Can anyone tell me if there is anything that can be done about dock owners restricting fisherman from fishing around or even flipping docks on Toledo Bend. For the last year it seems that dock owners feel that they own the water around and under their docks.

How do they restrict you from fishing it?

Heres a couple of links that may help you, it is against the law to harass a fisherman. They dont own the water around and underneath the docks.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/fishboat/fish/index.phtml#L13

http://law.onecle.com/texas/parks/62.0125.00.html

Age old problem,Ceder Creek was the worst years ago.Better to just move on rather than ruin a whole days enjoyment.Fish on.

Note though that the TPWD comments above would not apply to the docks on Toledo Bend except for those within the Texas side.

If there are people on or around the dock I think you owe them the common curtesy to move on and fish somewhere else. This is no different than someone say fishing a brush pile and someone pulling right up next to you and fishing. While it ain't illegal it just ain't cool!

The last time that I was on the lake I saw quite a few docks being wrapped with wire and mesh.

I agree the problem that I am seeing more of however is the fact that the dock owners are now putting up wire mesh to keep anglers from flipping their docks. Many Bass tournaments are won around the country using this technique.

You have several options. i find all of these work for me.
1.Take a 3/4oz weight and hit them upside the head you can
always claim it was an accident or they jumped at you.
2. Pull out your 9mm and shoot a few rounds in the water and say
your next.
3. Go ashore and whip there azz and make it brutal that way it
is easier for us to fish next time.
I find that #2 is effective but causes problem with law enforcment but i always claim self defense.
Same goes for #3.
Number 1 im usually gone by the time they come to

You could always trim your motor up and gun it to spray them but don't really want to waste $.40 of gas on the piece of shi7

I fish docks all the time at Cedar Creek and I never have a problem with the dock owners. Usually they come to the dock to talk to me while I am fish as I fish in a kayak. If there is a party going on, on the dock, then I move on to give them their privacy. I haven't run into the mesh problem yet. I also helps that I fish during the week and not weekends generally.

My neighbor put Chain Link under his dock. He unhooks it 2 or 3 times a year gets most of his Tackle that way off of it.

This is a great point. If it is a dock worth fishing (many times it's not) and it has people on it, here is what you need to do.

1. Be friedly.

2. Speak first. In other words, don't wait for them to say something to you. Best thing to do is compliment the dock owner on how nice his boat is or how pretty his yard is or how nice his "place" is.

3. Continue talking to him / her as you fish the dock. I have probably fished over 100 docks on Cedar Creek w/ dock owners on them while I fished and have never had them ask me to not fish it.

I have a friend who fishes cedar creek more often than I do and he is asked to not fish his dock probably once a month. He refuses to talk to the dock owner.

Another proven dock technique I've observed is to wire a small retrieval chain to sunken sets of old mattress box springs from an old bed. Dock owner simply occasionally pulls up the bare box springs and pulls off the Lucky Crafts and other better lures leaving the many others tangled in place to enhance his lure catcher. Legal or not I don't know, but very effective.

Do not dress like a terrorist, nor like a criminal. It's better to dress like an ordinary redneck.....

Cedar creek really hasn't been a problem for us and we fish lots of docks. I respect there dock and don't tie up or hang on to it like many crappie fisherman do. If there outside I very rarely if ever will fish it. Ive had a couple of issues over the years but considering how often were out there that ain't much. I get harassed more about sinking brush. I now almost always do it in the dead of winter or at night.

I have the solution tell these idiots to sell their lakeside property and go to the city. I will not fish a dock if there is someone fishing off of it, but I will not move off a dock bc someone tells me I can't fish there. I personally haven't had this problem most talk to me and I'm always very polite. I read it always on here and am begining to think maybe its the fisherman not the dock owner that causes some of these problems.

I guess you can kiss azz like some here have suggested but who are these people think they are to own the lake. The ones on here suggesting
1. Be Friendly
2. Speak first
3. continue talking
are usually the ones on here crying when they get pushed around and asking for someones opinion so they can feel better about there self. Probably a peta member or plants a tree instead of taking real action

Yall think this is bad...try fishing in Louisiana with all the "private" canals and bayous..

My philosophy is this.

I WILL PROTECT MY RIGHT AND MY CHILDRENS RIGHTS TO OUR FISH, FUNDED BY OUR TAX DOLLARS AND THE ONLY WAY I WILL PASS UP A "PRIVATE DOCK OR CANAL" WITH TAX FUNDED FISH IN IT OR ON IT IS IN A BODY BAG.

