Small Boats on Big Water. What You Need to Know
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- čas přidán 13. 04. 2020
- I have had some close calls on the big rivers while out fishing on my small boat. In this video I explain some of the situations I have been in along with some ways to ovoid bad things from happening while out on the river. I hope this video may help someone make the right decision someday. Stay safe out there and good luck fishing. Here’s a link to dieter melhorns CZcams channel. / @dietermelhorn . #boatsafety #bigriver #Hgfishing
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Great advice on river safety. We fish the 2 most dangerous rivers in the country (in my opinion) the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in east central Louisiana. Learned many lessons.
1. ALWAYS have a sharp knife ready. You may need to cut an anchor rope at a moment’s notice.
2. Have a plan and discuss it with whoever is in the boat with you. Winging it is never a good idea, and hope is not a plan.
3. We choose never to go alone. Too difficult to safely control a boat and work the anchor rigging properly.
4. Watch where you put your fingers, hands, and feet. A loose anchor rope in heavy current can quickly tighten and break fingers and hands. A loose rope in your feet can quickly wrap around an ankle and pull you in.
Be safe and God bless. Bon peche!!! (good fishing)
Great advice sir. Thank you and thanks for watching
My father and I were fishing a bend in the Red in "Pool Zero" just below the Black River. We were semi beached and had the bow tied to the bank. Well, an oncoming barge screwed up and ran himself up onto the bank just across from us. It sounded like a war with all the trees snapping. Until then I had never had a worry when a barge passed. Now we are always ready to get hell out of dodge when one passes. If we were on the other side of the river we would have been killed. We run a small boat as well, a 1546. I feel safer in the Mississippi honestly. The barge wakes are not as bad, and there is more room to stay away from them. I also ran a workboat on the lower Mississippi below Venice in the oilfield. There is nothing like traveling by radar and having an ocean vessel that you can't see with your eyes pass 50' from you while you travel to your well site. Now, that place, SW Pass, is an untouched catfish gold mine.
Dude it’s been three years since you posted this and I can tell you regardless of how many views this gets, you’ve definitely saved lives with your information. You’re a good man Hagen. Good luck fishin
I didn’t give two thoughts about safety when I was younger. As age catches up with you the realization of how fragile life is and how quickly things can change. Ain’t no fish worth dying over. The best tip I can give is listen to that little voice inside that’s telling you danger is at hand. Many of the dumb things that I have done were done after I told that little voice to shut up.
Good and useful information! I always tell people that fish from a boat - "you are a boatman first and a fisherman second."
Great write up man. The best advice I could ever give anybody is don't wear boots on the boat. Try swimming with boots on sometime, in calm water, and you'll understand why I'm saying this. And trying to get them off while in turbulent water is just a recipe for disaster. I fish in my 12' boat regularly but not on big water.
I was in the Mississippi River in what is called SW Pass and had waves coming over the top of my 26' work boat in the dark on morning. I started praying that the bilge pump wouldn't give out, and then I looked down to see I forgot my life jacket on the dock! I couldn't stop driving to check for one in the boat because I surely would have gone down. I was never so happy to make it to the dock on my facility which was protected by a wing dike. 6' rollers are common around the mouth of the pass, but I have never seen them that far up and spaced so close together. Like you said, the current was going one way and the wind was directly opposing it. Rivers are no joke. You also need to realize if you have a power failure you need to do everything you can to get to the bank. A passing barge or big enough ocean vessel can suck you into it. All of our work boats ran twins and they saved my life one day. I had an engine go out with a ship bearing down on me. If I only had one motor I would have been toast. If you ever want to do an adventure catfishing trip head down to the Mississippi below New Orleans. They are plentiful and not a sole fishes for them. They are also the best eating you will find.
