Boats and bankies: Etiquette question

[shadowless_nite]

So I am new to the whole Columbia River/Boat fishing/bank fishing  etc etc. And we finally encountered the situations we often hear of. Here's the scenario....

A guy and his son are running lines with a kayak from shore just 80yds down from us. Nice guys, and we see an atleast once every weekend. Tide was late this morning and these guys were on the bank first. No boats in the water. These guys are running a short string of spin n glo and a long line of wobblers further out. Now normally this is a hog line area starting sometimes 150ft off shore. But today nobody wanted to fish the incoming except for 3 or 4 boats after about 7am. Everyone had plenty of space and boats were anchored in expected spots. 2 in steelhead holes with bank guys giving an space to the front and rear and  boat or 2 in the middle targeting salmon.

Well after the tide changed and more late starters decide to come out, we had  a guy, who has anchored close to our plunking lines before ( were dropping at 130ft on the line counter and we're inline with his boat last weekend), he decided he should troll off shore within 150ft. We watch closely to make sure he stays off ours but he's heading straight down to the long line. The guys holler the first time and he spins around and goes back up. He decides to go for a second pass but this time disregards there hollering and trolls into their lines. Needless to say he pulls up their gear and they start exchanging words.  This is a young kid, maybe early 20s and this older middle-aged guy tells him "he's been fishing here for 30yrs and if he wants to fish out in the river the kid better get a boat. That was his compelling arguement. He had a boat and it was his right to troll over everyone's stuff.

Needless to say he created a pissing match with all of us and after everyone gave him some colorful adjectives for breakfast he eventually left.

Now from my understanding , all of us including that long line were in the water before that guy showed up. The long line was in no way interfering with anchored boats and everyone was fine up until this guy. I always thought it was first to the spot gets it and set up the so to speak rules. They asked the guy to not come so close and that they have a line out that he will hit and he disregarded it. Was it wrong for us to get ticked at this guy???

Like I said, this is not the first time he has come close to our lines. Last weekend we let it slide since we wanted to fish a little closer but he still decided to anchor close to where we dropped lines and he didn't care. We were maybe 20ft or less at times from him when we dropped at 125 to 135ft from shore. Within realistic casting range from a shore, not dropping lines. 

[SteelheadTed]

I think it is a tougher sell if you are off the bank a ways since boat fisherman tend to assume that they are safe if they are out of casting distance.  But, I agree with "first in" dibs.   

I would have asked the guy, "Hey mister, you mean to tell me you've been fishing this river for 30 years and the only spots you've found in your BOAT are bankie spots?"

[shadowless_nite]

I think it is a tougher sell if you are off the bank a ways since boat fisherman tend to assume that they are safe if they are out of casting distance.  But, I agree with "first in" dibs.   

I would have asked the guy, "Hey mister, you mean to tell me you've been fishing this river for 30 years and the only spots you've found in your BOAT are bankie spots?"

But this guy is repeatedly setting up within casting distance. If we weren't dropping 3 spin n glo, we could easily launch 6oz of lead right on top of him with a single on it.

Wouldn't that be fair if he anchored in casting range and I decide to launch a 6oz weight tied directly to my braid over his line and haul in his wobbled instead?

Most guys don't troll that stretch between the bank guys and the hog lines. Which leaves a good buffer. But every now and then some guy decides there just isn't enough room on the Columbia and has troll between the 2. I guess without the hog lines to show him where to go he can't figure it out.

[Bullkllr]

IMO, the guy in the boat needs to find a different place to fish- simple as that.

Will he?...that sounds like a different story.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Should have launched the 6oz'er.......

[PolarBear]

The guy in the boat was a d-bag. We always give bankies the "right of way" and steer clear.  Us boaters have the ability to fish just about anywhere and can pick up and move unlike bankies. I don't like fishing Blue Creek on the Cowlitz because every single time I have I winessed some self absorbed jackwagon in a boat snag a bankies gear and spool him. Watched a guide to that to some poor sap a couple of months ago.  Pisses me off!

[TheHunt]

I think it takes two to tango. 
1. The bankers are using kayaks and longer rods to get further and further out.  I personally have a 14 footer and I have friends who have 15 footers just to plunk the Columbia.   It is good for them as they can cover more of the river if there are 20 rods in the river all staggered 10 yards apart the bankers could take up an entire hole.
2. The boats are looking for the channels and the banker's are also looking at the same channels.
3. The high water this year has pushed the fish closer to shore.   That has provides an opportunity for the bankers and boats to interact.  So do you play well with others? 

