Good info. My brother's most expensive rod and reel were taken right off the back of the truck when we stopped to get snacks one time and the very first time my dad launched his bay boat, the spare tire was stolen. We think it was by another boater. We made sure everything had a lock on it after that.
A lock is for an honest man!!! A piece of lead is for a thief!! We are not the same on that issue Matt, and I make NO apologies for that. Stealing another man’s hunting and fishing stuff will make a man disappear.
Stealing anything, really. Out here in rural California, we have terrible self-defense laws. Sherfiffs just say, "Handle it yourself just dont make it our problem."
@@bassman4201000there used to be honor in most all things and God in most folks lives. With the loss of those comes chaos. And you just can’t fix stupid, but adjustments happen on a daily basis.
@@MattStefanFishing I agree with ya Matt. Now send us a video on that finisher again. I’m gonna try it again this fall for smallmouth on the Tennessee River.
Just make sure locks that you don't usually use are occasionally opened and lubed occasionally otherwise when you have to open then they are corroded and won't open. I worked in a rental store and had to cut many a lock off vehicles that needed a different hitch
Matt thanks for telling me about Durasafe. I’ve always locked my trailers and spares but I wasn’t aware that you could get the same key for many locks. After seeing your video, I ordered 7 locks from them for my three boat trailers. Now I have 6 less keys on my key chain. Their customer service is great.
In the 60s our family used to park at public ramps in Ontario for a week. I remember Dad ordering locking gas caps for the truck, not for theft, to prevent contamination of the gas. I load truck and trailer spares in the cab to this day. TIGHT LINES ALL
Is the ball welded to your draw bar? If not all it takes is a wrench…. I lock all mine and I welded the nut to the ball threads and the nut to the draw bar. Make my rig hardest to steal at the ramp.
I've come up with a system I think works well with Airtags, I believe this is the best option as you'll not only be able monitor your trailer from the water, but if it gets stolen you'll be able to track the thief & hold them accountable in a way of your choosing ;) This will work well as long as you can find a good hiding spot within the trailer frame. First get a waterproof box for the Airtag, this way you can launch all year and not worry about taking the airtag on-off each time. You can get small waterproof cases for airtags, but I don't trust them and they are hard to open/close as you'll need to unscrew them each time. Instead I chose to go with a GoPro waterproof camera case, it's highly waterproof, small, and has a latch open/close system so you can change the battery easily. Next I cut a plate to fit in between the frame to hold the box tight & conceal it. I made the plate removable so I could access the airtag to change the battery. You should also do the 'speaker remove' hack on the Airtag so it doesn't make any sound. I do a similar system in my boat as well. You now have a hidden waterproof GPS on your boat trailer, and all you have to do is change the battery once a year. Side note - please do not make a video about this, yes thieves could read this, but they are far more inclined to watch a video to learn was to look for vs take the time to read, this is for my fellow boaters, but by all means if you catch the thieves please make a video of you catching them ;)
Your videos inspired us to finally get locks for our camping trailer and spare tire. Love having all the same key and we feel much better leaving things when we aren’t there. Supporting Wisconsin is nice too! :)
Put my order in today. This had been in the back of my mind as I have to store my boat at a storage facility in addition to at the ramp. This reminded me and is good advice. Thanks Matt.
Good idea to hide air tags on boat and trailer as well . A mechanic at a BassPro shop said a 200k boat was in for regular maintenance and a group of professional thieves cut the security cameras at facility and took off with the customers 200k boat at 2am lol…… Well the guys phone said your boat is not where you left it lol…. So he knew The Shop didn’t move it , so he got up and watched it being moved from his cell phone . He called cops at a residence and arrested several people and recovered lots of stolen boats and cars . Needless to say , security was beefed up at the shop lol….
@@MattStefanFishing Air tags are cheap and I’m old so they help me find my keys as well lol…..There are allot of good hiding places on a boat as well . Every time I leave the house without the boat my phone says ( you are no longer with your boat )
Thanks for the advice, I lock my stuff but it’s just a deterrent, if someone really wants it they will still take it, I use locks just so I can say I’ve done everything I could. The actual hitch ball is yet another place people can get your trailer, a lot of newer ball mounts have a recessed place for the trailer ball to sit down in which keeps it from spinning when tightening the nut but that makes it easy to steal the trailer, they can take the nut off easily and set it down on their own ball mount.
Great information, Matt. If your trailer is stolen not only will you have the expense of replacing the trailer you’ll also have the headache, hassle, and expense of getting your boat off the water! What a pain that would be!!!