I can see it from both sides. I live on EM I brush my dock and it gets fished alot. I like people fishing it and I love seeing them catching good fish off it. But I get really ticked and have had words with guys that throw there bait nets over the brush to get perch fortrot lines. They pull the whole piles up break them up when there doing it. I understand I dont own the water but really its alot of work brushing up . Its just not considerate. I am a bass fishermen and when iam fishing docks and if the dock owner is fishing from it I either move on or if its a great dock I ask if they mind just as I would another boat that might be crappie fishing near some spot i want to fish. A little curtisy goes a long way.Ive had people fish around the end of my dock when iam down there fishing with the granddaughter also, and I dont think thats cool either. Last time a bass fishermen did that I decided to go swiming cannon BALLL . It goes both ways guys. All in all most fishermen and dock owner are decent to each other. The guys that enticed my cannon ball pitched there bait three ft from my granddaughters Vertical line at the end of the dock. I felt very justified.I dont even care if people fish around the dock when iam fishing but when they pitch right on top of you it aint right weather your in a boat or on a dock.

If the owner is on the dock..I move on, if not, I fish it.

+1

Dress like a terrorist? never fished with a black ski mask on my face.I need to try that bet it cuts down on sunburn

Ive had good and bad run ins with people fishing near my moms pier. One time called the GW on a couple tards tied up to the pier slammin beers, a different time i got a bunch of bait mullet from a respectful guy nice enough to share some fishin tips. If you are out there fishing and you arent lookin for a fight, Ill let em do thier thing. But i will always chuck weights at those speedboaters who like running a rocky shoreline at full throttle

Man... if you moved on everytime an owner was on the dock at lake austin, or conroe, you wouldnt get to fish any docks...

When we were at conroe a cpl weeks ago, I bet there was someone on over half of the docks we fished.... I dont see it as too biga deal.

Cedar Creek dock I was writing of is in Lynn creek.The old man would come out with his Long Tom in one hand a claw hammer in the other and start beating on the dock.He was turned in several times but within his rights.If you got on his dock to kick his azz he would probubly shot your azz and got away with it.

LOL, I would like to know which dock that is, I live in lynn creek cove. I would go fish it every time i'm out just to pizz him off.

Going in on right side about half way back.If you noticed my first post I said C.C. use to be bad about docks.This was back when I fished Cowtown 100 it must have been in the mid 80s are so.That ole man probubly dead by now.Its one of the old wood docks if yove been there long you should have herd of him.

Just try to understand the view of dock owners aswell. Theft via water is a HUGE problem on every lake and most pose as fisherman. I remember a case on Hubbard a fews years back where a bass boat got busted with 2 55 drums of stolen fuel. One of the dock owners remember the same boat earlier that day fishing all the docks at Bayview. This was the start of most cruiser onwers switching their waste tank caps with thier fuel caps. Nothing like someone sneaking in at night stealing 50 gallons of [censored] water out of your boat. So if a dock owner is giving you the stink eye while you are fishing around thier dock, it's like the same look you give a person when they slow roll by you open garage door.

I am a dock owner and a fisherman. I go fish on the other side of the lake, and guys from over there fish my dock. I just cant force myself to fish off my dock, but my daughter, her friends and my wife all fish off my dock. If someone started flipping my dock while the girls were fishing it I would be upset. Pitching down the other side from where the girls were would be IFFEY but not a big deal. Down the side where the girls were drowning minnows would require me to say something. It may not be illegal, but its just plain rude. Also, there is an obvious swimming area, and if someone flips where the ladder is they run the risk of losing a lure that gets into some kids foot or leg later. There is no brush over there anyway...I make sure of that...That is always my biggest worry and I avoid those areas on other people's docks. The theft thing is always a concern...Come near my dock while its dark and i watch you VERY closely. Smile as the trail camera takes your pic.

If someone is at a dock, fishing or not, i mostly pass that one up. There is always another one I can fish, but If I start having a conversation with the dock owner, I may flip all the while we are talking...Rarely catch anything on a dock where someone is out there anyway. Just dont get hung up in his lines or step onto his dock without being invited. No one that brushes their dock is so naive to think its only going to be fished by themselves... Be considerate of the other guy and its never a problem as long as both are reasonable people. If they are not, then.... NOW those wakeboats, *&%$#@! dont get me started!!!.

mosskeeter you are completly correct on every word of that.

