What would you do?

[gleach]

I bought a house in Pirates Cove about 6 months ago and had underwater lights put in. Two houses down, my neighbor has the same. I was out at the house this weekend fishing when I hear something rolling down the dock at my neighbor's house. I know he wasn't there. So I see the dock light come on and three guys proceed to fish his underwater lights. I walked over and since I had never met this particular neighbor, I asked them how it was going and told them I was new to the neighborhood. I asked if they were the owner of the house and they said "No, we don't know them, we just came to fish the lights."

So what should my response be to this? Should I care? I can understand if they came up in a boat and fished. But to walk out onto someone else's dock/boat house seemed a little odd to me. Am I missing something?

[aqua pimp]

If it was my dock I would want someone to call the police. You just dont go on someones dock and start turning on thier lights and fish. Going by boat and fishing lights are one thing but going out on thier private pier is no good. Want be long and they will start tearing your sheet up and things will come up missing

AQUA PIMP

[Baby Tran Cat]

That is absolutely something to call the cops on. I would mention to the neighbor what you saw and in the future tell them they were not given permission and need to leave. I am amazed that people just walk up on someone else's property like that. Of course you can go Roballo on them and shoot 'em.

[gleach]

Thanks, guys. I didn't call the cops this time. I just sat outside and fished until they left. I haven't met that neighbor yet so I was kind of lost in that one. It did get me thinking this morning, though, as to whether I want people standing on my dock when I am not there. There were no problems this time, but I will be sure to make the call in the future.

[WestEndAngler]

I'd call the cops especially in Pirates! If they don't have a house nearby big NO NO. They should not be tresspassing! The people allowed to use my dock have permission from us & always ask before they use it... Heck I get a phone call every now & then from someone asking if they can use the filet board. I've kicked people off plenty of times.

[JFD94]

I see this a lot in my neighborhood. My neighbor and I both have underwater lights and we are right across the street from our pier. So people who are going to fish the pier, see the lights and help themselves to it. Sometimes we are out on our top deck and they do it cuz they don't see us. It bugs the @#$% out of us. It's one thing to come by boat or ask permission, but these people are just being rude by fishing on whoever's property they want. I do fish in other peoples lights, but they are friends and have given me permission to. These people come over (most of the time just spook the fish and don't catch anything) and leave. It's happening more often too.

[Curmudgeon]

I'm with everyone else. I can't even imagine having the gall to walk onto somebody's property much less use their electricity without permission. Call the cops.

[WestEndAngler]

We turn off the breakers to our boat house before we leave. Just one extra step to keep potlickers & trespassers honest lol

[C4E]

If it was my dock I would want someone to call the police. You just dont go on someones dock and start turning on thier lights and fish. Going by boat and fishing lights are one thing but going out on thier private pier is no good. Wont be long and they will start tearing your sheet up and things will come up missing

AQUA PIMP

Its amazing what will go missing and not be missed till you turn around and try to use your trolling motor and realize that it apparently made like a tree. That amongst other things like tackle bags especially any rods and reels are easy targets if stuff aint locked up tight or at least out of the boat. Living and learning one expensive lesson at a time. Call the poh-poes

[Hogie70]

No Brainer...

[WestEndAngler]

Let me just say that Pirates has had Waverunners stolen, boats & kayaks! So be safe & call it in rather than finding out later you had a 10 min BS conversation with some guys that walked off with kayaks or broke in downstairs at someones house!

[Beandaddy]

Ask if they have permission to fish there before You shoot them?
Beandaddy

[Hogie70]

Let the cops hash out if they have permission or not...

[gleach]

Thanks for the advice, folks. Like I said, I am new to that area and didn't know if it was a common occurrence or not. I did sit out there and keep an eye on things, but that doesn't help with any other nights that I am not there. The strange thing is they could have just given me any name and I wouldn't have known the difference. I've never met the people that live there.

On the plus side, they spooked all of the fish out of their lights and over to mine (after I had spooked them all out of mine). So they didn't stay long and I got all the benefits.

[kenny]

Thanks for the advice, folks. Like I said, I am new to that area and didn't know if it was a common occurrence or not. I did sit out there and keep an eye on things, but that doesn't help with any other nights that I am not there. The strange thing is they could have just given me any name and I wouldn't have known the difference. I've never met the people that live there.

On the plus side, they spooked all of the fish out of their lights and over to mine (after I had spooked them all out of mine). So they didn't stay long and I got all the benefits.

Go meet several of your neighbors and get a few phone numbers. That way if you need to get in touch for what ever reason you have a way and visa versa. They may raise your boat in the sling during a high tide if you aren't available. Drip faucets, turn off the water if you get a leak, etc.
They may have really good parties too.....!