This week on the Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Butch Thierry and co-host Joe Baya step away from the usual bite report to cover something that can save your life. They’re joined by Capt. Larry Higgins of K-Wiggler Lures, who shares a firsthand boating collision story and the most important lesson from it: you can be wearing a kill switch and still be wearing it wrong.
Conditions Recap
The conversation is anchored in winter, low-light boating conditions and how fast things can go sideways even on routine runs. Larry’s accident happened early in the morning on December 11 in a bayou with no fog and good visibility, but low light and closing distance left him with almost no time to react. The takeaway from this week’s show is simple: the water does not care how experienced you are, and accidents can happen in seconds, especially when other boaters do the unexpected.
The Close Call That Changed Everything
Larry explains he stopped to fish briefly from the boat on his way to go wade fishing, something he rarely does. While moving down a bayou, he noticed another boat running toward him and veering in a way that didn’t make sense. Larry pushed closer to the shoreline to avoid the traffic, but he ran out of room and realized a collision was unavoidable. In a split-second attempt to offset the impact, he punched the throttle, turned hard, and went airborne into shallow water near the bank.
He credits a functioning kill switch with preventing an even worse outcome. After he hit the water, his boat drifted away, but the engine had shut off. Larry later learned he suffered three fractures in his right hip and required surgery the next morning. He also noted how critical it was that he landed in shallow water. With his leg effectively useless, swimming in deeper water could have become a life-threatening problem fast.
Gear and safety items mentioned during this portion of the story included an iPhone crash detection alarm he could hear from the drifting boat, and an Apple Watch that allowed him to make a call for help when both he and the other boater were separated from their phones.
The Real Lesson: Wearing a Kill Switch Wrong Can Still Get You Killed
Larry’s biggest point is one most people overlook. Many anglers think, “I’m wearing it, so I’m safe,” but attachment method matters. Larry had been looping a bungee-style lanyard around his wrist in cold weather, cinching it down, and assuming it would always pull the switch if he went overboard. After the accident, he realized his wrist slipped through the loop and the lanyard did not come with him. The kill switch happened to catch just enough to shut the engine down, but it easily could have failed to pull at all.
He also shares a hard truth that resonates with anyone who runs short hops: complacency is the problem. Moving “just 50 yards,” hopping spot to spot, or making quick adjustments while idling can still put you in a life-or-death situation if something unexpected happens.
Practical gear recommendations mentioned here include using a properly secured kill switch lanyard, checking that your attachment point will not fail under load, and periodically testing your kill switch to confirm it actually shuts the engine down.
Safer Ways to Attach Your Kill Switch
Larry describes several attachment options he’s seen from experienced boaters and wardens. One common approach is attaching the lanyard lower on the body (around the knee area) so if you go out of the boat, it is far more likely to come with you. Others clip directly to a life vest rather than a belt loop. Larry also notes a caution he heard from a game warden: in at least one incident, a belt loop failed before the lanyard pulled the switch, which is a reminder to think through worst-case forces, not just convenience.
He also mentions custom paracord lanyards with an adjustable slider that tightens securely on your wrist so it cannot slip off like a stretched bungee loop can. Wireless kill switch systems were discussed as well, but the group expressed concerns about relying on electronics in a harsh marine environment unless you are confident in your setup and you test it regularly.
Three Things That Turn a Bad Day Into a Survivable Day
Joe and Butch reinforce a consistent message they’ve heard from many on-the-water survival stories: a functioning kill switch, a life jacket worn on your body (not stored in a hatch), and a communication device on your person can drastically change the outcome. Larry’s story highlights all three. The kill switch prevented a runaway boat hazard, and the Apple Watch call made it possible to get help quickly when phones were inaccessible.
They also discuss thinking through emergency access before you need it. Larry realized after the fact that his air horn was stored under the console where it would not help him in the moment. They encourage anglers to make sure passengers know where safety gear is located and to build habits that do not rely on “I’ll remember where it is if something happens.”
Safety gear and products mentioned in this section include inflatable fanny pack life jackets, inflatable PFD options, a simple air horn placed where it is reachable, and keeping plug options on board for through-hull failures such as a Nerf football, inflatable balls with a hand pump, or other plug materials appropriate to your boat’s fittings.
On-Water Awareness
One of the most important reminders from Larry’s incident is that you cannot control what other boaters do. Even if you run conservatively and are not on plane, someone else’s speed, poor decision-making, or inattention can put you in danger with almost no warning. The group mentions multiple serious incidents in the broader region over recent years tied to kill switches, low-light operation, and navigation mistakes, and they emphasize that risk increases simply with time spent on the water.
