News Flash! Everyone must read!
Do Fish Hedz masks put us bass anglers (and anyone else for that matter) at greater risk of detention as possible shady characters?!?
Word on the River is that law officers may be targeting bass anglers who wear Fish Hedz masks while running near border areas as possible shady and shiftless characters up to no good. I have it on great authority - a trusted source - that the bigger the outboard, the more likely you will be stopped and search thoroughly, and with serious attention to detail.
One officer was heard to say, "you look kinda shiftless and shady with those weird masks on. You aren't some kind of smugglers or bandits are ye?" (Okay, I made that second sentence up, but you get the picture.)
Be warned and be informed.
Questions that still need answering are: 1) Does mask pattern make it more or less likely you will be stopped? (I mean, I can see the occasional lawman thinking a guy wearing a skull and crossbones mask might actually be a pirate.) 2) Is bias towards a particular boat brand possibly involved? 3) Is angler height, weight, or smoothness of tan a factor? (I see the guys with the really obvious raccoon tan around the eyes and I immediately think 'bandit' myself.) 4) Should guys who have bought Fish Hedz masks be detained on general principal so the rest of us without masks can catch up and pass them (while pointing and laughing - this from a guy who was once pulled over for the crime of 'water coming out of my... er, his boat')?
I will continue to investigate this matter and report back to all of you accurately and in a timely manner so you can avoid unnecessary and embarrassing stops along our nations borders by law officers who apparently do not know the crazy lengths a bass tournament angler will go to to catch a small fish and drive it back long distances through waves no sane person would go near just to hopefully win enough money to pay for the gas to where the fish was caught.
Good night and God bless...
Very funny Dan, I will tell you that what you have mentioned did indeed happen. We indeed were traveling south in the river when I see a police boat in front of us. We continue down the river he passes us we continue to go. We are probably 200 yards passed them when my partner slows down to ask is this a no wake zone??? I tell him not to my knowledge, as we turn around to hear sirens and see flashers going. Once the officers arrived boatside the "rookie" starts asking to see everthing but the kitchen sink, while his partner the "veteran" just wants to know how the fishing is. After showing him all of our safety equipment, he asks do you know why I pulled you over???? Imagine the look on our faces when he says those masks that you are wearing make you look very peculiar and questionable. ??? It was a pretty interesting conversation in our boat for the rest of the afternoon. I told my partner we won't be wearing these near the border anytime soon. ;D
Derek
who was that "masked man"???? i come in peace......
don't wear mine until fall or unless its pouring rain. maybe i should put a american flag sticker on it or something.
Jeez, just cuz a guy likes to go way to fast and be comfortable while he does...... ;D
I have a habit of looking behind me as I run to a spot (probably cuz all the guys in the club follow me to my spots so they can catch a few... ) and I have lost a few pairs of sunglasses doing that. For this reason I wear mine ANY time I'm making a run of more than a mile. Keeps the bugs out of the teeth, too.
Now, if I were to see anyone wearing a Fishhedz JERSEY, boy I would pull that rap-scallion over right away! ;)
Never look back is my motto. Down south, if they even think they hear something, they just put the hammer down harder, trim er out full and fly as fast as they can away from the 'troublesome noises.'
maybe they should paint them in Celebrity faces. Elvis, Joker, Riddler. not sure the Sadam face would be a good one to wear along the border. Jason would be a big seller. just think you could use them on Halloween also. i will stick with my full coverage helmet..