Fishing Without Tools

We had a long boat ride to return to the boat ramp. The tide was low and I was having to pay close attention where I was. It had been an exceptional day of fishing with the tide filling more than 2 feet. As the tide fell, the trout and redfish had gone on a feeding binge. We caught more than 40 trout and 15 redfish between the two of us. Sometimes you get lucky and hit it right. When the tide falls, fish tend to turn on. But the lower the water gets, the more dangerous it is to navigate.

We were traveling at a speed of more than 55 mph. The depth was less than 14” inches but it was deep enough for my V hull Skeeter. We had only about 30 miles to go to reach the ramp when I hit something and the motor was instantly in trouble and stopped running.

Smack dab in the middle of nowhere with no other boats around I began to worry. We had several hours until dark and I didn’t want to spend the night on the water.

I raised the lower unit out of the water to inspect it and discovered I had run over an abandoned crab trap. The trap along with a rope had wrapped around the blades of the propeller and stalled the motor. There were countless wires that were spun so tightly around the prop and lower unit that it would be impossible to run unless removed.

Unfortunately, I had left my toolbox aboard my bass boat. If it was on board, I would have been able to use the tools to easily free the lower unit. But, I did have a multi-tool along. Manufactured by Gerber, this tool (the 400 unit) was specifically designed for fishermen. It features almost a dozen different tools and long nosed pliers. It is perfect for hook removal, cutting line, snapping hooks and doing small jobs. But I didn’t realize it could tackle a big chore like it was needed for now.

In about ten minutes we used the knife to cut the rope free and then the cutters to cut the wire from the lower unit. Finally the prop spun freely and we were on our way home. I was relieved.

Obstacles such as crab traps are numerous and in an instant they can strand your boat. Without the proper tools, you may be in for a long wait for help. Make sure your tools accompany you to the water or you better have a Gerber Multi-tool along! For more information on the Gerber Multi- Plier visit their website at www.gerberblades.com.