Fish markers...OR...boat magnets

[Hammer Handle]

Markers are so stupid on a small lake. Or anywhere for that matter.

Last weekend, I was fishing with my nephew on a lake less than 200 acres in size. We were trolling about 1/2 way around the lake...turn around, and go back. So, going back in forth in a half cycle.

There were a few other boats on the lake, and when we rounding one corner my nephew and I both hooked a marker that neither of us seen. As we were working on getting our lines out and untangled, a boat pulls up and says "That is what you get for fishing near our marker." He was not friendly about it and swore at me and my nephew.

I kept the marker in the boat, and told them if they wanted it back, they had to apoligize. They wouldn't, so that night I burned it in our bonfire.

A marker, on a small lake, where boats drive and troll...and your boat not near it. Stupid, unethical, and inconsiderate. And, it is other peoples' fault if they get hooked on it. (Contact Us Please). At least I kept my cool in front of my nephew (15 years old). I just ignored the boat and said "Wow, look at the garbage I found in the lake. I hate when people litter. I will have to take this to shore and burn it." And, I did.

[Muskycrazy]

Kind of sounds , and mind you I'm not an expert , that both parties involved should get a time out for bad behavior . Sounds to me you were both jerks about it and turned something that was really nothing into something . More and more that kind of dump happens and all anybody does is [PoorWordUsage] and moan about it . How bout if you had just untangled the buoy and tossed it back in that water ? Not a bold enough statement for your nephew ? You mentioned that the guy swore in front of your nephew and evidently you felt that was wrong , so was the message you sent .

[sparcebag]

I have to agree with muskey.

[Hammer Handle]

Yea, what I did was probably wrong. But, I didn't tell the whole story.

At first, I was calm and put the marker back. I did tell the other boat that they should have a brighter colored marker or have their boat near it...or how would someone like me see it. I was disgusted, but tried to be polite for my nephew was along.

Well, they told me to go to hell and I left...trolling again. They then moved over 200 feet (or more) away and started fishing again.

That is when I picked up the marker (on my next trolling pass). They then motored up again, and I told them I was going to keep it until they were going to use it properly. After them yelling at me and "insulting" my boat, I told them they needed to apoligize. With more yelling from them, I finally lost my cool and told them that they do not own the lake and it is public. You can't "reserve" over 200 feet of shoreline just because you have a marker out.

Put it back and just don't fish there and show my nephew that being rude is the way to go and people will back off? Turn the other cheek? Sorry, I can't and wouldn't do that.

What would you have done?? Put it back and fished elsewhere or go way around the marker?? Well, maybe you would have...but not me. I tried to be as kind as possible, but only I can hold it in so far.

If my nephew would not have been along...hard telling what I would have said. Probably something even more stupid.

Now, if they would have pulled up and said "We are using that marker to mark a stump" or "We are use that marker for we are drfting" (Which they weren't)...it would have stayed and I would go around it. If people are nice...even if I don't agree...I am nice back. But, start out rude...you will most likely get rudeness back.

[Muskycrazy]

Tuff to say what I would have done . It does sound like you tried ,unfortunatly some jerkoffs see that as a sign of weakness and think its a good time to show off for their buddies . I'm assuming that there were more than two because often times guys like that don't stand well on their own , if you know what I mean . Let me apologize because it does sound like you made an effort to do the right thing . Sometimes doing the right thing goes beyond your own control and you gotta do what you gotta do .