Safety at the Ditch

[Seahoss]

How safe do you feel at night at the ditch? Has anyone had there vehicle broken into this year? How about personal safety? Do you feel comfortable fishing by yourself?

[new jack]

i feel safe when I am at the ditch. I park in a public parking lot which is patroled by the cops. I also talk to a lot of the regulars and hope that they'd help me if I ever needed it cause I know I'd be right there for them.I do carry a knife with me at all times because some of those walks to certain poles are a mile and half long and becasue who knows what could happen to anyone at any time.

[Vectorfisher]

The Bourne PD patrols that both by car and by motorcycle, I have yet to see any real trouble there, except for the fox that would not leave me alone the other night!!

[jugstah]

You know...

The ditch is a dangerous place to be, both for your personal safety as well as your physical safety. The rocks there are a risky proposition at best, and many a strong man has broken a bone there, and not only that, but it's usually dark there, and it's a perfect place for a thief.

As always, I suggest you fish there in pairs. Fishing alone, getting mugged and left behind bleeding or falling down on the rocks and knocking yourself conscious, a few minutes can be all the difference in your life.

This is for those nighttime fishermen of the ditch.

[fishdog13]

15 years going to the ditch the only problem ever had is with . some supa guru's whinning .about who is on there rock. yes i will put that triangle where it will hurt ya . ding ding ding!!!

[afterhours]

i always feel safe at the ditch. sometimes i fish alone in the middle of the night and have had no problems. i just don't leave $500 rigs in plain view in my truck, just throw a blanket or something over them. good fishing!

[Rob Rockcrawler]

I feel really comfortable at the ditch. I have been fishing there for bout 8 years and have never felt like my safety was in danger. MY girlfriend is doing research at woodshole for the summer and since i got her into some fish in the canal a week ago she is heading down alone now. I told her to be careful and stay in the well lighted ares near parking areas. Im a bit nervous but its also pretty cool that she is fishing by herself. There are some questionable characters there at times. I lock the van, try to cover anything good, and wear korkers. The korkers help for traction while fishing but if there was ever any sorta confrontation the other dude would be falling all over the place trying to get me. I think i will ask the g/f to get a can of pepper spray, it will make me feel a bit better. IF she catches a 40 before i do its OVER!!!

[fishweewee]

The scariest thing I have ever seen at the Ditch were shrieking raccoons. A bit un-nerving at 3 a.m. when you're fishing alone.

Neither have I had any problems with theft, but I hear from others that stealing is an issue. So, lock your stuff up out of sight.

Other than that, I have had no problems, with the exception of an altercation with a large rock (which I lost) and some jumbo-sized choggies that liked my jigs.

[NaCl H2O]

Originally posted by Rob Rockcrawler
MY girlfriend is doing research at woodshole for the summer and since i got her into some fish in the canal a week ago she is heading down alone now. I told her to be careful and stay in the well lighted ares near parking areas.

That is good advice for her (only fishing the well lighted rest areas). I've had problems on the cape side in a couple of spots between half way gate and the ice rink.

[Glassguy]

I always carry a cell phone with me. No matter where I am fishing. Last year I had three drunken teenagers try to start a fight on a quiet Dennis beach at @ 2 AM.

Bob

[Rappin Mikey]

Glassguy, was that at Chapin? I had the same problem there one night. I always keep on my toes when I am fishing alone. Then again, I am fishing in the Flatbush area of Holyoke sometimes. My friends and I like to call that area Locash. I never bring anything of value with me accept for my nicest knife.

[Glassguy]

No. It was at Harborview which is just west of Sesuit .