Kayak Boat Crowd Fishing Etiquette

[lamb]

We better spin some constructive discussion, educate the masses.

There seems many more complaints after the fact,
then opportunities for the new folks to learn about what's the right way to play the game together.

As a boater, and kayaker - we all need to bring it down a notch.
There is no need to fuel the fire.

You must be aware what's out there.
Yes, you have good number of boater bozos,
but some yakkers are not innocent.

Don't forget that you also have a good number of guys who have your back.
Lots of ex kayakers, some with many years on it. they know how it is to be caught in the wake.
Many guys who would not hesitate to save your ass if you were ever going to need help.
And you may. It's a big mighty ocean. I hear even some of the super experienced ones you read tales from are sometimes in need of some serious assistance out there.

Then you have the guys that just don't pay attention... :rolleyes:

The other day at the NW Corner, spearo gunned his thin-can 20mph right by the kayaker who was drifting live bait... Right at the kelp edge, right inside of all other boats :eek: Way too fast, right through kayaker's flyline. It spooled him, almost rolled the poor guy over. We were done, so we ran after him, caught up at South LJ. We told him to better check his outboard, as he may be winding on a 300 yards of spectra. :sifone: The guy scored a croaker, was all excited, in rush to get back... Didn't even realize what he did :o

Stay safe out there!


Keep an eye out on surrounding traffic.

At night, or in the fog, HAVE GOOD LIGHTS!.
Lot's of guys are smart, they start flashing their stuff as they hear the boat approaching.
Make yourself visible, and you should be all right.

Don't assume that the boater sees you only because you see the boat coming your way!

It happens, people space out...
It happened to me few years ago... :o
I almost ran over Dave - we were chasing birds,
I had the sun in my eyes - I SWEAR I DID NOT SEE HIM.
Nothing happened,
I just got way too close.
No excuse, I f'd up big time.
I promptly apologized, still feel bad about it.

My point is do not ever assume anything.
You've got to watch out.

There are many kayakers who get in a way, or slide in way too close.

No one likes to fish in the crowd.

We need to make the best experience out of it, and safe for everyone.

[momo fish]

did you run over another yaker again? :rolleyes:

being new, I just get annoyed when there is 20 kayakers and a boater decides to high tail and speed off causing huge waves... Like saving 1 minute was worth the risk to others...

[lamb]

No, never did,

And since you're new - I happen to be an admin around here so I can ban your ass if you annoy me too much with your comment. :evil:

Just trying to get constructive dialoge going

[bus kid]

well said Adi.

[Nic D]

well put Adi...

fished on monday out of my 17' skiff. I was slow trolling a mac in 110' off the NW corner and this yakker slid up off my port side about 10'oclock and basically stopped right in my way about 20 yards off my bow. He stayed there until he was so close I could have pissed on him or offered him a beer. He eventually realized he was too close and peeled off.


good info in your post!

[driftwood]

Good job Adi!

Your many years experience in a kayak and on a boat
deserves your attention and respect from both kayakers
and power boaters. :)

[dorado50]

If you are slow trolling a bait or two and you see a power boat coming towards you, begin to wind in you line(s) slowly as he may or may not turn away from your lines! Err on the side of caution so can still keep fishing.

[Socalrobt]

Thank you for posting this Adi! Great stuff.

[Siebler]

And as a reminder as much Drama as there has been with Sportboats over the years this applies there too. Having been a kayak fishermen for over 10 years I always caught crap when I worked on sportboats and the kayakers would come in WAY too close to chum lines.

These guys are trying to make a living and it is a tough industry, give them their space if they were there first. I have seen plenty of guys make a long paddle just to sit inside a sporties chum line. Not cool at all. Obviously different story if they come set up on top of you but since Mr Coz is out of Fishermens now doesnt seem to happen as often.

[makobob]

So what are the proper distances to give others their space? How far off a chum line it considered right? Is it alright to slide up on another yaker, say to within 20-30 yards? What about giving them a radio call letting them know there is a wide open bite 300 yards behind them? What is considered proper?

Thanks!

[cabojohn]

IMO its the new generation of kayak fisherman who are the idiots out there.
Warning shots accross the bow seem to work best...its a big ocean...stay waaay the fawk away from other boats / kayaks. :boxing_smiley:

[makobob]

Cabojohn, so educate us, Tell us what you expect to be right.

[vincentek9]

i just assume that everyone is trolling something and stay far away from them. people who go to fast and cause a wake.. i use it to test my reflexes and wave handling abilities.

