Question about fishing manners on the lake:

I was out on RR early on Mothers Day and fished from dawn until about 11AM when I finally found a spot holding crappie and they were biting good, real good. About 10 minutes later, two guys in a boat about 50 yards away saw me catching crappie and they trolled right over to my spot in the timber. They asked if I minded them joining me. I was a bit reluctant but said I guess it was alright.

Sure enough, right after they pulled up and tied on to the timber the fish stopped biting. Seemed kind of like bad fishing manners to pull right up on top of my spot when the fish were biting. Maybe they spooked the fish when they came up or maybe the fish were just done biting.

That was the first time that ever happened to me but next time I'll find a nice way to say "find your own spot".

What would you guys have done?

I would have waved at you and found my own spot.

Doesn't make sense to be on a huge lake and feel crowded. Go to the mall for that...

as long as they weren't within 10 yards of you, I don't think there's much of an issue. I really don't think they would have caused the crappie to stop biting. Crappie don't seem to be very boat shy.

I've had the same thing happen to me. I don't like it either, but you can't blame a guy for wanting to catch a few fish.

Ray Roberts Surface area: 25,600 acres

Tieing up to the timber was probably the reason the fish quite biting. AND IF THEY TIED TO THE SAME TIMBER YOU WERE FISHING THEN MOST DEFINETLY A MANNERS VIOLATION

When they asked you if you minded them joining you you should have said "Yes I do mind, thanks for asking." Maybe told them what depth and colors were working for you.
I don't feel that I need to let you fish on top of me when there is a whole lot more water for you to fish. You can't stop someone from fishing anywhere on public water but you sure don't have to invite them over if you don't want them there.

You might give them a good spraying with the prop as you were leaving though

Thats about what I thought as I was leaving. I appreciate the brotherhood we have as fishermen especially around the boat ramp and dock. Its nice to chat when you are putting in or taking out, talking with other fishermen about where they are biting and what depth and all.

There was a man and his wife in a pontoon not far away and they approached me as I was pulling away and asked about the fishing on RR. They just moved their boat from Texoma and looking for some RR crappie tips. IMO they excercised proper manners on the lake and didn't come right up on top of me while I was catching fish.

I ALWAYS make it a point to give anchored fishermen plenty of space and slow down as I pass so I don't disturb what they have going. Its usually only skiers and jet ski people that have bad manners toward fishermen.

Lot's of selfish idiots out there. I always start acting like i am bass fishing as a beginner and casting thier way, if i get one jig in their boat it was a good cast!

I would have stopped them before they got that close.

I think the saying states:

90 percent of the fish use 10 percent of the water.
10 percent of the anglers catch 90 percent of the fish.

In their eyes you must have been a fishing god!

Cheers!

Jeff

It might work to politely tell them that you would rather not have the close company, but then show them what you are using, how deep they are, and the type of bite your getting. With that info plus what they can already see (type of tree, etc.), they should be able to find their own.