I wonder what the local etiquette is for those fishing from boats in proximity to those fishing from docks. I have recently had several experiences fishing from a dock on the river when a fisherman in a boat moved in on the water that we were fishing. The boat fishermen in all cases were politely informed that we had lines in the water that he was approaching. They said ok and proceeded to stop the boat over top of our lines and start to fish.
I often fish rivers in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. I fish these rivers from boats, shore and wading. Is the standard that those fishing from watercraft make every effort to avoid disrupting the water that the wading or shore angler is fishing. On some of the smaller fast moving western rivers this courtesy is not easily accomplished.
The logic of course is that the angler in the boat has access to the entire river while those wading or fishing from the bank have much more limited access.
I would be interested in hearing the opinion of those on this forum about the nature of the local customs and courtesies of those fishing from stationary spots on the shore or from docks.
If I see people fishing from the dock or bank, I will a) try my best not to wake them and b) not anchor or fish where it’s likely that we cannot cross over each other’s lines. Couple of weeks ago I worked a shoreline that some guys building a dock were also fishing from. I anchored far enough away that we didn’t cross. He didn’t seem thrilled I pulled out half a dozen small reds in front of them, but they couldn’t complain that I was within his casting distance. I feel that’s fair.
Common courtesy should be extended both ways. If fishing from a dock, I would never cast at the area the boat was fishing and if fishing from a boat, I would never cast at the area the dock fishermen were fishing. To me, it’s not different than if I roll up on a boat fishing a dock I wanted to fish. I simply mind my wake as I go find another spot.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
Sad to say that over the past few years the attitudes on the water have changed. It’s amazing the things I see nowadays. The best is when the person guilty of being an asshat looks at you as if you are the clueless one.
After being released, a lot of fish die, but a lot of them live also.
I dont fish near fishing docks or boat ramps. Shore fisherman have limited access and being in a boat its pretty bad form to fish near a public dock.
If I come across a dock someone is fishing from I stop casting until we pass, though last time we were still met with a very angry dock owner. We were polite but she just couldnt handle us being in her creek. That creek will be forever known as “Hagatha”.
I gave 2 examples. Public docks/ramps and other docks (private).
Either way I give anyone fishing from shore the “right of way”. Stop fishing, go around/keep moving, start fishing again once i’m out of their range. Keep in mind I fish on the move (trolling motor) so to stop casting for a minute or two doesnt matter to my overall success.
To clarify, it was from a private dock. As they were coming in we told them that we had lines in the water that they were headed for.The water we were fishing was towards an adjacent dock not out in the channel. He looked at us, said ok and proceeded to set up and fish directly on top of our lines.
This has happened several times over the last couple of years. In one case, when we objected, the boat driver stated that he was fishing in a tournament. I replied that it wasn’t an excuse to be rude as we had been fishing that spot for several hours. He had two passengers or possibly clients in the boat and the seemed pretty embarassed and he eventually left.
If we had come out to the dock and a boat was already fishing in the water near us we would have defered to them and waited until they left. However in all cases we had been fishing there for several hours.
This all seems like common sense and common courtesy but I guess that in some cases the two are not so “common” these days
Ah yes. “Common sense” and “common courtesy.” I’ve heard of these rare and exotic anomalies. It is my understanding they are in short supply and rarely put on exhibit.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
You should have said, “we are fishing 2oz carolina rigs and will be casting directly where you anchored”, then if they don’t move re-tied with a 2oz weight and yelled “heads up” as you cast it right at his boat! Plenty of docks find and fish
Dock or land fisher vs boat fisher the boat should almost always give way to them in most scenarios. Its similar to boats vs ships, the more movable object should move. I almost always let people fish near me if they ask. Sometimes if im at a common spot and i see someone eyeing it like they want to fish i will tell them they are welcome to fish there. Usually i out fish them and teach them but sometimes i get took to school and learn something. Most of the time they fish it differently then me. I found out my red spot was a sheephead hole and another was a drum spot by letting others fish them while i do. Sometimes the other guy will suprise you.
I only crowd people shad fishing or reef fishing and in those scenarios crowding is a norm.
During the shad run on the canal i anchor my boat just outside the bank fishers range and rotate cast so we dont get tangled. I had a couple funny looks and possibly a cast or 2 thrown my way but once everyone seen it was not a problem the looks changed. Even had a few conversations with people on the bank. 1 guy bet his buddy 2 bucks he wouldnt bite the head off a live herring. They were good entertainment.
I have a dock or two I favor. At times, I have gotten there only to find someone on the dock fishing or another boat anchored up. I move on. Simple, life is too short to be a jerk about fishing.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
I have a dock or two I favor. At times, I have gotten there only to find someone on the dock fishing or another boat anchored up. I move on. Simple, life is too short to be a jerk about fishing.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
IMHO that is the correct thing to do and the proper attitude to do it with.
I always give way to the bank fisherman,it’s just the right thing to do.You should have made a video of these clowns for everyone to heckle.Now these people (hags) that come out to harass fishermen,that’s a different story.
Sad to say that over the past few years the attitudes on the water have changed. It’s amazing the things I see nowadays. The best is when the person guilty of being an asshat looks at you as if you are the clueless one.
After being released, a lot of fish die, but a lot of them live also.
and you called me an aszhat and we never fished together? What justifies an asshat?
If it is my dock that I payed good money for and I’m fishing it and a boat pulles up and interupts my fishing … I believe the boater is the azzhat.
I could be wrong, but I believe Allegheny Osprey is not referring to those boaters that infringe on other boaters perceived “special” spots, but those boaters that ride up to another person’s dock and while the dock owner is fishing and infringe on their “fun” time.
Remember all the posts that you have made over the years on all the “Azzhats” (as you call em") that infringe on you while you are fishing a dock ? Now imagine YOU infringing on a person fishing the dock you want to fish.
I have gotten a little perturbed by some dock fishermen, but we all pay taxes and some can not afford a boat or do not want one. Does that mean that they do not have access to a public right? Sounds like you are being a bit of a pecker head.
In all sincerity, I’ve had very little issue with those that use a “public” dock to do a little fishing or crabbing. What you need to realise is not all Americans can afford ( or even want) a boat. Don’t be such a jerk. I’ve had more issues with IDIOT boat owners at PUBLIC docks than people fishing off them.
Common courtesy goes both ways. If I am working docks and someone is fishing, I go around and leave that area for them. We were once out gigging and there were a couple of guys on a dock fishing. I told my buddy we needed to go around the next dock so we didn’t mess them up. They heard me and said no, we are pulling our lines in, come on through. as we were getting ready to reach their dock, we stopped, met them, took a break and enjoyed a cold beverage with them. Met some real nice fellows that night! Life is too short to be a azzhole on the water, plenty of room for everyone!
