[uncleroy]

I have seen people at OC try to give themselves space by extending their rods out the side of their boats. It doesn't go over very well at all in this area.
One needs to be aware if possible of unwritten rules of etiquitte in the area. This can be difficult if you don't know. If in doubt, don't be afraid to ask. One should also follow the rule:"When in Rome do as the Romans do".

One more thing that can get someone into trouble:

*Be aware of what is going on around you. If someone hooks a fish in the hogline, reel your lines in even if there is a remote chance of getting tangled with the fish.
*If you hook a fish, give the boats around you time to get their lines in.
*Talk to the people around you and let them know you have a fish on and which direction the fish is going.
*There is nothing more frustrating than to wait 10hrs for a bite and then lose the fish in someones line who failed to reel in.

 

[IDWITHELD]

One more thing that can get someone into trouble:

*Be aware of what is going on around you. If someone hooks a fish in the hogline, reel your lines in even if there is a remote chance of getting tangled with the fish.
*If you hook a fish, give the boats around you time to get their lines in.
*Talk to the people around you and let them know you have a fish on and which direction the fish is going.
*There is nothing more frustrating than to wait 10hrs for a bite and then lose the fish in someones line who failed to reel in.

Run light line dropper weights. IF that gets tangled in your neighbors line on a fish run, it's sacrificial and easily breaks off. I run 10lb test for dropper weights.

 

[uncleroy]

Run light line dropper weights. IF that gets tangled in your neighbors line on a fish run, it's sacrificial and easily breaks off. I run 10lb test for dropper weights.

Good Point.
Also helps you get a second chance on a botched net job when the lead gets caught in the net.

 

[freespool]

Run light line dropper weights. IF that gets tangled in your neighbors line on a fish run, it's sacrificial and easily breaks off. I run 10lb test for dropper weights.

If your neighbor hooks a fish and it gets tangled up in your rigging, put your reel in freespool, drop off your anchor and drift back with him.
Not doing this, most likely will result in him loosing the fish.
Being courteous in a hogline will get you accepted by the other anglers, nobody wants to be labeled "That Guy".

 

[fishingfirst]

Don't tie your boat up to the dock where everyone else is trying to load and unload. Wait away from the dock until it's your turn to load. If you are by yourself and must tie to the dock leave as much room as possible between your boat and the loading area.

We had this happen in Astoria last weekend. Several boats dropping off the driver at the dock then motoring around waiting for the truck/trailer to back down. One boat pulls up to the dock and ties up right at the bottom of the ramp. Only one person in the boat and he takes off for his rig. The other side was blocked too, so this tied up the ramp until solo boater got his out of the water....3 rigs back!

We didn't mind much, just sat and watched the sea lions sunning themselves. The youngest got a kick out of watching them fight for dock space.

We did mention to them that perhaps next time they could tie up at the opposite end of the dock to give space to people waiting, they however didn't want to walk that far....seriously, that was his response! :laugh:

Bottom line, be safe and courteous and just count on it taking longer at crowded ramps. Try and educate (nicely) when you can, but realize some people can't be educated

Good luck,
Scott

 

[garyk]

Before I anchor in a spot I always drive through to check the depth, current flow, some places the current will push you to sideways. Check the bottom for snags with depth finder, stuck anchors are no fun. I like to also run through the area my line will sit checking the structure and depth so I know about where I want my fishing line to settle in. When driving through I usually say Hi to the persons I am parking by and ask if they mind if I line up with them. I have not yet had a negative reply yet and this usually is a good way to break the ice with the other person and you can decide fairly quickly if this is someone that you wouldn't mind being around.

Pay attention class...Natester is giving some REALLY good advice here.

For the new folks, I'd just add...

After passing SLOWLY through the line headed upstream, (and being told it's OK to anchor there - and YOU deciding you indeed want to be there) look back downstream and see the angle that the boat's anchor ropes are running. In places, as the current bends around points or bounces off of the shoreline you'll be surprised at the angle of the ropes.

The person on the bow who'll release the anchor has the best view/perspective should help the captain get on a line equidistant between the neighboring boats' anchor ropes.

The Columbia River being the size it is, also means that most folks want some space. Being told it's "OK" to join a line isn't an invitation to settle in and rub gunnels.

 

[HntnFsh]

Dont do like a guide did to us today on the Big C below Longview.

