So How Far Would You Go?
 

I have good spot that has great potential to produce large bass. The spot is 100% illegal to fish as there are "No Trespassing" signs clearly posted. With that said I have fished the spot in the seclusion of darkness, dark clothing and no flash lights for the past few years without issue.
Only a few guys knew of the spot and they too followed my stealth techniques. The spot can only accommodate 2 guys some what comfortably per outing and at times even that is a stretch. Everything was fine until last season.

I hooked into a nice bass and as much as I tried to fight the fish quietly, she surfaced and made some noise. As I was unhooking her and releasing her I turned around and out of no where two guys were standing behind me and one even had my plug in his hand to see what I was using. Ballsy.... but I didn't think or make too much of it.

Apparently they were bait fishing close by and heard the commotion and came running over. Well gentlemen, that was the beginning of the end. On almost every night I returned to the location they're were up to four guys throwing plugs in the spot. One night I beat them there and sure enough they showed up sneaking up behind me. One slipped and fell right behind me because he didn't have Korkers on. Startled, I flipped out on him. It was in vein because he didn't understand what I was saying but I'm sure he knew I was pissed. Then he and his buddy proceeded to stand right in my back cast area. I had to ask them to leave from behind me.

Well that was it. I felt horrible that I lost a spot. White flagged waved.
I started having hypocritical thoughts of calling the police and reporting the trespassers. I realized in doing that I would be ruining the location for myself as well by putting it on the the PD's radar. After all, I was not supposed to be there either. I thought of contacting the DEP as well. My wild thought process has gone as far as wanting to rent some sort of authoritative uniform and impersonate a DEP officer to boot them out. Clearly rational thought won't allow me to do that. The only mediocre conclusion I have come to was to call in and report them all season long, ruining my chances there but possibly making 2015 a fresh start. But even there I have my doubts.

What would you guys do? How far would you go? Would you even do anything? Is there anything you can do? I'm curious to hear everyone's take and advise. Do you have past experience to share regarding a similar situation?

GG

I can't get past the renting of the uniform.
:biglaugh:

I'm warped man... You have no idea :jump1:

I was picturing a Frank Poncherello Mustache and mirrored glasses. Try sniping them with a bb gun.

Seriously though, there isn't too much you can do. I came close to throwing some idiot in the water one night in an area that is pretty well known but can accommodate plenty of people. He was the white bucket / no engrish / no clue type. Walked right up behind me and set up shop in my back cast. I left before I got myself in trouble because he clearly wasn't phased by me screaming at him and casting like he wasn't' even there. He just kept smiling at me and saying "you catch feesh". Next night, same time, same crew arrived. I think the kitchen closed at the Ming and they all headed down to fish.

It's a little different than a top secret spot like you mentioned but it's really first come first serve.

Get an interpreter to explain that if someone is fishing the spot first to move on.
That crowding is not how we do things in the US and if that doesn’t work your thoughts about reporting them might be your best option.

I hear you, tough call. You had a good thing and now it's blown up. Cross your fingers that they don't show up much this year and are lousy fishermen and never figured the spot out. Maybe they won't show this season. If they do... start pricing out law enforcement uniform rentals online.

If U could vision yourself in a 4x10 cell thinking of fat bass put on the uniform...impersonating an officer of the law could get U there.

2nd why would U turn them in for trespassing...U were doing the same thing

I would be pissed too if people were cutting in on my spot...but I would try to get there before them....if 4 were fishing there take another person with Uand U both can enjoy the fishing of big bass.

If it's possible in the area install a few strategically place snags under the water (rope works well and is pretty easy to remove) so that they break off a bunch of plugs. They will likely get frustrated with losing the plugs and money and stop fishing the area and you get a bunch of new plugs.

As good as the idea is, I dont think it's worth a possible charge for impersonating a LEO. Your best bet is to go and check it out, if they are there leave. But I'm betting those two guys each told two guys who told two...etc.

All this is just part of fishing.

You say the access is difficult yet inexperienced guys are fishing close enough to hear you land a fish? Why were they there already?

You consider the spot secret yet you are fishing it at a time of night less serious guys are out there? Whose fault is that?

You think the spot would remain yours even though other guys also know it and have been fishing it for several years now? When has that ever happened?

