“This fish is huge!” Lesson: always wear a PFD!

Reminder that it is wise to wear a PFD…
And don’t get tangled or hook yourself to gear that may get pulled overboard (and if you are tangled or hooked in, best if you had planned ahead and put on a PFD).

Hawaii fisherman overboard, missing after hooking large ahi

HONOLULU (AP) — Rescuers searched for a third day Tuesday for a Hawaii fisherman who went overboard from a boat after hooking a tuna over the weekend, authorities said.

Mark Knittle, 63, of Captain Cook, was fishing with a friend off Honaunau on the Big Island on Sunday, when he hooked an ahi, or tuna, police said.

“The friend heard Knittle say, ‘The fish is huge,’ then saw Knittle go overboard into the water,” according to a police news release.

The friend tried to grab the line, but Knittle disappeared within seconds, the release said. The friend jumped in but couldn't see Knittle.






So many boaters think they are safe and secure and don’t need to wear a pfd. But freak accidents happen at freakish times, and you need to be prepared for the unexpected.

[Edited on 1-17-2023 by mtgoat666]

Good advise. Fish or no fish !

Quote: Originally posted by Hook

I dont understand, unless his rod belt was clipped to the reel. That does happen. But if he was clipped in and the tuna was large enough, a PFD would not have saved him. A large tuna is strong enough to pull a man AND A PFD under, for long enough for him to drown.

Quote: Originally posted by baronvonbob

The Epic Battle for the Sportsmen, Man against beast, as Hemingway would say. I do not see anybody saying the fish won the battle this time???? Just that the SPORTSMAN should have been using more equipment to increase his chances of dominance. Mr Goat, you are always for the underdog??????