[dorado50]

Cabojohn, so educate us, Tell us what you expect to be right.


TRY COMMON SENSE FIRST>>>>>>>>>:rolleyes:

[Hondatom]

Good information. IMO: if you can cast an iron and hit the other guy, you are too close. I am a true green horn around here, so maybe I am wrong.:jig:

[Iceman]

However far you can cast X 2 is a good rule of thumb :D

[Fiskadoro]

If you are slow trolling a bait or two and you see a power boat coming towards you, begin to wind in you line(s) slowly as he may or may not turn away from your lines! Err on the side of caution so can still keep fishing.


Absolutely right.

It's like riding a motorcycle in traffic. Imagine the cars, or in this case boats don't see you. To you it's obvious what your line is doing to a passing private boater chances are they can't even see it.

[Dan]

However far you can cast X 2 is a good rule of thumb :D

I like this. Should be a golden rule.

While we're talking etiquette -let's talk la jolla boat launch -- it should be noted that it is not acceptable to open hatches, pick up game bags, move articles of clothing to try and see "what's in there" in other people's kayaks and/or boats back at the launch. Shouldn't even have to be said, but it happens every time i'm at the launch.

This is akin to reaching into someone's car and changing the radio station or telling your buddy you think his girlfriend is hot. ya just don't do it.

Use your noggin and try and read the body language of the person - it should be very easy to tell if someone is willing to BS and those who just want to pack their skunk (me) or glory fish up and get off the beach.

[ful-rac]

However far you can cast X 2 is a good rule of thumb :D


Sounds good....then the fish bite then all the rules go out the window!!!!!

[GregAndrew]

It is not as simple a question as how far. There are a lot of factors that you should keep in mind when determining how far. Sometimes, well within casting range is acceptable (like rockfishing), and sometimes you need to give much wider distances (you are both dragging flylined macks, or fancasting irons). Even if you are not fishing, and just passing by, you should give the other fisherman the room you would want if you were casting an iron or flylining a mack (if those are types of fishing that occur in the area).

[lowprofile]

and then you have cattle boats run right up your ass because they see your rods go bendo on a school of macks and you have 12 people throwing surface irons your way....:rolleyes:

I've never had a problem fishing around personal boats and yaks. making small talk and keeping a good 50 yards away usually helps.

[lowprofile]

However far you can cast X 2 is a good rule of thumb :D

does that mean the Kevin has to stay 300 yards away when throwing his irons? :D

[steveooo]

Good discussion lamb, but you left out the fish report part :the_finger:

I like the 2X casting rule, and the common sense rule. I've been too close to someone when they hooked up, and because of that I caused them to lose a fish. I felt like such an ass. I still do. I don't really remember all the fish I have personally lost, but I always will remember the one I made someone else lose :mad:

Summer can be bad, but it can get even worse during a "bite". During a squid bite, or any bite where guys are soaking bait, the fleet stays pretty stationary. If you are going to move, reel up your lines and only pass other boats on their bow. Don't stop and set up shop directly off their stern. In those type of "bites" I've always had better luck hanging somewhere outside of the fleet.

The longer I kayak fish, the more I realize I like the solitude of it. I see people all day at work. It's nice to get away every once in a while....unless someone leaks that the :wsb: and :yt: are chewing wfo. If that happens I'll see you guys down there :D

[wade]

IMO its the new generation of kayak fisherman who are the idiots out there.
Warning shots accross the bow seem to work best...its a big ocean...stay waaay the fawk away from other boats / kayaks. :boxing_smiley:

A-MEN! Googans on the loose!?

Clueless PB'ers are one thing, its another to have a fellow plastic brother completly clueless with proper OTW etiquette....After you get your gear situated and are ready to charge LJ, there is a lot more to know than tackle requirements before you jump into the deep end...

Greg is one highly skilled & cool guy, but there is a good reason why some call him the angry skiff guy...

Take notes!
http://vimeo.com/59091385









& years ago on this glass day...check the wake straight into Greg T., where he could have easily let me break off on his anchor line..
Nope.
He totally saved this :wsb:!!

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PxGo9RexRz0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
•

[StinkyMatt]

Talk to other people on the water. You will know whether you are too close or not. If fishing with people you know, the rules are different. If rock fishing with your buddies, it's clusterphuck time.:eek:


If you plan on getting anywhere close to another kayaker, ask if they have lines down and if not ask if you can pass behind them.....most guys will let you know if its cool or not.