I make sure I have everything before hitching up the boat and heading out. No unexpected stops. The trailer is locked to the truck, the spare tire is locked to the trailer. I used to have a topper on the old truck but a soft cover for the newer truck, sight unseen. I put the large heavy stuff in the back of the truck when pulling the boat, cooler, gas tanks etc... to save wear and tear on the 16-foot aluminum Jon boat I own. An old timer told me once is that a lock is to keep your friends honest.
In Florida if you leave your truck and trailer to run over the Bahamas one or both will not be there when you get back. We have to move trailers to a secure compound many miles from the ramp.
@@MattStefanFishing I just got my own boat (2018 Lund 1875 Pro-V) so I ordered last night the receiver lock (1/2"), the 3" coupler lock, the spare tire lock and the swing away tongue trailer lock. Thank you sir!!
Even stopping at store for ice and drinks, all rods are in locked rod boxes and tackle bags are in locked console. My hitch is always locked on the truck, boat trailer has locked spare tire, lock on QD trolling motor mount and lock on the hitch. I even have tamperproof hardware on my BoatEFX steps on the boat trailer. I had someone that thought I was crazy for spending $250 on a hitch lock when boat is sitting in my driveway not hooked to the truck. As I told him, what is $250 to help deter someone from taking a $100K+ bay boat? When I take it to Florida fishing for a week at a time and the boat is at the dock, that's an expensive aluminum trailer sitting at a rental house with me on the water all day to have a $15 lock on the hitch. Plus, I park the truck in front of it.
I believe it’s all about where you live. I can go camping and leave everything out like rods, coolers, and whatever and it will be there when I get back.
I worked for GM for over 34 years and of those years 15 was with Cadillac. And Mondays was a big in parts sales of items stole off Cads. Tires, Wheels , Grills , Emblems , etc. It’s a shame what has happened in our Society.
Unfortunately most trailer tongues can simply be unbolted from the trailer in about 30 seconds no matter what lock you have on there. You can weld the bolt heads to the tongue to prevent that but it does make replacing the tongue more difficult should you need to do so in the future.
Whenever I fished in an “iffy” area I would take the fuse for the fuel injection out. Only thing worse than someone stealing your truck is now you don’t have a trailer for the boat and you’re royally screwed.
Here is California you have to be careful at stop lights. I’ve had to run red lights many times. They wait at the corner for you to stop, run out and start snatching your gear out of the boat. They also bust the locks on container trucks and loot!
This is a great change of pace video Matt, thanks for posting. I’m going to check out durasafe and reconsider my trailer security. We don’t have much trouble here on Maryland’s eastern shore with trailers stolen at the ramp, but it only takes one time. On a smaller scale, my trailer has one of those pop-off winch handles and I remove that and lock it in my truck every time I launch. Had one stolen one time and I’m convinced it was another boater. Sad when you can’t trust your fellow fishermen. Keep up the good work!
When I was 16, 48 now, my uncles trailer was stolen at the ramp. Made a huge PITA to get another boat home, jack it up, and take the trailer to get the boat out of the water. Thank you for spreading the word.
Great video.... hear in Florida the consequences of stealing can be very high. Being practically surrounded by water and some of the best bass fishing in the country. On the weekend, it's not uncommon to see a boat being towed every other 20 veh. If you commit a felony in Florida, you most likely... if caught by the owner, will not make it...
Matt, I learned the hard way years ago at a boat ramp, a thief stole my ball mount & left the trailer tongue sitting on the ground & no place to buy another one for miles
Most thieves are just opportunistic scavengers - they will take things that aren't secured when it's a quick grab-and-go and often in plain sight Very few people carry bolt cutters on them, and it isn't very discreet being at a gas station or boat ramp cutting locks to get at people's gear. You can't stop every theft, but having your stuff locked up will stop most of it
I have a lock on my hitch and the tongue of my boat trailer. no lock for the spare tire because i don't have a mount for it. that one feller with the master lock is an easy target because a good blow form a hammer with disable that lock. just an fyi for him if he watched your channel.
Not just piece of mind, Matt. I look at it as "Anger prevention". I become very angry when I am victimized in ANY capacity. That anger lasts a looonng time.
I agree with you. I am very good at picking locks (a law enforcement skill) and once you learn that skill you will never leave home again thinking your life is secure. You cannot stop a thief from breaking into your lock, at best you can slow them down or make them move on to some other fool that does not lock their property up.
I had a buddy that went fishing about 50 miles from his house on Thanksgiving Day years ago and while he was out on the water, someone stole his hitch and ball out of his receiver. Luckily, he had another one at home, but it was a 100 mile round trip for his wife to take it to him.
I padlock one of my safety chains to the receiver hitch where the safety chain connects. Someone could steal my ball mount but they are not getting my trailer without tools.
