Thanks for the help, good week of fishing

Stayed on Kelley's island the week before memorial day and had a great time. Weather was perfect, no big waves or flat water and was able to fish every day. I kept an eye on this board and it kept saying everything was west of the island....well the reports were correct. I didn't go as far west as the big line of boats but we never needed to, for the most part we were alone or only had 1-2 boats around us most of the time which was nice. You always run into a couple tailpipers when you're on a bite like is going on but most didn't hang around long, I think they were fishing a little different as I didn't see them swinging the net much and would get frustrated when we would pull fish from under their boat. I especially appreciate the boat from OH who either A) doesn't like out of staters B) didn't like me or C) doesn't like anybody on his lake as I was getting pinched off by another boat and couldn't turn away anymore (his other side was open but he chose not to turn) he just walks up to the bow of his boat to see how close my board would come to his boat....We were fishing a flat and the fish were everywhere but he chose to watch my board come within 5 feet of his boat and them proceeds to pull in behind and follow me running over the top of my bait......oh well we caught a couple fish from under him and then he decided to try somewhere else. We had our 3 man limit of 20"+ fish everyday in anywhere from 2-6 hours so all was good, big fish was 30.25" but the average was below last year. We couldn't find many fish east of the island, I hope that isn't a sign of a population decline but more the fish moved on to somewhere else. I love the fishery and hope that regulation stays ahead of things to ensure a healthy population for years to come. Thanks for all the advice on here, I was just using simple bottom bouncers and spinners. My way seems old school to jet divers and other stuff but it still seemed to work. I also feel bad for the charters that tailpiped us, I hope they got some fish for their customers, living and working there I would think they could stay on the fish better than having to follow someone that fishes there 1 week a year....

Funny.....we had a charter boat last Saturday that was doing the same thing to us just south of Kelly's....he would keep pushing into us even though there were no other boats around us. It was like he didn't want us fishing "his" spot. I hate it when people act like they own the lake.

Glad you had a good trip!

Were you crossing in front of him from his port side by chance? If not, he was being a jerk. If so, you were in the wrong. He would have been the stand on vessel, and you were supposed to give way. (Rules of the road).

We've all been there. We had one of our inline boards hit by someone's big boards on Saturday because they didn't make any effort to turn. There's no license required to own a boat unfortunately.

6 days on the water and very few incidents. I personally don't care what side you are on when everyone is at trolling speed (under 2 mph) and we all at the time were around 1.3 and he could see over 1/2 mile away that he was heading for the trolling line of a few other boats he shouldn't have crowded everyone else. Someone like that wouldn't last very long in the crowds on lake Michigan. The large charter guys at least put an effort in to avoid other boats, all the charter guys were fine in my book, I don't mind when they pull in behind me, it's when people cut you off that really sucks. Using the excuse that you are on my port side and I don't have to move for nothing excuse is just being a jerk and will cause you problems if you ever fish crowded waters. But some people are jerks no matter what and it is what they like to do, I just let them be and go on with my day, I have bigger things to think about than to let rude people ruin my day, like I said, it was a good fun trip. Good luck to everyone else that is going out.

We if I have or don't have the right away I move out of the way you won't believe how many times I've changed course only to have my rods start popping. if everyone one would just make little adjustments everything would be fine but some people just have to paint that trail.

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Originally Posted by onestout

6 days on the water and very few incidents. I personally don't care what side you are on when everyone is at trolling speed (under 2 mph) and we all at the time were around 1.3 and he could see over 1/2 mile away that he was heading for the trolling line of a few other boats he shouldn't have crowded everyone else. Someone like that wouldn't last very long in the crowds on lake Michigan. The large charter guys at least put an effort in to avoid other boats, all the charter guys were fine in my book, I don't mind when they pull in behind me, it's when people cut you off that really sucks. Using the excuse that you are on my port side and I don't have to move for nothing excuse is just being a jerk and will cause you problems if you ever fish crowded waters. But some people are jerks no matter what and it is what they like to do, I just let them be and go on with my day, I have bigger things to think about than to let rude people ruin my day, like I said, it was a good fun trip. Good luck to everyone else that is going out.

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The rules of the road were put in place to determine which vessel has the right of way and which vessel must alter their course, this is regardless of speed or compass heading. Being on the water is not like being in the old west where the biggest or fastest gun won the day. The rules were put in place for a reason.

By your own words you also knew that the boat in question was headed in a direction that would most likely intersect your's at the wrong time, but you still insist that the other fellow had to alter his course for what has to be 1 of 2 reasons, the first reason would be that the vessel in question was approaching you from your port side and in following the rules of the road that would be the correct reason for making your argument, the 2nd reason would be as you stated that he knew there would be a conflict in the courses of his and your vessels and by your post you obviously knew it also, and that he should have to altered course no matter which side you were approching him from simply because you said so and that reason is incorrect.

The other rule that would apply would be that both of you are required to take any and all course changes necessary to avoid a collision on the water.

