I get on the lake this morning, put out my spread, and start trolling. Nobody within 1000 or more yards of me. As I am going along, 2 guys in a big center console boat with a T-top, pass me from behind on my starboard side going slow. No big deal until they pass me, turn around, and spot lock 30 yards directly in front of me. I’m thinking “what the he!! are you guys doing? Are you blind or just don’t give a ####?”. I make a fairly hard turn to port to avoid them and then turn completely around and go back in the other direction. This incident is on the heels of the last MSC tournament when 2 guys in a Bass Tracker type boat pass me on the starboard side going slow. When they get pass me, they turn directly in front of me and at about 20 yards, throw out their anchor. I still don’t know how my outside board didn’t catch their anchor rope. Yes they got an earful, but still, is there no respect on the water anymore? I just don’t get it.
Oh yea, the incident this morning, when I got turned completely around, I caught a 9 lb. rockfish right in front of them. Justice was served, somewhat.
Rant over…
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
I think, sometimes when things like that happen, there are folks who are new to boating and/or fishing that really don’t know any better. Other times there are folks who purposely try to get on fish someone else has already found. And still other times it’s pretty obvious that they are being aggravating on purpose. Most of the “green fish” anglers that I know will go out of their way to give the planer boarders a wide berth. Glad you caught a good fish in spite of the trouble.
My rant is with the inconsiderate nighttime bow fishermen that come right up to our dock after midnight with their generator roaring and lights glaring in our windows. I used to bow fish, but never went close to houses on the water after 9:30. There are lots of places to bow fish away from homes. Wish these guys could learn some manners. There is a noise ordinance and if it keeps happening sooner or later they will get reported by me and a few nearby neighbors. Law enforcement says all we have to do is make the call and they’ll take care of it. Hope it doesn’t have to come to that. It only takes one or two bad apples to spoil things for us all.
After reading my reply, decided I probably ought to clarify what I meant. I personally, don’t have a problem with any guys or girls bowfishing near our dock until after 11:00. We’re usually up until around then. Our neighbors, however, have young kids and school aged kids and I understand their concerns. If the little ones aren’t happy, momma’s not happy, and if momma’s not happy, nobody’s happy! I’m just saying, some of the bowfishermen should try to be more considerate than they are.
I’d like to think those sorts of things happen because the guys that cut you off don’t know anything about pulling boards. Hopefully they figured it out and won’t make the same mistake again.
My fishing partner actually saw the boat yesterday before I did. His comment was “those guys are going to run over our boards”. That’s how close they passed by us. My thoughts are that they were so focused on getting to a certain spot that they either weren’t paying attention to us or didn’t care, as long as they got there before us. Not only did I not know where they were going, it really didn’t matter. If I had known where they wanted to go, I would have gladly moved away long before we/they got there. I even waved to them as they passed. Maybe a friendly wave means “don’t worry about me, come on over and do what you want”.
Growing up in a fishing environment, my father taught me how to treat people on the water and this incident isn’t how.
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
I hear what you guys are saying. I grew up on the lake in Balentine in the 70’s. Spent all of my boyhood everyday out there fishing, skiing, trot lines…you get the picture. No way can you can have the wide open lake practicly to yourself. Between the ignorant, jet ski’s and misc. jackwagons, being on the lake on a weekend is more trouble than it’s worth in the summer. That’s why I think alot of us night fish now. At least that’s reason. Shame you can’t throw a stretch 30 and hook up a jet ski!
Here’s a story for you…We were pulling boards in an MSC tournament this year and were in a very narrow cut between two islands. An old guy in a pontoon (wearing of all things a captain’s hat) with a boat full of women passed right in front of us within 20 feet of our bow!! I actually took my phone out and videoed him because we could see him coming from a long way off and I had a feeling he was going to buzz us - he decided we were in his way I guess. I figured he was going to go behind us and take all of our boards or he would skim our bow because going around the island made way too much sense and would’ve been too considerate.
The guy never even looked over at us…I think he figured it was his lake and we were in his way. He was probably 70 years old and had a real sour look on his face as he steamed by. The girls - likely his daughters/granddaughters or something like that - looked totally embarrassed. They knew what he did was wrong. Not only was it inconsiderate, it was dangerous.
That’s lake murray for you. Lot of idiots with boats. But, at least I now know who the lake belongs to: The OLD MAN and the PONTOON. Pretty sure he lives in or just flat out claimed Crystal Lake.
Here’s a grainy pic from my video. Keep in mind, I’m at the back of my boat which is 24 feet long. You can see how close he is to the bow.
These are classic and the cell phone pic just sums it up: Oblivious to others. If it wasn’t so dangerous it would be funny- especially the captain’s hat.
Full disclosure: I’ve made mistakes on the water, too. I try not to, but sometimes I’m just not paying enough attention and screw up. I’ve definitely gotten better with more boating experience. 25+ years worth.
I’ve waterskied too close to boats and docks, I’ve went too fast near blind curves and people’s property, and last year I even pulled planer boards near another’s spread without realizing it to the last minute and he had to reel one in. Each and everytime I felt like an idiot and tried to learn from it. When possible I’ve apologized.
