THEFT at b.a.s.s southern open/toho 2024
shakyhead reply :
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
BassThumb reply :
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.
intheweeds reply :
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.
shakyhead reply :
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
BassThumb reply :
On another forum they claim that the thieves even stole the batteries from the boats. 
BASSclary reply :
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.
Gatorbassman reply :
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.
Texasfishingtips reply :
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
Glenn reply :
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.
OH-bass614 reply :
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.
lynyrdsky1 reply :
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......
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
Unreal.
Heres to hoping each and every one of them get caught and punished severely.
CSimon2 reply :
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.
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
Wait did you say they actually sawed through the rod lockers?
Fishing Rhino reply :
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.
Sam reply :
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!!!! 
Shane J reply :
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.
Milton Waddams reply :
QuoteIs 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.
grimlin reply :
QuoteIs 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 reply :
QuoteLynyrdsky1, 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
Bass Dude reply :
I think it's Roland Martin ;D ;D!! Just kiddin'....that is terrible. I wouldn't wish that on anyone!
Carrington reply :
simple solution to you gear getting stolen is to store it in your hotel room with you. This is what i do.
Catt reply :
I heard the Sheriff's dept caught the guys who hit the boats, no confirmation back yet 
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
Really hope they did.
Quillback reply :
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.
bowfish12 reply :
Quoteone 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
I believe that was David Walker's boat.
J Francho reply :
QuoteI heard the Sheriff's dept caught the guys who hit the boats, no confirmation back yet
Lucky for the thieves, it was the police that caught them......
Pitchinkid reply :
Ive never used a power pole or installed one or even fished out of a boat that had one. Are they anchored to the boat by compression or with bolts. It seems it would take more than a minute to take one off a boat? Theives must be driving a car with no hitch or they could just cut the trailer lock and steal the whole d**n boat.
5bass reply :
[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] five.bass.limit.
BassThumb reply :
Quotesimple solution to you gear getting stolen is to store it in your hotel room with you. This is what i do.
Not quite. I've heard about hotel rooms getting raided for fishing gear, too. An inside job obviously.
BassThumb reply :
QuoteWait did you say they actually sawed through the rod lockers?
They sawed thru the $150 Loc-R-Bars that are supposed to keep the lockers from being opened if the locker locks themselves are damaged.
peters_skeeter reply :
They cut the lock, not the bar, on David Walker's boat. He posted a pic of it on Facebook. Loc r bar has come out with a lock with a built in alarm, you can check it out in a video on their website. This season I'll be using a baby monitor in my boat with that alarm. I hope that I never have to experience what these poor guys have went through. On top of all this, that's how they make their living. >
etommy28 reply :
they solved this and arrest a couple guys today. they have also learned to get loc r bars off by attaching them to the winch to the lock. they will then winch it till the bar bends.
Carrington reply :
yall are thinking a little ridiculous in my mind, its so much work to unload 10-15 combos from your hotel room in the morning? and a trolling motor isnt that heavy either. I dont mind it personaly and do it no matter where i am,.
Fishing Rhino reply :
Do you keep going to a barber who butchers your hair, or a restaurant where the food sucks, or a store where the help is downright rude?
Why on earth do they keep going back to that hell hole where things get stolen, damaged or destroyed.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
No matter that they caught the thugs. It's too late to be of any help to those who lost their gear.
Hot Rod reply :
QuoteDo you keep going to a barber who butchers your hair, or a restaurant where the food sucks, or a store where the help is downright rude?Why on earth do they keep going back to that hell hole where things get stolen, damaged or destroyed.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
No matter that they caught the thugs. It's too late to be of any help to those who lost their gear.
Well said!
tkite16 reply :
Fished toho twice. It is in a horrible area. My guide says theft is very big problem.
Scorcher214 reply :
QuoteQuoteI heard the Sheriff's dept caught the guys who hit the boats, no confirmation back yetLucky for the thieves, it was the police that caught them......
Fishing Cowgirl reply :
According to the report, the thieves were in and out of the hotel parking area in less than 40 minutes.
I would bet that there are thefts at any major tournament where ever they are held. I'd also guess they primarily targeted the wrapped boats. Odds are these guys are in a ring that target tournaments, no matter where they are held. They knew what they were after and brought the power tools with them to get it.
I do believe the Baby Monitor is one of the best ideas yet.
The fishery here is great and such a thing shouldn't be held against the area itself.
slonezp reply :
QuoteHave you ever been to Toho? Love the lake. The neighborhood....not so much.
X2
BassThumb reply :
Quoteyall are thinking a little ridiculous in my mind, its so much work to unload 10-15 combos from your hotel room in the morning? and a trolling motor isnt that heavy either. I dont mind it personaly and do it no matter where i am,.
