Courtesy question??

[fish-r-man]

This has been on my mind for a while. While I understand the rules about running a boat around say a shore fisherman or a boat at anchor, what is the rule about trolling along and having to pass another boat, who is trolling/drifting in the opposite direction? any thoughts would be welcome.:fishon:

 

[Bfishn]

If your trolling and they are drifting you would generally just troll to the outside or inside of them. If your both trolling it just comes down to courtesy. I tend to watch his trolling motor as i'm approaching, if i see his start to turn one way i go the other and it usually works out fine. I guess I've never had to much of an issue. I look at going around somebody as a way to try different depths.

 

[Sluggo]

I yield 95% of the time....someone has to, just easier to make my own decision.

 

[deleted member]

absent exceptional circumstances, i try to pass on the right... my right... their left if they are head on. port to port. but, i am not sure what the actual rule is. overtaking is a whole other issue. only time i've actually seen it be an issue is in small channels while salmon fishing. there are some rules about who is responsible, honking, etc... i suppose those would apply on the river channel too.

 

[cooter00]

I just head right for um usually their boat is way nicer then mine so they move out of the way but if I get to close I just a t like I'm having motor problems works Everytime ;:;rofl

 

[Kasey]

If they re drifting I make sure to stay clear and give them the right of way. If we are both trolling and coming at each other I make a turn to avoid them and hold that course till I know I'm by. I also avoid crowds at all costs.

 

[Sluggo]

I just head right for um usually their boat is way nicer then mine so they move out of the way but if I get to close I just a t like I'm having motor problems works Everytime ;:;rofl

A lot of dudes like this....hence the reason I yield

 

[Sum1]

If you see some one casting towards shore, troll on the opposite side they are casting. I always thought this was common sense but apparently not.

 

[Davy Crockett]

I always avoid crowds if I can but when I do happen to meet another boat while fishing I don't have an issue who turns first or what direction. We are both there for the same reason and I usually have my mind made up way in advance whether I want to head deeper or shallower before I meet the other boat and I usually make the first move accordingly . Where I do have an issue is when I am fishing a shoreline and some Dick in a fishing boat is heading to or from and decides to go between me and the shoreline I am fishing just to wave and watch us to see if we are catching anything. I use the whole lake and will go out of my way to go around a fishing boat and shore rather than in between, I only wish everyone else felt the same way. Shallow fish spook easier than deep fish 9 and 3/4ths days out of 10.

 

[Retired Educator]

Courtesy is the best bet but when meeting another boat the same rules that apply to vehicles on a road apply to boats on the water. Just saw a news story about this this morning. Had a news story from G&F was about boat traffic, life jackets, how far to stay away (100ft), etc. 100ft is not always needed when trolling but for higher speed that is the law. It also applies to shore fishermen.

 

[tikkalover]

While fishing a spot Saturday, another boat and I were trolling towards each other with about 20 feet between us and some asshat pulling cranks went right between us. What a dick!

 

[Fly Carpin]

If you see some one casting towards shore, troll on the opposite side they are casting. I always thought this was common sense but apparently not.

What this guy said. Common sense prevails

 

[Rowdie]

I think we need to come up with some courtesy rules for fun.

1. If you see some one casting towards shore, troll on the opposite side they are casting. I always thought this was common sense but apparently not.




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2. If your trolling BB and meet a guy trolling cranks, let him go on the inside and keep his cranks in the depth he's running. The BB guy can easily just let a little more line out and stay on the bottom, where as the guy running plugs having to go way out and around ruins a much bigger stretch. 2a. Furthermore, BB guy, don't cut right back in behind cranking guy and snag his lines, he may have 30 yds of line out.

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2b. When cranking guy and BB guy are going same direction....BB guy should do the same thing, move out and let cranking guy stay in the same depth so as not to drive him in and get snagged or ruin a big stretch of his run. Cranking guy should also speed up!!! Get by the BB guy so as to let him back in. You never know, I've caught fish going a little faster, and I've been BB guy catching fish by going a little deeper. Also BB guy remember rule 2a.

 

[Wildyote]

I think we need to come up with some courtesy rules for fun.

1. If you see some one casting towards shore, troll on the opposite side they are casting. I always thought this was common sense but apparently not.




