Tickets at Casitas

[Lance]

Want everyone to know there ticket happy at Casitas this weekend. When they say off the lake at 7:15 they mean 7:15, not 7:20. So to recap, your boat has to be OUT of the water at 7:15

[Dan P]

Yea, and the fine is $75.00 bucks. Thanks again Lance!

[Lance]

What are you complaining about, Ive put some thill back into your overly protected suburban lifestyle, a DQ and a ticket all since you meet me, you should graciously thanking me

[bass1056]

I was near the buoy line at the islands. The newest ranger drove up and asked if we were across the buoy line. Of course not, but we were fishing over the line. He stated that was illegal, I questioned this and he confirmed it was illegal. I checked online the muni code, the only statement about no fishing areas, states if it is marked no fishing then it is off limits. The buoy markers only state no boats. I called and spoke to Brad Roney and explained the situation. He did not give a definitive answer but understood the rules and how they were enforced were an issue. I am not sure where this is going but it pays to know the regs of each lake. If I learn anymore I will post.

I know each of us understands the need for rules and the need to enforce them, there is discretion involved at all levels. It is rather upsetting to see all the violations, body contact, overloaded boats, rental and pleasure boats buzzing within 20 ft of fisherman etc and then get stopped about a minor issue. 99% of the bass guys and gals at Casitas are following the rules. Lets target the weekend idiots.

[smittyfish]

It seems the "newest" ranger has a huge attitude. I know a guy that was fishing out of his kayak at the island. The ranger nearly swamped him. He had words with the ranger and ended up with a ticket for disrespecting authority. I think when the authority is such an @sshole he doesn't deserve respect. He has proven over and over that he has a hard on for us bass fishermen. It sure is getting old.

[oakview]

I know each of us understands the need for rules and the need to enforce them, there is discretion involved at all levels. It is rather upsetting to see all the violations, body contact, overloaded boats, rental and pleasure boats buzzing within 20 ft of fisherman etc and then get stopped about a minor issue. 99% of the bass guys and gals at Casitas are following the rules. Lets target the weekend idiots.

You hit that right on the head...I believe the ranger that has been there longest and understands everything is Bob...(I believe that's his name) anyway the other ones, especially the one with the hat problem (folded up in the front) have some issues...To me, someone that fishes almost everyday on the lake...They seem to target bass fishermen...not the weekenders that scream around the lake 20 feet from the bank for hours...or any of the rental boats that have no respect or concern for any other boats...

This is just my 2 cent...but to me, the heart of the problem is Brian Rooney...

He is all about turning Casitas into a "cash cow" instead of saving the world class fishery...

Harassing bass fisherman will not solve the problem at Casitas...Regulating the amount of people on one rental boat will, while increasing income...Also, instead of giving tickets to Lance or any other bass fisherman, they should focus on abuse to rental boats and all the boats out there racing each other that have nothing to do with fishing...the ones increasing mud lines and the unsafe conditions on the lake...

Just for everyone that forgot or didn't know...Brian Rooney is the one that tried to get Jet skies and skiers approved on Casitas and is the one that got next year night tournament schedule to go to the highest bidder...that would be only 5 tournaments (compared to 13 tournaments this year, including club tournaments) where the bass fisherman has to pay an extra $45 per team...To me some of the rangers reflect Brian Rooney’s view...its all about the dollar...

Again just my 2 cents...

See you on the water...with the rangers in chase...

D.

[oakview]

Also if the management of the lake focused on the fishing side...they would see the fishery really start to improve and might get close to reaching the levels of the 80's...but it is obvious by their actions...the last ones on their list is the bass fishermen...the ones that constantly put money into the lake...

the dollar is more important while not noticing the failing heath of the lake...

Sorry...but this subject gets to me...

D.