The boats with electronics should be able to find other channels.  But if the hole is well known this is going to be an on going fight.  Do the best you can. 

[h2ofowlr]

It's a tough one as the bank guys are starting to get into the main trolling areas using boats to set the lines.  Boaters typically assume they are a safe distance as they are well past casting range.  I have seen bank guys with Tekota 600's on there bar rods and run a line out what seems 150 yards.
If you start yelling from shore most boaters get a little pissy.  Boaters running 65lb Power pro or heavier will just drag through line or cut them off if you get to far out.  Go out and drop a buoy just past where your dropping lines for a visual indicator for boats trolling!

[TheHunt]

It's a tough one as the bank guys are starting to get into the main trolling areas using boats to set the lines.  Boaters typically assume they are a safe distance as they are well past casting range.  I have seen bank guys with Tekota 600's on there bar rods and run a line out what seems 150 yards.
If you start yelling from shore most boaters get a little pissy.  Boaters running 65lb Power pro or heavier will just drag through line or cut them off if you get to far out.  Go out and drop a buoy just past where your dropping lines for a visual indicator for boats trolling!

But take into consideration that if you drop your 150 yards (90 degrees to the river).  By the time that weight settles in to the final resting stop that weight is now about 30 degrees (Depending on the weight) of where the you dropped it off.   So if you do a Buoy take that into consideration. Blowing up a hole will take a sweep through the entire hole to clear it out of bankers. 

[DoubleJ]

A little off topic but, how long until bank fishermen start using drones to drop gear 200+ yards off shore?

[h2ofowlr]

A little off topic but, how long until bank fishermen start using drones to drop gear 200+ yards off shore?

I have watched them do it.  It actually works pretty well.

[h2ofowlr]

It's a tough one as the bank guys are starting to get into the main trolling areas using boats to set the lines.  Boaters typically assume they are a safe distance as they are well past casting range.  I have seen bank guys with Tekota 600's on there bar rods and run a line out what seems 150 yards.
If you start yelling from shore most boaters get a little pissy.  Boaters running 65lb Power pro or heavier will just drag through line or cut them off if you get to far out.  Go out and drop a buoy just past where your dropping lines for a visual indicator for boats trolling!

But take into consideration that if you drop your 150 yards (90 degrees to the river).  By the time that weight settles in to the final resting stop that weight is now about 30 degrees (Depending on the weight) of where the you dropped it off.   So if you do a Buoy take that into consideration. Blowing up a hole will take a sweep through the entire hole to clear it out of bankers.

When we have ran them out from the bank, we drop up stream to account for it.  I used to use 14oz - 24oz weights.  Last time out we tied up rocks and used those for anchors.  The fish will break off the line attached to the rock, so your only fighting the fish.  We also use floats to keep our gear suspended.

[Wingin it]

This is always a touchy subject. The guys in the boats have a lot more access to the river and should honor a bankie who has already set up. Likewise if a boat is already actively working a hole the bankie should give way. I have been drifting holes picking off Fish and had a bank Guy walk right up and start fishing with the thought that the hole is now his... BS! All that being said, throughout the entire river there are traveling lanes and holding areas that fish use and these are relatively small in comparison to the actual size of the river. Everybody wants a crack at them so we all need to exercise some common sense and patience. Fish on

[TheHunt]

It's a tough one as the bank guys are starting to get into the main trolling areas using boats to set the lines.  Boaters typically assume they are a safe distance as they are well past casting range.  I have seen bank guys with Tekota 600's on there bar rods and run a line out what seems 150 yards.
If you start yelling from shore most boaters get a little pissy.  Boaters running 65lb Power pro or heavier will just drag through line or cut them off if you get to far out.  Go out and drop a buoy just past where your dropping lines for a visual indicator for boats trolling!

But take into consideration that if you drop your 150 yards (90 degrees to the river).  By the time that weight settles in to the final resting stop that weight is now about 30 degrees (Depending on the weight) of where the you dropped it off.   So if you do a Buoy take that into consideration. Blowing up a hole will take a sweep through the entire hole to clear it out of bankers.

