Reaction To On The Water Rudeness 2024

OCdockskipper reply :

We have all encountered and reacted to different types of on the water rudeness or lack of etiquette. I had an extreme example at the start of this holiday weekend and figured I'd share it to get feedback on my reaction as well as other ideas on how to deal with it.

As I have mentioned before, I fish a small, electric only 100 acre private lake. It is about a 1/2 mile long with 6 small coves on each side. The only portions of shoreline without a house & dock on them are a few green belt areas and a long docking area by the clubhouse & ramp. Most boats are left on the water year long, the boat ramp is used maybe once or twice a month when folks who live in the community but not on the water launch their boat for the day.

So on Saturday morning about 2 hours past sunrise, I found myself near the boat ramp, fishing away from it, moving down the bank fishing docks. A couple of guys between 40-50 years old back into the launch area with a Pond Prowler like mine, run up to the clubhouse to get the gate key and then return to launch their boat. I didn't recognize them from being on the lake before, but they had their boat set up in an experienced manner (trolling motor in the front, rear rudder) so I knew they weren't newbies to bass fishing. I was moving down the bank, about 30 yards from exiting the cove as they got underway. They promptly drove to where the cove ended in front of me, slowed down and began fishing, moving down the bank in the same direction I was headed. I thought they had seen me and should have known I was moving that way, but then again maybe they were excited about getting started and hadn't paid attention.

I get out of the cove, to the point they had begun, and they are still 30 yards or so ahead of me, starting to curl around into the next cove. I was curious how they were fishing the docks, so I fished the area they had just covered, catching a 3 lb bass in the process. As they went further into that cove, I skipped past them and motored down to the next cove, giving them the entire cove they were in and the main lake area after it to fish. As I was finishing up the cove I was in, I motored down to the other end of the lake to my house for a quick bathroom stop. Coming back to the boat, I saw they were still on the upper end of the lake, so I instead began fishing a pair of coves at the bottom end of the lake.

About an hour later as I exited the 2nd cove towards the main lake, still fishing along the bank, I was surprised to see that they had come down down to the bottom of the lake as well. They had lines in the water, but as I came into view, they reeled in, turned up their motor and again jumped about 30 yards ahead of me. Now I knew their behavior was intentional, so I fished behind them for the short stretch of the main lake. I caught a pair of fish, which I made sure to play out and allow to jump on the side of the boat they could see (and they did indeed look back & notice). They soon came to a very large cove which they entered, so I again bypassed it, letting them fish the entire cove. This time however, the lake had a 90 degree turn, so I fished the main lake area out of the cove (new water) where they could see me. I hooked up 4 times, again making sure to play all fish to the side of the boat that they could see. Kind of a jerk move on my part, but very vindicating to show them what they passed up.

My path led me into another cove and as I exited it a short while later, they were about 25 yards behind me. i continued fishing the main lake shore as I approached the next cove, only to see them turn the trolling motor on high, scoot pass me (I waved & smiled) and pull in front of me at the entrance to the cove I was approaching. I rolled the options available through my mind. Doing the same thing to them that they did to me didn't appeal to me, nor did cursing them out at the top of my lungs. I considered motoring up to them and talking with them, mentioning how those who fish the lake regularly share the water, but I decided that would be like trying to reason with an unreasonable person, that they would just consider me some blowhard and tell me to go F myself. So since what they were doing was disrespectful, I decided that the appropriate action was to show them a lack of respect and fish behind them the entire cove. I made this decision partially based on seeing how they were fishing and fully confident that I could catch multiple fish behind them.

So as I enter the cove, with them a scant 25 yards in front of me, I hook up on my first cast, another nice 3 lb fish. My mouth got the better of me as I landed the fish when I said in a conversational tone & level "Looks like you missed something". I glanced up from the fish and they were both looking my way. Halfway down the cove, I catch a second fish behind them and then repeat it a 3rd time as they are getting close to exiting the cove, all the while they hadn't gotten a single bite. Whether or not I made a point I don't know, but it sure felt self satisfying.

I really don't know how else to deal with their kind of behavior. My lake is way too small to try and avoid people and to be blunt, I find avoidance to be a weak and ineffective response to behavior that is akin to bullying. Talking with them may help, but it will need to be during a conversation initiated by them. If I approach them, I am the guy yelling at them to get off my lawn. If they come to me, whether it be to chat about fishing or anything else, they have opened the door to be more receptive to a suggestion from me, at least I think so. The perfect solution would be that they are lurkers here on Bass Resource and read about themselves in this post, but that may be asking for too much...

Log Catcher reply :

People like this are the reason I don't get on the water on holiday weekends. I would rather let those that have no common sense on the water have it to themselves.

lo n slo reply :

i fish a small lake near me, in my jon boat, and for the last two Sundays some guy in a kayak has jumped in front of me, came all the way across the lake to do it too. first time, i cranked up and and left, but yesterday i promptly trolled right by him and took up position about 20 yards in front of him. he said nothing and i did not have any problems with him after that. i honestly think he is clueless but i WILL say something if it continues.

Rahlow reply :

I would have HAD to strike up a conversation the 3rd time they cut me off.

You would think the first time you caught fish behind em they would leave you alone.

I’ve had asshats on public waters cut me off at coves I’m fishing the point into many times, most of the time they are tournament anglers,,,,, or as we say in the motorcycle world, Posers by the way they dress.... because of the size of the lakes,

I just move on.

NittyGrittyBoy reply :

Yep, I don't fish holidays or weekends for that very same reason.

Sounds like to me you handled it extremely well. Well written fishing story too!

Catching bass behind them was greater than any word you could have said...

Logan S reply :

Sorry, but I'm not really seeing 'extreme' rudeness in what you described. More of a inconvenience than anything else and it didn't seem to effect your catching either. If anything, it just enhanced the story you got to tell. Also, the lake's only 100 acres...Sooner or later you're going to be leap frogging in water that small. Not saying the guy was a saint or anything, but if that's all you've got to get worked up over - you're living and fishing good .

You'd go nuts on the Potomac...30 yards is someone being 'considerate' most of the time .

Darren. reply :

I get your aggravation. Been there but in much closer

quarters with two idiots -- who were only putting their

boat in when my kayak buddy and I were already fishing

a dock. These knuckleheads decided to fish the dock, too,

and fished in between my buddy and me - and we were

only 40 yards apart!!

I caught a 3 pound bass on a jig right where they were

fishing. Made sure to holler at my bud, lift it up high for

the maroons to see. It got way worse, I'll just leave it

here.

jbmaine reply :

As said above, we also don't fish on holiday weekends, or most weekends. However, as in most things in life, you cannot help but sometimes run into less than courteous and respectful people. The best we can do is not let it ruin our day. Life is to short.