You have very good points about on the water safety, thank you for the video. I do have a big concern though, you haven't mentioned the #1 safety rule to top all safety rules on the water. PFD!!!! I am a Public Safety Rescue Diver on the Mississippi River. I have recovered more bodies of River Rats and those that just wanted a fun day on the river than I ever care to remember. It is such a simple thing to do, put on a PFD. Get an inflatable if you need to but get something that is comfortable and that you'll wear. You make your boy wear one right? Do you want him to see you drown if something happens, especially when you ae wearing bib overalls. Swallow your pride, and please wear one! Promote wearing one just like you promote your other gear. I was on the river for 30yrs before it sunk in to my thick skull, but you owe it to yourself and your family. Tell me I'm wrong!
You are 100% correct. I don’t preach it much because I am guilty of not wearing one all the time myself, I keep saying I’m going to get a nice pfd and wear it but I haven’t. I agree 100%. It is stupid not to wear one honestly.
Yes my son has never stepped foot on a boat without his life vest. I’m going to get one that I will wear and wear it. Thanks
We always say you can teach safety, but if you don’t practice it, you’re just as dead as the ignorant person😮
IMHO, the most important thing is to wear your life preserver. Make sure to carry a Coast Guard approved throwable flotation device. (2 or more would be better) and have a ready-go abandon ship bag attached to the main lifejacket. Also carry at least 1 fire extinguisher. Having been on a burning boat, I can tell you, nothing is more scary. ~Frank, former USCG-A
Where the hell am I suppose to store 3 or 5 throwable floatation devices and a go back thing along with all my other fishing gear on a 12 foot jon boat?
This is an important video alot of the channels on here dont stress the safety as much as they should.
In my 16ft Jon on the Mississippi I've got one hard rule I literally live by. No go at south winds above 12 mph. No matter how good the fishing. South wind against the Mississippi River current is deadly for smaller boats.
I also just bought a bigger boat for Mississippi. But my wind rule may not increase by much.
Travis Tarver good info. Can you give me any advice in relations to what type of size of jon boat I should buy for fishing the Mississippi and also do you have any other safety advice for me while on the Mississippi Sir ?
@@MB-ku3ke Hey and thanks!
I'm running a 16× 54 flat bottom with 40 h.p. Honestly I would not go any smaller. You need enough h.p. to get yourself out of trouble. Like taking on big barge waves or white caps. Need to pull the nose up fast sometimes and feather the throttle.
Find yourself in waves that can go over the bow try to take them on at an 45° angle if possible. Don't want to plow head on into them. Have working bilge pump and keep the floor drains clear so water can get to the back as quickly as possible. Wear your pfd always and kill switch.
Honestly the weather would have to be almost perfect in a boat my size.
Here in my stretch at Memphis South wind over 5 can make for uncomfortable ride. Waves get tight and choppy. Add a tow boat or 2 and start looking for a place to hide and shelter. But don't run to the bank, waves wash your boat up dry and can't get it back in the water. I been running the Mississippi for 40 years and still demands total respect.
Be safe, don't take chances and use good common sense. Hope that helps a little bit.
Travis Tarver Yes Sir , thank you for the advice. I’m actually near the Memphis area myself on the Mississippi state line side of tunica. Thank You very much Sir. I asked about the boat size because I will be purchasing one in the near future. This will be my first ever boat. But I wanted one that’s big enough to handle the waters of the Mississippi or tennesse River .
Good advice for people newer to the rivers and a good reminder to us older folk. I've been Jon boating and fishing the Mississippi up around Pool 26 for many years. Its easy to get complacent when you set out to relax after a long day of sun and fun on the water. Even in larger boats, the river will get you when you least expect it.
Barge wakes are easy to avoid, its those darn rollers off the big cruisers plowing along at slow speed, churning just as much water as they can that creates what I believe are more dangerous conditions. You are right about large debris floating and the weather bringing wind and lightning too.
Anyone who is totally at ease and comfortable on the water anyplace is asking for trouble. You have to respect and appreciate the power of big water.
Very well said 👍thanks for watching
Great info ! ! Been boating for 40 years and had 14 footers and 20 footers and big rivers doesn`t care what size boat you have ! Gotta watch the undertow from heavy loaded barges also, it can grab you and if you don`t have the power to break away you`re done !
