Anlger's Code of Conduct

[Swimmer]

Your suggestions are well-intended I'm sure, but I didn't read beyond the first one because friend you have never fished Wasque, or the Chappy side of Edgartown Harbor in the fall during an alby blitz. Fisherman/woman are lucky, very lucky, to have ten feet. Sometimes it is the close quarters that makes for a warm rapport with your beach buddies. You know a kind of get to know your neighbor.




One good cast deserves another

[hunter-gather]

> Your suggestions are well-intended I'm sure, but I didn't read beyond the first one because friend you have never fished Wasque, or the Chappy side of Edgartown Harbor in the fall during an alby blitz

Wasque, no, Chappy yes and everywhere else from Monomoy to buzzards bay to P-town to Boston. Do you think that all of those people that are 10 feet away from you don't have friends?

Everyone talks, there is nothing that can be done about it, so there is no use complaining.

Do what I do. Pray for lots and lots of wind, keeps the skirts at home.

[hunter-gather]

One more thing...

Bristol Bay during Salmon season makes Chappy and any other fishing spot on the east coast look like open ocean.

Like all good fisherman, you need to adapt to your surroundings.

[RickBomba]

Yep,
I agree with you guys. Be clean, don't let anybody know that you've been in a spot unless you're looking at my tire tracks or footprints.
#2. I always give away my extra bait if I don't plan to freeze it.
#3. Give everybody plenty of room.
#4. Never brag about your last fish.
#5. If I'm having a beer while fishing, you'll never know it. Stow all the empties in a clandestine place and don't get drunk.
#6. I don't have too many secret fishing spots, but if I did I wouldn't burn em.
#7. Lights off...this means you Mikey!!!
#8. I'll be the first guy to help you if you're in trouble, and I'll speak my mind to help you not get there again.
#9. You guys are going to blast me for this, but I turn most of the bass back...I only keep them if I know I'm going to eat them that day or night.
#10. I always help the most inexperienced one among us hook up; they most often offer to pay for gas, bait or beer in the future.
#11. Always realize that fishing is just fishing...Fights are for bars...who knows what kind of stuff the monkey next to you has in the sand sled.
Anyhow, that's just me.
It's fun every time I fire up the Suburban or Formula, or Mikey's boat for that matter...whne it runs.
Later,
Rick

[beachwalker]

Rick,

You got it ! The me first attitude is for most, but the best way to get along is to MAKE THE EFFORT AT BEING CIVIL. It just isn't in many peoples minds when it comes fishing elbow to elbow ( or rail to rail for that matter).

I release nearly every fish I land. Particularly the large ones. I've only been a member of this site for a month or so. Last year I released more than 20 fish over 30 lbs. This year the camera is with me. I hope you guy's can enjoy the fact that the big fat bastard that finds my hooks will live to be slaughtered by someone else. The 28-34" fish are more appropriate for eating on my plate. But that is me........

Just an angler wasting his time on an island that really doesn't have any fish.

[Smitty's Ice Cream]

I'm a boater so my biggest pet peeves are different.
A major one is when I'm anchored, casting into a rip and catching fish, some other "fisherman" will see me getting the fish, and drive his boat dangerously close to mine for a few casts. In the process they drive over the point in the rip thats holding fish! (and the fish come back after about 10-15mins, just in time for some other idiot to repeat the process) I usually just put my arms up and wave and yell for them to get out of my spot. Some people realize their mistake and find some another spot; most don't. Last year 1 guy was so careless he ran his boat into mine and his motor was smashed on my pulpit. These people don't realize that there are about 20 other points on the rip just like where I am to fish.

I think its less of a hassle to get up at 3 am and fish when no ones awake than deal with all inexperienced boaters who get out there around 7 am.

I guess the point of this rant is for boaters: If you see some one catching fish, be it drifting or trolling over a specific area, or anchored and fishing a specific area leave them be. Don't crowd them, don't drive over the area they're fishing, don't try to sneak in for a few casts; watch what he's doing to catch the fish and try to find similar conditions elsewhere and apply what you leaned.

[Swimmer]

Hunter-Gather

I am not sure what the friends part of your reply refers too. Regardless of how many people I have ever fish with at either Wasque or Chappy most all were very nice people and I new most of the people next to me also. My only further comment in regard to your code of conuct post is that we have enough rules to follow now, and I believe every one of the rules you and the other fine people wrote in their posts have all be written somewhere before...............

One good cast deserves another and............another