Rahlow reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 2:29 AM, Logan S said:

Sorry, but I'm not really seeing 'extreme' rudeness in what you described. More of a inconvenience than anything else and it didn't seem to effect your catching either. If anything, it just enhanced the story you got to tell. Also, the lake's only 100 acres...Sooner or later you're going to be leap frogging in water that small. Not saying the guy was a saint or anything, but if that's all you've got to get worked up over - you're living and fishing good .

You'd go nuts on the Potomac...30 yards is someone being 'considerate' most of the time .

I can understand why you don’t really see an issue, it’s because up there where you are, I get offended every time I visit due to what I see as general rudeness, my friends laugh and tell me all the time “Rahlow they are not being rude, the pace here is faster and they don’t have time to be yer new friend” lmao

Logan S reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 2:53 AM, Rahlow said:

I can understand why you don’t really see an issue, it’s because up there where you are, I get offended every time I visit due to what I see as general rudeness, my friends laugh and tell me all the time “Rahlow they are not being rude, the pace here is faster and they don’t have time to be yer new friend” lmao

No, it has nothing to do with where I live (currently). It's because I don't think a few leap frogs with another boat on a tiny 100 acre lake - With no other confrontations/altertcations/exchanges/etc - qualifies as 'extreme' rudeness. There was no fighting, cussing, yelling, throwing of weights, boat-circling, or anything else...Just 'he got a little too close to me'.

The level of rudeness of the situation, at least IMO, would appear to be of a normal inconsiderate fisherman - nothing more, nothing less. This is based on bass fishing extensively all over the country, including 'down there' where you are.

In terms of what do about it? Why do anything? OP caught fish and they didn't, instant justice....Move on.

OCdockskipper reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 2:29 AM, Logan S said:

Sorry, but I'm not really seeing 'extreme' rudeness in what you described. More of a inconvenience than anything else...

You'd go nuts on the Potomac...30 yards is someone being 'considerate' most of the time .

Thanks for your comment.

Having lived in Orange County for 55 years, I have seen the modis operandi for this area in public change (generally) from consideration to rudeness. The irony is as populations grow and areas become more crowded, consideration for your fellow man is actually more important for society. I see rudeness everyday but am not willing to just accept it as normal whether it be on the freeway or the lake.

With all due respect, if you don't see rudeness in what was described, you may want to take a moment of self evaluation. Hopefully you aren't treating other human beings in a manner where your actions declare that you are more important than them. The content and thoughts that go into your posts show you to be intelligent & articulate, the type of person who does the right thing for no other reason than it is right.

With the way the coves lay out on this lake, you can alternate them with another angler without ever infringing on "their" water. Purposely cutting ahead of someone, whether it be in a parking lot, a line in a store or on the lake, is the beginning of dismissing the humanity of the person you are doing it to. It may seem like a small thing, especially if you are in the habit of doing it to others, but it is part of a slippery slope that creates problems in society.

Please don't mistake my staunch position on this as me getting "worked up" over it. As you said, their actions just created and enhanced a story, at no time did I lose my cool. Getting older tends to entrench you in positions that you know are correct and hopefully gives you the wisdom in dealing with others in a way that corrects behavior without creating major conflict.

NHBull reply :

Something similar happened to me last summer. A boat jumped in about 20 meters in front of me going down a cove. I speed up and they were shocked that I would approach...the and the conversation was something like this....

Me..Howdy, nice looking boat there and it looks like it is going to be a great day.

Them..Thanks and yeah, going to be a good one.

Me. Sorry to get in the way of your fishing, but just wondering what you plan on fishing today.

Them. Why?

Me. I was on this line heading to the point, and life’s to short to get upset about a fish..We just don’t do that here ( they were clearly from MA).

Them..yeah, I knew better and sorry, we’ll pull out.

Me. No need, I’m moving, but be careful, most of the regulars would have their panties in a twist.

I have found that folks can be tough from a distance, but are more reasonable when the higher ground is taken

Rahlow reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 3:41 AM, Logan S said:

No, it has nothing to do with where I live (currently). It's because I don't think a few leap frogs with another boat on a tiny 100 acre lake - With no other confrontations/altertcations/exchanges/etc - qualifies as 'extreme' rudeness. There was no fighting, cussing, yelling, throwing of weights, boat-circling, or anything else...Just 'he got a little too close to me'.

The level of rudeness of the situation, at least IMO, would appear to be of a normal inconsiderate fisherman - nothing more, nothing less. This is based on bass fishing extensively all over the country, including 'down there' where you are.

In terms of what do about it? Why do anything? OP caught fish and they didn't, instant justice....Move on.

My point wasn’t to offend or start an argument, simply point out that what one perceives as rude is mostly based on environment, here where I fish, and apparently to the OP, the cutting closely in front of someone is frowned upon. It’s inconsiderate. Even more so on a small impoundment, drop in and fish behind,,,,,,, or start on the other side,,,,, this has even been an issue in the Professional ranks,

OCdockskipper reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 3:48 AM, NHBull said:

Something similar happened to me last summer...

...I have found that folks can be tough from a distance, but are more reasonable when the higher ground is taken

Well done, that is a great way to approach them. I was concerned that my coming to them would make me "preachy" and do more damage than good, but your approach was perfect. You came & showed them respect and only the biggest jerk in the world would not understand that & want to reciprocate.

Thanks for teaching me.

Logan S reply :

Eh, it was rude and would have irritated me too...As much as I wish it could be eradicated, we all know it can't so I don't let these little things bother me beyond muttering "really, dude?" under my breathe.

Extreme example of rudeness as alluded to in the title and 1st paragraph had me thinking about a melee that ended in a flipping-weight barrage.

Rahlow reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 4:34 AM, Logan S said:

Eh, it was rude and would have irritated me too...As much as I wish it could be eradicated, we all know it can't so I don't let these little things bother me beyond muttering "really, dude?" under my breathe.

Extreme example of rudeness as alluded to in the title and 1st paragraph had me thinking about a melee that ended in a flipping-weight barrage.

Lol,, understood

scaleface reply :

I had to leap frog a couple of boats on a 200 acre elec motor only acre lake a while back . They were moving too dang slow .????

Glaucus reply :

Sounds like you're mad that they weren't fishing behind you. Someone's gotta do it. Akin to being upset over not getting the first a biggest piece of cake. Why do you automatically get it?

Rahlow reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 6:26 AM, Glaucus said:

Sounds like you're mad that they weren't fishing behind you. Someone's gotta do it. Akin to being upset over not getting the first a biggest piece of cake. Why do you automatically get it?

Uh, because he was there first? Maybe? Why would he, you or me have to justify not wanting you, he, them cutting us off?

Glaucus reply :

I do a lot of pond fishing from the banks. Many of them don't have very many good places to stand. If I see someone trying to find a place to fish in such small water, I offer up some room. In small water it's gonna be cramped sometimes and you don't get to take ownership of entire spots.

