I grew up fishing the bays, mostly drift fishing. In most cases you don't get within earshot of someone else. I was with a guide that cussed out another boat for fishing in a small cove we were in. But the bays are more vast and open than most lakes. I've only been bass fishing a few times. I bought a cheap old tracker and have been fishing the local lake. It's small and pretty crowded on the weekends.

Saturday it was windy making half the lake unsafe for most boats. I was fishing a point working to the cove and a couple of old men come up and start fishing were I was heading. They were nice and started talking to me but they just pulled up made a couple of cast and pulled in a bass on a day I got skunked. They were close enough to talk and certainly within casting distance. I got tangled and had to retie so my boat drifted a little bit off the point and then another boat came in and anchored right there where I was.

Later on I was cruising around just trying to find a place to fish that didn't have 3 boats already but didn't want to move in on anyone like that. I saw a boat in a bunch of trees I've had some luck on. Couldn't tell which way he was moving so I just left. There was more room than the guys that moved in on me but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I've had several similar experiences since taking up bass but Saturday was the worst and most frustrating with the weather and lack of fish.

So what are the unspoken rules here? Is it just accepted that these lakes are crowded so people deal with it? I can't complain about the crowding since I'm another new boat on the water. Some folks seem nice about it but I've overheard other hot heads out there that think they own the water.

Most people are very nice and give you space, thats been my experience. Most tourneys the rule is 50 yards. 100 yards if the boat is anchored. I am like you and won`t encroach on anyone.

Many folks on lakes this time of the year during the spring break period. I try to fish on week days if possible since it helps me focus on the fish. There are no rules that I'm aware of only common courtesy which is not very common in today's world or on lakes. Stay positive and enjoy each trip to the lake.

100 yards oughta be plenty. if you see a boat obvioulsy working towards a spot I sure wouldnt jump in front even if its 100 yards off.just not a good recipe.a good guy will have to learn to swallow jerks regardless of how you handle the situation, they arent going away.
also, dont be afraid to fish a spot you know boats have already been on. every spot has seen many different boats. if your looking for virgin water then TX lakes are not the top choice. you just never know when the dinner bell goes off for a bass or you might have that special bait that does the trick. plus, fish move, sometimes not far but ya never know. the second crew might arrive at any second and be ready for a meal from the trip.

Common sense rules here. If you have to question whether or not you should do it, you probably shouldn't.

I personally think there is a happy medium in these circumstances. I will not give up any ground nor will I change my fishing pattern/pace just because a boat moves in close ahead of me. When we finally get close enough that we're both becoming uncomfortable, I'll say something like "I'm sorry to be so close to you, but you saw I was fishing this bank and you just kinda jumped in here." Usually when the "I'm sorry" part comes out of your mouth it will prevent any kind of confrontation.

Believe it or not, a lot of folks (especially the younger generation) don't really know what's courteous on the water.

FYI - if you meet someone head on while you're both working the bank, just use some common sense. If you can see they are backed out a little bit and not working the bank real close, then gradually move your way in and let them take the outside and you hug the bank. As you pass stay on your trolling motor and get out of their way. Hopefully they will be courteous and do the same for you. If they seem to be hugging the bank and working it closely, then take the outside route and hurry on by. In any case, be friendly. In 99% of the cases of "bass rage" it could have easily been prevented by a friendly "hello" and some communication.

Your doing it right. To me it is common sense, but some others feel like they are entitled to fish where they want, regardless of who was there 1st. I used to let people know about it and get a little crazy. Now I still get upset, but I try not to show it. I try to follow Christ's example and turn the other cheek and let Him deal with them in his own time.

All I can say is fork in the spring. 100 yards from a boat is a lucky day. I just ask" Hey man witch way are you fishing? Mind if I get behind?" You'll either get a go ahead since most fisherman are nice but you do get that guy that think he owns the lake and no matter how polite you are he's the best and has the right no matter what. I was fishing a set of docks on a local lake and a team in bass club pulled in front of us told us to leave since they were in a tourney. I laughed and said no problem. We had already caught a few fish nothing big so we left.. Full throttle between the docks and them.

LOL, that's the stuff I used to do.

Well I was thinking of heading to Fork on Good Friday from the in-laws house. Might have to find another lake in the area if that's the case.

I wish I could fish more during the week. I'm lucky to get out 4-5 hours every other weekend. I guess I shouldn't be afraid to fish behind folks. It seems like everyone is just doing musical chairs with spots on the lake anyway.

Blue marker on point is another boat, blue marker in the back is me. The green fish icon is the guide at Fork that moved in between my boat and the other boat. Both our boats where shallow and trolling motors down.

So it's not just rookies that need some etiquette.

Come to fork.....The lake is almost empty unless there is one of the BIG Tournaments there,compared to the nineties when I used to fish it alot. you could walk from boat to boat. I Had the pleasure of fishing it about 70 days last year, and never felt crowded at all. and never ran into someone I thought was a jack leg.

my sig pic says it all

Klockness, your post shows that your parents taught you to respect others. It is a shame more people have not been taught to treat people with respect, a lot only look out for themselves.

If I can tell they are fishing through an area I want to fish I will fish behind them......100 yards on a big spot.....50 yards on a tighter spot.....if anchored or still....I start those distances away from them and fish away from them.

But people are jackwagons sometimes ......if I can speak conversationally and see your bait you're to close.