Saltwater Fishing Discussion Board Including Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Saltwater Fly Fishing and Kayak Fishing

Clearly, they are blackfish. My personal opinion is that using short 'tog for bait is disgusting. Regardless of my opinion, it is illegal and if they got caught I'd be thrilled.
As far as cutting out the faces, I think you did the right thing. If you left the faces in there would be guys complaining about that.
I don't know about being Holier that thou, but I can't stand morons like this - whether they are commercial or recreational doesn't mean a thing to me.

Savvy18
Noreast.com Club Member

Joined: 05/10/2002
Posts: 3223
Location: Howard Beach

posted 11/04/2009 09:43 PM

As a guy that lives and dies with tog fishing, I think it's a disgrace. It boils my blood to look at those pictures. These guys are not alone, using small blackfish as striper bait is not a new idea. I can remember vividly watching two morons next to me a few seasons ago doing it very close to the wreck we were blackfishing on. Had a few choice words with them as we left and were close enough to be heard.

Calling the DEC at times like these is useless. They NEVER come out. It amazes me how few times I actually see them on the water catching anyone doing stuff like this. Almost never.

But don't you dare forget to buy that SW license! That they'll hang you for Really

capnkrunch

Joined: 10/18/2005
Posts: 364
Location: Brooklyn

posted 11/04/2009 11:28 PM

Definitely wrong. Porgies are one thing, the bottom is practically paved with them at certain times of the year, and the limit is 40 fish.

Togs, on the other hand grow slow, and need all the help they can get. Especially in the last few years, as more and more anglers are targeting the species, and the illegal live trade in Blackfish for Asian restaurants, etc.

And for what? Striped Bass? which are just as easy to catch with a Bunker, block tin, bucktail or popper, darter, swimming plug, swim shad, or even an eel or clam belly.

No need to use short fish, and I don't agree with using short Porgies, I just would be more inclined to overlook that.

We used to get Butterfish in Shinnecock Canal to use for the Stripers, or would use live snapper Bluefish.

The point is, you don't need to use short fish, and short Togs is an extremely egregious crime in my book.

jimgleiss

Joined: 08/22/2001
Posts: 702
Location: Amity Harbor, NY

posted 11/05/2009 12:38 AM

Savvy18 wrote:
Calling the DEC at times like these is useless. They NEVER come out. It amazes me how few times I actually see them on the water catching anyone doing stuff like this. Almost never.

What about calling Suffolk Marine Bureau? Suffolk Golf (see below on hailing them on Marine VHF channel 16) passed by me & the perps this afternoon.

From SCPD Marine website:

How and When to Call Us
The Marine Bureau should be notified of any water- related incidents. We should also be informed of any unusual activity in waterfront areas which you may observe, such as patterns of larcenies, suspicious persons or boats, etc., so that we may direct our patrols. You can reach the Suffolk Police Marine Bureau in the following ways:

Marine VHF
All Marine Patrol vessels and our headquarters at Timber Point maintain a watch on Marine VHF Channel 16.
To reach us directly, hail the Suffolk County Marine Police. If you have a police boat in sight, you can hail the vessel directly using its phonetic alphabet call sign, for example, if you see the "J" boat hail Suffolk Juliett.

In a true distress situation involving imminent life hazard, hail any station using the Mayday call.

Telephone
Dial 911 for emergencies threatening life, property or the environment.
Dial 854-8382 for non-emergencies involving quality of life, questions about our services, or if you can provide information concerning crimes or other police matters.

Distress Signals
Should you find yourself on the water in a distress situation, display your visual distress signals, which may be observed by police vessels, other boaters, or persons on shore.

Keep in mind that the resources of the Marine Bureau are a phone or radio call away, and the officers of the Bureau stand ready to assist you.

