BigBendFishing.Net

If..and I stress IF...I was caught in federal waters with a state limit of grouper. How much will it cost me? I would never do it, I am simply curious. What if I catch them is state waters and go deeper into federal waters later in the day, who determines if I am legal or not?

Average is $250 per fish over the limit If you have more than 3 Groper in federal waters, you are guilty of over the limit, if you are in possession of Grouper in federal waters during the closed season, you are guilty It doesn't matter where you caught em, it's where you are checked by the man that counts

If you read the regs it says "POSESSION". Wevans is correct.

Here is how some people may hypothetically be operating...
The law allows you to be in transit but not stopped with an amount over the limit if returning from fishing an area of acceptable limits(i.e. you can have your federal 10 snapper pp on the boat on your way back from the midlegrounds as long as you dont stop in state waters with more than the state max 5pp). Maybe this could be used as some kind of loophole(since we are in the big bend) as long as you could be moving if the man came up to you in federal waters. ex. Officer I left carabelle and went to fish some of my old spots 6miles off of steinhatchee. I am on my way back and am legally in transit through federal waters returning to my home port. They could probably prosecute if they were really being jerks but from every law enforcement guy I have talked to (fwc and uscg) they think the closure is bs too but have to enforce it and would be happy with any excuse to let you go. Just a thought.
-Chris

Here is a lot of the fines related to Florida saltwater fisheries straight from the Florida Statute. http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index. ... Sec021.HTM

Nathan