Bankies with Boats

Slade · 03-11-2004, 10:56 PM

Went out on Thursday for a short outing down around Caterpillar Island. We were getting ready to drop anchor when I bankie yells at us to move on. We were well beyond casting distance (probably thrice what any mortal could accomplish). We waved to the fellow and moved on with some grumbling amongst ourselves. We also noticed that he had a boat beached about 10 yards from his rod. At this same moment another bankie just above started haveing his line taken out via a boat. These guys pulled their lines way out as well. Needless to say we were a little fried over this. I always respect bank fisherman. When I am in my drift boat I always, without exception, yield to bank fisherman and go to great lengths to stay out of their drift. This, however, is really pushing it. These guys (3) occupied a huge chunk of prime water that could have been fished by 8-10 boats. The part that frustrates me is that they had decent boats and could have been anchored up along with everybody else while providing opportunity to others.

Jimmy Carl Black · 03-11-2004, 11:14 PM

That's a new one.

judyfish99 · 03-11-2004, 11:17 PM

You know something? I guess you and I are the only niteowls up :shocked: I am a bank fisher but not on Cat Island. I can see if you have a boat, why fish from the bank? I would be gone in the boat. I guess the bankers feel they need to really wing it out there for Salmon since the chinook run in deep. I just bought an 11 foot bank rod myself. Haven't used it yet. Too bad those guys were none too civil. It kinda makes bankies look bad, I apologize for them. [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] judyfish P.S. Just posted for a ride in a boat.

The Overfishin Condition · 03-11-2004, 11:18 PM

Slade- I can only assume that you're discussing the guys at the lower end of Frenchmen's bar? Were they in front of a well built shack? If so, my understanding is that you're not the first to witness, this is a long, time honored tradition. Their reason for not going out in those boats seems simple, they do very well from the shore, and appreciate the comforts of home in that shack, and the room to roam of the beach. While that water might be fishable for up to eight boats, in the heat of it in the spring, there'll be 20-30 guys on that stretch of beach. The truth is, Frenchmen's and Woodland bar represent the two main places that the banky public has access to the Big C below I5 in the Vancouver area. All things considered, that 8 boat spot is tiny compared to the amount of river that you we can get to with boats. Hope this helps calm the fire!? Just trying to share both sides of the story, as I fish both sides. I know that by far, the bankies have much more limited access to areas of the river, so I have no problem respecting those areas when I'm in my boat. Keep the peace, and catch the fish, TOC.

[ 03-12-2004, 12:20 AM: Message edited by: The Overfishin Condition ]

Rubber Hooks · 03-12-2004, 05:40 AM

I have seen the shacks you are talking about. The reason for the boats is so tht bankies can get to that spot on Catapillar island. They launch at Catapiller launch ramp. Most of the boats I have seen them use, I dont think I would want to be too far from shore in them Also they always seem to have a lot of barley Pop with them. I am kinda glad that they stay on shore. We have had no problem fishing in a Hog line at Frenchsman Bar. Just give the bankies some room.
Rubber Hooks

tag-a-long · 03-12-2004, 05:54 AM

As a bankie for ost of the year, I appreciate it when a boater gives me room to fish. I do not fish the CR at all, but in the smaller rivers its great to have a nice spot to fish. I have seen people throw their rigs directly at a boat, and thats just not right. Seems like this is a long brewing feud. I guess you have to just take what you can get and hope for the best. I mostly have problems with kayakers pulling right over my line. I usually get the "oh, I didn't see you there on that rock". If one comes thru the hole upside down, I reel up so I don't hook anyone. Most of the time, cooler heads prevail. Thanks to all of the boaters that go by and try to steer clear!

Mark Vickers · 03-12-2004, 06:48 AM

Slade,

We got the same treatment there a few weeks ago. Yes, they have a little aluminum boat that runs the bankies' rigs way out into the river (I would guess more than 150 yards).

My solution? I just don't go into that area anymore which reduces the stress on all parties involved.

I have asked this question before... Is it legal to fish this way? I thought big slingshots and using boats like this was illegal.

ladtrips · 03-12-2004, 07:26 AM

Another spot that this is happening is in multnomah channel off the dock at Gilbert river boat ramp. I "hooked up" with one yesterday well over 150 yards in the middle of the channel. I hooked up later with a 17.5lber and they didn't so I didn't get too upset.

Mark Vickers · 03-12-2004, 09:13 AM

I just looked from cover to cover in the 2004 Oregon fishing regulations book. Looks like this is legal as there is no mention of using other sources to get your bait out there.

If you want to use a mortar to cast your 12 ounces of lead and your whole shad 400 yards across the river, looks like you're free to fire it up.

SalmonSeason · 03-12-2004, 01:10 PM

It's legal...The bankies on Sauvie Island were doing it the last couple of years..using a boat to place their bait and then yell when a boat got any where near their bait area...

It's fine and dandy since it's legal my only point is...If you have a boat and then decide to use it to drop lines from the bank, DON'T yell at the boats, cause not every boater is expecting to see a bank line 75+ yards from shore

The Overfishin Condition · 03-12-2004, 02:17 PM

Question, just to clear this up, are they yelling angrily, or yelling cause you're 100+ yards from the bank?

Freakwater · 03-12-2004, 02:30 PM

I happened upon this last spring. These guys were very aggressive. I've got no problem honoring the tradition, but it's a little disturbing to fear someone is going to pull a gun on you because you didn't realize the bankies had their line out 150+ yds. Got me pretty steamed.

