What a way to start and end a story lol.

I have been watching this post since I started it and have chosen not to reply until now as I wanted to see the consensus on helping people on the lake. It seems to me that a little more than half of the posters said I should have signaled if I wanted help, which I did not do. Well I was broke down which started 3 miles from the ramp. I had a full trolling motor and the wind was mild so I was not in dire need for help, I knew I would make it in ok. That being said, I would have appreciated the help. I have towed three boats off of lakes this year none of which signaled me for help. They just looked like they needed it (trolling across the middle of the lake motor up not fishing you know.....) so I took the time to stop and ask. All of them were bass boats that had trolling motors and could have made it in, but a tow shure helped sped up their situation. I understand the viewpoints of most of the posts and appreciate the replies. I guess there are degrees of "broke down".
#1 Broke down but able to make it in, in which case you should expect no help if you dont ask for it. As this thread shows a lot of fishermen are not going to take the time to stop and ask, even if it is obvious to some that you could use the help, "you dont ask for it you dont get it"
#2 Broke down and in trouble, in which case you should signal and help will come, all of the guys on here said they would always help a signaling boater, which I believe. However, I was broke down above the bridge on the south side of Pool(where you guys know there are very few boats) last fall and signaled to a bass boat with the x arms above my head waving and the boat just waved back and went on his way. I had no electric so I was in trouble, I called Grand Prarie police and they came and towed me in, 3 hours later.
#3 Broke down and in trouble and no boats on the lake, in which case you are screwed!! (that was meant to be a joke for the few guys on here with no humor)
I guess what it boils down to is that I did not signal for help as I had the means to make it in and did'nt want to put somebody out by asking for help from someone that was not willing to give it in the first place and have them grumble as they were towing me back to the ramp.
I do not mean for any of the above post to be taken as snyde or smart@$$. It is always easy to put the wrong emotions into a post as you read it. I hope it just made some folks a little more aware of thieir fellow boaters.
That being said I do need to make one little jab here and that is, Ozziefish I could have signaled until I was blue and you would have never seen me, as I tried to make eye contact with you the entire time I trolled by, to no avail...but you sure did check me out after I was a little way off. My guess is thinking, "wonder why that guy is trolling all the way down the lake not fishing with his engine out of the water????" sorry couldnt resist.
Thanks guys, full livewells for everyone.........

then whats the reasoning for coming here and picking a few guys out of the lineup to point fingers at???

How selfish is it for you to EXPECT everyone else on the water to STOP what they are doing to make sure YOU are ok????

Guy's I have been following this thread since it started, being as I am just getting back on the lake aftera 20 year absence, I wanted to chime in here. I agree with most of the guy's that said "No Signal, no help" but with that said, I do remember 20 years ago when I was coming in off the lake I saw a boater sitting at the console cranking on his engine, it was obvious that he was inconvinenced as he was hitting his steering wheel. I went oover and asked him if he was having issues and he said yes, he had been there for over an hour cranking on his motor. I asked if he signaled anyone and he said no, that I was the first person that had asked him if he needed help. I towed him back to his ramp, and he told me that he was a new boater and did not know what to do, My suggestion was to wave, or signal with the horn or paddle.

Gambler, I can understand your frustration, but in the same aspect I can understand why no one helped, you did not ask.....

Anyway my 2cents, and I hope that when I am on the lake and in this situation that I can get some help... as I will always aid others who ask.

Jim

Well Skeeto Its about apathy and humanity. It is obvious you are one of the apathy guys. I was just trying to put an end to the post. Dont put words in my mouth, I didnt expect as you said, "everyone else on the water to stop and make sure I was ok" 3 boats, do you have a flair for the dramatic? (Those guys I helped did'nt expect anyone to stop but they appreciated that someone did.) Some people just dont "Get it", There's the stick go ahead and stir some more.......

Gambler, I've been stuck out on Lewisville with a dead motor once ... waved my pretty orange oar (since it wasn't much use as emergency propulsion lol) and the nearest boat came over & gave me a tow in. The two old gentlemen refused an offer of payment - they said to help out the next person I see stuck. So in turn, I've towed a jetski in to the ramp who had run out of fuel.

While I hope never to be stuck again, I suspect that the overwhelming majority of boaters (fishermen and non-fishermen) will stop to assist IF you signal unmistakably for help. Nothing to stir up really ... when you get right down to it, the majority of people are decent folks who will help someone in trouble.

Zeek, from the comments on this post I feel like you are right, good point and good way to end this thread.

i prefer to not spend my day on the lake babysitting everyone else to make sure they have thier milk and cookies and are satisfied... I also will be the first to put down my rod to go pull someone wherever they need it...

Simple fact of the matter is: signal if you are in distress, so others will know. 99% of the people in this forum will immediately stop what they are doing to help you. BUT WE MUST KNOW YOU NEED HELP!

You can define "apathy" in what ever way suits you, but most would say the apathy guys are the ones who couldn't be bothered to help when you do signal.

A person who is determined to believe the worst of his neighbors will invariably be proven right.

But I hear what you're saying about not making eye contact - what is it about people on lakes nowadays? Almost like they're afraid you're going to invite 'em to church, or an Amway meeting or something.

If a boater gets within earshot ("I trolled within two pilings of the guys") and says nothing, it's reasonable to believe that he has nothing to say.

my vote is that you need to speak up... don't assume anyone can read your mind. Now I would have pulled along side and asked, if you did not have a pole in hand.

Them dang mud hens keep it up and I'm gonna start toating a 12 guage! Is that illegal?

As a suggestion, I purchased an oar that has a orange paddle. It helps to wave down people when needing assistance from long distance.

All in all, I think this post has helped everyone become aware of your surroundings including other anglers in the water. I know it has helped me and I am sure it will help others.


Thanks Gambler250 for bringing this to our attention.

So guys, lets leave this alone now and go clean out your boat, retie your rods, respool your reels, organize your tackle, or better yet, go take a kid fishing!