Fishing in front of homes & cottages
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seanshuntin
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It kinda sucks that these things happen and they do happen ,, we have a cottage as well and I can't ever remember being there and not having bass fishermen fishing our docks and beach area and all of em have been quite friendly and willing to swap friendly words , my advice,,, If they are'nt willing to be nice then cease the attempt to try,, keep right on fishin and ignore them as you are certainly not in the wrong... Keep in mind your right about being respectful,, keep your hooks and baits from hitting their property and you should'nt have any issues, they don't own the water so in my own words carry on..............
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Spence Scout
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As an avid tournament angler like Kunobasski, Ihave encountered numerous cottagers/land owners in the same manner. And Ive only been fishing competitively for two and a half years. From rocks being thrown to rude remarks, to even a cottage owner coming onto his dock and turning on his 90HP Merc and reving it purposely.. then gettin out with his arms crossed with a disgrunted look.
Truth is Kunobasski's right they dont own the water, and more truth being "dont cast to it, if u cant do it!"
And to be on the cottagers side, I have listened to several requests to "please dont fish my dock or boats" Just becuase I respect them being polite about the whole situation. However if I werent fishing a tournament and had time to chat with the fellow person Id educate them on how I feel about the whole situation in a polite manner. Good thread.
Truth is Kunobasski's right they dont own the water, and more truth being "dont cast to it, if u cant do it!"
And to be on the cottagers side, I have listened to several requests to "please dont fish my dock or boats" Just becuase I respect them being polite about the whole situation. However if I werent fishing a tournament and had time to chat with the fellow person Id educate them on how I feel about the whole situation in a polite manner. Good thread.
Re: Fishing in front of homes & cottages
<snip>
>1. Do you feel that Fishermen are well within their rights to fish in front >of cottages around their boats and docks? (being careful of course not >to damage anything)
>
Yes.
>2. There must be some cottage owners on this site....how do you feel >about this?
>
I don't mind at all... when people fish my shoreline/docks I like to have a good look at what they are using, how they are using it, and anything else I can pickup from them... I treat it as a learning experience...
>3. How do you handle a rude cottage owner who quite clearly just >thinks he owns the water in front of his place?
>
I always try the old "Nice day, isn't it..." on them... and if they are all wound up, I simply ignore them and keep on cast'n hope to get hooked up with a big lunker
>4. How do you balance the "right" to fish were we want to, and at the >same time "respect" owners of cottages and homes that are on the >water? Assuming of course that we do have the "right" to fish there.
>
Give a little respect and you'll get it back... act like a 2 year old, and you'll get treated as such.
>5. Do you feel that property owners who are on a body of water that >holds fish like Bass should expect that fishermen are going to fish in >front of their place, and take the initiative to either post a sign or >something to indicate to not fish there..please...or to be careful or >something...instead of just coming to the water and tearing a strip off >an innocent fisherman?
Yessir, I think that if a landowner wishes to protect their shoreline from lost tackle, they should post a sign at the waters edge or on their dock that has a simple message... Like, "No fishing please, my kids swim here..." or whatever... If I were to com across such a sign, I would respect it if they were there or not...
>1. Do you feel that Fishermen are well within their rights to fish in front >of cottages around their boats and docks? (being careful of course not >to damage anything)
>
Yes.
>2. There must be some cottage owners on this site....how do you feel >about this?
>
I don't mind at all... when people fish my shoreline/docks I like to have a good look at what they are using, how they are using it, and anything else I can pickup from them... I treat it as a learning experience...
>3. How do you handle a rude cottage owner who quite clearly just >thinks he owns the water in front of his place?
>
I always try the old "Nice day, isn't it..." on them... and if they are all wound up, I simply ignore them and keep on cast'n hope to get hooked up with a big lunker
>4. How do you balance the "right" to fish were we want to, and at the >same time "respect" owners of cottages and homes that are on the >water? Assuming of course that we do have the "right" to fish there.
>
Give a little respect and you'll get it back... act like a 2 year old, and you'll get treated as such.
>5. Do you feel that property owners who are on a body of water that >holds fish like Bass should expect that fishermen are going to fish in >front of their place, and take the initiative to either post a sign or >something to indicate to not fish there..please...or to be careful or >something...instead of just coming to the water and tearing a strip off >an innocent fisherman?
