You Would Have To Be Crazy

[rps]

Do you need an amen from the choir?

Because of what you describe I have:

1. Had waves come over the side and the bow of my two different early boats (nowdays my big water small boat merely rocks violently)

2. Been spooled of more than two hundred yards of braid (I like to imagine the engine repair bill someone paid for that)

3. Done an emergency stop from on plane to zero

4. Had a skier throw their spray from the slalom ski into my boat

5. Had to tow a boat to the marina because the area between me and the bank was stump infested. (Pontoon boat, wrecked lower unit, people on front deck completely knocked down and rolled to the front fence of the deck. Luckily no one badly injured)

Naturally, I have become quicker to call it a day than I once was.

[InPiney]

Same up the James too! Can't even tell you how many boats have cut in between me & the bank while fishing AND pleasure boating lately, seems more the norm these days! I will say that while out on the water this last weekend a lot of the clueless boaters had out of state registrations. It's getting entirely out of control and the patrol isn't doing anything about it and I don't think they can (man power and budget constraints). So maybe there is a way to "educate" the clueless about boat /lake etiquette, but then again the idiot plowing a 4ft wave behind his 36ft cabin cruiser next to a line of docks and fisherman probably won't take any advice anyhow.

[Fish24/7]

hang in there, things should start winding down some when the kids go back to school next month

[rps]

hang in there, things should start winding down some when the kids go back to school next month

Sadly, that means I will be back at work too.

[Fish24/7]

rps, I have a hard time hooking walleye when they quickly rush the harness from behind , grab it and continue to swim toward the boat.faster than what I'm trolling. . Any sugestions? Anybody?

I use long harnesses 4-5' long tied to what's basically a carolina rig

[Flysmallie]

So maybe there is a way to "educate" the clueless about boat /lake etiquette

Yeah we can get to that right after we teach them all how to drive on the roads. It's never going to get any better so don't let it ruin your day. And don't start throwing things at them. You want the water patrol to show up in a hurry? Hit one of these asshats with a lure or rock and instantly they will appear. And now the fisherman are the bad guys.

[Quillback]

Yeah we can get to that right after we teach them all how to drive on the roads. It's never going to get any better so don't let it ruin your day. And don't start throwing things at them. You want the water patrol to show up in a hurry? Hit one of these asshats with a lure or rock and instantly they will appear. And now the fisherman are the bad guys.

So true, you toss something at them and you'll be the one going to jail. It's not worth it and it won't change anything.

[rps]

rps, I have a hard time hooking walleye when they quickly rush the harness from behind , grab it and continue to swim toward the boat.faster than what I'm trolling. . Any sugestions? Anybody?

I use long harnesses 4-5' long tied to what's basically a carolina rig

What you describe is one of the hardest situations to solve. I have had brown trout pick up sculpin and move to the boat. I have had bass pick up plastics and do the same. When I am lucky enough to sense this is happening, I reel done slowly until I regain contact, then I sweep. It works, sometimes.

[Feathers and Fins]

Fish24/7 I had that problem with my rigs and found the solution was the dropper loop it gives me the ability to feel the most slight tap and better yet see it on the tip of the rod even if they grab it and swim forward ( I use 4ft leaders ) the drag from the bow in the line puts enough twitch in the tip I know something has happened and that's when swing forward softly until firm contact, it also gives me the time to drop the rod back for a pause and strike.

[Fish24/7]

thanks for the help, most of the time they bite and then turn away for an easy hook up