DUI checkpoints and Tournaments

[DL]

With law enforcement cracking down on alcohol consumption on the water, it is just a matter of time before the tournament guys get caught up in a checkpoint. I talked to a friend of mine over the weekend and he watched law enforcement conduct a sobriety checkpoint at Katherine's Landing on Mojave. EVERY boat was stopped and inspected, some for as long as 20 minutes. His interest was peaked when a large number of bass boats entered the marina and subsequently stopped by the Sherriff, at the checkpoint, and many were at the dock for long periods of time getting FST's, boat inspections, and safety equipment inspections. He then realized they were probably in a tournament since the guys getting off the boats were carrying fish in weigh bags...

My question is this:

Most of us run on the ragged edge to make it to check-in on time, but what happens if the entire first flight is caught in a DUI checkpoint and is late for check-in??? Most of these checkpoints are public knowledge, but what about the guys that are 30 miles from the ramp and have no cell service, so the TD can't even give them a heads up about coming in early to accomodate the DUI checkpoint? Is it the orgs responsiblity to put a boat on the water in front of the checkpoint so check in can be done before you get in line? What happens if its at Topock(like the checkpoit was this weekend) and a team is on their way back from needles to Windsor???

[rico]

It's just like the lakes where you have to go thru locks to get to your fishing area. Come in early and give yourself enough time in case you have to get checked.

[DL]

It's just like the lakes where you have to go thru locks to get to your fishing area. Come in early and give yourself enough time in case you have to get checked.

Unlike a Lock situation, DUI checkpoints don't have a set schedule. They can pop up anwhere anytime. Even though the date and location of most checkpoints is made public a week or so before the date, not everyone checks the local papers for the announcement. Did you know about the one at Topock last saturday?

[bigbass111]

Yes, they did have a DUI and Safety inspection the final day of the Mohave WON bass Pro/Am. The tournament check-in was at the bouy line and the inspection was in the middle of the marina for all boats coming in. No one was late for weigh-in do to the inspection, but they were very strict on the safety check.

They wanted PFD's, throw cushion, fire Ex, Noise maker(horn ok), proof of Reg, WORKING nav lights and paddle. They checked our PFD's to make sure they were rated correctly.

On top of all of this, it was a training day for new wardens. So they had newbie's doing the search and asking their boss if they missed anything. There were about 30 wardens in total on jet ski, boat and dock. Nobody got by without being inspected, it was interesting.

[mark poulson]

I'd think the Tourney folks would find out when they setup in the host marina for the weighin.
If not, that's another good reason for participants to have the Tourney staff's cell number, so the first guy who gets stopped for inspection can alert the Tourney, and they can make whatever adjustments they think are needed to insure no one gets a DQ because of a delay.

[Stratos278]

As TD for my local bass club, if anyone in our tournaments got caught up in a DUI checkpoint I would not penalize or DQ them if, in my judgment, they would have made it back to weigh-in on time if not for the checkpoint.

That being said, I applaud law enforcement for running on-water DUI checkpoints. There are too many yo-yos out there who should not be operating a boat sober, let alone drunk. Part of our pre-blastoff check is to check our tourney boats for alcoholic beverages. If I see so much as a stubby beer or a mini-bottle, instant DQ...no questions asked!!

[Buzzbommer]

Wow, Iv'e never seen a checkpoint on the water but I fish mainly in the SoCal area. We have Sherrif's that patrol our lakes (occasionally on the water) but that's probably because our lakes aren't that big and when they do make a bust it is one out of about a hundred. Being in SoCal I would love a checkpoint in front of our marinas. I know it would weed out every stereo blastin' 'dude bro' wakeboard whack off us basser's have to deal with. And I know they are wasted cuz they scream it out loud...! 'Dude, I'm soooooo wasted!!! Oil me up!!!' Gross.

Leave the tournament trail alone and come down here coppers...!

They could literally crack down here in the southland and rid my precious lakes of these drunken 'dude bro's and bro ho's...'

And NO WAKE past the buoy's...!!! Sheeeeeesh...

[mark poulson]

Wow, Iv'e never seen a checkpoint on the water but I fish mainly in the SoCal area. We have Sherrif's that patrol our lakes (occasionally on the water) but that's probably because our lakes aren't that big and when they do make a bust it is one out of about a hundred. Being in SoCal I would love a checkpoint in front of our marinas. I know it would weed out every stereo blastin' 'dude bro' wakeboard whack off us basser's have to deal with. And I know they are wasted cuz they scream it out loud...! 'Dude, I'm soooooo wasted!!! Oil me up!!!' Gross.

