Garrr, there be pirates on Falcon!

[burleytog]

Pirates plying the waves of Falcon Lake

By Lynn Brezosky - Express-News

Web Posted: 05/18/2010 5:18 CDT

McALLEN Heavily armed Mexican freshwater pirates have been shaking down U.S. boaters on Falcon Lake, a reservoir and bass fishing haven that straddles the Rio Grande.

At least three such incidents have been reported since April 30, the latest on Sunday, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety warning issued Tuesday that linked the muggings to northern Mexico's increasing lawlessness.

According to descriptions of the incidents, the robbers in at least one case posing as Mexican federal law enforcement officers searched fishermen's boats for guns and drugs, then demanded cash at gunpoint.

One of the incidents reportedly occurred on the U.S. side of the lake.

The robbers are believed to be members of a drug trafficking organization or members of an enforcer group linked to a drug trafficking organization who are ... using AK-47s or AR-15 rifles to threaten their victims, the DPS statement said. They appear to be using local Mexican fishermen to operate the boats to get close to American fishermen.

It was unclear why sport fishermen were targeted, but the warning comes only a few weeks before bass fishing tournaments that are among the South Texas border region's biggest tourist draws.

DPS spokesman Tom Vinger said the warning was issued in part because of the upcoming tournaments.

Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said he would be discussing security concerns with tournament participants and has been reviewing protective measures with the DPS Border Security Operations Center and the region's Fusion Center, a federal information clearinghouse for terrorism prevention and response.

Reported victims included:

Five people in two boats who were approached by four tattooed men April 30 claiming to be federales near the church at Old Guerrero, a once-submerged town on the Mexican side of the lake. The men boarded their boats, demanded cash and asked where are the drugs? They then took $200 from the Americans and followed the boats until they re-entered U.S. waters.

Three fishermen who were approached May 6 by a boat containing two men who pointed AR-15s the civilian version of the U.S. military's M-16 assault rifle at them. One boarded the fishing boat, searched for drugs, cash and guns, chambered a round in his rifle and told the fishermen he would shoot them if they did not give him money.

Boaters on the U.S. side of the lake who were approached by a boat containing five armed men on May 16, according to second-hand reports that reached law enforcement officers. The DPS said it couldn't confirm if the boaters had been robbed.

Tuesday's notice urged fishermen to stay as far as possible from any of the Argos-type boats typically used as fishing vessels by Mexican fishermen, which DPS said had large prows, small outboard motors without cowling and no identification numbers on the hulls.

Boaters on the lake also were urged to stay within U.S. waters and file a float plan with family members.

Falcon Lake is an approximately 60-mile-long reservoir on the Rio Grande fronting Starr and Zapata counties on the Texas side and shared between the United States and Mexico. It was formed by a dam in 1953 to conserve water for agriculture and control downstream flooding.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/state/pirates_now_ply_falcon_lake_94200254.html

[Redlinerobert]

That's nuts.  Sounds like it's time for a sting op.

[burleytog]

If I was on Falcon, my rod lockers would be well-armed.

[South FLA]

Glad we have our second amendment rights.

[bass or bass ?]

I always have at least 3 guns on board. In my tackle box I keep a .22 revolver loaded with snakeshot. In my boat bag I keep my boat gun; a M1911 .45. Then I have whatever concealed weapon I happen to be carrying at the time, usually either my S&W 9mm or my S&W .44 Mag.

[Redlinerobert]

I always have at least 3 guns on board. In my tackle box I keep a .22 revolver loaded with snakeshot. In my boat bag I keep my boat gun; a M1911 .45. Then I have whatever concealed weapon I happen to be carrying at the time, usually either my S&W 9mm or my S&W .44 Mag.

CA sucks. 

[bassnleo]

If I was on Falcon, my rod lockers would be well-armed.

They're not already?

[Sam]

I have always said that we are sitting ducks when fishing from anyone wishing to do us harm.

Only very few carry firearms with them on their boats or bank fishing at public ponds and lakes.

Anyone can walk up or boat up to us, pull a gun, and demand our money and tackle.

The last thing on my mind when fishing is to be attacked by criminals.

I guess the time has arrived, especially in the unprotected boarder states, to arm ourselves when we go fishing.

Sad state of affairs.  :'(

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Only very few carry firearms with them on their boats or bank fishing at public ponds and lakes.

The number is higher than you think, Sam.  You just never know anymore.

There was a thread a little while ago discussing that exact subject.  Quite a few voiced their choice to carry.

[fishfordollars]

I carry. One thing you absolutely don't want to happen is getting caught in Mexican waters or across the border with a gun or any ammunition. Even one bullet will cause you more grief than you can ever imagine. Immediate jail time. Many dollars to get out of this mess.

[skunked_again]

I have always said that we are sitting ducks when fishing from anyone wishing to do us harm.

Only very few carry firearms with them on their boats or bank fishing at public ponds and lakes.

Anyone can walk up or boat up to us, pull a gun, and demand our money and tackle.

The last thing on my mind when fishing is to be attacked by criminals.

I guess the time has arrived, especially in the unprotected boarder states, to arm ourselves when we go fishing.

Sad state of affairs. :'(

and thats why we call it concealed.

[tbird]

A few Navy gunboats cruising around the international mile markers would cure this problem...they have a pretty good record VS pirates.

T

[bass or bass ?]

At the first incident of violence on our lakes here, I'll be adding my 12ga. to my boating arsenal.

[bweave09]

A few Navy gunboats cruising around the international mile markers would cure this problem...they have a pretty good record VS pirates.

T

hahaha agreed

[FishingBuds]

They just need to run into and try to hold up a good ol'boy fisherman 

Then as we all know, they'd be cut up and used for bait 8-)

The sap suckers >