Well the south end (Six Mile) the CRACK heads are at it. I lost all my rods (16) to them last week. Now I get to go spend $$$$, before my vac. next week, They hit about 10-15 boats the last few weeks

We as fisherman have to stop this ! It is happening to much around the state. We are going to have to hire a guard at every lake/tournament on the weekends. The thing is they are doing it in a small window of time I think. Most lake have people up drinking and cutting up till 11 pm and fisherman start rolling in about 4 am or so. Midnight to 4 am seems to be the time i think they are hitting. All I can say is these guys will get caught or shot sooner or later. I carry my gun with me and I will shot anyone getting into my boat with out permission. Everyone need to do the same to send a message.I understand in Texas now we do have the right to protect our personal property thanks to Rick Perry !

It is getting crazy and isn't going to get any better as our country's moral decay keeps crumbling. I agree on the "protecting your property rights". You had better make sure the person is dead, because the cost of court hearings can get expensive in these cases. Don't want the person to be able to prosecute you.

The possibility of being prosecuted has nothing to do with whether the person is dead or not. It's whether the DA thinks you should be prosecuted and they have a case. Dead people also have relatives, willing to file civil suits and could take you for all you have as well. They just need a slime ball lawyer and your screwed! Yea you will probably win, but the cost to defend yourself will probably suck you dry.

Correct me here, but I do beleive in TX that you cannot be sued in civil court after being found not guilty in a criminal trial. I would hate to see a man lose his life for fishing gear, but along with Marc, I go heeled. I also take my stuff in with me at night, but will protect my investment with all due diligence.

Bad break there Brad.

Well said Mark.

Words cannot describe this feeling .I lost 4 rods in south Tx one night several years ago too.It would have been great therapy to have walked up on them while they are in the act.I know at that time that there would not have been any question of just wounding them! Sorry for your loss .Did you get to fish ?

Where was your stuff when the thieves hit you? In your boat? Where was your boat? Tied up at a slip or on the trailer next to your hotel room?

Good Question.

Marc,

You're right about protecting your property or someone else's who has asked you to be responsible for their property while they are absent. However, Rick Perry had NOTHING to do with it...other than signing the bill that others worked very hard(Perry refused to take a stand on it) to get passed.

Man, I really feel for ya. 16 rods? I would be absolutely beside myself, and it would be hard not to encourage vigilante justice. Petty criminals do not have to pay for the crimes they commit. I think we should be MUCH tougher on thieves like that, as they cost the average person untold amounts of money and heartache. Find them, make them pay a fine directly to you, have them serve a debt to society, tattoo THIEF on their forhead, and then send them back into society. I've been robbed 6 times, and I'm still pretty bitter about it.

I would be willing to send some money for situations like this...perhaps start a voluntary program that "pays" for the site that collects interest in a bank account. The money could be used for fishermen who got robbed, programs that allow kids to fish, and other worthwhile events. There are many ways to do it, but intergrity would be at the forefront. Lets help our fellow fishermen out!

I'll happily pay a fee or donate money to a worthy cause.

Bait boats. Let me know where I can donate to get something going. Of course a criminal will send me an email and I will be sending them money. Ah geez.

That sucks. With the economy the way it is I think it will only get worse.

I can guarantee that they did not steal the rods for personal use. We need to take away their markets. If people would not by used equipment from suspicious sources that would do it.

There area a bunch of losers around Toledo Bend. Its very rural
and the punks dont work. They stay up at Night and drink and drive around. The Law Enforcement is very far away.

I know one thing: You could dump a scumbag in the pines and no
one would ever find him. You gotta do what you gotta do.

They are NOT going to stop. It aint happening.