Rules of the Road...and common courtesy

[REEL ADOLESCENCE]

I don't ever post but I had to get this off my chest. It was a Frustrating day for us Monday. Ran to down from vb to the 200 line in 40 fathoms trolled all day, had a blue one come in the spread with no interest, and picked up one Bonita on the planer with boats around us picking away at em now and then. The worst part of the day was not the fact that we didn't catch anything. It was as we were trolling. We had a Charter Boat (name unmentioned) on our Port Side TURN to port and cut across our bow not once but Twice in passing causing us to have to slow down to let him get by...Not a problem for us really, but the second time he turned and Crossed our Bow to starboard (from our port side) He gave us the finger as if we were in the wrong??? First of all...It is a big ocean out there. when fishing in close quarters courtesy should be given by all. Second of all...You would think a Professional Licensed Mariner would know the rules but I guess not... and third of all, make sure you Know you are in the right before you give such a gesture, he really looked even more like an idiot with that little dance he did to accompany it. I think very Highly of the Charter Fleets, they are good at what they do, but they aren't the only ones in the Ocean. If you read this and know who you are, Read Rules 3d, 14 and 15 of the International Regulations Cap.

[Skipjack/VA]

Hmmmmm. We had a big Sportfish blow by us on the way in while we were dead in the water with our engine hatch up, adressing a overheating issue. Threw us a solid 4 foot wake. Didnt even have the courtesy to alter course or slow down. Did the name start with 'A'?

[Mike Avery]

There are discourteous boat drivers charters and recs so don't think it's just a charter thing. Most are courteous and make the appropriate turn to stay clear but it does happen (from both recs and charters). I hate fishing in the fleet. I made a few passes through the fleet monday without a bite and left to find my own fish. Didn't find them until late and made a radio call out to call others in but nobody was left. Sorry about the tough day, dues are paid so get out there and whack em next time.

[REEL ADOLESCENCE]

No it didn't start with an 'A' and I don't want to ruin anyones feelings about the fella.... but it is sad they didn't even stop, or call on the radio to see if you needed assistance. That could have made for a long night for you and your crew had the situation been worse. Folks we gotta work together out there.... things happen beyond our control that could turn a good day around in a heartbeat.

@ mike...I understand, i don't mean to target a particular group as I know most folks are very courteous and we're all out there to catch fish. Its just frustrating when you see something like that knowing you didn't do anything wrong. We'll Get em next time for sure!!

[Persistence2]

Yes, I will say throwing that wake at a boat drifting with engine box up is bullshit. Shit went flying all over the place, I was in the cabin straightening out my anchor line for potential tow usage. Don't need to name names but I know someone I won't recommend for others as a charter or provide any sort of feedback to in the future.

[High Line]

So here's my take as a recreational guy fishing out of Oregon Inlet...I think there is a set of general rules governed by tradition and common courtesy that apply within the charter fleet and to some rec/charter interactions. I candidly don't think they care about coast guard "rules of the road" when fishing, although they know them by heart.

Here's an example. The fact that the charter was turning fairly aggressively probably meant that he was working a mark or circling on a fish he'd missed or something fishing related. I think that once someone (charter or rec) finds a mark or fish, it is generally his to work, unless you are able to enter the flow of traffic in a way that doesn't cut him off or interfere. For example, you'll often see a charter circling on a mark, and others fall into a similar pattern so that they can work it too. But, however they enter the fray they do it in a way that generally respects the guy who found it first.

I guess my experience is that there are rules of the road out there, but that they have nothing to do with the coast guard. Also, you are always going to have some guys that are jerks or inexperienced or not paying attention. Fishing regularly out of there for years now, i've been cut off before and i've also inadvertently cut folks off either before i fully knew what was going on or because i got distracted.

Overall, i think the charter guys are both incredibly talented and generally courteous/respectful within the overall tradition/rules that they play by.

Also, no excuse to blow by a disabled boat...

[Persistence2]

And I don't intend for my comment to start a charter/rec flame session. I was fishing around a bunch of the VA Beach guys Saturday and had no issues and gave room. I respect that they are working, we are all out there trying to catch some fish.

Bottom line, I don't want to be labled as a charter vs. rec guy because I am not...but if you choose to heavily wake a disabled boat then you need to think about what you're doing out there.

[family affair]

Law of tonnage

[REEL ADOLESCENCE]

Apparently so.

[NachoLibre]

Just like real life, there are courteous people, clueless people, and plain a-holes on the water. Unfortunately that will never change. Some people are incapable of understanding the consequences of their actions, wakes, etc. That's why I fish AWAY from the fleet no matter where I go.