How Close Is Too Close? 2024
Jar11591 reply :
Last year out on the water my buddy and I were fishing a cove. We see a fisherman in a kayak slowly making his way towards us, casting towards the shore. We were not in his direct path, but eventually he was right up on us. He began to cast right towards our boat, literally taking away half of our fishing area. Not only that, but he struck up a conversation with us, all the while he is casting right under our boat, not concerned about us trying to fish. He lingered for maybe 20 minutes or so talking our ears off. I think its fine for fishermen to talk to each other while on the water, but maybe keep it limited to: "any luck?" and the appropriate response. But as far as casting under our boat? Absolutely not. Which leads me to my question....So for you guys, how close is too close?
Wbeadlescomb reply :
If I'm just out fishing I guess his boat touching mine is too close. Normally on a popular lake you will meet someone heading your Direction and I usually give them te right of way and keep on fishing down the bank they just came from. Sounds like the guy was just out having a good time, wanted to stop and be friendly.
moguy1973 reply :
This is too close
lmbfisherman reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 12:45 AM, moguy1973 said:This is too close
Trout fishing? ..lol Yeah definitely too close.
00 mod reply :
If I can cast a 1/2 oz rattle trap and rip their carpet, they came too close!
Jeff
roadwarrior reply :
50 yards or so on a lake, but river etiquette is a little different.
If a boat is stopped or fishing slow, you go around them on the
outside and past them before contiuing to fish. Generally it is
considered rude to "front" another boat on your initial approach,
but not necessarily when you give them a wide berth.
I don't expect people I don;t know approaching me on the lake,
but river rats are different. I guess we are just more friendly!
Jar11591 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 12:41 AM, Wbeadlescomb said:If I'm just out fishing I guess his boat touching mine is too close. Normally on a popular lake you will meet someone heading your Direction and I usually give them te right of way and keep on fishing down the bank they just came from. Sounds like the guy was just out having a good time, wanted to stop and be friendly.
I'm all for being polite and friendly, and certainly boats' paths will be crossed occasionally. But on an open lake, if your boat is within casting distance of mine for any extended period of time, it's kind of annoying. Especially when this guy is flinging his rubber worm so close that I could have caught it with my hands.
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 12:53 AM, 00 mod said:If I can cast a 1/2 oz rattle trap and rip their carpet, they came too close!
Jeff
Hey, rubbin' is fishin'.
Jar11591 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 12:53 AM, 00 mod said:If I can cast a 1/2 oz rattle trap and rip their carpet, they came too close!
Jeff
So did that happen? Sounds specific.
BassnChris reply :
I give a wide distance when I come across a boat.......50 yds probably.
When people I don't know, start talking to me......I am polite but keep my responses as short as possiible......like yes, no or a little chuckle with a mumble. If they do not continue on their way..... I will usually depart the area.
I think you can be friendly and still convey you are not interested in having a conversation..................most of the time. There will always be odd time/interactions.
.ghoti. reply :
I usually don't mind, but if you hit me with a bait, expect to get a quick reply. I'm I guy who likes to return such compliments.
lmbfisherman reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 12:30 AM, jar11591 said:Last year out on the water my buddy and I were fishing a cove. We see a fisherman in a kayak slowly making his way towards us, casting towards the shore. We were not in his direct path, but eventually he was right up on us. He began to cast right towards our boat, literally taking away half of our fishing area. Not only that, but he struck up a conversation with us, all the while he is casting right under our boat, not concerned about us trying to fish. He lingered for maybe 20 minutes or so talking our ears off. I think its fine for fishermen to talk to each other while on the water, but maybe keep it limited to: "any luck?" and the appropriate response. But as far as casting under our boat? Absolutely not. Which leads me to my question....So for you guys, how close is too close?
After reading this futher, I maybe annoyed but I probably wouldn't be "mad"...unless he hit my boat or I get nailed. The way I'd look at it, he's fishing cover, he was skilled enough to cast under your boat and not hit you.
macmichael reply :
I don't like anyone geting close enough to board my boat. Otherwise not much others me.
5dollarsplash reply :
A punching weight is a nice way to let someone know they are too close. Tungsten is optional in this case.
WRB reply :
Public water is public water.
When I started bass fishing decades ago the general sportsmanship was to keep about 200' away from other anglers. Tournament bass fishing changed that to about 100' or a standard casting distance away. Today sportsmanship has been lost and space between anglers or boat is whatever each angler can tolerate without arguing....no set rules.