Rahlow reply :

We not talking about bank fishing,,,

Glaucus reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 6:40 AM, Rahlow said:

We not talking about bank fishing,,,

No kidding. The point is, his lake is small. Sometimes you gotta make way.

If you're at the start of a cove in a small lake where there are only 6 coves, where the hell do you expect other people to go, especially if there are already boats in the other coves? Make room.

Rahlow reply :

Whatever dude,

Glaucus reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 6:45 AM, Rahlow said:

Whatever dude,

"If you're at the start of a cove in a small lake where there are only 6 coves, where the hell do you expect other people to go, especially if there are already boats in the other coves?"

It's not whatever. Other people want to fish the public lake too.

Rahlow reply :

I would expect someone to show some common courtesy and start behind me or skip the cove and start at the point on the other side. That’s what I would do and what most of my friends would do. Show the person there first a little courtesy, if you can’t understand the “why”, I can’t explain it.

OCdockskipper reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 6:48 AM, Glaucus said:

"If you're at the start of a cove in a small lake where there are only 6 coves, where the hell do you expect other people to go, especially if there are already boats in the other coves?"

It's not whatever. Other people want to fish the public lake too.

I realize the original post was long, but you misunderstood a few of the facts:

a) The lake is private, not public;

b) There are 12 coves (six per side) not six;

c) We were the only 2 boats fishing the lake at that time;
d) I never expected them to fish behind me, I just expected them to not jump directly in front of me into a cove I was headed into.

When others are fishing the lake, we leapfrog coves, i.e., you don't go into the cove someone is fishing and if they are headed down the bank towards a cove, you either go to the other side of the lake or you bypass that cove in favor of the next one. They intentionally chose to cut in front of me 3 times, whereas I gave them leeway and never went in front of them when they were ahead of me (even when they were behind me & quit fishing to speed up & cut me off).

That said, you are completely entitled to your opinion no matter selfish it may be. It is easy to share water, but these two had no interest in doing that - they had a "me first" mentality. It may explain why they weren't that good at catching bass.

WRB reply :

I worked on boat landing for several years, Memorial Day and 4th of July holidays tend to bring out the worst behavior with boaters. More people too close together and it gets ugly fast, rudeness turns into fights too often.

I will not go anywhere close to a lake during holidays, it's bad enough during weekends and I can avoid fishing then. Week days are a lot quieter, even then it's possible to run into a rude angler and bass anglers can be the worst on the water.

Tom

Glaucus reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 6:57 AM, Rahlow said:

I would expect someone to show some common courtesy and start behind me or skip the cove and start at the point on the other side. That’s what I would do and what most of my friends would do. Show the person there first a little courtesy, if you can’t understand the “why”, I can’t explain it.

We have a different definition and way of being courteous. If I'm at the start of a cove and/or fishing slowly, and the lake is small, I don't expect people to wait around on me. I'm courteous enough to share the water, rather than expecting someone to wait right there until I move off from the start, or to wait around as I fish slowly and thoroughly. So I guess you expect others to be courteous, but I'm more worried about me being the courteous one because I can only control myself and my own morality. My morality says, "share."

Rahlow reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 7:15 AM, Glaucus said:

We have a different definition and way of being courteous. If I'm at the start of a cove and/or fishing slowly, and the lake is small, I don't expect people to wait around on me. I'm courteous enough to share the water, rather than expecting someone to wait right there until I move off from the start, or to wait around as I fish slowly and thoroughly. So I guess you expect others to be courteous, but I'm more worried about me being the courteous one because I can only control myself and my own morality. My morality says, "share."

And my morality is based on I would never cut in front of someone, same thing waiting in line at the movie theater or other “ line” just walk up and break in line ok with you?

Fishing Cowgirl reply :

Good reading. This is another reason we teach our high school anglers lake etiquette, ramp etiquette, sportsmanship, always ask permission to go around and respect it if they say they are fishing that line and would say no. Even if they say sure, go around, we have them refrain from making any casts until they are well past by a good distance. Slow down when passing others and boating safety for all.

th365thli reply :

I think jumping in front of a person a short distance is disrespectful. I always make sure to see which way someone is going, and go the opposite way or behind him/her on the bank. So I can see where you're coming from. I avoided fishing Sat/Sun/Mon. Our reservoirs are crowded enough as it is.

What I don't agree with, and maybe I misunderstood you, is jumping coves. I don't think claiming an entire cove for one person is fair or reasonable. I had a boat come into a cove I was fishing. As soon as I made the turn to the mouth, he went to the other bank. No harm no foul.

Last Friday I had a kayaker paddle right between the bank and my boat. I had to reel in my line to let him pass. I asked him why didn't he go around me. He said it's because I moved my boat. I literally just re-positioned my boat with the TM. It's flabbergasting how insensitive some people can be. He shouldn't have been paddling so close to me to begin with.

All about da bass reply :

I tried fishing this weekend, I had a boat that followed me all day and he would go about thirty or thirty five yards ahead of me and would put his trolling motor and would start fishing and cut me off the whole cove. He did this about four times. Finally, I decided to just head to the house and relax, when I see him get on plane behind me and goes to the boat ramp as I do. He literally loaded the boat at the same time as I. It was kinda freaky.

Rahlow reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 10:36 PM, All about da bass said:

I tried fishing this weekend, I had a boat that followed me all day and he would go about thirty or thirty five yards ahead of me and would put his trolling motor and would start fishing and cut me off the whole cove. He did this about four times. Finally, I decided to just head to the house and relax, when I see him get on plane behind me and goes to the boat ramp as I do. He literally loaded the boat at the same time as I. It was kinda freaky.

Private Eye, watching you bud,,,,, lol

On 5/29/2018 at 2:48 PM, th365thli said:

I think jumping in front of a person a short distance is disrespectful. I always make sure to see which way someone is going, and go the opposite way or behind him/her on the bank. So I can see where you're coming from. I avoided fishing Sat/Sun/Mon. Our reservoirs are crowded enough as it is.

What I don't agree with, and maybe I misunderstood you, is jumping coves. I don't think claiming an entire cove for one person is fair or reasonable. I had a boat come into a cove I was fishing. As soon as I made the turn to the mouth, he went to the other bank. No harm no foul.

Last Friday I had a kayaker paddle right between the bank and my boat. I had to reel in my line to let him pass. I asked him why didn't he go around me. He said it's because I moved my boat. I literally just re-positioned my boat with the TM. It's flabbergasting how insensitive some people can be. He shouldn't have been paddling so close to me to begin with.

