Was I wrong, Ethical question.

[Rattlinrogue]

You did nothing wrong.Sounds to me like you went out of your way to do the right thing.I fish a lake really similar to yours.North to south,300 acres,not skinny but not wide either.I have boats blow by me on plane within 20 yards all the time.

[roadwarrior]

On a lighter note:

Boat management can be a big issue on a fast moving river. It's no big deal to my fishing partner who has been fishing the Tennessee River for more than thirty years, but it can be to new people. Last fall we were drifting a stretch of the river approaching a severe bend. Another boat was a quarter mile or more ahead of us, both boats floating down river.

Out of the blue, New Guy with three kids and his wife come motoring up INSIDE the lead boat. Now, we're kinda smiling because New Guy is doing EVERYTHING wrong: trolling upstream, small crankbaits ocassionally surfacing, too shallow (dangerously so over a submerged ridge), etc.

As the boat approached, me and my buddy reeled in to get out of the way and just watch this fella. New Guy was nearly frantic, kid's lines were tangled and he's hung-up. Boat is going too fast, the river is pushing him out and he is BETWEEN us and twenty feet of water to the shore. Talk about a cluster....

Well, New Guy didn't seem to notice us, didn't ask for advice or help and continued on. I guess we could have gotten mad, but really...it was just too funny.  

[rob.latta81]

Your in the right. When I on the boat I stay out of peoples bubble. and not any closer than i would want them to me..Unlike a guy while I was tied off to a colum under a bridge in smithville lake, Missouri. who tied off and started casting from where he was right up next to my boat..and the cover i was fishing..he was being an asshat

[FIN-S-R]

Avid...Im glad I dont fish against you!!! :-?

[Bassinfreak2]

I agree with most replies. You did not do anything wrong. Having said that, some people feel like you should stay a mile away. Communication to the other to the other boaters/fishermen usually helps ease tensions. Sometimes a simple wave and letting them know your intentions helps. I usually try to ask the people I am coming up on which way they want me to go. This gives them a feeling of control and eases their mind by letting them know I have no intention of crowding them.  

Avid I know you were probably joking on the defensive fishing idea and I got a chuckle out of it, but what you said really rings true for some people. I don't practice that but I know those who do. Those people generally have a bad reputation among other fishermen and I believe that some day it will catch up with them.  

[Guest avid]

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Avid I know you were probably joking on the defensive fishing idea and I got a chuckle out of it, but what you said really rings true for some people. I don't practice that but I know those who do. Those people generally have a bad reputation among other fishermen and I believe that some day it will catch up with them.

Sorry dude, but I was absolutely NOT joking.

I am not a tournament fisherman.  I understand why guys enjoy it, but alot of that has to do with the competitive aspect.  Another was of saying that is that they fish to win.

Defense is an integral feature of any winning competitive strategy.  It may not be "sporting" but if you want to fish for sport why did you pay a fee to fish against other guys for money?

[Guest avid]

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Avid...Im glad I dont fish against you!!! :-?

this is exactly my point.

I don't fish AGAINST people.  

I fish WITH them.