how close is too close??

[limige]

whats the closest distance you would have a stranger setup near you on lake st. clair.

personally, 10ft is fine, i've fished right next to someone using the exact same setup and done nothing while my buddy kills them. spudding is another story, i hate the noise, borrow my auger...

mike

[brianroy6]

Depends really. If theres a huge crowd, than 20 feet is fine. If a guy is by himself, I wouldnt go closer than 30 yards from him, unless you ask.

[Jacob Huffman]

:yeahthat: There is nothing more depressing than some guy(s) moving in on your spot, without asking.I guess it's just like deer hunting on state land if your getting some everyone else is going to want in on the action.There are a few tricks you can do to try and fool your competition.

1)try to never raise your arms over shoulder height.

2)cut a hole in your bucket lid and put all your keepers in the bucket instead of on the ice.

3)if your into them good and your alone and someone is coming your direction DONT lift the fish out,just let him walk on by and think your catching nothing

4)use a shanty when possible

5)if your catching them good give me a call and I will come and take some off your hands...:evil: ...

[redneckdan]

:yeahthat:
3)if your into them good and your alone and someone is coming your direction DONT lift the fish out,just let him walk on by and think your catching nothing

..


Doesn't work if you use ultra light twitch rods fer perch. The guy will look down and see you're rod having a siezure and know fer sure that something is up!:lol:

[UNCLE AL]

One rainy foggy morning I followed a local out on to the ice of Saginaw Bay, we went out a few miles from Vanderbilt Park, and came to a group of shantys set up in a circle about 50 feet. The local went into one of the shantys, and I set up outside of the circle about another 50 feet. After drilling acouple of holes this local comes over to where I am and ask me what the hell I'm doing.After I tell him that I'm fishing, he goes postal, ranting and raving about how come I'm so close to his shanty, and I'm scaring all the fish away with the gas auger. Well I left just to shut the guy up, and went in closer to shore. I got me a nice mess of perch that morning, and when the guy came back in and stopped his machine by mine, I showed him the pail of perch I had, and he said f*** you and went back to his house. I don't care if a guy fishes in the same hole I'm using, he better be able to carry on a good conversation.

[cp_will]

I've learned a trick or two from a shrewd ice fishing friend of mine. One is keep your rod tip down when catching fish. Two drill a false hole, assuming there is enough ice, with a thin bottom of ice to hide fish in and cover with snow or ice. Another is move artificially like somone looking for fish, even though the bite is still on. Yet another is lying when asked how you've done.
I'm not a proponent of all these tricks, but I do use them on small waters that I believe need protection of sorts to maintain the fishery.
So when I'm coming off a 100 acre lake with a limit of 8-9" gills and someone asks "how did you do?", I'm sorry for decieving but I just reply "not to good, a few small ones":( . I even feel guilty while I'm catching these monsters on the down low and have a couple of false wholes filled with bulls with a mascarade of snow on top while people walk by. But it's a good guilty feeling. ;)

[stampman]

If someone is already fishing at least 100 ft. If there is a shanty or shantys in a group and no one is there 25 ft. On a trip 2 yrs. back A group of 15 local shanty where sitting on top of a reef where no could fish. I got there early in the moring, fish for about 3 hrs. Then some of local shanty owners came out to fish. Went off on me for fishing in THEIR spot. (first one there gets the spot) That would no different than putting marker bouys over some bursh piles on soft water. Then find someone fishing there 2 hrs. before I get there and tell then to leave. I have never been on a Public lake were you can reserve a fishing spot. :fish:

[William H Bonney]

If any of you guys read any of the "state land" threads in the Deer Hunting forum, you pretty much know how I feel about "being too close". For some reason, it doesn't really bother me while ice fishing. Most of the time the guys don't have a clue out on the ice.

[TheApprentice]

Personally I could care less about how close people get to me as long as they ask if I don't mind them setting up so close. I have had guys fishing less than 5 feet from me and I will be slaying the gills and they maybe get 5. They will say there are not any fish in my hole and I will gladly trade them holes and start catching fish out of their holes while they hardly take any out of my hole. It's hilarious when they accuse me of cheating. How do you cheat ice fishing. I'm not using dynamite, but sometimes you would think so. The fish are public fish and I have no right to tell someone where they can be on a lake. I will say however if the person is rude and doesn't ask and I say something about why he is so close to me and he says anything smart, I will pop him right in the nose and shut him up with quickness. I try to be nice and calm, but don't screw me and then be a jerk about it or you'll pay the consequence.

I am not a game hog and love to teach others how to catch fish. As long as they are a humane individual and know how to be respectful, I treat them as if they ae family and will help them in any way I can. So if you are out on a lake and see a guy with a shaved head, black mickey mouse boots, and a camo suit, and he's catching the gills just ask and you shall benefit from it.

