How close to anchor up???

We were fishing the Pond this past weekend in the pleantiful rain. It was pretty obvious to a couple of the boats around us that we were catching fish at a pretty astonishing rate, given the conditions. There were a few boats about 200 yds from us that must not have had any luck. To be expected, we had people move in on us which wasn’t a big deal until “Mr Starcraft” arrived. At first he anchored about 150′ from us which was close enough yet far enough not to affect us. He still wasn’t getting any bites so they pulled anchor and re-positioned closer. This time they were within 60′ of our boat. We were slip-bobbering and couldn’t even cast off to one side of our boat in fear of catching his anchor rope &/or his line. My question is How close to somebody do you dare anchor up??? At what point are you stepping on others toes??? Maybe “Mr. Starcraft” can answer this for us because he definately knows what too close is. In the end there was sweet justice when we continued catching fish and he sat for 45 min without any action and decided to leave. I guess the fish gods caught up with him in the end…

Do you have any of those pics from the weekend? We did get a few times that it stopped pouring long enough to take out the camera. I had a good time. Ohh yeah, Janis Joplin rocks.

Welcome aboard to IDA Meatwagon !

You have a good question there. I have been in your shoes before. I wish it could happen everytime out I guess. Nothing better than spanking the fish when no one else is Even when they move in on you as you described

Welcome to the site Meat Wagon.

I am glad to hear that the fish gods smiled on you and frowned on Mr. Starcraft for crowding you. For a second there I thought you were going to say the guy was in a green Ranger. Two of the guys I fish the FLW league with had run ins with this guy while prefishing Mille Lacs…my partners were drifting and rigging and twice to one and once to the other the green Ranger pulled up anchor and proceeded to drop anchor right in their drift path because he saw them catch fish.

If you are bobber fishing I would say you should be able to cast at them and they should be able to cast toward you without getting tangled….I am not talking casting with all your might but a nice cast so basically 2 easy cast lengths away would be a reasonable distance…not necessarily courteous but reasonable…kinda depends on the structure. If it is a small rock point or hump you can expect close neighbors if it is a long breakline from shore or a large piece of structure people should keep a little more distance.

That is just my opinion…..unfortunately if people see you catching fish you are going to get crowded. Best thing to do…if you aren’t in a tourney is avoid using the landing net at all costs if you are really hammering them just bare hand them or hoist them in….nothing says we are catching fish fasther than bouys and waving landing nets.

I barely ever use the landing net unless it is a real piggie or I am already in a big group of boats and everyone is catching fish.

Welcome Meat Wagon! I agree with Buckshot. We sometimes get a little closer if we are with a bunch of folks we know, but the rule of thumb for us is what Buckshot said.
Tuck

I also agree with buckshot on the distance also if you can fight your fish with your rod not pionted up in the air but off to the side of the boat oppisit (spellin??) the one there on