Sir, Thank You!
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT VIDEO TO MAKE.
In the past 80 years I have seen several bodies recovered out of lakes, and the sad part about it from what I have learned, they lost their life due to a lack of knowledge, or were drunk.
The act of Anchoring, and being anchored, always put people into a potentially dangerous situation if they do not know how to anchor properly, or respond to events that may cause them to be venerable doing the activity they are doing.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS IS CRITICAL FOR ANY BOAT OPERATOR.
I feel you have brought up some critical issues that a responsible person must consider.
I only have a 12 foot “V’ Hull aluminum boat.
“Large Wakes” created from powerful boats passing by, are my worst safety issue.
I have to be as quick as a “Long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs”.
And always wear your life jacket at all times on the water😎👍
I put a 14 ft john with a 9.9 on it in at virginia point in kenova wv and went to 12pole ck at camden park and fished all day,when we came back out that evening the wind and waves was terrible,i swore i would never do that again in a john boat,!!!! Thanks for the video
Hagen, unfortunately we can't teach people the most important safety tip, COMMON SENSE. Great video, keep up the great work like you always do.
Hagen, I'm really glad to see you bringing safety issues up like this since you have the publics eye now! Thanks!
Wind and other boaters is your main threats out on any water big or small. Good advice though!
As I said before I'm new to fishing and bought my 1st boat last spring and I LIVE by the rule when in doubt DONT!!!!!I know my skills are still in the baby stages like you said a fish isn't worth your safety or life youve taught me a great deal so far so keep the videos coming 😊 ☺️
Thank you for watching
On any size boat, things can go bad in a hurry! I appreciate this video. Can’t be too safe out on the water.
I’ve been scared several times myself. That’s why I stay in creeks on the lake with 14ft. I’m glad you mentioned logs running into the anchor rope. Very helpful video Hagen 👍🏼
Great video man you taught me some things
I think someone's probably already touched on it, but a sharp knife with easy quick access next to your cleat that anchors tied off on. Had a tree get in anchor rope one night on the Ohio, it was very scary and one of the reasons I started an anchor company
best safety tool you have is common sense great video Hagen thanks for sharing
Good tips. Things can go bad in the blink of an eye. Don't challenge Mother Nature, you may get lucky a few times, but eventually you run out of luck. Everyone stay safe.
65 years of running rivers and tailwaters here, good, solid advice from a young guy that seems to have a firm grasp of the consequences of making stupid mistakes. Thanks.......
Think strongly about a boat with full upright flotation. I have taken rollers over the bow twice from yachts in the ICW on a 21' Carolina skiff. Also shark fishing 4 miles off the beach with 1.5' seas at 10 seconds, within 30 minutes of wind picking up the 1.5' seas turned into 5'-6' at 5 seconds. That made a questionable ride getting back to the inlet.
I now run a 24' bay boat but can't have too much Safety gear! I wear inflatable pfd with extra life jackets onboard. Dry floating ditch bag with survival gear, food, water, flares, etc. ACR PLB (everyone needs this for any outdoor hobby). Think of how many boaters, hikers, hunters have been lost or hurt to be found dead or never found! For approx. $300, emergency help is a push of a button away. I also installed a MOB device on the boat, if I am trolling and go overboard the outboard engine automatically shuts down. Can't be too safe, especially when boating alone.
Binge watching. Thanks for the shout out. Great video!!! Nice work!!
Don't forget the float plan! Tell someone where you are launching, the area you are fishing, and an estimated time of return any time you head out alone!
Very necessary topic. I've run a 14ft deep V on the Missouri River. Its a great boat but it is sketchy at times. WIND is the issue. I've sunk my boat as I was pulling it on to my trailer during a wind storm. 3ft waves.
