This subject has probably been discussed before, but there is something that I would like to know. Has common courtesy toward fellow anglers completely dissappeared. Today I was anchored in an area near the Bolivar ferry landing trying to catch a few fish, when a young man motored his boat right behind me in the spot where I was casting . I guess the young man felt it necessary to motor over the area that I was fishing instead going around in front of me and drifting in. This really irritated me so I pulled anchor and motored around to a different area near the same spot. Well, you guessed it a man with his family onboard a pontoon boat did the same thing, this time I expressed my displeasure by blowing my boats horn. The captain of the pontoon boat just looked at me as if he did nothing wrong. I gave up on that area as more boats were approaching and I was getting more irritated with every passing minute. There was not much catching going on by any of the boats that were there. All I ask is please show a little courtesy toward your fellow anglers. And do not be in such a hurry to cut some one off.
What happened to common courtesy?
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all you gotta do is make a cast right in his boat. He'll get the idea.
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You know I encounter people like this almost every weekend.
I have come to the conclusion. That these people don't mean to be buttheads, they are just completely clueless. They have acquired a boat and headed for the water with no knowledge of the do's and don’ts.
The reason I say this, Is because every time I have confronted these types about their infraction. And I do this routinely. They have truly looked shocked and apologetic.
I furthermore have decided that we as fisherman need to push for some form of testing required to operate a boat that would include safety and on water courtesy.
I have come to the conclusion. That these people don't mean to be buttheads, they are just completely clueless. They have acquired a boat and headed for the water with no knowledge of the do's and don’ts.
The reason I say this, Is because every time I have confronted these types about their infraction. And I do this routinely. They have truly looked shocked and apologetic.
I furthermore have decided that we as fisherman need to push for some form of testing required to operate a boat that would include safety and on water courtesy.
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I couldn't agree more with DISSipator........THEY JUST DON'T KNOW. I encounter this on almost every trip I run, specially during the Summer. I deal with it professionally by letting the other boat know that I am fishing that area by either voice or hand signal. As you can imagine, I get varied responses but most of the time they will acknowledge and politely alter course. As far as the testing goes, I will second that.
Capt. Tim
Capt. Tim
DISSipator, I agree with you about the need for any one that operates a motorboat to have training on the operation of a boat, possibly even going so far as to require an operators license. I know that suggesting a license requirement is going to anger quite a few people, but I really feel that this is the one way to ensure that operators of boats know how to operate them safely and courteously . The problem with this idea is it would be difficult to implement , and enforce.
SeaPro, its enough to make a grown man cuss but its an age old problem and I don't think a solution will ever be found. I agree with the training program but it costs money and the state won't fund it. Buying a boat/water craft is like arm chair quarterbacking everyone is an expert.
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I'll agree with the license thing but it would take some politics to get it done. I see probably these same inconsiderate and ignorant people driving their boat the same way. What is the equivalent of ROAD RAGE on the water??
We'll be needing those classes while the others are getting their licenses......LOL
We'll be needing those classes while the others are getting their licenses......LOL
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ah yes, the inshore clown posse..
..they found us last weekend. my brother and i had just found the fish and were catchin fish on every cast for about 15 minutes or so. then this boat load of 5 "fishermen" come blasting in, stop for a second, and proceed to motor slowly right in front of us. i actually saw the fish run past us on their way out. then after driving around on the flat for about 5 or ten minutes they decide to get out and throw their lures around. notice that i didn't say fish.
me and danny give it a few minutes then pull up and wade out. an hour or so later i guess they finally caught a fish cuz one of 'em starts hooping and hollering to his fellow "fishermen". it had to have been a stray.
this one was a deliberate cut off. they just didn't want us in "their" hole. thats ok. we walked out with limits of redfish and 5 trout up to 25" that we'd caught before they got there
..they found us last weekend. my brother and i had just found the fish and were catchin fish on every cast for about 15 minutes or so. then this boat load of 5 "fishermen" come blasting in, stop for a second, and proceed to motor slowly right in front of us. i actually saw the fish run past us on their way out. then after driving around on the flat for about 5 or ten minutes they decide to get out and throw their lures around. notice that i didn't say fish.
me and danny give it a few minutes then pull up and wade out. an hour or so later i guess they finally caught a fish cuz one of 'em starts hooping and hollering to his fellow "fishermen". it had to have been a stray.
this one was a deliberate cut off. they just didn't want us in "their" hole. thats ok. we walked out with limits of redfish and 5 trout up to 25" that we'd caught before they got there
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Boat Rage???
