DVL inspections

Moose · Post by **Moose** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:22 pm

Our club is looking at having a tournament there in a couple of weeks. We are a small club with even boaters and non boaters. none of us has fished it since they started getting strict on the inspections but we want to give it a shot. My question is to anybody who fishes it regularly, or even just recently fished it. Are they still turning boats away for "moisture" ? Just how strict are they being? Also, will they turn a boat away for being dirty? One of our guys got turned away when they stuck a dowel with a paper towel wrapped around it into his bilge and it came back damp. Anyone else experience this? We have a couple of guys who have to keep their boats outside and they do collect some dirt and debris. Any information on the inspection process would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:31 pm

Hey Keith-

There is a zero tolerance there and there is a great chance that several boats will be turned away for sure. First, they will look in your livewell. If there's even one drop of water in there, you're done. Second, they'll open the battery compartments, pull out a flashlight and look for any water. If they a see a drop, you're done. Next, they'll stick their finger where the plug goes and if they feel any moisture, you're done. In essence, if they see a drop of water ANYWHERE, you are done!

So before you guys even think about going, go through your boat and do an extensive check. Just when you think you are golden, do the following to make sure.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP OF ALL>>>>>>>>on your way into the lake, you will start driving up a pretty steep hill. When you get to the steepest part, park the truck and open the battery compartment. Stick your fingers in all of the dark places and pull out a flashlight to look for anything suspect. I've had my plug out for 3 weeks before and driven over 300 miles thinking the boat was dry only to have them nail me because no matter how dry you keep the boat, there's always free standing water in the lines and hoses. When you are on a steep grade, water will come out of places unknown.
Don't forget to purge the bilge, lower the engine as low as possible, and spin the propeller to make sure all water is gone. Also, NEVER buy ice before you get to the lake!!! You will fail from the water melting in the cooler for sure. Buy the ice at the lake!!!

It's a real pain in the a$$ and the lake staff is only doing their job so don't come down on those guys if anyone fails.

Remember, just when you think you are all dry and ready to pass, STOP ON THE STEEP HILL TO DOUBLE CHECK!!!!!!

Brian

toddmc · Post by **toddmc** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:49 pm

Brian, you are such a nice guy to take the time to post a long and perfectly accurate reply. Everything you say is true. The best thing about living in La Quinta with a garage that gets to 130 degrees is I don't have to worry about moisture!

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:29 pm

wow brian I want some of that.
Next, they'll stick their finger where the plug goes and if they feel any moisture, you're done.

N.A.R · Post by **N.A.R** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:00 pm

Do what Brian said to a T....
He didn't mention lowering your engine all the down over and over again to make sure all the water is out, (they will use a flashlight in the prop)
Make sure you shine a flashlight down the floor board drain/vent, On a sleep slope.

I too have been turned down because of ice TWICE.

Tattoo will spin the trolling motor prop also.

I suggest all boaters bring an extra day bag of tackle, there will be a good chance someone will not be getting in....

LOL also if your event is in a couple weeks make sure, who ever pre-fishes for the event is GOOD TO GO. Its a 7 day quarantine and if they are dinged this Saturday they will not be able to use their boat until the following Sunday.

Otay Michael · Post by **Otay Michael** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:08 pm

Try to get everyone to pre-fish over a week in advance and then get the boat 'stickered' on the way out. That's where they put a sticker on the trailer that if launched elsewhere gets torn. That way you don't go through the inspection the day of the tourney, since any water would be from DVL anyways as that's the last place you used the boat.

The hill trick has done wonders for us, and helped us find water that had not shown up earlier in the lower compartments. PRAYER was even more essential in the long run, as even with all that the guy forgot to put his finger in the drain hole and right afterwords I did, and felt moisture- we would have been turned away! Do a search on this, many posts go over all this.

Have fun, I'm going there soon myself, the aluminum boat passes easily, easy to dry all and the motor no longer retains water, at least not on my boat, since it was stolen last year

and I've not had enough sales to replace it still (anyone want to trade some great art for a 18-25 hp four stroke lets talk).

jimmy87 · Post by **jimmy87** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:28 pm

when will this madness stop? I beilive this is about having power over the American citizen. They just keep tip toeing across the line and pushing our freedoms closer to the cliffs edge.
slowly they are taking our rights away. Little by little until we have nothing left. This state and goverment would love to remove the outdoorsmen plain and simple.
They are running us out of the national forests, waterways, beaches and closing down our trails.
Our country is going the way of Nazi Germany.
wake up people before all we have left is a computer in front of us with fishing games.
Still the greatest country in the world to live in. However I fear for our future.

