Almost beat the crap out of a kid and old man!!!!

[flyboy1]

On Sun 5/27, Me and my buddy got out on the Passaic River in the canoe for about 4 hours from 4pm-8pm at Pequanock Park-Passaic/Pompton river area. Around 8pm we, we were doing some last minute casting floating around the concrete boat launch area nailing the night time biting smallies when I observed a young heavy set kid(around 18 or 19) and an older Russian guy (around 50) fishing from the banks of the boat launch. I was reeling in my 5th smallie in about 5 minutes of casting when I heard the kid yelling I got one and looked over saw it was a juvenille Pike (20"). The kid obviously didnt know how to unhook this thing cuz he was kind of standing at the shoreline with the Pike splashing around in the water and I heard the kid ask the old man if he had pliers to unhook it. So after a few minutes I see the old man grab the Pike unhook it for the kid and toss it like a piece of trash onto the concrete boat launch. I look at my partner and were kind of both like "What da ****?!?!" Im thinking ok maybe the Old man is gonna keep it but I look over again and I see the kid kicking the Pike on the concrete boat launch.... I yelled from the Canoe " what the **** are you doing *******!" the kid looks up at me as we bring the canoe as fast as we can... I jump out the canoe and again I say to the kid and old man "what the **** are you doing to this PIKE!!!!?????"... Old man says nothing and the Kid says "Im not picking that thing up it has teeth..." I said "why the **** are you fishing then and kicking this poor thing on the concrete".. I grabbed the pike and quickly got it to the water and tried to revive it from its ordeal.. after about 5 minutes the Pike got a burst of energy or came too and shuffled off a few feet into the water... Im hoping it survived. I turned to the old man and kid and angrily said "Why the **** would you unhook the pike and toss it onto the concrete and then try to start kicking it back into the water?" No one said a word about it except the Kid said I didnt expect to catch one of those and I said well there in here and if you cant handle or expect to catch a Pike then dont fish... I was talking to the kid in a horrible "**** you!" kind of manner.. I wanted to kick this kid and old man into the water..... Me and buddy brought the truck up to the boat launch and packed up the canoe but as I was packing I kept talking shit very loud so that the kid and old man could hear me.... I kept saying *******s shouldnt fish if they dont know how to catch and unhook them and I should slam them on the concrete and kick they're asses into the water, etc... The kid and the old man didnt say a word.. I gave up my night time smallie bite which me and my buddy were waiting for all day to save this pike from these ****ing *******s....:mad:

[FASTEDDIE29]

Great job on saving that future 40 inch pike. Should of asked the 2 fish abusers how they would feel if they were thrown down on the concrete and kicked.:D

[dfish28]

Right On!!! You should've hooked them with a rapala pulled em up to the canoe, punch him in da face , cuz ya didn't have a gaff, then hit him over the Backside after you realize... I do have a paddle!

[acabtp]

people suck

[Rick-D]

Wow, kid didn't realize fish have teeth.:eek:

[mondofish]

I'm glad they were educated. Thanks!

[Skunk City]

Way to go, holding it down for us Pike guys!

On a side note, I met a younger guy in his 20's last week while fishing the Passaic that told me that if you catch a Pike on the Passaic, you're supposed to kill it because they "eat everything". Right. I gave him a 5-minute Intro To Pike lesson on how the state has been stocking them in the river for years now and that they are a HIGHLY desired game fish around there....and NOT TO KILL THEM!!!

[rutgersfan1]

Well if you think you'll get 100% agreement here with your testosterone-fueled, fish-protector episode, think again.

Despite my probable disagreement with the majority here, IMHO two wrongs don't make a right. Regardless of the lack of knowledge and care for the fish, it's far more objectionable to personally threaten two people (at worst) and risk inciting a fight (at best). Given your description of events, had there been a fight and had the police been called I envision you as the one getting hauled away in the back of the cruiser. And deservedly so.

I think the mature and ethical thing to do is calmly educate them and show how to handle the fish.

Their lack of knowledge, and even their lack of care for the living thing doesn't excuse your berating of them.

Just my two cents. OK maybe 4 cents.

[flyboy1]

Well if you think you'll get 100% agreement here with your testosterone-fueled, fish-protector episode, think again.

