It's about time someone says something about this...so I'm going to.

To most folks credit...I think a lot of people just have never learned about how close to get to folks while they are fishing. And, more so...how fast to pass someone when you need to pass at somewhat close proximity.

I'm going to give a couple of examples of what i'm talking about, but i've seen way too much on the lake this year.

So today (this morning) i'm setting up on anchor in 45ft of water...no wind. Another boat is control drifting a ledge (guys in a sea hunt boat...bout 22') Myself and Sea Hunt are 80 yards apart. He is on trolling motor working a ledge...i'm anchored, all is well. Robalo w/ large outdoor lights on front comes in between us going 10mph totally plowing throwing the largest wake he could throw. The guy had his head buried in his electronics...never looked up at me?????? He was less than 30 yards from me. One of my customers says: "ya think I should throw a weight in his boat?" He was literally that close. So, the waves knock us off of anchor (because of no wind, I was anchored straight down) Anyway....ya' just don't do stuff like that.

Stay a good distance off other boats. IF you have to pass at a close distance...idle by folks. There are some really shallow bottle necks in lakes these days and there are times you just can't help passing by pretty close. Thats OK! But, if ya HAVE to do it...GO REALLY SLOW! Hate to say it, but had another guide boat blow by me on anchor less than 30 yards from me. So, i'm certain it's not JUST those who "don't know" it's also those who just "don't care." Bad thing about that deal was this guy who blew by me on anchor had a mile on each side of me to pass....but chose to blow by us at high speed.

Later in the day, Teri was anchored catching fish. Lots of them. Grey 20-22ft late model Skeeter Center Console drifting way up ahead of her. Their drift carried them right into Teri. Instead of using the trolling motor and adjusting the drift...they drift right on top of her.

She says...."hey guys...i've got an anchor rope out under your boat and i've got 5 lines that you're gettin' ready to cross." Now remember, this is in the smack middle of the lake...open water, no other boats around for a mile. They say: "oh, were fine." We are experts... They were 20 yards away from her.

30 seconds later, one line gets caught... then another..

Being on the water every day, we've seen a lot of this kind of stuff. Maybe some folks just don't know and by reading this they are now aware. And, for the others that DO know and just DON'T CARE....please change.

Best thing to do is steer away from boats in open water. If a boat is fishing in an area that you also want to fish, approach the boat slowly, maybe even on your trolling motor...especially in shallow water. Don't go fast around them...and certainly don't throw a wake at them.

I've heard lots of other stories from other fishermen along the same lines. Bottom line, just use your head out there and be nice.

I know u r a guide nd cant really act this way but a cheap $100 paintball gun tht will shoot 30-45 yards will stop tht.. I bankfish alot nd deal with a lot of idiots.. Fishing boats fishing right beside me fine i can fish or move.. A jackas% just playing n a boat , i throw a 4 oz at them never hit one but have been close enough for them to cuss me nd leave... Actually happened about 20 mins ago

Common sense is a dying art these days.

Said robalo had a buddy boat sea nymph I think with a 50# on the floor and a 30# stuffed in a little cooled when they came back to the ramp. They launched after we did and came in behind us. Making fisherman chat they will be out there again tomorrow. We launched at the state park ramp if you wanted to have a word with them. We saw yall and steered clear. I don't get the rude boat manners. I don't crowd anybody. Weather they are on a boat or bank. 50 yard minimum. More if I can help it. Old school.. treat others how you want to be treated!
Can't shake the picture of the 50#r dried on the floor smdh!

If you do have to pass close by it's actually best to stay on plane if you cant throttle out and idle by.....a 10mmph wake is 10X worse than when your on plane

You can't fix Stupid,

+1

Im with you on that, if you gota pass me either idle by or full on plane, the plowing by is bad.

The big wakes by many are done on purpose. If you anchor on their spot they let ya know it. I have had a couple of guides on Tawak do it to me. Nice guys they are. What do you expect. You see the way people drive on the roads. It has definitely has show up in the lakes too. Venting here won't change them. I feel most on this forum are good respectable people that are not the problem on the lake.

Good post Salsa. I think the problem is that many weekend fishermen think they are entitled to fish where they want and could care less about you. When I lived in Ingleside and fished the flats we stayed off the water on weekends to avoid all the idiots.

Mabey they knew you guys and wanted to googan yall. Hahaha. Not cool.

Why do they call it common sense when it's so uncommon!
Good post but I'm afraid that most of the ones that need to hear this are not on this forum.

actually the owner of the robalo is on this forum he said.