Same sh@t different state!

[Capt Sal]

In Florida we have no Red Snapper at all! Went out sunday caught some big Mahi then tried bottom fishing. Red Snapper after Red Snapper as fast as you could get down in 120'. They come up with there bladder sticking out of there mouth and you have to vent them. Whei vent them and stick the tool in them the air gushes out. It is sickening to me!I left the area and went back on the troll. I don't like seeing a beautiful fish like that vented and that is how i feel.The Gulf side gets a whooping three day season! There are so many Red Snappers now it is amazing but we can't keep any. What is the mortality rate when venting and releasing???Same as trying to get porgies off shore in Jersey and coming up with big Sea Bass.Crying shame. Point i am trying to make is this is nation wide and we are all getting screwed!Grouper is closed all winter here also.
If we are getting screwed nation wide we need one nation wide organization to fight for us.There are millions of recreational fishermen in the us as there are hunters and gun owners.The NRA does get things done and we fishermen keep loosing every year.Small clubs protesting will never get it done! Marching on Washington was a bust!.One organization and one only,highly funded and well reresented.I have donated moneyfrom seminars,asked my customers for money,attended countless meetings,marched and protested.Shoveling shit against the tide!Money in the proper place or we are all wasting our time.

[Ryelof]

Damn.

[Billfish715]

The Florida Fish and Game wardens are very visible and very active. They are on the water and don't mess around. In Florida, fishermen must have a license ( not a permit) or risk a fine. Let's hope that what you are seeing in Florida does not spread any farther. We have restrictions and also have plenty of fish ( specifically, fluke). What we don't have is a license. We don't want one or need one. License money means more governmental intervention which means more money to justify more limits and regulations. We have too many factors working against us now especially from those who have decided just how large the fish populations should be. I sometimes think they want enough fish to cover the ocean's bottom and only allow us to harvest a bare minimum of them. Save the ocean! Save the sharks! Save the trees! Save the wildlife!

News Flash! Things die! I'm convinced that there is a growing wave of "saviors" who are trying to meddle too much with the architecture of the natural structure and have , by their efforts and intentions, done more damage than good.

[Capt Sal]

The Florida Fish and Game wardens are very visible and very active. They are on the water and don't mess around. In Florida, fishermen must have a license ( not a permit) or risk a fine. Let's hope that what you are seeing in Florida does not spread any farther. We have restrictions and also have plenty of fish ( specifically, fluke). What we don't have is a license. We don't want one or need one. License money means more governmental intervention which means more money to justify more limits and regulations. We have too many factors working against us now especially from those who have decided just how large the fish populations should be. I sometimes think they want enough fish to cover the ocean's bottom and only allow us to harvest a bare minimum of them. Save the ocean! Save the sharks! Save the trees! Save the wildlife!

News Flash! Things die! I'm convinced that there is a growing wave of "saviors" who are trying to meddle too much with the architecture of the natural structure and have , by their efforts and intentions, done more damage than good.
I encourage more Game Wardens to be hired because they are here for a reason. As far as the license the money goes toward free launch ramps and free beach access. It is the FEDERAL government i have a problem with.They are the ones putting all the restrictions on what we can harvest and when. In New Jersey where i spent my entire life there are no free launch ramps and fish cleaning stations.I don't mind paying for a license if i see where my money is being spent.I bought a New York charter boat permit every year for decades at $250! Where did that money go even though we moored the boat in New Jersey!ASMFC is the culprit not the individual state governments or there Divions of Fish and Game.Just like what is going on New Jersey now.NJ can only pick from the terrible options the ASMFC offers.Same here in Florida or Mass. or any other state.

[bulletbob]

I encourage more Game Wardens to be hired because they are here for a reason. As far as the license the money goes toward free launch ramps and free beach access. It is the FEDERAL government i have a problem with.They are the ones putting all the restrictions on what we can harvest and when. In New Jersey where i spent my entire life there are no free launch ramps and fish cleaning stations.I don't mind paying for a license if i see where my money is being spent.I bought a New York charter boat permit every year for decades at $250! Where did that money go even though we moored the boat in New Jersey!ASMFC is the culprit not the individual state governments or there Divions of Fish and Game.Just like what is going on New Jersey now.NJ can only pick from the terrible options the ASMFC offers.Same here in Florida or Mass. or any other state.