When we have ran them out from the bank, we drop up stream to account for it.  I used to use 14oz - 24oz weights.  Last time out we tied up rocks and used those for anchors.  The fish will break off the line attached to the rock, so your only fighting the fish.  We also use floats to keep our gear suspended.

We use 4 - 5 lb rocks that we tie 8 lb leader to so it will break off easy.  But it still moves a lot.

[PA BEN]

I know of a guide out west who would pay guys to fake fish from the bank in the good holes on the river where he would be taking clients on. Most boats will go around the bank fisherman, so he has the holes for his clients to fish.

[SteelheadTed]

I think it is a tougher sell if you are off the bank a ways since boat fisherman tend to assume that they are safe if they are out of casting distance.  But, I agree with "first in" dibs.   

I would have asked the guy, "Hey mister, you mean to tell me you've been fishing this river for 30 years and the only spots you've found in your BOAT are bankie spots?"

But this guy is repeatedly setting up within casting distance. If we weren't dropping 3 spin n glo, we could easily launch 6oz of lead right on top of him with a single on it.

Wouldn't that be fair if he anchored in casting range and I decide to launch a 6oz weight tied directly to my braid over his line and haul in his wobbled instead?

Most guys don't troll that stretch between the bank guys and the hog lines. Which leaves a good buffer. But every now and then some guy decides there just isn't enough room on the Columbia and has troll between the 2. I guess without the hog lines to show him where to go he can't figure it out.

I see, I didn't understand he was that close.

[SteelheadTed]

I know of a guide out west who would pay guys to fake fish from the bank in the good holes on the river where he would be taking clients on. Most boats will go around the bank fisherman, so he has the holes for his clients to fish.

He makes enough as a guide to pay guys to sit around?  He must have a good gig to have that kind of spare change.

[snake]

If you are a bank fisherman, just start throwing rocks at the boats.  They will move.  Boat fisherman, if someone can throw a rock from shore and reach your boat, you are too close, quit being a moron.

[PolarBear]

I work with a guy who had a bankie purposely snag a 40+ pound king that he was fighting in a hole on the Hump and made him lose it.  He beached his boat and beat the holy snot out of him, so badly that his buddies had to help him back to his rig.  The guy was dumb enough to stand there while he got out of the boat. 

[Alchase]

I made the mistake of fishing Lake Wilderness (in Kent) on opening day once back in the 90s.
I launched my boat, then had to walk 1/2 a mile from where I could park my truck and trailer, back to the lake.
It was so crowded, You could almost walk a crossed the boats, no way you could troll.

There were People fishing from shore on both sides, casting out  1/3 of the width of the lake.
Some had 3 oz pyramid weights with trebles, were purposely trying to snag the boaters gear, then ripping it back.

I lasted about an hour, and decided to leave. At the boat ramp, the was a WDFW officer, checking everyone coming on and off the lake. I asked him what the rules are about boating and shore fishing. His reply was,

"if they can cast to your distance, you are fishing to close to them!"

I have never fished Lake Wilderness since.

I work with a guy who had a bankie purposely snag a 40+ pound king that he was fighting in a hole on the Hump and made him lose it.  He beached his boat and beat the holy snot out of him, so badly that his buddies had to help him back to his rig.  The guy was dumb enough to stand there while he got out of the boat. 

I quit fishing the Skokomish river, because there were Skokes from the tribal side, who would wait for you to hook a fish, then purposely cast over your line with jigs that had multiple trebles on them, then rip your fish to their side of the river, laughing and yelling racial insults the whole time.

WDFW offices just stood there and watched the the whole time and did nothing until one guy waded the river to confront the Skoke who just stole his sons fish.
He was charged with trespassing, handcuffed and taken away.

[snake]

I made the mistake of fishing Lake Wilderness (in Kent) on opening day once back in the 90s.
I launched my boat, then had to walk 1/2 a mile from where I could park my truck and trailer, back to the lake.
It was so crowded, You could almost walk a crossed the boats, no way you could troll.

There were People fishing from shore on both sides, casting out  1/3 of the width of the lake.
Some had 3 oz pyramid weights with trebles, were purposely trying to snag the boaters gear, then ripping it back.

