What is the biggest danger a bass boater faces? 2025
billmac reply :
I have a 16 ft boat. I'm sure bigger is generally safer but I'm wondering what the most common dangers are for bassboats. They don't seem very capsize-able unless you were going crazy fast in really high waves. Being low, they are certainly swamp-able, perhaps more than the bilge pump could keep up with. I assume most boats have enough foam in them so they can't really sink.
WRB reply :
Collision with other boaters. Most bass boat accidents are with other recreational boaters because bass boat do sit low in the water and tend to fish in areas some boaters don't expect another boat to be stopped.
Tom
Tennessee Boy reply :
Tom is right as usual. I’ve known one angler who was kill while fishing when he hit another boat head on. They were doing a dance trying to determine who would pass on what side. Collisions kill. Now as far as getting wet, around here an unexpected Summer storm can blow in with high winds and swamp you if you can’t find cover. I’ve known two guys that has happened to.
Big Rick reply :
Fishing in the float roads and other lanes of travel. I see it all the time. The whole lake to fish and some fish right in the lanes of boats on plane....
That and getting skunked!! That's pretty dangerous! It'll make you go buy more tackle and better electronics!!
Ski213 reply :
I’d agree with collisions with other boats as being the biggest risk. Second to that being collisions with rocks, stumps, etc.
Operating a boat beyond your skill level is also dangerous. That could be anything from running on the edge (or past it) with a high performance boat to taking your boat out in conditions that are too much for the particular boat or operator such as rough water or thunderstorms where lightning is an issue. Chinewalk getting out of hand for a performance example. Just because the boat doesn’t sink or capsize doesn’t mean an incident won’t toss you into the water at 60+ mph.
A-Jay reply :
Small vessels in general all posses the same inherent 'dangers',
Which can be mitigated some what when operators;
Learn and follow applicable boating safety rules and regulations,
Have sufficient required and well maintained safety equipment on board and are very familiar with it's use,
Do not exceed the limitations of them selves, their vessel or tow vehicle,
Maintain situational awareness,
Learn the waters they intend to be on BEFORE they get on them,
Ensure boat, motor, trailer, tow vehicle are well maintained,
File an accurate float plan with a responsible adult Every Trip.
A-Jay
GreenPig reply :
Speed in my opinion is the most dangerous. It doesn't matter if the speed is yours or the other guys. Very few fatalities occur at no wake and idle speeds. For some reason people always think the other guy should slow down or yeild. That maybe true, but that's assuming he's an experienced boat. I'll come off plane and/or turn away in a heartbeat .
Happybeerbuzz reply :
Wife wrath because of the boat owner spending too much time on the water.
Catt reply :
What is the biggest danger a bass boater faces?
My wife finding out how much it actually cost to own & operate!
Biggest issue I see down here is not knowing how to operate any boat in inclement weather.
Anyone can operate one in slick water ????
ike8120 reply :
IMO other boaters....
billmac reply :
I'm just learning my first bass boat. 40mph seems like I'm screaming across the water. I can't imagine going 75mph.
BassNJake reply :
On 10/1/2019 at 8:37 AM, billmac said:I have a 16 ft boat. I'm sure bigger is generally safer but I'm wondering what the most common dangers are for bassboats. They don't seem very capsize-able unless you were going crazy fast in really high waves. Being low, they are certainly swamp-able, perhaps more than the bilge pump could keep up with. I assume most boats have enough foam in them so they can't really sink.
Drowning is the biggest danger.
I just saw where a guy drowned right at the ramp when launching his boat.
The truck was on the ramp door open and the boat was floating not too far off but no boater in sight.
They recovered the body a short time later. No PFD.
I would rate myself as an above average swimmer, with a pair of trunks and warm water.
I really sucked at trying to tread water with a full rain suit, boots and in 50 degree water.
JLBBass reply :
Drivers on the road, when pulling it, and fires! I had 2 boats totaled by accidents on road (both not my fault) and lost 2 in a garage fire.....Once I'm on the lake, I'm fine!
picture below of my beautiful Champion 183, and next to it was a Grumann aluminum bassboat, that melted to the ground.
Stephen B reply :
IMO the most dangerous part is navigating the waterwayers safely. For example, currently my local lake had a 8-10 draw down thus making it much more dangerous. But other boaters are always a problem haha. Wish they'd stay off my holes ????
Shimano_1 reply :
I would say inexperienced boaters and the usual testosterone we all wrestle with. I've seen guys roll up in 60k ranger boats behind a 60k truck and they can't even back the boat up or get it outta the water. Makes me think maybe there should be some type of training. Guy has never driven a boat....buys a bullet with a 250+ cause it's real fast....then drops it in the water and takes off like he's driven one for years. Disaster waiting to happen.
Tony johnson reply :
On 10/2/2019 at 4:28 AM, Shimano_1 said:I would say inexperienced boaters and the usual testosterone we all wrestle with. I've seen guys roll up in 60k ranger boats behind a 60k truck and they can't even back the boat up or get it outta the water. Makes me think maybe there should be some type of training. Guy has never driven a boat....buys a bullet with a 250+ cause it's real fast....then drops it in the water and takes off like he's driven one for years. Disaster waiting to happen.