I will just say anyone is welcome to fish my dock on Cedar Creek, please just take a 5 gallon bucket of silt from under the dock with you when you leave!

Sitting on my porch having an evening drink and noticed a light moving along a line of docks.
All the lights were off in my house and there was no way to tell that we were there.
When they reached my dock I asked, in my huskiest voice,"What's up guys ?"
You could almost hear the pee hitting the bottom of the boat as they answered in unison "FROG HUNTIN !!! FROG HUNTIN"
I almost felt bad about that.
J.B.

Yep hunting the frog lures you keep in your tackle box!

TxJole;
They actually got a frog out from under my neighbors dock.
Not sure they knew what to do with it. As soon as they boated it they left.
J.B

one thing I do at night out of courtesy for dock owners(while I fish thier docks) is to keep my lights on, including my interior LED lights. It keeps the whole deck lit up and they can see my every move. it keeps their peace of mind that I am not up to no good. Its just a courtesy to them. I dont turn my lights on when I am fishing timber or away from docks(except for my required anc/nav lights)

Obviously you don't know me.

I fish cedar creek all the time and never have been asked not to fish a dock but I do know of one that the owner put rebar over the slots in the water. I had one owner on RC ask me not to touch his dock when I got hung up under it. So I just broke it off.

Boy this is all we need is some more folks on the lake with this attitude, as if there wern't enough already. What goes around, comes around. Treat people with kindness and respect and you will usually get it back. If not, oh well, I'll just let the Lord sort out the good from the bad.

When I was in High School, I started getting that kind of attitude. My Dad, along with a few others, set a better example how to treat others. I made a smart remark to a dock owner on Lake Cypress one day after he got smart with us about catching catfish from around his dock. My dad embarrased me terribly that day. He set me down in the boat and we took a boat ride. In a few mintues we came back and he made me apologize to that man for how I acted. Believe it or not, he turned to me and apologized back and said that he shouldn't have acted the way he did either. There was plenty of fish in the lake and he didn't own any of them. I pulled the boat up to the dock and we shook hands. Since that day I've realized that is how I should treat everyone.

Good for you dude, make sure pop's get's an extra nice fathers day card this year for teaching you how to be a responsible adult.

laterz,
dafanman

i have just always kept it simple, if i can fish it and is in public water then its legal

I accidentally over shot and threw my bait on a dock next to a lady sunning on Cypress Springs once. It startled her and she looked around to see what it was. I was very apologetic and she had no problem with it. I guess I was lucky given the circumstances. Never had anyone tell me not to fish around their docks, but being respectful of their property is always a good idea even if the water you're fishing isn't theirs.

Is there anyway to stop bass fishermen from running across your lines and coming up to your dock while you are fishing on it?

IMOA, if someone is on the dock, stay way from it but if no one is there then its open to be fished.

It's just common sense, if you have a boat and can fish the whole lake you stay away from anyone on the bank who is fishing.

Jiggytime Kenny rogers didn't sing a song about you did he. The gatlin boys didn't come calling did they. Look i have no attitude one of the nicest most well mannered guys you meet. But i will not fish a public lake payed for with tax dollars and have someone tell me i can't fish there dock. Now you can go stick your head in the sand. Others of of will take action so guys like you can go fish once every 6 months and go put the boat back in storage.

I have fished docks with some people on them with no issues. I normally strike up a small chit-chat about fishing or the weather/water and press on. Most people in this world are generally nice.

One thing all us fishermen could so is quitting banging their docks and boats. Especially trying to shot docks for crappie. I've seen some boats with pinged up gelcoats from people casting into them.

It sure would piss me off!

If someone is fishing their dock, don't pull up to it and start fishing. Period. It's no different than pulling up to within 10 ft. of another boat that is fishing a spot and chunkin' a bait around his boat. How many on here that have said they'd open up a can of whupazz on a dock owner would do the same if another boat pulled up that close to them while they were fishing. I'm jus' sayin'.

I understand your point of view. I won't leave dock just because somebody comes running down to the dock being disrespectful or telling me I can't fish there. I will stay there forever just to be spiteful to those people. On the other hand, I am NOT going to be rude to them. I have this happen a couple times since back in my high school days. I just smile and keep fishing. I have twice laughed out loud at the same guy on Lake Fork when as soon as he saw me start fishing the brush pile on his dock he comes down and starts stomping around working on his dock. I laugh and move on and wait until he walks all the way back up the hill and double back and fish it again. I am 6'0" and weigh a tad over 300. If you think I am scared of these people you are badly mistaken, but rude confrontation with these people is the WRONG way to handle a situation.

