I was going to post this as a reply in the other thread but it really deserves a thread of its own.

I'm going to disagree with you guys on making this a rule. I don't think that we need more rules that we need to try and enforce.

Safety is always a concern especially for me since I am the TD. But I think safety is the responsibility of the individual angler. I can not follow people around to make sure they don't do something stupid like cross a busy channel on a bend when you can hear boat motors coming. Flag or no flag if you do that you are going to get run over eventually.

Also if a boater can not see my 8 foot long 16 inch tall bright blue pontoon what makes me think they will see 30 square inches of blaze orange flapping in the breeze?

I think this is more of an individual concern and if an angler thinks he or she should have a flag then they should have one. Maybe if I had a boat with different color pontoons like dark green or dark blue I would get a flag too.

We all need to be vigilant when on the river especially in the summer months when there is so much more boat traffic and we need to be doubly vigilant on heavily trafficked areas such as Mildred Island.


My 0.02

MT

doesn't hurt to wear a bright yellow wind breaker/jacket either. ;-)

DM

A Rule? I would have to agree with Mitch, I think this is a personal option. What next, having to wear a LifeVest all day? Again it is a personal option. If I get any flag flying from my toon, it will be black and have a skull & cross bones....Arrrrr! :-)

Bryan

To fish is to live!

I also agree with Mitch this should not be a rule but if people want to do something like that I am sure it would not hurt.

FIT

I think a rule for certain events would be a good idea, but maybe its because in the summer months I tend to fish areas in direct traffic rather then just going across the channel to get to a spot. I wold be interested to see how much more visable the flag is this weekend.

I agree with Mitch, I have been run over while in a 17 1/2 foot boat with all the running lights on and it was light out (so I dont know that the flag would really help) I think it is up to each person to do what they feel is safe for them (outside of the headlight) I know that after we got run over we mounted about 3 more flood lights on the boat and I now feel a little safer :+ But we all need to use good judgement when crossing busy channels and be ready to get out of the way if needed :o I dont think this should be a new rule, if you feel unsafe then do what will make you feel safe. One could always have an airhorn on your boat to grab quickly and use if you felt in danger, that would grab attention!!

If your going to make a rule an airhorn would be of more use that a flag. I've been in a 24' boat and had to use the horn. If the boaters are not paying attention you need to he grab it.

dz

I'd like to see some sort of rule; the post about the air horn sounds even better than a flag. I think it could really hurt the club and this type of fishing if someone gets killed out there during one of our tourney and we haven't done every thing we can to promote safety.

Lights are also something I am and have been concerned about in the past. The flash lights on you head are only good if you are facing the oncoming boat. And yes I don't use them now but I did have boat-style lights for a while (I bought cheap ones and broke them.)

Buzzfish

An air horn is a good idea, just keep it where you can grab it quick! :o I have one and will be bringing it.

DM

Clint I share your concerns about safety during club events or any time for that matter. I still do not believe we need to start making hard rules on things like flags, horns etc. We do have some rules regarding safety. The life jacket in possesion rule is a no brainer but we do not force people to wear them that is an individuals choice.

I am not against some safety recommendations but I am totally against taking peoples choices away from them.

The suggestions in this thread are all good ones. Maybe I'll add them to the tourney rules page as recommendations or somewhere else on the site for people to read. Then they can make their own choice as to what best suits them.

I will be getting an air horn myself. That is a good idea!

MT

Well you asked for opinions which is something I have a lot of. No big deal and hopefully nothing nasty will ever occur at one of our events or when fun fishing. Thank you for posting the question!

Buzzfish