69 replies to this topic

[Hi Salenity]

Show of hands, Who brings a gun with them on the boat?

What do you carry Rifle or pistol and why? I know some of you have Gaters and I'd probably bring an AR on a 1 point sling! lol

I just always figured everyone had a gun in the boat so lets see who does and WHO DOES NOT.

[preach4bass]

Carry a pistol in my pocket pretty much everywhere. Only time anything else gets put in the boat is my shotgun during duck season!

[tomustang]

Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Do you really want to find out?

[Hi Salenity]

Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Do you really want to find out?

I'm your Huckleberry!

[tomustang]

Come on pus!

[Bassn Blvd]

Yep, on every trip.

Why? Because I don't want to leave it in the car so it can be stolen.

[Stasher1]

I carry everywhere it's legal. I put it on every morning when I get dressed, and take it off when I go to bed, just like my wallet, watch, keys, and pocket knife.

[11justin22]

Yup, always have one on me

[clayton86]

theres a few spots i fish whether from the bank or the canoe I take one of my rifles because theres alot of woodchucks/groundhogs need killen in them spots and occasionaly if i go salmon fishing at my buddies the slug gun is on my back waiting to get a deer pushed to me and im his added insurance they dont cross the river onto the other property line iv gotten a few this way all doe trying to make a break for the river in the shallows.

[flukemaster]

I've actually had to pull mine out once. I was fishing out of my 14ft jon boat and two young guys came around a point and into the cove where I was fishing. They pulled right on to the spot where I was fishing and they started some small talk. The kept getting closer to my boat and I didn't think anything of it until one of them whispered to the other. "Does he have anything." I reached inside my tacklebox and showed them what I had and they promptly left the area. The strange thing is that this was the first time I had carried my firearm with me in my boat.

[Traveler2586]

Sold all of my guns when the kids got old enough to start getting into everything; and I was afraid someone would really tick me off.

I never really needed any of them anyways.

[Sam]

Salenity, outstanding question.

I have been discussing the possibility of bringing a firearm with me on my bass boat with other bass fisherman and they all have said that they do not carry on their bass boats and don't even think about it.

I told them that we are sitting ducks. All a perk or two perks have to do is float up to us, pull a weapon, make us give them our cell phone and jump out of the boat. Goodby to the boat, motor, electronics, equipment and tackle.

The perks could take the boat to their boathouse or ramp, put it on a trailer, and away they go. We may remember their boat registration number and manufacturer but numbers can be hidden and changed and there are way too many bass boats of each brand to try to find one specific watercraft.

What bothers me is that we will, in anger, pull the weapon and threaten someone; fire a warning shot; or shoot at them, their motor or their boat, which will get us into trouble.

I have never had a confrontation on the waters but my friend had one a few years ago on the Nottoway River. Two idiots had the wake zone signs backwards and they would speed through the no wake zones and go slow inbetween the signs. When confronted by my friend the two idiots wanted to fight. All my friend was trying to do was to tell them that they could get a ticket and to please honor the no wake zone signs. There was no confrontation at the ramp as the two idiots had left before we had our weigh-in.

I think your question has merit and it would be interesting to read an article about carrying a weapon in your boat in one of the bass publications.

As for me, I do have flares on the boat and can use them for defense if necessary.

The responses are very interesting, too. Let's hope we get more and maybe you can repost your query in the general fishing section of the Forum to receive more replies.

[Crestliner2008]

When I put my pants on in the morning, my IWB holster is always on the belt. About the only time I don't carry is when I plan on visiting the post office or other official places where I know they are not permitted. Which is why I try to do my "official" business online. I never really think about it being there, I just do it. So yes, I carry any time I'm fishing or hunting, on a boat or fishing from shore, or going for groceries.

One more point. Beyond all the convoluted state and federal laws surrounding us, I rely solely on my God given right to protect myself and my family. Non-negotiable. Let the chips fall where they may.

[slonezp]

I live in IL. Only the criminals are allowed to carry.

[jslacker]

Most of the places I fish, although DE being pretty firearm friendly allowing OC, are managed by DNREC and they prohibit it. Nothing my Gerber can't handle though....