Reports from the field, er, water, have been coming in fast and furious on many days about the action in and around Vermilion Bay.

Sure, fishermen and fisherwomen have been catching plenty of speckled trout and redfish — weather and water conditions permitting — as the success rate goes up like it does each year about this time. Sometimes, you have to hide the bait, as they say, the fish are biting so well.

The reports at the core of this opinion, however, are less than rosy and downright disturbing. Unfortunately, they filter in each fall when those saltwater species bite like there’s no tomorrow.

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Folks, it has to do with courtesy, the lack of it by people in boats who continue to behave like the backside of a mule. Unfortunately, again, people are acting like they own the water and the fish beneath the surface aren’t seasonal.

It’s just that right now the oft-ugly incidents are magnified because there are so many more boats fishing the hotspots. The unsportsmanlike behavior includes throwing anchors almost on another boat’s anchor, running through an area on step or with a substantial wake and, even, casting and retrieving over an established boat’s fishing lines.

A local man and his young son, out for a pleasant day of fishing, experienced such stupidity recently. The look in his eyes when he told the story this past weekend said it all ... inconsiderate fishermen did their worst to ruin what should have been a special day for them in a misguided effort to improve their own catch.

Fortunately, there are more fishermen like them and less fishermen who indiscriminately screw up the works for all.

Be courteous on the water. Practice safe boating and remember other people have a right to the fish, particularly those anglers who are there first.

Thanks.

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR