Using Marker Buoys in a Tournament...

[BassinGT]

Hi all,

Thought I'd run this by some of the more experienced tournament fishermen out there.

I've been wondering lately about the correct usage of a marker buoy in a tournament and what it actually means to use one. Here are some questions I have. Any help would be appreciated.

1. Are there any rules in the standard set of tourney rules about using them?

2. When another fisherman uses one or more how far should you stay away? I've always had the impression that when someone uses a marker they "own" that part of the water.

3. What if the fisherman is maybe 100 or 200 yards away? Can you fish that area? Can you be "too" far away from your markers?

Any other thoughts about them?

Thanks guys!

-Gary

[Dan]

I am not aware of any major tournaments, or for that matter smaller tournaments, that have specific rules on buoys. It is a courtesy matter. I have been on the hump at St. Clair and have people make drifts by me in a tournament where you could toss them a pop. I have had people pick up my buoy and claim it. Then again, I think it is very bold to put out multiple buoys and expect people to respect them. If you have one buoy out, and are fishing near it, then I would expect anglers to give you space. I don't think they are obligated though.

[thedude]

i gotta agree w/ dan. Common courtesy comes into play, but i don't know of any formal rules on their use. If an angler is fishing way off from his buoy(s), i see no harm in fishing near them. Obviously on big water there is room to spread out and this shouldn't be necessary, but imagine if someone tossed out several markers along a weed line in most inland lakes.... many times, depending on how many boats, you are stuck fishing close to other boats and having a buoy out doesn't entitle anyone to "reserve" that spot for their own use when they aren't currently on it.

[motocross269]

There are no restrictions in FLW rules on Bouys..The only restriction on boat positioning is when you are anchored..No boats can come , I think it is 50ft, of an anchored boat...So if you want to save your spot throw an anchor..
Common sense and courtesy should determine how close you should fish to another boat...A few tourney dollars are not worth getting a bad reputation over..
I have seen a few guys get crazy over "their" spots though and want to hold down 40 acres of water on Erie to themselves..

[MBell]

Buoys just attract other boats, especially on st. clair.  I use my gps on the bow more than buoys, just because of that.  You can also wrap you buoys in duct tape and they aren't as visable.  Buoys don't save any water, your boats the only thing that can do that.  I use them in practice but try not to in tournaments.  When I do use them I don't put them on a spot, I just use them as a reference point. 
-Matt

[BassinGT]

Thanks Guys. That's great info. I appreciate it.

-Gary

[Skulley]

To avoid other's picking up my markers and claiming them as their own, I mark mine with a permanent marker.  I put my name on them.  I don't know of any rules governing the use of them.  I throw them out when I catch fish and then bring them in when the bite stops as I feel that the fish have moved off or stopped biting.  I always throw a different profile at them to see if they have just stopped biting.  If they bite that different profile then they just became accustom to the last lure and have not moved.  If I don't catch anything on the different profile then I deduct that they have moved off. 

Using a GPS on a bowmount fishfinder is a good way to avoid using them and attracting attention.

BD             

[Waterfoul]

I often use a marker bouy... during a tournemant or not.  BUT, I use them almost exclusively as a point of reference... not to mark a particular "spot" or piece of structure.  If it's a bit windy holding a spot can be difficult sometimes... and that marker acts as a non-moving point of reference and can be crucial if you are trying to hold on a point or weed edge.  I try to use my GPS in conjunction with the marker...

As far as it "saving a spot" I figure if a fisherman is going to toss one out and then move on or let himself get far away then that water is fair game... though picking up someones marker would never cross my mind and I've never had one taken.

[skeeterman190]

 Ok i got one here for the bouy deal. Ive fished a few tourneys where guys have beds marked with them and are fishing differnt beds. I got the same fish GPS'd so now what? i slow down they throw up there arms like what the%^&*? I never fished them but whys it my problem he cant catch that fish on a bed and i feel i can? i found it fair and square just like him?-skeeterman-

[Skulley]

Ultimately, that all I use the marker for.  A reference point.  Whether it is starting or ending reference is really the key.  Usually that is where I put my boat, around the marker.  I fan cast from the marker.  If I am sitting on the marker then no one really comes close.  That is using a marker and protecting your spot..........politely.   

BD