Sunday, June 10, 2001

When boating and fishing collide

Low clouds shrouded the sunrise like a gray veil over a fiery eye.
   Barely rippled waters before me held as much promise as an early morning can. The surface trembled with baitfish activity.
   I was waist deep in Baffin Bay bliss and flush with anticipation. My partners and I were clustered 40 yards from the boat, undecided on who would fish nearest the shore or which of us would wade the deeper water near the Tide Gauge Bar, which parallels the King Ranch.
   Being the shortest, I started for the shallows.
   My partner, Gordon Taylor, and I had cast our Top Dogs maybe a dozen times when we noticed a boat hugging the north shore and speeding toward our position from the mouth of Baffin Bay.
   "I hope this guy sees us," I said, waving my cap to ward off the boater. "You don't think he's going to run this whole shoreline, do you?"
   "Looks that way," Taylor said.
   The vessel did not veer, but instead the captain stopped nearby to see if we needed help before speeding off. My waving cap had sent the wrong message.
   The boater was polite. But in my mind, the damage had been done. This shoreline would be unfit to fish for a while.
   We trudged back to our boat disappointed and disgusted.
   Was this an example of discourteous boating, ignorance, poor judgement or simply life on a busy bay?
   The answer is ignorance.
   Mine.
   Running the lines
   It turns out that for at least two decades, the water between the Tide Gauge Bar and the shore has been a running lane. Rocks outside the bar prevent safe boating.
   When local anglers refer to wading the Tide Gauge, they're speaking of the waters outside the bar. I'll know better next time.
   This is one example - the Padre Island shoreline south of Bird Island and the south shore of Baffin Bay are others - where local tradition overrides common sense. It's nobody's fault.
   The circumstances are not typical. And I'm not going to buck tradition.
   In most cases, anglers agree that running along shorelines is bad for fishing, not to mention bad manners, except maybe when choppy conditions prevent safe boating on the open bay. This stance leads to the endless debate on how choppy is too choppy for safe traveling.
   It's up the captain and it depends on the type of vessel.
   Almost as arbitrary is the broad definition of "shoreline." At what distance from land does a shoreline extend?
   Some anglers define certain shorelines as a swath of water 300 yards wide. Others believe the swatch is much narrower.
   And then there are boaters who believe, aside from safety, that it's OK to run close to shore when the open bay is uncomfortably rough. Generally, this is a lame excuse. But this too is left to the discretion of the pilot or determined by the passengers.
   Seasonal manners
   Whenever practical, it's courteous not to run the shallow shorelines mornings and late afternoons in spring and summer. This is where trout and redfish lurk and where anglers are likely to be fishing sooner or later.
   By the same logic, don't run dropoffs, channel edges and breaks at midday.
   None of these are legal issues. It's all about courtesy and respect.
   In a perfect world, boaters would consider the adverse effects of running shallow shorelines, which can temporarily ruin fishing for the next guy, if not forever condition fish to avoid these waters altogether.
   This probably is too much to ask a man eager to test a boat seller's pitch that his vessel will run in four inches of water. But it's not too much to ask boaters to stay off shorelines that are occupied by other anglers.
   The harder fix
   I've avoided writing this column for more than two years. My thinking was that I would be preaching to the choir or perhaps writing to people who never see themselves as the culprits.
   But the problem is worsening, as waters become more crowded with novice anglers and boaters unfamiliar with the area. But ignorance isn't the only issue here. I wish it were. Ignorance is more easily remedied.
   Most complaints are based on genuine violations of etiquette, though occasionally the furor is rooted in the promise of what could have or would have been by anglers seeking to blame someone or something outside themselves.
   I've also witnessed boaters complain about a boating infraction done unto them, then blatantly breach the same etiquette moments later. Go figure.
   This has convinced me that many anglers are unwilling, though not unable, to put themselves in the other guy's shoes. I've not heard a good excuse for that.
   The complaints go something like this: I could have or would have caught fish if not the jerk who . . . Fill in the blank with your favorite irksome offense. The most common bona fide violations involve cutting off a drift, motoring too close to other anglers, anchoring or drifting too near fellow anglers and running shorelines occupied by other anglers or encroaching on anglers who obviously are preparing to wade a certain stretch of shoreline.
