Is it wrong?

[artcarney_agr]

But if another person that is in the tournament cuts me off within 50 yards I can notify the tournament director of the rules infraction

Any tournament I have been in, the trolling motor must be in the upright position and the boat on anchor for the 50 yard buffer rule to apply........maybe you fish a club tournament with a different set of rules, but that's the way I've always seen it.

[Embrey]

I live near Barren River lake and I have quit going out on week ends due to the tournaments. I am not saying anything people who fish for profit are bad just that on a 10,000 acres of water you would think there is more than enough room. Barren River has a pretty regular pattern of where the fish are at a particular time of year, and those who know this will fire up a 300hp in flash and all regs seem to disappear as well as respect for other people. I was out last year with my grandaughter and wife fishing near the hogs back at night, it was a Friday and we were camping near there. and the island does offer some protection from waves, wakes and house boats bigger than my house is. we were well lighted and had floating lights as well as black lights. at 11pm 4 boats come blasting around the deep side corner and barely miss my 20ft,(dare I say it) pontoon. One boat shut down and the wake washed my tackle boxes to the other side of the boat, He trolled to within 12 feet from my boat. He then made the statement, "if you guys are straight line fishing you won't be in our way, but if you want to cast you would be better off moving, away from us. I ask when he purchased the lake, and when did he post it off limmits. his response was we payed a entry fee to fish this tournament and we scouted here last night and we dropped the marker bouy right over there. My wife was holding my girl who they had scared to death coming at us like that. While ladys and kids are around I try to keep things low keyed when it comes to foul mouthing some one. I am retired Army and if it has been said Ive said it if things get stupid so do I, I am not proud of that but there are times when that is all you can do. I ask him if he really like his boat and if he wanted to maintain it in the condition it was in, I got a quick F U from him untill he spoted the 6inch barrel SS 357 mag. at that point he decided that the other side of the lake looked better. I do not recomend this and I was wrong to flash the weapon but my grandaughter will not go night fishing to this day.

good job. screw him. part of fishing a tourney is dealing with traffic and conditions and making the best of it and catching fish.

[Dave Stewart]

Well mr Stewart I am not doing anything "wrong". I mainly just want to see others reactions on these situation, since this is constantly happened every trip on the water I was thinking I might be missing something in the "Fishermans Code of Ethics" book. i am going to stick with my standards and just hope that others will start to do so also. It can be very frusterating at times but it is everywhere I go. And judging by all the other comments looks like it's a 50-50 tie between how people handle and react! Not once have I
Said anything or acted a fool, I have wanted to but never have
~Moon

Well Mr Moon...what I got from your post was that you were asking if you should continue to practice the Golden Rule...which is basically what you have been doing or should you go ahead and just start doing to others what you are complaining that they are doing to you. Hence my answer. I only saw one person on this thread that thought it was ok for folks to do this...definitely different reactions to how they would handle it but the consensus is overwhelming that moving in on where someone else is fishing is not ethical. Sorry if I took your post the wrong way...that is just how I read it. For myself, if the only way I think I could catch a fish is move in on someone else's spot, then I would rather quit fishing.

[Moon~Shaun]

Well Mr Moon...what I got from your post was that you were asking if you should continue to practice the Golden Rule...which is basically what you have been doing or should you go ahead and just start doing to others what you are complaining that they are doing to you. Hence my answer. I only saw one person on this thread that thought it was ok for folks to do this...definitely different reactions to how they would handle it but the consensus is overwhelming that moving in on where someone else is fishing is not ethical. Sorry if I took your post the wrong way...that is just how I read it. For myself, if the only way I think I could catch a fish is move in on someone else's spot, then I would rather quit fishing.

I took it the wrong way. But no I do not want to do that and be the root of someone else' problem. I agree with you 100% even the days that I do not catch any I still will not move in on another boat, it's part of it I put in as much time as I can trying to find them and get a pattern which makes me think I know somewhat what I am doing. I know these problems will never end just hoping they will. Reading over it again I was out of line saying that to you and apologize!

[Dave Stewart]

I took it the wrong way. But no I do not want to do that and be the root of someone else' problem. I agree with you 100% even the days that I do not catch any I still will not move in on another boat, it's part of it I put in as much time as I can trying to find them and get a pattern which makes me think I know somewhat what I am doing. I know these problems will never end just hoping they will. Reading over it again I was out of line saying that to you and apologize!

No problem...when we read opinions etc on a discussion board, three people can sometimes read the same thing and take it three different ways...we all do it sometimes, including me. Anyway, I think we are on the same track for sure.

[coombro]

That is what I am planning on just wanted to see how others handle it, and I really don't want to fall into the crowd that I hate so much, and try not
To let it bother me anymore. Thanks everyone

I always give them a story about some bogus bass I caught around the bend. Tell em what they want to hear.

[Carter1]

Coombro, I did something like that once a long time ago and you know what happened? It backfired on me...D'Oh!

[lumpybass]

I think that happens more often than we like to admit. There are times out on the lake when you can't help but have to fish around other people and other boats. One of the best stories I've ever been a part of, was on the lake pulling boards (9 out) and in comes this guide (no offense guys) busting tail and stops 50 yards right in front of us and started dropping out his boards. We keep moving. We turned inside of him and soon as we got just even with him we had 4 rods go down right in front of him and his clients and landed 3 of the fish. We did take some enjoyment in doing that, hooting and hollaring the whole time! I know it is a real pain in the butt to have to live with but it sure is awesome when you get the chance to stick it to some jerk who thinks they own the lake!

[coombro]

Coombro, I did something like that once a long time ago and you know what happened? It backfired on me...D'Oh!

I still do it as long as it gets them out my way.

[wolfewiz]

Rednecks like to fish. Simple as that. Funny thing is that many people guiilty of these things read this forum i'm sure.