20-30 feet is way too close, and I would have had told them about it. However, here on Ky lake it seems there is some different ettiquette while fishing ledges and points. On points, I often have to get defensive to keep a boat from cutting me off on a point, and often I have come around a point to see a boat fishing the other direction (both of us could not see each other) - I will usually back off and allow them to fish through and I will jump back in. On a ledge, I think it seems that all is fair, as long as a boat does not pull in front of you and fish the same direction (fishing where your boat is headed). But I think it is all fair if a boat comes in behind you and fishes either direction. I guess it all depends on the layout of the ledge you are fishing. If it is a small hump (just like a point) I think it should be yours if you are on it. If it is a long bend in a channel, then I think is unfair to claim it all yourself, and as long as no one is cutting you off, it is OK - as many boats as there are on Ky lake that actually know how to fish productive ledges, sometimes if feels like you are waiting in line for an amusement ride to get to the sweet spot of the ledge.
Everyone says there is an abundance of water on Ky and Barkley - and there is, however there are probably less than 100 quality ledges that stand out on a map, and probably less than that, that are actually holding quality fish at any given time. Combine that with a couple hundred guys that know the same thing, and some of these ledges are going to be stacked up.
Fishing is popular now, and so are tournaments. That is why I prefer going out early or late during the week.
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