What broke at the FLWLC?

[disdp1]

I'm curious what broke on other boats during the championship.

Personnally, I sheared off several screws and had the other screws back out of my passenger windshield while running. Had to stop and take the remaining screw out or decapitate my co. Also lost the light off the back from running in rough water.

After the blow on Friday, decided to run back to Escanaba from Cedar River. Many of the boats that came into Cedar during the blow decided to trailer it back to the weigh-in. All I know is my arms were numb from the elbows down when I arrived back. My poor co-angler!

All I can say is it wasn't fun running 30 miles in up to 10 footers. I took 2 1/4 hours to go that distance.

Dave Palecek

[Marble Eyes]

An Friday I took the skeg off my main engine when attempting to relocate in a driving rainstorm with 30+ mph winds. I couldn't see the graph with the rain hitting my glasses. I took them off just in time to see a rock hump raise up out of 12 foot depths. I got it out of gear and trimmed just enough not to rip the whole thing off. I was only doing about 15 mph.

( I want to state however, I don't think this had anything to do with any decision either to call it or not due to weather) I was the Captain of the vessel and I didn't watch close enough. The hump WAS on my Navionics map, I just couldn't see it without my glasses. No one was hurt, exept my pride and my second days coanglers chance at any fish. I spent the second half of my Friday running my rig into the Ford River channel.

Unfortunately when the skeg broke it also took part of the lower unit housing with it, leaving a hole about the size of your fist.


I talked to my First day Co-angler earlier today who made the top 15 cut for today. Today they made the run to the Cedar River cracking the hull on a Ranger and he also told me that the Camera Crew that was attempting it also took the windshield off their boat or broke it up good. They decided to call it quits and run into the Cedar River Ramp. (Both rigs)


I will say this as a personal observation. I drive a 1900 Lund Pro V and it rides rough compared to glass in high seas. However there is NO boat that can handle the abuse I saw many put there rigs thru heading out both Thursday and Friday. You can't get your rig out of the water 2-3 foot and smash the water at 30-50 mph and not expect damage to accur. Glide Rides and Wave Wackers may save your backs but the boat still gets beat. I Maxed out at 18 mph going out Thursday. Once I got out of the shoot on Friday I could go 25 nicely. Boats flew past me doing atleast 45.

[fishunter70]

I can't believe that they let you guy's fish in that kind of weather. Safty is first and foremost when it comes to any type of fishing,hunting or what ever sport or not your doing. If there's a chance of sombody getting hurt or worse yet you might loose your life then it's only common sense not too do it.

If they knew what the weather was going to do, which on friday they did, and sent you guy's out then shame on the people making that call. If it was the PWT then the safty board ( made up of anglers fishing the tounry for the year ) would have step in and made a group call wheather to fish or not.

As for you being the captain, You need to make sure EVERYBODY in your boat is safe and secure and not in harm's way. If sombody were to get hurt you would find out in a quick hurry how good your policy/ company really is.

[CR Finaddicit]

Windshields were the least of their worries as some of the boats even "broke up" today and never made it back to Escanaba. Lots of horror stories of lost motors, broken windshields and seats, electronics gone.......all true. Saw one boat today in Cedar River that lost a kicker motor, broke a windshield, blew out the transom welds, buckled the front end.......totaled. They never made it back yesterday and had to stay the night on Chambers Island. I guess now some might have some more respect for the almighty Green Bay when the Northeasters are kicking up!

By the way....all manufacturers of boats got pounded equally in this tournament....there was no biggest or baddest of anything!

The Finaddict

[tcfish]

Well here is what I went through. I did not do very good on day one down by Ceader and my 2nd day am did not catch any fish on day one so I opted to go out after big fish 3 miles south of Minneapolis Shoals (15 miles from take off). At take off the wind was out of the south with 1-3 foot seas. Around 9 am the wind shifted to the north and started to blow (they were calling for ne wind 6-16 mph). At 11 am we say a cell coming from the west and the seas were alreay 2-4 foot, we packed up and started to head in at 11:15. Right away the swells were increasing to 6 to 8s, we took our time and headed to the harbor. Then the rain, lightning and hail started along with a few 9 maybe 10' waves came along (tell you the truth I really didn't pay attention to the size I just know they were big all i was paying attention to was my gps and rpm), only later I asked my am who is from Sagana Bay how big they were and thats what he told me. It took 2 hours and 15 min to go those 15 miles and we did not spear one wave and the only thing that broke was a rod tip. When we arived to the check in there was over a dozen boats in already. The Coast Gaurd boat went out along with the helecopter at least 2 boats were calling for help. The fish were going at ceader river which is a 30 mile run and all I could think about were those fellow anglers. I don't know if it was that bad by them but it did calm down some after the storm. The things I saw broken were 3 windshield, 2 tolling motors gone, broken brackets, broken kicker, 2 locators gone and one guy who lost all his electronics on day one going down to ceader, oh did I say we ran in fog Day one. I talked to one guy who did at least $3000.00 damage to his boat.

All in all it was an interesting tournament and for a Minnesota boy those were some big roolers. I would like to thank Ranger boats, Yamaha motors, Minn kota and Lowrance Electronics for they all were flawless. One last thanks goes out to Tony my am on day two, lets just say we bonded that day.

