Was I justified?

Hell yes Randy, that's probably the way I would have done it too. Only I
think I would have kept working the shore instead of trolling off. As
another poster said, "You bought a license just as they did, you have as
much right to be there fishing as they do". It just comes down to courtesy
between anglers, in which they didn't have any. The "In your face" fish is
great! though, you had to love that when you hooked up! I always try harder
to catch one in situations like that!

Doug


"alwaysfishking" wrote in message
...

I was camping these past few days at a State park. Well Saturday morning
comes and I head out to the lake for some early morning fishing.

As I am fishing a particular shoreline and I see this bass boat coming
behind me from the other side of the lake. Two guys pull up and go right
in front of me, maybe 50-75 feet away. I yell over to the guy that I'm
fishing here and that maybe there's somewhere else he wants to try. He
responds with. "Are you fishing a tournament?" "No" I reply.
He states " Well we are and we won't get in your way, we're just gonna
work our way down" again I voice my displeasure at his inabiltiy to
grasp the concept that I'm fishing there. He ignores me now and continues
to keep fishing. I put down the rod and troll in front of him about 20
yards ahead to a laydown tree in the water. Cast my speedworm to the outer
limbs and feel a solid thump, I set the hook and get into a nice fish, I
boat a nice 2.5 lb bass, hold it up and yell this one would be a good
tournament fish huh guys?, then release it and motor away. A few comments
I could not make out from the duo but I didn't care I was happy. The
boater seemed a little more than upset.

Question: Was I right in doing what I did? Or should I have trolled to a
different location considering I wasn't in a Tournament. What would you
have done. One suggestion was to try and see what I could snag from their
deck with my lures. What are the groups thoughts? I would do it again in
a heartbeat.

I agree with Bob, the proper etiquette would be for the tournament
fishermen to ask if you mind if they fish through there. I know Randy
personally and we've fished in a tournament together. I believe that if they
asked he would gladly have moved aside, or at least allowed them to fish
around him without conflict. As a tournament fisherman, I cant understand
why they didn't just ask Randy if they could fish there. Common courtesy!

Rich P

"Rich P" wrote in message
...
I agree with Bob, the proper etiquette would be for the tournament
fishermen to ask if you mind if they fish through there. I know Randy
personally and we've fished in a tournament together. I believe that if
they asked he would gladly have moved aside, or at least allowed them to
fish around him without conflict. As a tournament fisherman, I cant
understand why they didn't just ask Randy if they could fish there.
Common courtesy!

Unfortunately, Common Courtesy is not so common any longer. Some days, I
think that a shot below the waterline is all that some people understand.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

I also would have been ticked, but would just have moved on, I'm an old
man and not much bothers me. I'm from N. CA and our lakes are busy on
week-ends, when someone is fishing a good looking bank or other area
just how much room should they be given? One city block, 1/4 mile, 1/2
mile this has always puzzled me. I ask the guys if they mind if I can
cut in front of them for a couple of blocks and they never do mind. Out
here you are always cutting in front of someone or someone in front of
you. Just the nature of the beast.

sket