On The Water Etiquette

[Skunkmaster-k]

Maybe the high school coach thought Todd’s name was Richard Cranium. 

[WRB]

The older we get the more syndical we become from life experiences. 

At one point decades ago we had a sportsmanship ethic based on the Golden Rule. Today it’s all about me generation, my boat is faster so a race to prime spots happens with every cash tournament. We see this playing out all the time on our local lakes and TV coverage.

It’s crazy out on the water today and to be honest has been for a few decades.

Tom

[RDB]

57 minutes ago, J._Bricker said:

Very true Rick, but this is a “pro” that really didn’t act the part in this instance. We can agree that the pro in question is an accomplished angler. After all he did pick up a fourth place check in his respective derby. The other boat was high school kids with an adult boat captain, which collectively may or may not know the unwritten rules of tournament etiquette. But a “pro” should understand this and give the inexperienced anglers a little slack and show some class. Unfortunately, this just didn’t happen in the video….

 

I get it…he was obviously frustrated.  I think many believe that because they are pro’s, they handle things differently.  I have spent a decent amount of time fishing with and following pro’s and they can be extremely salty.  I have seen guys like KVD dress people down for way less.  It happens in all sports.  Last night Luka (Mavericks) had to be separated from a fan.  I also get it from the pro’s perspective.  This is how they make their living and it’s hard enough to cash a check to make ends meet without having to deal the crazy on the water issues.  I’m not justifying how he handled the situation though in my experience, his reaction was pretty calm compared to a lot of pro’s.  I have a hard time judging because if someone was potentially influencing how I support my family, I’m not sure how I would handle it.  I don’t make a living fishing and I still don’t always handle it in the most appropriate manner.

[MassYak85]

I rarely deal with anything like this but there's been a couple times. When it's clear what's about to happen I will absolutely BOMB a cast in the direction I'm already fishing, usually this will land close to where the boat is intending on going before they actually get there. That combined with a friendly wave and a smile gives the "hey a-hole, you know what you did" impression without having to say anything. If they still get close I'll glady fish behind people to try and rub it in a bit.

[gim]

I don’t remember the last time I had an issue with another bass angler, much less another angler in general. I’ve had a few boats surround me when I started catching sizable crappies in the spring, but I have literally have never had a confrontation with another boat when I’m bass fishing in almost 25 years.

 

The rudeness I encounter is from recreational boats. It used to be jet skis and tubers. Nowadays it’s almost exclusively from wake boats.

[soflabasser]

I have noticed that people have become more aggressive and selfish during the past 2.5 years of the pandemic. We are living during a time in history with a pandemic, war, inflation, and other things that make people behave in ways they did not did before. It is best to stay away from these types of people and wish them well. Smile and walk away if anyone is being a jerk while fishing, it is not worth confronting these types of people. Consider it a compliment if they want to fish where you are, it shows you know something they do not. If you are a good fisherman you can always catch fish almost anywhere you go.

On 5/4/2022 at 6:45 AM, Tennessee Boy said:

The only rules for fishing etiquette that exist are the ones we choose for our own behavior.  You cannot expect others to live by your rules.  The higher your standards are,  the more people you will encounter that violate them.  It’s part of fishing and part of life. 

Well said.

[Zcoker]

I wonder how Mike Iaconelli would've handled this one LoL. 

[Darth-Baiter]

I would have leap-frogged his butt and kept fishing.  I’m on a slow kayak, and it happens all the time. I love it when I catch a bass right next to them and it explodes out of the water right next to them.  
 

‘’in the end, it’s just fishing for me. Fun.  I move aside for tournament people usually.  It’s not fun debating against folks in the water.  
 

I had a tourney guy bad mouthing me to his co-angler after I left them and found my own open water.  Thankfully I was catching and catching. I kept silent.  
 

‘’you don’t know how many times I’m pedaling to a spot only to have a bass boat rip in last minute.  It happens.  

[gulfcaptain]

On 5/5/2022 at 5:43 PM, J._Bricker said:

Very true Rick, but this is a “pro” that really didn’t act the part in this instance. We can agree that the pro in question is an accomplished angler. After all he did pick up a fourth place check in his respective derby. The other boat was high school kids with an adult boat captain, which collectively may or may not know the unwritten rules of tournament etiquette. But a “pro” should understand this and give the inexperienced anglers a little slack and show some class. Unfortunately, this just didn’t happen in the video….

 

I believe  he did show some class. You defending the actions of an adult who cut off someone, name called with kids in the boat,  is hard to take. The lack of understanding and knowing on the water  etiquette and rules doesn't give this so called coach any pass. He should know, he should conduct himself as such. Ignorance  is no excuse. You cut me off I'm gonna drift in on you, cast, let you know without  words you're  a schmuck. He new he was in the wrong by not looking up. Can't defend poor judgment  in adults. This adult made himself look bad,  his on the water actions in front of the two kids should be addressed by the directors  if he's found out.  Those two boys deserve better then a name calling coach who doesn't know how to act on the water. 

[Woody B]

Yesterday when I was unhooking a 2 pound bass a guy swoops in right in front of me.  Like 30 feet in front.  He wouldn't even look my way.  He was throwing a spinnerbait and reeling it in so fast if was almost at the surface.  (wasn't going to catch anything).   I cast right where he had just cast and caught a 4 pound bass.  I yelled "Hey *****, you forgot this". and held it up.   He started his boat and left.   

[Trox]

It's the rec boats that think it's ok to pass within 50ft of my vessel that absolutely blow me away... I can deal with a lot, but that stuff will have me ending my day early for sanity sake... At least the bass fishermen know they are being a-holes. It's the complete unawareness that gets me