My boating etiquette issue.

[Pkfish49]

This wasn’t a big deal, but a few days ago, myself and another boater briefly took away each other’s peace.  I’d like some advice about boating etiquette, and would like to know whether either of us behaved inappropriately. 
 

I’m on a small lake with very few boats.  This is a non-tournament situation.  At the beginning of the day, as I headed out to a spot, I noticed another angler on the water and approached him to ask how he was doing.  He told me how his day was going.  I then brought up how I did yesterday, and since he caught more, I asked for some advice. After a brief conversation, I moved out of his way.  We fished in the same general area for a while.
 

Four hours later, as I was trolling toward the other side of the lake, I saw the same man fishing close to shore.  I approached him from behind and asked how he was doing.  He told me how his day was going so far, then said, “Hey man, I don’t mind you asking how I’m doing, but you’re creating a big wake and spooking the fish.”  I replied, “I’ll be out of your way in a second,” and proceeded to head away.  He replied, “No problem.”
 

One specific question:  Can my trolling motor really create enough of a wake to spook the Largemouth Bass he was targeting?  I stopped the motor when I was close enough for us to hear each other, but I did approach him at full speed.  My internet research tells me that it couldn’t have been more than 5 MPH.  Should I have approached him at a slower speed?
 

Also, since I approached him from behind, my voice may have startled the other angler.  The trolling motor (when fully submerged as it was) isn’t loud enough to cause attention.  Would it have been more appropriate for me to have taken the time to approach him from the side, so he could have seen me coming?
 

Also, even if the wake and my inquiry could have decreased his fish count (by a little bit) what’s the big deal?  This wasn’t a tournament, and and there was a good seven hours of daylight left?  Should he have spoken to me differently?  This wasn’t a confrontation, but there was clearly aggravation in his voice.
 

Again, not a big deal, but I needed to rant, and would like advice from more experienced boaters and anglers.

[Bird]

Some fisherman simply don't want to be bothered, just the way it is. 

 

If it were me you approached, I'd give you the bait that I've been catching them on.

 

Don't worry to much about it and continue being yourself regardless of interactions with others. 

[FishinBuck07]

Some fisherman just think they are pros!  Don't worry about it, keep being friendly man!

[Glenn]

Meh.  He might have been trying to trophy bass hunt, which usually requires absolute stealth. 

 

But still, no big deal in the grand scheme of things.  He let you know, you moved on.  Done deal....respectfully I might add.  That's about as much as you can ask for.

 

 

[Mobasser]

I wouldn't worry about this. He probably just didn't want to talk much, and focus on fishing

[Jig Man]

Well I don’t go to the lake to visit.  I go to fish.  I don’t approach others and don’t want to be approached.

[DitchPanda]

Everybody has a little different outlook on this. I have no issue if people stop and ask how it's going or what I'm throwing it what I'm catching. Don't even care if people ask to fish close to me..but if there a cast length of closer I'd like them to ask first which I don't feel is unreasonable. What I don't like is somebody standing close enough to pick my pocket. A few springs ago me and a couple buddies are fishing a local lake for big gills when a dude walks up and starts fishing basically hip to hip with my buddy Todd without saying a word. Todd and his brother both kept cool but after a few minutes I just turned to the guy and said do we know you? He just grabbed his stuff and walked away. Maybe not the coolest thing I could do but definitely not the worst...I've got limited patience for lack of respect of personal space like that especially when fishing.

[Pkfish49]

Appreciate the replies.  I should have realized that he didn't want to be bothered after the first time I spoke with him.  He was polite, but his answers were terse and he didn't offer anything.  He just briefly replied to my inquiries.  

 

 

[Teal]

Some don't want to be intruded on.    It really doesn't matter.   Just keep being friendly, the world we live in could use a little more of that right now.   

[GreenPig]

If I'm fishing by myself it's because I want to be alone. The dock/ramp is where I'll tell you I was catching them on a Chartreuse 3/8 ounce Rattling Beetle Spin every other cast. Many will do exactly what you did but drop a waypoint on that spot that somebody else worked to find.

[Hammer 4]

My Son and I were fishing during a WON tourney..We had several guys that were in the tournament ask if they could fish the spots we were fishing. I always said yes, and we slowly backed away, being these guys were fishing for $$$. 

 

Seems like every time one of us would catch a bass, another would ask, can I fish through. Well after about 6 or 7 guys, I/we became somewhat agitated, but never let it show. We just moved as far away from the majority of boats as possible.

 

At the end of the day, come to find out, had we entered we would have had a 3rd place finish..We weighed all of our fish, just for the heck of it. We had a great day despite all the interruptions. Also, we were fishing heavy cover, so close quarter stealth was the name of the game. I don't recall any of those guys catching anything in taking over our spots.

 

Just a side note, we have always done pretty dang well at this lake.     

[RoLo]

 

36 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

Many will do exactly what you did but drop a waypoint on that spot that somebody else worked to find.

 

Your post takes me back to my saltwater years. 

Back then, we used Loran-C, which was the predecessor to GPS.

If you had fish flying over the rail, there was a good chance you were being watched thru binoculars.

You see a cabin cruiser off your port bow, he's moving courteously slow and at a respectable distance.

The captain delivers a friendly wave with one hand, as he punches 'save' on the Loran with his other hand.

 

Roger

 

 

[A-Jay]

6 hours ago, RoLo said:

 

 

Your post takes me back to my saltwater years. 

