Last year out on the water my buddy and I were fishing a cove. We see a fisherman in a kayak slowly making his way towards us, casting towards the shore. We were not in his direct path, but eventually he was right up on us. He began to cast right towards our boat, literally taking away half of our fishing area. Not only that, but he struck up a conversation with us, all the while he is casting right under our boat, not concerned about us trying to fish. He lingered for maybe 20 minutes or so talking our ears off. I think its fine for fishermen to talk to each other while on the water, but maybe keep it limited to: "any luck?" and the appropriate response. But as far as casting under our boat? Absolutely not. Which leads me to my question....So for you guys, how close is too close?

If I'm just out fishing I guess his boat touching mine is too close. Normally on a popular lake you will meet someone heading your Direction and I usually give them te right of way and keep on fishing down the bank they just came from. Sounds like the guy was just out having a good time, wanted to stop and be friendly.

This is too close

 

This is too close

 

Trout fishing? ..lol  Yeah definitely too close. 

If I can cast a 1/2 oz rattle trap and rip their carpet, they came too close!

 

Jeff

50 yards or so on a lake, but river etiquette is a little different.

If a  boat is stopped or fishing slow, you go around them on the

outside and past them before contiuing to fish. Generally it is

considered rude to "front" another boat on your initial approach,

but not necessarily when you give them a wide berth.

 

I don't expect people I don;t know approaching me on the lake,

but river rats are different. I guess we are just more friendly!

If I'm just out fishing I guess his boat touching mine is too close. Normally on a popular lake you will meet someone heading your Direction and I usually give them te right of way and keep on fishing down the bank they just came from. Sounds like the guy was just out having a good time, wanted to stop and be friendly.

I'm all for being polite and friendly, and certainly boats' paths will be crossed occasionally. But on an open lake, if your boat is within casting distance of mine for any extended period of time, it's kind of annoying. Especially when this guy is flinging his rubber worm so close that I could have caught it with my hands.

If I can cast a 1/2 oz rattle trap and rip their carpet, they came too close!

 

Jeff

Hey, rubbin' is fishin'.

If I can cast a 1/2 oz rattle trap and rip their carpet, they came too close!

Jeff

So did that happen? Sounds specific.

I give a wide distance when I come across a boat.......50 yds probably.

 

When people I don't know, start talking to me......I am polite but keep my responses as short as possiible......like yes, no or a little chuckle with a mumble. If they do not continue on their way..... I will usually depart the area.

 

I think you can be friendly and still convey you are not interested in having a conversation..................most of the time. There will always be odd time/interactions.

I usually don't mind, but if you hit me with a bait, expect to get a quick reply. I'm I guy who likes to return such compliments.

Last year out on the water my buddy and I were fishing a cove. We see a fisherman in a kayak slowly making his way towards us, casting towards the shore. We were not in his direct path, but eventually he was right up on us. He began to cast right towards our boat, literally taking away half of our fishing area. Not only that, but he struck up a conversation with us, all the while he is casting right under our boat, not concerned about us trying to fish. He lingered for maybe 20 minutes or so talking our ears off. I think its fine for fishermen to talk to each other while on the water, but maybe keep it limited to: "any luck?" and the appropriate response. But as far as casting under our boat? Absolutely not. Which leads me to my question....So for you guys, how close is too close?

After reading this futher, I maybe annoyed but I probably wouldn't be "mad"...unless he hit my boat or I get nailed.  The way I'd look at it, he's fishing cover, he was skilled enough to cast under your boat and not hit you. 

I don't like anyone geting  close enough to board my boat. Otherwise not much others me.

A punching weight is a nice way to let someone know they are too close.  Tungsten is optional in this case.

Public water is public water.

When I started bass fishing decades ago the general sportsmanship was to keep about 200' away from other anglers. Tournament bass fishing changed that to about 100' or a standard casting distance away. Today sportsmanship has been lost and space between anglers or boat is whatever each angler can tolerate without arguing....no set rules.

If someone is too close let them know politely by talking to them instead of getting ticked off!

Tom

I would have happily moved to a new spot because the lake is full of good spots. But it was his non-stop talking that prevented us from leaving without looking rude. His kayak was parallel to us, and he was within 5 yards.

So did that happen? Sounds specific.

 

 

I didn't but my father has a quick temper and I have seen him do it on more than 1 occasion!  In his older years, he has calmed down some....

 

Jeff

I would have happily moved to a new spot because the lake is full of good spots. But it was his non-stop talking that prevented us from leaving without looking rude. His kayak was parallel to us, and he was within 5 yards.

 

I find that, as they are rambling and me listening, and they realize that I am preparing to get underway in a bit of a hurry.......................and that my old 150 merc pushes my boat away from that spot in a hurry.........they may want to be a little bit farther away in their kayak or canoe.

 

Just kidding........I would probably never do that.

We came up on a guy fishing on the bank one time.  He asked how we were doing and if we were having any luck.  We said a little.  As he walked away he gave us a tip.  There was a distinct mud line about 25 yard out from shore.  From the mud line to the bank was clear water.  He told us when he walked up some big fish swam away in our direction about 5 minutes ago.  He pointed to where.  I casted my spinner bait and boom!  5 pounder.  Released that fish and 2nd cast BOOM 4 pounder!  We would have thanked him but he'd already gone.  Kindness goes a long ways.   These instances have their ups and downs.  It is how react to them.  

I give most boats a 2 cast distance between us, so that our casts can never interfere with one another. I dont mind talking to people at the ramp, or people on their shorelines, but I dont like other boats getting too close, which is why a 1 oz spinnerbait on a 7'10 crankbait rod is always rigged up ready to show how close too close is... in a tournament I believe it is 50' so as long as they dont break that boundry i cannot complain too much...

 

Mitch

When they pull up and anchor right where my ultra light jig has been landing, that is too close.  I told them that they were sitting on a tree that the fish were in and if they pulled away from it we could both fish it.  They turned their back to me and kept fishing where there were no fish and they caught nothing.  I just left.  Just like someone else has said, ignorance can be cured, stupid is for life.

I would have happily moved to a new spot because the lake is full of good spots. But it was his non-stop talking that prevented us from leaving without looking rude. His kayak was parallel to us, and he was within 5 yards.

 

I think people have different ideas about good distance to others.

 

If I were you, I would have just left. That migt have send him a message.

I say too close is casting distance. My uncle is a guide and he will be quick to throw a 2 ounce sinker to them!

In N. Cal it's 50' in tourneys, and with a lake of 160+ miles of shore, 150' while fun fishing. I've had them hit my boat on Clear lake and get ticked off for me saying something to them!

Frankly I'm impressed he was trying to fish under your boat. You ever have that fish on a retrieve come from underneath the boat and attack just as your pulling up? They are there sometimes hanging in the shade. Maybe he figured he would talk while he tried to find one under you? Probably the biggest thing though is because he was in a kayak. Its way different then being on other boats. You frequently come close to other kayakers and have a little conversation if you want. Then head off in different directions.

 

 

Personally I wouldt care, Ive seen bass stick around in areas with engines roaring tearing up the bottom and sending mud in every direction. Big ones too. Hell sometimes bait fish go into stirred up bottoms to eat whatever you just kicked up and bass are not far behind.