If someone is too close let them know politely by talking to them instead of getting ticked off!
Tom
Jar11591 reply :
I would have happily moved to a new spot because the lake is full of good spots. But it was his non-stop talking that prevented us from leaving without looking rude. His kayak was parallel to us, and he was within 5 yards.
00 mod reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 1:01 AM, jar11591 said:So did that happen? Sounds specific.
I didn't but my father has a quick temper and I have seen him do it on more than 1 occasion! In his older years, he has calmed down some....
Jeff
BassnChris reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 1:39 AM, jar11591 said:I would have happily moved to a new spot because the lake is full of good spots. But it was his non-stop talking that prevented us from leaving without looking rude. His kayak was parallel to us, and he was within 5 yards.
I find that, as they are rambling and me listening, and they realize that I am preparing to get underway in a bit of a hurry.......................and that my old 150 merc pushes my boat away from that spot in a hurry.........they may want to be a little bit farther away in their kayak or canoe. 
Just kidding........I would probably never do that.
gripnrip reply :
We came up on a guy fishing on the bank one time. He asked how we were doing and if we were having any luck. We said a little. As he walked away he gave us a tip. There was a distinct mud line about 25 yard out from shore. From the mud line to the bank was clear water. He told us when he walked up some big fish swam away in our direction about 5 minutes ago. He pointed to where. I casted my spinner bait and boom! 5 pounder. Released that fish and 2nd cast BOOM 4 pounder! We would have thanked him but he'd already gone. Kindness goes a long ways. These instances have their ups and downs. It is how react to them.
mjseverson24 reply :
I give most boats a 2 cast distance between us, so that our casts can never interfere with one another. I dont mind talking to people at the ramp, or people on their shorelines, but I dont like other boats getting too close, which is why a 1 oz spinnerbait on a 7'10 crankbait rod is always rigged up ready to show how close too close is... in a tournament I believe it is 50' so as long as they dont break that boundry i cannot complain too much...
Mitch
RAMBLER reply :
When they pull up and anchor right where my ultra light jig has been landing, that is too close. I told them that they were sitting on a tree that the fish were in and if they pulled away from it we could both fish it. They turned their back to me and kept fishing where there were no fish and they caught nothing. I just left. Just like someone else has said, ignorance can be cured, stupid is for life.
Loop_Dad reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 1:39 AM, jar11591 said:I would have happily moved to a new spot because the lake is full of good spots. But it was his non-stop talking that prevented us from leaving without looking rude. His kayak was parallel to us, and he was within 5 yards.
I think people have different ideas about good distance to others.
If I were you, I would have just left. That migt have send him a message.
blongfishing reply :
I say too close is casting distance. My uncle is a guide and he will be quick to throw a 2 ounce sinker to them!
starcraft1 reply :
In N. Cal it's 50' in tourneys, and with a lake of 160+ miles of shore, 150' while fun fishing. I've had them hit my boat on Clear lake and get ticked off for me saying something to them!
Pz3 reply :
Frankly I'm impressed he was trying to fish under your boat. You ever have that fish on a retrieve come from underneath the boat and attack just as your pulling up? They are there sometimes hanging in the shade. Maybe he figured he would talk while he tried to find one under you? Probably the biggest thing though is because he was in a kayak. Its way different then being on other boats. You frequently come close to other kayakers and have a little conversation if you want. Then head off in different directions.
Personally I wouldt care, Ive seen bass stick around in areas with engines roaring tearing up the bottom and sending mud in every direction. Big ones too. Hell sometimes bait fish go into stirred up bottoms to eat whatever you just kicked up and bass are not far behind.
Brian Needham reply :
If I cause a dent or you hear the splash of mine 3/4oz jig then you are too close.
I nod or speak to everyone, but I also give everyone a wide berth, even bank or dock fishermen.
that said, seadoos and wake boats get the 6xd....
retiredbosn reply :
I remember a similar thread a couple years ago, except the one doing the encroaching wasn't very accurate. Bait lands on deck, member waits till he hears the clutch disengage and deftly rips said rod and reel from the offending encroacher. Said he kept the combo!