(It would be nice if there was a universal hand sign for “I screwed up and I’m sorry” Shrugging your shoulders doesn’t quite cut it. Makes you look like you don’t care.
Patting your chest and looking down is a little better but nothing quite gets the point like a verbal “I’m sorry”. I digress…)
Owning property on the lake has changed my views and opinions of lake etiquette, too. Nothing like being on the other side of the fence to see how other’s feel.
Why do you choose to ski over and over in front of my dock, rocking the crap out of it and washing away my shoreline, when 200 yards away there isn’t a soul or structure around?
Why do you part throttle, bow-in-the-air, can’t-see-a-thing,in full tsunami wave, instead of getting on plane or idling by?
Why do you fly up to my dock, shove your 20’ pole under it and fly off, when I’m fishing next to it?
Don’t even get me started on boat ramp etiquette…[:0]
My point is, I think we have all made boating/fishing mistakes. The best we can ask for is that ourselves and others at least ATTEMPT to do the right thing.
Some people just don’t give a crap, some don’t have all their faculties anymore (ahem-possibly Capt. Pontoon’s issue?), and some never had the mental capacity to grasp the situation in the first place. For those people you have to laugh it o
These are classic and the cell phone pic just sums it up: Oblivious to others. If it wasn’t so dangerous it would be funny- especially the captain’s hat.
Full disclosure: I’ve made mistakes on the water, too. I try not to, but sometimes I’m just not paying enough attention and screw up. I’ve definitely gotten better with more boating experience. 25+ years worth.
I’ve waterskied too close to boats and docks, I’ve went too fast near blind curves and people’s property, and last year I even pulled planer boards near another’s spread without realizing it to the last minute and he had to reel one in. Each and everytime I felt like an idiot and tried to learn from it. When possible I’ve apologized.
(It would be nice if there was a universal hand sign for “I screwed up and I’m sorry” Shrugging your shoulders doesn’t quite cut it. Makes you look like you don’t care.
Patting your chest and looking down is a little better but nothing quite gets the point like a verbal “I’m sorry”. I digress…)
Owning property on the lake has changed my views and opinions of lake etiquette, too. Nothing like being on the other side of the fence to see how other’s feel.
Why do you choose to ski over and over in front of my dock, rocking the crap out of it and washing away my shoreline, when 200 yards away there isn’t a soul or structure around?
Why do you part throttle, bow-in-the-air, can’t-see-a-thing,in full tsunami wave, instead of getting on plane or idling by?
Why do you fly up to my dock, shove your 20’ pole under it and fly off, when I’m fishing next to it?
Don’t even get me started on boat ramp etiquette…[:0]
My point is, I think we have all made boating/fishing mistakes. The best we can ask for is that ourselves and others at least ATTEMPT to do the right thing.
Some people just don’t give a crap, some don’t have all their faculties anymor
To add to the list: Stay off the lower lake at night unless you just have a death wish. Seeing boats flying around at WOT in the dark is a scary thing, but last year we almost got ran over by a big sailboat in the middle of the lower pool while we were anchored with our lights on. The dude was coming across the lake and never even saw us, probably because he never even looked. I just happened to look up and he was 30yds away and closing coming from behind where I was facing originally. I finally had to crank up and drag anchor to get out of his way. Keep your head on a swivel out there after dark!
There is no safe place on the lake at night on a weekend. I was on the north end near Dreher, and after dark it looked like red and green rocket ships constantly running across the lake. With the occasional DNR blue light for good measure.
There is no safe place on the lake at night on a weekend. I was on the north end near Dreher, and after dark it looked like red and green rocket ships constantly running across the lake. With the occasional DNR blue light for good measure.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I agree. Pretty sure this is why MSC moved away from night tournaments - I’m glad we don’t have them anymore. I’ve spent the night on the water back when we had night tournaments but was nervous the whole time…people running wide open across the big water. They don’t have radar or FLIR, so there’s no way they could even remotely know what’s in front of them. Even with those advantages, it’s dangerous. Half of them are probably drunk IMO. Either way, it was unnerving and I just stay off the lake at night. Best to play it safe than have someone get killed. My kid’s teacher and her friend were killed out there at night a few years ago - its happened way too much unfortunately.
There is no safe place on the lake at night on a weekend. I was on the north end near Dreher, and after dark it looked like red and green rocket ships constantly running across the lake. With the occasional DNR blue light for good measure.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I agree. Pretty sure this is why MSC moved away from night tournaments - I’m glad we don’t have them anymore. I’ve spent the night on the water back when we had night tournaments but was nervous the whole time…people running wide open across the big water. They don’t have radar or FLIR, so there’s no way they could even remotely know what’s in front of them. Even with those advantages, it’s dangerous. Half of them are probably drunk IMO. Either way, it was unnerving and I just stay off the lake at night. Best to play it safe than have someone get killed. My kid’s teacher and her friend were killed out there at night a few years ago - its happened way too much unfortunately.
