Guys with docks

[cart7t]

I fish Lake of the Ozarks here in Missouri, a 50,000 + acre lake with 1700 miles of shoreline of which 1699 miles of it is lined with boat docks.  ;D  Seriously, fishing boat docks on that lake is one of the basic patterns.  I've only had a few run-ins over the years and in those situations I just move along to another dock.  You do have the right to fish the water in and around the dock, you don't have the right, obviously, to get off your boat onto the dock to untangle a misplaced cast or get to a fish that may have wrapped you into junk in stalls or underneath the dock.

[bassdocktor]

When I've been fishing most people aren't really worried about their docks. Once you get close to their boats if they are around you do see them get a little tense. So far no one has made an issue of this. The problems I have come across are people with beaches. I've had several not ask but tell me to move along. They said people leave hooks in the water and that they have small grandchildren. I understand they want to keep them safe but there was nothing around that could have caused someone to loose a hook. Rather than argue I've just moved on.

bassdocktor

[Glenn]

In my experience, this is usually the result of the homeowner finding hooks and lures embedded in their dock, boat, and other property on several occassions.  Some anglers, out of fear, embarrassment, or lack of etiquette knowledge, simply break off instead of retrieving their lures when they get tangled up.

If you were the homeowner, you wouldn't be too pleased either - especially if you found hooks in your boat cover, seats, or ended up stepping on a rusty hook.  So I can understand their apprehension.

Unfortunately, you end up paying for the mistakes of others when the homeowner comes out to vent on you.  At that point, there's no way you're going to convince him you're not going to harm his property. You're not going to "win" the argument.

So what can you do?

Three things:

1.  Carry copies of your state's RCW rules regarding the harrassment of anglers engaged in the legal take of fish (you can find this on your state's .gov website).  And if your state allows it, carry a copy of the RCW that states you have the legal right to sue if that homeowner is found guilty of the first RCW.

2.  Usually I never have to hand those little pieces of paper out, because I just play deaf, or act like I don't speak English.  It's kinda fun to frustrate the snot out of the homeowner that way.  By the time he figures out he's been had, you're well on your way to the next dock!

3.  Always, always, always untangle your bad casts and retrieve your lures from docks and property.  You'll be doing a service to the next angler.

[bassdocktor]

Thanks Glenn that makes alot more sense. Those ideas you listed are a great way for everyone to avoid unnecessary conflicts with the land owners.

bassdocktor

[Guest avid]

It's going to be interesting to see what happens the next time I go fishing around his dock.  Not only did I intentionally avoid that area for a couple of days, but yesterday I threw my back out (again) and it will be at least 3 or 4 more days before I get back on the water.  

I think Glenns solution is totally  ;D ;D ;D

[RoLo]

I've never thought about that Glenn (hooks & line snarled on pilings), but will certainly keep it in mind.

We all know of course, we have the legal right to fish anyone's dock (In Florida anyway).

But who wants to ride that train all the way to legal ramifications.

I find fishing to be a tremendous natural high. However, I have come to learn that all

my emotional highs are very fragile. Speaking only for myself, nothing can shatter that natural high

or spoil my day faster, than a negative human confrontation (I learned this hunting in New Jersey).

I have seen "No Fishing" signs posted on docks and I have seen docks physically cordoned off.

When I'm confronted with sort of situation, I ask myself, "how good a fisherman are you, Roger,

do you really need to fish this dock?" Usually (but not always) I'll just move along.

A noble gesture in the interest of the dock-owner? Not at all, I'm doing it for myself

[Preston]

I would just fish as a usally do but i have gotten extremly mad at a fisherman before but it was for slightly diffrent reasons. We had some young kids swimming around the dock then some hotshot in his brand new Ranger deciedes that our docks seems like the right place to fish. He threw a spinnerbait close to a rods length away from one of the kids and a lost it. I mean i dont care if it was KVD but your not throwing somthing with hooks near my family no matter how good you are. After some choice words the guy got in his boat and cranked up his 250 merc and made the biggest wake he could pull out of that boat for our dock. I dont care even if im only sitting on the dock but if kids our in the water i would just pass the dock and keep going. But avis the way you explained your deal i believe you oughta keep fishing his dock as long as theres fish to catch.

