Trying To Stop You From Fishing A Dock

[Teal]

My grandfather did something similar with his docks when I was a kid. He didn't use blades, but he basically put up heavy duty lattice from the side of his dock down to the bottom of the water.

He was fed up with fisherman hitting his boat and breaking off their hooks on his dock or in the 'swimming area' where he (and his grandkids) could step on them. He really wasn't trying to be a jerk, he was just tired of people messing up his stuff.

Lattice or extra planks to exclude any gap or even putting up barn doors or a garage door is one thing and I don't judge them for doing it. I don't mind skipping a dock like that because I can't really go under it. But its really the dangerous stuff and the uppity attitudes from home owners that only stay at the home 14 days in a calendar year that peeve me.

On the bright side, I've met a lot of remarkable people by fishing their docks ans a lot of then have offered me sodas, beer, invites to parties, and even lunch. I've also met people that have told me exactly where certain pieces of under water cover and hot fishing spots that actually produced! All in all, I've had more good experiences fishing docks than bad, but the bad ones do suck.

[bassguytom]

Passed laws down here making that illegal!

Had a guy come charging out his camp cussing us likes crazy until my buddy showed him his Texas Ranger badge. During the next 5 min he was telling us where his brudh piles were!

Catt you fish with Chuck Norris? That's awesome! Saw blades are a little crazy. You should report this for the safety of anyone that uses this lake including him. Wow.

[AQUA VELVA]

 I try not to be one of ''those guys'' but every once in a while I will misjudge a cast and bounce a SB off of someones boat and it makes me cringe.

[Crappiebasser]

I talked to an Alabama Power rep today and the blades are coming out. The guy has 30 days to remove them or his dock permit will be revoked. He can apply to replace them with lattice but it's up to APC to approve the request. He also had an electrical outlet on the dock that was not on the original plan he submitted so his outlet has to be removed until he get approval for it.

[drodriguez]

A friend of mine had a problem with a dock owner a few years ago. He told me about it the other day. He was fishing a dock attached to a houseboat in the back of a Clear Lake or Shasta when the owner started yelling at him from the shadows. The guy had PTSD. Instead of getting defensive about it, my friend apologized and said he would be on his way. The dock owner was so surprised that he actually gave my buddy permission to fish his houseboat. He went on to say that he just wanted to be left alone and was tired of fishermen throwing hooks and lures on his dock and leaving them there. I understand his perspective, but wish that said I wish people didn't give bass fishermen a bad name because of their own stupid actions and would pick up after themselves. I mean, we already have a pretty poor problem with fly fishermen up here in Oregon. Why try and stir the pot with people who have water front properties on top of that.

[Lund Explorer]

I can understand the boat point but I really don't think this guy owns one. The saw blades weren't around the edge pylons, they were up under the dock about 2 ft. As for the hooks, I can understand that too but the blades cause people to leave more hooks.

I would have moved on if he simply put up a sign. Instead I'm ticked because I have $5 or so of tungsten weights, hooks and baits under his dock.

 

I can understand why you (and a whole lot of others) are upset when you come across what could be called an inconsiderate dock owner. 

 

This response is for ALL dock fishermen.

 

Thrown into this discussion should be some thought process as to why dock owners do such things.  The water may be public, but those docks and the boats tied to them are private property.  The sad truth is that sooner or later, errant casts are made by almost everyone fishing docks, and those wayward casts have the potential to damage someone's property. 

 

As dock fishermen, we are our own worst enemies.  We decide to fish over, under, and right up against someone else's private property, and for every 100 docks we fish perfectly, somebody fouls one up.  As dock fishing becomes more popular, the potential for damaging someone's property increases, and that increases the number of dock owners who do such things.

 

One last point to consider for those who demand their right to fish every dock.  How are you going to react when a shore bound fisherman bounces a sinker off your gel coat?  What happens when the boat next to you snags your carpet with his crankbait?  Remember, it's public water.   

[RAMBLER]

I tried to skip a worm under a dock, last week, and I hit the water at the wrong angle and the worm bounced off the water and landed on the dock.  Man, that upsets me but it came off the dock alright. 

I say that because I have to relate to other peoples inconsideration/rudeness.  I live on a fenced acre lot with woods on two sides and a road in front.  I don't like people running their ATVs along the side of my fence and I am darned tired of picking up the trash, i.e., broken beer bottles, cans, fast food trash, out of my drive ways and the ditch in front of my property.

I have fished docks and will continue to do so and I am well aware of who owns the water/fish and the docks.  But there are so many people out there that are careless and don't know how to use their tackle.  A friend and I were fishing a canal that had some expensive boats docked.  Another person, in a fancy bass boat with a church's name on it came through.  The guy thought he was something special and was trying to cast like Ish Monroe can.  Unfortunately he is not that good.  His jig landed on an expensive canvas top on an expensive boat and was caught in the material.  He went over and pulled the jig out of the material and kept fishing.  I told the guy I was fishing with, you know, he has that new bass boat with the church's name on it and we are fishing out of a rough looking 30 year old stumpknocker.  If that boat owner sees that hole in his boat cover, I wonder who's he's going to blame.  We left the canals and went somewhere else to fish.

