How much room?

[brushhunter]

How much room do you need to give wade fishermen fishing in the bay? Wind was pretty bad yesterday at coast, so we moved into some shallower more protected water. Saw a boat anchored and a group of three fishermen wading about 100 yards from the boat. I slowed way down as I went by them and moved another 300 yards or so passed them, anchored and started fishing. Caught a few fish having a good time with my brother and about 30-45 minutes later one of the wade fishermen came over and told me how “disrespectful” I was. He also mentioned how some guides would climb in my boat and take care of it. After my brother told him he thought that would not end up very well for whoever tried such a thing, he than asked him how far we should be. The “captain” said when we saw his boat at least 400 yards. My brother and I laughed and he shuffled back to his buddies, but we were wondering what is the etiquette when dealing with wade fishermen?

[Jcjohnson]

Seems well far enough away but I have no experience wade fixing. I’m sure this will get plenty of replies though

[flywise]

Lol, I'd say 100-200 yds I'd showing plenty of respect. 400 is a joke.

[DarrellS]

I'd say you did just fine.

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[18ncs]

As long as they can’t get to me with a 2 oz egg sinker I’m fishing, they should do the same

[panhandlehunter]

It's too crowded now, people just pull in, doesn't matter if you're there first or not. There are no rules, so do whatever you want. I always tell people to put the shoe on the other foot. How would you feel if you were wading and I pulled up 150 yards in front of you and cut you off?

[brushhunter]

I guess it blows my mind that because he was wading he felt as if he had ownership of the whole islands edge. I’ve done some wade fishing and I always expected other boats to give me 2x casting distance and I was fine with that. Since I’ve bought a boat of my own I haven’t parked closer than 200 yards to a wade fishermen.

[panhandlehunter]

I guess it blows my mind that because he was wading he felt as if he had ownership of the whole islands edge. I’ve done some wade fishing and I always expected other boats to give me 2x casting distance and I was fine with that. Since I’ve bought a boat of my own I haven’t parked closer than 200 yards to a wade fishermen.

2x casting distance is ridiculous. If someone pulled up on me like that, I'd jump back in my boat and burn the spot to make sure you didn't catch any either. You don't park the boat and jump out to fish right next to it. You wade and cover ground. So if you park 100 yards away, you just cut them off. Leave them a little room, I'd say 300 yards or so. If you want to be where they're at, get there earlier.

[SaintBlaise]

You displayed proper fishing etiquette, the guide didn't. He was probably blaming you for his inability to catch fish. I would have invited him in my boat if I had one. Not sure about Maritime Law, but if he boards you boat. You probably have a legal right to defend yourself by any means. If you want to get back with this guy, tell everyone how good that spot is.

I only wade fish, and it's always crowded during the Summer with other waders or boats. The only thing that kills, me is when people wade or swim through my casting zone.

[brushhunter]

It's too crowded now, people just pull in, doesn't matter if you're there first or not. There are no rules, so do whatever you want. I always tell people to put the shoe on the other foot. How would you feel if you were wading and I pulled up 150 yards in front of you and cut you off?

I’m glad you said this because, “captain” said I “cut him off “ I do try to think of others, but if I’m 300 yards past you and you are already 100 yards past your boat how much ground do I owe you?

[brushhunter]

2x casting distance is ridiculous. If someone pulled up on me like that, I'd jump back in my boat and burn the spot to make sure you didn't catch any either. You don't park the boat and jump out to fish right next to it. You wade and cover ground. So if you park 100 yards away, you just cut them off. Leave them a little room, I'd say 300 yards or so. If you want to be where they're at, get there earlier.

Read my post again. Get back with me. I don’t get upset with others get close 2x casting distance. I do NOT do this to others. Like others have said it can get crowded out there, it is only a fishing spot.

[Walker]

I think your mistake was to go past them. But there is plenty of room to wade fish. Not like you boated in on them.

[88 Bound]

2x casting distance is ridiculous. If someone pulled up on me like that, I'd jump back in my boat and burn the spot to make sure you didn't catch any either. You don't park the boat and jump out to fish right next to it. You wade and cover ground. So if you park 100 yards away, you just cut them off. Leave them a little room, I'd say 300 yards or so. If you want to be where they're at, get there earlier.

Well said. What especially razzs me is when I’m wading and a boat comes within 100 yards and drifts through for 5 mins and then fires up and blasts off. Have a little respect. The bay is quite large and there’s fish all over it. If he was on the island edge you wanted to fish, go somewhere else and come back later.

[brushhunter]

I repeat I was 300 yards past them. Also I will add As I was passing them I was in the channel. Out of the channel it got real shallow, 8-12” too shallow for my boat.

[Walker]

I take it all back. Didnt read that you eased past them in the boat. Imho you did right and if they wanted to board your boat I say bring it on.