The license and classes would help. However, people have to have training and a license to drive an automobile, and that sure as h*** hasn't seemed to help with the way they drive.
These are the same people that pull up right in front of the boat ramp, and then take 10 minutes to transfer coolers, rods, and misc junk from their vehicle to their boat with others waiting that are ready to go before blocking the ramp.
I really enjoy you guys (and gals). It's nice to know that there are some boaters that have common sense and practice common courtesy.
Some people are just too stupid to live......Q
The license and classes would help. However, people have to have training and a license to drive an automobile, and that sure as h*** hasn't seemed to help with the way they drive.
These are the same people that pull up right in front of the boat ramp, and then take 10 minutes to transfer coolers, rods, and misc junk from their vehicle to their boat with others waiting that are ready to go before blocking the ramp.
I really enjoy you guys (and gals). It's nice to know that there are some boaters that have common sense and practice common courtesy.
Some people are just too stupid to live......Q
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Check out Allicat's
posts. She know just what to do with those kinda guys! LOL!
posts. She know just what to do with those kinda guys! LOL!
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I also seemed to be surrounded by Idiots this past week. I truly believe if it would not have been for quick reflexes of a jet skier my Top Dog would have done some serious damage. The surf is big enough for fisherman and recreational watercraft so long as common courtesy used.
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Well, they require a licenses to drive cars and trucks, but most people don't do that any better than they drive boat. I think they should have a common courtesy test people would have to pass to get their fishing licenses.
If you are brought up being courteous to others, it will show in everything you do. If you are brought up being allowed to not give a rats ***** about other people and how what you do affects them, then that attitude will come out in everything you do.
Maybe common courtesy should be a required subject in grade school!
If you are brought up being courteous to others, it will show in everything you do. If you are brought up being allowed to not give a rats ***** about other people and how what you do affects them, then that attitude will come out in everything you do.
Maybe common courtesy should be a required subject in grade school!
I'm in total agreement with Dissipator! These folks have bought their first boat, but have no clue as to the Common Sense needed to operate it. With No Laws on the books to regulate who can own/operate a vessel, any Goober can plop down the cash and drive it away.
Another Prime example is July 9th, while fishing with Captain Red in West Gorda Bay, we had anchored up, started our Wade and were about 150 yards from the boat when this Yahoo idles in and drops anchor 30 yards from Red's boat, thus cutting off our Wade back to the boat. There was 5 miles of shoreline on either side of us that had very few boats, yet this guy drops in right on top of us.
Another Prime example is July 9th, while fishing with Captain Red in West Gorda Bay, we had anchored up, started our Wade and were about 150 yards from the boat when this Yahoo idles in and drops anchor 30 yards from Red's boat, thus cutting off our Wade back to the boat. There was 5 miles of shoreline on either side of us that had very few boats, yet this guy drops in right on top of us.
Could it be that fish are not so scattered as one thinks and spots that hold fish are the spots people are going to fish no matter what? (playing devils advocate)
My $.02. I think courtesy should be taught to the individual but not by our government. It should be taught by us sportsmen and sportswomen. I dont think the government should get anymore involved than they already are in our lives.
My $.02. I think courtesy should be taught to the individual but not by our government. It should be taught by us sportsmen and sportswomen. I dont think the government should get anymore involved than they already are in our lives.
So then I nominate J to be the dedicated Teacher of all who buy a boat for the first time! He can spend all of his weekends and evenings by teaching those who need to know. I figure he'll be 257 years old by the time he has accomplished his newly appointed task! LOL
Ahhh, you misinterpreted me old HH. LOL My intent meant that while on the water, if you encounter a problem, then let that person know. Whether you are nice about it or not is up to the individual you are dealing with. Bring some old school on them and they would probably remember not to do it again. I am not saying courtesy among all will happen overnight but with people on the water enforcing it among themselves everyone will learn eventually, or at least to the point that the incidents might decline a bit. A class would not be any better than the approach I mentioned, probably less results.
Ah, but consider this Infamous (in your own mind) one. If they can't purchase a boat without the course, or provide proof of previous ownership, then they can be educated before getting out there and have you/me jumping their tails about common courtesy. And just how many do you actually think will listen to you out there in the first place? 1 out of 25? Confrontations on the water lead to violent exchanges of words or fists. A simple General overview of Boating Etiquette Could go a long way. Like Dissipator said before, Most of them don't even realize they are messing up.
