Since when has the Coast Guard done this?

[Kentuck]

Saw this in an article on the whales around Rio Vista. Have fished a couple of tourny's in the Delta where every boat in it would have been left out.

"The Coast Guard does not allow boats sized 25 feet or less to be on the Delta when winds are rougher than 25 knots, but could issue a variance."

[Vince Borges]

well there are 1.15 mph per 1 knot. So that would be 28.75 mph winds. I believe that what they are refering to is sustained winds and not gusts. I know i wouldnt want to be on the delta in sustained winds over 25mph and im running a 21' champion. I would think that most tourney orgs, ( except for small clubs) would postpond or cancel tourneys for safety purposes anyways. Just my own opinion though. Maybe some tourney org can chime in on this one?

Vince

[Kentuck]

Thanks, Vince. I've been in some 21 foot bass boats on the delta during a tourny and it was not fun at all. Big difference in sustained and gusts.

[Nlvbassin]

I would think that most tourney orgs, ( except for small clubs) would postpond or cancel tourneys for safety purposes anyways. Just my own opinion though. Maybe some tourney org can chime in on this one?

Vince

One would think that but
I can think of three tourniments in the last 4 years on Mead that the winds were sustained 25 or more and we fished.
Randall B

[jchopper]

This Sunday at Clearlake we had 25mph winds with gusts to 37mph. We fished and got wet.... Two boats broke down in the tournament and one ended up on the rocks. Nasty...

[Norv]

Kentuck,

I believe the restriction on 25 foot boats in sustained winds of 25 knots is related to the operation regarding the whales by Rio Vista.

[Cooch]

Sustained, or gusting, 25 knots is purty brutal on this river system, especially if blowing from the north on an outgoing tide. I don't believe the Coast Guard has a standing rule that they enforce with boaters out there, but they can at any time issue a small Craft advisory or greater, and if they do, you better heed their warning, cause it typically means they are seeing 35-45 knots and the danger level is EXTREME!!!

Luarentzen's Website keeps ya posted on these advisories!
http://www.lauritzens.com/

[Hardshell]

Yes it has happened! A couple come to mind. November of '97 or '98 West Coast Bass Pro-Am outa Ladds there had to be at least 40-50 mph sustained wind outa the south and much higher gusts and WE FISHED! January '99 or there abouts, the first 100% Bass pro-am outa Big Break was the wildest I've ever fished, there had to have been some 70mph gusts that day, and WE FISHED! There are others that are to many to list. If that criteria that the Coast Guard says they use were followed there'd of been a bunch of one day pro-ams. I not saying it would not be a good idea to set out some of those "WILD" days but if we did I don't think it'd be tournament bass fishing.

Hardshell

[Cooch]

It was 98 Steve, Don Lee's favorite lil ferrel cat jumped outa my boat as I went flyin into Franks from the San Joaqine! At the time, that was definately the worst tournament day I'd ever been on the water, until that very first 100% Pro_Am outa the Break in February of 99. I'd never seen 8 foot rollers from a bass boat before, until that day when Scott Vaughn and I hit the mouth of Frank's at False River!

If there was ever a Coast Guard rule in affect, them two days should been canceled, athough, I caught over 25 pounds both days! HAR!

[mark poulson]

Don't let PETA hear about that cat!

[Mike]

Feb. 1st 1998 Redman out of Big Break. 25-30 mile and hour south winds pouring rain. Tought bite. Larry Sorenson wins it with 12.5 pounds. I squeek in 2nd with 11.7 just ahead of Ish 11.3. Fun stuff!