Berryessa alert - idiot bass boat driver!

[Larry Hemphill]

I will not put any emotion in this report - just the facts. Friday I was guiding a husband/wife team on their very first bass fishing experience. We were heading back to Pleasure Cove around 4 pm. A short distance before the narrows splits to the left (heading to the dam) we were traveling about 50 mph on our proper right side of the narrows. We see a bass boat heading towards the main body on his side - the east side. I didn't pay much attention to that boat since there were bass boats everywhere as Friday is a day off for most folks. Suddenly I notice that the east side boat swings to his left and heads straight for us - still a long way off. But, he kept coming right at us - I mean RIGHT at us. In about 10 seconds I realized I had to make a decision to avoid an accident. Had I acted on an instinct and turned toward the shore - about 30 to 40 yards - we could have collided! How could that happen you ask?? Because - believe it or not - he and his partner cut in front of me and went between us and the shoreline at about 40+ mph. He probably missed us by about 20 - 25 feet - never slowing down. He couldn't have been more than 15 to 25 yards off the bank. My clients were very quiet - didn't say much. This incident could have ended their thirst for learning how to bass fish. To put it in perspective - I have been boating for about 45 years - in all kinds of weather - day and night - and have seen lots of interesting happenings on the water. But I have never felt that I or my boat was ever targeted - but this sure felt like it. It is really a strange feeling to have a boat come straight at you with no shift to the right or the left. He obviously wasn't considering what my evasive action could have been. He is a law breaker also - boating in the wrong direction. With the speed of the event - couldn't get his CF number or even the make of the boat. He never slowed down. Boat was a dark color, as is mine. Keep you eyes open - he is still on the loose!

[Rod Martin]

Darn Bass Boats are 3rd on my list just below Skiers and Air Boats

Had an Airboat come down the lake make a right turn 30' in front of me , go into the pads I was frog fishing make another right and proceed to blow all the pads up with his prop wash all the way down to the point.
Screwed my spot up for days

[JoeLanghans]

I think we have all been in that situation before... usually it's a ski boat on the river. Ranting on here is pointless and sounds whiney. Plus, you are complaining about bass boats. If you are guiding, aren't you in a bass boat? Maybe rioting will change the idiot boat drivers too lol!

[Larry Hemphill]

Joel - think before you post. This was a report, not a rant. Read my first sentence. Berryessa is not a river and there are no ski boats out in late November. And I was not talking about bass boats - they are all nice, pretty, and fast. I was talking about the driver, or operator as the manual says. This was not a summer afternoon full of boats. There was just his boat and mine at the time - on opposite sides of the narrows - maybe 2 or 3 hundreds yards apart - going in opposite directions. My direction never changed, just heading to the ramp.

[JoeLanghans]

Oh, I thought.
If this is a legit report, contact the Sherrif! No clue what the boat looks like other than it being a bass boat... sounds like a complaint. Why don't you take matters into your own hands and track this bad driver down??

I login to Western Bass to read articles about fishing, fishing topics, read and post forums on fishing and boats, classifieds, etc. not to read a complaint about a bad driver, thanks, they're everywhere here.

[mark poulson]

Oh, I thought.
If this is a legit report, contact the Sherrif! No clue what the boat looks like other than it being a bass boat... sounds like a complaint. Why don't you take matters into your own hands and track this bad driver down??

I login to Western Bass to read articles about fishing, fishing topics, read and post forums on fishing and boats, classifieds, etc. not to read a complaint about a bad driver, thanks, they're everywhere here.

I appreciate the heads up. It's like reporting an obstruction.

[birdman920]

Bass boats are just as bad as skiers !... I have had bass boats pass me "on pad"!, within 20 to 30' feet away !.when I am fishing offshore structure !... they pass close enough " I can see the driver punch a button on his plotter !.... marking a waypoint!... poachers !...

[mark poulson]

Bass boats are just as bad as skiers !... I have had bass boats pass me "on pad"!, within 20 to 30' feet away !.when I am fishing offshore structure !... they pass close enough " I can see the driver punch a button on his plotter !.... marking a waypoint!... poachers !...

I had a boat go by on plane in the fog at the High School Tournament out of Russo's. I had two teenagers in the boat, and we had our running lights on, but the other boat didn't, and we couldn't see them until they were almost on top of us. Idiots!!!

[Burke]

When I read postings/articles about unsafe boating practices, it's a reminder to me that I need to be alert when I'm driving a boat. Unlike driving a car where the driver normally stays in lanes, a boat can come at you from all angles. I know that when I'm driving a boat, I sometimes lose focus on the "driving" aspect and am thinking about the "fishing" aspect.

Boating safety should be #1 in everyone's head when they are driving a boat. Larry's post is just a reminder for many of us to stay focused when you are driving a boat. It's not a complaint. I'm sure many of us have had situations like Larry's and survived. I have had several myself!!!! Every year, we read about boaters who DID NOT SURVIVE!!!!

[Rich hamilton]

Larry,

Thanks very much for your post I really appreciate it and it will probably help keep someone alive! Luckily your clients did not get too freaked out! They obviously have all the confidence in you like most of us do!

Trying to get the "old school back one post at a time" Richie Rich

[Robb R]

Larry ,
I appreciate your post , didn't see it as complaining , only giving a good reminder for all of us to be careful when driving our boats . Lord knows there are plenty of idiots driving boats , including bass boats .
Tight lines ,
Robb

[scott39]

One Dark night on Pedro I was sitting on Jenkins hill point. I could here a boat coming but I couldn't see him. No lights on. He came right up on me doing about 35mph when he shut it down. I had to quickly put the TM on high to move out of the way or he would have ramed me. He asked me 'Were is Hatch creek" I laughed and said. " See that dark area over there. Head that way and keep looking to your right and you will see a flashing light. Thats the shitter. Thats where Hatch is." You never can be too carefull on the water. Boats don't have brakes. Thanks Larry for your post

[Larry Hemphill]

Thanks for your responses everyone! I do need to correct his name - I said Joel, his name is Joe. Sorry, my mistake. I haven't seen a sheriff boat at Berryessa for many weeks, sad to say. I don't think Joe realizes that you can't go chasing after a boat with clients on board. Their safety comes first. And they had to be back by 4 pm - no time to chase boats!!

[DanIsaac]

Thanks Larry, it is definitely about
"DRIVERS" not boat types....lately I'm
beginning to understand there are some true gems on both sides unfortunately.

Dan

[Bassbully]

Thanks Mr. Hemphill for your above-mentioned post! I have known you for years and I even took one of your Bass Fishing Classes 20 years ago. I most recently sat in one of your seminars at Fisherman's Warehouse. You have always been informative and helpful. Over, the years I have relied on your posts to gain needed information on the area lakes. Your aforementioned post was NOT A COMPLAINT! It was merely information which I and most sane mature adults found to be helpful. Berryessa Tournament Director Duke Kilani showed me a pic last month of a bass boat completely out of the water on top of a mostly submerged island top on Berryessa. No doubt the operator was traveling too fast for the area. "Lunker Larry's" post is a helpful reminder that we all should practice safe boating tactics. Lastly, you did the right thing not confronting that guy on the water. Your first responsibility is to safeguard your clients.