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Anyone heard about 2 fellow's from ky getting caught with a bunch of fish in their cooler.The story I heard was they got their boat impounded and it cost each one 1000.00 dollar's each to get the boat back.I know they got caught for sure but dont know about the rest.2000.00 seem's excessive if it's true.
I dont think it is excesive. I figure they thought they could come down here and RAPE the lake and take them home. You should ALWAYS take what you will eat or is LEGAL then leave the rest for others. It is ppl like that, you see keeping anything with eyeballs. I kinda figure if they had that many fish not ALL were LEGAL size. That would kinda explain the big fines.
How many would it take over the possesion limit to be fined 2000.00 dollar's? I have no idea.If it was a huge amount of fish I can see why the fine was so big but if not I would think that is excessive.
Up here in Michigan, our limit is 25 specks a day. For every fish that you're over, it's $5 a pounds. It can get expensive if you're pouching and who needs that hassle!
but I believe you can only transport 1 day's legal limit out of the state. For instance, if you are there for a week and catch your limit each day you are only allowed to take 1 day's limit across the state line. If there are 2 fishing, you could only take 120 filets with you, or sixty fish. Any thing over that is a violation of state law. If they were caught with 3 or 4 limits in their cooler then they deserved that $2,000 fine. I believe most states have this type of restriction in their statutes. Unfortunately, enforcement would be a nightmare, unless there were checkpoints at the state lines, like in California. If the laws were strictly enforced, there would be more fish and better fishing for all of lus.
If a person, you notice I do not use the word fisherman or sportsman, keeps one fish over the legal limit or under the legal length then they are stealing from the rest of us. The best way to ensure that this stealing is kept to a minimum is to report those that are doing it. A good sportsman will do what is necessary to protect the resource. To report game and fish violations call Operation Game Watch 1-800-272-4263.
Leave a few for seed.
jetree
Im not 100% sure but I think they slipped up on the possesion limit.With a 2000.00$ fine they must have really slipped.
Go to outdooralabama.comand click on Regulations. The following is the law (no excuses for ignorance as we all know very well!
220-2-.115 Snagging or Snatching Fish on the Tennessee River
It shall be unlawful to take fish on the Tennessee River or its impoundments by pulling a single hook or group of hooks through the water (snagging or snatching), provided said hooks may be so used with bait and/or lures to entice fish to strike or bite such bait or lure. It shall further be unlawful to catch a fish on the Tennessee River or its impoundments by hooking the fish in any place other than the mouth or head. Any fish hooked other than in the mouth or head must immediately be returned to the water from where it came with the least possible harm.
Note: It is a violation of Alabama law for any person to transport more than one day's creel limit of any species of game fish beyond the boundaries of this state. It is a violation of Alabama law for any person to fillet freshwater fish while on public waters except when fish are being prepared for immediate cooking and consumption, provided however, that fish may be drawn or gutted with heads left attached.
NOTE: IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY ANGLER TO FISH WITH MORE THAN THREE RODS AND REELS, OR POLES, OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF ON WEISS RESERVOIR OR NEELY HENRY LAKE, AT ANY TIME.
THERE IS NO CLOSED SEASON ON ANY FRESHWATER GAME FISH.
The sale of game fish taken from public water is prohibited by law in Alabama.
I guess after reading that alabama dont want any out of state fishermen lol.Im sure i wouldnt travel that far for one day's limit of crappie as they are to easy to catch around here.I bet those 2 ole boy's wish they had stayed closer to home lol.
Note: It is a violation of Alabama law for any person to transport more than one day's creel limit of any species of game fish beyond the boundaries of this state. It is a violation of Alabama law for any person to fillet freshwater fish while on public waters except when fish are being prepared for immediate cooking and consumption, provided however, that fish may be drawn or gutted with heads left attached,
I'll agree with the law,on this,But It say's ( BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE.) the way that reads they would have to wait untill you went past the state line before they could make an arrest,:confused:Now you know why I'm not a lawyer,:D.
