Lazy boy and Sucker cove.

It’s been several years now, but I floated a 12’ aluminum with a 71/2 hp and got caught in a daily squall at the Mile. Started out glass-calm, but it didn’t take long to go “loco”! What you’re proposing can be done safely, but definitely keep your eyes on the weather…it can change in a matter of minutes! Stay safe!

It's a BAD IDEA, like we said before. If you were to strictly stay in the coves and NEAR SHORE you would probably be ok. Here's the problem... you start fishing.. and if the bite turns on... we ALL and I mean ALL suddenly tend to forget everything else.. like how quickly the wind comes up in South Park. It don't even have to be catching fish.. I get distracted simply by how beautiful it is up there. Here's the rest of the problem... you use your prowler several times with no issues and you get accidently overconfident.

I've fished Spinney in a canoe before. The wind really does come up pretty quick, usually mid-morning. We pulled it off but it got fairly hairy and we got pretty wet on the exit. There's also dudes that fish those places in belly boats or pontoons. Usually greybeards with lots of experience. Point is it can certainly be done but I'm not so sure I'd recommend it to strangers on the internet.

Every time I've gotten into a fight with the wind in my canoe or kayak I've felt pretty stupid afterwards. I'm positive that those same situations would have been worse in a pond prowler. What are you supposed to do in one of those things if your motor dies fighting the wind?

Anyone have any ice conditions? Still holding on to the hard water!


Kayak is safer than the pond prowler, but you still need to be careful. Also anchor your shelter!

I call them pond prowlers death sleds.Not being hateful,but the word "pond" says it all.11 mile is calm one min,wind from hell the next . . .don't go!

I'm guessing the guys commenting before me have about 200 years of experience on the water. When they talk, I listen.

If you're saying you bought the pond prowler, let me be the first to say congrats and welcome to an exclusive club. You can be vice president. I can send you a few pages of safety tips with thrilling stories. Absolutely agree with AWB on overconfidence & distractions. I'm not scared of any lake, but discipline & "situational awareness" are required every minute you're out there.

Wish I could help with news on the Mile, I quit the ice about a month ago. Post a report if you get out there.

I agree not to take the Prowler to South Park lakes unless you are planning to stay close to shore in area of your Put-In. Those lakes are no joke and besides the points Anglerwannabe made, the bite always gets better as the weather gets worse. It reminds me of the scene in Caddyshack where the guy doesn't want to stop playing golf in terrible weather because he is having the best game of his life and he gets hit by lightning on last shot.

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Some years ago, I saw a dad take his two little boys out in a 9 foot inflatable, what you might call a glorified swimming pool float. He stayed within 50 yards of shore after he put in at Stoll Mtn. But a wind came up and started blowing him away from shore. He crawled out of the 'boat' and started swimming toward shore, pulling a rope with his mouth. He didn't get far. I called the ranger station, and they quickly came from the marina and rescued him. If they hadn't got there so soon, he would have perished of hypothermia or drowned, and maybe his kids, too. It's a good idea to keep the ranger station's number in your phone (719) 748-3401. Still, I don't think I'd use a Pond Prowler anywhere on the lake past about 10am.

There is no fish worth losing your life over. Leave the small boats and watercraft to ponds only! This lake is no joke and has claimed many lives.

My former neighbor lost his father at Spinney many years ago when there small boat capsized right next to boat ramp and they had to hang on to the boat while it floated across the lake only to one them perish within 20-30yards from shore.

Don't do it, Don't think it about!!!!

Fished for years with a 12' boat. The mile, Taylor, Dillon, Blue Mesa, etc. Caught in a few blows but as long as you keep your head there is usually shore or bays close enough from turning over. Did see a few but mostly from out of state. Keep your eyes on the sky you should be
ok

I never had any High Wind issues in The Grand Eastern Sierras.. -)

I had 12 foot aluminum boat. Took it all over and never had any issues. One day at Spinney coming into the dock we almost flipped it. It was scary how easy and quickly it happened. Never took it out again and sold it.

All it took was me moving from the right side toward the center to get the dock rope off the bow. My dad did not shift toward center even though I warned him I was moving. At the right time, an 8 inch wave went under the boat and instantly pushed the right side up. Luckily I leaned right enough to keep us from rolling. If the wave was a tad taller, we would have flipped. If I was an inch further left, we would have flipped.

In a small boat and waves, no matter how good you are, all it takes one buddy to move out of sync and flip it. Don’t do it. Get a two person kayak if you need something cheap that seats two.

Saying this as polite as possible…

Give up on these tiny boats as a viable option for most of the lakes in the state.

Has to be the 3rd post where you’ve got the same feedback.

Save up and get something that won’t put your life in danger.