TriStateBassin106 Posted October 12, 2020 Posted October 12, 2020 So this is a rather interesting story. Yesterday me and my good friend were fishing at one of our spots, bite was slow but we managed to get a couple bass on the ned rig, biggest being 2.3lbs. So everything is going fine right, then all of a sudden this older russian guy comes along and starts harassing us for fish, he talks to us in his native tounge and we don't understand him, he'll usually point at himself and try to ask us for fish. We say stuff like "what?" Because we don't speak his language. Everytime I fish at this pond he is always walking around with a cane and a bag looking for handouts from anglers, these other eastern european folks who fish here always give him shiners and bluegill to keep, i've seen this guy leave some days with bags filled with shiners bluegill and baby crappie. That's not the worst part of this story, I had to literally almost fight this guy away from taking this beautiful 2.3lber I caught yesterday. As I was taking the hook out he came up and started asking me to give him the fish in his native tounge, me being the idiot I am I tried explaining to him the water is treated with chemicals and the fish aren't safe to eat. (either way I was not going to give a 2lb bass to anyone. I firmly believe in catch and release and hate the idea of people eating bass, you have your opinion on it.. I have mine) Anyway so after trying to explain to him about the water and the chemicals I tried to walk away with the bass to release and get pics but this stubborn old man yelled at me in his tounge and tried grabbing the bass! By the grace of god another fella was there I guess a family member or something and took him away and he started yelling at the old guy in his tounge. This altercation could've went a different way if this man had not intervened. If I'm bothered by this guy again I'm calling the police. I'm not gonna be harassed on the water. There's a game and wildlife office in the park and the sheriff constantly patrol it. Here's the fish this guy tried robbing from me...
Super User roadwarrior Posted October 12, 2020 Super User Posted October 12, 2020 I suggest talking with the authorities now. They might have a talk with him or respond to you more quickly if you call down the road. There is no reason you should have to be looking over your shoulder watching out for this guy. 2
Global Moderator Mike L Posted October 12, 2020 Global Moderator Posted October 12, 2020 27 minutes ago, roadwarrior said: I suggest talking with the authorities now. They might have a talk with him or respond to you more quickly if you call down the road. There is no reason you should have to be looking over your shoulder watching out for this guy. Totally agree. Call now and give them his description so they can do drive by’s periodically. If he had to be talked down from being aggressive to a stranger from someone he knows, this guy can be a danger to others even children if he’s there by himself. No reason to wait. Mike 2
Super User Jig Man Posted October 12, 2020 Super User Posted October 12, 2020 1 hour ago, Mike L said: Totally agree. Call now and give them his description so they can do drive by’s periodically. If he had to be talked down from being aggressive to a stranger from someone he knows, this guy can be a danger to others even children if he’s there by himself. No reason to wait. Mike X2
Super User Spankey Posted October 12, 2020 Super User Posted October 12, 2020 Than you have to hold up from popping him because the ramifications will be steep against you. Not against him (the harasser) but you. Might not be able to fish that property pond anymore. Call the game warden. Glad you kept a cool head. Maybe he’ll choke to death on the spiney needle bones on those bluegills. 1
TriStateBassin106 Posted October 12, 2020 Author Posted October 12, 2020 9 minutes ago, Spankey said: Than you have to hold up from popping him because the ramifications will be steep against you. Not against him (the harasser) but you. Might not be able to fish that property pond anymore. Call the game warden. Glad you kept a cool head. Maybe he’ll choke to death on the spiney needle bones on those bluegills. It's apart of multiple public park ponds that has trails and it spans into a huge creek system, he's an old man that looks seemingly innocent who walks with a cane, but trying to ****** a 2lb fish out of my hands was beyond stupid. I've spoken to the Wildlife officials who work there and apparently i'm not the only one who's complained, him and his wife like to walk the trails and ask the trout anglers in creeks for fish. He has no intention of fishing or even cares, he's just looking for handouts.
Super User Jig Man Posted October 12, 2020 Super User Posted October 12, 2020 I don’t know what your regd are but here in MO you can only give fish to someone when you are done for the day. If you give any away and keep fishing you are illegal and subject to a fine. 1
Super User Tennessee Boy Posted October 12, 2020 Super User Posted October 12, 2020 I know exactly what I would say to him. I'd say Чувак, если ты не перестанешь пытаться поймать мою рыбу, я возьму эту трость и сломаю ее тебе по голове! ? 3
Super User BrianMDTX Posted October 13, 2020 Super User Posted October 13, 2020 He sounds nekulturny. 1
Super User NYWayfarer Posted October 13, 2020 Super User Posted October 13, 2020 I have met a lot of people and have some close friends that can’t understand catch and release. Every fish they see is food to them. They only throw back fish that are too small to eat. Understanding of culture helps in some of these situations. Hopefully you never have to live hand to mouth but there are a huge amount of people that do. This is not an excuse for the harassment but hunger makes people do some crazy things. It’s a bleak future when we value a fishes life over a human beings.
