Just how I feel about fishin etiquette

[Texeye]

I don't ever pull up any closer than casting distance to any fisherman or his marker,unless I am waved in closer.This goes for bank fishermen and boat fishermen.If this person happens to be on one of my favorite spots I go look for another.I may or may not do as good somewhere else but as long as he is on that spot I do not bother him.If he leaves and I still want to fish there then I will go in when he leaves.

I don't ever crank my big motor up and roar out of an area others are fishing.I usually troll away then crank up the motor and go slow until about 50 yds. away.(exeption:When someone pulls in too close to me,then I might leave at a little more than an idle):P

I don't roar by other fishermen.I like to give them a little space.There is nothing more frustrating to me than fighting boat wakes and the wind at the same time.

If I see someone trolling towards a spot I want to fish and they are getting close I wait until they pass before I move in.If I am in their way when they return I give a little and expect them to give a little until they pass.It may just be me,but I have always felt that a person who is anchored or semi-stationary has more right to be there than the one who is moving.On the otherhand,If I see two or three boats trolling a small stretch of water, I usually go elswhere to look for fish.

If I am fairly close to others who are anchored and I also want to anchor I NEVER throw the anchor out,I always ease it over the side.I do this not only for their sakes I do it for mine.

I always try to get my boat ready to unload before I back down the ramp.

These are a few of the things that that I feel strongly about.Years back you could set on a mid-lake hump and never see a soul.They all thought you were having trouble or were just messing around.I sure enjoyed the days when you did'nt have to sneak a walleye in the boat just to keep from getting run over. Now days if I get too aggrivated by all weekenders then I ease out my clubs and go golfing and look forward to that middle of the week fishing trip! Good fishing to all!

[Skeeter]

I agree 100%

[Rod Holder]

It has been my experience that pleasure boaters and jerks on buzzy bombers (personal watercraft) are actually far more irritating than other fishermen. I just spent a four day weekend in northern Michigan and it was appalling the lack of courtesy among pleasure boaters, skiers, and such. My partner and I had numerous speedboats go between us and shore when we were far away from the middle of the lake and a lane for those wanting to go fast. And as unbelievable as all this is, most of these idiots don't have a clue. At launches I have far less trouble with other fishermen getting their boats into the water and out in a timely fashion. With pleasure boaters, it's another story. You wait and wait. They just don't know how to get things done.

[Brushpile]

Jet skis are just lake lice.

I keep my distance during the open water. But ice fishing is a different thing. When I am on a spot I will let someone get as close as they want. Until they get into my transducer cone. Then I make them back off .

[rickn]

You're 100% right, texeye, and you're mostly right, rodholder, I have had a few fishermen act worse that the pwc's and skiers, but I don't think those fishermen had a clue that they were being uncourtous or stupid. Some people can't help it, it's a genetic thing!

[Kevin/CO]

More or less I am with you 100%, but there are exceptions to the generalization. I know some wonderfully considerate PWC owners and some hooribly inconsiderate fishermen, its as much the type of activity interested in as teh person and experience.

[eyegetit]

Great common sense tips Texeye. Thank you.

I'd like to add something more to your statement, "I always try to get my boat ready to unload before I back down the ramp".

The launch lane (and obviously the ramp itself) is reserved for those READY to launch. It is not intended to be your personal parking space for loading, untying, etc. Find an empty parking slot to perform these tasks and THEN move to the launch lane when you're ready to launch.

[I-Bob]

AMEN!!!!!!

[Pete Van Beeke]

How about this one..........last Saturday out in Mille Lacs there are about 30 boats scattered across Indian Point. Some anchored, some drifting. Here comes some yoyo in like a 23 footer, inboard motor going maybe 1/3 speed. Big old wake. Now he's going to pass by me about 50 yards, I'm drifting with my bow to him so Ok not too be a deal. But he's going past anohter guy in a 16 foot lund who is anchored, his stern to him. Anyway, this yoyo goes plowing through everybody, spalshes water 2 foot into the lund guy, never stops, finally after going through everybody, he takes a hard left.......it was like he did it on purpose. The Lund guys incensed, the wake moved him from his spot, fingers up all over the place.

Well.........we've seen it before, we'll see it again..........

[Marble Eyes]

Last Friday evening on a lake 4 miles from me In Michigan (Clifford Lake) a Lady and her daughter were on a Jet Ski, broadsided a Powerboat. Rumor has it Alcohol was involved.

They spent the better part of two days looking for "parts" of one of the Jet Ski riders who was killed, while the other one that survived is reported to have lost a foot or part of her leg. I don't remember them saying that anyone in the Boat was seriously injured.

Ironic, that particular lake Association attempted last spring to put a speed limit on the lake, It was defeated. Bet it is brought back up real soon. Too bad you can't legislate common sense.

[BD]

This happened about thirty years ago. A friend of mine was coming in from a morning of duck hunting in his skiff. A "pleasure boat" went by him throwing up a big wake allmost swamping him. Then the idiots slowed down and started cussing my buddy out for hunting those poor defenseless ducks. After turning around and making several more passes my friend had enough of the idiots. When the idiots slowed down again he eased three loads of shot ihto the bow of the big boat from the side, shattering the glass. Needless to say my buddy in the duck skiff made it back to the landing and got away a long time before the remains of the big boat and its passengers (not injured) got towed in.

[EYESCHOOL]

You have to be pretty darn ignorant, to cus out a stranger holding a shotgun! :-)