BIGHEAD_1
Just venting a bit
Completely understand. Unfortunately, the word of fishing/boating etiquette doesn't travel nearly as fast as good fishing reports do.
If I am not the first to one of my 4-5 spots planned for that day, I try a different spot that others are not at. Sometimes all of those spots are taken, but enough room for more than a boat or two in many of the larger areas. I personally use the 2 cast distance as a reference when things get crowded. My longest cast should not hit that other person's longest cast. Most times, I try to stay 100 yards away from people though. Granted, some times you can't avoid that when motoring by and too many other boats out. Especially those kayaks and sailboats that don't seem to have full control and need to give them a much larger cushion. Then I may get a bit closer to anglers just to pass, I'll always slow down if the case. Or if pulling my boat into skinny water and having to use a channel to get me out. If I am back in an area, then guys show up and anchor in a channel or shore fish, sorry, but I need to be able to get out.
I honestly do not mind courteous anglers that know what they are doing, sharing a drift or get a little close when passing. Some areas I fish are 50 yard or so drifts, motor back up and do again. I don't mind if someone joins my conga line, if they are courteous about it. Honestly, I enjoy it if all are catching and sharing reports, etc. Ideally, this wouldn't happen, but not like Arthur is a remote Canadian lake... I do get annoyed when someone goes and drops anchor half way through where I have been drifting for the past hour and they clearly see that when motoring to where I am. I also do not mind when guys are working a shoreline with their trolling motor, I am anchored on a school and they get a bit close to me to pass by. I don't expect them to drop their gas motor to go 100 yards around me. It is not acceptable for them to cast into the area that I am fishing when they go by, which I have had knuckledraggers do before... Most times they go by without casting, usually share fishing reports and a nice thing.
Certain times of the year are far worse than others. Summer weekends are just stupid with kayaks and sailboats, pretty much expect idiots. The fishing is not good enough IMO to even deal with that. Night time hybrids has gotten to be about as stupid and pretty much just hope for the 2 cast distance thing, but do understand that is hard to judge at night. I try to stay away from the Christmas string of boat lights in many areas, but it has gotten so popular that it is hard to give 100 yard cushions. Spring can get a bit crowded too, so many people want to get out of their house and the fishing is typically pretty good. The fish are in certain areas and often where the boats are.