no courtesy from boaters

been taking my kayak out on Lake worth and boaters will not give me any space both recreational and fishermen, is it like this on every lake?

Yes.

But worse in the summer. I cant fish Lewisville in the summer. Its too dangerous.

I shared a story a while back about a wake board style boat that was heading right for me. I tried to paddle out of its course but the boat seemed to adjust its course to keep on a collision course. I stood and was waving my arms and nothing, still coming right at me. I had my pistol with me and took it out and was about to fire a shot in the air and if that failed take off my PFD and dive as deep as I could at the last second. Least that was the plan I came up with in the last seconds...

Right as I was about to raise my pistol the boat turned sharply away and circled back...they were all laughing and pointing. It was a game to them. They wanted to scare me.

That is an extreme example but in general I found 50% of fishing boats and 99% of "wake board/ski boats" will not give you any respect and will even put you in danger.

So I stay off big lakes when the boating pressure is high, always wear my PFD, have my flag up and lights as needed and stay close to the bank in most cases.

Idiots.

Idiots come in all walks of life. Most of the stupid stuff we see on the water is due to ignorance. Many folks have no idea that there are rules, and often won't bother to learn them anyway. There are some very stupid kayakers out there too; rudeness and disrespect for your fellow man are totally unrelated to the boat one uses, the car/truck/motorcycle one drives, or the way one votes. And remember; this being 2016, offending those rude people is unacceptable. Be nice.........

I agree with you Jim except the part about the type of boat. I am sure there are some mindful and courteous wake board boaters who know and follow all the rules, including no wake zones and yielding to non motorized craft, but I have not met one. At least not on Lewisville.

I imagine the wake boat crowd is all young entitled millenials. They've been taught that they are the smartest in any room and no responsibility for their actions. They'll get their lumps along the way and figure it out.

Motor boat guys are the worst. I had one come right up to my girlfriend amanda. If i had my pistol they wouldve been shot. Its part of the game we play.

I have been hit by 2 different power boats both fishing boats, one trying to mark my spot that I was catching fish on unfortunately his plug fell out of his boat and he had to leave...the other was trying to scare me off a spot I took pictures of his TX number and sent them to the game warden.

Take a phone or camera out and make them pay for their actions rather than coming here to complain. The only way you can take action other than reporting them is if they board your vessel otherwise you will be in the wrong.

All that being said I usually don't fish public lakes during the warmer months unless I am in standing timber where the power boats cannot roam at speed.

Can't speak for now, but back when I worked in a boat Lewisville was officially designated as one of the most dangerous lakes in the state. As a general rule, as the proximity to urban centers shrinks, the ignorance factor grows. I used to fear pontoon boats and PWCs above all other craft; that's what the novices generally drive. I really believe that boater education should be mandatory on urban waterbodies.

One night in the patrol boat I had a PWC cut across my bow really close; I had to cut the throttle and swerve hard to avoid running over him. This was after sunset, when it's illegal to operate a PWC. I lit him up and he stopped. Didn't have a clue that he wasn't allowed to operate at night. The conversation went like this:
"Which was the privileged vessel?"
"Huh?"
"Who had the right of way?"
"Uh...... You?"
"And why did I have the right of way?"
"Uh...... Because You're the Sheriff?" (My boat had SHERIFF in 18" red letters down each side)
"What color light did you see on the bow of my boat?"
"I didn't see any lights."
"Walk up to the bow (I had him aboard my boat) and look from the side that you crossed from."
"There's a red light."
"Yup. Know what that means?"
"Uh...... You have the right of way?"

If you work enforcement in a boat you will quickly learn that our waterbodies are full of ignorant people like him. It never occurs to them that there are laws regulating vessel operation, or that those laws were enacted for the safety of everyone on the water. And in too many jurisdictions, local elected officials feel that it's unPC to mess with Texans while they are recreating, and that enforcing the laws might cost them precious votes at the next election.

