This is the worst accident, nearly fatal, i was involved in, fortunately as a rescuer not the victiim. i think there is maybe a reminder of some of the "lessons" here, so here it is. A newby was paddling with, we'd been to the harbour wall for leeries, he was trolling and spinning with big topwater rapalas, the dolphins came through, so upped lines. His lure was tied on so he just hooked it into a rod eye, put the rod in the holder and stretched a deck-bungee over the reel (no rod leash). While securing other rod, overbalanced, surprise swell and over he went; lost other rod. When i reached him, the big treble on the lure on the rod in the rod holder was in his shin all the way. He couldn't pull himself up because he was now attached, and the more weight on the boat the more it pulled him down. He was passing out, gulping water. Got the lure cut off and unhooked from the rod; flipped his boat and pulled him on. We've now drifted close to the shore dump. Anyway, get back to deeper water, now he's got to suck it up and paddle home and land with 15cm rappi flapping from his shin - cant cut the hook off or undo the split ring. All ended well, but was closecall.
Using a speedclip means you can remove and change lures and traces quickly and easily; use a rod and paddle leash; paddle with a buddy; BE AWARE and be prepared always; use pfd, have knife, rope; trbles are evil. Just a reminder of how quickly and how big things can go wrong. My 2c.
:?:shock::doh
