Tournament Fisherman

[MOPanfisher]

I have met some jerks who were fishing a tournament and would tell you there were thinking you should give them the spot.  I have also met rude fishermen who are no more tournament fishing than they were water skiing.  By the same token I have met some absolutely great guys who were fishing a tournament and ask if we minded if they fish behind us, as we were crappie fishing.  We talked a little while and let them go past us as they were fishing at a much faster pace.  Even told them of an area we left because the bass wouldn't leave us alone.  Good folks and jerks come is all shapes, sizes and jersey colors. 

[DADAKOTA]

I was brought up to use common courtesy while on the water.  If someone is catching fish don't crowd them.  Let them catch their fish and go fish somewhere else.  Dad always said to treat folks like you want to be treated.  As a tourney fisherman I am not going to cut someone off.  I'll either fish behind them or come back later.  I have been cut off by people just out fishing, crappie fishermen, bass fishermen, and tourney fishermen.  I was crappie fishing down a bank at LOZ and had a blue Procraft fish and ski come into the cove and start working the same bank about 6 docks behind me.  No problem until he power trolled past me and started fishing the opposite side of the same dock I was fishing.  I let him have it a ran up several docks further and started again.  Same guy did the same thing more than once that weekend.  I have had several tourney guys ask if they could go ahead on by me as I crappie fished.  Not a problem.  I just love the pontoon boats, jet skis, kayaks, etc. that drive between you and the bank you are throwing to.  Some folks have no manners whatsoever or are just plain stupid.  Had some donkey in a 25+ foot sailboat named Temptation come through the ramp buoys at Lake Jacomo and drive between my boat and my trailer as I was loading out.  Had to reverse hard to avoid hitting the sailboat.  You can only control yourself, but sometimes it is hard to do.

[Ketchup]

2 hours ago, DADAKOTA said:

I was brought up to use common courtesy while on the water.  If someone is catching fish don't crowd them.  Let them catch their fish and go fish somewhere else.  Dad always said to treat folks like you want to be treated.  As a tourney fisherman I am not going to cut someone off.  I'll either fish behind them or come back later.  I have been cut off by people just out fishing, crappie fishermen, bass fishermen, and tourney fishermen.  I was crappie fishing down a bank at LOZ and had a blue Procraft fish and ski come into the cove and start working the same bank about 6 docks behind me.  No problem until he power trolled past me and started fishing the opposite side of the same dock I was fishing.  I let him have it a ran up several docks further and started again.  Same guy did the same thing more than once that weekend.  I have had several tourney guys ask if they could go ahead on by me as I crappie fished.  Not a problem.  I just love the pontoon boats, jet skis, kayaks, etc. that drive between you and the bank you are throwing to.  Some folks have no manners whatsoever or are just plain stupid.  Had some donkey in a 25+ foot sailboat named Temptation come through the ramp buoys at Lake Jacomo and drive between my boat and my trailer as I was loading out.  Had to reverse hard to avoid hitting the sailboat.  You can only control yourself, but sometimes it is hard to do.

That option we all have of firing up the outboard, trimming it up, turn to leave that area "if it's pointed directly at their boat, oh well" and take off to get to the next cove. Sometimes we can't help that the motor throws a large volume of water as we leave and forget to trim the motor down first.  Yep it works. 

[Old plug]

If someone pulls in front of me close I usually do not care. Most are fihing so fast they will not  be catching ny fish and will be gone in a minute or so anyway. If they are determined to fish the bank I am on there is just nothing they hate worse than seeing someone catch fish in back of them. I have also returned the favor by jumping in close in front of them. 

I agree about some tournament fisherman being arrogant. But arrogance mong fishermen is very common now days anyway. When you live in a society that practices those kind of things as a matter of fact part of life thats what you get.  

[DADAKOTA]

23 hours ago, Ketchup said:

That option we all have of firing up the outboard, trimming it up, turn to leave that area "if it's pointed directly at their boat, oh well" and take off to get to the next cove. Sometimes we can't help that the motor throws a large volume of water as we leave and forget to trim the motor down first.  Yep it works. 

That is definitely an option.  Hard to do when you are dock fishing as the 100 foot no wake rule is in place.  Then again I'm not sure that trying to be a bigger arse is the way to go.  Last thing I need is a confrontation with some idiot.  

[Old plug]

23 hours ago, Ketchup said:

That option we all have of firing up the outboard, trimming it up, turn to leave that area "if it's pointed directly at their boat, oh well" and take off to get to the next cove. Sometimes we can't help that the motor throws a large volume of water as we leave and forget to trim the motor down first.  Yep it works. 

Only triuble I see with that is you can get shot. 

[MOPanfisher]

As a general rule I don't get upset at the Jerks, and inconsiderate fishermen.  Maybe for a second or two, then I calm down and either keep fishing or move.  I fish because I enjoy it and am not going to let them drag me down to their level.  I don't approach it like a job, I don't have to catch fish (sure is more fun when you do), don't have any money or prestige on the line.  And its surprising how often the ones who are in a hurry and you keep going behind them, how many fish you can catch.  I fish because I like to fish, I like to eat fish and it is fun (usually).  Why let someone else ruin my fun, besides after they have left I will be fishing and they will still be jerks.  I also don't like it when someone fishes right up against folks who are fishing from the bank or a dock, give them some room. 

[Old plug]

On April 11, 2016 at 4:42 PM, fishinwrench said:

Spend a Sunday afternoon in Laurie, Mo. right after church gets out.   People dressed to kill...and acting like being killed is exactly what they need.  

Ain't tht the truth. You see wrench they solomly went to church and have been told they have been forgiven. So they are in a hurry to get home and do the things again they had to be forgiven for. The summer people can be worse on O road and anyhere else they can walk ot run riund in their golf carts. 

[bfishn]

5 minutes ago, MOPanfisher said:

... after they have left I will be fishing and they will still be jerks...

^^^^ +1 ^^^^

[96 CHAMP]

I had a fellow and his son and daughter do that to me last fall while fishing whites, they said they have been down all week catching crappie, I guess they just weren't satisfied with what they had, I just left and went catching more elsewhere. Like Plug says, society isn't like it used to be