Was fishing in a club tournament today on Kentucky Lake when I noticed a helicopter flying back and forth along the river. Once we arrived at weigh-in. There were two news vehicles and a Wildlife Resources vehicle.

The 6:00 news showed a capsized bass boat and declared two bass fishermen who were in a tournament (not ours) were still missing. There were no other details at that time. I'll try to update when I hear more.

Oh wow - I thought those boats were REALLY hard to capsize...

Oh wow - I thought those boats were REALLY hard to capsize...

Not at high speed.

Oh wow - I thought those boats were REALLY hard to capsize...

Take a big enough wave from the side or spear a big one and you'll find out just how easy it is.

Jerk the kill switch while at WOT and trimed up and see what happens.

Both bodies were found today. It is still unclear what happened right now, but authorities are saying they believe the boat struck something ejecting both men.

Oh wow that sucks.

This makes me want to bring along a lifejacket and hardhat the next time I get on a bass boat.

Sounds like this is just another reminder to have that PFD on while the big motor is going.  Feel bad for the families involved.  Sad story.

Oh wow that sucks.

This makes me want to bring along a lifejacket and hardhat the next time I get on a bass boat.

You mean you don't bring along a life jacket when you're in a bass boat? 

Oh wow that sucks.

This makes me want to bring along a lifejacket and hardhat the next time I get on a bass boat.

You mean you don't bring along a life jacket when you're in a bass boat?

Nope, usually just one of those dinky around-the-neck nylon bags filled with foam boards. I might look into getting a full-on around-the-body life jackets with the multiple straps and everything now.

Oh wow that sucks.

This makes me want to bring along a lifejacket and hardhat the next time I get on a bass boat.

You mean you don't bring along a life jacket when you're in a bass boat?

Nope, usually just one of those dinky around-the-neck nylon bags filled with foam boards. I might look into getting a full-on around-the-body life jackets with the multiple straps and everything now.

Hey Nibbles , 19 year olds can die too.

4 deaths on Tennessee waters this weekend. All 4 people were not wearing a life jacket.

The incident I originally posted about is now being ruled a possible collision with a barge or barge waves.

Another incident involved two bass boats colliding. One death.

The last was a man who fell off his jet ski. No life jacket. Intoxicated.

Please wear your life jackets at least when the big motor is being operated.

The last was a man who fell off his jet ski. No life jacket. Intoxicated.

What a stupid way to die. It's hard to feel any kind of remorse for something like that. I mean, you feel sorry for the family, but wow, drunken jet skiing without a life jacket.

The last was a man who fell off his jet ski. No life jacket. Intoxicated.

What a stupid way to die. It's hard to feel any kind of remorse for something like that. I mean, you feel sorry for the family, but wow, drunken jet skiing without a life jacket.

I know what you mean no sympathy for that dude.

:

Sad situations.  The families are in my thoughts.

Last year in my neck of the woods, a bass boat hit a barge wake going full throttle (it was a tournament blast off), went airborne and knifed it.  It cart-wheeled, separating the top cap from the hull.  The drive had multiple broken vertebrae and fractures.  The passenger suffered cuts and bruises.

Both could have been killed.

The last was a man who fell off his jet ski. No life jacket. Intoxicated.

What a stupid way to die. It's hard to feel any kind of remorse for something like that. I mean, you feel sorry for the family, but wow, drunken jet skiing without a life jacket.

I know what you mean no sympathy for that dude.

:

The way I understood his wife was on the back of the jet ski. Real sad and stupid stuff. Just wear the jacket.

Last year in my neck of the woods, a bass boat hit a barge wake going full throttle (it was a tournament blast off), went airborne and knifed it. It cart-wheeled, separating the top cap from the hull. The drive had multiple broken vertebrae and fractures. The passenger suffered cuts and bruises.

Both could have been killed.

I've never understood why anybody would think they could tangle with a barge wake at speed and somehow come out unscathed on the other side.

Somethings gotta give whether it's the boat or the contents,  that includes the people in the boat.   

The last was a man who fell off his jet ski. No life jacket. Intoxicated.

What a stupid way to die. It's hard to feel any kind of remorse for something like that. I mean, you feel sorry for the family, but wow, drunken jet skiing without a life jacket.

I know what you mean no sympathy for that dude.

:

The way I understood his wife was on the back of the jet ski. Real sad and stupid stuff. Just wear the jacket.

That just makes it even worse.  When you start endangering other people, you're a total moron.  If you're going to get boozed up and kill yourself, fine.  Just make sure I'm nowhere in the area.

Last year in my neck of the woods, a bass boat hit a barge wake going full throttle (it was a tournament blast off), went airborne and knifed it. It cart-wheeled, separating the top cap from the hull. The drive had multiple broken vertebrae and fractures. The passenger suffered cuts and bruises.

Both could have been killed.

I've never understood why anybody would think they could tangle with a barge wake at speed and somehow come out unscathed on the other side.

Somethings gotta give whether it's the boat or the contents, that includes the people in the boat.

That is my one concern when out on the TN River (or it's impoundments).  I think we saw one or two barges last year on KY Lake.  I've seen one or two on Guntersville over the last three years.

Very sad all around  >

Last year in my neck of the woods, a bass boat hit a barge wake going full throttle (it was a tournament blast off), went airborne and knifed it. It cart-wheeled, separating the top cap from the hull. The drive had multiple broken vertebrae and fractures. The passenger suffered cuts and bruises.

Both could have been killed.

I've never understood why anybody would think they could tangle with a barge wake at speed and somehow come out unscathed on the other side.

Somethings gotta give whether it's the boat or the contents, that includes the people in the boat.

That is my one concern when out on the TN River (or it's impoundments). I think we saw one or two barges last year on KY Lake. I've seen one or two on Guntersville over the last three years.

Just one or two barges? That's a low average for day to day sightings I would imagine. Fished Saturday and Sunday and probably saw 3 or 4 each day.

Oh my goodness!  You guys should come fish the Columbia!  Barge city man!  Not only that, but ocean-going vessels too...and I mean BIG ones! The wakes off of those babies is downright frightening! 

This is why my first boat will be one that goes no more than 55mph. Any faster than that and I'm scared....I already pee a little at that speed.

This is why my first boat will be one that goes no more than 55mph. Any faster than that and I'm scared....I already pee a little at that speed.

;D

I have been 73 mph on a Nitro Z9 and it felt ridiculous.  So many people don't realize how speed translates on the water.