dock etiquette

[muskiebassfisher]

whats the proper etiquette when fishing around docks. was fishing near a dock and a whole family was sitting about 45ft away in front of their cottage on lawn chairs. the looks of intense I don't understand are you doing killed my concentration. how should i handle this situation without resorting to my first instinct, which would be I don't understand are u looking at.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Ask permission if you're concerned in any way.  Generally, being polite helps a lot also.

[gobig]

You don't need permission on public water ways period. If someone is fishing or swimming off of their dock use some common sense and go around them or give them the proper space. Otherwise its fair game. The biggest concern is damaged property. As long as your not bouncing a jig off of someones boat or playing bumper boats Most people do not care. There are all ways going to be some a-holes out there that think they own the air you breath. These are the ones I give the California howdy to and keep fishing.

[Lund Explorer]

Didn't we have this same discussion/argument just a couple of months ago?  Anyhow, here is the best way I can describe it as it relates to the State of Michigan.

1st - Property owner has full ownership rights of deeded dry land up to the shoreline, and private property rights of the lake bottom extending to the middle of the body of water.  They also have full private property rights on any dock, swim platform, boat lift, boathouse, or anything else that is attached or anchored to their property.

2nd - Fisherman and other boaters have the right to navigate or fish "the water".  They have no right to enter onto the property owner's "private property" without permission.  This also applies if you snag your lure onto any of these items, much like the little kid that hits his baseball over a fence onto another person's property.  You must ask permission to leave your boat, or to climb (even partially) in or onto the property owner's property.  Without permission, it is a simple case of trespass, which is a crime.

How does all of this relate to dock fishing?

Many property owners do not object to people fishing in front or around of their docks.  But there are also many that do.  Most of them have had a few bad experiences that have soured them on the practice.  Heavy jigs or sinkers bouncing off of their fiberglass boats can chip gel coating/paint, let alone the sound made when even a light sinker smacks an aluminum pontoon.  Property owners are subjected to lures that are snagged onto their property which could hook a person trying to work on their dock, along with broken line left behind.

Speaking of left behind, another previous argument dealt with cigarette butts tossed into the water, which in time will wash up on the property owner's beach for them to deal with.

All of these things should be fully understandable.  It shouldn't matter if the dock's owner is sitting on the dock, 45' away, or not even there.  If more fisherman would take the time to be courteous, ask permission in a friendly manner, graciously leave if denied (regardless of their rights), and make the effort to not damage property or litter, this issue would slowly disappear.  It is unfortunate that the few fishermen that don't respect dock owners rights have ruined the chances for all of the rest of us.

[Tin]

Fair game, just don't hit it or fish it when the people are actually standing on it.

[ww2farmer]

A little commen sense goes a long way when fishing docks. Every lake I fish is lined with docks and not once have I ever had a problem with people. I don't fish docks that others are swimming or fishing off of. Sometime a little nod or wave, or small talk on the way by breaks the ice, which is a better idea than a "what are you looking at" attitude. I have heard lots of horror stories about confrontations, maybe I am lucky.

[Grey Wolf]

The only time I don't fish docks is when somebody is sitting there with a gun in their lap.

[J Francho]

A little commen sense goes a long way when fishing docks. Every lake I fish is lined with docks and not once have I ever had a problem with people. I don't fish docks that others are swimming or fishing off of. Sometime a little nod or wave, or small talk on the way by breaks the ice, which is a better idea than a "what are you looking at" attitude. I have heard lots of horror stories about confrontations, maybe I am lucky.

Very true.  In fact, chatting up people on the docks can lead to some very relevant info.  I know of at least one lunker winning in our club that came from chatting up two ladies on the dock.

"There's a huge fish under our dock.  I don't know if its a bass, seems too big.  Try and catch it!"  It was a bass.  5+.

[Shad_Master]

Reminds me of the story of two guys fishing down a row of docks when a lady walked out on one with her dog. As they moved down the row, they heard a splash and the lady began screaming - wondering what happened, they turned around and asked the lady what was wrong. She said, "My dog jumped in the water and big fish just came up and ate him!!!" After a quick beat, one of the fishermen asked, "What color was your dog?".

