21 replies to this topic

[Louief97]

So some of you know I went down to Lake Okeechobee with my aunt, who also likes to fish. So we get to the boat ramp everything is fine until we get into open water from inside the marina. A couple seconds out in the water and the waves start hitting my Jon boat and getting everything soaked until another boat speeds by and his wave got into our boat, capsized our boat. We lost our 5 rods including a $650 fly fishing rod and hundreds in equipment mostly what I have gotten over the years. I'm only 15, my aunt can't swim very well, I had to carry her on my back as I tried not to go under the water and swim about 30 yards to the nearest ladder. We got our boat back from a nice man who helped us. But lost everything we had even our car keys so we had to wait an extra 4 hours for roadside to help us then they tell us they can't do anything to help start the car, then wait another 2 hours for my friend to come bring us a spare key. In total horrible day. Probably can't go fishing for the next few months until I replace at least some of the stuff I had. Hope you guys had a good day and didn't have to go through anything bad.

[Sam]

Louie, that's awful. So sorry for the loss of your equipment but glad you and your aunt are OK.

 

Were you both wearing your PFD? Hope so. If not, a word to the wise is sufficient.

 

As for losing your rods, reels and tackle, read your parents homeowners policy and note the deductible and if it covers the loss of your equipment up to a specific amount.

 

Since homeowners policies provide contents coverage on a named peril basis you will have to read what is covered and what is excluded to determine if there is coverage.  Please have an adult read the policy with you so you both can interpert the document.

 

If you believe there is coverage, after the deductible, call the agent and file a claim.

 

The problem you will encounter is providing receipts. We usually do not carry a list of our equipment or keep the receipts other than for rods and reels. But give it a try.

 

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

[Louief97]

Thanks Sam, unfortunately we weren't wearing it. I'm a good swimmer but my aunt not so much. We will definetly start wearing our pfd's on our next trip. As for the stuff, we tried our homeowners policy but we can't get anything back with proof of purchase. Oh we'll, at least we're okay.

[flyfisher]

Maybe if items were bought with a credit card or at bass pro or some other retailer that can provide a purchase history you may be able to get at least something back. Glad you are ok though things could be a lot worse for sure.

[Louief97]

I've ordered a lot online, think that would be able to get some stuff back?

[Broke bass fisherman]

I've ordered a lot online, think that would be able to get some stuff back?

Yes, I deal with this all the time. I purchase a lot of gear for a state university and am constantly losing receipts. Call the customer service, have rough ideas of date and what was purchased and they should be able to assist you. If you have accounts set up through TW, BPS, etc yoi might be able to log in and look at your account history. I still have receipts in my Amazon account from three years ago. The one problem you may face is if they have purged their system. Which happens every so often depending on the company.

Glad to hear you all are safe, sorry that things went so bad for you. Hope it gets better.

[LgMouthGambler]

Sorry to hear. The lake is tough if not familiar with it. Can go from completely calm, to absolute hell in an instant. The important thing is you guys are OK. Live to fish another day.

[Knightiac]

If you used your BPS account, then everything is accounted for. I've replaced one broken rod, one grinding reel and even one reel I just didn't like anymore, all because they have such a great online system. They either scan your card or check with the product number (obviously you can't provide that, unfortunately).

 

Hope you have better luck next time.

[Louief97]

Thanks to everyone here, you guys are so nice and helpful!

[tbone1993]

Tough loss man, you need to be careful and know the limits of your boat. Glad everyone was ok.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Wow man.  That sucks.  Okeechobee would be a dream trip for a lot of people.  Sorry to hear that something that should have been so great went so wrong.  Like everyone else said, at least you guys are ok.  Hopefully you get your new gear soon and can get back out there.

[BassinLou]

Sorry to hear about your experience. Like everyone has been saying, thankgoodness everyone is ok. Learn from the experience, and start rebuilding a little at a time.

[Bankbeater]

Sorry to hear that.  How close did the boat come by that capsized the your boat? 

[topwaterrob]

That's a rough intro to lake O for sure....  Like other posters say, it can go from awesome to crap in a matter of minutes out there.... Glad you guys were safe....  Where did you launch>

[Louief97]

We launched from Lake Okeechobee Resort in Pahokee. And the other came within about 25-30 ft to us, and worst part he kept going without helping us.