[Kelly Ripa]

Actually... I spoke with a ranger at Erics Tackle two weeks ago. Very professional and he had an earnest, honest ear for the concerns mentioned above. The enforcement issues are a concern to all the rangers and if you don't know what they have done to maintain and enhance the lake and it's trophy status then you can bash them all you want. The lake peaked in the 80's because the natural and unnatural forces finally took it down a notch. It still continues to amaze me that fish of any size much less the slugs that roam Casitas are as bountiful as they are. Just like wondering where the CHP is every morning when I commute to work and watch the idiots doing in excess of 100 mph.... I figure it has got to be tough to keep the lake running in greased grooves all the time while keeping the absolute morons that are camping there from burning it to the ground. Are their reckless folks driving rental boats?....yes. Are there boats going over the speed limit?....yes. I for one am not going to cast any stones at these rangers because frankly for the money they make I'd be plain rude to the general public. Come in late...sweet! here is your ticket. Fishing over the buoy line doesn't quite fit....but they are having to actively police the closed areas of the lake as there are people going over the buoy lines and that cannot be tolerated. Brian Rooney is not a good thing but I was under the impression that a lot of influential nutcase's were on top of the latest B.S. concerning the night tournaments and the like. Fewer tournaments next year is a reality until something can be done to get it down from the 18 from this year. I did get a lesson at Erics from the ranger and did become much more concerned about other players and departments that I haden't realized were having an impact on the Casitas fishery. I came away with a pretty good feeling after my talk with the ranger and to tell you the truth they have pumped $ 35,000 dollars worth of vital and real improvements to both habitat and to the forage base. ( what bass fisherman think of as bait ).

I volenteered for the project that is coming up in July of next year but purely for selfish reasons. I want to know where they are going to be putting in some of the upgrades that are slated. I've never had a ranger look twice at me but then I'm the guy driving his Champion to last.... not to the hilt. I try to walk around in their shoes and do the right thing sometimes even if it's hard to do. I will say that this Saturday was crowded at the lake but I had no encroachment issues and even took out some time from my busy being a big bad bass pro to help out a few guys in a rental boat that clearly presented no danger to anything with scales. It took me over an hour to get them to the right spot...re-rigged and catching some fish but I felt better about myself when I idled away. It's just the way I am. I hope the areas that are going to be closed to fishing next year doesn't tourque off to many people but that's the price you have to pay to maintain a healthy lake. Sure it can be a zoo. But think about it....I personally can't name another lake that isn't doing anything but taking money without replenishing. My hats off to the guys who just finished off this summer as there were no fatalities and a good time could be had by all if we just tried a little harder. I think I'm begining to like my new back yard as much as it surprises me it's a nice place to visit. But I wouldn't want to try and run it as you guys would kick my a$$ even harder than your about to...

Rip

[npangler]

All I know is there has been peace & harmony for at least the
last five years or so and all of a sudden everyone including me
are getting tickets for stupid stuff I think somebody has an
attitude or an agenda.

[oakview]

Kelly,

Yes you correct, the lake, mostly Ranger "Bob", has done alot like stocking florida bass, a ton of bluegill, and a thousands of crayfish...and yes when you were at Eric's, Rob was also, there...

I have always respected Ranger Bob and everything he does for both the fishermen and the lake...He is the only one I have confidence in at the lake...I wasn't bashing Ranger Bob...but because his hands are tied...he can only do some much...
MR. Rooney is the one I was bashing and the one I think is the true problem...

Also, back to all the stockings the lake has been doing...alot of the money for those stockings have came from the fishermen and different tournaments that raise money for the lake...

As for not casting any stones...well, if you are hired to be a ranger...my first thought is, be professional not an @ss...A few tournaments back, Casitas was having a night fishing event in conjuction with the night tournament...No biggie...but what I did have a problem with is the ranger with the "hat" issue, he was telling all the guys and gals that wanted to do some night time fun fishing if they didn't have a fire extinguisher, a tow rope, and some other things that they couldn't go out...ok not a problem...but the problem was his attitude and the unprofessional way he was acting...very rude...Luckly I was in the tournament...there is no way I would pay $6 or whatever it is after seeing how this clown was acting...Yes, Rangers probably don't get paid enough, yes I'm sure there are some people that can be rude to them...but they represent the lake, period...They need to act professional...Ranger Bob always does...the others need to learn a thing from Ranger Bob...

