Brief rant about jet skiers. 2024
DrMarlboro92 reply :
I managed to grab a few hours today to go prefish Smith Mountain Lake before I go on saturday, and good God the boat traffic is terrible. It wouldn't mind me so much if it was not for the jet skiers.
Instead of giving a wide birth, and playing elsewhere, i guess they saw my cheap little 79 ranger and decided to run their skies in circles about 10ft from my boat, which ended up throwing my autistic brother who is 10 years my younger into the water ruining his first ever fishing trip, and causing me to lose 600$ in gear that went with him and any chance of getting him to come back. Not only did they knock him into the water, they continued their ***ting while I desperately tried to get ahold of my brother to bring him back aboard ignoring my yelling and my brothers screaming (he is autistic after all). How can people act like this? And what can I do to make sure this behavior comes to an end?
Anyone who knows SML knows it can be over crowded, there was even a fatal accident not 2 months ago. But this type of behavior is just absurd. I thought boating classes were mandatory in VA? Oh well. My vent is over, and now I need to find a more productive way to respond if this happens again.
Tim Kelly reply :
That's horrible. A friend of mine has a house on SML and said that the jet ski traffic was abysmal over the holiday weekend. Not a boat on the lake on Tuesday. I guess you just have to pick your days and not go out when you know it's going to be a zoo. No idea why getting on a jet ski instantly lobotomises people, but it seems to be a universal truth.
S. Sass reply :
Man I would have been ticked. I would have been calling the game warden as soon as I got my stuff in order. I would have been taking pics of the ones that did it and tried to observe where they were until the warden showed up. He may not have done anything but I sure would have reported it.
As for the $600 in equipment this is a perfect example for boat insurance. My policy has a $1000 clause for anything I lose like if the boat flips or is ran into etc they will pay up to $1000 towards items such as tackle or any other belongings that are lost. Insurance is really cheap on boats it surprised me.
Hope your brother is OK and possibly will go again some day.
Turkey sandwich reply :
I'm so sorry to hear about this. What an absolute nightmare.
Fun4Me reply :
A few bad apples always seem to spoil the bunch. There are plenty of jet skiers who are courteous and don't act like jackarsses.
I feel bad for your brother, and I hope you can manage to get him out again.
DrMarlboro92 reply :
On 9/7/2016 at 1:54 PM, Tim Kelly said:That's horrible. A friend of mine has a house on SML and said that the jet ski traffic was abysmal over the holiday weekend. Not a boat on the lake on Tuesday. I guess you just have to pick your days and not go out when you know it's going to be a zoo. No idea why getting on a jet ski instantly lobotomises people, but it seems to be a universal truth.
I don't get it either. But I figured yesterday was going to be slow, which is why I went. I stayed away this past weekend and went to the Chickahominy specifically to avoid the labor day yahoos.
On 9/7/2016 at 2:14 PM, S. Sass said:Man I would have been ticked. I would have been calling the game warden as soon as I got my stuff in order. I would have been taking pics of the ones that did it and tried to observe where they were until the warden showed up. He may not have done anything but I sure would have reported it.
As for the $600 in equipment this is a perfect example for boat insurance. My policy has a $1000 clause for anything I lose like if the boat flips or is ran into etc they will pay up to $1000 towards items such as tackle or any other belongings that are lost. Insurance is really cheap on boats it surprised me.
Hope your brother is OK and possibly will go again some day.
I guess I should have given the game warden a call. I'm sure after the accident back in July they would have camw down pretty hard on this. But when you have an autistic teenager in the boat trying to calm them down takes priority just out of habit. Thanks for reminding me about insurance, I actually have it on the boat but I'm not sure if it will cover the lost gear. I'm definitely going to look into it today though.
On 9/7/2016 at 2:45 PM, Turkey sandwich said:I'm so sorry to hear about this. What an absolute nightmare.
Thanks for the concern. It definitely wasn't a pleasant day on the water after that.
