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Fishing tackle thefts on the rise
By Jim Lee
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers September 23, 2007
The garage was locked, so the thieves entered through a small window.
"They took $3,500 worth of my fishing tackle," the homeowner — a veteran
fishing guide — complained.
Rods, reels, lures, locators ... snip, snap, snatched. "They knew what
they were looking for." Thefts of fishing equipment have become more
common in recent years, a manager at Gander Mountain in Rothschild said.
The retail chain specializes in hunting, fishing and camping equipment.
"We're seeing more people come in to replace fishing gear that's been
stolen," he said. "It's even happened to me. A year ago, someone stole a
portable ice fishing shelter from my back yard."
The guide and the retailer asked not to be named out of concern they
would become future targets for additional thievery. The latest theft is
the second time the guide has been hit by thieves targeting his fishing
equipment.
A tackle box full of muskie lures — which cost anywhere from $5 to $20
apiece — can cost easily hundreds of dollars to replace. Ditto with a
container of bass lures. Throw in a couple rod-reel combos, hooks, line,
jigs, plastic tails, pliers, nets and assorted paraphernalia, and the
toll can quickly top $1,000.
"I think the theft of fishing equipment is on the increase," said Justin
Gaiche, a Gander Mountain employee who has worked at the company's Green
Bay and Rothschild stores. "We're seeing it happen in multiple areas,
though I've heard of more thefts in the Wausau area than in Green Bay."
Gaiche, who also works as a fishing guide, lost fishing gear when
thieves raided the boat parked in his back yard.
"My insurance company was pretty good about replacing the equipment, but
they had a bit of trouble understanding why my equipment was so
valuable. They didn't know a $400 rod and reel combination existed when
that is becoming more common among anglers," Gaiche said.
Rick Clements, owner of Clements Insurance Agency, Wausau, said his
office has handled an increasing number of fishing tackle thefts in the
past three to five years.
"I wouldn't say thieves are targeting fishing tackle," he said. "There
just seems to be an increase in all thefts."
Most fishing tackle thefts are covered by the angler's homeowners
insurance policy to the full extent of the losses. Guides may face
varying insurance costs and restrictions because they operate as a
business.
Gun thefts are treated differently by insurance companies, according to
Clements.
"There's a limit on coverage for theft of guns — usually $2,000-$3,000 —
in most homeowner policies," he said. "It's not unusual for a single gun
to cost more than $1,000 and for a hunter to own more than $10,000 worth
of guns."
There usually is no limit on most policies for firearm losses caused by
fire, tornado or other types of claims.
"You can add $7,000 worth of (theft) coverage for about $140 a year," he
said.
Gaiche believes some neighborhoods may be more susceptible to fishing
tackle thefts.
Older, urban areas are often associated with one- or two-stall garages,
which means boats often are parked outside, an inviting target for
passing thieves. In newer subdivisions where three-stall garages
predominate, boats are frequently kept out-of-sight in a locked storage
area.
"Half of the fishing tackle thefts seem to be well-organized," Gaiche
said. "The others seem to be opportunistic — from people just passing
by." |
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