Those 10% or tournament guys?

[TOXIC]

IMHO it's common practice on bigger bodies of water and if there are a lot of tournaments on that water.  Take the Potomac for example, tons of tournaments every weekend that bring a lot of anglers in from a lot of other states to pre-fish and compete.  Rudeness is a way of life on that river and it's because 1. everyone or most are in tournament mode and have the competitive juices flowing and 2. they are from out of state or know they won't be a regular on the river and therefore, will never have to deal with the "locals" again.  I have found that for those of us who fish the river on a regular basis, boats and fishermen become recognizable and it's not uncommon to have a little "talk" at a weigh in or at the ramp if the person is a repeat or aggressive offender.  

[Oregon Native]

Many statements above are so sad but true....but upon thinking about it I can find lots of #@!$ on human behavior in many sports or activities.  Our make up just seems to make a lot of people me ... me .... me stereotypes.  Yes...golfing can be awesome...but when you have to wait and wait and wait for that person to find his "must be" hundred dollar ball and not let you go through it can be sad.  (to name just one).

Deep Breath.....

Thankfully the good seems to outweigh the bad....I would hope this trend continues.  

[BigAngus752]

18 hours ago, davecon said:

Try being a native Floridian fishing in the winter when the snowbirds arrive !

 

I could go on for a looooonnnnng time about the issues but unless you are from here, or someplace similar, you wouldn’t believe me anyway.

I have to believe that you are correct and it has a lot to do with where you are.  Fishable water with catchable bass is very far and few between in the middle of Illinois.  The large lake that I fish is the best bass water for over 100 miles and it will have as many as four tournaments a week during peak season.  I've been on that lake when it was practically bumper boats.  Everyone seems to understand and tries to get along.  But as many have mentioned, an armed society is a polite society.  

[toni63]

Reading some of this stuff they should just set up an octagon at the Ramp. 

[davecon]

11 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

I have to believe that you are correct and it has a lot to do with where you are.  Fishable water with catchable bass is very far and few between in the middle of Illinois.  The large lake that I fish is the best bass water for over 100 miles and it will have as many as four tournaments a week during peak season.  I've been on that lake when it was practically bumper boats.  Everyone seems to understand and tries to get along.  But as many have mentioned, an armed society is a polite society.  

It’s not so much the number of people on the water that’s the problem. I can handle that. What amazes me is that so many, not all mind you, are simply rude. Don’t know if it’s that they are so excited to be where the fishing is good, if that’s the way they behave at home, or if their momma’s just didn’t love them enough to teach them good manners, or what.

 

Cutting you of launching/loading at the ramp, blocking the ramp, pulling right up next to you on the water when there is not another boat for a mile or so, cutting in front of you while you are going down the bank, etc. etc.. The list goes on.

 

I agree that an armed society is a polite society but, even though I am licensed and carry the majority of the time, I don’t tempt fate so I leave my weapons at home while fishing in the winter. It’s really that bad at times.

 

[BigAngus752]

25 minutes ago, davecon said:

It’s not so much the number of people on the water that’s the problem. I can handle that. What amazes me is that so many, not all mind you, are simply rude. Don’t know if it’s that they are so excited to be where the fishing is good, if that’s the way they behave at home, or if their momma’s just didn’t love them enough to teach them good manners, or what.

 

Cutting you of launching/loading at the ramp, blocking the ramp, pulling right up next to you on the water when there is not another boat for a mile or so, cutting in front of you while you are going down the bank, etc. etc.. The list goes on.

 

I agree that an armed society is a polite society but, even though I am licensed and carry the majority of the time, I don’t tempt fate so I leave my weapons at home while fishing in the winter. It’s really that bad at times.

 

That is just a shame.  Manners are definitely disappearing from our society.  But that just strengthens my resolve to go out of my way to lead by example.  

[soflabasser]

11 hours ago, davecon said:

It’s not so much the number of people on the water that’s the problem. I can handle that. What amazes me is that so many, not all mind you, are simply rude. Don’t know if it’s that they are so excited to be where the fishing is good, if that’s the way they behave at home, or if their momma’s just didn’t love them enough to teach them good manners, or what.

 

Cutting you of launching/loading at the ramp, blocking the ramp, pulling right up next to you on the water when there is not another boat for a mile or so, cutting in front of you while you are going down the bank, etc. etc.. The list goes on.

 

I agree that an armed society is a polite society but, even though I am licensed and carry the majority of the time, I don’t tempt fate so I leave my weapons at home while fishing in the winter. It’s really that bad at times.

 

@davecon I have noticed the same behavior from snowbirds in South Florida and it is very shameful of them to act the way they do. Many of them love Florida so much that they eventually move down here and do not change their ways, in fact they try to change our ways of living to suit what they are used to. I can talk more about this subject but I will stop here.

10 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

That is just a shame.  Manners are definitely disappearing from our society.  But that just strengthens my resolve to go out of my way to lead by example.  

