Broken back at LX Everstart. - Mississippi River – Bass - Mississippi River – Bass

My tourney season is over this year and my boat and gear are stored till “hopefully” only Nov. Fishing as a co-angler at last weeks Everstart day two my boater and I came out of Genoa lock in am w/the pack. We were about 20 boats back when we made a break to the left of the pack. He has the boat to get out and cover water so I settled in for the run. Seconds later back to back large wakes sent me airbourne and smashing into him and the floor of the boat. He had it shut down by the time I realized that something was not right in my lower back. I laid on the floor for over 10 min. and was finally able to crawl onto the seat. My boater was very understanding and was ready to end the day. I played every sport I could in school and never quit when the going got tough. At 44 yrs. of age I still carry that attitude so for me the day wasn’t going to be over. We both sat good in the standings to get a check so south bound we headed. He took it very easy but every little ripple sent pain throughout my back. I figured we were going to end up in the Lansing area so The closer we got to Prairie the shorter the ambulance ride would be. I live near C.R. IA and figured family could come and get me also. After 2000 mg of Tylenol that was supplied by my boater I was able to stand up at 10;30 and try to fish. I was able to p-u a keeper that my boater netted for me. Yes on a swim jig that I could only pitch out a few feet. He had a limit by 11:30 and made a call to lockmaster. The DElta Queen and a 4 deep barge were headed to the lock. We had to be there by 12:00 or risk not making it through. All I could think about was the waves that these big boats throw. Being a boater/owner of a 20′ Viper/Cobra and he has a 20′ Champion I knew the ride was going to be smooth. Nose down we made it to the locks with little pain. Granted the Tylenol helped. Coming out of the lock he stayed in the smooth back wake of a buddys boat and we made it to weigh-in with no other problems. He weighed in a good money limit but my little guy did nothing for me. I drove 3 hrs. to get home but played the man thing and waited till Sat. am. to go to the hospital. X-rays Showed what the white coats call a L1 compression fx. on the 5th vrtb. 2-6 mnths recovery. Upper body turtle shell removable cast. NO Surgery required though!! No fishing eithier!! This was my first year as a BFL boater and my hopes were high. Now for awhile I will be an arm chair fisherman. I wrote this so that it brings attention to how quick an accident can happen out on the water. I know as a boater and as a non that things happen faster than we can control. No blame will be cast on my part and my boater JH is a hell of a guy and I would love to share the boat with him again. He was willing to call it a day if I so chose.His concerns were more for my injury than about fishing. I just hope when I go to buy my new truck this year I can get a deal!! LOL. Guys be carefull out there and treat your co like you want to be treated!! And no my fishing stuff isn’t for sale even though my wife says so!! Look out next year. R.D. Benion.