We were not sitting in the boat lane, we were going about 5mph. Which with the 4ft waves and stumps was a speed in which us and our clients felt safe.

Bass Border, I understand your question, and yes your boat will push less of an wake at say 45 than what I call plowing, But here, riverrat is talking about a shallow area with alot of stumps and shallow water (not a large area to run in the 1st place) and 5 foot is too close to blast by someone in the 1st place. In early tournament days they used to have a shotgun start, everyone took off at the same time, why do you think they stopped that? I don't know riverrat at all but what happen to him should be a wake up call to us all, to show everyone courtesy to everyone on the lake, it doesnt belong to us, it is a gift for a short while.

Doc

Riverrat,

I am agreeing with you that the guy in the Ranger wasn't exactly the sharpest tack on the board that day. However, after reading your first post several times, it dawned on me, let's check what Texas Parks and Wildlife has in regards to this. I was looking for info on who has the right of way and what is the legal distance for two boats on plane. They have distances for personal water craft, but not two vessels.

Then I saw this, and my eyes really opened up:

Where is the link from TP&W's website where this is found. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_br_l2000_0001/index.phtml


"Operation of Your Boat
It is unlawful for any person to:

Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit him to bring such boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.
Operate in a circular course around fishermen or swimmers.
Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same.
Anchor in the traveled portion of any river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same area. ....."


The guy was in the wrong. Especially about the speed and hazardous wake.

However, what I didn't realize was, it is also prohibited to ancor in a channel or river that prevents safe passage of the other boat.

Even if a boat wasn't anchored, they are in the lane of travel.

So just FYI, if you are in the River or Channel, there has to be some consideration given to the oncoming boat as well.

So like I said, the guy in the Ranger was certainly wrong since he created a hazardous wake.

Not trying to take sides here at all, just pointing out what is on the books, because it surprised me as well.

all are good points, just lets be courteous and safe out there. those rules tell me i cannot park in the channel, which i will not.

NorthTexasFiberglass,
We were in the lane of travel, because we were traveling back to the boat ramp. We were not sitting still. There isnt any law saying we were going too slow.

Kind of reminds me of the armadillo crossing the highway. When I'm out on the river and I see a boat hauling arse toward me, sometimes I feel like that armadillo.

Crowded lakes, and faster boats is a dangerous combination. After the accident it's going to be up to the law enforcement people and the lawyers to sort out!

quit whinning speed up! get in sit down hold on and shut up

522bassin, it is an attitude like that that is going to get someone killed. i was hoping for some good safety discussion and so on, no smartalleck comments. 35 posts of great information and then #36 has to ruin this thread. i just hope you have good insurance for when you DO destroy your boat or kill someone.

sorry, I was under the impression you guys were fishing. But like I said, I was not trying to take sides and the guy in the Ranger was definately an idiot.

what i am saying is you shouldnt have been goin that slow! nor should you be tied to a tree in the boat lane or have lines out in the boat lane. i slow down and pass at a courtoues speed and obey all laws of the water when im out but there is alot of things wrong with what you did! that guy was probably cussing you just as you were him and there diffenetly is no reason for name calling that is so immature. well to be expected of a catfisher though! if the water is only 1-2 foot deep no one should be on plane anyway. i wouldnt be and if my motor started to drag going slow i wouldnt be fishing it. if i see someone in a cove or a spot i want to fish no matter how big the cove or spot im not going to go in there and fish the cove or the spot ill go on to another spot and come back later. most tournament fishermen will get 20 boats in on cove and bugs the piss out of me but im not whinning about it. stuff happens and that is the life of fishing. some people are followers and some are leaders. most are wanna be's! and in todays world alot are whinners.

522 - obviously, you did not read all the posts we made on here. we WERE NOT tied to a tree in the boat lane, NOR did we have any lines in the boat lane. Had you read closely, you would have noticed that. I said i would like to fish that area, but after someone posted it is unlawful, i posted i would not do that. if that guy was cussing me, he had no reason to do so. and, once again, you did not read closely enough. the reason for going that slow was the comfort level of our clients as well as our respect for boat and human life. and, i specifically did not mention a species of fish or anything, so, if we want to talk immature, lets go for it. of all the catfishermen i know, 99% are more honest and open about their tactics, baits, how-to's, etc than any bass person. even the best of the best in ACATS share it all. regardless, none of the issues you discuss have anything to do with what this post is about. i suggest reading all the previous posts and getting your facts straight before attacking someone.

I guess you have never been to the river in Hubbard Ranger 522 and apparently didnt read the post. The wind was about 25 mph Sunday, riverrat was coming in, not tied up, this is crazy I don't know why I responding, It's this kind of attitude and guy that was driving that boat.

READY, FIRE, AIM! 522, surely you are kidding. Did you even read the original post?

It's imature, reckless and self centered attitudes like 522Bassin has that has me turned off from tournaments. Maybe he wants to be like Ike? Who knows.

Back to the issue at hand, the guy in the Ranger was way out of line. He's either not a TFF member or a coward for not responding to this post. RiverRat0723, you have every reason to be angry and I support your position all the way!

Nobody has ever accused me of running too fast in my 12 ft Jonboat with 5 hp motor.

I guess it might be the added weight of all that Dow Corning caulk that's holding me back.

Sometimes I wish my old dead-heavy Jonboat was light and perky...kinda like I used to be!

Then I would "blow by somebody" on the water and get some "bad a** looks" and maybe even a cuss word or two!

***Sigh*** But I guess it just can't be...so I will just putt-putt along like I usually do....and that includes when I'm in the Jonboat too!

Chuck