Pleasure Boaters???

[gonefishie]

I have a question for the non-fishing runabout, pleasure boater folks. Why on God's green earth do you always run close to the shore? No matter the size of the lake it could be a 50,000 acres lake with plenty of open water to run around in but you guys always run close to the shore where peoples fish. It is very annoying when you're trying to win a tournament and have peoples flying by caused huge rollers and disturbed your fishing spot. Don't you guys worry about your props and lower unit getting rip off the boat by running over something in shallow water?

 

[GraphicByNature]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Hi Gone,<br /><br />I use a runabout and personally, when I see someone fishing, I slow way down like it's a no wake zone. And the ONLY time I even get near these guys is when they happen to be close to the boat ramp and I'm on my way out or in, or they are in the area that I am setting my crab traps.<br /><br />It's just common courtesy to be observant and stay out in the deep water away from the shore and fishermen. I understand your frustration and can only explain it as lack of respect from those who do it. I'd apologize for them, but it won't do much good 'cuase they don't care or maybe realize. But if I've ever done it to anyone out there.... I apologize.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

I am not replying because I am a "pleasure boater". I am replying because I have had similar experiences and feel your pain. I am a tournament barefooter, and often ski near shore, in the protection from wind the tree lines often offer. I, too, have been cut off by people running in my path. More often than not, it is a fisherman, but we will save that rant for a later date. I think the reason many people do this is to more closely see the scenery, cabins, and things. I think a lot of both of our problems comes down to education, of other boaters. It is also a great lack of respect on their part IMO. Oh the joys of public lakes.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

I sypathize with your issue. I am primarily a pleasure boater but my enjoyment comes from being on my boat. I avoid fishermen cuz I used to fish almost every day. I know how these wakes can raise havoc with someone at anchor or in a small open boat.<br /><br />This is not a boater issue it is a non-boater with a boat issue. When you drive a boat like a car this is what you end up with. I like to go near shore as much as the next guy but if I want to see the scenery I typically go slow. Like I said, I just love being on my boat on the water and taking it all in. Hell, I can spend a heck of alot more time with my budget going slow than trying to show how fast I can go to the local swimming population. In addition I usually have a destination, and it usually is more than a quarter mile out to the local party beach. If a twenty mile trip takes me 2.5-3hrs, great! Sure I could do it in 45 minutes, but why? What can you do but curse at the stupid and rude and get yourself worked up, and that only makes things worse for you. <br /><br />Interesting topic but I'm afraid we won't solve this one here.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Very well stated, Pointer94. I really think that everyone should take a boating safety course. Maybe even be mandatory when you apply for registration or something. I agree that we will not solve thia problem here, but I do think education is the answer. Take someone fishing, or in my case skiing, and teach them the rules of the road and courtesy. Hopefully, someday, they will do the same.<br /><br />It does amaze me somedays how uninformed some people are, Blatantly breaking the law and not even knowing it.

 

[Baldguy]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Well....my two cents is that maybe these folks don't realize what they're doing is annoying and disturbing to you and other fisherman. <br /><br />I'm not a fisherman, but a pleasure boater and try to use the not so common sense while out on the water. I'd imagine, that bouncing in a boat all day due to wakes can't be that much fun...so I slow down. I don't go close to shore so that the fisherman on the shore doesn't get disturbed from the wake AND I don't get his line all caught up in the prop.<br /><br />There are other questions that could be asked as well....<br /><br />Why do people insist on getting their boat ready on the ramp instead of the parking lot?<br /><br />Why do fishing boats insist on anchoring in the middle of the river channel four or five across (happened this weekend is the reason I mention it) so that you can barely navigate around them?<br /><br />Why do people tie up their boat to the dock so that it sits in the way of other's trying to launch (one lane ramp)instead of walking the boat around and tying it to the other side of the dock?<br /><br />I think it just comes down to people not thinking or caring about what others are doing.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Why on God's green earth do you always run close to the shore?

'cause that's where the scenery is! Plus, I don't want to have to swim too far when I get hit by one of those 80 mph bass boats!

