Thread: How close is to close?

This is a good thread. It's nice to see other points of view. I guess it all depends on the type of fishing you are doing. Me, the only reason I'd pay attention to tournament fishing is to mark it on my calendar to avoid that spot on that day. That's just me. I'd probably rather go bream fishing on less crowed, smaller water than feel crowded out by other boats.

I haven't done any real boat fishing just yet. But I have been on Conway, Overcup, and the Big and Little maumelle on the kayak, and all the folks I've come across have been (mostly) respectful. I guess that is one of the benefits of being on a small craft; most boaters give you a wide lane.

I just about have the tin boat geared up, though, so I'll soon see how that goes.

I once took a trip to Nimrod. Don't remember which landing, maybe Carter. There was standing room only and a waiting line at the launch. There must have been about 50 boats within a square football field. Maybe it was one of those tournaments.. I don't know. But I drove on, did some exploring... found the launch for Fourche river, and had me a dandy time on the smaller water. I have been on Conway and seen lots of guys (probably some of you), but I wasn't crappie fishing then, so I wasn't competing for them honey holes (I may not have figured out crappies yet, but I can tell you lake Conway has some fine eating catfish in it, and they ain't too hard to catch!)

Fishing for me is one part putting food on the table that isn't pumped full of crap and processed and one part spiritual, just soaking up creation in quiet solitude. I can be neighborly and wave at ya, but I sure wouldn't pull up beside you and throw out a line.

That is the reason I chose to stop fishing Dardanelle for awhile. Too crowded most days and folks moving back and forth over creek ledges in a floatilla. Bad enough trying to find a parking space with the parking lot full. Last trip to Shoal Bay a couple old men pulled in where we were fishing and anchored on our marker buoyo. it was banging against their boat and we went to retrieve it. One said it ain't bothering us you can leave it , we are used to fishing around them. I know when fish are suspended and lots boats are out there it's just part of it but how close is too close?
In the past on Nimrod folks have run over my markers while I was fishing them. Had one guy pull up while I was fishing a public brush pile that we helped the Corps rebuild. The guy pulls up tosses out his anchor within 20' of my boat and tells me I'm on his spot? You will see all kinds and some are rude others are just a few bricks shy of a full load. That is the reason on Nimrod I build mostly very small stakebeds or brush piles in open water to try and avoid crowds fishing banks or tree tops that are visable. Try to get along but remember it's public and consider the others fishing. At times wind will rule where folks crowd up but I have fished white caps just to avoid crowded coves.