Got it.. You want MORE state employees enforcing restrictive state AND federal laws... that makes sense.:rolleyes:
These guys are hard working, and respect the law I get that, BUT they are NOT on your side.. they are on the side of the government entities that sign the paychecks they cash.

I personally do not go along with the "they are only doing their job" reactions we usually see here. I respect them of course, but they are also intrusive on what were our historical rights..Rights we no longer enjoy of course.

More officers out there is only going to result in more intrusion, and more restriction..

NJ/NY imposes a SW license, and you think for a SECOND the state will build free ramps, and fishing piers???.. That money would go right to the general fund, regardless of what the liars in Trenton and Albany would tell you.

[june181901]

Amen Bullet Bob!

[1captainron]

Venting...another F'in joke!
I put that right up there with the guys who gaff bluefish then toss them back thinking, it's only a hole, it will heal!
Pop your bladder or stick a gaff in your ass and see how you make out....another total waste of the resource. 3 days to fish for Red Snapper and they jump for joy for those 3 days!! It's all bullshit now and forever.:mad:

[Reel Class]

Got it.. You want MORE state employees enforcing restrictive state AND federal laws... that makes sense.:rolleyes:
These guys are hard working, and respect the law I get that, BUT they are NOT on your side.. they are on the side of the government entities that sign the paychecks they cash.

I personally do not go along with the "they are only doing their job" reactions we usually see here. I respect them of course, but they are also intrusive on what were our historical rights..Rights we no longer enjoy of course.

More officers out there is only going to result in more intrusion, and more restriction..

NJ/NY imposes a SW license, and you think for a SECOND the state will build free ramps, and fishing piers???.. That money would go right to the general fund, regardless of what the liars in Trenton and Albany would tell you.

amen Bob!

[Reel Class]

The next thing we'll be seeing are "raids" at our marinas, multiple undercovers on our headboats, etc.

As Bob said, none of these guys are on our side. They are not regular cops who will give a person a written warning or the benefit of the doubt, ALL OF THEM are of a different breed. Their sole intent is to either write a summons or to go even further than that.

It's a damn shame.

[Sharkyispy]

The next thing we'll be seeing are "raids" at our marinas, multiple undercovers on our headboats, etc.

As Bob said, none of these guys are on our side. They are not regular cops who will give a person a written warning or the benefit of the doubt, ALL OF THEM are of a different breed. Their sole intent is to either write a summons or to go even further than that.

It's a damn shame.

I recall being on a certain party boat way back when the limits first started to increase....Word was there were undercover agents on the boat fishing. When we got to dock, there were @ 8-10 guys who were keeping fluke shorter than recently revised regs. Couple guys attempted to dump fish in the water, others were popped as they walked off the boat....was awkward to watch but they said it was coming and they did it....I support laws daily but Al I think you're right, this will be the next wave of things to come.......Oh yeah, and when I am in Florida? No, no no, way do I mess around. Have seen coast guard copters circling boats 40-50 miles off to watch what was being caught and kept....

[Capt Sal]

Got it.. You want MORE state employees enforcing restrictive state AND federal laws... that makes sense.:rolleyes:
These guys are hard working, and respect the law I get that, BUT they are NOT on your side.. they are on the side of the government entities that sign the paychecks they cash.

I personally do not go along with the "they are only doing their job" reactions we usually see here. I respect them of course, but they are also intrusive on what were our historical rights..Rights we no longer enjoy of course.

More officers out there is only going to result in more intrusion, and more restriction..

NJ/NY imposes a SW license, and you think for a SECOND the state will build free ramps, and fishing piers???.. That money would go right to the general fund, regardless of what the liars in Trenton and Albany would tell you.
You have no clue!

[Capt Sal]

The next thing we'll be seeing are "raids" at our marinas, multiple undercovers on our headboats, etc.

As Bob said, none of these guys are on our side. They are not regular cops who will give a person a written warning or the benefit of the doubt, ALL OF THEM are of a different breed. Their sole intent is to either write a summons or to go even further than that.

