@Darth-Baiter to me that did not look as if the river was recently flooded. It just looked like an odd ball tree. They are called accidents for a reason. In my opinion there was no reason for him not to run hard in those conditions. Little ripple no muddy water or other debris. He probably just went through that area a few hours before. I am all for safety but, some things are just in gods hands. 

This sort of thing scares me, there's no fishing that's worth the price of me not making it home. I've seen whole live oak trees the length of my car floating down Ray Roberts in the days after heavy rains. That's a killer if you hit it. The rogue log that just...appears, for no reason, is the stuff of nightmares.

We had a guy pass away on Lake Palestine in east Texas about 10 days ago, his boat struck a concrete pillar and he went overboard. Another boating incident claimed a soul a couple days ago at Lake Lewisville. Boats are not toys. It's not like taking a high dive into the water when you crash at speed it's more like hitting concrete and then hoping you stay awake/intact enough to not drown before you find land or another boat. I also feel better knowing I'm not the only one who doesn't perfectly enjoy every single part of the bass boating experience lol

5 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i dont think anyone disagrees with you.  most road rule are followed by, "or as allowed by current conditions"

 

just because the speed limit is 70mph, i have seen cars pulled over at that speed in inclement weather.  

I’m not saying anybody disagreed with me, I’m just pointing out that rivers are different from lakes, they are more dangerous and you accept that on a daily basis.  Sure we slow down if there’s been a recent rain and the river is flowing heavy with flotsam and we always keep a sharp eye out but “current conditions” are always elevated in rivers and more dangerous as a baseline.  They only get more dangerous based on conditions. Also, I’m not talking about permanent hazards like stumps, rock piles, etc., rivers change on a regular basis.  Current flows move sandbars and make new ones, heavy rains dislodge trees and other floaters and tides make every day a new day for floaters 4 times a day.  We aren’t reckless but we do run on plane most every trip. They say that river rats are a different breed and we have a little bit of that attitude.  

 

5 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I've blown brand new motors " under warranty " but yet to bash the lower unit.

BUT think about it every time on plane.

 

Glad nobody was injured and to think......bass fishing has it's risks.

4 hours ago, TOXIC said:

They say that river rats are a different breed and we have a little bit of that attitude.  

Couldn’t be more true.

Lake I fish had high water one spring. Someone had stored cords of fire wood next to the lake shore. It all went into the water and floated off. For weeks we were dodging floating firewood in the lake.