On 9/7/2016 at 5:56 PM, Fun4Me said:A few bad apples always seem to spoil the bunch. There are plenty of jet skiers who are courteous and don't act like jackarsses.
I feel bad for your brother, and I hope you can manage to get him out again.
I'm pretty certain he's decided that he will never set foot on another boat. Which is sad because we got him his first bass and he really enjoyed it. I'll give it a month or so and see if I can't ease him back into the idea.
WIGuide reply :
That's terrible, I'm sorry to hear about all of it, but you definitely should have reported it.
J Francho reply :
Get your phone out, snap pics, and contact the authorities. Crap like that cannot go unpunished.
twanbc reply :
They are required to take a boating class. Thats why i dont go to busy lakes. I believe you can call the Marine Police Dispatch Center and they can help out (800) 541-4646.
SFL BassHunter reply :
People can be absolutely ridiculous and something like that shouldn't go unpunished. I agree, call the game warden and get them out there and lock these punks up.
I'm sorry that you and your brother experienced this. It is sad that now your brother won't step foot on a boat again and what could have been a fun hobby for him has now maybe turned into something he won't do again.
Maybe if you can get him out again at some point, take him somewhere that you know will be quiet and calm.
J Francho reply :
I have a niece and nephew on the spectrum, and things like this can be pretty hard to reverse.
Choporoz reply :
On 9/7/2016 at 5:56 PM, Fun4Me said:A few bad apples always seem to spoil the bunch. There are plenty of jet skiers who are courteous and don't act like jackarsses.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm biased against jet skis, but that hasn't generally been my experience...
Glenn reply :
There's a reason why I call jet skiers "lake lice".
Swamp Rat reply :
When running my Storm bass boat on Lake Ida, the jetskiers were always doing manuevers all around the boat. They do it because they don't know any better, also because they think they are faster than you....ummm, not a Storm. Mine ran in the mid 80mph range, so we jokingly called jetskiers speedbumps, but love Glen's lake lice....gonna use that one from now on.
Fisher-O-men reply :
Should be open season on them varmints... with a bounty!
J Francho reply :
On 9/8/2016 at 12:49 AM, Swamp Rat said:When running my Storm bass boat on Lake Ida, the jetskiers were always doing manuevers all around the boat. They do it because they don't know any better, also because they think they are faster than you....ummm, not a Storm. Mine ran in the mid 80mph range, so we jokingly called jetskiers speedbumps, but love Glen's lake lice....gonna use that one from now on.
I actually hit a jet ski in my Bullet. Luckily, no one was hurt, just a scuff on the boat. Chased the kid all the way home to let his parents know what happened. He was promptly "land-locked."
DrMarlboro92 reply :
So just a small update, I found out that my boat insurance will cover the lost gear, however they want a police report since it would be claimed as a boating accident, and pictures of the gear if I have it, and an estimate of what replacing it will cost. I find that a little odd since it isn't really an "accident" but rather some gear that went in the water.
So that has had me on the phone all day. Finally figured out who I needed to contact, and filed a report with the descriptions of the jet skis and their operators. They seem pretty serious about figuring out who it was and actually gave me a personal number to call if I see the skis in a slip when I go back.
I should have called VDGIF yesterday when it happened since now no real consequences can come of what happened. but apparently the officer wants to drop by and have a nice long talk with the owners if we can find the skis.
Either way, thanks all for allowing me to rage a little bit, and @S. Sass thanks for reminding me about the boat insurance. I would have never thought they would cover lost gear. I guess I should read up on my policy a bit better.
J Francho reply :
On 9/8/2016 at 3:37 AM, DrMarlboro92 said:They seem pretty serious about figuring out who it was and actually gave me a personal number to call if I see the skis in a slip when I go back.
I live on the Great Lakes, and you screw up on the water, you have the Coast Guard, Immigration, Sheriff, DEC, and possibly the local FD - since many also have patrol/fire boats - to contend with. It is serious. I'm all for having fun on the water - heck, I have a 80 mph bass boat, and have owned jet skis - but not when you sacrifice the safety of others. Good to hear you followed up.