Scott Robertson · Post by **Scott Robertson** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:39 pm

thats why i'm not fishing DVL, theres enough water to fish without be hasseled after driving an hour and a half. Its a shame to make a world class fishery and make your life miserable just to get on there.I understand being clean and dry no issues there but i guarantee if you look hard enough you will find a drop of water on any anglers boat. I also believe these young kids doing inspections would not know what a quagga muscle looked like if it was stuck on their forehead. Its a crying shame. They dont want outside boats on this lake after the city gave them the land to build this lake and the promises they made to get this land and re nigged on most of them. Then they did us a favor by extending the launch ramp and uped our fees to pay for it. congrats MWD you put one over on all of us and the city too. Scott

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 8:12 pm

Brian Linehan wrote:Hey Keith-

There is a zero tolerance there and there is a great chance that several boats will be turned away for sure. First, they will look in your livewell. If there's even one drop of water in there, you're done. Second, they'll open the battery compartments, pull out a flashlight and look for any water. If they a see a drop, you're done. Next, they'll stick their finger where the plug goes and if they feel any moisture, you're done. In essence, if they see a drop of water ANYWHERE, you are done!

So before you guys even think about going, go through your boat and do an extensive check. Just when you think you are golden, do the following to make sure.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP OF ALL>>>>>>>>on your way into the lake, you will start driving up a pretty steep hill. When you get to the steepest part, park the truck and open the battery compartment. Stick your fingers in all of the dark places and pull out a flashlight to look for anything suspect. I've had my plug out for 3 weeks before and driven over 300 miles thinking the boat was dry only to have them nail me because no matter how dry you keep the boat, there's always free standing water in the lines and hoses. When you are on a steep grade, water will come out of places unknown.
Don't forget to purge the bilge, lower the engine as low as possible, and spin the propeller to make sure all water is gone. Also, NEVER buy ice before you get to the lake!!! You will fail from the water melting in the cooler for sure. Buy the ice at the lake!!!

It's a real pain in the a$$ and the lake staff is only doing their job so don't come down on those guys if anyone fails.

Remember, just when you think you are all dry and ready to pass, STOP ON THE STEEP HILL TO DOUBLE CHECK!!!!!!

Brian

Wow! And I want to bring my boat to fish there because...? When the joy and pleasure of fishing is outweighed by the hassle and time it takes to prepare to fish for a day, thats when Im not fishing anymore.

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:27 pm

Moose, Brian was right on about most everything but there's something you should know. The lake staff has caught on to people checking on the steep hill and if they see you doing that, you will get rejected immediately. I would find a hill on the way to the lake rather than the hill to the entrance to the lake. There are cameras on that road (30+ for the whole lake) and there's a guy who sits in a little office and watches for this. Sounds really crazy and paranoid but it's true. One of the Quagga checkers told me about this last week.

Otay Michael · Post by **Otay Michael** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:42 pm

YOu will also notice there are no cameras you can see FROM the steep hill. We stopped there 4 times in one morning trying to get the last drips out. It's worth it if you get to go more than one time (as in get the sticker on the way out).

MCSPIN · Post by **MCSPIN** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 3:03 am

Brian & Kevin,
You guys are fart smelliers. I mean smart fellowers. I love you guys. You guys always have good things to talk about. Just wanted to tell you that I have gone through some very very very tough times in the past 2 1/2 years. but I think I am back. I have had the boat fixed 100%, got a job working with Kaiser as a carpenter/office guy and I am fishing again. I am just getting back into making lures again. But just when you think everything is ok my wife is scheduled to have major neck surgery on friday and I am very nervous for her. She has to have 3 disk worked on. Didn't mean to change the subject but thanks for the good information.

ChaChaChicken · Post by **ChaChaChicken** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:37 am

Moose, I got my boat checked last weekend. The guy that checked my boat was totally cool, he asked me if the boat was dry, and I told him you bet. He checked my live well, battery area, and lowered the motor. There was no use of flash light, no probing of my drain w/ a dowel. However you need to do all these things yourself to insure you get on the water because the bite is good right now. I stop everytime on the hill and have had no problems. Get ice where ever you want and just keep it in a cooler until you get checked in. Another tip is to put a good sized rag down inside the boat just before the drain plug to pick up any water that may find its way to the back while driving.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:44 am

Thanks a TON guys. I will pass along Brian's post to the club and we will go from there.

Thanks again!

Brian D. · Post by **Brian D.** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:12 am

Major pain. I stopped going to DVL due to the inspections. Its far to easy to get turned away after driving 70 miles thru coastal marine layer, fog moisture, and numerous sprinkler run-off. Now, what might help is if they had a pressurized hot water decontamination station like they do at Big Bear, Cachuma, and other lakes for those who don't pass.

