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Post by blacktip on Nov 13, 2015 5:47:33 GMT -5
To those reporting FWC Activity, All You are doing is Encouraging and enabling Poachers to FWC activity. If you are a law abiding Fisher, Let the poachers get caught. The fine and potential removal of their fishing equipment is fine with me (and "hope" will teach a lesson. Follow the rules (crude as they can be sometimes) and there wont be an infraction. But warning fellow Poachers of intentional tort Is BS. Tight Lines My fellow Pier Rats  |
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Post by tears143 on Nov 13, 2015 7:50:56 GMT -5
Agree with this. I tried to let people know about the laws and keep up with it more than.. yeah FWC is around... watch out.. kind of deal. Just like Blacktip and everyone else here... Know the law and don't be stupid and you do not have to worry about FWC. If you are a poacher, you'll get caught with your pant down one of these days and it'll hurt!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2015 9:07:16 GMT -5
Guys,
But for someone who hasn't been confronted by FWC, I ask you this. They do have to identify themselves if the go into tour cooler, right? I can understand if they come up to you and chit-chat or talk to you without identifying themselves to gain info.
I ask because a few weeks ago a young fella was asking me questions and I responded. He wasn't FWC and I knew he was just a kid fishing. He asked if he could look in my cooler and I said yes. I later got to thinking is that the way FWC would do? Talk to you, make conversation and then ask to look in your cooler? Or would they ID themselves before they look? Or would some FWC guy just go around looking into coolers unannounced?
Don't get me wrong, I'm abiding by the law not because because of fines necessarily (though thst is a huge deterrent), but because I want to be a good steward of these resources and want fishing to continue with proper management. I know it sounds corny but that's what drives me personally. But if I turn around and some guy is riffing through my cooler unannounced I may get my hackles up. I hope they are not like that, unless of course you are IN THE ACT if violating the law.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2015 9:22:09 GMT -5
Blacktip: I do agree with You on what You have to say. But the Newbies that are New to the Area either Do Not Understand the Rules or they Just do not want to Follow the State & Federal Rules. Yes, the Poachers need to get caught & Yes they will be caught but Education to all of the Newbies is Very Essential. To All, Read Up on the Rules before You Go Fishing. If You Poach, You Will Get Caught.
We Anglers that Follow the Rules Do Not Want You Around Us!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2015 9:48:48 GMT -5
dpagates: They do not have to Identify themselves. What do You have to worry about any way ? You Fish Legally any way. Let's Put it this Way. If Anyone Walks up to My Bucket or Cooler & Wants to Look, I have nothing to Fear. I know that My Catch is Legal. In fact You personally have seen Me throw Fish Back that were Legal but I wanted them to be 2" over because the Barely Legal Ones are not worth cleaning. I am proud when someone looks in My Bucket or Cooler because My Fish are Legit & Usually Bigger than theirs. I am older than Most of You. Take My Advice & Follow the Rules. All of You others are Going Down.
 
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2015 12:32:47 GMT -5
Hey, sorry folks about the multiple posting. Sun was in my eyes.....
I dunno. I'm still new at this and never had anyone I don't know want to look in my cooler. I'm assuming FWC wouldn't just start going through my stuff without my having a clue who he is.
This kid that went through my cooler, after asking, lit up with a WOA! Must've thought he was looking at MMs cooler. He was impressed. I gave him a few pointers. Before I left I gave him a green and silver Clarkspoon, greenbacks moved back in but I was ready to go. That kid's face lit up like Christmas time. I know this is off topic but it does feel nice to pay it foward...and to keep it legal.
