Thread: ATTN: Dock Hoppers !

Been lurking for awhile but I figured I had better register and spread the word, might save someone from having a bad day and getting into a heap of trouble over nothing...

Although not a single thing has come up missing, nor any property damaged, the neighborhood crime watchers around here have become seriously concerned with crappie fishermen tying up and stepping into private docks. They are taking pictures and getting boat numbers and reporting them to authorities.
At the very least this could get you a trespassing charge, and at the worst (if anything was ever reported missing by the dock owner) it could get you arrested for theft.

So by all means SHOOT THE DOCKS but don't get out on them. We definitely don't need crappie anglers getting a bad name.

Originally Posted by LOzark

Do as you wish but I'd say that it is best to not even touch the dock at all. I know a couple of these neighborhood watch characters and they ain't wrapped too tight. They get a little high on their status if you know what I mean, and the ones in the Morgan county area sound like they are on a major crusade with this Crappie fishermen thing all of a sudden.
I believe they have been instructed NOT to engage anyone but to report any such activity to the Sheriff.

Jus' sayin', if they call and report your boat # as being "on a dock" then things can go stupid pretty quick.

I appreciate the heads up, I've been fishing the LOZ for over 25 years and have never had a bad experience with a dock owner. But I have heard stories, and most if not all revolve around people physically getting up on docks. I see docks as just another form of cover. I fish in them, under them, over them, and if I'm going to bump a dock I put my foot out so I don't hit it.....if someone has a problem with that then they just have problems period. Like I said people like that are holding the water hostage with private property that they are extending into public water. If your jig gets hung up on a dock is that trespassing since your equipment is an extension of your hand.....This could get very technical, I think the main point is not to get on the dock like you own it, and dock owners should act like they don't own the water.... people are just fishing.