Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted November 17, 2012 Global Moderator Posted November 17, 2012 One of my biggest pet peeves on the water is getting crowded or cut off, especially when there's plenty of room to avoid doing so and even more so when I've found the fish and someone else sees it and crowds in. I was on one of the local lakes last week that's about 400 acres. It was me and one other boat on the entire lake, the other boat was fishing a point a couple hundred yards away when I pulled onto one of my favorite late season spots on the lake and immediately started catching them on a shakyhead and jig. After I'd put about 15 in the boat it must have been more than he could take as the guy pulled his trolling motor, motored over, and stopped about 20 yards off the front of my boat and dropped his trolling motor again and started fishing. At a couple different points his big motor was barely more than a rods length from the front of my boat. Thankfully I saw him coming and was able to box him out from the better portions of this very small area. I managed to milk several more fish off the spot before I got tired of fishing so close to someone else, had other spots I wanted to try anyways. I figured since he didn't mind sharing my spot he wouldn't mind me taking a picture of him doing it For a point of reference the point directly to the 12 o'clock of my trolling motor is about 50 yards away. I know it's happened to everyone, anyone else want to vent about their run in with less than courteous people on the water? 1
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 Rude fisherman? Say it isn't so. Seriously, I consider that to be more inconsiderate than some juvenile jet skiers, who in a lake or pond a mile or more wide, have to pass within a hundred feet of someone fishing along the shore.
trueblue1970 Posted November 17, 2012 Posted November 17, 2012 I had that happen this past Sunday while fishing with my son. We were the only boat on a similar sized lake. Another guy put his boat in and scooted about 50 yards or less away for where we were fishing. Not to mention he and his lady promptly lit cigarettes killing my fresh cool air I was enjoying.
gramps50 Posted November 17, 2012 Posted November 17, 2012 I had it happen recently when I was bank fishing, was fishing across a small cove and this jerk came sliding down the bank and proceed to fish right where I was casting. So I decided it was time to practice casting. Wish I would have had a practice plug to tie on I might have gotten even a little bit closer. He then climbed back up the bank and came over to where I was fishing and crawled under the fallen tree I was standing by right behind me. When he slid down the bank I was wishing he had fallen in. Then there was the guy who was to lazy to walk to he drove and parked right in front of a sign that said 'Parking in lots only" when his buddy said something about where he parked he told his buddy to STFU and he could park where ever he wanted. I believe one of those fellows with a badge came by and explained to him what the sign meant. I will guess that these are the same people that don't bring their mothers with them to clean up after them. I guess the only way around this is to buy enough land and then put in your own private lake. To many idiots in the world and you can't fix stupid.
Super User scaleface Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 My story. Fishing a tournament, my first spot didnt work out so I went to plan B. I had an underwater drop off located in the middle of nowhere. It was 9 o'clock, two hours had past and nobody fishing there. The lake was fairly new and people just did not know about this spot..I marked it with a pair of marker buoys about 50 yards apart, then proceeded to fish it. Caught two keepers right off. A competitors boat comes along and starts fishing right on top of one buoy. Shortly another competitors boat spots the other buoy and started fishing it. These boats didnt plan on fishing there , they spotted me and the buoys and just moved in. Similar events happened to me often. Im an open water specialist and people would recognize my boat and move in..
CoBass Posted November 17, 2012 Posted November 17, 2012 I don't mind sharing an area if the other party is polite and asks if it's okay. It's the guys who just roll up and act like they own the lake that get on my nerves, and I will say something to them when that happens. Jet skiers are another story all together. We had several this Summer that stopped right by our marker buoys and tried to pick them up. One of the guys acted like he didn't hear us yelling at him until I bounced a blade bait off the front of his ski. The guy I was fishing with said nice cast. I told him it wasn't that nice, I was aiming for the rider, not the jet ski. 3
Super User Tuckahoe Joe Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 That sucks guys. Sorry to hear about all the morons out there. Most people around my lake are pretty courteous and respect your space.
