I don't run up on people or cut em off on drifts, on the other hand if someone does it to me I used to get really worked up now I just leave it they shut down the bite, if a area I'm catching fish in has other boats in site I always reel em in with my rod tip down n shake em off the hook I don't put em in the ice chest either basically I try not to attract attention. On the other hand if I'm smokin em n I see a father/ son struggling I will call/ wave em over so he can put the kid on fish I've even given the plastics I've been catching em on ...... Now if someone messes up a killer topwater bite I'm on that's a whole different story :p

Ray - I made mistakes in my first year or two of fishing that I look back on now with complete embarassment. I learned what some of my mistakes were by reading another forum that I am still a member of today (11 years later). Sometimes I'd read something and think to myself, "Damn, I'm one of THEM!" And I believe myself to be a pretty considerate person. You've got to remember that 98% of fishermen are weekend warriors who don't get to fish nearly enough (like me), especially those that "lurk" because they are learning and are afraid to post up and say something that sounds stupid. We've all been there at one point in our lives. ;)

That said, I definitely agree that the rules should be published in more places than just this site. If y'all get a good list of best practices put together, I'll see what I can do. ;)

Pox - It's definitely on when someone kills a topwater bite! :D Probably 2/3 of my fishing is topwater, and it's hard to get on a good bite sometimes.

It's not rules. It's respect and courtesy. There are actually no rules for killing someone's bite.
The term should be something like "common courtesy" or "respectful hints".

If you are not as good of a fisherman as the next guy, that shouldn't mean that you
can basically kill his fishing, and day off work, because he is doing good and you are not.

We all make mistakes. But some are blatent potlicking/grave jumping. Not mistakes.
They are just greedy and want the fish you are catching.

If I make a mistake and don't realize it, please tell me what I did wrong, with an
explanation of why, so I can understand better.

I have gone thru the Grand Bayou boat bay and a guide gives me a stern look and
says I am killing his business. I had to tell him to get ready, there will be a few
more boats behind me going in and out. Fishing a confined, high traffic area is not
a good choice. But if you run over any reef on plane, you deserve the finger. Except
Turners, it is one big reef. You have to get thru there now and then. I won't run thru
Turners if I am not fishing Turners. I'd rather go down the ship channel and go thru
Texaco Cut or 9 Mile Cut. Running the channel is usually calmer than the lake anyway.
There are way too many who run over well known reefs to get somewhere else.
Why ruin everyone elses fun, THINK before you leave the launch.

Ray, you're correct. It shouldn't be called rules...common courtesy and etiquette are more appropriate terms. Unfortunately, too many people aren't taught either by their parents these days. Hopefully a list published in a few startegic places might help, if even just a little.

Isn't the guy with Cajun Outdoors a member here? Would be nice if he could publish our boating etiquette 101 spring and fall in his magazine.

Fixed it for ya buddy!:*****: Basic rule for that would be, if ya piss me off on the water, I'm gonna run my ugly arse, heavy arse, 3/16" skiff into the side of your fancy fiberglass rig! Wanna guess the outcome?:shaking::smokin:

Raymond, wanna borrow my boat?!:*****:

Please do not generalize
 

Please do not generalize people, I own a t-top and I know how to fish birds and I do not mess up other anglers fishing. If I can get in without messing them up I will if not there are more spots. Some like the t-top for the added convenience it offers. I highly doubt 90% are bad anglers

Start Chootin! Get some blanks and just cap off a few rounds and go back to what you were doing lol

Pretty funny right there, but you're right. Kind of an "all hat no cattle" thing.

then you must be in the 10%...

Hmmm...I'd been wondering why Kyle922 hadn't been posting but I now know...BANNED!

Man, I miss all the juicy stuff!

Meaux, that was funny!

i just started salt water fishing 3 years ago. i have a 18 ft blue wave (no troll motor yet) and a 10 ft. alumacraft flat. first thing i found out was catching a fish is like building a church--they will come. reading fishing articles i learned different ways to catch fish in my own spots and my father taught me sportsmanship--some of these guys have no respect.

More that agree T-Tops =trouble :D:D:D:D

Just needs a T-top.

That's a pretty rig right there!

DO idle into a fishing area

DON'T get so close where you're casting where I am casting.

or

DO stay the hell away from me.

DON'T come within 100 yards of me

Do not idle into a fishing area.
Use wind or trolling motor.

If my lure can tangle your lure, that's too close.