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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Capt Sal

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.
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.

[Reel Class]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

Got it.. You want MORE state employees enforcing restrictive state AND federal laws... that makes sense.
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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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....