I go no lock with Air Tag. I edited to add more. The boat ramp near me has lots of unlocked aluminum I-beam trailers left in the lot due to the boats being on the moorings. Nothing has ever been touched, even the city’s police boat trailers are in the same lot. The lot is surrounded by houses so I’d imagine if someone was caught steeling they would end up being snapped in half at the spine and stuffed into an offshore lobster pot. Freshwater fishermen aren’t feared too much, however commercial ocean fishermen are truly nuts and thieves were told this by their grandfathers and fathers, or their single mom.
It doesn't matter where you are anymore. The drug problems are everywhere in rural America, and theft is how many drug addicts support their habits . I think I saw your truck at a small launch on the Wisconsin river north of Rhinelander back in July. Did you make a video that day? Our family's lake home is minutes away from there.
When I leave with my boat I never leave it on attendant either my wife or my friends with me not all boats have the capabilities of locking up all of your gear my trailer has a lock on the hitch my spare tire has a lock around it
You can go to the flea market and by ball hitch all day long wonder how they get so many to sale cheap , had friend that just bought a trailer to haul his quad for ice fishing and didn’t lock it and when got back to truck it was gone police said it happens all the time and you will probably never see it again so if you want to keep it locked it period.
Whether knowing or not, the future user of the trailer will have to license it. I hope that there is a computerized list, like for stolen cars, that would show the trailer as stolen.
Noticed your hitch can be unbolted and then they can steal the trailer - years ago someone tried to do this on my trailer and it almost caused me to loose my trailer while traveling - horrible, I hate thieves.
They can but i they can’t get the ball out of my hitch if they did that….wouldnt be an easy thing to get out of there and mine is so rusted the nut wouldn’t probably come off
Oh, and good luck on the team series. Sucks that there's finally a pro tournament in erie, and there's no fan fair. But i know the setup is to not have you guys know exactly where you're going. Would've been great to meet you and the boys. I'll be fishing erie myself this weekend also. Hope you guys hammer giant smallies
Looks like I could have stolen your rods when you were doing your video. 😂🤣 I'm just teasing you. Great information and true. Take it from a guy who has had many things stolen.
I am super paranoid if I have to run in the store. No way to lock my rods and tackle, that aren't a pita the rest of the week. Smokes me when I go to the coast and drop my boat in an unattended lot and no one else has a lock to be seen on their trailer.
I guess this is a matter of perspective ... locking up your $15,000 worth of electronics? Yep I get that if you are leaving them on your boat. Don't leave rods and tackle out in the boat and lock your rod lockers? Yep, absolutely. Locking your trailer or trolling motor ? Not really sure about the need for this. I mean is stealing trailers really a thing? Aren't most specific to the particular boat they come with? Even stealing spare tires it needs to be specific to the trailer in question as there really aren't 'universal spare tires' ... maybe if you travel around the country fishing high profile tournaments you're more of a target but for the average recreational anger who doesn't show up at the ramp with a wrapped truck and boat I'm not sure this amount of security is really justified. Of course given what did for a living for 41 years I'm definite less risk adverse than most ...
@@MattStefanFishing wow, guess I'm glad I don't live in Wisconsin 😬. Since I returned to bass fishing 3 years ago I can honestly say I've not heard a single instance of this from all the regulars around here. Of course we don't have these huge impoundments with thousands fishing them them every week either
my friends son wss duck hunting hear baltimire he hsd hus dads 2 antique teally expensive shotguns and boat .he went to a tiny store for coffee came back out and hes guns were gone
I’ve had plenty of stuff stolen over the years. It’s gotten so bad around here the local sheriff made a public announcement to obviously not leave valuables in site but also stated not to bother locking the car doors because it will save you a smashed window…..gotta love the times
There are many thieves in the world. You have the dedicated thieves and the opportunistic thieves. My apartment complex is full of opportunistic thieves. If you have something delivered to your door you better get it as soon as possible or someone passing by will steal it. It’s really sad.
Talk to your mailman. Have him leave an attempted delivery notice so you can pick up your packages at your convenience OR ask for receivers on a day when you are home.
@@andrewhansen4179 I can’t I only have one leg no car no transportation no friends or family to take me to the post office. Besides most of my deliveries come from Amazon.
It amazed me when i fished tournaments 2 years ago we pull into a half dumpy hotel. All the boats with no covers on their boats. graphs, rods, tackle all wide open on the decks of literally 6-10 boats all night long. That and i see 8 out of 10 guys with $100,000 boats with no covers on driven along in the rain. Sitting outside all summer with no cover. People are dumb. Also i bleave you told the story of a guy fishing. Went to get his truck and trailer. And the trailer was gone
Hey Matt. I bought a Durasafe lock for my Ghost trolling motor based on your recommendation. It’s easy to install, works great and it’s not in the way. Thanks for the recommendation, I love it.
