Boating rules for Trolling

[puddle jumper]

OK guys
With the trolling season starting up down south, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread on the rules of the road for trolling,,, How closes is to close when trolling in a crowd, down in Ga things can get pritty crowded and I always feel a little timid about jumping in with a bunch of other boat to work a area over, so how closes is to close behind?, Passing a boat?? Crossing?? How about boat control when catching a fish, "I fish solo a lot but the new I Pilot should help" Some times I feel like im in down town Atlanta rush hr traffic and I dont want to piss the rest of the world off unintentionally,,, So what are the general rules for trolling a crowded lake???

Still kind of new to all of this but really like it...
Thank's
PJ

[NIMROD]

I've been anchored before here and had trollers see me catching fish only to move in. One old couple trolled circles around closer and closer , spiraling in till they got too close. I had to ask them what's up? They just said hello, and I said now get the heck away!

[Tracker123]

Ditto on the boat traffic with the trolling season starting up here in the south. When trolling along a bank, I will pass someone away from the bank when coming across another boat or people along the bank. When passing head-on, I pass to the right. I normally don't cross someones path if they are trolling as well. I normally fish solo, so boat handling can be a problem when catching fish.

[satdoc1]

Too close is when your poles are in their boat! Too close is when they are usin your minners out of your minner bucket! And the list goes on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Drum_Master]

To add to satdoc's list:

Too close is if you are in range of my favorite baitcaster rigged with a quarter oz sinker!!!

[rescue.tech]

To add to satdoc's list:

Too close is if you are in range of my favorite baitcaster rigged with a quarter oz sinker!!!

LOL thats a good point

[jimp]

some of you guys act like you "own" the entire lake. The question is how close is too close, in feet or yards. If you can read the registration #'s, that's close enough if not too close imo. I don't appreciate others crowding me to get to their "honey hole" if I get there first, and will stay around just to be in the way if I have to. but they are there when I come by, then I move on to the next spot on my list. One guy likes to drop anchor and cast over a submerged tree, while I prefer to troll. We chat back and forth as I make passes from a distance. Never had a bad word yet. If I'm trolling over his spot, he just waits till I'm out of the area.

[Hanr3]

I don't care if you pull up along side and want to drop a line 6" from mine. As long as you dont mind a little conversation in the process. If your a rude SOB, keep moving.

If your just trolling on by, don't cross my fishing lines or where I have been casting, share a little info, update on what you've been catching and what type of pattern has been working for you thus far, and a polite hey ya doesn't hurt.

IF I'm the one passing you, I'll shout out "Permission to pass on your right or left". More of a curtesy to let you know I'm there and not to cast at me. Granted Ill pass you on the side you haven't been fishing on since I made eye contact with your rig. Most times I have to repeat myself, not becuase they didnt hear me, its because I surprised them with a request. If they are prior military, the phrase should be familiar.

[Redy2Fish]

Not a troller, but, don't appreciate being squeezed. I'll give you my spot and catch them in another, no big deal.

[dkb23]

I don't care if you pull up along side and want to drop a line 6" from mine. As long as you dont mind a little conversation in the process. If your a rude SOB, keep moving.

If your just trolling on by, don't cross my fishing lines or where I have been casting, share a little info, update on what you've been catching and what type of pattern has been working for you thus far, and a polite hey ya doesn't hurt.

IF I'm the one passing you, I'll shout out "Permission to pass on your right or left". More of a curtesy to let you know I'm there and not to cast at me. Granted Ill pass you on the side you haven't been fishing on since I made eye contact with your rig. Most times I have to repeat myself, not becuase they didnt hear me, its because I surprised them with a request. If they are prior military, the phrase should be familiar.

Like Hanr3 says.....just do some communicating! We are all grown adults and if you ask you would be surprised what kind of reactions you will get. Don't be a jerk but just ask if it is ok. Ask to pass by. Strike up a conversation. Just communicate a bit and everything is usually ok.
dkb