Boat Wake Question on TaneyComo

[MOPanfisher]

I dot see it as a big boat vs little boat, it's just a mix of boating types and all have the same right to be there.  There is a point where common sense has to come into play, (boating or kayaking in the fog is a perfect example) and you simply can't legislate common sense. I always used to say everyone packed everything to go to the lakes, except their common sense.  I think many of th boaters (whether little boats, kyaks or pontoon) are not regular boaters on Taneycomo and simply don't realize how it is with fog, or how fast another boat or dock can apear when running in fog.  But again as Bill said first Taneycomo over the years has been a very safe lake for boat to boat collisions, hope it stays that way forever.

[Moswimb8slinger]

We at Ozarks Extreme Outdoors keep the fog in mind and commonly do not usually launch a group on Taneycomo until after 9am or later, if the fog has not cleared yet, and definitely a "no-go" if the gates are open. And we always instruct the group to stay to the sides and to keep out of the middle and out of the way powerboats. 

What they do, after we drive away, is their own prerogative. They signed the waivers and most are experienced kayak paddlers.

[MSUFisherBear]

I hope no one took what I said the wrong way, because you can bet your bottom dollar that the moment I've got the disposable income to sink on a boat it's happening, I just have had more detours to get to that point.

That being said, I too have seen some folks in Yaks playing it pretty risky on numerous bodies of water but especially Taney. 

I guess the point I was trying to make was that as a kayaker it's not worth the risk. Maybe a better analogy would be... if I were relegated to having to ride a bike back and forth to work, I certainly would, but you can bet I wouldn't be doing so on a busy highway, even though I would "technically" have just as much right. Instead Of be looking for the areas that have less traffic because accidents happen and there's a lot lower chance I'm going to get ran over on a backstreet than going down the main highway. 

My point was more that there's a lot of water (and productive water at that) that's available to fish that doesn't put you in harm's way. And theres no fishing or boating that's worth it that puts your life on the line. 

 

[Haris122]

I only have limited experience in regards to this on taneycomo, but while wading south of the ramp a little bit downstream of the hatchery, there would be plenty of boats that would drift from upstream all the way down to where we were by the little "island", see us wading there near shore, and still gun it back upstream full speed, even though a slower start that gives you a bit more time to move close to shore, would be appreciated. There were also some kayakers out and about when it was iffy. I thought of bringing mine there actually, but opted not to bother. One thing that would suck there, is getting dunked in that cold water if you were to flip over somehow. Other rivers it's not as big a deal, but down there you're going to be cold for quite a while, especially if that cold fog shows up.

[Travis Swift]

Are the buoy's at Scotties no wake from the dock to the buoy or are they no wake clear across the lake?  They are already almost all the way there though but was curious? 

[Phil Lilley]

2 hours ago, Travis Swift said:

Are the buoy's at Scotties no wake from the dock to the buoy or are they no wake clear across the lake?  They are already almost all the way there though but was curious? 

Since he has buoys all the way across the lake, it's no wake between the lines.  I only have one out at each end.  It's the same as a ramp or swimming area.  But like I said, mine are out too far.  I'll have to pull them in a bit.

[Terrierman]

I've said it before and here I go again.  It's bad form to run over any boat at any time no matter what size boat or what the conditions are.  If you can't see a boat in time to avoid it, including kayaks and small jon boats, you're running too fast for conditions.

[Phil Lilley]

I've thought about asking for a permit to make the section out in front of the dock no wake like Scotty's but I don't think it's needed...  the reason he has his is because the lake is so narrow at that point.

[Phil Lilley]

Here's the problem with fog, at least on our lake.  At times the fog bunches up and has thick and thin spots.  You'll be running safely and then hit a small, thick patch and have to slow down.  Bright sun light really distorts the fog and is easy not to see the thick spots.  It's a tricky situation at best and even with the best intentions mistakes are made and you have a close call.  If you're in a boat that throws a big wake when just underway then you may do more damage with your wake than running.  And it's not just kayaks... my jon boats have been swamped by big wakes, to the point of sinking.

You do the best you can out there and pray nothing bad happens but inedibly bad things do happen.

[Travis Swift]

i'm gonna throw a small funny in on this topic.  when I was there on vacation I was going by Phils.....I watch the one cast everyday.  Well as i'm going by I see Phil doing the one cast on the dock.  I know all my buddies at home watch also so I start waving at the camera and watching him while i'm on plane.......sure as heck I look up and i'm about to Tbone another dang boat.  It wasn't to close but it sure embarrassed me.  I got the whole thing on camera on my boat also.  It wasn't that close really but it's kinda funny now that i'm waving at Phil's one cast trying to have my boys back home see me and then almost whamo.....