The Unwritten "rules"

[Preytorien]

In cycling, we have seemingly a longer list of unwritten rules than there are actual written rules. Once you get used to it you understand their nature and remember them.

 

What are some unwritten rules in fishing?

 

I've heard some, such as no bananas in the boat, which might be more superstition.

 

But concerning tournaments and just general bass fishing....what are some unwritten rules you abide by (mostly)?

[IAY]

Not encroaching in someone else's territory when fishing, especially when on a boat is something that I will always abide by.

[KYBassin']

The same guy can't always have the front of the boat. No "fresh water hogs".

[RB 77]

There is a long list in fishing as well. The number one that I adhere to is fising more than a max cast away. If I see someone on a spot I wish to fish I will move on and possibly come back later. If someone rolls up on me and starts fishing close quarters I will pull anchor or the trolling motor and move on myself. I take pride in finding my own fish.

[Catch and Grease]

Yeah, the worst thing you can do fishing is seeing someone's catching a lot off of a spot and ride up to them and start fishing next to them... ESPECIALLY in a tournament scenario.

[Deleted account]

In cycling, we have seemingly a longer list of unwritten rules than there are actual written rules. Once you get used to it you understand their nature and remember them.

 

What are some unwritten rules in fishing?

 

I've heard some, such as no bananas in the boat, which might be more superstition.

 

But concerning tournaments and just general bass fishing....what are some unwritten rules you abide by (mostly)?

 

Shimano sucks in both...

[RAMBLER]

If I'm on a track, either drifting a river or working a shoreline, I don't want someone cutting in front of me.  I don't do that.  I'll go somewhere else or a long way down the river so they can fish all they want and never see me, again.

The other day, drifting a river, I had some bobber fishers go by me and then anchor in front of me.  The third time, I said, in my normally quiet voice, will you leave me the heck alone.  They turned and went back up river away from me.

[F14A-B]

Well for me, I have had tournament boaters block me from getting out of the water ( ramp ) at there staggered weigh in times... At 30 minutes I was aggravated.... At 90 minutes... I sounded off my air horn.... And said ok... Here we go.. Fully ready to play bumper cars... It was one time... 400 boats.. Multiple tournaments... Same ramp... Has never happened since... The ramp has got to be the worst place for manners I have ever seen!

[jhoffman]

I love when a tournament launches out of a small marina and theres guys standing on shore bs'n while guys are still waiting to put boats in with them tying up every side of the dock. Have some manners and get in your boat and get off the dock for ten mins. Not everyone has a coangler to dump the boat in.

[WVbassin87]

i have a few personal rules: leave anywhere you go cleaner than it was when you found it, first come first serve on fishing spots, catch-photo-release, if you don't lip it then it didn't count, and if i share my bait with you i expect you to return the favor

[papajoe222]

I take a lot of guys out that have never fished from my boat and the first thing I do is go over saftey proceedures with them.  Then I tell them my two unwritten rules that may not apply to other boaters, but in my boat they always do; Get your line out of the water when the other is playing a fish and don't cast forward of the middle of the boat.  I make sure there is plenty of unused water for the non-boater to fish. If they feel that I'm front ending them or fishing too fast or slow, they should speak up

[SirSnookalot]

Other than some of the etiquette issues I have personal rules.

I don't use live or cut bait, don't use a scent enhancement, don't play with a smart phone, don't carry a scale, don't take pics of 15" fish and don't want any one with me that does any of those things.

If you have 100 lures, analyzing the weather every 10 minutes, discussing rods, reels and lines and telling me you got the best made, don't even get out of your car you ain't coming with me.

Those are my rules, that said I'll be at the Boynton inlet at 5:30 am, it's going to be a good day for some monsters.

[gar-tracker]

Well for me, I have had tournament boaters block me from getting out of the water ( ramp ) at there staggered weigh in times... At 30 minutes I was aggravated.... At 90 minutes... I sounded off my air horn.... And said ok... Here we go.. Fully ready to play bumper cars... It was one time... 400 boats.. Multiple tournaments... Same ramp... Has never happened since... The ramp has got to be the worst place for manners I have ever seen!

 

Apparently a long forgotten rule is lights off at the ramp at night. This has completely gone by the wayside and it drives me nuts. Along with getting the boat ready in the lane.