Give it a rest. Find a new spot. There are plenty. People come and go. Very few people remain devoted to a difficult spot year after year. Most are unprepared to learn the complexities. They show up at the wrong times and are quickly disappointed. There is a very good chance your visitors will loose interest and move on to somewhere else, probably by next season.

As Redlite said, "Don't fish angry". We all forget it on occasion, but it is worth aspiring to.

Numbskull, I agree. I'm out there to have fun and if I'm gonna get upset, I move on.

Strongly worded letter!!!!

See what fishing eels does to you. ;)

Did you ever think of knocking on the adjacent property owner's door to introduce yourself, and ask permission to fish there yourself?

That failing; tell me there is no public right of way anywhere near where you fish? And what are the shoreline restrictions in Ct.? At least in Mass. If you can access the shoreline legally you can fish it.
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Numbskull hit it on the head - if this spot is so secret, why were these guys even there? Sounds like you need to try harder and find more secluded spots. or fish the zero dark thirty tides.

I used to fish a few spots where the white bucket brigade would set up shop regularly, but I used to go there at night (say past midnight) and there was nary a soul. Plum Island in MA is the exception as it has yahoos at all hours, but if you go to one side of the island were you have to walk your butt off, you won't find anyone except for maybe another guy with $10K worth of gear just like you!

Of course you could avoid all of this and just get a boat or kayak (which is what I did, in fact kayak fishing on the north shore of MA was started by a group of guys that were frustrated by this very thing)

So I guess the "No Tresspassing" signs are for everyone else but you?
Maybe the signs weren't in English? :no2:

You're complaining because someone else is doing the same thing as you? :bc:

We hear of more access lost year after year, and then we hear "tales" like this and start to understand why!

I gotta agree with Tim, there is an elitism at play here, I feel like a lot of "us" think that just because we have more expensive gear and maybe have some more knowledge, then we are somehow entitled to fish these spots while others aren't....

I agree with the sentiment that a licensed angler is entitled to fish anywhere they please, it is very frustrating to have a spot ruined by poor etiquette or stupidity. I use to frequent a very productive spot in Rhody, and although it would see some pressure from time to time, the night tides were usually all to myself. Until... one predawn tide, I arrived to find three non English speaking guys soaking bait. Frustrated, I moved about 100 yds down from them abs started to fish. After about a half an hour later, i noticed them packing up and leaving, so I started to slide down. As i got closer, I noticed they they had left plastic bags, clam and squid boxes, Doritos bags and some plastic soda bottles. I grabbed the bag and held it up with my hands in the air and started cussing them out, which wasa waste of time as they didnt speak English. They looked back and kept walking. I packed as much of it up that I could carry and took it out with me. I was so pissed off it ruined the whole outing. I dont mind sharing spots but not with people that dont respect them. I havent seen them back there since thank God.
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I am going to class it up this year and fish more bunker chunks :rotf2:

Buy a boat and cast directly at them using 4oz sinkers.

I feel for you. I had permission for a private area, and was basically stalked and showed up one night and here comes the stalker and a friend/client of the stalker... I was like whiskey tango foxtrot... same as you only at dark, dark clothing... fast forward I show up Im fishing here come 3 guys with a thirty pack... guy in a boat saw the stalker and his client/friend... boat guy told 30 pack guys... awesome aint it?

Secret spots....there are no secret spots. Only people who think there are secret spots! :bath:

Stage a scene where a friend, imposing as a property owner confronts you and the immigrants to get off the property. Exchange harsh words with the friend and him stating he is going to call the cops and ICE , use your imagination.
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Benign and brilliant. I like that!

GG

Do nothing!!! Those guys don't sound like they know what they're doing. Give them some time to not catch, and they'll be off to the next "hot" spot.
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Shore ... boat ... you get the same no matter where you go ... (and I'm the type that gets fishing claustrophobia when someone is even within eyesight of me on land or sea) ...

It's all happened to all of us countless number of times to varying degrees of rude and obnoxious behavior by the encroaching Googans ...

... but as stated above, it's always best to move on and find another spot to fish ... it's better to enjoy yourself and get back into the zone rather than getting angry ... life is too short ... I don't always follow this philosophy, but try to ... :smash:

I will end up doing nothing. Many of you fellas have made some very strong points in that direction and I hear your voices of reason. Thank you. It's funny how the primal mind works and how territorial we can get.