Red Bear reply :
i was down there at SML this labor day weekend, it was crazy out on the water. i doubt half the people know about or even care about the safe boating course requirement. i took it and i dont even own a boat, but occasionally drive my uncles boat. my uncle who has a house on the lake has yet to do so, i have been telling him for the last five years. now that the law is applicable to all ages he seems to be worried about it all of a sudden. i guess he didnt believe me because he asked a couple of other locals we know about it and they told him they had passed the course themselves. when he made a remark about using ignorance as an excuse for the law they laughed at him. he would have an absolute fit sitting in a class for 8 hours straight, i told him to take it online, its not hard at all but he seems very reluctant. he is not one of the idiots out on the lake causing problems, but he doesnt want a ticket either. i feel the state hasnt dont enough to make people aware of the law, i also dont feel they enforce it enough but thats just my personal speculation.
Also, im sorry to hear about your brother going overboard because of idiots that cant control themselves. maybe you can convince him to go back out with you on a different body of water someday.
soflabasser reply :
I have heard that people who like to drive jetski's(or boats) fast in a nowake zone are over compensating for shortcomings they have with personal inadequacies.
Bass Turd reply :
On 9/9/2016 at 7:03 AM, soflabasser said:I have heard that people who like to drive jetski's(or boats) fast in a nowake zone are over compensating for shortcomings they have with personal inadequacies.
Yes but that's too long to put on a bumper sticker...
soflabasser reply :
On 9/9/2016 at 7:08 AM, Bass Turd said:Yes but that's too long to put on a bumper sticker...
That's true.I think it's safe to say that fishermen don't like those that speed in a no wake zone.
Avalonjohn44 reply :
You're in VA, open carry. Just the sight of a firearm helps keep would-be antagonizers away.
jaysen reply :
In ny it is a big problem, probably everywhere. The fishermen tie a 2 Oz weight and toss them at the jet skiers, it keeps them away usually.
Sam reply :
Doc, would you believe that the VG&IF has only 120 active game wardens on duty in the entire Commonwealth?
That is why people on Virginia waters do not have their Safe Boating Course certificate and we have a lot of uninformed individuals on the waters doing dumb stuff. These people know they will not be checked or ticketed while on the water and VDG&IF does not have the manpower to check everyone on the water.
I will call my friend at VG&IF and ask him to consider having some of their conservation officers assigned to the areas around the lakes to post at the ramps to check the boaters before they blast off. However, the conservation officers cannot check every boat dock or private residence and these are locations the problem boaters emanate from.
However, with deer hunting season beginning October 1st the conservation officers will have their hands full with the hunters and the problems with dummies on our waterways will fade into the sunset.
I had an encounter with a large ski boat on the Rappahannock River four years ago. The guy came screaming up the river and when he got around me he did a series of wheelies, throwing large wakes at my boat. I met another bass fisherman and his young son after I was forced to leave where I was fishing and they had the same experience with the ski boat.
So, what could I have done? First, just left and went somewhere else. Second, fire my flare gun at the ski boat. Third, fire my .38 I carry in my boat at the ski boat. Fourth, try to write down the ski boat's number and report him. Of course, I used better judgement and just moved on.
Until the weather gets cooler and the jet skiers quit using their jet skis plus the other idiots on the water go somewhere else, we will be on our own when on Virginia waters.
May I suggest you drive to Richmond for the Richmond Fishing Expo at the end of Januaryand meet the guys from the VDG&IF. Great guys and you can speak with them about your experiences; what to do; and ask them for their assistance next year. Check out our Virginia fishing posts in the geographical section of the Forum for the dates and times of the Expo. It is at the Meadows, one mile east of Kings Dominion off I-95.
Good luck and I am so sorry to read about your misfortune on the waster.
Hope your brother is OK and he takes another shot at fishing.
