[bluecat69]

I was fishing Santee Cooper a few years back. I had put in on the south end of Moultree. We fished all day with no luck then moved into the canal around dark. We fished all night and the majority of the next day with lots of luck. Well, it was time to head to the house. We got to the south end of the canal and had to go seven miles across Moultree to the boat ramp. The bad thing is that the wind had picked up and the waves/swells was probably 3-4 feet high.
I turned around and went back to one of the resturants in the canal and asked some folks for a ride to my truck. One guy says, "No problem let me get my boat ready." I had a 16 foot ba$$ boat then but he had a 24 foot cabin cruiser. It was a bumpy ride but I made it to my truck then cleaned out my pants before driving back to the canal in my truck.
What do you in a situation like that? I am no pro with a boat and I know my limitations. I think I did the right thing.
Any suggestions?

 

[Knoxcats]

I had a very similar experience on Lake Marion in a rented pontoon boat. Left out early in the morning and had some fishing success...then it got hot and the kids wanted to swim, so I anchored behind an island in Wyboo Creek. When it was time to head back to Randolph's Landing, the wind had picked up, but we were blocked by the island. Water was calm where we were. That would soon change.

The waves were crashing over the deck of the pontoon boat...the motor was coming out of the water so much it was difficult to steer. My wife's cell phone nearly washed out the back of the boat...my son caught it before it went over the stern. My baitwell turned over...when your bait can swim off the back of the boat - life is not good.

I'm trying to battle the boat and get her back in...the wife and kids are scared, and I'm acting like I'm in control, but very concerned. When I told my wife that it might be a good idea to get the life jackets out...she freeked, so I ended up beaching the boat and calling Randolphs on the radio. The guy at Randolphs was not very happy, but no damage done. Drove back to Myrtle Beach soaking wet.

 

[MUDHOLE KID]

You did the right thing.Everyone that knows those lake will tell you to stay off of them in high winds.I'v tried crossing in my 20' Javelin and changed my mind.Funny thing is I thought I could do it.Don't do something you'll regret.I've heard too many stories of sinkers out there so I respect the waters down there.I always put in close to where I plan on fishing

 

[dudlbugr]

Mike,
You did the right thing, exactly. Always be aware of your limitations, and if you're scared, say you're scared. But for possible driving distance problems, it really would have been safer to drive around to your truck. More than once I've run the 5 miles from the ramp to the river, looked at it, and decided to fish in the lake or just go home.
Good thinking!

 

[omots2]

Mike what you did was the safest thing you and NO one can falt you for that.Great thinking hope your time on the water is always safe :grin-big: :grin-big:

 

[peewee williams]

In my years at Santee.I saw quite a few people who had made the wrong choice.Some had been in the warer a few days,some months.You look a lot better than they did.I remember one tragic case.A group got caught in bad weather,and decided to wait it out on one of the islands.It was a cold,miserable,but safe night.The next day,they found out that someone had gotten worried and come looking for them.It took a while to find his body.They made the right choice and lived.He made the wrong choice and died.I beached my boat many times,and carried my 1 1/2 hp motor miles to my home.When the weather cleared,I would carry my motor back.Then I would have to bail and dig that big old wood boat out.Sometimes it was full of sand.Yes it was a job,but it kept me alive.My father knew that I would do it,is the reason that I was allowed my own boat and motor.peewee-williams

 

[Tee]

If there is ever any doubt, I think it is much wiser to err on the side of caution.
My father told me 2 things to remember just before I left on my first "trip" to a far and distant land:
1) The heroes you hear about the most, often are dead! Come home alive.
2) There has never been a "hero" in our family yet, please don't give our decendents anything to "live up to".

I have attempted to temper my exuberance with the memory of his words, and so far have given no one anything to live up to, but I have returned home alive.....

If you had any doubts about the safety of attempting to cross the water, then you ABSOLUTELY did the right thing in getting a ride to your truck.

 

[muskyman]

When I was younger, i fished alot of draw bass tournaments on lake mead in vegas nevada. Lake can get 5-6 foot rollers, I am talking stuff you could easily surf. I am so glad that my dad took me out in rough water when I was younger. Cause being out on that water tought me what was ok to run in and when to call it a day and beach it or find some cover. I would say this to anyone reading this. Follow your intuition. Listen to that voice in the back of your head. Ask anyone who has ever survived a sticky situation and they will tell you - something told me to do what I did.

 

[JERMSQUIRM]

ya. you were smart, at our gathering this year friday night i went out alone in my 17"v bottom fish and ski boat. the lake is 24,580 acres and is a big oval. its like a mini ocean. on the way back the waves were cresting the bow and i was drinched. i was only a little ways from the cove we camped at. it took me 20 min to get back and only 5 to get were i was. im begining to hate that lake. kutter and some others told me that thurs a boat was just barly sticking out of the water. he found the tackle box the next day at the bank full of bass stuff. im really starting to hate that lake. great for gatherings but fishing has been poor and its a shallow dangerous lake IMO.

 

[zebcohobo202]

I was in the lower lake one night with some friends in a 17ft. Carolina Skiff. It had been cloudy all night but not bad weather. About 3am the weather turned nasty. Rain and wind, man I tell you the lake looked like an ocean. Carolina Skiffs are made for rough water, but the water that night put it to the test. If it weren't for a strong bilge pump I believe we would have sank. It's tough to call a trip sometimes, but you did the right thing. I've been scared a few times on Lake Murray, but Murray ain't nothin compared to Marion and Moultrie.

 

[TOPS]

I was stationed at Ft Hood,Texas back in the late 80's. I was fishing lake Belton or Stillhouse can not remember which one, the wind got so high,the waves were washing into the boat. Waves coming into boat so fast and often that the bildge pump was useless. I was standing in about one foot of water in my boat. The boat continued to float. Thanks to all the styrofoam in the sides of the boat. I made it home safe but did have to change my pants.

 

[BKS72]

I have to agree, I was out on the river the other day and the weather was clear, but the wind came up pretty good. Wasn't any fun fighting the current, wind, and the waves. I turned it around and went home. Discretion is definitely the better part of valor when you're on the water.

 

[Mutt]

i got caught out in a storm one day was just using enough power to keep the boat going to get to the dock was only a mile or less from it. there was this guy that had a old fiberglass boat about 16 feet long his bow was way up in the air i yelled at him to power back he didnt and the wind caught the boat and fliped it over backwards. so i turned and went over to him he had no life jacket no flotation device at all. he lost his gear motor and other things but we got him onboard my boat and towed his boat back to the dock upside down. lesseon learned have the required safety equipment on board and use it follow your instincts and if it doubt beach and wait it out. thankfully he lives to fish another day.