Unfortunately True..

[phatdaddy]

excellent points RR. i am a 3rd generation native floridian and witnessed the depletion of the fish stocks in the mid 70's to mid 80's. i supported the net ban and the new limits when they began, but they pendulem has swung too far. its not only the marine regs, but the whole state. they keep passing laws to make us all criminals.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

excellent points RR. i am a 3rd generation native floridian and witnessed the depletion of the fish stocks in the mid 70's to mid 80's. i supported the net ban and the new limits when they began, but they pendulem has swung too far. its not only the marine regs, but the whole state. they keep passing laws to make us all criminals.

They ban nets, but noiw they are trying to bring back seine nets for seatrout so the commercial guys can start seine netting seatrout. I am about as much of a native Floridian as you can get, and it truly disgusts me to see everything that were getting screwed on. I've got family roots that can be traced back to 1843 to the same town I live in today, but even I am seriously considering leaving with how things have gotten down here.

[RidgeRunner]

Had a long conversation with a FWC chief yesterday. He is convinced the science behind the Federal fish counting program is sound. Although he couldn't recite the name of the woman Obama put in charge of that department. He claims fish counts are down so they have to slow the take. The ecomomic fall-out to recreational anglers isn't even a consideration. He personally manages routine fish counts on inland lakes and makes recommendations on limits. He and I argued for a while but eventually we came to the conclusion that the best thing to do is buy a jonboat, fish fresh water or inshore and come up with some tasy recipies for trash fish. He had a recipe for grilled armored catfish, if you don't mind gray colored meat. Not very reassuring for the future of recreational fishing.
I can't move but if I could, the bayou of the Loisiana coast is at the top of my list. Sorry for the long post, black sea bass just got axed down here.

[ssiredfish]

Well put Ridge.......

If its against the law to take f'n Seabass........consider me Al Capone.

In my mind, and several others, I'm no more a criminal than they (NOAA) are.

Here's how I plan on getting around this......

If you go to the SAFMC website and click the "regulations by species" on the left, a printable document comes up. The same one they mail out annually. Inside you will notice that Seabass is currently 15/per and Red Snapper is 2/per with gear restrictions in place.

Now when I show this DNR/FWC after being accused of harvesting a closed specie, not over the limit mind you, I will show him the document I printed off stating the aforementioned. I will tell him that I was told to go online to check the current regs and this is what I found. When he tells me these aren't the regs anymore is when I drop the haymaker.......Well sir, there may have been more accurate info on there but this was THE BEST DATA AVAILABLE

see for yourself....... http://www.safmc.net/FishIDandRegs/R...8/Default.aspx

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by ssiredfish

Well put Ridge.......

If its against the law to take f'n Seabass........consider me Al Capone.

In my mind, and several others, I'm no more a criminal than they (NOAA) are.

Here's how I plan on getting around this......

If you go to the SAFMC website and click the "regulations by species" on the left, a printable document comes up. The same one they mail out annually. Inside you will notice that Seabass is currently 15/per and Red Snapper is 2/per with gear restrictions in place.

Now when I show this DNR/FWC after being accused of harvesting a closed specie, not over the limit mind you, I will show him the document I printed off stating the aforementioned. I will tell him that I was told to go online to check the current regs and this is what I found. When he tells me these aren't the regs anymore is when I drop the haymaker.......Well sir, there may have been more accurate info on there but this was THE BEST DATA AVAILABLE

see for yourself....... http://www.safmc.net/FishIDandRegs/R...8/Default.aspx

This excuse will get you a hefty fine, and cost you your catch. I know for teh gulf regs there is an exclusino wrote into the fine print that specificly says these regs can change at any time. Years back I remember you had to radio in for red snapper season to make sure it hadn't closed yet over here as it changed hourly.

[ssiredfish]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

....says these regs can change at any time.

They tell us to check the internet. I checked the internet and this is what I found.....hence "the best data available" line......

As far as the fine, good luck with that holdin up as I have a printed document from them that states otherwise. Its not my fault that their website is hypocritical and I think a judge would see my side of that argument.

More importantly, I'm not going to be one those that just sits on the couch and gives up saying, "oh well, thats what the rules are. I guess I'll just sit here and sniff the cat's butt...." No sir I will not!!!!

A couple hundred years ago a few guys broke the rules set forth by tyrants they knew to be false and misrepresenting and impeded their pursuit for happiness and man's inherent right to provide for himself and family. Maybe a different scenario today but is it not the same?????

Besides, Im pretty sure T-Jeff and the crew would come Seabassn' with me

[Blue_Runner]

SSI, the best way is to not get accused in the first place, hint, hint.

p.s. I refuse to go more than 9 MPH over the speed limit. Most of the time I go 5 to 7 over on the interstate, in good driving conditions.

Question - why is it that the law, for the most part, turns a blind eye to speeders that speed b/t 5 - 9 over the speed limit? We don't see our DNR letting people off for a fish that is 1 millimeter too short or 1 fish over the bag limit? This seems really really backwards to me. Speeding can cause loss of life, your own and/or other innocent lives. Poaching can cause unsustainable wildlife shortages. Obviously the one that involves loss of life should be more strict and more heavily enforced.

Solution: Let the state HWP trade places with DNR. Our roads become safer and SAFMC's dumb @ss laws won't be as strictly enforced.