Support your local sheriff

[J-Doc]

Some of you that are old enough to know the pun and joke within this subject line after reading this post. Here's a hint, it was an old western movie (very funny movie btw)

I spoke with the Sheriff's Dept. this afternoon after having a cigarette boat fly past me about 80mph and forced to turn in order to avoid collision with me. He was trying to cross my course and heading to get around others. I turned right and forced him to stay left.

I also reported anglers not using lights while on plane during the week at night, speeding through the no wake zone on plane at night at Tue Prairie Creek Marina, wake traffic in back of coves damaging docks and endangering other boaters, kayakers, etc.

So for all that have complained here about the violations, I was told to simply do two things:

- call the Sheriffs Dept. AS SOON AS YOU SEE A VIOLATION

- Email the Sheriffs office to report complaints officially

The gentleman I spoke with was very understanding, very nice, and as a fellow angler, he has seen more than his fair share of "stupid".

So I'm passing along this info and email address. When you see "stupid" and dangerous activity, report it! Call the Sheriffs office immediately.

And if you know the jerks in the cigarette boats that have a boat club (there are about 5 of them), tell them they need to stop racing and weaving in and out of everyone. This isn't an ocean and ocean boats are not needed on a heavily populated lake. Too heavily populated I might add.

Email complaints to:

jason.woods@bentoncountyar.gov

[Ketchup]

Good info J.

Here in Mo. the Sheriffs Dept. handles all non water activities in the county. Its the job of the State Troopers, Water Patrol division to handle on the water incidents. They can pass the info on to the Patrol, but have no means of enforcing water activities.

Noticed Water Patrol out around Cape Fair yesterday. Good to see since the once a year boaters were coming out in force.

[PigSooner]

There used to be a heavier / visible Sheriff's patrol presence on the lake, but they were focused on boarding boats to check for alcohol (not that isn't a worthy cause). Heck at one time I had a AGFC boat check me at 2:00 at night while running lines. I haven't seen that for a LONG time.

It is great to hear that they want people to report violations. Maybe they are trying to justify a more permanent presence on the lake during peak months, because they would never be able to respond in a timely manor unless they are already on the water.

I'm avoiding the lake this weekend to avoid some of the problems you mentioned J-Doc.

[Tjmcdaniel]

Long time reader...first time commenter.

The Cigar Boats are on my ENTIRE nervous system....not just a few nerves. I met two of them Friday afternoon between Rocky Branch and Starkey. They were side by side running at a tremendous rate of speed. Of course I was met with a wake that was bigger than a Volkswagen.

Its complete crap.

Saw them for the first time about a month ago when we were pulling out of PC after the Everett Tournament. It looks like a bunch of college aged kids with jacked up Denallis (80k+) pulling trailers longer than 2 zip codes. Obviously daddy must be treating them right.

So I am curious.... What are the rules in regards to this?

Obviously bass boats are capable of 70+mph as well so speeding isnt an issue. What can be done? Noise violations? Excessive wake? Reckless and careless driving?

I want it to stop.

[fishinwrench]

"Speeds over 65 is OK because bass boats do it" ???

Wrong! Nobody should be running 70+ on the water unless they are competing in a sanctioned race. 50-55mph will get you there soon enough.

[JohnF52]

I am scared to get on the big end of Beaver in my 25 hp Xpress 1650VJ unless I am in a heavily timbered cove. 16 inch transom and only 26 mph max.

[J-Doc]

I did go on a big holiday weekend so I'm not surprised by Tue traffic. It was actually a lot better than I expected. Pretty much nonexistent until the sun came out for a while. I can only go on weekends and the occasional after work trip so I go when I can.

While talking to the Sheriff, he waived over the Game and Fish boat which was also patrolling. So I had them and two Sheriffs in a group. So I'm reporting the request to contact the Sheriffs office for violations. They know about the big ocean racing boats. Some of them are run by guys in their early 50's, some in their late 20's. Doesn't matter how old they are. They are all racing and weiving around people making it dangerous. The most uninformed mariners are typically the weekend family in ski boats and barges and these are the ones out on the main lake most of the time.

And I saw lots of bass boats racing yesterday too. One was racing a ski boat. Sadly, it was right in front of a Ranger with a center console boat. As in Park Ranger, not FLW Ranger. They were racing to the 12 bridge at about 60-65 and they were side by side. Technically, no violation on speed since there isn't a limit but it looked like wreckless behavior considering oncoming barge and other traffic headed other way.

Didn't start this as a rant thread, although the subject will stir up rants easily. I'm just saying that all are guilty, not just a single group. Common sense is not used and evidently, not all that common. So please report violations when seen. They need the reports to get the manpower and enforcement needed.

[Old plug]

In missouri it all depends on who is sheriff. Some are not so good. The highway patrol cannot be trusted fo patrol lakes. we have all learned that here in Misouri. Big money people seem to have lot political power and privalege. That will be coming to a bitter end within thenext decade if not sooner.

[J-Doc]

Maybe we should just start throwing fish at offenders. (Kidding)

Although I'm pretty sure the guy in this vid is fishinwrench. I could see him doing this. Lol!!

https://youtu.be/QMGlHVBrhao

[M_Taylor]

I think we can all rant a little, but I think if we don't try and call people on the unsafe measures, the ranting is useless indeed. Thanks for the info. Instead of just complaining, I'll be sure to notify the authorities in the future. Only time will yell if it pays off