   Pretty basic stuff, huh?
   Passing it on
   Because I've already breached the shoreline issue, let me wrap up that topic before detailing the other basic rules. But first let me say that the more frequently we display poor boating etiquette the more acceptable or ingrained in our culture this behavior becomes.
   In other words, we're teaching our children to be like us. By the way, retaliation for discourteous actions exacerbates the problem.
   I hope it's not too late.
   Regarding shoreline etiquette, it's seldom OK to run between a wader or anchored boat and the shore. But again, the definition of shoreline comes into play here. Maintain a respectable distance.
   If you want to wade a shoreline already occupied, move a half-mile or more ahead of the waders who arrived there first. Or better yet, on long shorelines, set up a half-mile behind where the wade anglers' boat is anchored.
   Channels and passes
   Heed posted no-wake notices. Boaters are responsible for their wake and the harm it causes.
   Channel etiquette is an area of serious debate and misunderstanding. Many anglers believe boaters should always idle past occupied boats, waders and shore fishermen along all channels and passes. This is a good idea in narrow channels for safety and to promote goodwill on the water. But the Intracoastal Waterway is different. Boats anchored along its edge are parked on the shoulder of a freeway.
   By the way, tying your boat to buoys on the Intracoastal Waterway is unlawful.
   Anglers should expect boaters to give them a wide berth on the ICW, or any other channel. Passing boaters should veer to the side opposite the anchored boat when speeding past. In constricted waters such as narrow passageways into coves and between islands, boaters should slow down to no-wake speed whenever possible when passing anchored boats, waders and shore anglers.
   However, it's important to understand that many bay boats must navigate shallow passes while the vessel is on plane and moving quickly. Low-tide access and egress to Oso Bay is an example of where this is true and tolerance should be exercised. The west end of East Kleberg Point is another shallow narrow pass that boaters must navigate on plane. Similar passes exist throughout Coastal Bend waters.
   Drift rules
   When approaching anglers who are drift fishing, anticipate the path of the boats, yours and theirs. Run behind or upwind of the other boats and maintain a distance of several hundred yards whenever possible. The distance is debatable, so err on the side of caution. Different anglers have different standards. Some have none.
   Don't anchor or set adrift ahead of or in line with another angler's drift. If you see a flotilla of boats drifting an area that you'd like to anchor in, it's best to leave and return later. First arrival has its privileges. At least assess the situation from afar before going in.
   As a general rule, don't run your outboard motor within 100 yards of other anglers. In shallow water, lengthen this distance whenever possible. As a general rule, if you can hear conversation from another boat you're too close.
   Exceptions include crowded conditions, such as found near Traylor Island or Quarantine in summer, slide into tight spots using a trolling motor, wind propulsion, paddle or push pole. Never park a boat within casting distance of another boat or wader.
   Under these conditions, notice the distance between the line of boats and the shoreline. Don't go beyond this distance. And gently lower your anchor into the water. If it doesn't hold, get out quickly and silently.
   Waders also should anticipate the path of drifting boats when setting up a wade. Waders should be careful not to walk too near other waders or in the vicinity of anglers in boats.
   Fishing the birds
   It's courteous not to encroach on a fellow angler who is working a flock of gulls. Again, first arrival has the right of way.
   There usually is another flock not far away. Find it.
   But if you do decide to approach an occupied large flock (and I'm not recommending you do this), cut your outboard motor at least 100 yard from the flock, then maneuver into place by drifting, using an electric trolling motor or push pole.
   Anchor upwind and at a distance from the perimeter birds, no closer than the other boat's position.
   If you're unable or unwilling to employ one of these methods, then leave the birds to the angler who got there first. Courtesy should override your unwillingness to make sacrifices.
   Boat ramp etiquette
   Boating etiquette begins before you enter the water. This one is especially important at crowded marinas and on weekends.
   Prepare your boat before you back it onto the ramp. This means your boat should be loaded with all drinks, tackle and other equipment so you can slide into the water quickly and without annoying delays.
   And turn off your headlights while backing down or stopped on the ramp. In some cases, your headlights are blinding the anglers who are waiting to launch.
   I'm sure I've left out some things. But if anglers would follow just half these guidelines most of the time I believe we'd realize a significant reduction of stress on the water.
   And isn't that the point?