Etiquette - Boats coming at each other on same shoreline. 2024

Junger reply :

So, I'm fairly new to boat fishing, but this is a situation I've come across now a couple times. I'll be fishing along a shoreline on my boat from one direction, and I'll see another boat on the same shoreline coming toward me about 100 yards away.

What do you do? Who has "right of way"?

I have been fishing up to about 30 yards of the other boat before giving way, but what if I'm on an amazing bite and I want to hold course?

Choporoz reply :

Vast majority of the time, I will make the move away from shore first to yeild. There has been a rare occasion where I may already be picking apart a laydown or ledge, so I have simply stopped and graciously thank the other boat as they make the move outside.

12poundbass reply :

Good question. I'm curious myself.

jbmaine reply :

I always assume other fisherman are ( like us ) out to have fun and catch some fish. When they are close enough I'll engage them in conversation. Most fisherman are friendly and we'll talk about what a nice day it is, fishing conditions, etc. and I'll let them know I'll go out around them.

On the rare occasion they are less than friendly I'll stay put and let them make the first move.

I always try to treat people like I would want to be treated. I've never looked at fishing as " us against them " but as just, we are one of many who enjoy this wonderful thing called fishing.

Hez reply :

I always try to spot another angler fishing the same bank as I pull up to a spot and will avoid an already occupied bank, in most instances.

If I do find myself fishing head-on with someone, my actions are usually determined by the specifics of the situation.

If I'm fun fishing, and I think they are in a tournament...I will always give them the right of way. I don't expect them to change their game plan because of me, and I want to have little to no impact on their fishing...out of respect.

On the other hand, if I'm tournament fishing...and this is a spot I scouted and have marked...I'm not giving way. We can respectfully troll right by each other and keep fishing as far as I'm concerned...but I have a purpose in being there...and I'm staying focused.

slonezp reply :

I always give them the right of way and go around unless they do it first

Scott F reply :

^^^ This. This is what I see most people do.

On 7/15/2018 at 7:16 PM, Hez said:

On the other hand, if I'm tournament fishing...and this is a spot I scouted and have marked...I'm not giving way. We can respectfully troll right by each other and keep fishing as far as I'm concerned...but I have a purpose in being there...and I'm staying focused.

This is what gives tournament fishermen a bad reputation.

ohboyitsrobby reply :

I suppose it depends. If I'm fishing the bank first and they pull up where they can see that I'm fishing first I'm staying put. Other than that I'll slide out of the way.

NHBull reply :

The first guy on should have the right of way.

On my last tournament we met an opposing boat on a point. We acknowledged each other, both stayed R and passed without incident.

Had I not know them, I would pull out and give the lane to them. Life is to short to squabble about this. Later in the day, a similar thing happened and the other boat pulled out. Met them at the weight in and had this very discussion

tstraub reply :

I live in Indiana and at least here the law states that if two boats approach head on both boaters bear right. In the rare event that bearing right would put me closer to the bank I tend to hold course and let the other guy bear right. But that doesn't happen often because I like to have my rod in my right hand and control the boat with my left hand on the tiller. So I usually circle the lake clockwise and swing out to the right and give the other guy room.

hooah212002 reply :

On 7/15/2018 at 10:35 PM, tstraub said:

I live in Indiana and at least here the law states that if two boats approach head on both boaters bear right.

Same in WI. I'm not sure it's a state by state law, though, is it? That one seems to be pretty universal just like lights.

tstraub reply :

On 7/15/2018 at 10:58 PM, hooah212002 said:

Same in WI. I'm not sure it's a state by state law, though, is it? That one seems to be pretty universal just like lights.

I assume it's universal but I've never used a boat outside this state so I haven't looked it up. It just seems odd to me that everyone is worried about the polite way to pass when the law says exactly what to do.

hooah212002 reply :

On 7/15/2018 at 11:05 PM, tstraub said:

I assume it's universal but I've never used a boat outside this state so I haven't looked it up. It just seems odd to me that everyone is worried about the polite way to pass when the law says exactly what to do.

I imagine the thinking is that those laws only apply when your vessel is under power by your big engine and not while fishing.

Junger reply :

On 7/15/2018 at 11:21 PM, hooah212002 said:

I imagine the thinking is that those laws only apply when your vessel is under power by your big engine and not while fishing.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I understand I should bear right to avoid a collision and even use horns to sound my intention if necessary, but when we're both trolling a bank and have more than ample time to move, I was just curious what other people do.

