How Close is Too Close?

[RGarri7470]

I just read some of Warren's story about the Potomac tournament and the
following made me pause:

"No sooner had I shut down my motor than this guy goes ballistic on me. I had
actually asked a few experienced guys about the policies regarding multiple
boats fishing the same areas, & was told that there is no policy. Boats often
bump each other in these tournaments. Well, I was at least 50 feet away from
this fella, but that didn't seem to matter much to him."

This is one reason I gave up fishing big tournaments - other than not being
able to catch fish in them! I am sure Warren was within the rules, but 50 feet
is just 2.5 boat lengths - that is pretty close. I can understand why the guy
was upset, and it always bothered me when people pull in real close to me, and
I try to never do it to other fishermen.

So how close is too close? Rules determine it in some tournaments, but how
about when you are not fishing a tournament, or when you are fishing a
tournament and there is a non-tournament boat sitting where you want to fish.


In a tournament, if you are real close to another boat, is it ok to cast over
their line? I have had that happen. How about casting to the exact same place
they are casting? Where do you draw the line?

I am posting this to my forum, too, to see the variety of responses.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

[Bob Gramza]

"RGarri7470" > wrote in message
...
: I just read some of Warren's story about the Potomac tournament and the
: following made me pause:
:
: "No sooner had I shut down my motor than this guy goes ballistic on me. I had
: actually asked a few experienced guys about the policies regarding multiple
: boats fishing the same areas, & was told that there is no policy. Boats often
: bump each other in these tournaments. Well, I was at least 50 feet away from
: this fella, but that didn't seem to matter much to him."
:
: This is one reason I gave up fishing big tournaments - other than not being
: able to catch fish in them! I am sure Warren was within the rules, but 50 feet
: is just 2.5 boat lengths - that is pretty close. I can understand why the guy
: was upset, and it always bothered me when people pull in real close to me, and
: I try to never do it to other fishermen.
:
: So how close is too close? Rules determine it in some tournaments, but how
: about when you are not fishing a tournament, or when you are fishing a
: tournament and there is a non-tournament boat sitting where you want to fish.
:
:
: In a tournament, if you are real close to another boat, is it ok to cast over
: their line? I have had that happen. How about casting to the exact same place
: they are casting? Where do you draw the line?
:
: I am posting this to my forum, too, to see the variety of responses.
: Ronnie
:
: http://fishing.about.com

Casting over someones line is rude. Tournament or not that is plain rude. I would have to make an
extra effort in that case to snag his line and tangle it up costing him precious time from his
tournament.

[Charles B. Summers]

Funny... the rules in our club doesn't say anything about how close you can
be to a competitor. I think this would just have to be a judgement call, but
if the guy that I pulled up on (if I were to do such a thing) started having
a fit, I would probably go ahead and leave unless this was my honey-hole.
But... I would be sure to challenge this since it wasn't in the rule book.

I could care less if someone pulls up behind me. Since I've already left the
area, I'd feel that I'd given it my best shot. I would not tolerate anyone
casting over my line... and would probably acquire a few new baits when I
pulled his into the boat. (No where in the rules says you can't do that
either) If someone pulled in ahead of me, I'd continue on with what I was
doing and pass him when I got to that point.

Now... common courtesy should play a part in this, but when you have guys
fishing for mega-bucks (>1000), you can figure that courtesy goes right out
the window. That's why most tournament leagues have rules for this... and
they should be obeyed. If fifty feet is the rule, then there should have
never been any discussion unless that fifty foot perimeter was crossed.


"RGarri7470" > wrote in message
...
> I just read some of Warren's story about the Potomac tournament and the
> following made me pause:
>
> "No sooner had I shut down my motor than this guy goes ballistic on me. I
had
> actually asked a few experienced guys about the policies regarding
multiple
> boats fishing the same areas, & was told that there is no policy. Boats
often
> bump each other in these tournaments. Well, I was at least 50 feet away
from
> this fella, but that didn't seem to matter much to him."
>
> This is one reason I gave up fishing big tournaments - other than not
being
> able to catch fish in them! I am sure Warren was within the rules, but 50
feet
> is just 2.5 boat lengths - that is pretty close. I can understand why the
guy
> was upset, and it always bothered me when people pull in real close to me,
and
> I try to never do it to other fishermen.
>
> So how close is too close? Rules determine it in some tournaments, but
how
> about when you are not fishing a tournament, or when you are fishing a
> tournament and there is a non-tournament boat sitting where you want to
fish.
>
>
> In a tournament, if you are real close to another boat, is it ok to cast
over
> their line? I have had that happen. How about casting to the exact same
place
> they are casting? Where do you draw the line?
>
> I am posting this to my forum, too, to see the variety of responses.
> Ronnie
>
> http://fishing.about.com

[Chuck Coger]

I think how close is too close depends on first off what kind of fishing is
being done.