[EXITPUPIL]

I think it depends on the body of water. ON the saginaw bay if you set up 50 ft from me and there is moiles of open ice around Im gonna be PI__ED. Now on a small lake after gills that same 50ft is OK. it depends on what and where you are. Also no one put down the best method for not letting people know how you are doing. Leave your shanty top pulled over (I have arover type shanty)

[ESOX]

Heck, I never catch anything anyhow, you don't want to fish near me. If you do decide to pull right up next to me, understand that I am hundreds of feet away from the next guy not because I have a secret spot, but because I don't want my kids doing their human bobsled routines ruining other peoples fishing.:lol:

[patcheroo]

If a guy sets up by me and I can hear his spring bobber wiggle... That,s Too Close!!!!!.................Patch

[salmonslammer]

because I don't want my kids doing their human bobsled routines ruining other peoples fishing.

Thats what I do too...There not exactly the quietest bunch out there. :D Amazing the number of times I've set up out by myself and wound up with 50 people fishing around me...

I think it depends on the body of water
That pretty much sums it up..Some times you have to be close.
Guess some of you guys have never fished Higgins for the smelt or 1st ice on the canals and marinas??? I fish LSC 95% of the time and figure that if you're inside of 20' you had better at least say hi!! Most people don't mind, just use some common courtisy. :) After all fishing is ment to be fun!!! :fish:

[ReddHead]

I'm always happy to tell people how I did, the lures, the bait the size and number of fish, jigging technique and spots I fished. The reason is that no matter what you tell to someone they have their own technique to get the job done and even if my spot and all the other stuff is working they will go do the same thing they always do. The other reason I don't care is that having a camera lets me see what the fish are doing if they are down there and not hitting then no one will catch anything. A lot of times I'll walk around and just talk to people when the fishing is bad or even very good. If the fishing is bad I'll offer a beer or two to the nice guys that want to share tips. When the fishing is good or I'm doing alot of the catching I tell guys what I'm using and to move closer to me if they want, and once again I'll offer a beer or two. I figure that I get enough fish and fishing in that if someone has only been out once in the year and was skunked then I'll help a guy out to put some fish on the table. Also, in being polite I've found that in the event that you run out of fuel for a lantern, lose a mantel or drop all your bait done the hole being friendly can save a day of fishing. I love ice fishing for the fact that it can be a very social gathering of like minded individuals enjoying the outdoors with a love for fishing. I've met very nice people on the ice and have drank plenty of beers with them, shooting the breeze and watching tip ups and waiting for last light. I personally feel that when guys want to hide all of their "secrets" they are missing out on the best part of ice fishing and that is sharing your knowledge with other people that may not know what to do.
That being said, I hope that everyone can atleast be polite if approached by someone like me this winter, it might get you a free beer or some better spots or techniques that catch you more fish.

[FishTales]

I don't care if they fish close to me. My way of thinking is if you keep more lines in the water / more bait around, the fish will stay nearby.
If someone want to fish by me, it's okay cause when I am pulling them in, he will be keeping them around for me. :lol: :lol:
Rich

[MUSHY1]

I'm with you RedHead, Anymore with a family and work, its hard to get out as much as i use to.....But in talking to people, like on this site, I feel i dont waste alot of time figureing out where to go....And getting the fish to bite, is a whole different story....Who cares....Fish till you DIE, is my attatude.

To answer the question of how close, "Do on to others, as they would do on to you"

Mushy

[limige]

I don't care if they fish close to me. My way of thinking is if you keep more lines in the water / more bait around, the fish will stay nearby.
If someone want to fish by me, it's okay cause when I am pulling them in, he will be keeping them around for me. :lol: :lol:
Rich

i agree.

btw i did state lake st. clair as the body of water to give an idea. i'm not talking small lakes, i'm talking open water.

i can't figure out why people i meet out on the ice always seem to be so grouchy and pissy. it helps to talk around, share ideas, baits ect. everyone will benifit, later down the road they may be the ones helping you catch fish vise/versa.


i've also noticed you seem to get more negative feedback from people if you come setup a shanty near people fishing out in the open. why is that??

[woodsman rick]

I've always thought, fish as close as you want, just don't be rude about it. My fishing buddy and I hooked our shanties together last year, we were 6' away from each other, I started catching fish, he changed lures and depth to match me and still the fish would not bite his hook. Same area does not mean catching MY (:lol: ) fish....

If you see and my brother-in-law out there, I'd stay way away, we could stop the fish biting for a good 200 yd circle:yikes:. I've seen us do it... Just our luck when we're together...

Reddhead, I agree with you, be pleasent and have a good time, I also like to walk around and talk with other guys, aways bring a couple of extra beers for this type of walk-about, you can get alot of great info by being friendly....

See ya'll on the bay soon....

Rick

[dabarra3]

That being said, I hope that everyone can atleast be polite if approached by someone like me this winter, it might get you a free beer or some better spots or techniques that catch you more fish.


