Be careful out there - unexpected swimming event

So I was moving from the back of my jon boat up to the front to tie off to a floating dock and got my feet tangled up in my net causing me to fall and go over the side (lol). After the big splash, I watched as my net sank out of sight. I climbed back in the boat placing my wallet, phone, keys, and camera on the deck to dry. The only item that did not recover was the camera (more lol) and the net was gone. Fortunately there was a diver in the area and I asked if she would try and recover my net. She was very gracious and up for the challenge. My net was recovered and I thanked the diver.

Although it has been a few years, this was not my first unexpected swimming event, and will probably not be my last. This is one reason I always wear my life jacket when I fish alone. My question is have there been others that have taken an unexpected swim? I can’t wait to see the responses to this post.

You were wearing your PFD. Greatest part of the post. Glad everything turned out for the best.

I fell out of my buddy's boat on Fork. We were trolling to the next spot and the trolling motor hit a stump and I wasn't prepared. Luckily it was about 95 outside so the splash was a little pleasant. My wallet and phone were in the console so I was even luckier.

Twice I've been knocked out of my boat fishing in timber when it was windy. Once I had a client in the boat; once I was alone. Both times it was in the spring, and the water was COLD! In both incidents I was on the TM, and a gust of wind pushed me suddenly off course. My biggest fear was always falling into a submerged trotline (lots of them out there) and getting fouled in it while the boat blows away from me.

I have come very close to doing the same thing; falling in. I was stepping back after putting the trolling down and tripped over my net. Somehow I managed to grab the base of the pedestal before I tumbled backwards into the water.

Was spectator at the PAA event on Tawakoni and went to check out another angler and trolling motor rope broke when I was about halfway up and had all my weight leaning into it. Went over in my best Superman dive with one flip-flop left on the deck and had one floating beside me when I came up. Was only in 3’ of water but lucky I didn’t land on a stump. After my co-spectator got off the floor of the boat from laughing at me he got a great pic of me in the water, with the floating foot wear. Pic ended up on our bass club web page and on Facebook. No PFD, but it still worked out ok. I always wear mine when fishing alone. Luckily that is the only time I have gone over. I keep trip hazards stored out of the way as I never catch anything big enough to need a net.

Took a nice swim in Lake Amistad!

Fell in on Rayburn on a cold day 2 years ago a few days before Christmas. Im not afraid of water and consider myself a good swimmer. But with multiple layers of clothes that cold day and 100mph suit on, I was hard to swim back to my boat. Make sure you know how too and that you can get back in your boat, with added weight.

Fell in Fork many years ago. Did the classic dumb arse and pushed off on a tree. Broke, splash. 53* water. Fell through the ice when I was ice fishing up in Nebraska. It was a cold sumbeach.

SE Kansas grass grower

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. It is nice to know I am not the only one that got wet. Keep those life jackets close.

Was reaching out over one side of the boat trying to get a snagged lure freed and the TM just happened to be facing the opposite direction when my foot accidently hit the high bypass switch. Instant swan dive into 50 degree water. I'd like to think its something you only do once in a lifetime but time will tell.

Everything that doesn't like water goes in the console as soon as I get in the boat, I also wear an inflatable live vest when fishing alone. In winter there is dry clothes and a towel in the dry storage box. It is to easy hitting a stump and taking 4 steps off of a 3 step deck.

I have gone swimming 3 times. All 3 times were in the winter when it was below freezing outside. It will sure end a trip quickly.