[Drivers Ed]

Looks like a bunch of them should take driving lessons from you. I don't feel sorry for those who busted their equipment. There's no excuse its either inexperience or just plain stupidity. I feel sorry for the co anglers who had to ride with those guys.

[FreeByrd]

Were there "Small Craft Warnings" posted by the Coast Guard for the waters being discussed here?

[eyesgotu]

Yes, there were small craft advisories out, yet they fished on anyways. I'd want to fish too, but, c'mon when wave heights were what they were, the fishermen(drivers) need to use some common sense.

I too don't feel sorry for the guys who beat the crap out of there boats. These guys knew what they were dealing with and apparently didn't care nor wanted to take there time where they were going. Oh by the way, i know of 2 215 triton's that were in the tournament and there boats suffered no damage, no missing motors, electronics, seats, windshields etc. A lot of it has to do with the driver and how he is on the throttle. Some guys know only one speed and well, you just can't expect to run at a high speed in 4-7 ft. waves no matter what boat you have, ranger, lund, crestliner, triton etc. These guys have themselves only to blame. Now they have a $40,000 boat, that for some is unfishable, damaged beyond belief, and missing $3,000 worth of equipment. Deal with it.

[Called back in]

It's a championship, everybody wants to fish, but they should have at least been called back in. All the FLW had to do was watch the weather. They would have seen the big cell coming.

The most important thing in all of this, is the safety of the anglers. Now with that said, the anglers did not have to go out on the water, if they found it dangerous. If some of those guys were driving 45mph in those conditions, that is just plain stupidity.

[Fastcat]

What I cant believe is the way some were thrashing the waves when the payout after the first 2 for the boater side, was not that high

1st 621 Ranger Boat/Evinrude
2nd Polar Kraft V1910Pro DC/Yamaha

PAYOUT BOAT BONUS TOTAL
3rd $3,500 $1,000 $4,500
4th $2,000 $500 $2,500
5th $1,500 $500 $2,000
6th $1,200 $400 $1,600
7th $1,100 $300 $1,400
8th $900 $250 $1,150
9th $850 $250 $1,100
10th $800 $200 $1,000
11th-15th $550 $150 $700
16th-20th $450 $150 $600

I mean would you run that hard to break your boat in half for $1,000? I know I would not.

[KTurner UL]

Reminds me of the best reason to hold tournaments on a RIVER..... It kills me that people whine and complain when tournament directors call a BLOW DAY and then they don't call a BLOW DAY and people whine and complain.

How do you really expect this sport to grow with so many whiners and complainers........

League Boaters - sorry to hear about all the broken equipment. Glad nobody got hurt seriously.......

Kurt

[John Gildersleeve]

My Skeg and Prop suffered some damage caused by running the shoreline too close and a rock hump not marked on the gps chip. I also lost a windshield due to a wave coming over the boat. I was going around 7-10 miles per hour and the wave had no back to it and crested right when I came down and the bow crashed into the next wave putting 50 or so gallons of water in the front deck nocking the windsheild off. Not a good thing. I have learned a few things about running in the fog and running in the huge wave's. Plot a safe trail too get to your spot and make enough time to get back safely and in one piece. I did all my damage on Thursday and patched it up and went down to Cedar River on Friday and came in with a nice catch after the front passed. I did see some guy's beat the heck out of their boats. When I looked at the lake I could see Boats flying over them 6-8 ft waves and I new we needed more time to get back. It took me 2 hours to make the journey and my banged up Yamaha and small 1900 Lund pro-v followed my Lowrance GPS for I could not see over the waves because I am only 5'7ft tall. I was the second boat out on Thursday and the 2nd too last on Friday so I got too see who was hard on equipment and who was not. I did feel sorry for my co-angler for taking the rough ride and made it as less pounding as I could. Overall my Lund did very well in those monster waves.

John Gildersleeve

[Marble Eyes]

I hope no one read my post as whining about not calling it for a day due to the weather.

I wasn't gonna break up my rig by beating the heck out of it in those waves. I took my time. When My lower unit was damaged I was attempting to relocate and keep out of the other anglers trolling pass. I simple didn't see the hump on my graph map due to the graph settings -size of the display and me removing my glasses. (Ship Happens)

Tritons? Well I will tell you after spending a day on the water in Don Curler's 215 a week ago I will say they are one beautiful ride. What a Rig. If I go to glass I can guarentee that will be the #1 option. However, even those rigs weren't gonna take the abuse I saw other rigs taking.

Water doesn't compress, so something is gonna give when you pound it like I saw happening.

Congratulations to the Winners. Job well Done.

[eyesgotu]

I didn't see it as whining. You were just stating what happened and how you dealt with the situation. If you tried and take it easy and things still broke, well, then at least you tried.

And your right in that your lund rides rough in rough seas compared to a glass boat.(this will upset the aluminum owners). Truth hurts. There is no option like you stated other then going glass in rough water. There's no way i'd own a aluminum tin can and fish in those kind of seas. Also, another reason not to have a full windshield boat, just to have large waves and amounts of water rip it off the boat and have a pile of glass in your boat.

I know very well, both triton boat owners, and have rode in both boats numerous times and there's no comparison to them and any aluminum boat on the market. Those boats are made for rough water and i can attest to that. Well, let me take that back some boats are designed to withstand a certain amount of punishment and if there in rough water they can handle it. The rest is up to the driver. The Rangers 621 is comparable also and a good choice to have along with the Triton 215. Both of there designs help the boat in rougher water.

