Weapons on Your Boat

[J._Bricker]

In retrospect, here is more sound advice-  Better to use what's between your ears than what is on your hip.

[Tatakai]

I agree with flechero, check the local laws and water restrictions before you carry on the water.  Bad news will follow you if you don't check ahead.  As for me I also have a Carry permit (not Concealed here in TN) and had the misfortune that a guy tried to grab it away form me one day.  Needless to say my fishing buddy is a THP officer and the guy went to jail.  Not only do we have snakes that fall out of the trees at times, we also have some seriously mentally challenged people on the water that shouldn't be allowed on the water.  one thing that might be worth investing in is a radio to call the officials if need be before a situation gets out of hand.  

Tatakai

[Capt. George]

Bricker,

I take you mean a "headbutt"?

mentally challenged...whew, ya wanna see the waters off Brooklyn NY on a good bite!...If ya seen Cukoos Nest, that about sums it up.

gp

[Rattletrap]

Hey madhouse. Here in South Georgia, Cottonmouth snakes sun themselves in the tree limbs that over hang the water. Sometimes you will not see the snake until your boat bumps the tree startling the snake and it falls in the boat with you. Cottonmouths are so mean that they will swim up to your boat and try to join you. Needless to say, you won't see bellyboat fishermen down here. Did I mention the Gators? That's another story.  

[Keepin_It_Reel]

If there were gators by me i would bring a M4

[Raul]

I think this issue has more to do with where you live, let 's say you live in gator country, anybody seen how HUGE those things can grow ?  Or like Rattletrap says, cottonmouths taking a tan on tree branches ( just be shure you don 't shoot your boat !   : ). I don 't carry guns in the boat, the shore is a lot more dangerous with rattlesnakes, scorpions and fire ants prowling them.......or cow patties laying all over the place.

[Rattletrap]

I know a guy that sunk his aluminum when a cottonmouth fell into it. He shot it full of holes and missed the snake. He had to come back later on and drag his boat out.  ;D ;D ;D

[Swampfishing]

I carry a Machete for cottenmouths that come in the boat, but have seen guys shoot holes in there boat, including one of the Lt.s that work with me. The best part was, he did not even own the boat, he rented it from the base, and ended up putting two shells of buckshot thru the floor.

[basser89]

The trolling motor prop is a good deterant for snakes in the water (as long as you see them in time!).

I've done this a couple of times and it turns to snake away rather quickly!  

If they land in the boat, well not sure what I'd do! Hopefully, I never have to find out! I'm not real fond of them!  >

[mudcatwilly]

I will admit that sometimes when I'm at the boat launch alone at 4:30 am, I have occasionally found myself looking over my shoulder and keeping my eye on cars that pull up with no boat on the back.  I have never felt like I was in danger though.  On the water, I have always felt safe, but then again, I fish in California where snakes don't fall out of trees.  The only things that scared me were times when I was bank fishing alone, well off of any roads and I heard the rustling of something large in the bushes.  I don't carry a gun, but I always have a large knife strapped to me, not for protection, but for general fishing and outdoor purposes.  If I ever felt like I needed to carry a weapon for protection, I wouldn't fish that location anymore.  I try to not get myself into situations where I would need a weapon to get me out.

[Guest DavidGreen]

IMPO a weapon on a boat anywhere anytime, is a horror story waiting to happen.

[paparock]

My X-wife was a sheriffs deputy in Galveston County, Texas and I carried a short but legal shotgun with me while living there south of Houston, Texas. There the predators walk on two legs and being alone in the dark on an out of the way boat launch can be pretty scary. I once had two 20 somethings pull up behind me and threatened to kill me if I didn't give them my wallet. However, when I turned to face them with my 12 gauge in hand they decided they had a very pressing engagement some where else and left in a big hurry. That said, you must know the laws in your area for the lawful use of deadly force if you deside to carry. They vary greatly from state to state. For example in Texas while I was living there the "after dark" law allowed use of deadly force to prevent the commission of a crime. That meant if you went outside your home after dark and found someone stealing your boat you could legally shoot them but in some states you have to flee even your home and can only use deadly force if you are trapped with no way to retreat from the threat. Needing a firearm is about like getting hit by lightning but I don't stay on the water when it's lightning either. Having carried a firearm working drug suppression for the US Army I have used one. Today I am loath to use one preferring to retreat rather than confront but then it is preferable to be judged by twelve rather than carried by six. We live in times were unfortunately life is not held as highly as it once was in our country but know this, even if the law finds you were justified in using deadly force that does not stop their family from suing you for wrongful death which will become a nightmare. Forget your pride and walk away. Only use a firearm as a LAST resort when all else fails.