TNBassin' Posted November 17, 2012 Posted November 17, 2012 Don't think for one minute that if a boat pulls too close, that I won't land my lure right on the deck of their boat. 2
Super User SirSnookalot Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 I don't like bait fisherman and I despise bait fishermen with a castnet, I usually just leave and fish another area, really not a big deal. All my boat fishing is in the ocean, don't think there are not a lot of boats but crowding really isn't an issue, no real problem arises, except an isolate incident on occasion. Shore fishing, whether it's at the ocean, ICW or freshwater, I always stop by and shoot the crap for a while. There was a situation that really po' ed me, at one time I was fishing quite a bit with a Hall of Fame fisherman, he was an authority on freshwater stripers, even autographed his book for me. Granted when it came fishing off the beach, he was a bit lacking even though he was born and raised on he Jersey coast. Each and every time I out fished him, several times as I had a fish on he was casting right over me before my fish was landed, I'm talking 10 and 15# jack crevelles that are swimming all over the place. I said to the guy, "gimme some room for crying out loud, as a Hall of Famer you should know better". Last time I spoke to him, glad to say he moved back to Tennessee. 1
Super User Sam Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 People are people and you are not going to change their behavior. Courtsey on the water is always expected and appreciated. However, with that said, some people believe that there are no laws to stop anyone from fishing anywhere when they want. Tournament and bass club tournament rules allow a specific distance between anglers (usually 50 yards) but this practice is not utilized by others. You can take the high road and move on, giving you indigestion, or play rough and make the other guy miserable. If you decide to attack be watchful of others on the water you do not know for there are people out there with weapons or who are looking for a physical altercation. The experiences above are not unusual and occur across our country and the world when bass fishing. I know of a very good tournament bass fisherman who had his father run to his spots and guard them until the son arrived to fish them. The father had a shotgun in plain sight on the deck of his bass boat and the father would come within inches from other bass fisherman to run them off the site. The problem can easily escalate and with more and more guys carrying weapons on their bass boats we can expect a serious problem to develop in the future somewhere in America. 3
Crappiebasser Posted November 17, 2012 Posted November 17, 2012 Don't think for one minute that if a boat pulls too close, that I won't land my lure right on the deck of their boat. In my younger days I hooked a guy on a jet ski with a Rat-l-trap. I am pretty lucky I didn't get an aggravated assault charge for it. I have a lot less tick and vinegar these days and just ignore them or leave.
Super User Darren. Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 It is all too common a problem. I've experienced this where a guy and, presumably his father or g'pa in the back. This was on a nearly 300 acre reservoir. Buddy and I were fishing the docks and this dude, who arrived after us, decides he wants to as well. So he motors inbetween us, within 15 yards of me, and about 8 of my buddy. I caught a lovely 3lber right in front of them, then moved to the other side. They decided to follow me. The young doofus thinks he owns the spot even though I was there for nearly 10 minutes already, and casts within feet of my yak. I could almost feel the splash of his bait. I kept giving them the stare of death hoping it would work, but the dummy returned stare. Finally I looked at them and said "ever heard of fishing etiquette?!" The kid mumbled something, I said I was there first, blah blah, and I paddled off. Idiots are out there. Since then my buddy has experienced very similar rudeness from other guys. BUT!! There are PLENTY of decent fishermen out there, but it is frustrating to encounter the few jerks. Some guys on another forum suggested I carry a nice 2oz weight and cast it over at them... LOL. But then, like Sam said, you never know what kind of people you're dealing with. And my wife is a nurse who deals with psych patients sometimes. She told me of research that suggests we'd be very surprised how many people in "normal" life have psychoses, i.e., significant mental imbalances, not just the "I'm on antidepressants" kind. A lot of the people who come in to the hospital ER for quick mental "fixes" over breakdowns, etc., are everyday people you'd see at the mall, on the road, etc., but have these mental issues. They may not be taking their drugs, or such, and have "episodes". Point of it all is to confirm/add to Sam's comment that you never know what kind of person/people you're dealing with. Are they just rude, or have other issues which would make them snap if you confronted them. My wife is urging me to take the "shut up and move on" approach. And even though I'd rather throw a few choice words back at the dudes, I am seeing the wisdom of her counsel more and more to take this stance. 1
Super User South FLA Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 My rudest fisherman encounter took place last year on Lake Okeechobee while bass fishing. I had what I believe was a guide with a client idle slowly about 5 yards in the front of my boat within casting range and then he proceeded to put his trolling motor down about another 50 yards down the line I was fishing. I fished for a little bit and it ate away at me so bad that I returned the favor, the guy didn't seem to mind, so I think he had no clue or didn't think it was rude since it was idle speed, but in 3 foot of water targeting spawners it MATTERS. Needless to say, the lesson I learned was to just ignore it and move, since it is not worth ruining a day on the lake.
Super User South FLA Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 And my wife is a nurse who deals with psych patients sometimes. She told me of research that suggests we'd be very surprised how many people in "normal" life have psychoses, i.e., significant mental imbalances, not just the "I'm on antidepressants" kind. A lot of the people who come in to the hospital ER for quick mental "fixes" over breakdowns, etc., are everyday people you'd see at the mall, on the road, etc., but have these mental issues. They may not be taking their drugs, or such, and have "episodes". This describes my brother, LOL. I have never seen him be an offender since he was raised right, I guess, but if you cross him then you better watch OUT. I remember "an episode" where a rude fisherman crossed him and it ended up with the offenders' rods thrown over board, a boat boarding, and an a__ kicking, those where the days, if this would have happened in today's time he would have ended up being in jail. To say he has a short fuse is ridiculous, his fuse is equivalent to lighting a flame near an m80 and having it explode, he has calmed down considerably since, but In the end you never know who you are dealing with, so its best to avoid confrontation. 1
Super User scaleface Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 Ive had crappie tisherman pull right into a tree i was fishing and tie off to it..LOL Crappie fishermen are a little bit off.
