That applies emphatically to those who take low-freeboard boats into rough water. At best you’re going to get wet and your butt is going to feel like somebody has been whacking it with a shovel. At worst, well, let’s not go there.
This boater is likely heading back to the ramp, or should be, for obvious reasons.
But there are times when even the most careful anglers will find themselves caught out in a boat unequal to the conditions—and there are other days when you might want to push the envelope a little because of the potential reward awaiting those who ride that bucking bronco.
A trip I made on Tampa Bay a while back is an example. The guide brought a little 16-foot skiff to the ramp on the Manatee River because he wanted to get at a spot surrounded by water ankle deep. But it was the classic deal of bringing a knife to a gunfight, as far as the weather was concerned; we were faced with a howling 20-knot wind, spitting rain, angry waves, whitecaps and flying spray.
We used the tabs and the motor trim to give us the softest ride possible, and we were all suited up with rain gear so the flying spray didn’t matter much except that my face was fire-hosed with saltwater and my butt soon felt as if I had just ridden a three-legged horse over 40 miles of badlands. In any case, the open-water crossing was eventually over and we zipped over an oyster bar and settled into a beautiful, mangrove-lined creek where waving redfish tails immediately greeted us, making the rough ride a distant memory. After a dozen reds and two respectable snook, the ride home didn’t seem nearly as long or as rough. In fact, it wasn’t come to think of it, because we were going downhill.
All flats boats and most bay boats are fair weather creatures, not designed to take on really rough water. Their minimal length, low freeboard and relatively flat bottoms are not a combo that gives a smooth, dry ride, no matter what the ads say. Wise salts pick their days, but even the most careful angler will be caught out on occasion. Skiff owners who chase tarpon along the Atlantic beaches, for example, are often coaxed out the inlet by the slick water of an incoming tide pushed by a gentle east wind, only to be challenged upon returning against a falling tide and a stiffer bucking breeze that has created vertical whitecaps, “standing men” that at best create white knuckles, or, at the extreme, capsize small craft. But you can do a lot to minimize such difficulties and keep yourself safe and comfortable if you do find yourself caught in borderline conditions.
First, try to avoid putting yourself in tough spots. Check wind direction, wave height and tides. Sometimes, the best bet is simply to stay home. But on many days, a bit of creativity can make life easier. Can you get at your fishing spot easier by trailering to another ramp? For example, you might be able to cross a causeway and run down a protected shoreline by trailering a few miles farther. And always take advantage of the terrain; some areas that are exposed to broad sweeps of wind might yet be protected water because of a shallow flat or bar that will break up any rolling seas if you run inside them. And note that these protected areas may depend on tide; some flats that are millponds at low water because of exposed protective bars can be very rough at high when the waves roll right over the barrier. And when it comes to inlets, sometimes simply waiting outside for slack water can make all the difference.
Make sure your boat is up to the task. Pump the bilges, stow or tie down any loose gear, including your anchor, trolling motor and rods, and secure all hatches. Have everybody put on their lifejackets any time you face challenging water—or equip your crew with inflatable belt or suspender PFDs that they can wear throughout the trip without restricting their movement. Rain gear is also a very good idea; you will get a saltwater shower, in nearly all flats and bay boats, if you have to beat into the wind very far. And don’t forget that emergency-stop lanyard; the boat may be tossed sideways quickly enough for you to lose your balance and fall away from the wheel, or even fall overboard, and that kill switch attached to your belt can be a lifesaver.