[evrgladesbasser]

whats the proper etiquette when fishing around docks. was fishing near a dock and a whole family was sitting about 45ft away in front of their cottage on lawn chairs. the looks of intense I don't understand are you doing killed my concentration. how should i handle this situation without resorting to my first instinct, which would be I don't understand are u looking at.

In that situation I would move on to the next dock. As you said a whole family was outside enjoying their water-front property. The look they gave tells me they don't want me siting behind their house, so I would move. Why? Because I would expect that same courtesy. I have never had this problem but that's what I would do. I understand the public waters argument, but in my opinion it's just not worth getting all bent out of shape about. Just move on

[TrippyJai]

If there is someone on it or if there are kids swimming, then just move on. If they are chilling on the lawn... it might not be such a good idea to fish the docks unless they are further away. Take the moment to analyze the situation.

[Bass XL]

Fair game, just don't hit it or fish it when the people are actually standing on it.

Best way to but it...

[Sam]

There is one guy on the hot side of Lake Anna who does not want anyone fishing around his bulkhead.

He will run out of his house with his two yellow labs and give you dirty looks. He will also throw sticks and rocks into the water. It is funny.

Otherwise, we have never had any problems with anyone when fishing docks, piers or moored boats other than for a few dirty looks now and then, but these are few and far between.

We talk to the property owners and they want to know what we have caught and we inquire as to where they are from, etc. Some even give us tips and one guy on the Chickahominy River will discuss the weather and how it affects the fishing and what we should expect for the rest of the day.

Of course we are fishing lakes and rivers where lots of people fish so it is expected that you will be fishing the docks, piers, boathouses, moored boats, bulkheads, points and grass along and by the property owners property.

If you respect them, they will respect you. 

[firefightn15]

A little commen sense goes a long way when fishing docks. Sometime a little nod or wave, or small talk on the way by breaks the ice...

Usually does the trick, good advice. 8-)

[helms83]

A little commen sense goes a long way when fishing docks. Sometime a little nod or wave, or small talk on the way by breaks the ice...

Usually does the trick, good advice. 8-)

I agree. Best advice here. And if they resort to asking you not fish it or to leave, so be it, there are plenty ther docks.

[oteymc]

I think everyone on earth should read the book "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie.

[lynyrdsky1]

I know everyones saying the same thing but you have to respect peoples wishes. I know one time im fishing with my dads friend  and we  were fishing docks,and we came up to this first one and theirs this women watching her grandkids swim and she ask us if we would be careful and just not fish right there and we understood and continued.

We came back that way and her grandkids wernt swimming and she said we could fish there now and sure enough we got up right to her dock found a nice brushpile and started slayin them.

[CWB]

A little commen sense goes a long way when fishing docks. Every lake I fish is lined with docks and not once have I ever had a problem with people. I don't fish docks that others are swimming or fishing off of. Sometime a little nod or wave, or small talk on the way by breaks the ice, which is a better idea than a "what are you looking at" attitude. I have heard lots of horror stories about confrontations, maybe I am lucky.

Very true. In fact, chatting up people on the docks can lead to some very relevant info. I know of at least one lunker winning in our club that came from chatting up two ladies on the dock.

"There's a huge fish under our dock. I don't know if its a bass, seems too big. Try and catch it!" It was a bass. 5+.

Excellent advice. I have had this happen several times. I have also had people tell me they don't want me catching their "pet". As a homeowner on a lake, I see both sides of the equation. I've pulled enough hooks out of my boat cover or tangled lines with hooks on them from the pier posts to be wary of poor fisherman. Most guys will make every effort possible to get a lure or hook off your boat/pier as I think they realize it could end up being stepped on later. If you do land a bait on or in a boat, the worst thing you can do is yank and try to get it back. Carefully troll up and gently retrieve it. If the homeowner is there and you explain you do not want to harm his property, most times he will understand. Some will come bolting out of their house and run onto the pier and give you a lecture. Just smile and keep going. I have quite a collection of baits that have been broken off in or around my dock.

