I have been reading on TPWD to see if this meets trespassing criteria. After reading this information I dont think it is trespassing. It still may be "intrusive" by personal standards though.

Media Contacts:
Business Hours (512) 389-8046
news@tpwd.state.tx.us
Jan. 11, 1999
TPW Clarifies Angling Rights Near Docks, Marinas

AUSTIN, Texas � In response to reports of confrontations between anglers and waterfront landowners, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) officials have clarified the public's right to fish from a boat on all public waters, providing no game law regulations are being violated.

According to TPW legal counsel Boyd Kennedy, "Waters that are open to the public for fishing include coastal waters, major lakes and rivers, and many smaller streams and lakes," said Kennedy. "If a lake is public water, then all of the lake is public water, including the water around marinas and boat docks. The right to build or operate a marina, dock, or other structure on or over public water does not carry with it the right to restrict boating or fishing from a boat."

Kennedy went on to note that by law, the basic authority for the enactment of boating regulations is reserved to the state. Some local government authorities may impose boating regulations for safety purposes, but TPW statistics show that fishing around marinas and boat docks is not a safety problem. "Harassment of a law-abiding fisherman is a crime punishable by fine and/or imprisonment," he added.

CB...
Your "New Technique" is not new. I have several Tapes and DVDs on Crappie fishing. Your method is on one of my instructional videos. Demonstrates your method exactly, also shows about fishing through lattice or slats that have been installed to enclose the area between the dock and water. And, the use of a net to land the fish since you obviously cannot pull the fish back through the spaces.

Speaking only for myself, I have no problem with any fisherman using the water in front of my house or under my dock. I have a huge problem if you are found ON my dock! If fact, if you are found on my dock I'll find out for sure if my shotgun actually reaches that far from my deck!
Other than that, fish away.
I might addd, I watched a bass fisherman pull one huge black bass out from under my boat dock and was only upset because it wasn't me pulling that fish out!
The lakes belong to all of us, not the individual that bought the land adjoining the lake. You have as much right as I do to enjoy it and I hope you all do!
Okie Bob

CB327, book a trip with Ernest and watch how he shoots. He doesn't lean over or bend down. The rascal sits upright in the front casting chair, holds his rod at an angle down towards the water but pointing in the direction of the dock, and somehow manages to shoot a jig waaaay up under those docks. He'll occasionally do a bank shot off something to make the jig go places you just can't get a straight line to. Pretty educational.

Jon

When I was a kid it really made me mad when people fished our dock. I had no right but was envious of the thought that they might catch that fatty I wanted in my basket. I saw alot of LMB guys do well off our crappie dock. Now I fish docks

On a different note, my dogs dont make fishing our dock too comfortable these days. They arent killers but they will greet you and bark.

Aaah...those vicious-killer-attack-pitbull-dockdogs from hell.
A dock owners best friend.

IF and when I ever have a dock, I will be sitting there fishing and I will invite the boaters to join me.

Hello to all, I guess I'm feelling a little guilty "lurking" so I'll put .02 cents in. I have been a bass fisher for along time, but recently have become totally consumed with the infamous "tick or thump". I have several kids, it is hard sometimes to "turn down schollin sandies" for the "better tasting fish" (crappies). I have learned alot the past few years mostly from Steve and the crew at Ray Hubbard (bayview)Thanks guys even though it is elbows to elbows out there These guys still give good advise. Now this is my observance of crappie. They do feed up usually, and I think they like to approach the jig from the rear and below, I mark crappie and find the structure they are relating to pitch 1/32 camo/chart bass asassins or that minifluke,to stucture and as bait falls towards me I slow it down at 1-2 foot above fish and try to make it swim away from brush as slow as possible, somtimes pushing jig back to brush and slowly swim jig away again, seems fish always try to sneak up out of brush and thump it, it almost seems like I picture the crappie and try to make the jig look away from the fish. So he has a good oppurtunity to "sneak up" on the bait. I probably over think the situation, but you have to get in the fishes' head if want to see what it looks like. ;-)

fish_beacon, How do you slow a jig down when it is on the fall toward you as you stated above? Just curious as to your technique to accomplish. Please explain more. Thanks

you mean to tell me all this for a joke, well i use a half stick of dynamite some old cheese an a beer bottle,oh an a lit cig