Buoyed Wrecks

[twosheets]

Anyone know of some southern Lake Mich. wrecks which have buoys on them? I know the Straits of Mackinaw has two but the Wells Burt, the Flora Hill, Iowa do not have buoys. I can find most of these but I just don't like dropping a hook near them if I don't have to. The WB had a great buoy in years past. It ID'ed the wreck and provided lots of good info. Stay Narc'ed! Is it OK to tie a line (light line is all I have) with a float (soap bottle) on it for others? It would not be substantial enough to tie up to, not like they have been done but they would provide a quick location indicator.

twosheets!

 

[Laser]

Anyone know of some southern Lake Mich. wrecks which have buoys on them? I know the Straits of Mackinaw has two but the Wells Burt, the Flora Hill, Iowa do not have buoys. I can find most of these but I just don't like dropping a hook near them if I don't have to. The WB had a great buoy in years past. It ID'ed the wreck and provided lots of good info. Stay Narc'ed! Is it OK to tie a line (light line is all I have) with a float (soap bottle) on it for others? It would not be substantial enough to tie up to, not like they have been done but they would provide a quick location indicator.

twosheets!

We've put Tide bottles on some of these wrecks and they just keep disappearing. If you want to mark them, go for it.

 

[SDAnderson]

The only way bouys get placed on wrecks is if someone pulls the cash out of their pocket to put them there. Technically, they are considered to be a hazard to navigation in most areas and the Coasties may dump on you if you're caught at it, so it's usually done discreetly.

Many of the Chicago area wrecks haven't been bouyed this year because most of the bouys are placed by the charter operators. Since they're spending most of their time at the SOM scuttle, they don't get around to the secondary wrecks. The Wells Burt has been marked at least a couple of time this year, but they keep disappearing.

A light line tied in with a small bottle usually will only last until the next storm or the first boat comes along - kind of a waste of effort. Better to bring your own heavy line and tie in to something solid, then retrieve your line on the way out.

 

[twosheets]

Thanks for the responses. In past years I have seen more than one boat go zooming right over wrecks that had buoys with lines trailing out in the water. Unfortunately the props missed the lines. The suggestion of taking your own stout line down and tying off is an attractive option. Some of the buoys that were out there in past years were nice and obviously professionally done or done by those that took the time and energy to do them properly. I wonder if one of those tall, stick like floats they use to mark the sailing courses would last any better? Maybe paint it some really wild colors, include reflective properties, and then put some "tanglefoot" or the sticky stuff used on fly paper for those that can't keep their hands to themselves. Anyway, I will think more about whats been said and will consider keeping some lines (heavy if possible) and bottles ready whenever I am out there.

Stay Wet, twosheets!