Jaderose Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said: I have met a lot of people and have some close friends that can’t understand catch and release. Every fish they see is food to them. They only throw back fish that are too small to eat. Understanding of culture helps in some of these situations. Hopefully you never have to live hand to mouth but there are a huge amount of people that do. This is not an excuse for the harassment but hunger makes people do some crazy things. It’s a bleak future when we value a fishes life over a human beings. Might sound heartless but whatever.....if you gave him a fish, he'd stand there and wait until you caught more and take them too. Old man could fish for himself. If he can't afford a cane pole or even a long stout stick with some line and hook on it, maybe he should go back to the Motherland. I don't mind helping out but my hobby isn't feeding the world. It's catching fish and releasing them back. Old man want fish? Old man catch fish. 3
Super User BrianMDTX Posted October 13, 2020 Super User Posted October 13, 2020 1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said: They only throw back fish that are too small to eat. Understanding of culture helps in some of these situations. Define “too small”. I have seen people from certain cultures with a Homer bucket filled with fish ranging from bluegills, crappies, yellow and white perch to bass no more than 2”-3” long. And they are not bait. They’re dinner.
Captain Phil Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 The old man you described obviously has an issue of some kind. It would be best to avoid a confrontation because you don't know the extent of his condition. This is exacerbated by your inability to communicate. If he becomes overly hostile or physically abusive, you should report him to the authorities. I see no harm in keeping a few fish to eat. I don't eat bass myself, but I am not bothered if someone else does. What bothers me more is seeing dead bass floating after a tournament. When you take a bass out of it's environment, put it in a small tank in your boat and cart it around all day, that happens too often. You may not see the dead bass on the water, but damage is done nevertheless. I am a strong proponent of reduced bag limits, especially in tournaments. Tournament exemptions are handed out far too easily. Is a person who weighs five 12" bass a better angler than someone who weighs two 4 pound fish? Better yet is the current trend of catch, photo and release. 1
TriStateBassin106 Posted October 13, 2020 Author Posted October 13, 2020 2 hours ago, NYWayfarer said: I have met a lot of people and have some close friends that can’t understand catch and release. Every fish they see is food to them. They only throw back fish that are too small to eat. Understanding of culture helps in some of these situations. Hopefully you never have to live hand to mouth but there are a huge amount of people that do. This is not an excuse for the harassment but hunger makes people do some crazy things. It’s a bleak future when we value a fishes life over a human beings. Oh believe me he's not poor, him and his wife always leave in a nice car. It's not a hunger thing, he's just bored with himself and doesn't know how we do things in America. I've already seen one lake get overfished by foreigners keeping way more than the legal limit. Especially with Trout. If I'm approached again by this man and there's a good chance I will be because he's a vulture, I'm calling the police and taking pictures of the fish in his bag to report to fish and game.
TriStateBassin106 Posted October 13, 2020 Author Posted October 13, 2020 31 minutes ago, Captain Phil said: The old man you described obviously has an issue of some kind. It would be best to avoid a confrontation because you don't know the extent of his condition. This is exacerbated by your inability to communicate. If he becomes overly hostile or physically abusive, you should report him to the authorities. I see no harm in keeping a few fish to eat. I don't eat bass myself, but I am not bothered if someone else does. What bothers me more is seeing dead bass floating after a tournament. When you take a bass out of it's environment, put it in a small tank in your boat and cart it around all day, that happens too often. You may not see the dead bass on the water, but damage is done nevertheless. I am a strong proponent of reduced bag limits, especially in tournaments. Tournament exemptions are handed out far too easily. Is a person who weighs five 12" bass a better angler than someone who weighs two 4 pound fish? Better yet is the current trend of catch, photo and release. Every year my bigger lake has a public tournament which our bass club sponsors, many property owners bring their annoying pleasure boats and use either coolers or the horrible livewells that are in the pontoons, last year this one family came in to weigh in and they had at least a 4lb bass and multiple pickerel which were all nice size, none of them survived but were still weighed, I was heartbroken seeing this beautiful healthy bass now dead floating at the boat launch. We talked to the property owners association about this and they have now banned boats without functional livewells from partaking in the tournaments.
