Staying Safe For The 2014 Boating Season

With the boating season just around the corner we are already dreaming and daydreaming about our boats and our future time on Greers Ferry Lake. Boating safety is usually not on the forefront of our minds when we first hit the water for the boating season, but it is something that we need to refresh ourselves with before our day on the lake.  

Boating safety classes are a great way to not only learn about how to operate your boat safely, but it is also a great way to refresh yourself at the start of each boating season. You may be an experienced boater, but even the most experienced boaters can still learn and relearn important information that could save their lives on the water.

Going over a few safety tips before your first time on the water this spring will help to refresh your memory keeping you and others enjoying the water safe. Tips like: Always wear your life jacket. They make many different styles so find one that fits your needs and always keep it buckled.  Have your float plan ready to go with all the important information about your boat, trip and passengers to leave with someone on land. And take the time to teach another one of your passengers how to operate your boat in the event that you become disabled.

This year's boating season is going to be the best one yet, as long as you respect the water and each other by being safe. Share with us some of the safety rules you have on board your boat. If you would like to learn more about boating safety, click here.

Something A Little Different

Ah boating, taking a day or a couple of hours and heading out onto Greers Ferry Lake; Jumping into the cool water on a hot day, sitting in the shade with a few buddies waiting for a fish to nibble on your bait, or following behind a fast boat catching their wake. These are just a few of the most popular ways to spend time on the water. But this year you want to try something a little different on the water.

Paddleboarding is something that maybe you have tried, or maybe not. It is a surface water sport in which the rider stands or kneels on a board that looks like a surfboard and propels themselves through the water using a paddle. This is one of the more relaxing ways to spend your time on the water. All you need to start enjoying this new hobby would be a board and a paddle.

A personal water craft is something that I know we have all heard of, but is it something you have actually tried? A PWC (Personal Water Craft) is not something to be enjoyed by the faint of heart. It is a fast paced adrenaline rush type of fun. This is not for everyone, if you are under the age of 16 and have not have a safety class you are not allowed to operate a PWC in the state of Arkansas. What is a PWC you ask? It is an inboard pump jet engine that you will stand or kneel on top of to ride over the water.

Barefoot water skiing, yes barefoot, is the final new water hobby I would like to mention. This is a surface water activity in which a rider is towed behind a boat going at high speeds while holding on to a rope that is tied to the boat. The rider has no other gear and is riding on top of the water with his bare feet. With barefoot water skiing, you will need to be traveling at higher speeds than the more traditional form of water skiing to keep the rider above the water. Grab a rope, and plant your feet on the water.

Here are three new ways that you could be enjoying the waters of Greers Ferry Lake this year. The big question, which one will you try? Make sure to let us know what new adventure you chose. Paddleboarding, barefoot water skiing, and riding on a personal water craft are all great ways to have fun, so let’s get going and enjoy the water.

Preparing For a Day of Boating Fun

We are getting closer and closer to being able to spend more time on the water; spending time with friends and family. Preparing properly for your trip can make or break your entire adventure. We will help you to make sure that your next boating day trip will be one to be remembered for all the right reasons.  

Safety comes first. That means that when you are preparing for your boating day trip you need to make sure that everyone on board has a properly fitted life jacket. Especially for any children or anyone who will be participating in watersports. It is a small investment that will allow you to have peace of mind while on the water.  

What will you eat? Spending all day in the sun and exercising with fun activities in and on the water will make anyone hungry. Make sure that you pack plenty of choices for snacks that are tough enough to survive being tossed around. Durable foods like apple slices or carrot sticks over a banana, a sturdy Pringles can over a bag of chips which could be easily crushed, and individual serving size packs of snacks to keep the moisture out of the content that wasn't eaten.

Let's wash it down. Water, water, and more water. Water and sports drinks are the best options when it comes to drinking while being out on a boat all day. Stay light on the soda and energy drinks because they will not help with hydration. Also remember to be responsible with any alcoholic beverages on board.  

What else to bring? Once you have the food and drink taken care of, what else should you pack for your day of boating fun? Sunscreen and chap stick, and make sure to bring plenty of it. You will need to reapply it throughout the day, every couple of hours. Insect repellent go a long way when it comes to comfort around vegetation. Keep a spray can handy. Hand sanitizer will allow you and your friends to clean up before reaching for that snack. Bring along extra swim suits, towels, water shoes, hats, sunglasses and a change of clothes for the ride home. You always need more than you think you will. It is OK to pack a little heavy; you would hate to be without.  

A little preparation goes a long way, so think it through and make a list. It will make your day on the water that much more enjoyable for you and the rest of the crew.

Let's Go Fishing

There are a lot of us who pass our time during the off season fishing. Fishing can seem like a very laid back sport with little to worry about, and for the most part it is. There are a few things that you will want to keep in mind to keep you safe while trying to relax on the water.

The first thing to remember when you are going on a fishing adventure is to prepare. Preparing starts with checking the forecast. Just because the weather looks good right now doesn't mean that it will be like that all day. Keep an eye on the sky and the weather app on your phone. Being prepared also means that you are dressed for the day. Dressing in layers and ending with a water/wind protection layer. Appropriate foot gear is required for safety. That means not sandals or bare feet allowed. Your goal is to stay dry and warm.

Another way to prepare before departure is to pack the extra items that you will need on board including water, flashlights, maps, insect repellent and cellphone or radio. Keeping these extra safety items in the boat are helpful in emergency situations. Another important safety tip to remember is to always keep your fillet knives sharp. You wouldn't want to be out on an unstable boat trying to sharpen a knife or worse yet trying to hack away at a fish with a dull one.