I would not have that lock oriented on the spare like that. Get the right water height and approach and that thing is hitting the boat. And I can break one of those pin locks off with two hit with a 3lb hammer. I know this for a fact because I've seen me do it! I lost the key to my pin lock a few years back on my pontoon trailer. I was alarmed how easy it was. But I get your message. You're right. Lock your stuff up. The more things you can do to slow them down the more likely they are to move along.
I bet you don't weld your nut/ball on your hitch to prevent someone from removing the ball from the receiver. I tack weld mine to prevent thieves. Just one more step. That is how thieves steel the trailers.
Sounds great for boaters . Bank fishing not so much there was local river that folks went to and was were this thief went also with two pound hammer and picked cars and trucks clean as fishermen were 75 feet down at river with current noise to cover what was going on with cars. People come back and find glass busted out and stereo and anything worth stealing gone and in some cases the vechile missing. The irony is the local authorities never saw or caught the guy but would always be about to check fishing licenses on daily basis. So it was safe that these crooks new the cop routine
Tennessee boat ramps are horrible for theft. But it's all smash and grabs and or catalytic converter cut offs. I've never heard of a trailer or tire getting stolen here.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
Good info. My brother's most expensive rod and reel were taken right off the back of the truck when we stopped to get snacks one time and the very first time my dad launched his bay boat, the spare tire was stolen. We think it was by another boater. We made sure everything had a lock on it after that.
Sorry to hear that
A lock is for an honest man!!! A piece of lead is for a thief!! We are not the same on that issue Matt, and I make NO apologies for that. Stealing another man’s hunting and fishing stuff will make a man disappear.
Stealing anything, really. Out here in rural California, we have terrible self-defense laws. Sherfiffs just say, "Handle it yourself just dont make it our problem."
@@bassman4201000there used to be honor in most all things and God in most folks lives. With the loss of those comes chaos. And you just can’t fix stupid, but adjustments happen on a daily basis.
As much as I agree with you in principle, it's pretty easy to catch a charge for hurting thieves. Just be wise about it.
I’m not saying someone doesn’t deserve it. Most the time you don’t get the opportunity so lock it up when you aren’t around
@@MattStefanFishing I agree with ya Matt. Now send us a video on that finisher again. I’m gonna try it again this fall for smallmouth on the Tennessee River.
Just make sure locks that you don't usually use are occasionally opened and lubed occasionally otherwise when you have to open then they are corroded and won't open. I worked in a rental store and had to cut many a lock off vehicles that needed a different hitch
Thanks for sharing
Matt thanks for telling me about Durasafe. I’ve always locked my trailers and spares but I wasn’t aware that you could get the same key for many locks. After seeing your video, I ordered 7 locks from them for my three boat trailers. Now I have 6 less keys on my key chain. Their customer service is great.
They are an amazing company!
In the 60s our family used to park at public ramps in Ontario for a week. I remember Dad ordering locking gas caps for the truck, not for theft, to prevent contamination of the gas. I load truck and trailer spares in the cab to this day. TIGHT LINES ALL
Interesting
Here in Arkansas fishing and hunting is life here. I live within a hour of 5 lakes. It's wonderful.
sounds nice!
Is the ball welded to your draw bar? If not all it takes is a wrench…. I lock all mine and I welded the nut to the ball threads and the nut to the draw bar. Make my rig hardest to steal at the ramp.
Welding is a good tip
I've come up with a system I think works well with Airtags, I believe this is the best option as you'll not only be able monitor your trailer from the water, but if it gets stolen you'll be able to track the thief & hold them accountable in a way of your choosing ;) This will work well as long as you can find a good hiding spot within the trailer frame. First get a waterproof box for the Airtag, this way you can launch all year and not worry about taking the airtag on-off each time. You can get small waterproof cases for airtags, but I don't trust them and they are hard to open/close as you'll need to unscrew them each time. Instead I chose to go with a GoPro waterproof camera case, it's highly waterproof, small, and has a latch open/close system so you can change the battery easily. Next I cut a plate to fit in between the frame to hold the box tight & conceal it. I made the plate removable so I could access the airtag to change the battery. You should also do the 'speaker remove' hack on the Airtag so it doesn't make any sound. I do a similar system in my boat as well. You now have a hidden waterproof GPS on your boat trailer, and all you have to do is change the battery once a year. Side note - please do not make a video about this, yes thieves could read this, but they are far more inclined to watch a video to learn was to look for vs take the time to read, this is for my fellow boaters, but by all means if you catch the thieves please make a video of you catching them ;)
Thanks for sharing
Your videos inspired us to finally get locks for our camping trailer and spare tire. Love having all the same key and we feel much better leaving things when we aren’t there. Supporting Wisconsin is nice too! :)
Glad to help you won’t regret it
Thanks for the support Ginny (and Jon!) 😊
Put my order in today. This had been in the back of my mind as I have to store my boat at a storage facility in addition to at the ramp. This reminded me and is good advice. Thanks Matt.
