BigBendFishing.Net

Went to Aucilla River yesterday, Aug 8, 2006. Had a good day on the flats...caught some trout...some reds. Came in about 1400 hours. Loaded the boat...and left the landing. About 1 mile from the landing...on the dirt road...passed a small road into the woods..saw the Marine Patrol backed up into the road. Told my partner..."We are fixing to be checked". Sure nuff as soon as we had passed...he came out and turned the blue light on me. I stopped and got out of the van...as did my partner. We were checked for 1. Number of fish caught..looked at every one. Took them out of my ice cooler. 2. Length of every fish 3.license. Didn't have a compliance inspection.
We had 10 trout....2 reds. Both had valid license. Chatted for a few minutes....and it was over. We were on our way.
Point is....we weren't on the water. No one was fishing. The game warden was "hiding"...just like a cop behind a signboard.You are vulnerable for checking...till you get home...or cross the state line. Just 2 guys on their way home.
We were legal.

He was wanting to check you're fish and hopefully find a beer in your lap!

If you read the law, it says posession. It doesn,t say anything about being out there fishing, or even being on the water. There are also regulations addressing transporting other people's game. It must be tagged with the person's name, and address, as well as license number.

A wildlife officer has more authority than your local sherrif. If that wildlife officer has reasonable suspicion, such as a tip from another individual, the officer has the authority to enter your house and check your refrigirator or freezer. This has been done.

If I take someone fishing and we're keeping fish I personally measure each one if it's close it goes back. It just isnt worth it. To answer your question I think the Captain gets the ticket. If it's the same in Florida as it is in Michigan, the DNR/FWC etc... have more right to search you than state police. They can come in and check your freezer without a warrant. Or usetacould.

Got a letter yesterday, 14
Aug 06, from the Florida Marine Fisherys Commission. They answered my question as to who gets the ticket. The captain of the boat is responsible for everything that goes on in a boat. He automatically gets the ticket....unless the guilty person admits to doing the foul deed. In this case....if he admits he caught the "short" fish to the officer....he gets the ticket. I guess this means....the captain of the boat....has to measure every fish that comes into his boat.

when i was in st pete and the trout and reds were being hammered back in the mid 80's to early 90's, we routinely let all of our trout, reds, and snook go. we did not even carry a cooler with ice in it. they were just too valuable to use for food. Today, the fish have made a great comeback and it is a bonus to be able to bring back some fillets and have a fresh fish dinner.

if you have never let a big fish go after a great fight, try it sometime, its a good feeling.

on my boat, the fish needs to be a minimum of .5 inches over the minimum size limit. also, when we have enough for a meal, it is not unusual for us to let some fish go especially the bigger ones. those 19-22 inch trout are the ones that will re-seed the population for next year. don't think twice about letting those fish go. keep the 15-17 inch fish to eat. the fillets are better anyway.

if you do the math, you could never justify the money spent on the food value you get. That said, that is still money well spent for all of those great times with great friends which turn into great memories. hammer a fishery and you get zip!

BTW - the minute you pick up that rod or rifle or bow, you are responsible to know and abide by all of the rules.

wetjet

Preach on, WetJet.