Where's this sign up sheet for the free beer and fishing clinic I could use the pointers.:)

[Robert Hoover]

if someone gets up and comes over to me just cause im catching fish an he isnt i think its a problem half the time people see you it is not because they are sneeky pete who have benoculures its cause they are within 10 yards of you any how i know i cant see someone 20 to 30 yards away from me catching fish unless water is flying everywhere and the ic is black with fish its hard to pick out who catchs fish in a group and who doesnt. if your within th visinity if someone and th depth and cover change is minamal than youre doing something wrong to begin with try asking advice first everytime i get crowded ill leave and watch someone go right in my holes ill walk just out of the crowd and start catching them again there is no reason to crowd unless you are 1 in the river or 2 on some sort of strusture. ive walkd out to a structure point to fish for eyes that was marked on my gps and when i got their there was someone right in my exact spot. wow i feel a little better now. crowding somone is bs learn how to i. f and youll catch fish too! sorry if this hurt anyone feelings:evilsmile

[MiketheElder]

Since we're not trying to hurt anyone's feelings.............

That last post was really hard to read. Dude, try some punctuation and capital letters.

Big Mike

[hoffie1]

Anyone who want's to fish by me is more than welcome as long as they don't make a lot of racket.I sure don't mind shooting the breeze with people.If I'm catching fish in shallow water I will just close my coup if I don't want people next to me.As others have said most icefisherman are a good group.

[ih772]

MiketheElderSince we're not trying to hurt anyone's feelings.............

That last post was really hard to read. Dude, try some punctuation and capital letters.

Big Mike

:yeahthat: ...

[stinger63]

i agree.

btw i did state lake st. clair as the body of water to give an idea. i'm not talking small lakes, i'm talking open water.

i can't figure out why people i meet out on the ice always seem to be so grouchy and pissy. it helps to talk around, share ideas, baits ect. everyone will benifit, later down the road they may be the ones helping you catch fish vise/versa.


i've also noticed you seem to get more negative feedback from people if you come setup a shanty near people fishing out in the open. why is that??
Hemm I have had the same problem at times.As far as too close as long you dont bring your power auger and start drilling hole 2 feet of me on 6 inches of ice were good.Get too close and you`ll be sitting on the auger as bar stool blade up :yikes: :lol:

[Wageoar]

I generally fish the larger bodies of water and arrive early. I try to stay at least 15 yds away from others fishing. When ice is thick and using my power auger that many other fishermen detest, I will stay 20 yds away and drill about 10 holes at one time. I firmly believe that a power auger creates no more noise at the bottom where the fish are then what a hand auger or spud creates. That however is a topic for a differant thread Ice fishing is a team sport to me, more like an ice party. If others want to set up close to me, within 10-15 feet, I've got no problem with it as long as they are considerate. It's all about the experience- fish are a bonus.

[FishDaddy09]

I have no proble with people fishing next to me. This is because I don't own the ice, I don't own the spot I'm fishing in and I can't reasonable do anything about how close you get to me. Now I could get all jacked out of shape and rant and rave, and you may pull out a large hand gun and shoot me for being such an *****hole. So I relax and try to enjoy my time on the ice after all that's the reason I'm out there, catching fish is just a perk! When you are on the fish and people see you hulling them in very few will NOT move closer to you. So let them and show them how your catching them and you will both have a good time and you may just make a new friend.

[Fishfoote]

I go ice fishing to fish, but also to watch how other people are doing and b.s. with folks. I'll offer any info I have and usually a beverage or bait if needed. I don't believe the noise of an auger or spud effect fish in water deeper than 15 ft, and only for a few minutes in everything shallower. I've marked/caught fish 2 minutes after drilling in 6 ft. of water and seen perch go and come right back in less with someone stops by with a snowmobile. I don't believe anyone needs my permission to cut a hole outside the reach of my jig rod. Really.

Com'on Ice!

[ih772]

If I can hear every other word out of your mouth is a swear word you're too close.:bash:

[haftofsh]

i cant stand it when im working a couple holes and someone sees me catching fish and hopps into one of my holes i am hopping back and forth on...... But you know most of the time they dont pull anything out of them, its like they say 10% of fisherman catch 90% of fish....

[kdogger]

How close is too close?

Well, if you're close enough to say "hi" or start up a conversation, but don't, then you're too close.

Now, if you come up to me and strike up a conversation, I'll let you fish close enough that we can hand beers to each other!

[Jacob Huffman]

:yeahthat: ....got to love a guy that nice...who's beer's ???:evil:

[geojasstef]

Get as close as you like as long as you have enough beer and food for all...:lol:

[rabbott]

It depends. My rule is I dont go any closer to someone than I would in a boat. If they dont have a problem with me going closer they will say so. As long as people are respectful I usually dont have a problem with people coming closer to me. Usually about 50 feet or so is good. But It usually doesn't matter because alot of people coming out on the ice dont really have a specific spot they want to fish before they get there they just look for people and assume that is the best spot.