Safe Boating: Fishing Safely Near Structure
” There’s plenty of ocean around, why do you have to be in my way?” If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably yelled this, or some variation of it with a few choice words added, at a fellow boater. While it’s great to see more and more people partaking in fishing and boating, the resulting increase in boat traffic, particularly regarding inexperienced boaters, can be a cause for concern. This statement especially rings true at certain fishing venues, where boaters crowd the area trying to get in on the action.
As avid anglers, most of us have been in a position where we’ve had to navigate around other boaters to reach our fishing venues. But what should you do when multiple boaters are trying to fish the same area you’re fishing? Well, it really all depends on the situation.
Take a popular wreck, for example. While it’s in your best interest to get out, put in the hours scouting and find your own honey holes that other area anglers don’t know about, sometimes we’re forced to fish public numbers. These areas are certainly capable of producing a hot bite, but the reality is that on a calm day with heavy boat traffic, you probably won’t be the only one with that idea.
When this happens, your next course of action depends on a few factors. First is the size of the wreck. If it’s a large wreck that can easily accommodate multiple boats, you shouldn’t be afraid to share the area with other anglers. However, on a small piece of structure that only one boat can fish at a time, you wouldn’t be out of line asking an encroaching captain to back off. Conversely, if there’s a boat already fishing the small wreck you want to fish, you’re better off moving to a new area altogether. Sharing the water is important, not only for the enjoyment of every boater out there, but also for the safety of all mariners.
While wreck fishing can be a difficult tactic itself, warranting careful maneuvering and strategic boat placement, bridge fishing is a different challenge altogether. Bridges exist throughout Florida’s entire coastline and, while they serve many practical purposes regarding travel, many of them are also popular angling hot spots. But along with excellent fishing comes a slew of potential hazards that captains and their passengers need to constantly look out for. Safety should always be your utmost concern, so don’t even think about putting a bait in the water until it’s safe to do so.
One of the reasons game fish like tarpon, snook, redfish and more inhabit bridges is the swift current running beneath them, as they use the abundant bridge structure to stay out of the fast-moving water and wait for prey to be swept by. But this very same current can pose a serious problem for boaters. Precise boat handling is an absolute necessity when fishing near a bridge, with a complete understanding of the prevalent tide cycles and current direction.
When fishing a bridge, you also must consider boat positioning. You want to situate yourself in a spot that not only allows you to fish the structure effectively but also remain out of harm’s way. While many anglers choose to anchor, there are a few options. In the Florida Keys, during tarpon season, boats line the famous bridges in hopes of a silver king. When anchoring, these boats will detach from their anchor to chase down a fish, attaching their anchor line to an anchor ball that allows them to easily return to their position. Remember to have the boat powered up and ready to put in gear before detaching from the anchor, as you don’t want to get swept away or into the bridge by the ripping current. When fighting a fish, it’s also crucial you have a dedicated helmsman who doesn’t leave the wheel. If you run into trouble, don’t be afraid to break the fish off. No fish is worth endangering yourself or others. You must also remember that when other boaters are fighting fish, you should do your best to stay out of their way.
Another very effective way to fish a bridge is by tying up to the bridge itself. This doesn’t require the use of an anchor and puts you even closer to the strike zone. However, positioning yourself closer to the bridge means you must be more careful. Boat waves, changes in wind direction and more can send you on an unexpected collision course with the bridge. Never get too close for comfort.
At the end of the day, some fishing venues are meant to be shared and some aren’t. However, if you ever find yourself at a location trying to fish among many other boats, remember that safety should always remain your primary concern. Show respect to your fellow boaters, and keep a heightened level of situational awareness.
Source: https://floridasportfishing.com/safe-boating-fishing-safely-near-structure/
