rod and reel got ripped off!

was fishing with my buddy at the rio vista pier.  shooting the breeze while catching diaper stripers.  then a power boat comes zooming through and snags my friends line.  in a split second his rod goes flying into the water while everyone on the pier stands in shock.  some of the other fisherman start yelling and hollering at the power boat but of course they just take off.

we got the name of the boat and tracked them down at the launch near by.  it was obviously them because the fishing line was wrapped around their motor.  unfortunately the rod and reel had snapped off.  after some lengthy discussion the guy offers my friend a pittance for his rod and reel and of course my friend says no!  he then tells us to sue him.

well then here we are.  we got his truck's license plate number but he wouldn't give us him name.

obviously the boater was way too close to the pier.  my friend can cast a pretty good distance but not that far! 

was hoping someone would have some insight or ideas on how to proceed.

andy

You can go to DMV to trace down the owner of the truck and go from there or post his license plate here, I'm sure several guys here can help you get more information about the truck'e owner.  Did you take any pictures of the guy and the boat?

IMO : another reason why boaters and all PWC should be liscensed  (just like car drivers)

That sucks big time Andy. I wish I can help but I don't know the answer as well.
Take care bro.

Jedmo

just my luck!!!  they were my rod and reel that got ripped off along with 300yard of 100lb test braided line, 6 oz sinker and striper rig (and a live bullhead).  the reel was penn 750ssm spinfisher metal and the rod was penn 12' surf rod (both just over 1yr old)

i hadn't gone for fishing for a while so when andy and i and one other friend decided to go pier fishing i was excited.  arrived at antioch oakley regional shoreline pier around 11:30am.  a few boats were zooming by the pier pretty close but not close enough to snag line.  around 4:40pm this boat was heading back to the launch ramp and coming really close to the pier.  i could hear people saying "oh shit" and start reeling in their lines.  the boat got really close and it seemed about 70-75yards from the pier.  as i tried to reach for my rod,,,bam there it went,,,with a wild upper flipping motion,,,into the drink.  people started yelling and cursing and yet the boat just kept going.  i eventually caught up with them at the ramp.  after some lengthy conversation with the man of the boat he decided to offer me with a $100 check.  we talked some more and somehow the conversation got emotional and everything went sour (his wife was like nagnagnag the whole time).

now i am without one of favorite reels and rods.  i usually used them for crabbing at the pacifica pier.  i really loved that reel.

paul

You can try the Small Claim Court once you found-out his name and address!

You can try the Small Claim Court once you found-out his name and address!

that's what i am planning to do.  however i want to first find out if there are any regulations about boats being around the public fishing pier.  i know no boats are allowed within 100yards of swimming area but not sure about pier.  i've been searching the DFG and Coast Guards sites for info but couldn't find any.  i will send emails and see if any of them can provide me with info.  if anyone knows about anything related to this matter please let me know.  any help or info is greatly appreciated.

I remembered reading this when I researched fishing around the Pacifica Pier.  Not sure where you were, but you can probably google the pier and find the local rules.

Sec. 4-9.02. Regulations.
It shall be unlawful for any person to perform, engage in or allow the occurrence of any of the following acts on any fishing pier owned or operated by the City:

(j) To permit any vessel to approach within 500 feet of a pier without the written permission of the Director of Parks, Beaches, and Recreation;

http://www.pacificapier.com/pacifica/rules.html

Good luck.

He could have hurt someone bad and I'd definitely persue it.

What if you had been picking out a birds nest, or... what if a child had been holding the rod???

He could have hurt someone bad and I'd definitely persue it.

What if you had been picking out a birds nest, or... what if a child had been holding the rod???

I agree with Eric B.....make this guy an example.

Normally, the DMV will no longer give out names (and addresses) ever since an actress was shot dead at her door by a stalker. But you can possibly get the police to request the info for you if you file a report...since you do have pictures.

I'm sympathetic, but I disagree.  You should have taken the check and asked for CDL for proof of ID.  The check would have had his address and maybe phone number for purposes of serving him with a subpoena if you wanted to go that route. 

Unfortunately, I think you'll find that it won't be worth your trouble to pursue some legal action yourself, and you would be hard pressed to find legal representation to take this case. 

Good luck, i hope things work out. 

I guess you are right, Yakuza, given we are talking about a rod n reel here...

burns me, though, thinking what could have happened... fishing line will cut flesh like a hot knife thru butter.

IMO : another reason why boaters and all PWC should be liscensed  (just like car drivers)

Lincensing does not eliminate bad drivers. 


I agree with Yakuza, should have taken the check then found some comfort in the fact that your spectra might have (and still might) cut his prop seals causing damage totaling way more than the price of your combo. 

Quote from: Mooch on December 06, 2009, 10:32:31 AM
IMO : another reason why boaters and all PWC should be liscensed  (just like car drivers)

Lincensing does not eliminate bad drivers.

True... but to get a license, you need to know your ABC's  This will at least keep us a little safer.