Combat Fishing

[Catch 22]

The blue blitz at my local ocean inlet just keeps on keepin on.

Historically   the slammer blues [10 lbs +] make a showing for 3 to 4 days then they move on up the coast.

But so far this year its been on for almost  3 weeks now.They are everywhere because of the food supply.

 

About the title==When this type catching takes off ,it attracts hoards of jetty fishermen and boaters a like. The shore guys usually make very long casts to get into the  main stream. Most boaters know to  keep a reasonable distance from shore because there are plenty of fish where they are.

 

Yesterday == enter the moron. A wise  guy boater intentionally motored in to close and  a few shore guys yelled at  him. The boater flipped everyone and cut some lines off with his prop.Lots of unmentionable  words were exchanged along with a brief discussion about one anothers ancestry.   The game changer came when the boater came in closer  and threw  fillet knife at the crowd on shore.

 It didn`t hit anyone ,but came close.Enter the police to charge him with assault.

 

This type conflict usually happens   a few times every year but seldom results in anything more than words. 

Its part of the culture down here.The boaters actually have the right of way.

 

Before anyone mentions throwing lead at one another in either direction,that too is assault and very dangerous.

 I hope things calm down soon.

 

BTW there were hundreds of big fish landed. People just get stupid  during these blitzs

C22

[F14A-B]

Yes Sir.. No shortage of Morons in the World, United States, & Indiana, lol..

Stay safe in the Blue fish combat zone!

[BooyahMan]

ugh, and this is why I dislike popular fisheries and stay away from them these days. Your story reminded me of our popular local Sockeye harvest. Shoulder to shoulder, fist fights, lots of profanity....actually, it isn't that bad most of the time but there are always a couple of bad apples that ruin it for everyone. These people are so blind-sided by the idea of catching a trophy fish that they'll go overboard. Being at least a little courteous and accommodating can go a long way.

[SirSnookalot]

Happens here in Florida too, but the boaters don't always have the right of way, but they think they do.  It's unlawful to fish or catch bait inside the inlet, although it happens everyday.  A boat must be 500' (I think) from a pier and inlet, however there is no required distance from a jettie, they legally can be right next to the jettie.  We used to have a pretty strong sheriff's patrol boats, but not as much these days.  

 

Even when some of the boaters are legally correct they show little common courtesy.  Many times I have seen them purposely cut off lines as they are leaving the inlet.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Here's our combat fishing when fishing for salmon/steelhead on the rivers...

 

Lol, it can be a loogan-fest during Chinook season.

[Catch 22]

Here's our combat fishing when fishing for salmon/steelhead on the rivers...

 

Ha ha .that is similar to what goes on at the inlet.

Its common for anglers to cast over other lines as long as the shot goes father out than the longest line. The current sweeps it along and all is well with a group that  "knows". If a big fish can`t be controlled, then you just live with it. 

Big no no to cut someones line with out permission.When I get into a basket weaving tangle,I just cut my line and pull it free,usually in less than half the time to untangle.

C22

[Dogmatic]

I've been known, when fishing from shore, to throw a heavy big trebled plug when a boater decides that the other 90% of the water they have access to just isn't enough.

[SirSnookalot]

I've been known, when fishing from shore, to throw a heavy big trebled plug when a boater decides that the other 90% of the water they have access to just isn't enough.

Not a wise move, whether a boat is in a legal or illegal water you are still responsible for damage or injury.  I hope no thinks if a lure gets snagged on a line or boat, that the boater is going to give that lure back when it was thrown at him on purpose.

[Dogmatic]

Not a wise move, whether a boat is in a legal or illegal water you are still responsible for damage or injury.  I hope no thinks if a lure gets snagged on a line or boat, that the boater is going to give that lure back when it was thrown at him on purpose.

No one said it was wise, no one said using a lure you want back, just large 2/0 trebles. The question isn't whether it's legal or not, but is it correct behavior, no, in either case. A boater cruising a bank where there are FELLOW fisherman. Legal, yes, Ethical, no.

[Catch 22]

The incident made the local news and papers. The boater was charged with 2 counts felony and reckless endangerment on federal property. 

 

I got cut off by a boat today as did some others. A coupla hand signals were exchanged that really didn`t mean "hi hows the family"

 

C22

[John G]

I've been known, when fishing from shore, to throw a heavy big trebled plug when a boater decides that the other 90% of the water they have access to just isn't enough.

I was thinking more along the lines of a 1oz jig hitting the side of the boat.

[Jmrichardson2011]

In Wisconsin, the problem comes when the no wake is lifted off many of the lakes and the water skiers come out. About that time, we usually maneuver our boat back into one of the deeper bays and the let the big outboards have there fun in the main body of the lake. Most folks stick to this pattern. However, sometimes the skiers decide to come back in the bays (not safe in little bays with a boat doing over 45 mph). One person I know decides at this point to typically throw a heavy lure directly behind the skier - just close enough to scare him. Is this ethical? No. Is it effective? Yes. 

 

He has never hooked anyone, but did one time cast too far and hooked a goose - that was amusing.

[Big C]

Reminds me of fishing in a 2 man kayak with my brother.  Good times.