Be aware of weather, water levels, debris early in the season
Well, the ice has finally melted, and many of us open water anglers are getting our boats, canoes, and kayaks out of winter storage and are heading for the lakes, ponds, and river systems. We sat impatiently all winter for this time to arrive.
I have had many questions about early Spring fishing and what should the angler expect and how weather conditions can affect fishing and boating success. In my opinion, early Spring fishing can be great, but it can be a dangerous time also, especially if you are fishing in reservoirs and larger bodies of water.
The weather can be very unpredictable. The air temperature might seem warmer, but once you get out there, it can cool off rather quickly. I suggest you have extra clothing you can add if it gets windy or rainy. It is not unusual to get some snow flurries and even some sleet.
One thing that always concerned me while I was fishing bass tournaments on reservoirs in the early Spring was the ever-changing water levels. I have fished tournaments on reservoirs where the water was actually well above the boat ramp, but even after launching the boat, we had to be very observant while running the boat because there were several large trees floating.
If you are not attentive, you could strike floating debris and damage your boat or sustain personal injury. Many times, the boater might be traveling speeds above 60 mph and not see the floating obstacles until it is too late. After all, a boat does not have brakes like an automobile.
There is always some boater damaging his propeller, cracking the hull, or even ripping the outboard motor off the back of the boat. I have even seen boat operators or passengers ejected from the boat where they struck floating obstacles. That is when a kill switch is important, and Personal Floatation Devices are required while the outboard motor is in operation.
Most boaters learn from experience. I know from personal experience it is very expensive to have propellers repaired or replaced, transducers reinstalled, or even trolling motors and LCRs reattached, not to mention having the transom or hull repaired. So, be aware and even travel slower if necessary.
Usually, natural lakes are not as susceptible to fluctuation in water level, but any body of water can be dangerous. Small lakes, retention ponds, and farm ponds can be affected, so it is wise to check weather conditions and predictions before you head for the intended spot.
I used to have a CB radio in my truck, and it had a weather band with 24-hour forecast. I listened to it as I headed for the lake or reservoir. Now, I have a couple weather apps on my cellphone that I monitor quite often.
Weather can also affect fishing conditions. Even though steady rain might be uncomfortable to the boater/angler, fishing can be good during that weather. Wind can affect fishing by boat control difficult, but many times you can fish in a cove or on the protected side of the lake out of the wind.
In these conditions, high-speed operation of the boat can be dangerous. In my opinion, there is not a fish in the lake worth risking my life or my partner’s life to catch. I would prefer to wait for a better situation before venturing out on the water.
If you decide to venture out, make sure you have PFDs for yourself and your passengers and you have a kill switch on your watercraft in the event you are ejected from the boat. It will automatically shut off the outboard motor. And be observant of floating obstacles.