Glad to help!
Good idea to hide air tags on boat and trailer as well . A mechanic at a BassPro shop said a 200k boat was in for regular maintenance and a group of professional thieves cut the security cameras at facility and took off with the customers 200k boat at 2am lol…… Well the guys phone said your boat is not where you left it lol…. So he knew The Shop didn’t move it , so he got up and watched it being moved from his cell phone . He called cops at a residence and arrested several people and recovered lots of stolen boats and cars . Needless to say , security was beefed up at the shop lol….
I teresting
@@MattStefanFishing Air tags are cheap and I’m old so they help me find my keys as well lol…..There are allot of good hiding places on a boat as well . Every time I leave the house without the boat my phone says ( you are no longer with your boat )
I had a trolling motor stolen off my boat at a dealer. He asked me if I had insurance? I took 2 steps forward and said you better. New motor next day.
Needless to say airtags show up on your phone if they are present. So who cares.
Thanks for the advice, I lock my stuff but it’s just a deterrent, if someone really wants it they will still take it, I use locks just so I can say I’ve done everything I could. The actual hitch ball is yet another place people can get your trailer, a lot of newer ball mounts have a recessed place for the trailer ball to sit down in which keeps it from spinning when tightening the nut but that makes it easy to steal the trailer, they can take the nut off easily and set it down on their own ball mount.
deterrents help!
A bit of welding makes the ball theft-proof! Now one of the hitch locks will be "the weakest link".
I have numerous Durasafe locks and couldn't be happier with them!
They are great!
Great information, Matt. If your trailer is stolen not only will you have the expense of replacing the trailer you’ll also have the headache, hassle, and expense of getting your boat off the water! What a pain that would be!!!
I can’t imagibe
I make sure I have everything before hitching up the boat and heading out. No unexpected stops. The trailer is locked to the truck, the spare tire is locked to the trailer. I used to have a topper on the old truck but a soft cover for the newer truck, sight unseen. I put the large heavy stuff in the back of the truck when pulling the boat, cooler, gas tanks etc... to save wear and tear on the 16-foot aluminum Jon boat I own. An old timer told me once is that a lock is to keep your friends honest.
No reason to make it easy for thief’s
In Florida if you leave your truck and trailer to run over the Bahamas one or both will not be there when you get back. We have to move trailers to a secure compound many miles from the ramp.
Dang
I will be looking into these locks for my trailer and I know stuff like this does make a difference. Great stuff Matt and as always thank you!!
Glad to help
@@MattStefanFishing I just got my own boat (2018 Lund 1875 Pro-V) so I ordered last night the receiver lock (1/2"), the 3" coupler lock, the spare tire lock and the swing away tongue trailer lock. Thank you sir!!
Great PSA. Appreciate it. I even lock my motor to my boat. Hope you caught them.
We fish tomorrow
Should talk about not being a gashole. If you’ve pumped and want to go inside, clear the pump. Please.
haha
Never heard of getting change huh?
@@andrewsavage1872 more than not, this is not the case. Most are just rude inconsiderate clowns.
@@trollingdirty8910 🤣🤣 aw, poor baby, pick another fucking pump!
@@andrewsavage1872 😚
Even stopping at store for ice and drinks, all rods are in locked rod boxes and tackle bags are in locked console. My hitch is always locked on the truck, boat trailer has locked spare tire, lock on QD trolling motor mount and lock on the hitch. I even have tamperproof hardware on my BoatEFX steps on the boat trailer. I had someone that thought I was crazy for spending $250 on a hitch lock when boat is sitting in my driveway not hooked to the truck. As I told him, what is $250 to help deter someone from taking a $100K+ bay boat? When I take it to Florida fishing for a week at a time and the boat is at the dock, that's an expensive aluminum trailer sitting at a rental house with me on the water all day to have a $15 lock on the hitch. Plus, I park the truck in front of it.
lock it up!
I have an aluminum trailer. I always lock it and the hitch to the truck.
Those are the easiest to steal
I believe it’s all about where you live. I can go camping and leave everything out like rods, coolers, and whatever and it will be there when I get back.
Sounds great!
I worked for GM for over 34 years and of those years 15 was with Cadillac. And Mondays was a big in parts sales of items stole off Cads. Tires, Wheels , Grills , Emblems , etc. It’s a shame what has happened in our Society.
Yep
Yeah one time my dad went to a Taco Bell in South LA, some ese stole the Hubcaps off his old Cadillac, not even the whole wheel just the hubs 🤣🤣.