Again just my 2cents...in short...Ranger Bob should be running that show and kick Mr. Rooney @ss back to some other lake...

D.

[Rob Cummings]

Dang bro, tell 'em how ya really feel!!!

By the way, it's Ranger Rob.


And I do agree the ranger with the "hat" is a clown and needs to be reigned back in.

[smittyfish]

Hey Dave,

We finally got rid of Brian Roney here at Castaic. We don't want him back. He wore out his welcome a long time ago.

As for the rangers, Rip if they aren't paid enough for what they do then they should consider a career change. The fishermen shouldn't pay the price for his bitterness. We didn't choose his profession. The fishermen I know and hang out with show respect to those that show the same respect to them. If you are an @ss to them, then they will return the favor.

Just my .02 cents.

[DougH]

The "goofy" Rangers name is "Gino".

I think his problem is that his background is saltwater. He just doesn't know what's going on in the "bass fishing world"

I did fish the family fishing event that was the same evening as the tourney with my wife and he wasn't "rude" so to speak, but just a bit more to the letter of the law. He almost tried to call me on the fire extinguisher, which was on the OK line. Then he tried to make me take the tape off the back light. I explained that every boat on the lake has the boat side of the rear light taped up, so as not to blind the guy fishing from the back seat. He finally relented and let me go.

Once he gets a bit more familiar with the lake, and all of us who fish it, maybe he will settle down and get real...

Or maybe not...

[oakview]

He there Dougie...it was good seeing you on the water today...too bad about the "donkey" that came unbutton...but atleast you are on them...

See you and Dave out there soon...

D.

[mark poulson]

Hey Dave,
Where was Rob today? I guess there was "too much traffic" again.

We need to buy that boy some chill pills. If he thinks the traffic at Casitas is bad, let him go to Castaic on a summer weekend.

Dumb move of the day.....
I got so busy fishing I forgot to put my shirt back on, and am now a beautiful lobster red!
With all the increased "enforcement", I'm surprised I didn't get a ticket for over exposure!
Do you think you could get that Ranger to enforce the 5mph in the coves? Now that would be a good thing.

Even with the occasional wake from the uninformed, it sure beat the he!! out of Castaic and all those skiers. And the bass busting
shad was fun.
And the best part is, I left at 1:00, took the 126 to miss the 101 nightmare, and got home next door to LAX at 2:30.

[oakview]

Hey Mark it was good to see you on Saturday...I was out there today but only to about 10...check the new video...

THat was you down in Deep Cat...I didn't notice you with the straw hat...

As for Rob...he is not really feeling the heat and to be honest it is starting to get on my nerves...

How did you do today...
D.

[19X]

Dave that was some awesome video of that varmit.. thanks for sharin.. you might want to look out for the big kitty cats now that animals and the bass want your baits

[scottsweet]

Just to set the record straight, I believe you guys are all talking about Ranger Rob, not Bob.

.

[mark poulson]

Dave,
Sorry to get back a day late. Turns out I was having a BBQ at my house last night, and I was cooking, but I didn't find out until my neighbor told me when I got home at 3:00. Surprise!!!
Anyway, I had a fun day, no size, lots of fish.
It started out on a bad note, when I broke my partner's 8" striper lure. I don't know it's name, but it glides side to side like a Lunker Punker, so I had borrowed it to throw at Casitas, and, wouldn't you know, on the fourth or fifth cast, I launched up onto the mud bank in front of that overpass in Deep Cat, and it landed on the only hard thing there, a beer bottle, and broke in half. Drat! Some kind of brittle plastic, almost like Bakalite.
I retrieved the pieces, so maybe I can turn a replacement out of wood on my lathe. But I'm dreading having to call him and break the news, since it was one of only two he had left.
But I caught a lot of busting fish, and a few good keepers, so it was a good fishing half day.