How do boat fishermen really feel about kayak anglers?

[YaknBassn]

I figure the majority guys on this site fish from bass boats.  I'm curious to know how they REALLY feel about kayak anglers on the water, especially on the main lake.

 

I went from fishing from a boat to strictly kayak fishing.  Kayak fishing has exploded in popularity since I made the jump.  I feel like coming from a boat first and understanding the laws on the water was very useful.  With kayaks being as cheap as $200, you get people on the lakes that have no clue.  

[slonezp]

Why?

[YaknBassn]

1 minute ago, slonezp said:

Why?

Just curious.

[Sam]

No problem.

 

The kayakers have their rights and we respect them.

 

And we watch for them to make sure we don't hit them.

[slonezp]

5 minutes ago, YaknBassn said:

Just curious.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it but the way the question is posed it sounds like you are getting negative reactions from boaters while out on the lake. As long as your kayak isn't a wake boat...

[YaknBassn]

I think we all dislike the wake boats lol

 

I've had guys make comments my direction just for fishing a main lake ledge, like I've no business there because I'm in a a kayak.  There have even been guys that idle close, then throttle down just to create wake.  Even had a fella tell me that I shouldn't be using a boat ramp, because I'm not launching a motor boat.  I know that's probably the minority.  Most people don't say anything at all.  Some strike up conversation because they're genuinely interested to know how fishing works from a 12' plastic boat. 

[NYWayfarer]

I have had boaters give me the side eye for fishing “their spot” It’s usually the run and gunners who speed to a spot, fish and then speed off.

 

In a kayak I am not going anywhere fast and it bothers folks. 

[Russ E]

i own a fishing Kayak and a Bass Boat. I have no issues with Kayak fishermen.

I do have a problem with some pleasure Kayakers. 

A couple of the local lakes are very popular with the kayak crowd.

They tend to cruise around the lakes close to shore.

I have had multiple times, that i would be fishing a shoreline and a couple of them would cut between me and the shore.

I usually just let them go by, but some of them are rude. Those individuals have had baits land close to their boat.

[MassYak85]

23 minutes ago, Russ E said:

i own a fishing Kayak and a Bass Boat. I have no issues with Kayak fishermen.

I do have a problem with some pleasure Kayakers. 

A couple of the local lakes are very popular with the kayak crowd.

They tend to cruise around the lakes close to shore.

I have had multiple times, that i would be fishing a shoreline and a couple of them would cut between me and the shore.

I usually just let them go by, but some of them are rude. Those individuals have had baits land close to their boat.

This, boat or kayak if I am fishing a popular lake/river (more so on rivers actually) it's pretty frequent that pleasure kayaks will cut in close to shore. It doesn't usually bother me since they probably don't know any better and of everyone on the lake kayaks have the quietest presence so I doubt it runs the fish off too bad. 

[NorcalBassin]

They make me a little nervous when they're out in the middle of the lake with no clear markers or anything to make them standout from the water or horizon. As far as fishing goes, that's pretty terrible to hear some boaters act as though you're not just as entitled as them to fish any spot you can get to.

 

As far as slowing down off plane to create a wake... I'd be willing to bet at least some of those boaters feel they're being kind by going slower in your presence not realizing they're actually making things much worse. 

[YaknBassn]

1 minute ago, NorcalBassin said:

They make me a little nervous when they're out in the middle of the lake with no clear markers or anything to make them standout from the water or horizon. As far as fishing goes, that's pretty terrible to hear some boaters act as though you're not just as entitled as them to fish any spot you can get to.

 

As far as slowing down off plane to create a wake... I'd be willing to bet at least some of those boaters feel they're being kind by going slower in your presence not realizing they're actually making things much worse. 

I shouldn't have said throttle down.  I meant the opposite.

 

But that does bring up a good point.  I'd so much rather boats just stay on plane.  I know folks mean when well when they slow down, but the wake that's created is rough. 

[A-Jay]

I've spent a fair amount of time on the water behind the wheel of many different types of power driven vessels as well as paddle powered crafts.  While under power & especially on plane, I'm following the rules of the road, keeping a safe distance from all vessels including kayaks. 

 While fishing from my canoe, while I 'can' fish where ever I want, I will rarely allow my safety to be dictated by another person's vigilance - or lack there of.

Meaning, I'm not ever putting myself anywhere near anyone who can kill me - regardless if I have 'the right to be there' or not.  Falls under the rule of gross tonnage. I'd also have the right to end up in a body bag.  If you choose to take that risk - that's your business. 

 At the very least get something like this ~

Please know that it can only help if & when the person operating / navigating the other vessel, is actually looking where they're going and or not some how otherwise distracted.

Good Luck.

A-Jay

 

[Bluebasser86]

I have both, so my opinion may not be the one you're looking for, but to me as long as they're respectful and courteous, I do the same. It's usually not a problem, it's the clueless pleasure kayakers that will paddle between me and the bank if I was 2 rod lengths off the bank. I sometimes wonder if some of them aren't anti-fishing and that's why they do it.

[GReb]

The only time I get annoyed with kayakers is up river when they are in the channel which is only about 15 yards wide. Come around the bend and they’re right in the middle of your lane

[Junger]

I usually have no problems with kayak fishermen, I fish both yaks and in my little boat. 

