BigBendFishing.Net

nautigator wrote:Great, so if Frank is correct, then we will see every single commercial guy out there every day trying to get as many caught as he can. Imagine what that impact will have on the numbers. Locations totally cleaned out. AWESOME, JUST FREAKIN AWESOME!!!

And this is different how?

Those guys who are making a living at it are out there doing it every day they are able anyway. What we need to do is get rid of longlining in the gulf and you'll see a marked change.

Frank, as I understand it, state waters will remain the same (at least until Jan 1) and the new regs will only affect federal waters (outside 9 nautical miles). But remember its on you to prove you didn't catch fish in federal waters.

What do you mean by prove ? Or is it on them to catch you in federal waters ? Because 9 X out of 10 , you'll be in the creek or at the dock and what can they do ? Where did you catch these fish ? Well sir i caught them about 8 miles out. Or questions they usually ask is how far out did you catch these fish ? They just test your knowledge. They have looked in my fish box before and said how many grouper ? and then said whats the lengths on them ? red , gag ? just checking you , i'm just not sure how they are going to handle this..matter of fact i bet they are a little confused myself..

Just like snapper fishing when state opens before federal. They can check your GPS if they want to see where you've been.

Dang officer, I have no idea how the trip log got deleted

Umm, I'm thinking like wevans ! , kinda scarry ! , Just start your new tracks about 8 miles out , zig-zag around.

Tom Keels wrote:Just like snapper fishing when state opens before federal. They can check your GPS if they want to see where you've been.

Where you have been doesn't establish where you caught the fish, the "reasonable test" does. For example, if you are in federal waters and you have grouper on board during the federal closed season and/or in excess of the fed bag limit during the rest of the year you could be ticketed. Don't go offshore into federal waters after you catch fish inside state waters. If you do, the officer might think there is a likely chance you caught those fish in federal waters. For me, this means if I want to catch an amberjack at K-tower during the federal grouper closed season I would do that first, then go inshore to state waters and grouper fish.

If you are stopped in state waters and there is no proof fish were caught in federal waters you should be O.K. However, be real careful about making sure you are fishing in state waters. Plot your numbers on a chart and measure the distance to the nearest land form. It needs to be inside of 9 nautical miles. I personally mostly grouper fish inside 9 nautical miles from shore, although I know a lot of you guys go much farther out.

So, as long as the state keeps current regulations, the feds haven't hurt me as much as they could.

EJ

Check your nautical charts. The Natural resources boundary, or 9 nautical mile line is marked on the charts. If you have Mapsource Bluechart, it's on there, also. My understanding is this line is what is used by law enforcement officers.

Tom Keels wrote: They can check your GPS if they want to see where you've been.

Boarding is one thing, GPS they have no right to touch.

dstockwell wrote:Boarding is one thing, GPS they have no right to touch.

Your rights are severely reduced when in the presence of a game warden or federal wildlife officer....If Florida rules are the same as Georgia, a game warden can cross a locked gate or enter your home without a warrant or permission....

Chalk wrote: Your rights are severely reduced when in the presence of a game warden or federal wildlife officer....If Florida rules are the same as Georgia, a game warden can cross a locked gate or enter your home without a warrant or permission....

all true in GA too! They can also write you a speeding ticket on the highway!
...don't ask me how I know...

tin can wrote:Check your nautical charts. The Natural resources boundary, or 9 nautical mile line is marked on the charts. If you have Mapsource Bluechart, it's on there, also. My understanding is this line is what is used by law enforcement officers.

I'm looking at my Bluechart right now and can't find the boundry marked on it

Chalk wrote:If Florida rules are the same as Georgia, a game warden can cross a locked gate or enter your home without a warrant or permission....

And in this day and age thats liable to get a cap in your azz.

wevans wrote:

tin can wrote:Check your nautical charts. The Natural resources boundary, or 9 nautical mile line is marked on the charts. If you have Mapsource Bluechart, it's on there, also. My understanding is this line is what is used by law enforcement officers.

I'm looking at my Bluechart right now and can't find the boundry marked on it

Wevans, it's labeled "Natural Resources Boundary". If you left click on the line and look at the properties it brings up "Note X". The note tells you it's the Federal boundary. Zoom in on Marker 24. There's a line 0.1 mile west of the marker. Check it out.

For those that might be wondering, Marker 24 is in Federal Waters.

Go to coordinates N 29 45.652 W 84 16.527 in Bluechart. You should find a circle with an I in it, on the line. Right click the I. Choose Map feature- "Chart US11405". Choose Feature Properties. Scroll down in the bottom window. You'll find Note X.

The FWC will not enforce the new grouper regs.

http://www.thefra.org/fwcrgltr.htm

Thats good news !