Fishing etiquette question

[SuperDave336]

Oddly enough, and maybe it's the nature of the activity, the kayak fisher people I see, for the most part, stick to shorelines/no wake zones and cross channels only when necessary for travel, unless it's cooler weather and less traffic on the lake.

This is me and my group. We fish... we aren't there to party. If we cross channels or anything I'm going as directly and quickly as I can for fear of being ran over by a boat!

Same thing with the party boats sitting out in middle of lake with little regard to anyone else.

[DockShootinJack]

I kayaked alot years ago. I always had it figured that since I didn't need much water to float the thing. I was always out of the channel. Sometimes you have to cross a channel to get to where you were going. I also wore a bright red paddle vest. The paddle was bright yellow. I wanted folks to see me out there. It is much like the bicyclers who block off the road and back up traffic. Sure they have the right of way according to the law. Doesn't mean it is a good idea to push ones luck. Make enough of a nuisance of your activity and you usually lose the right to do it. The main reason I always tried to stay out of the way. Doesn't hurt to share the water or the road. But it is a double sided coin

[TreednNC]

This is me and my group. We fish... we aren't there to party. If we cross channels or anything I'm going as directly and quickly as I can for fear of being ran over by a boat!

Same thing with the party boats sitting out in middle of lake with little regard to anyone else.

You're from NC and probably at least somewhat familiar with Norman and the crowds and can understand the frustration. I live 70yds from LKN and would rather drive the hour + to a Yadkin lake.

[SuperDave336]

I'm somewhat familiar with Norman but fish more Yadkin lakes myself.

[Kevind62]

I kayaked alot years ago. I always had it figured that since I didn't need much water to float the thing. I was always out of the channel. Sometimes you have to cross a channel to get to where you were going. I also wore a bright red paddle vest. The paddle was bright yellow. I wanted folks to see me out there. It is much like the bicyclers who block off the road and back up traffic. Sure they have the right of way according to the law. Doesn't mean it is a good idea to push ones luck. Make enough of a nuisance of your activity and you usually lose the right to do it. The main reason I always tried to stay out of the way. Doesn't hurt to share the water or the road. But it is a double sided coin

I actually swamped a kayaker the day before accidentally. He was in a nook in a curve with several large downed trees in the water. Popular place to fish because it's somewhat out of the current and lots of structures. I always look as I come up on this spot to see if anyone is tucked up in there so I don't swamp them. Boats are easy to see with guys standing or sitting on elevated pedestals. I never saw this guy. He was in a camo pattern kayak with dark clothes on tucked up in one of the downed trees. Didn't see him until it was too late. Dropped the throttle back, too little too late, and apologized. Told him I did not see him hiding up in there. He smiled, waived and said no problem. Guess he took responsibility for his stealthy attire.

I always slow for boats fishing in the creeks. No matter how long of far I have to idle. And I do IDLE. Can't say the same for lots of folks who seem to think 1/3 throttle is idling with their bow sticking out of the water at just under a 45 degree angle pushing twice the wake they would have on top at full throttle. On the open lake I try not to pass within 100 yards or more of someone when I'm running if possible.

[DockShootinJack]

Most of the time I would rather you come by wide open than barging along rolling a huge wake. They make kayak flags now. If I still fished from a kayak I would certainly have on one it. Hard to avoid what you can't see. When we take the canoes out to jug fish. I have battery operated stern lights I put on them.