No Party Fishing

Buck · 09-19-2005, 04:04 AM

On several occasions, I have observed situations where two anglers in a boat both continue to fish when they have three fish in the box. In one case last year, I watched two older gents in an open boat bonk three fish and then continue to fish for six hours more to get that last fish. Although this "party" fishing is legal as I understand it in the ocean and certain other areas, it is also my understanding that it is not legal in Tillamook Bay. The regs read that "Continuing to angle for the same type of fish after taking and retaining a catch or possession limit" is unlawful and there is no exception to this rule for Tillamook Bay.

I understand that this is tempting, but fishing regulations are meant to be followed and often promote good conservation of the fish resource. My guess is that the fine associated with this unlawful practice could be pretty steep and I do periodically see sheriff's deputies or OSP on the water.

PapaHog · 09-19-2005, 09:11 AM

I see this all the time and yet I never hear of anyone being ticketed for this.

Hm m m m

papa

rola76 · 09-19-2005, 09:17 AM

As a "party" fisher myself, I will openly admit that I continue fishing after limits are in the boat. For example, I drove over to the Skagit river this weekend for a little humpy fishing. Within basically no time we had our 2-fish limits. However, considering I spent virtually $200 in gas to get there so I wasn't quite ready to call it a day. We ended up catching many more fish, all of which were carefully released and returned unharmed.

Now if we were kicking back a bunch of tired out, ready to die fish, that's one thing, but in our case I don't see too much unethical behavior in it.

My .02

PapaHog · 09-19-2005, 09:23 AM

Quote:

As a "party" fisher myself, I will openly admit that I continue fishing after limits are in the boat. For example, I drove over to the Skagit river this weekend for a little humpy fishing. Within basically no time we had our 2-fish limits. However, considering I spent virtually $200 in gas to get there so I wasn't quite ready to call it a day. We ended up catching many more fish, all of which were carefully released and returned unharmed.

Now if we were kicking back a bunch of tired out, ready to die fish, that's one thing, but in our case I don't see too much unethical behavior in it.

My .02

You continued to fish after your limits.

By your own statement you should be ticketed and fined. I wonder if this post could be used in court to prove the point that you were fishing illegally.

papa

ChuckDog · 09-19-2005, 09:24 AM

:lurk:

weekender · 09-19-2005, 09:36 AM

As far as stupid laws go, this one has to be close to the top. Maybe its legal to party fish in the ocean to make up for the fact that you can not use barbed hooks, but then when you get in the river since you can use barbed hooks they decided to outlaw party fishing.

I find the whole thing a little asinine.

Between gas for the truck, gas for the boat, bait, and all the misc. stuff that you buy for a day of fishing it costs at least $100. I head over to the river with a couple buddies looking for a 6 fish limit. Just let us catch our 6 fish and go home.

Personally, I think you should be able to buy a permit that lets one person fish a second rod, but that�s a whole different can or worms.

rola76 · 09-19-2005, 09:37 AM

Obviously this was misinterpreted. We caught 2 fish in no time, but they were not retained. I was just stating that it's often that many fish are CnR'ed by people who have no intention of retaining them. Lots of people, such as myself, really don't care about bringing them home...it's about the sport.

So sorry to disappoint you, but we didn't keep any!!

Chesapeake · 09-19-2005, 09:43 AM

I like how you use your fishing expenses to justify your actions!

RODACTION · 09-19-2005, 09:44 AM

Quote:

I will openly admit that I continue fishing after limits are in the boat.

ChuckDog · 09-19-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Within basically no time we had our 2-fish limits.

Based on your statement, I would have thought you retained your 2 fish. C&R, I don't believe,was the subject.

rola76 · 09-19-2005, 09:47 AM

Alrighty then...I quite obviously used the wrong choice of words. We went to humpy fish for "fun" and that's all. Is it wrong to sport fish rather than for the meat? I don't keep humpies...never have, but I could easily take home a limit. So once again, for those who have a hard time interpreting...we kept fishing even after we caught 2 fish each...but they WERE NOT kept. Quite simple.

ChuckDog · 09-19-2005, 09:52 AM

If you didn't retain your limit there is no problem! C & R all day long!

fishlipper · 09-19-2005, 09:52 AM

It sounds to me like he was saying that if he was keeping the fish, he would have been done quickly, and it sounds like he was there to have fun catching and releasing fish. No where does he say he bonked the fish and took them home. Why are so many people on this board so willing to jump on everthing that is said without even asking any questions. Do you guys have nothing else to do!!!!!!

rola76 · 09-19-2005, 09:56 AM

Amen to that fishlipper...WOW!!

fishboys · 09-19-2005, 10:17 AM

this board has to many bored people on it, he didnt retain any fish, and he was in another state,I think?he might of even handed off a fish to someone who couldnt hook a fish

FastAction · 09-19-2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

I wonder if this post could be used in court to prove the point that you were fishing illegally.

papa

You gonna take the time to call the cops papa?