Freak

bucketmouth · 03-12-2004, 02:54 PM

Not exactly the same thing but similar. Last summer A friend & myself anchored up in the Willamette to fish for Shad. We were what we felt an adequate distance from shore and out of the way of bank fishermen. Nothenetheless, a guy from the bank started yelling at us to move. We smiled and ignored him. Others on the bank and in the same area were casting just as far out as he and none were coming close to our boat or our tackle. We continued to fish for about 1/2 hour and decided to move. Not because of the bankie but because we wer'nt catching any shad. We moved down stream a little. Soon we started catching shad. But while at this new location, here came a police boat. They pulled up to us and said that the bankie had called 911! We were flabergahsted. The police said that no one individual has more right to the use of the river than another regardless of wether their use was from the bank or a boat. Since the entire incident was for naught we decided to take advantage of the situation and asked the cop to give our boat an inspection. It was my friends boat and he wanted a sticker of complience. The cop obliged and my friend got the sticker. What amazed me was that we continued to fish for and even caught shad while the cop was along side. During the whole time, he never asked to see our fishing license.

Bucolic buffalo · 03-12-2004, 04:27 PM

150 yards is a bit much. I have a 15 foot pole and an Alvey reel that will cast as far as any sane person would want to and 150 yards with bait and weight is a push. I will give them the river as far as they can cast but to expect me to stay away from where they drop their weight from a boat and then go back to shore is a bit much to expect. If they have a problem then they can come out and talk to me. They better have a bigger stick than mine if they want to make trouble. I wouldn't want a problem but still they need to be reasonable also. Who knows, maybe they will want to drop their line 200 yards from shore the next time.

bait-n-wait · 03-12-2004, 05:39 PM

I have read through many of these posts and didn't see any one say that this practice (taking line out via boat) is illegal. Last I hread in the regs it is, or maybe I am wrong. my $.02

FishinMission · 03-12-2004, 05:51 PM

I found out about that bunch (Actually, it was the bunch up at the "33" marker)years ago on my first troll downriver. I was very concerned about not hooking up with the bankies...so I trolled...geez..musta been a good 150-200 yards out from the shore. And lo and behold...the ONE guy I tangled lines with must have been the most inebriated, rude individual one would never desire to not meet.

These folks are just gonna have to understand that the newer to the area trollers, and anchor'ers aren't gonna expect to have lines that far out from the beach. If they can build a nice shack to stay warm in, and fly flags, and all that...I think they oughta spend some of their beer money on having a big sign built for the un-knowlegeable boaters to read.

Me??? I just "Low Hole" 'em :grin:

Mark

[ 03-12-2004, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: FishinMission ]

Highball · 03-12-2004, 06:10 PM

I called and talked to a Wa. St. Game Warden. He said that it is not against the law to use a boat take your line out from the beach into the river.
I'm kind of on the fence on this one. As long as they stay on the north end of Caterpiller Island and leave the rest of the island for trolling it doesn't bother me.

FastAction · 03-12-2004, 06:45 PM

You should look at it like this. If they are dropping lines by small boat out in the river it should be treated no different then having 8-10 boats anchored in the hole. 1st come 1st serve. That is a traditonal way to fish the Big C most people don't know about it though!

crittergitter · 03-12-2004, 07:07 PM

Last time I looked washington regs say something about having to use hand casted rigs, this should be no different than the guys who used to use the big sling shot or the radio controlled boats to run their gear out into the river, which is illegal. I also heard of some guys doing this at kalama bar last year.

shakerfish · 03-12-2004, 07:11 PM

Ya! I know all those guys! Most work for the highway dept. and a few old timers with off spring! I am 46 years old and have fished down there for over 30 years! They have always ran there lines out with a boat and had a few shacks there! All you new to the area boys just give them there space and you will never have a problem!But don't give up too much lip they just might board your boat!! LOL! I have seen that happen more than one time! LOL! So a smart guy will just go up or down a little and have no problems! I hope this helps you new guys! Theres a lot of river for every one! SHUT UP AND FISH!....Shakerfish!....

crabbait · 03-12-2004, 08:19 PM

I checked with WSP last year and, yes, it is legal to use a boat to position your bait then fish from the bank. They were catching more fish with the technique than the boat guys, too.

Attmpting to board a boat is asking for major trouble. No one would try it twice with my boat and I am sure that most feel the same way.

Lets keep it sane out there. It is a big river.

[ 03-12-2004, 09:20 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

FastAction · 03-12-2004, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crabbait:
I checked with WSP last year and, yes, it is legal to use a boat to position your bait then fish from the bank. They were catching more fish with the technique than the boat guys, too.

Attmpting to board a boat is asking for major trouble. No one would try it twice with my boat and I am sure that most feel the same way.

Lets keep it sane out there. It is a big river.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Well Said! KUDOS

Slade · 03-13-2004, 07:18 AM

I didn't know if it was legal or not. Thanks for the input. The fellow we encountered was not yelling angrily, just letting us know where his line was. I never intended to make a scene or to make any fowl comments or gestures to the fellow. As I said, I waved to the guy gave him a thumbs up and moved on. The grumbling was amongst ourselves just as all of us do when we show up to our intended spot and someone else is there already. Plenty of river out there as TOC said.