I’ve been stopped before with women in the boat and I had one line out while we were anchored and socializing. He said he only needed to see one license because there was one line in the water. Just have them get a license just in case.
quote:<--- Example of "officer discretion"... There is no law that says that you have to have two lines in to write two tickets. But, in this officer's mind, he was convinced that only one person was fishing (using his own judgement of the situation). On the flip side, you could have been the only angler tending the rods with 2 lines in the water. Woman could have been sunbathing and not fishing at all. Sounds like in that case, he may have considered writing a ticket... Even though, in your mind, she was not fishing.
Originally posted by jwsHe said he only needed to see one license because there was one line in the water.
I ran into a DNR office at Muddy Waters coffee shop on James Island and asked this question to him.
He said that state law says they have to see the other anglers actively be fishing to be able to write a ticket. He said you could have as many rods as you want on board but if they only see one person fishing, thats the only license you need.
To qualify, he said if you are fishing (and licensed) and hand the rod to someone for a second (not licensed) and they reel it one time…they are fishing.
Not sure how subjective vs objective they are when out on the water, or the mood they are in when making these decisions.
However, he did say its the best $10 you will spend. As mentioned on here, the money goes back to the fishery.
Hope this helps. I know this was the consensus of the forum, but since I had a DNR officer within 5 feet of me, thought I would ask.
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