I've heard horrible stories about journey fishermen having their tires slashed and car windows broken by the supposed locals for coming into their territories. I've heard of rocks being thrown to scare fish and bright lights shined on the fishermen and water they are fishing. It would be interesting to hear some stories from victims of this sort of spot terrorism. Any takers?

GG

Add tire valve stems removed and taped to the windshield

Some weirdo keeps leaving eels impaled on my radio antenna :( and they arent even good ones, theyre little shoestrings :(

I hope you don't see Greg as telling tales that result in lost access. Greg is a known really good surfcaster and people may be following him to spots. Its possible. When some fisherman come in and leave garbage all over that is the fastest way to lose access.

Thanks Rob,

I almost forgot which site this was for a second. :grins:

GG

Take me with you to this spot....if we get there first we can set up strategically and keep others from fishing....haha
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I've had rocks thrown at me at night while on a perch at Old Harbor on Block. Also had a shotgun shot over my head in the same place during broad daylight. Had the lug nuts removed from the vehicle I was fishing from one night at Black Rock. Back in the old days were not for the faint of heart.
DZ

I feel for you. These situations take the enjoyment out of fishing. Jealousy, impatience, paranoia, thoughts of retaliation, etc.

Been there. I've chilled some but I can still get a little wrapped up in this stuff. In particular, trespassing on posted property gets harder to justify every year. Hard on the conscience.

Just let it go. What these guys do is out of your control. You'll feel better overall if you stop coveting it so much. Use this as an opportunity to find a new place to fish or return to an old spot and explore it further.

Personally, I'd write the spot off for a period of time, or only fish it well after midnight.

Spiteful hypocrisy will gain you nothing positive... in no way,form or shape. I first heard these words from my elementary school principal many, many moons ago......."2 wrongs don't make a right"

It's happened to all of us. There's really nothing you can do about it, ...nothing morally right that is.
I do understand your frustration though. A lot of planning can go into any one given night. Sometimes I head out just because I can. Other nights I head out because I have a serious plan. Those nights hurt the most when ruined by situations like this. Someone who doesn't take this as seriously as yourself may not understand your aggravation. Heading out late at night (a work-night no-less), drive an hour, walk 45 minutes.......shadows on your perch.:realmad:...you were so set on fishing that spot, so much time put into finding it, getting there....it's not only physical it's mental at that point.
You just have to step back...outside of yourself....like into a "Raven" state :jump1:....take a deep breath.......put those rocks down, hang up your phone.....fish from a distance, but enough to see what they're doing...(meaning if they're catching, or even know what they're doing) evaluate what type of fishermen they are. Learn from what you see. If you pass them on the trail or back at the parking area....talk of seals, sharks and dogfish and how abundant they have become in that spot, how much things have changed...but that you like the serenity and view of the skyline from there. You have made many personal memories at this spot , fishing and non-fishing related. You and your partner often spend nights under the moon-lit sky in your birthday suits due to its seclusion. Then ask them their names....shake their hands, firmly...when they try to pull away, hold on and sexily smile at them.

Then tell them....."Hope to see you guys again" :humpty:

I my younger days I would throw guys off "my rock" and get really pissed about it. Like a crazy man really.

Now, I just move. In the surf I have enough spots where I can hide. In my boat I have 1/2 dozen go to spots that you'd never think would hold a fish.

Just have a good backup plan.

Lighten up, take a Valium, lots of water out there…

Dont fall in love with one spot

I'm sure the two guys, have told other guys of your catch .. It's over, move on .. I was pushed out and landed on another spot that was better , I fished it for years . It's all part of the game ..

Being crowded out of spots at the canal over the years is very common and has caused me to move and I have found even better spots and when those get crowded I will go back to my original spots. I see it one time or another everywhere I have fished boat and shore. If those guys keep seeing you go there they will never stop coming. Give it a rest for a year or 2 and who knows you may have it back to yourself someday. I would give up fishing if I had to think of violence to solve any fishing issue. I do it for fun not stress.

It wasn't that long ago I was a bit of a hot head, claiming spots. I felt entitled because in many cases I did the leg work, spent lots of money & countless hours but like all fisherman you can only keep a good thing to yourself for so long. Try not to become emotionally driven about fishing or you'll let it get the best of you. Your situation is for pleasure but add money to the pleasure and you'll bring out the worst in the person. Like professor and others have stated, fishing and peace go hand in hand. You dont have to get old before you realize it