11-19-2005, 01:44 AM
[cool][#0000ff]One of the things I point out in my book is that even the biggest lake can be broken down into several (or many) smaller lakes. If you can find reasonable access to the area you want to fish, there is no need to launch farther away and put yourself at risk by cruising through "shipping channels". [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is usually true that the best fishing in most lakes is within reasonable distance from shore...unless you are deep trolling for species that do not stay close to shore. So, if you do it right, you shouldn't have to spend too much time out in open water, where bigger bullies can find you and run over you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you do have to make a "crossing", try to be patient and wise. Watch the boat traffic and wait for a lull before scooting across the busy open water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That will not eliminate the problem. Water skiers, PWC operators and other "power squadron" fanatics will often go out of their way to harass small boats, tubes and toons. It ain't right, but then again, some of them ain't quite right either. Unless you are heavily armed, there is not much you can do about it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As has been suggested, do what you can to help other watercraft see you...hopefully to avoid you and not to target you. Some tubes and toons come with safety orange in the color mix. If not, it's easy to add a flag with some color on it. Just be careful you do not exceed the state statutes. Above a certain size, the blaze orange flag signifies emergency, rather than warning, and you could attract more attention than you want. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The next step is to keep a pressurized can airhorn with you, to wake up those dimbulbs who are not looking where they are going. Do everything you can to prevent problems and you will have fewer of them. You can't always look out for the other guy, but you can take measures to protect yourself.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It is usually true that the best fishing in most lakes is within reasonable distance from shore...unless you are deep trolling for species that do not stay close to shore. So, if you do it right, you shouldn't have to spend too much time out in open water, where bigger bullies can find you and run over you.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you do have to make a "crossing", try to be patient and wise. Watch the boat traffic and wait for a lull before scooting across the busy open water.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That will not eliminate the problem. Water skiers, PWC operators and other "power squadron" fanatics will often go out of their way to harass small boats, tubes and toons. It ain't right, but then again, some of them ain't quite right either. Unless you are heavily armed, there is not much you can do about it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As has been suggested, do what you can to help other watercraft see you...hopefully to avoid you and not to target you. Some tubes and toons come with safety orange in the color mix. If not, it's easy to add a flag with some color on it. Just be careful you do not exceed the state statutes. Above a certain size, the blaze orange flag signifies emergency, rather than warning, and you could attract more attention than you want. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The next step is to keep a pressurized can airhorn with you, to wake up those dimbulbs who are not looking where they are going. Do everything you can to prevent problems and you will have fewer of them. You can't always look out for the other guy, but you can take measures to protect yourself.[/#0000ff]
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