I am used to go by myself on fresh water lakes. Was planning a solo trip to Aranses pass today but my DW and son flipped out. They do not want me to go on my own to the salt. I have been to this area before with a bunch of youngsters and we got stuck a couple of times. I got the navionics app and figure if i use the anchor and a comealong i can get myself out of a tight spot. Question is do you guys fish alone in the salt.

All the time, but getting stuck is indeed like sticking a fork in your eye.

Don't even think a gps app is going to help, use your eyes, if the winds blowing know that wave height is 1/2 the water depth. Shoals and bars are pretty obvious when you look at them, and a dark bottom is deep, white bottom is not.

I have a five foot piece of grounding rod, with a loop on top, you can stick it in the sand/mud and the comealong attaches to it and the bow eye. I can winch off of dry ground without it coming loose, an anchor won't hold that much strain. Might want to consider making you something like that.

Thank you sir i will look into the rod idea. Last time out an old guy slipped on the ramp while launching his boat. Fell on the back of his head. I stayed with him until he felt ok. He still went out fishing . Guess just be careful and use common sense.

As for me...age and health comes into play here. I rarely go where I have not been. If I do, I'm extremely cautious.

Yes. Enjoy. Just use common sense.

Yes, all the time. If you have any dependents -- get some life insurance. There is always a chance of some freak accident, no matter how careful you are.

The Number One Rule: If the motor's running, you have your PFD on and secured! Even in knee-deep water.

Island Jim

Here are some pointer I learned from my father. He was someone who would go on solo adventures all the time.

1. Have a plan of action, be as detailed as possible. When and where you are going to luanch, possible places you plan to fish, time you plan on coming back. When your family should become worried and contact emergency services. Stick to your plan, don't divate.

2. Maintain your equipment. You definately don't want your motor breaking down when a emergency occurs and you need to get back fast. Or you take a big wave and your bidlge pump won't work.

3. Be prepared. Take extra water, food, fuel, spark plugs, spare prop, tools, first aid etc. I have a trans locating device attached to me, never know when you'll have an accident. An sometimes cell phones dont work.

4. Wear your life jacket, I have a self infalting suspender style jacket, i wear it all day. Most fisherman drown with their zipper down. They slip, hit their head and fall in the water. Another one is wear your kill lanyard, I had a friend who's steering cable busted, centrifical force threw him from the boat, boat damn near ran him over amd he nearly drowned from exhuastion. That was an "Oh Jesus" moment for him, and the reason I never take my life vest off.

5. Don't make poor choices. Going out in bad weather, running unfamiliar water at full speed or at night. When that little voice in your head questions what you are doing, be wise and listen to it.

Doing this stuff also gives your family peace, because they know where you are going and when you will be back and because you are taking pre-cautions. I fish solo exclusivly, like my father, I enjoy the peace of solitude. Thats my 2 cents.

Stay in the boat. That will eliminate some bad things from happening.

Enjoy yourself. Don't take foolish risks, but don't be afraid to live a little. You only get one shot at it...

Some good wisdom here

I'd say they are just not completely filled in, they probably think about the Deadliest Catch show and think you might fall overboard.... sure you might die.. of mosquito bites. LOL.. just take some time and sit down with them and show them google earth images or take them on a guided trip through the grass flats and have them understand that if you fall over while wading you'll just have to stand back up to be safe.. all they are really telling you is that they love you and worry about you (because of what I previously mentioned)... take the time to sit down with them and explain why you are safe.

I like the rod idea as well... Pat, what size stock is that made out of? I need something like that for offroading when the anchor doesn't hold.

I go to Home Depot and use a grounding rod. A propane torch can heat it enough to make the loop on top.

My scooter is sort of like four wheel drive, when I do get it stuck, there isn't going to be anyone around that can help. I stuck it a hundred yards up a sand bar in shoalwater, took over an hour to get it back to 4" deep, completely annoyed, but still better than a $400 airboat tow. It's easy to see 6" of water vs 2" shoalwater, but when you can run 2" it's not easy to tell when you find the 1" stuff.