I fished around the elbo today, and after catching small fish and throwing them back a bass boat with 3 guys in it came up and caught a few 14-16" fish and threw them the in the cooler! The last time I tried to talk with some one doing that I was invited to meet him on the bank! Do I call the law?
If there aren’t 21" call operation game thief…1800-922-5431. Its anonymous. It’s our fishery and you should help protect it.
I don’t know the SC law but if you would have to go to court if they fight the ticket it’s not worth exposing yourself and boat to revenge. My brother and I would have said something when it happen. TUFF CALL!
If I were out there catching undersized fish and didn’t know the rules I’d appreciate someone warning me. That being said, you never know how some folks would react.
Whatever you decide to do, if the game warden catches anyone with undersized stripers or over the limit, only he will need to show up in court. Reason I know this is a friend got caught with a few crappie over the limit. He told the game warden that he just lost count. Game warden said it could happen to anybody, but still wrote the citation and confiscated the fish. After paying his fine my friend now keeps a careful count on how many fish are in his livewell. The fine on the undersized stripers would be very expensive!!
Pull your phone out and start filming!
I would call Operation Game Thief. If they have officers on the water, they will come right away.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
quote:
If there aren't 21" call operation game thief..1800-922-5431. Its anonymous. It's our fishery and you should help protect it.
This!
When I lived in MD, poaching was a very serious problem. Not enough DNR Officers & too many people who thought the laws didn’t apply to them. Folks keeping undersized & out of season fish was always a problem.
I kept the MD Catch A Poacher phone number in my phone, right at the top of my contacts list & had no issue with calling when I witnessed poaching or any other criminal behavior. Make the call! As said the fishery belongs to all of us, and if you don’t do your part to protect it, and it ever comes down to not being a viable fishery, then you have no one to blame but yourself!
Believe me, I’ve seen it with the Striped Bass in MD, and remember the moratorium years very well! It can happen, don’t let it!
I probably would have said something about the size limit. I would also take down his reg. numbers, just in case things start to go south. “How would you like to go home & tell your wife/girlfriend you got your butt handed to you by a 64 yr. old man??”
What is the number for Operation Game Thief?
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Make sure you grab their boat registration number. Makes the reporting process much easier. If you get invited to the bank, ask him where and have law enforcement meet you there.
You should’ve met him at the bank and introduced him to Mr. pool stick and Mr. boat paddle. 
Carolina Skiff 218 DLV
140 Suzuki