Yes and that is one of the reasons why I am very picky on who I invite fishing with me. Too many greedy fishermen and they take too much and give too little. Better to fish with your better half than some fisherman who does not respect other fishermen's right to fish peacefully.

[evilcatfish]

On 9/26/2018 at 12:39 PM, volzfan59 said:

It's been a while back, but I had a tournament angler come up using his t/m and ask if I was fishing what ever tournament that he was in. I replied "No, just out having fun." He very politely asked if he could "move around me to (pointed at a secondary point that was maybe 50 yards away) and fish. This guy was super nice, I told him to have at it and wished him luck. 

 

Happened again trout fishing on the Candy Fork River. I was working a fairly deep hole. Guy came up on the bank, I was wading. He very nicely asked to jump ahead. I told him to go ahead. We met up a little further down river, had lunch together.

 

All of that to say, if someone asks politely they'll get a lot more than demanding I do something. 

This is what it's all about, be nice to people and they'll probably be nice to you!

 

 

[Rip_lipz]

Hunter Shryrok said it best on one of his YouTube videos. He mentioned that these guys will shake your hand on the dock and be your best friend but as soon as you hit the water they turn into a different person.

[jimmyjoe]

On 9/26/2018 at 10:47 AM, Spankey said:

You've actually witnessed someone leave a spot because a tournament guy asked another guy to leave?

   Yes, I did. Saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. Last spring.    jj

[deadadrift89]

On 9/25/2018 at 6:17 AM, NHBull said:

He decides to pass and jump directly in front of me.  I am sure I could have dented his motor a dozen times with my TRIG.

 

Good time to fire motor and Humminbird and jump back ahead of him and do some Autochart Live ??

 I truly believe most people like him are this way because they haven't been put in there place lately. Sad to see it's definitely become more common in society. I fish from Florida to Minnesota and doesn't matter tournament angler or weekend fisherman you will always run into people like this eventually.

[lmbfisherman]

This isn`t for anglers only.  All recreational water sports.  Seadoo people are the worst!  It`s like their clueless that coming up speeding next to me in my kayak, that they did not cause a potential dangerous situations with their wake.  

[TnRiver46]

7 hours ago, lmbfisherman said:

This isn`t for anglers only.  All recreational water sports.  Seadoo people are the worst!  It`s like their clueless that coming up speeding next to me in my kayak, that they did not cause a potential dangerous situations with their wake.  

Unfortunately they don’t administer an IQ test before turning people loose on those things 

[Troy85]

20 hours ago, lmbfisherman said:

This isn`t for anglers only.  All recreational water sports.  Seadoo people are the worst!  It`s like their clueless that coming up speeding next to me in my kayak, that they did not cause a potential dangerous situations with their wake.  

I'm not sure if its clueless or if they want an audience.  I've been out fishing a 10-15 minute run from the nearest marina(@50ish mph), only to have a jetski come by, see me in my boat.  Then start doing 360's and other "stunts" less than 100 yards away.  I know he has every right to be there, but when there is thousands of square miles of marshland to choose from, I don't find it a coincidence that I just happen to be fishing next to the best jetskiiing stretch of water.  This happens more times than I can count, I'm convinced its wanting an audience. 

[greentrout]

run into rude cocky boaters all the time ... they think they are kvd on the lake ... have a thick skin and will live with it awhile or move on..otherwise my southern dna will surface...the rebel yell will come and i'll do something that puts me jail ... ain't worth it ...

 

good fishing ...

 

A man's got to know his limitations.  Dirty Harry Callahan

[Choporoz]

There was an interesting article in Bassmaster not too long ago.  Two elites were discussing two issues for tournament anglers (though, I'm sure they'd say that they are different than tourny anglers discussed above, because they're elites.)

First they talked about gawkers and seemed fine as long as looky-loos stay a couple hundred yards off.  Then, when they talked about sharing the water, is when it got interesting.  Wish I could remember the mag issue date or the pros' names.  But, the more they talked, the more upset that I got....you could easily infer an entitled mentality that they were there for just a short time and it was their 'job', so locals should probably just get out of their way.  May not have been quite that explicit, but that's the way I took it.  I found it a bit disturbing.

On 9/25/2018 at 8:01 AM, Spankey said:

. Now I'm not implying any bodily harm just a note to let some one know that your not a fool or ignorant to be pushed around. Give the guy a wake back. He's not gonna do anything. He'll know it's *** for tat. Let him suck on that awhile. Might make him think about it next time. But probably not. 

Really?  How has that improved anything?  You would be absolutely contributing to the exact sort of friction and interactions that most here have said is a problem.

[Spankey]

4 hours ago, Choporoz said:

There was an interesting article in Bassmaster not too long ago.  Two elites were discussing two issues for tournament anglers (though, I'm sure they'd say that they are different than tourny anglers discussed above, because they're elites.)