In the end though, it all comes down to who is driving the boat and what there mindset is. Some drivers don't care and will push there boat to the limit and equipment begins to break and sometimes the boat too. Common sense should tell you when to get up and go and when to slow down some. Some fishermen haven't learned and will never. They have one setting and that's full throttle. They have only themselves to blame for ruining there high dollar fishing rigs.

[Aluminum Boat Owner]

Their is no reason to bash aluminum boat owner's. They do not run any rougher than the driver makes it. I know a co-angler that rode in a Glass boat and refused to go back out on Friday because his back was out from riding with a maniac driver in a Glass boat. So dont go blasting Aluminum boats for bad driver's. Look and see how many glass boats where sidelined because they needed repair verses the Aluminum boats? Enough said!!!

[eyesgotu]

I never intended to bash aluminum boat owners nor said they were bad drivers. Glass owners can be just as bad at the wheel as aluminum. What i was getting at, is no matter what the boat is made of, if a driver beats the piss out of it running hard in big waves, then no boat will come back without something broke or missing.

There's nothing wrong with aluminum boats, but in my opinion, after riding in a lund 1900 prov and a 215 triton and 620 ranger glass boat, i'll take the triton or ranger every time.

You mentioned that a co angler was in a glass boat and refused to go back out the next day due to a driver driving like a maniac. Well, that's the drivers fault for driving like that in thoses kind of waves. That was my whole point in my previous message. It doesn't matter what boat your in, those huge waves are going to beat the crap out of you in a glass or aluminum boat, no matter what when the driver has the throttle down running in big waves.

You can have your aluminum and i'll take the glass. There's nothing wrong about that. It basically comes down to how the driver drives. I guess any boat for that matter will ride fine, as long as the driver is careful. You mentioned how many of the glass boats were sidelined? Well, alot of it i'm sure had to with being the drivers fault not that it was a glass boat? Look who's doing the bashing now?Sorry if i upset the aluminum crowd.

[Tom22]

I run a 19 ft Pro-V... fortunately I encountered no problems with equiptment...I ran 19 miles back against the waves at 12-15mph, and it was'nt too bad, It's all up to the driver on how bad it can be....Tom

[tn]

I have a 2005 620 and only had a couple of loose screws on my back hand rail and my vhf radio mic fell from its bracket. The part on the mic that holds it in the dash mounted bracket came unscrewed.

I ran to the Cedar River area both days. I would say compared to most other boats I was taking it easy. I didn't get to the Cedar River area until 8:38 am Friday morning and left at 11:05 am.

The only equipment problem I had was on the way home Saturday morning. I had my rear right trailer tire rip to shreds. Took about an hour to dig out the packed away tool box, find truck jack hidden behind back seat, find jack handle, find allen wrench to get the lug cover off the rims, change tire and re-stow tools. Made the 7.5 hour trip home take 8.5 hours.

Tom Nordyke

[eyesgotu]

Well said Tom. That was the whole point of this discussion since the first posting. Like you said: "it's all up the driver on how bad it can be". It didn't have anything to do wether it was a glass boat or aluminum.

[Marble Eyes]

What I want to know Tom is did you loose your goggles during the trip to the Cedar? Come on now, I know you were sporting em. :rotflmao:

Iam gonna get ya one of those old German Helmets with the spike on top it to go with them , so You stick out from the other Ranger Guys. :)

[skeeter]

No way was Tom wearing goggles? Couldn't you just see him with that helmet and the goggles along with his big smile???? lolol I know a guy that years ago was an armature in PWT and he had a snowmobile helmet and rope. He tied the rope to the side cleats somehow and then stood in back. Love to have seen that. His name was Page. You might know him. After reading all these posts I am wondering if a call should have been made on this one. Seemed the weather was pretty bad. Sure are some bad reports coming in. Skeeter

Use the WALLEYE CENTRAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY "Skeeters Stuff" under marine supplies, it works! We pay big big bucks for our boats its NOT wise to cut corners when it comes to boat cleaning supplies.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/wcdirectory/yellowresult.p

[walleye621]

Let me set the record STRAIGHT as I think this is the co that went out with me on the first day.:shame: His back was bad before the tournament due to a work related accident. He should have not been fishing. I did not run very hard as the water and conditions would not allow. I felt fine the next day and continued to fish in the less-than favorable conditions on Fri.

[Marble Eyes]

Oh Skeeter you don't know Nordyke very well then. They are his secret Weapon.

The first time I saw him, he had a boat full of people with him and he was on the bow working the trolling motor standing up with a set of Rose colored goggles on jigging the drop off of Humbug. We handlined by them and couldn't beleive our eyes. It was like 40 degrees at the time. Sun Shining...

My wife and I laughed like heck. It was only later that I was telling it to a group of people of shore did Tom speak up and admit it was him.


Ah Tom can take a ribbing...

Tom I hope you didn't have that blowout on US2. That would be hair raising to change a left sider on that road.

[tn]

You bet I had them on for the ride back from Cedar River. Those amber colored lenses really help out with the visability. They do a good job of shielding your face from the rain/sleet/hale and boat spray.

They helped me avoid rock piles while navigating in that nasty weather through the No-See-Um area. If you want a pair for next season, I got them at Cabelas for $29.99.

