St clair wont be much of an issue. In reservoir fishing they often have points or edges they are moving toward and they like you to stay behind them. This way you won't be traveling into water they plan on fishing. Just pay attention. They will typically let you know if they plan on fishing an area you are about to drive over. St clair type fishing isnt typically an issue. Fish are deep and boats are all over anyway. You will find the majority are really nice and appreciate the fans.

 

You may want to keep in mind that the pro in a multi-day tournament might want to return to that spot the next day. The pros aren't going to decimate a spot they may need to rely on for daily limits over the entire contest.

Having a you and a few other people jumping into to fish it after they leave might help burn that area for day number two or beyond. Do them a favor by simply plugging in a way point for the weekend after they've moved on.

 

That's pretty much it. As far as not fishing it that week so as not to take the "Pro's Fish" , that's BS. It is a public waterway and those fish are just as much yours as they are his.

 

I have fished tourny's for years . My question is "why would you want to try to stop a man for making a living?" i have no idea what YOU do for a living but how would YOU like someone to take YOUR job from you for a week? Its how they make a living, just be courteous . WE have this GREAT lk. all the time , They are just passing thru, give them a break.

 

On Erie I had a pro fall in behind my boat trolling for eyes, less than 100 yards and I’ve seen it countless times jigging the river. I am not leaving any spot I’m already fishing because a pro needs fish. I will show them the same courtesy I show others and if they crowd me it’s gonna get interesting.

 

I agree...most are very cool and the turds are fairly rare.

The idea that "Pros" should get a pass on spots because they're making a living is what I'm disagreeing with. It's everyone's river or lake. First dude there wins...

 

The OP's question was what the etiquette of following a tournament angler, and then stated that he might fish that spot after the pro left.

If you don't feel that its wrong to seagull a spot this pro found, then there is little reason to wait until they leave. Just pile right in on top of them, and get in on the fun. A lot of places on LSC and the surrounding waters, but these guys a great at what they do because they can find the "spot on the spot". But by all means, crowd right in to prove what kind of sportsman you are. Make sure you also bounce your jig off the side of their boat a few times. That always helps.

 

If you are talking LSC, the problem isn't getting jigs bounced off your boat. It's getting a concussion from the muskie guys chucking bulldogs at you.

The only universal guideline is do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That means assholes don't get to complain when others be assholes back to them.

 

Unreal the mindset of some. They would fish right next to a pro because they can fish where they want lol. Funny same guys probably moan about someone over a quarter mile from them. No reason to fish any where near them while tourny is going. Does that mean if one pulls up and you were fishing a n area and he starts you stop? No but I would.