Comment on TWRA Presence Saturday at Weigh In

[Dropshot]

I have had several texts and calls about the TWRA presence in the parking lot Saturday. With that said, I am only going to state what I believe to be the facts. At this time, and until I receive feedback, I am withholding any personal opinions outside of thatI have the utmost respect for the officers and the job they do. Many are underpaid and most of the time underappreciated.</p>

We verified late last summer that we could weigh in close to the ramp in the "off season", and the goal was to have a quick weigh in since the next tournament did not weigh in for 1.5 hours after us and with the low water it would be impossible to weigh in at the picnic area as we do in the summer time. There were no pleasure boats or PWC craft to deal withand we were cognizant of that. After we were setup the senior officer came up and tell us we could not weight in at that spot. We relayed what we had been told and his reply was that "He had been dealing with getting 200 boats on the water that morning and that it would cause more problems". At that point it was moot, and we packed up all of our things and moved up the hill for the weigh in. We then waited several minutes for a couple of our anglers because they were now being checked both at the dock and in the parking lot, there attributing to clutter and traffic in the park area and drawing out the weigh in for several minutes. </p>

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[GAfisherman]

He started giving us crap that morning also because I was parked in the far left lane under the light. He said I was taking up space and causing a jam although there were no boats or vehicles behind me. I find it hard to believe after all these years that their is a problem like they said what was the best is after he got into me he went and got into his vehicle that was parked across three spots. Talk about a double standard

 

[Mr. S]

I'm guessing HBSP?

 

[elwestb]

Ranger Dude was not TWRA. He was a HB "Danger Ranger" for the park. The TWRA guys and gals were up in the parking lot. I thought it was funny when Ranger Dude said that there was 200 boats and he almost never got them all launched and in the water that morning! First of all there might have been 60 boats not 200!? And he didn't have anything do do with getting them in the water! He came out and watched about two times that was all!

 

[Dropshot]

How may did you guys have Dusty?

 

[Longt70]

The Warden that checked me was super nice. I have no problem with them checking me. I just dont like the fact that they did it while we were trying to weigh-in and had fish in our live wells. We needed to get them weighed-in and back in the lake. Only thing I would say is next time either check us before blast off or check us while we are on the water. Dont wait till the boat is trailered and we are trying to get to the scales!

 

[bronzeback45]

Longt70 - 2/28/2017 11:50 AM The Warden that checked me was super nice. I have no problem with them checking me. I just dont like the fact that they did it while we were trying to weigh-in and had fish in our live wells. We needed to get them weighed-in and back in the lake. Only thing I would say is next time either check us before blast off or check us while we are on the water. Dont wait till the boat is trailered and we are trying to get to the scales!

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I agree Tim, we put in a wolfteaver and didnt know that all that happened. Ive had them check me after night tourneys. Its BS, they are trying to show conservation by checking bass tourneys and so forth. But the illegals are putting out unmarked and or no tagged nets killing fishery. Check on water not at ramp, Some people are flat out ignorant.</p>

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[silvertalon]

Tournament fisherman should be the least of their worries seeing as how we already abide by strict rules and safety standards license's, insurance's culling rules etc. They should be checking pontoons and tin boats, runabouts etc. for safety equipment, open containers and license's etc. Did anyone even see a TWRA boat? Guess they were just out by land kicking off the season. Bet there was no one at the high school tx at CFP. They don't want to mess with the kids or check that the adults have the proper uscg safety gear etc. My guess is they made their point checking CFF. I wouldn't expect they need to do it again unless HB is just a convenient location for them. I must say tho- glad to see them out enforcing game and safety laws.

 

[fischnrod]

One positive thing is that it probably reminded countless boaters and anglers that their license expires today

 

[bjhugo]

Just for your information there was 2 car loads and a truck load of rangers at the high school weigh in at Chester Frost Park.

 

[drdetroit]

They checked my safety equipment need a new fire extinguisher my was empty. My partner threw his life jack in the truck so I was short a jacket but after explaining where it was he said no problem. I did have a throw cushion. I was one for three. I will get a new fire extinguisher.

Dr Detroit

 

[GAfisherman]

We had 13 Patrick

 

[Gone fishin]

If they want to write tickets start checking these people fishing off the bank. I guarantee 75% dont have a license. Half of them don't speak english.

 

[Davo]

What's funny is that they didn't check my license. I really have no problem with the checks, he showed me how to make sure my fire extinguisher was working. Even though it made me last to weigh in, I was nice to him and he was very nice and asked about different rods etc. I wish they could have a larger presence on the lake, I've seen way too much craziness going on and if you are legal you have nothing to worry about.

 

[bds240]

silvertalon - 2/28/2017 12:47 PM

They should be checking pontoons and tin boats, runabouts etc. for safety equipment, open containers and license's etc.

I may be taking this the wrong way but it sounds like your saying that because I fish out of a jon boat I don't have the proper boating equipment, I spent all my license money on beer and I should be checked before you because you fish tournaments probably in a nice bass boat. Im sure your a nice guy, but that's a pretty D-bag thing to say If you meant it that way.

 

[elwestb]

Let's see, 22 CFF boats + 13 Heartland boats = 35 total boats I believe. And then there were some other boats just going out fishing. But that would be a bit short of the 200 boats that Danger Ranger declared was there Saturday morning that he had so much trouble with getting them all into the water! And I completely forgot to tell him how much I appreciated all his help in getting me and Dink Dink in the water. I just don't know how we would have done it without him!

 

[derek81]

silvertalon - 2/28/2017 11:47 AM

Tournament fisherman should be the least of their worries seeing as how we already abide by strict rules and safety standards license's, insurance's culling rules etc. They should be checking pontoons and tin boats, runabouts etc. for safety equipment, open containers and license's etc. Did anyone even see a TWRA boat? Guess they were just out by land kicking off the season. Bet there was no one at the high school tx at CFP. They don't want to mess with the kids or check that the adults have the proper uscg safety gear etc. My guess is they made their point checking CFF. I wouldn't expect they need to do it again unless HB is just a convenient location for them. I must say tho- glad to see them out enforcing game and safety laws.

There were plenty at Chesterfrost for our tournament. Personally I am glad they are out there. Make sure you are up to date and have all the proper gear and you are good to go. They are just doing their job and as long as it's done respectfully then more power to them. I don't care if you have a tin boat, kayak or a $70k Legend bass boat, everyone should be checked.

 

[silvertalon]

bds240 - 2/28/2017 9:31 PM

silvertalon - 2/28/2017 12:47 PM

They should be checking pontoons and tin boats, runabouts etc. for safety equipment, open containers and license's etc.

I may be taking this the wrong way but it sounds like your saying that because I fish out of a jon boat I don't have the proper boating equipment, I spent all my license money on beer and I should be checked before you because you fish tournaments probably in a nice bass boat. Im sure your a nice guy, but that's a pretty D-bag thing to say If you meant it that way.

Of course not-No pun intended. I mean they should actually be out on the water checking everyone. Not slowing down and moving a weigh-in location. I guess I left out "bass boat" and "on the water", .