Anchored or not anchored

[PstMacteer]

As a fisherman with a spot lock on his front trolling motor I have wondered does using my spot lock constitute anchored or just position fishing?

I have been reading that drift fisherman while boat drifting, sometimes let their path get too close to spotlocked fisherman who become upset. They state that I am anchored here.

Thinking about this situation, I believe without anchor rope out to an anchor then attached to a boat you are technically not anchored. You are a position fisherman.

So who has the courtesy right of way for the spot two fisherman in different boats want to fish?

Even if one of the boats is drifting, shouldn't they still have some sort of boat control so they can avoid collision problems.

I know (all) boats are to do what is necessary to avoid a collision but what is the courtesy rule?

 

[OVERBORED]

Spot lock is power drifting. Anchoring is anchoring.

 

[Roccus7]

The protocol is 1st person there dictates the pattern, especially if it's a small piece of real estate. IF you see even a single boat drifting/trolling over a spot, anchoring or spot locking on that spot is inconsiderate and you are the A-hole. If you're anchored/spot locked on a spot before anyone else is there and folks mug you by trolling/drifting too close to you, they're the A-holes...

 

[Chinacat]

The protocol is 1st person there dictates the pattern, especially if it's a small piece of real estate. IF you see even a single boat drifting/trolling over a spot, anchoring or spot locking on that spot is inconsiderate and you are the A-hole. If you're anchored/spot locked on a spot before anyone else is there and folks mug you by trolling/drifting too close to you, they're the A-holes...

I agree with this
I usually like to hit my local reef as early in the am as possible, especially when targeting sea bass.
Nothing pisses me off more than somebody coming in after I've been on the same drift line for an hour and gets right over "MY" (LOL) piece with a spot lock and completely blocks me out and then has the nerve to act territorial if I drift too close to them.

 

[AllyKat]

Another question to ponder.....
When using spot lock for night time chunking bass for example...am I using my red/green nav lights because technically im under power, or should I not confuse those around us and use the anchored white light?

I use the white 360 light to avoid night time confusion,..if for whatever reason I need to come off spot lock, then its a quick flip of the nav light switch....but I'm wondering when the powers that be come calling, whats the right answer?

 

[Roccus7]

Another question to ponder.....
When using spot lock for night time chunking bass for example...am I using my red/green nav lights because technically im under power, or should I not confuse those around us and use the anchored white light?

I use the white 360 light to avoid night time confusion,..if for whatever reason I need to come off spot lock, then its a quick flip of the nav light switch....but I'm wondering when the powers that be come calling, whats the right answer?

Interesting... I'd say you're correct, by virtue of the "intent of the law", but you may want to ask the USCG directly if you want to know the "letter of the law."

 

[Roccus7]

Nothing pisses me off more than somebody coming in after I've been on the same drift line for an hour and gets right over "MY" (LOL) piece with a spot lock and completely blocks me out and then has the nerve to act territorial if I drift too close to them.

That's why Poseidon invented bunker snags. Some A-hole mugged me trolling this year and I tossed a snag attached to my Senator 113H with 65 lb braid over his lines, snagged them, and slowly started away, giving him some hope he had a double, then dashing that by hitting the throttle. Anyone need a couple of Tube-N-Worm rigs, I hate trolling...

 

[dsedy]

thats funny!

 

[Crabman]

If you are in spot lock and you see a potential problem, it's easy enough to just jog out of the way with a few taps on the buttons. When the passing drifter goes by, jog back. Why get into an argument? When in spot lock, you are not anchored, you are a boat being powered by a motor.

 

[Fluke Whisperer]

Interesting... I'd say you're correct, by virtue of the "intent of the law", but you may want to ask the USCG directly if you want to know the "letter of the law."

I don't think anyone is going to find a ruling on this one, rules were created long before spot lock came along.
Best advice is to use common sense for now, At night I would display an anchor light while on spot lock, having your navigation lights on while not moving may confuse other boaters into thinking you are on the move or drifting, things look a lot different at night. a quick flick of switches when you do move will tell any boater that you are on the move hopefully.

Day time spot locked over a piece and people are drifting thru, just move out of the way and get back on the piece again.
Too many crazies out there that are just itching for a confrontation, just not worth it.
JMO

 

[OVERBORED]

---

It's very clear that you are under power NOT anchored using spot loc. Unfortunately, your ruling will likely come in a court of law after an accident.

 

[Crabman]

If it went to a "court of law", they would probably find both parties were a-holes and tell them to each fix their own boats and don't comeback. That's how I would handle it if I were King.

 

[Chinacat]

If you are in spot lock and you see a potential problem, it's easy enough to just jog out of the way with a few taps on the buttons. When the passing drifter goes by, jog back. Why get into an argument? When in spot lock, you are not anchored, you are a boat being powered by a motor.

I agree with that sentiment but so far I have not encountered anybody with spot lock or any similar type of technology that hasn't acted like they have exclusive rights to a spot once they lock in on it.
I am no way saying I'm anti lock spot or the technology, just requesting basic courtesy like crabman suggests as well

 

[Occh639]

The protocol is 1st person there dictates the pattern, especially if it's a small piece of real estate. IF you see even a single boat drifting/trolling over a spot, anchoring or spot locking on that spot is inconsiderate and you are the A-hole. If you're anchored/spot locked on a spot before anyone else is there and folks mug you by trolling/drifting too close to you, they're the A-holes...

I Agree completely

 

[Crabman]

Ditto here. We are experiencing way to much hate in this world. Let's keep our fishing civil. We all know when we should be the one who gives way to another. As for spotlock, it's just too easy to record the waypoint by pushing a button and jog away if a situation arises. Hit the "go to waypoint" and your back on your spot and everyone is happy. Hopefully the drifter also recognizes the situation and perhaps jogs over a few feet.

 

[Cajones]

This is a VERY touchy subject and keep​

in mind I don‘t own a boat.​

The practical (sense) aspects of something​

involve real situations and events, rather than​

just ideas and theories.​

A 85 foot head boat with a crew for hire and​

35 fairs fishing 17 fathoms on a Saturday,​

bluebird day in July shouldn’t have to explain​

themselves to a fella on his 25 foot pleasure​

boat with his 2 pals running a stooge outfit.​

Yeah but I was here first.​

I was docked here with my 100 ton masters​

license when you were 15 years old.​

How would you wire line troll the Montauk rips​

with 20 other for hire vessels?​

Now come on guys.​

We all know there‘s no I In team! ??​