Gunfire Erupts As Anglers Fight Over Fishing Spot (Florida - HMBA)

WKMG ^ | February 21, 2003

[Shermy]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A clash over a fishing spot two miles off the coast led to angry words, at least one gun shot and the arrest of a boater on assault charges. "A clear case of road rage on the water," said Broward County Sheriff's Office spokesman Hugh Graf.

The Instigator, a 20-foot boat with three sports anglers aboard, was on the spot when the Baits Factor, a 40-footer carrying its owner and a private captain, roared up, Graf said.

Despite the shouts of those aboard the Instigator to stay away, the Baits Factor pulled to within 10 to 15 feet of the smaller boat, he said.

"All five parties are apparently yelling obscenities to each other," Graf told a Miami newspaper.

He said the men aboard the Instigator soon decided to leave.

That's when Baits Factor owner James Bates, 44, pulled out a .45-caliber pistol and fired at least one shot, Graf said. The three men on the other boat "literally hit the deck" and called the Coast Guard, he said.

Patrol boats were on the scene within minutes and escorted all five men and their boats into port, said Petty Officer Scott Schubert.

Bates was the only one arrested, charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Schubert said the fishing spot was desirable because a patch of floating sargasso weed was attracting small fish, which often attract larger fish. Both vessels apparently spotted the weed line and wanted to fish there.

"They take fishing seriously," Schubert told the newspaper.

[Shermy]

Friday HMBA ping.

[Fireone]

I got so mad when a boat came close to mine while I was fishing, I threw a perch at him! RAGE ON!

[Puppage]

Were they fish'n for...ah, Trigger Fish?

[outpost44]

"the Baits Factor pulled to within 10 to 15 feet of the smaller boat,"

I've met these slobs brothers on the water before. They pull right in front of you on purpose and you either take emergency evasive action or hit'em. They always give the same drunken, bewildered stare as you inform them of their lack of courtesy and menace to the waterways and other boaters.

Payback can be a bitch when you make the biggest wake your boat can make and circle 'em ....many times. Sea sickness soon sets in.....

[cavtrooper21]

That does it, I'm sellin' the bass boat and buyin' a PBR...
Course I'd have to own a bass boat first (GRIN)

[Copernicus]

Looks like no one caught any fish. Probably scared them away.

[okie01]

""They take fishing seriously," Schubert told the newspaper."

I think I might know these guys. But the last time I saw them, they were bass fishing on the Alabama River...

[spectr17]

Cut me off will ya.

Take this ....

[teeman8r]

is this guy shooting out tires or what? his wrist discipline needs work

[teeman8r]

is this guy shooting out tires or what? his wrist discipline needs work