Lake in this story is a small lake, size would dictate the cove situation, if you can cast across it, leave it or follow, just my opinion on that,,, situational awareness lol

Choporoz reply :

My wife handles these situations much better than I do. I truly appreciate having her along most of the time, but especially when I'm cut off. She will immediately engage them in loud, annoyingly friendly conversation; "Nice boat you got there!" "Where you guys from?" .... "What kind of rod is that?" or "Cast to that tree there, it holds the big ones" ...lol

I fish from a kayak most often and the dynamics and interplay with boats can be challenging at times; if for no other reason than because I can take a half hour to pick apart 20 yards of shoreline sometimes...sort of screws up the dance. But, I always try to defer and go wide whenever possible....life is too short, even on small water. Good points above about even jerks have a harder time being boorish if you address them directly and friendly.

All about da bass reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 11:16 PM, Rahlow said:

Private Eye, watching you bud,,,,, lol

Lake in this story is a small lake, size would dictate the cove situation, if you can cast across it, leave it or follow, just my opinion on that,,, situational awareness lol

See I don't want him watching me catch fish. I was on a good school towards the end of the day.

RPreeb reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 6:26 AM, Glaucus said:

Sounds like you're mad that they weren't fishing behind you. Someone's gotta do it. Akin to being upset over not getting the first a biggest piece of cake. Why do you automatically get it?

With only 2 boats even on a small 100 acre lake, there is no reason to be within 30 yards of each other. The OP was there first, and when they kept jumping in front of him he tried to get more separation several times, to the point of motoring to the far end of the lake from them. His antagonists still kept making moves to get right in front of him, moves that seemed to be aimed at an almost calculated rudeness.

I fish a 100 acre lake that doesn't even have the multitude of coves, and it would still be easy for 2 small boats to avoid close contact without either one being shut off from decent water. These guys deliberately moved several times to get right in front of the OP. I agree with Dockskipper that these other guys were rude - not just clueless, but rude.

Lendiesel22 reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 2:29 AM, Logan S said:

Sorry, but I'm not really seeing 'extreme' rudeness in what you described. More of a inconvenience than anything else and it didn't seem to effect your catching either. If anything, it just enhanced the story you got to tell. Also, the lake's only 100 acres...Sooner or later you're going to be leap frogging in water that small. Not saying the guy was a saint or anything, but if that's all you've got to get worked up over - you're living and fishing good .

You'd go nuts on the Potomac...30 yards is someone being 'considerate' most of the time .

No kidding here......there are some truly inconsiderate dudes all over this river and sorry VA but to this point all VA boats. I am sure its MD as well but at this point in a half dozen altercations all have been VA boats. I was warned about it but when casts are landing 15 20 ft from the boat I cant keep my mouth shut.

Rahlow reply :

On 5/30/2018 at 4:30 AM, Lendiesel22 said:

No kidding here......there are some truly inconsiderate dudes all over this river and sorry VA but to this point all VA boats. I am sure its MD as well but at this point in a half dozen altercations all have been VA boats. I was warned about it but when casts are landing 15 20 ft from the boat I cant keep my mouth shut.

Man it’s been that way since the War of Northern Aggression,,,, lol

OCdockskipper reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 2:48 PM, th365thli said:

...What I don't agree with, and maybe I misunderstood you, is jumping coves. I don't think claiming an entire cove for one person is fair or reasonable...

Although we call them coves, that is probably a misnomer. They are more like small pockets or cuts, almost like dead end canals. There is only one that is more than 25 yards wide, in the rest a well fired cast with a lipless crankbait can reach from the docks on one shoreline to the other. They range from 40 yards long to about 85 yards long and unless you are skipping docks or flippin', you are often in the middle of the pocket casting towards either shoreline.

The few of us who fish here regularly have found it to be a workable solution to not crowd someone when they are in one of these "coves". Rarely are there more than 2 boats on the lake fishing at the same time, so it is nice to give people room to cover an area at their own pace.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I try to avoid people like that but if they keep doing it and leave me no choice, I'll make sure to fish extra hard and catch every fish I can. As much as I'd like to, I wouldn't ever say anything to them about it, really no good can come of it.

Oregon Native reply :

Seems as we get older the obvious stuff is not so obvious to "others"!!! Many times I've just looked up and said

"Lord....they're yours....please" and move on.

OCdockskipper reply :

I started this thread at the beginning of summer and have one more story to end summer with.

This past Saturday I was out on the lake about an hour before first light. Later, just before the sun began to light up the sky, heavy fog moved in, nearly eliminating visibility on the lake. I was near the upper end of the lake when I heard a familiar hacking and clearing of a throat. Although I couldn't see anything or anyone, I was sure the noises emanating down lake were from an angler I playfully call "Emphysema Man".

A little background on Emphysema Man. He & his partner fish our lake about once a month, also out of a small Pond Prowler. You always know when they are on the water, EM has a nasty cough and often sounds like he is getting ready to hack up a lung. While I have never carried on a long conversation with them, I have waved or acknowledged them in the past. I am pretty sure they don't live on the lake, for they launch their boat illegally from a greenbelt area hidden from view of the clubhouse and always make sure to be off the water before the association security is out & about. Before it was legal in California, they used to smoke pot in their boat (our lake is small enough that the smell would float from one end to the other). I never confronted them about the illegal things they were doing, they seemed to not be causing any damage and I thought that EM might be truly ill and that the fishing & pot may be a peaceful distraction from his pain.

So about an hour later, the fog lifts as I am exiting a cove headed toward the front end of the lake. I see EM & his partner on the same side of the lake as me, about 100 yards behind me. I catch a fish and as I am releasing it, I notice they have pulled away from the shore and appear to be headed to the opposite side of the lake. I took that as a compliment, I thought they wanted no part of fishing behind me ????. As I get about 40 yards from the last point on the side of the lake I'm on, I realize that they haven't gone to the other side of the lake, rather they were just motoring up the center of the lake. I waved, they waved back. Then, to my surprise, they made a quick right turn and pulled up on the point that I was approaching, both firing out casts immediately.

I was truly astonished. Now about 30 yards away away from the point I said out loud "Really?". The partner looked back and asked "What?". I made sure to keep my voice calm & measured and replied "You really are going to pull in front of me like that?". Playing dumb, the partner said "What do you mean?", to which I replied "You saw I was heading down this bank to that point and you chose to pull in front of me." Amazingly, the partner responded "It's a big lake, just go fish the other side." I jumped at the opening, saying "That's my point exactly, it is a big enough lake for us two boats, why did you feel the need to pull in directly in front of me?". The partner grumbled something, then said "Fine, we'll fish the other side" and they pulled up their lines and jumped over to the other side of the lake.

Now I know there is a certain percentage of people who will believe that I should have not said anything and just moved to another location. To those folks, please note that I never told these guys to move, I never claimed water was mine nor did I ever say I wouldn't go somewhere else myself. Rather, I was just asking for him to justify his actions. I am assuming shame eventually kicked in, resulting in the begrudging move without any apology or explanation.

