Night fishing

[Catt]

8 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Like I said ~ Free for All.

A-Jay

 

Knowing the rules is one thing, following them is something else!

[A-Jay]

13 hours ago, WRB said:

Fishing night bass tournaments most of the anglers are very good at following the regulations and good boaters, always a few who don't.

It's the weekend recreational public who don't know what they are doing. 

Back in the mid 70's I became a partner in a Uniflight 42' sport fishing yatch and took USCG courses so I would know how to operate  a larger boat on the ocean, my experience was fresh water lakes. Later we upgraded to a 52' Pacifica sport fisher got tournament fishing and had about 35 years experience operating those yatchs in coastal marinas from San Diego to Newport and trips to Cabo San Lucas. Nothing can prepare you for the general public operating power and sail boats in marine harbors, it's a nightmare.

Holidays on fresh water lakes are congested but nothing like ocean harbors with expensive yatchs operated by people who are clueless or could careless about boating rules.

A-Jay was in the Coast Guard and my hat is off to him, can't imagine what experiences he had.

Tom  

That bold text pretty much covers it; especially in locals where 'boating is seasonal'. 

Add alcohol & drugs (some of which are now legal - wow) and the free for all is kicked up a notch or two.

Holiday weekends on and around waters/harbors near major metropolitan areas often included everything you see on the highways & by ways.   Main Difference of course is the sinking to the bottom & drowning stuff.

Can really ruin an otherwise good time. 

When I'm on the water, regardless of the vessel I'm in, I expect that every boater is going to run me down. 

I make it my priority to do everything possible never to allow myself to be in a position to where they even have a chance of being successful.  After surviving 3 intense decades on the Atlantic Ocean, I simply refuse to have my demise come at the hands of a 'distracted boater' on Lake Menderchuck.

It's pretty much defensive boating to the extreme.

Clearly the areas & times I'm yachting, there's very few other humans, and that's by design for a couple of reasons, one of which revolves around the matter at hand.

A-Jay

 

[flatcreek]

Monday thru Friday works for me but I'm still on full blown alert.

[NHBull]

1.  Save your night vision at all cost.  It gets easier and your brain will adapt the more it's in that situation.

 

If you are asking yourself if the other boater is a yahoo, stop or take evasive action immediately.  Assume the worst!

[Tennessee Boy]

On 6/8/2019 at 10:36 AM, Catt said:

I've seen some really good boaters get completely turned around at night. Even on moonlit nights & lakes with shoreline lights.

 

GPS definitely helped ?

Yeah,  never underestimate how much your mind can play tricks on you in the dark.  Last fall I stayed up late to watch a football game.   When it was over, I turned off the lights and started upstairs in the dark.  I got to the top of the stairs and turned towards the bedroom.  I could see the bed,  nightstand,  and lamp in the dim light from the window just as I was expecting.  You can imagine my surprise when my head slammed into the bedroom door that my wife had closed.  ?  If it can happen in the house it can surely happen on the water.  

 

[TOXIC]

Here's an old "Guide" trick when meeting another boat head on.  A lot of accidents happen in this situation when both boats turn into each other and then try to correct and tun into each other again.  First consideration:  NEVER assume the other boater knows the rules.....NEVER!  Second consideration:  Scan your water and path to determine the safest area to make a correction to your situation.  Third and final consideration:  Make an exaggerated turn to show the other boat where you are going.  I used to call it "show them your side".  Kept me and my clients safe on very busy waters.  

 

Back to the OP's "spotlight" situation.  Any running light mounted on the front or handheld WILL impede me from seeing your nav lights.  That's why no boat manufacturer has "headlights" (except Allison Boats) and on all boats with mounted lights, they are called "Docking Lights" .  It is acceptable to switch on lights to scan or mark nav buoys but not for running.  On....mark location.....off.  If I ran down the river here with a handheld or mounted spotlight, I would get a ticket.  

[GreenPig]

Become very familiar with the  water you're going to fish at night while it's daylight. GPSing it in the daylight is a great way of keeping your boat off the dirt but doesn't help avoid logs, loose jets skis, flocks of 18 lb geese, and unlighted boats. You can slow down and should in the dark. A bright spotlight or flashlight and horn close at handle can be great for alerting others of your presence while you're fishing. I have LEDs  360 degrees on my boat for dock & bank fishing but they're only running when the trolling motors deployed. When other boats are running bright lights that overpower the Nav lights  it's difficult to tell what direction they're traveling. I assume every boater that I cross paths with is a drunk 14 year old and that's kept me safe for over 25 years. 

[Big Rick]

On 6/9/2019 at 7:06 AM, A-Jay said:

When I'm on the water, regardless of the vessel I'm in, I expect that every boater is going to run me down. 

I make it my priority to do everything possible never to allow myself to be in a position to where they even have a chance of being successful. 

NOW we know the REAL reason why you upgraded that outboard........?

 

[clark9312]

I’ve got a night tournament this weekend and this will be the first night tournament fishing alone. Ive always had a guy to run the spotlight for me. The tournament starts at 7 and I’m going to have to make a pretty good run to my first spot. I wanted to be back towards the ramp by 9 but if I’m on fish there’s no way I can leave. The tournament doesn’t end until 3 but I’ve got a couple really good banks within a couple miles of the ramp. I’m kind of torn on what to do. I know the lake well but it can get extremely trashy. Last year my parter did about 6 grand worth of damage to his boat after hitting a huge floating log. I also tore up a aluminum prop. This happened during the day lol. Idk if I should stay a little closer to the ramp or go ahead and make the 25 minute run. 

[WRB]

39 minutes ago, clark9312 said:

I’ve got a night tournament this weekend and this will be the first night tournament fishing alone. Ive always had a guy to run the spotlight for me. The tournament starts at 7 and I’m going to have to make a pretty good run to my first spot. I wanted to be back towards the ramp by 9 but if I’m on fish there’s no way I can leave. The tournament doesn’t end until 3 but I’ve got a couple really good banks within a couple miles of the ramp. I’m kind of torn on what to do. I know the lake well but it can get extremely trashy. Last year my parter did about 6 grand worth of damage to his boat after hitting a huge floating log. I also tore up a aluminum prop. This happened during the day lol. Idk if I should stay a little closer to the ramp or go ahead and make the 25 minute run. 

If at all possible find a partner to fish with at a night tournament too many things can go wrong at night. 

Make the run to the furthest spot you can still get back running 10-15 mph in the dark.

Tom