Had this arguement with a buddy at BPS the other day...

[GrundleLove]

I asked him

"If I intended to grab a rod, grab a lure and knot it to the line...then go over to the Fish Tank and drop it in....how far would I get before someone stopped me?"

He said

"You would of been stopped when trying to knot the lure.... not even close"

I argued

"No way, not only would no one stop me , but I bet that i could not only fish the tank...but catch a fish as well"

So, its obvious to say this is a completely stupid argument, but it got me thinking, I wonder if there have ever been any crazed anglers who have tried this stunt before.

What you think? Do I have a chance of landing a big carp or what

[flechero]

I figure that if you have time to go swimming, you'll have sufficient time to make a few pitches before anyone says anything. 

[boneil]

Im sure you could cast a few times.  But your not going to catch a fish.  Those fish are on a feeding schedule and probably eat pretty good.  there not going to be interested in a lure.

Go ahead and prove me wrong..... I dare you...

make sure your buddy is video taping.

[.dsaavedra.]

you'd have to make sure no customers saw you opening the spool of line and the lure and opening/spooling the reel (if you were going to use a reel, i guess you could just tie a length of line to the end of the rod).

once that was out of the way you could totally make some casts. 

[deaknh03]

I saw some pros do a demo on the SK red eyes and were casting into the tank, the fish were chasing , but he reeled quickly to make sure not to catch anything.

[grimlin]

I doubt you'll make it to the tank. A dude tying on a lure is gonna look highly suspicious.Specially when you are opening it up out of a package.

I don't know about your BPS,but many high end stores are well equipped with security cameras with somebody watching in the back room.

I guess it could depend on the store.

[J Francho]

I string up reels on rods and tie on baits EVERY time I go to Bass Pro.  If I'm buying a rod, I'm casting it first.  No one has ever stopped me, or acted like I was about to attack the aquarium, LOL.  In fact, many say, "Now there's a guy that knows how to pick out a rod."

I bet he gets at least a cast off, depending on the athletic ability of the staff.  He'll probably also sit in the clink for at least 2 hours.

[zero limit]

Just make sure you have someone recording a video so we can all see

[aarogb]

Most of us have already seen this video before because it was posted hear, but in case you didn't hear it is...

As you can see, the staff is slow to respond to people jumping into the fish tank so if all your going to do is fish you could definitely could make a few casts.

I say go for it!!!

[JigMe]

Just make sure you have someone recording a video so we can all see

Good idea, I would Luv to see that...haha

[SirSnookalot]

I've seen many "marginal" people at BPS, no doubt some immature halfwit has given it a shot.

[OHIO]

I think you could do it pretty easily. You can take a full setup into Bass Pro, you just need them to check it at the door.

I doubt you would catch anything though.

[BASSclary]

I string up reels on rods and tie on baits EVERY time I go to Bass Pro. If I'm buying a rod, I'm casting it first. No one has ever stopped me, or acted like I was about to attack the aquarium, LOL. In fact, many say, "Now there's a guy that knows how to pick out a rod."

I bet he gets at least a cast off, depending on the athletic ability of the staff. He'll probably also sit in the clink for at least 2 hours.

Hey J, I've put reels on rods at BPS to get the feel, but where do you cast? Just in the isles? Or do you get a employee to go out side with you while you cast. And do you bring your own line and lure?

[J Francho]

I bring my own reel.  All I need to do is make a few pitches to get an idea of what the rod is like.

[bassfisherjk]

It would be interesting to see what would take place.

[done]

Be really careful. IF you catch a fish, you could get in deep trouble depending on what the value of that fish is.

Consider, you could foul hook it and kill it and if that is a fish they have had and grown for 5 years, i could see a scenario where it is valued at some ridiculous monetary value, then you find yourself looking at some serious charges.

I agree it would be funny to see but IMO, this is one of those simple pranks that could get you in more trouble than you would think.

[bilgerat]

Let me play the Game warden for a second here. Fishing a private water without permission. Do you have a valid fishing license ? Trespassing....

Better hope the judge is not an outdoorsman..

[FD.]

I double dog dare ya!

[Bluebasser86]

When I worked at Cabela's I used to cast throught the aquarium all the time. I always took the hooks off or closed them up but it was still a lot of fun! It was nice to get to test new lures and see how they looked in that clear water. I'd bet if you grabbed one of those prespooled combos and grabbed a loose bait out of a bargin bin, you'd have no problem walking to the aquarium and making a few casts and probably catching a fish.

[00 mod]

At our Bass Pro, They normally have several setups already rigged just sitting up there!  Many times I have walked by and wanted to climb the stairs and try one out......

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

Ive thought about that before lol.Im sure its just a tiny step further than this....

[WdyCrankbait]

I guess BPS tanks would be considered private ponds so, no fishing license would be needed. 

[BASSclary]

I guess BPS tanks would be considered private ponds so, no fishing license would be needed.

But even so, wouldn't it be trespassing for fishing in it without permission?

[WdyCrankbait]

I guess BPS tanks would be considered private ponds so, no fishing license would be needed.

But even so, wouldn't it be trespassing for fishing in it without permission?

I am not liking the rational thought here.         :-[

[etommy28]

you could do it, espically if you are a common face. I have done several demonstations in the tank and at times I know not every one got the word I was doing it because once I was asked by a manager to leave, until he talked to his boss. but back to the question if you a common face very often they assume you know what you want and pay you no attention. also as for catching fish, I have caught fish on swimbaits, traps, flukes and frogs in there tanks if it is timed right and you do it right before the feeding time you have a good chance and they dont let go I have landed 2 fish, a big cat and about a 9 pounder.