I believe the main reason I chose to call him out (in a non-threatening manner) on his behavior was I am fed up with this kind of behavior in society. These guys have operated in a way that the rules don't apply to them (& I was complicit in the past for being silent about it). Last month, my truck was totaled by a woman who felt that rules don't apply to her. She was in this country illegally, was looking at her cell phone while getting off a toll road and blew through a red light, basically ripping the front end off my truck (a second later & I would have been hit broadside). Everyday on the road, there are folks driving in an unsafe manner for no reason than they believe the rules don't apply to them. I guess I have just had enough.

If I was as smart as NHBull, I would have engaged them in a conversation before making my point like the example he gave. Unfortunately I still tend to react instinctively instead of intellectually. I am curious how the next encounter with Emphysema Man & his partner will go. I for one will smile and wave, how they react will be up to them.

geo g reply :

There is nothing to be said. When you caught those fish after being cut off, it ate them up all day. Nothing better could have happened then that! I would have gone Ike a few times while catching just to rub it in.

Slade House reply :

Defensive casting, fire a warning shot . i Was once fishing a rock wall and this guy in a rental boat comes up and drives between me and the wall. Mind you lm 40 feet from the wall . I was gonna let it go until I saw him smirk as he did it. So I cast my Texas rigged tungsten weight at his boat , land it in his boat between him and his passenger up front.rattled it around and yanked it back out. Scared the guy so much he drove the boat into the wall . Hilarious . Problem is when that goes wrong you end up hitting a guy with a 2 oz punching weight in the head like I did this year

TOXIC reply :

Sooner or later you will realize it's just not worth the frustration. I don't waste my energy on others and actions I can't control. As a guide, I have had boats follow me all over the 13,000 acre lake I guided on. It gets pretty obvious after you move three times and make pretty good runs and the same boat(s) are still around you. I always chuckle when it happens because the saying of an old fishing friend always pops into my mind...."You ain't gonna catch another man's fish". And it has played out many, many, many times. There is a downed tree on the lake which can be seen from the house of another guide who lives on the lake. As I dropped off clients one day, he was doing the same and we always talked (we were friends) and he said, "I saw you on that tree again this morning". I chuckled because I always start there with clients because it will give up 2 or 3 good fish every day. I told him...well now you know my secret spot (smiling). He said,,, I got news for ya, that tree gets pounded every single tournament and most every day but you are the only one I have ever seen catch a fish off it. My answer.....You ain't gonna catch another man's fish......

OCdockskipper reply :

On 9/11/2018 at 7:45 PM, TOXIC said:

Sooner or later you will realize it's just not worth the frustration. I don't waste my energy on others and actions I can't control...

I hear you and you have the better mindset about it. My frustration isn't with the actions so much as the person believing that they can do such actions and not be accountable for it. Like you, I can fish behind folks and catch bass that they miss. It is the arrogance of their actions, summarily dismissing another individual and the etiquette involved in public interactions that motivates me to comment or take action.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

In my younger years I would most likely catch a charge for stupid stuff like this. Now I've kind of grown immune to it, it happens so often. While on the lake this past weekend fishing a weed line on a drop off offshore, this guy idles up about 30 ft away from us drops some waypoints, turns around and leaves. I would be ashamed to do something like this personally.

Logan S reply :

If you ever fish public waters and not a private lake your head will explode. Stuff like this is routine. Not saying it's right or that I agree with it, but reality is reality...Not everyone's moral compass is calibrated the same when it comes to fishing (or life). Move on, keep fishing, and enjoy your day on the lake.

I'd also advise against flinging weights or hooks at another persons boat...If you do, don't be surprised when you get your photo and hull numbers reported and stuck with a repair bill, or worse a medical bill and civil/crimial action...You know, in case your accuracy isn't quite as good as you thought and the 2oz weight or rattle-trap hits a person and not a boat. Don't really understand how someone can claim a moral high ground when they escalate a minor fishing spot issue into threats (or actions) of property damage and/or physical injury ????.

BoatSquirrel reply :

Having been out of the sport for a few decades, I have been back on the lake for a few years now and have been stunned by the selfish and rude behavior I have witnessed. As much as I have wanted to act out, just like in football, its always the guy who re-acts who ends up getting the flag thrown on him. Logan S and others who have advised discretion are exactly correct.

the reel ess reply :

You should thank them for showing you how not to fish. Now you can avoid their tactics.

My dad and I had a guy tell us once when I was a kid to leave a spot alone because he had a tournament the next day. Naturally, we caught as many fish we could there and came back later and did it again.

Ratherbfishing reply :

About the ONLY time I will go "ahead" of another boat is if it is pretty clear they are anchored or otherwise stationary (and have been for awhile). I might even ask them if it's okay if I move in front of them. Of course they don't own the entire end of the lake they are pointed toward but if they are moving, 30 yards is too short a distance to be cutting someone off. Their argument of "it's a big lake, go to the other side" was just plain lame. If it's how they believe, they should have followed their own belief/advice and not acted so badly.

I don't think it's rude to call someone out on something if it's done reasonably appropriately. Name calling and physical hostility is inappropriate (and the latter, illegal) but some people are either clueless or just plain rude and until someone calls them on it, they likely won't stop. The latter...they probably won't stop anyway but perhaps if they catch heck often enough...

I fished with a guy who...well, the jury is still out as to whether he was a clueless or just plain rude but eventually it (and other things) just got to be too much for me. Unfortunately, I waited until the "pressure cooker" blew (verbally) and THAT part of it I regret. But, again, calling someone out is perfectly acceptable to me.

BassNJake reply :

I'm including my post on another thread related to this same type of behavior.

I have been known to be a hothead and will stick up for myself when I think I am being wronged.

The incident below happened about ten years ago and I'm lucky I didn't eat a bullet for the way I went off on these 2 guys. I am very grateful that I now have the experience and understanding that nothing I could have done would have changed the behavior of the people I had an issue with. You cant change someone else, but you can make changes in yourself that will allow you to avoid these type of situations.

Props to everyone that has been able to walk away from idiots on the water.

I learned my lesson the hard way because I am that guy.

The guy that wasnt taking any more of this BS.

The guy that picked up a DT 10 and bounced it off the shiny new ranger that cut in front of me and started fishing all the way in the back of a cove.

The guy that threatened to fight these 2 inconsiderate jerks, the guy that motored right in front of them and harassed them until they left.

Then I was the guy at the boat ramp that had all 4 tires slashed on the truck and 5 more on the trailer.( they cut up the spare too)

Did these 2 idiots get their Karma? I'll never know.

I know I got mine for the way that I behaved.

geo g reply :

It's not worth the hassle. There are too many of these low-life jerks carrying heat these days, and far from responsible individuals. Just stay a safe distance and keep catching bass, while they are fanning the water without any success. That is revenge at it's best!

soflabasser reply :

On 9/11/2018 at 11:06 PM, the reel ess said:

You should thank them for showing you how not to fish. Now you can avoid their tactics.

