Chased down a jet-flea!

[deputydawg]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

I am a certified boating safety instructor from the nebraska game and parks commission. The course was originally made for jet skiis. I have been certified as an instructor for about 5 years now, and have hosted several classes. I have certified exactly 0 boaters! Noone ever registers for the class! Now the law is changing and anyone under 18 must have a boater safety card to operate ANY boat in nebraska, noty just skiis. I think the state is trying to make it so everyone takes the class. Maybe if more would be interested in safety and take the safety class, there would be less problems out there.

 

[Tom2697]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

The problem with jetskis is not that the people don't know about boating safety. Many do but just get caught up in the moment. These things are fun to ride and the temptation to jump a wake, buzz a fisherman, or flirt with nearby boaters often blinds the mind to the dangers or to the law. I had jetskis for about 13 years and have been boating my entire life. I will confess that I have done each of the things I've mentioned above while on a jetski, as well as a few more that I'd rather not mention, and it is just the nature of anything that is as fast and nimble as these things are to do what these people are doing (just think about sportbikes!!!). It is the endorphins created by the fun these people are having that make them stupid.

 

[wajajaja]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

this thread is the same as on a skiing board, dang those riders them snow boards.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

And snowmobilers vs. cross country skiers.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

I know, there are plenty of fishing boats that are just as thoughtless & careless, but I figure there's a chance that the jetskiers are just uninformed about the impact they can have on the fisherman and what is "acceptable," rather than just stupid or thoughtless. After all, a jetskier doesn't mind when another jetski kicks up a wake, right?

 

[kd6nem]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

I say all the ramp fees from every lake be set aside for a month or two. Then we go buy the biggest, baddest, fastest ol' PWC that can be bought. Dress it up with black and white paint, a county insignia, a light bar with revolving red & blue lights, and top it off with a sireen. A thirty caliber M60 in stainless steel could be optional. Then send in a sign-up list to the local sherrif's office. Half day on the water free, just remember to bring your badge. Then no longer will the "uninformed" be uninformed once they've had a trip down to the local courthouse to pay the fine. And some drunk or stupid bass boaters and skiboaters can join in the fun as well. How many more people do we need to have hurt or killed because of stupidity? I vastly prefer that people be sensible in the first place and the law not have to be exerted. But the stupid always insist otherwise.<br /><br />Actually just having the rangers maintain a more visible presence would work. I'm hearing how too often the funds collected from a recreation area get siphoned off for things out of area and unrelated. I'd rather that since I have to pay (for what we the public already own) that the funds at least benefit the particular lake I'm trying to enjoy. An extra ranger patrol sounds like as good a use as any to me.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

This is meant as a question, not to get anyone "fired up". what do fisherman, or for that matter, any boater expect when they stop or drop anchor in the middle of a channel or river ?<br />Here is my point/question. I boat on the Ohio River. It is commonly known that there is a "sailing line" or "channel" down the middle of this river. There are barges that travel in this area that will not stop for anything, and if you have ever seen a tug (twin 2000 hp engines), pushing several barges against current you get the idea of what a "wake" is. While I have seen anchored boats move out of the barges way (usually just before dissaster). They seam to get all ****** off when (not if) everyone else does not slow down to idle or go way around them. Here is my point, this is a river, by law we are not allowed to get closer than 300 ft.(at speed) to either shore or marina on the shore. while I would not dream of speeding past a fishing boat or any boat that is anchored just off of shore, it just seams idiotic that they would anchor in the middle of the river and expect to hault traffic. What do you guys (gals) think ??

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

Sorry, didn't intend to hijack this thread. Posted the above questions under "dockside chat"

 

[jtexas]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

Originally posted by Bearcat Powered:<br /> <br />A thirty caliber M60 in stainless steel could be optional. Then send in a sign-up list to the local sherrif's office.

I like the idea of PWC cops but pulease don't turn the citizenry loose with a 30 caliber! wait, what if we install the M60, but give each operator just one bullet, which they keep in their shirt pocket. (remember Barney Fife?)<br /><br /><br />

Originally posted by waterone1:<br /> Sorry, didn't intend to hijack this thread. Posted the above questions under "dockside chat"

it's okay, threads that are still alive after 3 months will start to wander. But you asked a good question that deserves its own.

