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Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | I noticed on another board this "Fishing Alone" topic. But the poster was talking about how to land Muskies by himself versus the safety aspect of this topic. I on the other hand would like to address and invite comments about this issue from the safety stand point. Reason being that we just had another "almost death" on the Bay when a guy fishing alone stood up to relieve himself, lost his balance and fell overboard out the back of his boat, as it continued to troll along nicely leaving him in its wake. His yelling and the "Ghost Like" spectacle of a pilotless trolling craft making wide circles alerted some nearby anglers to his plight and he was saved.
So I guess my first obvious suggestion would be to carry a container to keep your body well inside the craft if nature calls. And either kneel or stay seated while taking care of business. The second, if a container isn't handy, is to put your boat in neutral at least until your done with the task at hand. And third would be to watch the approaching waves so there is no off-balance surprises. I'm also guessing wearing a life vest would put the icing on the others mentioned. Any other suggestions? |
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Member
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Location: Manitowoc, WI | I would recommend the usual, letting someone know where you will be heading and what body of water. Always err to the conservative side when making any decisions while fishing alone. Always check the weather also. Be prepared for the unexpected.
Edited by Horshak 9/20/2006 12:15 PM
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Member
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Location: McFarland, WI | If it is rough and windy wear the life jacket and teather yourself to the boat. It is amazing how fast it can drift away and how slow you swim with clothes on. |
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Location: Rhinelander | If the water temps are below 65 degrees, it doesn't take long to chill badly and soon be unable to swim at all. Don't do ANYTHING that might cause you to go into the drink, it's just too dangerous and the boat can get away form you very quickly. The Tether is a great idea, (a tree stand harness concept, maybe), if you are going to take risks. |
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Member
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| A handheld marine radio should be required equipment in all boats. |
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| The teather is a kill switch that kills the boat if you fall out. It is required at all speed above trolling speed in tournaments.
This kills the boat and allows you to swim up to it. But now what??!! How do you get back into a boat especially if the waves are over 2'.
Triton has the emegency ladder. But how many of us can get back into a boat just with our upper body strenght? 20 years ago I could do 20 chin-ups, couldn't do 5 now!!!
Don't fish alone on big water, live to fish another day but with a friend.
My 2 cents. |
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| This has crossed my mind while fishing alone. Don't take large bites of a sandwich, sounds silly but if you get it stuck in your throat your done. |
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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | superdog - 9/21/2006 8:22 PM
This has crossed my mind while fishing alone. Don't take large bites of a sandwich, sounds silly but if you get it stuck in your throat your done.
That's not silly at all superdog.
Theres probably a list of things a mile long that one does almost daily, that could turn into something very dangerous when we are alone. And your never so alone then being out in the middle of nowhere on the water.  |
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| How to get back into the boat... Not real easy but it does work...
Stand or at least place your feet on the cavitation plate of the big motor....
Reach for the tilt switch while leaning over the cowling and tilt yourself into the boat...
If you have to... remove the cowling and toss it into the boat (or away...ouch at about $500) in order to create a place to hangon .... |
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| For using the bathroom for #1 purposes only buy the "stadium pal." It is a catheter like system that allows you to go up to 3 large urinations in a sitting without putting down your fishing pole. The best part is you just undo a clip by your foot and let drain and your ready to roll again. You would have to google this product to see the true genius in this product lol. FLY |
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| One of the cleverest solutions I have ever seen (and now use) is a plastic wiffle ball bat... cut off both ends and you have a safe and easy to use answer... Stows in the rod locker or almost anywhere else that is about 30-36" long... |
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| How are you suppose to step on the cavitation plate if you fall out while in motion. Im not putting my foot up there with a prop spinning below my foot! Just my two cents!
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| I fish alone 90%+ of the time.
NEVER leave the dock without the life jacket on. A-#1!!!
If I forget the pee-pee bottle, I always fill the river off the back of the boat and kneel on my knees. Never in gear. I'll hold it until I make a return pass.
Have a GPS enabled phone with 911 on speed dial. Keep it in an easy to get to pocket. Some guys capsized and fell in the river in December two years ago! Only thing that saved their butts was one guy got his cell out and dialed 911. Phone died in seconds, but enough time for the operator to lock on the GPS phone's coordinates.
Landing 40-50" fall muskie alone? That's a whole other safety issue! LOL
I saw what Hgmeyer was refering to on a BASS show. Excellent idea if you're not moving. I've even practiced it once to make sure it was possible before I wasted the energy on the water in a situation. Worked great!!!! |
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Fishing Alone Tips.