Fishing ethic question.

[mtjohn]

Hey all, long time member that hasn't been out on the ice much the last 5-6 years, but I have a question about how close is too close when setting up these days. We were out fishing this morning and some random guys showed up and started drilling holes 20 yards from where we were set up. They said they had that spot marked on GPS, but there was a whole lake with no structure anywhere, just a big mud flat. We just minded our own business and went about our day, but why crowd in on someone like that? I can't say I've ever experienced anything like it in the past.
Mt

[FM67]

Personally I’d have not done that to you. I typically stay away from anywhere guys are. Imo it’s nonsense they did that. No reason they couldn’t give you some room even if it was gps. The gps being logged in some machine doesn’t mean the spot was theirs just cause they own coordinance to it. Unbelievable how guys think. I’d have drilled holes so close they’d overlap theirs. They can’t respect you so why respect them.  There’s a reason I stay away from others.

[PerchMan45]

Definitely gets on my nerves when someone drills right next to me. I don’t ever say anything, I usually just move if the fish aren’t hitting in that spot.

I try to keep a big distance between myself and others no matter what, I don’t care if someone is right next to my favorite spot. They don’t deserve to be encroached upon either.

[meandcuznalfy]

Yea, that's too close, coordinates or not, some people just have no respect anymore.

[HWeber]

Too many variables to give a number. Also depends on how they go about it. If they were nice about it and asked they can setup   10 ft from me

[rdhammah]

20 yards is a bit close. Myself? i'd be more like 50 yards away. If you  invited me to fish closer, i'd ask you if this was too close before I started drilling.

[Coosangler]

6 feet lol
We use to do the triangle of death
3 guys 6 feet apart with the fish finder chirping in the middle....

That said.....
 don't let me see you littering.......

[missoulafish]

20 yards is a D move. Straight up. Marking a spot has zero to do with anything. That doesnt reserve that spot for you until you loose or delete that waypoint.

[Perch-Eye]

   If 20 yards is too close you'd better stay away from Holter in a couple of years when all the babies get up to eat'n size.


Ken............

[mtoutdoorsman]

It can matter a bit on lake and situation but that's to close. It sounds as if you were on lake Helena, on a place like that I would say 50 to 100 yards.  I wonder if they planted some structure and were determined to come back and fish it. Granted if the lake is small or someone is courteous to me and takes the time to communicate I would be fine with them fishing close, even happy to punch some holes for them if they don't have a power auger. My worst example of someone fishing too close came when I was fishing some test holes arpox 20 yards from my shack, 2 guys came and started fishing some holes I drilled aprox 10 yards from shack. No hello or anything, finally left and drilled the their own holes with a power auger after about 30 minutes of me giving them the stink eye.

[PerchPounderMT]

Hey all, long time member that hasn't been out on the ice much the last 5-6 years, but I have a question about how close is too close when setting up these days. We were out fishing this morning and some random guys showed up and started drilling holes 20 yards from where we were set up. They said they had that spot marked on GPS, but there was a whole lake with no structure anywhere, just a big mud flat. We just minded our own business and went about our day, but why crowd in on someone like that? I can't say I've ever experienced anything like it in the past.
Mt

its the new norm...sight fishermen..they see fishermen they fish(right on top of you)

[wirehairman]

Way too close. 50 yards minimum unless you have asked or are invited. Still having a hard time coming up with a scenario where one needs to be closer, regardless.

[Jim F]

Tricky situation. For me, I dont really care unless they are asswipes. If you're fishing kokanee, the more the merrier IMO.
bigger groups of jiggers keep them around better.
Trout, I prefer some space. I wont drill near someone unless they say "Hey com'on over" Even then its smarter to keep some room.
Whiny ass kids and boozers not allowed near me, I'll piss in your hole

[coldcreekchris]

what type of knucklehead uses they have a gps as an excuse to put holes on top of you? **censored**. On a seperate note , how does it make you feel when someone has  20 tip ups spread out over  hundred yds on a small body of water like doglake?

[Coosangler]

My favorite part is out fishing them when they have you surrounded...
And then when they leave I go catch fish out of their holes.....lol

[mt-mike]

i only drill next to some one if they are catching fish and i stay 20 yrds away (unless the fish are big)

[BigSage]

If you can hear them talking, it's too close

[zcm_82]

To me, it's sort of proportional to the size of the water and the crowd.

Setting up 20 yards from someone on a big lake when nobody else around is a giant dick move. 20 yards on something like a little 1-5 acre pond, especially if there are quite a few people on it, not so much.

[G fish]

If you can hear them talking, it's too close

Hey Matt what about the guys that are loud talkers ha ha

[MT43]

I feel your pain. CF has been at times a bit crazy this ice season.  Luckily most of the folks who got a bit to close have been quiet and respectable.  Set the example and have fun.  Good luck on your next outing.

[MT-Trout Slayer]

I wouldn't do that personally but its like hunting on public land...it's public land. Just remember...10% of the fisherman catch 90% of the fish...just hope they're not part of the ten percent.

[dlantz1284]

Me and a buddy of mine found a spot that is typically loaded with Jumbos. We have been fishing this particular spot EVERY time we fish for the past 8 or so years.We never had a soul within 200yds or so until last year. A group of 5 or 6 guys showed up and parked it about 25-40 yds from us.They watched us catch fish all day.Now all of a sudden it's like a small city every weekend on our spot. I WILL WALK UP AND SIT ON YOUR LAP. AND FISH YOUR HOLE... IDGAF. I know we don't own the lake but we both definitely feel that these guys are trying to rob our honey hole after watching us.

[Unclegillhunter]

As a couple of members have mentioned lots of variables. I mostly fish fairly small metro lakes, so  20 yards is not considered too close. Guess I am lucky as almost always the folks are pretty kool as in asking is this too close.
Keep it safe! JDL

[Iceassin]

Me and a buddy of mine found a spot that is typically loaded with Jumbos. We have been fishing this particular spot EVERY time we fish for the past 8 or so years.We never had a soul within 200yds or so until last year. A group of 5 or 6 guys showed up and parked it about 25-40 yds from us.They watched us catch fish all day.Now all of a sudden it's like a small city every weekend on our spot. I WILL WALK UP AND SIT ON YOUR LAP. AND FISH YOUR HOLE... IDGAF. I know we don't own the lake but we both definitely feel that these guys are trying to rob our honey hole after watching us.

I dunno. 25-40 yards...or 75' to 120'. That's not really that close to me. The far end of that spectrum is close to half a football field. Not even close to casting distance if I were in a boat..jmo.

[DR.SPECKLER]

I dont do it at stay away at least 30 to 40 yards, but if someone wants to fish a area im in i now longer care.i stay focused on fishing unless they start fishing a hole i just drilled..