[Marble Eyes]

That's good! I figured you'ld smack me around for that. :)

[perchjerker]

wow if there were small craft advisories or warnings out I dont understand how they could be told to go out and fish.

[Seems]

It seems like more and more tournaments with big sponsor bucks are sending contestants out in dangerous water. This event, the MWC at Henderson Harbor, just to name a few. The contestants all pay to play, but how many folks aren't going to try if the organization says lets rock and roll and sends you into massive Great Lakes waves and fouls weather? Many will try and get to the fishing grounds.

Anyway, maybe it's time to think asbout switching to more inland bodies of water instead of always trying for the big pigs the Great Lakes have. It's awesome to catch the big ones, but it takes just as much skill to win on an inland river as it does trolling the Great Lakes.

I hope nobody has any permanent injuries.

[FreeByrd]

I'm definitely surprised they went out with Small Craft warnings in place if that is indeed the case - or that if they sent them they didn't call them back in. However I'm not familiar with the area fished and haven't looked at it on a map - seems from the limited reading I've done that there was some "protected water" available to fish??

It seemed the FLW had taken the "safety first" stance after the fiasco that happened on the final day of the Port Clinton Tour tournament in 2003. Day 2 was cancelled in 2004 due to small craft warnings in Port Clinton, and they called us back in off the water on day 2 in 2005 in Port Clinton when the lake got nasty.

Glad nobody was seriously hurt.
Steve

[stpper]

Dave, still can not believe you made the run back Friday! I started to follow, but quickly turned back when I saw the waves still in the 5+ range, it was a tough call for me since I did have a few nice fish, but not enough to make up for the zero on day one. Still would have been nice to show some weight for this tournament. Withthatsaid, I am glad I decided to bag it and trailer back from Cedar River. Oh by the way, I have a number of screws to tighten down but can not do that until I get my boat back, had to leave the boat up in Escanaba – broken hub and temp fix did not work. Was 16 miles on my way back home and it started to smoke again, ####. Parts sent today, so hopefully I can pick-up this weekend. See you next year---Jonathan Rohde

[dave_unlogged]

Jonathan,

Sorry to hear about the hub. So how many miles to go back and get it?
All I know is the back is still sore.

As for the guys who bash us for breaking things on the boat, if you fish tourneys, you have to go unless life threatning. In no way would I endanger my co-angler! I talked to my co (Dennis) on Friday when we were in the Cedar River harbor and he was fine about going back to Escanaba via the boat. We stopped and trolled for about 10 minutes when I started graphing a large concentration of walleyes.

But, the captain of the boat must know his limits! I can run in 10'ers(10mph). I can't run in 12'ers and would refuse to go out. But know this, if I had to run to my spot in 10'ers, AIN'T HAPPENING! Hopefully the tourney director would prevent that from happening. As for the decisions to let us go fishing each day, at 6:30 EST we did not have inhibitative wind. The wind picked up every day when the sun was up. So, you can't call the tournament because of 10mph winds. Personnally, I wouldn't have minded going home on Friday morning. My poor back wasn't feeling to good.

If you fish tournaments, things are going to get broken. I started this thread to share my experiences and learn from others.

Glad no one was hurt. OFF TO LAKE CITY (MWC)!

Dave Palecek

[Small Craft]

You can not call a tournament on a warning. Small craft warnings are posted on a forcast, not actual conditions. All mornings of the tournament had good weather, guys ran long distances without mishap.
The weather did change on day two, but that is going to happen.
The Flw made good calls, there is a LOT of protected water that could have been fished, but guys chose to make long runs and a FEW of them had some damage to their boats to show for that choice.

I personally get tired of all of the monday morning quarter backing that goes on here, most of it being from folks who were not even at the tournament.

[perchjerker]

if you are addressing that comment at me, no, I wasnt there.

Most people on this board were not there.

thats why we ask the questions.

no Monday morning quarterbacking here.

just trying to understand what happened.

if the decision was correct it will stand up to a litte scrutiny

[Dan R]

Very well put Small Craft!

[thump55]

I fished this tournament as a co. On the way back Thursday, my seat broke from the floor, rendering it unusable. We were pressed for time because we had been trying to get our 5th fish. I laid on the deck between the consoles and took the worst beating you could imagine for over 30 miles. My body was black and blue from knee to belt on both sides ( and other places), and while Friday I was sore, Saturday I could hardly walk.

I was proud to make the effort, and we did make it back just in time. I do not fault my boater one bit. We pushed it because we had a shot at doing well. We knew it would be rough coming back. I would not have done anything different than he did.

Do not blame the FLW for not calling it. In my opinion, there was not "life-threatening" conditions. There was only "weight" threatening conditions for guys who wanted to make long runs.

Dave S

[Blew it]

From what I have heard on the conditions, the FLW really blew it. If guys were trailering back from Cedar River, conditions were bad.

Guys in the League events are not used to fishing or being on that type of water with those conditions, heck nobody is used to that.

The FLW tour cancelled a day at Devil's lake, from what I heard conditions were worse on the Bay. The PWT was up there 1 week earlier and cancelled the last day, with 5-6 footers. They listened to the forecast, they didn't go by what was going on at takeoff.

If this wouldn't have been the championship, I believe they would have called it. There were small craft advisories out there.

