Boating Etiquette and trolling

[Snubby]

On a big lake I don't mind fishing in a crowd, as long as everyone is respectful and if I have the choice to move and go off somewhere by myself. The worse for me on a crowded lake is at the ramp usually and not on the water. Especially when the water is low and there is only ONE to use. But patience and cooperation is the key, no use to turn a fishing trip into an all out death match, that's what finding a parking space in a crowded lot is for

[strmwalker]

[QUOTE=footballcoach;3380957] Most of all if you find an area with fish and no pressure KEEP QUIET ABOUT IT.[/QUOTE]

OH !! did I mention !!!!

[OnDaHill]

I try to avoid those situations and go somewhere else. That's one reason I fish is to get away from crowds. But I do realize that sometimes these situations can't be avoided. I look at it the same way I do on the interstate, just let the jerks go. I have enough stress day to day don't need any while fishing.


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[Bricks]

Some areas are horrible like the OP posted catch a fish and get crowded out of your own area been there done that to many times.

I have learned over the years when in an area that is close to a community area ( within eyesight) when I have a fish on I will not raise my rod up when a fish is on. I will reel up keeping my rod low and drag them over the transom unless it is a very large fish I will not get a net out ever.

[bfish]

I know the spot you are talking about.

Lots of it is ignorance combined with multiple styles of trolling.

For that area, when it gets crowded, I shorten my longlines to about half back of normal. I also will troll straight lines more less parallel to 58 rather than follow the creek channels. I also leave room to veer left and right around someone who jumps in front of me, although I would probably catch more fish when hugging tight.

Something that might work is to use hi-vis line, and when they get close I then stand up with rod straight up. This "shows" the line and how far back it is running. (it does work down reservoir when pulling cranks in the summertime).

If it gets real bad, I just run down to moon or hit another area above the bridge.

[Cane Pole]

With that many boats in that small an area, why would you expect to be able to fish comfortably? Cut down on the number of rods, shorten the distance you're use to covering, and be extra aware of the other people using the same area as you and the many other boats are, or, as I might do, go to another similar area you have saved in your gps and maybe take less fish but have a more peaceful and enjoyable day fishing. There's been many days in the spring here in PA we have an area of one lake that has two to three HUNDRED boats in a three mile area of the lake and everybody's drifting with the wind. I'll join in but when it starts to get a little to hectic, I'll go fish a different area of the lake and still catch fish. I'd never stoop so low as to cast a crankbait to purposely snag someone else's line. Just not worth it.

Exactly. This is why you and I went where we did. If I remember correctly, we talked about this same subject. You and I only had a couple of poles out and caught good fish. If we had stayed out, we would probably both limited. I had a great time and we had the area to ourselves. Helps to know where to go I guess.

[bandchaser]

Pretty simple......go fish somewhere else.
More boats in one location leaves many others with few to none.
Problem solved!

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[Slow Retrieve]

Things like that and people racing in to cut in front of you along a bank you are already fishing are infuriating, I hate it.

But then when looking at the big picture I am out on the water to enjoy Gods creation and the peace and I get from the act of fishing itself and just being on the water. Because of that I honestly would rather catch less fish in an area where I can be mostly alone than be on top of other people vying for the "best" spots. And can any spot really be the best if it is overcrowded in the first place?

Life it too short, and while I am not always successful in doing so at this stage in my life I try and just let the jerks I encounter in life (water, road, stores, wherever) not bother me. I now prefer to simply let them go on by and not allow them to negatively affect my day. People like that are usually the ones more angry and frustrated and the real losers in the situations even if they don't realize it.