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Ken - I think its perception. So many charter captains who also commercial fish hide behind the "recreational/charter" label because it makes them appear better in public. To me you're either a comm or a rec and shouldn't be both on the same trip. Over the years it's our (recreational fishing) communities own fault for not distinguishing charter guys who are R&R comms for who they really are. I have friends, like you, and others on this site, in both groups. I think the divide is now becoming more pronounced, not only with R&R comm groups, but with the charter industry in general based on this past winters striped bass war regulations. The greater recreational community was finally seeing that not everyone included in the rec umbrella was looking out for the best interests of the bass, in the case of RI and Mass charters more like the best interest for themselves. This woke everyone up. If the comm and charter guys would just report who the bad guys are when they see illegal activity they would get more respect. Turning the other cheek to law breakers just puts all of your group in the same boat in public perception. I wouldn't consider someone a rat for turning in the bad guys, I'd say they were a patriot. If everybody in the industry knows what's going on illegally by certain captains - report it or call them out. It will help the industry as a whole by weeding out the bad guys who give the entire industry a bad reputation.
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