Crowds are an inevitable part of our coastal fishing experience. If everyone follows these basic suggestions of fishing courtesy and responsibility, we will all be able to share and enjoy a productive flats fishery for generations to come.

All Fishing Methods

• If you arrive on a flat or shoreline where others are already fishing, either go someplace else, or pull in behind them (upwind) and begin wading, paddling or poling in the water they have already fished.
• The common argument “I’ve been fishing here for 20 years” has absolutely no bearing, especially on a day when someone gets to that spot before you.
• Pay attention to wind direction and the fishing lanes/directions of others around you. Do not crowd or fish across someone else’s lane/path.
• A minimum distance of 200 yards between boats/anglers is considered ethical.
• Everyone has the right to utilize the resource; no one has the right to monopolize it.

Wade Fishing

• Do not run your boat onto a flat and then begin wading. Anchor on the edge of the flat and then wade in to fish.
• When you’re done wading, turn your boat perpendicular to the flat and motor directly away from it. Don’t run along the edge of the flat when you leave.
• We understand that some areas like the Lower Laguna Madre are basically one large flat, which makes this scenario difficult, and still allow for reasonable access. Common sense should prevail in how various areas are viewed and accessed.

Paddling & Kayaking

• Kayakers have the ability to cover much more water than waders or polers. On a crowded flat, you should consider this and make sure that others around you have plenty of water to fish; especially if they arrived there before you.
• Give other anglers a wide berth when paddling to/from a fishing spot. Even though you don't have a motor, you can still spook their fish if you get too close.

Poling Skiffs

• Learn the layout of a flat before trying to fish it from a poled skiff.
• Don't run/motor onto a flat before you start poling.
• If you pole onto a flat, be prepared to pole back out if there’s not a deepwater exit or channel on the other end.
• Poling in, spinning up, and running out can be just as destructive as running straight in.
• When you’ve poled to the edge of a flat to leave, turn your boat perpendicular to the flat and motor directly away from it. Don’t run along the edge of the flat when you leave.

Guides & Tournament Anglers

• By virtue of your professions, you have the opportunity to teach and influence a large number of anglers that book your charters and follow the tournaments that you fish.
• Make sure that you convey the right message with your actions, endorsements, and promotions.
• Having a captain's license or paying for a tournament entry fee does not exempt you from any of these rules of basic courtesy.