Fishing the docks

[Dustin07]

How close do you get to the private docks when fishing? I feel a little odd when I get in close to peoples backyards fishing around their docks and boats. What's the consensus on this? I know a guy at the store told me not to let it bother me, people think they own the fish and the water... but still...

[swedefish4life1]

Don't litter,:-$ be a public Drunk tell them there property is Sweet:-$ , wave and smile and ground and pound the structures with respect!:cheers:

God owns these waters not man!=d>

At least some day he will](*,) [-x :thumleft:

[BentRod]

It's a personal preference thing.
I tend to keep my distance and try to stay at least 5-10 feet minimum off any dock/boat, unless I get hung up and have to retrieve my gear. I also try very hard not to drop my gear on or bounce it off anyone's dock (although my aim isn't always perfect :cyclops:). Some people actually recommend this as a technique. Trees, rocks, shoreline...ok, but I don't like to do it on people's private docks. Public docks....that I'm ok with.
Technically the people don't own the water, so you can get as close as you like. I recommend trying to be considerate and think to yourself "If that were my dock, what would I mind people doing?" Also, you're not going to go lean up against someone's car in a parking lot, are you? Well, I guess some people do.....

Someone made a good suggestion once that I'll repeat. If you are unfortunate enough to get hung up on someone's dock and they approach you negatively as you're retrieving your gear, you can always apologize for intruding and tell them that you didn't want to leave a hook stuck in their dock that they might get hurt on. Smile, wave, and move on. Some home owners are very touchy, others aren't. Understand you might get some flack while you're out there and be prepared to let it roll off your back. No use making a bad situation worse and giving them more fuel for their fire.

Good topic and tight lines!

[BassinBomber]

Don't litter,:-$ be a public Drunk tell them there property is Sweet:-$ , wave and smile and ground and pound the structures with respect!:cheers:

God owns these waters not man!=d&gt](*,) [-x :thumleft:

Great reply Big-Swede,..do all that Swede says and then some,..I frequently Bass-Da-Docks when the water is warm and in doing so if I encounter a property owner I always comment on how nice their place is,..that usually sets the stage for friendly chit-chat as I'm trolling around,..now that the Bass are up and near Spawn I have 2 get as close to the shoreline as possible because oftentimes the beds are very shallow,..if you do encounter a hostile and angry home owner,.."just-smile-and-wave" and keep it moving! JM2cents!

BB

[Gisteppo]

As a property owner I always like to give you the other side.

Typically waterfront owners are fine with you fishing their structures. As long as you are respectful of the property itself, and are not being an uncouth human being (yelling at 6am, throwing your cans on shore. hanging your naughty bits out to whiz facing the house), you are good to go at my place.

Try not to ever hit a boat, inflatable item, decoration, or other item of value in the area. Keep a sharp eye out for anchors, floats, ropes, and buoys. I don't mind smacking a lure out on the edge or the pilings of the dock, but try to refrain from hooking the cushions on the chairs.

Lastly, if you really want to be a good bass fisherman, when you do put one on the dock (its impossible not to, I do it a fair amount), instead of coming to get it, just break it off and leave it be. That way I can get free lures!

E

[BassinBomber]

HaHa,..I like it "E"!

BB

[Desertcreek]

Just do what Swede says......did I say that out loud? I try not to give them a chance to talk first. It is hard to be mean to a guy who just gave you a compliment. It doesn't always work. I had a guy come unglued for being near his dock. I didn't even have a rod in my hand. My hands were cupped around my glasses and I was looking for beds. I had my 2 boys in the boat with me and he tore into me. I was really tempted to camp on his dock for the rest of the day but I didn't. I think God put the boys in my boat that day to remind me how I should act in that situation. Had my partner been in the boat that day it could have gotten ugly. It was completely unprovoked and he would have deserved any abuse he had coming. Then again you never know what somone is going through when they start in on you. For all I know his best hunting dog could have been killed by a bass boat the day before and he decided to take it out on me. Had that been the case I probably would have given him a man hug.

[BassinBomber]

Nice reply DC,..way 2 keep your retaliation in check around the lil ones!:cheers:

BB

[AaronE]

It depends on the property owner. I usually keep a good distance away, but when flipping jigs you sometimes need to be close. When Trent and I were on Long Lake the last time, I pulled one right out from under a dock while the family was working in the yard. We were quite literally right next to his dock. He saw me catch it, came over to see it, talked to us for a while and then we kept on fishing. He thought we were using salmon eggs to catch bass LOL Really nice guy. He couldn't have cared less that we were right up next to his dock.

Other dock owners have given me the evil eye if I even look like I'm going to cast near their dock. Totally depends on the person and what you're willing to put up with by casting near their dock.

