3000 pounder caught while catfishing…

In my opinion, people shouldn’t be allowed to register a boat (or take it home from the dealer, etc…) without having had a boater’s safety course. I had boater’s safety at 12 years old, after having my father as a river resource for the early years. I learned a ton from both places. A few years ago I took a federal boat operator course and learned a lot there too. The things you learn in boater’s safety seem like common sense to most of us, but to have common sense of any subject you need familiarity. I would need some sort of course before I could take SCUBA gear around a reef, since I don’t have any idea what amounts to common sense there.

I don’t really blame the ignorant family in this case – but the boat dealer and the laws as set up. Can you buy a car and drive it off the lot without a license? An ethical dealer would have pointed these people to a source of guidance, or pointed out a few basics himself before sending these people out in a 3000 pound potential death trap. Just good business.

As to who belongs on the river – if I had my say, not many. But that’s just me being a cranky catman.

Better to have BrianK out there representing us in the best way possible – good job.

Good points FlatheadWI. While we are on it..why are the Coast Guard classes sooooo expensive? Sure would be nice if they offered classes that someone this side of Howard Hughes could afford!

Even with a good map and knowledge of the river my “pucker factor” increases everytime I get outside those channel markers…specially now with the low water. I don’t think eveything is marked. A few years ago I lost half my prop on a wing dam that wasn’t on the navagation chart. Thank god the boat I had at the time had an aluminun prop or I would of lost alot more than just a piece of prop.

I agree with Slop, what do you think the guy would have told the news reporter when they dragged the bottom of the river and found that guys little kid drowned because his dad hit a wing dam because he didnt take the time to figure out the rules of the river. REPORTER- “sir have you ever been on the river befor?” DAD- “no I havent” REPORTER- “did you think that was a good idea” DAD- “no I didnt even belong on the river not knowing what I was doing and now my kid is dead and its my fault”
so it IS true some people DONT belong on the river.
IMHO
Corey

But…but…but….

Can anyone help answer this question? How can we/us/they let people know…that they need “training” before they go on the river?

They don’t know..what they don’t know…so you can’t expect them to ask?? Can you? Great example: SCUBA Diving…and experiance diver would look at something I did…say put the air line in my butt…and say dip!

Why don’t people know they need to learn the rules/regs of the river?

Just to add to the conversation, I will not go to a lake,river,pond,puddle in the parking lot without a map first. The gps has maps on it now and they are EXTREMELY useful to give you a rough idea. Once again common sense should prevail. Last night while on pool 2 I was trolling along in 13-17 FOW and all of a sudden it goes to 2 FOW!
When in doubt go slow!!!!!!
Briank- it’s people like you that cause more and more people to enjoy the river because you were nice enough to take time out of your evening and help out a family in need. “if the women can’t find you handsome they cn at least find you handy!”
Good job and a great way to represent IDA

How can we/us/they let people know…that they need “training” before they go on the river?

Briank,

Maybe that’s what you’re doing with this forum right now! You have to know that there are a lot of people reading this and now they’re thinking about the subject.
I’m a great example of someone who needs to do some homework. I’ll be 50 years old this fall. I’ve been running around in a boat, on lakes, since I was 14 years old. Until fairly recently I would have been of the opinion that I pretty much knew everything I needed to know about handling a boat. After following some of the discussion on this website and exchanging PM’s with people who are more knowledgeable than me (thanks Slop!) I’ve realized that I have a lot to learn. Now that I’ve got a decent boat I’m interested in fishing pool 2 and the ‘Croix, but I’m going to do a lot of reading first.

Briank, you CAN change the world. It just takes a long time

Rootski

I think all of you guys need to get out and go fishing.. accidents have, and are going to continue to happen, especially in low water… It doesnt take much… and I dont care if everyone took a coast guard class.. accidents are still going to happen.

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I think all of you guys need to get out and go fishing.. accidents have, and are going to continue to happen, especially in low water… It doesnt take much… and I dont care if everyone took a coast guard class.. accidents are still going to happen.

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But they will happen less if people at least know what the channel markers are.

I have had my boaters safety when I was in grade school or just in high school(can’t remember exactly the year) and I have been on the river since I can remember back that far…My dad taught me what to do and what not to do…I too have had my share of accidents….I don’t think there is anyone out there that hasn’t….

I agree totally that there should be a boaters safety coarse taken before you can purchase any water craft, from a canoe to a….what ever thay are called..I also run a pleasure boat..20′ Glastron…she’s a sweet ride for sure…Next I want to buy a house boat…all these things have different safety levels…things you can do and things you can’t…no way in haties can a class teach you everything, and thats where common sense will go a long way…so we can’t keep all the people that don’t have common sense off the river…We do our best on the water to help those that don’t fully understand it..Well Done Brain

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Now I’ve towed boats before…but I was running at 4000 RPM and going 7 mph!

