There are places that offer covered parking at the motels. Really unless weather is bad not much reason to cover it. Can't really say i have heard of many if any covers getting cut up. Most thieves want the easy payoff without hassle.

guys i work security and beleive me its not like im gonna draw my weapon and shoot a 37 year old drunk or drug addict to save your revo and your wifes zebco 33. Guys the truth is we are there for "intimidation factor" Im a rent a cop and so are a bunch of my co workers but beleive it when i say that nobody in my line of work is going to go before a jury to save your tackle box.
im not being a jerk im telling you the truth thats what we are are told to do. we are told not to get in to it with anyone , call the police. and let them handle the situation.
guys I pay alot for my stuff and my stuff may not be the top of the line but its mine and it cost alot of money, just know alot of security guys are there for insurance reasons.

Empty compartments and leave hatchs open.
Or simply leave one full of loose baggs and broken glass with treble hooks loose.
Or go old school, piece of plywood with 5" wood screws point up layed on te deck.

I have an alarm on the lids and leave them unlocked and empty. If they open a lid the alarm will go off and they'll have nothing to steal. That way I figure I'll mess up a thieves night out.

my thoughts exactly

Around 12 to 15 of us from Nebraska go to Fork every Spring. Although we have never had a problem there this is happening to much in the Fork area and nothing seems to be getting done as far as trying to solve it. I would think this is got to be hurting business in the area. I know it happens everywhere but there seems to be several groups of thieves that work this area more than others. Is there a resort that hires security? I know we would pay more for that function.

It happens everywhere. Doesn't matter if it is a lake in the metro area (DFW) or out of Dallas.

We all need to take measures to protect our property.

Things are slow this time of year around Lake Fork, they had 2 rooms rented so hiring security would not be an option in the slow times. The cameras that the Minnow Bucket has is one of the best options available. Everone just has to take the extra time to clear the boat of valuables. I like the boat bags idea used above. Also Lake Fork is not the only place this is happening. We just report and inform anglers through the forums to educate guys to clear their storage.
My question is where are they marketing these stolen items and who is buying them.

Couldn't have said it any better! Prevention is how to remedy the problem. Sorry he lost his stuff but really it's getting old people loose their stuff and then eveyone wants to shoot someone. Well there just went your life. Please just take care of your stuff.

Somebody is going to get shot if the Wood County Sherriffs department don't step it up a little. I hope they don't give the angler that shoots one or two of these guys any grief.
Ryan B.,
Be sure to let everyone know that 90% of these anglers are ready and willing to shoot these guys.

Talked to a friend of mine last night that lives at Lake View across from Axton's, they got five boats there Saturday night that he was aware of, all of them were covered, no damage to the covers. Luckily he had his stuff inside.

He uses the driveway alarm also, didn't have it out, but trust me he's loaded and ready!!

Thank's to all the guy's that have well wishes for me. It was my fault for not unloading my boat. My wife work's in private care for hospice patient's, she is not home alot. She finally got a weekend off and we spent the weekend together at The Minnow Bucket. That way she would have access to the store and cafe.
To ripnlips you are right, I would have given them stuff to fish with and bought their bait.
To madcow it was not a revo and a zebco 33. It was close to a 30 year collection of every thing I own. My children and now my grandchildren have enjoyed that stuff as well. That's what hurts so bad.
To Mark Howard you are my brother,and I love You.
These guys have to answer to someone alot bigger than us.
They will have their judgement day.
The people at the Minnow Bucket were very helpful and trully hurt as well. Hopefully their camera's will help get these guy's.
Bass fisherman are some of the greatest people on earth. Even in strong tournament competition they will help you and be concerned for you when you have trouble. The J. C Outdoors trail is living proof of that. Some of the best there is on Fork fish that circuit and you just know if you have a problem someone will help you.
May God bless each and everyone of you this Christmas.
And please pray for these theif's

Sorry but I have to disagree with this statement. Prevention is not the only remedy to this problem. It doesn't stop a thief from being a thief. If there is no deterent for someone to stop this behavior, there will always be another victim.

Lets face it, our justice system is going to be a slap on the wrist to those caught. It will be a hinderence on those who have had their items stolen. It will be possibly additional costs on the person(s) with items stolen in possible isurance rate increases (that is if insurance is even available to replace said items), time to acquire such lost items and so on.

The state of Texas has blessed us with senate bill 378. Also known as the Castle Doctrine. I say read it, understand it and use it to its fullest extent.

Am I saying that one should shoot to kill in the event of a boat being broke into.... No. But I am saying that it isn't such a bad thing to put a round in ones leg, arm or back side. Consider it as notice that ones life could have been taken for breaking into my belongings.

People are too pacified right now as it is and will look the other way and shrug their shoulders at this behavior. Until people take a stand and let it be known that being a thief is a dangerous business that can and will cost you your life, none of this will get any better.

scumbag,,,crackheads BEWARE .WE GONNA GET YA..............

BULL. The criminals get away with it on the street and in the justice system. You know who will pay...the honest civilian. Why, cause they have the most to loose. Shoot one of these scums in the leg and they will sue. And I bet you that they will have a better chance of getting it that you getting off. Every time one of these thefts comes up it always comes to this so I'm going to leave it alone. It never gets anywhere and the thread gets locked down. If your LIFE is not threatend shooting someone for a POINT is stupid.