Do you "hop a fence" to fish?

[Del from philly]

u guys are acting like hopping a fence has to be in soemones yard...

around philly, the water company owned all the fences we jumped when we were kids......

also, go to the area we fished when we were kids and they are clean as whistle.....

[tyrius.]

around philly, the water company owned all the fences we jumped when we were kids......

So what's the difference?  You were still trespassing, just on city property and not an individual's.

[EastTexasBassin]

In this area, the common practice is "shoot first, ask questions later"

Texans are just ITCHING for you to give them an excuse to use their guns.  DON'T DO IT!

Forgiveness easier than permission?  Not here, they may forgive you but not before they fire shells loaded with rock salt at you.

Always ask first.

[AKFerzy7]

when i was 10 i was shot by some ****** bag with an bb gun who thought he owned a collection pond in the back of our neighborhood. didnt have a fence. went home to get dad but my mom called the cops instead. his property line stopped way short of the pond. he went for a ride with the fuzz. id like to run into him nowadays.

[GobbleDog]

I wouldn't fish somebody's private pond in their backyard, but hell yes I used to launch my canoe behind businesses that had lake frontage or an empty lot or pretty much wherever I could find access, ACCEPT walking right next to someone's house - that's the only thing I wouldn't do.

You have to take risks if you want to fish it bad enough. Luckily, I had enough stones to try em.  Some of the biggest bass I ever caught came from those little ponds.  

From my experience, you'd have to meet the biggest a-h*le cop in the entire world to actually get arrested.

[Guest muddy]

I wouldn't fish somebody's private pond in their backyard, but hell yes I used to launch my canoe behind businesses that had lake frontage or an empty lot or pretty much wherever I could find access, ACCEPT walking right next to someone's house - that's the only thing I wouldn't do.

You have to take risks if you want to fish it bad enough. Luckily, I had enough stones to try em. Some of the biggest bass I ever caught came from those little ponds.

From my experience, you'd have to meet the biggest a-h*le cop in the entire world to actually get arrested.

To all the youngsters here; DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THIS TIS IS THE SINGLE WORST POST I HAVE EVER READ HERE!  You are teaching kids it's ok to brak the law, thats plain irresponsible.

[Pond Hopper]

I fish alot of private ponds that have people trespass and everytime I know someone is trespassing I just call the local sheriff as nothing ticks off a landowner more than not knowing who is on his ground. Yeah there are a few that may pull out a gun to scare the hell out of you, but 90% of the ones I know call the sheriff. Hell I forgot to tell one I was going to be in a different vehicle one time and he about threw us off

For all of you fence hoppers, I hope you get what you have coming, whether it be a good hard learned lesson or a nice ride with the fuzz.

[GobbleDog]

I wouldn't fish somebody's private pond in their backyard, but hell yes I used to launch my canoe behind businesses that had lake frontage or an empty lot or pretty much wherever I could find access, ACCEPT walking right next to someone's house - that's the only thing I wouldn't do.

You have to take risks if you want to fish it bad enough. Luckily, I had enough stones to try em.  Some of the biggest bass I ever caught came from those little ponds.  

From my experience, you'd have to meet the biggest a-h*le cop in the entire world to actually get arrested.

To all the youngsters here; DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THIS TIS IS THE SINGLE WORST POST I HAVE EVER READ HERE!  You are teaching kids it's ok to brak the law, thats plain irresponsible.

You're right mud, I'm sorry.

Hey youngsters, all those ponds you see that are full of big bass and you want to fish them?!?!? Too dang bad. Jerks like Muddy and Pond Hopper will call the police if they see you trying to fish them. Life sucks, get used to it.

Better?   :-?

[Pond Hopper]

I wouldn't fish somebody's private pond in their backyard, but hell yes I used to launch my canoe behind businesses that had lake frontage or an empty lot or pretty much wherever I could find access, ACCEPT walking right next to someone's house - that's the only thing I wouldn't do.

You have to take risks if you want to fish it bad enough. Luckily, I had enough stones to try em.  Some of the biggest bass I ever caught came from those little ponds.  

