The only thing that they could have against us, is our own yelling at them for trashing our fishing areas and such. On the whole, fisherman really only get in the way of other fisherman. By the nature of what we are doing, it is kinda hard for us to offend most pleasure seekers, skiers, or other enjoyment boaters. Most of the time we are quietly patrolling the shorelines of coves or points; not raceing around, zigging and zagging, and chopping the water up.

Also, the number of times that skiers have been courteous to me are so few that they are huge deals to me. Im sorry, but most people out their sking are jerks. They are so into their own good time that they dont care what they are doing to others. My parents taught me better than that & I like to feel like I am always aware of how I am affecting other people.

The worst part about skiers is that they look for the same type of areas that fisherman do. I read a skieing report talking about all the good coves that a certain lake had. They like nothing more than to skie into a little cove and thrash it. This is not only annoying to us, but seems like it is disruptive to fish seeking shelter.

"Stop the Skiers"

If you go to Ray Hubbard and fish the rocks on the calm side, get prepared. They will come closer than 50 yds. to you, nearly swamping you. And there is plenty of open water before stumps start. However it may keep the bass feeding. LOL.

They are the same dumb@$$&$ that insist on blocking the ramp while prepping the boat to load and unload, listen to their music so loud because they believe you like this song too and get drunk, run into other boats and give the rescue divers something to do in the evening. Quality group they have there.

Need more Gator's.......

If possible get the jerks boat number and call it in to the Sheriff and the warden. Believe it or not it makes a difference on the lakes if they are know as pro fisherman waters, meaning that the lake lice get in trouble for bothering fisherman. If we all take the time to call in their number instead of yelling at them eventually we will win.

Not to say I have not had a drive by from a jetski so close to the boat that I could have touched him. I threw the rod down and fired up the big motor chased the SOB down cussed him out and threw his kill switch lanyard in the weeds. I was an angered youth!


Call in their numbers it is the right way to get our water back.

John

Don't get mad, get even!!! Here is how!!

Before your next fishing trip, add these items to take with you. A small camera and the number for the Game Warden and Sheriff�s office.

So you use the camera to take photos of the boat to get the TX numbers and the person coming to close or anything else they are doing. THEN call the local law and report a violation of the �SPORTSMAN ACT OF 1983�!!!!

What the "SPORTSMAN ACT OF 1983" states that no one can interfere with someone legal taking game. It is a $300.00 fine. The photos will help back up your side and help getting the TX numbers. Also here are some TP&W laws on boating that can be used as well:

Operation of Your Boat
It is unlawful for any person to:

1. Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.
2. Operate in a circular course around fishermen or swimmers.
3. Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. (Violation of this provision shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,000 or by confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both.)

PWC
1. operate PWC within 50 feet of another PWC, motorboat, vessel, platform, person, object, or shore except at headway speed (headway speed-slow, idle speed, or speed only fast enough to maintain steerage)without creating a swell or wake; and
operate a PWC and jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close

you need to try it on lewisville, grapevine and ray roberts

these guys will purposely cut right in on top of the area you are fishing...the season has started and get used to it. I have a spot on ray roberts that I actually welcome them idiots cause it stirs up the bait and I catch more fish.

if they were to create a skier, jet skier open season, we would all go over the legal limit I bet

Mike, I think they do do it on purpose, but why.

Yesterday evening me and dad tried to fish Mathis for a quick while. We knew there would be lots of skiers but felt real sure that the area we fish was too secluded, narrow, and dangerous for them to come into. I mean, they have the whole 20k + acreas of lake and we just need one little strip of water that was only a few hundred yds.

However, we were so wrong and there was no avoiding these A-Holes. Its like that sought us out. I felt like the peacfull villagers on "Water World" (Kevin Costner) when the bad guys would come ropping in on the jet skies in mass numbers to cause chaos. It was freakin crazy. They had the whole lake but just had to come into the shallow area of sticks, riprap, debris, and rocks.

We each caught solid 3 lbers right when we polled up both things were dead other than that. I had no doubt that the fish were shell shocked from the maniac skiers because I have not caught less than 10 fish in this area for about a month straight.

Then we get back to the ramp and have to wait behind some idiot boater for 30 minutes at the ramp. He actually broke out boat jumper cables to get his boat going. It was freakin classic.

This could be a remedy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJyn3pRcy_Q&feature=related

Thats some awesome casting there....

Well looks like you are in a area with pleasure boaters that happen to ski. I have no problem with the fishing population, but as always there will be a few bad apples. I only board at one location, the Brazos, and have watched fishing boat after fishing boat leave other fisherman stranded dead on the water. I have personally towed 3 fisherman over the last 6 years, while you fellow brethern pass at mach 5.

As far as coves, boarders/skiers seek out smooth water, because it makes life so much better for the person behind the boat, not to ruin your slice of paradise. When it comes to tieng up docks/ramps, I have seen many a single fisherman tie up a ramp/dock to rival any family of 10 in their pleasure craft.

You got to be kidding! Smooth water! So that is the green light to head into a cove where a fisherman is trying to stay out of the way. What courtesy is that? I guess your idea is still, screw them we need the smooth water. That's exactly what ticks us off.
As far as helping tow stranded boaters/fishermen, thanks.

Missed that section of where anyone owns the water, besides when I get there, there is no one there, because most people are still asleep. I can't count the number of time when I used to board at lavon when I was the first to arrive at the damn, to be joined soon after by the fishing crowd. Guess I owned that water because I was there first?

Like I said, I only hit the Brazos nowadays and the fisherman there know exactly what to expect in terms of boat traffic, in fact, I find it a fairly nice understanding agreement between the two groups. Your mileage may vary.

Being a former skier and comp tow boat owner, I can appreciate the desire for smooth water. However, on the local lakes, I've seen chuckleheads come within a long cast of my bass boat on dead calm mornings when the whole damn lake is glass. Now what's the intent there? Or are they just that damn stupid? The skiers / boater who frequent the Brazos are usually a more intelligent and skilled group. I saw that 20 years ago when I was going there every weekend. The local idiots are the one's who simply amaze me.

So maybe it shouldn't be "I hate skiers" but "I hate idiot boat operators".

I hate rude people period. My best friend takes our family out tubing at times. We are never near any fishermen or women. We tube in the middle of the lake. Never near the shore. I do not understand how people think it's okay to zoom by someone else regardless of what they are doing. Jet skis are a pet peeve of mine too. I try to keep in mind it is public water and not everyone has the same hobbies. It is probably a good thing I don't have a boat, I would want to get a PA system and holler at some of the rude folks...and nowadays I guess that can cause major friction.

Getting their boat number and reporting them would be the best way to stop it I guess.