If in doubt, or someone is not very talkative, give extra room.



I do want to add, as soon as people start going bendo see if all these 200 yd rules stay in place. I can tell you from my experience that as soon as you get on even the most experienced, highly respected, sponsored yak fishermen out there have a way of sliding in really close. :rolleyes:


Common sense is not so common anymore.:eek:

[lamb]

Keep it coming gang, great dope!
Tnx for sharing that Greg's video Wade, good stuff.

I am sure new kayakers will learn a lot,
I am hoping the number of boaters that keep an eye out on BWE will learn from this discussion too.

[Iceman]

Gotta share this fresh experience. Today I was doing the happy pedal in around 10am with a large greenback in tow. About 100 yards outside the reserve the greenback gets picked up and freight trains south and finally into the kelp. There is a boater in gear cruising into the path of the fish. I yell out that I have a fish heading at him, it is obvious, rod bent and moving fast, he just stared back and kept motoring. Around 25 feet away I yell that I am going to run right into him. He yells back all pissed off" Are you serious? I slammed into the side of the boat, fish still pulling drag, I have the rod in the water and am getting pushed around the stern right by that spinning prop thingy. Fish pops off as it rubs on something sharp and finally he tells his chick to take it out of gear. He lets loose with smoke coming out of his ears about me hitting his $50,000 boat and how I should have bjust backed off the drags. I just apologized as I had no intention of hitting his boat. Now if he had been anchored and not under power I would feel really bad. I like to think that I always try to take my share of the responsibility, this guy took none and showed me no courtesy, he could have easily taken the boat out of gear or turned the wheel to the left and I would have easily won Wades YT Derby :D

[dorado50]

Wow, that sucks. Not much you can do about people like that. Too bad you had to lose the fish because of this arrogant soul. Worst part about it is that tomorrow there will be another guy like him right around the corner! :mad:

[lamb]

Ugh...

Andy, that really sucks.
That's that "the guys that don't pay attention" category... :o
And you had to apologize?! :eek:

There is just no excuse...
If you are out there, fishing on your beautiful $50K boat,
and if you don't know that any moment that kayaker off of your bow can be taken on a ride,
and turn into unpredictable sailboat whose wind has a plan of it's own,
you have no friggen place out there.

You should be banned from sharing these waters, for ignorance.

Sad part is that if that was the attitude the guy had,
he'll likely keep it forever -
he is not the type that will read forums such as this, trying to learn more about what he's trying to catch (I suppose)

Thanks for sharing that Masta

[steveooo]

Gotta share this fresh experience. Today I was doing the happy pedal in around 10am with a large greenback in tow. About 100 yards outside the reserve the greenback gets picked up and freight trains south and finally into the kelp. There is a boater in gear cruising into the path of the fish. I yell out that I have a fish heading at him, it is obvious, rod bent and moving fast, he just stared back and kept motoring. Around 25 feet away I yell that I am going to run right into him. He yells back all pissed off" Are you serious? I slammed into the side of the boat, fish still pulling drag, I have the rod in the water and am getting pushed around the stern right by that spinning prop thingy. Fish pops off as it rubs on something sharp and finally he tells his chick to take it out of gear. He lets loose with smoke coming out of his ears about me hitting his $50,000 boat and how I should have bjust backed off the drags. I just apologized as I had no intention of hitting his boat. Now if he had been anchored and not under power I would feel really bad. I like to think that I always try to take my share of the responsibility, this guy took none and showed me no courtesy, he could have easily taken the boat out of gear or turned the wheel to the left and I would have easily won Wades YT Derby :D

Any pics of the dudes girlfriend? :D No? How about a pic of a YT? :bigear:
:grouphug:

[YakMedic]

Today I was doing the happy pedal in around 10am :D

Happy pedal at 10 huh?

Sucks about the asshat boater but I have suspicions that you didn't come in empty handed either.

Its good to post up the experience because even when you try and do everything you can there are always things outside your control eg. oblivious boaters.

[Iceman]

I guess I might have been the other hot head in this situation if I did not have fresh YT on the deck. 8 am 24#on a flylined greenback in 80 feet. I was planning on releasing the 2nd...........I guess I did. :rolleyes:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/580237_666330793392952_375428441_n.jpg

[Jimmyz123]

TRY COMMON SENSE FIRST>>>>>>>>>:rolleyes:


Best statement of all. Because there are so many new Kayak fishermen out there that may or may not have ever fished from a regular boat or whatever Common Sense is the best tool. If you are paddling around and you see a fellow Kayaker assume they have a bait out either trolling or fly line and keep your distance. There are a lot of boaters out there that will look out for others, and then there are those that just bought their boat and don't know squat about rules of the water. Carry a radio, cell phone, whistle, horn, or whatever you need to feel safe. Like others have said prepair for them to not see you.