From my experience, you'd have to meet the biggest a-h*le cop in the entire world to actually get arrested.

To all the youngsters here; DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THIS TIS IS THE SINGLE WORST POST I HAVE EVER READ HERE!  You are teaching kids it's ok to brak the law, thats plain irresponsible.

You're right mud, I'm sorry.

Hey youngsters, all those ponds you see that are full of big bass and you want to fish them?!?!? Too dang bad. Jerks like Muddy and Pond Hopper will call the police if they see you trying to fish them. Life sucks, get used to it.

Better?   :-?

No No No, go ask.  Find out who owns them, ask them if you can do anything for them, offer them fish, help on their farm, etc.  Do it the right way.  The majority of farmers I know will let about anyone who is respectful fish, if you ask!  If you do not ask then they get mad and call the sheriff, simple as that : :-X

[burleytog]

I shoot fence hoppers.

[preach4bass]

I shoot fence hoppers.

So...putting this all together, I'm assuming that you're a turkey hunter.  Right? ;D

[burleytog]

I shoot fence hoppers.

So...putting this all together, I'm assuming that you're a turkey hunter. Right? ;D

Nope, a landowner that long ago tired of seeing sorry $%$&$*$# climb over fences and walk past posted signs.

[extreme1018]

its always better to ask permission. when you show up to their home look and act like a respectable person. tuck your d**n shirt in. no loud music. dont look and act like a punk. just ask nicely if you can fish. tell them you will throw everythimg you catch back and that you wont leave any trash around. tell them that if you do find some trash you will pick it up and that if you catch a big one that they can have it. usually the owner will tell you to keep it for yourself or throw it back. if the owner says no then it is probably because he doesnt know you or you came across offensive in some way(shirt, loud music when you drove up, etc) try to find someone who knows the owner that can help your case or offer to help around. alot of fisherman have trucks so offer to mow the grass around the pond. this will help you find better spots to fish if the give you permission

[BassinAssassin171]

I fish neighborhood ponds because I live in metro Atlanta.  The ponds I fish I either have permission to fish them or I have friends with a boat or property on the water.  Even if I need to go through someone's yard or want to fish someone else's bank, there is a little rule in neighborhood ponds that deems at least 3 to 5 feet or so from the shore as public property or property of residents... so technically I can go wherever I want  ;D

[IL_Bassman]

I wouldn't fish somebody's private pond in their backyard, but hell yes I used to launch my canoe behind businesses that had lake frontage or an empty lot or pretty much wherever I could find access, ACCEPT walking right next to someone's house - that's the only thing I wouldn't do.

You have to take risks if you want to fish it bad enough. Luckily, I had enough stones to try em. Some of the biggest bass I ever caught came from those little ponds.

From my experience, you'd have to meet the biggest a-h*le cop in the entire world to actually get arrested.

So, are you saying that catching a big bass is more important than respecting a landowner? I dont care whether you are sneaking through someone's back yard or a business's back yard, its still trespassing. Trespassing is disrespectful to the landowner, there is no excuse for it. Because of people like you alot of landowners wont give permission to the people who ask for it and ruin it for everyone. I'm not a landowner, but I will guarantee you that if I were to ever see anyone trespassing on the land that I have permission to hunt and fish I would call the landowner and let him know whats going on. You can call us all the names you want. I guess doing the right thing makes you a jerk????? Next time you start name calling, maybe you should look into a mirror while doing so. >

I'm not too worried though, I have a feeling you will get whats coming to you some day!

[rondef]

There is a pond at a golf course that I would love to fish but I respect the fact that there is a fence.  That is private property and I am not allowed on it period.  I think it is wrong to hop a fence, just my 2 cents.

[GobbleDog]

Sorry for 'jerk' in my comment - too much red wine while posting that.  Still not ashamed that we trespassed years ago in order to fish those ponds.  Never did it on somebody's residence, just behind businesses or vacant lots.  It's impossible to get permission, so we just went for it.  If you're not willing to risk it, that's your decision.  We chanced it and caught monster bass.  The only time we ever saw a cop he said "I hate to do it, but I have to ask yall to leave."  

