I broke down last night on Joe Pool. My Gearcase took a dump right in front of the point between the two main arms of the lake as I was heading back to the ramp at Lloyd park. Well I dropped the trolling motor and off I went. I figured someone would give me a tow as there was quite a few boats on the lake. I could see a fisherman by himself out in the middle of the lake closer to the south shore and just west of Lynn creek, must be a roadbed there or something. I trolled my broke down rig within 75 yards of his boat which was a white skeeter, with red and sliver stripes, and a Yamaha motor. He was fishing a marker bouy with a carolina rig and did all he could to avoid making eye contact! I figure he felt like I didnt see him look at me he wouldnt have to help me. It was obvious I was broke down, motor out of the water trolling motor dragging me down the middle of the lake, sitting down on the front deck... A hole #1! I made it to the bridge and there was two guys in a silver triton with a red chevron and merc motor fishing the pilings. I could see them watching me as I approached the bridge. However, when I trolled within two pilings of the guys and They never looked at me! A hole # 2&3!! An hour and 15 minutes had passed and I made it to the power lines in front of Lloyd park cove. My troller was getting weak but I had enough juice to make it in. A fisherman was coming out of the cove with his wife and kid he was coming toward me just on top. As he passed me he quickly turned sharply away from me and made a circle straight back at me. Finally somone was at least going to ask if I needed help.....NOPE! his kid lost his hat, they picked it up and passed me less than 30 yards away, and guess what the kid and wife waved but A hole #4 didnt even look at me. Of course he was driving and might be obliged to help if he saw me wave him down.....I apologize to the good people that would take the time to stop and help someone on the lake it is incredible to me that some people are so inconsiderate of fellow fishermen. I have broken down 3 times all at Joe Pool over the last year due to electrical problems with a stealth charger and never has anyone stopped and asked me if I needed help. The way I figure it is that the people that dont stop to help have never been broken down on the lake.....Karma boys! Karma!!you will get yours..... If A hole #'s 1-4 happen to read this I was in the White Gambler with a 250XS. Come say Hi next time......

I ALWAYS love posts like this... DID YOU SIGNAL TO THEM YOU WERE IN DISTRESS????? if not... your bad... if so- thier bad!

When I read the post I was thinking the same thing "did he try to get their attention"? I was on Lake Arlington last Thursday afternoon, was the only boat on the lake except for one other boat. I saw him in the boat, looked like he was anchored. I thought he was fishing so I was watching to see if he was catching anything. I was too far away to see if he was fishing though. I wasn't catching anything so I was looking at the fishfinder in front of the Yacht Club looking for the "hump" that a few have posted about that has sandies on it. On the third pass of the area, I looked up and the man in the boat was signalling with his paddle. Motored over and he said his motor wouldn't start and run his battery down trying to start it. I pulled him in, but he had been there awhile. Didn't know he was in need until he waved the paddle. Looked pretty funny, a little 12ft. aluminum boat with a 1955 10hp Johnson pulling a 18ft. Wellcraft by the anchor line. Bottom line people don't think you're in need if they don't see a signal. Pass me by with the trolling motor going I might think you are fishing.....

gambler,

I had the same question. Did you signal or ask for help? If so, shame on them. If not, it is hard to comment either way.

I have posted about this many times and can say with the highest integrity that I have ALWAYS helped folks in other boats who needed help - no matter my situation. Pleasure boaters, jet fleas, fisherman, drunk, sober, whatever - I will always help.

Me too.

If somebody gets my attention I'll at least go check it out, and if it is obvious or they say they need help I help. Period.

I take that back-there was one time I didn't offer. Long story short a lake lice with the entire lake smooth as glass and with no other boats anywhere in sight tears into a small cove we obviously were going to fish and started doing doughnuts, porpoising, etc.

A little later we see the kid swimming behind the jet ski pushing it towards the bank-bad karma, I guess. We did keep an eye on him because that was the right thing to do, but tow him in? I don't think so.

Everyone has a whistle on board or is supposed to. I would be waving my arms and using the whistle...

Gambler, If I would of seen you trolling in the middle of the lake, not waving your hads a paddle or blowing a whistle, I would of just thought you were trolling. I would figure if you needed help you would make some sort of attempt to ask for it. To just think that people know you are broke down is nuts.

You did the right thing there. Drown a jet ski save a kid.

If I see a trolling motor in the water with a boat going across open water heading in the direction of a boat ramp, I keep and eye on them. If they indicate through messing with the motor or continue to head towards the ramp I will usually offer help.

Did that at Joe Pool just a couple weeks ago. They had only a mile or so to go but their motor wouldn't start and battery went down. Every fishing trip I make no matter what I catch is considered a good trip if I can be of assistance to someone in need. Pass it on.

Signaling me would have got you a tow....sitting at the trolling motor mumbling would not.

I agree with everyone above. Did you signal or call out to the other boaters?

I carry a white towel in my storage box as a distress signal, and I'll stop for anyone that needs help,...even a a-hole jetskier if he's stranded,...but ya gotta let someone know ya need help. je

Some people will not offer to help because they do not want to tow another boat.I understand it is really bad on the newer motors and can cause damage.Even so if i saw someone needing help i would take that chance because you may need a payback sometime.

Been there and done that. the jetskier was holding on to a bridge pilon on 66. 4-6 other boats out there just creating waves for the poor kid. none of then would get close enough to him that they would have to help. I had him hold the side of my boat. But then he was trying to waive down people too. Standing on the trolling motor mumbling hate is not going to get you much help.

Guys I feel bad, that I didn't stop. But when we went back to pick up my boys cap. We got back on pad and saw the Gambler and I jestered to the guy. I know I should have gone over but I have broken down in the past I would wave somebody down. No excuse on my part, I should have stopped and asked. Again I'm sorry I didn't stop and tow you in.