Cousin bailed out on me! LoL....

[Wichita]

Last night at Settlers Trace I took my cousin fishing. He is about 46 years old and weighs about 300 lbs. On the way to the dock he told me stories of his fishing, boating, and swimming. We unloaded the boat and he parked the truck. I met him at the dock to pick him up, I held on to the dock while he entered the front of the boat, once he was in I told him to grab a seat and don't fall in. I turned to take my seat and splash!!! He falls in. At first I thought he was playing a bad joke on me till I realized he couldn't swim! I quickly threw the emergency cushion float and grabed him. Got him to the side of the boat and as he held on drove him to shore. There was no way I could lift 300 lbs of kickin and screamin! After 10 minutes of him shaking and catchin his breath he got in the boat where I insisted he wear his life jacket. We laughed all night at his wetsuit! On a serious note things could have been worse. I have sworn to a new rule no matter who the passenger is in my boat, they are to wear a life jacket while entering or exiting or moving in the craft including myself. So please think safely, it all happened so quickly but thank God all was safe.

[Grumpy]

In addition to those times for wearing a PFD, you should also make it mandatory to wear one when taking a leak over the side of the boat. I read somewhere that the vast majority of boating men that drown are found with their FLY UNZIPPED, meaning that they fell overboard while taking a leak. I always carry and use a plastic bottle for that purpose, which is about as far as I can reach anyhow.

[LarryG]

Grumpy, you are going to live to be a wise old fishermen. That fly unzipped was passed to us by the US coast Guard. Always use a container. And never never evergo doodoo off the side of a boat, the mortician may wind up doing the final wipe!!!!

[DJD]

Good info but bad mental images!

[findingem]

I'm happy to here you guys made it out alright. It could have been a lot worse. Sounds like your cousin has a good sense of humor. Most guys would be ready to go home. I hope your cousin enjoyed himself and caught a few.

[JimDi]

Based upon how hot it has been, it might not be a bad idea to go swimming. My wife fell in Lake Cumberland in November. We had just found the stripers and had caught two over 20lbs, then splash. We were down by the dam and had to drive all the way to Jamestown. I put a rainsuit on her to keep the wind off. It scared me to death.

[SlopFishin]

Jim, ANY time the water temp is under 65 degrees I always care a change of heavy clothing, socks and shoes as well as several towels for drying off. I fell in the water one time in October with a buddy and **** near froze my arse off. I learned that lesson!