Boat Question
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Flint River Pirate
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- Posts: 3639
- Joined: August 23rd, 2007, 12:35 pm
- Location: Lynn Haven, FL
Boat Question
I have always been primarily a fresh water fisherman with a couple of salt water charters every year. This year I had a friend introduce me to Econfina and I have been "hooked"!! It has been hard to fish freshwater. I fish the rivers a lot, so my boat is set up to do that. I am curious what lilitations I would have if I took it to the flats. It's an Alumacraft 1442 with a 4 stroke Yamaha 15hp. I fished several times in the Panama City in the bays with no trouble. Would I look crazy if I fished the flats out of it? Like I said I am just learning but I hate having to wait on my buddies with the big boats to get a day off. Thanks guys!
Hey FRP,
For a long time all I had to fish the flats with was my 15' jon with a 25HP.
I fished out of Econfina as far east as Rock Island and as far out as I needed to go looking for fish. Like Sundown said, I respected the weather conditions, didn't do anything stupid, and caught bunches of fish.
Seems like I caught more in those days than I do now a days...Good luck and leave me a few !
For a long time all I had to fish the flats with was my 15' jon with a 25HP.
I fished out of Econfina as far east as Rock Island and as far out as I needed to go looking for fish. Like Sundown said, I respected the weather conditions, didn't do anything stupid, and caught bunches of fish.
Seems like I caught more in those days than I do now a days...Good luck and leave me a few !
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Good Times
- Posts: 868
- Joined: April 28th, 2007, 8:35 am
- Location: Hopkinsville, KY
I agree with taking a radio along. I would check with FWC as well to see what you need on your boat. The rules change when you are in "open water." (radio, flare set, etc.) I used to fish East Bay in Panama City in a 15' jon boat without any problems. The more you fish the more you'll want to start saving your pennies for a flats/bay boat.
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FUTCHCAIRO
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- Joined: December 26th, 2004, 2:36 pm
- Location: CAIRO,GA
boats
MOST OF THE BOATS OUT ON THE FLATS ARE ALUM. 14-18' WITH 5-50 HP MOTORS ON THEM. JUST TAKE IT EASY AROUND AUCILLA AND ECONF. TILL YA LEARN WHERE THE ROCKS ARE AND YOU WILL BE JUST FINE. I HAVE A ALUM . STARCRAFT WITH A 85 ON IT AND WE GO OUT SOMETIMES AS FAR AS 20 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. JUST WATCH THE WEATHER. I TRY NOT TO LAUNCH AT ECONFINA UNLESS I HAVE AT LEAST 1 HOUR BEFORE OR AFTER LOW TIDE AND MAKE THE RETURN TRIP USING THIS SAME RULE AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY TROUBLE. WHEN YOU GET TO THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER JUST FOLLOW THE PVC CHANEL MARKERS AND IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE EAST TURN LEFT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE TRIPOD AND PVC BAR MARKER TO THE LEFT OF THE TRIPOD, THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO START YOUR DRIFT, GENERALLY WE GO LESS THAN A MILE EAST AND NOT OVER A MILE SOUTH TO CATCH OUR LIMITS IN ABOUT 4-5 HOURS OF FISHING.
GOOD LUCK AND BE CAREFULL.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA
GOOD LUCK AND BE CAREFULL.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA
FUTCHCAIRO
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Flint River Pirate
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What a mess
- Posts: 1569
- Joined: October 2nd, 2006, 8:35 pm
- Location: Valdosta Ga.
I started with a 16' bass tracker with a forty the same day I went for the first time in it two firefighters from Macon drowned on the flats.
They were found floating I believe with life jackets on they were fishing in a 16" bass tracker.
Shortly after I went to a Hewes Redfisher that I never felt safe in.
I now have a 2380 Carolina skiff. I have always felt very safe in this boat.
Recently I read where a boat like mine was coming in to get out of bad weather.
The boats bow was raised up on a wave and the wind got under it and about flipped it over.
I heard people say get a radio which is a great idea and you should.
But a radio in case of emergency will only tell people where you are or what the problem is.
It can not fix the problem and help will not be there very quickly in many cases.
Often it will only tell them where to start the search you must survive till they get there for the radio to save you.
Will you still be in the same location? Often you will not current wind etc...
A buddy wanted me to fish with him and another guy and kept asking me to go. I told him the other guy was unsafe.
They finally capsized the boat well offshore, got off a mayday but before they got the location out they were in the water. No float plan had been filed, they were in the water for hours.
Finally they called my friend and asked where to search. He gave a couple of choices they did find them but they had drifted more than six miles before being rescued and it was about dark.
Had the water been a little cooler the would have died of exposure long before being found.
What about a gps to go with the radio now you can give them exact location saving precious time in getting help?
I have seen the weather change in a matter of minutes more than once.
A radio with weather radio on it helps. What about keeping the radio on while fishing?
Around Keaton they will tell you if they see weather coming so you know to get off the water.
