Lord, guys... relax. I am planning a trip within sight of land. I am not planning a 40-60 mile trip, probably within 3 miles of shore. I am just looking for mapping stuff while I plan my trip and I tend to get on a roll and start looking for things. I map.. it is a main thing about boating that I love... my maps. If you could see what I have accumulated over the years, it would boggle your mind heh
This IS a shakedown trip. I just do not want to go on a shakedown trip alone and to get someone to go, they want to fish so... that is why I am doing it before Snapper season starts as they won't expect me to take them beyond the 9-mile.
My guess is we will take her a mile or so out, get away from some boats, let me get some drone footage and put them on some kings and maybe fish the jetties a bit. We may run along the shoreline south to stay close to land and still hit a few small rigs like Pelican etc, which people reach with a kayak, but no.. I am not being unsafe. I am not taking her out further till I get the ERIPB onboard.
As for life vests, I always have them with me. Do I always wear them? Eh.. when moving, yes. I suspect 90% of the people on here are the same or worse. What I DO do... and learned it from my dad, is I walk my boat. I have a rip cord on the emergency bag so people do not have to fiddle with the zipper. I walk my guests through each scenario and what to do and I make sure folks are safe and can keep me safe.
Besides, I need to be in close enough to do a live feed on FB and ask questions if need be and well, cannot do that 9 miles out.
So, appreciate the concern, but... as I have always said, "There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots."
Holds true with Captains as well.
I even told my wife..."I am going to leave you a copy of our plans and path I expect to take with any possible changes. If I deviate, I will text you before I do so and tell you "go to plan 'B' page".. lol
I do not take chances, I make plans, hence why I like to know the water depth... I am planning for in close Mangrove fishing etc.. so need to find any cuts and areas inside my limits to put them on fish and satisfy my help.
But thanks
I know, I am a noob with a Grady... and I tend to ask a LOT of questions... because I worry too, but I am not a noob... I just do not have other fishermen around me, much less boating people.. and my terms are different than most as I just "do" what I learned, don't have a word for it or name.. does not mean I do not know what I am doing or how to do it....but I do not let that keep me from asking any and all questions because I can always learn more.
Been boating for decades, just not on this type/size boat, and as such, I am taking it very slow.
As for lakes, I wish there was a closer one, but Lake Travis, which is closer, the only ramp I know would work is Mansfield and it is so steep... not taking a chance with a F-150 and an 8000lb boat... it will drag my truck into the water.
Lake Buchanan... I know how to fish that without a GPS... but it is only like 20-30 minutes closer than the coast....I am more hoping to meet new and more experienced people at the boat while we are docked and they can physically show me "the ropes".
My real goal is to float the boat... tie her up.. and start getting to know people AT the place I plan to spend 90% of the boat time with. If I can get a good network of really experienced friends, then I can start learning real world secrets that will enable me to sell this and buy a 75 ft yach.. nm.. just kidding.. I want to meet new REAL boating people.. lol.. and tied up at that dock, across from the biggest boat ramp down there.. I will meet new people.. and, I will get to shake down the boat.... see?
Method to my madness..
R
