There's nothing clean about casting over someone's head while they're out on a perch and retrieving your tackle in a way to hopefully snag them...nothing clean about throwing rocks at someone who swam out to a rock before you did. This incident deserved exposure. We should all be aware of things like this to better prepare ourselves when in similar situations. It's a shame it got closed. Perhaps better policing would have been to delete the posts or replies that the moderator found offensive or pot-stirrish. Closing it won't hide the fact that it happened, but it does hide further details on these types of issues for people new to this sport who may not expect such animosity to arise...but Ti, err John...it's your site. :blush: :hee:

At my age, I can't see me throwing rocks at someone because I'm mad at them. There are other ways of dealing with people that bother me :chatter: OR :fight: This "problem" between these 2 particular people should have obviously been handled differently.

I've had the pleasure of knowing Rick for a few years now. He has yet to do me wrong. I think he's a class act. A VERY giving person. If what's catching was forgotten at home, he is quick to have it for you. Wrong rod for that particular application, he's got one for you to use. Forgot to pick up eels, reach right into his cooler and help yourself. Need a place to crash, find a corner in his home or truck and sleep. No worries, never asking for anything in return. Also not a pompass ass who thinkgs "his way" is the only way to catch fish, he listens as well as gives opinion. With the amount of people that I've seen at his "Fishing" parties, I am surprised that others have not vouched for his character, not that he needs it, I'm just surprised is all. :confused:

I too have fished that area for many years, decades before meeting Rick, not always targeting our Stri-ped friends but fishing in general. I do not recall ever seeing anyone carrying boulders out into the ocean to erect and then have "rights" to their very own personal rock pile, but then again...I wasn't there every living minute to witness it. I still can't believe this went down the way it did. :hs: Kudos to Rick for keeping his head about it, (I think):confused:.

Back to your Poll Question Numbskull, yes...I've been on the other end. My action was to go somewhere else, it's a no-brainer. There isn't always someone to "blame". Sometimes by chance, someone is on or very near where you want to be..."googan" or not. I won't always jeapordize the spot I'd like to be on if someone is around or near it. Shame on me. I too, have lowered my rod or changed my retrieve with fish on, until the passser-byer has passed on by so as not to draw attention to me having a fish. Selfish act? Yes, but I have to be honest, been there, done it, but things like that are FAR from being the worst in me...:devil2:

So many take this for granted Dennis. While out in the distance, I've caught fish latterally as well as behind me. It's always good practice to cast before entering your zone. You just never know.

I also feel that this newer generation who have read some of the old-timer writings, simply want to slip into some type of status-symbol. Your actions create your character, your character defines your soul. God does not sleep. We all need to be better examples, not only for our children, but for our peers as well...far from an angel, I too aim for this goal.

This year, after a number of family crises, I decided that fishing, while still important to me, isn't worth doing unless you're having fun. And having fun means just enjoying it, and what you catch, without worrying about what others are doing, or whether they're catching bigger fish than you, or more fish, or in a spot where you wanted to fish, or even whether they set up too close down-current from you and screw your fishing up.

Some things you just dont do.
Like scope a guys regular spot then jump it at every opportunity and fall back on "I got here first" BS. Then drag all your buddys there cause you dont care, its not your regular spot. And not expect it to come to a head after years of pulling that. And then to cry about it here!? Aw, poor guy
Everyone so quick to look down their nose, but you reap what you sow.

I have known Rick for at least 7 years now and have learned a ton, I only wish I could fish like he does. I do not think I will ever be as talented as he is doing something we both love. He is a stand up guy. I am honored to consider him a friend. I wish there were more people like him in the world.

I was not there the night it happened, nor do I know both sides of the story . Rick has been fishing that area since he was a kid. Most people with common sense would just move to a different spot rather thank confront someone thats on "his rock". To assume that Rick showed up and took his rock is an assumption. So do we have assigned poles on the ditch, no I dont think so. If I want to fish pole 100 but someone is there, there are plenty of other poles to fish and not cause a scene.

Would it make me angry if I showed up to fish said rock to see someone else fishing, maybe. Would I make a big deal of it...no!

