Poll - Minimum Boat Distance While Fishing

[DHaun]

The topic of boating/fishing courtesy (or the lack of it) has been discussed numerous times on CFF. I think it might be a good idea to poll CFF members and sticky the thread for awhile hoping to educate those who visit CFF that may not have an understanding of this concept.

This is the scenario. An angler is in their boat drifting or trolling...fishing a point, hump, ditch, structure or just hanging out tying on lures. Unlike the Nuke or trolling for crappie at Weiss there are no other boats in the immediate area. They are fishing for any particular species...bass, crappie, bream, striper. Regardless of whether they are fishing for money, they are not just driving up to say hello, they have not been invited over, What is the minimum distance another angler should maintain to show common courtesy on our local waters?

1) Anywhere is fine

2) Casting Distance

3) 50 feet (or about 3 boat lengths)

4) 50 yards (or about 9 boat lengths)

5) 100 yards

 

[SNUFFY]

#4....ooooppps

 

[MadBomber]

David, </p>

If you will forgive me, I want to add something my Dad taught me way back.  When another fisherman is moving down a bank, you never pull in front of him, always behind.</p>

 

[fishinvol]

4 is ok, but if I am trolling a certain way, don't cut in front of me.

 

[DHaun]

Yes, please feel free to post comments relevant to boating/fishing courtesy.

I believe an even wider distance is needed if a boat is running on the water. I have had numerous bass boats blast by right next to me while fishing with plenty of room on the water. Not only is it unsafe but the last 2 times they also ran right over fish in the jumps that I was casting to.

 

[fishing fire]

100 yards is close enough if you can see someones facial hair there too close.

 

[SpurHunter]

Y'all please chime in on my skipjack report about the boater in my casting "blood circle" (term form the scouts in my house). I would love to know what is kosher there.

 

[Fishin Fool]

I can see where this poll is going but a lot of folks need to go out and look at 50 yards,..... 150 feet. It ain't much! If someone is that close to me they are going to mess up my fishing if I am fishing schooling fish on a flat or if I am in a small cove. A person can make a LOT of noise and disruption in 150 feet! I think 100 yards is crowded. Plus the thing about "cutting in" on someone applies here too.

 

[SpurHunter]

I see your point Terry, I guess I am thinking about "fishing" by someone (t-motoring) that close, and not blasting by at 50 mph. Maybe I read the example wrong?

 

[xroadsbasser]

50 yards seems to be the distance most TX rules specify!

 

[fischnrod]

I agree with the madbomber on this and #4 out of common courtesy and in most tournaments the rule is 50 yards anchored with t motor up.
I usually don't have that problem cause everyone knows there are no fish where i am fishing.. emoCool

 

[Breeze]

# 4 since i never catch fish i am gunna say 5o yds that way i wont inter his fishing zone

 

[Fishin Fool]

We aren't talking about TX rules. We are talking about courtesy on the lake. I don't fish for money, I fish for fun and relaxation. TX rules should not be a fisherman's rules. We should be ruled by the right thing to do, not the right thing to do in competition.

 

[MadBomber]

I didn't mention earlier that I voted for 100 yds.  I don't fish Tx's as a rule, so I consider 100 yds common courtesy

 

[dd22fish]

I HAVE BEEN FISHING THIS LAKE FOR OVER 30 YEARS THERE ANT ALOT OF COURTESY LEFT OUT THERE.I THINK YOU STAY 50 YARDS OR FUTHER FROM ANOTHER BOAT FISHING A TOUR. OR JUST FISHING. ITS A BIG LAKE OUT THERE. THANKS DD22FISH

 

[flip1up]

100 yards. A football field aint that long. Unless of coarse your running.

 

[Guest]

I think 50 yds would be ok but I won't get that close unless it's someone I know or want to talk to.
My thinking is that if someone gets too close to me and it ruins my day OR my fishing then I have other serious problems.

 

[jsb]

I feel 100 yards is the least you should give a fellow fisherman or woman. I have a rule that if I'm not sure which way they are going to go than I troll up and ask and either follow them at a distance or go the other way. I also ask them if they are fishing a Tx. and if so most of the time I will leave and fish else where. I have had it happen to many times that someone runs in on me in a Tx. and ruins my fishing.emoEnforce

 

[DHaun]

Personally, I don't think it should make a difference if an angler is fishing a tournament or not. I just can't see that as a valid reason to refuse to recognize the space of others on the water. It costs me money and personal sacrifices to fish just like everyone else. Time=$$ and I figure my leisure time is worth 1.5 times my hourly wage since that's what many get paid to give up their free time. I always try to be friendly on the water and will gladly let someone fish the spot I'm on if they just ask, but for all they know it might be costing me more to be out fishing than they are going to win at their tournament.

The few experiences I have had of others running up on me were nice bass boats that were not tournament fishing. The last time it happenned they drove up, waked me, and then came within a boat length trying to fish the same area I was on near Harrison Bay. Maybe they thought since I had an aluminum boat with rod holders I was fishing for cats or something...I know I look like a junk fisherman and have certain innate junkfish skills emoTongue but I was caught by surprise at how close they got without saying a word! I spoke first just to break the ice and am still not sure if they just did not know any better...Regardless, they got to watch me pull in the last couple jigging spoon Bass which were just under my boat!

Of course all this minimum distance stuff flys out the window if I know the angler. I am always happy to fish alongside any CFF member. emoBigsmile

 

[EricM]

DHaun - 8/20/2007 9:24 PM

Of course all this minimum distance stuff flys out the window if I know the angler. I am always happy to fish alongside any CFF member.

My attitude exactly! Well said David!emoThumbsup