So its memorial weekend and we have skiers and boaters all over the lakes around here in New Braunfels. What are yalls way of dealing with high boat pressure when trying to fish.

I stay away from the lakes and highways on ALL holiday weekends and go to the lakes a couple weeks later. Just too many drunks and butt holes for my liking on holidays. I value my solitude and safety.

I agree with bass or bass?'s response.  But if you must get on the lake, I'd recommend fishing-only lakes.  There are a few local lakes around my parts where lake does not permit pleasure boating at all.

I avoid it by fishing during the week. But if it's your only chance to fish get there before or after the crowd. Otherwise look for electric only or speed restricted waters.

Go into the creeks and coves and hold one from the ski and power boat wakes.

Just understand that you will encounter some uncomfortable situations and you have to rise above them.

Unless you take an M-60 machine gun with you.  ;D   ;D   ;D

night fishing

I launched at 5 this morning had the lake to myself for 45 minutes  water skiing started around 7 started getting crowded around 9 so I left. I got in a good 4 hours of fishing and wasn't bothered. other times I just go to my spots and fish if water skiiers start getting too close to me I call the park police and give them the boat numbers. last year I was casting to the edge of the pads and this 1 boat kept running between me and the pads after 3 times i wrote down the numbers and called it in. I saw them being talked to by the police when I left. some people don't get it.

night fishing

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Happens every weekend through out the summer here in California. Starts in the spring and slows in the late fall. The few free launches that are left are usually full on weekends by 6am. Berryessa, Clearlake and the delta are busy places. Besides I think boat traffic effects the attitude fishermen more then the fish.

Pain in the 'you know what' but I don't let it stop me from fishing. I usually end up having to adjust somewhat around here because you often can't get away from all the traffic on our smaller reservoirs. This usually means leaving the shallow bank fish afer a period of time due to crashing waves and roiled waters. In that case I either move offshore or move to the edge of the mudline being created. I think the offshore bite actually can still be pretty good because all the traffic keeps things stirred up and helps camoflauge the angler against the increased background noise.

Just went out yesterday on a small lake getting lots of pleasure boat traffic from 2-6 PM but still managed nearly 2 dozen keeper bass including one that went 6-04 fishing deeper main lake structure.

-T9

Sit at the ramp with a camera for lots of laughs. When the sun goes down go out and kick some bass.

night fishing

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Avoid holidays altogether or, if you must, either fish at night (as mentioned), or get out early before the crowds and leave before it gets too crazy. A buddy and I went out wading for river smallmouth early yesterday morning. By the time we got back to our put in place there were women and children stacked on overhanging trees like turtles sunning themselves. It was a zoo.

Just remember that we have to be the bigger people when there are pleasure boaters on the water.  Yes, most of them are drunk, acting stupid, and rarely following the rules.  But when anglers react, we get a bad reputation.  Keep that in mind.  Take the high road.

Well, it 's the time of the year when my everyday lake is missing at least 20 ft of water and the submerged timber is now visible, something that deters pleasure boaters, water skiers and jet skiers from having fun running up and down the lake at warp speed so they have to stay at the dam part of the lake.

We fish on Thursdays. Boat traffic is not all that bad then.

go early in the morning or late in the evening.  i get my quiet fishing time then.

Fish naked, wear a Robinhood hat, and carry a bow and some arrows.  When another boat is seen shoot a random arrow off into the lake. 

Remember to wear a high SPF factor sunscreen.

fish early and late...Even at lake of the ozarks it still puts fish in the boat.

Ok thank you guys I appreciate all of the advice, but i geuss my main question is do you think boat traffic can change a pattern? For instance went fishing one night and caugh 17 bass one going 8 lbs then the next night we go to the same stretch of the lake and couldn't catch anything but a few dinks.

same conditions,same moon,   except for that we went thursday night aand killed them  and the next  night we went friday night  after tons of boat preassure from that day.