I lasted about an hour, and decided to leave. At the boat ramp, the was a WDFW officer, checking everyone coming on and off the lake. I asked him what the rules are about boating and shore fishing. His reply was,

"if they can cast to your distance, you are fishing to close to them!"

I have never fished Lake Wilderness since.

I work with a guy who had a bankie purposely snag a 40+ pound king that he was fighting in a hole on the Hump and made him lose it.  He beached his boat and beat the holy snot out of him, so badly that his buddies had to help him back to his rig.  The guy was dumb enough to stand there while he got out of the boat. 

I quit fishing the Skokomish river, because there were Skokes from the tribal side, who would wait for you to hook a fish, then purposely cast over your line with jigs that had multiple trebles on them, then rip your fish to their side of the river, laughing and yelling racial insults the whole time.

WDFW offices just stood there and watched the the whole time and did nothing until one guy waded the river to confront the Skoke who just stole his sons fish.
He was charged with trespassing, handcuffed and taken away.

Oh God, don't start the Skok Stories this could get ugly!

[PolarBear]

 
I grew up dealing with the Skoks and their love of poaching big game and fish. I have dozens of Skok stories.

[SteelheadTed]

If you are a bank fisherman, just start throwing rocks at the boats.  They will move.  Boat fisherman, if someone can throw a rock from shore and reach your boat, you are too close, quit being a moron.

You really think that is a good way to go?  Do you think that encourages all of us to get along or might it actually be a disincentive?

I hope your joking.  Throwing rocks at folks is not cool.

[BigGoonTuna]

about 10 years ago, i had a somewhat well known guide decide to deploy his backtrolling gear on what used to be a popular bank area on the nisqually(above the trestle, off the rocks on the side of the road before it was all posted and gated off).  the river was about 50 feet wide there, and he put his gear right where i had been casting.  i made a cast right over all 4 of his lines and gave a big rip on them, tangling everything to hell, then he went into freakout mode, i lost count of how many F-bombs he dropped.  my dad was  just downriver of me, he yelled "you're a real class act talking that way", then he shut up and took off.

i've got little patience for boaters, especially guides, who just *have* to get their spot over bank fishermen, especially on a river like the nisqually where access is piss-poor.  i've got a sled, i use it to get away from other people, not join the crowd.  hard concept, i know.

[PolarBear]

I don't have much use for guides, fishing or hunting. Too many seem to feel entitled to the choice spots. I had a guide throw a major riggin fit on the Hump because I pulled a 26 pound steelhead out of a slot that he had worked for over an hour. When he had to pull up lines because my fish ran through the hole they were in he called me every name in the book. This guide was notorious for low holing anyone on the he water, especially bankies.

[BigGoonTuna]

lemme guess, this guy is a notorious blowhard and thinks of himself as something of a rock star?

if it's the one i'm thinking of, i was fishing the bluff hole on the hump from the bank about 6 or 7 years ago.  one other guy was there.  aforementioned guide slides in just above us, and everyone starts long-lining the drift we're fishing with bobbers(these guys are only about 20' off the bank, so it was tying up the whole drift).  the other bankie asked(nicely) if he would mind giving us some more room, and the guide just loses it, goes into some tirade about how he was gonna pull the boat over and just stand right next to us and fish.  couldn't help but shake my head, the 3 other guys in the boat didn't say a word.

[Miles]

That's when you start lobbing 12 oz weights at their boat...

[PolarBear]

lemme guess, this guy is a notorious blowhard and thinks of himself as something of a rock star?

if it's the one i'm thinking of, i was fishing the bluff hole on the hump from the bank about 6 or 7 years ago.  one other guy was there.  aforementioned guide slides in just above us, and everyone starts long-lining the drift we're fishing with bobbers(these guys are only about 20' off the bank, so it was tying up the whole drift).  the other bankie asked(nicely) if he would mind giving us some more room, and the guide just loses it, goes into some tirade about how he was gonna pull the boat over and just stand right next to us and fish.  couldn't help but shake my head, the 3 other guys in the boat didn't say a word.

Yep. The guy iis a real hot head. I'm surprised that he has any return clients. He low holed us on the Clearwater and the Hoh.

