I often wondered what the politically correct distance between fisherman should be. If I walk up to a place that has a few people there I stay out of their max casting range on either side and give them 20-30 yards. I've had guys come up to where I was standing 1st and take away some of my casting angle but be about 20-30 feet away. I've never said anything to anybody even if they get within 15 feet of me but I often wondered what the distance should be. This fall at a popular place where I live guys were almost shoulder to shoulder. They knew eachother it seemed but I chose to stay my distance. What's the rule if a guy's chunking and just sitting there waiting? Can you cast within 10 feet of his rig? Just wondering. I like to have space but don't mind chatting to a friendly person if their within 20-30 feet.

I think the variable in this is where you're fishing. In an area where there is little room to get into the current flow, like an estuary where the mouth opens up with little linear space to present a plug, I think it it is more than acceptable to fish within 15-20 feet if you time your cast with the abutting anglers so that there is little chance of entanglement. On places like the Charlestown Breachway it used to be the norm to rotate toward the breachway and cast into the outgoing current, moving back to the end of the queue when 5 or so anglers were present (I heard that courtesy has been lost in translation). I think some commonsense and courtesy apply to every situation (if its called commonsense, why isn't it so common??).

I think the rule is to be respectful and it sounds like you're doing that. I get p*ssed if there is anyone anywhere near me that I don't know but I understand that I'm not always being reasonable.

This is more or less "normal" in some places I fish... well "watch" others fish is more like it :rolleyes:
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=18054&stc=1&d=1163446618

Holy &%$#@! I wouldn't even get out of my car. Were they catching anything? Is that in NY? That makes my shoulder to shoulder scenario seem like nothing. I've never fished a spot with more than 6 of us, even with that shoulder to shoulder scenario there were 3 of them standing together alternating casts. That pic just dosn't make sense too me. Crazy.:eek:

Wow! Like that would be too crowded for me. I think "Common Sense" should come into play. I usually give everyone spaces as I do not want them to crow me in if I was in their space. I like atleast 20 to 30 yards between us unless you are someone I came with. :usd:

Zeno's pic ,,, done that ,, Arra ,,Kuzia,,Johanson,,and 50 others were there at day break .. You better be able to cast straight out staying in your lane . You better get respectable distance too or you get the "are you a girl look" ... birdnest ? how imbarrising ..

I've never fished a spot with more than 6 of us, even with that shoulder to shoulder scenario there were 3 of them standing together alternating casts. That pic just dosn't make sense too me. Crazy.:eek:

Come out to PI and fish the the Mouth of the Merrimac on a saturday morning......absolute nut house

That's the way Narrow River looked the week after Mr. Mckennas article came out last year. Thank God they got skunked a couple of times and never came back

Fishing with folks I know...close is ok as long as they are good casters and know how to watch the drift in current.....strangers???? I stay away from strangers!!!

I have never fished with anymore than 3 or 4 people at one spot and would never. Fish at times others are sleeping and spots that people don't write articles about and you are all set.

That's the way Narrow River looked the week after Mr. Mckennas article came out last year. Thank God they got skunked a couple of times and never came back
:cheers:

if a boater is drifting close to shore anglers, that's one thing.

a boat that anchors up where shore anglers have already set up ... well, let's just say I've seen a lot of dings in the gelcoat happen from flying 8 oz pyramid sinkers.

Look at the knuckleheads out on the rocks with all those casters behind them . If Big Dave was casting off that beach and had a breakoff it might be terminal for one of them .

I typically fish at night, where there are generally fewer fellow anglers to crowd in upon. If you fish with friends, you can usually set up a casting rhythm, so that each person can cast in succession.
If you're a new arrival, unless you know the people that are already there, you will probably have to give them a fair berth. 15-30 ft. would be a start, depending on any current you encounter.
I like my solitude, but I'm willing to share, as long as you aren't a scout for a small army of claim-jumpers.

You should fish Wasque during the derby on the vineyard when the albies are running. Five feet sometimes is the distance between guys and never much of a problem either.

Very very rarely do I run into another person at the spots I fish. And prefer it that way. Seems most people dont like the dead of night.:D If there is someone at a spot I fish, I simply ask them if they mind me fishing there. Depending on their answer I will find a manageable location and keep an eye on where they are casting, or go to another spot.

Their answer goes, no questions asked since they were first ones there. I would expect the same from them, but my answer would always be a welcoming one, unless they are planning on anchoring some bait out in front of me:af: .

what is to close ? the picture sums it up, I'd probably go elsewhere, I normally fish to get away from B/S not stand right in the middle of it..:spin: