Danger On Tr

[Sam]

I'm in no danger of breaking the TR nighttime speed limit. My 50 hp four-stroke's top speed is 30 mph, flat-out. I like it for the good mileage, quiet running, and smooth trolling. Besides, IMO, 30 mph is plenty fast enough on a public lake with all kinds of boats, swimmers, and obstacles - and I mean in broad daylight.

At night I stick to maybe 15-20 mph, and that's if I'm out in the channel and know where I'm going. These things don't have headlights, you know. When I can, I like to find a reflection stripe in the water from a shore light and follow that to know the water's clear in front of me. Just sayin'.

I don't mean any criticism of the OP who came across the folks in the unlighted canoe - but that's an example of how we can't see very well at night and we can't count on others to always show a light.

[chub minnow]

yep - at least an anchor or strobe light if you're not under power.

[Stump bumper]

The speed limit on Missouri lakes is 30 mile per hour 30 minutes prior to dusk and 30 minutes past dawn. I have a few kids who are getting their license to boat and it is in the Missouri boating handout.

I cannot think of a boating law that is not enforced or obyed more than this one. How many bass tournaments launch at safe light or before dawn do you see tournament anglers staying below 30mph.

Next time BASS or FLW tournament hit table rock I am going to check this out. It would be neet to see what BASS would do if thier entire field of elites were disqauilfied.

Myself I have fished serveral Joe Bass tournaments that lauched before dawn and 60mph was just getting in the way.

[rps]

Awww stump bumper, you're just no fun. The only time it's really scary is when they run at 60+ on GPS in the fog. And yes, they do that too.

[bluebasser86]

I saw a large ski boat running full tilt across Lake Minnetonka fishing for muskie at night with a friend. I guess they figured they could see everyone else and nobody needed to see them. We yelled at them and called them some bad names when they came a little closer to us but I doubt they heard us. It's amazing the things some people will do without even thinking about it.