Fishing by myself I knocked rod and reel overboard, saw it sinking and bent over bow of boat and went in head first. I am 65 years old and this was first time to ever happen. Fortunately was wearing inflatable a/m vest and it worked perfectly. If you fish alone I recommend like I do play it safe and always wear PFD! By the way I did retrieve rod and reel and will always carry a dry set of clothes onboard from now on. I'm sure the diving judges would have scored me -10.

Glad you are ok. I have thought about this happening, and since I am 65yo, 6'4", 230 lbs, I am looking at ways to get back in my 14' tinny. Did you have a ladder?

Happened to me while fishing Amistad a few years back. First time and hopefully the last! Glad you are OK and were able to get back in your boat. Remember tackle can be replaced. You can't!

In an emergency, you can always use the cavitation plate on the engine as a step and come over the transom into the boat. It will work. But, much mo betta to have a ladder.

No I did not have a ladder, but will be buying one soon. On my Skeeter it has the hand rails to hold onto and as someone stated earlier you can go up on the cavitation plate. If water had been cold and rough it could have been bad situation.

Can't stress enough about PFD. I've gotten into the habit of wearing it at all times. And even if I had not been able to get back into boat, I was not going to sink. I wear the A/M vest from Bass Pro, and as I stated earlier it worked perfectly.

Thanks for sharing...glad you are okay....should be a reminder for all of us that it can happen...it doesnt matter how many life jackets or pfd's you have in the boat...the only one that matters is the one that you wear..I am 65 like you and also wear an a/m vest ...havent fallen out yet...but have had a number of close calls...

I fish alone mostly and thru the winter. My biggest fear is falling in cold water and not be able to get myself back in the boat. Always on my mind. Come close tripping around on deck which is why I don't use seat on deck.

Another tip, if you have the trolling motor in the water, the motor housing can also be used as a step. Though the cav plate on the big motor is and better option and easier.

I fell in for the first time two years ago in February. It was 45 degrees outside and the water temp was 45 degrees. Made for a chilly 20 minute ride back the the ramp where I loaded the boat up and went to the cabin for a change of clothes, a hot shower, and cup of coffee. Was back on the water about 1.5hrs later.

Yes I have extra underwear and socks in the boat. Next time I go in will be #5 Welsh,Fork x2 (daytime),and Beaver lake. Glad your ok Blackhorse. Last time was winter and I had winter overalls on and they filled up water, so I had to disrobe before attempting to get back in boat. Yes there was concern that I was going to make it out of the situation.

I have a duffel bag stuffed with wool boot sox, under ware, pants, long sleeve shirt, fleece jacket, rain jacket, gloves and a towel. I leave it in the back seat of my truck through the winter months and when I launch my boat it goes in. If I get caught off guard by the weather or fall in, I'm ready.

I know my day is coming. Came as close as you can without getting wet. Spinning the boat around with the trolling motor and hit a stump under the water. Slung me down on all my poles. I always my auto inflate when I'm by myself. I don't have a ladder but used to climb up the motor when I was a kid from skiing for years. Problem is I'm not a kid any more.

Glad it ended well for you blackhorse. PFD's rule.

I was jerked overboard twice from a 14 jon boat while running trotlines with hooked, huge flatheads playing games with me. Could have been a disaster or like Trump would say "a di-zass-tuh".

glad you are OK, did you get the rod?

Good to have boarding ladders.