There are two things every confident bass angler believes the moment he roars from the ramp.
First, this could be the day I break my PB, even though the conditions aren’t perfect. (You gotta believe!)
Second, the other guy is the one who needs the boating safety reminder.
The truth is, boating safety isn’t for “the other guy.” It’s for all of us. And before you tune out and assume the rest of this piece does not apply to you, know that the 950 boaters who crash every July (three year average), leading to more than 100 fatalities, didn’t think they needed the reminder, either.
Summer is here, which means our lakes are about to become a whole lot busier. Tournament anglers, recreational fishermen, wake boats, kayaks, pontoons, paddleboards and families looking to cool off all have one thing in common: They’re sharing the same water.
That’s a wonderful thing (although some anglers might disagree, as jet skis can get a bit pesky). It’s also why this is the perfect time to remind ourselves that no bass, even a PB, is worth taking unnecessary risks.
We spend countless hours studying contour maps, dialing in electronics and organizing tackleboxes down to the last jig trailer. Yet sometimes we overlook the simplest things that can make the biggest difference: wearing a life jacket while the big motor is running, attaching the engine kill switch, slowing down in crowded areas, watching the weather and respecting no-wake zones.
Bassmaster has always believed great anglers are also great stewards of the water. That means looking out for one another, lending a hand at the ramp when someone needs it and remembering that every person on the lake deserves to make it home safely.
This month, here’s one easy way to remember it:
D.O.C.K.
D — Dress for safety. Wear your life jacket and attach your engine cut-off switch anytime the outboard is running.
O — Observe your surroundings. Other boats, floating debris, changing weather and swimmers can appear in a hurry.
C — Courtesy counts. Slow down around other anglers, respect no-wake zones and give everyone room to enjoy the water.
K — Know your limits. Fatigue, speed, alcohol and overconfidence don’t mix with boating. If conditions turn bad, there’s no shame in heading for the ramp early.
It’s easy to get caught up in the competition. We’ve all made “one more cast.” We’ve all run to the waypoint on the other end of the lake assuming the winning fish is sitting there, eager to bite.
Those opportunities only matter if we all make it back. Just remember there will always be another tournament, another Saturday morning and another sunrise over your favorite lake.
Here’s hoping you find that PB this summer — and that every boat in the parking lot pulls out at day’s end with the same number of passengers it launched with.
Stay safe, and we’ll meet you back at the dock.
