LET'S ALL BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS. With that said, we all know the magic word in that sentence is "ALL" and that is not going to happen.

I will tell you what will happen if we do not respect dock owner's property as our own. I posted earlier referring to Lake Weiss, AL. Shootin' docks has been a way of life for locals, guides and vacationers for many years on this lake. Obviously, each dock owner views fishermen with different outlooks. Banging a heavy sinker off the side of a dock or boat does not bring out the welcome wagon! Tearing a hole in a boat cover with a large treble hook also may bring a frown to the brow of the owner.

What has happened to a lot of the docks on Weiss is either 4 x 8 landscape panels made from latticed, wood sheets, nailed to the undersides of docks or stringing wire or cables under the docks to prevent fishermen from accessing these docks. I have even seen outdoor carpeting affixed to the sides and dropped down to water level to prevent fishermen access.

Is this because the owner does not want "HIS" crappie removed from "HIS" docks? Of course not. It is because there will always be a SMALL proportion of fishermen encroaching his property by actually tying inside the slips, littering, and yes, even stealing items from the dock or boats.

Regarding the signs. I can understand both sides. A personal experience. I accidently hung my lure on a plank on a dock surface. It appeared that this was a seasonal home and there was a wooden ladder that I could merely step onto and retrieve my lure without damaging anything. I quickly stepped onto the dock, retrieved my lure and when stepping back into my boat, hung my wedding band onto a unseen nail at the top edge of the ladder. It jerked my hand backwards as my weight had shifted into the boat, cutting my finger the entire underside. Luckily, I am tall and mangaged to grab the ladder and lift my finger from the rail.

With or without the disclaimer posted signs, would I have legal rights for a potential lost finger or would the dock owner been subject to damages or medical bills? Far more involved than my limited knowledge of rights but just something to ponder when thinking about accessing someone's property, uninvited. Great post, guys...../Mike)

As a co-slip renter (Pier 121 LL) I see no problem with this style of fishing. I have seen a few jigs folks have lost on the slips but no theft or damage to the boat of other things. I consider it a contribution to my jig collection

We all know that I am not talking about the majority of the anglers here, bass fisherman have been fishing AROUND the docks for years. The bass anglers are younger now with fine equipment and not alot of respect, I guess a sign of the times. The dock shooting method is fairly new at least to most, this forum has propelled the interest in this new art. This is what I was referring, where you have to skip a tiny jig under as far as you can, way back in the shadows dealing with wind, waves, dock poles, boat and such. I would hate to think that by law I would need a sign to protect me in case of someone else's fault, I guess a sign of the times. Just a blabbing older gent throwing in his two cents worth, makes me long for yesterday. When WE ran things instead of lawers and politicians. We could go fish to get away from every day pressures. Here comes a guide boat now, I guess I'll watch and see if they are biting, if not maybe they would like a cup of coffee. Thanks, DOC.

Fish Killer you have the same attitude about Deer.You maybe one of those that feels like the deer belong to the state and you have every right to go and get one off of my property?

No I dont have the same attitude about deer. the deer isn't mine until i shoot it. If it crosses a fence line onto someone elses property, I do have a right to retrieve it. If i do not have a relationship with the property owners, its simple enough to call your local warden and he will accompany you to retrieve the animal. What i was refering to in my last post was that on the majority of lakes they dont own anything but the dock and nothing around it. As long as you dont cross that line, nothing that they can do.

Regarding the No Wake zones...

I have noticed that most of the boats that disregard this are home owners/kids in that same cove. I'm always mindful of property owners' docks and the No Wake zones that go with it.

I also notice more and more dock owners going to hanging brush via ropes from the edges of their docks or going so far as to erect wire fencing around the edge of their docks to prevent fishermen from casting under them.

It sure does keep me from fishing them!

Sometimes a shot I make does go errant and I have several times "left" a jig on a dock fully aware that a pet or child could get it hung in their foot but in order to prevent that I would have to get on the dock to retrieve it so it wouldn't happen. My choice is to keep from getting shot...I wish there was a way of leaving a note to warn them. I'd even go so far as to leave my name and phone number as well.

But I've got a good business idea from seeing that if any of you are energetic enough to pursue it. Invent a dock fence that can be slid down into the water off the dock edge and be lifted back up and locked into place as a guard railing. Then as a dock owner, you see someone you like, lift the fence up so they can fish. Otherwise, just slide it back down into the water.

YOU GO, REDFIN!