KAYAK ANGLER KILLED 2024

Harold Scoggins reply :

Kayak angler Trace Richardson was killed this past Monday when a power boat hit his kayak in waters off Harbor Island, Texas. When kayaking in waters shared by power boats, make sure you can be seen. (Flag, lights, etc.) He leaves behind a young wife.

Paul Roberts reply :

Oh... Tragic. It can be hard to see in front of your speeding boat, esp if one is running far and/or... watching sonar. Not sure a flag will work in all situations. I have one though, and keep my eyes wide open for boats.

Shane Y reply :

Very sad. I know the water is open to us kayakers going wherever we want just like anyone else but I tend to hug the shore. Even then I have had some real close calls. Be safe out there guys. Prayers to this mans family.

Harold Scoggins reply :

This one really got me thinking. I think I'm going out later and picking up one of those hand held air horns to carry beside the seat.

Fishingmickey reply :

I've also thought of using a strobe in addition to the 360 light on my kayak. I have two 20" Blue LED's mounted on my bow I use in low light conditions. The man was killed in a very high traffic area at the coast in Texas, I have not heard if the "power boater" turned themselves in. I believe the accident occurred early Saturday morning.

Darren. reply :

That's awful news. Just awful. I've a healthy fear of big water that

is shared by motor boats. In fact, gonna hit Lake Gaston this summer

and will do as I did before, hug the shorelines and hit areas w/o a lot

of boat traffic.

Normally, it's electric-only lakes, smaller waters, or shore hugging.

I grieve for his wife and family.

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 5/30/2019 at 5:12 AM, Fishingmickey said:

I believe the accident occurred early Saturday morning.

My bad, they found the body and kayak Monday.

WCWV reply :

That's sad.

I know in my home waters you have to really pay attention, mostly young people paddling across big open water. I know of one boy who would paddle out and lay down and go to sleep, I told him he was crazy.

If I was a kayak fishing, I think I would have a flag mounted, like the ones you see on bicycles

Sam reply :

Very upsetting topic. Hate to lose anyone.

In Virginia rivers we have lots of kayakers who mind their own business.

You then throw in the bass boat dummies who go way too fast in the creeks and rivers and you have a recipe for a disaster.

I always go slow in creeks just to make sure I have total boat control (easier said than done) and I keep an eye out for kayakers especially on turns when you want to avoid the shallow bottom in a turn and a kayak is in the deep part of the turn.

T&P to the family of the young man.

Crankin4Bass reply :

That's really sad. I just read he has a 1 year old and his wife is pregnant too.

Hook2Jaw reply :

I bet whoever ran him over wasn't even watching. Great job, whoever you are. Googan jerk.

J Francho reply :

Man, that's tragic.

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 5/30/2019 at 10:18 PM, Crankin4Bass said:

I just read he has a 1 year old and his wife is pregnant too.

Yes, they had a 1 year old daughter and his wife is pregnant. Police arrested a man who they believe is responsible, buffing out damage to his boat in his driveway. No other details available at this time.

Choporoz reply :

USCG Auxiliary gave our club some sheets of paddle tip reflector kits. About 6" diameter silver stickers for paddle blades. Great idea. Even silver duct tape might do the same

Hower08 reply :

On 5/30/2019 at 11:55 PM, Hook2Jaw said:

I bet whoever ran him over wasn't even watching. Great job, whoever you are. Googan jerk.

This is a ****** up thing to say. Is it possible the guy wasn't paying attention sure. Is it likely? No, with the speeds boats run, taking focus off the task at hand for a split second can prove catastrophic. You think the person that hit the kayaker isn't mentally ****** now? I personally know someone that was involved in a fatal car accident that was the other person's fault this was almost 20 years ago and daily they struggle with the fact they are the one that killed the other person

J Francho reply :

Sounds like the only struggle this guy had was buffing out the blood stains. Did your friend leave the scene and try to hide the evidence?

Look at this video. You want to know how it happened? The driver wasn't paying attention. I'm not buying your victim story, AT ALL.

Hook2Jaw reply :

On 5/31/2019 at 3:18 AM, Hower08 said:

This is a ****** up thing to say. Is it possible the guy wasn't paying attention sure. Is it likely? No, with the speeds boats run, taking focus off the task at hand for a split second can prove catastrophic. You think the person that hit the kayaker isn't mentally ****** now? I personally know someone that was involved in a fatal car accident that was the other person's fault this was almost 20 years ago and daily they struggle with the fact they are the one that killed the other person

The "poor" perpetrator apparently didn't even turn himself in or report the collision, but as J said just now, was buffing out blood stains. How do you expect me to sympathize with that?

I don't even care for you to answer the question. If you want to run your fingers at me more, please, send me a PM.

928JLH reply :

Terrible outcome and my sincere condolences for his family. Be safe out there and always wear a PFD.

Hower08 reply :

I didn't see nor read the story and no the person I know did not leave the scene. I don't play victim for anything so we can drop that **** right there. The fact the person left the scene is where and why I fully support the death penalty for ******** that do **** like this

Hook2Jaw reply :

If you didn't see or read the story, how can you expect to form an opinion on the matter?

Two, why are you coming in here all aggressive with the big bad curse words?

Slow your roll, dude.

Hower08 reply :

Just how I talk nothing personal or agressive and I guess thats what you get when you just scan through the comments

J Francho reply :

No one wants to run over a kayaker, but there has to be some additional accountability for leaving the scene, and hiding the evidence. It's truly sickening to me.

MN Fisher reply :

On 5/31/2019 at 4:16 AM, J Francho said:

but there has to be some additional accountability for leaving the scene, and hiding the evidence

Tampering with Evidence can be a state or federal felony with prison time up to 20 years.

