The Two Most Important Lessons To Learn About Fishing.

[Fishing Rhino]

They have nothing to do about catching fish.

1. Know how to handle the fish you catch. This includes such things as how to safely remove a hook from a gut hooked fish. Handling a fish properly so you remove as little slime as possible from the fish. And how to get the fish back in the water as quickly as possible. For instance, if you catch a photo worthy fish, have your camera where it can be readily accessed and ready to go. Don't emulate the fishing shows where they take the time to admire the fish from all possible angles, and then impart a kiss on the fish. If you're not going to weigh it, or take a photo, unhook it and immediately return it to its own environment.

2. Practice common courtesy and etiquette, not only to fellow anglers, but others who use the water for other purposes as well. Don't crowd other anglers or other boaters. Do not bounce your lures off anchored, moored or boats tied to docks. Do not risk bouncing your lures off other boats. Fish around docks, but be respectful, they are the property of others.

These are things we all can do, regardless of our skill levels. If you cannot, or will not observe these simple rules, you should be doing something else, no matter how many fish you catch, or how big they are.

[wakeeater]

i totally agree with your post. the first one is important, and the second one definitely rings true. dont hate me, but i am an avid wakeboarder as well as bass fisherman. i'm able to see things from both sides of the table. it boils down to this....we are all boaters just trying to enjoy the water, don't let your "good time" ruin someone else's good time. i'll never forget when i was cleaning my wakeboat one day a couple of years ago. a couple of guys in a bass boat were flipping docks. one of them slings a crankbait up on the sundeck of my boat. that's the back part that is covered in vinyl. i almost threw up because he started cranking it back across the vinyl. i was on the dock & couldnt get to it. luckily, it didnt snag. i couldnt believe how inconsiderate & careless they were. it took all i had not to say something, i was afraid if i did that they would come back later & drill holes in my boat. anyways, i'm done ranting......we should all be respectful to each other & try to be safe.

ps.. i've also been in the bassboat & had wakeboarders being jerks & coming within 30 yards of me throwing a 3 1/2 foot wake. they suck too.

[Darren.]

Here here. Good stuff, Fishing Rhino!

[Unknownwaters]

I can usually forgive people on jet skis and other non fishing craft because they might now understand what they are doing, but every time a guy in a bassboat shoots right by me at full speed I get pretty ticked.

[Long Mike]

Rhino, I would have to disagree with you somewhat. I feel that a knowledge of boat safety, and its rules and regulations, should be one of the top two. Here comes the members debate.

[Big-O]

I agree with Rhino, who just happens to be the BEST dressed Fisherman that ever graced our waters... and Long Mike too (who tries to dress as well as Rhino)... and I bet boat handling and regulations can be worded into Rhino's top TWO... But it would be a mouthful So maybe Rhino and Long Mike should re-write those "top two" over an ADULT Beverage... Or TWO

Seriously, when you've been around the game as long as old codgers like the two mentioned above (Not Me, I'm not as old as they are ) these things become second nature but should always be considered the basic priorities for a quality fishing experience. Making it a priority to fish safe, respect others, respect the resource,and abide by the rules is a great way to start every fishing adventure.

[Fishing Rhino]

I agree Long Mike. Let's just call it the top three.

[Nitrofreak]

I like this thred !!!

We have been on the water a long time, no matter how old we are or how well we try to dress... or in some cases try to out dress others... we have seen our share of IDIOTS !!! my number one rule would be NO ALCOHOL !!!

What does alcohol do to ones personality ? it intensifies it... so if you are a real dumba## to begin with...enough said there I think.

We all have or at least should do our part to make sure our water are safe and fun for all, yes there will be times we will make mistakes, we are human, it's in our DNA, thats how we learn, but courtesy and professionalism is something we all need to be reminded of from time to time, unfortunately for some they are too stupid and can not, nor ever will, grasp the concept.

Do the right thing, practice before you try to get close to objects that belong to others, show some respect for their investments and they will show the same respect to you.

Good luck and be safe !!!

[Hyrule Bass]

I like this thred !!!

We have been on the water a long time, no matter how old we are or how well we try to dress... or in some cases try to out dress others... we have seen our share of IDIOTS !!! my number one rule would be NO ALCOHOL !!!

