Give a guy a break

[Crabslayer]

Now most of you know I'm not a Hard A$$ (yeah right) and most of you know I even try to contribute some info from time to time... but you would not believe...

I had two lines out, one 2,000' and one 1,600'. Would you believe that two seperate boats with traps strung them right beside my lines with some even right on top, in BROAD DAY LIGHT! They had the whole river but they figured since I'm catching crabs this is a good a spot as any. The one boat was apologetic once they saw me running my line and proceeded to move them not by the required 100' but they did none the less apologize and moved. The other boat however didn't move until I said something. I said (politely) I don't mind you being near me but just not on top of me, geesh.

Come on folks lets use some common sense out here. I don't own the water, but give a guy a break.

BTW, I am not implying anyone on this board were the culprits as most on here know the regs before they go. I merely posted this to vent as I am a pretty easy going guy.

[Mike J]

It seems to be a problem sometimes comm or non commercial. It does happen by accident, however it has happened a few times where a comm crabber is no where near my area and is off to the distance. Then, after a couple hours they will drag there line into a new area(the area I am crabbing obviously) and then stare you down like you are supposed to move. What are you supposed to do? Do you call the marine police which will probably get you no where? I think it is just a matter of people being considerate on both sides commercial & recreational, but in this day that doesn't always happen. For the most part however, most people on the water are respectful of each other.

[Capt. Dale]

I feel your pain crabslayer Only 2 times as i recall last year. One fellow gather his up, & I gathered the other fellows for Him[grin]
As you well know 100' is the rule & I need every bit of it to turn around. Its like your buoy is a beacon.

[BigWillJ]

It happens. It's annoying. It's also "Wye" I stopped trying to run any length line around the "Island" on weekends.

You handled it well.

[POLECAT]

We all have that happen to us at some point in time.
It must be some form of flattery.[grin]

Last year I was running my line and I glanced behind the boat to witness two gents in their mid twenties dropping traps in my boat's wake not more than 75' behind me.
The next run of the line had me weaving and bobbing trying to miss their floats. They seemed rather "torqued" that I was so close to their floats. I watched as they pulled their traps and had not one crab in them. In spite of the close competition we continued to dip crabs. Soon, I saw them gather 'em up and throw me a huge wake upon their exit. No words were exchanged. I still wonder if they learned anything from that exercise.[wink]

[Bob H.]

Try the Gunpowder once. They'll lay traps across your trot line and in-between your traps. There's no lifeguard in the gene pool.