Fitful sleep filled the anglers night with unsettled thoughts rumpling sheets with toss and turning expletives marking time. This was the eve before the anglers lifelong ambition was to become a reality. Scheduled to start fishing a National bass tournament at 6am, the fledgling pro/angler felt good about checking and rechecking everything needed to prepare for the event. Downsizing fishing tackle (DONE), gas and oiled the bass boat (DONE), boat safety gear (CHECK), fishing license and boat registration (CHECK), batteries fully charged (DONE), fishing maps GPS d’ and coordinated (CHECK). Rod locker and stow-away compartments locked (DONE). But the angler left one important item unchecked. The thief in the night who was about to UNCHECK the anglers dream!
This happens more often to bass tournament anglers than not.
While the angler slept through a fitful night, a wide awake thief was busily breaking into bass boat compartments ripping off expensive rods and reels and high-tech electronics. While the angler tossed and turned, a thief was prying into the boats ‘locked’ boxes to steal the anglers personal gear and ID information. While the angler dreamed about realizing a life long ambition. …… a thief was busily becoming the anglers nightmare!
Just about all recreational fishing areas have experienced thievery of fishing gear and personal items from boats parked in the motel/campground parking lots or boat ramp areas. But especially hit hard are the organized bass tournament groups who visit our freshwater lake areas they hold their events on. Case in point! In just one East Texas lakes area alone an estimated $160,000 worth of fishing tackle and personal items were ripped off from tournament boats by a gang of ‘rock-heads’ who specialized in such dastardly ‘thief in the night’ robberies. This gang was eventually caught, but not until after a two year run of nighttime raids left financial scars among the victimized anglers staying at local motels, marinas, or campgrounds. In fact, the situation got so bad that marinas refused to list their tournament dates to newsprint out of fear of attracting thieves into their business areas. This in turn had negative effects on tournament entry numbers.
Before the thieves were finally caught, angry and outraged anglers began forming vigilante groups armed with their own form of justice and rehabilitative tools to be used when the thieves were caught. In my judgment- the thieves- were very, very lucky indeed to have been apprehended by law enforcement officers instead of what may have awaited them at the hands of those ‘extremely angry’ vigilante bass tournament groups.
For one, the thieves were targeting a select group of people in which to practice their sneak attacks on, not really caring who they hurt. Such as what happened to a Paralyzed American Veteran angler while visiting an East TX, lake area, being hit not once, but twice, IN BROAD DAYLIGHT! The thief broke into the anglers truck in the boat ramp parking lot to snatch the anglers GPS unit and bagged lunch. The PAV angler returned in his wheelchair to retrieve his lunch only to find a busted window, missing gear, and no lunch! The angler trailered into town to get his window fixed then returned for the afternoon bass bite. On returning that evening the Paralyzed Vet found that the thief had struck again by smashing the newly replaced window to steal some tools!!
Several safeguards are available to boat owners who wish to protect their property.
(1)- Stay home, don’t go anywhere!
(2)- Leave it to luck that the thieves will hit someone else’s boat- after all- it always happens to the other guy- RIGHT? ….RIGHT!
(3)-Hire a security guard to follow you around on your fishing tournament expeditions, but at $20/$30 per hour the cost is prohibitive and affordable only to lottery winners.
(4)- BBASS, another option, is just as effective as having your own private security guard, with a cost that is within reach of most budget minded bass tournament anglers.
“BBASS alarm systems informed George Cook, of Geneva Bait & Tackle, employs a Marine Guard Network system (CGI), which is a compact, false alarm free security system specifically designed for the protection of bass boats and other water craft. Also available for motorcycles, cars, RVs, and small aircraft, the system is simple to use, reliable, convenient, and very easy to install.”
This CGI system incorporates Pulsor, George stated, a unique and invisible system that monitors the stress on the boats deck which is superior to the tilt switch, or shock vibration detector systems that are normally used. The Pulsor (deck sensor) is the foundation of this system, George explained, as it is the most stable and versatile motion detector element available. Pulsor, a sealed unit that protects the environment, uses marine grade wire leads, which is ideal for outdoor functions. Unaffected by sunlight, birds, noise, or normal running vibrations, the sensor element is a high tech crystal that stretches and compresses when the boat deck bends, which in turn triggers the internal processor and the alarm. Field tested for almost 30 years now, George testified, the Pulsor system has proven time and again to out perform all other boat alarm systems.”