^This^

The best thing to do is avoid confrontation since there are a lot of frustrated envious fishermen out there with short tempers and guns. Do your own thing and step up your bass fishing game since success is the best revenge you can give to these type of losers.

On 9/11/2018 at 9:58 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:

While on the lake this past weekend fishing a weed line on a drop off offshore, this guy idles up about 30 ft away from us drops some waypoints, turns around and leaves. I would be ashamed to do something like this personally.

That guy probably does not know how to fish well and wants to get your spots to fish later. You did good not talking to him, I would of done the same since its not worth dealing with people like that.

soflabasser reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 1:34 AM, BassNJake said:

You cant change someone else, but you can make changes in yourself that will allow you to avoid these type of situations.

Well said!

Big Rick reply :

As the saying goes, Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it. Words spoken can never be unsaid. Actions taken can never be undone. But, the results of those words and actions can affect you for the rest of your life, both positively and negatively.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 2:27 AM, soflabasser said:

That guy probably does not know how to fish well and wants to get your spots to fish later. You did good not talking to him, I would of done the same since its not worth dealing with people like that.

Geez, I would've felt better had he struck up a fake conversation and just slipped the waypoints somewhere in between. Haha

I think these kind of people are just lazy. It sometimes literally takes me hours or even days to find this stuff offshore. Since my 9 year old son has started fishing with me pretty regularly I've learned to bite my tongue on a lot of things as to not set a bad example for him. But heck, even he noticed it. He's like, "did that guy just mark some waypoints and leave" lol.

TOXIC reply :

Had the same thing happen on St Clair. We were fishing a drift right in front of Metro Park. We were doing pretty well and a guy idles up to us and asks where Metro Park is.......We point to the beach (no more than 200yds away) and hear the unmistakable beeps of a waypoint being set. We just laughed and kept on fishing. For those that fish the Potomac here in Virginia, your head would explode if you got upset at all of the rudeness that fishermen display out on the water. Some of it is just ignorance but most of it is intentional. Many have seen the clip of Mike Ike and the Potomac fisherman who gave him the business when Ike idled down a grassline marking spots prefishing.

Derek1 reply :

My father and I were bank fishing a pond we often go to, and a older gentlemen and his to grand kids came up and waded out into the water about 5 feet to left of my father. They waded out about ten feet then casted across my father towards the pads with a bobber no less. My father couldn’t even make another cast. My father walked over to me and said should I say something. I said the spots ruined and there’s not much you can say to that level of ignorance let’s just get out of here. Had he not been so old and had a couple kids with him I would have had a few choice words for that level of rude.

OCdockskipper reply :

I think the question is at what point does being quiet, walking away and turning the other cheek become a silent condoning of other peoples actions? I'm not saying to start a battle every time an angler does something like this, there have been many examples given of smart and effective ways to get your point across to another angler without it rising to the level of a major conflict.

There are some folks who will continue to be rude no matter what. However, I believe there are a large percentage who still have the concept of what is right & wrong buried somewhere inside them, sometimes it needs to nudged awake to help steer them back on to the proper path.

TOXIC reply :

Totally depends on whether or not it was a conscious act. If someone truly doesn't know then they could possibly benefit from being gently schooled on the proper etiquette. I feel that for most they already know and just don't care. No amount of conversation is going to change the way they act. It serves no purpose escalating a situation when the offender knows exactly what they are doing. Frustrating as that may be.

WRB reply :

Small private lake the boater must have a permit to be on the water and the guest must also be permitted to fish. Disputes are rare because everyone knows each other and I am sure this dispute can be settled peacefully. Next time you see him go right over and ask why he always pulling in front of you and that behavior is considered poor sportsmanship. Be polite and offer to show him what is working. If he continues to behave poorly report him and let the association handle the dispute.

Public water is a different matter and not easy to settle differences and it's best to move on without confrontation, talking from years of experience. I have had some very serious arguments with other bass anglers over poor sportsmanship, especially weekend tournament anglers and a few guides that think they own the water and you are in their way.

Tom

TnRiver46 reply :

On 9/11/2018 at 9:58 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:

In my younger years I would most likely catch a charge for stupid stuff like this. Now I've kind of grown immune to it, it happens so often. While on the lake this past weekend fishing a weed line on a drop off offshore, this guy idles up about 30 ft away from us drops some waypoints, turns around and leaves. I would be ashamed to do something like this personally.

Sounds like you were on chickamauga! I get a kick out of it when people do that to me because I’m usually not getting any bites ! Ha

new2BC4bass reply :

On 5/29/2018 at 6:48 AM, Glaucus said:

"If you're at the start of a cove in a small lake where there are only 6 coves, where the hell do you expect other people to go, especially if there are already boats in the other coves?"

It's not whatever. Other people want to fish the public lake too.

What I read was that it was a private lake....not a public one.

I have to agree with 6 coves on the other side of the lake to fish (and 5 more on the same side) the other guys should have moved at least another cove away to start fishing. I try never to get too close to another fisherman....unless to say "Hi" or ask how they are doing.

everythingthatswims reply :

Two or three years ago, there was a boat in a Wednesday night electric only tournament back home that I had an interesting encounter with. They had a "reservoir rig" outfitted with several trolling motors, and I was fishing with a friend in a bass boat, considerably slower.

The anglers would repeatedly travel all the way across the lake and intentionally cut us off and fish in a stationary manner, then do the same if we headed back to the side of the lake they had been on originally. We began just fishing up until we reached where they would "park" in front of us, before making a very distant pass and resuming fishing the same bank. Since they would camp on one spot, I didn't see it as cutting them off when we would give them 50+ yards when passing.

One of the times when I was fishing directly behind them (they had cut us off in a cove) I caught a 4lber on a frog, in a grass patch they had just fished minutes before. It was very loud and visible, which definitely upset them. They ended up complaining to the tournament director (for a dang Wednesday nighter!) saying we got too close to them, and I even heard one of them muttering about having to "play defense" on the better fishermen during those tournaments.

People are so silly sometimes! Fortunately, you will probably never see a talented fishermen behave in such a way, so when you see these behaviors, fishing pressure or what is brought to weigh-in is a minor concern

TOXIC reply :

You sparked a memory of mine. We were fishing the Hot Side of Lake Anna and there was a small tournament on the same day. I'll keep my mouth shut on who ran the TX and will say that for the most part all of the competitors were courteous since that is the "private" side of the lake and at that time you couldn't hold tournaments over there. We were in a smaller creek and as we fished up a bank, noticed a sticker boat in a small cut. We switched to the other side of the creek to avoid any confrontation even though we were behind them and fishing water they already covered. When we got directly across from them they put their troller on high and shot across to the side we were fishing missing out boat by less than 10 feet. Funny thing about those who sticker their boats up, their "sponsors" are on there. After a few calls when we got off the water to some firms that I knew personally, an apology was forthcoming and I hope sincere.

