I was thinking about this today while fishing. I take my kids and wife or some one from work or anyone that does not get to fish much and the way I read the rule no one person can catch over 5 fish so if 4 people are on the boat we can have 20. Why cant I let them catch my 5 I have caught hundreds of stripers and when I take someone me catching fish is not whats important. Is there something I am missing with this rule or am I not reading the rule correctly. To me 20 fish is 20 fish no matter if I spread my limit over the boat for other people to enjoy or not. I guess this would apply all year not just during the any size months of the year. I am talking about Murray. And yes I have looked at all the topics on this and the MSC forum just wondering what has taken place this summer with this rule with all of the anglers on this forum. I have not been checked all summer ( Since I said that I will get checked today). Just wondering if anyone has been ticketed for giving their kids or someone on the boat a rod that has caught more than 5 fish.
Angler 22
200 Yammie
Your preachin to the choir. Hahaha but will say this. I havent been checked yet. But I have 2 friends that have been told they were watched and even were told how many fish each one of them had caught. These were 2 different instances on 2 different boats. Not saying they would write a ticket but rules are rules no matter how bad they are.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I’ve seen the DNR up by jakes with binoculars watching the towers. Just because you don’t know you’ve been checked doesn’t mean you haven’t been checked. My main problem with the law is September. If I’m catching schooling fish on top waters, I don’t think there is any harm in releasing them. Especially the small ones.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
It’s my understanding that you can still release fish, but whether you keep or release, you can still only catch 5 per person. Once each angler catches that five, that person is done for the day.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
DNR addressed this issue when they spoke at the MSC meeting last year. Some guides in attendance asked if their five fish could be caught by others on the boat similar to what they do the rest of the year. For example when they have three paid guests they would keep 20 fish limit on the boat. The DNR officer giving the presentation very sternly stated there is no such thing as a “capitain’s share” to be caught by others on the boat. All limits are PER ANGLER unless otherwise stated in the rules. They made it very clear that they would enforce it that way.
You make a good point but DNR sees it the same as if you were taking turkeys or deer with someone else’s tags.
War Eagle 754 Ducks Unlimited - Yamaha 75
The law states:
“On Lake Murray and the middle reach of the Saluda River it is unlawful to possess more than five
striped bass a day. From June 1st through September 30th, it is unlawful to take, attempt to take,
or possess more than five striped bass a day. On Lake Murray and the middle reach of the Saluda
River from October 1st through May 31st, it is unlawful to possess a striped bass less than 21
inches in total length. From June 1st to September 30th there is no minimum length.”
DNR has stated before that after you catch your 5th fish, do not pick up a rod again, except to bring them in. They have also stated that even before the new regulations, there never was a “captain’s limit”. Although a common practice, it never was legal.
And yes, they do use binoculars.
I did not see Crab Jack’s response before I replied. I am not sure my reply was additive.
Rick K