Disgruntled lakeshore owners...

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Had my first running with a couple lakeshore owners today, thought it was sorta amusing.

I was skipping jigs under docks. their were two gentlemen doing some yardwork/BSing on shore. On one of my skips I hit the side of dock and made the obvious ding. This alereted one of the guys on shore. I continued fishing the dock several more casts under his watchful eye. No luck, move on. Next dock, first skep, I hit the side of the second guys dock. Immediately I hear "Hear that? He hit your dock real good that time". Next thing I know the guys at the end of the dock telling me how disrespectful I am for fishing around docks, and how would I like it if he started casting lures into my boat. We just told the guy it was an accident and no damage was done and that it wasn't against the law to fish around docks.

I can understand dock owners concerns, but I didnt even get snagged and these guys just made a big deal out of it.

Anyone else have stories to share?

[Ray Esboldt]

Stories, I have a bunch. Yes, it's public water. Yes, dock fishing is legal. And, yes, it is a privilege to put the dock in the water, not a right.

However, I make it my own rule that if people are on or near their dock (out in the yard), I just move on. I know you're not going to damage a dock with a jig. It's really just common courtesy. I think if we all did this, the conflicts between lakeshore owners and bass fishermen would diminish. Just something to think about.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'm with you Ray.. I seldom fish a dock with a person in the yard or on the dock itself. I have often asked permission if the person is there, you cant believe how nice people can get if you are nice and ask permission first!

[TurnUpTheFishing]

If anyone is on their dock or in the water I give them plenty of space. But if someone is in their yard I dont see why I should pass up the dock. They have the right to put the dock in the water and I have an equal right to fish it. I dont see it much more courtious to fish the dock when they arnt looking, you're still fishing their dock.

[grab the net]

I like to use unweighted soft plastic around anykind of dock, boatlift situation. No loud clang on an errant cast. I know that it might not be the best presentation all the time, but much less chnace of conflict at the time or dock owner badmouthing guys fishing in bass boats over all. I would like to add that if you do hang up and break off, make an honest attempt to retrieve the hook or jig, I saw it several ltimes this weekend, hanging under the dock, there it was, 2/0, 3/0, some with line still dangling there. That will cause some un-necessary problems especially when the dock owner is taking it out for the fall.

[Bushwacker]

I do the same as above and stay away from docks when there are people in the yard or on the docks, just no chance of conflict then. I have found that when you do this, people are more than nice to you. This summer I have got hot bite tips from people and even offers of a can of cold pop during a tournament. I think people are so used to guys just keep fishing and hooking into there docks and crossing there lines that they are relieved when you use courtesy and let them enjoy their space. The best of the summer has been when a guy said that he just saw a bass swim under his pontoon on the lift. He told me to cast between the lift and his dock, 2nd cast--nice 19 incher. He and his 5 or 6 year old daughter were clapping as soon as I set the hook.

[Willy]

I'm not much of a bass fisherman but I've had run ins with some guys as well. Now I'll just move on like others have said.

Some guys are real dinks about it though. They seem to go out of their way to grumble at you even though you aren't hurting anything. Usually the rich guys.

[fish'n 4 fun]

My experience, like everyone else is that it seems like you run into as many '(Contact US Regarding This Word)' as friendly dock owners. My favorite story is when my partner and I were working a stretch and we got into a conversation with a dock owner and proceeded to fish his dock, he and his family were on the dock and they said there was nothing around his dock, that is when my partner locked into a 19 incher. You should have seen how fast they ran to grab their rods. Isn't that just to typical??

[FI Guide]

Hey they can fish around my dock anyday. I love when they break off lures too. Free bass jigs are always welcome in my tackle box.

[Bobby Bass]

I have posted elsewhere my experences with dock owners but this reminds me of another. A few years back I was fishing a string of docks and there was a gal out sunbathing on the end of her dock. Well as we got closer I noticed she was on her tummy facing away from us and not wanting to surprise her I just kept quiet and kept working down the docks. As we got to her dock I hooked a fish. Landing the fish I released it and continued on my way past her, She never looked at us but as we went by I heard a grunt and watched as she relaxed her ah rear.. She had been flexing the whole time and just could not continue anymore. I cracked up but held it in my partner just flat out broke up laughing..

[Ufatz]

Hey Willy....hot can you tell its "the rich guys"? Are they a different color or sumthin'? Ha!

[Willy]

No, they're not a different color. Their houses are just 10 times bigger than everyone elses and worth about a mill.

[MT Net]

No worries here, eh, Ray?