My opinion - throw the book at this whacko.

slonezp reply :

My home water is the busiest freshwater waterway per acre in the U.S. There are multiple deaths every year as the result of people not paying attention and/or intoxication. I don't know what the circumstances in the above mentioned consisted of.

I'm hardly a defensive driver in my car, possibly even offensive, but out on the lake we all need to be aware of our surroundings. We need extra common sense to make up for the lack of common sense from others. I don't kayak, but if I did, I'd want to make myself as visible as possible. I would also use a little common sense on when and where I'm paddling. I do that now in a 20ft boat. I fish early during the summer. I know the water I fish and I know what places to avoid.

Harold Scoggins reply :

UPDATE:

I talked with Det Mike Luna this afternoon, and although he could not give any information about the individual under investigation, he did give information about the equipment (or lack of) used by Trace Richardson during the time of the accident.

Time of accident: Before dawn

Kayak make: Lifetime Tamarack

Lights: None

Flag: None

PFD: None

Note: An empty box for a head lamp was found in Trace's truck, but it wasn't on his body when it was found.

My final thoughts: We share the waters with larger boats. Our kayaks sit much lower to the water and as such, we should take every precaution that allows us to be seen by other boats. I will talk about the importance of wearing a PFD until I'm blue in the face. Use a flag and rear nav light on the stern of your kayak. BE SEEN!

slonezp reply :

On 6/1/2019 at 4:05 AM, Harold Scoggins said:

UPDATE:

I talked with Det Mike Luna this afternoon, and although he could not give any information about the individual under investigation, he did give information about the equipment (or lack of) used by Trace Richardson during the time of the accident.

Time of accident: Before dawn

Kayak make: Lifetime Tamarack

Lights: None

Flag: None

PFD: None

Note: An empty box for a head lamp was found in Trace's truck, but it wasn't on his body when it was found.

My final thoughts: We share the waters with larger boats. Our kayaks sit much lower to the water and as such, we should take every precaution that allows us to be seen by other boats. I will talk about the importance of wearing a PFD until I'm blue in the face. Use a flag and rear nav light on the stern of your kayak. BE SEEN!

A 23 year old went missing on Lake Michigan last week. They found the body 2 days ago. https://abc7chicago.com/body-of-missing-indiana-kayaker-found-along-lake-michigan/5321755/

He was in a "portable" kayak that folds up and can be stored in the trunk of a car. While I can empathize with the family for their loss, this kid had zero common sense. It's unfortunate. Reports said he was seen more than a mile off shore prior to the storm passing thru. I pick and choose my days on Lake Michigan and I'm in a 20ft Lund. I also know a number of kayak anglers who fish Lake Michigan for perch, salmon, and trout. All...or most... have common sense. I'm sorry, but a boat that folds up and stores in the trunk of a car, has no business out on the Great Lakes. The kid in your article, IMO had no common sense. No pfd, no lights, no flag. It was only a matter of time

IgotWood reply :

I take as many precautions as I can when out in open water. Constant situational awareness is a must. No matter what you do to be visible, it’s still tough to see a kayak on the water. They sit so low to the water and are so small. You can never assume other boaters can see you. You must always be on alert and on the defensive, no matter what. I keep a super bright strobe tied around my neck and I have an air horn in my cup holder. Thank god ive never used them, and I hope to keep it that way.

I sympathize for for both parties here. Whether the boater turned himself in or not, he has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. Be safe out there. “Power in numbers”. Several kayaks are more visible than just one. Try to fish with a partner whenever possible.

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 6/1/2019 at 8:31 AM, IgotWood said:

I have an air horn in my cup holder.

I picked one up today.

flyfisher reply :

On 6/1/2019 at 4:05 AM, Harold Scoggins said:

UPDATE:

I talked with Det Mike Luna this afternoon, and although he could not give any information about the individual under investigation, he did give information about the equipment (or lack of) used by Trace Richardson during the time of the accident.

Time of accident: Before dawn

Kayak make: Lifetime Tamarack

Lights: None

Flag: None

PFD: None

Note: An empty box for a head lamp was found in Trace's truck, but it wasn't on his body when it was found.

My final thoughts: We share the waters with larger boats. Our kayaks sit much lower to the water and as such, we should take every precaution that allows us to be seen by other boats. I will talk about the importance of wearing a PFD until I'm blue in the face. Use a flag and rear nav light on the stern of your kayak. BE SEEN!

This has no bearing on the boater leaving the scene etc...but this kayaker was going to be in a world of hurt sooner rather than later. To be on the water in the dark, where there is boat traffic with nothing for anyone to be able to see them is asking for trouble and well, he got it.

Elkins45 reply :

Unfortunately young people think bad stuff won’t happen to them. I know I did some really dumb stuff in a 14 foot Jon boat after sunset. It’s a shame he had to pay such a high price for his lack of safety gear...and also that the guy who hit him apparently didn’t even try to give aid.

GreenPig reply :

Any boat with no light and no pfd in the dark is an invitation for something bad to happen. I'd string the power boater up for not rendering aid and attempting to remove evidence. Kayaker might have lived if aid was given.

Johnbt reply :

I've never run into a kayak or even used one for that matter. Maybe the guy thought that bump in the water was a barely submerged floating log or soggy piling or board off a dock or something. I know I would have been curious about what I'd hit and what the damage was.

I know what a 32' Trojan flybridge sounds like when it hits a big floater head on and holes the hull. It's not pretty.

boostr reply :

I'm always scanning the water when I'm motoring about in a lake, and when I see kayakers I slow down. But this is in the daytime definitely would be alot harder in the dimming light.

bowhunter63 reply :

Prayers to his family.

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KAYAK ANGLER KILLED 2024

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