DL · Post by DL » Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:03 am

For those of you that stop on the incline going up to the lake, beware, the lake staff is wise to that technique. I have been asked at least twice by an inspector if anyone was stopped on the hill coming in. I replied no, but I gaurantee had I said yes, someone would have driven over there to do one of the following two things:

a) do an inspection

or

b) boot the person drying their boat

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:13 am

I'm all for supporting the guys doing the checks, but the day they start getting involved in doing random checks BEFORE you get to their official monitoring station will be the day we all need to speak up. That's ridiculous!

As inconvenient as it is, we are all trying our best to keep the Quagga out of the lake.

What is the difference between stopping on that hill in particular and any other grade? That's just plain retarded!

As long as there is no water at their checking station, that's all they need to be concerned with.

What's wrong with people?

Brian

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:17 am

Hey Gary-

Best of luck with your wife's procedure tomorrow. Life is sure full of ups and downs. All that matters is that you stay positive and move forward one day at a time! Send me a PM with your cell so I can plug it in my phone ok.

Take care buddy!
Brian

DL · Post by DL » Thu Aug 26, 2010 8:31 am

DL wrote:For those of you that stop on the incline going up to the lake, beware, the lake staff is wise to that technique. I have been asked at least twice by an inspector if anyone was stopped on the hill coming in. I replied no, but I gaurantee had I said yes, someone would have driven over there to do one of the following two things:

a) do an inspection

or

b) boot the person drying their boat

didnt see Kevin's post...

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 8:59 am

How can they "boot" a person who pulls over to inspect the boat? I always stop to just double check. 99.9% of the time, I don't see a drop of water. It's just a security measure to be safe.

How the lake staff can insinuate that a person is "drying" their boat is rather presumptious.

Quagga cops.....lol

macinckirk · Post by **macinckirk** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 9:55 am

is all i can say

Garrettt · Post by **Garrettt** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:14 am

buy two boats man..

offduty · Post by **offduty** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:19 am

I have been thinking of fishing this place since it is close to work. Now that I have the new SHO motor I should be able to get on if I can pass the inspection. Just not sure I want to drag the boat over 300 miles to get there if I may not get in. Oh and 25 speed limit blows, I'm not sure I could get the TR-21 on pad.

a 25 speed limit does not make sense to me as I would think that would be around a max wake size. What do you guys do almost idle around?

Rich

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:20 am

I have fished a ton of lakes in the last two months and I have passed the inspection every single time. Take your time, be thorough and you will pass. Brian's post is dead on, I got an air compressor and that puppy gets every drop of water out of their.

Its fishing horrible too, you should never go to DVL.

Plenty of other lakes..

ChaChaChicken · Post by **ChaChaChicken** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:34 am

I agree w/ you offduty, aside from the fact that most boats can't stay on plane at that speed, our boats create a huge wake at that speed. Dumb, but guess what.........many times they have a sheriff out on the water inforcing the speed limit. If the fishing wasn't so good there I would not bother w/ all there stupid rules.

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:37 am

I thought the sheriff is gone. I think you are thinking of the person who cleans the sh*tters! lol

fishinman · Post by **fishinman** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:53 am

My boat doesn't qualify to get on DVL so I don't have to think about it. I could fish Casitas if I wanted too but I don't need the hassle. DVL being attached to the Colorado River Lakes probably already has a population of mussels from whats been said in the past!

offduty · Post by **offduty** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:11 pm

Yeah I dont think Casitas fishes as well as DVL. I had heard that DVL was filled from the Colorado river system and now was getting Delta water since Colorado water was no longer available. Sensitive subject Delta water, I know, here we go.

Rich

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:41 pm

Usually, if you get there early they will check your boat before going up the hill.

Big Ed · Post by **Big Ed** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 2:03 pm

Its really not that bad.

As long as you are clean and dry you have no worries. I fish other places and just got rechecked a few days ago with no problem. Do your drying when you store it and when you hook it up and you will be fine.

Remember to have fun; Big Ed!

TEAMDEADMONEY · Post by **TEAMDEADMONEY** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 3:45 pm

Whats up McSpin....Glad your back... Sorry to hear about your wife....Keep your head up and things will be back to normal soon... Call me when you get a chance Gary..

Pete

Garrettt · Post by **Garrettt** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:04 pm

some guy wrote:

Its fishing horrible too, you should never go to DVL. Plenty of other lakes..

went today from 330-6, caught about 20 keepers but nothing over 3.5. super fun.

BUCKBASS · Post by **BUCKBASS** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:16 pm

Garrett which one of your two boats did you use. Sence your the only one I know that can afford two.LMFAO

Garrettt · Post by **Garrettt** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:22 pm

BUCKBASS wrote:Garrett which one of your two boats did you use. Sence your the only one I know that can afford two.LMFAO

yea I wish haha

BassFever7oh2 · Post by **BassFever7oh2** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:30 pm

Wasn't DVL filled by water from mead and the CO river? 2 sources known to has the mussels? It is only a matter of time before they start popping up everywhere!

macinckirk · Post by **macinckirk** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 6:40 am

Garrettt wrote:buy two boats man..