Despite my probable disagreement with the majority here, IMHO two wrongs don't make a right. Regardless of the lack of knowledge and care for the fish, it's far more objectionable to personally threaten two people (at worst) and risk inciting a fight (at best). Given your description of events, had there been a fight and had the police been called I envision you as the one getting hauled away in the back of the cruiser. And deservedly so.

I think the mature and ethical thing to do is calmly educate them and show how to handle the fish.

Their lack of knowledge, and even their lack of care for the living thing doesn't excuse your berating of them.

Just my two cents. OK maybe 4 cents.

First of all, I highly doubt that those idiots or anyone on this board would actually think that I would "kick" their a$$ over a fish.. Secondly, I dont need to be calm, comforting and educational to an idiot that is clearly and knowingly abusing a living creature and Thirdly, I am a federal law enforcement agent (US Marshal) so Im pretty sure I know what I can and can not do aside from being educated on behavior from somebody like you buddy.. Finally, if you are easily offended by words and attitude then I dont know how you ever get around other guys during a football game or fishing trip when shit talking is at its peak... just my official .02:cool:

PS... I also hope your not an avid trout fisherman cuz your in for a rude and wide eyed awakening if your not ready to handle crap talking, attitiude and threats of bodily harm......

[Cuz]

This has shades of a episode I had at Rising Sun Lake four years ago.

My friend Bruno, who is now deceased, owned a tackle store in Old Bridge. I went there to buy bait for ice fishing on my birthday January 22nd. He told me one of his customers, who happened to have the same birthday date and was my age was there ice fishing too. This guy was polish decent and spoke with an accent. I thought this was going to be a kool meeting of two birthday souls who loved the same sport. (NOT!)

Arriving on the ice I noticed a tent with several 12"-14' pickerel laying on the ice dead. I went up to the tent and asked why all the small fish were thrown on the ice to die. The polish guy came out screaming he caught them and can do anything he wanted with them. He stated there were too many pickerel in the lake. I asked him if he had a fisheries degree. He went off on me again. So I put all the fish in a bucket, drilled a hole and put them back into the water. Believe it ot not most of them came back and swam away.
We never spoke again when we met at the tackle shop or at fishing shows.
Just shows you there is ignorance all over the world. A**holes a plenty!

[rutgersfan1]

'almost beating the crap out of' someone coupled with the profanity you seem to enjoy restating seems nothing like angler-bonding, internet hi-fiveing or fish-tale exaggeration and a lot like real actions of an immature, garden-variety punk regardless of profession. Forgive me for not recognizing the hyperbole, if any.

Of course you may actually have handled the matter maturely, in contrast to your description. I do apologize if your tale was only angler-bonding and total fiction.

Sure as Cuz points out there are plenty of a-holes out there, and many aren't the ones mishandling fish.

[flyboy1]

'almost beating the crap out of' someone coupled with the profanity you seem to enjoy restating seems nothing like angler-bonding, internet hi-fiveing or fish-tale exaggeration and a lot like real actions of an immature, garden-variety punk regardless of profession. Forgive me for not recognizing the hyperbole, if any.

Of course you may actually have handled the matter maturely, in contrast to your description. I do apologize if your tale was only angler-bonding and total fiction.

Sure as Cuz points out there are plenty of a-holes out there, and many aren't the ones mishandling fish.

Nope buddy, I handled the situation just as I had described without adding or over indulging the story (give or take a few more or less cuss words cuz I wasn't counting when I was berating these idiots).

I think there is a censor or blocking function on this site that you can enable so that you wont stumble on to any more posts that you find offensive, however, I hasten to tell you that you will not win over many (in none at all) fellow posters by grandstanding on your overly sensitive verbal morals when it comes to clear and intentional fish and wildlife abuse by idiots. I see the aforementioned incident of tossing and kicking around the Pike on the hard cement pavement as no different as a person beating and kicking a dog and I will stop and intervene without reservations or worrying about hurting peoples feelings with my words or actions.

