Was flipping flooded bushes yesterday on Ray Roberts. I had my Terrova ipilot running using both foot pedal and remote on a lanyard around my neck.

I hung my jig up on brush and moved in close to try to get it loose , bent over the bow and broke off a small limb, turned the TM 180 to back out and as I was backing out of the brush I stubbed my toe on something on the deck and went down and into the water. I was in about 5 ft and was surrounded by vegetation and brush and before I could get upright my boat was out of reach and moving away from me. I was fortunate to have the remote around my neck and was able to stop the trolling motor and bet back to the boat. Then I had a problem getting back into the boat, no swim ladder and slick small surfaces on outboard and Power Pole to use to climb on was a receipt for slip and injury.

I've been telling myself to get a swim ladder since I bought this used boat 4 months ago. I have been telling myself to get an emergency rope ladder in the mean time and have it tied off and reachable in case of such an incident.

Be careful out there and think things through for all the possibilities.

Step on the hydro and valet yourself up with the courtesy trim switch next time, been there done that, almost drowned no joke.

Glad you are okay!

You didn't mention if you had your PFD on or not?

I have come to the realization that what I could do 30 / 20 / 10 years ago is not what I am capable of now!

I know most people would be able to stand up in 5' of water but if you were in 7+ and had to swim then the outcome could have been different.

Thanks for the reminder that I need to put some type of re-entry device in my boat!

Glad you are OK!! This is why I bought an inflatable this spring when they were on sale and have told myself I will wear it the whole time when fishing by myself. Just very glad you are OK.

Glad you did not get injured
Better yet is to get a non inflatable pfd. Avoids maintenance issues and chance of coming to boat to see it inflated making you not want to wear it.
NSR Chinook is comfortable and does not restrict movement.
Can get good prices on them right now.

Went in the water almost like you did , not funny .

I did something similar except the water was only about 50 degrees at the time. I think I got back into the boat before my wallet gor wet.

Glad you're ok. That could have ended badly.

Yep. I Peter Paned off the front of my boat about a month ago. Landed face first in some thick Hydrilla with my full rain gear on. Luckily, I had some dry clothes in the truck and I wasn�t far from the ramp.

Also, glad no one saw me. Lol

FYI, Sterns makes a great inflatable belt, around $80. I wear it all the time when i'm fishing by myself. Haven't had to use it yet, but I tested it, works great. Just sayn.

+1

Glad it worked out OK . One of my fears when I fish by myself is slipping , hitting my head somewhere in the boat , getting knocked unconscious and falling in the water .
Wearing an inflatable " belt " will not help that scenario . The only thing that could save your life is a full size inflatable PFD .
I would also add that using your big motor's trim could possibly help get you out of the water if you don;t have a ladder .

I keep a set of coveralls in the boat for such an emergency.

Only been in the water unintentionally once. I had a bungee attached to my boat. I was getting ready to dock and the boat had drifted a bit off the dock. I decided to make a leap to the dock with the end of that bungee in my hand. I ran out of bungee mid leap and went right into the drink. I'm fairly young and fit but I still had a hard time getting back up into my boat over the side. I do have a ladder on the back of mine had I been unable to get over the side. Super embarrassing as like 5 people saw. One guy asked me if I did that on purpose. I was so flustered I couldn't even make up a yarn. I said, "Nope I'm just an idiot."

Since your remote was working, why not just hang onto the boat while �driving� it to shallow water?