Yessir, I think that if a landowner wishes to protect their shoreline from lost tackle, they should post a sign at the waters edge or on their dock that has a simple message... Like, "No fishing please, my kids swim here..." or whatever... If I were to com across such a sign, I would respect it if they were there or not...
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SixStringHack
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Hmmm... interesting thread. I'm a cottage owner and I have a dock that runs along the shoreline and boats that stay in the water during the summer. When I fish along the shoreline, I avoid other people's docks and boats because that's how I'd prefer people treat my stuff. Big Gull is a fairly big lake so I don't see the need to potentially annoy other cottagers when there's so much unoccupied shoreline to fish.
As for the posters who think that waterfront property owners do not own the land immediately adjacent to the water, I'm not sure you are right (in Ontario anyway...). I know that my lot had something called a road/shore allowance at the shore that was originally not part of the private property, but these days the township will gladly sell this chunk of land to you. A previous owner of my place bought the road/shore allowance and as far as my survey indicates, I own the shoreline from the water up.
As for things that I have witnessed while on shore at the cottage:
- A bunch of 20-somethings fishing in the bay in front of my place were holding their empty beer bottles under the water and then letting them sink.
- A fishing boat pulling up to a neighbour's dock and visiting their outhouse (which was out of service and had no hole under it).
- Bass going into a livewell out of season.
- Assorted lures and baits bouncing off of my boats and dock.
Another thing that popped up in this thread. Boat speed and wake. One guy was talking about his 9.9 at half throttle. Was the boat on plane at the time? When you are going slow, look behind at your wake, the worst offenders are usually people touring about at partial throttle and/or with their boat trimmed badly. It's not always the speed, sometimes it's the wake...
As for the posters who think that waterfront property owners do not own the land immediately adjacent to the water, I'm not sure you are right (in Ontario anyway...). I know that my lot had something called a road/shore allowance at the shore that was originally not part of the private property, but these days the township will gladly sell this chunk of land to you. A previous owner of my place bought the road/shore allowance and as far as my survey indicates, I own the shoreline from the water up.
As for things that I have witnessed while on shore at the cottage:
- A bunch of 20-somethings fishing in the bay in front of my place were holding their empty beer bottles under the water and then letting them sink.
- A fishing boat pulling up to a neighbour's dock and visiting their outhouse (which was out of service and had no hole under it).
- Bass going into a livewell out of season.
- Assorted lures and baits bouncing off of my boats and dock.
Another thing that popped up in this thread. Boat speed and wake. One guy was talking about his 9.9 at half throttle. Was the boat on plane at the time? When you are going slow, look behind at your wake, the worst offenders are usually people touring about at partial throttle and/or with their boat trimmed badly. It's not always the speed, sometimes it's the wake...
Warning: old people can be dangerous.
Watch out for signs of distress, anxiety or rage. When challenged by an old person remember, it's not you, it's their decaying brain turning them into a person they never were. Or, more rarely, into more of the person they were, but now without the social barriers.
Speak in a soothing tone of voice. Agree with them. Chastise yourself. Use a whip if necessary. Or offer to soak yourself in gasoline and set yourself alight. Thereby testing the level of the dementia.
If they laugh. They are still okay. If they agree with you and offer a can of gas. Well, heck. At a buck a litre at least your day's fishing is covered. Move on quickly.
Other common protective techniques include: asking for directions to the local golf course; seeking advice on laxatives; or, my favorite, screaming like a little girl.
Sorry I seem to have gotten off topic. What was I writing about again?
Watch out for signs of distress, anxiety or rage. When challenged by an old person remember, it's not you, it's their decaying brain turning them into a person they never were. Or, more rarely, into more of the person they were, but now without the social barriers.
Speak in a soothing tone of voice. Agree with them. Chastise yourself. Use a whip if necessary. Or offer to soak yourself in gasoline and set yourself alight. Thereby testing the level of the dementia.
If they laugh. They are still okay. If they agree with you and offer a can of gas. Well, heck. At a buck a litre at least your day's fishing is covered. Move on quickly.
Other common protective techniques include: asking for directions to the local golf course; seeking advice on laxatives; or, my favorite, screaming like a little girl.
Sorry I seem to have gotten off topic. What was I writing about again?
