Safety Tips for Inclement Weather on the Water
While inclement weather can hit the Lake of the Ozarks anytime of year, the high winds and plummeting temperatures common in fall and winter can create some of the most dangerous conditions for anglers to encounter on the water and increase the potential for serious injuries, and even death.
Longtime angler James Dill is a highly-experienced Emergency Management Technician (EMT) in Sunrise Beach, MO. He is also a Lake of the Ozarks fishing guide and tournament angler; and the owner of Crock-o-Gator Bait Company. All this makes Dill well-suited to advise fellow anglers on the hazards of fishing in severe weather and the precautions you can take to stay safe on the lake. Here are a few safety tips he recommends for inclement weather on the water.
Equip Your Boat for an Emergency
First and foremost, Dill stressed that anglers should never leave the dock without being well-versed in the basics of prevention and emergency readiness. Having a fully-stocked and easily accessible onboard first aid kit; always wearing your life jacket and keeping your kill switch attached at all times while driving the boat, are safety precautions no angler can afford to ignore.
Wear a Life Jacket
“We anglers get a bit lax about wearing our life jackets while simply trolling down a bank fishing,” Dill said. “But there are still potential hazards like other boats that may come flying from around a corner, docks, wood laydowns, sudden big waves, stumps, submerged points and boulders just under the surface, and all of these situations can jar the boat enough to cause you to fall in the water.”
Check Mechanical Components of Your Boat
Regularly checking all of the mechanical components of your boat is another precaution Dill suggested anglers take to avoid dangerous situations. Having your motor checked along with making sure that your running lights are working, your batteries are charged, that there is no damage to your prop, as well as checking to be sure your bilge pumps are working and your boat is not taking on water, are some of the mechanical precautions that should be on an anglers maintenance checklist.
Let Someone Know Where You'll Be
Another basic but vital precautionary measure Dill recommends is to always let someone know when and where you are going to be on the water as well as what time you plan to get off the water. This is especially important during the winter when the days are short and there a not a lot of other boats on the water. Having someone else know the logistics of your day can be of great benefit if you encounter a problem while on the water.
Keep Track of the Weather
There isn’t much we can do to prevent severe weather conditions. But with common sense and a little due diligence we can spare ourselves the consequences of venturing out when it is against our best interest. Dill said he checks the weather forecast every day before he goes out; and every hour when he is on the water. “Staying ahead of the weather, and planning your time and location on the water accordingly, is your best precaution,” Dill said. “When I’m on the water, I always look at the forecast on an hourly basis as well as checking the radar. That way if there is a threat of severe weather, I can take the necessary precautions to protect myself, including getting off the water before conditions change.”
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Longtime angler James Dill is a highly-experienced Emergency Management Technician (EMT) in Sunrise Beach, MO. He is also a Lake of the Ozarks fishing guide and tournament angler; and the owner of Crock-o-Gator Bait Company. All this makes Dill well-suited to advise fellow anglers on the hazards of fishing in severe weather and the precautions you can take to stay safe on the lake. Here are a few safety tips he recommends for inclement weather on the water.
Equip Your Boat for an Emergency
First and foremost, Dill stressed that anglers should never leave the dock without being well-versed in the basics of prevention and emergency readiness. Having a fully-stocked and easily accessible onboard first aid kit; always wearing your life jacket and keeping your kill switch attached at all times while driving the boat, are safety precautions no angler can afford to ignore.
Wear a Life Jacket
“We anglers get a bit lax about wearing our life jackets while simply trolling down a bank fishing,” Dill said. “But there are still potential hazards like other boats that may come flying from around a corner, docks, wood laydowns, sudden big waves, stumps, submerged points and boulders just under the surface, and all of these situations can jar the boat enough to cause you to fall in the water.”
Check Mechanical Components of Your Boat
Regularly checking all of the mechanical components of your boat is another precaution Dill suggested anglers take to avoid dangerous situations. Having your motor checked along with making sure that your running lights are working, your batteries are charged, that there is no damage to your prop, as well as checking to be sure your bilge pumps are working and your boat is not taking on water, are some of the mechanical precautions that should be on an anglers maintenance checklist.
Let Someone Know Where You'll Be
Another basic but vital precautionary measure Dill recommends is to always let someone know when and where you are going to be on the water as well as what time you plan to get off the water. This is especially important during the winter when the days are short and there a not a lot of other boats on the water. Having someone else know the logistics of your day can be of great benefit if you encounter a problem while on the water.
Keep Track of the Weather
There isn’t much we can do to prevent severe weather conditions. But with common sense and a little due diligence we can spare ourselves the consequences of venturing out when it is against our best interest. Dill said he checks the weather forecast every day before he goes out; and every hour when he is on the water. “Staying ahead of the weather, and planning your time and location on the water accordingly, is your best precaution,” Dill said. “When I’m on the water, I always look at the forecast on an hourly basis as well as checking the radar. That way if there is a threat of severe weather, I can take the necessary precautions to protect myself, including getting off the water before conditions change.”
Join Bassing Bob
For more helpful information from our expert anglers, join Bassing Bob today! We offer information packed articles, publications, videos and more! This will give you better insight into the areas to fish, the best bait to use, and tips to help you catch more whoppers like a Pro. If you’re not a member with Bassing Bob yet, what are you waiting for? We offer different types of memberships to fit everyone’s needs. Check out our website to learn more. Happy Fishing!
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