[theleo]

On rivers like the Columbia and Snake, if I can cast to a spot and a boat trolls through or anchors there theyre to close. I'll be casting rite off the side of their motor if they insist on staying there. On the other hand if it requires a kayak or drone to get my gear there then I'm asking for trouble, guys bought their boats to be able to fish those spots.

There's already verbage in some areas that says only "hand casted lines" are legal to use because of this issue.

[snake]

If you are a bank fisherman, just start throwing rocks at the boats.  They will move.  Boat fisherman, if someone can throw a rock from shore and reach your boat, you are too close, quit being a moron.

You really think that is a good way to go?  Do you think that encourages all of us to get along or might it actually be a disincentive?

I hope your joking.  Throwing rocks at folks is not cool.

Yes Rocks are great fun. Very cool, dude man hey bro. Think of it as an act of parenting of sorts.  if no one teaches the dummies in boats getting too close a lesson they will never learn.  Throw a rock off the side of their boat, they will give the bankies much more room in the future.

[Timberstalker]

If you are a bank fisherman, just start throwing rocks at the boats.  They will move.  Boat fisherman, if someone can throw a rock from shore and reach your boat, you are too close, quit being a moron.

You really think that is a good way to go?  Do you think that encourages all of us to get along or might it actually be a disincentive?

I hope your joking.  Throwing rocks at folks is not cool.

Yes Rocks are great fun. Very cool, dude man hey bro. Think of it as an act of parenting of sorts.  if no one teaches the dummies in boats getting too close a lesson they will never learn.  Throw a rock off the side of their boat, they will give the bankies much more room in the future.

I'd do a little research about throwing rocks. Especially if you're in Pasco.

[SteelheadTed]

If you are a bank fisherman, just start throwing rocks at the boats.  They will move.  Boat fisherman, if someone can throw a rock from shore and reach your boat, you are too close, quit being a moron.

You really think that is a good way to go?  Do you think that encourages all of us to get along or might it actually be a disincentive?

I hope your joking.  Throwing rocks at folks is not cool.

Yes Rocks are great fun. Very cool, dude man hey bro. Think of it as an act of parenting of sorts.  if no one teaches the dummies in boats getting too close a lesson they will never learn.  Throw a rock off the side of their boat, they will give the bankies much more room in the future.

No, throwing rocks is stupid and illegal and a poorly thrown rock could kill someone.  Don't be a fool.

[shadowless_nite]

Looks like the tide is good for this weekend so the boats will be out in full force. Probably gonna bring my PA horn to share some please and thanks you's. I wouldn't be surprised if this same a**hat shows up again.

[headshot5]

No, throwing rocks is stupid and illegal and a poorly thrown rock could kill someone.  Don't be a fool.

Slingshot and jellybeans LOL. 

[Night goat]

....the way I always fished is I kept boats at bay with a long distance casting rod.... target practice was always a past time when fishing was slow

when in the boat, I stayed out of casting distance. I had a hard top but... I liked my windows

[snake]

....the way I always fished is I kept boats at bay with a long distance casting rod.... target practice was always a past time when fishing was slow

when in the boat, I stayed out of casting distance. I had a hard top but... I liked my windows

exactly.  Sometimes nice words and safe spaces just don't work out. you gotta get the message across somehow.Throw a rock or send a 4 oz. to a boat load of 206ers and watch them slither back to their safe space.

[Timberstalker]

 

[cbond3318]

If you are a bank fisherman, just start throwing rocks at the boats.  They will move.  Boat fisherman, if someone can throw a rock from shore and reach your boat, you are too close, quit being a moron.

You really think that is a good way to go?  Do you think that encourages all of us to get along or might it actually be a disincentive?

I hope your joking.  Throwing rocks at folks is not cool.

Yes Rocks are great fun. Very cool, dude man hey bro. Think of it as an act of parenting of sorts.  if no one teaches the dummies in boats getting too close a lesson they will never learn.  Throw a rock off the side of their boat, they will give the bankies much more room in the future.

I'd do a little research about throwing rocks. Especially if you're in Pasco.

 

[PolarBear]

Like I said before, we pull up our gear, slide past the bankies and give them a wide berth but if someone hits my boat with a rock or lead I'm either snagging your gear or paying you a visit on the bank.  Usually the goobers who give you lip run like cockroaches when you head for shore. 

[CallMeBigPapa]

We don't call em cranky bankie's for nothing.