Guys, this is a crazy thread. The fisherman could have easily lost a $250 rig. I own 7 freshwater setups valued way over $250 and saltwater rigs over $500. He's not required to fly any kind of flag when fishing or trolling. If the rods were in the boat he was most likely bottom fishing and drifting. 10 feet was not enough room to stay clear of his lines regardless. His attitude was unquestionably wrong, but the sailboat captain didn't even slow down to apologize. The hostility presented by several responders here is hard to swallow. I sail in the SE Atlantic where there are shrimp trawlers, parasail boats and tournament fishing boats everywhere. If you crossed any of these boats lines you would be at fault. The shrimper would damage your boat with his cables, the tournament fisherman would run you down and expect payment and probably attempt to kick your butt, the parasailer would report you to the authorities or worse. Motorboat operators are the most uninformed group on the water. They don't know the rules and most of them don't care until something happens. The fishermans technique was wrong, but he was in the right and the sailor was wrong. Also freshwater fishermen almost never fish under their boat so lines will always extend some distance in the water, keep clear. 10ft is not keeping clear of a fishing vessel.