 

[kd6nem]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

waterone1,<br />It may well be true of some who boat in large rivers. But my irritation stems from when I go way out of my way to find a quiet cove on a lake only to find the water fleas have followed me in shortly after I get a skier in the water (usually one of my kids)or have just made a beautiful cast right to structure sure to hold a nice fat bass. Then they zoom as fast as they can as close as they can, then break to do donuts and jump their own wake in violation of all the proximity rules they are able- when there are several thousand acres of lake out there with little or no traffic. I've seen this on the quietest of days. They just HAVE to find someone to annoy and show off for. They care not where my tow line or fishing line is. There is absolutely no justification for this. And if the lake is busy? All the more reason for them to behave, yet it only seems to make them worse. Never again will I venture onto a lake during a summer holiday, and rarely will I ever go on a weekend during summer unless it is early enough to beat the fools who drink and boat. I can see why some are tempted to change their lure to go for the "bigger fish" when those clowns show up. I have had to use a lot of restraint to avoid doing just that myself. You can't tell me the fools have no idea that they are being obnoxious. They know. Just don't care. They better not be the ones who break down in the middle of the lake, cause IF I do decide to tow them it will only be as far as the nearest Ranger's boat. <br />Most PWC's are not operated in this way, but it amazes me how at times the number is close to half.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

Last month, Saturday night, small local lake (Joe Pool, about 7k acres), just after dark I saw (luckily) two young ladies in the middle of the channel just out from a busy marina (Lynn Creek), no lights, swimming around in the vacinity of their jetski's. Dangerous not to mention illegal. I slowed enough to ask if they needed assistance, they looked over but didn't answer. Probly thought I was trying to pick 'em up or something. I would've called 911 if I'd had my cell - maybe I should have just gone over to the marina & told somebody, I don't know. Anyway I just left 'em, but I didn't feel real good about it. <br /><br />I guess when I post this on the adult board it will have a different ending .

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

Don't laugh about cops on them...Last time out in Boston Harbor...a nice black and white pwc pulled up next to my boat..I had to do a double take...yup..State trooper...in his shorty wetsuit and all. Luckly I was idling along in the no wake zone. (75 degree day...low wind..no waves...sunny...boy must have been hard for him to go to work on a Sunday!)<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[ddaigle]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

jtexas, what is the law regarding jet skis proximity to fisherman in Texas? I have the same problem, they see me fishing and come and do donuts right in front of me. I also had one run over my line and cut off a 100plus pound tarpon. He was lucky his neck didnt come into contact with my 50 pound braided line at 50 mph.It would not have been pretty.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

ddaigle that kind of behavior just burns my buscuit! They got the whole dang Gulf of Mexico to play in! After losing a 100lber like that, not even cool-tempered jtexas could have a civilized discussion with those jack244es!<br /><br />generally it's illegal to cause a "hazardous" wake, or to "operate in a circular course around fishermen or swimmers"<br /><br />PWC-specific rules from the TPWD "Digest of the Texas Water Safety Act":<br /><br />"All operational rules for regular motorboats also apply to PWC. In addition to those requirements, it is unlawful for any person to: <br /><br />1. operate PWC at night (sunset until sunrise); <br />2. operate PWC within 50 feet of another PWC, motorboat, vessel, platform, person, object, or shore except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake; and <br />3. operate a PWC and jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close."<br /><br />I wish rental places would go over these rules verbally with renters.<br /><br />I wonder how many youngsters (and parents) realize that under-18 you got to have a license to operate a PWC without an adult on board.<br /><br />BTW, waterone1, Texas also prohibits anchoring in the "traveled portion of any river or channel" so as to interfere with boat traffic. If I choose to fish in a narrow channel, I'll be off to the side, and I'll be expecting your wake; it just comes with the territory.

 

[Tom2697]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

ddaigle & jtexas,<br />I am certain that both of you have seen some of the boaters that we have in Texas...you know the ones I am talking about...a family of 11 in a 16ft boat with 3 on a tube in back. Many of these people don't know and don't care to know about the law. It is only another rule to prevent them from having fun. Some of them are even here illegally to begin with! Toss in the alcohol that these yahoos bring and the situation is ripe for disaster. <br /><br />Just because laws exist doesn't mean people will follow them. Most people are too ignorant about the law anyway...like the snailboater who is under power demanding the right of way or the jetskier running between swimmers and surfers at the beach to play on the waves or the fishing boat that anchors in the Intracoastal waterway or shipping channel. Unfortunately, some people jst don't have any common sense...

 

[ddaigle]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

You are exactly right Tom, I have had just as many problem with boats, some of them charter boats. And unfortunately here in S. Texas common sense is in short supply, as evidenced by the number of drownings on S. Padre of people who cant swim or are drunk( 99% of which are never publicized, might hurt tourism)My daughter saved a whole family last summer with her surfboard, the kids got sucked out by a wave and mom and dad went to save them but none of them could swim. Thank God my daughter was there with her board or it would have been four more dead. If it wasnt for the surfers here the death toll would be astronomical.

 

[silenscurator]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

My Grandad had a problem with some people down the lake from us constantly screaming past the end of our dock. Well wouldn't you know, one morning none of their boats would start. Seems someone put sand in the gas tank... I don't know who it was, but my Grandad sat out on the dock all day and watched them tow boats back to the marina with a rarely seen small grin on his face...

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

You would have thought that Grandad would know that two wrongs don't make a right..

 

[Twidget]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

Well, mathmatically, two negatives make a positive.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Chased down a jet-flea!

Originally posted by jsfinn:<br /> ...two wrongs don't make a right..

But three lefts do!