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Fish'n'Time
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- Location: Ottawa
This isn't even really a problem. Most times, cottages and docks are deserted. Of course, if people are there and you're throwing hooked objects at people...well, most guys might say something. Who wouldn't?...
Of course, you're a skilled fisherman, but the guy yesterday hooked buddy's deckchair, his boats cover, put a hole in his daughter's float tube...
You're not that guy... but he doesn't want it to happen again....
So, myself, if people are around the dock I just fish the next one....
Of course, you're a skilled fisherman, but the guy yesterday hooked buddy's deckchair, his boats cover, put a hole in his daughter's float tube...
You're not that guy... but he doesn't want it to happen again....
So, myself, if people are around the dock I just fish the next one....
It's amazing the entitlement some people feel when they own a piece of waterfront property.
I was fishing the side of an island one day on a lake not far from Ottawa—pitching a tube to rock outcroppings—when I encountered a crusty cottage owner.
I was about to say "hello" when the cottage owner stood up (shirtless belly glistening in the sun) and addressed me with a stern voice. "What makes you think I want to wake up Sunday morning and see you fishing 20 feet in front of my dock?".
I couldn't help but laugh and believe me, that didn't help the situation. I replied saying that I didn't particularly enjoy seeing an overweight shirtless man where I was fishing but that some things are beyond our control.
Things escalated and unlike Bobber I wasn't mature enough to be the bigger man that day but I applaud him for handling the situation the way he did.
I was fishing the side of an island one day on a lake not far from Ottawa—pitching a tube to rock outcroppings—when I encountered a crusty cottage owner.
I was about to say "hello" when the cottage owner stood up (shirtless belly glistening in the sun) and addressed me with a stern voice. "What makes you think I want to wake up Sunday morning and see you fishing 20 feet in front of my dock?".
I couldn't help but laugh and believe me, that didn't help the situation. I replied saying that I didn't particularly enjoy seeing an overweight shirtless man where I was fishing but that some things are beyond our control.
Things escalated and unlike Bobber I wasn't mature enough to be the bigger man that day but I applaud him for handling the situation the way he did.
Last edited by bl8ant on Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Bass Addict
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Joisey Joe
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On our annual trip to Gananoque Lake my brother and bro-in-law have encountered an elderly gent that has made things quite difficult for them. He seems to think they are fishing for bass out of season, not true, we will get bass but don't target them and get them back in the water asap. He yells, menaces and sometimes jumps in his boat and chases after my kin, chasing them to another area of the lake. It's very unsettling to them and if this gent is seen around his house Mike and Dan just fish elsewhere. I haven't been involved in any of this, if it does ever happen I plan to engauge him in conversation to find out what his problem is. I'm probably the nicest guy you'll meet on the water, conversing with fishermen is one of my favorite things, let's hope the situation has a positive outcome.
As for the question, I'm usually not fishin shorelines or docks but when I do I use common sense and I'll talk to anyone so when I meet up with cottage owners I say hello and talk fishing and never had a problem, Joe.
As for the question, I'm usually not fishin shorelines or docks but when I do I use common sense and I'll talk to anyone so when I meet up with cottage owners I say hello and talk fishing and never had a problem, Joe.
1. Do you feel that Fishermen are well within their rights to fish in front of cottages around their boats and docks? (being careful of course not to damage anything)
Yes, I do it. I just have to be respectfull and not damage anything when fishing.
3. How do you handle a rude cottage owner who quite clearly just thinks he owns the water in front of his place?
I would be respectfull at first.......... then probably just ignor him/ and if he would trow that rock at me; then that's another story
4. How do you balance the "right" to fish were we want to, and at the same time "respect" owners of cottages and homes that are on the water? Assuming of course that we do have the "right" to fish there.
Well obviously If I see a pantoon boat with the ''Canapee'' on it ...... I wont manage to cast on it. It's all about common sense and using our judgment.... If the cottage owner is out having a bbq with his family on the deck/docks.... I won't cast out a foot away from him just by respect.... I guess balancing the right to fish were we want and respecting poeple in the same time is all about '' common sense'' and ''Judgment'' used by the fisherman.
5. Do you feel that property owners who are on a body of water that holds fish like Bass should expect that fishermen are going to fish in front of their place, and take the initiative to either post a sign or something to indicate to not fish there..please...or to be careful or something...instead of just coming to the water and tearing a strip off an innocent fisherman?