You can be assured it's just not the weekend warrior who has to deal with rudeness on the water. I had some friends who had a run in with an Elite Series Pro and it got downright nasty....very nasty with threats of lawsuits, video sent to employers and much much more. It was a very sobering experience.

custer reply :

I was on a tourney on Gaston fishing 6lb creek. There's a very narrow chute about 250 yds long. We're minding our business trying to catch a sack and a bunch of gold spoon NC yuppies in a wake boat, fully ballasted just going up and down the chute laughing, drinking and 'boarding .

After the 3rd or 4th pass my backseater lifted his shirt and made huge production of adjusting his glock when they went by.

We never saw them again.

While this is never the answer, neither is rudeness and disrespect.

Truthfully, I was more scared after realizing the "extra" equipment he brought on the boat....

schplurg reply :

Okay, I keep reading here ^^ that some fisherman carry guns and we'd better watch out for them.

Have there been a lot of shootings between these people? Are there any reports of fishermen being murdered while fishing from their boat?

It seems pathetic to me. I suppose a few people are stupid enough to do it, but seriously, someone showing their gun to me as in the story above seems pretty silly. Yeah, you're gonna shoot me?

Are there areas of the country where there are more of these types of idiots than others? If someone did that on my boat they would never be on my boat, or anywhere near me, ever again.

Tough guys and their boom-sticks. Pathetic.

OCdockskipper reply :

On 9/27/2018 at 4:56 AM, schplurg said:

...Tough guys and their boom-sticks. Pathetic.

As a fellow Golden Stater, I have to say your Californianess is showing.

The lakes & areas fished by other folks in other parts of the country are oh-so different than that in both Northern & Southern California, as is the culture in those areas about guns. To apply Northern California sensibilities to Alabama, Georgia or Tennessee is very narrow minded, even if we set aside the insults you threw in.

If some dude from Oklahoma came on the site & started railing about what wimps people are on the West Coast because of their restrictive gun laws, he would be out of line. You did basically the same thing from the other side of the fence and it is just as crappy.

TOXIC reply :

While I never allowed firearms in my boat guiding, there are situations where protecting yourself is warranted. There is a lot of crime at some boat ramps, and an angler was shot dead at a hotel when he caught a thief breaking into his boat in the parking lot. There was also the instance of an Elite Series angler getting shot at in Louisiana if I remember correctly. My guide partner had someone take a shot at him (hit the water right next to the boat) on a local lake here in Virginia. And then there always the chance that a poisonous snake or aggressive gator would need to be dispatched with extreme prejudice. Do I carry.....no. Would I be wrong in thinking that there are people out on the water with small brains and large pistolas? No again. Personal choice is just that. I would like to think that most carry for "protection" not "aggression".

PAbasser927 reply :

On 9/27/2018 at 6:36 PM, TOXIC said:

I would like to think that most carry for "protection" not "aggression".

That should be the case for anyone who carries. People who carry responsibly have adopted the mentality that nobody should ever see your gun (or even know you have a gun) unless you truly feel your life is at risk.

I carry on the water from time to time depending on the situation. Sometimes I know I am going to be out late where I am the last one packing up my boat in a dark parking lot, or I may be walking through the woods in the dark after wading the river.

In over a decade of carrying, I have not had to draw it once and truly hope I NEVER have to. People who wave a gun around to show off, or prove a point, have no business carrying in the first place.

J Francho reply :

On 9/27/2018 at 9:16 PM, PAbasser927 said:

People who wave a gun around to show off, or prove a point, have no business carrying in the first place.

Exactly.

Stephen B reply :

On 9/27/2018 at 9:16 PM, PAbasser927 said:

That should be the case for anyone who carries. People who carry responsibly have adopted the mentality that nobody should ever see your gun (or even know you have a gun) unless you truly feel your life is at risk.

I carry on the water from time to time depending on the situation. Sometimes I know I am going to be out late where I am the last one packing up my boat in a dark parking lot, or I may be walking through the woods in the dark after wading the river.

In over a decade of carrying, I have not had to draw it once and truly hope I NEVER have to. People who wave a gun around to show off, or prove a point, have no business carrying in the first place.

I would highly recommend bringing a weapon everyday not only for protection against others but also gators, snakes, etc. A weapon is a tool no one hopes or intends to use on a daily basis but yet again it's a tool that you may need. My father has opened carried for his entire life as he often goes to bad parts of town and trust me they notice and all try to be his friend lol. Its for your protection as well as others. Just be responsible.

toni63 reply :

What I dont get is who made it your job to tell other people how to behave generally? If someone is being a jerk and acting a fool, my plan is not be around said fool for any longer than is required by work or duties. I encounter morons every single day, at the store parking lot, on the lake, in my job, etc. It isn't my job to be the world's "behavior cop" any more than it is yours. I have found that fools are going to be fools no matter what you say or do, and if you start trying to correct them, especially in a public setting where there are other people around, chances are the fool is capable of raising the stakes to a level you might not have thought possible and then it's "more fool you."

Just keep your eyes and ears open and at the first sign of any "fool" acting foolish near you, get away from the fool as fast as you reasonably can. In fact, when I go fishing, I avoid all people at all costs unless I just can't avoid it at all. Staying away from people you don't know and trust is the best prevention of getting into conflict with fools that was ever invented, in my opinion. And running as far and as fast as you can away from fools acting like fools prevents unintended consequences for you.

I don't need a gun. I have eyes, ears, a brain and two feet to carry me away or keep me away from fools acting like fools. My brain inside my skull is the only "concealed carry weapon" I need.

OCdockskipper reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 12:39 AM, toni63 said:

What I dont get is who made it your job to tell other people how to behave generally?...

While I am all for everyone minding their own business, there is a point where silence equals condoning an act. Much of this thread is about at what point do you speak up to remind a person they are going against normal everyday etiquette of society.

Acts like those which have been described in this thread are nothing more than aggressive behavior towards another person. Typically they are perpetrated by someone who has no issues trying to bully others so that they can get their way. As with all bullies, once you stand up to them, they melt away faster than an ice cream cone in July.

toni63 reply :

If its serious enough, call law enforcement. In every other situation, let the fool act a fool and go your own way. You don't prove anything more than you are a fool if you go confronting people about how they are acting in public. If its bad, call a cop. If its just "you don't like it" then leave. You aren't the world's mommy and daddy.

OCdockskipper reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 12:53 AM, toni63 said:

...If its bad, call a cop. If its just "you don't like it" then leave. You aren't the world's mommy and daddy...

There is a lot of gray area between just leaving and the need to call the authorities. Interactions with other people are not so simplistic and usually don't fall into either extreme.

Standing up for ones self is not "acting a fool" nor being "the worlds mommy & daddy". In a society where you interact with hundreds if not thousands of people a day, there are norms to behavior that are important but fall outside the jurisdiction of the law.

