rules to live by

[thinkingredneck]

There are ethics, or rules to live by, in outdoor sports and we need to be sure we pass them on.  I have tried to teach my kids that how they behave is just as important as their accomplishments.   The types of things I try to observe and teach are

1.  Respect other people's property and don't tresspass.  Respect and obey game laws and creel limits. 

2.  Clean up after yourself. Everywhere.  And take care of your stuff.

3.  Pay your fair share.  If you are going in someone's boat, buy the gas, food and expendables.

4.  If you kill something, do so humanely,  quickly and then eat it.  If you practice catch and release, fight the fish as quickly as possible and handle it as little as possible.

5.  Never make fun of another person's stuff or circumstances. Nobody care's how much expensive crap you have.

6.  Slow down and don't leave a big wake when you pass someone on the water.  Especially kayaks.

7.  Respect other people's preferred fishing style.  It takes skill to be good at any type of fishing, including bait fishing.  Listen and learn.  All knowledge gained crosses over and helps you be a better angler.

8.  Don't spook the fish.  Be quiet.

9. Don't crowd or cut someone off.  Respect their space.

10.  Keep things in perspective.  Fishing is supposed to be fun.  Unless you make a living fishing, it ain't that big of a deal.

 

What are some other rules to live by while fishing?

[thinkingredneck]

Please don't take this as a "holier than thou" post.  I have embassinglybroken most of these rules at one time or other.  I felt like the horse's rectum that I was, too, when I did.  Filed in memory just as vividly as every fish I lost through poor angling technique.

[Kyhokie]

Never take a picture holding someone else's fish.

[Scarborough817]

i have broken a few of them as well sadly because i was too impatient after a long winter to wait for the season 

[thinkingredneck]

Thankfully, we can fish year round down here.  

[Gundog]

Leave the gas for the tank. I know we are outdoors but still somethings do linger. 

[papajoe222]

Don't hesitate to call another angler out for their bad behavior. We all share the same waters and sport. If I see someone doing something that's detrimental to either, I speak up.  I feel my silence is the same as condoning their behavior and just possibly, It may make them think before doing it again.  The worst that can happen is they blow me off.

[A-Jay]

Don't Whizz into the wind.

Don't tug on Superman's cape.

Don't pull the mask off the Ol' Lone Ranger

and Don't mess around with Glenn . . . . 

A-Jay

[DINK WHISPERER]

Man, I wish more people were taught this stuff as children. Soooo many A-holes on and off the water.

[dropped shot]

This applies more to people not fishing. The vast majority of other fisherman I've ran into have been very respectful.

[Deleted account]

I only got one out of ten...

 

I've never felt compelled to follow rules, but I'm a firm believer in being accountable for your actions, and I try not to screw anyone over who doesn't have it coming. I'll give someone the shirt of my back or slit their throat, Its all situational.

[Jaderose]

On 11/23/2017 at 2:13 PM, reason said:

I only got one out of ten...

 

I've never felt compelled to follow rules, but I'm a firm believer in being accountable for your actions, and I try not to screw anyone over who doesn't have it coming. I'll give someone the shirt of my back or slit their throat, Its all situational.

Either you've only broken one of these rules or you are the biggest jerk walking.  

[Columbia Craw]

These are all great standards to follow.  I would add:  Be prepared to launch when It's your turn. Get ready in a staging area and don't block the launch.  Be a giver and not a taker.  

[WRB]

The Golden Rule!

Tom

[TnRiver46]

4 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Don't Whizz into the wind.

Don't tug on Superman's cape.

Don't pull the mask off the Ol' Lone Ranger

and Don't mess around with Glenn . . . . 

A-Jay

Hahahah. Haven't listened to Croce in a while 

[Scott F]

6 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Don't hesitate to call another angler out for their bad behavior. We all share the same waters and sport. If I see someone doing something that's detrimental to either, I speak up.  I feel my silence is the same as condoning their behavior and just possibly, It may make them think before doing it again.  The worst that can happen is they blow me off.

I wish that blowing you off is the worst that can happen. If you've been following these forums, you'll see that there are many fishermen who carry firearms. Most people HATE being called out for their bad behavior. If flipping you off is the most that they'll do to you, you are very lucky. Things can quickly go beyond words and get dangerous. One of my rules is not to scold anybody for their behavior. You aren't going to change them, you are just going to make them mad.