It's a damn shame.
For a charter boat captain your reply is ridiculous. All are a different breed! Here in Florida they enforce poaching and disagree with the Feds. No law enforcement and people will do want they want.This post was not about that to begin with but you and Bulletbob twisted it.

[bulletbob]

You have no clue!

Look Sal, think what you want.. I guess "having a clue" means advocating for more surveillance and stricter regulation, above and beyond those that are already strangling the party/charter business..btw, I am 63 years old, and like yourself, I am not a kid. I have fished NJ/NY salt water since i was a little kid, and lived at the shore for many years, a block from Raritan Bay in Union Beach, and then in Forked River near Barnegat Bay.. I have witnessed the near death of the recreational fishery, some of it first hand while still living in NJ, and some from afar here in the Finger Lakes Region of NY state. You can play the "I was in the business" card all you want, but that means nothing in the modern age. Its a brave new world today, and not in a good way.. Increasing the presence of those that would enforce already restrictive and damaging regulations is by no means the answer, despite your opinion and your years of experience... I stand by my opinions, and if "I don't have a clue", no problem, I defer to your opinion.. After all- your ARE the expert... bob

[Capt Sal]

They aren't strangling anyone NOAA is.No police no law GET IT.

[bulletbob]

They aren't strangling anyone NOAA is.No police no law GET IT.

Everyone that either sets forth or enforces the restrictive regulations on recreational fishing both for hire or private is certainly strangling us.

The key word in that sentence is "restrictive". These are NOT common sense regs that benefit either the fish or the fishermen . Those we can abide.. It has devolved into the realm of oppression.. I respect you capt Sal, and have no wish to argue or get into a nasty pissing contest,,, We simply see things differently, and must agree to disagree.... bob

[bhackemup]

Bring a shotgun for a fleet of drones will next be hovering over you whenever you leave the dock!

[Reel Class]

They aren't strangling anyone NOAA is.No police no law GET IT.

And their sole job is TO ENFORCE THE LAW. NOAA makes the regs/laws - the guys in the field enforce them. And they will enforce it however they need to.

I'm the son, nephew, great grandson, and friend of countless law enforcement officers (all were/are police/sherriff's officers)- believe me, anyone that enforces the law on this "plane" is a different breed, as I said. They easily have half the chances of writing a summons or enforcing something, so any chance they get they will do just that, ENFORCE THE LAW.

[Reel Class]

Bring a shotgun for a fleet of drones will next be hovering over you whenever you leave the dock!

Don't kid yourself, drones can be utilized for surveillance!

[Capt Sal]

Look Sal, think what you want.. I guess "having a clue" means advocating for more surveillance and stricter regulation, above and beyond those that are already strangling the party/charter business..btw, I am 63 years old, and like yourself, I am not a kid. I have fished NJ/NY salt water since i was a little kid, and lived at the shore for many years, a block from Raritan Bay in Union Beach, and then in Forked River near Barnegat Bay.. I have witnessed the near death of the recreational fishery, some of it first hand while still living in NJ, and some from afar here in the Finger Lakes Region of NY state. You can play the "I was in the business" card all you want, but that means nothing in the modern age. Its a brave new world today, and not in a good way.. Increasing the presence of those that would enforce already restrictive and damaging regulations is by no means the answer, despite your opinion and your years of experience... I stand by my opinions, and if "I don't have a clue", no problem, I defer to your opinion.. After all- your ARE the expert... bob
Youget on every post and make no sense at all.Yes i was a charter and party boat capt. and still am here in Florida.Get your facts straight before you attack me MR. Finger lakes.If we had no law enforcemant the Belford pirates would drag Raritan bay. Lok at the gill netting of stripers that goes on in Maryland illegally! No law and we we would be a third world country!Your opinion is yours butstupid and insulting.

[bhackemup]

Don't kid yourself, drones can be utilized for surveillance!

That IS my point. Does anyone really want to be observed every minute of their day on the water. (I am sure that has been suggested by the "Enviro Nazis groups) I would rather see all of our elected reps followed be a drone or an "Observer."

[Duffman]

Does anyone really want to be observed every minute of their day on the water.

Yes, I do.