Forums59
Topics1,039,371
Posts13,963,498
Members144,202
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
Handling Rough Water
#12570348
01/09/18 02:20 PM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 11
BlueGill72
OP
Green Horn
|
OP
Green Horn
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 11 |
I have owned a few boats and currently have a Skeeter 225. I started fishing the local FOM and Media circuits last year on Palestine and Tyler, but fish Fork often and would love to learn Rayburn and Toledo. I've been in some rough water on Fork and realized pretty quickly I have a lot to learn. The recent tragedy on Okeechobee has emphasized how quickly things can go wrong, even with seasoned veterans. Any information on traversing rough open water is appreciated.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12570376
01/09/18 02:37 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Alumacraft 14
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909 |
Trim down, slow down. Go fast enough not to be swamped of course. Turn your bilge pumps on, so if you take a wave over the bow the water will be pumped out. Study the waves take them at angles or try and ride them. Study the lake and know the weather. Try and plan fishing where you can always be riding back to the dock with the wind. Use the shorelines as wind breaks as often as you can.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12570399
01/09/18 02:48 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 858
RL206
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 858 |
Trim up just enough to keep the bow from spearing a wave, work the hot foot as needed to get above the next wave. Take em one at a time.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12570580
01/09/18 04:26 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 41
Can't fish
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 41 |
Be VERY careful in following seas. Most likely to spear a wave. Most likely to get swamped from the rear when you do.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: Alumacraft 14]
#12570609
01/09/18 04:43 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 296
FishTheBite
Angler
|
Angler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 296 |
Trim down, slow down. Go fast enough not to be swamped of course. Turn your bilge pumps on, so if you take a wave over the bow the water will be pumped out. Study the waves take them at angles or try and ride them. Study the lake and know the weather. Try and plan fishing where you can always be riding back to the dock with the wind. Use the shorelines as wind breaks as often as you can. Sound advice. My grandfather never fished from anything but a 14' Lonestar v-hull with a 10hp to 15hp tiller steer. He was a trotliner and refused to leave baited lines unchecked for anything over 24hrs. This often put him on the water in less than ideal conditions. His solution to heavy winds and rough water was simple, wear your PFD and slow down. I was personally in his little boat when in the troughs you could not see over the crests and at the top of the crests the prop would slip. Looking back now I realize that our family received great training in small craft seamanship from someone who grew up on the water in an era when small craft didn't have bilge pumps and flotation. It was you and your wits vs mother nature. IMO we get in trouble when we think we are supposed to be able to run on plane in all weather conditions. Our modern boats are much more seaworthy than those that were available only a few decades ago. Take Alumacraft 14's advice and slow down, stay focused on the next wave, and wear your PFD. I also suggest that you always carry an anchor. Most modern boats will stay afloat even if completely swamped or capsized. With the proper anchor you can at least keep yourself and your boat from being beaten on the rocks.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12570639
01/09/18 04:59 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,051
BMCD
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,051 |
U know as long as I have been fishing , I have learned there is not one way. I have speared many in my days, I have been surprised by waves. I think just paying attention, and do not get in a big hurry is the only things that make sense.
I have watched John boats in 30 mph winds on Toledo traverse the waves safely.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12571018
01/09/18 07:48 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,673
texasbass1
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,673 |
The best way to handle them is to SLOW DOWN. Speed will get you in trouble quicker than anything.
Pat Leach USAF MSgt Retired 92 Procraft 180 Pro 24 Mercury 150 Pro XS 4 Stroke Minn Kota Ulterra 80
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12571074
01/09/18 08:22 PM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 11
BlueGill72
OP
Green Horn
|
OP
Green Horn
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 11 |
Great advice. I appreciate it. I have not speared a wave, but figure if I fish long enough it will happen. Running across rough water seems to be the most difficult. Thanks again.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12572194
01/10/18 04:23 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 416
sae
Angler
|
Angler
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 416 |
Great advice ,thank's all. I needed a tuneup.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12573328
01/11/18 08:09 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340 |
I was in a McDonalds big bass tournament on fork once with a little tri hull. Biggest waves I've ever been in. It was a wet ride in cold weather but I just drove pretty much at idle speed adjusting for the waves. Once I drove across the lake to get out of the wind, it was a little scary because then I was far from shore and everything would disappear when I was between the waves but it was the easiest ride. Problem is the stumps with that technique. Luckily I knew where I was and where it was safest to cross. I saw most of the other boats running at higher speeds and slamming there boat on every wave. I ignored what they were doing and only worried about getting there safely.
The second worst that I saw I was in a Champion. Typically in it, running into the wind, waves are not a problem. Just lower the bow a bit and let the deep vee slice thru the water and it isn't even a rough ride. The waves were so tall and spaced so far apart that wasn't an option. It was just idle with the bow feeling like it was straight up in the air about to flip over backwards on every wave. I just took my time idling until I finally got to a point that I could turn and run in the trough the waves created.
Don't watch what the other idiots are doing during the rough stuff and let them sway your judgement. Take your time. Drive between the waves sideways as much as you can but don't let them crash over the side. Turn the bow into the wave and let them lift the boat. Trailer when you can. If in doubt, don't go out.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12574009
01/11/18 07:28 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,989
SAKS
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,989 |
Go to YouTube and look up Gerald Swindle's tips on navigating rough water. Probably the best instruction I have seen on the topic. Matt Allen also has a pretty good instruction video about it.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12574073
01/11/18 08:00 PM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 11
BlueGill72
OP
Green Horn
|
OP
Green Horn
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 11 |
Thank you! I have watched Swindle's video before, but could not remember who did it.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12574173
01/11/18 08:57 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,734
Fishin' Nut
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,734 |
When the sirens on Guntersville Dam sound off, don't ignore them!
He is truly a sick individual.
|
|
Re: Handling Rough Water
[Re: BlueGill72]
#12575063
01/12/18 01:40 PM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 11
BlueGill72
OP
Green Horn
|
OP
Green Horn
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 11 |
Again, appreciate all the advice. Good things to be reminded of. I guess where I still struggle some is on the stumpy lakes where you have to stay in the boat lanes and are at the mercy of the wind. It's different when you can run open water, zig zag, run the thoughs, but when you have to follow the lanes it's tough for me. Especially with all the boats flying by you in 4'-5' swales.
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|