Sport angler cost per fish vs. State income tax on gill netters

[Red]

fish on, when I saw your thread I thought you were going here. We spend a ton of money per sport fish caught. When you consider : boats,gear,gas, bait, food, and lodging, we spend a lot, and the money we spend has already been taxed. Gill netters get $100.00 per fish, and then write off all their boats, gear and supplies, then the state taxes them on their net gain.(no pun intended). The state would be better off to buy-out the netters, and allow the sport season to continue longer. Lets be real here, we spend much more than $100.00 per fish, and we do it gladly with post tax dollars.

[Johnny Mac]

Thats a great point! Fits right into why I was pulling my hair out earlier this year when I heard they were closing the fisheries out here to save 640k...."save" 640k? I think NOT when you think about the taxible income produced by busineses that revolve around fishing. Just dumb.

[Master Mariner]

First of all, I guess I just dont understand the resentment towards commercial gillnetters. These guys are out there trying to make a living. Anglers are out for fun and sport. I guess that I'm just not that selfish. Don't get me wrong, I like to go wet a line just as much as the next guy, but it is for fun and enjoyment...not to feed my family.

Second of all, I just dont agree with your economics. Sounds like you are trying to destroy one industry and replace it with another. The mulitplier effect for commercial dollars is much greater than those for tourist related dollars.

I know this may not be a popular opinion, but I just thought it needed to be said.

[Hogmaster]

Huh? Master Mariner, help us out here to explain how the commercial ripple effect is greater than the thousands of sportsmen buying everything from more wiper blades and oil changes to physical therapy from anchor lifts because they drive farther and strain more than they otherwise would in the pusuit of piscatorial species? In addition to all the other more recognized costs of sportsfishing.

Do sportsfishing guides not deserve to feed their families? I have read, please tell me if I read wrong, that few gillnetters, er tanglekillers, depend on netting for their sole source of income. Like was said, pay them off. How many are there? How many sportsfishing guides are there? How many sportsfishing enthusiasts are there?

Offshore trollers do depend on fishing as a way of life. I am sure the netters have big investments in their boats and such, but maybe they should try something else. If fewer nets are taking fish, more $$$$ not less will come to the economy in my view...

[Phish_on]

My "resentment" against gillnetters has to do with the destruction of an endangered species, I don't know about anyone else.

If a commercial fisherman wants to use lures with barbless hooks, I could live with that - as long as he paid a hefty hefty license fee.