What would you do?

[Wazzup01]

Put the pots out with the wife and kids on the weekend at 1770. It was only small tides and I knew I would have trouble driving the boat to the pots on Sunday but they were in a position where I could walk to if needed. I just made it to the first 2 pots and bottomed out on the third pot. I got out of the boat and began walking along the mangroves with the boat in tow and low and behold as I walked around the corner what else do I see but a centre console with 5 POB casually lifting my next pot. There is another way in to the area I was in and they had obviously come in that way not realizing someone was already in there. They all froze like a deer in the headlights while I charged towards them and they eventually realized that the pot they were messing with was actually mine and made as hasty a retreat that they could with the boat churning up mud the whole way. Now I have the name of the boat and a pretty good description of it as well, what would you do with the info if you had it????

[Funchy]

If your pots were clearly marked, name and shame and report them. IMO

[Ausgradi]

Personally I'd report them to the authorities. It will probably get looked over as it's your word against there's . Did you have a witness? Prob gunna be a lost cause but do it because you can.

[mutineer]

Report its getting out of hand , the warning may just scare em from doing it again . ..lowlife scum

[Still_Dreamin]

Report it. Don't know who to, fisheries maybe.

[Triple]

http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/28_12658.htm

Report it.. At least that way they have the rego on file and if they get reported again they "may" invesitgate them and If you are 100% sure they were deliberately tampering with your pots then I would name n shame the bastards...

[Still_Dreamin]

Pretty sure they wouldn't be trashing their water pump churning up mud trying to get away if they accidentally lifted the wrong pot.

[WalrusLike]

They were baduns..... if they had made a mistake with 5 on board they wouldn't be afraid to explain it to you. If they bolted they were bad.

I would report it and bung a few posters up on ramp posts...

"This boat has been seen stealing crabs"


(Using Tapatalk on iPhone so can't easily 'thank' or 'like')

[Nicko_Cairns]

"No officer I haven't seen those missing boaties... boat was found but no-one on board huh?"

[Wazzup01]

It was no mistake. Unless of course they were just checking to make sure my bait was still ok. In that case I thank them for their concern but I will look after it next time boys.

[Wazzup01]

You are spot on with churning up the mud bit, particularly when it was a nice new ETec. Anyone out there no of a few boys out on a boys weekend at 1770 last weekend????

[Wazzup01]

For the life of me I cannot understand how a boat with 5 POB and not one of them has a conscience and are quite happy checking everyone else's pots whil they check theirs ( if they actually had any). If it was one or maybe two people I could understand that they are just grubs but 5!!!!!

[ozynorts]

PM me the boat name and I will keep an eye out here to see if they are repeat offenders.

[cobiaman]

PM me the boat name and I will keep an eye out here to see if they are repeat offenders.

Dont PM it, name and shame i say

[Horse]

Name and shame the bastards. It won't take long for you to find out who they are. It might slow them down a bit next time

[MangroveZac]

name and shame I say.

[WalrusLike]

Be careful, a libel case is a terrible thing. I would hate to hear that the good guy gets stung by the bad guys.

That's why I suggested some anonymous person puts up flyers on poles near ramps.


(Using Tapatalk on iPhone so can't easily 'thank' or 'like')

[Wazzup01]

Yes Walrus. That is my concern as well. I have happily been telling my story to most people I have been talking to and most of them are avid crabbers so the name and the description of the boat is getting around. Anyway if by chance any of the magnificent 5 are out there reading this I had 3 big juicy bucks in that pot. Was the best lift of the day. Apologies for reducing the size of your catch for the day.

[Hossfish]

A well placed .303 round through the power head should do the trick.

Yeah, yeah i know we cant really do that sort of thing but a nice thought anyway.

Happy fishing

Cheers Greg

[copie]

The problem is good citizens too often let the illegal acts go without reporting them. Tell the local authorities and if you do know the boat name without dought dont feel guilty letting everyone know, word of mouth and forums like this at least it raises awayness for all.

Mark