BigBendFishing.Net

At Indian Pass what is the legal distance you can drive your boat near shore, near swimmers. I though it was a hundred feet which aint much. I know it's the same at the Pass as the other regulations but that sandbar near the boatramp might be giving people the idea that you can run 40 yards off the beach the whole length of Indian Pass near swimmers, yakers, and surf fisherman. I've seen this time and time again, one boat stripped my buddys line out and damanged his reel, boats would cruze shoreside of me in my yak barreling through tarpon.

Don't be like this guy lol
http://extremecoast.com/phpBB3/viewtopi ... =1&t=11910" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That is why I believe in evolution. Nature will just take its course with that idiot.

All vessels, except law enforcement or rescue vessels, that approach within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet, or navigation channel, or within 300 feet of a divers-down flag on waters other than a river, inlet, or navigation channel, must slow to idle speed and proceed with caution (the minimum speed necessary to maintain headway and steerageway).

Furthermore...
Snorkelers and scuba divers alike are urged to use caution when driving in areas where there are already numerous boats occupying the space. Further, diving should not take place in narrow water ways, as such would restrict watercraft from passing.

Both snorkelers and scuba divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 300 feet of a divers-down flag on open waters (all waterways other than rivers, inlets, or navigation channels) and within 100 feet of a flag within rivers, inlets, or navigation channels.

currents and tides can be tricky at IP. I know I have had to run in close to the beach a time or two. Maybe 150-200 feet. I would imagine that minus a diver down flag, the boats would have the right of way for whatever would be safe passage. Can't imagine why anyone would want to dive in the pass. what would be the difference if a boat ran through your lines over at Sykes cut or West pass or Indian pass?

Barhopr wrote:currents and tides can be tricky at IP. I know I have had to run in close to the beach a time or two. Maybe 150-200 feet. I would imagine that minus a diver down flag, the boats would have the right of way for whatever would be safe passage. Can't imagine why anyone would want to dive in the pass. what would be the difference if a boat ran through your lines over at Sykes cut or West pass or Indian pass?

Your right it's all the same, wouldn't make a difference if it were in Texas like the link or anywhere else in Florida. It seems like it happens alot more at Indian Pass than the Cape, then again fourth of July aint a good reference point haha. I understand, it's really a courtesy thing for surf fisherman and swimmers and requires a keen eye from the boaters. I saw many a good tarpon captain run wide with swimmers and lines while others cutt off lines, there was no need to run shallow along the stretch of beach we were fishing. That reg. in the link includes surf fisherman, and swimmers.