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Handling Rough Water #12570348 01/09/18 02:20 PM
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BlueGill72 Offline OP
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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
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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
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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] #12570507 01/09/18 03:56 PM
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Thanks for the advice!

Re: Handling Rough Water [Re: BlueGill72] #12570580 01/09/18 04:26 PM
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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
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Originally Posted By: Alumacraft 14
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
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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
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The best way to handle them is to SLOW DOWN. Speed will get you in trouble quicker than anything.


Pat Leach
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Re: Handling Rough Water [Re: BlueGill72] #12571074 01/09/18 08:22 PM
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BlueGill72 Offline OP
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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
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Great advice ,thank's all. I needed a tuneup.

Re: Handling Rough Water [Re: BlueGill72] #12573328 01/11/18 08:09 AM
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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
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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
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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
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When the sirens on Guntersville Dam sound off, don't ignore them!



Originally Posted by OTFF
He is truly a sick individual.
Re: Handling Rough Water [Re: BlueGill72] #12575063 01/12/18 01:40 PM
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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.

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