Move on and find another spot. Its not worth loosing a friendship over it, but then again this was not the first incident! It's a sad day when things end this way.

I am not judging the other person that was involved, but you have to wonder, did you think by throwing things at them was going to make them leave? Just think about that....


Monty

Let me clear something up for you. The spot in question is far from my favorite spot and never my first choice, partly out of respect for another fisherman, and partly because I find other spots more productive. There has NEVER been in occasion where I knew that he was going to be heading there that I tried to get there first. NEVER. We had an incident last year, when we were into them for the third straight night without his presence and he shows up and demands I move. Sorry, no. He set up next to us and everyone caught fish. Saturday night, after getting the hook out of my hand, and after he left, I made a few casts from the spot. That was the first time there this year and I have fished the island a dozen times. Tuesday night, we hit the spot on the way back after fishing several other spots. Am I not allowed to fish a rock even if nobody else is around? Again, I have given him plenty of respect here. Now, on the other hand, do you think he ever came over and moved in on us when he saw our lights flashing and his spot was dead? You bet your A$$. No problem, plenty of room. Had he simply asked how long we would be or done anything more than be a complete ^&^$ maybe it would have been different. My understanding is that he is pissed that I bring my friends out to a spot that I have been fishing since before he had hair on his nuts. It's a State Park, I will fish when I want and bring who I want.

This much I know. If there are more incidents out there, the State Police will simply shut it down instead of dealing with the crap.

Your insinuating Rick scoped the spot?? Real strong words, being where it is located . And IMO if he was there first that night, he had every right to be there and stay there. Not sure why the rest happened but it did. Maybe there's something the rest of us don't know but your making it sound like Rick was following him specifically to steal "his" spot. I would think we all have more to do in life than stalk someone for a spot.

I could echo the nice things Gilly and Monty ( and doubtless countless others) say of Rick, and and a lengthy list of my own.

But really, it takes away from the point. This isn't a contest to line up people to say nice things about one of the people involved in order to build credibility for either one of them. Im sure the "supa-visor" of the spot in question could have people line up to say wonderful things about him as well....

The point is - if ANY of the long list of actions taken by the offending person in this encounter is true.... they are well beyond the bounds of reasonable behavior, especially towards a brother surfcaster....

I defy any reasonable person to justify any of those things to me as "ok to do" for ANY reason.....

I'll give anyone a "bad day" or poor singular outburst.... but this?

Pull that stuff in a public place where a cop is standing- and youll be calling the number on Prevost's business card.....

Numby's right - this is learned behavior. you do stuff like that because it get results. The problem is - eventually you will run into someone who isnt smart enough to be the bigger person and see whats to lose vs. 5 seconds of feeling good after throwing a punch. Apparently this person has avoided that experience til now.

Like Derek says... there's ALWAYS someone bigger and badder than you out there, you just dont know when you are going to meet them.

The other problem is that by doing the correct thing ( a la Foley and Hern) and not letting it devolve into a physical confrontation.... you are conceding a principle that all have equal access to a spot- first come first served...

and I think thats the part that rubs reasonable people the wrong way - caught between " wanting to stand up for the correct principle" - and the reality of " i'm too old and have too much to lose to be getting in a fistfight over this like a 7 year old".....

I will always stick up for the principle - but not at the expense of putting my life, livelihood, loved ones, liberty and property at risk.....

Let's try to keep it in perspective - it's fishing..... and respect is a two way street.......realize when you have been shown some, even if you don't necessarily see it "your" way all the time....

I've learned in 20 years of Fire, EMS and Emergency Medicine: you cant fix crazy, or stupid... you can only manage it situationally as best you can, and move on.

Look why don't all of you let this rest. It's between Rick and the other party. Let them hash it out.
Opinons are like &^%$#@. Everybody has one and they all stink.

