You know, I've been itchin' to vent on this subject. I'm really tired of hearing stories and experiencing first hand the rudeness of a "few" tournament jerks. People who cut you off, people who pull up and start fishing within 50 feet of your boat, people who pull up and ask you to leave "their" spot, people who race by your boat at full speed within casting distance, people who not only hole sit, but try and keep you from fishing any part of a certain area they are in.

Let me just say this, if your that type and your reading this, please give us all a break. I've actually cleaned up my comments so I don't get deleted. If the money is a big deal to ya, THEN GET A REAL JOB FOLKS!

Hope this doesn't ruffle any feathers. And don't worry, I won't go to any tournament directors and complain. I'll figure out a good 'on the water' punishment .

Jason

LakeAthensMan- I am with you. If somebody tried to tell me that I am fishing in "their" spot. Well, I have a two words for them, and they are not nice. These are public waters we are "all" fishing. I am happy for you that you are fishing a tournament, but don't think that gives you the right to try and make anybody move from where they are fishing. If you are fixed on winning your event, and you think you have a chance to do it. Doesn't that mean you should be good enough to adapt to any situation that happens? Leave and come back, the people that are fishing "your spot" are not going to camp out on it like you would. Everybody needs to respect each other's space on our lakes, and show a little fishing etiquette. My .02 on the subject. Everybody have a safe holiday and get some fishing done.

Good Post.I experineced this for the first time on Ray Hubbard this last Monday night.
It was not a good feeling at all.I couldn't concentrate on my fishing.I wanted to just pack-up and leave but I knew the fish were there.I really should have reported the guy to the tournament director.

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I feel your pain.

But its not just tournament fisherman, from my experience. In fact i would argue the opposite from my experience. Fishing etiquette should apply to all not just tournament fisherman. Fishing within 25 ft of another boat should only be done with the approval of the other boat.

If someone is sitting on a hole all day, well thats a tough one. I would respect that person rights to fish that spot, within your 50ft rule.

As long as your thinking about it while your fishing in crowded waters, we will all be better off.

ITS there spot,have never heard that one
before.I just hope nobody says that to me.BECAUSE
it will not pretty.IF that happens just pull
your trolling motor up crank your big motor
and drive circles around them.THEY will move.
your friend
THE SKEETER MAN


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I hear you! Seems like some tournament anglers approach the lake and everyone on it with a terse cynical approach that beats the brains out of the very fun associated with fishing. I don't get it.

For those that like to pass to close or fish within 50ft or closer to ya just tie on a heavy slab and sling it at the with a good stiff rod its like launching a sling stone with hooks

I watched my grandfather darn near nock a guy ouf a boat from the bank when the guy kept raceing back and forth in front of him close to shore.

A 2 oz and up wieght is a bad son of a gun when travelling with velocity.


I really dispise rude and inconsiderate people We all make mistakes from time to time but blatent rude behavier there is no call for.




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Travis
"Lets Go Fishing!!"

It's simple....move from the metroplex "or whatever it is called"........and fish South Texas.....you will enjoy it...

All I can say is what comes around goes around. I guarantee most here have cut somebody off or gotten to close to somebody while fishing. It has become part of the sport due to the crowds. No different than pulling in front of somebody in traffic... We all do it.

I remember once I was fishing a shoreline. I came up on a boat that was moving forward. So I sort of gave him some space. He then started backing up. So I started to go around him giving him plenty of room. But then he started to go forward pretty quickly. Well, I then made a circle to go back to where I was before and keep on fishing the shoreline. The guy then started to back up towards us and his partner started casting his bait within a few feet.

Let me tell you. I was hot. I wasn't going to say anything, but the guy popped off to my dad and I. My dad plainly told him we were just going to go around him. Both guys were now casting at my boat. I just looked at the guy and kept going.

Tell me something tx_basser. What would you of done? Is this something we should do to one another as fellow bass fisherman? And get this. The guy had no clue that I was the tournament director. Go fig. I guess I'm just being a little too nice. But that's just me. Like I said, I'm just being nice about this subject. And yes, since I am human, a boat paddle did cross my mind once. Let's all be a little nicer to each other, or is that too hard? Be careful this weekend. Lot's of traffic and too much alcohol on the lakes.

Jason

Man Jason I know what you are saying. I fish the Tues. tourneys on Athens and most of the fishermen have been nice but some of the property owners are RUDE! This is a night tourney and I've been fishing boat houses before and been cussed and even had one threaten to shoot me if I didn't stop fishing his boat house!

I think I've heard about that person before. Hey, if someone tells you to get away from their dock, tell them they don't own the water. And that's a fact! Out of all the tournaments I've ran on Athens, I've only encountered a few rude people. I guess you just have to live with them. Next time anyone gives you heck during one of the Tuesday Night Tournaments on Athens, come find me and I'll straighten them out.

Jason

Keep the game wardens # in your cell phone. It is illegal for homeowners to harrass fisherman. Much less threaten them with a deadly weapon.

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David

I've read the LAM with interest, cause I live there (well I have a place on the Lake & will retire there in Jan 04). I hope this didn't happen on Lake Athens. Most who fish there live there. I like to thing we're friendly.

The one incident I described in my post above did happen on Lake Athens. And really, I've only had a few complaints over the years during the Tuesday Night Tournament as far as unsportsmanship conduct. Everyone seems to get along, even when the money is up there. Now I did hear about the person threatening people with a gun, telling them to stay away from his dock. Don't remember the guys name, but I've never had any problems. I do know the wave runners have been good so far this year, but you can't say that about the water patrol. I guess I hear more negative things about them than rude fisherman, wave runners and gun carrying home owners put together.

Jason