Let me start by saying I am very safety concsious and follow all boating rules and I beleive in treating others the way you would like to be treated.  That being said...  

How close is too close to pass a striper fisherman's trolling/planner board set?

One of the lakes I fish on has a lot of striper fishing boats.  I try to give these guys at least 100 up to 200yds birth or more if possible when navigating around them which I feel is sufficient (it is usually way more space than they give me when I'm fishing).  However the resivoir is narrow in spots, many times heavy with boat traffic and you'll often have a flotilla of striper boats zig zagging across the channel.

I don't know if its better to pass in front of them(which seems like cutting them off  ) or behind them (which is where they are fishing of course, ) either.  Having never fished/trolled for striped bass I don't know.   There are so many boats buzzing around I can't imagine it scares the fish anymore either way.

I just want to be courtious but I also don't want to needlessly have to drop off plane every 100 yards of a 12 mile run.

Personally, i would go ahead of them, at a safe distance. If for any other reason, because it would keep me away from their rigs and make sure I was not going to cut any of their lines.

I used to troll through Erie with my father and I remember the cost of some of that equipment. Sometimes it is dragging farther behind that you would think.

You won't make everyone happy, but you are at leats trying to take them into consideration.

Most states have rules of the road for boaters.  I'd suggest looking into your current state laws or the laws for states you'll be running your boat on to find out the rules for passing boats.  

In GA it's 100 feet, but a lot depends on the situation and how you go by them.  For instance, in a small area or congested area, I will come completely off plane and idle with NO WAKE until I'm clear.  If you have a 100 feet or more between any boat and can run a fairly straight line, not sig sagging through a gauntlet of boats, then maintain a safe speed that will keep you on full plane.  

The one thing I hate most of all is a boat that thinks they are being curtious and drops down off plane but is rolling a wake you could surf off of.   I had much rather a boat come by me 50 feet away at 70 mph than have them come off plane and run slow with bow high and rolling a tidal wave behind them or makes a turn directly in front of me that rolls a big wake right in my path.

Oh, and yes, I must prefer a boat come across in front of me than to cross over behind me, unless they are a couple of hundred feet behind.

One other thing you have to watch watch out for in a congested area, even though their may not be any speed limits and you're allowing the state minimum distance, if you're hauling butt, they can still site you for operating your boat in an unsafe manner.   A friend of mine learned that one the hard way.  He in a tournament, when running between spots a WOT, had to make three big turns to give some boats a safe passing distance.  When he got to his hole, the game warden pulled up behind him and gave him a citation for unsafe operation of his boat.

The rule is if the boat is one your port side, and they are heading in a direction that would take them across your bow, you would be on their starboard side, you have the right of way. This is assuming both vessels are under power. Just the opposite going the other direction. Ever notice how your bow light has a green and red side? Simply if you are on the port side of another boat, or you would see their red light, they have the right away.  Again this is assuming that maintaining course and speed would result in a collision. BTW that isn't the reason the lights are red and green, just sorta ended up that way. As far as overtaking or passing in front of or behind another boat the rule states that you must pass at a safe distance, but no minimum distance is specified, some states however do specify a distance. If you are running a river the boat going downstream with the current has the right away, as their steerage is compromised. Sailboats on a starboard tack have the right away. The NavRules are established by the Coast Guard. I am a Coast Guard Veteran and have taken the NavRules tests, there are other Coasties here that can verify this. Navrules books can be ordered from the Coast Guard or the Auxiliary, most states are in the process of adopting new rules regarding boaters. For example in the state of Virginia all boaters will have to pass a safety course to operate their boats, bass boats included. The statute is being implemented over time, essentially in the next 10 years all boaters will have to pass the course and be licensed to operate a boat.

Here is a link to a downloadable version of the Navrules

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/navrules.htm

Hey Boats, common sense will get you through most situations you come across on the water. I know the "Rules of the Road" as well(or did) but you can rest assured most boaters don't know them or at least don't follow them.

A couple of years ago my wife and I attended a fireworks display in our boat as did several hundred other boats. She asked about the port and starboard running lights and their meaning. A few minutes later she made a comment about a boat having it's port/starboard light on the wrong side. We started looking at the other boats and were shocked to see dozens of boats with port and starboard lights reversed. Most of these were pontoon boats that have fixed lighting  but there were boats of every type with this problem. I suspect asking these folks to know the navrules is out of the question. My advise to anyone would be "be prepared to take evasive action regardless of right of way at all times and use common sense" when operating a boat.

Sorry, I did not intend to steal this thread...............Al

Al,

I hear ya brother, I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the people who run recreational boats, especially jetskis. After I wrote that I felt as though it was a moot point, as a lot of people don't know their port from their starboard.  I think it is ridiculous that I have to take another safety course for boating, but I am glad that most states are requiring people to take it.  

I thought about starting a rules of the road, safety thread, but I don't want to come across as a smartelec know it all.  FWIW I refuse to ride in a boat with anyone, if I'm in a boat I'm running it, I've seen to many idiots on the lakes.  On the water especially the best thing to be is a defensive driver.

Boats I think you have a good idea on the Rules of the Road safety thread. Maybe a once a month "Rule of the Month" discussion. Even many that would not enter into the discussion may still read and learn. And once a month would not take to much time, or more often if you have time. Consider talking with Glenn on the matter and see what you can come up with.

I'm certainly not a Magellan or Columbus but I do know port from starboard. Let me know if I can help...................Al

Thanks for the posts/insight!

The law here is you can't be on plane when you are within 100ft of another boat (or the bank for that matter) and I'm familiar with the right-of-way rules.  Like I said, I always give them as much room as I can at least 100 yds and go out of my way to be courtious.

