Party boat Regs

[Fishbusters]

I think that there should be some changes in the rules and regulations governing how these things are run. Almost every year a story runs in the paper where a party boat trip comes in usually its an overnight trip and the game wardens are waiting on them. Usually they find a good many of the people that took the trip are over the limit or have undersized fish or both. Those that don't cut and run leaving coolers behind or get caught are fined for possesion of these fish which I think is a good thing. Many of these people are not caught or get away by dropping thier coolers and walking off while the wardens are busy with others leaving no one to take the blame. Personaly I have been on these trips and know the captians and crews of these vessels know all about this and don't do anything to discourage this other than giving you a copy of the limits. I have been told by a mate to keep fish that I was about to throw back because it was just under the size limit and the sharks would get it anyway so I know they could care less. What I feel would help put a stop or at least a damper on this would be holding the captian and crew responsible as well. I think that fining the captian, crew, the owner of the boat or all of them will increase an intrest in keeping those aboard from breaking the law because then it would affect them too. Keep in mind these people are not just missing an undersized fish or a couple over the limit but rather these fish are numbered in the 20's and 30's or more over the limit per angler. I think you can't miss that especially with 15 people getting caught not to mention the coolers that were abandoned. I always thought the captian was responsible for what occurs onboard his boat and through him his crew bears some responsibility. I know this is going to most likely cause an argument among the charter boat captians that follow the rules and make thier charters follow them as well but keep in mind we are not talking you but rather those that either don't care or even encourage people to break the law.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Party boat Regs

Peter Fish Buster<br />You make a lot of good points but I am going to disagree. The captain Job is to find the fish and assist people with how to catch fish so they will have fun and come back. Each person on a party boat requires a license and should know the limits. I do think the Boat Crew should inform people of limits both size and number on the way out. Many boat out here have 30 to 40 people and for the crew to try and count how many fish each person has caught near impossible without hireing more and driving up the PRICE TO GO FISHING. Now if the crew helps in landing a illegal size fish they should return the fish at once to the water.<br /><br />Way Fish and Game checked out here is they put some under cover warden on the boat with video cameras and tape recorders. One captain and Crew they aressted for telling people with limits to keep fishing to help fill limits of people who were sick or not too skilled fill there limits. Case has not been to court yet. Fish and Game said many more arrest coming but has been over 8 month and no more so far.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Party boat Regs

No license required here what you pay for is the rental of gear, bait and the ability to go out. You only need a license in S/W if you are going out on a private boat. I was just venting some because I can see the way things are don't work because several times a year I read about them busting a group. I can't help to think how many don't get busted because of lack of manpower on the DNR's part. All this coupled with reports of bottom dwelling fish numbers being/going down just make me want to do something if only raise awareness of the problem.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Party boat Regs

Peter Fish Buster<br />Out here every person on the boat must have a license even if it only a 1 day license. Bottom fish stocks are so low now have reduced the limits to 10 max and many fish zero or 1. Also have a season for the first time July to december but can close early if too many caught. Also can now use only two hooks and Salmon must use a barbless hook. Problem is studies have shown over 92 percent of the take by Long lines and nets while fishing for other fish, they call it bycatch. Fish and Game and the FEDS have done nothing to reduce this catch only studies.<br />Sportman Provide Dept of Fish and Game over 95 percent of the revenue and take less than 10 of the fish taken. Also sportman support the party boats the camp grounds the city stores along the bay but the Sportman is the one that recieves all the reductions while they continue to allow long lines and nets in nearshore waters.<br />Party boat captains or owners now can barely make boat payments as fishing season now 6 month or less. Sure they try whale watching trips and tour around the bay and make some money but these trips will not make enough money to buy the fuel if it is foggy or bad weather, cold. Fisherman came all year foggy or not, hot or cold, and even in bad weather as long as seas were safe.

 

[ALG]

Re: Party boat Regs

Some party boat fisherman,tackle stores,and restaurants recently got hit with some hefty fines here in florida.The fisherman were selling there catch to the tackle stores and restaurants.In florida its against the law for recreational fisherman to do so.Dont know if the laws vary state to state on this issue.However the commercial fisherman said it was long overdue.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Party boat Regs

ALG<br />It the same here in California. Also has been a lot people fishing with illegal nets and selling to restrants here but many are now in jail since the fine did not change there ways.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Party boat Regs

I still think that a person should have the right to bring a fish that s/he just caught and have it cooked at a restaurant - but the no selling laws stopped that - and everyone makes out, the restaraunt can sell the other fillet, they get the full price of the dinner without paying for the fish, and the customer knows that the fish is absolutely fresh ... eh, wierd world we live in

 

[thackea]

Re: Party boat Regs

when we were in Destin about two weeks ago, the captain was responsible for fines and his mates made sure nothing illegal was taken. Talking about a party boat here -- not an overnight or private charter -- but everything was measure once when it came off the hook and again before it went in the cooler, when we were ready to move to a new spot. The Destin Princess -- very responsible (and a lot of fish that day)

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Party boat Regs

This is what I am talking about. If I recall right I think the last time we were out on a party boat in Fla I heard the captian telling a mate undersized fish port side through the intercom. Come to think of it I heard this a lot but with differing reference points. Funny how you recall things because untill I read the last reply I had forgotten that.

 

[auslez]

Re: Party boat Regs

Lot different over here in west aussie guys. The charter captain and crew are fully responsible for bag limits and sizing and can have their charter revoked and fined for passengers excesses. Our fisheries have big sticks to wave at cheats, a recent guy who had excess and undersized abalone {shellfish} was fined $150,000 dollars and lost his car and boat. That'll slow him down I'd reckon.