fishing etiquette

[MagikSmallie]

Having just returned from St. Clair in Michigan I can safely say that fishing etiquette in that state and Ohio for that matter are non existent, the people there just have absolutely no clue! it's like 99% of them are the jerks you see on Cumberland on a summer weekend and have no concept of what people who are fishing are trying to do, either that or they are just so rude they don't care. I've had them run 40' yachts close to enough to spit on, I've had guys troll between me and the bank when I am within flipping distance, even had guys come over to me just to see what lure I am throwing, the list just goes on and on. I consider it a treat to come back to KY where you just have to worry about people cutting you off on a point or a bank.

[artcarney_agr]

I think everyone's definition of etiquette/courtesy is different. What is considered the norm. on one body of water may be completely frowned up on the next.

I know here in Louisville on the Ohio River, there are a limited number of creeks to bass fish....so it's not uncommon to be in close quarters with another boat, or be following one along. Try and fish like that on KY Lake and you'll get yelled at.

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt as much as possible, because most rarely know that they are doing something wrong.

Check this definition out:
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group.

If you're not in the group or associate with the group (tournament bass anglers) then you don't know a thing about the code of behavior.....


I really like Rick Clunn's thought and approach on this subject matter, check out this from an interview he did with Bassmaster:

Bassmaster: What's it like to be fishing in the "zone"?

Clunn: Anytime I've achieved what other sports call being in the zone, everything that would have been a negative becomes a positive. A boat cuts you off. Instead of looking at it as a negative, you think, "I'm not supposed to go that way," and you immediately turn in another direction and catch a 6-pounder.

You get hung up and go over and get your lure. Then you see a log lying at a perfect angle that you wouldn't have seen if you hadn't been hung up. You make a cast down the log and catch a 5-pounder. The days that I have had the most perfect one, two, three hours, or even one whole day of being in the zone, everything that took place was showing me where the next fish was.

Although Rick is a bit eccentric, I do believe some of his stuff has merit.

http://www.bassmaster.com/news/great...and-being-zone

[Fishin is life]

The ones that kill me are the pleasure boaters that are running fairly close to you and set it down out from you to try and idle by, not realizing that by sitting it down they're creating bigger wakes that'll get thrown your direction....However, I always give these people the benefit of the doubt in that they're trying to do what they think is right...Everytime this happens I'll politely wave and speak to them because they are attempting etiquette even though it doesnt work out that way

[stripernut]

The ones that kill me are the pleasure boaters that are running fairly close to you and set it down out from you to try and idle by, not realizing that by sitting it down they're creating bigger wakes that'll get thrown your direction....However, I always give these people the benefit of the doubt in that they're trying to do what they think is right...Everytime this happens I'll politely wave and speak to them because they are attempting etiquette even though it doesnt work out that way

i guess you could say they are "killing us with kindness" eh?

like you i do appreciate the consideration....even if the result is a little "rocky"

[Dutch552]

A-holes come in all shapes and sizes. I crappie fish the majority of the time and the mojority of the time it is on Green. Last week I trolled the same GPS pattern in a fiure 8 for two hours and then a small boat from across the main lake that had been anchored up motored up and started dropping all 8 of his rods down right on the ledge I had been fishing since dawn and threw the anchor overboard. I gave him a lesson on how not to trim your outboard on a bass boat and hoped that he would be treading water when I turned around. I hate stupid people. Common sense is indeed a rare thing these days.

[Fishin is life]

I see a lot of you guys are talking about Green, and thats where I spend most of my time....I have one point where I fish and sit nearly out in the middle of the lake and twice in the past couple weeks I've pulled up on it and there was somebody sitting on it but up on the bank....When I fish what I'm fishing I'm a good 50-75 yards away from them, but both times I've asked if they minded if I fished behind them...I had to almost yell so they could hear me but that's what I consider etiquette....One of the boats even came out closer to me and started up a conversation...He was bass fishing as well and asked what we were catching them on and even though I was in a tourny I gladly shared my info and he proceeded on down the bank and I hope he caught some fish

[HURRICANEBOB]

#1 rule: Never pass gas in a closed boat cabin if both the friends fishing with you almost made it into the NFL as linebackers.

#2 rule: Never do the above if the wife has her stun gun along.

#3 rule: Always......always....leave a cabin window open.

[stuck1]

Im a card carrying CCDW, and I carry almost everywhere, except when I'm on Cumberland. I would really like to be able to, but if it comes down to small wars being waged over some fishing etiquette indiscretions, I think I'd have to find a new lake. Im right there with the above comment of, a fishing spot is not worth someone's life. We have all had someone break the "code" while on the water. The lesser mentioned topic is, how many times have we broken some etiquette rule, even if inadvertently? For one, Id rather not go to prison for any fish or fishing spot. For two, Id rather not be killed, or even shot at, because I made a small mistake. The thing to keep in mind is, there is no fish worth someone's life, and why should I let someones mistake ruin my hard earned time on the water? I'll get off of my soapbox now, I just needed to say my share.

[psvec]

#1 rule: Never pass gas in a closed boat cabin if both the friends fishing with you almost made it into the NFL as linebackers.

#2 rule: Never do the above if the wife has her stun gun along.

#3 rule: Always......always....leave a cabin window open.

that made me laugh thanks

[sweetwater]

The ones that kill me are the pleasure boaters that are running fairly close to you and set it down out from you to try and idle by, not realizing that by sitting it down they're creating bigger wakes that'll get thrown your direction....However, I always give these people the benefit of the doubt in that they're trying to do what they think is right...Everytime this happens I'll politely wave and speak to them because they are attempting etiquette even though it doesnt work out that way

Sometimes the highway to the place of everlasting fire is paved with good intentions.

[stripernut]

While fishing the striper jumps one evening on c-land a lady angler in another boat and i became entangled.....we laughed, untangled the lines, chit chatted for awhile, cheered each other on during fish fights and had a pleasant evening. In the process i met and made very good friends mr and missus hurricane bob......great folks. That encounter could have gone the wrong way if someone would have took the wrong turn. folks its fishin.....deep breathe

[HURRICANEBOB]

While fishing the striper jumps one evening on c-land a lady angler in another boat and i became entangled.....we laughed, untangled the lines, chit chatted for awhile, cheered each other on during fish fights and had a pleasant evening. In the process i met and made very good friends mr and missus hurricane bob......great folks. That encounter could have gone the wrong way if someone would have took the wrong turn. folks its fishin.....deep breathe

OMG...that wasn't my wife, it was my girl friend
Besides, I thought you were just flirting.........and you're darn sure to big for me to object to it.

All kidding aside, I felt bad we drifted in too close. I just wasn't paying attention to boat position and was too focused on the fish surfacing. Glad we met, cause I've enjoyed it since.

But this raises another point. Sometimes folks seem to be rude, but they are just off in their own little world or not too attentive. I don't mind it if someones say courteously "hey guy too noisey, can you give us some room", or " hey brother, hate to offend, but we were here first, can you give us some room?". Point is, sometimes folks just make mistakes, and will correct them quickly if you don't come on too strong. And I agree, I've had times when I was trying to be courteous to ask for some room, and got a real pushy-jerk response back. That's when I do what Stripernut says: deep breathe, and move on, lives too short. Only time I get really fuzzed up is when life and limb or property are threatened.