[gobig]

I have also had people tell me they don't want me catching their "pet"

.

Sounds like California.

Most guys will make every effort possible to get a lure or hook off your boat/pier as I think they realize it could end up being stepped on later.

I think its more about loosing 5 bucks or more.

[done]

I am with the theory of treat others with courtesy. The lake I fish has thousands of docks. There are thousands of fish. if I cannot get the one(s) under a single dock because the owner is being a nimrod, well so be it. I fish to relax and getting in an argument with a dock owner just is not all that relaxing for me.

I know it is tough to ditch the pride (REALLY tough in my case) but it just ain't worth it. You ain't gonna change their minds, they ain't gonna change yours. No sense in arguing over it.

[bassinbob54]

We have this clown that comes out on his dock whenever anyones fishing there and takes a sledgehammer out and smacks the hell out of a metal pole suck in the bottom of the lake. Scares away all the bass and most of the fisherman...hows that for dock etiquette?....good fishing

[jdw174]

If I see someone on a dock, I'll give it a wide berth.  Saves problems that way.  One time I was coming up on a dock that had a big float tube anchored in front of it.  A woman came tearing out of the house and said that she'd lost a total of 5 tubes to fishermen who cast around and even INTO it, hooking the tube and deflating it.  I assured her that I had no interest in her tube and bypassed both it and the dock altogether.

[CWB]

We have this clown that comes out on his dock whenever anyones fishing there and takes a sledgehammer out and smacks the hell out of a metal pole suck in the bottom of the lake. Scares away all the bass and most of the fisherman...hows that for dock etiquette?....good fishing

That might be overkill but it's possible he had a bad experience having something of his ruined by a careless angler.

Look at both sides of the equation. I cannot begin to tell you how many people on my lake have had damage done to their property by careless anglers, including myself. I had a large hole ripped in my boat cover a few years back and always find lures hanging from under the dock or posts which could dislodge and get stepped on. My neighbor had some wiring ripped out from underneath his pontoon boat which was not cheap to fix. I love dock fishing. If I hang a lure up, I make every effort to retrieve it without doing any damage. If I hang up under a boat, I just cut the line.

If I land a lure on or in a boat, I will make every effort to retrieve it instead of just yanking it. 9 times out of 10, that will only make things worse. If the homeowner comes out while you are doing this, calmly explain you made an errant cast and want to retrieve the lure without doing any damage. I've had people hop in the boat and dislodge the lure and toss it out to me and say try to be more careful. If someone dings your car in a parking lot I would wager you would be pretty upset and have some choice words to say to the culprit. Flipside, how many of you actually leave a note on the car after you have inadvertanly caused damage.

If you walk out of a store and see a big scratch on your car, you're going to be p.o.'d and be more leary of it in the future.

Landowners are probably the vast minority on this forum, but that does not make them jerks if they are concerned about their property. Per above post, some do go to extremes and gt wacky.

Not to mention all the garbage and cans etc. that lazy anglers toss overboard they have to clean up. I'm sure these anglers are in the minority but still gets people p.o.'d.

2 sides to every story. Be courteous and you'll be surprised the reaction you'll get.

[BassThumb]

A little commen sense goes a long way when fishing docks. Every lake I fish is lined with docks and not once have I ever had a problem with people. I don't fish docks that others are swimming or fishing off of. Sometime a little nod or wave, or small talk on the way by breaks the ice, which is a better idea than a "what are you looking at" attitude. I have heard lots of horror stories about confrontations, maybe I am lucky.

This is good advice, common sense and common courtesy, and also, personal responsibility. Even if you've never been discourteous on the water or damaged lake property, there are those that have and couldn't care less, and the homeowners have to deal with it, so I can understand why some owners don't want people fishing their dock. Put yourself in their shoes.

