not to completely change the subject, but possession limit discussion brings to mind a scenario I always wondered about...

Years ago when you could keep 2 bass per day, I was getting on the ferry at block. A guy I was talking to says " i just spent 3 nights here.. limited out every night... look!) he opens his cooler and reveals 6 bass.

So my question: isnt he technically in violation of being in possession of 6 bass on the spot, even if he caught them (lets assume) legally over 3 days?

I told the guy I think its against the law... and he should learn to fillet fish. but maybe even having that many fillets is a violation also if he doesnt have racks... gets blurry!

A POSSESION limit is just that. He was in violation. Infact if I remember correctly an SB member got ticketed this year or last for doing something similiar. X fish per day * Y days = fines.

You are absolutely correct, he was breaking the law. But it is also a law that makes little sense in a lot of contexts. if you go to the fish market and buy two striped bass, you are technically in violation.

Depending on the size of the eels 4 pounds may well be less than 25 eels. The bait shops don't have to observe the 25 eels possession requirements, they have a different set of rules. IIRC they are allowed to have a few hundred eels in posession.