After a tough week at work, I was looking forward to a full weekend of Crappie Fishing. My brother has a buddy down from Houston, so I called OkieBob to see if he was interested in going fishing with me. Hotdog, we are ON, and I just need to get a slow leak fixed in one of my Boat Trailer Tires. Tire fixed by 8:30 AM, boat loaded, and on way by 8:45.

Things are looking great, and I'm fired up about fishing, even if we don't catch any, just spending a little time on the water was going to be relaxing. Get to the ramp, meet Bob, launch boat and head out. Everything is good, laughing and joking to beat the band.

Pull up to the first spot we were going to fishing, trying to locate the water depth that we might catch them in today. First spot we tried was 22' deep, with no success. Got to second spot, got on the brush pile and dropped our lines, and BANG Bob is hung and breaks off his Jig. He turns around to get another of Jig'ums best, and ask me. COOTER, did you put the plug in your boat. Yep, one of the first things I do. Well, why is ALL this water in your boat. I turned around to look, and we were taking on a LOT of water. Oh [censored], major trouble, don't know what it is, but need to make some moves in a HURRY.

Starting Battery is already completely under water and dead as a door nail, so belige pump wouldn't work, boat motor won't start, and we are loosing ground quickly. Yanked out my 20' Jumper Cables that I just happen to have bought for the boat 4 years ago, in case I run into some one with motor troubles. Jumped the trollng motor battery to the starting battery, and with the starting battery being under water, wasn't getting a good connection, and was barely turning over the boat motor fast enough to have a chance at starting.

Didn't feel like we had enough time to find my tools, disconnect the boat battery and get the connection out of the water where we could get a good charge. Jerked 2 Life Jackets out, and thought it was over. Going to lose my boat, and all equipment. Yes, at this point it is pretty much Thundering, Lightening, and rainning like HELL, and not a cloud in the sky. Reached for the Key for maybe the last time, and Varoooom, it started. Slamed it in gear, and we were in motion. Didn't feel much better not knowing WHERE the water was coming from, but we were moving. Bob was baling his BUTT off, but with a boat FULL of water, you were going to get on top of the water. But by being moving, Bob was making a little progress. Finally got enough water out, and both of us as far to the front as we could stand, and still drive the boat, and right up on plane it came. For the first time, I could swallow, and took a breath.

Got back to the ramp, and managed to get it up on the trailer, and water just POURED out of the Livewell In-take. Haven't been able to check it out, but either the FILL Valve is stuck in the open position, or a piece of PVC is broke, and was just free flowing into the boat. But, I am back at home, and have some checking to do. But first, I am going to get UNDER the bed until this Personal Thunder Storm if over. Glad Bob was with me, I just wouldn't have had enough hands if I would have been alone. Sorry Bob, for the terrible fishing trip, but I'll have it up and running very soon, and we'll try it again. If you have dryed out by then, and are not afraid of the rqain cloud that follows me around.

Now, I'm going to get UNDER my bed, Talk to ya'll later...



keith

Wow, just glad you guys are ok. It is a beautiful day, no sky is falling on you - the motor started on last crank. It's a beautiful day!

Wow glad everyone is ok!! Hope your boat is ok too.

3 words.. AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP

the BMF model.

Dangit!

Glad you and Bob are OK and the boat is back home and not sunk. What a scare. Let us know what the issue was just in case we need to check the same things.

Lmao hahha omg glad you fella's are okay and home safe! Man i think peed my pants alittle thinking bout bob bailing water out hahaha. CCK dont feel bad bud i know we have all had our fair share of those days on the water. Heck if anyone says they havent just aint out there enough. Ha well look at the bright side guys, think about all those CC crappie you left for rest of us haha glad yall are safe

Now that's scary! Thank goodness you guys didn't sink
!!!! I put one of those Auto Bilge Pumps in about a year ago. Get the biggest one they make. Glad you guys are OK, and thanks for sharing the story. That will make me think twice about fishing alone for sure.

Keith, I'm speechless! I'll just echo what the rest have said. Glad you 2 are Hi & Dri now.

Thank GOD for looking out for u guys! Hope the boat is an easy fix

Glad you guys are ok! I would've in the petal position!!!

Yikes! Sorry you guys had trouble and like everyone else said, glad you made it safely.

You had another passenger on board and His name is Jesus

Man oh man, I sure am glad y'all made it back safe and sound with all the equipment. The Good Lord must have been watching over y'all.

i am glad it turned out ok .....
it will make for good memories ......