I agee with every state law because ever state is different.With your post bentpole by the way im no lawyer either but doe's alabama have the right to make an arrest in another state.They were cited in alabama im pretty sure but not 100%.Either way they must of had a bunch of fish.
for the persons who broke the law, I do take some exception to how that law reads. Specifically, the part about not filleting while on public waters, except when being prepared for immediate cooking & consumption. Every guide on Weiss is probably breaking this law, as well as many of the residents. Unless this portion of the law is, in effect, relating to not filleting fish while still in the boat &/or fishing ... it's being violated by most everyone that fishes Alabama waters (that filets their catch).Quote:
Originally Posted by bentpole
I don't think one has to pass over the state line ... but, with obvious intent to do so, they can probably be charged. (probable cause ? )
I apologize to the great state of Alabama, and its residents, for the actions of these KY residents ... and do not condone their behavior, one bit. Knowing and abiding by the laws of the state in which you fish, is a priority that we Crappie.com members MUST adhere to, and help enforce ... whether we agree with them, or not.
... cp :cool:
I suspect that the law about not fileting the fish while on the water is because of how hard it would be to count them, thats why it is legal to gut them and leave them whole with the head on. There is a reason for everything. All of these laws are written with conservation and the protection of the fish population so that the fishery will thrive.
I'm sure these fellows didn't know that part of the law,because I'd be like them & would want to take more than a days catch home. They have traveled a long way to fish.:(
Just another one of those stupid laws.I don't know the details of what these guys did but I have been to Weiss and stayed for four days fished all we could we never had over a limit in the boat at one time BUT we would go to the camp and clean them,icem down and go back in a few hours.We fileted them right at waters edge.Everyone does this .Ther is No way two or three guys can fish for four days and eat all they catch.I guess by the law we was breaking it.When we left we had a 48 quart cooler almost 3/4 full with filets.One bag of ice on top!This was several years ago the limit then was 50.
I think it would be a good idea for the guides to let potential clients know about these rules ahead of time to let them know exactly what the laws are here in our state. I think that there are lots of folks out there who have broken some of these laws that did not know exactly how the laws read. I know of another law that lots of folks break, the one that states that you cannot release left over minnows into the water.
I assume the part about the heads still attached is to verify that they were at least 10" in length.
Your right crappiepappy when you fish in another state you have to adhere to there regulations whether you like it or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by crappiepappy
I think the law on filleting fish on the water is from a boat. If you are already back at the dock and out of the boat you are ok.
I do agree that all guides should explain the local and state laws to all there custumers. Also the guides should not be allowed to fish. I kwow a few of the guides that fish Weiss Lake and they have told me that the only fair time for their customers is when they are trolling. When bottom fishing the man in the front of the boat is going to catch most of the fish. That is where the structure is located below the depth finder on his trolling motor.
A few bad apples has always messed up the whole bunch. I believe that if we all follow the laws in the state that we are hunting or fishing in everything would be a lot better.
Have a great day!!
Weiss Lake has a 10" minimum size limit and a daily creel limit of 30 crappie per Angler. Fish less than 10" may cost you $ 100.00 per short fish. Most of the time 1 or 2 will only get you a warning, but after that it will cost you dearly.
Is this to strict ? I don't think so .... If you can't pay the fine and do the time, then don't do the crime. The size and creel limits are needed to protect the fishery, and must be enforced; or else no one would abide by them and the lake would be doomed, due to over fishing.
This my opinion, and I am sticking to it !!!!
Sounds like you can only have one limit of crappie in your freezer also. So most of the AL boys are breaking the law also.
Pete
How do you figure that if you do not go beyond the bounderies of the state?
I live in neighboring Tennessee less than 120 miles from Weiss and make frequent trips there. Most of our trips we fish for more than one day. I know that a good portion of the people I meet there are from many miles away and come and stay for a week. What is the reasoning for having only one days catch in a cooler if you had been on the lake for a whole week. This law is being broken by I would guess 99% of the out of state people fishing Weiss. I never keep more than a limit or any short fish and don't have much compassion for those that do but can someone please explain to me the background behind the one days limit in posession law. Enforcement of this law could make someone rich.
I might be wrong in saying this but if I'm gonna pay Alabama $48 a year for a fishing license and I come fish for two days I think I should be allowed to take home two limits of fish. I looked at the law and if you do get caught for the carrying them across state lines the fine is supposed to be between 25 and 50 dollars. Alabama is much more friendly with their posession laws than Georgia. In GA you are only allowed two limits in your possesion....that included your freezer from what I understand if they wanted to be jerks!!!