[Guest avid]

I would just fish as a usally do but i have gotten extremly mad at a fisherman before but it was for slightly diffrent reasons. We had some young kids swimming around the dock then some hotshot in his brand new Ranger deciedes that our docks seems like the right place to fish. He threw a spinnerbait close to a rods length away from one of the kids and a lost it. I mean i dont care if it was KVD but your not throwing somthing with hooks near my family no matter how good you are. After some choice words the guy got in his boat and cranked up his 250 merc and made the biggest wake he could pull out of that boat for our dock. I dont care even if im only sitting on the dock but if kids our in the water i would just pass the dock and keep going. But avis the way you explained your deal i believe you oughta keep fishing his dock as long as theres fish to catch.

Your situation is much different because it actually involved the safety of children.  There is no condoning anythning that puts kids at risk.  RoLo and I seem to have similar thoughts on this.  Something like "I know what I'm doing is lega but if it gets to be too much of a hassle it's probably not worth the effort?  Sound about right to you Rolo?

[BMoses]

Kill the guy with kindness... invite him to come fishing with you some time to get the experience from YOUR point of view... I know there are a lot of IFs here but if calmer heads prevail you never know you just may make another friend and never have a problem fishing that dock again...

but then you have the guys that you just can't reason with... THEN you tell him to quit being an "Richard" and read up on the rules before showing his

AL

I like it!

Moses

[RoLo]

Avid

On The Money!

[cedar1]

I had this problem once on a lake in N.Y. The problem dock owners have up there is just what Glenn stated, people getting hung up and breaking off instead of retrieving their baits. These people take their docks out every fall and are getting hooks and lures embedded in their hands every year. As embarassing as it may be, you need to remove any lures or hooks if possible

[GobbleDog]

You guys are too nice. Willing to give up your legal right to fish any dock you wish too easily. Not me. GobbleDog stands for truth, justice and the American way!  

Un-enforcable "No Fishing" signs...???   :D

That's just asking for it. They might as well put up a sign that says "Please Cast Here  ---->  "

[OkobojiEagle]

Let's not forget that we anglers are legally liable for any property damage or personal injury we cause to that property owner or his family. That liability might make fishing the dock around the point more attractive.

[Guest avid]

Let's not forget that we anglers are legally liable for any property damage or personal injury we cause to that property owner or his family. That liability might make fishing the dock around the point more attractive.

Damage?

Personal Injury?

Liability??????????????????????????

You sound like a lawyer for bass police  ;D ;D ;D

J/K J/K J/K

[OkobojiEagle]

Not a lawyer, but as I live on lake shore and am an avid angler, I recognize there are two sides to this story.  It doesn't seem to be worth the aggravation over a single dock.  Anglers (myself included) get pi$$ed with jet skies, pleasure boaters too near us, other fishermen too near us,  too many regulations, too little regulations, ect. ect. ect.  It's entirely possible that we're the cause of someone else's frustrations... so why push this guy's buttons!

[Replica.]

The experience I have with people fishing docks comes from time spent fishing and drinking at a friends boat house along the mississippi river shoreline.  The only time people fish the dock area of the boat house is when no one is using it.  If someone is using the dock area the fishermen respectfully drive by without making a cast.  And I have never heard anyone complain about hooks on thier boat house.  Respect needs to be given by both parties.  However, it sounds like Avid is dealing with a jerk.  

[Guest avid]

Just thought I would give the forum an update.  The situation reminds me of a slogan used during the cold war with the russians. "peaceful coexistance"  Nobody is really happy but no body is terribly upset either.  I still fish around his dock, but with less frequency than before.  He has seen me there but said nothing, I assume because he realizes that I have "backed off" a little and that is as good as it's going to get.  this works fine for me, so even though it would be nice if everybody was all warm and fuzzy, I take what I got.