A couple of years ago while fishing out of Suwanee a bad storm came at us from shore. We were lucky others were not.
Over two dozen boats were capsized around Keaton Beach with around fifty people in the water.
I know at least one person did die either drowned or lightning I don't remember.
While people said watch the weather they did not say what to watch for or how to react.
If you are new to this type of fishing you need that type of information.
No one suggested the use of life jackets and a kill switch while under power.
This is often over looked but can be a real life saver.
Does your boat have a bilge pump, anchor, lights, do you have paddle, noise making and a signal flares, whistle, mirror, or some other devices?????
What about file a float plan? Tell people where when etc.. and stick to the float plan or advise people if you are going to fish a totally different area.
A first aid kit was addressed on this forum a while back.
It is alright to be a coward it is okay to run before the last minute being brave in saltwater in a small or large boat is just plain stupid.
You may get lucky many times and tell some great stories of the close calls and near misses.
I would bet we all can tell a story or two if we have fished for a while.
I recently had a conversation with a fellow where he apologized to the people on the boat and told them to get right with God because he was pretty certain they were not going to make it.
Every time you approach fresh or saltwater fishing there is risk involved inshore or offshore river or creek. ( or drive a car go hunting etc... )
Just like most traffic accidents are from inexperienced teen drivers a lot of boating problems come about from the less experienced boat operator.
However the fact is that sometimes high levels of experience cause a lack of concern or overconfidence.
The sea can be the most wonderful therapeutic place to be and in just a few seconds later it can kill you or the person you have taken fishing with you.
They were found floating I believe with life jackets on they were fishing in a 16" bass tracker.
Shortly after I went to a Hewes Redfisher that I never felt safe in.
I now have a 2380 Carolina skiff. I have always felt very safe in this boat.
Recently I read where a boat like mine was coming in to get out of bad weather.
The boats bow was raised up on a wave and the wind got under it and about flipped it over.
I heard people say get a radio which is a great idea and you should.
But a radio in case of emergency will only tell people where you are or what the problem is.
It can not fix the problem and help will not be there very quickly in many cases.
Often it will only tell them where to start the search you must survive till they get there for the radio to save you.
Will you still be in the same location? Often you will not current wind etc...
A buddy wanted me to fish with him and another guy and kept asking me to go. I told him the other guy was unsafe.
They finally capsized the boat well offshore, got off a mayday but before they got the location out they were in the water. No float plan had been filed, they were in the water for hours.
Finally they called my friend and asked where to search. He gave a couple of choices they did find them but they had drifted more than six miles before being rescued and it was about dark.
Had the water been a little cooler the would have died of exposure long before being found.
What about a gps to go with the radio now you can give them exact location saving precious time in getting help?
I have seen the weather change in a matter of minutes more than once.
A radio with weather radio on it helps. What about keeping the radio on while fishing?
Around Keaton they will tell you if they see weather coming so you know to get off the water.
A couple of years ago while fishing out of Suwanee a bad storm came at us from shore. We were lucky others were not.
Over two dozen boats were capsized around Keaton Beach with around fifty people in the water.
I know at least one person did die either drowned or lightning I don't remember.
While people said watch the weather they did not say what to watch for or how to react.
If you are new to this type of fishing you need that type of information.
No one suggested the use of life jackets and a kill switch while under power.
This is often over looked but can be a real life saver.
Does your boat have a bilge pump, anchor, lights, do you have paddle, noise making and a signal flares, whistle, mirror, or some other devices?????
What about file a float plan? Tell people where when etc.. and stick to the float plan or advise people if you are going to fish a totally different area.
A first aid kit was addressed on this forum a while back.
It is alright to be a coward it is okay to run before the last minute being brave in saltwater in a small or large boat is just plain stupid.
You may get lucky many times and tell some great stories of the close calls and near misses.
I would bet we all can tell a story or two if we have fished for a while.
I recently had a conversation with a fellow where he apologized to the people on the boat and told them to get right with God because he was pretty certain they were not going to make it.
Every time you approach fresh or saltwater fishing there is risk involved inshore or offshore river or creek. ( or drive a car go hunting etc... )
Just like most traffic accidents are from inexperienced teen drivers a lot of boating problems come about from the less experienced boat operator.
However the fact is that sometimes high levels of experience cause a lack of concern or overconfidence.
The sea can be the most wonderful therapeutic place to be and in just a few seconds later it can kill you or the person you have taken fishing with you.
Last edited by What a mess on September 1st, 2007, 1:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Yesterday it was taboo today it is normal what the heck will they be doing tomorrow?
Always have a poncho or tarp tp cover up with in case you do get caught in a rain storm.
If you see a storm coming your way and it is between you and the landing go to shore wherever and ride it out, especially in a small john.
If I see lightning anywhere or even hear thunder I am off the water right then!
The best advice is to watch the weather.
Also watch other boats and their wakes
If you see a storm coming your way and it is between you and the landing go to shore wherever and ride it out, especially in a small john.
