dam thieves are at it again. reports of tourney anglers losing everything, rods, powerpoles, etc.  what a shame especially after what happened at the everstart

prayers go out to all hit, hope they catch the thugs and slice their fingers off

That's pitiful.

It's a shame some of this stuff will be sold on Ebay or other online flea markets to people who think it's on the up-and-up, who unknowingly facilitate the very crimes they worry might happen to them. 

That is terrible. :'(  Man, I HATE thieves! Someone stole my new truck about 2 years ago and I am sill mad about it. I hate thieves.

Sorry to all the anglers that lost all that gear.

one of the guys lost 11 loomis poles/reels.  that has got to be the worst feeling. the facebook page showed a pic of the padlock of the lockrod sawed thru. just terrible

On another forum they claim that the thieves even stole the batteries from the boats.  

If I caught someone stealing my fishing stuff(anything for that matter), I'd beat them until my Ugly Stik broke. That'll be a looooooong time.

Is it me or does this happen every year down there at Toho. Every time a big tourny is down there some people get there stuff taken. You'd think the Hotels or Police departments would do something to help the anglers out.

If I regulary fished travel tournaments, I would install a alarm system on my boat. Hook it up to some big sirens and lights, that will stop them. Or atleast let someone get to them first.

Clancy W

Have you ever been to Toho?  Love the lake.  The neighborhood....not so much.

It's kinda dumb for thieves to target bass anglers these days, as a lot of 'em are packin'.  It wouldn't surprise me to hear news stories in the future of thieves getting waxed while trying to steal stuff.

its a shame that people choose to take what others have worked for because they dont want to get off their lazy a** to work for their own things.... i know how this feels my mom had her trailblazer stolen from our driveway and all of the rods ive worked for were taken out of my boat in my garage and we live in a nice suburb so it goes on everywhere not just rough places.

Speaking of packing heat, I think Gary Klein should be able to carry during the Classic since it's back at the Lousiana Delta. If anyone remembers what happened last time......

Unreal.

Heres to hoping each and every one of them get caught and punished severely.

I have heard in the past that thieves target fishing gear because they can sell it and there is no real way to track it.  I think the high end rod and reel manufacturers should engrave serial numbers on their products, so the consumers could register them and they could be tracked if they are sold at flea markets or on Craigslist.  Heck  even if they put in some type of micro chip like they do for dogs, so the numbers could not be physically altered in any way.  Might be a good idea.

Wait did you say they actually sawed through the rod lockers?

Apparently this is a recurring thing at some sites.  Simple solution.  Don't hold tournaments where these are not isolated incidents.

I've read threads on here where guys say they pack because unsavory characters hang around the ramps, and they want to be able to protect their gear.  Who protects their tow vehicle while they are on the lake?

Another possibility.  Don't stay in that vicinity.  Stay a hundred miles away if necessary, and get up an hour or two earlier to get to the launch ramp.

When I went to Pickwick last year, I stowed all my gear in the back of my truck, leaving all the storage lockers empty and unlocked.  I've read horror stories about thieves tearing/cutting boat up to get into the "secure" lockers.

Seems it would also be fairly simple for the competitors or groups of them to stay at the same facility and hire a security company to protect their gear.  Cheap insurance if several share the cost.

It's unreasonable to expect hotels/motels to provide a high level of security without a corresponding increase in room costs. 

Wise men avoid problems whenever possible. Only a fool puts himself or his property at risk when other options are available.

Lynyrdsky1, that was a Tulane alumni that shot at Klein in the Louisiana Delta.

It will not happen again, especially if Klein wears a purple and gold shirt!!!! 

What a heart sinking feeling that has got to be. For this exact reason, I got a personal effects insurance rider on all my gear. Every time I get a new combo, I have to take photos and e-mail them to my agent. $5000 coverage on my tackle bag, and $5000 for my rods/reels, only costs me $200 a YEAR, and no deductible. Helps me sleep better at night. I know it wouldn't help in a tourny situation like these guys, but at least I'd be back in action real quick. It would be great if one of these scumbags got blasted while in the act.

Is it me or does this happen every year down there at Toho. Every time a big tourny is down there some people get there stuff taken. You'd think the Hotels or Police departments would do something to help the anglers out.

I would think that the sanctioning body of a tournament this big would have a guarded secure area for the anglers to park their boats and not have to worry about them.   

Is it me or does this happen every year down there at Toho. Every time a big tourny is down there some people get there stuff taken. You'd think the Hotels or Police departments would do something to help the anglers out.

I bet you it's the same guys doing it every time too.If it's happening a lot then more than likely it's the same people doing it.

Lynyrdsky1, that was a Tulane alumni that shot at Klein in the Louisiana Delta.

It will not happen again, especially if Klein wears a purple and gold shirt!!!!

Geaux Tigers!!! haha

I think it's Roland Martin ;D ;D!!   Just kiddin'....that is terrible.  I wouldn't wish that on anyone!

simple solution to you gear getting stolen is to store it in your hotel room with you.  This is what i do.

I heard the Sheriff's dept caught the guys who hit the boats, no confirmation back yet 

Really hope they did.

Wrap the thieves necks with fluoro and hang em from the highest tree.

Or tie a concrete block to thier legs, drop em in 20 feet of water and create some fish cover.