Thanks for the help, good week of fishing

[ErieEye]

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.

[Bggeary]

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!

[wakina]

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

[Just One More]

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?

[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.

[Capt Juls]

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.

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.

[slimshady]

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.

[Madd Matt]

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....