That kind of fool is one of the reasons the rest of us aren't welcome around docks and boats.

[J Francho]

Up here, putting in a dock is a privilege. With that, comes certain responsibilities. Adding hazardous waste is not one. Good for you for seeking the proper legal channels to address the issue.

[wakeeater]

i live on the lake.  i have a wake boat  & a bass boat.   so, i see both sides on a lot of arguments.  it boils down to respect.  one day last year, i was detailing my supra & a couple of fishermen come by and start flipping my dock.  no problem,  i stop & watch for a couple of seconds, then go back to work.  all of a sudden, a 6" t-rigged trick worm lands in my boat.  on the vinyl.  the idiot just start reeling it back to himself.  i start yelling "whoa, whoa!"  because i don't want the EWG hook tearing the hell out of my vinyl.  the jerks just look at me & laugh.  i didn't say anything because i don't need them to retaliate & vandalize my stuff.  it's just crazy how inconsiderate people are.  he should have apologized & hopped out and retrieved the worm.  i get tired of the "i don't care, it's not mine" type attitude.  i never say anything negative to anyone.  one reason is that i love flipping docks, the second is i don't need my stuff vandalized.  there is a saying i heard years ago & try to put to good use as often as possible, "you get more bees with honey".  some of the previous posters have done this.  it's amazing how far being polite & respectful can get you.  the world needs a good dose of both of these.

[Fish Murderer 71]

I've skipped (or misskipped) a jig into a boat on occasion and have jumped onto the dock to recover the lure.  I just try to treat other peoples property as I would treat my own stuff.  I usually wont try throwing anything with a weight at fiberglass or paint caus I wouldnt want someone doing it to mine.  Unpainted aluminum - I try not to hit it, but sometimes it just happens.  I read somewhere that boat docks that have swimming toys and slides generally will not hold bass, so for the most part I dont even waste my time with them.  I have yet had any kind of confrontation over fishing a dock, but if I were to- I learned a long time ago American Sign Language (had a good friend that was deaf), and when people start getting hostile, I just to start throwing sign at them and they lose interest real quick, people dont like arguing with the deaf.  They lose, I win- and havent had to say a single word!

[BigMoneyGrip]

Yep, it all comes down to respect. If someone doesn't want you fishing around their dock, then don't fish around their dock. Reguardless of what the law says, the golden rule is the best. Show some respect. Don't be a tool. If the tables were turned, wouldn't you want some respect?

[00bob]

Probably going to use that saw blade idea.   The problem is that some fishers have crap aim and snag the dock or near the dock. Then they either break the line or cut it and leave. A few people ruin it for everyone.

 

So ya, after the second time I pulled a hook out of my daughters foot (and the subsequent tetanus shot) I stopped giving AF about "fishers rights" around my dock. 

 

Since my family can't use the dock we paid for and built safely anyway why should I be complicit in making it easy for fishers.

 

So I applauded the saw blade guys use of a good idea and I'll be happy to use it because likely he had similar encounters with arrogant irresponsible fisherman. 

 

 

Edited May 3, 2020 by 00bob

[00bob]

On 4/25/2014 at 10:56 PM, Crappiebasser said:

I talked to an Alabama Power rep today and the blades are coming out. The guy has 30 days to remove them or his dock permit will be revoked. He can apply to replace them with lattice but it's up to APC to approve the request. He also had an electrical outlet on the dock that was not on the original plan he submitted so his outlet has to be removed until he get approval for it.

You think that's going to stop him? Congrats you just made him more motivated to stop fishers. 

 

This is exactly what dock owners are talking about.  We put up signs you ignore them, we ask you to leave you tell us it's your right, we put up wire you snag, cut and move on. Other barriers you tattle on us. 

 

All when you could just MOVE ON. It's not like there's a lack of water.

 

Hopefully his next move is cameras and a lawsuit if you or anyone else so much as miscasts once.

 

Well done you, fantastic job.

[MN Fisher]

[Finessegenics]

31 minutes ago, 00bob said:

Probably going to use that saw blade idea.   The problem is that some fishers have crap aim and snag the dock or near the dock. Then they either break the line or cut it and leave. A few people ruin it for everyone.

 

So ya, after the second time I pulled a hook out of my daughters foot (and the subsequent tetanus shot) I stopped giving AF about "fishers rights" around my dock. 

 

Since my family can't use the dock we paid for and built safely anyway why should I be complicit in making it easy for fishers.

 

So I applauded the saw blade guys use of a good idea and I'll be happy to use it because likely he had similar encounters with arrogant irresponsible fisherman. 

 

 

 

17 minutes ago, 00bob said:

You think that's going to stop him? Congrats you just made him more motivated to stop fishers. 

 

This is exactly what dock owners are talking about.  We put up signs you ignore them, we ask you to leave you tell us it's your right, we put up wire you snag, cut and move on. Other barriers you tattle on us. 

 

All when you could just MOVE ON. It's not like there's a lack of water.

