In the world of public fishing, there is a set of unwritten rules that most anglers live by. These rules cover many aspects of fishing etiquette. Knowing and following them, will go a long way in helping you have a pleasurable public fishing experience.
Rule:
Don’t leave your line unattended, and never cast more lines than you can manage at once.
The explanation – Tend your line:
There is nothing worse than having a fellow angler nearby that doesn’t watch his/her line. Sitting your pole down while your cork is in the water and walking away is a no-no for many reasons. One of those reasons is the headache it can cause other anglers. You’ve all had it happen to you, you cast out your line, only to learn you have crossed your neighbors unmanaged line and now have a tangled mess. Simply making sure your line is under control will help ensure a pleasurable experience for everyone.
Rule:
Never take an anglers word to heart. Although he/she may be a great person, the need to keep his/her spot secret will cause them to lie to you.
The explanation – Secret spots:
Every angler has a secret spot on each body of water that he/she fishes. Of course, it isn’t usually a true secret, but you will be hard pressed to get an angler to share their secret spots with you. If you come upon another angler while out fishing, it’s always nice to share a kind word, or ask how the fishing is that day. However, you shouldn’t expect them to tell you the truth. More times than not you will get half truths or out right lies. Anglers will go to great lengths to keep their secret spot a secret.
Rule:
Respect the land and water space of your fellow anglers.
The explanation – Personal space:
While it is true, you are on a public lake and it belongs to everyone, there is an expectation of personal space. Sitting too close to a fellow angler or casting your line near another anglers line, are both extremely rude and frowned upon. Yes, it’s tempting to toss your cork into their area if they are catching fish and you aren’t, but nothing can turn a peaceful fishing trip sour faster than crowding your neighbor out of his/her spot.
Rule:
Just because you can go somewhere, doesn’t mean you should. Don’t let your waves ruin someone’s day.
The explanation – Don’t cause waves:
Some anglers insist on fishing from a boat no matter how big or small the lake is. Most of the time bank and boating anglers get along great, but there are those boaters that don’t know their boundaries. The waves that come from a boat disturbs the water and can turn a fishing hotspot into a dead zone in no time flat. Respect the other anglers by avoiding their area if possible. If you can’t avoid it, the least you can to is move through it slowly so that you don’t disturb their fishing.
Following these basic rules and being an over all good sportsman will not only help you enjoy your fishing experience, but will also go a long way in helping others enjoy theirs as well.