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The way the pier ends has created an even more dangerous situation than usual for both fishemen and onlookers. With carts lining the middle and casters on both sides a narrow strip of hazardous real estate has been made. Before some one gets hurt this needs to be addressed-either no carts south of the bathrooms, underhand casting or best scenario-fishermen only out there.
This is a fix that will cost no money and keep someone from getting hurt
My only problem with a hard, no exceptions, underhand rule is that it will eliminate some folks with bad backs and/or hernias (like me, or in wheelchairs, like Igor) from fishing at times when things are less crowded.
It may be necessary to make that rule anyway, and I won't complain if they do, but maybe just reminding fishermen that they are responsible for what happens with that lure on the end of their line and a very strong suggestion that underhand casts should be used in crowded circumstances will do the job. I'm lined up to see a surgeon soon and won't always be affected this way, but my old repair definitely gave way after an afternoon of vigorous underhand casting (although I was already getting some twinges and knew what was coming before that day).
I remember a few decades ago ( 1970s?) when one of the Florida piers had a hard underhand only rule and they could not keep it. (May have been Okaloosa when it was hurricane damaged and had that temporary metal grid, memory fails).
The crowding is definitely a problem and "underhand casting only" may be the only solution, if so, so be it.
From David Lea 3/31/2021
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...d7&oe=608AE964
Wow, smiling.
Is that a 2'fer? One in the nose, the other in the lip?
They got that name for a reason(gotcha)..... but no worse then most other lures in the wrong hands
Three fer. Two in the nose (one on the outside of the nose, one deep in the nostril and one in the upper lip). The victim was brave and the removal was ugly. Lots of blood and crying-he was uncomfortable also :) :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ironman172
self-inflicted or ... ?
"Lots of blood and crying-he was uncomfortable also"
-haha
Nothing has changed in the Draw besides a bit more crowding.
I've seen plenty similar during Chewdowns or very exuberant Sabiki Brigade days.
More rules, more rules, more rules.... I might can see having,
"No spectators South of the bathrooms."
And paint a Red Line.
How about not making more rules and accepting more personal responsibility?
A Gotcha party is a dangerous place, everyone but kids, touristas and googans know this.
IIRC, part of your pier entry is a waiver acknowledging/accepting the dangers.
Put up a big sign with a nasty Gotcha impalement picture on it.
"Danger! Lures being Cast!"
Careful what you ask for.
Nothing more insidious or dangerous than bureaucrats making rules and laws... For our own good.
"They need to make a law or rule against that! "
Just more proof that most people value their Safety more than their Freedom.
Chile I agree about the more rules part but in this case, because of the way the pier ends, a lot more people congregate there than in the "old" draw. Many of those have no idea about people castig and don't know what to do. I hear from several fisherman "I don't look back-they shouldn't walk up behind me" almost like a brag or even a challenge. The problem is lots of these folks don't even know they are walking up behind anyone.
This isn't about making rules to protect us from ourselves, it's about protecting those that can't protect themselves. Rules or warning signs or however it manifests itself, lets keep it from being a young kid visiting the pier that ends up with a hook in his face. We owe it to them. I'll abide by a rule that prevents that.
One day it'll be more than a hook in the face, there will be an eye gone. Then the real rule making begins.
Don't forget, the use of Macondo money for the pier was justified by the fact that it is also an "education" pier and half the annual gate is from walk-ons.
When my wife fell and broke her nose we made no fuss whatsoever, but that incident was still used by some as a reason for shutting the pier down and remodeling it. There will be hell to pay if a tourist's child loses an eye.
If more fishermen adhered to the existing rules, there'd be less room for folks to make more rules!
Part of being proactive is setting good example, and part is being courageous enough to (courteously) point out others who are not following the rules, and report them if they ignore them.
We are all ambassadors of sport fishing on the pier, which is shared by many who haven't a clue of what we are doing.
The rules (as written) exist for the benefit (and protection) of all users of the pier. If we, as fishermen want to continue with that, we should think and act proactively as a group for the common good.
I shudder to think of how it will be when the hardtail fishing fires up to add to the gotcha party in a good Spanish bite. Both involve a lot of swinging fish over the rail, which in my experience has been more dangerous than the casting, both to yourself, other fishermen and women, and onlookers excitedly crowding around to see what is caught. A gotcha that comes unplugged on the way up becomes an uncontrollable threat to everyone around. I hooked a lady that way, fortunately in the shirt and not the underneath, and that was AFTER the gotcha hit the deck and bounced up. Put my gotcha down after that.
I have read about do-it-yourselfers who put single hooks on bluefish plugs (for safer unhooking while surf fishing) and circle hooks on salmon spoons. The inevitable fusion of a gotcha with circles would be perfect -- for someone who is not wild about the taste of Spanish or bluefish.
They need a dude like Jack Jones out there-someone who’s not afraid to clamp down on tourons and regulars when they get out of line It wouldn’t be that hard to take care of all the problems and the message could be conveyed to everyone in less than 2 weeks Good luck guys
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChileRelleno
They never seem to see an unjust law made whether they made it or a another member of the "elite class" made it. Thors mighty hammer be unto one who tries to fix it as well!
I've sat here for a few minutes thinking about that statement..."I don't look back"...and I am at a complete loss for words as to how to respond to such an idiotic attitude. By and large, the people I've met on the pier would be incensed that one of their compatriots would be that callous about other people. I certainly hope that the "if a tourist kid loses an eye" doesn't become "when the tourist kid lost his eye". I hope and pray I'm not on the pier if (when?) that ever happens.Quote:
Originally Posted by david lea
Libertarianism only works well if everyone is smart and/or experienced.
Not everyone is smart, and the young lack experience.
Rules are basically information. Follow the information and you’ll be in line with the rules.