Boat/Fishing Etiquette

[Lard_Bass]

Ok, I have to ask this because I am curious to what is proper etiquette when fishing from a boat on a particular area.  One morning, I came to a point that had a boat parked right at the point with 2 people fishing from the boat.  I didn't fish the area but watched from a distance until they cleared out.  Well, I get to the area and, after 15-25 minutes of fishing, I catch a couple nice bass. 

Well, 10 minutes later, a guy in his bass boat trolls right between my boat and the shoreline (basically to the area where I was casting).   He trolled around for about 15 minutes on top of the weed bed, casting his spinner, caught nothing and left.  I was still able to catch 2 more fish trying to manuever around him.  This area was not big and only about 50-60 feet from shore. What is proper boat etiquette for fishing an area?  I hate crowding around boats and if there is one boat on a point, I'll fish the complete other side or give the other boat lots of room.  Just curious.

[done]

As you will see from the many etiquette threads on this board, it is a dead idea. That dude was a dick. I can see sharing a large cove and working behind the dude that was there first. Gunning to his spot and throwing on top of him. he was a dick.

However, I see this all the time. Had one dude run in on  me once nearly cut my line with his prop. Then he turns and says "hey! Anything biting?". Oblivious, completely oblivious.

[Lard_Bass]

I don't want to get boat "rage" but I was seriously ticked.  Instances like mine sometimes ruin a good / relaxing time on the water.

A couple of weekends ago, I was trolling about 5-10 feet from docks.  A boat coming from my right (perpendicular) was making a slow approach so I slowed down because I thought he was trying to get into a dock.  Instead, he pulled right in front of me (less than 2 feet from my boat).  My jaw hit the ground.  There wasn't another boat on this lake but he found it so important to pull in front of mine and fish.

One of my co-workers strongly believes that boaters should go through some certification (or forced to get a boating license).  While it won't prevent poor etiquette, it could limit the amount of jerks on the water.  I am beginning to like his idea.

[urban_angler28]

that has happen to me so many times since i got my boat. but the worst is when your bank fishing and someone in the nicest bass boat comes and cast where your fishing. its like you can fish anywhere in the whole lake or river why bug someone stuck on shore, so stupid.

[marinetech]

bounce a nice big crankbait off his boat !

[Pantera61]

bounce a nice big crankbait off his boat !

or a 1 oz Hopkin's spoon off the top of his noggin.

[Nitrofreak]

No matter where you go this is going to happen it will not matter how many schools you send these people to they just simply are not capable of learning.

The skills to perform the motor function of turning the trolling motor in the opposite direction is beyond their 1st grade minds it just can't be done!!

Although it would be nice if you could some how remotely turn off their electronics if they come within say...100 feet. : ;D

But the answer to your question as a kind act would be at the very least 100 feet.

[fmoore]

Although it may be hard to comprehend for those of us who have been fishing for years, some of these people don't mean any harm, they just don't know any better. Those are the ones I don't make a big deal of.

The ones who know full well what they're doing are the ones who get hell.

[done]

Although it may be hard to comprehend for those of us who have been fishing for years, some of these people don't mean any harm, they just don't know any better. Those are the ones I don't make a big deal of.

The ones who know full well what they're doing are the ones who get hell.

You know, that is why I take my grandfather. AT his age (75) he does not have time or patience for people. He also does not feel obliged to keep quiet. LOL.

A good example, where we bowl, there were a group of mentally handicapped folks from a group home who bowled in our league. They knew nothing of bowling etiquette, nor did their chaperon. These folks were horrible to bowl near. None of us felt it right to give handicapped folks hell. Until the day one of them ran up and almost over my grandfather when it was his turn. To everyone's horror, he gently grabbed the young man (I am guessing he was 25) by the shoulders, sat him down and sternly explained all the rules of the lanes to him. The funny part was they ALL learned the rule that day, and actually became the most polite bowlers on the lanes.

In the same way, you do that when I have gramps on the boat, you will hear hell. He is gonna get us shot some day.

On the flip side, I am willing to rent him out to anyone else having issues on their lake. lol.

[Catt]

First to arrive to the spot has it...first to leave loses that spot

I close do I fish to another boat?

Twice as far as I can cast!

How would I've reacted to this situation?

I would have confronted him respectfully to see where it would go.

[Sfritr]

50 yards minimum distance from another angler.  And I say minimum...

That guy would have had a 3/4 oz jig on his seat, period.   my response:  "oops sorry, didn't see you..."

[Sfritr]

Then, calmly trim up the motor all the way pull about perpindicular and wash his ***.... Then go find a new spot 8-)

[fishfordollars]

Learn to deal with it. If you let it get to you your done and a day is ruined.

Long Mike and i had boats so close to us this weekend on fork we were talking to them and still catching fish. They were to. they all(We) knew we weren't supposed to be that close together, but noone said a word. It was just understood that there were going to be boats all over each other and noone let it get to them. We actually met some nice guys and women while we were within a cast of each other.

I have never let it get to me and I have had some crazy things done to me while on the water. I just refuse to let it ruin my day.

Two cast lenghts if i have to set a distance.

FYI, a school of fish came up forty yards from the boat while we were all fishing and talking, I hit the TM, and went out there to try to pick an under out of the school. Another boat from Louisiana did the same. Did I get upset, heck no I just droped a trap in the middle of them and caught a bass weighing 6 lbs 14 oz. We shared information(I told the other boats we were fishing against what i caught it on down to the size and color) with every boat that we talked to and they did the same.

Ya'll just need to relax and go fish.

[K_Mac]

I understand the frustration of fishing with idiots. You find them every place you go. As already mentioned, many of these people don't have a clue. While I've tried to enlighten a few over the years, most of the time it is like with a two year old child; they don't get it, and it will make you nuts. I still try from time to time, but Jack is right. Life is too short to let fools ruin your day.

[DINK WHISPERER]

My BIGGEST issue on the lake is with the d**n air boaters! They will blow by you and darn near run you over if you let them!!!  >

[Tpayneful]

If a guy is getting two close I let him know about it. Then I whip out my phone and take a picture of him. Then I post it on the internet. Like this idiot from Maryland that was a butthead on the Potomac!

Or this other idiot.....