First they talked about gawkers and seemed fine as long as looky-loos stay a couple hundred yards off.  Then, when they talked about sharing the water, is when it got interesting.  Wish I could remember the mag issue date or the pros' names.  But, the more they talked, the more upset that I got....you could easily infer an entitled mentality that they were there for just a short time and it was their 'job', so locals should probably just get out of their way.  May not have been quite that explicit, but that's the way I took it.  I found it a bit disturbing.

Really?  How has that improved anything?  You would be absolutely contributing to the exact sort of friction and interactions that most here have said is a problem.

Than you tell us what the answer is. I could really care less what anyone does as long as there are not encroaching on me when I'm out. A Local, backyard tournament pro want to be or KVD. I have my space, you have your. I have to deal with tool bags all week at working. I choose not to deal with any on my weekends or my time.

[Spankey]

There is a certain amount of ethics that go along with fishing, hunting, shooting sports etc. And if people don’t quite understand it, they need to be called out. Just the way it is. 

 

Now I’m pretty much a laid back guy. Easy going and a decent guy, so I’m told. Can roll with a lot of things. 

 

But if I’m interfered with I’ll be in ones face. Some guys need to grow a set of nuts instead of getting stepped on. 

[Fishes in trees]

Changing the subject slightly, on reflection, I've been "that guy".  Im my case, going down a tree line, kinda off the bank, kinda not,  pitching 10" worms to the tree trunk, letting them drop to bottom (12 to 20 feet) trying to take the sun & wind into account, how exactly are those fish positioned in relation to the tree . . .  I'm in my own head and NOT thinking about anything else.  I'm watching the trees, the wind, angle of the sun, it is a lot to think about and then 15 minutes go by, maneuvering according to how the trees are laid out, not much else and all of a sudden I hear a HEY - WATCH OUT!!.  I'm 20 feet from a guy going the other way - never saw him.  Guy says didn't you see me and I've got to say no and I know how stupid that sounds.   I know I can say didn't you see me, but what's the point?   At this point, all you can say is sorry & move on.  Sometimes out on the water I just get in my own head and there is lots of stuff I don't see.   I know folks can say PAY ATTENTION, but in fact there are many things to pay attention to and you can't attend to everything so every now and then I have an OOPS.  

 

I suspect that in many of these situations described, something similar has happened and 2 different areas of attention collided.

[Heartland]

This thread serves as a reminder to me as to why I have chose to make fishing a hobby rather than a sport.  Relaxing and fun outweigh the self induced stress of a competitive event.

 

[NYWayfarer]

Rudeness is becoming the norm nowadays. As we raise a generation that texts rather than communicate by looking someone in the eye it is only going to get worse.

 

The part of the Lord’s Prayer, “As we forgive those who trespass against us” has become my manta. I mumble it under my breath a lot while driving, in stores and while fishing.

[N Florida Mike]

Believe it or not, I have never had 1 problem with a tournament fisherman , Maybe its the way I look. , and my 2 sons are bigger than me.

Im like the verse in that Charlie Daniels song ..." I wouldnt harm a mouse, but if I catch somebody breaking in my house "... 

Ive had a lot more trouble with nominal fisherman, boaters who dont realize fisherman exist, and lake owners who think they own the water near their property.

I had many verbal confrontations, ( and several physical ones ) as a young man before I realized that " do unto others as you would have them do  unto you " is a command and not a suggestion.

I still get mad because Im human and the best thing for me is to get away from the conflict before it gets ugly.

 

[OCdockskipper]

On 3/8/2019 at 9:35 AM, Choporoz said:

...You would be absolutely contributing to the exact sort of friction and interactions that most here have said is a problem...

Not necessarily.  A majority of folks who pull those stunts are basically just being rude because they believe they can.  They have a bully mentality, and as long as no one stands up to them, they will continue their ways.  As soon as someone confronts them, they back down, often cowardly.

 

There are many ways to confront folks without inciting violence.  A calm voice, talking about the action & not the person and being gracious if & when they apologize.  In a way, it is a bit like parenting a disobedient child, which makes sense because their actions resemble those of a spoiled brat.

On 3/9/2019 at 4:04 AM, Spankey said:

There is a certain amount of ethics that go along with fishing, hunting, shooting sports etc...

I agree, although I would substitute the word "etiquette" for "ethics".  Many people associate the word etiquette with snooty, high society, but it really means nothing more than the customary code for polite behavior among members of a particular profession or group.

[greentrout]

 

[Sam]

NH Bull, let me join the choir.

 

In Virginia we have some steep turns and narrow waterways, even on our rivers, that create a hazardous situation all the time.

 

Guys fly up and down the waterways as if they own the water.

 

A few times I was almost thrown out of the boat from their wake. Had to hold onto the seat pedestal for balance.

 

So what can be done? Nothing. No way to patrol the speed of individual boats  so it is up to the boat's operator to operate the boat in a safe and friendly manner.

 

Have I run too fast for the conditions? Yes, one time. Never again. Missed a fallen tree in the water by inches. Swore after that that it is not necessary to go fast when conditions dictate against going fast.