Went out with my bud a couple weeks ago. He had recently just picked up his boat (it is a 14 ft fiberglass, from '79 w 35 HP outboard) so we were really just getting out for the first couple times.

At first. we had a pretty normal trip, found a decent area to start and trolled along the shore casting out near some fish attractors and a mess of docks. Then we went to go to the next area. Motor would not start. We only had a single battery and we drained it enough with the trolling motor that it did not have enough to start the motor. Luckily an old timer came along and suggested we dig into the motor for a pull start (which we found). It started nice and we went to the next hole.

We were at that hole a little bit before my buds reel got fouled, he opened it and without thinking out the top of it on the side of the boat, first wave that hit us, "splash". Then when we attempt to leave we lose a nail which is used to help secure a pin that holds the anchor to the front of boat when it is up. No big issue, the only reason it would be needed is when you are really shaking the boat or driving with it on the trailer.

We got no bass that day, a ton at catfish and brim mainly. So we get back to the launch and pull out, get about a mile down the road and see 50 ft of line hanging out the back of the boat. We pull over and go to stow the line, we realize it is the anchor line and there is no longer an anchor attached to it (remember that nail....). After driving back and forth a couple times, we give up on finding and count ourselves lucky that we did not kill anyone with it.

We drive another mile towards home and my bud goes to call his wife and tell her about it and can't find his cell. We had it at the launch. When we got in the boat. Then we remember this thing on the road we dodged on the way back from looking for the anchor. It was right where we stopped the first time to check the line hanging out the back. So we do a quick uturn and fly back there. By then his phone is a pancake.

So I can say without a doubt, we learned a ton. We have 2 anchors on the boat, new line, an extra supply of nails, we are really careful when using the trolling motor (he is in the process of getting a second battery), nothing gets put on the rail, and the phones stay in the center console when we are in the truck.

Just wish we had caught some bass...LOL.

On days when I'm having my worst luck regarding equipment, casting, etc...I seem to catch a really big fish. Maybe God has a sense of humor.

...or sympathy. LOL

Sounds like you guys should make a list of things to check for next time.  I have a checklist and a log, I also always tell my wife where I am launching, where I am going fishing and how long I will be out in case something goes wrong.

We had been thinking the same thing. That list however is burned into our brain now. LOL!

Great story, sorry for the bad luck. I've definitely had similar days on the water. Sometimes nothing seems to go right. Rondef, I like the checklist idea. These days I'm taking so many things that this may be a good idea from now on.

Check lists definitely work. There is a reason we had one when I was taking flying lessons. My wife has them for family trips too. Wth 4 kids, it is amazing how you tend to forget some ridiculous things.

I'd send this to Bill Engvall.

Sounds like the next episode of Bait Shop.  

Man, Sounds like if you don't have bad luck you wouldn't have any luck. LOL

That sucks for you! But at least next time you will remember what to watch for!

man i am sorry,all i can say is dont go on buds boat anymore. ;D