water and then witnessed a tremendous eruption of baitfish.

My clients cast soft jerk baits just ahead of the commotion. Allowing the lure to settle before beginning the retrieve, Dad made two twitches and felt the strike of his first big bass. He used the rod to lead the bass to the boat where I managed to grab it. Today, I carry a Boga Grip which makes this task much easier. Wrestling this beautiful bass into the boat for a quick measurement before releasing her, we were amazed in how shallow of water this 39-inch fish could swim.

Throughout this morning, we encountered other pods of big fish. As the sun came up, we were better able to observe bass working very shallow water along the bar at the southeast end of Wollaston Beach. Several times we were able to lead fish to our lures by first locating the fins, casting ahead of them and allowing the fish to catch up to the lure.

Since these trips, I have spent much time exploring the shallow waters of Boston Harbor and refining techniques. I find hunting fish in skinny water to be one of the most exciting and weather permitting, productive ways to fish. You can often watch fish follow and take your lure. And experience shows that stripers and blues tend to fight much harder when hooked in shallow water.

Although shallow water techniques are similar to those used by our southern cousins, the way we approach flats differs in several ways. Even though more and more flat bottom bay boats are showing up in the Harbor, few, if any, local skippers pole their boats as they do in the South. Rather, most skippers use engines to position their boat and use wind, current, and tide to move them to the fish.

This drifting approach requires anglers to use commons ense and to respect the rights of other anglers. Never motorup into the shallows. It is much more effective to approach quietly and shut down a good 50 to 75 yards upwind of the area. When setting up a drift, give other boats the same distance as you would like. Especially give wading anglers a wide berth.

Boston Harbor offers world-class shallow water fishing for stripers and bluefish with excellent access to small boat anglers. The state maintains all-tide ramps in Weymouth on the Back River and in Winthrop next to the Yacht Club.

With over 100 miles of shoreline to explore, there is plenty of water to explore. Several rivers, brooks, marshes, and small escuaries provide plenty of breeding areas for baitfish in the inner harbor. I have had excellent luck hunting the shallow waters of Hull, Hingham, Dorchester, and Quincy. Many of these escuaries provide maximum protection from prevailing southwest winds so the water is calmer, cleaner, and safer for small boat anglers. Fish are often much easier to locate and stay on in these shallow waters. Their movements are also more predictable.

The best time to fish the shallow waters of the inner harbor is early morning and then again at dusk, especially if there is an incoming tide. Bass often move from deeper water to feed in the shallows as the tide covers the inshore structure. Sight casting might be more difficult especially for untrained eyes. But through careful observation, anglers learn to read the water looking for irregular bottom changes. Especially important is the proximity to deeper water-the highways bass use to move from area to area. Also learn to look for surface changes such as wakes, ripples, and other nervous water which indicate the presence of moving fish.

Success in shallow water is tied to proper tackle. These waters can best be fished with light tackle (6-12 lb. rods) and fly rods. While every successful flats fisherman has a favorite lure, mine are soft jerk baits such as Bass Assasins and Slug-gos. Small poppers also will get plenty attention. Color is often important and size can be critical so be sure to match this to the available bait.
More and more fishermen are becoming dedicated shallow water anglers and for some this even becomes an obsession. When the conditions are right, some really trophy-size fish can be stalked and caught. Take the time to explore the often overlooked shallow waters of Boston Harbor, and you too can score.

Captions

1. Throughout Boston Harbor there are many shallow water areas to explore both from the shore and boat.

2. In Hingham, you'll find some excellent flats with great deep water access.

3. Low water is the time to explore and learn the shelter areas along Wollaston Beach.

4. Look for any bird activity which indicates the presence of small baitfish such as silversides, spearling, and sand eels.

5. Look for wakes, ripples, and other visual signs of nervous water which indicate the presence of moving fish.

6. Each year some trophy size bass are taken by light tackle enthusiasts fishing Boston Harbor's skinny water.

The sun was up for quite awhile but the bass still had the bait pinned on the surface. Don't get me wrong. . . it was not a fish a cast. But the action was very very good. Birds were diving as the bass worked along the surface. Out of the corner of my eye, I spied a few boats zeroing in on the aerial assault. I knew that we would soon have company, and I prepared my clients for the inevitable. Our picture perfect day was about to come to an abrupt end. They were spoiled having been working this school of fish since dawn.

What we were not prepared for was the complete lack of courtesy in which these boats approached. Rather than positioning their boat to make use of the wind and tide to get to the fish, some ran right through the school. One boat actually stopped right in front of my boat so close that my fly fishermen would have entangled the boat's antennas while casting their lines if I didn't move.

My guests did not appreciate the rudeness of these newcomers nor did they understand why I decided to leave. It's not that I don't like crowds, and I don't! But I knew that the surface action would soon be over since these boats would break-up the fish. I also realized that a mutiny would break out any moment as tempers continued to rise. It was best to leave.

