Did You Guys Hear About The Sunk Storm On Okeechobee 2025
gar-tracker reply :
It looked just like mine.
That's because it was.
Just had it fixed up the way I wanted, took two rollers over the back trying to reach down and clear dead cat tails off my prop, Iv done the same thing a million times. my partner jumped up front and tried to get the trolling motor down couldn't do it.
She tipped towards the back and took 2 more waves and down she went. Waited an hour in 5 foot of water up to our chest for GFWL boat to pick us up, drug it in the next day
Fairly new 250 E Tech, New talons, New 101, wiring all toast.
Waiting on State Farm, probably will be totaled. Luckily I had replacement value so Ill get a sizable chunk for a new one.
gar-tracker reply :
Did I mention we had a nice sack of fish and probably would have been in the money.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
Oh wow. Sorry to hear that. Glad you guys got out safely. Hope the insurance company comes through for you.
Sam reply :
Any video????
Just kidding.
Glad you guys 1) are in Florida where the water is a nice temperature; 2) were not hurt; and 3) you have the watercraft insured.
Things can happen in a blink of an eye on the water. That is why I am a proponent of carrying at least $1,000,000 in watercraft insurance on your boat. You never know what problems can arise and cause a very bad situation.
Be sure to post a pic of your new boat.
FishinDaddy reply :
Oh man that's a horrible feeling. My old stratos went down twice in storms. Thankfully I was not on her either time.
Do they even make the Storm anymore?
piscicidal reply :
Oh...that's just terrible. I know you've had the boat a long time and I'm sure there's some sentimental value towards her.
I'm glad everybody is OK, though. You'll make out fine with the insurance, no doubt.
GLADES reply :
Glad neither of you were hurt. Sounds like you will be fine with the insurance covering your losses.
Did you guys have to wrestle with any gators while you were waiting to be picked up?
I have had a few close calls there too in my old 1987 ranger and older 1984 procraft. Once in the rim ditch by a 40-50' cabin cruiser. I took a huge wave over the bow that put a lot of water in my boat..then got completely air borne on the second wave. I could have shot at him if I had a gun LOL. The other time was the same scenario. Too low in the back, waves, and I took a little bath. Didn't sink though.
My next boat will definitely have more free board or scupper holes
Captain Shane Procell reply :
Brother I feel your pain! The exact thing happened to me out at Lox last march. Cleaning the prop and down she went. Glad you are o.k.!!!!!!!!
gar-tracker reply :
On 2/12/2012 at 3:49 AM, FishinDaddy said:Oh man that's a horrible feeling. My old stratos went down twice in storms. Thankfully I was not on her either time.
Do they even make the Storm anymore?
Actually the new owner called me, they just bought the company from the guy that had it in Ft Myers and their starting to build them again. He wanted to know if i wanted to fix mine. Too much, I think I want a new boat.
Its a toss up between a Big O and a Bass Cat.
1234567 reply :
Wow! Glad you're okay....not sure I want to go out to Okeechobee anymore!
Dwight Hottle reply :
Sorry to hear about your boat. Glad you didn't suffer any personal damage. Imagine that same senerio on lox with its resident gator population.
Bassn Blvd reply :
She looks like a GIANT swimbait out there, haha.
Ok, I'm sorry for the bad humor. I'm glad you guys are ok and thank goodness you were in somewhat shallow water.
Did someone have to stay with the boat to make sure the thieves didn't get to it over nite?
Bassn Blvd reply :
On 2/12/2012 at 5:29 AM, gar-tracker said:Actually the new owner called me, they just bought the company from the guy that had it in Ft Myers and their starting to build them again. He wanted to know if i wanted to fix mine. Too much, I think I want a new boat.
Its a toss up between a Big O and a Bass Cat
^
Triton Bob reply :
That sucks. But going forward would the lesson be if at all possible point the bow into the wind then clean the prop? just asking.
gar-tracker reply :
On 2/12/2012 at 6:37 AM, Triton Bob said:That sucks. But going forward would the lesson be if at all possible point the bow into the wind then clean the prop? just asking.
Absolutely,and I know that, but in a hurry, an hour to weigh in, trying to get out of there.
All I can say is I was shocked how quick it happened, I shivered think of all the times iv stopped in the middle of the lake to tie something down in rough water. It happens out there in the winter your done.
