Is There Such Thing As To Windy To Fish?

[A-Jay]

I know that exact feeling. Get it sometimes when leaving the Buffalo Harbor on Erie, LOL.

People who ignore "That exact Feeling" often times contribute to natural selection as well as providing job security for me for about 3 decades.

A-Jay

[J Francho]

People who ignore "That exact Feeling" often times contribute to natural selection as well as providing job security for me for about 3 decades.

Oh jeez, whatever - I can handle myself and the boat. You have to know your limits. Some make boating out to be something way more dangerous than it is - take it at least as serious driving a car. "That feeling" mostly just means a sore back. Not that I didn't feel safe. Believe me, I grew up on Lake Ontario. When you see white caps forming off shore, you have about an hour to react on Ontario. Erie, you can cut that time in half. Oneida is similar, though the waves come at you faster, so it's even more dangerous - easier to spear a wave. Anyway, I swamped a boat once, and that was enough. Funny that was a 22' Four Winns bowrider which should have been able to handle much worse - just bad driving. They don't work like a deep-v or a bass boat. That was a long slow ride back. luckily got her back without needing a tow.

[A-Jay]

You have to know your limits. Some make boating out to be something way more dangerous than it is - take it at least as serious driving a car.

Well said - and propably a better way to say it.

A-Jay

[Lund Explorer]

People who ignore "That exact Feeling" often times contribute to natural selection as well as providing job security for me for about 3 decades.

A-Jay

Only once back in the days of Coho Fever did we ever see the CG on Lake Michigan. That was in the days before everybody carried safety gear, or radios. Eleven miles NW of Portage Lake's breakwalls, your comrades came out to warn all of us off the lake. Most made it back, but some didn't. Riding into the waves until they ran out of fuel the waves pushed them ashore. Next wave crashed over the stern and sucked them right back into the surf. We were one of the lucky or semi-smart ones that wrapped up and headed for shore pronto. Still it was quite an adventure to go between the waves and see nothing but water on all sides that first time. You'd crest a wave and see boats all around you when a moment before you would have sworn you were all alone.

After that, we learned to keep a sharper eye on the weather.

[A-Jay]

Only once back in the days of Coho Fever did we ever see the CG on Lake Michigan. That was in the days before everybody carried safety gear, or radios. Eleven miles NW of Portage Lake's breakwalls, your comrades came out to warn all of us off the lake. Most made it back, but some didn't. Riding into the waves until they ran out of fuel the waves pushed them ashore. Next wave crashed over the stern and sucked them right back into the surf. We were one of the lucky or semi-smart ones that wrapped up and headed for shore pronto. Still it was quite an adventure to go between the waves and see nothing but water on all sides that first time. You'd crest a wave and see boats all around you when a moment before you would have sworn you were all alone.

After that, we learned to keep a sharper eye on the weather.

Yup - And despite knowing better - back in the day, I'd been blinded by "Striped Bass Fever" and ended up in at least two situations that I had no right to expect to escape from unharmed. Some how I did and it kept me motivated to be there for others when I could.

A-Jay

[Bob C]

Oh jeez, whatever - I can handle myself and the boat. You have to know your limits.

Unfortunately, you won't know your "limits" until you find them.

[J Francho]

Unfortunately, you won't know your "limits" until you find them.

Fortunately I was born with some common sense. Hasn't failed me yet in my 40 years.

[hatrix]

I thought that picture looked familiar. I'm pretty sure that down by 55th marina if it's Cleveland. Those stacks make a great reference point when your way out on the water.

[slonezp]

Only once back in the days of Coho Fever did we ever see the CG on Lake Michigan. That was in the days before everybody carried safety gear, or radios. Eleven miles NW of Portage Lake's breakwalls, your comrades came out to warn all of us off the lake. Most made it back, but some didn't. Riding into the waves until they ran out of fuel the waves pushed them ashore. Next wave crashed over the stern and sucked them right back into the surf. We were one of the lucky or semi-smart ones that wrapped up and headed for shore pronto. Still it was quite an adventure to go between the waves and see nothing but water on all sides that first time. You'd crest a wave and see boats all around you when a moment before you would have sworn you were all alone.

After that, we learned to keep a sharper eye on the weather.

I got caught out on Lake Michigan once. Scariest thing I have ever experienced. Was in my dad's Pro Line 24' walkaround salmon fishing off Gills Rock in Door County with my son who was maybe 6 or 7 at the time. Glass calm in the morning. Heard the warnings on the radio and saw the sky changing and started to head in. Sky turned black and I got caught up in it about 2 miles from the marina. If I had to guess, I'd say 6-8 footers. Fortunately, I lived to tell about it. Makes you respect nature in a whole new way.

[scbassin]

Yes. If there is a lake wind advisory in effect it is wise to stay off it. A couple of week-ends ago we were under a wind advisory & a couple of friends decided to camp on one of the islands & fish over the week-end. When they did not arrive home Sunday evening their wives reported them missing. They found the boat that night or the next day, the first body at the end of this past week & the second one this past Sunday. They called for winds to be 15 to 25 with gusts to 40 & it was every bit of that. When you do not heed the warnings you not only put yourself at risk but your family also. Plus the people that have to go look for you. The fish will be there another day but you might not be. Another thing, you might want to check your boat insurance to see if it pays if you rip a trolling motor or depth finder off, hit a stump or a floater.