Back then, we used Loran-C, which was the predecessor to GPS.

If you had fish flying over the rail, there was a good chance you were being watched thru binoculars.

You see a cabin cruiser off your port bow, he's moving courteously slow and at a respectable distance.

The captain delivers a friendly wave with one hand, as he punches 'save' on the Loran with his other hand.

 

Roger

 

 

 Loran C was pretty decent - a sight better than Loran A - 

First time I saw that mess I couldn't believe folks were actually navigating with this thing . . .

And the unit was huge.

When I think about how precise the units are in my rig now, I just shake my head.

A-Jay

 

[MGF]

Last Sunday I hunted a swollen river for several hours to find fish. I finally found one little protected spot with a few active fish. I had one follow and caught two nice bass. I never found another spot like it. If somebody would have motored into the middle of it to talk they would have blown my whole weekend. I'm sorry, that's a very big deal. What do tournaments have to do with it? I'm out there to fish.

 

I NEVER approach anybody while they are fishing. A wave or long distance inquiry maybe but I never approach. I guess that means that I don't want to be approached.

[Armtx77]

I dont approach people, but sometimes back in the marsh, there may be several guys in a small cut that is big enough for two boats.

 

That can be interesting, especially since I am usually in my YAK.

[WRB]

Our small freeway lakes have lots of boating traffic so the bass are use to boat noise.

It does bother me when someone moves in on where I am fishing and stops to fish within a casting distance. There is 1 local "pro" angler known for stopping to chat and getting close (a boat length) for the  purpose to seeing what you are using. I have had some "words" with local guides moving in on my spot, anchoring to bait fish. I feel I am there 1st they should back off until I leave. It's public water and some anglers feel they have a right to fish next to you and legally they do, ethically they don't. Use common sense and stay at least a casting distance (150') away.

Tom

[looking45]

My guess is the guy was trying to politely tell you to stop "bothering" him. I don't mind someone asking me what's going on, i'm don't need/want  him to come up to me every time he sees me. As someone else mentioned, talked to me at the dock or in the parking lot

[Shimano_1]

I don't think you did anything wrong but like others have mentioned I'd guess the guy just didn't wanna be bothered.  Doesnt mean he was thinking he's a pro or being a jerk, some people just like their alone time. I deal with the rigors of everyday life all week. When I get on the water I want to relax and focus on fishing.  I wouldn't likely be rude but I'd rather not be bothered myself.  Just use it as a lesson learned and in that regard it was a positive experience.  

[RoLo]

13 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Loran C was pretty decent - a sight better than Loran A - 

First time I saw that mess I couldn't believe folks were actually navigating with this thing . . .

And the unit was huge.

When I think about how precise the units are in my rig now, I just shake my head.

A-Jay

 

 

Good seeing someone whose familiar with Loran,  we're not a large crowd ?

Mine was an archaic Texas Instruments Loran with single readout. That is to say, the readout alternated

between Lat & Lon, but never displayed both at once. Adding salt to the wound, my Loran unit broke-down

about a week before a Mako tournament out of Manasquan Inlet. Didn't want to miss that tourney,

so I picked up an RDF unit.

 

Back on Topic

With my Loran in the shop, I bounced RDF off the Asbury Park radio tower.

My wife & I motored 42 miles offshore, where there wasn't another boat in sight

and no horizon for hours. How would I have felt if 'one' other boat approached our boat? 

A little sick inside.

 

Roger. 

 

 

 

[TnRiver46]

If a boat comes toward me, I assume it’s the game warden and start frantically trying to pull up my license on my phone 

[J Francho]

You didn't really do anything wrong, and he told you what would make him more comfortable.  I think the exchange went as well as it could, and better than most on the water confrontations.  

[WRB]

The ocean is big water and when over the horizon you are dependant on navigational aides. Before Loran we relied on maps, compass and radio direction. Loran C was good if you were located within range, GPS is a satilite overhead not a shore tower. We thought knowing where you were within 100' was special, now GPS maping is accurate with 3' or less. Ocean tournament boats before Loran used radio signals and radar to find you, if you talked to another boat. Some boats hired swordfish spotter planes to keep track on boats catching fish. It was amazing being all alone on a big fish then have a few boats running to your location, slow down and start trolling lures around you.

It's not just bass anglers who push your buttons.

Tom

[PhishLI]

18 hours ago, Pkfish49 said:

Again, not a big deal, but I needed to rant, and would like advice from more experienced boaters and anglers.

If I'm anchored up or spot locked and working an area I'm not going to love the idea of a total stranger rolling into my zone, regardless of their smile. I'd expect that another boater would not appreciate it at all if I rolled up on them in the same situation. If I pass someone when we're both on the move, no problemo. I may chat if I'm not in a rush or in the mood. If I like their vibe I won't tell them which bait is the worst possible choice or direct them to the deadest part of the lake ?

[RFSims]

I give other anglers/boaters their space and I expect them to give me mine. I do not appreciate another angler/boater to intrude the area I am fishing just to make conversation and especially to cut me off. Occasionally I may run into another angler when both of us are fishing the banks on opposite sides of a point. In that case asking how one is doing is no big deal. Neither of us invaded the other's space. Just happened. Tournament situation has no bearing. If you want to talk with me on the ramp, I am happy to oblige.

[Columbia Craw]

It's the life is like a box of chocolates thing.  If you approached me, I would have enjoyed the visit and the exchange. You just happened to have picked one of the creams.☺️