Boating Etiquette and trolling

I'd like some feedback here from the masses. Each year we have an area that is off limits to fishing(waterfowl refuge) until March 1. On that day and in some years it can get crowded. the slough is 3/4 mile long and 1/4 mile wide I have seen as high as 35 boats there. The problem is every year as you are trolling someone( some I know their boats they do it every year) will cut in front of you and you will have to stop or get their lines in your trolling motor. Every year we hear several cuss fights, finger pointing and other things I can't repeat. How or is there a way to handle this other than my friend who is 6'6" 300lbs tells them to take it to the bank and settle it?

Unfortunately, all sportsmen are not sportsmen. Some of it has to do with the "me, myself & I" mentality that has been propagated over the past couple of decades. Not much you, or anyone else, can really be done about that I'm afraid. Threats and/or violence are certainly not the answer. Maybe you should try pulling off at about the same time they do, and try having a logical discussion about the situation. You'd be surprised at what logic can accomplish. Compromise is everything in life.

Right there is one of the founding reasons for CCW legalization. :mad:

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Originally Posted by silverside

Right there is one of the founding reasons for CCW legalization. :mad:

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true, but fighting over a fishing spot isn't worth it.

My opinions on this are varied, mostly on the behavior of the offender. I'm a get what you give guy sometimes. But if you drag your lines into my TM and cause me grief repeatedly, and disassembly to remove line from the shaft, I would be inclined to cut the line and throw it in my boat. Cranks or jigs would become mine. However, an honest mistake by a newbie would receive a gentler response. Personally, I would run less lines than normal and try to keep the static to a minimum, and leave when the stress level got too high.

Or, as I have done, keep a bass rig loaded with a crank bait and start casting!

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Originally Posted by crappiepappa

Or, as I have done, keep a bass rig loaded with a crank bait and start casting!

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With that many boats in that small an area, why would you expect to be able to fish comfortably? Cut down on the number of rods, shorten the distance you're use to covering, and be extra aware of the other people using the same area as you and the many other boats are, or, as I might do, go to another similar area you have saved in your gps and maybe take less fish but have a more peaceful and enjoyable day fishing. There's been many days in the spring here in PA we have an area of one lake that has two to three HUNDRED boats in a three mile area of the lake and everybody's drifting with the wind. I'll join in but when it starts to get a little to hectic, I'll go fish a different area of the lake and still catch fish. I'd never stoop so low as to cast a crankbait to purposely snag someone else's line. Just not worth it.

We deal with similar etiquette issues all the time. Boats coming by doing 50mph when you're trying to fish etc. You can't fix stupid and rude people, they have a different mentality.
If you want a relaxing time fishing, best to avoid those areas, it's just not worth it.

I just go somewhere else RR

There will always be those that have no etiquette. Seems the very small waterway is ripe for competition and conflict. I fish for fun. If it is not fun, or I come across those that are irritants I move on. Not worth it to me. Take the high road... maybe it will "catch" on.

Matthew 6:14 - For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.