Kayaker drowns near Eagle Rock

[Quillback]

Big kayak tourney this weekend, going to be some strong winds according to the forecast.  Those yaks can be hard to see if they are out in the chop.  Keep an eye out for them.

Joplin kayaker reported missing by family drowns on Table Rock Lake (news-leader.com)

[Bassin4fun]

I will be participating in the MoYak event that day. There are actually 3 organizations having their kayak fishing events simultaneously on Table Rock that day. MoYak Fishing Series, All American Kayak Series, and Natural State Kayak Anglers out of NW Arkansas.

[fishinwrench]

Sad 🙁 

There's a guy that goes out 2-3 times a week here by my place. Always in the evenings, and he comes back along a bluff line that is heavily shaded as soon as the sun dips behind it.    

Several of us locals have told him that he is VERY hard to see in the shadow of that bluff, and you can tell that it pisses him off.   He put an orange flag on it BUT he is still hard to see unless you know his habits and are always looking out for him.    

I don't wanna keep ragging on the dude, but I'm really concerned that somebody is gonna mow him over one of these days.    It's obvious that he doesn't understand that a guy running 55+mph in a bassboat, with polorized shades on, simply can NOT see him once they round that bend in the evenings. 

[tjm]

When that happens will the bass boater be charged? or is it just another a suicide? don't paddle craft and sailboats have ROW?

[Bassin4fun]

Yeah, I usually have a flag and lights as well as a headlamp on. I am still worried that someone may not see me. I try to stay close to the bank unless I have to cross somewhere. I wear my lifevest at all times as well...even when not tourney fishing. I have heard too many stories of kayakers drowning.

[Quillback]

Yeah those orange flags are hard to see and if the wind's blowing the right way, nearly invisible.  Kayaks are just tough to see from a bass boat, there's no way around it.  

 

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, tjm said:

When that happens will the bass boater be charged? or is it just another a suicide? don't paddle craft and sailboats have ROW?

I would say 100% yes.   He definitely has the ROW

He always comes in well before sunset, but along that particular bluff the shadow, and the reflection of the nearby trees makes him literally transparent.  

I've run up on him closer than I'd prefer.....even when I am slowing down and specifically looking for him.  

[MoCarp]

 

[dblades]

I've luckily seen kayakers,  crossing near the Kimberling City bridge, that come and go as they crest and drop into the trough.

[dtrs5kprs]

8 minutes ago, dblades said:

I've luckily seen kayakers,  crossing near the Kimberling City bridge, that come and go as they crest and drop into the trough.

Many of them.