People ticketed for illegal fish at a Jordan pier?

Hello. At least two people have told me about two episodes in which fishermen AND women were ticketed at Belles Church Pier recently for having in their possession bags and bags of illegal (too small) fish, i.e. crappie. In one case these people were actually on the pier with the illegal fish when they were ticketed. In another episode people were coming off the rocks when they got ticketed. Can any of you out there verify this? I know that people keep illegal fish, especially crappie -- the rule is ten inches and no more than 20 per person per day. I've seen people violate this rule too many times. I've also seen some with at least ten rods and reels in use along with a bunch more bottles with strings being used to catch fish. Anybody know any more details as to how those people were able to get away with that stuff for so long? Glad they got caught but I bet it won't stop them. Ms. Catfish

TORE UP TICKET AND THREW IT IN TRASH! SEEN IT DONE AT THE DAM

Around here DNR can take everything and let you walk home. They don't play around.


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All I can tell you with any certainty is an undersized Rock is 280.00 plus cost of court.

At one of the earlier BigeyeCrappieman tournaments this Spring, the local game warden came by and spent time with us. I talked to him some and he said the biggest problem he has is bank fishermen. Some of them keep everything they catch and there are so many places they fish, he can't patrol all of them by himself. Like us, these lawless individuals know when the crappie spawn and will be in the shallows, so they go after them.

Hat's off to our local Wildlife officers that are trying to see that individuals keep the law. If you see illegal fish being kept, please report it to the Wildlife. They know where most of these people fish and having reports from citizens will help them as they make plans to enforce the law.

Maybe the same people with illegal unfortunately are the ones that are getting a free license and don't know the regulations or have any regards for them. Really blew my mind giving out free fishing licenses they aren't giving free hunting license. Just my opinion sorry if I hurt someone's feelings.

Thanks, JordanLimit, for your post. as an old lady fisherwoman I'm glad to see game wardens come around. But I don't know about the biggest problem with illegal fishing being with bank fishermen. It could equally be a big problem with folks in boats. I've seen game wardens check only the licenses of people fishing near where he wanted to walk. We could see people fishing in boats but all he did was get into his truck and drive off the other way. At any rate, if we aren't respectful of the laws regarding our fish we might not have any in the future. Ms. Catfish.

Thanks, Cardedo. Who gets a free license? The military? Veterans? Disabled? Senior citizens? After a lifetime of paying for my licenses I was happy to finally get so old I was able to have one that I didn't have to pay more money for again. But I've found that lots of fishing folks -- including those with licenses -- don't read the regulations that thoroughly. I've seen folks with licenses bemoan having to throw back an undersized fish and when they can get away with it, keep that nine-inch crappie when they know the minimum is ten inches. It's all human nature and temptation, I think. But I was glad about the report of the people who were ticketed. At times at that pier it's been terribly crowded with folks who jam you up on both sides as soon as they see you catch a fish. But such is life. Keep fishing! Ms. Catfish

Thanks, ShoalDonkey. Ms. Catfish

Thanks, Big Crappie 2, for your observation. If they got caught once perhaps they'll get caught again doing something else illegal. Ms. Catfish

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Originally Posted by Cardedo

Maybe the same people with illegal unfortunately are the ones that are getting a free license and don't know the regulations or have any regards for them. Really blew my mind giving out free fishing licenses they aren't giving free hunting license. Just my opinion sorry if I hurt someone's feelings.

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Please explain the "free license". I too, have an "old timers" license that is good for the rest of my life, but had to pay a fee to get it. Have not heard about this give away (must be more of our government "handout deals")

I saw it when renewing my license anyone on welfare, food stamps, and something else don't remember right now.

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Originally Posted by Ms. catfish

Thanks, JordanLimit, for your post. as an old lady fisherwoman I'm glad to see game wardens come around. But I don't know about the biggest problem with illegal fishing being with bank fishermen. It could equally be a big problem with folks in boats. I've seen game wardens check only the licenses of people fishing near where he wanted to walk. We could see people fishing in boats but all he did was get into his truck and drive off the other way. At any rate, if we aren't respectful of the laws regarding our fish we might not have any in the future. Ms. Catfish.