Hey Mike it looks like Trout\Dolly Varden\Steelies were open, so you were good to go even IF you BONKED 2 Humpies! Gotta love the great state of Washington!!!

PapaHog · 09-19-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

It sounds to me like he was saying that if he was keeping the fish, he would have been done quickly, and it sounds like he was there to have fun catching and releasing fish. No where does he say he bonked the fish and took them home. Why are so many people on this board so willing to jump on everthing that is said without even asking any questions. Do you guys have nothing else to do!!!!!!

The title of this thread is party fishing. The practice of keeping all lines in the water till all limits are taken and kept. Legal in some places, not in others.

The practice of catch and release is not party fishing. So you can see the confusion.

papa

rola76 · 09-19-2005, 10:21 AM

Good point Matt!! Fish lately?

PapaHog · 09-19-2005, 10:22 AM

You gonna take the time to call the cops papa?

No, not unless I witnessed someone fishing illegal.

papa

Neal M · 09-19-2005, 10:23 AM

Don't worry, nobody will criminally prosecute you over a BB post

I'm sure some people will love to prosecute you here though....
I have party fished before, and I have a hunch most guides do party fish on occasion. How many guides are going to tell a paying customer they can't fish anymore because they have 2 fish and their partner has 1? Not many guides are going to admit to this if they do it though! Keep in mind that the ticket is a steep one and the charge will go on your criminal record...

FastAction · 09-19-2005, 10:34 AM

Im sure most URB fisherman didnt reel in once they had there whopping 1 Chinook, I didnt becuase Technically I could still get a coho or Steelie. I knew my chances were slim, so on the next pounding ist an open Rod... 3 lures in the water are better than 1... Hand Off a rod so everybody gets to reel in a fish..

FisherJack · 09-19-2005, 10:59 AM

Welcome to Ifish, Neal M.

Do you have a fishing story to share with us? Traditional for newbies, you know, though not required. It helps us to get to know you a little. Thanks.

Jack

bulldog · 09-19-2005, 11:13 AM

get a life

TarponSlayer · 09-19-2005, 12:13 PM

Right on Bulldog, I just like to lay a little Wood Shampoo on the little fellas no matter who's fish it is.
Now that's a "Party"

Tacklebuster · 09-19-2005, 12:29 PM

I think the "Party Fishing" law in the river is insane. People can say what they want but I saw "everybody" doing it this year for URB's. I didn't see one person not put their rod back in the drink after getting there first fish if there was other people on board. I agree with buying a permit to fish with an extra rod just as long as you abide by the bag limit law but that is another issue in it's self. Tell me guys, what really is the difference between party fishing in the ocean verses the river

Thumper · 09-19-2005, 12:35 PM

I would be interested to know if anybody, really, quits fishing when their party still needs another URB. I have never seen it happen.

I suppose that means we are all criminals. Oh well.

burnsfactor · 09-19-2005, 12:51 PM

I'm squaw fishing, oh! northern pike minnow fishing, :grin:

Neal M · 09-19-2005, 12:57 PM

Honestly the only difference is politics... It's a silly law that I have almost gotten busted for. The game warden was nice to me that day. I was fishing for steelhead with my brother and a friend and just knocking the hatchery fish silly. We kept 5 fish and were still fishing hooking fish after fish when the warden showed up. It turned out that my buddy had saved this wardens life a few months before. The warden was trapped in a logjam on the Hoh river and about to go under when my buddy drug him out of the drink. The wardens boat had been sucked under the log jam!
I had only kept one fish so I was ok. My brother and friend had 2 each and by the law should have stopped fishing. He let us all go. We had landed over 25 steelhead in about an hour and a half. Great time on the river (as illegal as it may have been) with many fish released and a few kept for the bbq. As we were leaving, the nets were going in to clean up any fish that we had left in the river...

The warden told me that the law was in place to prevent more skilled fisherman from catching fish for the entire boat

Neal

fishboys · 09-19-2005, 12:59 PM

Cant you fish for a clipped coho or clipped steelhead after catching and tagging your 1 URB?

weekender · 09-19-2005, 01:02 PM

Quote:

The warden told me that the law was in place to prevent more skilled fisherman from catching fish for the entire boat

Have you ever had your buddy tag your second fish so that you both have an open spot left on your tag?