Leave the tournament trail alone and come down here coppers...!

They could literally crack down here in the southland and rid my precious lakes of these drunken 'dude bro's and bro ho's...'

And NO WAKE past the buoy's...!!! Sheeeeeesh...

The Sherriffs could fill their holding cells at Pyramid in the summer.
Up there, drunk skiers and tubers are the rule, especially on holiday weekends.
But they don't even patrol!

[Team Efusjon]

I thought the drinking starts after the tournament! Have there been any cases of fishermen getting caught drunk at the helm during a competition? I wouldn't think they'd want to risk getting both DQd' and a DUI. While out fun fishing might be a different story, but I haven't heard of that either.

I think it's safe to say it's mostly the pleasure boaters. Several summers ago on Castaic, I personally witnessed some women get caught. They were in a rental... but they were getting tanked up on beer while beached on a shore and taking in the sun. I even talked to them a little while fishing near them. Suggested they better cut themselves off and sober up a bit before coming in. They didn't listen. I was calling it quits for the day and returning to the marina the same time they were. They got busted because the one controling the motor was too blitzed to dock, and caught the attention of the lifeguards. That was that.

[fishinman]

I've seen gangbangers arrested with possesion of guns .alcohol and drugs at our lakes. never saw so many law enforcment officials in one spot so entertained. Glad I didn't run into those guys. But I have seen some pretty toasted females dancing naked on the decks of boats looking like bait on a sexy fishing hook. DON'T BITE DAT!!

[Buzzbommer]

Hey, I'm all up for seein' some boobies while fishin', drunk joobs look the same as sober ones, but for heaven's sake don't try to control a motorized vessel with no brakes and poor judgement. (although it is funny to watch them try to trailer a boat tanked)

And about fillin' the jail at Pyramid on a weekend, NO DOUBT...!!! I say bring it. And Castaic, Piru, Nacimiento, Puddingstone, and the beatstreeters on the goon' packin heat. Or wherever else.

I really haven't heard of this problem on tournament circuits, and that is for us all to be proud of. It just seems like isolated incidents regarding boats with stereos above 75db that tow things behind them at high rates of speed.

And I was serious about the 'NO WAKE ZONES...!!!'
Love to all......Chris

[eagle123777]

last sunday the coast guard was conducting a volunteer check at buckley cove i was ready so volunteered and got my sticker on the boat...the inspector hinted that the sheriff department and coast guard would start conducting these inspections on the Delta starting the 4th of Jul weekend....so if ya dont have your stuff up to date time to do it...i will guess the ticket is not cheap....jack

[Lugnut]

Wouldn't that be similar to road work, accident, or even a train (those of you who travel through Empire know what I am talking about). I think if a TD makes acceptions once, then they are going to be on the hook everytime something happens. If you did it for them, why won't you do it for me???????????? I know what your saying, it would suck and I hope it doesn't happen.

[Buzzbommer]

Sounds like a bad situation to be put in if you're a TD. But what else can be done...? Lugnut makes a great point, but what is a TD supposed to do? Let's all hope it won't become a 'situation' if you know what I mean.

[smpboy]

dq everyone cause they are late and tournament director gets to pocket all the money

[Buzzbommer]

WoW! Imagine that.... I'm gonna be a TD...!!!

[blkdog812]

if the boater gets stopped for the dui check, then the passenger would need to call the td and get picked up by another boat with their fish just as if it was a break down

[propgun]

I for one would like to see this happen more often at the local lakes around so cal.
Hats off to the law enforcement for doing this. Now with that being said you all be safe out there this holiday weekend.

[Buzzbommer]

Another good point blkdog812, but not all of us *at least with crappy verizon service* get reception at alot of our fisheries. Personally at Piru, forget it. Cachuma can be a prob as well as Naci. I'm thinkin' maybe a time stamp issued by the sheriff's would maybe help. Obviously that is leaving the solution in the sherrif's hands (which almost gurantees a first class pooch screwing), but what else...? Still. I invite these C-points down south here. Lotsa cash for cops, lotsa water undisturbed, and I don't have to hear Lil' Wayne, 50 cent, Outkast, or those g-damn Black Eyed Peas while I'm tryin' to get my fish on. I really don't care about Fergie's lady lumps or who almost got 'capped' in the hood. Not bitter... just annoyed. You know...? Chris