Small Boats on Big Water. What You Need to Know

Great advice on river safety. We fish the 2 most dangerous rivers in the country (in my opinion) the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in east central Louisiana. Learned many lessons. 1. ALWAYS have a sharp knife ready. You may need to cut an anchor rope at a moment’s notice. 2. Have a plan and discuss it with whoever is in the boat with you. Winging it is never a good idea, and hope is not a plan. 3. We choose never to go alone. Too difficult to safely control a boat and work the anchor rigging properly. 4. Watch where you put your fingers, hands, and feet. A loose anchor rope in heavy current can quickly tighten and break fingers and hands. A loose rope in your feet can quickly wrap around an ankle and pull you in. Be safe and God bless. Bon peche!!! (good fishing)

Dude it’s been three years since you posted this and I can tell you regardless of how many views this gets, you’ve definitely saved lives with your information. You’re a good man Hagen. Good luck fishin

Good and useful information! I always tell people that fish from a boat - "you are a boatman first and a fisherman second."

Great write up man. The best advice I could ever give anybody is don't wear boots on the boat. Try swimming with boots on sometime, in calm water, and you'll understand why I'm saying this. And trying to get them off while in turbulent water is just a recipe for disaster. I fish in my 12' boat regularly but not on big water.

I didn’t give two thoughts about safety when I was younger. As age catches up with you the realization of how fragile life is and how quickly things can change. Ain’t no fish worth dying over. The best tip I can give is listen to that little voice inside that’s telling you danger is at hand. Many of the dumb things that I have done were done after I told that little voice to shut up.

You have very good points about on the water safety, thank you for the video. I do have a big concern though, you haven't mentioned the #1 safety rule to top all safety rules on the water. PFD!!!! I am a Public Safety Rescue Diver on the Mississippi River. I have recovered more bodies of River Rats and those that just wanted a fun day on the river than I ever care to remember. It is such a simple thing to do, put on a PFD. Get an inflatable if you need to but get something that is comfortable and that you'll wear. You make your boy wear one right? Do you want him to see you drown if something happens, especially when you ae wearing bib overalls. Swallow your pride, and please wear one! Promote wearing one just like you promote your other gear. I was on the river for 30yrs before it sunk in to my thick skull, but you owe it to yourself and your family. Tell me I'm wrong!

Hagen, I'm really glad to see you bringing safety issues up like this since you have the publics eye now! Thanks!

This is an important video alot of the channels on here dont stress the safety as much as they should.

IMHO, the most important thing is to wear your life preserver. Make sure to carry a Coast Guard approved throwable flotation device. (2 or more would be better) and have a ready-go abandon ship bag attached to the main lifejacket. Also carry at least 1 fire extinguisher. Having been on a burning boat, I can tell you, nothing is more scary. ~Frank, former USCG-A

Good advice for people newer to the rivers and a good reminder to us older folk. I've been Jon boating and fishing the Mississippi up around Pool 26 for many years. Its easy to get complacent when you set out to relax after a long day of sun and fun on the water. Even in larger boats, the river will get you when you least expect it. Barge wakes are easy to avoid, its those darn rollers off the big cruisers plowing along at slow speed, churning just as much water as they can that creates what I believe are more dangerous conditions. You are right about large debris floating and the weather bringing wind and lightning too. Anyone who is totally at ease and comfortable on the water anyplace is asking for trouble. You have to respect and appreciate the power of big water.

Great info ! ! Been boating for 40 years and had 14 footers and 20 footers and big rivers doesn`t care what size boat you have ! Gotta watch the undertow from heavy loaded barges also, it can grab you and if you don`t have the power to break away you`re done !

Awesome video and words of wisdom Hagen. Nobody has to big of a boat or to much experience to skip a lesson like this .👍

I’ve been scared several times myself. That’s why I stay in creeks on the lake with 14ft. I’m glad you mentioned logs running into the anchor rope. Very helpful video Hagen 👍🏼

As I said before I'm new to fishing and bought my 1st boat last spring and I LIVE by the rule when in doubt DONT!!!!!I know my skills are still in the baby stages like you said a fish isn't worth your safety or life youve taught me a great deal so far so keep the videos coming 😊 ☺️

Hagen, unfortunately we can't teach people the most important safety tip, COMMON SENSE. Great video, keep up the great work like you always do.

Excellent advice brother, teaching lessons that can be fatal if learned the hard way. Thank-you for the info.

In my 16ft Jon on the Mississippi I've got one hard rule I literally live by. No go at south winds above 12 mph. No matter how good the fishing. South wind against the Mississippi River current is deadly for smaller boats. I also just bought a bigger boat for Mississippi. But my wind rule may not increase by much.

Sir, Thank You! THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT VIDEO TO MAKE.  In the past 80 years I have seen several bodies recovered out of lakes, and the sad part about it from what I have learned, they lost their life due to a lack of knowledge, or were drunk.    The act of Anchoring, and being anchored, always put people into a potentially dangerous situation if they do not know how to anchor properly, or respond to events that may cause them to be venerable doing the activity they are doing.   SITUATIONAL AWARENESS IS CRITICAL FOR ANY BOAT OPERATOR.   I feel you have brought up some critical issues that a responsible person must consider.  I only have a 12 foot “V’ Hull aluminum boat.  “Large Wakes” created from powerful boats passing by, are my worst safety issue.  I have to be as quick as a “Long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs”.

Binge watching. Thanks for the shout out. Great video!!! Nice work!!

Wind and other boaters is your main threats out on any water big or small. Good advice though!