Anchoring Etiquette on Private Docks

Saltwater Inshore Discussion
1

What is the anchoring etiquette on private docks? I have not done this but it seems fairly common.

2

The water is public, the dock is private. Treat it as such.

If there are homeowners using their docks, I stay away. Its common courtesy.

May all your favorite bands stay together…

3

Exactly, you can’t tie off to any of their structure without permission. If you are anchored and not touching their dock then you are fine.

4

If the homeowner complains, take a picture and give the location on this site. It will get fished plenty after that, especially I’d the shem creekers see it.

’

Down here is where a signature goes but they can confuse and anger some people so I don’t have one.

5

2 pgs

6

You can tie off to any dock during a storm.

Olde Man Charters

7

does a 20 knot qualify as a storm

8

You have to ask The Bonz:wink: Kind of like any Port in a Storm! You would know all about that Pod ie: 2 AM:face_with_head_bandage:

9

Bonzo tied off my dock once.

Once.

May all your favorite bands stay together…

10

I have a long j hook and stick it on a piling.The current holds Me in place.

Stonoman

11
quote:
Originally posted by Local Cluster

Exactly, you can’t tie off to any of their structure without permission. If you are anchored and not touching their dock then you are fine.

Actually I believe the some plots of land (older plots in particular) include marsh/mud to deep water so even anchoring could be trespassing. Anyone know of this?

No property owner wants a stranger tied to his dock because he’s likely to get sued if the boater hurts himself nowadays.

First, Most, Biggest

12
quote:
Originally posted by Great White
quote:
Originally posted by Local Cluster

Exactly, you can’t tie off to any of their structure without permission. If you are anchored and not touching their dock then you are fine.

Actually I believe the some plots of land (older plots in particular) include marsh/mud to deep water so even anchoring could be trespassing. Anyone know of this?

No property owner wants a stranger tied to his dock because he’s likely to get sued if the boater hurts himself nowadays.

The state claims ownership of all lands below mean high water. Proof of ownership of those lands can be made if the title can be traced back to the original Kings Grant. In most cases that’s not easy to do since Sherman burned down most of the court houses. If you can trace the title back, a party can own down to mean low water. So, touching the bottom above MLW could be trespassing. But floating over it is not as title to land does not give title to waters over that land.

First, Most, Biggest

Olde Man Charters

13

My family has/ had kings grant documentation so I guess that makes more sense.

Thanks.

First, Most, Biggest

14

You’d need a Broad Street lawyer to tackle that one. lol

2005 Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”

15

that Sherman was a forker

16

Don’t know about that Pod! It can be argued that Burning Atlanta, was a good thing! Look at it now and think of what it would be, if they hadn’t had a chance back then to start over?:face_with_head_bandage:[:0]

17
quote:
Originally posted by 23Sailfish

The water is public, the dock is private. Treat it as such.

If there are homeowners using their docks, I stay away. Its common courtesy.

May all your favorite bands stay together…

+10

“If Bruce Jenner can keep his wiener and be called a woman, I can keep my firearms and be considered disarmed.”

18

Here in Joisey, deal with permits for Riparian/Public Trust Doctrine. Anything below MHW is state land as to ownership, even if the land owner has a riparian grant/lease. A grant gives you priviledge/right to use the land, not absolute ownership.

Now, everday fishing 'poke - if the dock has No Trespressing sign on it, stay away, even in storm. In a true storm, tie up to the dock for your safety, but would stay with the boat if conditions permit. Everyday fishing, don’t tie up to the dock w/o permission.

Board Street lawyer will be needed if the dock owner fires a load of buckshot at ya!:8ball:

Fishing the beaches, Bays & Ocean of Wildwood/Cape May, NJ
Soon a resident of Georgetown, SC

19

I love to see people fishing around my dock, and have been known to hand out baits/lures to help them.

I’d rather people not tie up without permission - though some do just to let their kids jump off my pierhead. The liability concerns me.

I LOVE to see people tie up to wait out a storm and am proud that I’m able to help them out in a stressful moment on the water.

I bet you most Charlestonians feel the same way. At least I hope they do.

There’s no I in Barbeque Team.

20
quote:
Originally posted by Al Grain

I love to see people fishing around my dock, and have been known to hand out baits/lures to help them.

I bet you most Charlestonians feel the same way. At least I hope they do.

You are the exception. Most people I’ve encountered aren’t as nice as you are. Good for you.

May all your favorite bands stay together…