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

I have a question for you! Why do you fishing guys think that the municiple ramps are for fishing boats only? Why do you all feel compelled to BS and brag to each other instead of loading your boat on the trailer, and clearing the ramp for the next guy? Why do you leave your beer cans all over the toilet facilities, and dump your unwanted bait in the most unpleasant places. Could be the same reason for your issue. No Respect[/B]

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

It happened yesterday, I was fishing this huge hump that goes from 25 ft. deep to 2.5 ft. at the top of the hump and this thing is about 50-75 yards off shore. Came a pretty good looking runabout flew over the hump and I heard an awful noise, the boat jerk back and basically stop. I was the closest boat to him and was asked to give him a tow to the dock. The lower unit looked like a broken bottle neck with sharp points sticking out everywhere, there were no blade on the prop just the hub.<br />I agreed with the scenery is on the shore but if you see someone is fishing go around instead of in front of him where his rod is pointing at.<br />I'm not exactly sure what peoples are doing anchor in the river channel but the channel is usually the path most fish take to travel around in a body of water. I rarely fish the channel unless it has additional features that attract bass. <br />I agreed that boating education should be required where rules and etiquetes would be taught.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Ahh fellows Hoosier! NYMINUTE> I don't have an answer for you on that since I don't use live bait, tournament fishing prohibits alcohol. I don't hang around the ramp because most of the time I don't have but a few minutes to load the trailer and go to the weight-in.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

My issues are not specifically soley aimed at Tournament fishing. There are those "good ole boys" who simply feel it is there Hoosier birth right to control and monopolize the ramps. I found the absolute epitimy of ignorance at Hamilton Lake, Indiana. One trip there, haven't returned. Boating is meant to be a pleasure quest either fishing, tubing, or cruising. We all could use a lesson from Motorcyclists. Always wave to each other, no matter the bike type. What happened to the unity we all felt on 9-11-01??

 

[Baldguy]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

I guess the well worn out quote of, "Can't we all just get along" applies here???? <br /><br />I have to say that I saw more things happening on the river ths weekend than I've seen all summer. Salmon season started and out here on the Sacramento it seems to have brought out a whole sort of folks that only boat once or twice a year.<br /><br />I saw things from the humorous to just downright sad....from boaters heading right for levy rock barricades even after being advised that they were there and ruining their prop and outdrives (in fact two boats did this), folks launching their boat and leaving it in the way of others (can you say sideways on the ramp) washing up onto the cement, to more trash, beer cans, soda bottles floating downriver than I've ever seen before.<br /><br />Now I'm not blaming fisherman for this...so please I'm not starting a war here. It appears to simply be due to the fact that there were more people on the river; could have been a ski or fish tournament...didn't matter. <br /><br />In CA anyway....the river channel is required to remain clear. I can understand that the big fish probably use this route....but the big boats have to also....was pretty much a slolum course out there the other day dodging the boats.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Well I didn't mean to post this topic to start a flame or anything it just that I had to get this off my chest because I have observed this behavior at many lakes and thought to myself there has to be a reason. I was just simply trying to see the other side of the story.

 

[Regalrunner]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

It certainly seems as if there is a consensus that a greater level of consideration is needed on and around the water. Hopefully, more conscientious boaters will pass this on to new boaters, including family. Lastly, Boaters Education, Boaters Education, Boaters education.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

And what the F is up with people trying to fish directly under our boats when we are all rafted off together?<br />Several times we have had aholes bounce plugs off our boats.....there is a whole lake to fish, we leave the alone, the bass aholes can do the same for us.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

originally posted by baldguy <br />

Salmon season started and out here on the Sacramento it seems to have brought out a whole sort of folks that only boat once or twice a year.

I used to live up the hill from you in Auburn. What you have now is combat fishing. I wouldn't go anywhere near those guys. I respect fishermen but at this time of year watch out. There is no telling what they might do. Do you put in at the city park with about 6 ramps (I forget the park), I would try one of the smaller ramps up into the delta a ways.

 

[DustyJacket]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Maybe they stay closer to the shore because of the old "stay to the right" habit we are brought up with.<br /><br />I was at the Lake of the Ozarks last June and did our waterspoert in the center of the channel, away from the shore. No one was near at all, and I stayed in about a 1/4 mile circle. The up come some fishermen and they stop in the middle of the area I am using. Why? I moved over, about a 1/4 away.<br /><br />Then another day, some fishermen (I guess) are in the middle of the channel and they have a circular series of small floats that you can hardly see. (Blue floats on a lake????) Again why?<br /><br />I think it is rude for fishermen or watersports people or just pleasure boaters to assume they own the right of way to any body of water.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Just be thankful that you don't have any "blow" boaters to deal with.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Today, when pulling out.....some jerks were fishing from boats all around the ramp....managed to snag one of their lines w/ my prop and the idiot gets po'ed at me! <br />Yells, cusses, etc...I flipped the moron the bird. <br />There is a whole frigging lake to fish.....and they have to fish right at the ramps where we are trying to load. Now I have to check and if the dolts line ruined my propshaft seal.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Pleasure Boaters???

Here is an opportunity for ESPN to cash in on. Heavyweight Full Contact Fishing. Chris Berman can do the play by play. Dan Patrick as color commentator, and Rob Dibble on a jet ski doing interviews. Then they can hawk the new book "Fishing With Scott Peterson" on the half time report. Proudly sponsered by the WWF.