Quote Originally Posted by stripernut1 View Post
while we are on the subject of dock lights..... just keep in mind the light you are seeing hanging off the dock didn't fall out of the sky, it was put there by somebody that had authority to put it there, usually a licensed guide that is paying BIG money not only for his slip where his boat(s) are docked, but also the electric plug in where he has other light positioned. Or the light may be owned by a slip customer who is paying BIG money for the fringe benefits of being a slip customer. Look at it this way, lets say you walk up to a new construction site and see a carpenter working on a roof, there is a skill saw laying on the tailgate of HIS truck, you say to yourself...."hmmm its just laying there, I don't think anybody will mind if I borrow it....and there it is , now he has no saw and can not continue to work that day. I know the argument is that the shad/herring are public property that belong to everybody, and I couldn't agree more! BUT the dock and more specifically the boat slip and the light are not, they are PRIVATE property and should respected as such. It is at best very poor etiquette to throw a net at someones light, and at worst very dangerous. some folks don't have a sense of humor over this stuff....just sayin. Bob is right, you may get TEMPORARY permission to throw at someones light when they are done catching bait, but don't take it as well I have permission forever. And remember don't take it personal when you are rejected or someone gets ill about the matter, youre not the first person to invade their personal property, it is overwhelming at times and people get fed up fast. The best way to avoid stepping on toes is to do just what bob said, go out on the lake, find a quiet mouth of a cove in at least 40 ft of water, put the light out, be quiet, and relax for 30 minutes, throw your net, get your bait and enjoy the morning, hopefully the only drama you will have will be whether or not you will be able to fit your fish in the net. Good luck, tight lines
I keep my boat in my slip now until I am ready the throw. I've gone down and had a mess all over my slip and water in a burnt out light where someone decided to help themselves. No, I am not humored at all when someone decides to help themselves to my stuff.