ERIE WAVES AND SAFETY

[FISH ER MAN]

I'am new to fishing lake erie and plan on fishing only around the kelly's island area. I will put in at catawba boat ramp, so it won't be a long trip. My question is how do you approach 4 to 5 ft. waves if I would get caught in them coming back. My boat is 18 ft. with a 90 inch beam and 90 horse motor. Really would like to know the right way in case it happens. THANK YOU

[ETT]

Your 18' boat will handle 4 or 5' waves quite nicely, but not at 20 mph. Take your time and don't push it. We all learned how to handle rough water by dealing with situatins we where comfortable with, or learning from others who were.

Anytime you get caught you're first approach should be quartering into the waves. If it gets so tough that this gets hairy, then slow down and take them straight on. Now when you do this you have to watch 3 or 4 waves ahead and steer around the waves that would want to break into the boat. Sounds tricky, but you'd figure it out real quick.

You'd be better off launching from Mazurics. It immediately south of Kellys, and will keep you out of the area between Mouse and S. Bass which has a tendancy to be one of the rougher areas.

I hope this helps, it's easier to show than to explain. The main thing is to relax, don't push it, and let the boat handle the waves. Panic is what causes most serious problems, keep your cool and you'll do fine.

[stevefellegy]

When you travel against the waves, there isn't as much potential problem as going with the waves.
When going against the waves, trim the motor up a little to keep the bow up and also soften the ride. When going with the waves, you have to deal with "surfing". You have to be on the throttle, ready to slow down or speed up, depending on if you are on top of a wave or sliding down a wave. Sliding down a wave or "surfing" is when problems can happen. You can nose dive the boat into the next wave and take on uncontrolable amounts of water if you don't throttle back
in those situations. In other words, don't continue to speed into the next wave as you slide off the previous one.
Like ETT says, who has more Erie experience than most....just take it easy and you'll get those walleyes back safe and sound.
Good luck!!

[Denied]

I agree with what ETT has said and would only add, if you really watch the weather you can avoid the big waves. Keep an eye to the west as most of our weather comes from that direction. Keep your weather radio on and if you do see a storm coming, it may be more prudent to get on the down wind side of an island and wait it out, rather than take a chance on getting caught out in open water, especially the south passage. The south passage is the water between the mainland and the islands and it is some of the roughest on the lake during bad weather.
Regards, dean

[KevinA]

Quartering will probably be your best bet. As ETT said, just don't be in a rush & you should be OK. If you're not used to this size water make a point to go out in it (or lesser water) with the sole purpose getting comfortable with it. Your skills are the most important part of the boat + pilot combo. If you're tucked in around one of the islands be sure to keep current on the wind direction & strength. You could think all is well until you head around the south end of the island only to see a whole lot of water rolling your way. Also consider that the water closer shore can be much worse than farther out.

[Boatnut]

A few more things to add, ALWAYS wear your life vest! Especially this time of year. I'd also recommend a Safe Boating Course if you havent already taken one. Not sure where your from but many of the local Power Squadrons offer boating courses including one that you can take in one day called "boat smart". Most of the Squadrons near the lake or central ohio have instructors with lots of Lake Erie experience.

[Airwave(OH)]

Everyone is right on the money . If you had to think of just one thing it would be Don't hurry ! People have a tendency to get panicky and try to hurry. Speed will compound any bad situation you may encounter. Think of it this way. If you just went 1 mile in it by going slow, then you can make it 5 more by doing the same thing.

[Jess]

This may seem obvious but It is a mistake I've made. If you go for shelter behind an island don't be fooled by clear skies. If a t storm passes and the sun comes up the lake is still just as rough as it was 5 minutes ago. Give it a little time to calm down and don't let the clear skies fool ya.
Jess

[Dave G]

There is an interesting discussion going on at the http://www.iboats.com/forums/boat_engines/ bulletin board about fighting big waves. It has to do with boat control in big wakes from ships/cruisers and big waves from storms. This discussion deals mostly with larger fishing boats in the ocean but I think much of it can also apply to our Midwest fishing conditions. I know I tend to experience way too many big wakes from cruisers.

I found some of the different opinions on boat control interesting:
- head directly into the oncoming wave(s)
- head into the oncoming wave(s) at a 45 degree angle
- the speed going up into the front of the wave and coming out of the back side of wave is critical
- keep the bow up
- never let a following big wave get into the transom of your boat
- the frequency of the wave(s) will determine the best method of boat control

The best boat control for the situation at hand will change depending on the characteristics of the boat and the wave(s) you are attempting to navigate.

Dave Gulczinski

[big waves]

you can always have safe shelter behind the island.if the waves are too big. you have to know what your boat will do , and what you are comfortable doing in it. common sense should prevail .

[SnellTier]

You have gotten good advice from the previous posts about how to avoid a problem.

Should you HAVE a problem ... like maybe getting swamped ... preparation in advance can save your life.

Make sure:
- you and your boat mates are wearing their life preservers.
- your flares are up to date and easily reached.
- you have a very visible distress "flag" to wave (ablaze orange
hunting vest from wal-mart is cheap and highly visible).
- your GPS and ship/shore radio are working before you leave for the
trip.
- you have a cell phone with you.
- you have working flashlights with you.
- you have a "bailing bucket" aboard ... this can be a cooler, for
instance.
- you have a very loud whistle aboard. (Your voice WILL give out!)
- you stay WITH the boat if it swamps or overturns.

I keep an orange waterproof "emergency box" with whistle, flares, compass, flashlight, blaze vest, lighter, and space blanket in the storage area nearest the console in my boat. If a disaster happens, that is the first thing I will grab. At least that is what I tell myself I will do. So far, I haven't needed it. Hopefully you won't either.

Good luck. Stay safe.

[CarpetBagger]

Steve you are so right...that is the scariest situations is when you are surfing into the back of a 6' wave...just feel like ull never stop...

CB

[fish er man]

I beleive I've found some real sportsman, and I thank you all. I'LL take it easy and try to learn the lake, and I'll try to remember all you have told me. THANK YOU ALL.

[REW]

As far as surfing is concerned -- if you happen to have a need to go the same direction as the wind is blowing - and you can insure that you don't let a following wave - overcome your transom - you can adjust your boat speed - and adjust the bow rise of the boat with the trim to just surf your way back. If all is just right - you can ride the waves for miles with little effort on the part of your or your engine. Just let the force, of the wind and waves, blow you to your destination. Keep on heading, keep your bow on the wave, and surf your boat to where you are going, or at least until you have to drop off the wave.

If the wind is blowing 20-30 mph, you will ofen find that the waves will be moving at 15-25 mph, which is a nice speed to get home.

Absolutely no wind, no crashing into waves, etc. Just be on the watch for a following wave, catching your transom.

Take care
REW