Most people love fishing for a number of different reasons but virtually all of them would agree with one...peace. Peaceful time with just you, the water and the fish has got to be at or near the top of the list. Nothing is worse than having a new fisherman that does not know any better (or an old one that does) come and ruin your day at the lake. Beginners should all have to take a class (or read this article) on fishing etiquette before heading out to the water.
Here are five fishing etiquette mistakes that happen all the time and should be avoided at all costs:
Don’t encroach on a fishing spot
This is one of the most irritating things that a fellow angler can do and it happens all the time. When you see someone hit a hot run with the fish, don’t go running over there and casting into their hot spot. They found it and they should be allowed to fish it until they no longer wish to. Find your own hot spot and leave that poor fisherman alone.
Don’t cast over someones line
When you are fishing somewhere and it is a bit crowded, you have to extra careful to not cross lines with others. Pay close attention to where a fisherman has their line placed and cast away from it. Tangled up lines can ruin a fishing day quick.
Don’t make noise close by to others
In case you didn’t know it, fish tend to be a bit skittish. If you make noise, they will find somewhere else to go. This means that unless you have the lake to yourself, you best leave the radio, loud jokes and off key singing at home. No noise is the rule of the day at the lake when fishing.
Don’t throw things in the water
This goes for skipping rocks, trash and big logs that happen to be sitting on the edge of the water. The surface of the water needs complete calm when people are fishing nearby. The only splashes should be the fish on the end of the line breaching the surface. Don’t throw things in the water please.
Don’t interrupt peace and quiet
Sitting in my lawn chair and watching the water softly bounce my line up and down is my idea of fun. It also happens to be what is needed to get a fish to bite the hook and end up on my plate that night. If you want to come out and yell at one another, you will likely be asked to leave. At a minimum you are going to ruin the fishermen’s day. Be nice and keep all the noise away.
