over takeing my 14ft jon boat the law is 500ft respect it plz comment

I feel your pain, I used to fish from a 14 ft jon myself. unfortunately i think the law is no wake within 50 ft but i could be wrong...i have my own rule though...they get one curtousy pass and a dirty look then the second time they better not be within casting distance!

You're just gonna have to expect it this time of the year!! I know it can tick you off, you just gotta move and get the heck out of there. I have a feeling half of them aren't in their right mind anyways if ya know what I mean.

Good luck mike.

please show me this 500ft law.....

Here are the rules I found .... And don't think they don't enforce them .... I got to watch them write one up for blowing by me ..... I was tied up and anchored to a tree!

§ 31.098. Hazardous Wake or Wash
No person may operate a motorboat so as to create a hazardous wake or wash.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.

§ 31.099. Circular Course Around Fisherman or Swimmer
(a)
No person may operate a motorboat in a circular course around any other boat any occupant of which is engaged in fishing or around any person swimming.

§ 31.094. Reckless or Negligent Operation
No person may operate any motorboat or vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device in a willfully or wantonly reckless or negligent manner that endangers the life, limb, or property of any person.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.

theyll be gone soon enough. they spend the money to get a jet ski or whatnot to aimlessly drive around for a few hours. lame. cast a treble their way.

You had better think twice about throwing any kind of lure at any one, if you connect it is assualt and now days some body is liable to throw hot lead back .

Need to find a wakeboard forum and join up just to voice your concerns. They probably won't care, but just maybe.

I have had several incidents where big boats come within 20 yards from me (if not closer).... throwing their biggest wake... and just smile at me. I swear that half the people out there are morons... Just because they have a boat doesn't make them a qualified boater. I fish from a 15ft aluminum boat and those big waves can be dangerous. I wish there was something I could do!

Things like this are exactly why I emailed my state Senator (Wentworth) and asked him to consider a bill requiring ALL boat operators to go through a boaters safety course, and to pass an exit exam. I actually asked him to go further than that, and asked him to sponsor a bill requiring all boaters to actually have a boaters license, similar to a drivers' license, but that idea was struck dow nquickly. When I was originally called to testify before a state senate subcommittee hearing, I recited several stories very similar to the o.p.'s, and several game warden captains testified as well in favor of a bill.

From the Austin Statesman, shortly after the subcommittee hearing:

Boater licensing bill runs aground
By Mike Ward
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
A bill that would force most Texas boaters to get a state license before they hit the water quickly ran aground Monday in the Senate after opponents challenged the wisdom of clamping new regulations on summer fun.

But state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, who proposed the licenses, said he will ask for a state study of the issue and try to pass the change into law in two years.

"There didn't appear to be any opposition, until today," Wentworth said.

Senate Bill 2095 would have covered all powered watercraft that travel over 10 mph — including boats and personal watercraft. Operators of such vessels would have been required to take and pass a boating safety course with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to obtain a "boater identification card."

Under current law, only Texans who are younger than 18 are required to take the course.

Citing an increase in Texas boating accidents in recent years, Wentworth said the change is necessary to ensure that boaters are properly trained. Operating boats can be as dangerous as operating a motor vehicle, he said.

In 2008, 61 Texans died in boating accidents, the most since 2002, according to the Parks and Wildlife Department.

People who rented boats on a temporary basis would have been exempt from the licensing requirement.

"I'm targeting the people who injure and kill people every year," Wentworth said. "This is an improvement over the current situation ... where there are currently no requirements that people 18 and over have to meet to operate boats and other vessels on public waters of this state.

"It's a matter of safety on the waterways of Texas ... just as we license people to operate vehicles on our public roads."

Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, said he was shocked by the proposal.

"So I have someone visiting my lake house who is otherwise responsible and they can't operate a boat unless they have passed this state exam and have a boater ID card?" Whitmire asked.

"This is a big, big change. ... I really question the wisdom of your legislation."

After a short debate, in which Whitmire raised questions about the bill, Wentworth withdrew it from consideration.

The measure had earlier been approved by the Transportation and Homeland Security Committee.

Wentworth said he plans to bring the bill back up for consideration today after amending it to drop the mandatory boater ID cards and commission a special state study to examine the need for licenses.

A while later, this advisory panel was formed:

For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 4, 2010

LT. GOV DAVID DEWHURST AND SPEAKER JOE STRAUS ANNOUNCE APPOINTMENTS TO THE ADVISORY PANEL ON RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY

(AUSTIN) – Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Straus (San Antonio) today announced appointments to the Advisory Panel on Recreational Boating Safety.

The advisory panel was created by HB 3108 introduced by Representative Tan Parker during the 81st regular legislative session. During the interim, the Advisory Panel on Recreational Boating Safety will study ways to improve boating safety on lakes and rivers. The panel will also assess the effectiveness of law enforcement in keeping boaters safe. The panel's report will be presented to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker and committees of jurisdiction by the end of 2010.

