Mille Lacs Sailing Safety

[sweber327]

As a local sailor on wonderful lake Mille Lacs (and avid fisherman), I just wanted to post a safety tip for those sailing out of Malmo and the Wealthwood (Reddy Creek) area. This area is prime Muskie territory and regularly fished by slow moving/large charter boats (pontoon) with trailing on port and starboard sides, planer boards - they look like little boats sailing along side - they each trail two to three lines as well as 2 to 4 additional lines from the stern and bow (it all depends on the number of folks fishing). The lines follow up to 100 yards past the boat. These boats take quite a long time to stop and turn very slowing. Please be mindful when you see them. Although they love the show all of you put on - incredible jumps and amazing moves, if you got tangled in the lines it could be disastrous. Today (8/23) I made the painful choice of fishing rather than sailing. Right out in front of the Malmo landing in 6' of water with several kiters flying by, I caught a 54" Muskie. I still smell. But my point here is just be safe. When you see these boats be careful when approaching. Even though you might feel you are giving a wide birth, with the planers out, you may be closer to a 911 call than you think. And. There are big fish under you enjoying your show!

Steve

[scottman]

thanks, this great advice,your are so right, as a rule of thumb for me I don't ever cross behind a trolling boat, to risky so I always try and stay in front of them and even at that a long way away from them.

[JRN]

Maybe fly some kind of safety flag, like divers, to alert people that you're coming. See you out there!

[Lee_Uptown]

Wow! Thanks for posting this. I'm totally naive when it comes to fishing, I had no idea this form of fishing even existed! I'll stay away from pontoons.

[Brian M]

not just pontoons, any slow moving boat with rods out has lines well
behind the boat

[sweber327]

Good point! The current belief is that Mille Lacs has the next record Muskie with the kite/windsurf zone ground zero at the Northern end. My Muskie hunter friends laugh when they see me sailing out of Malmo. There number "1" piece of advice; don't wear anything gold. And since I caught my 54" fish on a golden plug...I take my jewelery off now!

[Cory M]

http://kiteboardingmag.com/features/201 ... ite-lines/

Came across this article that combines the two sports. Maybe someone could try to catch the record muskie using this method! What's more powerful, a 14 meter kite or a 30 lb muskie?

[RobH]

Yep - Wished I had known this last year as I had been riding upwind of one such fishing poontoon until he headed upwind I had no choice but to ride downwind of him close to shore (riding at Reddy just west of the swimmers). I had no idea that those lines would run a football field length behind the pontoon, actually I didnt even know they were fishing. SO as I rode downwind in what I thought was a very safe distance (80-100 yards) I found myself crossing 2 lines that tangled around my legs and I immediatly freaked out as the poontoon sped away. They never stopped and I thought for sure I would have a nasty hook so I dropped my kite and waited for the hook to get me. They had cut the lines from the from the charter pontoon and ran without stopping to see if I was okay (okay Im still pissed about that!), so good advice to stay far far away.
Scottman checked to make sure I was okay after seeing my kite dropped, he had no idea I was dealing with couple hundread yards of fishing line and 2 muskie lures, as he rode away he ended up with lines around him and actually caught the hook in his harness - could have been bad for sure.
On the positive side - I have 2 Muskie lures from that experience hanging in my house and stay far away from that charter pontoon with the Red Canopy. See ya all at Reddy this next weekend - she is gonna blow again!

[Eric Bro]

Wow!

I had no idea the lines were so far back. Thanks for the info!

[sweber327]

I'm glad I could put out a little info for all you. In regard to the boat cutting his line and moving away quickly, it is likely becuase he knew you were caught but needed to get the other lines away quickly. If he had stopped and tried to simply reel them in, it is likely it could have become much worse. All the same, I'm glad someone only came away with souvenirs.

I posted a pic of 'what lurks beneath' in the gallery. I suppose folks will wonder what the heck this has to do with sailing. But this is the monster I caught directly in front of the Malmo landing with numerous kiters blasting by (where are the windsurfers?). "They are watching!"

[thewavebb]

it was nice to meet you today Steve. I was the other windsurfer out amongst all the kiters.

[sweber327]

AND YOU! Epic day - I wore out my old bones more than I thought - thank goodness for Motrin!