37" Striper, got ticketed, then not....

[piemma]

This whole &^%%$ing thing is absurd. There's guys poaching everyday. There are RI guys fishing in Mass during the Comm season. There are Mass guys fishing in RI during their Comm season. They all get away with much bigger infractions.

EP cops have to bust some recs balls over 2 fillets??? Ridiculous!!!

[FishermanTim]

I guess that when it comes to EPO's there is no right answer?

They don't check people at boat launches then their not doing their job, and when they ARE checking their doing the WRONG job???

I wonder how many times these officers here the same "stories" regarding fish fillets of questionable sized fish?

Surely no one has used the "I caught that fish yesterday" or "That fillet was from a big fish (or from a fish with no restrictions)"

Basically you screwed up and were fortunate that the Lt. had the knowledge to know the fish was a keeper. The fact you had the fillets with you on the boat was the problem, as it falls under the "possession" portion of the rules. Had you caught a fish on Sunday and kept it they could have gotten you for exceeding the daily limit.

Consider yourself lucky, and plan better next time!

[bassballer]

Originally Posted by piemma

This whole &^%%$ing thing is absurd. There's guys poaching everyday. There are RI guys fishing in Mass during the Comm season. There are Mass guys fishing in RI during their Comm season. They all get away with much bigger infractions.

EP cops have to bust some recs balls over 2 fillets??? Ridiculous!!!

i agree with Paul. 2 fillets??? Lot of bigger infractions to be chasing. rediculous

[beamie]

As Numbskull said the law is clear...............

Aside from that, yes the EPO's get absurd with the small stuff vs the big picture.

Skinning at sea is not allowed and reportedly you have to take the fish home, "home" not home port etc to remove the skin, gets ridiculous.

Sometimes there are separate rules for charters, not sure why that matters. Everyone should be treated the same.

Had a trip a month ago where we skinned all the haddock. Knowing we were not suppose to, but we saved every frame and skin, lobster bait. The EPO didn't like that.

IMO every EPO should be trained to know what a skinned filet looks like between species of cod, haddock, bass, pollack etc. If you have filleted enough fish you can tell.

They are trying to do their job. It is just that it seems they are not getting the big picture. Secondly, it has been my experience that initially they really come on as very intimidating like you are a criminal already, then lighten up a bit.

And it often seems they do not have answers to all your questions. For the hell of it I was there when we asked this question. If 3 guys plus a 1 year old baby are onboard it is ok the keep a limit for 4 people correct. And then came, but the baby cannot hold a rod.....but it is a person.............yeah it gets absurd. How about if your wife is pregnant, that is a person right, one more limit.......right.

[Rmarsh]

Originally Posted by piemma

This whole &^%%$ing thing is absurd. There's guys poaching everyday. There are RI guys fishing in Mass during the Comm season. There are Mass guys fishing in RI during their Comm season. They all get away with much bigger infractions.

EP cops have to bust some recs balls over 2 fillets??? Ridiculous!!!

Yes it is ridiculous......... the law is the law but...we still need to see what the penalty is, if there is one, for the biggest poacher of all time.....Carlos Rapheal.....so far nothing.
You see...if you are a huge poacher with lots of money and a pocket full of lawyers you skate, and keep the six million you stole.