Ethics/legal question for ya....

I had a buddy ask me this question and want to know what y'all think. Here is the scenario: a father and his son go on a fishing trip and their dad/grandfather comes along. The dad/grandfather has no interest in fishing and is only in the boat for the enjoyment of the day and helping out his grandson. The father and son have a great day of catching and soon reach their limit between the two of them. They then continue to fish until they have the full limit for the 3 since their dad/grandfather is along and is a licensed fisherman. During no part of this trip did the dad/grandfather fish. So the question is whether or not this is ethical/legal. My answer to the question is no on both parts. IMO the only way you can catch a limit for all parties involved is for all parties to partake in the fishing. What is y'all's opinion??

Another quick question: if the pole limit is 3 per person and 2 guys are fishing together is it ok for one guy to have 4 poles on his rack as long as the other has 2 or since the rule reads 3 per person should they both be fishing with 3 at the most since it reads per person.

I agree with the fishing part of needing to fish for your on fish. Now on the rods how does law read? 3 poles per person i think so in that case in my book the guy with four poles would be breaking the law. IMO

I know it's not legal. Not ethical either. If they were all fishing it would be better. And for the poles I wouldn't use more than whats allowed.

I don't see how its any different than a guide will let you catch his limit usually.

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Originally Posted by slimeyslab

I don't see how its any different than a guide will let you catch his limit usually.

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Is this legal????

I know these laws would be hard to enforce and that's why I posed it as ethics/legal. I always fish 4 poles out the side of the boat. When only one other person goes with me they usually fish 6. We were basing this on 10 poles for the 2 of us. As I think more about this it might be the discretion of the warden if we got a ticket but in reality we are probably in the wrong since it is per person and not aggregate.

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Originally Posted by Handicrappie

I know these laws would be hard to enforce and that's why I posed it as ethics/legal. I always fish 4 poles out the side of the boat. When only one other person goes with me they usually fish 6. We were basing this on 10 poles for the 2 of us. As I think more about this it might be the discretion of the warden if we got a ticket but in reality we are probably in the wrong since it is per person and not aggregate.

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Think i would ask the next Warden i seen at the boat ramp. Just to be on safe side.I see Mike Powell a good bit in town next time i see him i will try in remember to ask him these questions

I think if you takes someone extra just so you can catch there limit is ethicly wrong but legally right.Since Big H is a sissy and cancelled on me this saturday i will probably be taking my girls and more than likely i will help them catch their limit.Do I feel wrong about it ,nope.As for the poles I think as long as your not over limit, i doubt they care how many poles use.

The guide I went with in Illinois caught his limit my limit and my buddies limit. Gave us 10 foot rods he had a 12foot pull up to a spot and say there may only be 1 or 2 fish on here throw his jig out there catch it before we could get in the water and say well got him

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Originally Posted by clfarms1

The guide I went with in Illinois caught his limit my limit and my buddies limit. Gave us 10 foot rods he had a 12foot pull up to a spot and say there may only be 1 or 2 fish on here throw his jig out there catch it before we could get in the water and say well got him

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Would not use that guide again.

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Originally Posted by Big C

I think if you takes someone extra just so you can catch there limit is ethicly wrong but legally right.Since Big H is a sissy and cancelled on me this saturday i will probably be taking my girls and more than likely i will help them catch their limit.Do I feel wrong about it ,nope.As for the poles I think as long as your not over limit, i doubt they care how many poles use.

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I figure we rarely if ever catch the same amount of fish on our way to a limit but we are all fishing. I don't see anything wrong with you and your girls BigC as long as y'all are all there fishing. Heck, they might be the ones helping u to catch your limit. Aggregate numbers are where fishing and hunting are totally opposite. Lots harder to be able to separate fish as opposed to ducks, deer, doves, etc.

dont worry im not got done fishing and electic was off at cleaning station so his knife wouldnt work, so just put fish in 5 gallon bucket and said see ya. but back on topic you should at least being wetting a line if nothing else

I have to agree with big c on this. It is legal to have the third limit in the boat but its not ethical. About the poles? I agree with h, but I dont think they care who is fishing them as long as there aren't too many.