[antgogz]

Flyguy, I am an avid pike fisherman and I bet that nightmare you saw on the boat ramp just triggered you to lose it. I don't know if I would've cursed at at them but I definitely would have yelled at them. They deserved it. Those are the type of people who should be banned from from fishing in NJ. I hate that just because people think it's the passaic river they think they can do whatever they want. Such as not have a license, keep as many fish as they want, leave their garbage behind, drink alcohol and do drugs. I have seen all of this happen but what you said is the worst. In my opinion, the Passaic River has the best fishing in NJ due to the number of different species of fish it holds. It's a real shame that people have to ruin it. One of the spots I go to, people keep everything they catch. I have witnessed people keeping smallies, and have heard of people keeping 4 pike at a time. I understand that a lot of people are poor but at least follow the state rules and don't wipe out the population. Luckily, the fishery seems to be in good shape.

[flyboy1]

Flyguy, I am an avid pike fisherman and I bet that nightmare you saw on the boat ramp just triggered you to lose it. I don't know if I would've cursed at at them but I definitely would have yelled at them. They deserved it. Those are the type of people who should be banned from from fishing in NJ. I hate that just because people think it's the passaic river they think they can do whatever they want. Such as not have a license, keep as many fish as they want, leave their garbage behind, drink alcohol and do drugs. I have seen all of this happen but what you said is the worst. In my opinion, the Passaic River has the best fishing in NJ due to the number of different species of fish it holds. It's a real shame that people have to ruin it. One of the spots I go to, people keep everything they catch. I have witnessed people keeping smallies, and have heard of people keeping 4 pike at a time. I understand that a lot of people are poor but at least follow the state rules and don't wipe out the population. Luckily, the fishery seems to be in good shape.

Antgogz, you actually raise a good point.... I should of shown my badge and asked to see fishing licenses from both of these jokers because I dont think they had any to be honest because nothing was displayed on their persons and bags. Granted, enforcing state regulated laws are not in my jurisdiction as a federal agent but any kind of "illegal" actions or practices that I suspect (with valid reason) which take place in my presence is in my jurisdiction to question. I have seen the same Russian guy on many previous occasions and Im sure I will see him again and I will definately find out if he has a license and if not, his a$$ is getting reported.

I treat the Passaic as well as every other fishery I frequent as if it were my own backyard and I dont want to see A-holes and idiots abuse it and destroy it for the rest of us, but more importantly I will absolutely not tolerate any kind of fish or animal abuse of any kind.

[AndyS]

I think

A. Heat of the moment

B. We only have so many places we can fish here in NJ

I say no harm, no foul.

[surfrod]

If you've seen this guy multiple times and suspect illegal fishing...I can understand your reaction.

However, with the kid...I think you lost a good teaching opportunity by your outburst. The adult definitely deserved it...the kid some strong correction, yes. But from your description ( I wasn't there so only my .02 ) sounds like a missed opportunity.

The kid may just keep a lookout for you and not change his behavior from now on!?

At any rate, I do understand the anger as I get just as angry at knuckle heads kicking in skates, doggies or bluefish in the suds. All fish ( animals! ) deserve to be treated properly and with respect.

[Got Em On]

Good post except for the "50 year old, Old Man" Comment. I know a few 50 year olds that you wouldn't want to mess with.

[flyboy1]

If you've seen this guy multiple times and suspect illegal fishing...I can understand your reaction.

However, with the kid...I think you lost a good teaching opportunity by your outburst. The adult definitely deserved it...the kid some strong correction, yes. But from your description ( I wasn't there so only my .02 ) sounds like a missed opportunity.

The kid may just keep a lookout for you and not change his behavior from now on!?

At any rate, I do understand the anger as I get just as angry at knuckle heads kicking in skates, doggies or bluefish in the suds. All fish ( animals! ) deserve to be treated properly and with respect.

@surfrod, you're probably most likely right in regards to the kid, but you got to admit that an 18 or 19 year old still knows what their doing is wrong when kicking a poor fish around on the concrete which is why he was included in my wrath... but with that said, if I see this kid again I will talk to him and tell him why I was upset (if he didnt already know why, LOL) and hopefully I can show him the proper way of unhooking a Pike. But the heat of the moment when I see cruelty and abuse it just gets the best of me.

Good post except for the "50 year old, Old Man" Comment. I know a few 50 year olds that you wouldn't want to mess with.