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Your correct on game wardens only checking bank fisherman. I witnessed this firsthand at a wateree landing. I was loading and the SC warden vehicle stopped next to my boat with me in it and checked my registration sticker but didn't speak to me so I said hi, so they rolled down the window and asked what I said and told them only to get the reply "oh" and moved on to check licenses of those bank fishing. Bottom line appeared to me they only wanted to write tickets and not have a friendly conversation. The probably had a lot of spots to check, but not very engaging.

I think there is only one warden per county, or one warden per several counties. So if you think about how much ground that one warden has to cover, your chances of getting your license and catch checked is very, very small.

You are right in that there is only 1 officer in the field in several counties. Other times there area more but typically one per county. I called on some folks cast netting fish and cleaning undersized ones the other day and the officer said he was 3 counties away and would not be able to make it so to at least take a picture and let them know the warden is aware of their actions. If you can get license tag and vehicle description all the better. There should be a number on your license of where to call if you spot violations so its easy to find the number.

Not sure which is worse, keeping under-sized fish to eat for dinner or watching guys catch under-sized fish and ripping their heads off to save a 1 cent hook then tossing them back.
Also, bank fisherman are not the only ones keeping small fish by any means. I watched so many boats in Robeson creek keep undersized fish it's ridiculous. Can't go up the guy and ask to take a pic of his illegal fish so I can report him. Those with ethics have to make due for those who don't. Just because the limit is 20 doesn't mean you have to keep 20 every time.

There is on your license... avail 24 hrs...plus there's a reward

ShoalDonkey, you found out too huh? My buddy caught a rock at Weldon that the warden measured as 1/8" too small. Absolutely no grace so all we could do was laugh and accept the ticket since we were in the wrong. The new rule for us is, it must exceed the limit by at least 1/2" or more. His ticket was something like $245.

Hockey86 is right about Robeson Creek. My Father was fishing it several years ago and some fishermen were keeping everything they caught. In this day and time with people toting pistols, you have to be careful approaching someone about illegal fish. Some of these guys are drinking and not certain how they may react. That's why it is best to take pictures and turn it over to law enforcement. Don't want anything to happen to the good folks on Crappie.com.

Had a game warden tell me once that he only wrote tickets to those that looked like they would pay. Why waste his time he said. Not fair but it kind of makes sense.

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Originally Posted by Cardedo

Maybe the same people with illegal unfortunately are the ones that are getting a free license and don't know the regulations or have any regards for them. Really blew my mind giving out free fishing licenses they aren't giving free hunting license. Just my opinion sorry if I hurt someone's feelings.

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They do. After age 62, State hunting and fishing is free..


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The free licenses I was referring to was for people on welfare, food stamps ect not older people I am almost there myself and will enjoy my free license I have paid for my share. I can see giving licenses at a discount for people on welfare, food stamps, ect not charging everyone else more so theirs is free. JMO.

As a former lawman, i can tell you that often times a warden already knows if a boater/bank fisherman has something to hide just by his/her actions prior to engaging them in a conversation. Just keep that in mind. Lots of area to cover with very little time.

The warden that covers Wake County is a pretty decent guy. I've talked with him several time at Harris. I told him about being out one night at around 2AM and a ski boat was out with people inner tubing behind it with no lights what's so ever. I could see the people in the tubes holding glow sticks. Having a good time but drunk as a skunk I'm sure. He said I should have called the hotline and reported it. My response was, but it was 2AM. He said that doesn't matter. A crappie fisherman called him before at a later hour than that and he loaded the boat and ended up arresting the boat driver for DUI and giving everyone else a citation. I thought that was pretty amazing he would come out at that time of night. Guess they took it serious since it could've ended bad for several people that night if an accident happened.