Sent from my dang phone

"Legal" is intentionally designed to allow for some "wiggle room" or "gray area". "Ethical" (on the other hand) is either black or white with no "wiggle room" or "gray area". If you saw a ten dollar bill laying on the ground... would you pick it up and put it in your pocket knowing it didn't belong to you??? Well, I'm sure a great majority of people would and I don't think you could fault him for it. Legally, the ten spot doesn't belong to anyone because ownership was lost when the bill was lost. Should you leave it laying there and just walk past it??? I'm sure the great majority would not. Ethically, however, the finder of the ten spot might likely pick up the bill and pay it forward to someone else who needed it worse than he did... rejoicing and giving thanks for the opportunity that he could do so.

My point is: There seems to always be a thin line between law and ethics... but the answer always lies within the heart and soul of the doer when all gray area will be made black or white on a later date. Be careful to choose well my brother.

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Originally Posted by Big C

I think if you takes someone extra just so you can catch there limit is ethicly wrong but legally right.Since Big H is a sissy and cancelled on me this saturday i will probably be taking my girls and more than likely i will help them catch their limit.Do I feel wrong about it ,nope.As for the poles I think as long as your not over limit, i doubt they care how many poles use.

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And this from the feller that has for the past year consistently lectured me on how, and how many, fish I LEGALLY catch?!!!?

Hey, The law is for adults and protection of the resource say ceasears ruling authority. 3 poles per person on boat and 15 legal fish each. If it was a child that was small let him claim the fish after leaving the lake. If the child is experienced and old enough to understand his responsibility or you think he needs to learn quit at his limit and go home. Sounds like someone here has a guilty cons:Roflcious or wants to squeel on some of his friends????????
??????????? THE HOOK

ATM my girls are 13 and 16 and can out fish most grown men.I was joking more than anything.Seems your always looking for a fight.And besides i've got a number to hit after that,they all go back in the water.

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Originally Posted by ATM

And this from the feller that has for the past year consistently lectured me on how, and how many, fish I LEGALLY catch?!!!?

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My son has been able to catch a limit since he was 6 months old;-). Heck without being able to have your kids to catch a limit the B's would starve.

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Originally Posted by Big C

ATM my girls are 13 and 16 and can out fish most grown men.I was joking more than anything.Seems your always looking for a fight.And besides i've got a number to hit after that,they all go back in the water.

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Think he was just rednecking u a little the way you do him. You are pretty good about it:)

Ok guys keep it civil. No one is pointing fingers. I think kenyon has put two good questions up for discussion. Two points i never really gave any thought to till now. I still say ask a Warden. You never know when there watching from a far

Ask a warden......but keep in mind, if you ask three wardens you will get three different answers....now that being said, do you know which one is going to catch you? Best just to follow the rules and not try to trick them or twist them around.

So tell the story behind this thread.


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Originally Posted by "G"

Ask a warden......but keep in mind, if you ask three wardens you will get three different answers....now that being said, do you know which one is going to catch you? Best just to follow the rules and not try to trick them or twist them around.

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I totally agree with getting three different answers.

I would think that when the first person catches their limit, they would have to quit fishing, period. Then the second person would have to quit when they reached their limit. I don't think legally you could catch fish for another person, after you limit out. On the rod deal, isn't it 3 per person, not four for someone and two for another?

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Originally Posted by crappielarry

I would think that when the first person catches their limit, they would have to quit fishing, period. Then the second person would have to quit when they reached their limit. I don't think legally you could catch fish for another person, after you limit out. On the rod deal, isn't it 3 per person, not four for someone and two for another?

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This is my thinking also but at same time when trolling with two people fishing i have always just kept count on total fish in livewell. Never thought about having to keep seperate counts. Thats why i say he has brought up a good question.

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Originally Posted by "G"

Ask a warden......but keep in mind, if you ask three wardens you will get three different answers....now that being said, do you know which one is going to catch you? Best just to follow the rules and not try to trick them or twist them around.