Selfish. . . .ignorant. . .unaware. . . careless. I am not much for labels nor does my personality allow me the time to psychoanalyze. However, I have witnessed this scene time and again. Most of the time with the same results that are not very pleasant. There's little doubt that many of you have experienced the same scenario and probably on more than one occasion.

I have no intention of preaching nor am I going to take the moral high road. To me, proper fishing etiquette is just using good manners. It is treating each other with the same respect that we would like shown to us.

Fishing is a cooperative sport. When the fish cooperate, anglers are happiest. As with the fish, we are also happiest when our fellow anglers are cooperative. There is no reason to make the fishing even harder than it should or needs to be.

There are some anglers out there that simply have no clue about proper fishing etiquette. Others know it, but pretend that they don't. They choose to ignore good etiquette. The worse are those who simply just don't care!

Can we educate anglers about proper etiquette? A few believe that this topic can best be taught at home. Some use nasty four letter words or visual signs in an attempt to educate. Others know that proper etiquette can best be taught through good example and model the behavior that they would like to see.
Good etiquette is really nothing more than common sense. However, too often this is lost in the excitement of a full-fledge surface blitz.

First, we must accept the premise that there are many ways to catch fish. Etiquette requires anglers to follow a two way road and avoid one way streets. I enjoy and have had good success casting flies and light tackle lures. But I also know that trolling and bait fishing are equally effective and at times can out produce casting. Trollers should show courtesy by working the outside of blitzing schools of fish rather than trolling through the middle of the school. Likewise, casters need to give boats that are trolling multiple lines plenty of room when setting up there drifts.

Next, learn how to approach a school of working fish. Resist the temptation to drive right into the blitz. Try to anticipate the direction the fish are breaking and move beyond and around the school. Use the wind and tide to position the boat. Often times, this can be repeated a number of different times throughout the blitz.

It is also important to learn how to position the boat. Fly fishermen require a lot of casting room because of the mechanics of the sport. Keep this in mind when determining how much room is enough room. When positioning for the drift, never cut another boat's drift by getting in front. Be sure to set up behind those who have already begun their drifts.

A question that is hotly debated is whether it is important to shut the motors down when working a surface blitz. Many say that a running motor does not have an adverse effect on the blues or bass during a blitz. I believe that the noise and accompanying vibrations of a running engine often spooks the bait and break it up. For this reason, I shut down and do not repower until the fish move off.

Fishing has many challenges so there is no reason to make it any more challenging. Too often anglers get distracted, and when this happens they make mistakes. Relax and take the time to think before making a hasty decision that you might regret.
The best advice to quote an old cliché: We should all try for a minute or so "to walk in each other's shoes".

Captions for Common Sense Fishing Etiquette

1. Use common sense when approaching a surface blitz and respect other anglers.

2. The scene is set for great fishing. . . birds are crashing the water, bass are working bait, anglers are hooked up, and suddenly the fleet arrives!

3. Learn how to approach a school of fish without spooking the fish or annoying other anglers. Photo Credit: Sean Mulready

4. Anticipate the direction the fish are moving and use the wind and tide to position your boat.

5. This picture perfect day is about to come to an abrupt end as the approaching boats run right into this school of fish.

A large number of inshore fishing boats are trailerable. However, there is much more to trailering a boat than backing up and hitching up. It's very important to start out correctly when purchasing a new boat, motor, and trailer. When putting together your boat, much thought should be given to the proper trailer. It is much more than a dealer add on. Over the years, I have seen more than a few new boats that have been improperly set up by the dealer. Be sure to know the maximum load capacity of the trailer.

I set up my boats on heavy duty galvanized trailers that can handle loads larger than the hull and motor weight. This will allow me to load all gear equipment and fuel without fear of overloading.

Check with the boat manufacturer to be certain of the bunk or roller system that is recommended for your boat. These not only support the weight of the hull and motor but also protect the boat during launching and recovery. An improperly fitted trailer will make launching and loading difficult. But more importantly, it can cause serious damage to the boat's fiberglass or even the inner core. Purchasing the correct trailer is only the beginning.
As a professional guide and licensed charter captain I trailer my boat no less than 100 times a year and have done so for many years. I have become so use to a trailer following my truck that when not hitched up, I feel unnatural. Over this time, I have learned a number of tricks from backing up into tight spaces to saving gas money by tuning into the tow vehicles' RPMs. But more importantly, I have learned that proper maintenance is the key to trouble free trailering.

First, it is imperative that the tow vehicle has enough power to handle the trailer. If it doesn't, you'll have difficulty negotiating any hills, launching can be testing, and even worse, you risk damaging the engine. Trailering even light loads puts extra strain on brakes, the cooling system and the transmission. Be sure to read the owner's manual for suspension, weight distribution, and ground clearance requirements. Maintain proper tire pressure and fluid levels in the tow vehicle. These should be checked on a regular basis.