If they call two tour events, those guys are out there a lot more on bad days then a guy that fishes a one day tournament. The guys in the league events are not sponsored like the tour guys. If something breaks, they just can't call up and say, sned me a new trolling motor. If you didn't take first or second, you lost money, especially if your equipment broke.

[Blew what]

Before you start running off at the mouth Please know what you are talking about. Look at the top ten I see at least 3 pros in there!

[Who Blew it]

I think some of these guys are stretching things a bit talking about 10' waves. I ran from Cedar back to Escanaba and never came across a wave any bigger than 3' to 4'.

Maybe the guys from Minnesota use a different ruler than the Erie & Saginaw Bay guys.

Every angler should consider weather and have a back up location to fish just in case they can not reasonably reach the spot they want to fish. I wouldn't run to Minn. shoal if they were forcasting 20+ mph North winds!

[Day 2]

I was talking about day 2. I'm going on what I have read. I said I wasn't up there. Maybe you should read the post again before you run off at the mouth.

I stand by what I said, if the conditions were that bad, they should have not gone out. The FLW should have known the storm cells were going to be coming through, and not let them go out on day 2. If they did let them go out, they should have called them back when the cells got closer.

If conditions were not that bad then why did some trailer back from Cedar River?

I wasn't trying to put down anybody, just stating a fact that the touring pro's spend more time on the water then the league guys. Actually I may have said that in my earlier post.

[Waypoint Willie]

from what I understand there were guys stranded on some of the islands that the coast guard had to rescue, and the flw had a helicopter filming the event so they knew full well what was going on out there.

I bet the coast guard was thrilled with having to go out and rescue guys that were told not to go out by them in the first place.

to the casual observer, they looked like fools for going out in the first place. I thought things like this were to promote the sport of tourney angling. I think they shot themselves in the foot in that regard.

[dave_unlogged]

Hey who blew it,

I live in Green Bay! I fish big water!!! I ran back in 10'ers for about 8 miles! I didn't say the whole dam bay was 10'ers. When did you go back after the wind shear, 1 hour before the blow or 2 hours after it? I went back 40 minutes after it just to make it back.

As for knowing big water, 50% or more of the WI guys are familiar w/ how the bay can get, AND I'm sure alot of MI-MN guys know how to get around on big water. As for being professional, what defines professional? I believe everyone out there is fishing professionally for money.

Again for the wave size, when you have to climb them and cut the power to slide back down, I think their a little bigger than 3-4'ers.

Dave again

[Dan R]

I know some guys that trailerd back because they had no fish to weigh or what they caught wouldn't help.
I was there fishing and if you ran the coast there is no way you saw a 8 footer, maybe a 6 every now and then. I was looking at the graph and the most it jumped was 3'. That morning there were guys running south at 35-40 mph and the waves didn't get bad until the storm came around 11. I think the heavy rain made it seem worse then it was while riding back. We had to stop the boat cause my boater couldn,t see. I was in a 19' Ranger and we ran 10-15mph on the weigh in with no problems.

[Small Craft]

>I bet the coast guard was thrilled with having to go out and
>rescue guys that were told not to go out by them in the first
>place.


Where did you hear that the coast guard said not to go out?

[Thanks]

Dave,

Thanks, you proved my point. You said they were bigger then 3-4 footers.

I said touring pro's not professionals. Try reading my post again. Then you will see what I was saying.

YOu don't let them go back out, you call them in and cancel day 2. Period.

No tournament, ratings on t.v., nothing is more important than anyones life. Thank god nobody got hurt or killed.

You said 50% of the wisconsin guys are familiar with big water. It doesn't matter if everyone is familiar with it.

As I said thre was another event a week earlier, they cancelled day 3 because of what was forecasted. You didn't hear anybody complain about that.

All someone had to do was spear a way, have their bilge go out. Then you have two guys floating around the bay. It didn't happen, just think what we would be talking about if it had happened.

There were small craft advisories, I don't need to say anymore.

If the coast guard had to rescue one boat the conditions were too bad.

[KTurner UL]

Thanks - sounds like you better stay on the porch with the pups, aye?

As far as the cheap shot at guys from MN, I guess you've never been to Lake of the Woods on the north side, the NW winds start howling and you are staying on Rainy River, 25 miles away....... MTT championship 2004, I remember the 6 plus footers quite well....... (And believe it or not I survived!)

At least the MN guys had the courtesy to ATTEND the championship contrary to last years event out of Winona........

Touche.......

[hmmm]

maybe some folks are using the 'bedroom ruler' to measure the waves...

[stpper]

Dave, Well it is about 400 miles one way. Hope my comments were not taken wrong…although the conditions were rough, I do believe the waves were still at a level that could be negotiated, since I did not have a chance to make the cut, the pound back was just not worth it to me. The way my luck was going with the trailer issues my confidence was not real high…thought for sure the boat would have issues if I pushed it back. Good Luck at the MWC

[tcfish]

Hey guys you might want to read my previous post. I stated I didn't know the size of the waves until I asked my Am who is from Sagana and thats what he told me. All I was worried about was the next wave, the safty of my vesel and passanger. Also I was out in the middle of nowhere and I didn't know what the boys had down at ceader. The forcast for that day was 5-10 mph out of the south turning to the n-nw 6-16mph in afternoon. When you look at the standings this is why I had a goose egg, there is no walleye worth risking our lives. Should have they called day 2? I was shocked that they didn't but thats thier decision, mine was to put the boat on the trailer at 1:30.