When I got into this I asked the question of what's a safe distance to stay off a fellow Kayaker. I was told to imagine about 50 feet of line being out and double that. Also what Andy stated about casting the irons.

Last year I had a boater throtle up and haul off and in doing so sucked my line up. Fortunately it did not spool me, but I yelled at him, he stopped, apologized, and went on. It's not always that pleasant out there. It's almost like those Surfers that get mad at you for surfing their break, it's a big ocean, I'm sure we can figure out how to give each other space.

Common Sense, use it, It could make for a better time on the water.

[taggermike]

Great post in this thread. And Andy that's. A messed up encounter.
Most bad interactions are just from ignorance or inattention. But there
Are folks out there that get a kick out of f'n with yakkers. I comuted by
bike for years and always assumed drivers didn't see me. That same attitude
Has served me well on the yak. I've had exactly 1 contact with Greg T. My YT ran
A long way and in to his anchor. He helped me get the fish free. No trouble
Just a sory and a thank you. Communication always helps oh ya and respect.
I love having the sporties out there. They pull all the dogs in and I stay the
Hell away from them and the clueless, or rudes, they attract.
And catch fish. One last thing; no matter how pissed you are, how right you are,
Or how bad the others transgression is, do not fire an iron at them. I've come close
To doing it and the though of being in court for assault made me cool my jets.
Mike

[alanw]

Watch out for SUPs in the harbors too. Last month I was trolling a big hammer around and a clueless summer SUP renter went by me then cut in behind me which I didn't expect. I just saw my pole bend while she ran through my line back there. I tried to stop, but she kept going and I was too slow to release the bail. I heard the lure knock against her board a few times as it pulled over and across her feet/legs. She was screaming something about the "flying fish" as it went by, clueless to the possibility of a fishing line. I just went on feeling lucky I had on a weedless head so it didn't hook up her foot. It was probably my fault though and is a good idea to warn people you pass about trolling lines, or pull them up when in doubt.

[dorado50]

You are one person I never would want to be around!. To cause bodily harm to someone over a fishing line is just wrong. You seem to be out of control on the water...please forgive your victims as they may not know what they do!! The taking the "violators to court" thing that you do is a much better process.

[FlyFishinYakr]

Gotta share this fresh experience. Today I was doing the happy pedal in around 10am with a large greenback in tow. About 100 yards outside the reserve the greenback gets picked up and freight trains south and finally into the kelp. There is a boater in gear cruising into the path of the fish. I yell out that I have a fish heading at him, it is obvious, rod bent and moving fast, he just stared back and kept motoring. Around 25 feet away I yell that I am going to run right into him. He yells back all pissed off" Are you serious? I slammed into the side of the boat, fish still pulling drag, I have the rod in the water and am getting pushed around the stern right by that spinning prop thingy. Fish pops off as it rubs on something sharp and finally he tells his chick to take it out of gear. He lets loose with smoke coming out of his ears about me hitting his $50,000 boat and how I should have bjust backed off the drags. I just apologized as I had no intention of hitting his boat. Now if he had been anchored and not under power I would feel really bad. I like to think that I always try to take my share of the responsibility, this guy took none and showed me no courtesy, he could have easily taken the boat out of gear or turned the wheel to the left and I would have easily won Wades YT Derby :D

You are one person I never would want to be around!. To cause bodily harm to someone over a fishing line is just wrong. You seem to be out of control on the water...please forgive your victims as they may not know what they do!! The taking the "violators to court" thing that you do is a much better process.


You obviously didn't read my statement thoroughly! I never stated I aim for the people, I aim for the largest mass of the boat that I could hit WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY of causing collateral injury (i.e. the bow.). I also should have quantified clearer that I believe my life was in danger And if you've ever been that close to a larger boat while in a float tube or pontoon then you might have a better idea (and I'm talking so close you can reach out and touch the boat!)
Also there is a favorite saying in court...ignorance of the law is "NO EXCUSE".
FFY

[dorado50]

Launching a projectile at a person or object is WRONG. Perhaps anger management classes will help you. Most don't know or would consider the damage to a person which a paintball, 1oz.sinker,and even an iron can cause. Get a clue...if you wanna shot and maime things don't do it on our oceans.....:mad:

By the way, if your in a float tube stay the hell out of boat traffic lanes.