I don't tournament fish, so I'll probably just keep giving up right of way, and I do like to make small talk when passing other boaters.

tstraub reply :

You're probably right, I guess I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and and move out of the way to the right and give a friendly nod on my way past.

NorcalBassin reply :

If someone pulls in within 100 yards or so of me and heads directly towards me I'll give them the opportunity to yield first since that's the "right" way for them to handle it, but if we get within casting distance of each other I'll either pull off the shoreline to troll past them or politely motor up at an idle to the spot they first started fishing so I'm not fishing water they just went through. Any other time I'm more than happy to yield to them as we approach the same water.

Brew City Bass reply :

I generally wait for them to get within ear shot and I'll ask if they want me to go inside or out. 99% of the time they're like minded and either yield or ask me if I don't mind going around. Never an issue.

My issue is with pontoons cutting between me and the shore.

Jaderose reply :

This one is simple for me....if I am trolling a bank and meet someone coming towards me and open water is to my right, I give passage. If shore is to my right, I have right of way. If I come up on someone working an area (as opposed to just trolling) I give wide berth and I expect the same. I always give hand signals or just speak to let them know my intention. I'm not tournament fishing so I have no problem giving way when I need to. Plenty of lake for all and the lake I mostly fish has no pleasure boating. Only fisherman and the occasional canoe or yak-er. No biggie. I DO expect non fishing yaks to give me room but doesn't always happen.

Hez reply :

On 7/15/2018 at 8:46 PM, Scott F said:

^^^ This. This is what I see most people do.

This is what gives tournament fishermen a bad reputation.

Not sure what is so bad about that?

If I have a purpose for being on that spot, then I expect the same MUTUAL respect that I would give someone else.

Scott F reply :

On 7/16/2018 at 6:54 AM, Hez said:

Not sure what is so bad about that?

If I have a purpose for being on that spot, then I expect the same MUTUAL respect that I would give someone else.

Just the fact that being in a tournament makes a difference on how you would act. You'd be a nice guy if you were fun fishing, but if you were in a tournament, you'd be different. I don't think being in a tournament gives someone the right to be rude.

Hez reply :

On 7/16/2018 at 7:02 AM, Scott F said:

Just the fact that being in a tournament makes a difference on how you would act. You'd be a nice guy if you were fun fishing, but if you were in a tournament, you'd be different. I don't think being in a tournament gives someone the right to be rude.

Who said I would be rude?

You're missing the "difference" in my actions in tournament fishing and fun fishing. In fun fishing...I'm giving up the spot...in tournament fishing...on a spot I've scouted...I'm not giving that spot up for someone coming down the bank.

Who would?

I never said I would be rude. I would still be humane and respectful...why be rude?

But yes...being in a tournament DOES effect my decision making...not how I treat people.

haggard reply :

As far as recreational fishing goes, if I know they were on the water before I was, I just yield and leapfrog around them, like passing on a dock if you see the owners on site.

When in question, just engage in conversation.

Tournament fishing is probably different, much more competitive, I have no experience there so can't advise. Last month or so I was fishing from the yak on the home lake and a tournament was going on (4 or 5 bass boats) and I ended up in the vicinity of 2 of their boats. I was fishing ahead of them but they were closing in faster than I was moving; I gave them their space and I ended up moving on. I think we all understood each other and why we were there, without even saying a word, no problems.

fishnkamp reply :

One thing you can do is just stop your trolling motor and fish your spot. The other boat then is forced to make his move and has no right to be mad at you for stopping and casting toward your shore target. I have done this several times while politely saying hello. Most anglers will then either reverse their direction or expect to go out and around you.

If I am the boat faced with making the decision in that scenario. I would ask if they mind I go around them or just turn around and move off. If I am "invited" to go around I usually troll out a good distance before passing them. That too is a courtesy move. Never go by the other boat too closely.

TOXIC reply :

Don't come to the Potomac where civility is an afterthought. "Most" of the time it's an easy exchange. Hold your course until you are within a cast of each other and then one of you will go around the other. Makes no difference which one. If you are on a "spot" and not actively working up the bank, hold where you are if the other angler is moving. They can keep moving right around you. Had a deal on the Potomac where we were working down a bank. Came around a point and notices another boat about 100 yards in front of us. Angler in that boat put his TM on high and ran right towards us. We gave way and moved to the outside and when we got even with him, he turned the boat and started back down the bank in the same direction as we were going. Obviously, he was trying to "protect" the entire stretch of bank. Words were exchanged. It got heated.

