New Regulations

If you taking the boat out this weekend to fish  Mitchell’s Cut or East Matagorda Bay there are some important New Regulations that the Texas Legislator have enacted. They go into effect September 1, 2019. Some of these new rules are related to Kill-Switches, Life- Jackets, Boater Education and Underway-rules. The Coast Guard, Game Wardens and Sheriff will be on the Water educating the public this weekend. 

The fishing report in and  around Sargent is incredible this weekend. Calm Winds and really strong tides for Labor Day.  So while enjoying the water be aware these new rules go into effect Sunday.

Kill Switch or Motor Shut off Switch.

All boats under 26 feet in length must have Kill Switch (shut off switch) and the operator must be physically connected to that switch while the boat is underway. The most popular type of kill-switch is a Lanyard connected by a Clip.  You always want to have an extra clip onboard in case the operator is ejected from the Boat and you lose the clip. Or you could put a float on the clip too. Kill switches kill or turn the engine off if the operator is ejected from the boat. Without a kill switch the engine will keep running and the boat will start to do circles and then will because of centrifugal force of the prop start to do figure 8 and could come back to injure or kill the person who was ejected from the boat by cutting them up with the Prop. Wearing the clip helps prevent this from happening. 

Life Jacket Rules

Life jacket Rules have been enhanced. All kids 13 or under have to wear a Life Jacket on a vessel  less than 26 feet in length. Each person onboard must have approved life jacket within reach. Life Jacket rules now extend to Kayaks, Paddle Crafts, Wind driven and Canoes.

Younger Boat Operators  

The rules on younger people operating boats has changed. Anyone born on or after September 1,1993 must take and pass a boater education class. This applies to vessels more than 15 hp or Windblown vessels longer than 14 feet. Upon passing the test they will receive a card.  They must carry this Card like a licence if they operate the boat.

Circle a Stationary Boat

Finally it is now illegal to circle a boat while underway or in a stationary position. The exception to that rule is if you are picking up water skier who fell in the Water. 

Have a great and safe Labor Day weekend and look for our Sargent fishing conditions every morning.

                                                  Link to Sargent Fishing Reports