Nope, me neither.

Jennie@ifish · 09-19-2005, 01:41 PM

Please, please... don't fight and don't insult people on ifish. I'll have to close the thread if you continue.

I always get a hoot when I hear people say, "people are too bored on this site, so they start fights" while actively starting one, themselves by stating these things.

Jen

Magnum · 09-19-2005, 01:51 PM

Why should I stop fishing after I catch an URB. I have caught numerous silvers on my Orange/Yellow Alvin wobbler. The regs. allow 2 adult salmon of which only one can be an adult Chinook. Where does it say in the regs that if I hook a chinook (while I continue to fish for a silver/steelhead) & then decide to hand it off to another person in the boat that that is illegal. I sure can't find it. Please, someone please show me. :grin:

rola76 · 09-19-2005, 01:56 PM

Magnum...no one will find it...you're exactly right. As someone mentioned earlier, I doubt they pull out one of the rods when a client has their limit.

PapaHog · 09-19-2005, 02:16 PM

I got a Coho first below the Cow and then hooked and lost two nookers at the net. Bummer.

Yes I think everybody does this. Just because everybody does it makes me think that the law should be changed. It is a bad law that is never enforced as far as I know. I have never heard of one ticketed for party fishing.

The dollars it takes and the hours of volunteer work it takes to deal with the legislator to effect a change in the law is very large. Maybe our effort in time and our expenses in dollars are better spent on something to change the way the fish is managed instead of on a law that is not enforced anyway.

:whazzup:
papa

Splash · 09-19-2005, 02:33 PM

I am one that does put his rod away and have been severely browbeaten for it. I have only 2 comments to make:

1) It is my ticket to get and mine alone. Nobody elses.

2) If you are in 50ft of water running a wobbler are you really fishing for something other than an URB?

I find other methods of targeting coho and steelhead much more productive. Yes just this year i caught a small steelie on a wobbler in 48ft but that is not what I was targeting.

It is my CHOICE, ethics and karma so please do not

with me for choosing to sit back and relax.

To me fishing is a recreation and not a sport and if I were in it for the meat then the supermarket is much more economical. If the law were to change then that is another thing but until then...

Relax and enjoy!

Moldy45 · 09-19-2005, 03:11 PM

I think you guys got this thread all wrong!
It says no Party fishing!
I say BS! as a matter of fact Im gunna be fishing Tilly again this weekend and if you guys are up to a party Im in!

PapaHog · 09-19-2005, 03:19 PM

party down

RODACTION · 09-19-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

I think you guys got this thread all wrong!
It says no Party fishing!
I say BS! as a matter of fact Im gunna be fishing Tilly again this weekend and if you guys are up to a party Im in!

drano100 · 09-19-2005, 07:34 PM

Quote:

As a "party" fisher myself, I will openly admit that I continue fishing after limits are in the boat. For example, I drove over to the Skagit river this weekend for a little humpy fishing. Within basically no time we had our 2-fish limits. However, considering I spent virtually $200 in gas to get there so I wasn't quite ready to call it a day. We ended up catching many more fish, all of which were carefully released and returned unharmed.

Now if we were kicking back a bunch of tired out, ready to die fish, that's one thing, but in our case I don't see too much unethical behavior in it.

My .02

party fishing is legal in Washington so you are ok at least this is what I have been told by the gammies I talk to in the state, Oregon again is just behind the curve nothing new, again just because everyone else does it, does it mean its ok. Hummm kind of like if that guy is snagging, and that guy is snagging, it must be ok for me to snag

would seem like a pretty simple law to change, and it should be, I agree with most here thats its a pretty dumb law, and you should be able to limit your boat or group as long as the rod is passed as soon after hook set as posible. But thats not the way the law reads and when you tag out in Oregon and you keep fishing you can be writtin up.

P.S. I hope no one thinks I am calling them a snagger or saying they are just as bad, if they party fish to limit their group, this is not my intent, just thought it was good analogie (sp), and I know how we all hate snaggers

fish-on · 09-19-2005, 07:47 PM

as long as you hand off the rod to who ever doesnt have their limit i dont see a prob with it .

maddad · 09-19-2005, 08:23 PM

the same way the state does with the nets and the 2%incidentals revenue!!!and its not that the commercial rev is more important, its just as important as the sport fishers rev and also important is the rev collected from the stupid laws that help generate revenue. p.s are you a odfw employee, if so i now know why the laws are so anal.