If the other boat has kids onboard, I have given baits away especially if the grown up looks particularly exhausted and the kids haven't caught anything.
jhoffman reply :
Im the type of guy, if youre on the bank and I wanna fish where you are I wont. I will either come back or find it somewhere else. I really only get bent when someone blatantly cuts me off. Ive had guys come roaring into points as I am landing a bass then just get right in the line I was following. Sometimes not even that bothers me but if I can tell I am getting the bent pole pattern I am out... Ill come back later. Half the time they dont know why I am where I am and the reason behind it.
Couple years ago I was tankn em under a bridge, but that spot where I was smokin em was good because the main channel smashes right into a riprap point about 5pm where the shade from the bridge also hits the water. Its basically three features coming together at once. Guys on the bank asking me what I was using, guys in boats trying to fish the same point on the opposite side. It was worth a laugh.
Chris186 reply :
I was fishing a tourney one time, and someone beat me to the spot I wanted. It was a rock pile that came out of the water about 100 yds off of an island. So I decided to fish the island, and I started catching fish. Well this guy sees me, starts to drift towards me. Now, I haven't moved any more than 10 ft, when I look and he is about 40 yds away and starts yelling at me to give him some room. Really?! Hey buddy, I haven't moved. You came towards me. Ever since that day I had a few more run ins with the guy on the water.
So I quit that club the next year, and tried to go back and fish with them a few years later. Now most of the guys in that club are nice guys, but not this jerk. He made a huge stink about me wanting to fish again, so the club banned me.
Sam reply :
Within casting distance is too close.
livetofish28 reply :
A carolina rig with a 1.5 oz weight makes a good warning beacon 
tight lines
Andrew
flippin and pitchin reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 12:45 AM, moguy1973 said:This is too close
Look at that idiot on his cell phone in direct line with the other guy's back cast. That's just too close.
mnbassman23 reply :
I'm the type of guy who won't go within 100 yards of another boat and I never fish around dock/shore bound individuals. There is a whole lake no point in crowding people. That said if I can cast to your boat your to close. The worse is when someone comes roaring up full throttle 20-50 yards in front of my boat and anchors up. Usually it's walleye guys plopping their arse on the best spot.
moguy1973 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 9:48 AM, flippin and pitchin said:Look at that idiot on his cell phone in direct line with the other guy's back cast. That's just too close.
Typical March 1st at Missouri trout parks...
Fish Murderer 71 reply :
I hate it when big boats come ripping past me within 50 yards, but the a=holes are everywhere and very few of those have enough respect for themselves let alone other people. I make it a point to give enough space and slow enough to not disturb someone while they fish. Hole jumping is rude and I'll say something to anyone who encroaches my space.
RoLo reply :
There's really no fixed courtesy distance between boats, where each confrontation has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
For instance, in saltwater inlets with a strong tidal current, boats of all sizes routinely sift & surge within a few yards of one another,
where a hot-head is likely to end up on the jetty rocks.
In freshwater, a boat fishing in a boat-trail can be expected to be approached very closely by other boats, whose only other choice
is to blaze a trail through 6-foot tall bulrushes. For that matter, I've often been approached by a lonely angler who just wanted someone
to talk to. I have a short fuse for inconsideration, but I usually try to rationalize first, because two wrongs don't make a right.
Roger
basshole8190 reply :
If at any point around the two boats our casting radiuses intersect. that's too close. happened to me last weekend. took my son out for a boat trip last weekend since the weather was so pretty. we pull up to a spot in a cove where I've caught bluegill before. i bait his pole and let him cast. after a few seconds the bobber goes under hard. he reels in a scrappy lil spot. well about the time i take it off the hook i hear a splash. look out and a yellow skeeter is casting into my hole. he sets the hook on a spot also. he sees my son on the deck with me then tries to justify his action by stating they haven't caught anything all day and they're in a tournament. luckily my son was with me so instead of cussing him and calling him everything but a thin white woman, i politely picked up my swimbait rod and threw my triple trout across his line. i snag it and reel it to my boat. i apologize for this and inform him that if he hadn't crowded my spot it could have been avoided. i then threw his spinnerbait back in the water for him to reel back in. he mumbles something to his co anglerand they crank up and leave. maybe if it was just me i wouldve just left but i felt like he was stealing fish from my son. usually Im very friendly even to pleasure boaters and invite conversation from other anglers most of the time and am always mindful of others space. i guess i can't expect everyone to uphold my same etiquette.
boostr reply :
If I can smell your breath, your to close 
Don't have a boat... just want to be involved.