Dont take a narrow slot,with swirly current. Which would normally be questionably ok.Drop back 10 ft or so beyong the boats on either side.Then throw your riggin directly behind the rigging of the guy in the other boat.

I could have dealt with him anchoring in the slot if not for pulling his other crap.When confronted with his actions he acted like we were the ones out of line.But did begrudgingly reposition his gear.

Good guides dont do stuff like that and I dont lump them all together.


On another note.This may have been mentioned.But,when you hook a fish,its easier to real the extra lines in after you drop off the hook.Your not fighting the current and can usually get your gear out of the way quicker.

What we do when we hook up is.If 2 people are in the boat.The guy with the fish starts the kicker but leaves it in nuetral.The other guy goes up drops us off anchor.Reels up,then pulls sea anchors if out.Then the kicker can be put into gear and operated as necessary.Hardly ever have a problem this way.With 3 guys or more it can be refined even more.

 

[Fish mojo]

Here's a scenario- High slack at 9 am on a holiday weekend (like this one). So when everyone launches at o'dark thirty, the tide is running in and you can't anchor yet. When do you drop the hook and hold the kicker in reverse until theres enough current?

 

[riverhound]

Wow, what great information and insight. This is why I love IFISH. I would say :yeahthat: to every post on this thread. If there is any question about whether I am going to interrupt someone elses fishing I will not anchor up. I can usually put my boat where it needs to go, but will always ask if I will bother the boats on one or both sides of me if I try and put myself into a hole between boats. Rule of thumb for me is that I will not cause any problems for the boats on either side of me. Physically and mentally have everything ready to anchor up.
1. No tangles in rope or unwanted knots
2. All gear free of obstructions
3. Have a knife handy at the anchor station to cut the rope. Better to lose your anchor than to sink your boat from a fouled anchor line.
4. Mentally go thru your steps to anchor if you are alone, or go thru the procedure and the mechanics with your first mate. I always assume that the person operating the anchor knows nothing about the system and process, unless they have don it for me before.
5. Take your time. It is not a race to the glory hole.

Have fun and catch fish!!!!!!!!

 

[IDWITHELD]

Here's a scenario- High slack at 9 am on a holiday weekend (like this one). So when everyone launches at o'dark thirty, the tide is running in and you can't anchor yet. When do you drop the hook and hold the kicker in reverse until theres enough current?

That's a really great question. If there are boats in the hog line already, are relatively straight on incoming or slack tide and you are motoring up from below check to see if their kickers are peeing. Also another clue is if no sea anchors out then probably using kicker to hold steady.

In these cases I like to get my kicker started and idling before I motor up through. This way as soon as I stop my jet, I can throw it in reverse and not swap paint with my neighbors.

 

[fish_on]

Here's a scenario- High slack at 9 am on a holiday weekend (like this one). So when everyone launches at o'dark thirty, the tide is running in and you can't anchor yet. When do you drop the hook and hold the kicker in reverse until theres enough current?

Holiday weekend and just before a closure with no running tide until about 10am, I would drop the hook at 5am.

 

[Biteme]

I have been resisting posting on this thread but cant stand it anymore. First I would like to say what I have always said regarding hog lines - you are either one of the two boats catching the fish or one of the 20 or in longview 50 boats watching those two boats catching fish. I realize that many enjoy this type of fishing. I dont and cant because of the amount of rods I run unless it is a loosely (sp) spaced line. As far as putting all the rods out the back of the boat with six customers and a boat rod just how would you propose to put seven rods out the back of the boat. I also dont like the attitudes in most defined hog lines. So with that said I do agree that you need to give the folks that perfer this type of fishing room, dont anchor to close below or above and let them do there thing. I have been told I am anti social and need anger management from guide friends of mine but the real truth is that I dont like that much company and will leave if folks start lining up on me. I catch just as many fish out of lines as those do in lines. If you feel the same as I do I dont think joining a line is in your best interest. the secret here is to find out by observing the lines above and below figuring out the depth and current patterns in the areas the lines are formed, then go above or below way out of the way of the boys and girls that think hog lining is the only way to catch fish and do your own thing. For those that are offended that people wont join a line I say lines may have been good 40 years ago but now with all the boats and differing experience levels they some days are not the best approach.

