Advice on rude bank anglers?

[N Florida Mike]

I could write a book ...

It sounds to me in the 2 incidents that novice fishermen see a lone person fishing and think he must be where the fish are otherwise he wouldn’t be there... so they get as close as possible. I think I would have done the same thing you did.

I am very laid back about most things. I am a people person .  But there are a few things  that still  get me very angry. Kids getting in the way are not one of them. One of them is adults that are violating my space while Im fishing. 

I was surf fishing with my son and a friend. We were on the beach as the sun came up. Nobody else on the beach. 2 casts =2 fish.We’re thinking its going to be a great day.

We hear voices. People coming over the dune. Surfers. One goes directly in front of me, one directly in front of my son, one directly in front of my friend. I couldnt believe it. The one in front of me snagged my line somehow with the fin. He was spooling me. Im yelling. He cant hear me ( or is ignoring me ) I tightened down the drag. Saw the rig come up over the fin, just missed his leg. Dont think he even knew.

I was waiting for him when he came in. I told him what happened in a loud voice and asked him , not nicely , why he couldnt just move down the beach some. He actually complied. His buddies didnt though. About 10 minutes later my son said he was  starting to get mad , my friend as well, so we left. To me ,that was rude behavior. Knowing how I get , more than once I’ve just left before I get into it with someone, so something like this wont happen:

 

[Bluebasser86]

I get enough arguing and altercating at work, I don't need it when I'm fishing. I'll go catch them somewhere else.

[Hammer 4]

So, I've been watching and thinking about this subject, and have a couple thoughts on it.

 

I've fished almost every city park pond/lake in L.A. and Orange counties, one thing I've noticed especially among younger and newer anglers is, they seem to gravitate towards guys that 1. look like they know what they are doing, and or the guys that has 3 to 6 rods and a bag packed with lures, maybe they figure that if they fish close enough some of the bass/fish just might get caught by them. Of course they have no way of knowing If the guy they moved in on is a good or knowledgeable fisherman or not, but they feel their odds are better that way.

 

Then there's the guy that figures being close to another angler ups his odds of landing some fish, had that happen more often than not.

 

Now for the bucket brigade. Some of these guys think because that caught a fish in a spot close to where you already were at, that they have rights to that spot regardless of who's there and that tossing 1 oz torpedo sinkers won't spook any fish your fishing for. Then there's the guy with his bucket, a fold up chair, 2 10' rods and rod holders, that claims he's been using this or that spot for years..yeah right, never seen your face before in the last 4 years bud.

 

In all these examples, I have Politely asked them to give me some space, especially when a guy stops and starts casting within 6 to 8 feet of me. I explain that I'm fan casting, almost always have to explain what that is to them. About 10% of them will move, the other 90% say they have a Right to fish where they want, regardless if someone is close by.

 

Being old, and somewhat stubborn, and have given way in the past, I for the most part refuse to move, If I'm catching fish, I fall back on the old, have some Respect for your elders sometimes and it works. A fishing spot imho is not something to have to resort to fisticuffs. Maybe there should  be an etiquette quiz in order to get a fishing licence, 

[Koz]

I've been on this earth for a while now and it seems to me that there's a lot more rudeness and self righteousness than ever before. Many people feel entitled to do what they want whenever they want regardless of rules or etiquette.

 

It also seems that we're all more prone to anger when we feel we have not been treated properly or feel infringed upon. That's a dangerous combination.

 

I can get just as angry as the next guy, but maybe after all these years I realize it's just not worth it. In my mind there's F-bombs and fists flying but it's more prudent just to walk away and live another day.

[roadwarrior]

I think we have covered it all.

 

Good night Irene.