View Full Version : Tournament No-Wake rule
I have fished many local tournaments where we have a unwritten rule in no wake areas. Once in the no wake area you follow the tournament boat in front of you. Similar to a yellow flag in car racing. We do not pass each other. I remember the Green Bay RCL last year going through the no wake areas it was every person for themselves. What are your opinions on traveling through no wake areas.
SLIPKNOT
09-18-2001, 01:49 PM
I think that the no passing rule in slow no wake is a stupid idea, some people go so slow in the slow no wake areas it isn't funny. If you want to go fast in them go ahead, I do, if you have a problem with someone doing it go faster than!
Brian_MN
09-18-2001, 01:51 PM
The Green Bay RCL was nuts in the no wake areas! On day 2, we were coming to the end of the 2nd area, boats were 4 wide coming under the bridge, and 8 boats all tried to gun it at the same time. You never saw so much jockeying for position! These guys were all excellent drivers, but it got a little dangerous, and probably didn't look good to the locals looking on.
No-Wake means NO WAKE. If people are jockeying for position I'd think that they are throwing a wake. If a boat is going too slow, I'd say it's ok to pass, just so long as you are NOT throwing a wake. The No-Wake zones are in effect for a variety of reasons. By us it is to protect wetlands and to slow traffic in bottle-neck areas (bridges). I would hope that tournament participants would have the brains and courtesy to obey the No-Wake rules (laws). If someone doesn't I'd think of throwing up a protest.
Best Regards,
FJH
cbellin
09-18-2001, 04:24 PM
last time i checked the regulations "No Wake" means steerage control or the slowest possible speed at which you can maintain control of the boat.
and if it was a problem last year you can bet the wardens will be watching.
just my 2 cents
Chris
I agree with FJH, NO WAKE isnt hard to understand, it means no wake. a fe wseconds, or even a couple of minutes doesnt make the difference as much as people think. if you are prepared and everybody does the same thing. otherwise it could get dangerous, i have seen it happen. this is not a life or deat situation, it is a tournament, with rules, and all i have been in say to obey all the state and local rules, and that means signs too. good luck and good fishin.
Den
I'd have to agree with FJH and Den. No wake means no wake. If someone is going slow enough to pass them without breaking the no wake rule, then by all means, pass them. I'm no speed demon though, I drive a small tiller boat, so I usually let everyone go by me in a tournament launch, and then go, and I can't say that it's ever hurt me.
Safety first, fishing second. You can't fish when you're bailing or treading water.
Eyez
Dutchman
09-19-2001, 06:50 AM
What does "NO WAKE" mean? Man we where really paying attention to our former president Clinton, If your boat is creating a wake then your breaking the law..PERIOD If you can pass with out making a wake then your legal, but I seriously doubt that can be done. My vote goes with FJH1, Den, and Eyez on this one...P.S. Eyez, if you noticed I usually let the pack run and then go to my spot..:)
The way the warden at the Green Bay rules meeting described it, If he is in the river and your wake causes him to spill his coffee you will get a ticket.