Does anyone else feel that if you buy a 3-day out of state license to fish you should be able to bring 3 days worth of limits back to where you came from!! I mean let's use some commen sense. What are out of staters suppose to do that catch 3 legal limits each day on their license but only bring back 1 days limit. What are people suppose to do, fry all their crappie and gorge themselves so they can ride back to their state legally? :confused: That law is dumb!! You should be able to transport back to your state equal to your license time that you purchased. That seems unfair to out of state people who pay there fees and fish correctly. Why punish them to only bring back a 1 day limit on a 3-day license? Seems unfair and i am from ALABAMA.
I am from KY. I come to alabama usually once a year fishing. We spend a lot of money while we are there. I think it would benifit the state of Alabama to allow more than one days limit to be taken out of state. People have been doing this for years and it dosen't seem to be causing any problems with the fishing.I agree we must have laws.But, sometimes they are a little too much.If I had to bet ,most people who come to Alabama fishing don"t even know about this law.
I can see why them ole boy's got caught now.The creel limit in ky is 30 per day and 60 is the possesion limit.I can go to any lake in ky and keep 30 fish every day as long as I bring them home every day.For example if I go to ky lake for a week's outing I can only have 60 in my possesion or cooler.Two people from ky with 120 fish would be over the possesion limit by 60 fish.Guy's you better know the rule's before the game start's as 2000.00 dollar's is a huge penalty.I know a few people who travel to ALABAMA every year and if they knew this law would not waste their time and especially their money.But on the other side the people not from ky will encounter the same problem here because they cant take home more than 60 fish or they will be in violation.
I really got to thinking and that usually is a bad thing but what if you are an out of stater and have your possesion limit and pack them on dry ice and FEDEX them home and still fish for another possesion limit? Would that be illegal as they are not in your immediate possesion? I told ya I got to thinking.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to post the possession limit law at boat ramps on a sign. At Lake Wedowee at public boat ramps, the size limit for crappie and regulations regarding other game fish are posted at the ramps.
If the game and fish enforcement people are cracking down on this to any great extent, it would be nice to know in advance. Just a thought. Personally, I don't come to Weiss to load up my freezer, I come for the pure enjoyment of fishing for the greatest fish on the planet! I have been at times when I didn't catch a thing; and I drive 80-100 miles one way (200 round trip), but I keep coming back because of the sheer pleasure I receive from being there and knowing that I might catch that big one someday!
Personally, I don't come to Weiss to load up my freezer, I come for the pure enjoyment of fishing for the greatest fish on the planet! I have been at times when I didn't catch a thing; and I drive 80-100 miles one way (200 round trip), but I keep coming back because of the sheer pleasure I receive from being there and knowing that I might catch that big one someday![/QUOTE]
Here,Here !!!! I also fish weiss for the same reason. My trip is 120 miles each way.Not bad at all for that same chance!! When my son and I fish it we stop way before a 60 fish limit. Heck!>>>> I really hate cleaning 60 fish!!!. Plus we always meet killer folks on the lake!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carolinared
I have been reading the discussion on limit. Missed the last part of AL Law - under the NOTE: IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY ANGLER TO FISH WITH MORE THAN THREE RODS AND REELS, OR POLES, OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF ON WEISS RESERVOIR OR NEELY HENRY LAKE, AT ANY TIME.
I had the privilige of fishing Weiss the first of May and had a great time. Did not catch many, but met a lot of fine fishermen. Many were like me and from out of state. My concern is that I broke the law by having 4 rods in my rack. In observing other fishermen, I was not the only one that was not informed. (no excuse)
The camp that I stayed at could post the simple rules as shown above. Might help in our not having a miserable trip.
I have enjoyed fishing for 60+ years and I hope that when it is time for me to go home, I will be setting in my boat with a rod in my hand with the sun in my face.
Chuck
2 times in the past 8 months with a friend. Both times fished with a guide and caught a lot of fish. In late October we fished 2 days and limited out each day. The possession limit was not mentioned. In fact, the place we stayed provided freezer space if we wanted to freeze our catch. The second trip in February we fished with the same guide 1 day and fished on our own for 2 additional days. Didn't limit out any of the days, but we had more than 60 for the 3 days we were there. Stayed in a different location, but they also had freezer space available if we wanted to utilize it. Apparently, the possession law is not rigorously enforced. If it was, the local economies that depend on the fisherman's dollars would suffer greatly from a lack of business.I made an 800 mile round trip both times and wouldn't consider it again if all I can bring back is 1 day's limit.