That's not very encouraging...but not a surprise either. I stay out of big water...at least big freshwater. I had a game warden (rookie or trainee I am pretty sure) give me the closest call I have had. Was anchored in brush on LBJ and the warden, whom I had met and given fishing reports to before...good guy, came up with a young guy driving there boat. 3 big outboards, super awesome powerful boat. We talked, gave him the report, he gave me a couple tips, then the youngin said "Thanks! Have a great day!" and gunned it. Sent a wave about 3' high at me...but the ole Hobie Outback withstood it and I managed not to roll...having the anchor in the brush made it a close call though. LBJ is really bad with the spoiled young or entitled old ignorant boaters and it is not what I would call big water. Bottom line, don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt and be prepared for a dunk!

See if Mr. Ford is in a boat that says "SHERIFF" on the side and he had issues... Us yakkers gotta really watch out.

Its a shame I cant enjoy "my lake" in the summer. But for safety thats just how it is.

I plan to go to Lville this weekend. This is about the time of year it gets safe again lol.

really dude? settle down

I agree there are a lot of a**h**e boaters out there. I'm sure we all have our stories. Best advice is to use caution one the water and always have a plan. When you take chances and risks on the lakes, you are trusting total strangers with your life and that is never smart.

Lake Worth has a lot of fancy boaters who think they're a notch above fishermen on the social chain.

Agreed!

Although I have not had any negative experience with PBs yet, I feel for yall.

IMO, the best bet is to report it.
Even if they can't find them, the growing number of complaints will tell the TPWD that they should do some patrols and stops.


Boating Violations = Citations
Citations = Additional fine money for the TPWD.

[quote=Rhino68W]Lake Worth has a lot of fancy boaters who think they're a notch above fishermen on the social chain. [/quote

And it's not just Lake Worth. A friend of mine, who has a well-known name in professional bass angling -- and has testified as a boating safety authority in court before --, was crappie fishing a brushpile off a point in his bass boat with his wife when a loud offshore boat (a Baja) blew around the point at speed. The operator swerved around B**** and was yelling at him to get off the lake, and that the lake was for the exclusive use of the property owners. He then began running high speed circles around B****, obviously trying to swamp him, while his buddies cheered him on. B**** and his wife reeled up and pulled anchor and fired up his bass boat, which was faster than the Baja. The Baja took off with B**** following, and several other boaters witnessed the chain of events. B**** followed the boat to its lakefront dock, and came and got me (I was on the lake recovering another swamped bass boat after a similar incident). I went to the jerk's house; he was a young doctor who lived with his parents on the lake. His mother came out and ordered me off of their property; that didn't work too well for her. I ID'd the son and got a warrant for his arrest, which the local constable refused to execute. He ended up getting arrested in his office, with (I still remember, LOL) 27 patients in the waiting room.

Hey Dan just an FYI as far as I know Lewisville is a COE lake and you can't carry on it, even with a LTC.

Lynn creek marina is a lot of fun Friday nights around 1-2 am...at least 1 of 4 boats will hit you if you don't actively move away...

I don't think there is a lot of truth in that fishermen will not extend courtesy to you or anyone else.
Recreational boaters/jet fleas/etc. , yeah....I have seen and believe that..
JMO
There are always that 'few' ..and they sure don't represent most fishermen.
Just take care, in any case.
My two cents...

God Bless
Lee

I know. I dont plan on being searched. If so I will take the ticket over needing my peace and not having it.

Its a calculated risk.

2 weeks ago while on Lewisville, I was fishing with a guide who had us on a school of white bass. First a guy in a bass boat came trolling through dragging a rattle trap and running his big motor. Directly through the middle of 3 guide boats. Just when I thought I had seen it all, an even fancier bass boat with guys dressed as if they were bass pros came screaming through the middle of us about 40-50 MPH. Unbelievable to say the least. Then, the final straw was a lone kayaker paddling through the middle of the boats and fish almost bumping in to a guide boat because he couldn't control the yak in the wind and wakes. It was a little comical. I just shrug my shoulders and thought if this is the worst thing to happen on Lewisville, it was a good day.