Web page for the Expo:
http://richmondfishingexpo.com/show-info/general-info/
rboat reply :
That is terrible. Glad your brother is ok. I hope you can take him fishing again at some point. I keep the local G&F number in my phone and have reported idiots several times. I take down the vessel numbers on the side of the jet ski or boat and report that. They take the reports seriously and and always thank me for reporting it. I am not sure what they do after that, but it helps me feel better, just maybe, it will prevent a dangerous situation from happening to someone else.
Buckeye Ron reply :
Inconsiderate people are becoming the norm every place it seems. Common courtesy is not very common at all no matter where you are or what you are doing.
When I was a kid it was water skiers coming too close to the boat. Occasionally I would fish with an older guy who would tie on a few ounces of lead and treble hooks to toss their way. They got the message soon enough.
gulfcaptain reply :
Here's a bit of advice for all............WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR WAKES. ANY DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VESSEL CAUSED BY OUR WAKES WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR. Yes this is a rule in the CFR's. You wake someone or they wake you and brake something, you have their ID numbers off their boat or they get yours, guess what you/they are financially responsible for all losses. Local law enforcement should be notified and yes Jet Skies fall under these rules too, as do those useless wakeboarding boats that throw huge wakes. The two jet skiers that caused your brother to be thrown out of the boat could have been charged with other violations as well for their actions. People forget their are rules on the water, which 95% of people have no clue about when they buy or operate a vessel which still does not exempt them from the laws on the water. I've almost had words with the LA County Lifeguard boat on Castiac when he almost threw me off the bow of mine as he drove by. So be respectful and courtious, I find asking someone as opposed to screaming at them much better line of action and if they continue to operate in an unsafe manner, then a quick picture of their vessel ID numbers and a quick phone call to local law enforcement works great to report their unsafe actions.
On 9/8/2016 at 3:37 AM, DrMarlboro92 said:So just a small update, I found out that my boat insurance will cover the lost gear, however they want a police report since it would be claimed as a boating accident, and pictures of the gear if I have it, and an estimate of what replacing it will cost. I find that a little odd since it isn't really an "accident" but rather some gear that went in the water.
So that has had me on the phone all day. Finally figured out who I needed to contact, and filed a report with the descriptions of the jet skis and their operators. They seem pretty serious about figuring out who it was and actually gave me a personal number to call if I see the skis in a slip when I go back.
I should have called VDGIF yesterday when it happened since now no real consequences can come of what happened. but apparently the officer wants to drop by and have a nice long talk with the owners if we can find the skis.
Either way, thanks all for allowing me to rage a little bit, and @S. Sass thanks for reminding me about the boat insurance. I would have never thought they would cover lost gear. I guess I should read up on my policy a bit better.
Let me add to my above post, any loss of personal items, person overboard caused by another vessel IS AN ACCIDENT. Be happy you don't have to deal with a CG Form 2692.
the reel ess reply :
I despise them. I hope they all hit a stump. Interactions with, shall we say, JERKS is a major reason I bought a kayak and sought out local private places to fish. Getting a kayak is the single best thing I ever did for my bass fishing. I might be completely out of fishing by now if I hadn't done that. I only keep the big boat for winter fishing and I put it in a private reservoir.
IndianaFinesse reply :
A while ago I found a good brush pile, but apparently a guy (I assume he is the person that sunk it) did not want us fishing there. So he drove laps around us, even after I "accidently" snagged a treble hook and a half an ounce of lead in his anchor rope. I finally thought to take out my phone and take a picture of him and notified security of him harassing us and breaking the fifty foot minimum distance between watercraft rule. I don't usually actually snag an offending boater, but I do bounce lead sinkers off of them ruitenely when they get to close, especially back when I fished out of a canoe and idiots driving wake setters thought it was fun to try and dump it by going within ten feet of my canoe. I didn't bring a cell phone in the canoe because of the high chance of dumping so I couldn't take a pic of them, but I could bounce led off of there shiny waxed boats and if I got really mad I snagged them.
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