Proper trailer maintenance can do much to assure a day of fun on the water. A lack of it can cause real nightmares. The majority of trailer breakdowns occur because of tire failure or rusted wheel bearings. This is especially true for those who use their trailers only occasionally. Sitting for long periods of time can lead to tire rot and frozen bearings.

Follow a plan for regular trailer maintenance. On a weekly basis inspect tires for flat spots, uneven wear, and proper tire pressure. Just a word of advice on tire pressure: Underinflating can cause tires to heat up and blow out. Overinflating can also lead to tire failure and instability while trailering.
Most trailers now come equipped with special grease fittings that allow you to monitor the level of grease in the wheel bearings and add more. Grease not only keeps bearings lubricated, it also keeps water away from the hub assembly which causes rusting. If the trailer does not come with grease fittings, there are a number of after-market ones that can be installed.

Be sure to pack for emergencies. A properly inflated spare tire is a "no brainer". And almost no one would ever head out without a lug nut wrench. However, few bother to check the size of the trailer's lug nuts to be certain that their wrench fits. The lugs of the trailer wheel are often quite different than those of the tow vehicle. I also recommend a compact floor jack since the vehicle's jack will not fit under the trailer's axle.

I also suggest that at the beginning of each season remove the trailer wheels and apply a thick layer of grease to the back of the rim before remounting. This will make it easier to change tires in emergencies. Also be sure to apply a thin layer of grease or "Never Seize" to the lugs. Periodically, check the lug nuts to be sure that they have not rusted or loosened up.
While many recommend carrying an extra set of bearings, I suggest an extra hub with new bearings and racers already installed. I find it easier to remove the retaining nut, washer, and cotter pin to replace the entire hub assembly than to fool with bearings. The bearings are often rusted and frozen to the racer making roadside surgery a very challenging task.

Also included on my weekly maintenance list is a test of the braking system. Be sure to check both the vehicle and trailer brakes. Inspect the ball hitch for excessive wear. Over time, the ball's retaining nut loosens and needs to be retightened. After I wash the entire trailer and the undercarriage of the tow vehicle, I check all shocks and springs.

Before each trip, be sure to walk the trailer. Check for proper loading: front to back and side to side. This will prevent fish tailing and provides control. I also make sure that the boat is secured to the trailer and the lights are working.

Securing the boat is another no brainer, but I have seen many boats held to the trailer by only a winch cable or strap. Cinching the boat tight to the bow stop can help prevent the boat from jumping during quick movements, but this should not be trusted. I prefer to use transom tie downs to hold the stern at both corners. My boat has eye bolts to attach these straps to both the hull and the trailer frame. I make protective pads out of sheets of rubber that I put under each strap to protect the boat's gel coat against chaffing. I also use a set of rachet straps to secure the bow to the trailer. These run from bow hook to each side of the winch post. These help to prevent excessive bouncing and relieve the strain on the winch cable.

Larger boats may need an additional strap that goes over the width of the boat. This strap can also be more easily seen from the tow vehicle. The few minutes extra it takes to put on and remove tie down straps is well worth the safety and the peace of mind they provide.

Most trailers come equipped with hand rubber rollers that have a plastic sleeve inserted through the middle which acts as a bearing for the metal shaft that mounts to the frame. Under heavy loads, especially when boats sit on trailers for long periods of time, these types of rollers develop flat spots. Over time, UV rays also break down these rollers.

Peter Monohan, the trailering guru at Monahan's Marine in Weymouth, helped me to cure these problems by replacing my trailer's rubber rollers with Stoltz rollers. I have found these poly rollers to be an excellent investment. They are extremely strong and will not flatten under loads. The steel sleeve of Stoltz rollers reduces friction making launching and recovery much easier. Unlike black rubber rollers these amber rollers do not mark the hull. As Peter says, "Stoltz rollers are worth the extra cost."

Another tip Peter taught me is no matter which roller you use, they should be removed and inspected yearly. Grease the retaining pin before reinstalling the rollers. On my trailers, I replace the factory equipped metal retension pins with stainless steel ones and when loaded with grease they freely roll for quick launchings.

As a daily user of launching ramps nothing frustrates my guests and me more than having to wait while other unprepared boaters block access.
Be safe and courteous to others and you too can enjoy the advantages of trailering your boat. Proper maintenance does much to assure an efficient use of boat ramps.

Captions

1. It is very important to use the proper trailer to tow your boat.

2. A weekly check of the trailer's braking system and suspension is a
must.

3. Carrying an extra hub with new bearings and racers already installed can simplify roadside repairs.

4. Stoltz rollers (right) will not flatten under heavy loads as will rubber rollers (left) and make launching much easier.

5. Peter Monahan's of Monahan's Marine in Weymouth continues the tradition started by his father of stocking most every trailer part you will ever need.

6. Boats should be secured by tie down straps; never trust the winch cable or strap to keep the boat from moving.

7. Most trailers come factory equipped with special grease fittings that allow easy access to wheel bearings.

Boston Harbor and Surrounding Waters
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