Thread: Who's responsible for your wake?

I have zero issue with another boat waking me as long as they are courteous and not running 70mph. It's the idiot in his Daddy's tricked out ski boat throwing a 4 foot roller or a tri-toon full of drunk 70Y/Os among other boats that really burns my butt. Try running anywhere on KY or Barkley when the word gets out the crappie bite is on and see how few times you will NOT get waked. I will try to slow to a safe speed and give as wide a clearance to another boat as I can but I'm not going to idle 2 miles from the 68 ramp at Jonathan to the mouth this time of year.

Somebody idling up to my boat to talk, I would expect them to use the big motor.

I use the rule that I will treat folks the way I want to be treated. You want to run past me at plane speed when I'm trolling, I have zero issue. Just don't pull up 20 yards off my stern, among all my lines that are obviously trailing behind the boat, to ask what kind of fishing I'm doing and if we are catching any. That will get you a reply that will probably include some adjectives that you won't care for.

amen

Doug I never expected anyone to leave the Jonathan Creek ramp and idle their boat out to the mouth, but they can at least have the courtesy of going around a group of boats that are fishing. I grow tired of looking at my depth finder and having it look like the toothy side of a two man cross cut, just so they can side view me on their way to his own honey hole. Trolling motor approach? I do that because I have a list of questions to ask and will see how, ie long line, spider rig, as I approach. The job I do is designed to help improve everyone's fishing, not irritate them. I'll also be able to hear your response and not need to ask several times. I also stop where I see groups of boats so I can move from one to another without starting and restarting the big motor and maybe spooking the fish. To be honest, this is the time of year when my boat sees little action. I've never had anyone try an side view my actions while working in my garden. My post was to try and improve, help, not put anyone down.

I always try to minimize it when I can but there are times it's going to happen and there is nothing you can do about it. Personally I'd rather have someone come by me at 70 mph than come by half on plane with the bow sticking up in the air.

Originally Posted by slabseeker1

Doug I never expected anyone to leave the Jonathan Creek ramp and idle their boat out to the mouth, but they can at least have the courtesy of going around a group of boats that are fishing. I grow tired of looking at my depth finder and having it look like the toothy side of a two man cross cut, just so they can side view me on their way to his own honey hole. Trolling motor approach? I do that because I have a list of questions to ask and will see how, ie long line, spider rig, as I approach. The job I do is designed to help improve everyone's fishing, not irritate them. I'll also be able to hear your response and not need to ask several times. I also stop where I see groups of boats so I can move from one to another without starting and restarting the big motor and maybe spooking the fish. To be honest, this is the time of year when my boat sees little action. I've never had anyone try an side view my actions while working in my garden. My post was to try and improve, help, not put anyone down.

When I pull cranks and spider rig , I prefer other boats wanting to talk to approach from the rear in my dead water area.

I wasn't taking it as or meant my reply to be putting anybody down, Russ. Treat me like I would treat you and we both will be fine is my on-water motto. I agree with Justin on the speed and wake. My issue is I spend way more time than most trolling channels and after having a dozen KVD wannabees running less than 50 feet away in a channel that is 300 yards wide in 10 minutes does get old. One mistake and they take me and mine out--probably permanently.

I longline and pull cranks 90% of my time on the water and there is no "dead water area" behind me.

Originally Posted by mrdux

I wasn't taking it as or meant my reply to be putting anybody down, Russ. Treat me like I would treat you and we both will be fine is my on-water motto. I agree with Justin on the speed and wake. My issue is I spend way more time than most trolling channels and after having a dozen KVD wannabees running less than 50 feet away in a channel that is 300 yards wide in 10 minutes does get old. One mistake and they take me and mine out--probably permanently.

I longline and pull cranks 90% of my time on the water and there is no "dead water area" behind me.

I pull from both sides of the boat, so I mean the 10ft area behind my boat that has no lines in it.

Just my opinion: I only cast so can't speak from spider or trolling perspective, I don't mind someone going by me on plane. Some guys trying to be courteous ease by slow and make as big or bigger wake. Just swing wide if you can safely do so.