D
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Post by tears143 on Nov 13, 2015 12:42:32 GMT -5
Hey, sorry folks about the multiple posting. Sun was in my eyes..... I dunno. I'm still new at this and never had anyone I don't know want to look in my cooler. I'm assuming FWC wouldn't just start going through my stuff without my having a clue who he is. This kid that went through my cooler, after asking, lit up with a WOA! Must've thought he was looking at MMs cooler. He was impressed. I gave him a few pointers. Before I left I gave him a green and silver Clarkspoon, greenbacks moved back in but I was ready to go. That kid's face lit up like Christmas time. I know this is off topic but it does feel nice to pay it foward...and to keep it legal. D All of fwc that check my stuff would show me their badge and ask if they can look in it. Now if they show u their badge and you say now... You will get in trouble. |
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Post by gatorgrad on Nov 13, 2015 12:47:31 GMT -5
I think the intent of giving others a "heads up" to FWC is just a friendly way to warn fisherman who are inadvertently breaking a rule for which they shouldn't be punished or harassed especially when it's disproportionate to the harm done (such as losing your fishing boat for having a fish out of season that you genuinely believed was legal to keep). Always err on the side of caution and don't talk to law enforcement for any reason unless legally required to do so -- this video is life changing and is a must-know explanation of the risks which innocent people expose themselves to by talking/cooperating: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc |
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Post by tristan on Nov 13, 2015 13:54:45 GMT -5
Actually, I appreciate the heads-up offered on this site. I don't think they were of the sort intended to aid a 'poacher' in continuing, but rather as a reminder that the rules are there, they are complex, and even a unintentional violation can be terribly costly.
I'm glad of the reminder of the differences between juvie Kingfish and Spanish macks; and also the admonition to just cut off any Jewfish, er, Goliath Grouper if I inadvertently hook one (I've never targeted that species...)
Additionally, I think a cabal of poachers would use more effective means to evade than a forum.
So, thanks for the heads up on the various legal issues in our sport. I appreciate it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2015 15:13:08 GMT -5
Hey, sorry folks about the multiple posting. Sun was in my eyes..... I dunno. I'm still new at this and never had anyone I don't know want to look in my cooler. I'm assuming FWC wouldn't just start going through my stuff without my having a clue who he is. This kid that went through my cooler, after asking, lit up with a WOA! Must've thought he was looking at MMs cooler. He was impressed. I gave him a few pointers. Before I left I gave him a green and silver Clarkspoon, greenbacks moved back in but I was ready to go. That kid's face lit up like Christmas time. I know this is off topic but it does feel nice to pay it foward...and to keep it legal. D All of fwc that check my stuff would show me their badge and ask if they can look in it. Now if they show u their badge and you say now... You will get in trouble. Oh heck no, Tears! If he shows badge or even says he's FWC I'm not going to say no or get uppity. Yes sir, no sir..... D |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2015 15:18:41 GMT -5
I am in NO Way Attempting to Give Poachers the Heads Up of the FWC coming aboard the Piers. The Poachers should be Punished. The FWC have been here for Years & I am sure they will continue to Regulate what We Catch & Inforce the Rules & Regulations set by the Federal Government & the State of Florida.
All I am saying is; that All Anglers Must Know the Rules & Regulations when it comes to Fishing before they Put their Pole in the Water & Take the Responsibility for what They Catch. All of the People that I have Met & Have been Fishing with Here on the Site are Respecful Anglers. And I like that and I Appreciate that. Several of them I have known for Many Years. I have Never Taken Home An Unlawful Catch. And all I ask of You is to do the Same.
A couple of Weeks ago, I took another person's Fish that was Right At the Legal Length & Told the Persons that it was Just Not Worth It & to throw it back. I told Him that, "You can Measure a Fish & Put it in a Cooler with Ice and When You Take it out, it becomes Smaller". That Person I did that to said, "No Problem"; turned around and caught more Fish Larger than the Barely Legal Fish that he had Previously Caught. He told Me, "It was Like I was Rewarded for Doing the Right Thing". And You know, I gave Him and two others My Catches of the Day except for My One Big Mack. It is just Good Karma.
In My 40 plus Years of Fishing in the Tampa Bay Area Waters, I have seen Many People Catching & Keeping Fish that were way to small to keep or Keeping too many above the Set Quotos of that Species. I have also Warned Others of what will happen if they Keep an Illegal Catch. But some continue to do so. I, in a Past Post told what happened to a Person that kept Undersize & too Many Mackerel. Same said about the Person I warned about the Undersized Flounder. They Lost their Freedom to Fish with Us because they broke the Rules Knowing that they were Breaking the Rules.
What is Plainly Boils Down to is: Fish and Respect the Rules and You won't have any thing to Worry about then.
