Thieves at The Fishing Crew Event

[kit.cline]

I will share, that information is still coming to light, and in couple instances the comment was made, "I didn't think it was importand at the time". I don't live in a shell, we all know evil walks amoung us! I chose to be a sheep dog in a world full of wolves and sheep! If you know something about the crime, please share. If not thank you, enjoy a day on the water!

[BigGameBalls]

Originally Posted by kit.cline

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,

I'm not looking to start a bebate. I'm simply asking for information about the equipment that was stolen from my boat. On the evening of 5 May or the moring of 6 May. I had fished one tournament saturday and scheduled to fish another one on sunday. My pickup and covered boat were parked in a well lit hotel parking lot with other rigs and boats. Very public in small town USA.

Nothing very unique about my equipment. Scheels 12' trolling rods with Diawa line counters, Scheels 10'6" trolling rods with Diawa line counters, Scheels 5' trolling rods with Diawa line counter and Okuma line counters, Fenwick rigging rods with Plueger, Fenwick jigging rods with Plueger, Cabela's Fish Eagle with Diawa, full range of crank baits (all the standard stuff from reef runners to rapalas), some custom trolling spinners, custom jigging spoons, etch. The crank boxes vary, but several of them have crank type, depth, color selection for various conditions, and other information written on them. One is signed by Keith Kavajecz with a message from the 1st Annual South Dakota Walleye Classic Texas Hold Em Tournament. The equipment is very identifiable to me, but probably not to others. Some of the crannks have special hook split rings or special hooks. Like your equipment, mine has unique nicks and scratches known only to me.

Bottom Line - for the most part I can replace the equipment. What I can't replace is the hours spent tuning cranks, sorting through those that seem to catch a few more fish, custom tackle given to me by friends, and those special baits. Like the reef runner my daughter (my favorite fishing partner) selected out of a bargin bin (color no longer in production) that she has caught numerous 6+ lb walleyes on. It is tuned right. What I can't replace is the trust violated by someone selecting my boat out of fifty other boats (most or all much nicer than mine), taking my cover off, going through every storage compartment, hand picking the equipment, leaving other equipment of equal value and easier to remove, and than closing all the compartments and snapping the cover back in place. I can assure you someone spent a good half hour in my boat!

Let me be clear, many of the other Anglers offered help in the form or equipment for the tournament, a hand, a sorry, etch....And I am very thankful! All I'm asking, if someone remembers something odd or strange, give me a call 605-430-1609. I don't believe this was random crack head driving though that decided to stop and check out my boat. I work hard for my money to support my fishing habit, so its hard to accept years of assembling equipment is gone without at least asking for help in the form of information! After all, my equipment is gone, its your equipment they are looking at now!

I'd keep an eye on the local craigslist and even ebay. Sometimes crooks are really dumb. A guy I work with kid got his golf clubs stolen and they found them for sale on craigslist the next day. Called police and they set up a sting and caught the dude with tons of stolen stuff. Probably a long shot but woth a quick look.

As a member of the LE community I would assume that this wasnt an act of picking a random boat if there was that many boats in the parking lot. Not to mention taking specific rods, reels, and equipment that go hand in hand. I would first start with someone that has been in your boat or knows what type of equipment you had, what compartments to look in, and ect.

Also someone who untarps your boat and retarps would tell me they were not in a hurry and probably wouldnt be questioned if seen in your boat. I would think a common theif would be in a hurry and grab anything they could reach and get out of there without retarping your boat and probably hit other boats.


I am not pointing fingures at anyone I am just giving you some ideas. This is where I would begin if I was investigated this crime. Good luck

[BroadwayBill]

I have been victim of the grab and go thief and from your description I would have to think someone at the tournament had their eye on you. Sorry to hear of your betrayal. I can't for the life of me get why people think they are entitled to something they haven't worked for. It's only getting worse as we keep giving to those who haven't earned it. There are entitlement programs and programs for those who feel they are entitled.

My guess would be that the person who took your items will probably not be looking to sell them. I may be more inclined to look for someone who is selling a larger lot of stuff that is not yours and of diminished quality. You cant really point fingers but inquired visits may be worth your time. When you see your stuff sitting in the corner that's your cue.

As far as thieves being dumb have you never seen the TV videos. They are careless.

I'm sure the police were not really concerned about finger prints in your case but it doesn't mean you can do a little research of your own.

$2000 is a hefty reward for the tackle that you have lost and I would probably offer that or more for my own stuff just to get justice.

As for the early comments I am sorry that the previous posters were not very empathetic to the reason behind the post and really need no further input from them unless its informative or constructive. I for one am tired of people not paying for the choices that they make legally or illegally. I will keep my eyes open and do what i can.

Good Luck.

Bill

[Brotsky]

Kit, if they ever catch these SOB's please post up their names and any other information you can about them. A little public humiliation goes a long ways in deterring repeat offenses. Plus it lets the rest of us that fish in that area know who to look out for. Best of luck finding your gear.

[Eric_CO]

Karma is a reality!

Originally Posted by Brotsky

Kit, if they ever catch these SOB's please post up their names and any other information you can about them. A little public humiliation goes a long ways in deterring repeat offenses. Plus it lets the rest of us that fish in that area know who to look out for. Best of luck finding your gear.

That won't happen on this message board. We have known cheaters and lairs who have cheated in walleye tournaments and were caught and their names will never be seen on this website.

Added by Golden:
If you know cheaters that have been caught, prosecuted and proven guilty that is one thing. To come here and call people cheaters is another thing.
As far as lying......that is totally different.

Besides.....this thread isn't about cheating is it?????? sheesh

Looks as though there are some responses coming in that are helpful and not the kind that are just basically just saying "lump" your loss and move on. And pointing fingers at those who would encourage us fisherman to come forward with any kind of assistance we can offer.

One really can't help but wonder what some of these guys are thinking in their responses.

Some insightful suggestions have been made as to the crime itself and this is starting to help spread the word so perhaps the dirty dogs who took part in this can be brought to Justice and Kit can get a little piece of mind.

I truly believe this is the kind of back and forth that a true community of fisherman is all about.

[dmel]

Common Guys, all that has been ask is plain and simple. If anyone has any information of this situation this might be the place to ask for help. What happen to the good ole days when we helped and watched out for one another and all we expected was a thank you in return.

[jet man]

Originally Posted by dmel

Common Guys, all that has been ask is plain and simple. If anyone has any information of this situation this might be the place to ask for help. What happen to the good ole days when we helped and watched out for one another and all we expected was a thank you in return.

Had the OP just brought up the incident and made everyone aware of it asked for assistance etc if anyone was aware, the post would have been straight forward. The editorial part of the OP's post I am quite sure is what generated the other discussion.