How this has been handled is probably indicitive of the entire event.
The whining on the internet over a little ruckus, the Im innocent I was just eneded up there, hey pals, I helped you now back me up online, the first opposing post come running back to post strong words, the Im gonna shut it down for everyone, true colors are showing
Wrongs were made, but jumping a better fishermans spot isnt right either

Have the terms "fishing" and "to fish" Become a euphonism in this thread for sex? Just asking because " it is best to fish alone" cracks me up.
On the serious side, grown parents have been known to fight at little league games. I really don't understand this level of agressive behaviour in a pastime. And the heated arguements over the best gear. Good God get a friggin grip.
But sex makes you do strange things...especially when you substitute something else for sex.

Where does your post come from?
I was not there that night nor do I I know the other party. I met Rick last year and in that time have never seen him act anything but upstanding. I have seen him treat everyone I have seen him come in contact with nothing but respect.
I just can not see what you are saying as being true. I have seen him move out of a spot that is too crowded even though everyone was catching. I have also seen him share or outright give up his spot to someone that has either not been catching or had less time to fish.

I guess one thing you say is true. You do reap what you sow. That is why he can call many on and off the site his friends, that will vouch for his character.

It is a mistake to re-hash an incident like this. Too destructive. It will work itself out with time. Leave it at that.

Better to use it to examine your own reasons for fishing and how they make you act out there.

I know that when I need a big fish fix real bad to make up for stress or inadequacy in my life I can end up too intense and angry. Both can lead to selfish behavior with both strangers and friends. Always I end up regretting it. Awareness of this tendency has done more to improve my fishing than anything else I've learned or bought.

Bad fishing more often comes from inside than out.

Wow George I feel like I just watched an episode of Kung Fu.
Getting away from the incident and into spot protocol I think we are all pretty much the same.When we fish the canal we note where others fish and catch,all of us.If that spot is vacant we may give it some casts.Most anglers found their spots through intel or observation plain and simple.If somebody takes you to a spot and says never come here,those words must be respected.In the boat during comm season for anything,if I see some folks fishing away from the crowd I will certainly swing by and say hi(while pressing MOB). Nobody is stupid,otherwise you go fishless.This goes for any species you target.Many who claim spots for their own found them just this way.We learn to share or move on because we are reasonable adults.My first reaction to this incident was it seems odd to get offensive when you know Rick fishes their regularly and has for years.When you couple that with the fact you sniffed out the Fireman and tried to jump HIS spot it leaves you no leg to stand on (except Krispies).If Rick is a bad guy because he learned a spot that a good fisherman sometimes likes to fish then I guess I don't get the issue. If people start calling a rock theirs,and an island theirs,we are not going to have much left to fish ourselves.

First and foremast, Rick doesn't need to "scope" spots. He's put in his time, and its paid off.
Secondly, anyone that's ever walked by this spot has 'scoped" it....its in the wide open!!!
Scoping a spot is hiding in the woods along the canal, or hiding in the dunes at Sandy Neck watching high liners over a period of time.

We fished 2-3 spots in that area for 2.5-3 hours before this incident occurred. We stopped there on the way out and planned to make a few casts before calling it a night. The place was empty!!! A spot doesn't belong to "anyone" until "anyone" is there.

If we had gone down there to jump the "better fisherman's" spot, we would have set up there first thing. All the kid had to do was ask how long we planned on being there, or just move on and return. Instead he goes off on a tantrum ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g eels and rocks. I can't see how anyone can defend that...period!

I had no clue who this kid was before Mon night (Tues morn), but you can bet your a$$ I know now.

I am going to get some big azz cows in 2hours, stay out of my way! I think I felt it move just thinking about it.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

LOL...Perfect!!

It moved! It was imperceptible but I felt it.

Maybe it just wanted to change positions? You know, shift to the other
side.
No, no. It wasn't a shift, I've shifted, this was a move.

Anyone else sick of this subject besides me?????? Can it just die and move on down the pages, please?

I am. Situation has been resolved. Nothing to see here, please go fishing.

Sea Dangles if I tell u once and I tell u twice that u keep taking my seat at the villa were going to be throwing punches. That's my hole.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Was there an apology in there somewhere?

Exactly......finally the voice of reason. :thanks:

And with that, we can put this event to bed once and for all.

Good enough for me. Thank you.