If I'm fishing from shore at night in either Quincy, Weymouth or the back river in Hingham, I carry my .38 for defense against people or coyotes.
The last thing I want to deal with on my way back to the car at 1am is a rabid coyote or a rabid heroin zombie. (I don't know which is worse).
2005 Murders at Bare Cove Park.
http://nicolen.wordpress.com/2008/02...web-of-murder/
Man robbed fishing at town river, Quincy (several weeks ago)
http://www.patriotledger.com/news/co...-of-Town-River