Etiquette on the water

[wolfhnd]

I usually try and start a conversation with people that crowd in. I have found that those gathering of boats in one spot are often a pretty friendly environment. There is often the joy of catching more fish than the guy that crowds in as well. That said I'm a fan of solitary fishing and will most often try and find a place by myself. If ten boats are tied up to the same bridge pier I will pass it by most of the time. On rare occasions I will join a large group of boats anchored somewhere myself and never been told not to crowd in. I wish there was more water to fish so such things were less common but over the years I have adjusted to the idea that it's getting to be a crowded world and just as well get use to it. Anyone know how they cope with this sort of thing in Japan where population density has always been high?

I agree that the bass fishermen tend to be the most annoying for me. I have no real reason to complain other than the noise and wakes. I have never had a confrontation with them and they always move off in a few minutes. It is simple a matter of numbers I suspect. When there is a tournament they all seem intent on going to the part of the lake I'm fishing. On the other hand I have had skiers try to get as close as they could to me in a float tube. The joyriders are however mostly in the middle of the lake and I don't encounter them frequently these days.

[trypman1]

Sad, but true!!

[Potatoe]

I had a surf boat almost swamp me once, I decided to not fish that lake during the weekend.

[Locator79]

Its sad, but it's everywhere. I have guys ride by and try to side image wherever I'm fishing every time out. I see guys on full plane throttle down to see what other boats are doing. Some people just can't fish...no matter how much they dropped on that graph or financed that boat for. It's a jerk thing to do, but some people are just that. I see no courtesy on the water from fishermen chasing all species. But I still show it. There's not much you can do that will make a difference. I'm there to enjoy myself, and I'm not letting somebody else ruin my time.

Sent from my KFKAWI using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[ET Fish]

Unfortunately, in the words of Ron White, “You can’t fix stupid!”

[DRFISHDUCK]

Rap noise at the lake or anywhere is annoying!!

Sent from my SM-J337P using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[deltarat]

The more$$ the boat the bigger the idiot. The bass fishermen and the wake board boats are the worse.

[jawjatek]

I haven't run into that much around here.

And as for the CCW laws, one must remember (if you're fishing on a COE lake):

By Federal Law and COE Regulations it is illegal to carry a firearm (Unless Hunting on Land the Corps allows hunting on) on the U.S. Corps of Engineers property. This includes the waters of lakes that their dams form and the property surrounding the lake unless there is a private home on the lake.

And even though KY is an "open carry" state ... it's still illegal to open carry on COE lakes/property.

Not exactly true everywhere: In Georgia, COE lost a lawsuit brought by 2 members of the GeorgiaCarry.org group, and have begun to issue carry permit letters to carry license holders. You need to get one from both the Mobile and Savannah COE districts to cover all the COE waters. So it is legal to carry on COE lakes in Georgia once you get the COE letters. Maybe the Kentucky folks need to get together and sue.
Link: Georgia Carry : An information clearinghouse for Georgia Firearms License issues and news >> Army C.O.E. Gun Ban

I always have my carry piece in the boat - not because I need to defend a fishing spot, or ward off pesky jet ski's, or because idiots playing loud music need killin' - that's illegal ya know - because I ain't leaving it in the truck where some thug or meth-billy might steal it. There has been a lot of break-ins on some of the local ramps, so I leave NOTHING of value at the ramp.

[skeetbum]

I’m gonna go ahead and tell ya, it ain’t just on the water. I’m behind the wheel at least ten hours a day and stupid abounds in our society. Those same folks with the dolled up 4x4 with no scratches that pulled the glitter missile to the lake has no more manners there than he does in traffic. I can also tell you that I don’t have a clue to what the answer is. Some folks are just plain inconsiderate. But let them need help........

My answer is to go early and leave early and let the crazy people fight it out among themselves. Most of the time this works, but sometimes crowds are unavoidable. Remember that when you put a fish on the back of your car or a Crappie.com T-shirt on, and misbehave, guess what folks are gonna remember. Sometimes its better to just go to the house and not ruin the good memories already built that day.

[Slabprowler]

Getting blowed out of the water is one thing ! But for someone to just flat move in on ya is another ! It Definitely would have opened up a friendly discussion !