One time on the lake fishing docks, I spoke to a homeowner that was dragging his boat lift onto shore to replace a nice cover that had a 6 foot gash in it, and a big Poe's square-bill crank still hanging from the edge of the tear. The man claimed that he watched an angler snag it and make hooksets to free his lure. The crank ripped though 6 feet of fabric before his line broke. The whole time, the angler knew that the owner was watching him, and raced away right afterwards, doing a holeshot 30 feet from the dock.

After an incident like this, that whole neighborhood is going to hear about it, and you might get a glare or even subtle actions to chase you away, such as walking somewhat loudly out to the dock to grab something, turning on the submerged water pump to water the lawn until you move away, etc. That just goes with the territory, so I try to be congenial to these folks, making small talk and offering accurate advice on what they're biting on or how to catch fish from their dock. I have smoothed a few ruffled feathers this a gift of 2 or 3 Senkos.

As a rule, regarding the property of others, I treat it as good or better than I would my own. In general, I personally don't care about little blemishes on things, but they might, so I don't fish close to their boats with hard lures that might chip or dent boats and motors, instead opting for Senkos and light-wire tube jigs that I can free if snagged. I certainly stay away from childrens toys or inflatables, and more often than not, I completely bypass properties where it appears people are frequently in the water.

I choose to look at it like it was my boat cover, my dock, my $3000 floating trampoline, or my daughters foot that might need a hook yanked from it. Someone might come by and catch a big fish from that trampoline later, before they leave their crank hanging from the ladder, but that's fine by me, there are plenty of fish. I did my part that day and left the lake with nothing to be ashamed of.

[farmpond1]

A little commen sense goes a long way when fishing docks. Every lake I fish is lined with docks and not once have I ever had a problem with people. I don't fish docks that others are swimming or fishing off of. Sometime a little nod or wave, or small talk on the way by breaks the ice, which is a better idea than a "what are you looking at" attitude. I have heard lots of horror stories about confrontations, maybe I am lucky.

This is good advice, common sense and common courtesy, and also, personal responsibility. Even if you've never been discourteous on the water or damaged lake property, there are those that have and couldn't care less, and the homeowners have to deal with it, so I can understand why some owners don't want people fishing their dock. Put yourself in their shoes.

One time on the lake fishing docks, I spoke to a homeowner that was dragging his boat lift onto shore to replace a nice cover that had a 6 foot gash in it, and a big Poe's square-bill crank still hanging from the edge of the tear. The man claimed that he watched an angler snag it and make hooksets to free his lure. The crank ripped though 6 feet of fabric before his line broke. The whole time, the angler knew that the owner was watching him, and raced away right afterwards, doing a holeshot 30 feet from the dock.

After an incident like this, that whole neighborhood is going to hear about it, and you might get a glare or even subtle actions to chase you away, such as walking somewhat loudly out to the dock to grab something, turning on the submerged water pump to water the lawn until you move away, etc. That just goes with the territory, so I try to be congenial to these folks, making small talk and offering accurate advice on what they're biting on or how to catch fish from their dock. I have smoothed a few ruffled feathers this a gift of 2 or 3 Senkos.

As a rule, regarding the property of others, I treat it as good or better than I would my own. In general, I personally don't care about little blemishes on things, but they might, so I don't fish close to their boats with hard lures that might chip or dent boats and motors, instead opting for Senkos and light-wire tube jigs that I can free if snagged. I certainly stay away from childrens toys or inflatables, and more often than not, I completely bypass properties where it appears people are frequently in the water.

I choose to look at it like it was my boat cover, my dock, my $3000 floating trampoline, or my daughters foot that might need a hook yanked from it. Someone might come by and catch a big fish from that trampoline later, before they leave their crank hanging from the ladder, but that's fine by me, there are plenty of fish. I did my part that day and left the lake with nothing to be ashamed of.

Agreed. People from nearly every walk of life like to believe "their" own kind are better than average. Same goes with fishermen. But there are too many who don't give a rip about property rights (or ethical behavior at all for that matter). Just look at how many empty, discarded styrofoam worm containers you find on the shore and that ought to tell you something! I'm not a dock owner but I still keep a close eye on my boat when it's parked anywhere where others can get near it. It's the same as if I had it tied to a dock.