If I see lightning anywhere or even hear thunder I am off the water right then!
The best advice is to watch the weather.
Also watch other boats and their wakes
Work 2 fish 4 days
1988 vintage 1436 Fisher Jon
1992 vintage 15 hp Merc
1988 vintage 1436 Fisher Jon
1992 vintage 15 hp Merc
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Flint River Pirate
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- Joined: August 23rd, 2007, 12:35 pm
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How do you know my jon boat won't outrun a storm moving at 50 miles per hour???? Just Kidding, thanks a lot for the advice!CATCH 22 wrote:The best advice is to aviod the weather. Check the forecast,if it calls for even a slight chance for thunderstorms, stay off the water . It can turn nasty very quick. It's hard to outrun a squall bearing down on you moving at 50+ mph
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What a mess
- Posts: 1569
- Joined: October 2nd, 2006, 8:35 pm
- Location: Valdosta Ga.
Of course it will out run a storm moving fifty miles an hour just so long is it is on the trailer and strapped down tight.Flint River Pirate wrote:How do you know my jon boat won't outrun a storm moving at 50 miles per hour???? Just Kidding, thanks a lot for the advice!CATCH 22 wrote:The best advice is to aviod the weather. Check the forecast,if it calls for even a slight chance for thunderstorms, stay off the water . It can turn nasty very quick. It's hard to outrun a squall bearing down on you moving at 50+ mph
Another thought, I went with others guides included for a couple of years before getting a boat and venturing out on my own.
When going offshore I have stuck with either charters or people that I know have years of experience trustworthy boats and enough sense to head in when it is time.
I was invited recently to do a dark side trip on the east coast they have a thirty five foot boat and have no troubles going fishing in five to eight foot seas. I told him there was no way.
Yesterday it was taboo today it is normal what the heck will they be doing tomorrow?
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PerryFisherMan
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- Joined: December 25th, 2001, 8:00 pm
- Location: Perry, Florida
I know all of this sounds kind of scary to someone who hasn't fished in the gulf much...so...good! "WAM" said a lot and it all was good. Being careful always pays off. When fishing out of the Econfina, a GPS and a radio is a must for me. Once you get very far out the mouth of the river can be invisible. There are almost zero landmarks on that stretch of the coast. So mark the mouth on the GPS the first time you take it out. But are plenty of fish close up - you may want to just fish up close during the half/high tides on your first several trips.
On the way out, stay left (go by the houses) - it's the safest way out. You never know when some nut wants to run their boat on plane through the short cut (hope I didn't offend the other nuts...I used to do this but stopped). Your boat will ride a lot lower than some of the "upscale" boats you may encounter who want to race in/out.
With respect to the wind, I personally wouldn't go out in a aluminum john boat unless the wind forecast was 5-10 or less. If it is too rough when you get out there, just turn around.
Be sure to tell someone your float plan and when you plan on coming back. By the way, for some reason, I can sometimes get a phone signal at the mouth of the river...but I wouldn't always plan on it. That said, a cell phone is not a bad thing to have out there...sometimes it may work.
Hope you have a lot of fun. Wear your sunscreen.
PFM
On the way out, stay left (go by the houses) - it's the safest way out. You never know when some nut wants to run their boat on plane through the short cut (hope I didn't offend the other nuts...I used to do this but stopped). Your boat will ride a lot lower than some of the "upscale" boats you may encounter who want to race in/out.
With respect to the wind, I personally wouldn't go out in a aluminum john boat unless the wind forecast was 5-10 or less. If it is too rough when you get out there, just turn around.
Be sure to tell someone your float plan and when you plan on coming back. By the way, for some reason, I can sometimes get a phone signal at the mouth of the river...but I wouldn't always plan on it. That said, a cell phone is not a bad thing to have out there...sometimes it may work.
Hope you have a lot of fun. Wear your sunscreen.
PFM
We need a moderator...someone has hijacked WAM's user name on this system. This is an imposter. I have proof! I took WAM and a couple of other guys off out of Steinhatchee...got about 20 off and an unexpected storm started springing up....radar could not paint the edges...I elected to head in....WAM didn't agree and questioned my manhood. Another gentlemen on the boat who was experienced in offshore fishing like me, agreed with the decision. So, remember, walk it, don't just talk it!
I fished all over these flats with a 16X48 with a 20 hp mercury. Caught a LOT of fish out of that old boat...more than any boat since. I had one rule...the ocean ain't no lady and when she is moody, it is best to dismount and wait on another day. Contained within this rule was, if in doubt, don't!
With all my precautions, I know I could still get caught in it, so I don't leave home without a radio and a gps or a sister ship.
I fished all over these flats with a 16X48 with a 20 hp mercury. Caught a LOT of fish out of that old boat...more than any boat since. I had one rule...the ocean ain't no lady and when she is moody, it is best to dismount and wait on another day. Contained within this rule was, if in doubt, don't!
With all my precautions, I know I could still get caught in it, so I don't leave home without a radio and a gps or a sister ship.