[Is that in Georgia]

Is Sagana in Georgia? opps nope thats savanah!

[Mike Kuzdzal]

All,
I have to comment since i fished both the PWT event a week earlier (7th) and the FLWL event (9th). Yes there was big water - you DEFINITELY want to watch the video!! However, Day 2 and 3 of the FLWL did not compare to Day 3 (cancelled) of the PWT. Day 3 of the PWT was cancelled for 20-30MPH winds and gusting higher. It was a good call (even though I would have liked a shot at getting into the top 5). Day 2 and Day 3 at the FLWL were big waves and the storm that came through on Day 2 did have lightning - the lightning would have been the only reason to call it, but the strom blew through quickly. I trolled into the waves and sideways and with all tourney, only one wave gave us any concern. It was fishable water and no worse than Green Bay, Erie, or Devil's Lake in wind.....assuming you did not try to go 80 MPH and fly like an eagle!
I fish a TS202 Crestliner with a Merc Verado and had no problems out or back (though my run was only 15 miles). I did break my bracket on my front mount Minn-Kota from the pounding, but it started to break back in Devils Lake and finally let go here. The MinnKota guys from Ranger fixed it in 30 minutes (THANKS!!).
The main reason there was so much busted equipment is two-fold:
1. Some of the boats were OLD and not able to take the abuse - this is the League remember.
2. Guys pushed too hard and/or did not quarter the waves correctly, adjusting their speeds with the cycles. This could be tourney related (wanting to win) or inexperience as to what your boat can take. Not my call, but I did see guys flying by me with a lot less equipment than I had (and I push pretty hard - ask some of my Co's).

Oh - we also lost a rubber cover over a bolt access point by the motor that could have literally sunk my boat. We figured out why we were bilging so much and plugged it with a rag....again, paying attention to your boat and the water was key.

I think the FLW made good calls and the tourney was very well done, I do wish I could have found better fish on Day 3, but we had a good time and got a limit.....and nothing broke until the big motor shut down at full throttle on the way back........turns out the camera man's knee hit the key.....but it did scare the Bleep out of me cuz there weren't too many boats around and we were still 8 miles out!!!
Thanks again to my co anglers and to all of the great competitors!

PS WATCH the video , it should be good TV!!
Mike K.

[Walter P]

if the reasons you give are true, all the more reason they should have not let them out.

inexperienced boaters (flw leauge, remember?) + older equipment + small craft warnings = receipe for trouble.

[Mike Kuz]

I disagree. The League is a learning platform. You are not going to learn anything if you are not out there. The water was fishable if you used your head....which everyone did.

[jerry unlogged]

I agree with Mike on this one. If one is intimidated by the conditions then they need to adjust their fishing and put things in a safe condition. Unfortunately the only wasy to learn how to handle a boat in rough seas is experience. As for the problem with equipment breaking....welcome to tournament walleye fishing. Nothing is made to last forever. That's why they call us consumers.

[kolby2]

I agree with Mike. The water was fishable each and every day. I made 30 mile runs one way each day and none took longer than 1 hour. I do run a Ranger 621 and when you put the nose down it cuts the waves very well and she can get on top and hit the top of the waves well, also. I didn't break a thing. You do need to know how to run the waves as you cannot put the hammer down and just go. You need to know when to goose it, when to pull back, how to trim and look at the waves and determine the best path through them. If the waves were much bigger, I would have run the shoreline.

Yes, it is physically tough but not to the point of bruising or hurting anyone. You need to be able to tell how hard you can push your equipment, yourself and your co-angler. Yes, some things may get damaged in the process as everything is not predictable but the things that concern me are those that break many things on these rides.

Mike, I have a question for you. Can you post the last 4 digits of the phone number you gave me for Jeff? I mistyped them in.

David Kolb

[Mike Kuzdzal]

Dave,
You bring up another good point. I trim almost all the way down too when pushing it into or with waves. My hand is on the throttle, adjusting constantly. I saw ALOT of boats trimmed UP and they were out of synch and "flying" over the crests instead of pushing through them.....thus the hard landings and busted stuff. Don't get me wrong, I still banged down a few times, but not as much as some.
Last four for Jeff are 4617.
See you next year!

[Tom22]

Hey Mike, you mention about watching the video, is this something that is out now, or are you talking about Oct. 22 nd...Thanks...Tom

[who blew it]

Here is the NOAA forecast from Friday 9-8:

NEARSHORE MARINE FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
1028 AM CDT FRI SEP 8 2006

THE BAY OF GREEN BAY SOUTH OF LINE FROM CEDAR RIVER MI TO ROCK
ISLAND PASSAGE-
1028 AM CDT FRI SEP 8 2006

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING...

.THIS AFTERNOON...N WIND 15 TO 20 KTS BECOMING NE. WAVES 2 TO 4 FT.
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY.
.TONIGHT...NE WIND 15 TO 25 KTS. WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
.SATURDAY...NE WIND 10 TO 20 KTS. WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. MOSTLY CLOUDY.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...NE WIND AROUND 10 KTS. WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. MOSTLY
CLOUDY.


You must have been out in Lake michigan if you were in 8 footers.

