Bank Fishing Permission for Private Access

[FlatsNBay]

What have you found to be the best way to ask for permission to access and fish private property?

When I was a kid, we used to sneak into a pond in Ft. Lauderdale that was unreal. We would each catch 3 or 4 bass before the old lady from the house would chase us away. The fishing was so good that I decided to ask for permission for a change. My buddy and I showed up at the land owner's door with 2 giant bags of fruit that we picked from the fruit trees in my yard. We explained that we were 2 kids that were trying to stay out of trouble and asked for permission to fish in their pond. Not only did the lady who used to chase us off the property said yes, she and her elderly husband said that we could use their john boat too!! That pond was our secret honey hole for years and we were the only ones allowed to fish it!

What method of asking for permission has worked for you? In person, bring gifts, offer to do chores, write a letter?

[Smallie_Stalker]

I always preferred the in-person approach. Offering to clean up the area and to keep it clean went a long way. Also offering to do some work like trimming the bushes and tree limbs, mowing the grass etc. Giving a little often gets you a lot!!! 

[LgMouthGambler]

Women, a bottle of wine. Men, case of beer. 

[Lipripper]

I always preferred the in-person approach. Offering to clean up the area and to keep it clean went a long way. Also offering to do some work like trimming the bushes and tree limbs, mowing the grass etc. Giving a little often gets you a lot!!! 

X 2

[FlatsNBay]

Women, a bottle of wine. Men, case of beer. 

Lmg, I need to send you the location so you can check it out. According to Google, half of the pond is filled in. The remaining half should still have plenty of fish. It looks like house is still there.

[LgMouthGambler]

Lmg, I need to send you the location so you can check it out. According to Google, half of the pond is filled in. The remaining half should still have plenty of fish. It looks like house is still there.

Maybe a good looking woman in there now. 

[31airborne]

Had a similar set-up when I lived in GA.  I knocked on the door, introduced myself w/ a firm handshake, and used a few sirs and ma'ams.  Enjoyed the pond, the jon boat, and the wood the owner gave us for when we camped out.  A lil respect and courtesy goes a loooooooooooooooong way.

[West6550]

Had a similar set-up when I lived in GA.  I knocked on the door, introduced myself w/ a firm handshake, and used a few sirs and ma'ams.  Enjoyed the pond, the jon boat, and the wood the owner gave us for when we camped out.  A lil respect and courtesy goes a loooooooooooooooong way.

This I agree with.

Honestly never asked to fish anywhere private. But I have asked to ride my four-wheeler as a teen. Only asked a few but never was told no. Knocked, was friendly and got a yes.

[Oldfart9999]

Maybe a good looking woman in there now. 

Yep, with a sharp needle full of sleepy time liquids and lots of sharp instruments to cut you up into bite sized pieces for her freezer, but she'll give you a kiss first. Or maybe she doesn't pay for food for rottweilers.
My grandfather had 100 acres of prime pheasant hunting, all he wanted was for a hunter to ask so he knew who and where you were. The sheriff came down the road one day carrying 2 nice birds, didn't ask had to turn them over to my gramps.
Rodney

[FlatsNBay]

I have a buddy that researches property on the county property appraiser's web site. He finds out the mailing address of the property owner and mails them a real nice letter introducing himself and requesting permission along with a little explanation about not littering, maintaining fences/property posted signs, etc.. It occasionally works!

[bigjim5589]

Many years ago, when my fishing buddy Pete was still living, we fished a private pond sometimes that he had secured permission to fish. The owner said it was OK to bring a friend.

Turned out, since we only fished there with fly rods that the land owner was very interested in learning to fish with a fly rod, and we spent more time trying to teach him than we did actually fishing. 

[basss]

Women, a bottle of wine. Men, case of beer. 

How did you go about getting that as a kid ... or should I even ask?

[LgMouthGambler]

How did you go about getting that as a kid ... or should I even ask?

We were always a drinking family. Lol.

<")))<{

[TNDiver]

We were always a drinking family. Lol.

How did you go about getting that as a kid ... or should I even ask?

When I was a kid a "note" from a parent would work!  Not anymore.  Heck I used to carry the cases of beer for my grandma to the car, even though I was under age.  Not anymore.  Shows how ridiculous our laws have gotten when a grandson can't help his grandma carry beer to her car.  Of course the Boy Scout uniform may have been a bit much!

[Lipripper]

When I was a kid a "note" from a parent would work!  Not anymore.  Heck I used to carry the cases of beer for my grandma to the car, even though I was under age.  Not anymore.  Shows how ridiculous our laws have gotten when a grandson can't help his grandma carry beer to her car.  Of course the Boy Scout uniform may have been a bit much!

Ya these days they would bust grandma for contributing to a minor.