Not every cottage owner are intense fisherman.... but for the ones that are and know that fisherman will try to angle there docks and shorelines I think they should post a no fishing sign.... It makes it easier for the cottage owner and the innocent fisherman. Unfortunatly we all know that this will never happen....... not every cottage owner will even think of posting one of those.... therefor there will always be a rude/grumpy cottage owner somewhere.
Dore819
Yes, I do it. I just have to be respectfull and not damage anything when fishing.
3. How do you handle a rude cottage owner who quite clearly just thinks he owns the water in front of his place?
I would be respectfull at first.......... then probably just ignor him/ and if he would trow that rock at me; then that's another story
4. How do you balance the "right" to fish were we want to, and at the same time "respect" owners of cottages and homes that are on the water? Assuming of course that we do have the "right" to fish there.
Well obviously If I see a pantoon boat with the ''Canapee'' on it ...... I wont manage to cast on it. It's all about common sense and using our judgment.... If the cottage owner is out having a bbq with his family on the deck/docks.... I won't cast out a foot away from him just by respect.... I guess balancing the right to fish were we want and respecting poeple in the same time is all about '' common sense'' and ''Judgment'' used by the fisherman.
5. Do you feel that property owners who are on a body of water that holds fish like Bass should expect that fishermen are going to fish in front of their place, and take the initiative to either post a sign or something to indicate to not fish there..please...or to be careful or something...instead of just coming to the water and tearing a strip off an innocent fisherman?
Not every cottage owner are intense fisherman.... but for the ones that are and know that fisherman will try to angle there docks and shorelines I think they should post a no fishing sign.... It makes it easier for the cottage owner and the innocent fisherman. Unfortunatly we all know that this will never happen....... not every cottage owner will even think of posting one of those.... therefor there will always be a rude/grumpy cottage owner somewhere.
Dore819-
wolfe
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I do think it's a lot about "balance" (good point) and common sense / courtesy.
I have been on both sides of the fence (or dock).
If a family is out enjoying their waterfront, maybe it's not the best time to work their dock and their shoreline. Certainly don't anchor there. Of course you legally can, but why would you want to? Just to be a jerk?
If you're quietly working the shoreline, utilizing a nice wind drift or your trolling engine, certainly there's no harm in taking a couple of carefully placed casts as you move along.
Just watch out for kids, please. We had two younger guys in a tinny this past summer come roaring along the shore while my boys were playing off the dock. I got out between the boys and the boat and waved my arms and you could see the sudden shock on the guys' faces when they realized they were heading towards my kids. They hadn't even seen them, as they were busy pointing at different neighbors' docks. Mama Wolfe was pretty POd.
Just use common sense and common courtesy, no matter which side of the dock you're on.
W.
I have been on both sides of the fence (or dock).
If a family is out enjoying their waterfront, maybe it's not the best time to work their dock and their shoreline. Certainly don't anchor there.
Of course you legally can, but why would you want to? Just to be a jerk?If you're quietly working the shoreline, utilizing a nice wind drift or your trolling engine, certainly there's no harm in taking a couple of carefully placed casts as you move along.
Just watch out for kids, please. We had two younger guys in a tinny this past summer come roaring along the shore while my boys were playing off the dock. I got out between the boys and the boat and waved my arms and you could see the sudden shock on the guys' faces when they realized they were heading towards my kids. They hadn't even seen them, as they were busy pointing at different neighbors' docks. Mama Wolfe was pretty POd.
Just use common sense and common courtesy, no matter which side of the dock you're on.
W.
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Mrs. Twister
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creeky wrote:Warning: old people can be dangerous.
Watch out for signs of distress, anxiety or rage. When challenged by an old person remember, it's not you, it's their decaying brain turning them into a person they never were. Or, more rarely, into more of the person they were, but now without the social barriers.
Speak in a soothing tone of voice. Agree with them. Chastise yourself. Use a whip if necessary. Or offer to soak yourself in gasoline and set yourself alight. Thereby testing the level of the dementia.
Seriously though ... some older folks tend to feel more vulnerable, even a little paranoid, and are more easily intimidated. Who knows? It may have been something as simple as a negative experience in the past, or recent break-ins in the area, or maybe he just needed his meds updated ...? Regardless, clearly this gentleman felt entitled to more privacy than he was getting. This does not excuse his lack of social skills (and rudeness is not limited to the elderly) but it may help to explain his behaviour. You did the right thing by moving along.