When you are on the water, make sure to wear your life vest at all times. Having it within reach does not count. In an emergency situation you will not think or be able to grab it before hitting the water. Put it on before leaving shore. Once out on the water, use caution when you bait or remove hooks. They are sharp and the boat is constantly moving so make sure to handle the fish carefully. Because of those reasons, you should always use safety glasses when you are casting.

One of the most important tips to remember is do not fish in areas where it is not permitted. They are off limits for a reason, usually to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety. When you choose your fishing spot, always consider safety factors.

Using these tips will keep you and your new fishing buddies safe while on the water. Remember fishing is fun and following these rules will ensure that it stays that way. Now, let's go fishing.

Operating Your Boat With a Joystick

With many different types of engines and controls on the market and new ones popping up each year I wanted to take a moment to discuss boating using a joystick. I know it seems as if all those hours playing games during your childhood have now finally come into some use with your adult life with using a joystick to operate your boat.

Joystick controls allow you to preform maneuvers that would never have been possible with conventional controls. One of the most obvious new ways is the ability to move your boat sideways. This maneuver makes it easier to dock but only once you have practiced for a bit first. The boat tents to lean away from the direction that it is moving and when you lay off the joystick, the boat rocks back toward the opposite direction. If you keep the boat moving until you have completely reached the dock, you run a risk of dinging the side of your boat when it settles.

Another maneuver is the ability to keep a boat in place while spinning in a circle. This makes moving around is tight spaces a breeze. Just as before, you can't just hop in a joystick operated boat and be able to flawlessly navigate. You will need to practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Joystick controls have their advantages, my favorite being the ability to hold fast. Meaning, with the help of control system with built in GPS, you now have the ability to keep the boat in one solitary position with the push of a button. Potential uses, waiting in line at the boat ramp & gas dock or seeing if you have found the perfect fishing spot. Your boat will keep itself stationary.

Even with the new maneuvers that you can do with a joystick operated boat; you will not be able to hop in and be proficient. Take your time; there is a learning curve as with anything new. Don't give up and keep practicing.

Let's Try Fishing PT. 2

Last week we talked about fishing as a way to help pass the time until it is warm enough to go back out on the water and start landing new tricks. We started with the basics of fishing, the hook. This week we will continue on the topic of beginner fishing to help you find the perfect fishing rod out of all the ones you see sitting in the store.

Picking a rod is an important process in fishing and it can seem overwhelming with all the different options. Let us help you to narrow down your selection. What you are trying to catch plays a huge role in the fishing rod that you end up with. There are five different categories of rod/reel combos. They are, spin casting, spinning, bait casting, trolling, and fly casting. The first decision you have to make is what kind of fish are you looking to catch?

Once you know what type of fish you will be looking for in the lake, you can decide on the length of your rod. The longer the rod the longer the cast, more control over the line, and more accuracy. A shorter rod will give you the power and heaviness that a longer rod cannot provide. For the beginner fisherman I would suggest a nice mid weight, mid length rod. Nothing to fancy, remember you are just learning.

The next step would be to choose a reel. For us first time anglers, a spinning reel is suggested for use. Of the five different categories mentioned, spinning reel holds the line in a spool and the line is cast off one end.

Your last decision in picking your new fishing pole comes down to how much you are willing to pay. They can cost from $10 to thousands of dollars. Once you think you have found the rod you want pick it up and handle it in the store. Don't worry, you won't look stupid. It is best to get a rod that you feel is comfortable in your had. Give it a good once over to check for cracks or defects.

Finding the right rod can seem like an impossible task, but hopefully with this help, you are able to find the one that will help you learn how to fish.

Let's Try Fishing PT.1

It's winter. Yes I know it isn't the best season to be a boater but that doesn't mean that you have to give up spending time on/by the water. Fishing is a great all season sport, one that you can enjoy even during this time of year. It's OK if you haven't gone fishing before we can help you. Let's start with the basics, the hook.

What is a hook? A fishhook is a device used in catching fish; in fact it is what catches the fish. It does so by hooking the fish by the mouth. Hooks come in many different shapes and sizes. The hook is attached to the pole by fishing line.

You would think by looking at a hook that it is just a simple piece of metal in the shape of a J. In fact, the hook is made up of a few different parts. It starts at the top of the hook with the eye. The eye is where you tie on your fishing line to hold the hook in place. Following the eye is the shank which is the long part of the hook. The shank flows into the bend which in turn takes you out to the point of the hook.

The point of the hook is where all the action happens. The point is where you hook your fish onto the line. Attached to the point is also a piece of metal called the barb. The barb is there to prevent the hook from coming out of the fish's mouth.

There are different types of hooks out on the market. The first being the traditional J hook. It gets its name because it looks like a J. This hook is best used with natural bait, meaning live or dead bait. J hooks are the most common as well as the oldest hooks that are offered. It is the hook that all other hooks come from.

The next type of fishing hook is the treble hook. This hook actually has three different points attached to one shank. You will usually find these attached to artificial baits that you  find in your tackle shop.

The final type of fishing hook is called a circle hook. It looks similar to the J hook but the point goes further in pointing toward the shaft, making it look like a circle. For all of us beginners, this is the hook to use. There is little to no work when catching the fish on the hook.

With all the different styles of fishing hooks you are bound to find the one that excites you the most. Stay tuned next week and we will talk about the fishing rod and how to pick yours out of the hundreds that you find in the fishing isle.