The guy that is now in prison was a member on here. Steve Kran was his screen name. Kid got liquored up in a 26 foot cc (with flir) and ran clean over them. sad. Does scare me too. I usually leave my floods on so nobody can miss me.
I can’t count the number of boats I’ve seen without lights in the last few years…I also can’t count the number that have the white light improperly displayed. According to regulations the white light must be 1 M above the red/green light(s). There are a ton of bass boats and small fishing boats I’ve seen out there where it is at the level of the Red green or lower.
As an occasional fisher and avid boater I will say that this is a tough time of year because of all the guys pulling boards, rigs, etc. I know what you are most likely doing with a spread of rods out and the trolling motor going but not everyone does know about trolling and how far out the lines actually are.
The respect issue goes both ways…if you are in a shallow channel that is like 100 feet wide or less keep in mind that other boats have to pass through there as well, so if you are in the dead middle it doesn’t leave a lot of room. Also, I hate when people anchor off in the middle of one of these narrow channels and wonder why boats are zoooming by them only 20 feet away…it’s because they don’t have a choice. I wish they would make boater education a requirement so people knew the proper horn signals, passing rules, and right of way rules.
Edit to add: Technically anchoring in the middle of the cove is a real inconvenience because to the letter of the law you can’t operate above idle speed within 50 feet of an anchored vessel, pier, or dock. I have only passed 1-2 boats closer than this but didn’t have a choice…at least I get to a speed where I’m not throwing a wake instead of bogging like some guys do…they don’t realize that slowing down is the worst thing they could do.
You have a choice in that anchored vessel situation. You should have slowed down to idle speed no wake. I have a right to anchor and fish an area just as much as you do to make it your chosen travel path.
You have a choice in that anchored vessel situation. You should have slowed down to idle speed no wake. I have a right to anchor and fish an area just as much as you do to make it your chosen travel path.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
As I said, I’ve only done it 1-2 times in the many years I’ve been boating and pulling off plane wasn’t a choice due to the depth and circumstances. To the letter of the law actually the anchored vessel is in the wrong if it is the only passage (which on these 2 instances it was). It is against regulations for a vessel that is engaged in fishing to impede the access to the channel by anchoring or otherwise. In both situations I didn’t avoid the pass through where the boat was anchored, it was at best 50/50 to who was in the wrong.
We all have equal rights to the water and all need to know the regulations. That’s true for power boaters, sail boaters, and fisherman alike. I’ve actually gotten yelled at trying to leave coves by fisherman that were casting towards shore from the other side of the cove and literally gave no place for a boat to leave, and this was at idle speed. Nothing worse than any boater that thinks they own the lake or have the a right to be where they are more than another boater.
Edit to add: Actually the fishing anchoring regulation is the Coast guard regulation which doesn’t apply to Murray necessarily. The SC DNR version just states that a vessel should not anchor in a channel or passageway where it interferes with the normal operation of other vessels.
If you could pass through on plane, then the anchored vessel was not prohibiting passage. It’s not 50/50. Slow down and idle through.
20’ is way to close to be operating at speed. What if someone was swimming near their boat and you didn’t see them until it was too late? I’m sorry, but zooming by a boat 20’ is just wrong.
If you could pass through on plane, then the anchored vessel was not prohibiting passage. It’s not 50/50. Slow down and idle through.
20’ is way to close to be operating at speed. What if someone was swimming near their boat and you didn’t see them until it was too late? I’m sorry, but zooming by a boat 20’ is just wrong.
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I wouldn’t go 20 feet away from someone because quite frankly I don’t trust 90% of the people on this lake when it comes to boats. I was saying they were people that do though. I was within the 50 feet but not anywhere near 20 feet…if I would have gotten that close I wouldn’t have had to worry about DNR, my wife would have taken care of me. My point about anchoring was if you have a 100ft passageway/river run then why don’t you be considerate to other boaters and anchor 10-15 feet off to one side so that they can pass legally and comfortably.
And the letter of the law says nothing about normal passage, it says normal operation which is defined as how you would normally be operating the boat if the other vessel was not present…I wouldn’t drop off plane if they weren’t there, therefore they would be prohibiting normal operation.
If you want to anchor up in the dead middle of narrow passages just to prove a point or whatever you are doing then go right ahead. I’ll avoid you, and boats like you, but not all boats will. I just don’t understand why someone would go out of their way to anchor in a place that puts them, their vessel, and their friends & family in harms way, but that’s your choice. Again, why not be a courteous steward of the lake and move over a couple of feet one way or the other and share the lake? There’s enough lake for us all to share. I’d rather not run up right by shore where there could be submerged logs, stumps, et
Have had a revolver pulled on us before. My father and one of our buddies was fishing near Bulls Bay. Was anchored in front of a small creek dumping out into the intracoastal waterway. Man pulls up and proclaims he needs us to move that he is a guide and needs the spot. The fellow with him told him not to worry about it and just fish somewhere else. Guide tells us we are in his spot and pulls out a revolver and flashes it so we can see it and lays it on his console. We refused to move and he cussed and yelled and slowly left. What a dill hole. Didn’t even think to write down his boat information. We should have called DNR or the police.