Todd2 reply :

The meeting down a bank has never been a problem for me. It works itself out. Sometimes if I see them pitching up close and I'm backed off, I usually swing wide first for example. I never cast until I'm clear of the boat. I don't tournament fish so it's not a big deal. Most folks are cool in this encounter.

However.......I've fished the last 4 Friday nights at my local lake. There is a decent size tournament that runs that night. For the first time in years, I've had words with two separate boats on two separate nights of blatant cutting me off. Fishing a tournament should not be a factor on how you handle a boating encounter. On the flip side, most of the guys are cool. I even had one boat ask if they could fish a point I was on to pick up their last fish. I let them, ate a sandwich, they caught a nice keeper and left. I went back to catching them. It's all how they ask. Being in a tournament gives you no extra rights. Ok, sorry..got derailed there. Off the soapbox now.

Quarry Man reply :

Why can't you both just go around each other and fish the same banks that the other boat fished? You probably were't throwing the exact same baits, and definitely won't cast to the exact same spots, so you might both be able to catch fish that were missed by the other boat.

On 7/15/2018 at 10:35 PM, tstraub said:

I live in Indiana and at least here the law states that if two boats approach head on both boaters bear right. In the rare event that bearing right would put me closer to the bank I tend to hold course and let the other guy bear right. But that doesn't happen often because I like to have my rod in my right hand and control the boat with my left hand on the tiller. So I usually circle the lake clockwise and swing out to the right and give the other guy room.

The idea of bearing right sounds like a great idea for fishing banks and boating in general; however I too prefer to fish clockwise when i am not skipping or pitching (prefer counterclockwise for that) so I would benefit from a "bear left" rule mores than a "bear right" rule.

Brad in Texas reply :

I don't think there is much to debate here, that each boat steers starboard to clear the other. You want as few "if, then, else" decisions as possible and having just one rule makes better sense.

Now those danged British bass guys that drive on the wrong side? They are the ones we really have to watch out for.

Ha! Brad

P.S. As a kayaker I can say that the most likely "boater" to cut between you and the bank would be a recreational kayaker. They often have no sense at all about the effects of paddling right by you. It'd be maddening if it wasn't so funny. br

TOXIC reply :

Underway and fishing on the Trolling Motor are 2 different things. The USCG tells you when underway what to do when you meet head on. When fishing just be courteous. Underway doesn't mean on the trolling motor.

Unless otherwise agreed [Inld] When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

I used to be the guy that always yielded up until recently. I've had so many bad experiences with people on the lakes I fish that I just don't give a crap anymore I just keep on fishing. It happened to me just this Sunday. I was fishing a big Lily Pad field and encountered another boat coming around the corner. They just proceeded to fish all over me. Maybe 50 feet away all in my spots and around me. It was around noon and HOT. I was throwing a hollow-body frog in the open pockets. I heard one guy chuckle saying he's still throwing a frog. A few minutes after that I popped a couple dinks. Nothing to brag about but the whole time we were there I saw them catch absolutely nothing.

Junger reply :

On 7/18/2018 at 11:34 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:

I used to be the guy that always yielded up until recently. I've had so many bad experiences with people on the lakes I fish that I just don't give a crap anymore I just keep on fishing. It happened to me just this Sunday. I was fishing a big Lily Pad field and encountered another boat coming around the corner.

I guess, that's what I'm trying to avoid being "THAT GUY" who fishes all over another person, so I guess I will always yield, unless I am totally stationary and fishing a specific spot, such as structure. I'll also be fishing with my two young boys frequently so I don't ever want to get into any uncivilized situation.

TOXIC reply :

Common courtesy isn't so common. IF I come upon someone fishing a "spot" I don't expect them to give way if I am moving down the bank. I will hold my rod a cast before and a cast past the angler working a spot. I expect the same from someone approaching me if I am fishing a spot. If we are both moving, somebody usually just swings wide. As long as you don't cross lines, keep right on moving and fishing. It isn't rocket science and there are no rules.

Troy85 reply :

Had this happen a few months back. Was fishing a canal and had another boat trolling my way on the same bank. We got withing casting distance and I asked which way he wanted to go. We chatted a little as we passed, then he turned around and started going the same way as me but on the opposite bank. We trolled even with each for about 30 minutes and just chatted about fishing and tournaments, turned out he was practicing for a BASS Nation tournament. He was catching 3 fish to my 1, so he tossed me a bag of what he was throwing. It was an interesting and kind of fun experience.

J Francho reply :

On 7/15/2018 at 3:15 PM, Junger said:

What do you do? Who has "right of way"?