Awesome video and words of wisdom Hagen. Nobody has to big of a boat or to much experience to skip a lesson like this .👍
Very well done. I know you did this some years ago but Great information for not only the new boater but the long time boater. Thanks
Thanks for the great advice I've been cough out there once myself with a 16 ft Jon Boat made it to a Cove to get out of the Wind so the pump could keep up , never let someone talk you into let's keep fishing when you know the weather is turning bad
I have a small 12 foot v bottom that I use to fish the Rappahannock river here in VA, so this was probably the most informative video that I've watched. Thanks my dude! Stay safe on the water everyone 👍✌
It’s not just the rivers! I was caught in a storm on a lake with 60 mph winds and I thought it was the end🙏 I couldn’t bail fast enough rain flooded my engine the trolling motor couldn’t match the 💨 wind the storm passed just at the right moment! Adrenaline rush and lots of prayers 🙏🙏 Never went fishing again when a storm was predicted!
Thank you Hagen, very good advice that I will keep in my mind. Take care and stay healthy and safe.
Great video Hagen it’s good to here tips and warnings from someone who has experienced it! God bless bud!
Excellent advice brother, teaching lessons that can be fatal if learned the hard way. Thank-you for the info.
Thank you for caring an sharing your information I've fished creeks an lake's my whole life but the river always has my respect
Thank you for watching 👍
Good information brother. I hope this finds the people that need to hear it the most. I'll be honest, I always wondered how you pulled off so many great trips on the river. Glad to see you in a bigger boat!
Thank you, I’m still contemplating on buying a boat in general but am looking around for tips and ideas. Glad I came across this video
Another thing to remember, those barge waves come back off the bank, so if your anchored close to the bank you can get the wake coming amd going. That can be scary also.
Very helpful advice.Thanks for sharing what you've learned.
Thanks for a very informative video on river fishing. You point out a lot of issues I never thought about!
I have a 16' mod v jon. I've surfed it behind my buddy's wake boat. It taught me alot about how to handle waves and wakes. I've taken it out in the Gulf many times but if the wind is over 10mph, I don't go out. In the Atlantic. it has to be dead calm before I do out. Definitely you need a weather radio and VHF I've been caught when the wind came up and had to deal with 3' waves. If the wind is against you it sucks. Wind and tide against you it sucks worse. Sometimes I trim up and it helps Of course I have to go slow.. If the wind and tide are with you, you can go fast if the waves aren't too high. Boats want to float and will take more than you would think but practice makes it go easier. I was in the Ohio with my canoe and barge wakes are pretty scary. It's a square back with 3 1/2 hp. I get as close to shore as I can. I almost always wear a PFD. The scariest thing I ever did, I was behind about a 40' twin diesel working his wake for fun. I got through all the wakes but the first wake was bigger, about 4'.I noticed it too late to pull out. I thought I would get broached if I slowed so I punched it. The boat came down hard but it stayed on top. I don't think I'll do that again.
Fantastic video some of the best FISHIN videos don’t have fish in em. Thank you very much sir!
Excellent video, I've been in some ruff water on the Ohio. I had a cabin cruiser that didn't feel the waves much and would see smaller boats riding some big waves, always kept an eye on them in case they needed help. Thanks for posting, be safe out there.
Thank you for this video. I've been watching your videos for a few days now, but this one is the one that made me subscribe. I've been fishing for a few years now, and just purchased a 14' jon boat last fall. I have only taken it out a time for two, because I don't know much about boating, and want to do it safely. I have all of the proper equipment, in great condition, but have only fished in calm water. I want to eventually do some river fishing, but the current is too strong on the Mississippi. I will definitely cut my teeth on the smaller tributaries of the Missouri and Illinois rivers, and look into something bigger later to tackle that muddy Mississippi. My main goal is catching good fish, and I don't care how small the body of water is. I have nothing to prove, just wanna enjoy the water and hone my fishing skills. Again, thank you so much. You gave me many things to think about.
I learn something every time i watch your videos...another great one here. Thanks man!
Thank You friend for offering such an important and necessary video, one that most definitely will save lives as far as I'm concerned!