Oh and by the way,as far as my boat being in storage for 6 months, my boat sit in the garage for 3 weeks in April when my daughter was born. I wanted to go, but I figure the right thing to do was to help my wife during those 1st few weeks. That is the longest my boat has not been on the water in over 2 years. I fish year round, and usually around 60-70 days per year on top of a 65-70 hr a week job.

Jiggytime-Ok if you understand my point then why write that i have an attitude? If what you write is true then you go back just to be spiteful. I get along with alot of dock owners but i will never be told i can't fish in a public lake because someone owns a house on a lake. I have a river that runs thru my hill country neighborhood have owners posting no tresspassing signs on the public road to the river the owner vcame down while me and my 8 yr old were fishing n tell me we needed to leave now. Told him it was public and he would call the police. Informed him it was public with a letter from tpwd stating so. Said he was gonna shoot me. Sent my boy home on his 4 wheeler pulled my shirt back to expose my firearm and said let's get it going then. Police showed up and said GW needed to be called where the homeowner got his azz chewed and was told to take the sign down and quit harassing people. Was that an attitude? I don't think so. Just stand up fpr myself sometimes with authority. But no one not even you would tell me to move on i don't care how big you are it will never happen.

Maybe I misuderstood your point in the original post then. I get what your saying about standing your ground. I will stand my ground as well. I had just understood that if someone is friendly to these people, then they are are cry babies and memebers of PETA. Oh by the, I am a member of People Eating Tasty Animals.

By the way, good for you standing your ground. You did what you thought was right. It's not the attitude that I would have taken with the guy, but that is my opinion. I usually try to diffuse a situation calmly. 2 people with hot deads are like fire and gasoline. If neither of ya'll would have backed down then it was coming to a gun fight. Then we would be talking about who was right or wrong about killing the other guy. Either way it ends bad.

I'm not saying you were wrong. It was just my opinion.

If you seriously think fishing right disputes that can be solved in a court room or with a LEO is worth killing another man for you have serious priorities issues.

As a dock owner and a fisherman, I agree that the water around and/or under my dock can, and should be fished. If people are on the dock, please stay away. You wouldnt fish under someones anchored boat with them on it would you? Or would you have an issue if I tried to fish under your boat casting back at you while you tried to fish under my dock? The main complaint from dock owners is the lack of respect shown to them from other people. I have found lures in my boat cover with rips in it from a guy trying to pull his lure out, line and lures wrapped around my prop, wrapped around my ladder, and more than one person has found one in their foot after they stepped on a lure that someone broke off up there. Also is the theft issue. I have lost at least 5 rods that I can remember, 2 anchors, a couple of tackle boxes, perch traps, and several bait buckets with bait in it. The worst two were when someone actually unscrewed the ladder from my dock and took it and when i lowered my boat and it wouldnt move. I raised it back up, and my prop was gone! Someone stole my prop! So cut the dock guys a break and realize what all they have to deal with. I understand that docks are good structure that hold fish, but would you be fishing the same spot if the dock was not there? Probably not. If you were on a hunting lease, would you hunt at someone elses feeder or like to find someone at yours?

[quote=limp line If you were on a hunting lease, would you hunt at someone elses feeder or like to find someone at yours? [/quote]

Understand your frustations but remember unlike a hunting lease which is private land docks are built on to public land. It suck that stuff happens, there is always some jerk that has to ruin it for every one and that goes both ways boater and dock owner.

understood the lease thing. but what about public land? if you set up a tree stand or brush blind, would you expect to find someone in it? Oh I know stuff happens, and you come to expect it when you have a place like that. We have even had people park in our driveway and walk down to the water and set up a bunch of stuff. Nothing surprises us now. We take it in stride. I find it really funny when people claim to know the owner and they have permission. Their faces are priceless when I tell them I find that funny cuz I dont know them!

As a fisherman , that is my policy.

As a dock owner , you have every right and my blessing to fish my dock. I will even tell you where the brush is and what has been biting. If we talk long enough , I will get to the part about all the big bass are caught on the drop off behind you.
If I am fishing off my dock , I expect the same common courtesy as you do in your boat, give me some space, don't drive over my lines.


