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Posts: 7049
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | The fall coming has got me thinking that one of the things we rarely talk about, and should discuss more, is safety procedures when fishing in extreme cold temps. Personally, whenever I fish the cold water (under 45 degrees) season I try to make a habit of going over the plan for just in case someone does go in the drink with all coming aboard.
What are your thoughts about fishing in the really cold times of the year? |
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Location: Des Moines IA | The first thing we should probably all do more often, is run with the kill switch cord actually attached. I never use it, and definitely should. Secondly either install a swim ladder, or at least have a power trim on your motor to aid in boat re-entry. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have a throw able cushion out and handy for quick access either. |
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Posts: 138
Location: Utah | Don't go out by yourself is my motto... |
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Posts: 32889
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Wear a PFD while under power. Ladder is a great idea. Carry a blanket or extra heavy warm jacket in the storage just in case, it can be a life saver if it's below freezing out there and one gets wet from snow, rain, or a drop into the drink. Extra gloves and a stocking hat, too.
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Posts: 431
| If you've never taken a dip out of your boat, you should probably practice getting back in during the summer. I know I can get in my boat because I'll go swimming from time to time. I once saw a little kid driving a boat during the winter on a tailwater with a large fellow hanging on the side. Apparently the dad rolled over the edge while driving when the boat hit a wave. Not sure how that happens, but it did. If you practice trying to get in your boat and realize there's no chance, at least you won't waste all your energy trying to get back in and can focus on a different rescue. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | - consider getting at least a float-coat and/or survival suit depending on your circumstances.
- when you're fishing, let a cleated rope trail behind the boat ... remember, you're goal will be to return to the boat and the rope will make it that much bigger and easier to get to
- install a ladder!
- you can get back in by stradling your motor and using the trim button ... install a rear trim switch if you don't already have one
- get the clutter and CRAP out of the boat ... tripping can have consequences and you might be wearing bulkier stuff making it more possible in these cold weather outings
- have a throw cushion in your boat with a quality rope that isn't all tangled up and have it in a place where it's known and easy to get to
- be aware of what you wear!! ... consider what you would do if you were in the water or better yet ... in the summer sometime put yourself in the situation (with assistance of course) so that you can feel what it might be like.
- the brews really belong at the dock in these conditions ... plenty of time to enjoy them on the water while you set your tipups in a couple months.
- finally talk to your boat partner about what to do in the event of a problem so that it's on your mind and that there is an awareness
i fell into a beaver run along the white river duck hunting in the fall back in the day and the only thing that saved me was my buddy grabbing in the right place. it's serious and scary stuff and the reality can hit you so fast you won't believe it.
have a great sucker season !!!
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Posts: 720
| Sled,
Great post. I'm curious you guys. I've seen "Install a ladder" and this is totally ingnorant on my part. But what kind of ladder are you refering too? Does it afix to the transom or am I thinking of something different? |
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Posts: 80
Location: Geneva, IL | I dont need a ladder. I leave a nice dock rope attached to a back cleat and coiled up in an out of the way place. When we have gone swimming at anchor I use that rope to get back in by making a place (loop) to stick my foot.
Edited by CrappieKid 10/1/2010 9:39 AM
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Location: Des Moines IA | My boat had a swim ladder already installed on the transom.
Attachments
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 Transom small.jpg (293KB - 164 downloads)
Transom 2 Small.jpg (250KB - 154 downloads)
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Posts: 720
| Thanks Mike |
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Posts: 86
| I fish alone, and at night in the cold weather. I am the only one on the water most of the time. I know that I am the only one that can get me out of a bad situation, so I try to be extra careful, but, accidents do happen.
I tell my wife exactly were I will be, and what time to expect me to be back.
I wear my PFD during travel, and also alot of times when I am fishing too, but not always.
I keep a extra jacket, hat, gloves, hand, and the larger body warmers, I also have a large reflective mylar blanket that reflects body heat incase I go in.
I also keep snack foods, and drinks, first aid kit, and fire starting material. I figure if I break down, or fall in, and cant get back I can get a fire going and warm up,
After reading some of these posts, I am going to put a rope with foot loops tied in it, and leave it in the splash pan/transom area as a extra precotion.
There is no doupt solo night fishing in the winter is dangerous, but, it is also one of my favoret times to musky fish.
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| It shouldn't be considered to wear at least a floater coat....
Get a floater suit ....period....It is money well spent should you ever need it. If your alone it shouldn't even bee a question. If your with a bud and you both go over, it will give you extra time before hypothermia sets in.
Don't be a popsicle....Taken form the Coast Gaurd
Expected Survival Time in Cold Water
Water Temperature
Exhaustion or Unconsciousness in
Expected Survival Time
70–80° F (21–27° C)
3–12 hours
3 hours – indefinitely
60–70° F (16–21° C)
2–7 hours
2–40 hours
50–60° F (10–16° C)
1–2 hours
1–6 hours
40–50° F (4–10° C)
30–60 minutes
1–3 hours
32.5–40° F (0–4° C)
15–30 minutes
30–90 minutes
<32° F (<0° C)
Under 15 minutes
Under 15–45 minutes
A little video on the subject
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1xohI3B4Uc&feature=related |
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Posts: 426
Location: Perryville, MO | I'm also one of those guys that fishes during the winter by themselves (at times the only trailer in the lot is mine). I also employ many of the precautions that have been mentioned (minus a flotation suit, which really makes sense). I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the need to a have a way of starting a fire. A lighter or flint. (Maybe everyone else is a smoker and it doesn't need to be mentioned.) |
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Posts: 86
| Yea Hawkeye, I mentioned fire starting material. That alone can be a real life saver. If you go over and get back in the boat, soaking wet, and it is a cold rainy night, and you got 45 minites or more to get back to the launch, well, based on the 32.5 to 40 degree water temp stated above, you have on the outside of 30 minites before total exaustion or unconsciousness. Add the wind chill and wet clothes on the ride back, your really taking a gamble, with your life.
I carry several items, But think about the fire starting sticks that are made out of the same stuff fire logs are made of, or if you have room a fire log. Those will get a fire going quick even if it is wet out. You could use gasoline, if you have a external tank that would be easy, BUT, gas is very DANGEROUS, add being half numb with cold, and your problems could get compounded.
Those mylar reflective survival blankets are windproof, and cheap, there should be one in every boat. |
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | I bought the arctic armor suit last fall that was made for ice fisherman,if you fall in the suit is supposed to keep you afloat.the suit is also pretty warm,what I was wearing before if I fell in I would of sank like a rock. |
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