Fishing Forum

Was out at Willard the south marina tonight and after loading the boat and getting it all set for the road, I noticed that my rear tie down straps had been removed from the bed of my truck. I put them in the exact same place I have for years, which is out of sight, in the corner, in a box. This is the third time at Willard that I have had equipment either removed from my truck or from my boat trailer. You can not leave anything in the back of your truck, or not locked up including your wiring harness on your trailer at Willard. I am posting this as a public service for your protection, hoping it will help you protect your property and equipment. This includes: Trailer wiring harnesses, trailer electrical plug adapters and trailer tie down straps which are the things I have had stolen while at Willard Bay. I know it is partially my fault for having put trust and honesty above lock and key. I am sorry there are low life people out there who would dare fumble through the back of another persons truck and take what they please. Please be very careful on what you may leave available for others when you are out at Willard Bay!
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Ok - that bites, and NOT in a good way!

Seriously - tie downs? I loaned someone jumper cables and left them on my trailer spare, in case they needed them again while I was out. Luckily there were there when I got back, but who's to know.
Tie downs? Have you seen how cheap those are at Harbor Freight? I mean seriously - to put someone in a position of having their boat fall off their trailer on the way home, for a few bucks?!

Folks - if you see anything suspicious - approach and ask questions. Most criminal types are mighty nervous and sketchy to start - so likely to give up and book.

Just pretend - "oh that's my buddy's boat/truck/trailer - he's 6.9, and 330lbs X-Marine. Pretty sure he's got his assault rifle on his boat. Did you want me to call him and ask a question?" As you pull out your cell phone and take their picture.....

Watch how fast they turn ghostly white and head for the hills!

[quote CoyoteSpinner]
Tie downs? Have you seen how cheap those are at Harbor Freight? [/quote]
i work at harbor freight and just found your comment funny. It is extremely lame that some people are so pathetic that they cant just leave things that don't belong to them alone but what goes around comes around and they will get what they deserve someday.
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I was at willard tonight at the North Marina and I felt pretty nervous leaving my toon in the car while I was out on a boat.

Locks only keep honest people honest! Sounds to me like the law enforcement needs to set up a few "stings" as bait to catch these guys!
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Oh No they have migrated from Soldier Creek[mad]
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I've came to learn you can't leave anything out for grabs anytime! No matter where you're at. My buddy took his daughter up to Monte cristo this last weekend for a hike, when he got back to his truck some low life had stolen his fishing pole and his daughters fishing pole out of the back of his truck. Luckily he was smart enough to put his large tackle bag in the front of the truck or he would've been out on hundreds of dollars in tackle.
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And yet, I was at Idaho Falls walking my dog around the block and there was a nice folding camping trailer, a trailer with two wave runners, and a killer flat bed trailer, all parked out on the street with NO locks on them what so ever.

Husband parked at 7-11 to get a drink, with his levi jacket and his thermos lying on the seat of his truck. Both windows down. Came out and they were gone. Mad as heck, but to make peace with the ordeal, he thought maybe they needed it worse than he did.

On a different note, and surely not saying this happened, but we are only human. I too have the same routine of putting the straps in the corner of the truck bed (however, we do have a shell), but have accidentally forgot before. I realize you would have noticed on your way back down to your boat after parking your truck, but maybe some else didn't...or maybe just punk kids.
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A good note for all: keep a digital camera in your trunk. I've carried one for a long time. Any suspicious activity, snap a pic and forget about it. You can always erase it later.
I don't think anyone has been exempt from theft.

Also good to have a camera in case you get in an accident.
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If you do see anyone suspicious I agree snap a picture of them and their vehicle plates. I've done that several times just in case. Usually they'll high tail it out of there if they were up to no good. Several years ago I was hiking with a friend in the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. A friend of his around 65-70 came along. We locked up the vehicles. The older guy said when he was a young man hiking there they would not only leave the vehicle unlocked but the keys in the ignition. This was what all the locals did hiking the Bob back in the day. They figured everyone was honest. Iif someone got into an emergency situation the closest vehicle should be available to drive just in case. How times have changed.
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I hate theives!! One thing I have thought about it putting a critter cam in the back of the truck or trailer. get some pics of the thieves! One thing about people who are really destitute, is the most people will have sympathy and help them out if they are really in need
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Some years ago there was a post on here about someone leaving a container of some sort with a rabid animal it. Thief's broke into his truck, opened the container and got a well deserved surprise. [cool]

Its a dam shame people cant leave simple things like tie straps on there vehicles I say stuff a box with rattlers write valuables on the side and let fun begin [pirate][pirate][pirate]

Oh a lighter side I did have a guy return a fly box to me I write my name and address on the inside. Didn't even know it was lost but there it was in the mail. Sent the guy 5 bucks postage and a prepaid visa card for his courtesy. [angelic]
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Sorry about that....
They took the time to un-bolt and steal the rollers off my trailer up at Lucerne one day. Bottom of my boat was beat to hell by the time I got it home. :-((( It's everywhere, and seems to be getting worse all the time...
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Chain it all down, ive lost my spare off the boat trailor at powell last year, all 4 hub seals at flamming gorge this year over the fourth, the wench arm off my trailor at pineview. 2 weeks ago i had a rock thrown thru my truck window at pineview for a my kids ipod left on the back seat.. locks only stop honest people now days
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With the muscle crew there watching to make sure no boats launch without a form it would be nice if they noticed who was out of place doing this. We need to hang a few it's the only way they'll start to think twice. I was up archery hunting one night when some lowlifes started rummaging through the back of my truck and being in cammo they had no idea I was watching and ready to launch a broadness but my dad being wiser than I hollered at them so I didn't go to jail for manslaughter. I guess I probably would have launched the first one through their front windshield but it sure made me mad. If I see anything fishy I'll sure report it. J
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Hmmm i was thinking the same thing.[]
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First I want to say sorry this happened to you.
I grew up in So. Cal and learned many hard lessons. One being don't leave anything in or on your truck thats worth a nickel. Once had my truck broke into, the only thing they stole was the ash tray. [mad]To get in they used a screw driver and twisted the door lock off.
Bottom line, don't keep anything of any value in the truck, take the stuff with you. Try and park where other people can see it. Even this is no guarantee you wont lose something. But it helps.
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A few years back my son-in-law and I launched our tubes off the south dike. I had meant to deposit $7,000 in checks on the way to the reservoir but forgot. So I put the checks in a cooler in my locked sleeper cab. There were two young guys dressed like hoodlums fishing from the dike when we got there, and they left after we paddled 100 yards from shore. When we got back, the sleeper door was broken, the cooler was gone, and the two guys who thought they were committing a misdemeanor actually had committed a felony. I didn't lose anything but time and convenience over the matter, but I hate to park where others can't see your vehicle.
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[fishon]
I'm totally for a security system that either shoots or shocks anyone stealing or vandalizing anything that isn't theirs...in fact a little camera so i can decide who gets shot...I have no patience for people that take my hard earned money. I have very little and I work very hard for what I do have. I would sign a bill that drops all thieves into the same hole as the worst offenders! They truly serve no purpose to society.!!!!
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