I heard for the third time there is a group of people aparently owners, trying to get some sort of distance law in affect to protect their docks. I do not know the details but after observing some significant damage to several of the docks I fish,I feel they may have a very strong case. I have seen first hand how Ernest and the other guides handle there boats with care, the problem is, many do not. Dock shooting is becoming very popular mostly due to this forum and Wally Marshal, but something tells me you better enjoy it while it last.

Being a dock owner, I use to have a problem with the traffic we get, the front of our dock is in 17'of water and the middle around 10'. So as you can see we get alot of dock shooting. I met Guy last year fishing my dock and ask him to leave a few for seed, most of the guides visit our dock regularly and are very nice.I don't have a problem fishing around the dock, the only problem that I have is shooting up on the dock or on the boat or hanging up on the boat lift or in the boat cover or around the prop, this does sometimes cause problems with the line getting caught in the motor or the dog getting a jig head hung in the foot. Just think about how you would react if it was your dock and treat it that way, it dosent hurt to speak when you pass and always leave enough for seed.

I understand everyone concern about their docks and the possible damage that could accure due to reckless boaters, but the plain fact is that they dont own any of the property that the dock is on. No one can leagelly stop you from catching public fish, since we all own them and can not show ownership until caught legeally. Its something that people on the lakes are just gonna have to bear with because ther is nothing that can be done about it

Believe me, they can stop you from WHERE you catch those public fish.

Yes they can stop you from catching those fish, but not on property that is owned by the state and is in a public water body and not designated as a hazarrd area. People who have docks on the lakes just lease the right to have a dock there, that doens't give them any other control over the property that the dock sits on.

What Dr. Crank says is correct. When I have customers fishing docks (any lake, cause they all have docks), I caution them before we ever put a jig in the water, to be very careful and not put the jig anywhere but under the dock. And yes, sometimes there's gonna be a stray shot, but if you're paying attention, you can stop the jig in mid flight, BEFORE it lands on the dock. And I encourage everyone to "take a few" and leave the rest. I can see no sense in 'picking a dock clean' in one visit. There'll be others come to take the place of the ones that you take, but sitting at one dock and putting 50 fish in your livewell isn't very smart.

Treat a dock like the money invested in it was yours....and you'll always be welcome by the owners.

Well, just like always, a few bad apples spoil it for all of us, and I have seen that while fishing docks the past few weeks. One dock owner got real nervous when he saw us at his doc yesturday, but soon calmed down when he noticed that we were keeping our distance, and not touching his dock. I do know he had to run someone out of his boat slip just last week. Sharon

I am a dock owner as well and I have no problem with anyone fishing it. As long as they are careful. We have really had no problems with that in the 5 years that we've had the place. The biggest problem that we've had is trying to enforce a no wake zone, as we are in a long wide cove. People don't realize how much damage wakes can do. We are in the cove north of Don's Port and we get alot of bass fishermen in our cove when it's windy or there's a tournament. Slapping the side of the dock or the poles with a bait doesn't do any harm. That being said, I have to correct Fish Killer on the ownership issue. On Cedar Creek (unlike other bodies) we do own the property. Namely the dock and boathouse itself. There is no lease. It is actually on the deed and survey. And you have to be careful. Because legally if you have your hand on the dock, there is no difference between that and having your hand on someone's front door knob. Personally, if someone needs to put their hand out to keep from hitting the dock, they can grab mine anytime. Speaking for myself, anyone is welcome to get as close to my boathouse as they want to fish. It really is just a matter of respecting property. If you can't be friendly with fishermen, you have more problems than we can address here. Come on over!

Dear Mr. Prop and Dr. Crank,

Although I have only fished CC three times; once by myself (bridge by Big Cheif), once with my wife and friends and once with Guy on a guided trip, I agree that each fisherperson is different in that each one has their own level of respect for others property. IMHO if every one respected and treated other's property as their own, we would not have any problems. I just do not understand why some have to spoil it for the majority of those who have respect for your property.
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Some owners and fisherpersons sometimes forget the possible liability that may arise from a boating mishap near or on your dock. I work in the inurance claims industry and see all kinds of injuries from auto accidents and deal with attorneys on a daily basis. I feel for all dock owners in that respect. You might want to consider placing a sign of forewarning on all sides of your boathouse or dock.
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I plan on fishing CC more in the future and appreciate the invitation to fish your docks...I, for one, will maintain my repect for your hard earned property!

I answered this post only to state my opinion on the subject. I have been blessed to have a dock and boat house and home on the lake (That I do own) and the property that it sits on. I don't want to put a sign on the dock asking fishermen to watch their steps. I, like many of the dock owners only want fishermen to show respect to my investment, and most do, I will welcome anyone to our place to dockshoot for crappie, I guess we are on the milk run anyway. All I am asking is to treat my property like it was yours and you won't have to many problems, heck I like seeing kids as well as adults having fun and learning the art of dockshooting and catching fish. Maybe some that reads this may need to take a guided trip to learn the art and also learn to respect others property it may help. Thanks and welcome.

Yep...you have to respect dock owners and the area we fish around and under the docks. There has been more than one occasion when a dock owner has come out for a chat while we are fishing his/her dock. I just make sure that we are always respectful of the dock area.
Usually, I offer the dock owner some fish. They usually decline the offer, but have had a couple take me up on it, and have met some great people while on the lake.

As long as nobody's being stupid they can fish my place anytime. But one warning (this was funny). Baileysprop is the name of my boat because my black lab, Bailey, loves to prop herself on the bow of the boat and ride. One day during a tournament, a guy was bass fishing right at the end of the dock. And I heard him yell. When I looked up from my coffee, I see bailey on the front deck of his bass boat and him all the way on the transome waving his rod at her. After my apology and her jumping back to the dock, we both had a good laugh.

Dr. Crank,
I fully agree with you on the GUIDED TRIP, there are several good guides on Cedar Creek and all are very concious of others property....I personally have had the pleasure to fish with Brian Carter (Duck_Jerky) and I will assure you and any other that this GUIDE is a class act both on and off the water, with respect for all property. Thanks for your post and invitation to fish your dock....
Matthew

Hey bobby! small world. would have never thought I'd see someone from blooming grove on here! I have family there..the calhouns, you know them?

that kinda stinks if they pass that law or bill or whatever you wanna call it.