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:hesaid

I think it is 3 poles and 15 fish per person and the intent is just that....no mixing and no sharing. It's almost impossible for the game wardens to enforce it unless they are on the bank watching you with binoculars. Don't think they have the manpower to do that. We have guys putting someone (anyone) in the back of the boat simply to increase their allowable catch. To me this is wrong but I'm sure there are lots of folks who see this differently.

Just remember, it ain't illegal unless you get caught.

H you mean my 22 to your 8 isn't legal on Sardis. Man we in trouble now.

Fish numbers and pole numbers are based on licensed fisherman or exempt fisherman in the boat, everyone using the same livewell or cooler just throwin them in, so legal yes.
Ethical is up to you, what is or isnt ethical really can seem to vary amongst folks. Take the "gentleman" that slammed Duckhunter the other day, doubt you would ever convience him that trolling is ethical, it is to me but not to him. Ethical is more of an "opinion" than anything else.
Good discussion Handi!!!

Had an acquaintance who kept 28 crappie at Enid in February and came to ramp to give his "extras" to his buddy who only had nine. It was right before dark and several boats came in together. He pulled up to ramp and game warden came out of his truck and came straight to the guy with too many fish. This guy didn't understad why the warden came straight to him instead of checking everyone who came in together. I would guess that warden was sitting on ramp and watching him catch a bunch of fish and figured it was a good bet to check him. He got a ticket and hopefully learned his lesson.

I honestly think that what the wardens care about is that you are not over the number of poles or number of fish allowed per boat for the number of licensed fisherman on the boat. Just because I think this doesn't mean it's right and it also doesn't mean it's ethically right regardless of whether or not its within the legal definition of the law. Hence, I posed the question.

Not sure if the same laws apply but when duck hunting legally limits are supposed to be kept separate. The law is rarely enforced but I can personally recall one time that it was. Cost me a trip go Little Rock and some cash.

I believe the pole limit is basically how many hooks are in the water.

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Originally Posted by Big C

ATM my girls are 13 and 16 and can out fish most grown men.I was joking more than anything.Seems your always looking for a fight.And besides i've got a number to hit after that,they all go back in the water.

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Sorry. I missed the joke. And for the record, half the fish I catch go back in the lake too.

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Originally Posted by Rees Guide

Fish numbers and pole numbers are based on licensed fisherman or exempt fisherman in the boat, everyone using the same livewell or cooler just throwin them in, so legal yes.
Ethical is up to you, what is or isnt ethical really can seem to vary amongst folks. Take the "gentleman" that slammed Duckhunter the other day, doubt you would ever convience him that trolling is ethical, it is to me but not to him. Ethical is more of an "opinion" than anything else.
Good discussion Handi!!!

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I'd like to read this regulation. Can you post the link?

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Originally Posted by Handicrappie

I honestly think that what the wardens care about is that you are not over the number of poles or number of fish allowed per boat for the number of licensed fisherman on the boat. Just because I think this doesn't mean it's right and it also doesn't mean it's ethically right regardless of whether or not its within the legal definition of the law. Hence, I posed the question.

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You too.

no,no, a limit per person .

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Originally Posted by ATM

I'd like to read this regulation. Can you post the link?

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More the way they are enforced, 3 in the boat on Grenada and 2 up font fishing 9 and you wont here a word.
Really dont see where it was hard to understand, do you not think he number of poles is not set based on the legal number of fisherman in the boat?:dono

Excellent and thought provoking questions there Handi, which brings to mind one of my own:

Hypothetically, If you had a stewpit friend that asked stewpit questions, should you tell your friend he's stewpit or would it be ethical to lie and just tell him he's asking stewpit questions without letting on that he's stewpit too? Also, does your answer change if this hypothetical friend is from a stewpit state?

Wannabe...

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Originally Posted by Wannabe...

Excellent and thought provoking questions there Handi, which brings to mind one of my own:

Hypothetically, If you had a stewpit friend that asked stewpit questions, should you tell your friend he's stewpit or would it be ethical to lie and just tell him he's asking stewpit questions without letting on that he's stewpit too? Also, does your answer change if this hypothetical friend is from a stewpit state?

Wannabe...

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Your STEWPIT!!!!!!:Rofl