Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

[444]

Anyone else ever wonder why people seem to like (trying) to go fishing at the dock for the boat launch? How good can the fishing there possibly be when you have guys dumping and retrieving their boats? I think one group finally got the hint when one time I dumped/loaded my boat 3 times in one hour when trying to diagnose and engine run issue. But even on a nice normal weekend day, how good can the fishing there be when you have guys like me backing their boat into the water and firing up my old, noisy 82 mercury 175?

 

[catfishcarl99]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

ive crossed many a line without a second thought. theres pleanty of shoreline and bank access what i fish. so if your on the dock LOOK OUT.

on another note. i usually toss my shad net for bait right on and beside ramp. and even sunday with a lot of traffic i netted a largemouth right next to a loading boat. and released it. and we took a dozen bluegills for bait. 3-5 foot from the ramp while boats were loading.

guess they get used to it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

Anyone else ever wonder why people seem to like (trying) to go fishing at the dock for the boat launch? How good can the fishing there possibly be when you have guys dumping and retrieving their boats? I think one group finally got the hint when one time I dumped/loaded my boat 3 times in one hour when trying to diagnose and engine run issue. But even on a nice normal weekend day, how good can the fishing there be when you have guys like me backing their boat into the water and firing up my old, noisy 82 mercury 175?

Yes, we have a fairly steady crew of folks fishing off our main loading dock. Most people are fairly courteous, so everybody seems to get along. I think people fish off the dock because they like to look at everyone's boat as they come and go. For all I know, maybe they are trying to catch their dinner or something. The fishing seems to be pretty good off the dock as I see them reeling stuff in all the time.

I pulled my boat last evening to go get some (cheaper) gas and then launched it again. The fishing folks were there in force taking up most of the dock. I waited for a space to open up, since the ramp was occupied anyway. So, the fishing guys did not have to move. some of the people there asked about my boat, etc. I tried to sell it to one of them for $15K, but he was a little short on cash at the time.

Now, you want to know the people who are a real nuisance???? Kayackers . . . those non-boaters with there little kayacks; What a PITA. they are either in the channel or on the launching ramp. Totally in the way all the time. Last night, when I came back to launch after getting gasoline, the ramp was swarming with them. They seemed to come out of nowhere. Just as I am about to dunk the boat, they assembled in mass right on the launch ramp and did not seem ready to move anytime soon. I finally said "OK, who wants to get run over?" they caught on and scurried to the sides.

So, relatively speaking, I'll take the folks fishing on the dock any day.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

No idea why people fish of launch ramp docks, probably because they can, and no one enforces the no fishing signs.

Now, you want to know the people who are a real nuisance???? Kayackers . . .

"OK, who wants to get run over?"

LOL, I try to respect others on the water as much as possible and hope they do the same in return...

But...

Why do they have to launch/load the yak's right next to the dock, when they are not even using the dock and wading around in the water "right next to" the dock. That's always been a head-scratcher to me. Scoot over to the side of the launch ramp where no one is launching a boat and you'll have all the space in the world.

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

Now, you want to know the people who are a real nuisance???? Kayackers . . .

Unfortunately, I have to agree, based on ONE evening.

We had been out on the pontoon for 5 or 6 hours, started to get dark, so we headed back to the landing - there were 3 kayakers there, their 'boats' were SIDEWAYS on the ramp, loading junk into the kayaks. We pulled up, and waited - they didn't move... here came some more... and more... and more. There were 50+ that came down for an evening paddle... and they were so inconsiderate, they'd look to see if we were still there... hadn't moved... looked away.

SERIOUSLY... 45 MINUTES LATER, I was more than impatient... I was mad. Started the pontoon, gassed it up, pulled back the throttle. I'm now coasting towards them. They finally got the hint, and moved.... quickly. They were not pleased with me, and expressed their feelings. I turned to the one guy and said - 'I'm glad your mad... I'm a firm believer that if I'm gonna be pi$$ed, you might as well be too.'

I will never forget that evening -- Kayakers may be the nicest guys in the world, but that night, a bunch of teachers ruined their image in my mind.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

why? because it's a public dock that gives them access to the water. I'm not saying it's right, but that's the answer. And many of them don't know any better, and think it's there, like a park, for multiple uses. Just like you can set up a picnic in a park, or play frisbee, but the two activities may conflict. But you don't set up your picnic in the middle of the basketball court, which is what these guys are doing.

Many kayakers have the tree-hugger attitude that they are way superior to motor boaters. Many sailboaters have the same affliction. They may have some right of way on the water but they take the attitude to shore with them. I work the boat safety patrol at our annual harbor festival and the kayakers can be a real nuisance, thinking they can go anywhere they want. Larger vessels threaten to use them as fenders.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

Kayakers = sea lice. they dont show up on radar in the fog either

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

The yacks are a real problem on my little 9.9 lake and are often blocking the ramp. I decided some time ago to just ignore them and back right in, So far I haven't crunched one yet. We also seam to get a lot of small inflatables also, this includes pulling the car side ways onto the ramp at the waters edge so the air pump cord will reach the lighter socket. :facepalm: Then the loading starts.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

The yacks are a real problem on my little 9.9 lake and are often blocking the ramp. I decided some time ago to just ignore them and back right in, So far I haven't crunched one yet. We also seam to get a lot of small inflatables also, this includes pulling the car side ways onto the ramp at the waters edge so the air pump cord will reach the lighter socket. :facepalm: Then the loading starts.