AQUA VELVA reply :
I dont seem to have much trouble with other fishermen, it's mostly people on PWC's that get between me and the shoreline Im working. If you yell at them, they always give you that stupid,''Whats your problem?'' look.
fishinthedacks reply :
I don't like to even fish in peoples sight. I was fishing a spillway with two friends a real hot spot from the shore. One of us was jigging the shallow rocks, another a floater in the middle level and I was fishing deep. He came to the other side of the spillway and he tossed out over my crank bait with his immediate snag. He goes o man my mistake loosen up your line I'll untangle it. So no problem figured he learned his lesson and would toss more into the lake there was plenty of room. Nope. Next time he snagged my body fishing middle same issue a snag. Then he decided he'd change up and go to a shallow crank bank and cast over my buddies line (5 casts three snags on our lines) so my buddy goes no worries loosen your line I'll untangle us this time. Reeled over his bait snipped his lure off the line and said you can either cast out in the deep and I'll give your lure back after we are done or you can come over now and get it and leave. He chose to cast deeper and then he came to get his lure from us after he got a lecture.
I thought even though I would have given his lure back immediately that we gave him enough chances he's lucky to get his lure back at all. A lot of people are hot headed around here and I know a ton of guys who would have added that lure to their tackle box.
but as a general rule you should be at least 75-100ft away in a boat imo. If you see me pulling out a fish every cast and its a wide enough area feel free to come share the wealth but don't keep crossing my lines.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 12:45 AM, moguy1973 said:This is too close
Yay Bennett Springs! Hate that place.
If I can cast and hit your boat, you're too close, unless we're just crossing paths.
jdw174 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 12:45 AM, moguy1973 said:This is too close
Looks like either the opening day of trout or the steelhead run in a Lake Erie tributary.
BuckMaxx reply :
Haha Bennett Springs opening say. I fell for that once. A jig and their boat usually gets the point across.
FrogFreak reply :
I had a guy pull up within 20 feet of my boat and ask if he could fish there. Well, I was working this area at the mouth of a feeder creek that was only about 80 yards wide but I said sure since I thought he was going to give me some room and we could both work the deeper area where all the fish were hanging out. He proceeds to anchor right over the hole and throws out the ole bobber. And then he starts chatting up a storm as he pulls in fish after fish (mostly panfish and one big LMB). I just looked at my buddy and we took off after he was talked out. To me that's pretty rude but some people just don't know any better. Next time he asks I'll say no for sure. I mean we're in Minnesota and this lake had 2 boats on it at the time, his and mine. Kinda silly if ya ask me.
Worst part is that my partner had one day to fish and was up from Illinois. He was up on business and hadn't brought his boat so I invited him out on mine.
Teal reply :
If one comes too close, I normally ask myself. Is this spot productive and do they look like they know better..If not, ill crank up the Johnson 200 and let it run for about 10 seconds, then ill rooster tail away.
Most of the time...when people creep up on me, its newer fisherman, only sometimes it is a knowledgable fisjerman.
Teal reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 6:09 AM, FrogFreak said:I had a guy pull up within 20 feet of my boat and ask if he could fish there. Well, I was working this area at the mouth of a feeder creek that was only about 80 yards wide but I said sure since I thought he was going to give me some room and we could both work the deeper area where all the fish were hanging out. He proceeds to anchor right over the hole and throws out the ole bobber. And then he starts chatting up a storm as he pulls in fish after fish (mostly panfish and one big LMB). I just looked at my buddy and we took off after he was talked out. To me that's pretty rude but some people just don't know any better. Next time he asks I'll say no for sure. I mean we're in Minnesota and this lake had 2 boats on it at the time, his and mine. Kinda silly if ya ask me.
Worst part is that my partner had one day to fish and was up from Illinois. He was up on business and hadn't brought his boat so I invited him out on mine.
If a guy is bold enough to ask me to fish a spot that I was fishing, I would let him. ....and I would leave. That kind of boldness is pretty scarce these days. I respect that the man asked you.
FrogFreak reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 6:27 AM, Teal said:If a guy is bold enough to ask me to fish a spot that I was fishing, I would let him. ....and I would leave. That kind of boldness is pretty scarce these days. I respect that the man asked you.
I should have been bold enough to tell him no.
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