 

[fish_on]

I have been resisting posting on this thread but cant stand it anymore. First I would like to say what I have always said regarding hog lines - you are either one of the two boats catching the fish or one of the 20 or in longview 50 boats watching those two boats catching fish. I realize that many enjoy this type of fishing. I dont and cant because of the amount of rods I run unless it is a loosely (sp) spaced line. As far as putting all the rods out the back of the boat with six customers and a boat rod just how would you propose to put seven rods out the back of the boat. I also dont like the attitudes in most defined hog lines. So with that said I do agree that you need to give the folks that perfer this type of fishing room, dont anchor to close below or above and let them do there thing. I have been told I am anti social and need anger management from guide friends of mine but the real truth is that I dont like that much company and will leave if folks start lining up on me. I catch just as many fish out of lines as those do in lines. If you feel the same as I do I dont think joining a line is in your best interest. the secret here is to find out by observing the lines above and below figuring out the depth and current patterns in the areas the lines are formed, then go above or below way out of the way of the boys and girls that think hog lining is the only way to catch fish and do your own thing. For those that are offended that people wont join a line I say lines may have been good 40 years ago but now with all the boats and differing experience levels they some days are not the best approach.

Very sound advise, some folks just shouldn't try to force themselves to like it. For me a hogline is about more than catching fish, it's also about catching up with some of the people I haven't seen since the last fishing season.

 

[streamcatcher]

the secret here is to find out by observing the lines above and below figuring out the depth and current patterns in the areas the lines are formed, then go above or below way out of the way of the boys and girls that think hog lining is the only way to catch fish and do your own thing.

:agree:

Very sound advise, some folks just shouldn't try to force themselves to like it. For me a hogline is about more than catching fish, it's also about catching up with some of the people I haven't seen since the last fishing season.

Biteme is dead on about sitting around watching two boats catch fish...happened to me last weekend in a line. To make matters worse, I had the spot I wanted!
Instead of making note of the hot position & aprox depth and then duplicating that upstream you can just drop off the hook and troll right downstream of that spot<--- that's a joke, don't really do that...ever.

Going it alone or joining a line is always a choice--however, many of the best places on the CR are places where I have always felt it would be rude or pointless to do my own thing away from everyone.

Half the time when I have anchored by myself, it takes all of about 10 minutes before someone comes along, anchors next to me, and the next thing you know I've got three boats on either side. When I first started spending a lot of time on anchor, I was always surprised that people thought I knew something they didn't! I didn't.

 

[garyk]

:agree:
.....when I have anchored by myself, it takes all of about 10 minutes before someone comes along, anchors next to me, and the next thing you know I've got three boats on either side. When I first started spending a lot of time on anchor, I was always surprised that people thought I knew something they didn't! I didn't.

A related occurrence is somebody gets out there waayyy early, but then sets up on the WRONG SPOT - either too high or too low. I've noticed this in a place I like the last three of four times out.....so, I just go to another place.

The lesson here is...

Just because a line of boats is set, doesn't mean they're set right, in the most productive place.

 

[Silver Hilton]

:agree:

Half the time when I have anchored by myself, it takes all of about 10 minutes before someone comes along, anchors next to me, and the next thing you know I've got three boats on either side. When I first started spending a lot of time on anchor, I was always surprised that people thought I knew something they didn't! I didn't.

That's just the polite thing to do if you want to fish in that area, and someone is already there. Would you rather they dropped anchor on your gear?

 

[Silver Hilton]

Just because a line of boats is set, doesn't mean they're set right, in the most productive place.

Which is why I keep having to get there first.

 

[streamcatcher]

That's just the polite thing to do if you want to fish in that area, and someone is already there. Would you rather they dropped anchor on your gear?

:agree:
Quite right--I actually edited that out of my post...it is indeed the polite thing to do, and why I am friendly to those who join me even if I am looking for a little solitude.

 

[uncleroy]

I hope that all of us "expert" hog liners who are regulars in the lower river from the Lewis to the Cowlitz remember our manners when we invade the waters of the regulars who fish above Warrior Rock and Bachelor Island after September 4th.
If you think there have been issues with anchoring in the lower river, what do you think it will be like to be a regular in this area and have this happen?

 

[freespool]

I hope that all of us "expert" hog liners who are regulars in the lower river from the Lewis to the Cowlitz remember our manners when we invade the waters of the regulars who fish above Warrior Rock and Bachelor Island after September 4th.
If you think there have been issues with anchoring in the lower river, what do you think it will be like to be a regular in this area and have this happen?

It will get a little more friendly, just put out your bumpers and be glad we get to fish at all.