Last fall was a special season for Montauk striper lovers. Throughout the fall, large schools of bass prowled Montauk creating spectacular visuals of crashing bait. The world-class angling made boat etiquette all the more important to practice.

Boat etiquette is essential as the fall run increases in popularity and the fishing pressure intensifies. Drift near the pod but never motor or drift your boat directly over the fish. You may hook something but you will surely put fish down and anger other anglers. Give an adjoining boat enough room on their drift toward the pod to fish comfortably. Don't squeeze between two boats working fish if there isn't ample space. If you think you are too close, you probably are.

Solo anglers must pay particular attention to these scenarios. It is easy to be mesmerized by the sight of blitzing fish and lose any idea of where your boat is drifting. Before you know it, you are bumping boats or tangled with someone else battling a 15-pound striper. Lone fishermen should be aware of anglers nearby and adjust their boats to avoid collisions or entanglements.

There are plenty of fish to go around. If boats are already targeting a group of fish, chances are you can find another pod of bass not too far away.

Fishing is often best during low light conditions. On foot, anglers can prowl the beaches at night when the fishing can be spectacular.

If you are fishing from a boat to a blitz that is close to shore, pay attention to rocks and rolling waves that can capsize or beach your boat. Many Montauk bass blitzes take place close to shore among rocks that eat a fishing boat every other year. In these situations someone must stay at the wheel at all times, preferably with the boat's bow pointed seaward, constantly on the lookout for rogue waves. When someone hooks a fish, slowly drive the boat away from shore to give the fisherman a better environment to fight the fish and give another boat the opportunity to take your place and get into the action.

As saltwater fly fishing grows in popularity and each season finds more boats on the water, the tension between conventional surfcasters and the fly-rodding boat community, sometimes both competing for the same bass, rises. With many bass blitzes close to shore, boaters must pay special attention to the shore angler's "zone." Never put your boat between beach fishermen and blitzing bass. It's unnecessary and rude, and you will likely be the target of surf plugs thrown by angry fishermen. Remain on the sea side of fish and work the seaward edges of the action. Boat fishermen have tremendous mobility and should give shore anglers plenty of room. Good manners make for a more pleasant fishing day for everyone.