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I have a question somewhat off the topic of this thread. Is it harmful to run a motor at 4000 rpm while only going 7 mph for more than the few seconds it takes to get up on plane? I think I recalled reading somewhere that this can cause problems with engine overheating and damage.

One other thought for Chris:

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Enforcement is the only real answer. We know that there are far fewer “River Cops” out there than on the street.

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It seems to me that the Prescott No-Wake Zone is the most heavily patrolled piece of real estate in the Metro area. Heck, some days you’d think the president was coming through. There’s the Dakota, Washington, and Pierce Co. sheriff deputies, the MN and WI DNR guys, and the Coast Gaurd Auxiliary. Some of these deputies are far too aggressive in enforcing very minor infractions of the No-Wake rules or busting someone who has their butt sitting on the edge of the gunwale while moving slowly through the No-Wake zone.

It seems so strange to me that the big cruisers can have kids sitting on the bow hanging onto the hand rail while cruising at 25 mph and not be ticketed. But if you sit your butt on the edge of your small Lund traveling 5 mph in the No-Wake you get ticketed.

Any thoughts on the motor question? Next time out it may be me doing the towing (or being towed).

Thanks,

Boone

Very good point Boone. I should clarify slightly.

They wanted me to take them to Hastings…but after reaching the 7 mph top speed and seeing the lightening out to the west…I docked them in Prescot. (half the time I was toeing them, I was in the no wake zone)
I could be wrong on this…’cause I’m not an outboard expert…but if the water is moving through the water pump..I wouldn’t think it would over heat..because there’s the same amount of water going through the motor at just above idle to WOT.

I was more worried about the clet breaking off the boat than the motor.

I don’t get the feet haning over the edges on cruiser either.

MN & WI sure do have out tax dollars at work down there…Dakota Co has a couple guys on jet ski’s too.

Boone, I agree 100%! I am all for enforcement and instruction…I agree with you whole heartedly! I think a lot of their time and energy is spent where you say. Easy targets, and $$$. I am not looking for a fight here from the law enforcement side, but I think they are doing what they are taught. Heck, they got little kids…ah… I mean Interns at the landings telling folks about Zebes and Milfoil, how about a handout on River/Lake safety as well?
I agree Boone!

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I mean Interns at the landings telling folks about Zebes and Milfoil, how about a handout on River/Lake safety as well?

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I just heard about this last night! Where are these interns stationed? This is what i call a ….no brainer!

they were posted at hastings on monday night,same girl that i’ve seen at st. croix bluffs also! I think she’s following me

Ask her along fishing…if she says she doesn’t fish…you don’t want her anyway!

I don’t need another GIRL in the boat that can outfish me!
She sits there all innocently and all but you know she’s listening to the people come off the water and talk about all their hotspots!

Hey now that I think of it she might be worth a little money knowin’ where the fish are and such.

She still wants me to put that “pretty” sticker on my boat that says that I will remove ALL EXOTIC SPECIES FROM MY BOAT AND TRAILER!–I’d rather just talk to her and try to get the secrets out of her!

Good fishing

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will remove ALL EXOTIC SPECIES FROM MY BOAT AND TRAILER!

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Hmmm, does that include exotic dancers?

humans ARE a species!!!

I’m catching up on this after being away from the puter for awhile.

I have to agree with Slop on this.

Not for the fact that they hit something.

But think about it……….These inexperienced boaters went out at night with their “KIDS”.

Their inexperience and lack of desire to know or researh what they are getting themselves into is not only lack of commonsense, but lack of responsibility.

Do you guys know that I have never “locked through” before??? I’ve been on the river plenty of times. And wanted to lock through. But never have. Soley due to wanting to lock through with somebody who knows how. I know it is simple and there is nothing to it. But I haven’t read the book and I have read the regulations. I know I should and it is my responsibility. However, I haven’t. With that said, being that I haven’t studied the rules, I know my limitations and I am also very aware of the “basic rules” on the water. However, I’m not going to do anything dangerous to me, or people around me, ESPECIALLY my family.

People who have this kind of money have common smarts. They are generally educated in order to make the money required to purchase these large investments (not ALWAYS, but most of the time).

Again, a person who takes kids out on a river that has no clue of what they are getting into, shouldn’t be there.

Now, on the reverse side of things, yep, we are all going to hit something sooner or later. It is the way it is……Whether it is a log or a wingdam, it is going to happen. That is not a reason not to be on the water……..The only way to get experience is by doing it. Just don’t do it with kids……..

Gary, I understand what you are saying, and in a way (In my pea brain) you may be correct but….

Here is my thought pattern on this..

Like what what was said earlier, “A person doesn’t know what a person doesn’t know.” They did not know they were being irresponsible, they most likely did not feel they were endangering their kids…therefore in their mind, they were just out for a boat ride, and not aware of the dangers. I would have a hard time believing that they would have acted recklessly on purpose with children aboard. It still does not make it right. I still think the answer is education, enforcement, and common sense.

T.

I just can’t get over not knowing what Marker bouys are….