More ramp antics

[MrBigStuff]

Thought I'd seen it all... Went out on a local lake this Sat evening to do a little fishing in the 14' tinny w/trolling motor. We enjoyed a few evening hours fishing the bays and coves. On the way in to the dock, a couple of guys in a similar boat rushed to beat us in to the dock. No biggie, we're in no particular hurry. Their actions leading up to the dock got my suspicions up that it might not be pretty. I was right.

First thing I notice is two large fish bags hanging off the side. Now, we're strictly catch and release but I don't begrudge anyone who is fishing for a meal. These two guys haul up what is obviously an illegal number of fish and some undersized largemouth bass to boot. They don't appear to speak any english. However, their actions are such that it is obvious they know they are breaking the law. I really hate people who rape the lake but I figure since we never take anything home, it makes up for these two idiots.

They proceed to s-l-o-w-l-y remove every piece of gear from their boat and haul it up to the car in the parking lot. That was bad enough but what they did next, I have never seen before. One of them unhitched the trailer and walked it down the ramp to the boat. It took them 15 minutes to winch the boat onto the trailer and then both guys struggled to pull the trailer back up the ramp, into the lot to their car. WTF???

 

[CATransplant]

Re: More ramp antics

Unclear on the concept?
No reverse in clunker vehicle?
No brakes on clunker vehicle?
Bad clutch?

Who knows? Must've been funny to watch, though.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: More ramp antics

FMP (florida marine patrol) and the Park Rangers are always at the docks I use, even during the week. Except when you see an illegal fish hall.

Anytime I see that I just figure that they are in need of a meal.

Yeah, Big Stuff, we are real good about catch and release. If I need tonights meal, then that's a different story. But that would be all I would bring home.

And what's up with that load up???

Maybe a tag number and discription for the next time and a call to the marine patrol.

 

[koberlee]

Re: More ramp antics

I always love the guys that hurry back then take forever. My wife and I can get our boat out in less than 5 minutes of actual ramp time. Lots of practice when the ramp wasn't busy but It pays off.

Some people just don't realize there are other people in the world who cares if there are fish left for the next guy who cares if you had to wait while they took their time to load their boat.

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: More ramp antics

Just think about it. They take our fish wish are illegal due to size and length, they are taking our jobs, what else!!!! We have to learn a foreign language just to be able to communicate.

 

[fire831]

Re: More ramp antics

Plenty of time to call the Conservation Officer.



MrBigStuff, "They proceed to s-l-o-w-l-y remove every piece of gear from their boat and haul it up to the car in the parking lot. That was bad enough but what they did next, I have never seen before. One of them unhitched the trailer and walked it down the ramp to the boat. It took them 15 minutes to winch the boat onto the trailer and then both guys struggled to pull the trailer back up the ramp, into the lot to their car. WTF???"

 

[captlee]

Re: More ramp antics

Sometimes we like to go to the ramp in town and just watch at some of the stuff that goes on. Other times we try not to be the 'stuff that goes on' They even have picnic tables there so folks can watch while they grab a bitre to eat

Would have been funny to catch that oneon video and post it on UTube. I can capture clse to 10 mins of vid on my phone and always have it handy for those "kodak moments"

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: More ramp antics

EVERYBODY should play by the same rules.I wouldn't hesitate to turn them in!!! Most other countries don't have regulations like we do.They should learn(even if it's the expensive way).Jerry

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: More ramp antics

>Plenty of time to call the Conservation Officer.

I grew up in WI and the DNR has quite a presence there. They are seen on the lakes occasionally or at the ramp. Sometimes, they even did surveys of fishermen as you left the lake. You can call their office and speak to a real, live human. They appear to be adequately staffed.

I moved to the Boston area about 6 years ago now. I fish the local lakes at least once a week, sometimes 3 or more times a week. I have NEVER ONCE seen a DEP person on the lakes or near one. We have never been approached by one. There are two places you can register a new boat; Boston or Springfield. Based on that, I think if you called and didn't get an automated answering machine, they still wouldn't be out to the lake any time soon.

I live on the outskirts of a large city. We have ONE conservation officer (they laid the other one off due to budget issues). I called their office a couple of times when we were having problems with ATVs on the conservation land and left a message on their answering machine. They called back a couple of days later. Ah, I think the ATVs left a few days ago...

I also do quite a bit of fishing in southern NH. We were talked to ONCE by their DEP (or whatever they call them there) people when we were launching.

In this area, these guys might as well be bigfoot as far as I can tell...

 

[cheburashka]

Re: More ramp antics

Just think about it. They take our fish wish are illegal due to size and length, they are taking our jobs, what else!!!! We have to learn a foreign language just to be able to communicate.

Uh. . .who are "they?" The OP didn't mention what language they were speaking. Also, as far as I know two guys in a boat didn't take any jobs away from me. Maybe you can be a little clearer about your point.

 

[Labman]

Re: More ramp antics

No he didn't say what language;

"They don't appear to speak any english. However, their actions are such that it is obvious they know they are breaking the law."

So how do you know that they weren't taking someone else's job?

But your right, That is a big supposition to suggest, without some sort of quantification.

We have had the same sort of situation at one of our rivers, great Walleye and Trout fishing, but all C&R, UNLESS you happen to be a NEW Canadian from let's say S.E. Asia, no speaky english, get written warnings, which is just foolish , cause they can't read them either! Now we wait until they are all amassed along the river banks and we know if they are there, the fishings good!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: More ramp antics

Whether an angler speaks English or not is irrelevant to me. If they're keeping fish over the limit, that's relevant to me, whatever language they speak.

I carry a cell phone, with the number for our DNR TIP line as speed dial #3. I use it, too. Oddly enough, I've only used it once on someone I thought might not speak English. I've used it many times on guys who spoke English just fine.

It's not the language you speak...it's the way you behave. Break the law where I am, with regard to limits on angling, and I'm an equal opportunity caller.

One of my favorite fishing partners is a Hmong man. He fishes catch and release, just like I do. His English is not all that good, but then, my Hmong is pretty limited, too. I'm working on it. He's been a US citizen, now, for 15 years.

Turns out that he fought with our troops during the Vietnam war. I didn't, even though I served during that period. Nice guy. He didn't take anyone's job, either. Instead, he owns a business that employs a lot of folks, both Hmong and non-Hmong.

I dislike characterizing people based on their primary language. My great-grandfather didn't speak English, either. He raised his children to speak it, though.