After reading and re reading your post and you having made this statement " I personally don't care what side you are on when everyone is at trolling speed" I find it hard to believe that you follow the nautical rules of the road at all. " I personally don't care", is a powerful statement on what you believe in. We as boaters are all bound by the same rules while on the water while under power. The rules are simple and are designed that way so almost everyone can read and comprehend what they mean.

You became defensive about the post Capt Juls made so it leads me to believe that you were on his right coming from his port side.

Your attitude about the Nautical Rules of the road in this situation leads me and probably others on this forum to believe you are as big of a jerk as the person you are talking about.

penalty box Has the best solution for almost all situations on the water, if possible alter course and grin and bear it. It is not worth wrecking your day over.
Tight Lines:

It didn't ruin my day. I fail to understand how he has the right of way running at a 45 degree angle to waves while the rest of us were trolling a drift line with the wind not under power....please explain? Or are you just like that jerk and like to cut off those of us that are drifting? Either way I would do like I did and pick a different line to drift when I came to the end of it. Hope you feel better now, have a nice weekend.

Not trying to star or contribute to the argument this is just for my education. If you are not under power and an approaching boat is closing on a collision course, who is responsible for changing course? I know sail boats under wind power have the right of way but how about drifting boats?

Just want to point out that your post says you were trolling and not drifting, you don't know the difference or what. So lets make it clear I don't usually fish in crowds, and I always follow the rules of the road that is what they are for, those 2 things usually keep me away from the senario that you described. You said the things that you said they were your words not mine so take responsibility for them. You still have not said who was approaching from the port side. i really do believe that you need to take a safe boaters class. Most often they are free or is it that you personally don't care. I am history from this thread so have a nice day.

DUDE! It really doesn't matter way the guy going. I know how dumb it is that some people can't get with the game plan like you want them to, but not everybody gets to go in a straight line to where they want to go. I do sometimes but not ALL the time. These people on here are much smatter then you sound, if you can't play by the rules without complaining maybe you should not post anymore and or just stay Wi. Your kinda insulting!

ok just say your running east an turning around to go back west with 5 or 6 boats inline doing the same line 'do you think its ok tocut them off I dont

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Originally Posted by Dave Clark

ok just say your running east an turning around to go back west with 5 or 6 boats inline doing the same line 'do you think its ok tocut them off I dont

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What? You are all turning to go back west? If not speed up, slow down, go in front or behind don't cut them off. Start thinking about your turn way before you decide to and plan your turn, not just because you want to turn NOW. I've been trapped when I wanted to change direction but never been caged to where I could not get out of it. Adapt and over come.

totally agree that's what I try to do

Maybe if everyone did, there would be no more bitching.

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Originally Posted by Capt Juls

Were you crossing in front of him from his port side by chance? If not, he was being a jerk. If so, you were in the wrong. He would have been the stand on vessel, and you were supposed to give way. (Rules of the road).

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I'm not sure if you are asking me or the OP but I will answer in my situation the charter was coming in at an angle on my port side and I still gave way and the more I gave the more he pushed toward us. I should add that I've been boating for over 30 years and do know the rules of the road. It amazes me how many out there do not or are just rude or arrogant.

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Originally Posted by Eyezcrazy

I'm not sure if you are asking me or the OP but I will answer in my situation the charter was coming in at an angle on my port side and I still gave way and the more I gave the more he pushed toward us. I should add that I've been boating for over 30 years and do know the rules of the road. It amazes me how many out there do not or are just rude or arrogant.

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I was asking the OP.

Oh, I know what it's like out there, craziness... and, I also give way more than I don't, when it comes to me being the stand on vessel. That's why I usually prefer to go find areas where the majority of the traffic....isn't.

Headed back out again this morning. Supposed to be stormy this afternoon. Good luck everyone!

"Can't we all just get along"? lol

For starters, I am not siding with the OP, nor do I agree with the "I don't care what the rules are" attitude. I tend to fish areas without tons of traffic so it usually doesn't matter so much. However, I do have a question for those who have more experience dealing with this. I only troll down-wind with my electric motor. Going across the waves or into them is usually not a viable option. I am basically drifting, but using the electric to assist the drift. Hypothetically, if I am trolling down-wind, with 2 other boats doing the same to my left, and a big charter boat comes trolling along from our starboard side, going perpendicular to the wind under engine power, all 3 of us are required to give way to the guy going against the grain under power? That doesn't seem right to me. Now I am not going to troll over him or get in a fight over it, I would probably pull in my lines and go somewhere else. However, it seems to me that guys who are "trolling" down-wind under electric power only, should be classified in a similar way to those who are purely drifting. In other words, pleasure boats should give way to fisherman under engine power; who should give way to those under electric power only; who should give way to drifters; who should give way to boats that are anchored. That seems like the logical heirarchy to me. The rules may not agree, but maybe the rules need to be modified to the reality of today's situation. When they were created, the category that I would fall into didn't exist. Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by slimshady