MagicMoment reply :
Good to hear nobody was hurt. How the heck did they locate you on a lake like Okeechobee? People don't realize how enormous that place is.
FishinDaddy reply :
On 2/12/2012 at 5:29 AM, gar-tracker said:Actually the new owner called me, they just bought the company from the guy that had it in Ft Myers and their starting to build them again. He wanted to know if i wanted to fix mine. Too much, I think I want a new boat.
Its a toss up between a Big O and a Bass Cat.
If I had an extra 60K burning a hole in my pocket I would have a Jaguar or maybe a Legend Alpha 211.
BTW, If you need something to fish out of in the meantime my old 201 pro is in the backyard collecting dust.
Diggy reply :
scary, especially the part about waiting 1hr in that water...luckily you made it
LgMouthGambler reply :
d**n sorry to hear that. I know the wind up there yesterday was rough. I know a few people that were at that tournament, my fiances uncle Jonathan. I was fishing in Cocoonut Creek with her grandpa and we were having a hard time just casting off the banks with the wind, an dall I could think about was that you guys up there were getting pounded with 1-2 ft waves. Good to hear you guys are OK, live to fish another day.
salmicropterus reply :
Wow, sorry to hear that. I am shocked it could happen so fast. I can only think of the many times I have stopped in a following wind/wave pattern and not even given it a thought. I was out there yesterday and it got rough for sure.
topwaterrob reply :
d**n that sux.... glad you guys werent hurt or munched on though......
Nitrofreak reply :
Sure am glad to hear you guys made it through the whole thing ok !!!
Boats are easy to replace, Life is priceless.
rad07h reply :
Sorry to hear this where about in the big o did this happen?
bocabasser reply :
wow that sucks rob. how much weight did you have? i would get a big O in a flash. guy in my club has one and they are sweet. glad you and your partner made it out ok. that lake is a beast when the wind blows.
Glenn reply :
On 2/14/2012 at 6:09 AM, Nitrofreak said:Sure am glad to hear you guys made it through the whole thing ok !!!
Boats are easy to replace, Life is priceless.
^^ What he said!! ^^
Fishing Cowgirl reply :
My goodness! I'm glad you are both okay.
South FLA reply :
WOW! Get the Big O and have it rigged exactly like you want it. Add some extra closed foam!
gar-tracker reply :
Its now down to a Phoenix, Stratos Champion 210 Elite or a Big O Thanks for all the concern and kind words guys. I have to admit Iv spent a lot of time on that lake and it shook me up thinking about all the times Iv been out in the middle and stopped to tie something don while taking waves over the back, if that happened in the middle I would have been toast. You're on your own in that Lake trust me.
piscicidal reply :
I think most of us who have fished Okeechobee have been in that situation countless times, clearing weeds off the prop on the outside weed edge, preparing to run onplane.
Your post has caused me to think more about this. A bad situation can happen so fast out there. I have a flats boat and will make a point of it to always have the scuppers removed when fishing the Big O, from now on.
South FLA reply :
Do you think if you would have been in a boat with extra closed foam floatation (Ranger, Champion, Boston Whaler) it would have saved you from going under completely?
I am seriously debating whether to add a GPS Distress beacon to my life jacket since I have crossed from entire lake several times and once got caught in bad storm with 3-4 foot swells. If I would have had engine issues I would be stuck without recourse other than a water proof radio if I could get to it in time.
FishinDaddy reply :
If I fished the Gulf of Okechobee all the time I would definately have an EPIRB on the boat. You can get them for under 500 bucks http://www.thegpsstore.com/ACR-2875-Satellite3-406-Category-II-EPIRB-P2421.aspx?gclid=CJWN6v_do64CFU5e7AodFw347w
GLADES reply :
On 2/12/2012 at 1:09 AM, gar-tracker said:It looked just like mine.
That's because it was.
Just had it fixed up the way I wanted, took two rollers over the back trying to reach down and clear dead cat tails off my prop, Iv done the same thing a million times. my partner jumped up front and tried to get the trolling motor down couldn't do it.
I keep a 4-5' gaff hook in my boat to make it easier to remove the weeds / cat tails off the prop. It works pretty good.
related Southeast Bass Fishing topic
previous topic
next topic
most viewed Southeast Bass Fishing topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.