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.

Welcome LOzark to Crappie.com from Lake ST. Louis. Thanks for the information. The only time I might step on someones dock is when I snag up and I need that extra foot to reach the jig.

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Originally Posted by LSL Angler

Welcome LOzark to Crappie.com from Lake ST. Louis. Thanks for the information. The only time I might step on someones dock is when I snag up and I need that extra foot to reach the jig.

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Are you saying that you step from dock to dock ?

This could go the wrong direction really quick. Break off retie and move along. If you run into an arrogant dock owner move along and take it in stride. Only time I get involved with a dock is in a thunderstorm and will take the citation if it comes.

Welcome to the site....I would think everyone should know that docks are private property, and only the water is public

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Originally Posted by long poler

Are you saying that you step from dock to dock ?

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Only if I had you watching my back.

If you fish the LOZ bring your long pole to reach into the wells so you don't have to get on docks....99.9% of dock owners could care less if you have hold of a rail or put your foot up to keep your expensive boat from damaging their expensive dock, as long as your not walking around on their dock. The other .01% are just holding the water under their dock hostage on a public fishing lake.

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.

Just one of the main reasons I don't fish LOZ...... Thanks for the warning though.

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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.

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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.