Open Letter To Boat Fisherman

[shanksmare]

This thread reminds me of an occurrence that happened in the fall of 2001. The incident was mentioned in David DiBenedetto’s book, “On the Run”.  The book recounts the author’s experiences following the striped bass migration down the coast.

This incident occurred at Nauset Beach on Cape Cod. I had stopped at Tony’s print shop in the afternoon and he told me of a school of large stripers moving into a bowl near trail #4 after dark. He was able to catch several fish over 40# on live eels the night before.

That evening I drove down the beach to the bowl and greeted Tony who was at the southern edge of the bowl. Since he was guiding someone (the author of the book I later learned), I moved a 100 or so yards to the northern edge of the bowl so they would have plenty of room.

As darkness fell we were inundated by a horde of other anglers. Some were locals but most were not. The locals were respectful of your space and did not crowd, the others were not. I was suddenly aware of a fellow fishing to my left. He was so close that his elbow was rubbing mine. If he was on my right I would have sent a 2 ounce plug adorned by 3 2/0 hooks whizzing past his ear. There was much cursing going on as anglers crowded next to anglers that were already there. Surprisingly no blows were thrown.

As it turned out, I should have listened to Tony and got some live eels, but I’d rather use lures. A variety of sizes, brands and colors of Needlefish, Bombers and darters went untouched while others using eels slid huge fish on the beach.

The fellow next to me grunted and set the hook on a cow as soon as his first cast hit the water. I felt a strange tug on my line. The fellow next to me fighting the fish complained that I had snagged his line. Of course I was there an hour before him. My cast was straight out. He was allowing his eel to drift in the current towards me. But I gritted my teeth and freed his line which was wrapped around my snap. He managed to land the forty odd pound fish. Certainly the temptation was there to pop his line, but …

I left the mayhem and caught several lesser fish in some of the bowls further down the beach.  Sometimes action can bring out the worst in so-called anglers. Most anglers are courteous, respectful and helpful towards other anglers. Fishing is supposed to be fun.

[A-Jay]

Boaters & non-Boaters - the age old discussion.

 

As so many have mentioned, quite eloquently I'd might to add, doesn't it all come down to the conscious decision of each individual? 

 

To either treat people like you'd like to be treated, or be "that" guy or gal.

 

When we spend enough time on the water fishing with or around other anglers, boater or non-boaters, there just always seems to be enough of this foolishness to keep life interesting. 

 

I've felt like I was being poached both by boaters and non-boaters alike so in my mind neither group has cornered the market on being wrapped up in ones self.

 

A-Jay

[hooah212002]

Personally, I find the first post offensive.  Why?   Because of the first sentence.

 

"Hello boaters. How are you? Enjoying the open water and choice of fishing spots? That's good. Glad you are having a good time fishing. Me? I was until you decided to bring your boat right along into the ONLY PLACE ON THE LAKE FOR US BANKBEATERS STUCK ON LAND."

 

I have never, nor would I ever, under any circumstances do what you are complaining about.  You should never paint any group with such a broad brush.

 

Would you appreciate it if a boater lumped you in with all the shore bound slobs that litter up the banks with their trash, or leave dead fish on the banks? 

 

You're right. I didn't actually intend to lay accusation at all boaters  because it is obvious that not all of them are like that and not even 99% of them are like that., but my verbiage makes that accusation nonetheless.

[derekxec]

Then if my jig enters your hull, tough luck. You think you deserve special treatment because you have a boat?

 

That said, and as I have said a few times already, no I won't come to this spot because I know there are better ones accessible via boat and only boat.

 

this is the same thing you are talking about though...do you think you deserve special treatment because you are on land?  im a mostly land fisherman...the only time i use a boat is when i want to get some place that i cant from land which is not very often(also cause im lazy to get the boat out and put it back hahaha) hell sometimes when a boat rips through or stops it makes the fishing better...i do it to my friend all the time i get him to walk ahead of me and make his casts then i cast the same spot and slay them all day while he catches 1 or 2 the whole day using the same bait

[Fishing Rhino]

 

When I was lobstering, in late summer and into the fall we fished the south edge of Cox Ledge, and shared the bottom with party/head boats out of Montauk.  It was the same scene with countless rods at various angles over the rail of the boat.  We nicknamed them the porcupine fleet/boats for the obvious reason.

[BlackMagic82]

The only time I get irritated is when folks are fishing off the dock at the ramp and don't want to reel their lines in when I am trying to launch or load my boat.  Other than that, I steer clear of folks on the bank, I remember the days when that was me and I would get irritated with boaters fishing on top of me. 

[wnybassman]

The only time I come barging in on shore fishermen is when they are fishing in the immediate boat launch area, often times with a posted sign that says no fishing.

[Ratherbfishing]

I once had a friend (I stress the past tense because we aren't friends anymore) who thought it was perfectly fine to cast his muskie baits right in the bank fishermen's water.  One time he got an earful from a peeved fisherman and I just smiled to myself.  He was a dumb arse.

[preach4bass]

Buy a boat.  You don't have to have one of those "fancy boats".  A fairly inexpensive Jon boat or canoe can be found practically anywhere.  If you harness your frustration into paddling power, you'll be able to maneuver around the lake very quickly!

 

I was fishing from my boat a few years ago and a couple of guys showed up to fish the bank right in front of me.  I moved up the river a few yards to avoid a confrontation, but one of the men walked up the bank to where I was fishing and hit my boat with his bottom rig and 3 ounce pyramid sinker.  We then had a confrontation.  I guess all bank fishermen are arrogant turds....