I lean toward believing Armands' take here! It's all about the other Charter Captains' willingness to get intentionally close to the "invading" boat, that starts "war chants" on- board, esp. among the "outgoing" & flamboyant drinkers of the party! The Captain sets the tone, & here that setting the table was the game of bumper- boats he was playing! Sorry-- there's never any need to get within 30- 40 yards of another boat minimally, esp. not on the open Ocean!
I don't know this Charter boat, nor fish on boats North of Rhody myself... nor fish Cod in Winter as I'm Bass- obsessed!... But: how dumb and aggresive CAN Charter Captains get with "recs." with absolutely no justification?
I'm chunking in the Western Sound on anchor last June, & pulling up Bass between 12- 25 lbs. here & there. I see a largish Charter boat anchored a half- mile from me, & wondered how he might be doing, as I released a 25 lber on this afternoon trip. After re-baiting my lines & relaxing, lo and behold this 50 foot + Charter boat is steaming right for me, where I'm sitting in 50 feet of water in the middle of the Sound alone! He anchors 20 yards away!, uptide of me!!... and so his fares are drifting their chunks back into my anchor line & under my boat! We're the only 2 boats there for miles! Now his fares are caught on my anchor- line, & frustrated with me "blocking" their fishing... & so now they're yelling & cursing at me!! I'm ruining their fishing after all!
Point is: there was a time where the Charter guys "knew the score" of proper fishing behavior & even basic Seamanship & manners... and most of those who were lacking out there during non- peak boating times were the Rec. boats! But: that's all changed today, for whatever reason(s). Some Charter Captains literally do behave like you're on their Ocean! And yes, they do like to incite & encourage their fares to join in the "us vs. them" warfare!
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