I too find that most boaters are not familiar with the laws.  Can't tell you how many times I've had to come off plane because some cruiser or jet ski was approaching/crossing from the left where they should have been the one to yield.  That's frustrating.

>

Just wanted to be a repsonsible basser and promote our sport in the best light.

Just because something is lawful doesn't mean you shouldn't go the extra to be a little more courteious.

Like the last time I was out.  This giant, Miami Vice looking "cigar" boat came blowing by me while I was fishing a point.  He may have been 100ft (maybe not, it was close enough) away but the wake he blasted at me was darn near enough to sink a freighter and it was 400 yds to the other bank so he had much more room to go around me.  Good thing I was paying attention cause I probably would have surfed that tsunami up on to the rocky bank had I not got on the TM right away.   >

Truthfully, they will not learn the rules until they make them mandatory. I took the CG course when I was a kid and has periodically hit their site to refresh.

Following them most times is an exercise in futility. If I remember most of the rules (such as when approaching head on), have both boats or the one yielding to starboard. Last time I tried to stick to that the OTHER guy kept going port until I about ran into a dock.

One thing though, if they want to make the course mandatory they have to make it easier to find everywhere. I have been trying to find the course in the Charlotte area to take a refresher for 5 months. Contacted the Swift water power squadron locally and nobody can tell me where or if they will offer another course.

Hotrod

 You have to be talking about Raytown!!  I fish it almost every week at least once.  I have found that most of the striper fisherman appreciate if you stay a decent distance from them and I do not come off plane unless I am within 100ft.  

 With even some bass fisherman not knowing the rules of the road on that lake it is just as bad.  Then jetfleas and other assorted dumb@$$ it is a very difficult lake to fish in the summer and weekends.  This time of year though it is rather pleasant, no skiers just fisherman with an occasional pleasure boater.

Raystown indeed.

Yeah I try to stay away from Rays on weekends between memorial day and Labor day.  It is nuts!  But if you have a tournament there in the summer you just have to tough it out.   As you said, its a dream to fish now and in early spring.

I've grown more accustom to dealing with the traffic but still every once in a while they'll be some a-hole show up who seems like he's bent on ruining your day.   I swear some of those boaters sole purpose in life is to p.o. as many other boats as possible.  

Like a buddy of mine always says; "What use is it to be an idiot unless you can prove it every once in awhile".  I think for some of those people that is there life's motto.

Yes, unfortunately there are those out there who intentionally try to irritate fisherman. However, I have heard stories of fisherman fighting back with there rods and lures.

It is amazing the velocity you can acheive with a 9 foot slow surf rod with a 3/8 oz. little cleo while steelhead fishing.  

I was skiing one day and when i was in the water waiting to be pulled up, i hear two cigar boats coming.  I look up and here they come about 90 if not 100 or more and split us right in the middle.  Instead of slowing down these retards had to do the dumbest thing ever.  They easily had room to go on one side of us but they were racing each other and oh no could they not do that.  Probaly half drunk too.  It could swamped our boat if not got someone seriously hurt.  From now on i cant stand cigar boats and wish they were outlawed and made to stay in the ocean.  My rant... lol

  This gives me some thoughts.  Where I live and fish, I haven't had the chance to get out on bigger lakes and reservoirs yet so I haven't encountered some of the hazards that you're speaking of here.  Most of the public parks in Delaware prohibit gasoline powered motors (except for park rangers using smaller 9hp models on their patrol boats) and those reservoirs up in Pennsylvania and over in Maryland that I've been to all have a strict "electric only" policy.  I've seen "No Wake" rules posted on a few of the larger creeks, as well.

  It's like Al posted earlier.  Common Sense is about all you have in most situations and I use it a lot while out on the water in some of the public lakes.  No need to get your line tangled up in someone else's or in their propeller.  Just give 'em room and wait until they've moved on to try the same spot.

Very simple...Picture yourself in the other boat as you approach and act accordingly.

I agree that common sense will keep you out of trouble most of the time.  But lets say that the other guy crashes into you from your starboard side.  You did all you could to avoid the crash, there are no witnesses, just your word against his.  Although you know he is at fault, guess who will be cited?  Guess whose insurance is going to pay?  There are rules that affect conduct on the water.  I am glad that these will soon be a requirement.  We have the resonsibility to act appropriately, and with so many people who don't know their arse from a hole in the ground, it is imperative that responsible boaters do all they can to avoid accidents.  With that said though, we also need to understand that the rules will be enforced when the defecation hits the rotary oscillator!    Another example, some idiot is doing a head on pass down your starboard side, he runs you into the bank, you have gone as far as  you can to avoid a collision, but he hits you.  There are no witnesses, your word against his.  Who would be cited?

We must remember there is more to safe boating than who has the right of way. Many of the lakes and rivers in my area are used for commercial navigation and are marked with buoys and markers to aid navigation. It would benefit many of us to have a better understanding of the meanings of these navigation aids. And if you like to visit lakes in other states as I do, you need to understand these aids. This is especially true in the coastal areas.........Al

We must remember there is more to safe boating than who has the right of way. Many of the lakes and rivers in my area are used for commercial navigation and are marked with buoys and markers to aid navigation. It would benefit many of us to have a better understanding of the meanings of these navigation aids. And if you like to visit lakes in other states as I do, you need to understand these aids. This is especially true in the coastal areas.........Al

Good point Al. While Wylie does not have much in that sense to worry about, when I used to live in WNY, we went out on Erie, Ontario, and the Niagara River a lot. If you do not understand nav buoys you get in trouble there QUICK. Especially near the peace bridge right where Erie dumps into the Niagara.It gets downright deadly quick there.