What the heck is he doing out here in that

[Pithon]

It ain't just boaters. People nowadays just don't think ahead. People in the stores park their grocery basket in the middle of the isles then walk halfway down the Isle to get something. Tunnel vision and not thinking of anyone else. These folks haven't been in your position and don't know how to act properly. They're pleasure boaters, a little wave doesn't bother them so why should it bother you is their way of thinking.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[bogdipper_2]

There's always going to be inconsiderate people on the lake.

[wicklundrh]

The the general observation about the way people are these days is pretty spot on. Who know where it started (youth, middle age, whatever) BUT, it is now throughout the system. Eventually what happens is that people have something happen to them enough times and they become like everyone else. "If they don't care, why should I" type of mentality.

Kayaking is a big business, a great way for people to fish, exercise, and enjoy a recreation. In my opinion, they have just as much right on the water as I do. I too am surprised that we have not had bigger issues thus far. Maybe we have and just have not heard about it at this point. All this being said, there are a few options in many different states. I cannot speak for every one of them, but I can speak for Michigan and USCG laws.

We do have what is called "Safe Operating Distance". That applies to ALL vessels! Here in Michigan we also have a "Fisherman Harrassment" law.
The only way for people to get the hint is by example. Hopefully, it isn't in the form of death or tragedy. I prefer it be in the form of enforcement. Once the word gets out, people will quickly realize that they have been doing something wrong and need to adjust their ways.

I cannot speak for others but this is what I would do in a situation. I would be sure the know the time and location of the incident. I would be sure the get the HULL number of the vessel. Whether it is a personal watercraft, ski boat, or fishing boat. I would then call the local DNR, Marine Officer, or Police department depending on the jurisdiction in that area. For Michigan, we have several forms depending on where you are at. In waters that connect to the great lakes, we have the coast guard. For inland waters, we have DNR, Marine patrol, or local PD. It really depends.

Here is the key: tell them the issue and give them all the facts. If they do not want to send an officer to investigate, you say the following words: "I want to press charges"! Once you state that, they MUST send an investigating officer. In most instances, a warning is what will be given (if you didn't have to use the above sentance) but it gets the point across. Don't be afraid to contact them. Remember, they are there to "Protect and Serve"! I have a friend who is a DNR officer and I have his number. I also have a good friend that is a State Trooper. In less than 30 seconds I can get the phone number to an officer in the area I am located. They love nothing more than to protect the "good guy"! Too many times people don't want to be "That guy" and call the law. If something happens on the water and you felt your life or personal property was in danger, contact someone!

[zig zag]

I have a 17 ft flat bottom al boat with 60 hp outboard. If stay on plane running 30 mph will make less wake than if slow down drop off plane to 4 mph to putt putt by them. That said --- I still slow down for them if I see em before.

[Fish on Line]

I personally do not see the need for a 200 HP motor except for pulling a Shrimp trawl

[Peewee59]

You make a very good point wag. I much prefer most boats to stay on plane. If aboat go by on plane I usually just keep fishing. The wake is minimal. It was the same when I fished out of a bass boat. Of coarse there are times that you have to slow down and that’s fine, just don’t wait until the last minute.
Wicklundrh I am studying the laws for safe boating in Texas and there are some gray areas pertaining to non motorized craft. Part of the problem we have here is way to much area for so few officers to cover. This area is primarily hunting so there seems to be more of a presence during that time of year. Not saying they are not out doing their job just don’t see them as much. If I hadn’t stowed my phone in the bow storage I would have videos

[wicklundrh]

You make a very good point wag. I much prefer most boats to stay on plane. If aboat go by on plane I usually just keep fishing. The wake is minimal. It was the same when I fished out of a bass boat. Of coarse there are times that you have to slow down and that’s fine, just don’t wait until the last minute.
Wicklundrh I am studying the laws for safe boating in Texas and there are some gray areas pertaining to non motorized craft. Part of the problem we have here is way to much area for so few officers to cover. This area is primarily hunting so there seems to be more of a presence during that time of year. Not saying they are not out doing their job just don’t see them as much. If I hadn’t stowed my phone in the bow storage I would have videos

I completely understand that. Sometimes there is just so much area and so few officers to cover it. I'm not really sure of the lake or the type and amount of watercraft that frequents it at any one time but, if popularity increases in a particular lake or area, local municipalities can make a decision to hire a full or part time officer to cover that area! Heck, you might have just found a new job....