“Our technology has been successfully used on bigger boats (yachts) for over 25 years now, George stated, and we have never had a boat intrusion since we’ve added BBASS alarm systems to our line of security systems, with units in use for nearly a year now reporting absolutely no theft incidents, no break-ins, and no false alarms.
Testimonials;
“For peace of mind, when my boat is not being attended, I depend on the BBASS alarm systems from Geneva Enterprises. I know if anyone tries to step on my deck or open a protected hatch, the siren will alert me and anyone else who is in the area to intrusion. The best defense against theft (and one frightened orange cat) is making it difficult for the thief by attracting attention.” Debra Hengst, WBT Professional Angler.
“Through the years fishing expense changed dramatically. Where we once invested a few dollars in a couple of rods and a small metal tackle box, the average weekend angler now has thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars invested in boats, motors, electronics and tackle. Not only do we know the value of our equipment, but so do the thieves. I know of a case in 2005 where $40,000 in equipment was stolen in just one weekend. Three weeks later thieves hit 15 other boats, resulting in losses of over $25,000. I, along with many other anglers, travel across the country fishing and my equipment have been left unguarded until now. Geneva Enterprises, who works with a company that protected high end yachts for years, has developed a new BBASS alarm systems. This system protects your investment either sitting at home or when you’re out of town at the fishing camp or hotel. Not only giving you peace of mind but could also pay for itself by not having insurance claims, causing increased premium. Once installed the system is invisible, has a low current draw, protects hatches, deck and the entire boat. “Each year there is a new product that takes the boating world by storm. I believe the BBASS alarm systems is that product for 2007″. Sincerely, Steve Greer / Professional Tournament Fisherman”
“The BBASS alarm systems from Geneva Enterprises has given me peace of mind in both financial losses and time spent replacing equipment stolen. I’ve been robbed while staying at hotels, and again with my boat parked in my driveway. It’s unfortunate that boat ramps get hit when tournaments are there, and I’m talking by land or water, these brazen thieves are determined to steal anything they can get. I once made homemade device from heavy duty shower rods and it worked ok, but left the rest of the boat wide open to thieves. Being a professional angler, I’ve invested a lot of hard earned money in my equipment and some can’t always be replaced.
I highly recommend the new state of the art security system, as I can now get good nights sleep without worries of equipment being stolen overnight. I can’t tell you the times we had to scramble at launch time to gather rods, reels & tackle so angler friends could compete after being ripped off the night before. If you stop and think about it, the cost of just two rod & reel combos would justify the cost of this security system. I travel all over the country tournament fishing and stay at hotels/campgrounds knowing that I no longer have to keep one eye open for thieves before tournament day and that’s a great feeling. This system has everything you need and can be installed by yourself. So why not make another investment in this system to cover the rest of your valuables in your boat? My customers come into my place of employment (Gander Mountain, Spring, TX ) all the time replacing stolen equipment as both freshwater and saltwater anglers are targeted by thieves looking for quick profits… Sincerely; Kathy Cater, Professional Bass Angler.”
I am very pleased with the BBASS alarm systems and I believe that I was one of the first to have it installed and it is indeed a quality peace of equipment. Security is a very important issue with me, not only concerning my bass boat, but the many dollars involved in my tackle and equipment. Most of my fishing is tournament fishing and I therefore travel to many different lake areas. You can never feel totally secure about your personal equipment, but this alarm system is the next best thing to having total security. A great idea and well needed in the fishing and boating industry…Sandy Cain, Hockley, Texas
George Cook has tournament and sponsor affiliations with Fishers of Men Central Texas Div; SE BASS Federation Nation -via- Katy Bassmasters, Ignition Bass trails, Texas Junior Bassmasters, the CISD Police ‘Little PALS’ event each year on Lake Conroe, with primary interest in the Women’s Bassmaster Tour, sponsoring several lady anglers on tour, such as Debra Hengst, Kathy Cater and others, George Cook, of BBASS alarm systems and Geneva Bait & Tackle, can be reached by calling (281)-433-3917-
This Ed Snyder/Outdoors report sponsored by; The Stump Restaurant & Club- Geneva Bait & Tackle- The Bass Buster Inn– Fishing World.com- LSRPA- LFSA-By: Ed Snyder / Ed Snyder Outdoors
