Trolling Right of Way?

[Harley]

Any thoughts? Seems like I can't ever figure the other guy out lol. Lets keep this simple - two boats opposite directions both trolling contours that may or may not be the same depth. I either always turn way out early sometimes missing a "special spot" or end up way too shallow cause I can't turn out when I need to. I imagine the other guy is as clueless as I am. Just want to be sure I haven't been overlooking something...

[Tracy]

When two boats meet head on ideally they should pass port to port. One short blast on your horn signifies that you intend to keep the other boat on your port, 2 short blasts would signify that will keep the other boat on your starboard side. Of course not many people know the rules of the road so the guy in the other boat would more than likely flip you a chilling signal! I would stand on if I were the boat closest to shore providing the shore or shallowest water was on my starboard side. I would give way if I had the deeper or open water on my starboard side.
Tracy

[Walizz 1]

No need for complications here. I'll usually point where I'm going or shout to the other boat and ask which way they're going. Then I go the other way. If the other angler plays dumb and wants to be a jerk there are other ways of dealing with them. 99% just want to fish and avoid hassles.

[SUPERTROLLER]

I like to make my intentions known to the other boat as soon as I can to try to see where he intends to go too. Contours are not always in a straight ahead direction. If I turn out to deeper water and he feels he needs to also be deeper to avoid shallow weeds or whatever I still try to get out of his way. By making the first move I have "claimed" a position. If we continue to troll back and forth over the same general area and he does not show me the same courteousy of giving room for both to pass comfortably, I have been known to hold my line and force the issue. Had a boat run us up into 4 ft. several times last year in a tournament because he wanted to run his planer boards out twice as far to the side as the other 5 boats working on that shoreline. Everyone else was copmplaining about this guy too as we went by each other. We were all just shaking our heads. Next time by, I didn't give an inch and at the very last second he and his partner went scrambling to their poles to grab and reel their boards on that common side. They didn't say a word either because they knew they had been pushing everyone out of the way. (At least that's my theory) After that encounter they seemed to be a lot more willing to give and take with the other boats there to. I try to be a nice guy but sometimes you have to stick up for yourself too. I realize not all encounters will go over without the typical swearing and fist waving but after you've demonstrated with the earlier passes that you will give him room I believe they should be willing to reciprocate at some point. It may be though that they figured we would move out of their way every time if they would just be pushy enough. They were a new boat in our tournaments and not used to the close trolling needed in tight situations. They were used to trolling out on Lake Mi. for salmon and having so much more room to work with.

[MarkO]

I was at Platte Bay last fall and you would think the bigger the boat the more right-of-way they had.

Some of the charter boats had no regards for other boats.

[Wawajake]

I have never met a boat trolling towards me on same contour!! But I did see a guy across the lake once ! Just kidding ,I wanted to show the advantage of a remote Canadian lake I get to fish every month.
Actually since I only use a 14ft aluminum with 6hp , so then the very odd time it happens I chose the shallower option, if I meet anyone (since I can react quicker and only allowed one line per fisherman). However this summer I plan on using a planer board so I am watching this post to determine proper etiquete.

jake

[SnellTier]

Tracy is right. What Tracy described to you is your and that other boats' legal obligation. Further, if 2 boats are traveling in the same direction and one is overtaking the other, the slower boat that is being overtaken MUST maintain constant speed AND direction. Those are the maritime laws and court cases have hinged on them.

Now, having said that, we can factor in an amount of human empathy and co-operation because we are typically moving so slowly when trolling. Other responses to this posting seem to have a number of good ideas, so I won't belabor the point. Talking to the driver of the other boat, sure seems like a good idea. That way, you seem unagressive and open to cooperation, and most other boats will respond the same way.

There is always the odd jerk that will just barge his way past you no matter how you act. For those guys ... you can either ignore them and not give them free rent in your head (which is usually my choice to avoid further hassles) or make a turn and "accidentally" interfere with their lines after they are past you. It just depends on how big a jerk they were (and whether you want to put up with a shouting match or worse after).

[BD]

About twenty years ago I was anchored off of Two Rivers Wis. casting to the salmon that were in close getting ready for the spawning run. A commercial fishing boat forced me to slip the anchor to keep from being run down. I was well away from the channel and he had no excuse for coming that close. Another time out from Two Rivers a outboard runabout cut across my stern while I was trolling. The rod was almost jerked from my hands when his prop picked up my line. I fliped the reel onto free spool and let him run. I cut the line when he came to a sudden stop. That 30 lb. dacron did a wonderful job of winding around and jaming his prop.

[SUPERTROLLER]

I hear that! I gave up to different half spools of 30 lb. Fireline last summer. One to someone that came right up our backside and another to a Huge Cigarette boat that thought I was waving him off because of his wake in the No Wake zone. He insisted on crossing just behind us so I let him have plenty of line and then snipped it clean. Hope his seals are good on his lower unit. I tried to warn him. Lost a couple baits but that happens anyway.

If you guys are starting to get the picture, Yes, I'm up and flagging people constantly. My partner just laughs. He says he doesn't have to because he knows my fuse is shorter and he gets a kick out me getting after someone. I'm usually so mellow that he likes to see my evil twin emerge. SUPERTROLLER and Mr. Hyde. lol.

[sib]

Maybe those east siders in the Detroit river have it right. Handlining wire! I'd like to see what that'd do to a lower unit.

[SUPERTROLLER]

That's an idea but I want something on there that I can cut when I need to. Hate to have the boat jerk to a stop and start being dragged back towards these jerks. Especially in the middle of a good trolling pass. lol.

[Mikes]

You could always use the method that 20 or 30 boats did when fishing the second day of the RCL Championship on Green Bay. After they saw where the leaders were fishing they just followed them out to Green Island. Then just aim the way you want to go and when you get close to someone, make sure you are looking the other way so they think you don't see them. I guess that when you are fishing for really big money, anything goes.