What does alcohol do to ones personality ? it intensifies it... so if you are a real dumba## to begin with...enough said there I think.

We all have or at least should do our part to make sure our water are safe and fun for all, yes there will be times we will make mistakes, we are human, it's in our DNA, thats how we learn, but courtesy and professionalism is something we all need to be reminded of from time to time, unfortunately for some they are too stupid and can not, nor ever will, grasp the concept.

Do the right thing, practice before you try to get close to objects that belong to others, show some respect for their investments and they will show the same respect to you.

Good luck and be safe !!!

not even one? or two? huh? no? guess that ice cold budweiser has to wait

[Fishing Rhino]

not even one? or two? huh? no? guess that ice cold budweiser has to wait

In Massachusetts, alcohol is prohibited at all state launching ramps. While the state of Alabama does not ban the presence of alcohol on waterways, some counties in Alabama have laws against possessing alcohol on their waterways.

"Although the Alabama Marine Police Division encourages all boaters to leave the alcohol at home, boaters who wish to have alcohol on board must consider the fact that Alabama has both wet and dry counties (see map). Boaters should check to see if the waterway where they will be boating is in a wet or dry county.

A person boating on a body of water in a dry county is not permitted to have alcohol on board the vessel. On most bodies of water in wet counties, there is not an open container law and you may have alcohol on board for the passengers, but you should use a designated operator who will not be drinking."

http://www.outdooralabama.com/boating/alcohol.cfm

[Big-O]

In Massachusetts, alcohol is prohibited at all state launching ramps. While the state of Alabama does not ban the presence of alcohol on waterways, some counties in Alabama have laws against possessing alcohol on their waterways.

"Although the Alabama Marine Police Division encourages all boaters to leave the alcohol at home, boaters who wish to have alcohol on board must consider the fact that Alabama has both wet and dry counties (see map). Boaters should check to see if the waterway where they will be boating is in a wet or dry county.

A person boating on a body of water in a dry county is not permitted to have alcohol on board the vessel. On most bodies of water in wet counties, there is not an open container law and you may have alcohol on board for the passengers, but you should use a designated operator who will not be drinking."

http://www.outdooral...ing/alcohol.cfm

Now Tom... this kind of response is just hurting my feelings because knowing that, and in such detail, will have me looking for county line signs while I'm out there on the water Or even worse, might cause me to leave the water early because my throat gets too dry

Actually, I agree here as well! The boat driver or Capt. should never drink and drive So now you two have to figure out a way to include this info as well... WARNING: May require another Adult Beverage!

[Busy]

I'm an avid beer drinker. It might be why I started bass fishing in the first place. That said, I think it's a terrible idea to be in 40 feet of water drunk. Don't do it. Don't go anywhere you can't get out of. Swimming is hard enough sober.

Props to this thread. Courtesy, respect, and safety at all times is rewarding regardless of how many fish you catch.

[Nitrofreak]

not even one? or two? huh? no? guess that ice cold budweiser has to wait

lol !!

No BUD for me when I am on the water, but when I am done...well thats a different story !!

As Rhino posted, it seems all states are a little different, especially within their different county's, it can be different for each, and some bodies of water will cover a few to several counties, Anna in Va. covers 3, alcohol is allowed on boats at Anna, as a matter of fact I posed that very question to an officer for the ruling, the statement was, that alcohol was EXEMPT from boats, yes he used the word exempt, but that the same rules apply for public drinking and you could be fined and or arrested for drunk in public, and you can be arrested for driving a boat while intoxicated, I do not know how it could be exempt from boats, I never clearified that with the officer, but you had better not be drinking if your the one driving the boat, it can be just as bad for you as if you were driving a car and drinking.

[BassAssassin726]

Thats my number one rule with my Jonboat, NO ALCOHOL! I made the mistake of letting two of my buddies go with me fishing, they didnt even fish, they sat there and got drunk and botched when they got a little wet from water dropping off my lures on the cast. Never again. I cant stand alcohol and think it should be illegal. It does nothing to help anyone, its one of the worst drugs in history.

