boat courtesy on Leech, opener

[coyote]

Was at battle point on leech 2 years ago on opener, about 70 boats on the point, some bozo buzzes right through the middle of everyone, at or near full throttle. This behavior seems to occur often on Leech. Any suggestions how to influenze these yoyo's.

[PJM]

From the day they starting making boats this problem has been there. You can't teach common sense and also it always seems to be some guy with a new high priced rig with 4 buddies in the boat. I hate this also but this problem will never go away especially on opener. So be glad that opener is only once a year.

[REW]

Unfortunately this problem is not limited to the lake you mention or even this state or even this country.

This is a universal problem that is brought on by "immaturity", wanting to "show off to their buddies" " in some cases, ignorance of what they are really doing to those around them, simply they are new to boating and its side affects" and finally - and perhaps one of the worst problems on any of the "openers -- and that is alchol and its consumption by the occupants of the boat.

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst - as my father said long ago.

Enjoy your time on the water with those that are near to you, and don't get bent out of shape if someone else gets of line or isn't courteous. Life is too short - to let some one elses misconduct spoil your time.

Take care and enjoy the weather.

REW

[Box]

Without saying what price my rig is, I will say that I have been on the receiving end of this type of behavior from 14' fishing boats with small o/b's up to 28' pleasure boats. It doesn't matter what the rigs are, although I usually find that people who have more "fishing" rigs seem to be more courteous - cause they are out there more and seem to have a better grasp.

You're right, opener is bad (kinda like St. Patty's Day at bars), so if you expect it it will make the time go smoother. That doesn't make it right, but our frame of mind has a lot to do with it. If we go on busy days and busy lakes, expect it.

Good fishing and don't let the bozos scratch your paint! :)

Box in MN

[Wayne]

Get yourself one of those big 3oz DareDevels and let it fly :-) they won't be back!Or just throw out a jug with about 100 yards of line on it,sounds pretty sweet when it finally hits the back of the boat at 40 mph.

[mnjimcarp]

all you need is to supply many of your fishing buddies on that problem point with canned air horns, big air horns of any kind, bigger the better. when the very occasional discourteous boater seems to be too concerned about his own agenda; try to remind them by blasting your air horns at them. if you get 30 - 40 boats blaring horns at these guys, they seem to wake up and be a little more cautious.

be good to neighbors.

thanks, jim c

[Stezostedion vitreum man]

Coyote,

Besides the crowds, the discourteou behavior at the launching/landing sites, and the actions that you have mentioned, among many other things, has discouraged me for many years now in participating in the opening of fishng season. It is a sad state of affairs that the immature, belligerent, ignorant actions of some cause the rest of us to suffer, but such is life. I now leave the opening of fishing season to the amateurs (which does not include everyone) and try to spend the rest of the summer fishing with the true sportsman.

Remember to keep your eyes open and your feet dry.

S.v.m

[Grey Wolf]

Couple of year ago, was bobber fishing with a few kids and my buddy on opener on Mille Lacs. The boats were close enough to walk between them without getting wet. This boat came motoring between me and another boat, not on a plance, but moving fast enought to iritate the snot out of me. Ran right over two of my bobbers, I hollered at him and pointed to my bobbers, he just kept on going. I seriously thought about throwing a sinker at him just to show him how childish I can be. H ejust kept on coming, as he went by me, I notice the DNR patch on his jacket. I oops, theres an idiot game warden, and was glad that I only hollered at him and didn't throw anything.