Personally, I think it sucks that, anymore we have to video tape everything in order to cover ourselves or proove something but that is where this world seems to be heading. Everyone with cameras in their vehicles (they are in all of ours at work), body cameras, and phones. In today's society, we can't even have a civil conversation with someone regarding something as they percieve it as a threat.

I hit the yak waters just the other day for the first time in years. I was thankful I was on a body of water that you cannot get a boat in to!

[Dutch552]

My wife and I kayak fish quite a bit on everything from small private ponds to KY Lake and even 1.5-2 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for king mackerel. Proper visibility is something that I appreciated early on when saltwater fishing on the yak. I wear the same orange NRS Chinook kayak PFD whether I'm fishing in my Triton or my grey Hobie kayak. I always have an orange flag deployed in one of my rear rod holders that also has a light on it for times of low visibility. I spray painted the blades of the paddle I use blaze orange so that I can grab it and wave the blades overhead to get someone's attention if they're boating too close and do not appear to be paying attention. Whistles are useless as a deterrent because they can't be heard by powerboaters underway so I also carry a compact air horn in my left PFD pocket for quick access should someone get danger close to us. You have to remain hyper-vigilant if you want to play on a plastic boat in big water with lots of powerboats in the area. In hundreds of hours on my kayak over the last several years I can comfortably count on one hand the number of times that a boater put me into a situation that was uncomfortable or dangerous-each time it was due to boater inattention or carelessness.

I completely understand situations when stealth can be an asset when kayak fishing skinny water, but do not like the trend of subdued camouflage color patterns on many of the newer yaks being sold to the fishing community. I think the industry should be advocating for ways to be MORE visible on the water when sharing the space with boaters. With KY Lake as my new home body of water, I routinely see kayak fishermen on the water without appropriate visibility gear to make them stand out on the water. I would love to see states regulating mandating minimum visibility safety gear above and beyond what is currently required to protect both communities of anglers.

[vfourmax]

I don’t think it will be long before we are going to see more regulations on kayaking.

I do not kayak but in the past I have done a little canoeing. I do believe that certain boats are better suited for certain environments and small craft are best used in waters where you are not sharing the same boating lanes or areas where you are mixing it up with craft capable of 70+mph or daycruisers that could run you over and never realize it.

I think eventually we will see speed limits imposed on many bodies of water as there at times is too much traffic for a boater to be running 40 mph much less 70-80 mph. Not just because of kayaks but for the safety of all pleasure boaters. True most have the sense to slow down during high traffic times and in high traffic areas but then you always have those that go flying with the look at me and I have a fast boat mentality.

We complain about distracted drivers on the road and their cell phones but many boats today are running multiple 12+ inch graphs at the console and watching those graphs as they drive the boat. A guy worried about what is in that return on the sonar is not focused on what may be in the water ahead of him as much as he could be.

Eventually again after a few kayakers die or small boats are ran over due to the boats that hit them operators being distracted by their electronics then you will see laws enacted that will only allow the electronics to be used at no wake speeds or below.

Not everyone is irresponsible but it does not take many to paint a target on an entire group.

Common sense is becoming a lost art among many in today's society.

[Peewee59]

Thank you vfourmax. I didn't want to be the first to mention the electronics aspect. I have a nephew that fishes a lot of tournaments and even he complains about the other anglers being distracted by their electronics. I remember when I got my first paper graph and how much time I spent looking at it when I was running and looking for schooling fish, and that thing was only about 6 or 7 inches tall. I have a 7" lowrance on my kayak and really don't look at it that much. I use it more for dropping way points than anything. I appreciate the 7" screen because it is easier to see. Anything bigger would be in the way of fishing. We do need more, I don't want to say regulation for fear of over regulation, but common sense among the power that be to maybe stop that accident before it happens. For the most part if you make it enforceable most people will comply.Might complain about it but will comply.