Would you head out on this?

[The Julie Paige]

21 ft open boat. looking to get one more trip in. Need some words of encouragement.

[Emily Lynn]

Not if I had to ask that question with the water temps as low as they are. Its gonna be flat most likely and your either doubting your boat or yourself and thats a bad start. Just my opinion.

[underdog]

Well I'm going in a comparable boat! Go with a buddy boat so if something happens they can pick you up.

[BT3100]

Why not????
Sat will be 47 degrees.
Dress warm in layers, good quality wool socks, thermos with hot coffee and plenty of fresh bait.
Good Luck

[JackStraw]

We'll be in a 19' jones brothers CC out of squan...dress for it...windproof everything especially hat/gloves/facemask....you can always take the layers off as needed! you can't beat west 5-10! good luck:D

[Captainbob]

If the forecast is right and the rain holds off, it should be OK on Saturday in a 21'. I know I hope to give it a try in mine.

[Gr8ful Fish]

21 ft open boat. looking to get one more trip in. Need some words of encouragement.

Provided your boat, motor, electronics and safety gear all are in top order, you'll be fine. This is absolutely not the time of the year to go out in a boat that is less than perfectly maintained.

A 21 footer is no problem, provided you stay away from sustained winds over about 20 knots. In fact, I had my own 21' open cc out this past Wed. & Thurs. from Sandy Hook to Rockaway, and I'll be taking out to the SH Reef/Shrewsbury Rocks for tog again tomorrow.

It has been bitter cold in the mornings, but the afternoons have been decent. The best news was that the bassing was hot enough to keep me plenty busy and warm. (I had 109 bass by noon on Wed. and a buddy and I teamed for another 100 by 2:00 the following day.)

if you dress appropriately and take your time, you'll be just fine!

Be smart. Know your own, your crew's and your vessel's limitations. Keep an eye on the tides and try to travel in wind-with-tide versus wind-against-tide conditions.

Good Luck!

- Gr8ful

[Catch my Drift]

21 ft open boat. looking to get one more trip in. Need some words of encouragement.


Just was out today in our 22ft cc

Was glass out there and wasn't worried at all..

2 pairs of gloves are a big +

[captainaaron]

good luck will have the heater on and cooking breakfast 28 albin :)

[The Julie Paige]

Emily Lynn (http://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/member.php?u=4331) vbmenu_register("postmenu_1264592", true);
Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Atco, New Jersey
Posts: 571


http://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif
Not if I had to ask that question with the water temps as low as they are. Its gonna be flat most likely and your either doubting your boat or yourself and thats a bad start. Just my opinion.
__________________
Great Bay Marina, Mystic Island


not doubting myself, or my boat. I've been fishing these waters since I was a kid. Im just a little discouraged with the running, such as the ride in and the ride out.

Thanks for the encouragement everybody.

[loosedrag]

Provided your boat, motor, electronics and safety gear all are in top order, you'll be fine. This is absolutely not the time of the year to go out in a boat that is less than perfectly maintained.

A 21 footer is no problem, provided you stay away from sustained winds over about 20 knots. In fact, I had my own 21' open cc out this past Wed. & Thurs. from Sandy Hook to Rockaway, and I'll be taking out to the SH Reef/Shrewsbury Rocks for tog again tomorrow.

It has been bitter cold in the mornings, but the afternoons have been decent. The best news was that the bassing was hot enough to keep me plenty busy and warm. (I had 109 bass by noon on Wed. and a buddy and I teamed for another 100 by 2:00 the following day.)

if you dress appropriately and take your time, you'll be just fine!

Be smart. Know your own, your crew's and your vessel's limitations. Keep an eye on the tides and try to travel in wind-with-tide versus wind-against-tide conditions.

Good Luck!

- Gr8ful
Well said esp. wind with tide what a difference that can make.

[BIGGESTJACK]

Emily Lynn (http://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/member.php?u=4331) vbmenu_register("postmenu_1264592", true);
Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Atco, New Jersey
Posts: 571


http://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif
Not if I had to ask that question with the water temps as low as they are. Its gonna be flat most likely and your either doubting your boat or yourself and thats a bad start. Just my opinion.
__________________
Great Bay Marina, Mystic Island


not doubting myself, or my boat. I've been fishing these waters since I was a kid. Im just a little discouraged with the running, such as the ride in and the ride out.

Thanks for the encouragement everybody.

IF THAT IS THE YOUR FEELINGS YOU MIGHT BE BETTER OFF ON A HEADBOAT OR OPEN BOAT. LOT OF GOOD OPEN BOATS IN SOUTH JERSEY THAT WILL CATCH YOU FISH.