"While boating on our state's many outstanding lakes and rivers is a great way for families and friends to spend time together, boating safety must remain the top priority for any Texan on the water," Lt. Governor Dewhurst said. "This important panel will make sure as a state, Texas is doing everything it can to ensure a safe, fun experience for everyone who enjoys our waterways."

Lt. Governor Dewhurst's Appointees:

· Mr. Alfonso Campos (Maxwell, TX)
Texas State Game Warden (Retired)

· Ms. Janet Caylor (Austin, TX)
Owner, Lakeway Marina and Riviera Marina

· Mr. David Foulkrod (League City, TX)
Founder and President, Ship and Sail, Inc.

"Boat safety must go hand-in-hand with the enjoyment of being out on the water," Speaker Straus said. "I extend my deep appreciation to Representative Tan Parker for creating this advisory panel. The panel will balance the vital need for public safety and the good work of law enforcement with the effects on the boating and tourism industries."

Speaker Straus' Appointees:

· Mr. Scott Gordon (Flower Mound, TX)
Director, Bass Pro Shop Tournament Series and Lone Star Series and retired police officer

· Mr. Tim Lindt (Highland Village, TX)
Father of Britteny Sage Lindt, who was hit and killed by an intoxicated boater on Lake Lewisville in 2006

· Mr. Del Waters (Austin, TX)
Owner, Ski Dock

###


Contact:

Rich Parsons
Lt. Governor's Office
(512) 463-0715

Tracy Young
Speaker's Press Office
(512) 463-0223


Since then, things have died down drastically. Hopefully something will come up in the next session, since our statewide political heroes can't pass any legislation that is worth their time (or ours for that matter)

There are laws on the books already prohibiting unsafe acts as well as fisherman harrassment. I suggest having a phone w/camera handy, video even better. You may not have time on the first pass but if they make multiple passes you could get undeniable proof of their actions. I'm sure most GWs would be glad to show them the error of their ways. A ticket or two would wipe the smile off their faces and stop at least some of this BS. I know it has happened to me way too often and from the posts on here they are not just picking on me and you.

We have enough laws. Need to enforce them.

When do you say ok this boat is too small to be out here on a busy lake??

I agree, and our GWs do a fine job but can't be everywhere or see every violation. If we help them as in my post above, I think sooner or later it would stop some of the 'buzzing' and 'waking' going on and make it safer for everyone.
I don't think more laws, licensing,etc. is the solution. We have driver's licenses and people still drive stupid, break traffic laws, drink and drive, etc. All more govt. controls do is give them a foot in the door to raise fees and add more laws later. The main cause of the problem posted isn't new boaters not being able to control a boat or not knowing laws. It is the disregard of those laws, and a lack of common sense in a lot of cases. More laws are not going to solve those problems. Only having to face consequences for violations will reduce those violations and as Ron White said, "You can't fix stupid." However any money paid in fines by the stupid can't be spent on boat gas.

should set up something so if you are doing something dumb and people have video recording or an obvious picture, it gets submitted and you have to pay a fine when its time for new tags, where they can show you the picture or video. same rules as outstanding tickets for getting a drivers license.
i dont know, just a thought.
the video or picture would have to be pretty high quality, much more than a camera phone could manage.

Choogie Chunker.. the only problem with that is even if I do get a decent picture, they could be long gone by the time I get GW involved. It's worth a shot I guess but the odds are not in my favor.

And As for TX JOLE comment, we all have he same right to whatever lake we want to be on. I can handle my own on the water... it's just the sheer stupidity of these boats driving well within casting distace of you pulling boarders, or just joy riding. It take only a second to lose focus on where are are driving and run someone over. It's not like I am fishing in the middle of the lake. I am fishing close to the banks and there is a wide open lake and these dip S**ts run right next to me throwing 3+ waves.

I was thinking if the pic or video showed the boat reg. numbers and included part of my boat, gunwale, set etc. it would show how close they were. My phone is not an expensive one and after transfer to computer it enlarges quite well. Don't know about all of them though. I intend to ask GW next time I see one if you could report it after getting off water. I'm sure it would be no different than reporting any crime, just with pic proof it would be better than my word against theirs.

Good point! I usually keep my camera up next to me I could always just turn it on when I see the coming. It's a better shot of getting something done vs what I have been doing.. which is nothing

Just point at them and give them that universal one finger salute as you pretend to dial your cell phone, and 99% of the time they are pretty young and will vanish for fear of getting spanked when they get home.

maybe I will keep a bag of catfish charlie and chunk it at them.....

LEO's can't enforce the laws we already have, why add more?

Also, the wake boarders were bad but the new rage is surfing the boats wake and they are running about 15 to 18 MPH which really throws a big wake the wakeboarders are running about 20 to 25. Sharing the water is tough sometimes for sure.

Jody

Yes I have seen this wake surfing deal and these boats throw some water!!!... Bad this is on Lake Austin it just bounces off the walls and doubles up on you. I'm sure it's the same on Lake Travis

Most of these boat carry a extra 2-3k lbs of water in them to make the wakes bigger I know one brands selling point is 4000 lbs of ballast