How close is too close??

[Lil-Chaz]

I'm new to the Delaware bay this fall and have been reading all thats listed on this site...its all great! I've been out several times so far in the last two weeks and have noticed the "fleets" of boats scattered all over the bay. I'm always mindful of other boaters space and keep my distance. I also read of other people saying how other boats are coming right up to where they are, etc.... What's too close when it comes to anchoring up??? The other question is why do others feel it's necessary to blow by you while your anchored 30 yards away??? It's a big bay is it not??

[zar2754]

when i anchor, i make sure #1 if for some reason my anchor pulls, breaks or other some unforseen event is to take place i have ample time to fire the motors and have some one on the bow tending the line. before i have the chance to drift near anyone.

2nd# i never anchor directly infront of, or directly behind anyone. it hurts both your chances.

Finally, use common sense.

[CobiaKeith]

Well said zar2754.I am with you on this one.
I asked my cousin Bill who has been fishing the Chesapeake Bay for well over 50 years the same question.
His answer was "If I spit out my chew and hit the side of their boat they are too close"

[Bay Invader]

Originally Posted by Lil-Chaz

I'm new to the Delaware bay this fall and have been reading all thats listed on this site...its all great! I've been out several times so far in the last two weeks and have noticed the "fleets" of boats scattered all over the bay. I'm always mindful of other boaters space and keep my distance. I also read of other people saying how other boats are coming right up to where they are, etc.... What's too close when it comes to anchoring up??? The other question is why do others feel it's necessary to blow by you while your anchored 30 yards away??? It's a big bay is it not??

I like to give 200 yards if possible.2nd question I think its because they dont want to go off coarse.Personally I try to give again 200 yards.I understand your concern,I myself am in a 18ftr,I'm glad its has hip high gunnels.I've had smaller boats and have been swamped a few times so I know how that feels.Anyhow get used to it no ones gives a shit about being curtious on the water,but I guess you figured that out by now.

[joshB]

If you can throw a 6oz sinker, on your rod, and hit another boat, you're too close. =400ft.

[Lostboys]

You ask a very good question. Here's the common-sense rules I employ. First, ALWAYS cut your throttle at least 300 yards astern of the anchored vessel. Next, as slowly and quietly as you can, draw even with that vessel and maintain a 100 yard distance at all times. When anchoring up, make sure you allow for the line you let out. If there are still vessels anchored when you choose to leave, leave the area at idle speed, NEVER cross their sterns, and don't spool out until approx 300 yards away. These are the "Golden Rule(s)" that I live by. Hope I'm not opening up a can of worms on the subject, but nothing ticks me off more than some selfish fool who doesn't observe these common-sense rules. Ruins it for both the anchored boat and him. Ken, Lostboys

[Sterling Tackle]

This is a good place to use the old Golden Rule: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." So ask yourself, "How far would I want the other guy to stay away from me, if the situation were reversed?" Unfortunatley to many guys have a double standard.

[fish8]

was on an open 6 pack charter this spring- all of the charters who knew each other were less than 100 yds apart -- from a distance this looked like being close was acceptable-- an " outsider" pulled up close and got blasted.. how was he to know??? lesson find your own spot its a big bay 400yds sounds good and never infront or behind

[bay bee]

This question reminds me of a time I called a friend over to a spot where we were having a "hot" striper catch. He anchored about 35 - 40 yards from my vessel. He got a "hog" on and it was pulling drag. His line wound up around my anchor line and he lost the fish. He was angry but had no one to blame but himself.

[Reel-ality]

Some of the guys with the fancy penis extenders don't have a clue what they are doing anyway so you might as well just stay out of their way.

[Fisherdudes]

You want drop-offs but you need to show consideration. Get out earlier to get you spot so you don't have to anchor too close. The guidelines posted by others previously apply.

What pisses me off is the boat that is done for the day that motors away full throttle. Not ony the wake they create, but the noise to scare Striper's which can be skittish. Open torpedo tubes one and two....

[ReelQuick]

FPE ????? You got me on that ?
Like said before, if I can hit you with a cast your to close.
And like said before.....you loose the hook and have a remote chance of hitting some one or hitting lines....your to close.

[thediehardfisherman]

I personally like to stay away from the fleets just for this reason, but if I got a gut feeling where fish might be and it's a little "populated" then I stay on the outskirts of the fleet-either in front-(you get first dibbs on the fish) or behind the fleet-(you get all the chum slick from the fleet)
I did have a guy anchor up about 100 yards to my port bow two weeks ago, and every time I looked over his boat was inching closer and closer. I checked my chartplotter/gps and I was dead anchored and not moving, kept looking over and he was getting even closer and when I knew his anchor wasn't holding I yelled over to him "Hey buddy, I don't think your holding bottom!" They pulled up their lines and got re-situated and anchored.
Always anchor up a safe distance from others-just for that kind of a situation. And always check your GPS and make sure your not moving/drifting while anchored up or get a bearing on a couple of boats around you and check every so often to make sure you/they aren't moving.
Anchoring up in a fleet can be scary especially while drum fishing @ night!-this past May I was anchored up with the fleet @ the 16 bouy and I checked my GPS every second just about (at night NEW MOON, it's hard to tell where people are and who's holding bottom) At day break when most of the boats were back at the marinas and there was a small fleet out by then, I noticed my lines were all going to one side of the boat and I looked at my GPS and appearantly my anchor broke free of the bottom-SCARY (glad it didn't happen at night)
Just use common sense out there, there's A LOT OF WATER out there and PLENTY of places to anchor up.

[roctheboat aka pigpen]

look for the guy who has a bunch of birds about 50 feet behind his boat and at least two rods doing what they were built to do. than anchor up on his stern close enough that you can hear him fart. or you could do as zar said early in this post , one or the other is the right way you decide

[stomper62]

When fishing for stripper the closer you are to someone the better the chances of having a fish break off o the other boats anchor line .There's plenty of room for everyone and my general rule is to stay as far away as I would like them to stay from me , never directly in front or behind and make sure your anchor is holding before dropping lines.As far as boats running at high speeds close there's just real assholes out their and they just don't give a shit!