What do you do if encroached while fishing?

[Cool Beans]

Just like I said under a different thread:

"The number one Best way to get people to back off, when crowding your spot, go into what I like to call "Jehova's Witness mode" start talking religion and great it would be if they would come to church with you (refer to him as "friend" a lot). If that doesn't work, start praying aloud to God to catch more fish and mention the guy crowding you in your prayers. "Oh please grant me and my new "friend" huge fish, so we might eat them together with the rest of the Faithful. Within 10 minutes you will be fishing solo and at peace once again."

[2na]

Taking into account that this thread is colored by the fact that we all fish different spots, with different access parameters and space constraints, I can understand how uncomfortable it is when people encroach on your personal space, and for it to happen over and over, well, we all have a breaking point. One of the reasons I started to fish the great expanse of sand that makes the back beach is to have enough space to be left alone.

When fishing the back there are few times where there is only one little primo spot - it usually is a couple hundred yards of sand with some fish attracting feature. That said, when people come too close I don't do a thing except to keep on banging away at the fish. They are a little annoying, encroaching on your personal space, but I've gotten used to it over the years, and the satisfaction of sliding fish after fish onto the sand right in front of them when they can't buy one helps. There are times when you are the only one on the beach, 100's of yards to either side, and someone will park close to you, but unless they are closer than 20 yards I just ignore them. I did have someone park right next to me one time when I was the only one on the beach, and when the guy got out I looked at him and said "You're kidding me, right?" and he moved a respectable distance away, then walked over and started asking pilgrim questions. I think a lot of people who come too close are just trying to figure things out. Any experienced fisherman knows to give others space.

[WESTPORTMAFIA]

If the guy asks which has happened a few times I'm cool with it. If they know whats going on I'm cool with it. If my lines getting crossed I would say hey WTF already can ya move down a little or something. Nobody owns their own spot anywhere. It's supposed to be fun. And if you don't get along with other people or at least try to then I feel real bad for you.

[MarshCappa]

I get it more when I'm in my skiff than on shore or the rocks. I usually don't say much either way. Unless they cross my line then I'll say something like maybe your a little to close to me and see how it goes from there. I have no problem with a confrontation if that's the way they want it. I'm usually a happy go lucky guy but don't have patience for idiots that barge in on you with no regard. I've never really had major problems though.

[Cool Beans]

Another possibility would be to go "Boomhower" (from King of the Hill) on him.

a long string of indistinguishable words, slip in a "wife went crazy" a few more indistinguishable words, "got a shovel" a few more indistinguishable words, "blood all over my truck" a few more indistinguishable words, "had to get outta there" a few more indistinguishable words, "sure is a peaceful night to be fishing huh?"

One possibility is act gay and pretend you're coming on to him. but, I'd be very careful with this one, as it may backfire on you, if you run into a couple of the guys here.

Anything that makes them think you're "out there", should work. A new one I'm considering to try next time is to start talking like I am on a cell phone with ear piece, have a nice conversation about fishing and the tide, then turn around to talk to him, waiting for his reaction when he realizes I dont have a cell phone..... If he ask who I was talking to, I'll reply it was my Grandfather who "used" to fish in this spot when he was alive. Talking with the dead, should cause him to give me a wide berth.

It's a lot of fun when you pull something like this off and it gives you a story to laugh about later on with your buddies.

[BigBo]

Take the Carl Spackler (ala Caddyshack) approach and cut his hamstrings at the base. He'll never golf (or surfcast) again.

[MarshCappa]

Originally Posted by Cool Beans

Another possibility would be to go "Boomhower" (from King of the Hill) on him.

a long string of indistinguishable words, slip in a "wife went crazy" a few more indistinguishable words, "got a shovel" a few more indistinguishable words, "blood all over my truck" a few more indistinguishable words, "had to get outta there" a few more indistinguishable words, "sure is a peaceful night to be fishing huh?"

One possibility is act gay and pretend you're coming on to him. but, I'd be very careful with this one, as it may backfire on you, if you run into a couple of the guys here.

Anything that makes them think you're "out there", should work. A new one I'm considering to try next time is to start talking like I am on a cell phone with ear piece, have a nice conversation about fishing and the tide, then turn around to talk to him, waiting for his reaction when he realizes I dont have a cell phone..... If he ask who I was talking to, I'll reply it was my Grandfather who "used" to fish in this spot when he was alive. Talking with the dead, should cause him to give me a wide berth.

It's a lot of fun when you pull something like this off and it gives you a story to laugh about later on with your buddies.

I want to go fishing with you! Priceless.

[Joe]

Usually it's after you get a fish, so just say, "You can have this spot. I'm going to move down a little and outfish you from there also."

[whiplash]

I start swinging side arm with a big danny!

[Rmarsh]

Originally Posted by Joe

Usually it's after you get a fish, so just say, "You can have this spot. I'm going to move down a little and outfish you from there also."

Joe: Excellent strategy. Same method I use.
Move down the beach about 50 yds. and resume catching.
It shows them they didn't have to set up right near me and it really frustrates them when I start catching fish after giving up my spot and moving. Makes them feel foolish I would think.

[pmueller]

Originally Posted by Cool Beans

Just like I said under a different thread:

"The number one Best way to get people to back off, when crowding your spot, go into what I like to call "Jehova's Witness mode" start talking religion and great it would be if they would come to church with you (refer to him as "friend" a lot). If that doesn't work, start praying aloud to God to catch more fish and mention the guy crowding you in your prayers. "Oh please grant me and my new "friend" huge fish, so we might eat them together with the rest of the Faithful. Within 10 minutes you will be fishing solo and at peace once again."

Now thats funny