Never Forget September 11th

tonyzfishin
Noreast.com Club Member

Joined: 02/04/2006
Posts: 9826
Location: Somewhere on the Great South Bay

posted 11/05/2009 04:38 AM

Cheaters=Losers...... down

fishhead1985

Joined: 08/29/2009
Posts: 397
Location: Western CT

posted 11/05/2009 07:08 AM

Report, but avoid altercation

A couple of months ago, at Harbor Island (Mamaroneck), some ******* was using a 9" baby striper as bait. When I asked him what it was, he said it was a "bunkah." I just said "fine, it's a bunker," and walked away. The right thing to do is say nothing to the person directly and report.

"Color outside the lines. Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty. This is your last chance." Anne Herbert

fishhead1985

Joined: 08/29/2009
Posts: 397
Location: Western CT

posted 11/05/2009 07:11 AM

capt crunch

It is definitely an egregious crime. It takes 6 years just for a 'tog to reach keeper size. When I get a 'tog over 14," I keep it, but I know one guy who releases even giant 'togs because they grow so slowly.

"Color outside the lines. Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty. This is your last chance." Anne Herbert

chunkster

Joined: 05/06/2009
Posts: 769
Location: HICKSVILLE

posted 11/05/2009 07:11 AM

Use the bergals not the blackfish.

I don't understand why he did this. down

THE LAW IS THE LAW

We're all here for the same reason. It's just the pure passion of the sport.

JACKSON

Joined: 04/05/2002
Posts: 909

posted 11/05/2009 07:45 AM

I feel differently. In my opinion you are not destroying the blackfish population by using a few shorts for bait. While I agree it is not right, it's not the end of the world. No good can come out of a thread like this. There are much bigger fish to fry if you want to improve the blackfish population.

Rich

Marilyn Jean Charters

goldfish61

Joined: 08/04/2005
Posts: 108

posted 11/05/2009 08:01 AM

everybody flipping out in 10 years fishing will be illegal

jdc946
Noreast.com Club Member

Joined: 06/07/2007
Posts: 282
Location: Freeport

posted 11/05/2009 08:41 AM

Jackson

you are entitled to your opinion. I just hope you are not one of the guys doing it, and if you are, i hope that i see you, because i will turn you into the police and wait around to testify against you!

rpsurf5
Noreast.com Club Member

Joined: 07/12/2001
Posts: 1876
Location: Port Washington

posted 11/05/2009 08:45 AM

JACKSON wrote:
I feel differently. In my opinion you are not destroying the blackfish population by using a few shorts for bait. While I agree it is not right, it's not the end of the world. No good can come out of a thread like this. There are much bigger fish to fry if you want to improve the blackfish population.

How can no good come out of this ??? Someone is keeping illegal sized fish and worse yet using them for bait ! What if every fisherman did this with every species , kept some shorts from time to time, where would the populations be then ?? Hopefully next time they do this they get caught and get the punishment they deserve.

Also, in response to some of the other posters, why not post their pictures ? They were doing something illegal, take those pictures and send them to the DEC.

Delegate of the New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing

Member Montauk Surfcasters Association, LIBBA

fish4me
Noreast.com Club Member

Joined: 09/01/2005
Posts: 13230
Location: Miller Place

posted 11/05/2009 08:46 AM

It ok only if your making a living while doing so. Wink

paulh

Joined: 11/29/2000
Posts: 1372

posted 11/05/2009 08:48 AM

You should direct your anger at the seabass closure, the four tog limit and short season, the RIDICULOUS fluke regs, licensing, and everyone's right to fish (and make a living for some) being threatened. Guys keep a couple of shorts for bait, get over it and mind your own business.

There are MUCH bigger fish to fry and this is what you are worried about ??

"It seems the harder I fish the luckier I get"

F/V Emily S

chawk

Joined: 04/15/2005
Posts: 476
Location: Huntington

posted 11/05/2009 09:05 AM

Damn, we are our own worst enemy!
Fisherman, Police thy selves, but, in this time of shortening seasons, closures, and increased sizes,
BE MOST AWARE HOW OTHERS SEE US!!

Huntington Angler's Club