[netkeeper]

1) Invest in one of those low profile autoinflating life jackets. In the rare event you go in, at least you won't drown from the cold water shock and then have a decent chance of getting back into the boat. I always wear mine. Leave a trailing rope out so you can pull yourself back in.

2) If salt water is freezing to the deck, don't run your wash down hose so you don't create additional slipping hazzards.

3) If ya gotta pee, go into the scuppers, don't go over the side. It goes to the same place. I've heard from some coasties that a number of guys no longer with us that they pulled had no lifejacket and their flys open....

[JoeyZac]

Rule 1 - BE SAFE.

If you have doubts, don't go.

If you have everything in working order on the boat, and if you know what you are doing, and if you've checked the weather, then you should be fine.

But fine or not - if you have doubts, don't go. Fishing is supposed to be fun, not stressful.

[cc19]

gr8ful summed it up. I will still go in my open 19' cc. But then i will go ducking hunting in a 20kt NE wind in my sneakbox in Jan.:eek:

[yellowfin37]

I can remember fishing w/ Gr8ful and some other folks and before that never really paying attention too awful much about the wind ag. tide situations. BUT, after learning from them on how to handle and judge what's going to happen, I'll never go back.
I especially noticed this when out in the DE bay and having to take the beating early in order to see things calm down and have a good number of hours to fish along with a smooth ride home.
No body likes the rough ride home.
Herm, call me if you think you're passing through; festivus is among us!;)
TC and happy holidays!
B-

[Frank]

1) Invest in one of those low profile autoinflating life jackets. In the rare event you go in, at least you won't drown from the cold water shock and then have a decent chance of getting back into the boat. I always wear mine. Leave a trailing rope out so you can pull yourself back in.

2) If salt water is freezing to the deck, don't run your wash down hose so you don't create additional slipping hazzards.

3) If ya gotta pee, go into the scuppers, don't go over the side. It goes to the same place. I've heard from some coasties that a number of guys no longer with us that they pulled had no lifejacket and their flys open....



Cheers Netkeeper!!!! I was waiting for someone to say...wear a life jacket. I have a neopreen life jacket underneath my coat and it keeps me warm and hopefully saves my life if necessary. Good point about not leaning over to pee....leaning over to net a fish is different..heh heh.
Regards,
Frank

[Flyguy784]

Fished all day Saturday in a CC 17. 34 degrees in the morning and windy. Layers, hot coffee, warm hats and yes, a life jacket. I always keep a buch of those chemical warmers in the boat. Get cold, tuck a couple in your pants. They work wonders. I as well take a full set of dry clothes in a waterproof bag, just in case of a minor mishap. Be careful and enjoy the fact that you are out there when only a few will be.

[JoeyZac]

Cheers Netkeeper!!!! I was waiting for someone to say...wear a life jacket. I have a neopreen life jacket underneath my coat and it keeps me warm and hopefully saves my life if necessary. Good point about not leaning over to pee....leaning over to net a fish is different..heh heh.
Regards,
Frank

Always great advice to wear a jacket, but this time of year, a jacket isn't going to do much good. If you go in the water, and there isn't another boat nearby to get you out of the water and back to land immediately, you are going to die.

Using the jacket to keep you afloat for hours until someone stumbles across you isn't going to work in 40 degree water.

Again, "always wear a jacket" is great advice, but this time of year, you need to make sure that you DO NOT WIND UP IN THE WATER.

Weather, water conditions, boat mainanence, your skills - all need to be considered carefully before heading out now. There is very very little margin for error this time of year.

Be safe.

[Flyguy784]

If I go in the water I'd still rather have a jacket. Bundled up for winter fishing, you'll sink like a rock. How well do ya think you'll swim in boots. Gives you those critical minutes to get back to the boat. If ya die it'll save your wife all that trouble of waiting 7 years for the insurance. Bet if you were standing on the front of the boat and getting ready to be pushed in and you had a choice, I bet youd say Gimme that G dam life jacket.

[reelkid]

I won't go out alone this time of year. I love to fish this time of year. Just be safe. You will always find someone that would go. Bring a buddy. I have heard enough stories about , all I did was reach for my hat that fell in and the next thing I knew my feet slip out and I was in. Or I went to net my 25lb striper and I fell in.Your buddy could save you. I bought a sospender life jacket it is slim and you have good mobility. The Guys might call me a wuss but I'm the one that will be floating if anything happens.

A LIFE JACKET WILL NOT WORK IF YOU ARE NOT WEARING IT!!!