Fishing Etiquette and Manners

[ledhead36]

Do NOT set up 5 rods in a row on a beach pier or jetty when you know the space is small and a lot of other people will be fishing there. And when the cops come and tell you you can't fish certain areas, DONT fish those areas!!!!!

[hookset]

^^ Can't stand selfish pigs like that. I read the other thread ledhead, so disgusted to hear they got the bridge closed down to fishing. Some people don't get it.

[DarkSkies]

There was a fistfight on a rockpile on Thur 5/26. We don't need any more of that for the non-fishing public to see.

[Monty]

There was a fistfight on a rockpile on Thur 5/26. We don't need any more of that for the non-fishing public to see.

While I agree with you and that violence is not the answer, more than likely..... At some point since the people setting the regulations are clueless and do not have the public interests even remotely close to a priority, when is enough going to be enough? Dead big bass laying around, ridicules crowding and inconsideration. I don't go near this scene, but just reading about the waste of bass and poor sportsmanship makes me angry. When/how do the Sportsman get things under control, especially as you indicated they (inconsiderate **#*!*##@*'s, are considered us?

[DarkSkies]

When/how do the Sportsman get things under control, especially as you indicated they (inconsiderate **#*!*##@*'s, are considered us?

I hate to be pessimistic, but I don't think they will, Monty.

70% of the folks fishing today have no regard for anyone but themselves and what they will catch that day. Trying to change that is almost impossible, as it is to teach manners and consideration to that 70%.

But still, we do try, raising awareness here and there, in hopes that it will sink in and some will become more considerate.

Take the beach access issues. Lots of people won't be working at 7pm on June 2, Thur, and will be able to attend that meeting. Everyone who fishes the beaches has a vested interest in the outcome. Let's see how many believe strongly in that vested interest, and feel it's worth fighting for.

[porgy75]

I hate to be pessimistic, but I don't think they will, Monty.

Please don't give up with your activism darkskies. Some of us do appreciate it!

[jigfreak]

You should have seen all the guys casting sideways today. One guy I warned him 2x, then I cut his plug after we got tangled, threw in the water. He won't do that again.

[stripermania]

Good deal jigfreak. Hey you have to learn some way. Some guys don't want to learn by being told, so they need to go to the school of hard knocks!

[bluesdude71]

There's nothing wrong with the school of hard knocks. Once you bang your head a few times, bumps raise up, blood comes out, you learn a bit. That's the way I learned.

[Monty]

You should have seen all the guys casting sideways today. One guy I warned him 2x, then I cut his plug after we got tangled, threw in the water. He won't do that again.

Awesome .

[dogfish]

Fishing etiquette - apparently its not practiced in Jersey.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...01....&p=55184

[bababooey]

^ Hey in NJ we like to fight for our fish, according to Dark it adds to the experience.
You will never catch me joining that lineup of the rogues gallery. Some of those club guys look like they just got out of jail or were enforcers at a go go joint.

[stormchaser]

Fishing etiquette, simply put - treat others like you would want to be treated. I try to live by this, and when I run into the googs and interlopers I move elsewhere.

[jigfreak]

Fishing etiquette, simply put - treat others like you would want to be treated..

Very simple concept. Wish more would do it.

[finchaser]

^ Hey in NJ we like to fight for our fish, according to Dark it adds to the experience.
You will never catch me joining that lineup of the rogues gallery. Some of those club guys look like they just got out of jail or were enforcers at a go go joint.

DS has no fishing etiquette

[DarkSkies]

^ Aaah......just because of the one time I got into your SUV with stinky waders and left behind a lingering smell?

I used to be the most helpful guy on the block....gave out tips....was chatty and helpful to every angler I met out there.....
If we were fishing somewhere, and we were catching and others weren't, I would give unsolicited advice to help the other folks out.....













Then 2 things happened...
1. I became friends with this old grouchy basstid...crusty old salt.. ..who started calling me "the Mayor" and kicking me in the shins every time I tried to help the poor struggling fishermen we might run into...(my shins still remember those sharp kicks from the Crusty Curmudgeon, btw.....)

2. We started losing access.....as I was fighting more and more for fishermen access, and fishing rights, going to meetings, spending money on gas/tolls that could have been used to buy myself top notch gear instead.....
a. I began to see that only a small % of fishermen consistently get involved whenever there is a fishing access or fisheries management issue.....many will gripe about something on the internet.....but comparatively few will take the time to get involved.....

b. Or do research to keep themselves informed on an issue...and learn why it's important....

c. Further, a (small) % of those I was fighting for.....are precisely the idiots who are causing us to lose access in the first place....
You can read several stories on this site and others about those incidents...but they are only the tip of the iceberg...Every week, I get texts and calls from folks telling me what the inconsiderates are doing out there.......it is never-ending........
Here's one example....
(Huey, Dewey, and Louie, posts 78 and 79...)
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...ishermen/page4









At times, Pebbles is quick to remind me.....
"You know, you're getting more like Finchaser every day......you never used to be so crabby and grouchy!"
I think she's right......
I'm starting to see the futility.....of fighting for people....who won't even fight for themselves......
I am indeed......Crabby, grouchy......and....especially at Night....not that friendly any more.....

Except in certain situations....like the other day, when I got a retired Grandfather and his 3 granddaughters into some fantastic bluefishing away from the crowds....
He's someone who knows how to keep a secret...old school....was with me when I found the torso at Sandy Hook....
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...-at-Sandy-Hook


It's the rare moments of sharing with folks like him....that help me to give back to the Angling Community that was so helpful to me, as I was learning and struggling.....

[buckethead]

It's the rare moments of sharing with folks like him....that help me to give back to the Angling Community that was so helpful to me, as I was learning and struggling.....

I don't think you need to apologize for why or why not you help someone Rich. It's your personal choice. Just the other day I gave some bucktails and grubs to this young man who I have seen out several times. I did this because even though he has seen me catch several times he has not mugged or crowded me. He is always out there by himself and has been fishing clams and not catching much. I explained to him that you can catch on clams but also will catch a lot of rays and dogs. Gave him a quick lesson and within an hour he had his first fish on bucktail. It was only 22" but the look on his face was priceless. I think that's what I get from reading your posts about helping people. We want to give back. There is nothing wrong with being selective in who we choose to teach.

As for the smelly waders part, I cannot help you. Allegedly you and smelly waders go together like America and apple pie. You may have stereotyped yourself into that reputation whether you like it or not. Tight lines and keep up the good work. Great site here.

[finchaser]

Buckhead I don't shun people. I enjoy teaching and helping people who are truly deserving and want to learn like we did. I truly enjoy sharing my knowledge and resources with them. I won't help those waiting to read a report or get a phone call to come to the blitz. To them how's fishing the answer is it has it's moments. where you getting them answer depends on the day and wind they are self proclaimed experts they should be able to figure it out.

My newest rule is they must bathe on a regular basis.

I did get Dark out of telling every Tom, **** and Harry not only what to use and how to use it but WHERE and WHEN.
His awaking came when he returned to one of his favorite spots and couldn't fish there because a guy he helped who caught fish, brought 10 of his closest friends there the next night.