Lake Speed Limit

[Stan Wright]

Lake Speed Limit

I got several calls this weekend asking me to remind boaters that there is a 5 MPH speed limit on the lake.

Not all the calls were from boaters. Several shore fishermen complained of "tsunami size" waves making them scramble for high ground and leaving the shore line muddy.

Even at 5 MPH some of our boats create a wake large enough to swamp a small john boat or tip over a kayak.

Probably the best idea is to slow down so your boat leaves NO WAKE at all when your near other fishermen.

Last year, speeding complaints from fishermen had the DLNR patrolling the lake and inspecting all boat and shore.fishermen. They checked me for fishing licenses and entry permits, boat registrations, life jackets, and boat safety gear. I heard of several citations being issued. (One $500 ticket for fishing near the dam)

No Wake Zone around fellow fishermen.... A little courtesy goes a long way.

Thank you,
Aloha,
Stan

[skunked]

Thanks Stan. Like I told you before, you are one of the only ones who always slows down and says hello/waves to the bank fishermen. Some guys just look the other way, pretending they don't see us, and others just don't care. It's not the wake that bothers me, it is just the principle/lack of consideration that gets to me.

[roadwarriorsvt]

I'm bringing this back to the top!

I was on the lake yesterday, parked right on a point and had my boat shoved right off by 2 separate boats flying by. Judging by the time, they were headed in for the HFFA weigh in. A third "fly by" got me, but the guy probably didn't see me as I was at the begining of Tuc Bay. At least one member of that club had the decency to slow down. A few of those members gives the whole club a bad rap.

[BASSTRACKER]

AMEN...........dont even get me started.

[skunked]

I was fishing today by the BSA Island when a guy on a boat with a black dog on board came flying by, at full speed. At first, I thought maybe he didn't see me because it was getting late and I was wearing dark clothing. That thought was dashed when he continued on and passed by 4 other bank fishermen, still at full speed. If anyone here knows this guy, please tell him that he is a major A-hole! We are a very small group of people on this island with a shared passion for freshwater fishing. Whether on boat or shore, we should be considerate of each other and treat one another with respect. The tucs were busting today and that fly by just killed the action for about 15 minutes. I doubt that an idling boat would have the same effect. That's not really the point though, because normally the wake doesn't bother me at all, it's just the lack of respect that gets me.

[roadwarriorsvt]

Any description of the boat?

[skunked]

It was just a small aluminum boat. The main identifier was the black dog on board! (Resisting Filipino joke right now)

[roadwarriorsvt]

Dinner?

[Ca_Bass]

I saw him Monday, if its the same guy...he had a black lab he flew past me by BSI. I'm not innocent with the speeds but I do slow for ALL anglers and I just go fast enough to get off squat. This lake is tooooooo narrow for high speeds and and there are only a few areas where it is even reasonably safe to go fast. I've seen some boats going around some points FLYING! And they have no clue who or what is on the other side. Kayaks, float tubes. other boats. Just because there are no trailers at the ramp doesn't mean they is nobody on the water...I've made that mistake.

If speeding gets the DLNR to come out to the lake maybe we should all fly around like bats out of hell so they can catch some paochers while they are at it....I'm just kidding someone would end up dead. I have been told of a death at the lake that was a dirrect result of speed. It happened before I fished at the lake I guess. Anyone know/remember the details?

I actually haven't seen any stringers of fish latley which is good.

[BASSTRACKER]

yep saw the doggy boat as well, small outboard on it cant be moving too fast. yep lotsa reasons to keep it low on the lake, no one wants to live with being the cause of someones demise. the guy who died was unfamiliar with boating, wasnt wearing a kill switch and following a friend in another boat. supposedly he hit the friends wake and went over, of course no life vest (a good habit to have when running) and supposedly got hit by his boat and knocked out as it circled him. poor guy drowned while his friend watched.

[skunked]

We are all adults, but the concern I have is for the children. Think about it, if you brought your little kid to the lake and you are bank fishing with a little bamboo pole or similar, when a boat makes a huge wake, it muddies up the water and the worst part would be that it can saturate the bank up to 4-5 feet from the water's edge. Now it would be extremely unsafe for a child to continue fishing because of the danger of slipping and falling. Basically, the day is ruined. Yes you can get back in the car and drive to a different spot, but why should you have to? In the original incident that I mentioned there was a group of 3, with one of them being a child. That's why I got upset. This is Hawaii, not NYC. Have some aloha spirit. People can't even lift their hand to wave sometimes. Pretty sad.

[skunked]

This angler with the black dog has become a regular contributor to this forum. Hopefully he has changed his ways since last year. I doubt it though.

(edited due to being ashamed for resorting to name calling. Sorry)

[Filthyfisherman]

It was me... I'm sorry... Didn't know.. See other boats pinned all the time. When I first got my boat.. Couple People would tell me keep it pined passing them. Less Wake.... 5mph creates water plow,, bigger wake..... But anyway Had no clue... I'll keep it real slow around other people... Sorry Bra.... Hey Skunked,, You want free lures? I got you! Just let me know what you want..