What people need to realize is once its too late, its "TOO LATE", as second chances rarely come around when dealing with water safety!
If you're not absolutely certain of what to do in specific situations, ALWAYS air on the side of caution, dead is dead, you can't take it back!
Listen to this advise, save this video, share it with friends & family, it could literally save your life!
Kudos to you Mr. Grubbs, God Bless you, and your family, stay safe, keep on catching, and we'll keep watchin!
Man I'm glad you did this video. I'm in the process of getting a little Jon boat. I'm going to keep wind in mind. I only plan on ponds and the north Canadian but great info. Love your channel. Keep up the great work brother.
I fish between the jetties on the Mississippi River. I don't anchor because of the barge wakes.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Really great information here brother. I think we all sometimes forget just how dangerous rivers can be. I love it out on the water but she demands respect and she will get it one way or another.
Good video man,having been on the water all my life I've been in some tough situations. I always leave a float plan with someone so if something were to happen the would know where I was. It only takes a second for a good day to turn bad. Be safe out there.
As a soon-to-be new small boater, I appreciate your video very much.
Good video. I'm inexperienced boater but always eager to learn new tips and tricks. I like your idea about tying a float to the end of your anchor line in case you need to untie real quick and move the boat. Like you said, you can always go back and retrieve your anchor that way. I'm going to do that. Thanks for the tip.
Very helpful video man really loving this channel
I'm new to boating, I have a 14' Jon boat that i'm fixen to put in the river this season. I live in South Point, Oh and bank fish the Ohio River often, your ANCHOR advise really made me think! I almost sank last summer on a 5 acre lake called Jerry's Lake here when a super strong wind came & i tried to pull my anchor. Very dumb mistake on my part! trying to free my rope almost caused a bad situation! Float the rope & get to shore! Thanks for the great video! Always enjoy your info! FISH ON!
I’ve had a Lotta close calls myself in a 14 foot boat. I also bought a bigger boat because of bad experiences. I have fished the Mississippi River plenty of times in a small boat. With only 18 inch sides. My advice stay away from those barges. Never hit the waves straight on. Bring your nose up when you’re experiencing big waves. Also hit them at an angle and don’t go fast. Use your motor when letting anchors out and keep your nose up current. Unless you want to experience the whip line affect.
Great advice, I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and I have the opportunity to fish the Mississippi River. Following these tips may save my life.
Great video and sound advice. Glad you made this video
Great info. Thank you for the video
Excellent advice
Absolutely fantastic video thank you for sharing my friend 👊
Thanks for making this video great tips couple of my head and thought of being new to the river so I really paid attention again thanks
Great video. Keep em coming I'll keep watching.
Boated Ohio River for 50 years. Back in the day barges put out massive rollers, not really to bad now. If I have to cross the river in front of a barge, I do it at minimum of 1/2 mile or more in front of one, you never know when you will loose engine power. The thing to this day that still scares me the most is a large cruiser with a lot of speed = rollers 3, 4 + rollers that roll down the river for miles. If you see 2 or 3 of them running together …. god help any size boat. Wear your life jacket & hook up your kill switch. If you don’t have a kill switch, one can be put on your motor, it will save your life even on flat water.
We have a big boat and I agree 💯 there's days I won't go out stay safe
Great video . Great safty tips.keep makin videos. You get straight to the point.
Shore enough thank ya for the advice we all sometimes take safety for granite when it should be our first thought. We heading for Wheeler on the 18th of March hope the wind and rain are to a minimum. Really enjoy you and Landon's videos ya keep it real and that's what I like . Fish on oh buddy
Glad your okay brother I've had close calls from bass boats flying pasted me in coves just glad your safe keep up the great video
I just got a 14 foot Jon boat...thanks, great advice!
Great video and good advice
Great video and good advice for people on the water in the boat 👍🏻
Great video. I had no idea how dangerous river fishing could be.