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2. If your trolling BB and meet a guy trolling cranks, let him go on the inside and keep his cranks in the depth he's running. The BB guy can easily just let a little more line out and stay on the bottom, where as the guy running plugs having to go way out and around ruins a much bigger stretch. 2a. Furthermore, BB guy, don't cut right back in behind cranking guy and snag his lines, he may have 30 yds of line out.

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2b. When cranking guy and BB guy are going same direction....BB guy should do the same thing, move out and let cranking guy stay in the same depth so as not to drive him in and get snagged or ruin a big stretch of his run. Cranking guy should also speed up!!! Get by the BB guy so as to let him back in. You never know, I've caught fish going a little faster, and I've been BB guy catching fish by going a little deeper. Also BB guy remember rule 2a.

Boat that is under power shall yield to those adrift. This is rule to follow on any body of water. That means cranker must yield to those drifting, anchored or using electric motor.

 

[LBrandt]

Block the path like a East African Pirate and demand ransom.

 

[Sluggo]

3. If boat looks like its being captained by Cooter or Riverfibber, get the hell out of the way.

 

[Lou63]

to answer the original question in regards to shore fisherman and boats at anchor.

source https://gf.nd.gov/boating/safety-regulations

Prohibited Operation

No person may operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water-skis, surfboard or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. Reckless or negligent operation of a motorboat or vessel includes weaving through congested motorboat or vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another motorboat or vessel within 100 feet of the motorboat or vessel, or in any other manner that is not reasonable or prudent. No person may operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water-skis, surfboard or similar device while intoxicated or under the influence of any narcotic drug, barbiturate or marijuana.No person may operate a motorboat or vessel within 100 feet of a person fishing from a shoreline, swimmer, swimming/ diving raft, or an occupied, anchored or nonmotorized vessel, or within 250 feet of a reduced speed or slow or no-wake sign at greater than slow or no-wake speed. For purposes of this provision, reckless or negligent operation includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Use of excessive speed during periods of reduced visibility while in close proximity of other vessels, while in narrow, winding channels, or near docks or marinas.
2. Operating in an overloaded condition.
3. Operating within swimming areas designated by markers or by the presence of swimmers.
4. Operating near dams and other hazardous waters.
5. Operating in such a manner as to cause a dangerous or damaging wake.
6. Towing water skiers near other vessels or obstructions, into other hazardous areas, or into swimming areas designated by markers or by the presence of swimmers.
7. Operation in such a manner as to molest or annoy persons lawfully engaged in fishing.
8. Continued use or refusal to terminate use of a boat after being ordered to correct an especially hazardous condition by a law enforcement officer.

 

[Rowdie]

Boat that is under power shall yield to those adrift. This is rule to follow on any body of water. That means cranker must yield to those drifting, anchored or using electric motor.

I know the law but we are talking courtesy. What if cranking guy decides not to move and shuts off motor? Or some use both electric n gas stearing with electric. Just shut gas off now who has it. Its dicks like this who use the technicalities of old laws written before 36 volt gps trolling motors. COURTESY!!

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Btw there was a time I used a 12 ft alm boat with electric motor only, and trolled cranks with it.

 

[Wildyote]

I know the law but we are talking courtesy. What if cranking guy decides not to move and shuts off motor? Or some use both electric n gas stearing with electric. Just shut gas off now who has it. Its dicks like this who use the technicalities of old laws written before 36 volt gps trolling motors. COURTESY!!

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Btw there was a time I used a 12 ft alm boat with electric motor only, and trolled cranks with it.

Courtesy and common sense should rule. I jig, pull bbs, crank, and slip bobber so it isn't anything against cranking. I wont mess up a crankers pass by pulling in front of him on a point /structure if he is there first nor will I move out of the water I am fishing as he can cover way more water so if pulling cranks by riggers go around. If rigging by jiggers go around. The village idiot that pulls cranks through a crowd of riggers is destined to piss the majority of fisherman off. I most often give way to most people unless I am fishing a spot by myself and someone pirates me with binoculars.

 

[Rowdie]

Yes i agree, so tve real rule 3.

When there is a crowd of boats fishing a point or structure, don't pull cranks through them.
3a. Don't cruise through a crowd of boats with a huge wake.

Seen this done smh. Might start seeing it more with the new mapping tech.