If we are moving down the bank. fishing bank cover then 50 feet is way to
close IMHO. Cutting in front of someone that close is just rude. Go down
about 300 yards and I will be miffed but you probably wont interrupt my
fishing, unless you are snagging and dragging every piece of cover you come
to, in which case you're getting passed.

If we are fishing deeper water structure and we aren't moving, then people
can usually tolerate a little more togetherness. It also depends on how big
the target area is. If the fish are on a 20x20 brush pile, then go find your
own or get a faster boat and beat me there. If we are on a large hydrilla
flat then welcome to the crowd.

I had a guy cast over my line while bank fishing the Potomac on a power
plant warm water return. He cast over reeled me in and hung me in a tree,
and went back to fishing. I should note I was catching and he just walked up
and did this out of the blue. He quickly found out that the power plant
release water was indeed warm, but it got chilly when you left the water. I
have 0 tolerance for someone in another boat casting over me from. Bank,
pier or boat it doesn't matter, it's bad manners. If you can't fish any
better or don't have any better manners than that, you deserve the cuttin
your line shall receive.

I also hate it when "adults" (I am very tolerant of kids doing it) cast into
the same spots I am fishing. Ask for a tip, don't assume you can fish on me.
It shows a lack of manners or total ignorance. I usually explain myself on
the first occurrence of fishing my spot or casting over me that it is not an
acceptable practice. The responses I have gotten have astounded me. "It's a
free world", "oh yeah, like you can do something about it", well that starts
us off on a bad note.

I went fishing with my neighbors recently and there was some people in the
spot they like to fish, there plan was to stay there and cast over them
until they ran the other people off. I left and explained to them I would
not be a part of such a rude obnoxious plan. I will never fish with them
again because of that. We had kids there, and that is not the message I want
to deliver on fishing.

I always think to myself, and I truly believe I am a super courteous
fisherman, "would it make me angry if someone did that to me"?
just remember the golden rule do unto others.


---
Chuck Coger
http://www.fishin-pro.com


"RGarri7470" > wrote in message
...
> I just read some of Warren's story about the Potomac tournament and the
> following made me pause:
>
> "No sooner had I shut down my motor than this guy goes ballistic on me. I
had
> actually asked a few experienced guys about the policies regarding
multiple
> boats fishing the same areas, & was told that there is no policy. Boats
often
> bump each other in these tournaments. Well, I was at least 50 feet away
from
> this fella, but that didn't seem to matter much to him."
>
> This is one reason I gave up fishing big tournaments - other than not
being
> able to catch fish in them! I am sure Warren was within the rules, but 50
feet
> is just 2.5 boat lengths - that is pretty close. I can understand why the
guy
> was upset, and it always bothered me when people pull in real close to me,
and
> I try to never do it to other fishermen.
>
> So how close is too close? Rules determine it in some tournaments, but
how
> about when you are not fishing a tournament, or when you are fishing a
> tournament and there is a non-tournament boat sitting where you want to
fish.
>
>
> In a tournament, if you are real close to another boat, is it ok to cast
over
> their line? I have had that happen. How about casting to the exact same
place
> they are casting? Where do you draw the line?
>
> I am posting this to my forum, too, to see the variety of responses.
> Ronnie
>
> http://fishing.about.com
>

[Craig]

I stay at least 150-feet from a competitors boat. That is a good cast apart
and I will not cast in their direction. I have been in a tournament fishing
a cannel and had another boat come in working the other side (flipping) and
have not said a word. But if you came within 50-feet of me, I would be
saying something too. Especially if I didn't know you.

--
Craig

[Josh]

I agree with Craig. His limits are what I use also. It absolutely never
fails to amaze me how rude some guys can be on the water. I've avoided
entire banks in a back water if I see a guy already in there working. It's
also a good idea to give bank fishermen a wide birth. The way I think of it,
I have where ever that boat can reach . . .they have the bank they can walk.
Best suggestion is give everyone what you'd expect to recieve. I think
there's a rule in the good book like that <g>.

