Tourney fisherman please read this

I don’t mind the wakes so much, although bungholes that are doing it on purpose have no place. How to best share the waters with power boats and ‘skis is a different topic alltogether. This one addresses the poor mannerisms of our fellow fishermen.

The thing that I find truly annoying is when someone either parks right on top of you or tries to go straight through you, often at top speed. I realize that there are a lot of tourney fisherman here on the board, but I’m assuming that most of you can admit that there are a few bad eggs that spoil the reputation of a great many decent people.

The fact is, $50,000 breaks a lot of ties; it also causes a great many people to forget their manners. I’ve had tourney anglers coming straight at me 50+ mph. When they saw me bracing for impact or preparing to jump instead of moving, they would cut around – as close as 15′ sometimes.

Last year’s Merc tournament on Mille Lacs provides a shining example of how many are willing to sacrifice safety for cash. People playing bumper boats at 70mph in six footers, boats sky high, prop out out of the water, all examples of the lenghts those people were willing to go to for a big win.

The problem is, when these types are not fishing a tourney, their behaviour is no different. It’s not the tournaments, it’s the poor manners of some of our colleagues. Since being rude isn’t (and shouldn’t be) illegal, we need to find an alternate method for calibrating these types.

I’ve got to say that I’m really disheartened by some of the replies on this post. The I can afford a big boat and the he$$ with you atitude reflects todays general lack of respect for others. Also quite interesting how the the thread got turned away from us [fishermen] and towards cruisers. Check your behavior gentlemen!

Hey Walleyeaddict that is what happend with ReefRunner. No one saw it happen because it happend in a thick fog but we could hear the animal scream.

Piscator does have a pretty good point there guys. I have to admit, but respect for your fellow fisherman should always be a point. It is just like everything else, you just have to live with it. Complaining about it is not going to help anything.

This reply is really to several replies already posted and your original post. I don’t think the point is tourney people are evil. But it only takes one to ruin it for most. I also agree the average Joe is probably typically worse than most tourney fishermen. But can’t we hold the tourney fishermen to a higher standard than the average Joe? I know I got run at close and hard last spring during a tourney, multiple times. The week before with a simular number of boats on the water I didnt have near the problems. One key difference is tourney guys are in a bigger rush to get there than I am. And as to the ‘how do you know its a tourney boat” question. When both people in the boat are wearing matching $500 rain gear, the boat has 25 stickers on both sides, its being pushed by a 225 with a 15 kicker and 10 depth finders, I guess I just assume it is

-John

That’s the point – people shouldn’t have to just live with it.

Cruisers, jet skis, power boats, you would have to just live with. Fortunately, I can avoid them by being on the water when and where they aren’t. Unfortunately, rude fisherman want to be where I’m at, when I’m there. Usually right on top of me.

I’ve seen people run over the lines of bank fisherman, both purposely and without apology. How rude is that? This forum is read by probably 1000 people – all fisherman who frequent our favorite waters. It provides an excellent opportunity to let people who fish know that their courtesy is appreciated, their poor manners deplored.

Unfortunately, tournaments are not the problem, poor manners are.

A few years ago, I had my boat fitted with torpedos.

After you sink the 1st one the rest give you plenty of space.

speaking of tournament fisherman check out the tournament forum and see the amazing totals from the pwt day one. The leader is averaging over 10lbs a fish. Take a look.

labsrule

Well, what more can you do? You can lead by example that is about it. You tell me what you can do when you have a rude fisherman hoan in right on you.?????? Nothing you have to live with it. If they want to be jerks, you can be a better person or bigger person by not doing anything or just leaving to another spot. I have experienced this several times. These people that are like that will always be like that, so you tell me what you can possibly do to change them? nothing, you have to change yourself

tournament fisherman and proud of it. This has been happening to the smaller boats since I was a kid in grandpas boat. I got sick of it and bought a bigger boat.

Most states have boating laws that specify how you are to operate near other boats. Simply put, if you see a violation and you can get the boat’s registration numbers, turn it in to the dnr. Above all, read the laws. What you might think is illegal, may actually be within the law. If enough people complain to the dnr, they may decide to come out and see for themselves and make a little money while they’re at it.

congratulations……some of you have given us a preview of your fascinating personalities……. can’t waite to see you on/in the water…….good fishin mavzer…..