June 12th, 2006 West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton and Newlywed, WCO Brook Tolbert: Conditions: Not much to say other than the Walleye and Perch fishing on Lake Erie continues to explode. Area fishing reports all have been good with limit upon limit being brought in. Anglers that are new to Walleye fishing are finding that this year there are no big tricks or secrets and an arsenal of tackle isn't a necessity. A few dipseys, some no stretch line, and a few tandem crawler harness in a variety of colors have been often all that has been needed. Those. anglers that are not into trolling and enjoy using drift fishing with bottom bouncers have also done well. Charter captains from both the East and West sides of Erie have been consistently reporting great catches in relatively short periods of time. Area temperatures have been warm bring the Lake temperatures up. Lake Erie water temperatures off Toledo are 74 degrees, off Cleveland, 71 degrees, and off Erie, 73 degrees. Marine Radio Use: No single piece of Marine equipment has become more abused in recent years than the Marine Radio, although not required by law, boaters on Lake Erie are strongly urged to consider having one on board. With a large influx of transient and casual boaters on Lake Erie, the abuse of this often life saving piece of equipment becomes more evident each year. Although many boaters help themselves by investing in a radio, all too often the time is not taken to learn the proper use of the radio, its channels, and how to use it in an emergency. Safety is the primary function of the marine radio or radiotelephone as it is sometimes called. The operator by law, must be familiar with and adhere to the provisions of the Federal Communications Commission. Although possession of the Rules and Regulations is not required, they may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Consider the following to help make better use of and to assist you in operating your marine radio in a legal and non interuptive manner. At a minimum, you should: MAINTAIN A WATCH while the radio is turned on, even though you are not communicating. Monitoring the Calling and Distress Channel 16 (2182 kHz SSB) is compulsory when the set is on and you are not communicating on another channel. At a minimum, the radio should be left on scan if you radio has this feature Distress and Safety Calls Distress: "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY." This is the International Distress Signal and is an imperative call for assistance. It is used only when a life or vessel is in immediate danger. Urgency: "PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN" (PAHN PAHN). This in the International Urgency Signal and is used when a vessel or person is in some jeopardy of a degree less than would be indicated by Mayday. These broadcasts are often heard on Lake Erie and most often are broadcast by one of the US Coast Guard Stations. Safety: "SECURITY, SECURITY, SECURITY" (SAY-CURE-IT-TAY). This is the International Safety Signal and is a message about some aspect of navigational safety or a weather warning. This broadcast is also often heard on Lake Erie and very often is a warning of severy pending weather situations. Most boaters never have the need to make a distress call but all should be familiar with the proper procedure. WHEN YOU NEED IT THERE WILL NOT BE TIME TO LEARN IT. MAYDAY calls should only be maid when there is "immediate or eminent danger". In most cases it will be pending abandon ship situation. A "MAYDAY" situation is usually a stressful and hectic one, so having a Distress Communication Form tailored to your boat, partially completed and readily available is a great aid in making an organized distress call. For Urgency (Pan pan) calls, a format similar to the "Mayday" signal can be used. Safety (Security) messages inform other boaters of abnormal situations relative to safe operation and are the lowest priority of the emergency situations. Distress calls are initiated on Channel 16 because they should be heard by many boats, as well as the Coast Guard and other shore stations within range. If you receive a distress call, cease all transmission. All vessels having knowledge of distress traffic, and which cannot themselves assist, are forbidden to transmit on the frequency of the distress traffic. They should, however, listen and follow the situation until it is evident that assistance is being provided. Transmitting may resume after hearing an "all clear" (Silence Fini). "Over and Out" Radio Abuse Willful or repeat violators may receive a "Notice of Violation" citations, and be fined up to $2,000. The following will improve your radio communications: Marine Radio is not Citizens Band (CB), so watch your talk afloat. Phrases such as "Hey Good Buddy," "Bring That Back," "I Copy," and "That's a Big 10-4," are not only frowned upon by the authorities, but are illegal. Select Channel 16. Fish will be returned to the water after weigh-in. Bring the kids to see over 200 of the lake 's big smallmouth and largemouth weighed and released. The public is welcome and photos are encouraged. Excellent viewing is available for spectators young and old. Edward John Perch Boat Tickets, BAC gift certificates, and other gear will be raffled with all proceeds going to the local Erie Red Cross disaster relief fund. Local Weather: Thursday Thursday Night Friday Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday Sunday Night Monday |
(71.116.59.119)