Even small lakes have idiots

Today, like so many days before, I found myself fishing my home lake in beautiful northern Alabama. It’s a small lake of around 450 acres, has a ten horsepower limit, and is usually a very peaceful place. Unfortunately, even small lakes have their share of idiots and disrespectful people. About five minutes after launching my kayak, I had made my way to my first stop. Another boat launched shortly after and flew up the bank right next to where I was fishing, almost dumping me over. Needless to say my day started with my blood pressure through the roof. Normally I have a 25+ crankbait tied on for just such occasions, but, today I didn’t. I would have most definitely slowed him down. 

The irony of this whole situation was, that right before I put my boat in the water I spent about ten minutes talking to the officer that patrols the lake. If the timing could have been just a little different, the guy would have been busted for an oversized motor and never been on the water at all.

Things like this didn’t used to bother me so much until I was involved in an accident of my own…on the same lake. I was fishing a night tournament a few years back when another competitor that wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing, ran over my boat. I was anchored off a point with all my lights on when the guy came out of a slew and just flat ran over me. I dove into the black water and swam hard for the bottom. I stayed down until he decided to turn his motor off, which felt like forever. He ruined the best season I had ever had on my home lake.

So, is there a point to this rant today, sure there is. Be careful on the water. The life you endanger by being disrespectful, obnoxious, or careless isn’t just your own. When you endanger mine I will take it personally. Word to the wise Mr. Grumman, when you run a motor that’s too big, you might not want to call attention to yourself.