Really good video. Thanks for giving some people a sense of what can happen very fast
Good stuff! Thx for sharing
Even when the Ohio is calm one must be careful, I`ve run small 12` boats and canoes with no mishap but it is easy to get in trouble if you don`t have a small bit of seafaring knowledge. The wake from a barge can take you out quick if you don`t react quickly and properly. Crossing another boats wake wrong is probably the #1 way most boaters get swamped. The best thing a new boater can do besides reading the boating rules is to get some extra literature on boating in rough water so just in case you get caught in bad weather you'll know the basics of staying afloat. Don`t do like we did once on the great lakes and not pay attention to the marine radio because the fishing was good . If it weren`t for the skills of the 2 ex navy guys at the helm we would not have made the 60` waves back to port with that little 40` boat.
Thanks Good advice.
Thank-you.
Thanks for the great safety tips.
Well said. Thank you.
Great advice.
Another GREAT video Hagen!
Good advice! Here’s 2 sketchy situations I’ve been in on the Missouri River, and another thing I see a lot on videos that make me nervous… One time my brother and I were floating jugs and got the boat pinned against a dyke with the current hitting us almost broad side on a corner, this happened because I didn’t start the motor to correct course soon enough. Bad things happen fast and your perception of distance and speed is wrong out there. Another time we were headed up stream back to the ramp right at sunset, we started seeing a few logs and I could go around them, but soon I had to slow down to miss them. As it got dark I realized I wasn’t making any progress upstream because I had to go slower and slower, with limited fuel I tied the boat off behind an obstacle and we called a friend to pick us up and drive us to the ramp about 13 miles. At the ramp the river was still bank to bank logs, could’ve walked across it. I wasn’t sure the boat would still be there the next day but it was. Finally, I see a lot of people anchor fishing upstream close to barges, I guess it depends on the water, but where I fish if your anchor slips or a log hits your rope there’s no getting away from the front of that barge fast enough, you and your boat will be under it in seconds.
great advice be safe out there bud.
The logs and other stuff floating down river is a great point.
I fish the Ohio in a 18' John boat and it can get rough at times. The creeks and small fiver can hold good fish year round. Common sense and situational awareness can keep you out of trouble. Never take big waves head on always quarter them . I have zigzagged up and down the river many times. Never make abrupt maneuvers in rough water. Wear life jackets and have a bailing device and a good bilge pump. Check the weather before you head out on the water. A beautiful day can go to hell with one afternoon thunderstorm.
Thanks for the safety share! Stay safe!
Thanks for watching
Great points made. Been there done that and I need a bigger boat ;) Happy Fishing!
Excellent boating safety Hagen. I've had close calls in my 16ft polar Kraft I've since bought a bigger boat also
I highly recommend the boating safety course for every angler. It teaches great tips for safe boating, and navigation. Great video.
Great video buddy thanks for sharing safety safety safety thank you for your help and advice for sharing your story
I was fishing down on the Ohio River last spring "meldahl dam" and there was a real nice high dollar bass boat that came up 15ft off the bank where i was fishing. He had his spot lock engaged just chilling, he was marking some fish when all of a sudden, his battery died and he lost power and couldnt get it started back. The current was wild that day, thrashing every direction. His boat was chaotic, bouncing around and there was nothing he could do besides sit tight. Luckily another boater was there and saw what happened and helped the guy get power. It was absolutely scary. I dont have a boat, but i take a risks just fishing down there. When i gotta walk across 400 yards of slippery rip rap to get to the spot.
Great informative video. Nicely done!
Excellent video buddy. Great info.
Great video. Good talk.
All great points about rivers, we mainly fish the Ohio up by West Virginia. It's important to understand the rules of boating, far to many people get boats witout even knowing the basic guidlines of navigation and or boating safety. At no point should you ever be near a barge in transit in any size vessel, you're just asking to get into trouble. Also I don't know how you guys get near the dams like that, up this way you're not allowed anywhere near them. I think the keep out signs are 1000' feet away down river and 2000' up river?
I Appreciate this video!
Thanks for the video, just bought a 16 ft Jon boat for me and my son for catching on the Ohio river