[dpd]

Spend many of days on lake Erie. It can get very rough. The waves started out as 2 1/2 - 4 footers from the south during takeoff. Later in the morning it did lay down some 1 1/2-2 1/2 footers. The wind shifted to the north. The waves changed direction and were 3-4 footers. At 11 or so the big north wind came and the lake built to 6-8 footers with some 10's. I was there. I know. Was at Ceader. My boater trailered back. I am glad. Even 2 large vessels including the comercial fishing boat headed in. Noaa came on the radio and told every boat to get off NOW. Around 1:30 - 2:00 the lake did lay back down some to 4-6 footers. This was at Ceader. Since the wind switched out of the North everybody that was fishing within 15 miles of the ramp have no idea what it was like at Ceader unless YOU were there.

[Never been there]

Does the sanctioning bodies of these events check up on all the anglers when foul weather moves in or are they on their own.

I heard there was someone stranded on Chambers Island with a disabled rig. Others called in and said it was to rough to come back by boat and instead were going to go to a different port.

Does anyone from the FLW or other organizations that put these events on call or attempt to contact those boaters later to make sure they made it off the water safely?

[Juls_OH]

Yes. Each boater is given a little bouy with an electronic something-or-other in it, that is given out at boat check in the mornings. If people do not return these devices, the FLW knows who they are and that they need to find them. Each bouy has a number on it that matches the contestant's boat number. It is also the boater's responsibility to check in with the FLW, and give them back at the end of the day.

Juls

[Hunter88]

I think you're downplaying the size of those waves a bit. I've fished Devil's for most of my life, and I've never seen anything on Devil's even remotely close to the conditions we fished in on Friday. Not even in 30-40 mph winds blowing straight across the lake. I've also never had any co-anglers puking their guts out at Devils. Green Bay is a monster body of water compared to Devils. Lake of the Woods may be the only body of water I've been on that compares. I'd say the wind easily was gusting over 30 mph on the leading edge of that storm. It was just plain nasty. I picked up and headed north before the brunt of it hit, as I didn't feel comfortable that far from shore in a lightning storm. My move probably cost me my chance at making the cut, but there'll be other days to fish. Aside from the lighting I didn't ever feel we were in any danger, but I can't imagine what might have happened had I lost the main motor. Then things may have gotten a bit interesting....

[Jayman]

With all due respect, here's your golden oppourtunity to see 10' waves. Head out to open water lake MI north half, tonight or tomorrow (9/19). mIght see a 10'er ever now and then.


TONIGHT
WEST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS BECOMING NORTHWEST TO 30 KNOTS
LATE. CHANCE OF SHOWERS. WAVES BUILDING TO 6 TO 9 FEET.

TUESDAY
NORTHWEST WINDS TO 30 KNOTS. SCATTERED SHOWERS. CHANCE OF
WATERSPOUTS. WAVES 6 TO 9 FEET.

[MNMike]

I fished the tourney as a boater and the size of the waves depended on where you were at. The wind switched out of the NW around 10:30 and were forcasted 10-20 but blew 20-35 instead. The guys fishing the western shoreline and Cedar/Ford River areas probably did not see 10 footers. Those however fishing the MPLS Shoals and Whalebacks saw 10+ footers. The coastguard did launch a boat and when talking to them at the harbor they said MPLS shoal had sustained 8-10 footers rolling through around 12:30 with 10-11' Rogue waves mixed in. It was definatley a dangerous situation for the those of us who were out in the middle of the lake. Took us 1hr and 15 minutes to get in from MPLS Shoal, 12.5 miles out but we made it safe and nothing broke.

[John Gildersleeve]

You are right the farther out in the lake you were the rougher it got.I did not get out and measure the waves with my judge ruler but I do know this much.When I stood in my boat the waves where taller than me and that is tall enough for accidents to happen.The closer to Escanaba we got the taller the waves got.The Ford river can was rocking hard.That is where the Coast Guard Boat demanded that I return to shore.I had stopped for a short period of time to give my fish a breather from getting smacked in the livewell.The point is the waves were big enough to get you into trouble no matter where you were south of the takeoff point.

[perchjerker]

I still havent seen a good reason why you guys were sent out during a small craft advisory.

very hard to understand this

[Walteye...]

PJ-it is not only the FLWL that sends the boaters out in small craft advisories-the MWC does the same thing-I have fished that tournament tour the last two years and have not been cancelled or called back in at any tourney-no matter what the conditions (2006 Henderson Harbor, for example). We were told to use our best judgement and if we did not feel like going out-you didn't have to. Can you say "peer pressure?" I have taken enough chances to add a second bilge pump plus a hand pump to be safe. If it takes 8 mph to be safe running-that is what I do. I do have to say that 8 footers on a following sea are scary!!!!
Walteye

[Tom (mich)]

>I still havent seen a good reason why you guys were sent out
>during a small craft advisory.
>
>very hard to understand this
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Juls_OH]

Response #30 gave you the reason, but your reply to him made it apparent that all you saw was his last sentence in that reply. lol

Juls

[perchjerker]

no, I saw that.

small craft advisories are there for a reason, not to thumb your nose at.

I learned my lesson many years ago on Erie. Nearly cost me my life.

aint worth the risk.

