@gimruis  i know my rights around public waters.

 

i just keep fishing, an i'm pretty neutral on what i feel about them.  i dont want to give them any power over me.  i just do my thing, and ignore the idiots.  

 

it is wild how much power i have over their emotions.  it's like i am superpowered or something.  hahahha...i dont mind ruining their moods, but they dont ruin mine.  luckily, it rarely happens to me.  i dont get much pushback from dock owners.

6 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

luckily, it rarely happens to me.  i dont get much pushback from dock owners.

Neither do I.  But I'm sure it happens, and it will probably at some point occur to me too.  Seems almost inevitable if you fish around enough docks that you'll encounter one.

 

I was with someone last year that was hung up for a few seconds and then they were able to unhook it with some slack line.  The owner came walking out onto the dock out of nowhere and had a conversation with my friend who was in the back of the boat.  He quickly apologized and said it wouldn't happen again.  I didn't say a single word, turned the bow mount on high, and got the heck out of there.

 

You could make the argument that wake boats are causing more damage to the shoreline through erosion than bass anglers to docks.

If they're the screaming, cussing, threatening type, out comes the phone camera and their idiotic behavior is posted everywhere for the world to see.

 

If they're the normal type of human who politely asks for you to move on because they have kids who swim around the dock and don't want a snagged hook to injure them, or explains how their boat has been damaged before, then be a decent human and move on. In a case like this: "Just because it's legal, doesn't mean it's moral" and "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

Luckily I’ve never had a problem. I’m not good at keeping my mouth shut. 

 

A few weeks ago though a guy was weedeating his yard and as I was cruising by he yelled to me that there was about 6 black bass cruising under his dock walkway. I was at 2 fish in the livewell. 3 casts later I had my limit! All 2 pounders. He and I were both pretty happy. 

1 hour ago, ironbjorn said:

If they're the normal type of human who politely asks for you to move on because they have kids who swim around the dock and don't want a snagged hook to injure them, or explains how their boat has been damaged before, then be a decent human and move on. In a case like this: "Just because it's legal, doesn't mean it's moral" and "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

 

This is the moral conflict that I have when I fish docks.  It's much harder to do the right thing when nobody is watching.  If I am a moral and polite person, should I require someone to be present and ask me to not fish there?  Am I just one step removed from the Googan Squad, that step being government?  I have not settled this issue in my own mind.  In practice, I don't fish docks at one lake around me where there are high value properties, but I do fish them on the San Joaquin Delta where the docks tend to be run down or are run by marinas.  

Not every boat angler is considerate of other folks property. Private docks are private property. Nearly every public dock isn’t worth the effort to fish or has signs no fishing.

We as bass anglers tend to think all bass anglers are kind and considerate, in reality some can spoil it for all. 

If a dock or property  owner is nearby be courteous and ask if it’s OK to cast around his or her dock and you catch & release.....works wonders. 

They or their kids or pets may have been injured by hooks or lures broke off by “bass anglers”,it’s a 2 sided sword.

Tom

 

Luckily, around here docks rarely hold fish except for a couple short seasonal windows. 

I have been really lucky in Minnesota.  I have had some great conversations with dock owners.   I do pass on a dock if people are on it.    Often times those people will ask how the fishing is.  I guess it may be Minnesota nice is true.  

On 7/2/2023 at 3:58 PM, r83srock said:

This is how I approach docks too. I absolutely do not want to damage someone’s property in any way, or give the impression I am. There’s some Karen’s, but there are plenty of nasty fishermen who won’t think twice about snagging someone’s boat cover. Gives the rest of us a bad look

I double dog dare you to damage anything on my dock by fishing it. Oh no you got a fish hook in my boat? Little did you know there’s already thousands of them in there 

On 7/2/2023 at 1:25 PM, looking45 said:

I go fishing to relax and take my mind off things. There are a lot of docks on one of the lakes I fish. If someone asks me to notnfish their dock, I just move on. No need to get upset or start an argument. YMMV

Nah to heck with that. That’s giving them what they want. There’s only an argument if you participate. 

On 7/2/2023 at 2:17 PM, gimruis said:

I personally do not fish docks that have people on them, in the yard, etc....

Just because we have the "right" to fish...doesnt make it right to fish.

Give people some space.

6 minutes ago, Chris Catignani said:

Just because we have the "right" to fish...doesnt make it right to fish.

Give people some space.

I personally see nothing morally wrong with fishing around docks.  If people are present, I avoid them.  If not, I feel fine about fishing the area.

 

Wake boats are the ones that need to give people more space if you ask me.

8 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

If they're the screaming, cussing, threatening type, out comes the phone camera and their idiotic behavior is posted everywhere for the world to see.