By the Way just for a Note, "My Bucket or Cooler Is Always Open". "Take My Fish, I'll Just Catch More". |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2015 15:20:18 GMT -5
Actually, I appreciate the heads-up offered on this site. I don't think they were of the sort intended to aid a 'poacher' in continuing, but rather as a reminder that the rules are there, they are complex, and even a unintentional violation can be terribly costly. I agree with you. A poacher is going to poach no matter what. I don't think we are tipping anyone off here. The take home message is educate yourself. Even if you truly thought you were legal or were unaware, FWC don't care. It would be interesting to me to survey busted poachers fishing and hunting and see what percentage are repeat offenders. D |
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Post by havetofish on Nov 13, 2015 16:24:43 GMT -5
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Post by seabird on Nov 13, 2015 17:36:19 GMT -5
Two notes. I appreciate the education and info about the difference between young kingfish and Spanish mackerel. I aim to be honest when fishing and without that extra awareness, I could have easily taken an illegal fish.
Sometimes, shadowxmas and I will comment on another anglers catch and point out that there is a size limit on such. Whether we would report some one depends on their attitude, if they give static or are nasty, they will get reported. Otherwise, I give people the benefit of the doubt.
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Post by havetofish on Nov 13, 2015 20:20:19 GMT -5
Sometimes, shadowxmas and I will comment on another anglers catch and point out that there is a size limit on such. Whether we would report some one depends on their attitude, if they give static or are nasty, they will get reported. Otherwise, I give people the benefit of the doubt. I should have stated what you mention. Obviously try to explain with someone that doesn't know better and will listen and try to respect the laws. By no means try to take any action on your part to do the enforcement. I once had a problem with some grouper poachers and I kept telling them that the fish they were taking were undersized. They just kept moving away from me and kept on catching them. They would put them under the spare tire in the truck of their car, clearly they knew what they were doing. I called FWC with a full report, license plate, car description, where the fish were etc.. and I was still there when they showed up. Not only did they arrest them, they found an unopened 24 case of beer and made them empty every can. |
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Post by tears143 on Nov 13, 2015 20:25:39 GMT -5
I will repeat this like havetofish... Never try to enforce the rule. If you tell them and they don't listen, move away from them and report them. People will try to hurt you if they find out you report them or try to enforce.
Do not get hurt out there.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2015 20:32:04 GMT -5
I totally agree with Havetofish & Tears143. Do Not Even let them see You Making the Call. They will usually carry Knives & some May carry a Loaded Weapon. If not on them but Stashed away.
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Post by seabird on Nov 13, 2015 21:38:31 GMT -5
The previous few comments are well taken. I would be very discreet about reporting anyone. Also there is no way I would try to enforce anything, that's not my job.
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Post by shadowxmas on Nov 13, 2015 23:45:11 GMT -5
Good posts from everyone.
People need to know the rules and follow them. This benefits everyone down the road as there will be fish for years to come. Those that do not follow the rules should be punished. Ignorance of fish species and regulations is not an excuse.
Seabird and I always are open to any inspection of our cooler/bucket. I always have the current regs magazine on hand.
My Mom and I have been involved with Neighborhood Watch with the PCSO for many years. They have always told us report suspicious activity, advise of further information if you get it after calling it in and DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND SOMEONE ON YOUR OWN. The deputies are trained and you are not. Let the deputies handle it.
The bait shops on both piers have fish identification info and if you are not sure of what you have ask someone around you. Remember the canoeers/kayakers adage When in doubt eddy out. If you are in doubt throw the fish back.
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Post by tylerdurden on Nov 14, 2015 16:31:42 GMT -5
Also to bring it back to searching your cooler its in the laws that if you are fishing you already consent to allow those searches. They can search your car. FWC have pretty elaborate powers, more than a normal cop.
Also watch taking souvenirs when you're out. Cousin got arrested for looking for arrow heads in a park in Tampa. Even taking a bird feather from a govt park can get you into trouble.
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Post by blacktip on Nov 15, 2015 8:15:56 GMT -5
Tight Lines, and glad So many agree for the most part. Not trying to point fingers or tell other people what to do with their lives.
In general. You can always check the FWC website, check with your smart phone, call with your normal/Obama phone or even check with the bait shop. Most of the FWC are pretty cool, considerate and willing to work with you for the most part, but regardless to if you think you are in the right. You should know your zone laws prior to going fishing. Basic good prep work along with your gear/ weather and so on.
I hear that Tylerdurden. I head out to FT Campbell TN a few times a year. They are also Very strict on removing artifacts.
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