For example, let's say a neighbor teenager toilet papers your house as a prank. Do you ignore it and just clean it up yourself? That invites the pranksters to do it again Do you call the cops and have the kid hauled off to jail? A little harsh response for a prank. I would suggest the best solution would be go over to the kids house carrying a trash can, ring his doorbell and when he answers, have a big smile as you tell him "I need you to finish what you started". Most kids will get a sheepish grin having been caught and will clean up after themselves. You can even bring them out a soda as they are working and lend them a ladder to get to some of the higher spots. By showing the kid respect but also that you will stand up for yourself, you gain his respect and he learns a lesson.

The best example in the fishing world was given by NHBull earlier in this thread.

Stephen B reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 12:53 AM, toni63 said:

If its serious enough, call law enforcement. In every other situation, let the fool act a fool and go your own way. You don't prove anything more than you are a fool if you go confronting people about how they are acting in public. If its bad, call a cop. If its just "you don't like it" then leave. You aren't the world's mommy and daddy.

By walking away/moving along you are being an enabler and essentially letting the behavior continue and putting others in harms way. Goodluck calling the cops when the conflict is already unfolding. In some situations, you must control the outcome not evade it.

On 9/28/2018 at 3:30 AM, OCdockskipper said:

There is a lot of gray area between just leaving and the need to call the authorities. Interactions with other people are not so simplistic and usually don't fall into either extreme.

Standing up for ones self is not "acting a fool" nor being "the worlds mommy & daddy". In a society where you interact with hundreds if not thousands of people a day, there are norms to behavior that are important but fall outside the jurisdiction of the law.

Well said!

NYWayfarer reply :

On 9/27/2018 at 4:56 AM, schplurg said:

Have there been a lot of shootings between these people? Are there any reports of fishermen being murdered while fishing from their boat?

Falcon Lake comes to mind. A Fisherman was shot and killed on that boarder lake.

J Francho reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 4:01 AM, NYWayfarer said:

Falcon Lake comes to mind. A Fisherman was shot and killed on that boarder lake.

I don't think that was over s fishing spot.

toni63 reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 3:30 AM, OCdockskipper said:

There is a lot of gray area between just leaving and the need to call the authorities. Interactions with other people are not so simplistic and usually don't fall into either extreme.

Standing up for ones self is not "acting a fool" nor being "the worlds mommy & daddy". In a society where you interact with hundreds if not thousands of people a day, there are norms to behavior that are important but fall outside the jurisdiction of the law.

For example, let's say a neighbor teenager toilet papers your house as a prank. Do you ignore it and just clean it up yourself? That invites the pranksters to do it again Do you call the cops and have the kid hauled off to jail? A little harsh response for a prank. I would suggest the best solution would be go over to the kids house carrying a trash can, ring his doorbell and when he answers, have a big smile as you tell him "I need you to finish what you started". Most kids will get a sheepish grin having been caught and will clean up after themselves. You can even bring them out a soda as they are working and lend them a ladder to get to some of the higher spots. By showing the kid respect but also that you will stand up for yourself, you gain his respect and he learns a lesson.

The best example in the fishing world was given by NHBull earlier in this thread.

I probably should have phrased it "I don't think I am everyone else's Mommy and Daddy." I just deleted the rest of what I had posted because I really don't care.

Have a great weekend.

Daryl Wideman reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 4:32 AM, toni63 said:

I probably should have phrased it "I don't think I am everyone else's Mommy and Daddy." I just deleted the rest of what I had posted because I really don't care.

Have a great weekend.

Sounds like you just don't like people. If you didn't care you could have just left it alone.

toni63 reply :

Ok. I take your point, if I could care less I could have just ignored this whole thread. But I see a trend on this forum of more and more threads popping up griping about what other people do, so I figured I'd stick my two cents in and say maybe just avoiding them might be better for you.

What I do notice is people who tend to think its their job to show other people how to act generally don't like it when someone else tells them they could be wrong. And they don't see the irony.

And you know what? I could be wrong on all that too.

BassNJake reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 8:58 PM, toni63 said:

But I see a trend on this forum of more and more threads popping up griping about what other people do, so I figured I'd stick my two cents in ... And they don't see the irony.

NYWayfarer reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 4:26 AM, J Francho said:

I don't think that was over s fishing spot.

I was answering the second question he had, "Are there any reports of fishermen being murdered while fishing from their boat?"

I should have quoted that line only. Sorry.

toni63 reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 9:33 PM, BassNJake said:

Judas went from that place to another and hung himself.

And Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

Cherry picking a text and putting sentences together out of context proves nothing. But if it amuses you, feel free.

Pro Logcatcher reply :

hey y'all keep it civil if someone takes my spot I say you're welcome to it. I know I'm the better man for going and most likely I'm the better fisherman too

toni63 reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 3:30 AM, OCdockskipper said:

There is a lot of area to fall into either extreme.

For example, let's say a neighbor toilet papers the cops. I would tell him "I need you to finish what you started". Most will get a ladder. By showing the kid you stand up, he learns a lesson.

The best was earlier.

Sorry Oc, I couldn't resist... lol

OCdockskipper reply :

On 9/28/2018 at 10:58 PM, toni63 said:

Sorry Oc, I couldn't resist... lol

No problem, but I think you missed the point @BassNJake made.

While recommending others to stop telling people what to do, you told people what to do. That was the irony & it didn't take any cherry picking to reveal it.

toni63 reply :

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was THAT what he was doing????????

Want to know the real IRONY? My point is not to waste your time with a fool and yet silly me, here I am........

So I guess I should take my own advice at this point.

Have a really fantastic weekend.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

The pettiness is strong in this one.

Stephen B reply :

On 9/29/2018 at 1:09 AM, toni63 said:

So I guess I should take my own advice at this point.

Have a really fantastic weekend.

????

OCdockskipper reply :

On 9/29/2018 at 1:09 AM, toni63 said:

Was THAT what he was doing????????

Hey, sorry if you were offended, by your post it appeared the point went right over your head. If you understood it the first time through, wonderful, here is a cookie.

There really is no reason for you to be so upset or call people names, we were just discussing a topic. If you still don't agree with me or others following the discussion, thats fine. While I may disagree with your point 100%, I am not interested in ridiculing you for having it. I'll post why I disagree with it, but that doesn't mean it bothers me if you disregard my points in forming your opinion.

Big Rick reply :

I really appreciate how the mods, for the most part, allow a discussion to get a bit heated and not delete everything. It's a bit refreshing not to have the social media police projecting their point of view by removing opposing views and opinions.

OP, rest easy. Hunting season opens in most of the country over the next few days and the lakes will empty. However, the fishing will get better and better while you have the lake mostly to yourself.

J Francho reply :

Y'all acting like a bunch children. You can go to your time out corner, and sit in the chair. I'm closing this one in the meantime. Nice work fellas.

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