Haha, I've seen just that with the inflatables 2 weeks ago at a town dock in Plattsburgh, NY. I had to sit there and wait while another boater was retrieving his boat, the type of boater that backs his trailer too deep and then takes 10 tries to get it just right on the trailer rollers.
But what was ticking me off was it was a double ramp. The other side had this old fart and his wife with two inflatables with everything they were putting in their boats neatly arranged all over the ramp while the old guy "hand pumped" up each boat. He could have done the same thing on the dock and then slid the boat off the dock. They were like 1 person inflatables.

People fishing off the boat ramps tick me off too. But most are not on the actual ramp. If they are, it's little kids and their parents are too dumb to read the "no fishing off the docks" sign or they are too drunk to care. Most fisherman are very courteous and quickly reel in when they see you coming. The ones I hate are the jerks along the shoreline that cast 1/2 way across the channel. Then they start running around screaming that I should watch out for "their" line in the water! I usually keep going straight, turn my head to the left and start pointing out the birds or the other boats to my wife and say dont look at the guy yelling to us on the shore on your right As I continue up the middle of the channel. You should see how fast they can reel in with those small reels when they see I'm looking the other way . . . haha

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

Kayakers = sea lice. they dont show up on radar in the fog either

kayakers are to power boaters like mopeds are to real motorcycle riders.

 

[Davem3]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

kayakers are to power boaters like mopeds are to real motorcycle riders.

Kayakers are to Power Boaters like smart cars are to Tractor Trailers

 

[jcupo6]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

I've never fished near a boat ramp, but I get it. I've seen some nice fish caught around them. I really don't mind as long as the people fishing are courteous. What I don't get is parents allowing their children to swim in busy boat ramps... Just saw that for the first time July 4th.... 8 children swimming. Had to ask them to move twice. Got into an argument with their parents. Not a fun time.... Snapped a picture, 2 of the 8 kids still swimming after I retrieved my boat.

 

[jkust]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

I see it all the time and happened at one of the 4 lakes we went to this week. My problem is more when they try to grab onto the boat thinking they are helping you dock.

 

[2 Eagles]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

We had a funny one this 4th. News report says, Dad dropped off to get his trunk son runs boat out of the way to wait. When dropped of no boats around. Dad goes to back down two boat wide ramp three boat with poeple in them blocking the ramp. Dad backs trialer down ramp, boats don't move, so dad gets out walks over to boat blocking the way asked them to move. They say no. So Dad walks up to boat and shoves it out of the way, get in truck and backes in. Son pulles boat on trailer. Dad hookes up wench and pulles up ramp. In the parking lot tie things down and putting thing up to go home. Other boat owner walk up and asked why he did that. Dad saids the ramp is not used for mooring area, get in truck and drives off. the owner of the boat called police. The police show up ask what is wrong. Boat owner tells them and they say dad is right and that if he want to press it they will call the game warden. But that he might get a ticket for blocking the ramp. The police
tell him to learn from his mistake and move on.

 

[delirious]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

i have launched and loaded a heavy freakin canoe with a 33lb troller on it....very fast and out of the way for the ehem "real boats" LOL but even with my lil 14ft cutter...in and out as safely fast as i can....others are waiting folks

 

[jkust]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

Ok not quite fishing but we were getting off one lake this week and I stopped to ready the boat to pull it out 100 yards from the access. As I looked up an old couple were puttering toward the ramp and I was nice enough not to beat them to the ramp to let them go first. They pulled up to the ramp not on the courtesy side and both proceded to spend 10 minutes a piece in the outhouse while we turned circles in front of the ramp. Even my wife, who is generally even keeled was p/o'd. They took another 5 minutes to back away then drove as far from us as possible so as not to have to pass us within ear shot. It was an egregious example of entitlement and ineptitude.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

I bet those parents don't let their kids play in traffic , but then maybe they do and then want to argue with people trying to drive cars.....My son told me the only way can drive safe is to assume that every driver around him is a complete idiot until they prove otherwise. Guess this applies to boaters and swimmers too.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

Today it was a lady who thought that sitting on the dock next to the launch dangling her feet in the water was a good idea. Motioned to her to move so I could put the trailer in, didn't get the clue so I backed up and stopped before the trailer got near her and motioned again - pulls one leg out of the water and continues to sit there. Then I asked her to get her legs out of there - plenty of room but not worth the chance. Finally she gets out of the way, my wife drives the boat to the trailer and sure enough lady is back with her feet dangling over the dock next to my trailer/boat. Completely cluesless

 

[jkust]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

Today it was a lady who thought that sitting on the dock next to the launch dangling her feet in the water was a good idea. Motioned to her to move so I could put the trailer in, didn't get the clue so I backed up and stopped before the trailer got near her and motioned again - pulls one leg out of the water and continues to sit there. Then I asked her to get her legs out of there - plenty of room but not worth the chance. Finally she gets out of the way, my wife drives the boat to the trailer and sure enough lady is back with her feet dangling over the dock next to my trailer/boat. Completely cluesless

Non-boaters and even some boaters don't realize how heavy a boat actualy is when they are around them trying to be helpful or are just in your way. Have had people try to grab on to my sig boat at the dock thinking they are helping to be overwhelmed at what almost 4000lbs floating at you at 1mph can do to you. They look small but are insanely heavy for their size. Imagine that lady getting a body part crushed.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Why do people like fishing on the dock at the boat launch?

They look small but are insanely heavy for their size. Imagine that lady getting a body part crushed.

Which is my concern, because for some reason people think that it is a good idea to tube right in front of the launch there so you can get a big roller all the sudden that can toss the boat.