fisherman and sailors

[roland cobine]

   it has come to my attention that sailors and fisherman often dont get along. i have just got back into sailing, having bought my cp16 this summer and i have already expierenced a few problems with fishermen. normally im cordial at the ramps and docks. when i bring my fishing boat, fisherman are a friendly lot. when i bring the compac i seem to get the cold shoulder. now dont get me wrong, i dont expect the whole world to be my friend (a 30 year cop knows better), but when i say "how are you doin?" i expect a response. ive fished for over 35 years and have always helped anyone on the water, towing sailboats, fishing boats, ski boats and even a jetski that ran out of gas. i think the problem might be caused by sailors in my area. some of the skippers of the larger boats seem to be a little "snooty" and look down on fisherman and even sailors with smaller craft. i dont presume to know what the answer is, i know that when im fishing even jetskis dont bother me. hell if im on the fish (schooling white bass) and another fisherman comes up on my spot ill let him tie onto the stern of my anchored boat. interestingly enough, the only problem ive had on the lake was being struck by a 26 foot sailboat while i was anchored. the skipper didnt even ask if everyone was alright but his topless girlfriend stood up and waved so my pardner and i considered it a plus.

[Paul]

LOL.  I like the plus, too.     Assuming, of course, she wasn't all that old........

I like fishing, too.  Generally, I have found that folks with similar interests are more cordial to each other.  Just as you have noticed in your writing.  Many a sailor fishes, too.  So, maybe if they see you loading up fishing gear while you ready your boat for a quick launch, they may be more cordial.  Who knows.  That's considering you like fishing from your sailboat.......

[roland cobine]

   havent tried fishing from my sailboat. i figured this summer if i see a lot of white bass action while im sailing ill come back tommorrow with the other boat

[Bob23]

   Seems that I have plenty to do while sailing that I wouldn't want to be distracted by fishing. Besides, I don't fish much.
   Anchoring out for a bit of lunch, beer and a rest I might want to fish, but that's it.
   Bob23 on the hard and not fishing

[jimyoung]

When sailing off the coast I will often put a line out and sail just outside the weed-line. The constant changers in direction is great exercise in sail trim, and we often bring in a dolphin (Mahi-Mahi not Flipper) or barracuda.  It's great practice in quick dropping the sails and I love how all the fishing boats seem to gather around and start trolling the area.   How do they know?

[Salty19]

I haven't really noticed this all that much.  I guess I don't pay them much attention and they return the feeling.  But if they needed help, I would do what I could. 

Or I'm just oblivious while they are flicking the bird at me!

I have noticed the other sailboats almost always wave when you get somewhat close (a hello type wave).  I always wave back if I don't wave first.

Fisherman don't acknowledge me at all except a basic hello or head nod at the dock. On the water, around here they just go about their business as do I.