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Gunfire erupts as anglers clash over prime spot off Florida coast
Associated Press
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A clash over a fishing spot two miles off the coast has led to one man sitting in jail today after a torrent of angry words and at least one gun shot.
“A clear case of road rage on the water,†said Broward County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Hugh Graf.
The Instigator, a 20-foot boat with three sports anglers aboard, was on the spot Thursday when the Baits Factor, a 40-footer carrying its owner and a private captain, roared up, Graf said. Despite the shouts of those aboard the Instigator to stay away, the Baits Factor pulled to within 10 to 15 feet of the smaller boat, he said.
“All five parties are apparently yelling obscenities to each other,†Graf said.
He said the men aboard the Instigator soon decided to leave. That’s when Baits Factor owner James Bates, 44, pulled out a .45-caliber pistol and fired at least one shot, Graf said.
The three men on the other boat “literally hit the deck†and called the Coast Guard, he said.
Patrol boats were on the scene within minutes and escorted all five men and their boats into port, said Petty Officer Scott Schubert.
Bates was the only one arrested, charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Schubert said the fishing spot was desirable because a patch of floating sargasso weed was attracting small fish, which often attract larger fish. Both vessels apparently spotted the weed line and wanted to fish there.
“They take fishing seriously,†Schubert told the Miami Herald.
http://www.floridatoday.com/topstories/022103boatrage.htm
Don't ya just know this story is giving some anti-gunners good dreams tonight?
Associated Press
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A clash over a fishing spot two miles off the coast has led to one man sitting in jail today after a torrent of angry words and at least one gun shot.
“A clear case of road rage on the water,†said Broward County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Hugh Graf.
The Instigator, a 20-foot boat with three sports anglers aboard, was on the spot Thursday when the Baits Factor, a 40-footer carrying its owner and a private captain, roared up, Graf said. Despite the shouts of those aboard the Instigator to stay away, the Baits Factor pulled to within 10 to 15 feet of the smaller boat, he said.
“All five parties are apparently yelling obscenities to each other,†Graf said.
He said the men aboard the Instigator soon decided to leave. That’s when Baits Factor owner James Bates, 44, pulled out a .45-caliber pistol and fired at least one shot, Graf said.
The three men on the other boat “literally hit the deck†and called the Coast Guard, he said.
Patrol boats were on the scene within minutes and escorted all five men and their boats into port, said Petty Officer Scott Schubert.
Bates was the only one arrested, charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Schubert said the fishing spot was desirable because a patch of floating sargasso weed was attracting small fish, which often attract larger fish. Both vessels apparently spotted the weed line and wanted to fish there.
“They take fishing seriously,†Schubert told the Miami Herald.
http://www.floridatoday.com/topstories/022103boatrage.htm
Don't ya just know this story is giving some anti-gunners good dreams tonight?