Question to the Captains about trolling courtesy & protocol in a pack

[Madd Matt]

My grandfather used to always say, "Pedestrians have the right of way. That doesn't mean that you just step out in a crosswalk in NY City without looking and using common sense... You'll be "Dead Right!"

There are rules, and it would be nice if everyone used them. I was in that area North of Niagra and stayed out of that pack. The radio was full of comical and frustrating interactions.

I had a Crestline coming up on my port side. I was trolling about 100' wide, with another boat 25 yards off my Starboard (our boards almost touching) and couldn't turn Right, and another boat trailing off my rear port so I simply could not give way. I had the right of way, but long before anything happened I started saying, "Where is this guy gonna go? His only choice was to turn 90 degrees port and get in line with us because he simply couldn't make it across all three of us, and he couldn't turn between us.

I knew once he kept coming that someone was going to be in trouble. He was by himself, trolling offshores. By the time he realized what was going on, it was too late. I did say something to him on the radio (nicely)... but he maneuvered and ultimately wrapped his off-shore around my port side planer board.

He immediately got on the radio and apologized. Other boats were yelling at him because they saw it happen...

I originally told him what marina he could pick up his gear at later that day. He said that he really wanted to get it off my board because he had an expensive lure.

Because he was alone (i've been there) and he was sincere in his apology, I tried to keep tight lines and go in and out of gear while he came up along my board, got his off-shore un-clipped, then got his line and lure. It all took about 7-8 min.

No harm, no foul.

Had he cussed at me or flipped me off, my boards would have been in and I would have owned about a $40 setup that I would never use. He handled it well and we both went on our way.

This was during all that radio chatter and guys threatening each other. One boater even said something about someone being "Sponsored by Kleenex." Tempers were pretty hot that day... Boats going whatever direction they want... Guys coming into a pack of 150-200 trolling boats and setting down to drift...

I drift too! But because I have a larger boat and troll, I also know that it takes almost 1/4 mile to turn a 30' inboard 300' wide with 16 parallel lines in the water (unless you are Skipper9 and then you can spin it on a dime). I also know as a troller that I have a difficult time telling if someone is drifting or under power until it is too close to do much about it. If you are drifting in a pack of 100+ trolling boats you have every right to be there. You have the right of way (for the most part). But don't hesitate to get on the radio and tell a large boat coming toward you that you are not under power, and drifting. Most of us will greatly appreciate that courtesy. Those who give you a hard time for drifting... well.. they are going to be upset no matter what.

Keep in mind too that when someone that trolls says, "A drifter came and set down RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!" that is a legitimate gripe if a boat stops within a half mile or so directly on your line. It is kinda like a motorcycle whipping in front of a semi tractor-trailer "because he fits" and slamming on his brakes...

I would personally love it if boats that are in a huge pack of 80-90% trolling boats would talk on the radio and let people know that they are drifting. I promise, people may get upset, but it won't take long and everyone trolling will know which boat is drifting. On calm days it's easy... It's the one with the guy standing on the bow casting! lol

Other times... it can be tough, but if we know you are there we will accommodate. Every trolling captain started off drifting. Some of those captains tend to forget that, not every drifter has knowledge and experience of a 34' Cat trolling 16 lines.

-Matt Gaiser

PS - I am not a captain, just an amateur.