 

If they're the normal type of human who politely asks for you to move on because they have kids who swim around the dock and don't want a snagged hook to injure them, or explains how their boat has been damaged before, then be a decent human and move on. In a case like this: "Just because it's legal, doesn't mean it's moral" and "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should".

 

I'm still trying to pound this into my son's head........

There are tons of bass fisherman that live on the lake near me, their bass boats are on lifts in the boat house. As you might imagine they don’t care for people fishin……..

I never have a problem myself. I suspect it's because of my tall and large stature, people take one look at me and decide they're not Karening today.

I wish some bass fisherman would come by!!!! Instead we have tons of pleasure boats for the fireworks show. One was blaring ultra loud music until just now , they finally left 

 

 

 

18 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

Just because we have the "right" to fish...doesnt make it right to fish.

Give people some space.

they shouldnt have built any awesome fish cover.    

 

it's like the idiot in my neighborhood.  they get their panties wadded up so tight when someone parks on the street in front of their homes.    i know for a fact we dont own that section of street.  nobody opens up their wallets to pay for their section when the city comes thru with fresh AC.    face it, people are odd, selfish, entitiled, and not all that smart.  we been Dicks for many decades.

2 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

they shouldnt have built any awesome fish cover.    

 

it's like the idiot in my neighborhood.  they get their panties wadded up so tight when someone parks on the street in front of their homes.    i know for a fact we dont own that section of street.  nobody opens up their wallets to pay for their section when the city comes thru with fresh AC.    face it, people are odd, selfish, entitiled, and not all that smart.  we been Dicks for many decades.

Hey...dont get me wrong. I will flip docks all day...but not if someone else is fishing, swimming or just plain sitting there. I do the same thing going down the bank...if someone is fishing, I go around. Now...that being said, I also expect the same in return. I really hate it when someone runs by WOT on plane within casting distance.

have never had a problem with owners. even had an elderly couple offer me some sweet tea once. it was good.

always respect others property and they will respect you.

9 minutes ago, Chris Catignani said:

Hey...dont get me wrong. I will flip docks all day...but not if someone else is fishing, swimming or just plain sitting there. I do the same thing going down the bank...if someone is fishing, I go around. Now...that being said, I also expect the same in return. I really hate it when someone runs by WOT on plane within casting distance.

true.  I won't impose on people using the dock.  

 

thanks for clarifying..I am on the same page.

On 7/3/2023 at 1:33 PM, Happybeerbuzz said:

 

This is the moral conflict that I have when I fish docks.  It's much harder to do the right thing when nobody is watching.  If I am a moral and polite person, should I require someone to be present and ask me to not fish there?  Am I just one step removed from the Googan Squad, that step being government?  I have not settled this issue in my own mind.  In practice, I don't fish docks at one lake around me where there are high value properties, but I do fish them on the San Joaquin Delta where the docks tend to be run down or are run by marinas.  

So rich people get special treatment from you and poor people do not. I mean if you’re going to bring up morals…

40 minutes ago, Cbump said:

So rich people get special treatment from you and poor people do not. I mean if you’re going to bring up morals…

Well they aren’t poor exactly.  Those people own islands or parts of islands on the delta. The docks are just older and more run down.  You did read the part where I said I was conflicted, right?  

I've followed boats down a row of docks and seen guys throw lures with three sets of trebles at a dock with a ladder on the side they're casting to get hung on the ladder and yank on their line rather than go get it unstuck. I've also seen guys 'pitch' jigs onto a docks canopy and get hung up.  Many of the docks on this lake have large river rock at the base of the wood pillars and are excellent fish holders, but sadly a lot of those same docks have twine run across the top and underside of the dock to discourage anglers and the owners will say something to fishermen if they're home.  Can't really blame them, just nod and move to the next one.

You could blame them for violating the law that prevents anyone from interfering with a legal fishing or hunting trip 

 

every single jerk dock owner referenced is literally violating a law on the books. We should have @gimruis hunt them all down 

it all boils down to the first two words, "ANGRY PEOPLE".  it sucks some of them have Docks, and docks with fish.

 

but seriously, it can be any scenario.  they will be ticked at something...ANYTHING.  

 

if i could live my life over again, it would be to develop a "i dont give a Rat's-A" attitude from the beginning.  i wasted so much time and energy in my life.  time and energy i wont get back.

 

having Covid, i watched a lot of youtube videos.  i saw a few "dash-Cam" videos.  where apparently the camera catches someone doing something idiotic and it gets filmed.  99% of the time, the guy with the camera is the equal sized D-bag...leans in the horn, tailgates, cusses, calls out names..etc.    i watched my friend engage in a dock battle once.  on his bassboat.  honestly, they both looked like Dicks.  dont look like a.....forgot how to use English, especially to yourselves.