Fishing Etiquette… Guides being childish?

I wasn’t there, but I can speak to Tony’s character. Great guide and person. Very approachable and loves to talk fishing.

I was out on 7 mile on June 7th, the 1st day of H2H tournament, with about 7 of their boats. All of us working 2 or three pods in close proximity, got to talk to to a few them, and really enjoyed it (we were all that close). 95% of the people are friendly out there. Years ago it used to bother but it’s Mille lacs and I don’t worry about it.

Growing up i was always told to stay at least 2.5 times my casting distance away from another boat and that’s how I fish. I won’t get any closer to your boat than that. If you come within my casting distance try not to get mad or knocked out if stuff starts bouncing off your boat.

9,999 other lakes and a couple rivers to fish. I suppose I can understand the passion for Mille Lacs though, it’s easy to limit out

Gun rights mean nothing unless you practice them. Same with fishing, You can either ignore your rights to be outside of the casting distance of other boats, or you can take offense and tell the other boater to stay away. The fact that professional guides earn a living on public waters doesn’t give them any rights that you don’t have. If you solidly berate disrespectful boaters, (within the law) maybe they will a bit reluctant to bring their customers within spitting distance of your boat. If you don’t stand up for your rights, you will find you don’t have any.

Jim in Wisconsin wrote:

Gun rights mean nothing unless you practice them. Same with fishing, You can either ignore your rights to be outside of the casting distance of other boats, or you can take offense and tell the other boater to stay away. The fact that professional guides earn a living on public waters doesn’t give them any rights that you don’t have.

Except that there really is no law written that indicates you have a specific “right” on the water. I don’t know if there is a specific distance or rule law in Wisconsin, but in Minnesota the only written law on water rights is that you cannot be within 10 feet of a fish house in the winter. There are usually specific rules in a tournament about coming within a specific distance of another watercraft, but in terms of state law there is nothing.

This specific situation doesn’t come down to the letter of the law. It is a moral and ethical and respect issue.

Its the bent rod pattern – you see it all the time around my area. Had a guy this morning come in and drop his anchor in the middle of the pod of fish I was working. He was about a boat length from my trolling motor when he dropped his anchor. I asked him what the fudge he thought he was doing. He got upset and told me I couldn’t take the whole spot. I laughed and asked if I casted into his boat would he please drop my jig back into the school I had been camped on all morning. He got urined off and left in a huff, only to come back and watch about 20 minutes later. Later in the morning a nice old couple came along and were obviously struggling to control their boat and having a time with the wind. I packed up, went over to them and put them on the spot and got them familiar with the electronics on their rental / borrowed boat. Even got him set up with the magic lure size and color. They proceeded to lay the smack down as I left for work. Basically, act like a richard, and I will let you have it…but I am not afraid to help people who are respectful.

Gimruis is right. It’s a moral, ethical and respect issue. To fish too close to someone else is an offense against social mores. It has nothing to do with written “laws”. If you explain this to people who won’t respect your “space” they will be less likely to do it again. This is how we teach our children proper behavior. Some need more lessons than others. I would guess that Adam is less likely to have repeat issues with other boats than fishermen that just pack up and leave. I remember in the 1950’s when it got popular to hijack commercial airliners. That lasted until the Israelies intervened and killed all the hijackers & ended the copycat crimes. No, I am not suggesting you kill the offending fishermen, so don’t even go there.

It isn’t always that easy. Let me go on briefly to say that I sometimes have a temper that is hard to control. Sometimes it is better to just leave rather than ram the other boat at speed and drive over the other fishermen until the water is red. I can’t always do what I know is best which is one of the things that makes me human, so I just leave before my temper takes over. I’m sure others feel this way sometimes.

Wooooo… stay in Wisconsin please.

Jim in Wisconsin wrote:

It isn’t always that easy. Let me go on briefly to say that I sometimes have a temper that is hard to control. Sometimes it is better to just leave rather than ram the other boat at speed and drive over the other fishermen until the water is red. I can’t always do what I know is best which is one of the things that makes me human, so I just leave before my temper takes over. I’m sure others feel this way sometimes.

I dont.

I don’t think I have been that mad that someone got the urge to try to snipe a spot I am fishing…mad enough to point out that they made a richard cranium move, yes…but assaulting someone is a bit of a stretch

I have a blank stare I use. It can mean “I don’t understand” “What ya talking about” “You’re a a$$hole” “Let me think this over” “Why are you even talking to me” “You aren’t worth my time” “Get the F away from me”

I suppose in the right situation they all apply.

When Adam asked the other boater “what the Fudge was he doing”, those would be fighting words where I fish. Yes, assaulting someone is a bit of a stretch. I don’t think I implied that you or anyone else gets “that mad”. It was merely an example of how anger gets people in trouble. But I have to ask: What is a “richard cranium move”? Is it what you call a psychotic break in Minnesota? Maybe something covered in your Rule 35 or 36?

Eelpoutguy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jim in Wisconsin wrote:</div>
It isn’t always that easy. Let me go on briefly to say that I sometimes have a temper that is hard to control. Sometimes it is better to just leave rather than ram the other boat at speed and drive over the other fishermen until the water is red. I can’t always do what I know is best which is one of the things that makes me human, so I just leave before my temper takes over. I’m sure others feel this way sometimes.

I dont.

X2…

When Adam asked the other boater “what the Fudge was he doing”, those would be fighting words where I fish. Yes, assaulting someone is a bit of a stretch.

Kind of a contradicting don’t you think?

This topic is getting old.

Was out on Mille Lacs today pulling blades well off of mud flats with some decent success. 1.0 to 1.3 mph. Dark colored blades with very long leader. Saw some other getting them on bobbers and a couple trolling crank baits. Got a limit. Enjoy the bite ladies and gents.

Was up on Mille Lacs this weekend, limited out in 30 seconds. No rude guides or people anywhere around

Jesse Krook wrote:

Was up on Mille Lacs this weekend, limited out in 30 seconds. No rude guides or people anywhere around

Nicely done Jesse, we beat you though it only took us 29 seconds.

Fife wrote:

I wasn’t there, but I can speak to Tony’s character. Great guide and person. Very approachable and loves to talk fishing.

Probably is. Was also probably a dillhole that day as that happens to us all.

Jensen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jesse Krook wrote:</div>
Was up on Mille Lacs this weekend, limited out in 30 seconds. No rude guides or people anywhere around

Nicely done Jesse, we beat you though it only took us 29 seconds.

ON FIRE !!!!

Clue us in on the secret bait?

Everything worked but pepper sticks with cheese worked the best.

Easy to limit out when the limit is zero….. Unless you are keeping smallies?

-J.

Jon Jordan wrote:

Easy to limit out when the limit is zero….. Unless you are keeping smallies?

-J.

I brought home a mille lacs limit of walleye last weekend…????

ClownColor wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jon Jordan wrote:</div>
Easy to limit out when the limit is zero….. Unless you are keeping smallies?

-J.

I brought home a mille lacs limit of walleye last weekend…????

Keeper season closed June 1st

Walleye
May 15-May 31:
Possession limit is 1.
All walleye less than 21 inches or greater than 23 inches in length must be immediately released, except one walleye 28 inches or greater may be kept.
June 1-June 30:
All walleye must be immediately released.
July 1-July 15:
Walleye fishing is closed.
Walleye may not be targeted.
July 16-Sept. 15:
All walleye must be immediately released.
Sept. 16-Nov. 30:
Possession limit is 1.
All walleye less than 21 inches or greater than 23 inches in length must be immediately released, except one walleye 28 inches or greater may be kept.