Fishing Etiquette

[ozark trout fisher]

I don't fish the big bass lakes, so I come into this discussion from a stream fishing perspective. It's rarely a problem on smallmouth streams......if you are fishing the right places it is rarely hard to have plenty of water to yourself.

It is an unavoidable problem on our trout streams. I would just advise coming into the parks expecting that few of the other anglers will have any knowledge of common courtesy or else you are setting yourself up for constant frustration. But here's where I get upset, and it's far too common: people carry those trout park ethics to the sections of trout stream outside of the parks, and that suddenly becomes a major problem. If you cut in front of where I'm fishing in Montauk, I will shrug in annoyance and keep casting-the trout will be back in a couple minutes if they ever left. If that happens at Baptist Camp (and it does, all the time) then you have ruined my fishing and you need to seriously reevaluate your approach before you venture out of the trout parks.

I don't need a half mile of water to myself, but unless we're in the park, don't fish the same pool (or riffle) as me and don't cut between me and where I'm casting as you pass by. It's really that simple, yet many don't get it.

[Feathers and Fins]

OTF, I have no doubt some of it is the "Park Mentality" but as I said in a recent post about the bird hunting I am seeing a lot of people moving in to the area from other parts of the country who have lived in the cities all their lives and bring with them the "me mentality and mine mentality" They move out here to get away from it junk in the cities but all they are doing is brining it with them in their way of doing things and their mentality / attitude.

I said I would report him and would, if we do not take the time to put an end to it we will let these people bring that mentality and attitude here and I for one don't want it. tournament officials wont tolerate it, I have asked because of having issues on while fishing and their words were " we will DQ the person the first time second report they are out end of story" ( that was the pg version ).

As to the others it is a case by case base how I will react. It will soon be the season when we all start complaining about it and wondering where the law enforcement is nothing new.

[Old plug]

Fins and feathers hit it on the head city people mentality. I have only had stuff stolen one time. But i do not care what it is that is left laying around if it is taken it is stealing and there is no way you can justify it as your fault.

[Tommy Neil]

While bass fishing on TR I have had people cut in between me and the bank. One time I lifted my rod and the line caught in their lower unit while I hit the free spool. They made it probably 100 yds and there they were with line wrapped around the shaft. I didn't offer to help them.

[Mitch f]

I would not report him to anyone. If he aggregates me enough he would be very surprised at the wrath of a 74 yr old.

I hear ya Old Plug, Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill every time!

[Feathers and Fins]

LMAO Mitch im not near his age but was taught by some of the nastiest Pier Rats and Party Boat skippers how to get even....

I have heard a lot of eveil employed a bobber at the end of 10lb braid the first 10 feet had 4/0 treble hooks every 6 inches, then freespooled in the offenders Prop. Try clearing that out without getting hurt.

Getting the tag number and loosening all the nuts on a motor and seen more than my share of 8oz torpedo sinkers flung from a pier at a boater.

There are some folks you just do not want to mess with in this world.

I have calmed down a lot and now try the civil approach first but make no mistake I was taught well and taught not to get caught

[Terrierman]

I fish the creeks and small rivers now. The fishermen are polite. The floaters don't bother me that much as I'm pretty good at avoiding them and when I don't I know what to expect and it's OK. So there's that solution.

[Al Agnew]

Toughest thing to figure out ethics-wise on the float streams is whether or not to pass another floater-angler. Since I tend to fish pretty fast and cover a lot of water, I am often going faster than another canoe and I catch up with them. I hate to pass them and go on fishing in front of them, but I don't want to loiter around behind them, either. So I go ahead a pass them and tell them I'll go on and get a half mile or so ahead of them before I start fishing again. (Of course, when I'm around the bend and out of sight, if there's a spot I particularly want to fish I'll fish it )

[Flysmallie]

Well if you run across me just go around and continue fishing cause I really don't care.

The only ones that bother me are the ones that want to leapfrog down the river. I really don't want to keep passing the same people over and over again.

[Goggle-Eyed]

Ya, when I am fishing the river, I am fishing SLOW. I throw some fast baits based on a few experts recommendation (Al) but I can't leave a "hole" without hammering it with soft plastics... so please pass me! On the lake just don't cut me off and pretend I should be happy!!!