You would take a heavy, high-end bow mount trolling motor off the boat every time you park it and put it back on every time you go fishing? Really?
When I winterize my boat and remove the trolling motor, I have to first take off the front graph that screwed into the front console and remove the cables on both the graph and the motor. Then I need a wrench and a power screw driver to remove all 8 nuts and bolts, taking care not to drop the nuts and washers inside the boat. Now the troller probably weighs 75 lbs and has a cumbersome pedal and cable attached to it, so I have to take care not to drop it or scratch and gouge the hell out of the fiberglass when I lift it off. This all takes about 20+ minutes and is a PITA.
C'mon, seriously. Who does this every time they park their boat? I don't think it's reasonable to expect anybody to do it in the parking lot of a motel either, likely after sundown or before sunrise.
Dockhead reply :
QuoteDo you keep going to a barber who butchers your hair, or a restaurant where the food sucks, or a store where the help is downright rude?Why on earth do they keep going back to that hell hole where things get stolen, damaged or destroyed.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
No matter that they caught the thugs. It's too late to be of any help to those who lost their gear.
The area might not be first-class, but tourism is huge. There is a strong police presence throughout the area. They make an effort to keep people and possessions safe. If they weren't doing a pretty good job, the tourism industry would be in even more trouble than it is because of the economy.
And having said that, I certainly don't think this is a problem that is isolated. Definitely happens in other areas, and not just when there are flashy tournaments being held.
I would venture to say that if thieves knew there was a good chance you had several thousand dollars worth of "stuff" in your vehicle, they would take a chance on burglarizing it no matter what the risk.
And no matter where you are parked.
Carrington reply :
i have a quick release on my trolling motor... It takes all of about 1 minute to remove the thing. And dont go say that is a small motor because it isnt.
Md reply :
Quotei have a quick release on my trolling motor... It takes all of about 1 minute to remove the thing. And dont go say that is a small motor because it isnt.
Do you have a transducer mounted to your trolling motor? My Humminbird is flush mounted so I would have to rip apart my front deck to get the wiring apart. Also, they even stole the batteries out of the boats. Would you carry them into your room also? My boat has four batteries that weigh 75 pounds a peice and must be strapped into place. Not my idea of fun to carry all of that stuff to my boat a 4:00 am and then get to the ramp and try to fish. >
Carrington reply :
if its so bad then just dont go to that lake. Even better idea would be to maybe stay outside of town for the night...
Md reply :
Quoteif its so bad then just dont go to that lake. Even better idea would be to maybe stay outside of town for the night...
Bingo! That's why a lot of pros stay at campsites.
InLikeFinz reply :
QuoteHave 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.
I was thinking the same thing.
Jason
BassShephard reply :
Thieves are up there with killers in my view. I wish they would bring back what they use to do in parts of Europe/middle east, you steal something and you get a finger cut off... a repeat offender would get their hand cut off.
Fishing Cowgirl reply :
QuoteQuoteif its so bad then just dont go to that lake. Even better idea would be to maybe stay outside of town for the night...Bingo!
The theft occurred at one of the hotels, outside of town. Big lake, big event, nearly 200 boats, spread out through hotels/motels all around the city. These guys were in and out of the parking lot in 40 minutes. The hotel had camera surveilllance in place, as do many others.
It can happen anywhere, the thieves aren't amateurs, came with power tools, probably the battery operated type. The detectives have been checking Craigs List, local flea markets, and pawn shops.
I'd bet they already had buyers for the stuff, targeting the wrapped boats and those nearby.
I bet it can happen anywhere, even the Classic.
Carrington reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteif its so bad then just dont go to that lake. Even better idea would be to maybe stay outside of town for the night...Bingo!
The theft occurred at one of the hotels, outside of town. Big lake, big event, nearly 200 boats, spread out through hotels/motels all around the city. These guys were in and out of the parking lot in 40 minutes. The hotel had camera surveilllance in place, as do many others.
It can happen anywhere, the thieves aren't amateurs, came with power tools, probably the battery operated type. The detectives have been checking Craigs List, local flea markets, and pawn shops.
I'd bet they already had buyers for the stuff, targeting the wrapped boats and those nearby.
I bet it can happen anywhere, even the Classic.
You cant stay 45 min to an hour outside of town? is waking up a little earlier that hard?
Md reply :
QuoteYou cant stay 45 min to an hour outside of town? is waking up a little earlier that hard?
Frankly, during a three or four day tournament in which you travel back and forth to your hotel completely exhausted then have to re-organize tackle etc., it isn't easy at all. Every little bit of rest is critical to stay sharp. You should try it some time...I bet you'd change your tune.