Super User DitchPanda Posted October 13, 2020 Super User Posted October 13, 2020 Only thing you can do is get the police involved...you don't want to be the guy that swings on an old man with a cane. Especially if he has an issue of some sort...which sounds entirely possible. I've been approached by people while bass fishing. Catch one...hey that's a nice fish you gonna keep it? No. Well can I have it? No. They usually get pissy....that is there problem. Like mentioned before I'm here for recreation not to feed my community. Want some fish to eat? Buy gear and learn how to catch them. Poor and hungry? This is America...we have food stamps, WIC, and plenty of other social programs so get on one and buy some fish. 1
Super User NYWayfarer Posted October 13, 2020 Super User Posted October 13, 2020 3 hours ago, BrianMDTX said: Define “too small”. I have seen people from certain cultures with a Homer bucket filled with fish ranging from bluegills, crappies, yellow and white perch to bass no more than 2”-3” long. And they are not bait. They’re dinner. They throw back anything they can’t filet. I have witnessed the bucket brigade as well in my area. Nothing to do but call the Rangers on them. With the budget cuts I am lucky if anyone shows up. 2 hours ago, TriStateBassin106 said: Oh believe me he's not poor, him and his wife always leave in a nice car. It's not a hunger thing, he's just bored with himself and doesn't know how we do things in America. I've already seen one lake get overfished by foreigners keeping way more than the legal limit. Especially with Trout. If I'm approached again by this man and there's a good chance I will be because he's a vulture, I'm calling the police and taking pictures of the fish in his bag to report to fish and game. Good choice. I would avoid any physical confrontation with this man. It’s likely to end up on the evening news and the internet and you will not be the hero of the story.
Bluegillslayer Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 3 hours ago, BrianMDTX said: I have seen people from certain cultures with a Homer bucket filled with fish ranging from bluegills, crappies, yellow and white perch to bass no more than 2”-3” long. And they are not bait. They’re dinner. When my grandpa and grandma were kids, my grandma's dad would tell them to catch very small bluegill so he could fry em up and eat whole.
Super User NYWayfarer Posted October 13, 2020 Super User Posted October 13, 2020 1 hour ago, DitchPanda said: Only thing you can do is get the police involved...you don't want to be the guy that swings on an old man with a cane. Especially if he has an issue of some sort...which sounds entirely possible. I've been approached by people while bass fishing. Catch one...hey that's a nice fish you gonna keep it? No. Well can I have it? No. They usually get pissy....that is there problem. Like mentioned before I'm here for recreation not to feed my community. Want some fish to eat? Buy gear and learn how to catch them. Poor and hungry? This is America...we have food stamps, WIC, and plenty of other social programs so get on one and buy some fish. You have to get more creative my friend. “Hey that’s a nice fish you gonna keep it?” My answer is yes. Then I toss it back. When they say hey I thought you were keeping it I say it had some parasites on it. Changed my mind. Or say yes you can have it but let me wash it off for you and say oops as it slips from your fingers back into the water. 1
Super User DitchPanda Posted October 13, 2020 Super User Posted October 13, 2020 9 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said: You have to get more creative my friend. “Hey that’s a nice fish you gonna keep it?” My answer is yes. Then I toss it back. When they say hey I thought you were keeping it I say it had some parasites on it. Changed my mind. Or say yes you can have it but let me wash it off for you and say oops as it slips from your fingers back into the water. Yeah that would be funny...but in that moment I'm not in a creative state of mind. I'm more in a now I'm annoyed and don't understand how in the hell a stranger could ask me for something as if we are friends. I had a guy ask me for a fish years ago...I tried to be polite and tell him if I catch something besides a bass he was welcome to it..without missing a beat he said if I'm not keeping it then he should be able too regardless of my thoughts even if I catch it. Then he called me a d*** and stormed off. Last time I was even polite to somebody about it.
TriStateBassin106 Posted October 13, 2020 Author Posted October 13, 2020 3 hours ago, Jaderose said: Might sound heartless but whatever.....if you gave him a fish, he'd stand there and wait until you caught more and take them too. Old man could fish for himself. If he can't afford a cane pole or even a long stout stick with some line and hook on it, maybe he should go back to the Motherland. I don't mind helping out but my hobby isn't feeding the world. It's catching fish and releasing them back. Old man want fish? Old man catch fish. That's literally what he does to casual guys who go after anything. he'll have small talk to the other Europeans there but he wouldn't have the stamina to watch me slowly drag a jig for 1 bass an hour.... literally the only reason why this altercation happened was because there was a family fishing for catfish next to me which he was already bothering and he saw me with a bigger fish than the one's they were catching, literally a vulture in human form...
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