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Mandeville fisherman missing in Lake Pontchartrain. Update 1/17 body recovered in lake

Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:00 pm
Posted by PokerPastime
Member since Jan 2009
2461 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:00 pm
Can’t imagine what his family is going through. Found his boat drifting under the causeway Sunday morning and he still hasn’t been found or recovered. I’ve known Billy for about 5 years and he’s a really good dude. Feel so bad for his wife and kids. Looks like they’re asking for volunteers with air boats to help search the marshes.

LINK

The search for Billy is still ongoing, Wanted to update with a link to the family’s GoFundMe if anyone is able to help. Thank you to everyone for being respectful in this thread. This family can use all the help they can get, whether monitarily or through prayer.
Go Fund Me


This post was edited on 1/17/23 at 7:54 pm
Posted by LSUJML
Central
Member since May 2008
51930 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:02 pm to
Saw it on a fishing FB page
Hopefully they can recover him so that his family has closure
Posted by rickyh
Positiger Nation
Member since Dec 2003
13003 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:20 pm to
The fly fishing thing is probably not correct in the story. But if it is, they need to have people walk the lakeshore to find him.
Posted by CypressTrout10
Louisiana
Member since Jun 2016
3122 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:24 pm to
These stories are the worst. Nothing more scary than fishing out there alone when the shite hits the fan.
Posted by Hangover Haven
Metry
Member since Oct 2013
32044 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:25 pm to
My wife would get so pissed off at me when I fished by myself...

I just enjoyed it too much to stop, I found it very relaxing
and was a good way to clear my mind. Now I get why she hated it.
This post was edited on 1/11/23 at 12:26 pm
Posted by jamboybarry
Member since Feb 2011
33190 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:29 pm to
Fishing in the lake by yourself is risky

Also the radio news report said it wasn’t his boat but a friend’s?
Posted by CypressTrout10
Louisiana
Member since Jun 2016
3122 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:30 pm to
Correct. Borrowed a friends boat. Which made me wonder how well he new how to navigate it. But I don’t know anything about the guy so I won’t assume.
Posted by Babewinkelman
Member since Jan 2015
1416 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:30 pm to
Lake Pontchartrain is very unforgiving. Shite can get bad quick.
Posted by GreatLakesTiger24
Member since May 2012
59032 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:31 pm to
Call me a pussy but I don’t have any desire to any saltwater fish by myself
This post was edited on 1/11/23 at 12:32 pm
Posted by BRgetthenet
Member since Oct 2011
118232 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:32 pm to
Also, the fact he’s missing this long after going overboard suggests he didn’t have his life vest on.

If you’re fishing alone, that’s just a non-negotiable. Especially if you’re married with children.
Posted by bayoudude
Member since Dec 2007
25840 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 12:37 pm to
Only responsible way to fish alone is with an auto inflate life vest and a water proof personal locator beacon. Granted when I was young I went alone way back into the marsh many times but neither of those were invented yet.
Posted by Theduckhunter
South Louisiana
Member since May 2022
1356 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 1:03 pm to
quote:

water proof personal locator beacon


Got any reasonable suggestions?
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
16333 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 1:15 pm to
I fish alone all the time. I think this guy borrowed the boat from a friend or something though. Maybe inexperienced.
Posted by PokerPastime
Member since Jan 2009
2461 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 1:21 pm to
Yes he borrowed the boat. But borrows it all the time
Posted by SloaneRanger
Upper Hurstville
Member since Jan 2014
12782 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 1:32 pm to
Ideal situation is having a friend with a boat.
Posted by White Roach
Member since Apr 2009
9666 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 1:59 pm to
quote:

Also, the fact he’s missing this long after going overboard suggests he didn’t have his life vest on.

If you’re fishing alone, that’s just a non-negotiable. Especially if you’re married with children.



Many moons ago I was fishing with my brother and a friend of his. The guy kept his vest on the entire time. He might unzip it when we were stopped, but would religiously zip it and buckle it when we were underway.

The guy was from around Thibodaux and an outdoorsman. I made a comment like "I'm surprised you can't swim." He laughed, and said "I can swim like a fricking fish, but I can't swim if I'm unconscious. I've got a wife and two kids who depend on me coming home, so I tolerate the inconvenience."

Ever since, I wear a PFD.
Posted by stniaSxuaeG
Member since Apr 2014
1615 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 6:11 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/19/23 at 9:15 pm
Posted by Willie Stroker
Member since Sep 2008
15667 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 6:26 pm to
Glad to see no one is posting some obvious speculation.

Keep it classy TD. Give the family hope.
Posted by shutterspeed
MS Gulf Coast
Member since May 2007
70657 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 6:35 pm to
quote:

Lake Pontchartrain is very unforgiving. Shite can get bad quick.


Out of curiosity, how so?
Posted by LanierSpots
Sarasota, Florida
Member since Sep 2010
69684 posts
Posted on 1/11/23 at 6:36 pm to
I have been a part of a few of these.. IT is no fun at all
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