Like others have said, if I am in the kayak, I'm not going to bother with the big lakes and power boats. I fish with my daughter and would never put her in that position. We just stick with lakes that do not allow PB's, rivers, creeks, ponds or lakes like Fork where we can tuck in to the trees and not worry about boats.

"I know. I dont plan on being searched. If so I will take the ticket over needing my peace and not having it.

Its a calculated risk."

You do know that that "ticket" could mean a $5,000 fine and a new zip code for six months, I presume?

Yeah I wouldn't worry about the fine, more so that you could lose your LTC.

I am not concerned. But I do appreciate your concern.

Mr Ford is right. Ignorance is the problem. I've been operating vessels for over 35 years with zero safety incidents. The credit goes to my dad for teaching me boater safety, courtesy, and general laws of the lake. This is what is missing. Too many ignorant people have keys to vessels. I would be first in line if EVERY person had to take a course and get a license to operate ANY vessel on the water.

There is a frustrating majority of operators who are TOTALLY ignorant to safety, courtesy, and laws of the lake. Unfortunately this ignorance causes accidents and a lot of frustration to us who are not ignorant to it.

No issues for me on the water kayaking, but I know they exist. Part of my luck has been I normally fish lakes with little power boating.

*** How to fix it? With all of the GoPro and camera dudes out there filming their kayak outings, if several of them could simply get film of some of the more aggressive boating behaviors they encounter, turn the film in to the authorities with boat number IDs, it would establish a link in boaters' minds that doing bad things is going to cost them in fines, seizures or even jail time. I guess it depends on the severity of the infraction.

But, this is the solution. It is show me time. Yes, I have seen a few videos of boaters and kayakers being harassed by lake lot owners but I haven't seen any where it was much more than a verbal abuse thing. If some videos of boats aiming at or circling kayakers show up, then some enforcement results, that will do a whole lot.

Still, be careful . . . a boat can run a kayak over without intending to, too.

Brad

Clueless people r everywhere. I was once one too. The older I get, the more I realize how wrong I once was. I've also come to realize that Metro lakes r by far the worst when it comes to being respectful. Example: I've been fishing from the bank (Spring time) and had wind surfers, bass boaters, seadoodoos & pleasure boaters run back & forth across our lines. Cluelessly smiling, head nodding & or waiving but just killing the bite each time they'd pass!!! Having a good ol time thinking they r being friendly by waiving when they pass by. I waived back just not all fingers. They'd b all, "Whats that dudes problem?!?!" Ive yelled at em, shook my head, hurled 3oz weights, have even thrown rocks at them a x or 2. It's all kuckle headery! Take a picture & give it to the GW if u must. If not Its gonna b ur word against theirs. I've heard some funny stories & have a few of my own.

Just remember why u fish. I personally don't go shoot the bird, throw stones, hit others with lead or try n kill someone over a stupid mistake. ADVISE: If u live in the city n can't wake up early, catch some fish & be done by 10:am, u may wanna rethink your game. U may b one of the clueless too. I've learned that not all but, A GOOD MAJORITY of clueless people can't help but get on the water after 10:am
Also learned that it's easier to try to avoid them than try n fix them
had to learn to fish new waters as well.

I fished from a kayak for several years in Corpus with much success. I quickly learned that the best way to avoid getting buzzed by boats, was to stay in areas that boats don't/won't/can't go. If you're anchored up on a river bank catching cats.....guess what you may see a boat, and you're going to eat some wake. If you're fishing a hump in 30 feet of water in a lake....same thing.
Now that I am a boat owner I really do my best to be courteous when it comes to paddlers but $hit happens, and throwing a rock, slinging a weight or flipping the bird, or heaven forbid flashing a piece is the dumbest thing you can possibly do when your sitting in the water. All those actions will do is put YOU at risk
COOLER HEADS WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL

That's what I was thinking. I've heard they don't mess around with that at the COE.

I think it's a pretty serious charge they lay on you.

And not to beat a dead horse, but since it's a federal and not state crime, when they lock you up for six months, you have to serve every single day of that six months behind bars. Yuck.