courtesy question...

[McDaniel8402]

Originally Posted by mredman

The rigs near the J shrimp boat wreck can be productive but they usually have smaller snapper, especially as the summer wears on. These spots are easily fished by bass boats and the big snapper moves deeper as the water temperature rises.

Mike

I run a bay boat. Having limited range and old electronics, i'll take what I can get.

[Swells]

There's no hard and fast rule, but to prevent conflicts with swimmers, divers, and watercraft (including jetskis, surfers, and kits boarders), one should maintain a separation of 150 feet.

Here's the Texas diver law, meaning it is unlawful to:

Operate within 50 feet of a "Diver Down Flag" or operate a boat within 150 feet of a "Diver Down Flag" except at Headway/Steerage Speed.

There's a reason why we need such separation zones - people get hurt or killed when they get too close. Be careful out there, and if you see a potlicker coming ...

Run !!!

[Slightly Dangerous]

Swells is correct. I am a diver also and have great respect to keep very clear of them when I come up to a place where they are. On the other hand it is quite rude of them to enter an area where fishing is going on and then hoist their flag making the fishermen leave. Of course the way things were last weekend they probably had zero places they could go that were not already covered with boats.

[CHA CHING]

Originally Posted by slightly dangerous

swells is correct. I am a diver also and have great respect to keep very clear of them when i come up to a place where they are. On the other hand it is quite rude of them to enter an area where fishing is going on and then hoist their flag making the fishermen leave. Of course the way things were last weekend they probably had zero places they could go that were not already covered with boats.

cozumel !!!

[CHA CHING]

Most of you guys know which spots are big enough to accommodate a few boats.
Just use some common sense. If your heading for a wellhead and there's a boat on it just move on or call them on the radio and ask them if they are almost done. Somedays it's like waiting for that front row parking spot at WalMart, you never know when ones gonna open up.
As for pipes and rigs, they are all fair game in my opinion. Lots of types of fishing is happening there. I'll pull up and drift a pipe even if there's a boat tied to it and one or two circling it.
Sometimes the best way to be courteous is to just ask.

[teckersley]

Unfortunately, there are inconsiderate, clueless, and/or uneducated people everywhere. The gulf is no exception. I have even had the Big E and other so called "capatains" do the same type of **** to me. Its not worth the hassle. Its best just to move on and enjoy the day.

[offshorefanatic]

Originally Posted by CHA CHING

Most of you guys know which spots are big enough to accommodate a few boats.
Just use some common sense. If your heading for a wellhead and there's a boat on it just move on or call them on the radio and ask them if they are almost done. Somedays it's like waiting for that front row parking spot at WalMart, you never know when ones gonna open up.
As for pipes and rigs, they are all fair game in my opinion. Lots of types of fishing is happening there. I'll pull up and drift a pipe even if there's a boat tied to it and one or two circling it.
Sometimes the best way to be courteous is to just ask.

Most of the times I have tried to call someone on the radio I get ignored. I just leave em alone and move on. The only people I will fish the same spot with is people I know.

[Gold Nuggett]

So sorry to read of your adverse experiences- BUT summer months are like the freeways at rush hour, so
1-there's lots of structure to fish from Freeport look at the SE Lump, VA Fogg, etc
2-trolling can get you mobility and kings without crowds
3-after July 15th the shrimping season will bring you a whole new group of fish attractants for drift
4-consuider finhing on flat days in January-when the rigs are all yours!!

[piratelight]

STOP!

[Johnboat]

OK. Its my day to fish offshore. Got Riks book and picked my first spot. Left wife a float plan with that first spot. I enter that in my GPS and proceed. After hours I get there.......I am going to fish it. I don't care who is there.

My point is that if you are already there before me, it might look like I spotted you and bee-lined to potlick...but that would not be the case at all. My take is that if a person thinks they own the ocean..or a particular spot in it...anyone else will be branded a potlicker.