River manners… Or a lack thereof

First, let me say that the following will most likely be a bit rambling as I am still not quite calmed down.

I had one of the most bizarre and disappointing fishing experiences in my life last night.

I was at one of my favorite wood piles fishing for Flatheads and all was well.

I had backed right up to the snag and dropped my bait there. I then moved my boat upriver a little ways, maybe 35-40 yards.

About 45 minutes later, a fishing boat came right up between me and the snag! I made it clear that he was right on top of my line and all he said was, “I’m gonna drift back a bit”. All this did was put him MORE on top of my bait.

I realize that the river is for everyone but I also realize that it’s a pretty big piece of water.

If I see a boat fishing a cafishing hole, I wouldn’t dream of coming within 300 yards of him. I just pick another spot altogether. This guy obviously doesn’t share the same philosophy.

All I could do beyond committing some sort of crime was to go to another spot, which I did (got a nice flathead within 15 minutes too).

After I found out who this guy was (long story)- I went back to his boat and let him have it in a huge way.

I am generally a really mellow person for an Irish guy but I pretty much lost it last night. Thank God I don’t drink anymore!

I was a bad experience but at least I managed 5 fish out of spot #2!

If you are out fishing the river and you see a boat coming toward you and then go out of it’s way to stay clear of you, it might be me…

The hot part of summer is bad. Last night i hiked through the woods to get to a fishin pier. It’s overfished but still a nice place to catch bait. There’s a pontoon parked right in front of it so the kids can swim. There’s 500 acres of lake and they have to stop there? I feel it.

it sounds like the “millie lacs” mentality is alive and well on the river too..too many stories of idiots being idiots

Hmm…I ‘spose it has happened, but I’ve never heard of this happening in the catfish world before.

What goes around comes around.

Just to be clear, this guy was catfishing between you and your bait?

i have never had any “crowding” issues on the river at night. although, i do know most of the people chasing flatheads on pool 3.

Yup. His boat was anchored DIRECTLY over my bait and he was unwilling to move.

I fish p3 too but this fella isn’t a regular catfish person. I suppose that’s why he can’t think beyond that one spot. All of my other encounters with real catfish folks have been very pleasant.

Some people have never had an original idea, all they know to do is mimic someone. And you were unlucky enough to be the first boat he came to. It is a shame he didn’t notice that you stayed out of his way when you chose that snag to fish.

Reason #58 they should still make M80’s.

I love to mimic other people. I like to fish “their” spots, and I like to use the same baits they use. But I’ve never tried fishing the same spots when they were there. You’d be surprised what you can wander your way into when someone else is in the “good” spot.

-Mike

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Reason #58 they should still make M80’s.

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A 4oz no roll off the side of a boat draws just as much attention

I heard a 4oz hit the inside of the boat going through a tuna boat wake. I vouch for this.

Honestly, if they were as close as you say, that is completely classless.

Cattin’ is getting more and more popular and this is the crap we’ll have to deal with. Entitlement theory I call it. I put all this time, money, miles, and effort getting to THIS PARTICULAR SPOT tonight and my God, I’m going to fish it.

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A 4oz no roll off the side of a boat draws just as much attention

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Bret, Bret, Bret, I’ve always taught you to play nice.

Dinks will be dinks, it does not matter if it is ina boat, a car, or just in life. Chalk it up to this guy being a huge poo poo head, and move on with life.

In a far away place, I had a friend of mine who would carry a softball or two in the boad on Mille Lacs. Someone got a little too close….. The sound of a softball on aluminum rings quite loud on a large lake

We had a guy in a Ranger drive by when it was dark out within 30′ of our boat while on plane.

Irritating

Muskies tourament Competitor.dissapointing

This happens far to often. I was tolling cranks on a point on Pepin and picking up some nice eyes. An idiot saw me land a nice one and anchored right on the spot. I shut off the motor, dropped anchor, tied a 1 ounce jig on and started casting at the side of his boat. I was looking for a fight but he got the message and moved on.

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I was tolling cranks on a point on Pepin and picking up some nice eyes.

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On purpose

We don’t like to use the “W” word around these forums. White tip carp, devils eye, skunk bait, fertilizer etc, but not that word

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I was tolling cranks on a point on Pepin and picking up some nice eyes.

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On purpose

We don’t like to use the “W” word around these forums. White tip carp, devils eye, skunk bait, fertilizer etc, but not that word

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OOPS

That must of come from a HUGE flathead!

I was anchored on a spot on P4 catching walleyes/saugers last fall and had a boat start circling me with his trolling motor. He wasn’t paying attention and actually ran into my boat.

This all sounds like a good reason to legalize bowhunting for channel cats. Nobody’s gonna part on the target end of an archery range.