I'm gonna go against the grain a bit here and in no way am I saying the poster was wrong. I am only saying for me personally unless the lake is really crowded I have no need or desire to be within 100yds of another boat especially on a lake as big as Fork. Granted there are times I am fishing a pocket or smaller area and boats come and go but I just am not gonna pull up on someone in open water. I would rather have the challenge of finding another spot I guess. Granted like most things there are exceptions to anything.

This is a judgement call for sure. I occasionally use one marker buoy as a reference point when it is really windy. The guy that had two out was "trying" to hold his spot on the road for himself. Can't blame him for that but it is a public lake as was stated. It does seem at times that common courtesy has gone out the window. I have seen some intelligent people do some pretty stupid things on the water over the years.

If you're asking what you should have done... If you're not sure if you're encroaching on someone else but think you might be, you probably are. Like Mark said, it's a big lake with lots of great places to fish. I would have moved on.

A bouy is a marker for a casting reference, just that. It's not a fence or a marker for private property! Fish where ever you want just respect other peoples space.

Agree 100%. A lot of you posting PUBLIC LAKE would be the first to go nuts if someone came in on you. Guaranteed.

I agree with Mark Perry, I don't want another man's water and I give him a respectable space to fish, not just the spot he is casting in. Way too many folks thinking it is public water and as long as they don't put their bait in the exact hole that it is acceptable. Been at it for 50 years and don't see it that way, never have and never will. Call me old school.

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them."
John Bernard Books - 'The Shootist'

I truly wish I had a lot of other spots to fish!!! I just do not know Fork that well and the wind was blowing a lot for an aluminum boat....was having to anchor.

Went in search of a few other spots but there were several boats fishing or waiting to fish the areas I know.

We ended up packing it up and coming home. Not fun for me to fight the wind only to wait in line to fish.

Need to learn more place on Fork but it just takes time.

Can't we all just get along, and love one another?.....maybe not, get off my spot! ....no way were u anywhere near being in the wrong, Redman...JMO

I think going out with a good guide teaches you proper etiquette on the water. I have been out with 3 different guides over the last year on 5 different trips. I know they have gone to spots where someone is near where they want to fish. They never change their expression and just move on to another spot. They have alot of respect for the weekend warrior and I applaud them for being so cool and calm. I am a much different boater knowing how they handle these situations. Most people that only know of a few spots that holds fish and cant break down a lake will force their way into that spot. But trust me the guides are aware of their surroundings and notice repeat violators of their favorite spots, they just have a more proffesional way of dealing with those issues.

Use the golden rule......works every time.

+1

SCREW BOUYS.. JUST KEEP A FAIR DISTANCE FROM HIS BOAT... I HATE GUYS WHO THINK THEY ARE ENTITLED TO A SPOT SINCE THEY PUT A PIECE OF PLASTIC ON IT.. LOL

I'm not going to lie Kyle, I think he should have made a circle of bouys to mark off his territory. You were way out of line for trying to fish well out of casting distance from him! lol

Use your buoys to mark that piece of structure, regardless if its 10 feet long or 300 feet long, thats your piece of structure. It has to be worked up and down to find the sweet spot so his spot is his spot, its a big lake, move on down the line.

I guess for me when I hear about "these spots" on a public lake and the guy came within 100 yards of me is kinda silly... 100 yards is HUGE. Plenty of room to give another individual. 100 yards is just shy of a football field in length. Think about it. I say use the BASS CHAMPS rule of thumb 50 yards to another boat.

I am looking at this distance thing in relative to bow hunting.

25 yards on offshore structure / or anywhere for any reason is real close.

50 yards with todays rod and reels you can actually make a cast to another boat. Still maybe a bit close. Judgement call. Like others have said if it would bother you / or you have a gut check go somewhere else.

75 yards I would say to pull up on an area and work away from another angler is not an issue....

100 yards... WOW!!! Thats huge... Fish on!!

And yes it dont matter if someone gets within 25 yards of me or 200 yards of me my belly starts to get that knot and my fishing goes to poo but I promised my wife for the rest of the year and for now on to "NOT WORRY ABOUT IT ANYMORE" LOL!!!

Just my opinion....

I respect another persons fishing spot as much as anyone would. But if I wanted to fish in the area of the buoy that's 100yards from the dude that set it in, he may get a little upset. If he decides to encroach me, he's in the wrong, unless he hollers and says he just wants to come pick up his marker.