3 mile limit

[srt44116]

Well i plan on heading out to the race on friday for some striped bass action, just wondering what you guys think will produce. Also i hear alot abought this 3 mile limit/ Federal waters. where is the line? is it on my charts? Dont wana break the LAW Well let me know what you guys think

[redlite]

from what I have heard and understand, the middle of CC bay is actully considered outside of the 3 mile limit so if you were going from say Green Harbor to Race Point and back, you were crossing a zone that was outside the 3 mile limit. Heard several stories of comm bass guys getting stopped coming across the bay from P-Town (not Stellwagon where they probably got the fish) and got screwed. I guess they are expected to run down towards the canal and up....Asanine......
I'm sure some of the boat guys such as RAider Ronnie or Mike from Ave Maria or Jules might have better info??????

[keeperreaper]

The newer chart plotters have the 3 mile limit built in.

[big jay]

Originally Posted by redlite

from what I have heard and understand, the middle of CC bay is actully considered outside of the 3 mile limit so if you were going from say Green Harbor to Race Point and back, you were crossing a zone that was outside the 3 mile limit. Heard several stories of comm bass guys getting stopped coming across the bay from P-Town (not Stellwagon where they probably got the fish) and got screwed. I guess they are expected to run down towards the canal and up....Asanine......
I'm sure some of the boat guys such as RAider Ronnie or Mike from Ave Maria or Jules might have better info??????

Not true - All of Cape Cod Bay is state waters (even the middle). The Bay is technically the waters from Race point across to the Gurnett - 3 miles north of that line, and 3 miles out from all other points of land is included in the state waters.

Your right about guys fishing P-town and then running back to green harbor or scituate having problems - if they cross federal waters they would be in violation. They need to dip down into state waters to stay legal.

I also think its silly.

[RIROCKHOUND]

My understanding was, you can transit those waters, just can't be fishing in fed waters if you have bass on board....

[Typhoon]

How is it then that all many of the local commercial striper fishermen fish at the Race? If people were breaking the law constantly they would put a stop to it.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

My understanding was, you can transit those waters, just can't be fishing in fed waters if you have bass on board....

AFAIK, the Montauk, Block Island, Pt Judith transit rule is the only one on the books.

But, while I've heard of Coasties busting folks for fishing for stripers in the EEZ (Stellwagon), I've never heard of anyone being stopped while transiting. Maybe it's an "operational" rule of theirs.

[Sweetwater]

I've often wondered how the 3 mile limit law is enforced. There are many guys from areas like Green Harbor in Marshfield that fish the Race then steam back crossing the 3 mile limit with bass on board. Technically, you are in possession inside federal waters.

There are also guys from the north cape that fish for bass, then go for tuna, again in federal waters. Is it legal to possess bass caught legally then enter federal waters?

I'd love to hear a knowledgeable answer about this.

[big jay]

It's pretty simple guys - if you have possession of bass in federal waters - you are in violation (with exeption of those transit lanes mentioned above).

If you catch some bass inshore, and then go tuna fishing - you are in violation.

If you catch bass at the race, and steam straight back to green harbor - you are in violation.

If you catch a bass in your harbor, and then go whalewatching with your kids - you are in violation.

It's a pretty simple rule. Not really a fair rule, or one that makes a whole lot of sense, but a simple rule.

As far as why aren't guys busted for fishing the Race, and steaming back to Green Harbor through fed waters -- maybe the Green Guys have more important things to do than enforce a technicality on guys that are doing the right thing by actually catching in state waters.

[Typhoon]

I get boarded on average 2 -3 times a summer outside of Green Harbor. Due to a tip from local commercial tuna fishermen, The coast guard and EPs knew there was undersize bluefin being sold to restaurants and were going to put a stop to it. They caught a couple of people and there's some big fines on the way for a few people going back a couple of years. Since then they've pretty much had the CG attack boat parked off Green Harbor.

If it's true that you are technically not supposed to cross CCB, then I'm surprised there is not more fines handed out on technicalities.

Sunday I watched the CG escort in a 31 Contender with about 5 mid 30 yr old guys on it, that had obviously been tuna fishing. The CG was driving the boat with the 5 guys sitting on the stern. I'm curious to know what happened there.

[MakoMike]

The only transit zone is the federal water lying between Montauk Point on the west, and SE light on Block Island to the east and north to the RI coast. Anywhere else in federal waters having a striped bass on board is a violation.

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by big jay

Not true - All of Cape Cod Bay is state waters (even the middle). The Bay is technically the waters from Race point across to the Gurnett - 3 miles north of that line, and 3 miles out from all other points of land is included in the state waters.

Your right about guys fishing P-town and then running back to green harbor or scituate having problems - if they cross federal waters they would be in violation. They need to dip down into state waters to stay legal.

I also think its silly.

Jay has it correct !
On the flip side, Nantucket sound has a 3 mile line from points of land.

[redlite]

Originally Posted by Raider Ronnie

Jay has it correct !
On the flip side, Nantucket sound has a 3 mile line from points of land.

yeah, but you gotta run over a NASTY shoal for that. To avoid it, you gotta go outside it.....Saw guys get busted a couple of times back in the day when we used to comm over at Sankaty Lite..........

[beamie]

Wait a minute hear. Now you guys are confusing me or are putting out some miss information.

Look at the chart that Typhoon put up. That red line is THE LINE. Guys out of GH fishing the race are fine. Out of the N River, just a bit near 4th cliff. Out of Scituate, well you may run into a problem, and yes last year a charter boat out of Scituate that I and you know did have a problem. I'll won't mention the boat name but you all know his voice...." Yeah how bout ya there"..

Tell me if I'm wrong???

You can fish bass in the middle of CC bay (not Mass Bay) being 7 miles off land in all directions but if you happen to be into nice bass 4 miles out of the n river where I hail your just plain out of luck.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by beamie

Wait a minute hear. Now you guys are confusing me or are putting out some miss information.

Look at the chart that Typhoon put up. That red line is THE LINE. Guys out of GH fishing the race are fine. Out of the N River, just a bit near 4th cliff. Out of Scituate, well you may run into a problem, and yes last year a charter boat out of Scituate that I and you know did have a problem. I'll won't mention the boat name but you all know his voice...." Yeah how bout ya there"..

Tell me if I'm wrong???

You're right, I think Typhoon was a little confused about what is considered CCB, but his chart is correct.

[jasonsnova]

i constantly see guys @ the merrimac with stripers they caught way outside...one guy was showing me at the dock a 38" striper "he couldnt belive he caught 10 miles out while cod fishing" i told him about the 3 mile rule....he claimed to not have a clue....
seems alot of guys are not awhare

[B-Mann]

Being a newbie, let me get this straight, no striper fishing past 3 miles offshore. So three miles outside of Beverly Harbor is off limits. Would the chart books sold at places like west marine highlight these markers? thanks guys.

[niko]

it should be on just about any chart. as stated before it it not strictly 3 miles in some areas.