[WIGuide]

If you're a fishing out of the back of the boat, don't cast any farther forward of the midpoint of the boat. There are exceptions to this, like if you're close to a bank and moving, usually the person in front will be casting ahead or at a 45 degree angle, it's ok to do the same. It kind of goes with the same lines, but if the boater is trying to turn the boat in a certain direction, don't throw forward on that side. That seems to happen to me a lot with people without a bunch of experience. I'm on the TM starting to turn the boat and out goes the cast, right where I'm headed.

[starcraft1]

My rules are simple, NO BOOZE - NO DOPE!!! I stand by these and I'll dump you off right on the spot if you dis-obey either of them!

Other than that, common sence and good sportmanship always apply.

I love these so-called "pros" the new kids with daddy's $$$, a big payment, and a "sponsership jersey"!

Me, I'll take my 16 yr. old Skeeter & my 14 yr. old Chevy truck! NO PAYMENTS!

[Zach Dunham]

The ramp is definitely the biggest pain in the butt. The worst thing is when people sit there on the ramp tying their boat down. Once it is on the trailer GET OUT OF THE WAY!

[aavery2]

Be on time, nothing worse than setting a time and someone being 10-15 minutes late.  6:00am means 6:00am. 

[G8RBob]

If you're fishing from the front of the boat, watch your back cast.  The guy in the back has a right to his space, without dodging treble hooks.

[RMcDuffee726]

My rules are simple, NO BOOZE - NO DOPE!!! I stand by these and I'll dump you off right on the spot if you dis-obey either of them!

Other than that, common sence and good sportmanship always apply.

I love these so-called "pros" the new kids with daddy's $$$, a big payment, and a "sponsership jersey"!

Me, I'll take my 16 yr. old Skeeter & my 14 yr. old Chevy truck! NO PAYMENTS!

Booze is usually essential

[Brent Christian]

My rules are simple, NO BOOZE - NO DOPE!!! I stand by these and I'll dump you off right on the spot if you dis-obey either of them!

Other than that, common sence and good sportmanship always apply.

I love these so-called "pros" the new kids with daddy's $$$, a big payment, and a "sponsership jersey"!

Me, I'll take my 16 yr. old Skeeter & my 14 yr. old Chevy truck! NO PAYMENTS!

Well Said Sir!

[Nice_Bass]

My rules are simple, NO BOOZE - NO DOPE!!! I stand by these and I'll dump you off right on the spot if you dis-obey either of them!

Other than that, common sence and good sportmanship always apply.

I love these so-called "pros" the new kids with daddy's $$$, a big payment, and a "sponsership jersey"!

Me, I'll take my 16 yr. old Skeeter & my 14 yr. old Chevy truck! NO PAYMENTS!

I dump people out for not bringing me beer if I offer to take them out.

My only real rule is give space to people. If they come to mine I dont leave, I saturate the area. If they jump ahead of me wayyyy too close. I jump them. If we get there at the same time, its all theirs.

[Brnnoser6983]

Getting into a spot only to find every other angler on the lake and their brother hogging the space. I find that one the most but the worst for me is others out on the lake. DO NOT cut in so close to my boat while I am fishing I can read the text on your shirt. And don't do this going 20mph. Nothing is worse than someone being rude on a boat (or Jetski) running close to your fishing area.

[macmichael]

"Rules, we ain't got no stinking rules".

 

I actually have just 2 rules.

 

1. I am always right!!!

2. When ih doubt, refer to rule #1. :)

[Bluebasser86]

?  What do you mean?  No headlights while using the ramp at night?

When you're at the ramp at night, turn your headlights OFF! Almost all vehicles now have the ability to turn the headlights off while keeping the rest of your lights on for backing and everything. If you've ever tried to look in your mirrors to back while someones headlights are in your eyes or in your mirrors you know what I'm talking about. Ramps are usually pretty well lit anyways, and your headlights don't help when you're backing down anyways. 

[Bluebasser86]

Be on time, nothing worse than setting a time and someone being 10-15 minutes late.  6:00am means 6:00am. 

Once in awhile I can deal with, but if it becomes a habit the invites will stop or I will leave without someone. I'm super patient on the water, getting to the water, not so much.