For starters, I am not siding with the OP, nor do I agree with the "I don't care what the rules are" attitude. I tend to fish areas without tons of traffic so it usually doesn't matter so much. However, I do have a question for those who have more experience dealing with this. I only troll down-wind with my electric motor. Going across the waves or into them is usually not a viable option. I am basically drifting, but using the electric to assist the drift. Hypothetically, if I am trolling down-wind, with 2 other boats doing the same to my left, and a big charter boat comes trolling along from our starboard side, going perpendicular to the wind under engine power, all 3 of us are required to give way to the guy going against the grain under power? That doesn't seem right to me. Now I am not going to troll over him or get in a fight over it, I would probably pull in my lines and go somewhere else. However, it seems to me that guys who are "trolling" down-wind under electric power only, should be classified in a similar way to those who are purely drifting. In other words, pleasure boats should give way to fisherman under engine power; who should give way to those under electric power only; who should give way to drifters; who should give way to boats that are anchored. That seems like the logical heirarchy to me. The rules may not agree, but maybe the rules need to be modified to the reality of today's situation. When they were created, the category that I would fall into didn't exist. Just my opinion.

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You didn't say if you were "drifting with the assist of the TM" and pulling boards, or casting. If you're casting, then you are a "drifter". If you're pulling boards, you're trolling, and moving fast enough to maneuver.

Here's my take on it:

Everyone must avoid an anchored boat...even sail boats.

Those under power, and moving (whether using electric or engine), must avoid drifters, because their engines are off and cannot move. Those under power must also adhere to the rules of the road whenever possible.

Pleasure boaters who are on plane and running through fishing packs must avoid all of us.

Those annoying sail boats need only avoid anchored boats when under sail. But, hopefully, they would also avoid drifters too, but good luck with that. When under power by engine they must adhere to the same rules of the road as the rest of us.

Oh, and don't get in a ferry lane and expect them to move for you. That's just not a smart practice. ;)

It's best just to be the courteous one when you can see someone is being a jerk.

Like you, I also leave the packs and go find my own fish, so I don't have to deal with it. Then, when they start piling in on me again....I go find another spot.

It's best just to take the high road....you'll live a longer healthier life. ;)

The good thing about lake erie is that 99.9% of the guys out there are courtious towards other fisherman regardless of what the rule book says. The guys who are causing the problems are the ones who will let what the rule book says trump common sense and courtesy. I had a run in with one of those guys a few weeks ago. The big thing is keep a cool head and don't let them get under your skin.

Check the lounge for a link to the Department of Homeland Security, USCG, Navigation Rules.

I agree with that. Like I said, I tend to stay away from packs so i don't have to deal with this most of the time. If I do, i would either adjust my path as much as possible with the electric, or just pull in the lines and make another pass. No sense getting in a scuffle over it. That being said, it does seem like the "rules of the road" are a bit antiquated for today's reality. The fact is, a boat under engine power can troll any direction they want, and usually do. Therefore, it is FAR easier for them to adjust their path (most of the time) than it is for those trolling down-wind with an electric motor. The current rules of the road do not take this into account. That was my point. Not going to lose any sleep over it, just wanted to point it out.

you will like this one i was trolling saturday with big boards and a sail boat was approaching me from behind, i was going 1.4 with big boards the sail boat much faster, he almost ran me over I got on the radio and asked if he wanted me to go left or right I couldn't get out of the way I went to the left as the sail boat got closer he did a 180 What are the rules of the road, I know the sail boat has the right away but can you someone over?

Trolling with an electric shouldn't matter at all. You do have a gas motor as well you can easily start to change course. It's by choice you use one motor over another.

Lol. I read the first post and wondered... "Why did they move this thread, it looks like. Nice report to me". Then I kept reading.
Lol. Things can get heated in here and when information is not provided then assumptions are made.
I assume that if someone is running boards, then they are under power. If a boat has its nose pointed in the direction it is headed then I would assume it is under power. If someone is drifting sideways with bags then they are not under power.
If someone is drifter, pointed into the waves being "assisted" by an electric motor... How is it that I, as a powerboat, am supposed to know that. If I see boards and a boat pointed bow-first into an oncoming wind then I would automatically assume they are under power.
Just saying....

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Originally Posted by penalty box

you will like this one i was trolling saturday with big boards and a sail boat was approaching me from behind, i was going 1.4 with big boards the sail boat much faster, he almost ran me over I got on the radio and asked if he wanted me to go left or right I couldn't get out of the way I went to the left as the sail boat got closer he did a 180 What are the rules of the road, I know the sail boat has the right away but can you someone over?

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Here is some information on the subject! Check out #6 in the following link. The vessel being over took is the stand on vessel and has the right of way the vessel over taking the other vessel must give way.

http://spinnaker-sailing.com/online-courses/lesson-3

It is also addressed in another link in Rule #13

http://navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent

(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing;
(iv) a sailing vessel.

So would you consider drifting and casting a fishing vessel?

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Originally Posted by Just One More

So would you consider drifting and casting a fishing vessel?

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Nope. "a vessel engaged in fishing" refers to commercial fishing vessels only. Our regular fishing boats are the bottom of the totem pole. lol

A drifter would be considered "not under command" as the motor is off and the captain is probably fishing and not at the wheel.