If I owned a vacant lot and saw two clean-cut guys putting a canoe in, I gaurantee I'd let em fish.  But that's me. Unfortunately, not everyone is that way as shown in this thread.    

[Bankbeater]

I know several landowners here in MO. that have sold their property to developers because they were tired of people trespassing and trashing up the place.  Now no one can fish in them.

[Guest muddy]

I don't ever see me as having enough money to be a land owner so i can not comment on what I would do in the situation. Out of all the places I have asked for permission, less than a half a dozen have said no.

One of the fellas who turned me down later became a co worker for a time. He had a young child who died of a sieizure playing by thpond I asked aobout. He and his wife kept that pond closed and very much like the day their child died, as sort of a shrine. Sometimes people have reasons they do not want you there, and observing thier wishes  and it is not only the legal thing to do it is the ethical thing to do.

[Del from philly]

I wouldn't fish somebody's private pond in their backyard, but hell yes I used to launch my canoe behind businesses that had lake frontage or an empty lot or pretty much wherever I could find access, ACCEPT walking right next to someone's house - that's the only thing I wouldn't do.

You have to take risks if you want to fish it bad enough. Luckily, I had enough stones to try em. Some of the biggest bass I ever caught came from those little ponds.

From my experience, you'd have to meet the biggest a-h*le cop in the entire world to actually get arrested.

To all the youngsters here; DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THIS TIS IS THE SINGLE WORST POST I HAVE EVER READ HERE! You are teaching kids it's ok to brak the law, thats plain irresponsible.

You're right mud, I'm sorry.

Hey youngsters, all those ponds you see that are full of big bass and you want to fish them?!?!? Too dang bad. Jerks like Muddy and Pond Hopper will call the police if they see you trying to fish them. Life sucks, get used to it.

Better? :-?

As much as I love Muddy, hes a great poster, one fo the best on here, and seems like a real good guy, i love this post more....

To me, this is what is wrong with the world...people calling the cops before trying to talk to somebody

maybe i was raised differently being from a city area, but my dad used to help me jump the fence....

In fact, if it wasnt for being able to jump a water company fence, i probably wouldnt be a fisherman today...

Always ask, of course, but what the poster is probably talking about is places like where i grew up, you were on the water companys property, not a landowners...

i would never jump somebody fence into their yard, but when the water company buys the best (and only lake) within a bunch of miles, you better believe im gonna jump that fence....

PLEASE, JUST KEEP AN OPEN MIND...we all have different backgrounds, and were all raised differently....

Me, i wouldnt call the cops if i got robbed at gunpoint. Thats just how i am....unless im getting my money back their is no reason for it...

[Guest muddy]

Hey Del: thaks for the words. I grew up in Brooklyn NY. I suffered severe consequences for not obeying the law for a lot of years, thats where i am coming form. Never in any of my posts did I say I would go straight to the police, those who know me here know how much i work with kids to keep them from repeating my mistakes, that is where I am coming from. I can tell you that many landowners are very intolerant, and they own the land it is not our call, it is every adults job to let kids know the consquences of choice and actions, because they are the ones who eventually pay for them

[fishfordollars]

It's nothing but respect for another's private property. Please ask before giving all of us another black eye.

[Grey Wolf]

We have all probably done things that we knew were wrong or irresonable at the time we were doing them but we did them any way. Does this make us bad people ? Some one else will have to judge that.

I do know one thing if you do what you want to do without any regard of what the out come may be , you are wrong.

I see some of you think it is OK to trespass as long as it is owned by  some sort of company. Well it's not.

I see some of you think that people who would turn you in are a--holes , again your wrong.

I know we were all raised differantly from each other but the things you were taught may be wrong and you should be intelligant enough to make a concerted effert to correct the way you behave. I know this because it happened to me when I was growing up. I did correct my thinking and actions 180 degrees from what I was taught.