Thread: Ethics/legal question for ya....

So since my 15' boat is too narrow to fish two up front, when I take a buddy, who sits directly behind me and operates the net, I am fishing illegally? He doesn't touch the poles, but he lands the fish, takes it off the hook and baits back up while I keep the boat under control and watch the other poles. We had 8 poles up front, when it was still legal. So just because my boat is too narrow and would be unsafe to fish two wide, would I get a ticket? and since he didn't land the fish himself, would I be over the limit? Also, if my dad wants to come ride on the lake with me while I catch a limit for my freezer and for his too, would that be Illegal? He has bought licenses as long as I can remember and he just doesn't have the ability to fish, but still likes to eat them. They would just have to write me a ticket. This is one reason I fish where I do 95% of the time. I don't get hassled over an "interpretation" of the law. I got a ticket for having my throwable around a seat pedestal, to keep it from blowing out. If they want it to be a personal seperate limit, like migratory birds, state it that way and I will follow it. The rod #, I may be pushing it, but when it reads 4 per person, I have two people in the boat actively engaged in fishing activity. In the case with my dad, it sounds legal, we are both legally licensed, what's the problem? What if you take your kid and they are asleep under the console and you are fishing enough poles for two people? During a tourney? The way I see it, if you spend the time on the lake, on the boat being fished out of, it should not be that big of an issue, as long as you stay legal.

I'm sure many of you have had days when your partner has been in the hot spot or had the hot hand, did you want them to stop at their limit and let you take home five fish after you spent the money in gas for the truck, boat, bait, and also time off from work? Really not trying to start a fight, I just think if you abide by the limits(pole and fish) and have a license, you should be fine, even if you are just watching.

Originally Posted by feelay

Cops and wardens aren't lawyers. They can cite you for whatever they wish, right or wrong. Whether it will hold up in court is for the judge to decide. Even clear cut violations are often dropped when the offender appears before the bench ( ain't that right Wb?).

Ethics can be discussed until we are blue in the face. Heck, they even have college courses on the subject. Every persons moral compass is different from the next. None of us steer a perfect heading in life and all of us will be on a somewhat different bearing. The trouble comes with those who either think their course is the only course, or the few whose compass spins out of control.

I agree but think he is looking for everyones opion. How to you translate the laws. Say on guide trips if two fishing and one is catching more then other does stop at 15 or do they fish until they hit 30

I fill the livewell with fish, three of us in the boat, stop when we get a boat limit. Eight pole spread, three of us in the boat means we are allowed nine.

Originally Posted by feelay

I fill the livewell with fish, three of us in the boat, stop when we get a boat limit. Eight pole spread, three of us in the boat means we are allowed nine.

Are you fishing also

My opinion which matters not........

1. Since the grandfather did not fish at all, he is not allowed a limit. Only the two fishermen are allowed limits.

2. Two people fishing, 6 poles regardless of how many to a rack.

Originally Posted by Big H trucking

Are you fishing also

I stand behind them and tell them when they have a bite, bait hooks, untangle lines, steer the boat, manage drift socks, untangle fouled lines, make all the decisions on where and how to fish. To me, yes I'm fishing.

Originally Posted by feelay

I stand behind them and tell them when they have a bite, bait hooks, untangle lines, steer the boat, manage drift socks, untangle fouled lines, make all the decisions on where and how to fish. To me, yes I'm fishing.

Ok...just wondering how others do it

Originally Posted by feelay

I stand behind them and tell them when they have a bite, bait hooks, untangle lines, steer the boat, manage drift socks, untangle fouled lines, make all the decisions on where and how to fish. To me, yes I'm fishing.

Dayum, sounds like you need a deck hand!