MO

my Dad has a dock
we build brush piles & chum for bait fish
nobody cares if people fish it, in fact i want to see if they catch anything, because i never do.
if we are fishing no one has ever tried fishing it

Mrdon't think i ever said killing a guy would make a better situation. But if your gonna threaten to shoot me better be ready to get shot back at.

You are lucky. I have been harassed a few time on Cedar Creek. One man threatened to get a gun, two years ago a bunch of drunk teenagers started throwing huge rocks at us and then shot a big firework at us as we went around the bend. One of the reason I don't have Verizon anymore. Could get a signal to call the Authorities.

It cuts both ways. You get pizzed if the dock owner thinks he owns the water, he gets pizzed if you think you own the water and do as you please. Like many others have said, common courtesy goes a long way. Remember - fishing is for fun, relaxation and enjoyment. Have fun on the water, folks!

So Woolybugger please explain how you would be so courteous with the teenagers throwing huge rocks at you. At that point i would have to say that it is time for self defense. Not all fisherman are bad just like all dock owners are bad, But if your a dock owner coming down to harass me you better have the balls to back it up. I'm not looking for trouble but i will not take any at all period. But i would love to hear how you would be courteous with the teenager and rocks.

I have a dock and I do not have a problem with someone coming by fishing for a few minutes then go about there business. I do have a problem with someone coming and anchoring there boat get out a wade around my dock for hours. Yeah I do not own the water but I did build the dock and we have to pay a fee to city yearly to have the dock. Its these kind of people who have no respect. The lake is my backyard. I would not pull in front of someones house get out and do whatever. If these kind of people want to fish docks and structure like this then they need to buy lake property and build there own dock. Like I said I have no problem with someone coming catching a few fish and leaving. Just my 2 cents.

+10

When that jet ski is buzzing around you in the middle of the lake, remember keep repeating "public water, public water"

well said txjole

Sea Horse, I understand What you are saying. Me Personally i will flip a dock about 6 -7 pitches and hit my trolling motor and move on. But you only bought the property not the lake. If someone wants to get out and wade that's his priority if he is not damaging your property then why should he have a time limit or buy property to build a dock. It is your backyard put up a privacy fence. I can't tell someone to move or hey you have 5 minutes left when they play ball in my cul-de-sac. So what makes you so special?

Don't repeat public water just take a 3/4oz bullet weight and knock him off the jet ski i've done it many times never lost any sleep over it

skeeter4man I do not think I am special. I just think its disresptful. With this thought I do not run down to dock and get ugly with people its whatever,but that does not mean I have to agree with it. Yes it is public water but I do have to pay for my dock. LIke I said it was just my 2 cent. I know people have thoughts both ways on this and am not sayn anything bad about people either way.

Then why does a dock owner not have the right to "take a 3/4oz bullet weight and knock you out of your boat"?? and by the way i dont really believe you have ever done that and I bet 99% of other members on he would agree with me.

thats funny

I tried this but the guy got mad when I told him how fine his wife looked laying on the dock in her bikini.

Txjole I sent pm

IBTL

Why not just bust out your gat and peel some caps, gangsta

Txjole, Obviously you never fished lake mcqueeney i keep a 3/4 bullet weight on a rod next to me and believe me i use 3-4 times a trip drive by and harass me u can find out first hand. And i guess a homeowner could do that but i figure that would be assault wouldn't you. I guess 99% would agree if they were dumbazzes like you

Mr not a gangsta just not a liberal and get pushed around like you

Was fishing off my moms pier yesterday. Had a small jon boat come up and started fishin. We had a nice lil chat and when his casts started comin back empty he left. Nice guy, even offered to castnet some bait for me. Not all of the 'pro' fishers out there are dicks

Most all fisherman are true sportsman and all get alone, then you have those few (like you see on this thread) that just feel they are owed something and roll out of bed looking for trouble and give every fisherman a bad name, even if most o it is just talk.

Don't see anyone one this thread that feel like there owed anything see guys on this thread that want to fish be left alone and not harassed. Also don't see anyone on this thread that roll out of bed looking for trouble. But i do see some on this thread that will and should stand up to what they believe. I do see some that are cowards and will take abuse but come on here and run there mouth that obviously wouldn't do it in person. Anyone that knows me knows it isn't talk already extended you an invite

I see an invitation to a boat ramp coming up.

I hadn't ever thought of it specifically like this before, that someone would not come fish under my boat when I was in the lake, nor should they come fish under my dock when I am already fishing from the dock. I may just start using that one.

awesome I wanna go fish too -- ohh wait not fishing what