Important news for Canal regulars

[Mike P]

Gentlemen, I am sitting here choking back gut-wrenching anger as I type this. I was just advised via e-mail of one of the most most vile things I have heard occur at the Ditch in many a day.

As many of you know, one of my best friends is Brad, the Hawg Hunter man, who makes a very popular lure among Canal fishermen. A lot of you know that he has had about an 8 year run of poor health, including about 17 stints in various hospitals. What only a few close friends know is that Brad is 100% disabled, on a fixed income, has a wife and a 2-1/2 year old son to support, and relies heavily on the plug money for the few "extras" he can afford.

Apparnetly, some piece of human vermin decided to liberate Brad of over $1,000 worth of plugs while he was away from his vehicle. I haven't spoken to him yet, it's late and I don't want to disturb him. I don't know whether this theft occured at the Canal while Brad was out fishing, or, more ominously because of the implications, while his truck was parked in his yard at home (This is more ominous because he lives in a remote area and this theft would almost have to have been done by someone Brad knew and trusted enough to give directions to his home). I am livid and it's probably a good thing I am 250 miles away because I swear that I would be currently at the Canal trying my best to find and beat senseless the worthless piece of s*** who ripped off my friend.

What I am asking everyone to do is this--just keep an eye and ear out for anyone selling Hawg Hunter Lures. Brad is currently the ONLY person who is selling those plugs. They are not in any shop. The only other person who may have plugs for sale legitimately is Brad's former partner, Warren. They will be in older colors and of cruder finishes than the current models of Hawgs. You can't mistake Brad, he weighs about 400 pounds and has a Fu Manchu 'stache, and will be driving either a black S-10 Blazer or a beige Grand Wagoneer. Warren looks like Willie Nelson and sports a big wild white beard. If anyone other than these two tries to sell you a Hawg Hunter plug, these are hot and were the ones stolen. It's possible that the culprit might remove them from the package, but many of you know the Hawg designs and color schemes. Do NOT play cop or vigilante--be courteous, ask the guy whether he has more in his vehicle, and if you would be so kind, e-mail me at either of the addresses below and give me the plate #, and a description of the guy and his vehicle. I will immediately contact Brad so he can relay the info to the proper authorities. Above all, I beg you, do NOT purchase anything that looks like a Hawg Hunter from anyone but Brad.

Thanks for listening to my rant and for any info you can provide to help us find out who this lousy excuse for a human being is.

Mike P

mprevost77@hotmail.com
ditchjigger@stripersonline.com

[JohnR]

That's not good news, Mike. There have been several thefts this year from the show at Plymouth to Fisherwoman and Baitcasters gear and now this... Time to thin out the gear in the truck and place a few strategically located razor blades or the Doberman... Let us know more once you have those details. In the meantime I think we'll keep an eye out for those plugs.

Mike, some of us are familiar with them (they are large wooden casting plugs for those that haven't seen them) but let us know what types are out there to keep an eye out for...

[Canalratt1]

Mike I just read your post it it steams me! I'll pass the word to a few of the guys and be on the lookout. For those of you who don't know what they look like they are all wood carved like the "Giibbs" plugs. Some are pencil style and some are chuggers. Hope this helps.

[Mike P]

Sorry, I was a little steamed and not thinking straight when I posted this last night. As Tony said, they resemble Gibbs plugs in some ways. They have a fatter profile in the pencil popper models--some are round and some have flat bottoms like the old Gibbs Canal Specials. Most of the stock he carried in the truck was in 3 to 4 ounce weights. Also, before he puts the final coat of polyurethane to seal the paint, he ink stamps "Hawg Hunter Lures" on the back of the "firsts" that he packages and sells. This logo is sometimes not present on the seconds he carries in the tote occasionally to give to some of his friends.

He also has some fairly unique color schemes--the "pogie" color which is green on the back with a yellow flash down the flank, the purple, the pink, the pink mackerel, and the newest blue back and pink "blush" flash on the sides.

[Mike P]

OK, guys, another update. I just got off the phone with Brad. Yes, the theft occurred, but there's mixed news. His loss in plug inventory wasn't so bad. The thief only scored one out of several boxes, he thinks the guy wanted just enough so he could move them quickly and score a fast couple of hundred. He's out about $300 in plug inventory--but, the damage done to the liftgate of the S-10 in the break-in was bad. Besides damage to the lock and the glass, the hinges were busted, and the truck is basically unuseable. Brad just bought a used Wagoneer, so he has transportation. But it was his wish to still use the Blazer as a Canal fishing truck and "showroom" for the lures, to try and minimize wear to the Jeep and because so many guys are used to looking for it. The irony is, the front doors were unlocked, there was no need to break in. Right now he's deciding whether it's worth it to have the lift gate repaired or just junk it and use the Wagoneer for everything.

He did receive word that shortly after the theft, attempts were made to sell the plugs at the East End. One of the guys who knows Brad started asking pointed questions, the guy trying to peddle them split. He was followed but got away before they could get the plate number.

Things could have been worse--there were over 250 plugs in the Blazer at the time, that's almost $2,000 retail value. The fact that his out of pocket loss, if he decides not to repair the damage to the truck, will be a few hundred doesn't reduce the anger I feel one iota. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye on e-bay.