I live within an hour of Lake Talquin and I have seen out of state fishermen (groups of 5 or more, mainly from Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky) camping out on sites with elecricity furnished and freezers hooked up to store their catch. And I've seen some of them cart the freezers back to their home state, empty them and bring them back for refills. Many of these fishermen catch multiple limits each day, with no regard for the law regarding possession limits, which are not rigorously enforced in Florida. Over the years this has had a negative impact on the lake's crappie production and Florida doesn't stock Talquin with crappie as Alabama does on Lake Weiss.
I'm not an accomplished crappie fisherman so I don't usually have a problem exceeding limits, and I don't keep a large cache of fillets in my freezer. I usually consume what I catch shortly after they are filleted.
Sorry for the rant, but I can understand some of the resentment locals have for out of state fishermen that I have noticed in some posts on this site over the months. How much someone may pay for the privilege of fishing in another state doesn"t give them the right to violate that state's laws.
Hard not to post something here. I read all this banter about the hundreds of fish caught and kept. What the hell does any human need with hundreds of fish??? I personally wouldn't mind catching hundreds but how many damn fish can a person actually eat themselves?? I personally can eat about three maybe four nice crappie and get filled up. Maybe this is why America has an obeisity problem. Point is; catch what you can eat and leave some for the rest of us, out of state or in don't matter.....
Thats why I will stop at around 20
These guys could have very easily been fined $2000.00 here on Weiss Lake and chances are it probably had NOTHING to do wth how many fish they transported across state lines or how many they cleaned at the dock!! And just for the record I think the law about how many can be transported out of state is crazy. As long as a guy does not catch more than his limit per day...I think he should be able to fish all week and carry his fillets back home. But I dont make the laws. Anyway, I am sure these guys met the new game warden we have here on our lake and he is really checking fish and strickly enforcing the 10" SIZE LIMIT!!! He is not picking on the out of state guys because he has already checked several guides, including myself....several times this year! This is probably where they got their big fine. It is a $100.00 fine for each short fish you have in possession. Between the 2 of them they would only have kept 20 short fish!! That would have got them that really nice fine. If this really did happen...CHEERS TO YOU MR GAME WARDEN!!! I think it is great that they were caught...with the huge number of 10+ inch fish we have here there is NO REASON why anyone should keep short fish. I know a lot of fishermen come here from out of state and fish because of the quality & quantity of fish we have on this lake but if you are going to keep the short ones...find another lake to fish!! That way we keep a great population of nice keeper fish for the future and they can keep $2000.00 in their pockets.
See Ya on the Water!
Darrell Baker
Weiss Lake Crappie Guides
PO Box 778
Centre, Alabama 35960
Tele/ 256-927-2232
Cell/ 256-557-0129
www.weisslakecrappieguides.com
Some of the laws make no sense to me. If you are allowed 30 fish per day what does anyone care how many rods you use to catch them. I can only take 30 if I want to fish with one rod or five rods what is the difference. Again I see no reasoning for such a law. And the one day in posession law I still don't understand. As I said I fish Weiss many times each spring and I see many out of staters load up coolers of fish where there are 4 guys that have stayed for a week. Again they are allowed 30 per guy per day but can't legally transport them home. They are not breaking any limit laws on a day to day basis but when it comes time to leave big time consequences could be levied against them if caught with fish that were perfectly legal day to day.
I don't mean to say that I would leave with 4 fish. I live on Logan and can fish any time I want and guess I might be missing the actual point. I have however driven hundreds of miles and paid a lot of money to fish for the sport and fun and brought none home just for the experience. I have actually heard of baking stuff just I still cant really eat more than a few fish at a time. I must assume the crappie population can stand the pressure so it really isn't any of my business. I was just stating my "opinion" which is worth nothing to anybody but little ole me.
I started out with the best of intention's on this thread.I just wanted to know if anyone knew about those 2 from ky and the huge fine.The farther this went the more out of hand I got.I sincerly apoligize to any and all I have offended.We all enjoy this sport and we all want it to be fun for us and our familie's.That is what this site is all about and I seemed to forget that.I understand we all dont think alike but we all love to fish.Again I am sorry.
don't think you offended anyone,,,at least not me.
Well said Slipped Cork.
Chuck