I'm new the the TFF and not real sure where to post this...Here is the first scenario, after working all week you�re finally out doing some fishing, and as you�re quietly angling down the bank getting closer to that spot where you always catch a fish and you hear the roar of a boat coming at ya�it�s the TPWD patrol and he wants to check safety equipment�AGAIN. This used to happen every weekend down at Choke Canyon Res. and it was always the same dude - always polite, and I would say �you checked me last weekend� and he would reply �I have to check everyone��CRAZY!!! Scenario number two, your trying to get off the lake and you tie your expensive bass rig to the dock and then while trying to get to your truck-n-trailer to avoid your rig being bashed into the dock by boat wakes from people who don�t understand the term �No Wake�, the TPWD or local law dog suddenly appears and has to check your safety equipment immediately - even though your leaving for the day ! I know I�m not the only one dealing with this type of unnecessary harassment�there is a solution and it�s a simple one, other states have a sticker they give the boater following a safety inspection and the boater places the sticker on their consol so for the rest of the year the water patrol knows you passed the inspection already and don�t need to waste everyone�s time�AGAIN� I have already talked to TPWD in Austin and if more people would call them it could make a difference, otherwise the hassles will continue�nobody likes bureaucracy but in this case it would be good� Any thoughts ???

I for one welcome any and all inspections by TPWD. Their presence on the water only keep the drunks and DumpArses off the water.

If you have everything in order it only takes a couple of minutes and they are off.

As far as I'm concerned, the TPWD can't spend enough time doing inspections.

The next time you are so put out, just remember, a boat inspection may save a child's life.

They are welcome on my boat anytime, anyplace! I, nor anyone, should have a problem with being checked. "what if" they didnt check that ONE person and he/she ended up running thier boat into a bridge pillar while drunk, and caused catastrophic damage killing many people while the bridge collapsed? Just a thought to ponder......

TPWD can check me, my boat or my vehicle any time they so choose.

TPWD can check me, my boat or my vehicle any time they so choose.

Also excellent source for a recent fishing report !!!!

coast guard aux used to do a spot check at some of the places we launched, funny how only me and one other boat got there safety stickers, and an hour later, the rest of the boats all got ticketed for something. Its like the seat belt law, we all griped about it, but now it is habit, so i think we just need to get used to being checked and carrying everything we are supposed to have.

Check me please, the last couple of bigger fish have been in front of Game Wardens.

Along those lines, what are the required things to have in your boat when they check? I have all the stuff in my boat required from before I moved to TX but probably should make sure I have everything you need here...I've never checked.

thanks

I have no problem with being checked. You got nothing to hide you have nothing to hide. I also agree with KCFISH'n's post. I think the sticker is a good idea. We all have to have an inspection sticker on our cars/trucks every year right? Why not one for the boat. A sticker like this would let the officers know that this guy is usually in compliance and my efforts might be better used on other matters or checking other violators.

I for one think it is a good way to maximize the resource, they are spread thin, so we are told, and if this be the case it would make the regular boater/fisherman who frequents the lakes and fisheries less of a target. Is it a big hassle to be checked? IMO, no it is not and I don't mind it, however if a process can be streamlined, why not do it?

Good post KCFISH'n

Here ya go:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/safety/vessel_requirements/

Check me all you want.............

quick and dirty- USCG approved throw cushion, a life jacket for each person in the boat, a CHARGED/good fire extinguiser, fishing licenses, working horn, good to carry a whistle too- you can get them very cheap at walmart and put them on the boat keychain. darkness- you need a bow and a stern light.

when you see them coming, you can pull all this stuff out so the check only takes 1-2 minutes........

They missed a golden opportunity Sunday morning to generate some income. I was fishing outside Jordan Park at 5:30 AM and saw boat after boat roar out of there in pretty much total darkness without any lights whatsoever. I thought to myself they need to set up there and hassle these rocket scientists before they kill somebody.

Well, as I'm sure you've seen from most of the replies to your post, people here on the TFF do like a bureacracy, as long as it's the TPWD. Remember comrade, if you've got nothing to hide, you've got no reason not to be checked!