[easyday]

You are one person I never would want to be around!. To cause bodily harm to someone over a fishing line is just wrong. You seem to be out of control on the water...please forgive your victims as they may not know what they do!! The taking the "violators to court" thing that you do is a much better process.

If I read correctly, or maybe I didnt it sounded like whoever said boater was was going to hit him not his lines. A loud thump on the hull would deff get my attention if I was a boater. It may not be be yhe best case but hey situation always dictates. Cant really armchair quarterback a decision made in a moment if we weren't there. Just saying.

[Zed]

You guys carry a safety whistle and/or airhorn right?

[easyday]

What about carrying a small signal mirror to give them a quick flash to get their attention?

[cabojohn]

I don't know if this is acceptable but I carry a wrist rocket with paintballs if they don't see my 500 lumen patrol light. If they ignore both warnings I also have a fog horn. Finally if they are bound and determined to get too close I go to my steel shot BB's and aim for the hull (at the bow where the boat rides the highest and presents a larger area where it is harder to miss and inadvertently cause collateral casualties unless there are passengers up front as in the case of center console style boats) so the sound will get their attention. I'll also video the CF# or take pics. For documentation purposes and file a report with the Coast Guard using my position as a federal D.O.T. representative so that they have to explain their irresponsible operation of a water vessel.
I did that when I was Float tubing Crowley when a guide service which will remain nameless kept speeding through Magee Bay almost swamping a number of tubers. I just happen to have my brand new video camera which I was "breaking in" documenting how close he would come to float tubers (we're talking within feet!). I called lake patrol let them review the video & got them removed for the day. I also filed a complaint against their guide license and drove up there for court to present my case and had their license suspended for 30 days. What private boaters don't realize there are waterway right of ways and safe conduct/distance regulation to protect bigger boats from smaller vessels. I don't have a problem going to court to have violators of these regulations fined.
btw: I have been chastised and fined for the use of my wrist rocket (but in that one case it was worth it).
I don't advocate the use of this kind of violence, just sharing my experience on the water.
FFY.

NO, it is not acceptable ever to use violence on the water.

Leave your rocket toys at home fool...you will end up hurting someone or getting yourself killed because of your own stupidity.

[MrPatrick]

A wrist rocket is classified as a dangerous weapon when aimed at a person. If you brought it up in court that you were almost by their boat ,they could counter that you assaulted them by firing upon their vessel with your slingshot. It's a no win situation. Don't ask how I know about wrist rockets and the laws that govern their use. ;)

[Jimmyz123]

Trust me, if you launch a projectile at someone's boat, and cause damage to that boat or anyone on the boat, or your actions cause pain or injury YOU will be held liable. There are other ways to protect yourself. Horns, whistles, and the like are the best way to go. Keep your head up and if you see a boater not paying attention, I'm sure you can get out of the way. I always have my paddle on my lap or close enough to grab and whistle attached to me. I have had some close encounters, but nothing has ever hit me. Don't launch things at others, remember you are on a Kayak and a boater can make life really ugly for you if they want to.


Common Sense, screams load and clear here.

[wiredantz]

POwer boat vs kayak = who will win :boxing_smiley: :biggrinjester:

[dorado50]

Trust me, if you launch a projectile at someone's boat, and cause damage to that boat or anyone on the boat, or your actions cause pain or injury YOU will be held liable. There are other ways to protect yourself. Horns, whistles, and the like are the best way to go. Keep your head up and if you see a boater not paying attention, I'm sure you can get out of the way. I always have my paddle on my lap or close enough to grab and whistle attached to me. I have had some close encounters, but nothing has ever hit me. Don't launch things at others, remember you are on a Kayak and a boater can mike life really ugly for you if they want to.


Common Sense, screams load and clear here.



Well stated Jimmyz,;) at least there seems to be a few guys here that understand the consequences involved here.

[Zed]

Common Sense, screams load and clear here.
Firing common sense loads is alright.

[buttchaser]

I some how missed this post from last month , Great info for all of us .....

Bump :D

[easyday]

Almost got ran over by vessel assist....the guy was looking at his phone

[CKallday71]

Irony... You're doing it right.

Almost got ran over by vessel assist....the guy was looking at his phone