--
God Bless America

Josh The Bad Bear

[John Kerr]

If someone really needs my "water", and makes an ass out of
themselves...I just figure they can't be very good at their trade, and
let em have it. Then I move off and usually out fish them anyway...when
they see this and move in again, I go back to my "water" that they just
left <g>. Even when the money is on the table, I have to have fun
fishing, so I don't let the inconsiderate upset me. A true Pro acts like
a Pro...the rest are worthy of "ignoring"!
JK

[Josh]

Great response and great idea JK

--
God Bless America

Josh The Bad Bear

[Chuck Coger]

"If someone really needs my "water", and makes an ass out of
themselves...I just figure they can't be very good at their trade,"

Very good point, I like it...


---
Chuck Coger
http://www.fishin-pro.com
"John Kerr" > wrote in message
...
> If someone really needs my "water", and makes an ass out of
> themselves...I just figure they can't be very good at their trade, and
> let em have it. Then I move off and usually out fish them anyway...when
> they see this and move in again, I go back to my "water" that they just
> left <g>. Even when the money is on the table, I have to have fun
> fishing, so I don't let the inconsiderate upset me. A true Pro acts like
> a Pro...the rest are worthy of "ignoring"!
> JK
>
>

[John Kerr]

Chuck, browsed your web site...good job.

[John Lindsey]

Josh there are people who don't read, respect or abide by that good book you
mentioned.

While combat fishing the Kenai in Alaska a Japanese-looking and talking man
and woman walked down the top of the bank and he squatted about 5 feet to
the right and 3 feet behind me on the right hand side. Since I am right
handed each cast missed his head by less than a foot. Each cast I was
getting hotter and after 3-4 casts just when I was about to lecture him, he
squeezed between me and the next bank fisherman about 15 feet to my right
and started casting over my line. His wife squeezed between him and the
next fisherman who got disgusted and left. I said "You're casting over my
line." He said "No speak English." Three casts later he hooked up my
Sockeye salmon and yelled "FISH ON!" I realized he was a jerk so I cast
over his line and jerked and then I said, "FISH OFF." He and his wife left.

Josh bass fishing is getting more and more crowded in boats and bank
fishing. Rude crude people will first cast over your line and then they'll
cast over your rod! Rude crude people won't wait in line, they'll just
barge on in. I've seen it on the Russian and Kenai in Alaska and on the
Klamath in California. Oh yeah, an Alaskan fisherman said when his neighbor
pulled a knife on him, he brandished his 45 Glock and said "Come on!" I
hope it doesn't come to this in bass fishing but it will eventually - too
many fishermen and not enough water. I hope I'm not around.

Good luck!
John




"Josh" > wrote in message
...
> I agree with Craig. His limits are what I use also. It absolutely never
> fails to amaze me how rude some guys can be on the water. I've avoided
> entire banks in a back water if I see a guy already in there working. It's
> also a good idea to give bank fishermen a wide birth. The way I think of
it,
> I have where ever that boat can reach . . .they have the bank they can
walk.
> Best suggestion is give everyone what you'd expect to recieve. I think
> there's a rule in the good book like that <g>.
>
> --
> God Bless America
>
> Josh The Bad Bear
>
>

[Bob La Londe]

Our local tournamentsjust say one boat length. That is way to close IMO.


There is so much water to cover on the river where I fish that when I am out
for fun or taking a friend I look for bodies of water I can have to myself.

On holiday weekends during the summer that is very difficult, but not
impossible. Thats one of the reason I have been studying the backwaters so
much. A couple weeks ago I made a post about fishing backwaters where I
went through some weed covered channels. I even posted some pictures.
Since then I have gone further back in those back channels and located three
more fair size back lakes. Some of the channels I had to traverse were so
covered with growth that I didn't bother to take pictures. You would have
thought it was a bank. Amazingly the boat handled them, but I did have to
put a little throttle in the big motor a couple times.