With all that sponsorship on your truck I’m sure it would be the prime target
I hope Not
Unfortunately most trailer tongues can simply be unbolted from the trailer in about 30 seconds no matter what lock you have on there. You can weld the bolt heads to the tongue to prevent that but it does make replacing the tongue more difficult should you need to do so in the future.
its also hard for a crook to reconnect a bolt to their trailer
Good points on securing your gear.
Thanks!
One reason I bought my simple express boat was a lockable rod box and lockable storage compartment
Sounds good
Whenever I fished in an “iffy” area I would take the fuse for the fuel injection out. Only thing worse than someone stealing your truck is now you don’t have a trailer for the boat and you’re royally screwed.
Thanks for sharing
Hey been using their locks for awhile now. As a retired locksmith love the keyed alike !!👍
the keyed alike is amazing!
Here is California you have to be careful at stop lights. I’ve had to run red lights many times. They wait at the corner for you to stop, run out and start snatching your gear out of the boat. They also bust the locks on container trucks and loot!
Oh wow!
good point , I'm buying some new locks . THANKS
Glad to help
This is a great change of pace video Matt, thanks for posting. I’m going to check out durasafe and reconsider my trailer security. We don’t have much trouble here on Maryland’s eastern shore with trailers stolen at the ramp, but it only takes one time. On a smaller scale, my trailer has one of those pop-off winch handles and I remove that and lock it in my truck every time I launch. Had one stolen one time and I’m convinced it was another boater. Sad when you can’t trust your fellow fishermen. Keep up the good work!
Check them out
When I was 16, 48 now, my uncles trailer was stolen at the ramp. Made a huge PITA to get another boat home, jack it up, and take the trailer to get the boat out of the water. Thank you for spreading the word.
Bummer
Really, the trailer tires that are mounted to the trailer axles need locks also.
absolutely
Great video.... hear in Florida the consequences of stealing can be very high. Being practically surrounded by water and some of the best bass fishing in the country. On the weekend, it's not uncommon to see a boat being towed every other 20 veh. If you commit a felony in Florida, you most likely... if caught by the owner, will not make it...
i dont see any problems with that
Matt, I learned the hard way years ago at a boat ramp, a thief stole my ball mount & left the trailer tongue sitting on the ground & no place to buy another one for miles
Gosh, that really sucks. Did someone help you out or did you have to leave your trailer there while you went hunting for another ball mount?
Sorry to hear that
36” bolt cutters are a thing, those locks don’t matter. The lock picking lawyer will dispel any sense of security from a lock.
I’m not going to be the easiest on in the lot
Most thieves are just opportunistic scavengers - they will take things that aren't secured when it's a quick grab-and-go and often in plain sight
Very few people carry bolt cutters on them, and it isn't very discreet being at a gas station or boat ramp cutting locks to get at people's gear.
You can't stop every theft, but having your stuff locked up will stop most of it
Your average guy can't figure out how to grease his hubs much less pick a lock
I have a lock on my hitch and the tongue of my boat trailer. no lock for the spare tire because i don't have a mount for it.
that one feller with the master lock is an easy target because a good blow form a hammer with disable that lock. just an fyi for him if he watched your channel.
Thanks for watching
Oshkosh has had a string of thefts the last month targeting fishing boats and gear. I always lock up my stuff!
sorry to hear that
It sucks about the world we live in, but don't trust anyone. Lock things up and be safe. Thanks for reminding me Matt.
lock it up!
Not just piece of mind, Matt. I look at it as "Anger prevention". I become very angry when I am victimized in ANY capacity. That anger lasts a looonng time.
me too!
How was the fishing. I used to go to that stretch of the Wisconsin river quite often
good!
I THOUGHT that might be the spot!
I agree with you. I am very good at picking locks (a law enforcement skill) and once you learn that skill you will never leave home again thinking your life is secure. You cannot stop a thief from breaking into your lock, at best you can slow them down or make them move on to some other fool that does not lock their property up.
It's a deterant if there are 10 trailers lined up and 2 are not locked. Thats the one they are going to take.
As long as you are making it difficult for them you’ve done your best
You gave me something to think about man! I need to lock my trailer and spare tire. Just have the trailer ball locked to my truck.
you should lock it up!
It is sad that you have to worry these days. Graduated from Barron in the 80's. Didn't have to worry about anything back then.
Yes it is
Great point Matt!
Thanks
I had a buddy that went fishing about 50 miles from his house on Thanksgiving Day years ago and while he was out on the water, someone stole his hitch and ball out of his receiver. Luckily, he had another one at home, but it was a 100 mile round trip for his wife to take it to him.
Bummer
Great advice and promotional short!
thanks!
Thanks for an excellent video!
you bet!