[LCG]

We have all made mistakes and most of us learn from them, but how do you know your making a mistake unless someone helps you learn. I say be helpful to others,  not confrontational or judgmental and certainly not violent. 

[geo g]

Thinkingredneck, those are some excellent words to live bye.  Whether on the water or on land, if everyone followed your example, this would be a far better place to live.  Thanks for the thoughtful post!

[soflabasser]

10 hours ago, thinkingredneck said:

There are ethics, or rules to live by, in outdoor sports and we need to be sure we pass them on.  I have tried to teach my kids that how they behave is just as important as their accomplishments.   The types of things I try to observe and teach are

1.  Respect other people's property and don't tresspass.  Respect and obey game laws and creel limits. 

2.  Clean up after yourself. Everywhere.  And take care of your stuff.

3.  Pay your fair share.  If you are going in someone's boat, buy the gas, food and expendables.

4.  If you kill something, do so humanely,  quickly and then eat it.  If you practice catch and release, fight the fish as quickly as possible and handle it as little as possible.

5.  Never make fun of another person's stuff or circumstances. Nobody care's how much expensive crap you have.

6.  Slow down and don't leave a big wake when you pass someone on the water.  Especially kayaks.

7.  Respect other people's preferred fishing style.  It takes skill to be good at any type of fishing, including bait fishing.  Listen and learn.  All knowledge gained crosses over and helps you be a better angler.

8.  Don't spook the fish.  Be quiet.

9. Don't crowd or cut someone off.  Respect their space.

10.  Keep things in perspective.  Fishing is supposed to be fun.  Unless you make a living fishing, it ain't that big of a deal.

 

What are some other rules to live by while fishing?

Thank you for posting this. #6 is one many in South Florida do not follow since many boaters down here feel like they own the water and don't respect land based fishermen. I tend to outfish these boaters that drive fast where I fish, so in the end I am winning.

9 hours ago, Kyhokie said:

Never take a picture holding someone else's fish.

I agree with you 100%. A person who holds another mans fish and claims it as his own to others is not a honorable fisherman.

[N Florida Mike]

Probably the hardest 2 for me are not tresspassing and not getting too upset with others.

We have a lot of pond fishing where I live. I do not ( but did when I was young )

fish in peoples yards connecting to a pond. I cant enjoy it because of the stress of the possibility of someone confronting me.I live on a small private lake and it would tick me off if I saw someone I didnt know fishing in my back yard wihout permission.

What I do is fish common areas ,parks , schools, behind shopping centers. There are never any no tresspassing signs or I wont fish there.I struggle with this because I know its technically tresspassing but..... I almost never get asked to leave these areas , and if I do then I dont argue and just leave.

The other is not getting upset with others that dont follow much etiquette. I take fishing seriously , there is time and money on the line and food on the table too.

I hate confrontation ,but when other boaters cut your line ( has happened to me a few times ) or someone steals your fish ( has happened once ) etc. sometimes you feel compelled to confront it.But my goal is to " live peacably with all men " as much as possible.

Good rules to fish by.

[RB 77]

23 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Don't Whizz into the wind.

Don't tug on Superman's cape.

Don't pull the mask off the Ol' Lone Ranger

and Don't mess around with Glenn . . . . 

A-Jay

 

You forgot "don't eat yellow snow". Haha

[thinkingredneck]

Assume everyone is carrying in the south.  I don't carry while fishing because I afraid of ruining the gun..  The worst thing I usually see is boats leaving a big wake or getting too close to my yak, and also littering.  

[jbmaine]

Great Post-- Thank you

 My rules I try to follow.

  Fish as often as possible and catch as many fish as possible. While doing so don't be rude, crude, mean, spiteful, hateful, selfish, greedy, annoying, antagonizing, demeaning, and generally a pain in the butt.

 Try to help others when ever the opportunity presents itself, be patient with others ( especially at the boat launch ).

 Do everything you can not to hurt yourself, others, or the environment. 

AND ABOVE ALL- I really, really hope some of the @#$% jet skiers we run into all the time read these posts and follow them.

                                     Jim

 

[lo n slo]

* do not snag your shoe on the rod tie down strap and then proceed to step off the front of your boat *

[Mr.Gump]

And don't tick off the gators..