If I am fishing a known hot spot, and somebody is already sitting on top of
it I'll look to see how they are doing and I'll sit as far away as I can and
still see the area I am interested in. This is an excellent opportunity to
fish secondary areas. On one point where I have experienced feeding
frenzies in the past I have sat and watched a guy fish over it very
carefully without catching a fish while we have fished nearby shallow weed
choked coves waiting fro him to move on. IN a recent tournament that
secondary area produced a couple keeper fish for us. Another time in that
same area there were three boats hammering the point. They finally gave up
and left. Fifteen minutes later as we passed over the area the fish turned
on and we hammered them with perhaps 20 fish in 20 minutes. Five or six
were keepers.

Basically I feel uncomfortable if I am closer than a couple hundred feet to
another boat, and I would generally prefer to have the water to myself. I
am fortunate enough that I can enjoy that luxury most of the time. I have
fished out of Fisher's Landing on day when two different clubs were having
fishing events. Yuma Bassmasters had a regualr club tournament and The Yuma
Rod and Gun Club had a kid's fishing derby. One of the largest fishing turn
outs I have seen locally. The kids and I were still able to find water were
we weren't fishing with others around us.

The only exception is where there is a limited hot area for still bait
fishing. For instance. Striper on Havasu used to very hot just off the dam
with anchovie chunks. Boats would stack up just outside of the barrier
cable. That I didn't mind too much. The hole immediate area had equally
good chances of conencting.


--
Bob La Londe
Yuma, Az
http://www.YumaBassMan.com

[Bob La Londe]

That is very sad. I do not understand it though. Sure in some famous hot
spots, but over all? The stats recently said fewerer people are buying
licenses nationwide.


"John Lindsey" > wrote in message
...
> Josh there are people who don't read, respect or abide by that good book
you
> mentioned.
>
> While combat fishing the Kenai in Alaska a Japanese-looking and talking
man
> and woman walked down the top of the bank and he squatted about 5 feet to
> the right and 3 feet behind me on the right hand side. Since I am right
> handed each cast missed his head by less than a foot. Each cast I was
> getting hotter and after 3-4 casts just when I was about to lecture him,
he
> squeezed between me and the next bank fisherman about 15 feet to my right
> and started casting over my line. His wife squeezed between him and the
> next fisherman who got disgusted and left. I said "You're casting over my
> line." He said "No speak English." Three casts later he hooked up my
> Sockeye salmon and yelled "FISH ON!" I realized he was a jerk so I cast
> over his line and jerked and then I said, "FISH OFF." He and his wife
left.
>
> Josh bass fishing is getting more and more crowded in boats and bank
> fishing. Rude crude people will first cast over your line and then
they'll
> cast over your rod! Rude crude people won't wait in line, they'll just
> barge on in. I've seen it on the Russian and Kenai in Alaska and on the
> Klamath in California. Oh yeah, an Alaskan fisherman said when his
neighbor
> pulled a knife on him, he brandished his 45 Glock and said "Come on!" I
> hope it doesn't come to this in bass fishing but it will eventually - too
> many fishermen and not enough water. I hope I'm not around.
>
> Good luck!
> John
>
>
>
>
> "Josh" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I agree with Craig. His limits are what I use also. It absolutely never
> > fails to amaze me how rude some guys can be on the water. I've avoided
> > entire banks in a back water if I see a guy already in there working.
It's
> > also a good idea to give bank fishermen a wide birth. The way I think of
> it,
> > I have where ever that boat can reach . . .they have the bank they can
> walk.
> > Best suggestion is give everyone what you'd expect to recieve. I think
> > there's a rule in the good book like that <g>.
> >
> > --
> > God Bless America
> >
> > Josh The Bad Bear
> >
> >
>
>

[G. M. Zimmermann]

I like to keep about one cast length from the next person. That distance will
vary depening on where and how I'm fishing. I can tell you more horror stories
than you can imagine about about trout fishing here in Pa. Sometimes an
ignorant SOB doesn't have to cast over you or fish right next to you to ruin
your fishing. Several times I hvae fished a little run in a stream that washes
under a tree on the opposite bank. When the water is low and clear, you cant
get to close or the fish will spook, so to fish this little hole, I crouch on
the opposite bank about 10 or 15 yards downstream and cast upstream of the hole
and work my lure down through. I cant tell you how many times somebody had
walked up to that tree, bent over and looked down scattering all the fish.

-Zimmy

[ridges54]

Chuck, you're a class act. In a tournaments or not, if I can cast on
someone or they can cast on me, we're too close. It's only money. I
can make it a more honest way. It certainly isn't worth my integrity.

Jim

Chuck Coger wrote:
>Some very Sensible stuff