Surfcasting and boats near shore - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Bocephus · 08-13-2008, 11:32 AM

I know there are a lot of boat guys in here, but Id like to hear from shore guys also..... Is there a set distance for both boat and shore dudes to keep away from each other? Ive had quite a few times when I thought "Jeez, that boat can clearly see me fishing, but still comes back and drifts right thru where Im fishing" or worse, someone sees me catching and pretty much parks the boat on the spot in front of me. What do you consider the etiquette for these situations?

PS long time lurker, first time poster

Swimmer · 08-13-2008, 11:42 AM

When the metal lures start wizzing by, they wont stay long.

You should fish the Gut on the Vineyard when some boat googan anchors up 75 feet away and thinks nothing of it. That anchorage never last long, see metal lures above.

The other place is the chappy side of Edgartown Harbor when a kayaker paddles by in front of 60 or 70 people looking to hookup on the albies swimming by. Have to feel bad for the yakker if he is a first timer. But many times I have seen this occur and the yakker knows the harbor and the fishermen and could have paddled to the other side of the channel well out of the way of the shore fishermen. It must be like this in other areas as well.

Flaptail · 08-13-2008, 12:04 PM

Surfcasters should look at boats fishing near shore like submariners look at surface ships, they call them "targets".

The Dad Fisherman · 08-13-2008, 12:30 PM

I think what bugs me the most is the fact that if you have a boat you have ALL THE ACCESS IN THE WORLD. When a shore guy may end up walking an hour to claim his 50 sq. feet of real estate and up the boat guy comes....you can't tell me their aren't better places to fish in a boat.

But I Digress....most of the time its somebody that just doesn't know better.

Rockport24 · 08-13-2008, 12:45 PM

ahhh, the age old conflict of boats too close to shore.
totally agree with TDF, I mean, these guys can fish anywhere, how sad do you have to be to use surfcasters as fish finders, isn't that what electronics are for?

JohnnyD · 08-13-2008, 12:52 PM

Happened to me this past weekend at the Race in the early AM. We drove up on some birds working bait with one boat about 200 yards from shore. Got out and started casting, then another boat screws over and starts jigging about 100 feet from shore in 10' of water through the middle of where we were casting. He made 3 additional passes until he noticed we were casting right at him.

Polar Express · 08-13-2008, 12:56 PM

sometimes my fish finder says 70ft from shore and thats where the fish are sorry you sand people dont like.

The Dad Fisherman · 08-13-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polar Express

sometimes my fish finder says 70ft from shore and thats where the fish are sorry you sand people dont like.

And if they get there 1st its all thiers, I always try to find my own piece of real estate to work.....my beef is when they pull up right where I've been working for an hour and take over.....or slam right into blitzing fish and put them down....its maddening.

RIJIMMY · 08-13-2008, 12:59 PM

boaters fish areas that have structure and hold fish, surfcasters fish the same areas. There is bound to be some overlap and I think common courtesy should prevail.

Polar Express · 08-13-2008, 01:06 PM

don't want people to think I jump in front of people on shore I dont.I was commenting about the electronics and going anywhee response.

The Dad Fisherman · 08-13-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

I think common courtesy should prevail.

There is the key phrase, right there.

fishaholic18 · 08-14-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

boaters fish areas that have structure and hold fish, surfcasters fish the same areas. There is bound to be some overlap and I think common courtesy should prevail.

Yup, that's the way I operate also, it's called respect.. I give it and I expect it.... and for the clowns who think throwing metal at someone's head is the answer..remember, metal flies both ways..

WoodyCT · 08-14-2008, 08:42 AM

Small boat charter captain parks about a half cast outside of my range and puts his client onto 12-25" bass after bass.

Put on my longest plug but still couldn't reach him. Time to put some bank sinkers in the bag!

The Dad Fisherman · 08-14-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodyCT

Small boat charter captain parks about a half cast outside of my range and puts his client onto 12-25" bass after bass.

Put on my longest plug but still couldn't reach him. Time to put some bank sinkers in the bag!

But if he's not within your range I don't see the issue.

I'm talking about the clowns that zip in right where you're casts are hitting....or closer

Back Beach · 08-14-2008, 09:55 AM

Been on both sides of the equation. Was passing through C'town breachway one time w/my brother and people were casting right across our bow. One nearly decapitated my 6 year old niece with his braided line. We did share words but moved on.
One the flip side, I’ve had people in boats pile on top of fish we were working from shore on the cape. It sucks, but get over it.
In all honesty, only a complete a$$hole would cast an object at another person. If there’s a bad situation brewing, simply move on. No need to escalate over a lousy fish.

JohnnyD · 08-14-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Been on both sides of the equation. Was passing through C'town breachway one time w/my brother and people were casting right across our bow. One nearly decapitated my 6 year old niece with his braided line. We did share words but moved on.
One the flip side, I’ve had people in boats pile on top of fish we were working from shore on the cape. It sucks, but get over it.
In all honesty, only a complete a$$hole would cast an object at another person. If there’s a bad situation brewing, simply move on. No need to escalate over a lousy fish.

I think it is completely a matter of mobility. That surf guy may have had to deal with a few mile hike with all his gear and getting into those fish is the reward for all his effort. In order to "simply move on" for a shore fisherman, that may involve a 30 minute hike that puts him maybe a mile away and tired from lugging his gear again.
On the other hand, a boater can easily just put the boat in gear and more than likely find more fish some where else. It has been said here many times that boat fishing is easier than shore fishing and I think that's exactly the reason why the tin flies.