[Upnorth]

Man, I thought this post was going to be about some cool gadgets people have on their boat to help them catch more fish.  I was wrong!  Guns in the boat?  Bringing a gun on the boat has never crossed my mind.

[BMoses]

This is scary talk, having guns in boats when not duck hunting. I guess you are hoping the other boat doesn't have a bigger gun!!

As far as other boats being too close, do what Gerald Swindle did to Zell Rowland, whine and they will go away.

[jb_from_texas]

If there were gators by me i would bring a M4

Here in Central Florida it is not uncommon to come across a gator. a few months ago i had an 8 footer swim up to my bow, within 2-3 feet from boat and stop. It looked at me a bit, hissed and submerged.

Just 15 minutes before that i was laying belly down on my deck, arm completely in water trying to dislodge a rattle trap. while i was doing this i told myself how much it would suck if a gator was around. I think i might buy one of those lure retrievers now.

seen a few small ones (3 feet or so) at the ramp as well.

[preach4bass]

I live in NC and we have snakes fall out of trees in our boat every once in a while, but I don't carry a gun because I'm afraid I'd actually shoot the snake! ;D  I'm blessed enough to launch my boat at a ramp where enough guys have reputations for carrying guns that no one ever fools with anyone else.

[stimpy17]

Helo,

I live in PA and I'm not bothered by snakes in the least. I do have a permit to carry and do so everywhere I go no matter what I do. It's a personal choice one must make. I have been too close to death and realize how dear life is, I have a great wife and life and I refuse to have it taken away from me. Bad things happen to good people.

In 10 years of carrying a hand gun I've never had to show it but twice I've put my hand on it in my pocket because of the actions of someone around me. I was glad to have it.

Now who in the h$ll would shoot into their boat?

My.02

[zam]

I,ve been launching my boat at the ramps around Baltimore and fishing the chesapeake for over 20 years and never carried a gun or been in a situation were I needed one.

I do know where my flare gun, bait knife and sinkers are at all times though, just in case

[flippin4it.]

         I'm not sure if I'm ready to fire a hand gun at the floor of a boat that I'm riding in because of a snake. A bad fishing day maybe,scuttle the boat. At 6'1 285 I have never needed a gun, I have wanted one though. I'm fast talker and stand my ground, but those ways and days are over.                    

[flippin4it.]

Oh, I forgot. I knew a guy that carried a electric cattle prod for snakes in the boat. Just a idea.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I carry a slingshot but I'm just a poor loser ;D

[paparock]

Years back the pastor of the church I attended and a friend went fishing on my grandfathers pond in south Arkansas. The cottonmouths can be big and aggressive and the pastor had a big phobia of snakes so he took along his 20 gauge auto. They were fishing in and old wooden flatbottom when a snake came over the side of the boat onto the floor. The pastor jumped up on his seat with his 20 gauge with his buddy yelling NOOOOO but to late the pastor emptied the 20 at the snake. As the boat slowly sank the pastors friend looked at him saying "great, now we are standing in the water with them." It just goes to show you even if you have a gun you need a cool head too.

Me, I have one of these.

[Flatfish]

Only if  Chaney is close by.

[VekolBass]

I carry a net in my boat, like a lot of fisherman do. I think I would just scoop the critter into the net and put it back in the water. I'm much more concerned about snakes when hunting than fishing--but even then I don't shoot them--unless I'm hungry and the food box is empty.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I've got lota guns.  Pretty much the only time I carry one in a boat is when I'm duck hunting.  Now if I fished rivers I might think about it.  Where I fish its really not an issue of crime.

Snakes in boats.  Ah, ya big girlymen.  Use the paddle to hold down their head and pickem up and throw them out.  If that doesnt work for ya just use the paddle to break the backbone behind the head. No hole in the boat that way.

One of the guys I fish with is so scared of them when he sees one swimming by he starts shaking.  If he doesnt see them I make sure I point them out to him.  Hey check out that cottonmouth!  Then his response.  If he gets in the boat I'm getting out.  I'm like dude take it easy he's 30 feet away.