Salt water fishing license? Would you pay?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Detour66

The only way I would consider a SW license is if they extended the fishing seasons, more favorable and fair size limits and increase in the amount of fish we can keep. I'm not talking huge changes but something that makes it worthwhile to spend the money we already spend for a day fishing on the water.

That would be great but a fishing license and the possible revenue from it has nothing to do and no influence on how our state salt water regulations are set.

Here is an over simplified explanation of how it works

The state quotas are assigned at the federal level and all our state gets to do is submit regulation options they think will achieve those quotas. Those options then have to be approved by the feds to see if they meet the guidelines to not exceed the quota we were assigned.

So basically what that means is all the state can do is move around the start and end dates, how many days the season is open, size and bag limits. In general, the higher the bag limit and lower the size of a keeper fish results in fewer days the season can be open and a state license is not going to change that.

[frugalfisherman]

If it's the same as freshwater you old farts over 70 won't have to pay!

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by frugalfisherman

If it's the same as freshwater you old farts over 70 won't have to pay!

I am over 70, and I have to pay in NY!... $5... They figure they'll give you a break because you'll be dropping dead soon enough i guess.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Capt. Debbie

I may have missed something... the state actually asked?

The state did not ask.... Peter Clarke who runs the NJ Artificial Reef Program and I respect very much, was on a Podcast talking about his program. It's all funded by donations and mentioned that a license could help fund the program.

[Broad Bill]

I know this is a different subject but bear with me. Did Greenwood Lake ever approve the building of a public launch site that Muskynut was trying to facilitate through the proper channels or was anything done to allow recreational angler's access through existing marinas who changed their policies? That fight was going on for seemingly ever and was state not federal. I believe the answer is no based on the last post on the New Jersey thread:

https://www.njfishing.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=121620

Public access to a lake stocked with fish using public funds not to mention the public money used for the dam and it becomes this controversial and bureaucratic. Why would anyone believe a saltwater license would be used to benefit salt water anglers and not become another money grab for another politician with a completely different agenda.

Get someone to run for office who spells out exactly how these funds will be used for a purpose that benefits the recreational angler funding it and most people would support a saltwater license. But that's as likely as finding a winning lottery ticket in your sock drawer. The problem isn't the license fee when most anglers spend thousands a year on equipment, tackle and associated costs to enjoy a sport of their choice. The problem is the system we call government that's collectively given us a current $37 trillion national debt. Doesn't give me a lot of hope the proceeds from a license will be used to benefit salt water anglers. Same issue with the recent debacle with FEMA when Helene caused the catastrophe to states in the southeast only to find out money appropriated to help them for that exact purpose was previously and unwittingly diverted to sanctuary cities to be used for individuals in this country illegally.

We all spend enough of our hard earned money already without spending more to fund a government which has essentially turned their back on the saltwater recreational angling community. How many times do you need to walk into the same door before realizing it's the wrong door?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Broad Bill

I know this is a different subject but bear with me. Did Greenwood Lake ever approve the building of a public launch site that Muskynut was trying to facilitate through the proper channels or was anything done to allow recreational angler's access through existing marinas who changed their policies? That fight was going on for seemingly ever and was state not federal. I believe the answer is no based on the last post on the New Jersey thread:

https://www.njfishing.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=121620

Public access to a lake stocked with fish using public funds not to mention the public money used for the dam and it becomes this controversial and bureaucratic. Why would anyone believe a saltwater license would be used to benefit salt water anglers and not become another money grab for another politician with a completely different agenda.

Get someone to run for office who spells out exactly how these funds will be used for a purpose that benefits the recreational angler funding it and most people would support a saltwater license. But that's as likely as finding a winning lottery ticket in your sock drawer. The problem isn't the license fee when most anglers spend thousands a year on equipment, tackle and associated costs to enjoy a sport of their choice. The problem is the system we call government that's collectively given us a current $37 trillion national debt. Doesn't give me a lot of hope the proceeds from a license will be used to benefit salt water anglers. Same issue with the recent debacle with FEMA when Helene caused the catastrophe to states in the southeast only to find out money appropriated to help them for that exact purpose was previously and unwittingly diverted to sanctuary cities to be used for individuals in this country illegally.

We all spend enough of our hard earned money already without spending more to fund a government which has essentially turned their back on the saltwater recreational angling community. How many times do you need to walk into the same door before realizing it's the wrong door?

Right so maybe we all rally behind the candidate in the next Governors race that we get to commit to helping us.