Looking for advice on how to drive in rough water.

[Grnbasser]

I was recently fishing Clearlake and started to head back toward where we launched. We ended having to go against the wind with the lake almost looking like an ocean. We were unable to plane the boat and when we did, the waves acted like ramps where it seemed like we would almost go airborn into the next swell. We just ended up not planing the boat going over each wave slowly and sometimes the water would come up and over the front when we dipped down. Talking about being scared ****less!! Can anyone please give some advice on how to drive in these conditions? Thanks.

[bigbass111]

For one, going with the direction of the wind and waves is the hardest. In this situation running a zig-zag pattern riding the waves like a surf board is the easiest and safest (not the quickest for sure).

Second, going directly into oncoming waves is the easiest if your boat is long enough. If its long enough to cover the gaps getting up and running at a fast rate of speed will keep you on top and safer than beating waves slow.

Timing, Timing is everything. Anticipating the next waves gap and crest with the throttle will stop you from nose diving.

The most obvious route to take is the route closest to main points and hills that block the bulk of the wind.

But the biggest mistake people make is thinking slow is the only answer. Getting up on top is the key if possible..

[swordfish]

Especially on Clear Lake watch the weather in advance and launch close to where you fish, no matter what the morning brings,, lots of choices lots of free ramps..angles are everthing when reading waves...Keep the nose up, go slow and don't bust up your equipment .

[Mitch]

Youv'e GOT to be on plane. Timing is key, try to ride the wave, but not to "jump" it. Speed is control, but do not "go as fast as you can". This will NOT only tear up your equipment, but will hurt YOU as well. Above all the best advise is to get over toward the bank, stay just enough off the bank to be safe, but not out in the middle of the lake. The leeward bank is the best to run. Also, run a zig zag pattern when you can. Remember, SAFETY is number 1. MAKE SURE YOUR LIFE JACKET IS ON AND ALL STRAPS FASTENED. Watch the weather, and avoid rough water when possible. Sometimes its best to stay on the trailer and fish another day !!!
I've gone to many movies instead of fishing at Clear Lake !!!

[offduty]

I was recently fishing Clearlake and started to head back toward where we launched. We ended having to go against the wind with the lake almost looking like an ocean. We were unable to plane the boat and when we did, the waves acted like ramps where it seemed like we would almost go airborn into the next swell. We just ended up not planing the boat going over each wave slowly and sometimes the water would come up and over the front when we dipped down. Talking about being scared ****less!! Can anyone please give some advice on how to drive in these conditions? Thanks.

Get on top and take the waves at a 45 degree angle, some boats with some decent vee handle much better than the flatter ones.

Rich

[FATGUY]

Best advice for rough water GET A CHAMPION .. they handle rough water really good ..

[Schneider Fishing]

Actually I've been thinking a lot about this same subject. I've got a Ranger Z21 Intracoastal so I do run it in the ocean, sometimes even to Catalina Island. (I learned a lot my first trip over..... There was a red flag warning - small craft advisory. lol)
There isn't a magic speed or angle. At least that I have found. The waves are always a little different each trip based on their height and the distance between them (swell and period). Turns out its an application of trigonometry (sorry, math teacher part came out). Each trip out is a different equation so no single answer every time.
Chances are, that if you think your going too fast than you are. With that all said, I have found my best results are when I can just get it and keep it on plane. Around 22 mph. The boat is higher on the water when it's on plane. Then I adjust my route and speed according to the waves. Some times a little faster sometimes a little slower. Sometimes I need to angle the waves to get a better match.
Best of luck out there and be safe.

[492slayer]

I've found that trimming down and allowing the vee to cut the waves helps out as well. I run a Bravo 1 4 blade prop on my 492VS Ranger. It allows me to stay on plane as slow as 15mph, and never blows out... it is a big off shore racing prop that has a ton of surface areas on the blades at 15" diameter. It literally makes the difference in getting throught the rough stuff. It also gets on pad fast. I think some guys that run 3 blades have more trouble because of the inability to stay up on pad at slower speeds. Best advice was given already... if it's that ugly, better to stay home and enjoy something else.

[Grnbasser]

Thanks for all the great advice. If one had a jackplate, what position is best? Can that help?

[BassManDan]

Put the t-motor on high; surf the waves and fish your way back to the boat ramp

[Otay Michael]

I've taken my aluminum up to Clear Lake a few times and it handles waves even worse it seems, I've had to just find the nearest ramp and bum a ride to get back to the trailer.

There are many days it starts out fairly nice and slowly, sometimes quickly, turns into a hurricane! The Delta can have the same effect; it just has more protection due to the canal system, the main lakes are the tough part but can be avoided to some extent. Makes life exciting actually.

A friend and I crossed the entire lake from S. to N. at Clear Lake in his Legend on a stormy day; he timed the high waves fairly perfect cruising just on top of them, it was weird, but man our bodies took the brunt of the constant hits, especially those that were a dash off on impact- my back killed me.

It does take practice. I've seen spring days there where only a fool would attempt to go out in, probably eight to ten foot waves- but I've launched on the wind protected side and hugged the shore those same days.

[ASD]

Grnbasser
What type of boat do you have? If it's a 14' tin can stay home! a 17' bass with 115hp or more you can do it but you and your boat will get beet up if you got a 21' bass with 250hp just get on top of a big wave and ride it

[Grnbasser]

I have a '83 Ranger 150 HP 19 foot length. I was thinking even maybe the hull can also make a difference on the way it rides on this older boat. Ive thought about hugging the shore but we noticed huge boulders in the water last year when the water levels were low so we stayed a little further out from shore.

[Leon Pugh]

Install a planing plate on the bottom of the jack plate, it will allow you to stay on the pad about 5mph slower and the boat will plane quicker. You will have to find the sweet spot for the trim, when coming off the wave it some times helps to give it a little more throttle to lift the bow for the next wave. It does take a little practice with it to get the hang of angles, trim and speed. As others have said avoidance is best. Very rough water tear up equipment and your body.