Super User Sam Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 "My wife is urging me to take the "shut up and move on" approach. And even though I'd rather throw a few choice words back at the dudes, I am seeing the wisdom of her counsel more and more to take this stance." X2
Super User retiredbosn Posted November 17, 2012 Super User Posted November 17, 2012 It happens a lot during the unofficial trout season back home. Starting in January til first of April several streams and lakes are stocked with rainbows. There are several ppl who literally follow the stock truck, dnr provides daily updates on what stream or lake was stocked. The next day it is literally elbow to elbow on the more popular creeks. It is nothing to be fishing a spot have other ppl roll in and try to take over. Typically these ppl throw in one or two spots and move on. Been my experience that ppl who try to take over don't have what it takes to stick it out and fish, I give them a few minutes and typically they move.
Jig Meister Posted November 17, 2012 Posted November 17, 2012 If you think it is bad when you are in a boat, get into a kayak and see how people treat you. Like you are the bottom of the food chain.......it only takes one time getting buzzed by a boater really close to make me move to water where there is electric or no wake. 2
RyneB Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 never really had a porblem with a fellow fisherman that made me lose my temper. But this past year i was in wisconsin. I had just bought my ranger and was very anal about it. I was on a small lake that has an occasional pontoon boat, but its mostly musky fisherman. I was on the dock having a beer and a cigar and all of a sudden 2 jet skis come around the point. They decide to play around on there jet skis within 50 yards of the dock where my boat is tied too. The waves are knocking my ranger around pretty good, i had bumpers but it still upset me. That same trip, me and my buddy took his boat over to the bar on the lake to pick up our wives. We pull up to the dock and some guy comes out screaming at us. THis guy and his wife are yelling at us and calling us every name in the book. We had no idea why he was so upset. He told us that him and his wife had live suckers out there long lining for muskies and that we ran over his line. These two people casted out and were sitting in the bar while there poles are out there. No bobbers or anything, we had no way of telling if there was line in the water. He really got mad when my buddy tells him that his outboard costs much more than the line on his pole.
Bigbarge50 Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 If you think it is bad when you are in a boat, get into a kayak and see how people treat you. Like you are the bottom of the food chain.......it only takes one time getting buzzed by a boater really close to make me move to water where there is electric or no wake. I hear that. A lot of guys seem to think if they spend $75,000 on a boat they paid for the right to bully the guys in smaller craft around. I think seeing dodgeball is being taken out of schools, it should be allowed on the lakes. If a guy is close enough to hit with a ball, you should be allowed to peg them with one hahahahaha.
11justin22 Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 Happened today at a tournament, guy fishing a different tournament pulls right up within casting distance and goes to fishing.....
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted November 18, 2012 Author Global Moderator Posted November 18, 2012 Ive had crappie tisherman pull right into a tree i was fishing and tie off to it..LOL Crappie fishermen are a little bit off. I believe that's what the guy in my picture was mainly after but the bass don't know those minnows aren't meant for them. If you think it is bad when you are in a boat, get into a kayak and see how people treat you. Like you are the bottom of the food chain.......it only takes one time getting buzzed by a boater really close to make me move to water where there is electric or no wake. I fished out of 2 man, plastic boat for years, I know what you mean, almost like they pretend they can't even see you.
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted November 18, 2012 Super User Posted November 18, 2012 I don't own any lake so I appreciate it when others don't cruise over top or sit on the spot I'm casting to... that's it. Others are welcome to anywhere else on the water I'm not currently fishing in. oe 1
Super User iabass8 Posted November 18, 2012 Super User Posted November 18, 2012 HA! 50 yards? Try fishing a smallmouth or walleye tourney mid fall on the mississippiand you will appreciate that 50 yards. For those of you that have verticaljigged tailwaters in the spring/fall you know what im talking about. A guy could just hop from boat to boat sometimes. Guys being that close is rude especially on a small lake. Either way i dont mind much as long as i never cast over him or get turned due to his motor.
Super User roadwarrior Posted November 18, 2012 Super User Posted November 18, 2012 I don't own any lake so I appreciate it when others don't cruise over top or sit on the spot I'm casting to... that's it. Others are welcome to anywhere else on the water I'm not currently fishing in. oe I "own" all the public water I fish. I NEVER put up with any of the situations that have been described on this thread. The thought of of ever casting to make a point has never occurred to me. Confront the perp up front and tell them to move and stay away. On a lighter note... My buddies and I are drifting minnows on the Tennesse River, 30 yards or so off the bank. Dude with 3 kids and his wife come UP river at about 10 miles an hour on the INSIDE! Man, we just had to smile.
Recommended Posts