The marsh would be a better place if we stopped annoying each other.
These are Really Irritating
I'm writing this blog post for two reasons:
- to joke with other anglers who have experienced these three things (because we all have)
- to inform anglers who do them (and hopefully they'll knock it off)
Pulling a Huge-Ass Wake
I know you've seen it.
An angler slows to 2,500 RPM and drags a monster wake across a dock full of boats.
Outriggers on shrimp boats clang and gelcoat chips off bay boats.
Predictably, everyone on the dock shouts and points. Some gesture to slow down, others gesture in a less-kind manner.
But the offender continues offending the offended, because he genuinely does not know what he's doing wrong, or why everyone on the dock is so excited.
Anchoring in a Thoroughfare
For me, bodies of water like Bayou LaLoutre and the ICW are for navigation first and fishing second.
So, it boggles my mind anyone would anchor in the middle where a crew boat will predictably pass.
Even if the bite is good, it will go away when the umpteenth oyster boat runs it over.
My mind is further boggled when they get mad because other anglers must pass closely to get around them.
At the bare minimum, I would move off to the side of the bayou, giving deeper water to the boats that need it.
Not Waving Back
Inshore anglers say "hi" in the marsh. It's what we've always done.
So I wonder why anyone would just stare and not wave back when greeted?
I wave because it's the courteous thing to do and, most importantly, when I inevitably break down someone may see me and think, "Gee, that guy was really nice. I should see if he's okay."
Ha ha ha ha ha!
So if someone waves at you, please wave back.
It doesn't matter if you're passing or fishing near each other.
Nothing builds tension, and sometimes passive aggression, more than two strangers fishing side-by-side on the water and they purposely ignore each other.
Conclusion
When anglers do one of these three annoying things, they usually don't realize they're doing it.
So cut 'em some slack and realize they may be new to this whole inshore fishing thing.
Or you could be "that guy". Or maybe me. Perhaps the mailman.
We should all take a second to analyze our actions to ensure we are not.
Comment below. Tight lines, y'all.
And you’re right about the wake, which is why it’s key to come off plan further away.
Exactly. Thanks for commenting, Cheech.
When you slow your boat down to 2500 RPM’s your boat digs down and displaces much more water which makes the biggest wake possible. I personally would prefer someone stay on plane and fly past me if they aren’t going to slow down and idle by.
I really like that last one. I’ve never heard that spoken of here in Louisiana. Thank you for commenting.
State law in Georgia–if your within 100′ of a dock, no wake. Fishing etiquette 101–find your own fish. Look for fish not a cluster of boats. If someone is fishing along a bank or on a drop, give them a wide berth , slow down,and leave them alone.If your were planning to fish that drop , you should of gotten out bed earlier. (don’t hunt under someone else’s tree stand.) Remember , steaming in creeks that have blind bends and in limited visibility, it is the law that you are able to bring you boat to a dead stop in half your visible distance.
I have to admit that I’m guilty as charged, lol -I keep to myself when fishing close to someone. I will never approach a boat even if it’s in “My spot” lol
Glad I’m not the only one! Thanks for commenting, Bret.
Such a great topic Devin. Being a licensed 1600 ton inland master for 34 years, I totally get the fishing newby to not knowing they are responsible for their wake. It should boil down to common sense, but that’s another story. It’s up to us to inform and teach the new guy. Thanks for putting this out there.