We usually do just the opposite, providing we notice the guys fishing. We'll wait for those guys casting to our docks before we walk out, giving them time and space for their fishing fun. FM'ers may get a dockside refreshment too.

Fun to talk with them as they cast on by, give some tips, get some tips. We find a few jigs wrapped in the boat cover or dock from misplaced casts time to time. It happens, nice little gift for us for hitting the dock, lift, or boat.

Small jigs or Pop R's don't do much damage, why get upset? I got plenty of dock rash just from parking at the docks, and I'm willing to bet most others do too. I just don't get people getting their undies bunched up for plinking a dock. I got better things to worry about.

I'm still hoping that someone wraps a big muskie bait around the lift for me.

Really quite silly to get upset at people having fun on the lakes.

By the way Ray, lots of 15 to 17 inchers and one 18.5 incher near us this past season. Next year should be great!

All I ask is you plink my boat, please leave a beer in the box.

[Ray Esboldt]

MT,

I've lost more jigs under your dock than any other dock in that lake. I think you have strategically piled rocks to create an absolute tackle siphon.

[MSRiverdog]

I'm with you MT. I love to talk to the guys that fish at my dock. They are willing to share info with me most of the time and I usually throw some back. I think I speak for a lot of folks here on the creek, we want to see people do well and most fishermen show much more respect than a lot of recreational boaters. Just leave the Big Smallies for me.

[Mr. Pike1]

Since MTs dock is just a hop skip and a jump from our cabin I as well have tossed a few presentations the way of his dock. I only use senkos and weekless tubes in that area. Any other presentation and you are looking for trouble.

[Ufatz]

I am also prety laid back about people chunkin' a few casts at my dock. There's never anything there so they quickly move along. Now my brother on the other hand is much more protective of his dock. You know what a Spud Gun is?

I can't tell you what its like to watch a guy blown right out of his butt seat by a three pound Russett.

Gruesome!!

[river rat316]

Thats why I carry my cell phone on me, if someone shot me witha spud gun there would be an immediate call to the police, then I'd have to go handle business on the shore my self! Thats the biggest bunch of talk Ive ever heard!

[Ufatz]

Hey rat....remain calm. Even us rich lakefront property owners have a sense of humor. You can fish around our docks without fear. But my wife's Toy Pomeranian is gonna be out there handing you a ration.

And whatever you do, don't come ashore to "deal with" my brother. They'd be picking you up with a vacuum! Ha!

[JPSavage]

This thread gets my blood boiling!....Yes, Lake shore owners do indeed own there stretch of waterfront(to the high watermark,that is), however, They are also putting their dock into PUBLIC waters....It only follows that the shorefront owners appear to extend their ownership rights to anywhere close to their dock, whether it is 20 feet or 200 feet long..........BALONEY!.....Public waters means just that , so as to allow ALL citizens to enjoy, not just the priviliged.........If you want complete privacy on your waterfront go buy an entire lake with your wealth, but beware of helicopter or seaplane landings as they would legally be able to fish your private lake.

[Willy]

I'm sure you're an okay guy but I can't believe your brother would do something like that. That's terrible. Maybe I should start carrying a shotgun in my boat to deal with guys like your brother. That'd hurt a little more than a potato cannon.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Quote:

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Hey rat....remain calm. Even us rich lakefront property owners have a sense of humor.

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So this means you were joking right? If he seriously does this hes gotta be one of the biggest dolts around. Does he yell at kids who play in the street infront of his house too?

[Ray Esboldt]

Ufatz is really just trying to stir the pot. I doubt his brother is much of a man if he needs to resort to violence to solve a solvable situation.

Ufatz, I will kindly ask you to be a little more positive around the forums or just leave. Thanks.

[SCUMFROG]

I'd stand right on his dock and fish, nothing he could do because you put that dock over puplic property and it is now a public dock. ha-ha. And if you were telling the true about the spud gun, I've got just the musky bait for him. Does he know how to water ski?

[Bobby Bass]

For conversation sake I do think you are wrong about the public dock. My understanding is that the property owners own the land to the high water mark. He/she is allowed to place a dock from his/her property into the water from his /her land. The dock is his/her property even though it stands in public water. Would be the same as your boat in the water. Your boat is private property floating in public water, does not mean that I can board her and ravish your cooler. As for the spud gun I took that it was written in jest..Don't for a moment think that someone would assault with spuds.. Have you seen the price for a good russet baking tater?? Which as I am typing this brings up another commemt. Some of the posts here are taken for there black and white writings. With no grey area. Like every thing on the internet you can not believe every thing you read. Like the Vikes are going to the Super Bowl..