I appreciate all of your comments . I see by the response that this thread has gotten , there are a lot of you that feel the same as I do. I guess the best we can do is try to set an example for others by continuing to treat one another with dignity and respect. Perhaps by doing this others will learn. Thanks for all of your comments and I will see you on the water.
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A little Education
I grew up wade fishing but now I usually take the boat out... however, sometimes I still like to wade, or bank fish in Texas City or West bay when I just don't have time to deal with the boat but want to wet a line for a while.
Very Rarely do I let some idiot get under my skin so much that I take action.
However, this spring, there was one day I just could not take it anymore.
My buddy and I were on the Tx City Dike (idiot magnet) fishing off the right side for big drum with the long rods. Well, this boat decides to anchor @60 yds directly out from us. He was well within out casting area. We tried to signal to him that he was too close and he did not see to care. So my buddy and I decided to prove to him that he was. We were using 5 oz. surf weights with crab for bait.
Although we could have easily thrown way over the boat, we decided to drop them close enough to make a point.
My buddy's setup landed 10 feet off his stern and mine landed 10 feet off his port side. The people around us watched in amazement that we were actually chunking at the boat. After the first round of casts he starts yelling at us that we're throwing too close to HIM. Then he proceeded to call us names and taunt us that we could not hit his boat....Bad idea. He was starting to make me mad so we told him he was too close to the rocks and that we could not control the casts enough to keep avoiding him (his warning/our disclaimer, lol). We pretended that we were just continuing to fish but were actually deliberately dropping the weight/bait closer and closer to him.
Finally after several casts within 5 feet from his boat, he decided he had had enough.
Can you image the fiberglass damage from a 5oz weight?
The funny thing is that the people next to us told us that a warden was watching us the entire time. He did not say anything to us. What could he say? We were just casting out and fishing (or so it seemed)!
I grew up wade fishing but now I usually take the boat out... however, sometimes I still like to wade, or bank fish in Texas City or West bay when I just don't have time to deal with the boat but want to wet a line for a while.
Very Rarely do I let some idiot get under my skin so much that I take action.
However, this spring, there was one day I just could not take it anymore.
My buddy and I were on the Tx City Dike (idiot magnet) fishing off the right side for big drum with the long rods. Well, this boat decides to anchor @60 yds directly out from us. He was well within out casting area. We tried to signal to him that he was too close and he did not see to care. So my buddy and I decided to prove to him that he was. We were using 5 oz. surf weights with crab for bait.
Although we could have easily thrown way over the boat, we decided to drop them close enough to make a point.
My buddy's setup landed 10 feet off his stern and mine landed 10 feet off his port side. The people around us watched in amazement that we were actually chunking at the boat. After the first round of casts he starts yelling at us that we're throwing too close to HIM. Then he proceeded to call us names and taunt us that we could not hit his boat....Bad idea. He was starting to make me mad so we told him he was too close to the rocks and that we could not control the casts enough to keep avoiding him (his warning/our disclaimer, lol). We pretended that we were just continuing to fish but were actually deliberately dropping the weight/bait closer and closer to him.
Finally after several casts within 5 feet from his boat, he decided he had had enough.
Can you image the fiberglass damage from a 5oz weight?
The funny thing is that the people next to us told us that a warden was watching us the entire time. He did not say anything to us. What could he say? We were just casting out and fishing (or so it seemed)!
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205 Posts
Its like Charlie Brown hitting his head against the tree
Back in the 80's when my brother and I were much younger (ahh, yes, I remember the days, sigh), we would fish and ski on Lake Conroe just about every day. Since we lived in Conroe, I could get off work at 6 p.m. go home get him and the boat and be at the ramp in about 20 minutes.
We were always befuddled, flummoxed, astounded and surprised that we could put a 19 ft BassCat in and out of the water in less than 5 minutes but we'd have to wait 15 or 20 for some yoyo to do the same with a smaller boat.
Mind you this was a free ramp at the end of FM 830, do people have better manners where they have to pay? I wonder.
MIK
Back in the 80's when my brother and I were much younger (ahh, yes, I remember the days, sigh), we would fish and ski on Lake Conroe just about every day. Since we lived in Conroe, I could get off work at 6 p.m. go home get him and the boat and be at the ramp in about 20 minutes.
We were always befuddled, flummoxed, astounded and surprised that we could put a 19 ft BassCat in and out of the water in less than 5 minutes but we'd have to wait 15 or 20 for some yoyo to do the same with a smaller boat.
Mind you this was a free ramp at the end of FM 830, do people have better manners where they have to pay? I wonder.
MIK
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