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OUR E-MAILS
Air Boaters Out of Control
Dear Jim,
Jim, I don't know if you the Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans
last weekend but it was very interesting. Two of the anglers near the top
ran into troubles that were out of their control........AIR BOATERS.
I bring this to you because I have run into the same problems at the STICK
MARSH you fish so much. I have a canoe and have had some good experiences
at the Marsh but I have had just as many days ruined by AIRBOATS. The ones
at the BASSMASTERS cost 2 of the top guys, probably the championship. In my
case it just POs me. You can hear them coming a mile away and I'm sure so
can the fish. Its not only in the canals...I've seen them run all the way
over to the Marsh side too.
What I want to know is are there any governing laws to limit where airboats can go? Any noise restrictions or anything like that?
Fishing is usually a great, peaceful experience, but as I saw on the tube last weekend .......there are noise monsters affecting even pro bass fishermen.
Chris
Dear Chris
To my knowledge, there are no general restrictions of any kind on airboats. I do know that there have been a few LOCAL restrictions imposed in certain counties of Fla. to restrict airboats from residential areas and/or to limit the hours they can operate (night disturbances).
So far, I have not had any problems, personally, with them. I would think
their influence on the fish is directly related to water depth. If you read
my site much, you know that I think fish are pretty dumb. I have almost hit
them with a running trolling motor before they would move out of the way.
Airboaters actually run back and forth across grass beds and hyacinth mats
to knock the grass shrimp and other food items loose from the vegetation in
order to get the fish started on a feed. This is nearly always for crappie
and it does work. They go slowly, drawing as much draft as possible, so that
they stir up the water and the grass beds as much as possible. Then, they go
back into the grass, make a hole in it with a pole or a rake and drop
minnows and jigs into the hole. Once I saw them do it successfully, I tried
it with my big STRATOS, idling through the grass. It sure did not appear to
bother he fish at all.
Now, the events at the Classic, of which I am unaware, may have been
different circumstances. Narrow, shallow canals with airboats passing at
high speeds create major wakes and stir up the silt. That can make the water
muddy and knock a bass boat around, if they don't slow to an idle. And, the
fact is, that while most airboater are good guys, you have your rude,
worthless types, just as in any other group. The ones who care less about
the other guy are just like the car drivers with the Joe High School
mentality who blast loud radios so people will maybe pay some attention
their miserable souls.
The only way any controls will ever be enacted is if there are enough
complaints about airboaters. Personally, I have no problem with them to
date, EXCEPT that they are too loud. And, I have seen many airboaters that
did not even wear ear protection. To me, that is a way to single out
potential troublemakers. Sorts like the boater who you se tossing his trash
and beer cans into the water.
Jim Porter
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