 

Hopefully his next move is cameras and a lawsuit if you or anyone else so much as miscasts once.

 

Well done you, fantastic job.

Quarantine must be getting really miserable and boring....

 

sorry to hear about your daughter. 

[haggard]

On 4/24/2014 at 9:52 PM, buzzed bait said:

Yes, but not by doing that…..  sounds like a dangerous move if kids ever start to swim around that dock.  

And not just from the band saw blades. Bigger issue is all those hooks on the bottom, waiting to get stepped on.

 

[N Florida Mike]

Sorry about your daughters foot but how you going to let her swim out there with saw blades in the water?

[GTN-NY]

I’ve had people yell, throw rocks in the water, threaten to call the cops (which I always say please do, I’ll wait), But the stupidest one I ever ran into was a guy who said he didn’t mind if I pass by his house but I wasn’t allowed to stop because his property lines went all the way out to the center of the lake. I hate to say it but that one I kind of stuck around and aggravated him even more just to tick him off for a laugh. I even turned my boat sideways so he can get my numbers to call the sheriffs. He threatened to throw rocks at us and when I told him I’d call the cops on him he finally calmed down. 

[Crappiebasser]

52 minutes ago, 00bob said:

You think that's going to stop him? Congrats you just made him more motivated to stop fishers. 

 

This is exactly what dock owners are talking about.  We put up signs you ignore them, we ask you to leave you tell us it's your right, we put up wire you snag, cut and move on. Other barriers you tattle on us. 

 

All when you could just MOVE ON. It's not like there's a lack of water.

 

Hopefully his next move is cameras and a lawsuit if you or anyone else so much as miscasts once.

 

Well done you, fantastic job.

First off I am a dock owner and have been for 20 years so I understand the challenges of being on public water. Secondly the dock owner I was talking has died in the 6 years since this post so I’m pretty sure he won’t take any further action.

 

Have a great day!

[DitchPanda]

Look I'm all for being respectful of people's property and I agree there are jerks out there no doubt. But here's the deal the majority of people are good and don't go out of there way to make things negative for other people in fact it's usually the opposite. The reality is docks just like other pieces of cover hold fish and people are going to fish them. If someone hurts your property in some way report them. If that's still not enough then don't have a dock on public waters. People have the right to fish the water..you don't own it...if they mess with the dock or any of your property for that matter that's a different subject. I am sorry about your daughter that stinks for sure. 

Let me ad that I don't fish docks very often more or less because there is a chance I could get snagged on a post and leave a hook there for someone to encounter. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to fish it if I want to.

[TBAG]

2 hours ago, 00bob said:

Probably going to use that saw blade idea.   The problem is that some fishers have crap aim and snag the dock or near the dock. Then they either break the line or cut it and leave. A few people ruin it for everyone.

 

So ya, after the second time I pulled a hook out of my daughters foot (and the subsequent tetanus shot) I stopped giving AF about "fishers rights" around my dock. 

 

Since my family can't use the dock we paid for and built safely anyway why should I be complicit in making it easy for fishers.

 

So I applauded the saw blade guys use of a good idea and I'll be happy to use it because likely he had similar encounters with arrogant irresponsible fisherman. 

 

 

 

So you dug up an age old thread to post this as your first post on this forum? 

 

I'm sorry but the saw blade idea is nothing but dangerous,  and I hope if you do it that it comes back and bites you. 

 

Troll

[Hammer 4]

I have a feeling Irene is gonna be stopping by here soon..

[813basstard]

3 hours ago, 00bob said:

Probably going to use that saw blade idea.   The problem is that some fishers have crap aim and snag the dock or near the dock. Then they either break the line or cut it and leave. A few people ruin it for everyone.

 

So ya, after the second time I pulled a hook out of my daughters foot (and the subsequent tetanus shot) I stopped giving AF about "fishers rights" around my dock. 

 

Since my family can't use the dock we paid for and built safely anyway why should I be complicit in making it easy for fishers.

 

So I applauded the saw blade guys use of a good idea and I'll be happy to use it because likely he had similar encounters with arrogant irresponsible fisherman. 

 

 

Your the guy who lives on a golf course and is surprised balls land in your yard. 
 

The guy who watches boxing and says ‘man I can beat him’.
 

Are there ways to protect your stuff without being ‘that guy’, I’m sure there is. 

This is just plain ignorant 

[DitchPanda]

Ha the boxing thing makes me laugh. There's an older guy I know who used to talk about how those UFC guys are a bunch of losers and that he could take em in a real fight...you know a man's fight a street fight. 

I would just smile and casually say "ok dude".

[Shimano_1]

Its a slippery slope. We love to bass fish so obviously we see it one way. If I owned the property and didn't fish i can see myself getting irritated at people bouncing jigs and hooks off my property.  Saw blades do sound a little extreme and dangerous.  If someone polity asked me not to fish around their dock I would oblige but I'm sure there are those that would fish it because they could.  I'd maybe talk to a game warden about it and get their take on it. This is one reason I avoid docks unless I can't catch em any other way...and my lack of skill let's me know I'm probably gonna be hitting someone's property when I fish em lol