However, this all pertains to boaters that feel the need to roll up on a school with blatant disregard. I see no reason why they can't just work from the opposite side of the school. No disruption to the fish, and tight lines for everyone.

Rockport24 · 08-14-2008, 12:25 PM

yeah kayakers can do that too, which is annoying because it's like, why get a kayak if you can just fish it from shore anyway? I have kayaked around some of my favorite surf spots, but I was very aware to stay clear of anyone casting, that said, it's easy to forgot too and think you're the only one around, most of the time now if I kayak it's in an area inaccesable from shore, because isn't that the point? the north shore has miles and miles of rocky coast line that is private and thus inaccesible, so you can kayak or power boat as tight as you want to shore without any issues, no need to be on top of people

Back Beach · 08-14-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

However, this all pertains to boaters that feel the need to roll up on a school with blatant disregard. I see no reason why they can't just work from the opposite side of the school. No disruption to the fish, and tight lines for everyone.

In my experience, boat vs. boat or shore vs. shore conflicts are much more commom than boat vs. shore or vice versa. I rarely, if ever run into boats when surf fishing. When I boat fished alot, I rarely ran into surf men. The best thing about the loss of vehicle access on the cape was the lack of yahoos tracking you down with their headlights deep in the night. This made the fish more difficult to access, but there were fewer conflicts as you were usually alone.

Oh yes, to answer the original post.....use good judgement and if you're going to cast something at someone, use an unweighted sluggo.

Mr. Sandman · 08-15-2008, 10:50 AM

I disagree, This target practice you preach is where the problems begin. IMO you cross the line when you try to hurt someone or harm property.

fishaholic18 · 08-15-2008, 08:18 PM

"This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me?"

Squid kids Dad · 08-15-2008, 08:31 PM

This thread is even being talked about on another board by a former member...Get over it on both sides

Got Stripers · 08-18-2008, 11:27 AM

If you think that crap is isolated to shore fishing think again. I can't count the number of times I've been fishing isolated structure, only to have guys come right on top of me, drop anchor and start flinging their chunks right on the structure I'm fishing. No offense to you charter guys, but I'd say in my personal experience, they are the worst offenders. Not sure why that is, maybe it's the pressure to put their clients on fish and it matters not who was on the spot first.

BigFish · 08-18-2008, 12:10 PM

Its because they feel they have more of a right to it than you do Bob! Its called ignorance!

JohnnyD · 08-14-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

Yup, that's the way I operate also, it's called respect.. I give it and I expect it.... and for the clowns who think throwing metal at someone's head is the answer..remember, metal flies both ways..

True. But tin from a 7' boat road doesn't fly nearly as far as one from my 10.5 footer does.

MotoXcowboy · 08-14-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

Yup, that's the way I operate also, it's called respect.. I give it and I expect it.... and for the clowns who think throwing metal at someone's head is the answer..remember, metal flies both ways..

clown-no..i wasnt really thowing at their heads.. i dropped a plastic popper in a 15-20ft radious at the guys who got to close. wasnt tryn to hurt em just give em a heads up i was there too. my earlier post came across wrong. i figured they could snorkel/spear anywhere else but they didnt seem to give a s^&*, so i walked home.

NIB · 08-15-2008, 05:44 AM

I would like to think that most folks are normal thinking.The basic rule of first come first served should apply.In NJ we have jetty's that extend off our beaches.Many have the remnants of the longer rockpile that once was.Under the water line they extend out much further than what s exposed.Good fishing off the tips.Boaters know this also..If a boater comes up on me I will fire one off to the side.Most get the idea.It kinda stinks when I am Livelining.I will swim a bunker quite a bit(100 yds) from shore sometimes.There are still times all the screaming an waving still does nothing..I have had trollers pick up my line.

Then there is the blitzing fish thing where people on both sides seem to lose there minds..

Casting lures at anyone is not a good Idea.Those who claim to do it should think twice.Any lure or sinker you can reach a boat with could easily kill someone...You are ultimately responsible for your actions..If you hook a boater a kayaker or a surfer..
There are times ya might get plenty angry.No inconvience is worth the consequences..

EarnedStripes44 · 08-13-2008, 01:14 PM

When it starts raining bank sinkers, its time to move your boat.

Bocephus · 08-13-2008, 01:25 PM

Youre right, RIJIMMY, common courtesy is best. I have to admit though, it blows my mind when someone stays in front of you while youre casting 2 feet to the right of their bow, they watch it go sailing by, then look at you and yell out "Wow, nice cast!" It happened to me, so I sent the next one straight for the boat. I was pretty proud of my aim, for a second, then realized I might maim them, or worse, make them lose their sight in an eye or 2. So I stopped it short, VERY short, and it dropped about a foot from the boat. He still didnt get it, and actually waved to me. It sucks having a conscience sometimes

ilovetwofish · 08-13-2008, 01:54 PM

I have seen this more times then I can count I don't know if it's stupidity or or ignorance.Most guys will move away if they see you or if you ask them for some room, which we should not have to ask though.I know if I owned a boat I wouldn't be fishing close to a shore were I knew there was people fishing.There is plenty of rock piles and other structures away from the shore to fish.

Grapenuts · 08-13-2008, 02:20 PM

I'll say this...there's just so many fish holding spots in the great pond we call the sea...should be first come gets the spot..but people in general don't give a chitt be it by land or sea.....I've been thrown at and have thrown at them....may the best caster of a 30z. bank sinker wins......or pack a paint ball gun in your gear.