Well at least they had insurance and are covering the damage. I photograph the boat's when they get obsessive with wake-making regardless of who was there first...the law backs me up on that.

What I never understood is if they are going to make 2-3 foot waves to ski why do have to do it in quiet water? Be a man and mogul the main lake waves for free.

When I was at Bass Pro Shops at the electronics counter several different wakeboard/ski boat owners asked if they could put a fishfinder in the boat looking forward so they could wakeboard the stumpy coves. DUH! They would proceed to tell me the stumpy coves were less crowded!

We were fishing Cliff's tournament on Lavon today. We and 40 other boats were fishing along the dam when this ski boat comes in and starts wakeboarding. We got there at 6:30am and they show up at 9am. After the 4th time he fell within shouting distance, we asked them why couldn't they give us a break. Next comes fingers and smart@$$ remarks. This set me off and I was ready to go to Jail and not pass go I'm lucky it takes two to tango and they we all talk

He told us we should move because he needed smooth water to have his fun. I guess the other 40 boats don't deserve to have "smooth water".

Funny how 1 boat can ruin the day for everyone else but we should all pack up and leave in their eyes.

If it is soo much trouble to turn before you reach other boats or if a 6" ripple doesn't allow you to ski, maybe you should find another hobby...

This is an excellent opportunity - I've always wanted to ask a wake boarder this question:

For wakeboarding, you need a stretch of open water, right? For fishing, you need water where there are fish there, right? I don't know nocona, but surely there is lots of water there with no fishing boats, isn't there?

You going to claim that stretch of water for yourself and defend it like a big bass on a spawning bed, okay, sure, maybe you got the right to do it, but...why? That lake ain't big enough? It's a serious question. Why you got to boat where the fishermen are? Something about that half-mile of water makes it special for wakeboarding?

jtexas,

I don't wakeboard, but I agree with you totally. Some lakes are made perfectly to let both have their own part of the lake, like Raybob, but some others arent' I suppose. When I go to the main part of a lake I expect to have skiers and jet skis blowing by me, its when they get close enough to hook that I get irritated.

The 2-3 foot wave is for jumping. You want smooth water to have a nice transition for the jump. Also it's much, much easier to cut (turn) in smooth water. The cut is one of the most important parts of the approach to the jump. Furthermore it's much more difficult to jump when you are trying to maintain control of the board in choppy water.

Ask a Dirt Bike rider how they like going through ruts and divets on their approach to a double jump

It's also hard to fish when your trying to maintain control of your boat from 2-3 foot waves beating you to death

I've always wondered what these guys must feel when they know what everyone in those boats they are rocking to death must be thinking

I heard Saturday what alot of those guys were thinking and it wasn't pretty...

First of all, since I primarily float-tube, and use an underpowered, old Skeeter when it's running, I'm no fan of the wakeboard or skiiers. I am stunned, however, at the defensiveness of folks in here. Courtesy is a two way street. If I see a boat enjoying zipping around pulling a skiier in an area of the lake I was heading towards, I don't fish there--period. We as fishermen are NO MORE IMPORTANT than anyone else--try to remember that.

Ok, I thought this thread got shut down but i guess not. Dallas, ha he was a big ol' boy and sure did have a nice bass boat. As for me being a wakeboarder thats about as far fetched as could be, but seeing fishermen the way wakeboarders do will sure change the way i present myself for the sport of bass fishing.

And for the strech of water, right out in front of my buddys cabin, there were tons of little kids in the water and we were just havin fun trying to show off. And I know, im no pro bass fisherman, haha but it dosnt take any ol' jo to know that the smoothest place on the lake is where all the skiers are going to be, just dont waist your time trying to compete, its called readjust, I do it almost everytime i fish.

That's why stumps are in the lakes. To keep the skiers and fishermen seperated!

I have to agree. If you fish were the skiers are, you best be able to deal with it. Both need to respect each other, and have a little courtesy.

Here is the LAW...not opinion just the applicable LAW.

Operation of Your Boat
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_br_l2000_0001/index.phtml

It is unlawful for any person to:

2. Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.

9. 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.)

BTW...If you ski where the fishermen are, you best be able to deal with it and have insurance paid up. If you do damage you will pay. No ifs, ands or buts...you will pay for damages caused.

We wern't breaking any laws, if a boats hull is designed to make a big wake, an under the seats are custom made water sacks to futher more enhance the wake. Thats just what its made to do and if using something thats manufactured to make big wakes is against the law it looks like they should go after the boat companys.

You can go after the boat manufacturer. What do you not understand about the law?

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_br_l2000_0001/index.phtml

It is unlawful for any person to:

2. Operate so as to cause a hazardous wake or wash.

9. 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.)

Alright, Im done with this one. If a fisherman is out fishin an abounch of wild teenagers come over an wash his boat up on the bank, yeah, he has all the right to be mad.
But, if the wakeboarders are there first causing huge wakes, legally. And then he comes up and fishes for 15 minuits an then gets mad cause he hasnt cought any fish all day and desides it because the waves are to big. nope, thats all his problem.

ROCKET SCIENTIST...UNTIL YOUR WAKE DOES DAMAGE THEN YOUR *** IS IN TROUBLE....MIGHT ENGAGE BRAIN BEFORE MOUTH........