Well, if you're both under way (moving) Coast Guard rules of navigation say that you are to pass on the right, with the port sides facing each other, irrespective of fishing or not. When I pass another boat, angler or not, it's lines in as we pass, and then I continue fishing. If the other boat is moving much slower than I am, I'll swing out deep, and leap frog the slower boat, again lines in, and at least a cast length away.

Further North reply :

On 7/15/2018 at 8:46 PM, Scott F said:

^^^ This. This is what I see most people do.

This is what gives tournament fishermen a bad reputation.

Yep. I had a tournament fisherman give me static a while back because I was fishing a dock a couple ahead of him as we were moving towards each other...still 100 yards apart.

"That should have been MY fish!"

I "apologized" then sent the jerk on a snipe hunt for bunch of big bass I made up on the other side of the lake...

****************************************************************

To answer the original question:

1) If I can't see the other boat when I start, and we both become visible to each other was we fish, I'll pul out when we get a couple cast lengths apart. They can have the last spot.

2) If another fisherman pulls in front of me while I am fishing a shoreline and fished towards me, less than a couple hundred yards, I will fish right through them. I've gone between them and the bank more than once. I have zero patience for this and zero patience for people who are so self involved that they think their fishing is more important than someone else's.

3) If I see another fisherman on a piece of shoreline I want to fish, regardless of which way they are going, I never, ever get in their way. I go go fish someplace else and expect the same from others. See #2 above.

Further North reply :

On 7/16/2018 at 12:25 AM, Brew City Bass said:

My issue is with pontoons cutting between me and the shore.

Oh Jeez...yeah.

Pet peeve there. I've got a big red and white Daredevle spoon (without hooks) on board for that. It's hit more than one boat...

I am unfailingly polite and respectful...right up until someone starts pushing or bullying.

On 7/16/2018 at 7:02 AM, Scott F said:

Just the fact that being in a tournament makes a difference on how you would act. You'd be a nice guy if you were fun fishing, but if you were in a tournament, you'd be different. I don't think being in a tournament gives someone the right to be rude.

Bingo.

...and no "right" to bump other fishermen off a spot, or somehow get right of way.

On 7/16/2018 at 7:07 AM, Hez said:

Who said I would be rude?

You're missing the "difference" in my actions in tournament fishing and fun fishing. In fun fishing...I'm giving up the spot...in tournament fishing...on a spot I've scouted...I'm not giving that spot up for someone coming down the bank.

Who would?

I never said I would be rude. I would still be humane and respectful...why be rude?

But yes...being in a tournament DOES effect my decision making...not how I treat people.

That'd be fine...as long as you didn't expect another fisherman to move off a line they were fishing first...

WRB reply :

Franko is right "move to your starboard (right) side ".

Tom

Way2slow reply :

Depends on who got there first. If I pull into an area a boat is already in and we end up crossing paths, I give him the right to keep fishing and move out of his way. If another boat come into an area I was in first, he's gonna be the one to quit and around.

Now if his boat is wrapped and there a major tournament going, I will give him ample room to keep fishing, but for the club guys and weekend warriors, first one there keeps fishing.

If there is no way of knowing who got to the area first, follow the same right of way rules that apply by law. The law applies to boats under power, be it a TM, gas motor or paddle and stipulates a safe distance that must be maintained, and that's a lot more than a few yards. If in a small area use common sense, and hope both parties have some.

Hez reply :

On 7/20/2018 at 12:08 PM, Further North said:

That'd be fine...as long as you didn't expect another fisherman to move off a line they were fishing first...

As I stated in my first post in the thread:

You made some very good points above. The other persons actions always have an effect on the situation...if they are rude and inconsiderate in their actions, they will probably get the same treatment in recourse.

Further North reply :

On 7/20/2018 at 6:33 PM, Hez said:

As I stated in my first post in the thread:

If I'm fun fishing, and I think they are in a tournament...I will always give them the right of way. I don't expect them to change their game plan because of me, and I want to have little to no impact on their fishing...out of respect.

You made some very good points above. The other persons actions always have an effect on the situation...if they are rude and inconsiderate in their actions, they will probably get the same treatment in recourse.

Yep. We generally get treated as we treat others, one of many reasons I always start out polite.

I have a question: why the deference to tournament fishermen? I generally avoid lakes with tournaments, because of pressure, but I don't understand why they would get preferential treatment.

J Francho reply :

On 7/20/2018 at 8:58 PM, Further North said:

I generally avoid lakes with tournaments, because of pressure, but I don't understand why they would get preferential treatment.