[Juls_OH]

I don't know of anyone at the FLW that "thumbs their noses" at a small craft advisory. I'm sure they talked with many of the anlgers before the decision was made.
The whether that showed up on day two was not forecasted, so who knew?
The FLW has cancelled many days due to whether, so it's not like they do not take the safety of the anglers into consideration. There are plenty of areas on Bay De Noc that are safe when the wind blows.

It's over with. Let this thread move on to "Thread land". It's getting old.

Juls

[perchjerker]

If its tourney for pros like you, thats one thing.

But to send people out in a small craft advisory in a tournement that is advertised to be for the weekend angler isnt appropriate in my opinion.

[Flying Rangers]

You watch, come the broadcast time for the event you will see many Rangers flying thru the air and plenty of bragging of the quality of them. Great TV. Guarenteed!

What you won't see is footage of the Coast Guard sending boats in, damaged hulls, Windshields etc.

Nor will there be any mention of the dangers of sending out Anglers in a Small Craft Advisory.

Oh They did know what was coming. The forcast called for high winds and seas at approx. 11:00 am when the front was to come thru. That is a fact.

[thump55]

For what it's worth....

I was in early (1:00?) the second day and hung out in the harbor until 3pm. The Coast Guard boat was there the whole time.

Mike Kamp took 4th place in one of the smallest boats in the field.

Dave S

[Juls_OH]

If the film shows boats flying through the air, I will have no sympathy for the those who broke things driving like fools.

Juls

[MNMike]

I agree w/ Juls. I, along with many others fished all week and did not break a single piece of equipment. We ran long distances as well. If your flying through the air you are pushing to hard and you will most definately break equipment. On the other hand if you take your time an traverse the conditions in a safe manner, you should not have any problems.

[choices]

Perchjerker, did you fish in the tournament? Have you ever fished an FLW event as a boater? Why are YOU complaining about this tournament not being canceled?

You do know that forecast are wrong about as often as they are right. Maybe some of the boaters should have selected to fish closer to shore on Friday in case the forecast was right-on and a big blow came. I know most of the top finishers were very close to the west shore so no one can say there weren't any fish in those areas. Actually those areas proved to be way more productive than the Minn. Shoal area for this event.

[Shannon Larson]

I was also there, And in early on day 2,about 11:45am. The Coast Guard Auxilary went out a little after 2:oo pm,He wanted to go earlier but had to wait for a second man on his vessal. I had the chance to talk with him before they left. The station at Washington Island also sent out their 30 foot zodiac, When the zodiac reported they were makeing slow progres, The Coast Guard also sent out a 41 foot rescue boat just incase. I overheard this on the aux mans radio. After they got in I spoke with him again and he said that all boats were acounted for, This was at about 3:45 pm.
A big THANK YOU to the Coast Guard for looking out for all of us!!!!!

[perchjerker]

NO, I wasnt there. I know people that were there, and trust what they told me.

I dont fish tourneys at all. I have fished a few in the past but they were small time affairs.

I know you have a choice not to go. But after investing all the time, effort and money to be there, being a small time guy like this tourney professes to be for, you are caught between a rock and a hard place whether to go out or not, expecially after you have made it to the championship. If it wasnt for the small craft advisory that everyone seems to want to poo poo, I wouldnt have a problem with it.

Yes, forecast are otfern wrong, but on the morning before you go out its usually pretty accurate. This isnt the PWT or the FLW. Its supposed to be a league for weekend anglers.

Isn't it????

you tell me...

[ezmarc]

The small craft advisory that someone copied to this thread, in an earlier post, was for south of Cedar River. Cedar River must be about 20 miles south of Escanaba, therefore according to what I read there was no Small Craft Advisory for Escanaba.

[walteye unlogged]

I know that I have never fished the FLWL but the MWC is sort of the same page-it is a start for many a fisherman into the tournament circle. We and those who else run in the waters we run for a tourney-want to be able to take the good with the bad and produce, like the "big guys" in the PWT and the FLW Tour. I know of the many times the PWT guys were called back in or were never even sent out in SCA. I happen to be one of the fortunate ones who took a 3rd and a 4th (MWC) in rough waters-as these tourneys were-as long as a majority of boaters said"lets go"-I was going to give it a shot. Could something bad have happened-you know it could have. As long as something tragic does not happen (and God forbid it does)- we will be allowed to use our best judgement-rather than the judgement of the people who are in charge of the situation (tournament). If I were to be fishing for fun on those days of the tournaments that I was involved in-I would have never launched my boat-it was tournament fever, and you can bet that a majority of the boaters there were in the same mode.We want to be......
Walteye

[John Gildersleeve]

You could of not said it any better.Sure I did not like the weather, but I did not want any part of going home on fishing only one day and not being able to finnish the Event.Your right Tournament fever was in full force and the wind was not going to stop me from completing the tournament.If it was really bad I would have made the right call and went to shore regardless what the radio said or people thought.It was mine and my partner's call to finnish the day out.A true team effort.

[choices]

Perch Jerker,

I think your average week end angler description of the League is not really accurate. These anglers are running first rate riggs. If you just walked up during the morning takeoff you would think you were watching a FLW Tour event or PWT event being launched.

Lots of Ranger 620's, 621's, Lund Pro V 1900's and 2025's, Crestliner 19 and 20'ers, Tuffy's, Tritons, etc.......

[perchjerker]

its thier description, not mine.

it says right in thier brochure, its the tourney for weekend anglers, or something like that.


you are right though, I didnt see the word "average" used

;)