@Got Em On.... I know exactly what ya mean and I choose my words carefully with who I call old as I do know some of the 50 year old bad asses that I wouldnt want to mess with... LOL

[surfrod]

Flyboy... I did overlook the kids age the first time I read this lol!

At any rate, follow up with him would be good no matter what.

I never know what kind of example young folks have had, if any, so I try to go out of my way to help them /correct them at every chance.... Though I never caught a kid kicking a pike on concrete ;)

[Doug Vitale]

According to the Fish & Wildlife Digest, here is the number for anonymously reporting fish or wildlife violations:

800-222-0456

Maybe we should all have this number saved in our cell phones when we go out.

Another number, 877-WARNDEP, is intended for use "to report a fish kill, illegal waterbody drawdown, pollution or other environmental offense."

[Wilson]

To add to Doug's post this is the website address for Operation Game Thief. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ogt.htm

I have that number on my phone and have dialed it a couple of times.
In realty the chances a C.O. is in the area of your violation are slim, but it does alert them to a problem area. If you can, get license plate numbers, clothing descriptions etc.

[danyeo]

It's amazing how many A-Holes are out there. I was on the Passaic yesterday and the spot I went to seems like it gets plenty of people fishing it because there was a huge pile of garbage when I pulled up. And by the water there were beer cans, fishing string all over the place, various soda cans and garbage.

And tell me this, what motivates people to buy a new lure, open it up when they're right on the waters edge, and just throw the empty package on the ground? If these people are ****ing slobs so be it, just keep your filth in your own house and on your own property. Just look at the side of every highway and road, trash and garbage everywhere. It's sad to see the same thing on the rivers.

I wish some people out there would stop with the entitled attittude towards everything, especially the water and the fish.

[dboyd101]

Well this was destined to be this type of thread from the start... so, now that I agree with a post, I must say Danyeo, I agree. Keep it at home, but habits do follow you unfortunately.

Was at a very kept away from the public lake the other day and some dude just tossed a 'Monster' energy drink out the van door as he was leaving. Arg.

[flyboy1]

And tell me this, what motivates people to buy a new lure, open it up when they're right on the waters edge, and just throw the empty package on the ground?

LOL... I always wondered that myself because I see the open fishing lure packages and debris on the Passaic more than anywhere else I fish.....

[antgogz]

Once again I am gonna have to agree with you guys. Why the hell do people have to open lure packages and throw them on the ground?? First of all, whenever I buy a lure I open it at home and put it in my tackle box with the rest of my gear. See the problem is a lot of these a**holes are inexperienced fisherman and those are probably the only lures that they own. I am just sick of it. MAYBE THESE PEOPLE SHOULD SPEND LESS TIME HANGING DOWN BY THE RIVER DRINKING, SMOKING WEED, AND POLLUTING IT AND GO GET A GOD DAMN JOB!

[flatcreek]

You know flyboy1, I have a habit of letting people know how I feel and not always being real nice about it also. After telling of one of these events to my mother inlaw , she said to me " Flatcreek one of these days your going to run into the wrong person" My answer to my mother inlaw was " I am the wrong person" I assume your answer would be the same. Maybe not the best atitude to have. Calm down a little, but don't stop letting people know how you feel. My mother inlaw also ask me why I confronted them, my answer, " somebody has to do it", to many people just let it go for fear that they may be dealing with the wrong person.

Happy trails; Phil;)

[flyboy1]

You know flyboy1, I have a habit of letting people know how I feel and not always being real nice about it also. After telling of one of these events to my mother inlaw , she said to me " Flatcreek one of these days your going to run into the wrong person" My answer to my mother inlaw was " I am the wrong person" I assume your answer would be the same. Maybe not the best atitude to have. Calm down a little, but don't stop letting people know how you feel. My mother inlaw also ask me why I confronted them, my answer, " somebody has to do it", to many people just let it go for fear that they may be dealing with the wrong person.

Happy trails; Phil;)

@flatcreek, I agree with everything you stated and 99% of the time I am a very easy going (very delightful :rolleyes: ) individual but I just cant and will not tolerate animal, fish and wildlife abuse.