[Anglinarcher]

As a property owner I always like to give you the other side.

.................That way I can get free lures!

E

ROFLOL

[BassinBomber]

It depends on the property owner. I usually keep a good distance away, but when flipping jigs you sometimes need to be close. When Trent and I were on Long Lake the last time, I pulled one right out from under a dock while the family was working in the yard. We were quite literally right next to his dock. He saw me catch it, came over to see it, talked to us for a while and then we kept on fishing. He thought we were using salmon eggs to catch bass LOL Really nice guy. He couldn't have cared less that we were right up next to his dock.

Other dock owners have given me the evil eye if I even look like I'm going to cast near their dock. Totally depends on the person and what you're willing to put up with by casting near their dock.

Funny,..on Meridian last Sunday I was Flippin-a-Bed while the owner was talking 2 me,..flippin a white jig and pissing the Bass off,..Lake Police rollled up on me and said that they knew I was Bass fishing cause I was posted up so long,..said they had never seen anyone catch a Bass outta Meridian,..while we were talking I was steadily flippin and using the foot control,..I asked if he wanted me 2 catch this Bass,..pointed the Bed out to him and when he seen the Bass he says "sure",..I grab my rod with the Blk/Blu Jig tied 2 it and 4 flips later 3+ LMB on the boat,..home owner was so happy and the Police were dumbfounded,..LOL,..coolest thing ever,..HaHa,..I felt like I was on a Bassin-Show,..catching bass on que,..man one can only dream!

BB

[BassDood]

It depends on the property owner. I usually keep a good distance away, but when flipping jigs you sometimes need to be close. When Trent and I were on Long Lake the last time, I pulled one right out from under a dock while the family was working in the yard. We were quite literally right next to his dock. He saw me catch it, came over to see it, talked to us for a while and then we kept on fishing. He thought we were using salmon eggs to catch bass LOL Really nice guy. He couldn't have cared less that we were right up next to his dock.

Other dock owners have given me the evil eye if I even look like I'm going to cast near their dock. Totally depends on the person and what you're willing to put up with by casting near their dock.

Funny,..on Meridian last Sunday I was Flippin-a-Bed while the owner was talking 2 me,..flippin a white jig and pissing the Bass off,..Lake Police rollled up on me and said that they knew I was Bass fishing cause I was posted up so long,..said they had never seen anyone catch a Bass outta Meridian,..while we were talking I was steadily flippin and using the foot control,..I asked if he wanted me 2 catch this Bass,..pointed the Bed out to him and when he seen the Bass he says "sure",..I grab my rod with the Blk/Blu Jig tied 2 it and 4 flips later 3+ LMB on the boat,..home owner was so happy and the Police were dumbfounded,..LOL,..coolest thing ever,..HaHa,..I felt like I was on a Bassin-Show!

BB

Right on! That's the way to do it LOL. I keep myself a little distant from docks but my casting is pretty accurate so I can usually get inches away or under it without much trouble. I won't toss anything around someones boat or their boat lift. I always respect the owners property. Like Aaron and BB said..some folks are interested in what's going on.

[Gisteppo]

Ive actually taken a few minutes to talk to guys fishing, and if they are having a rough day or a really stellar day, I will share spots with them that might be either better or producing large fish. If a guy is nice, its going to be a beneficial spot for him at my dock.

E

[ChrisB]

I never break lures off on docks. I had a lady yell at me saying she had hooks on her docks and she didn't want her kids stepping on them. I can fully understand that, so if they ever see me get close, what I'm doing is unhooking my lure and moving on. I've even snagged a fishing pole under a dock and left if for them :compress:

[Desertcreek]

I have caught a couple of rods myself.

[BassDood]

I've dredged up a few...last Sat was the most recent ask Bisk1tsnGraV LOL

[AaronE]

I've dredged up a few...last Sat was the most recent ask Bisk1tsnGraV LOL

Oh I haven't heard this story yet!

[BassDood]

LOL yeah right at the launch I saw a spincast rod and reel on the bottom. Snagged it with the jig and gave it to him. Dunno if someone got pissed and tossed it or what. Looked it decent shape. Don't know how we missed it when we headed out.

[Dustin07]

I didnt' get my notice of replies or I would have been back to this thread earlier..

I felt a little silly with the original post, I figured it was a newbie thing, but it looks like everyone here is in accord... it can be awkward for the boater or the owner, so just be respectful?

thanks for the feedback guys!

[ChrisB]

OH YA, Gisteppo !! Since you live on a lake, spread the word for me will ya. Casting out a line, setting the rod in a rod holder, then going inside your house to do other things for the rest of the day is ILLEGAL ;) I am darn sure you don't do it, but I always see it. ;)