As a tournament fisherman myself, it's just a courtesy thing, not a rule. Often times, you know, or are familiar with the guy in the other boat.

Troy85 reply :

On 7/20/2018 at 8:58 PM, Further North said:

I have a question: why the deference to tournament fishermen? I generally avoid lakes with tournaments, because of pressure, but I don't understand why they would get preferential treatment.

A lot of times if I'm fishing a tournament and I'm coming head on with another boat, they will ask if I'm fishing a tournament. If I say "yes", usually their reply is "do you want me to move so you can fish this area?". I always tell them no, but sometimes they insist and leave the area anyway(I kind of feel guilty when this happens. haha). My reasoning is that they are being extra courteous because they know I put down money to enter the tourney while they may be fun fishing? Not that it gives me any extra rights to fish a specific area.

Further North reply :

On 7/20/2018 at 9:00 PM, J Francho said:

As a tournament fisherman myself, it's just a courtesy thing, not a rule. Often times, you know, or are familiar with the guy in the other boat.

Got it, thanks.

On 7/20/2018 at 9:41 PM, Troy1985s said:

A lot of times if I'm fishing a tournament and I'm coming head on with another boat, they will ask if I'm fishing a tournament. If I say "yes", usually their reply is "do you want me to move so you can fish this area?". I always tell them no, but sometimes they insist and leave the area anyway(I kind of feel guilty when this happens. haha). My reasoning is that they are being extra courteous because they know I put down money to enter the tourney while they may be fun fishing? Not that it gives me any extra rights to fish a specific area.

Thanks - you're a class act!

WRB reply :

Where I fish the lakes are small 2,000 to 3,000 acre reserviors with anywhere from 75 to 100 tournament anglers competing for maybe 20 areas, the reason I fish weekdays if possible and avoid shoreline areas. Pleasant exchanges are the rule, but heated arguments often occur depending who believes they have the right away. It should be cut and dry that you pass to the right but if both boats are planning to fish where they meet, it's not so easy.

Tom

Hez reply :

On 7/20/2018 at 8:58 PM, Further North said:

Yep. We generally get treated as we treat others, one of many reasons I always start out polite.

I have a question: why the deference to tournament fishermen? I generally avoid lakes with tournaments, because of pressure, but I don't understand why they would get preferential treatment.

I just try to respect someone out there with something (money) on the line; especially when I'm just out there to get a line wet.

I think it boils down to treating others how I would want to be treated. I would appreciate it if someone gave me space or yielded to me if I were in a tournament, so I make sure I can do the same for someone else.

Further North reply :

On 7/21/2018 at 1:14 AM, Hez said:

I just try to respect someone out there with something (money) on the line; especially when I'm just out there to get a line wet.

I think it boils down to treating others how I would want to be treated. I would appreciate it if someone gave me space or yielded to me if I were in a tournament, so I make sure I can do the same for someone else.

Thanks, makes sense.

sully420 reply :

I just keep to the right if both boats are trolling. If the boat ahead of me is stopped I stop fishing when I get 75 yards away and go around and don't resume fishing until I'm 75 yards away. I don't get fazed by people cutting in front of me or anything like that I just move on and keep fishing.

gimruis reply :

On 7/20/2018 at 11:56 AM, Further North said:

I "apologized" then sent the jerk on a snipe hunt for bunch of big bass I made up on the other side of the lake...

LOL well played Nordo

Maggiesmaster reply :

I haven’t had this problem often, but a friend of mine is a big bream fisherman who sculls and uses crickets ( catches worlds of bream); he’s had bass fishermen actually cast over his boat into his bream bed, not say anything, and move on—I’ve seen it happen! Last time it happened, he picked up his scissors, cut the guy’s line and said “oops, sorry about that”! He’s about 6-4, 250, so he didn’t have any trouble.

J Francho reply :

On 7/25/2018 at 3:41 AM, Maggiesmaster said:

Last time it happened, he picked up his scissors, cut the guy’s line and said “oops, sorry about that”!

In spring, we cast from the piers on Lake Ontario for brown trout. The charter captains will run planer boards shallow as well. Usually, they stay out of shore bound angler casting range, but once this guy kept getting closer and closer, presumably because the action was really hot close to shore. He got so close, his planer board was so close, it bumping the pier. Some older man yells, "get my big knife out of the box, son!" He snags the planer board line, and cuts it off! Wraps up the bait spread, and tosses it into the trash. That was an expensive etiquette mistake for that charter.

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Etiquette - Boats coming at each other on same shoreline. 2024

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