WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

[schoolie monster]

GB, I think you did the best thing you could do. You catch fish, so you are going to get your share of rubber-neckers and looky-loos. Some people think that if they get on top of you, they will catch the fish you are catching... they don't realize that technique has something to do with it.

There's alot of good fisherman on this site and I'm sure they all get crowded some by the masses. I do OK. I'm starting to know my waters pretty well. It tests you when you're hard work pays off and you are into some good fish in a shallow boulder field and someone blows in on top of you throwing roberts rangers over your line spooking everything for a half a mile.

There's alot of water out there, I have dozens of places I can fish... so I'll generally do my best to get a few fish kinda in their face... catching fish under their noses is probably the best revenge. Then I'll move on. Plus I don't want them to figure out what I was doing anyway.

No one including me, you or anyone else on this site owns the ocean, so other than common courtesy, they have the right to be there. If they have no common courtesy, they really won't care what you say anyway. A polite conversation is fine, maybe a dirty look to make it clear that you are pissed, once in a while I'll yell at someone if they are being unsafe.

But as tough as everyone here may be, starting a fight over a fishing spot is pretty stupid. There is always someone tougher and crazier than you. I've got way too much going on to worry about that BS. What did Mel Gibson say in the Patriot. "I'm a father, I can't afford to have pride"... or principles, or something like that. We all get pissed, but its not worth it unless they are putting people in danger.

New England waters are pretty crowded... Hell, I fish Boston Harbor primarily on weekends. In a few weeks, I'm going to have ying-yangs up to my gunwales. I don't think I would have alot of fun if I escalated every bad confrontation I have out there on the water. From July 4th thru Labor day, its an every day occurrence. You deal with it the best you can. Try to get on the water early, try to sneak out on some weekdays when you get a chance.

GB, from what I've seen of you, you are a gentleman and you did what's right by you.... Clammer, I know what you'd do.... PREPARE FOR RAMMING SPEED!!

Sorry for the sermin,
Preacher Greg