Thanks Matt. Heading to Durasafe now!
Awesome
I just realized someone could take it all tires locked, trailer is locked, hitch not so much... Thanks bud
Lock it up
I padlock one of my safety chains to the receiver hitch where the safety chain connects. Someone could steal my ball mount but they are not getting my trailer without tools.
Agreed!
Are these locks available in Canada "
Thanks'John
Yep I’m sure if you buy them thru the website they will ship to canada
I use them and they’re awesome locks!
yes they are!
Great public announcement video Matt !!
thanks!
I go no lock with Air Tag.
I edited to add more. The boat ramp near me has lots of unlocked aluminum I-beam trailers left in the lot due to the boats being on the moorings. Nothing has ever been touched, even the city’s police boat trailers are in the same lot. The lot is surrounded by houses so I’d imagine if someone was caught steeling they would end up being snapped in half at the spine and stuffed into an offshore lobster pot. Freshwater fishermen aren’t feared too much, however commercial ocean fishermen are truly nuts and thieves were told this by their grandfathers and fathers, or their single mom.
Thanks!
It doesn't matter where you are anymore. The drug problems are everywhere in rural America, and theft is how many drug addicts support their habits . I think I saw your truck at a small launch on the Wisconsin river north of Rhinelander back in July. Did you make a video that day? Our family's lake home is minutes away from there.
It’s a bummer
Good points to think about. Nice one.
Glad you think so!
Too many people have to learn things the hard way. Catalytic converters are also a popular/easy target for thieves.
dont learn the hard way!
When I leave with my boat I never leave it on attendant either my wife or my friends with me not all boats have the capabilities of locking up all of your gear my trailer has a lock on the hitch my spare tire has a lock around it
yep!
You can go to the flea market and by ball hitch all day long wonder how they get so many to sale cheap , had friend that just bought a trailer to haul his quad for ice fishing and didn’t lock it and when got back to truck it was gone police said it happens all the time and you will probably never see it again so if you want to keep it locked it period.
Unfortunately
Whether knowing or not, the future user of the trailer will have to license it. I hope that there is a computerized list, like for stolen cars, that would show the trailer as stolen.
yep
Noticed your hitch can be unbolted and then they can steal the trailer - years ago someone tried to do this on my trailer and it almost caused me to loose my trailer while traveling - horrible, I hate thieves.
They can but i they can’t get the ball out of my hitch if they did that….wouldnt be an easy thing to get out of there and mine is so rusted the nut wouldn’t probably come off
Matt, what kind of coupler do you have on your trailer? Kind of looks like an EZ latch, I'm want to change mine and get away from the lever style
im not sure it cam with the trailer
Maybe put Air Tags on boat and trailer too🙂
I like that idea A LOT
Matt, I find it baffling what people will leave unsecured. I know people who still don't lock their doors to their homes!
Wow!
It baffles me people would live in such a slum to need to lock everything up.
Matt you need to a move to a safer part of Wisconsin Milwaukee maybe 😮
no way jose!
Check the ramp parking area for broken auto glass. Ramp thieves are the worst.
Yep
Used to be able to leave the keys in your rig. Once people start serving the consequences on their own again, theft will decline.
I’d recommend against that
Thanks Matt .
You bet!
25 years ago, the lovely residents of Riviera Beach would run up and steal saltwater rods right out of the rod holders -at the red lights
Bummer
Oh, and good luck on the team series. Sucks that there's finally a pro tournament in erie, and there's no fan fair. But i know the setup is to not have you guys know exactly where you're going. Would've been great to meet you and the boys. I'll be fishing erie myself this weekend also. Hope you guys hammer giant smallies
Thanks!
Looks like I could have stolen your rods when you were doing your video. 😂🤣 I'm just teasing you. Great information and true. Take it from a guy who has had many things stolen.
You can try haha
I am super paranoid if I have to run in the store. No way to lock my rods and tackle, that aren't a pita the rest of the week. Smokes me when I go to the coast and drop my boat in an unattended lot and no one else has a lock to be seen on their trailer.
It’s nuts
What were you worried about in Wisconsin, it’s not like it’s Chicago or something.
Wisconsin is full of chicagoans like myself…lock it up!
I have a few Durasafe locks and they are great!
Yes they are
How did you lock your steps?..
They are welded onto the trailer
@@MattStefanFishing nice. I just purchased some and assumed welding might be the only choice. Thanks for the fast reply. Tight lines!
How right you are!
Thanks
Is that hwy 10 and River road?