This exact reason california implemented all boat opererators must take a uscg approved class and carry a boater safety card.. as of January 1st it will be all people 35 and under... few more years then it will be everyone
Way2slow reply :
Yep, the nut holding the steering wheel.
Couldn't count the number of people I've seen with no real boating experience or maybe a little in a 16, - 17' aluminum that decide they need a 20' or 21' boat with a 250 or 300 on the back to make them feel like real bass fishermen, and in most states, they are legal to drive it as soon as they drive off the lot with it.
Sam reply :
Other boaters not being observant of you in their area or as they fly by at 70 MPH.
Hammer 4 reply :
On 10/4/2019 at 5:08 AM, Sam said:Other boaters not being observant of you in their area or as they fly by at 70 MPH.
Yup. Fishing off shore, and boats flying by 25 to 35 yards from us at Speed...ARGH!
MN Fisher reply :
On 10/4/2019 at 5:12 AM, Hammer 4 said:
Yup. Fishing off shore, and boats flying by 25 to 35 yards from us at Speed...ARGH!
Imagine this situation and you're in a canoe...that's my every outing.
slonezp reply :
inexperience
Bankbeater reply :
Weather, other boaters, stuff either floating in the water or just under the surface. Take your pick.
schplurg reply :
Now that you know what to watch out for, the answer to the thread title is...
You.
You are the biggest danger (and also advantage) to yourself, for you can't control the weather or what other people are going to do. People are going to come around a corner on the wrong side, people are going to be drinking booze, etc.
Keep your eyes open.
On 10/4/2019 at 6:49 AM, slonezp said:inexperience
Yep.
WRB reply :
Not all boating accidents occur to reckless or unskilled drivers, they are by far the majority. Speed is relative to conditions and bass boats at WOT running at high speeds everything happens quickly. A good example is Gary Dobyns who is a highly skilled boat driver. Gary was pitched out of his bass boat at high speed breaking several ribs on the San Jauqine Delta a few years back when he hit an unexpected big boat wake he didn't see in time. Single boat accidents happen but It's the weekend boaters that kill more other boaters by hitting other boats that are usually stopped. The Millers brothers who made spinnerbaits were killed fishing a Delta tournament when another boat hit them while stopped fishing. I aviod fishing holidays or busy weekends if at all possible because that is when the craziness occurs.
Towing accidents also happen, remember Matt Allens accident last year. A good freind of mine was killed when another vehicle made a last second decision to change from the fast lane on 101 fwy intersection with hwy 126 hitting Bobby knocking his rig off the overpass. Accidents happen and sometimes you can't aviod them.
Tom
Further North reply :
Whatever the biggest danger a bass boater faces, it ain't this...
https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2019/10/1862/1048/fishermen-bear-Kennedy-News.jpg
Why don't image links work right on the forum any more?????
Edited by Further North
Links to image files don't work worth diddly...
slowworm reply :
On 10/1/2019 at 9:04 PM, BassNJake said:Drowning is the biggest danger.
I just saw where a guy drowned right at the ramp when launching his boat.
The truck was on the ramp door open and the boat was floating not too far off but no boater in sight.
They recovered the body a short time later. No PFD.
I would rate myself as an above average swimmer, with a pair of trunks and warm water.
I really sucked at trying to tread water with a full rain suit, boots and in 50 degree water.
And I've had people ask my why I wear my PFD as soon as I start backing the boat into the water ….
Further North reply :
On 10/4/2019 at 4:03 AM, Way2slow said:Yep, the nut holding the steering wheel.
Couldn't count the number of people I've seen with no real boating experience or maybe a little in a 16, - 17' aluminum that decide they need a 20' or 21' boat with a 250 or 300 on the back to make them feel like real bass fishermen, and in most states, they are legal to drive it as soon as they drive off the lot with it.
Scary stuff, that...
detroit1 reply :
Knowing your and your boats ability/ limitations would decrease a lot of danger, but accidents can happen without fault. Way2slo: I would guess that 100% of people that have a 20'/250hp rig is not their first boat....
boostr reply :
On 10/3/2019 at 6:32 AM, Tony johnson said:This exact reason california implemented all boat opererators must take a uscg approved class and carry a boater safety card.. as of January 1st it will be all people 35 and under... few more years then it will be everyone
That's mandatory up here in NJ.
DanielG reply :
Maybe not the most dangerous but certainly not good. In the early spring, wood, even logs have been soaking awhile and they are often submerged or just at the surface and not visible. Not an issue with my small slow boat now but when I had a ski boat they were.
kjfishman reply :
#1 danger: Forgetting to call your wife and tell her you won't be home for dinner because the bass are biting.
TnRiver46 reply :
The bait monkey
boostr reply :
forgetting to put in you drain plug and livewell plug....
Further North reply :
On 10/16/2019 at 11:44 PM, boostr said:forgetting to put in you drain plug and livewell plug....
Are there really many boats left out there that won't still float even when flodded? My 1992 Lund Pro-V would have...
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