This time I’m not talking necessarily about fishing, rather about safe boating. I took a picture as I headed out on the last trip, of the channel entrance and the local marker that shows the way. Later that afternoon when I came back in I took another picture – this one at low tide – to try and show you where boaters can make some very big mistakes.
Now for all you experienced captains please oblige me. There are many anglers out there who may not know enough to look out for underwater objects.
The first picture shows nice calm water and a couple of little white things sticking up. I have actually seen more than one boater take off across these very markers only to ruin his lower unit. The rocks are there waiting just a foot or so under the water.
I put this piece up now because today, someone did it again. I was not there to click a picture but I was called by one of my good friends. It’s amazing how some people just don’t pay attention.
Tides can be the best friend to an angler, putting fish in a place where you can catch them. They can also be your worst enemy, hiding some dangerous rocks, or running out and leaving you high and dry for a few hours.
Don’t get me wrong – I have done both – that is, I have run up on the rocks and I have been left high and dry. I am quite sure it will happen again before my life is over. Even experienced captains sometimes do stupid things or forget where they are.
Take some advice from someone who has been on the water almost 60 years. Take a chart – a chart plotter with GPS will do just fine – and pay attention to where you are going! Tides can definitely ruin your day!