Carrington reply :
your acting like ive never fished a tourny. i dont need to reorganize my tackle because i do it on the boat and it does not take any time. And your only losing about 1 hour which 1 hour of sleep shouldnt hurt you, it doesnt hurt me.
Tin reply :
QuoteQuoteYou cant stay 45 min to an hour outside of town? is waking up a little earlier that hard?
Frankly, during a three or four day tournament in which you travel back and forth to your hotel completely exhausted then have to re-organize tackle etc., it isn't easy at all. Every little bit of rest is critical to stay sharp. You should try it some time...I bet you'd change your tune.
I fish 2 and 3 day tournies a lot, personally, I prefer it to one day events. I find myself reorganizing and playing with gear just out of nervousness. Since I have calmed down. Then again if you do your homework and prefish you should not need to go through that much tackle and such. ;D :
Fishing Cowgirl reply :
It's happened with boats literally parked in front of the boaters room. These boats were parked at the rear of the motel, about 10-15 minutes from the lake. I plan on buying a baby monitor set up like someone else suggested and packing heat.
Md reply :
QuoteI fish 2 and 3 day tournies a lot, personally, I prefer it to one day events. I find myself reorganizing and playing with gear just out of nervousness. Since I have calmed down. Then again if you do your homework and prefish you should not need to go through that much tackle and such. ;D :
Haha! That's 100% right Tin. Last summer, during the AFS at Champlain, I stayed at the same hotel as the winner. He spent upwards of an hour every evening in his boat getting prepared for the next day. It seemed to work out just fine for him. Everyone prepares differently and there are different circumstances at every tourney....and that is my point.
As for me, my 21i has a built in alarm system so I don't sweat it either way! ;D
Bass XL reply :
Quoteyour acting like ive never fished a tourny. i dont need to reorganize my tackle because i do it on the boat and it does not take any time. And your only losing about 1 hour which 1 hour of sleep shouldnt hurt you, it doesnt hurt me.
You're pretty adamant about being right huh?
Carrington reply :
i dont like being wrong lol
Grey Wolf reply :
Being wrong is just being human , we're all human , the big thing is being able to admit your wrong and learn from it.
Kevinator1 reply :
I work hard everyday just like you guys, so I believe if you catch someone stealing your gear you should legally be able to put them in cement shoes and sink them into your favorite fishing hole for use as structure. (At least until they decompose)
K.Fox reply :
I got held at gun point in Florida during a lacrosse tournament while I was at University. We were staying at a hotel in Orlando. It doesn't matter if its a fishing tourney or on a vacation with the family. People need to realize that just because you are on vacation the thieves are not.. You are most vulnerable when you are not expecting it.. You come into someones town and they are watching.. It sucks but be aware.. With all these guys saying fisherman are packing, it will only be a matter of time until bullets fly.. I hope this doesn't happen but at this rate is seems inevitable.
bigbassctchr101 reply :
Quoteyall are thinking a little ridiculous in my mind, its so much work to unload 10-15 combos from your hotel room in the morning? and a trolling motor isnt that heavy either. I dont mind it personaly and do it no matter where i am,.
If 20 guys are all staying at the same hotel, and all twenty are trying to be one hour early for the tourn, have you ever seen how big of a mess that causes? A fisherman friendly hotel pretty much means they have hook ups outside. Thats about it, parking, no. When fishing the College Bass tournaments it took at least an hour to just get out of the parking lot because its so hard to managed to keep your boat hooked up at night, and leave in a timely manner. Everyone else wants to do the same thing. As far as taking a spare trolling motor, gps/fishfinder unites, and 20 + combos, and all the clothes, you would usually have to account for two guys, as many of these guys share a room. That ends up being a lot bigger mess and hassle. Plus, on top of having to do that, these guys spend ALL day on the water, the last thing they want to do is spend another hour getting stuff in and out at the end of a long day.
bigbassctchr101 reply :
QuoteI work hard everyday just like you guys, so I believe if you catch someone stealing your gear you should legally be able to put them in cement shoes and sink them into your favorite fishing hole for use as structure. (At least until they decompose)
I dont know if bass really like big mounds of trash so much... lol I agree though, it doesn't seem right. They probably ruined several guys trips that they spents A LOT of time and effort on. All in all, a smack on the wrist with a few nights away from home with bed and board which, they didn't pay for either. How ironic.
flipin4bass reply :
QuoteSpeaking 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......
Tell Gary we got his back.
CJ reply :
QuoteHave 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.
Yes, I love Toho! It was weird for me there. It's kinda a surprise where the lake is. Felt like I was driving in an old downtown area then there was the lake. I'm used to a couple miles of a nice scenic road before I see the lake. LOL
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