I'm getting ready to sell mine and take up knitting, sence all i hear now adays is how OLD I'm getting

ASD · Post by **ASD** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:25 pm

macinckirk wrote:
Garrettt wrote:buy two boats man..
I'm getting ready to sell mine and take up knitting, sence all i hear now adays is how OLD I'm getting

FIRST DIBS

and i will pay with a truck load of yarn

kenmac33 · Post by **kenmac33** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 1:49 am

And if you have done all this and still get turned away you can always call me, www.thebasstaxi.com and I will get you on the water and fishing in just minutes! I'm there everyday and I never leave there without a tag.

ken
951-551-0005
http://www.thebasstaxi.com

offduty · Post by **offduty** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:54 am

How does the DVL tagging system work?

kenmac33 wrote:And if you have done all this and still get turned away you can always call me, www.thebasstaxi.com and I will get you on the water and fishing in just minutes! I'm there everyday and I never leave there without a tag.

ken
951-551-0005
http://www.thebasstaxi.com

kenmac33 · Post by **kenmac33** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 9:30 am

offduty wrote:How does the DVL tagging system work?

kenmac33 wrote:And if you have done all this and still get turned away you can always call me, www.thebasstaxi.com and I will get you on the water and fishing in just minutes! I'm there everyday and I never leave there without a tag.

ken
951-551-0005
http://www.thebasstaxi.com

They attach a paper tag to your bow hook and as long as it's intact next time you go to the lake you can avoid the inspection. It's the only way to go if you frequent the lake.

Ken

offduty · Post by **offduty** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 9:32 am

Can you elaborate a little more? Does that mean the bow eye and winch hook are connected with a band? Or that if you get the paper tag wet it degrades?

Thanks
Rich

kenmac33 wrote:
offduty wrote:How does the DVL tagging system work?

kenmac33 wrote:And if you have done all this and still get turned away you can always call me, www.thebasstaxi.com and I will get you on the water and fishing in just minutes! I'm there everyday and I never leave there without a tag.

ken
951-551-0005
http://www.thebasstaxi.com
They attach a paper tag to your bow hook and as long as it's intact next time you go to the lake you can avoid the inspection. It's the only way to go if you frequent the lake.

Ken

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 10:18 am

its like the wrist bands you get to drink at any club, concert /fair.. wax coated.. its attach to the eyelet of your clip/wench and attaches to the loop under the bow. It holds up in rain/ boat wash.

offduty · Post by **offduty** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 12:54 pm

So it locks the bow eye to the winch hook? and if so cant you just undo the hook and go fish another lake?

some guy wrote:its like the wrist bands you get to drink at any club, concert /fair.. wax coated.. its attach to the eyelet of your clip/wench and attaches to the loop under the bow. It holds up in rain/ boat wash.

Rob Dickson · Post by **Rob Dickson** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 1:07 pm

It's on the loop part of the winch not the hook end. Where your strap is attached.

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:41 am

exactly. You cant launch the boat with out breaking the band. When are you going to DVL?

2ndsuks · Post by **2ndsuks** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:21 am

Damn I feel sorry for you people down south.
If it's not these ridiculous inspections it's speed limits, locked gates, lake fees and god knows what else.

But I got to hand it to you guys, you're still out there giving it hell.

offduty · Post by **offduty** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:40 am

I don't know yet. My TR-21 is in the shop having a 250 VMAX SHO installed on a new 10" Bob's hydraulic plate. Hoping to pick it up wed on the way home from work. Should be home around 2:00 as the guy relieving me is coming from a station and hour and 45 away.

I figured with the new motor I can get on but the speed limit is kind of deterring.

Rich

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:42 am

yeah the speed limit gets lame, especially in the afternoons when the wind comes up and you have some rollers that you cant get on top of because your goign 25 and you hit every single one. Pick your angle or youll be soaked by the time you make it in.

eric n · Post by **eric n** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:22 am

some guy wrote:yeah the speed limit gets lame, especially in the afternoons when the wind comes up and you have some rollers that you cant get on top of because your goign 25 and you hit every single one. Pick your angle or youll be soaked by the time you make it in.

Rollers at dvl?lol you need to get out of socal John.
Btw...hows big unc?havent seen him in awhile.Tell him i said hi and hope all is well.

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:50 am

That's funny Eric. Actually though, it was pretty damn windy out there when John was there. Rollers for DVL...lets put it that way.

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