How hard and fast is the 'don't bump the stump' rule? 'Don't bump the stump or you may miss the thump'is how it goes. I have seen reports on this forum both ways, some who tie off to the timber they are fishing, and some who use trolling motors to hold just off the timber. I have fished timber by tying off to an up-wind tree, but found it takes too much attention to hold off using a trolling motor. (cant operate the motor and fish at the same time)

Any thoughts?

Try chewing gum while walking. You will get better with practice. Seriously, it took me a couple months before I got the hang of it. Now I don't even think about it. I know where that TM is pointed just by the position of my foot. It was a real cluster when I first started though.

I've bumped the stump and caught biguns. It dont spook them like you think it would

Earlier this spring I was getting ready to shoot one of my favorite docks but, noticed that the owner was starting to replace his retaining wall and the crew was already started.
If you've ever been around while a new wall is being installed, you know the noise those backhoes with the vibrating head that hammers the steel about 5 or 6' into the ground can make.
Well, this thing was maybe 40' from this dock and I just figured I'd waste a few mintues and just see what happened anyway.
First shot, fish on...second shot fish on for three quick nice crappie in the live well!
Someone forgot to tell them dumb ole crappie they are supposed to be afraid of people noises and they paid the price in some hot grease!
So, bump that ole stump as much as you want....I don't think the crappie care one bit and maybe it even calls them in....ya think?

Guy was power washing his boat at anchor inn this spring, i caught two nice ones from the other side of the boat while he was washing it

i was always told as kid to quiet when we were fishing.....
that i found out was just because i was to noisy for the adults ....i do think if you hit the structure hard it might spook fish.....but generally speaking i dont worry to much about noises ........we used to crank up the stereo when we were kids and i think it made em bite better .....at lake fork the crappie didnt mind the boat hitting the bridge or the cranked up stereo....and its sort of like hunting ,,,just because a deer "blows" at you , it doesnt mean the hunt is over .....i have seen lots of deer shortly after one spooked .....i think fishing and noise is the same basically.....
but i do prefer stealth if at all possible