The other day someone posted up something about getting tickets running wot under bridges. I asked the question, "Whats the difference between running WOT in a timber lined boat lane/channel vs WOT under a bridge???"

The answer I got in return was "The Law"

Well I fish Amistad pretty often and never seen anyone get off pad when running under the hwy 90 bridge, even the boarder patrol run WOT, or the 277 bridge. Throw the Falcon and hwy 99 bridge on choke canyon in the mix too when it had water under it. Now I understand the danger it but is it only the law when bouys are present because I can see the danger in running WOT in a timber lined channel too but its not agaisnt the law.

All depends on the lake and what is posted.

I have never really understood this either. I would have to think that one of the reasons is so people don't run into the bridge supports at high speeds.

It's the law on Fork because there are giant signs that say no Wake everywhere and the bouys are present. Most lakes do not have a No Wake zone law under bridges.

Typically you'll find it to be true on lakes that are dangerous at or near full pool.

I always try to idle by anybody tied up to what used be both Choke Canyon bridges and I idle by people tied up to trees if possible. But honestly I'd rather them pass by me on pad than slow plow the water, which causes a bigger wake.

I think its this and because people tie up to crappie fish and its dangerous to them, too. I have run fast toward a bridge where the closer you get to the bridge the more you realize you aren't lined up between the supports. If you're flying (like I usually do), there is almost no time to adjust. Too much going on at high speeds to make the right decision every time- looking for other boaters, lining up between the supports, looking where you're going, and trying to expect the unexpected (boat coming from other side or out of no where).

So its much easier to just slow down. Unless you're trying to get to the hospital, no reason to disregard safety.

hammer down (except under bridges)

it's there because it saves lives and maybe even yours...

I think the height of the bridge comes into play as to whether or not the controlling authority deems the bridges as a no wake zone. I well remember the days of running on plane under the bridges on Fork. From what I recall on the forums at the time the law was changed and the signs installed when someone was killed under one of the bridges. He was standing in a boat and the wake from an oncoming boat lifted his boat. He hit his head under the bridge and broke his neck. As I recall, that was a major factor in the signs being installed at Fork.

I don't think anyone slows down under the 287 bridge over Richland Chambers either, although I haven't been on that lake in quite a while. The height of it makes the chance of something like I mentioned happening very slim.

It is purely lake by lake. If it is posted, then it is the law. If not, let it fly.

The answer to your question might be answered by the family of a 41 year old that died this weekend hitting the bridge support on the California delta during a tourney. Life jacket didn't help. Remember things like logs etc, can hang up on the piling. Not saying this is what happened just saying.

I guess I don't understand why this seems to consternate folks. It's maybe 2 minutes out of your time to get off pad and idle under the bridge. Safer for you, the folks around you and if people are tied up to the pilings it doesn't rock and bang them around. Besides if you get off pad and idle through you get a chance to read your electronics and see what fish may be hanging out under the bridge!

whether or not it is the law you should slow down because a boat can be running parallel to the bridge and another running wot coming under the bridge, both boats may not be able to see the other until it is too late causing a t bone crash.

I'm a novice boater but to me it makes sense to have no wake near or under bridges. Someone mentioned why do people run on plane in the boat lanes. That seems ok to me because just about everyone is and there usually aren't any boats tied off along the boat lane, but maybe I'm wrong

Only a law where it is posted and no wake bouy's are present. It was presented to the TP&W to become a law state wide but was not passed. Personally if it is not marked then use your own judgement.

the law in texas is it has to be posted to be no wake. oklahoma is no wake under all bridges.