"kid coulson" said:
After talking to Mike S today I would love to go. Just need a bigger
boat I think.
Bigger boat? No, you really don't. I could show you miles and miles of water that could be fished in a canoe 99% of the season. The only drawback to a smaller boat is that you have to commit to an area and you probably aren't going to pick up and run 12 miles to fish another area. To put this into perspective imagine putting in at a ramp and having access to about 3000 acres of water that you can fish without having to worry about the wind/weather/waves. Heck, I can think of four ramps off hand that you could put in and never have to start your gas motor.
The only drawback could be if you run into a weird wind that has pushed tons of weeds into an area that makes it tough to fish. If that's the case then you can take out and drive to another ramp. Not only the lake but there are miles of river that you have in the St Clair and Detroit River.
Yes, it's big water and it can get dangerous but it is only as big and dangerous as you make it.
"detroithardcore" said:
what's the earliest Self-Ridge opens? are they all opened at 6am? I usually drop in Elizabeth Park, Wyandotte and work my way up river or drop in a deckers.
Most of the DNR launches are open 24/7. There may not be an attendant on duty but you can launch anyway. They will put a ticket on your car that you pay on the way out if you don't have a DNR ramp sticker (not the same as a State Park sticker).
Ive been looking up some rules for great lakes and waters
connected to the great lakes but some of it gets confusing.
So,….. on a 14 footer like mine you need to have wearable
floatation not throwable? And do you need flares or smoke
if your NOT fishing from sunset to sunrise? And whats this
about a horn or whistle? Any other things/tips you guys
know of, give me a holler. TX
If the boat is under 16 you don't need the flares if you are on the water from after sunrise and off before sunset. However… you would be wise to buy a marine safety kit that has flares and signaling devices. especially if you don't have a marine radio. The USCG helicopters can't communicate directly with you if you are calling on a cell phone and it will be much easier to spot you if you have a flare.
"detroithardcore" said:
kid-1) Wearable PFD's for everyone and 1 throwable
2) Sound Device, whistle or your boat horn if you have one
3) 3 hand held red flares OR one hand held red flare and 2 red meteors OR one hand held orange smoke signal, 2 floating orange smoke signals and one electric light
4) fire extinguisher
Make sure the extinguisher has a full charge and that the flares have not expired. Some stores sell "new" flares that are already expired and would not pass inspection. If you own the self inflating type Sospenders or equivalent they only count as a PFD if you are wearing them when they inspect you.
Nope, Ed is correct. You must be wearing it to COUNT as a flotation device in your boat. So if you have two people in the boat, and two vests aboard, but one vest is an inflatable and isn't being worn, you're in violation.
BTW: do you guys think my boat is worthy of the trip from the Selfridge launch to The Raft in good weather?
"hemichemi" said:
Nope, Ed is correct. You must be wearing it to COUNT as a flotation device in your boat. So if you have two people in the boat, and two vests aboard, but one vest is an inflatable and isn't being worn, you're in violation.BTW: do you guys think my boat is worthy of the trip from the Selfridge launch to The Raft in good weather?
Hemi,
Your boat is about the same as mine and as long as the weather isn't going to ge rough you could fish Selfridge safely. The guy who used to guide LSC, Steve Kunnath, fished this through June and July and there are some good spots close and as a benefit you get to watch jet fighters practice dog fighting.
Now that would be cool!
O.K. on the life jackets for a 14 foot boat do you need to have
them on, or just in the boat? And 1 throwable on board also?
Also, is it leagle to have a extra gas can on board?
Thanks for all the help guys. I dont get out of the SW MI area
much when fishing so when and if I do I want my ducks in a row.
[smilie=biggrin.gif]
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