[retiredbosn]

As a former Coast Guardsman I can tell you for a fact the vast majority of boaters do no have a clue on basic rules of the road, yes even lakes have navigation rules.

[Michael DiNardo]

Agree with both Long Mike and Fishing Rhino, but the points from Fishing Rhino can be followed by all. Some of us don't have the luxury to observe boating safety. But seriously great points by both. What causes my eyes to bleed is seeing huge bass with their jaws bent in all different directions or big muskies cradled against the chest or arms of the lucky angler. The fish might need their jaws or that slime on their body to survive... just sayin'.

Mike

[hooah212002]

As a former Coast Guardsman I can tell you for a fact the vast majority of boaters do no have a clue on basic rules of the road, yes even lakes have navigation rules.

A lot of that, I'm sure, is due to the fact that there is no prerequisite to boat ownership. There are no necessary courses or licensing that are required to register/title a boat. Any yahoo with enough money to buy a boat can get on the water. Whether this is a bad or good thing is a matter of opinion.

[gobig]

A lot of that, I'm sure, is due to the fact that there is no prerequisite to boat ownership. There are no necessary courses or licensing that are required to register/title a boat. Any yahoo with enough money to buy a boat can get on the water. Whether this is a bad or good thing is a matter of opinion.

I am all for boater safety but licences sure don't make people drive better on the highway, I don't know what would be any different on the water. People still speed, cut others off, drink and drive ect... Sounds like it would be another tax to me. That's just what I want to pay for... another licence.

[hooah212002]

I am all for boater safety but licences sure don't make people drive better on the highway, I don't know what would be any different on the water. People still speed, cut others off, drink and drive ect... Sounds like it would be another tax to me. That's just what I want to pay for... another licence.

The point I was making (which I thought was more clear) was not that it is strictly about the license, per se, but that there are absolutely no courses necessary to put a boat on the water. Yes, people that operate motor vehicles do still violate traffic laws even though they have a license and have been through drivers ed, but imagine if they hadn't even done that and drivers had absolutely NO understanding of basic operation of said motor vehicle? That's what you have on the water. And yet, people get up in arms about other boaters driving like morons when there is absolutely nothing in place that dictates they have any reason to know boating regulations, laws or even ethics other than "respect for the body of water or sport". Sorry, but most people just don't have that respect.

[Sun Fish]

A lot of that, I'm sure, is due to the fact that there is no prerequisite to boat ownership. There are no necessary courses or licensing that are required to register/title a boat. Any yahoo with enough money to buy a boat can get on the water. Whether this is a bad or good thing is a matter of opinion.

Depends on the boat and state. In PA you have to take a boating safety course to operate a motor greater than 25hp. It can be done online and definately good knowledge.

[Sun Fish]

not even one? or two? huh? no? guess that ice cold budweiser has to wait

I'm guilty, I tend to bring two or three at most for myself when I plan on fishing 5-8 hours. I know it's not the smartest thing but I only do it on smaller quieter electric only lakes where the rangers don't come out on the water to bother you. I will not bring any on board when operating the outboard.

[hooah212002]

Depends on the boat and state. In PA you have to take a boating safety course to operate a motor greater than 25hp. It can be done online and definately good knowledge.

How is that enforced? What indicates the size of motor you are qualified for?

[yoyoman]

its enforced by the fish comm. checking certifcates. you will be qualified on any motor over 25 horse. not the speed it can o its the safe rules of the water. also the adults were grand fathered in i think the year is any one after 81. ibelieve it was originally targeted at young kids on jet skis.

[wakeeater]

imo, the least educated/careful/respectful are the jetskiers. i've been run over by one while wakeboarding & waiting for the boat to come back around. i've had them almost jump into my supra trying to jump the wake (almost tore off my swim platform). i've even had them almost slam into me trying to jump the triton's wake. the dang triton has no wake! the worst ones are actually men age 35 & up. at least kids can plead ignorance. grown men have no excuse. it's ridiculous & i wish they would ban them like they did three wheelers years ago. they are absolutely useless for anything except being a water taxi to ferry drunks back & forth. after about 20 minutes of riding one the novelty wears off.

did i say i hate jetskis?

[Michael DiNardo]

A double cowgirl and 80# braid will fix this. : )