Hi all, Long time, no post.
Fishing in the Kawarthas confrontations is an everyday occurence when fishing docks or shoreline trees, slop, pads etc...
I can think of 4-5 docks on Lake Scugog that if the owners are there your gonna get an earful....of course they are wicked big fish holding docks...
We always planned to get in and get out as quick and early as possible. We'd fly in, come off plane, guy runs up on deck, few pitches, hopefully a fish and we are out. One dock we'd do this 5 or 6 times during a tournie day. Those who fish the "bog" probably know the Plane dock as well. Come with in 20ft of there your going to an earful or garden hose shower. Cause in his words "I am just rinsing down my plane"
Biggest complaint from the owners is guys wrapping a post or boat lift, snagging a rope, chain, boat cleat or dock post and cutting their lines.
If possible, try to get your bait.
Back 10 -12 yrs ago when I was almost exclusively a "dock" fisherman I would try my best to get hte baits back. Now, with two little ones who swim off the dock at the cottage all the time, I understand first hand the importance of getting the hooks away from the docks.
You wanna talk about getting an earful, try fishing a Marina in the Kawarthas! lol
Solid strikes!
Phil
Fishing in the Kawarthas confrontations is an everyday occurence when fishing docks or shoreline trees, slop, pads etc...
I can think of 4-5 docks on Lake Scugog that if the owners are there your gonna get an earful....of course they are wicked big fish holding docks...
We always planned to get in and get out as quick and early as possible. We'd fly in, come off plane, guy runs up on deck, few pitches, hopefully a fish and we are out. One dock we'd do this 5 or 6 times during a tournie day. Those who fish the "bog" probably know the Plane dock as well. Come with in 20ft of there your going to an earful or garden hose shower. Cause in his words "I am just rinsing down my plane"
Biggest complaint from the owners is guys wrapping a post or boat lift, snagging a rope, chain, boat cleat or dock post and cutting their lines.
If possible, try to get your bait.
Back 10 -12 yrs ago when I was almost exclusively a "dock" fisherman I would try my best to get hte baits back. Now, with two little ones who swim off the dock at the cottage all the time, I understand first hand the importance of getting the hooks away from the docks.
You wanna talk about getting an earful, try fishing a Marina in the Kawarthas! lol
Solid strikes!
Phil
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Hookup
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Wow... Old post... Good topic though.
I've never had any experiences like this. Most cases, I just smile, wave, say "hows it going" or "nice day" and the person has engauged in similar small talk.
I feel that the water/shorline is for enjoyment. If someone is already enjoying it then it's not my turn so I move on.. if no one is there, then I will take my turn.
I can say that if I did get harassed, I would quite quickly tell them to shut-the-f-up and leave me alone and continue fishing as best as I could. I would likely avoid that place in the future because who needs the issues when out relaxing having a fish-on...
@blant, the shirtless comment is so frigg'n spot on... I can say without a single doubt in my mind I would have answered the exact same way... and I think it safe to assume, I too would not have been reserved and polite as things escalated. IMO, well done.
I've never had any experiences like this. Most cases, I just smile, wave, say "hows it going" or "nice day" and the person has engauged in similar small talk.
I feel that the water/shorline is for enjoyment. If someone is already enjoying it then it's not my turn so I move on.. if no one is there, then I will take my turn.
I can say that if I did get harassed, I would quite quickly tell them to shut-the-f-up and leave me alone and continue fishing as best as I could. I would likely avoid that place in the future because who needs the issues when out relaxing having a fish-on...
@blant, the shirtless comment is so frigg'n spot on... I can say without a single doubt in my mind I would have answered the exact same way... and I think it safe to assume, I too would not have been reserved and polite as things escalated. IMO, well done.
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wolfe
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I gotta say, that made me laugh, too. Quite the colorful writing, bl8ant; you should take a creative writing course. It might lead to a career.bl8ant wrote: ....when the cottage owner stood up (shirtless belly glistening in the sun) and addressed me with a stern voice. "What makes you think I want to wake up Sunday morning and see you fishing 20 feet in front of my dock?"
I replied saying that I didn't particularly enjoy seeing an overweight shirtless man where I was fishing but that some things are beyond our control.
W.