It's been years ago since I interacted with Game and Fish, it was at Wateree. I had taken my sister Striper fishing her first time. We'd just pulled the boat out and there were 5 G&F guys there. They checked lic registrations etc. Asked if we did any good and we showed the 1 fish we keep a decent fish my sister boated, she was real proud. They were polite and kept talking about great a fish it was, made me feel good for my sister, she thought she caught a monster. Turns out they were out looking for Duck hunters.
I've got lifetime old fart lic in North and South Carolina a deal when you consider how many years I paid out of state lic fees

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Originally Posted by Cardedo

The free licenses I was referring to was for people on welfare, food stamps ect not older people I am almost there myself and will enjoy my free license I have paid for my share. I can see giving licenses at a discount for people on welfare, food stamps, ect not charging everyone else more so theirs is free. JMO.

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That's a fact. People on government assistance get free fishing license.

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Originally Posted by KAYAKLIPJERKER

That's a fact. People on government assistance get free fishing license.

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Just wondering how many of you thank a person on welfare or food stamps should be GIVEN a free hunting and fishing license? As for me I thank they should be out trying to find gainful employment. I have had a full time job for the last 55 years. (70 now) Don't tell me there are know jobs, because every where I look some one has a help wanted sigh out! Just my two cents worth as for every one I see that truly needs welfare or food stamps, I see a half dozen that are just to sorry to work.

Someone tell ME how I qualify for free hunting and fishing license,Im 62 and drawing MY S.S. and retired.GO

This is what I found,

Senior License Eligibility: Residents born on or before Aug. 1, 1953 are eligible to purchase a senior lifetime license when they turn 65 years of age. Those born after Aug. 1, 1953 are eligible to purchase a senior lifetime license when they turn 70 years of age.

I could use the info about age 62 also.

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Originally Posted by midland

This is what I found,

Senior License Eligibility: Residents born on or before Aug. 1, 1953 are eligible to purchase a senior lifetime license when they turn 65 years of age. Those born after Aug. 1, 1953 are eligible to purchase a senior lifetime license when they turn 70 years of age.

I could use the info about age 62 also.

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That's what I found also,,,No such thing as a FREE license for a working MAN

I'm 56 and retired from the state. I have had a life time license ever since they offered it and bought my son one when he was born. To many people play the game with free hand outs. I'll be the first in line to buy anybody food that really needs it and especially if kids are involved. We had a guy come by our church one day wanting food from our food bank said he couldn't find a job. We boxed up food for him but I took him 1/2 mile from our church to R-Nell homes plant where they build double wides with a big. Sign out front that said " help needed" I also new the plant mgr. when I pulled in there driveway I said come with me and I'll get you a job , he said no thanks and got out of the my truck and started walking with his box of food. Needless to say he doesn't get food from us anymore. And to answer the question , NO people on food stamps and welfare should NOT get free fishing or hunting license just something else we will all start paying for.


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I was there at the pier on both occasions. The majority group who are fishing illegally are not welfare cases they arrive in $30k+ Lexus, jeeps,and Toyota's. They catch undersized fish put them in Walmart bags. I've seen them place them in the wives purses walk them to their vehicles. They hog up most of the pier. They stay after midnight and keep everything. I can't wait until the spawn is over, and yes I do call the wildlife officers when I witness violations. If you need fish that bad go to Falls or Harris where is no limit.

Amen brother


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Originally Posted by photon

I was there at the pier on both occasions. The majority group who are fishing illegally are not welfare cases they arrive in $30k+ Lexus, jeeps,and Toyota's. They catch undersized fish put them in Walmart bags. I've seen them place them in the wives purses walk them to their vehicles. They hog up most of the pier. They stay after midnight and keep everything. I can't wait until the spawn is over, and yes I do call the wildlife officers when I witness violations. If you need fish that bad go to Falls or Harris where is no limit.

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To be on welfare, you can claim 1 vehicle, it can be that $30k+ Lexus, Jeep or Toyota. I learned that in the grocery business.

Thanks, Photon, for verifying that this ticketing for illegal fishing did indeed occur. Those folks who are so concerned about welfare recipients and free licenses, calm down. The theme of this thread that I began is about people who are violating the NC Wildlife fishing regs. If you see people keeping undersized game fish get a picture or call the wildlife people or at least remind these violators about the law. Thanks. Ms. Catfish.