 

I have more problems with leisure kayakers, they usually take a path between my boat and the bank when I'm clearly casting to the bank, or they will sit at the BOAT ramp with their kayak chit chatting away with other people while there's a line of boats waiting to come in.

[Glaucus]

This isn't about anyone here, but boaters in real life tend to feel and show superiority and once in awhile you'll even find threads on here bashing yakers. I guess their money makes them big. 

[soflabasser]

4 hours ago, YaknBassn said:

I figure the majority guys on this site fish from bass boats.  I'm curious to know how they REALLY feel about kayak anglers on the water, especially on the main lake.

 

I went from fishing from a boat to strictly kayak fishing.  Kayak fishing has exploded in popularity since I made the jump.  I feel like coming from a boat first and understanding the laws on the water was very useful.  With kayaks being as cheap as $200, you get people on the lakes that have no clue.  

A kayak is a type of boat so I do not see why boaters would dislike them unless they do not want the kayakers fishing their ''spot''. People can have no clue on a boat as well and I know several of them here in Florida. These are boaters who spend thousands of dollars on bass fishing every year and do not even have a single 8 pound bass to show for it while many land based bass fishermen have lost count of the 8 pound or better bass they have caught from the bank.

3 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

I have had boaters give me the side eye for fishing “their spot” It’s usually the run and gunners who speed to a spot, fish and then speed off.

 

In a kayak I am not going anywhere fast and it bothers folks. 

I have encountered similar boaters and they can be quite annoying with the way they speed in front of a kayak or person fishing from the shore. Those are the type of people I won't invite fishing with me and the type of people I say I caught nothing when they approach me with their boat (even if I caught a big bass earlier in the day).

[Glaucus]

3 hours ago, YaknBassn said:

I think we all dislike the wake boats lol

 

I've had guys make comments my direction just for fishing a main lake ledge, like I've no business there because I'm in a a kayak.  There have even been guys that idle close, then throttle down just to create wake.  Even had a fella tell me that I shouldn't be using a boat ramp, because I'm not launching a motor boat.  I know that's probably the minority.  Most people don't say anything at all.  Some strike up conversation because they're genuinely interested to know how fishing works from a 12' plastic boat. 

All major problems we all experience with boaters. I actually watched one of my favorite yak anglers on YouTube some weeks ago almost get sunk by a jerk in a boat who was mad about a spot. Dude cussed him out and tried to create big waves to flip him. I've seen it. Felt it. Many have. You'll find threads on every fishing forum bashing the lowly yaker because we need to roll out a red carpet for the 60k bass boat and say yes sir and no sir. I have some animosity from experience and words read.

[scaleface]

When I fish  from a kayak , canoe or peilcan type boat  it isnt  in big waters where big wakes are inevitable . I choose smaller , quieter , safer waters and catch a lot of   bass doing so .  

[Oregon Native]

Our actions speak louder than words.....my only complaint for the most part about Yaks is and boats do this too they are just bigger is "NO LIGHTS".  And....rude and #@!$ people suck where ever they appear.

Sorry....worlds getting smaller and we need to get along and share.

[Crow Horse]

The potential issues shared above are precisely why we don't fish bodies of water that allow motorized vessels. Years ago I lived on the water as my backyard was the bay. Every year there would be boating accidents mostly fueled by either alcohol, ignorance or stupidity. Many times there were fatalities. I have no intention of meeting the county coroner before my time........

[Crow Horse]

Not the best pic, but it does display my "headlights as well as the 360° viewable white stern light. A flag would be prudent if sharing with motorized vessels during the day.... * Note - bow handle was a work in progress....

[CroakHunter]

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

When I fish  from a kayak , canoe or peilcan type boat  it isnt  in big waters where big wakes are inevitable . I choose smaller , quieter , safer waters and catch a lot of   bass doing so .  

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

[N Florida Mike]

I have had more rude boaters than kayakers. The only time Ive gotten really angry at kayakers was when we were saltwater creek fishing and trying to outrun a storm back to the ramp. We came up behind a pod of kayakers and they would not get out of the way so we tried to pass and got stuck on a sandbar. We were not trying to speed pass them fast and maybe swamp them, but just pass them. The wind was blowing right in our faces at that part of the creek, and they were going very slow. It took us awhile to get off the bar, and then get back to the ramp and they had just got there and were VERY slowly loading up.  ( picture a sloth doing it ) , all while the storm is bearing down. I finally backed the trailer down between them, almost getting stuck again on the dirt/sand ramp. I literally could not say a word to them because I knew at that point it would not be good.

I own a kayak, J.boat, and bass hunter, but I use the JB the most. I could write a book on all the jerk boaters I have encountered through the years, and landowners as I was fishing by them. Kayakers?  not so much.

[BoatSquirrel]

Has everyone else seen guy paddling across the middle of the busy lake in low light conditions with no lights/flag and wondered how he was still alive?  I am amazed some guys are brave enough to fish big lakes offshore in a kayak.  Seems like riding a bike on an interstate.  But hey, if thats where the bite is...

I limit mine to small, less busy water.