Yep
I guess this is a matter of perspective ... locking up your $15,000 worth of electronics? Yep I get that if you are leaving them on your boat. Don't leave rods and tackle out in the boat and lock your rod lockers? Yep, absolutely. Locking your trailer or trolling motor ? Not really sure about the need for this. I mean is stealing trailers really a thing? Aren't most specific to the particular boat they come with? Even stealing spare tires it needs to be specific to the trailer in question as there really aren't 'universal spare tires' ... maybe if you travel around the country fishing high profile tournaments you're more of a target but for the average recreational anger who doesn't show up at the ramp with a wrapped truck and boat I'm not sure this amount of security is really justified. Of course given what did for a living for 41 years I'm definite less risk adverse than most ...
Stealing trailers is a big problem in my neck of the woods
@@MattStefanFishing wow, guess I'm glad I don't live in Wisconsin 😬. Since I returned to bass fishing 3 years ago I can honestly say I've not heard a single instance of this from all the regulars around here. Of course we don't have these huge impoundments with thousands fishing them them every week either
Unfortunately, nothing is sacred! Great public announcement!
Thanks
I'm all locked 🔒 up on my boat trailer I fish 🐟 near Chicago gotta stay locked 🔒 up 😮
gotta lock it up
my friends son wss duck hunting hear baltimire he hsd hus dads 2 antique teally expensive shotguns and boat .he went to a tiny store for coffee came back out and hes guns were gone
Bummer
I’ve had plenty of stuff stolen over the years. It’s gotten so bad around here the local sheriff made a public announcement to obviously not leave valuables in site but also stated not to bother locking the car doors because it will save you a smashed window…..gotta love the times
Bummer
There are many thieves in the world. You have the dedicated thieves and the opportunistic thieves.
My apartment complex is full of opportunistic thieves. If you have something delivered to your door you better get it as soon as possible or someone passing by will steal it. It’s really sad.
So sad
Talk to your mailman. Have him leave an attempted delivery notice so you can pick up your packages at your convenience OR ask for receivers on a day when you are home.
@@andrewhansen4179 I can’t I only have one leg no car no transportation no friends or family to take me to the post office. Besides most of my deliveries come from Amazon.
When we stop someone always stays with the boat ya can’t trust nobody these days.
nope
It amazed me when i fished tournaments 2 years ago we pull into a half dumpy hotel. All the boats with no covers on their boats. graphs, rods, tackle all wide open on the decks of literally 6-10 boats all night long. That and i see 8 out of 10 guys with $100,000 boats with no covers on driven along in the rain. Sitting outside all summer with no cover. People are dumb. Also i bleave you told the story of a guy fishing. Went to get his truck and trailer. And the trailer was gone
Crazy
That’s crazy!! A boat getting wet???
Hey Matt. I bought a Durasafe lock for my Ghost trolling motor based on your recommendation.
It’s easy to install, works great and it’s not in the way.
Thanks for the recommendation, I love it.
Glad you like it! I love mine too!
Good PSA.
You bet
That's crazy how many were not locked. Bet they will have a lock once it's stollen...
i hope they lock it up before its not to late
I would not have that lock oriented on the spare like that. Get the right water height and approach and that thing is hitting the boat.
And I can break one of those pin locks off with two hit with a 3lb hammer. I know this for a fact because I've seen me do it! I lost the key to my pin lock a few years back on my pontoon trailer. I was alarmed how easy it was.
But I get your message. You're right. Lock your stuff up. The more things you can do to slow them down the more likely they are to move along.
Just lock it up
Paintin spinnerbait blades, Matt.
sounds good to me
Now while he's showing us we need to lock our trailer someone just took off with his boat!😅
haha
@troybridges3495 It was in the back of my mind too, until I saw the ramp was just over his shoulder. Close enough to intervene.
I bet you don't weld your nut/ball on your hitch to prevent someone from removing the ball from the receiver. I tack weld mine to prevent thieves. Just one more step. That is how thieves steel the trailers.
Good call
Mines rusted on lol
Parking under bridges is a easy target.
yep
Lived just outside of Philidelphia for more then 50 years, learened along time ago if it not locked it's lost!
Bummer
I'm not about to take all my stuff and lock it up in the truck while I run into the gas station.
i hope nobody takes it
Sounds great for boaters . Bank fishing not so much there was local river that folks went to and was were this thief went also with two pound hammer and picked cars and trucks clean as fishermen were 75 feet down at river with current noise to cover what was going on with cars. People come back and find glass busted out and stereo and anything worth stealing gone and in some cases the vechile missing.
The irony is the local authorities never saw or caught the guy but would always be about to check fishing licenses on daily basis.
So it was safe that these crooks new the cop routine
Sorry to hear
🍺 You and Drew‘s team name could be the Talleywhackers.🤠
hahahaha
Tennessee boat ramps are horrible for theft. But it's all smash and grabs and or catalytic converter cut offs. I've never heard of a trailer or tire getting stolen here.
It happens