[BigBird]

Holmes and i went fishing last night to do some bait fishing and scout out the lower lake for tonights local tourney. There was alot of bass boat traffic and we fished out of the way places instead of the main lake.
We quit fishing somewhere after midnight and headed from BBB to Ebenezer. We were somewhere down near the powerplant in alot of boat traffic when a bass boat crossed in front of us. We hit neutral and before we could hit reverse they swerved and their port side hit Homes bow running about 30 or more. He has a bow pulpit with a 29lb anchor that almost hit the passengers head.
The bass boat busted a hole in their hull above the waterline and damage below. They were lucky we stopped or we would have killed all 6.
All are safe but got home real late after investigation with DNR.
If holmes boat was fiberglass instead of triumph we would have had hole in hull also
Gotta go more later.

 

[dknight]

thank God you guys are ok. Stuff can happen so fast out there. As a side note, I would send that story to triumph.

 

[martygreen]

Glad you guys are ok,thats a bad deal.It wont be long before another real bad accident happens on Wylie.Hopefully Holmes boat is ok.

 

[BigBird]

Holmes will get some pics up later. he is dealing with insurance co and trying to get quotes on fixing. The bow pulpit got bent and yanked bolts out of. The bass boat ripped the rub rail off the bow half way down the port side.
The glancing blow saved all on board.
Them Triumphs are tough.
Lower Wylie is tough for sure. i am gonna stick up on north end from now on. The lower lake is so wide it is hard to see from all directions at night. Upper end is easier.
We had talked earlier about not feeling safe anchoring or drifting main lake due to traffic and stuck to the coves and protected areas.
You'll be careful out there.

 

[Catfishboy1995]

Im glad to hear your all ok!!!! Did they just keep going or did they stop and talk to you guys?

 

[Cgoyette]

who got the ticket?

glad you guys are safe.

 

[arizhunter]

Main thing is you guys are ok! Wow must have been scary

 

[Patmansc]

Glad that everyone's safe, and good thing that you guys were paying attention! Boats and boat parts can be replaced, but not lives.

 

[Holmes]

all i can say is them triumps hold up to their name. lol everybody is ok and the boat still floats. just cosmedic stuff. goin to order parts first of week and hopfuly it will be ready for the turney next weekend. will get pic up larer.

 

[bowler man]

they need to do something with the lower end , that part of the lake isn't safe at all . you have to be looking in every direction all the time or you will get run over. last friday we had a boat with his bow pointing straight up cross right in front of us . we seen him coming and backed out and he passed about 20 feet in front of my boat runnig aout 30 mph. he never even seen us till he passed, and i got a 24' pontoon with hardtop. glad to hear all are ok .

 

[BigBird]

investigation wont be complete until next week. i would suspect the other boat would get ticket. the incident was witnessed by two off duty police officers that were fishing a tourney and called dnr.
the other party was not drinking but evidently not paying attention either. it could have something to do with 6 people in a bass boat.

 

[WylieCat]

Congratulations guys; YOU CHEATED DEATH!! Thank God you survived.

Hopefully you were wearing life jackets. If not, you probably will be after this incident ANYTIME you run at night.

We spoke about this EXACT issue at a recent Carolina Catfish Club meeting following a collision another club member had when a boat hit their anchor rope. Slower speed and a good spotlight is essential when moving about crowded lakes at night.

I'm glad to hear no one was killed or seriously injured.

Just curious, did you see a red or green bow light on the other boat before the collision?

Six people in a bass boat? Sounds like it was overloaded. Not good in a lawsuit.

 

[JimmyJonny]

Kinda hits home a little more when ya know the people in a accident like that don't it. Thank God Ya'll are alright.

-Jim-

 

[Holmes]

Just curious, did you see a red or green bow light on the other boat before the collision?

.

that was the problem i seen both sides of his boat. green then he did a hard turn and i seen red. he made a 180 in front of me. like he did not see me till too late and i dinot know where he was goin.

 

[WylieCat]

"....green then he did a hard turn and i seen red...."

Good.

Sounds like you were the stand-on vessel. The other boat should have taken action, through turning or adjusting speed, so as to allow you to pass on the course you were on.

Sadly, most people don't know basic maritime navigational rules, and don't have a clue why the lights are red and green.

I will be surprised if anyone is charged since there was not a death, injury, or alcohol involved. Law enforcement likes to wash their hands of that if they can. They will leave it up to your insurance companies to battle it out.

Keep us posted on how things develop.

 

[Bill in SC]

Glad y'all are ok. I hope y'all are wearin' them insurance collars today. That would learn 'em!! Seriously, I guess everyone who night fishes in busy waters should light up their boats with LEDs.
Bill in SC

 

[Holmes]

"....green then he did a hard turn and i seen red...."

Good.

Sounds like you were the stand-on vessel. The other boat should have taken action, through turning or adjusting speed, so as to allow you to pass on the course you were on.

Sadly, most people don't know basic maritime navigational rules, and don't have a clue why the lights are red and green.

.

yeah me and lindsay was takling about the green and red light and witch was the stand on and give way vesel that night.

and by the way the boat is bout ready to go. just need to get a few new bolts for the anchor and it ready. got to love them triumphs. lol

 

[Jeffrey Green]

Glad you guy's are okay,real dangerous out there this time a year for sure.

 

[Holmes]

dont look to bad

 

[Mark J]

Rubrail is expensive.
Looks like you can get by with just the insert.
Who ever is paying, don't let em piece it. Replace the whole thing.