Question on handling BSB

[dsafety]

Originally Posted by dorado50

Lets see, there are at least 180,00 (Calif)fishing licenses issued each year??? One BSB taken per angler per year.... yea that math looks good to me. Just release the fish and make sure it swims away healthy.

I would be fine with what Dorado suggests since the BSB is such a majestic fish that takes many years to grow to full size. On the other hand, some say that the BSB population has recovered to the point where they have almost achieved "pest" status in some locations.

I am far from an expert on this subject but my thinking is that if it is ever determined that the BSB population can withstand some fishing pressure, maybe the best way to approach the management would be to have a lottery for a special permit which would allow some lucky fishers to catch and keep one fish of a particular size or larger. Kind of like what they do with hunting permits for some formally endangered animals.

The bigger problem in my view is that most people who catch a big BSB from deep water have no idea how to safely release the fish. I have read the recommended procedures but have never had to practice the technique. The only BSB I ever caught was a 10 pounder who quickly swam away after I removed the hook. I am hopeful that if I ever hook a big one, someone with a little experience is in the neighborhood.

Bob

[T Bone]

There was a video of this Jack-wagon catching a huge BSB on balboa pier on dragging it on the beach to die.I heard he went to court because someone called we-tip but I never heard what happened.If anyone could post that video or follow up that would be cool.

[roby]

Is this the video?

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4000167/b...n-in-hot-water

The dude's website:

http://savetheseabass.com/

From what I have read, it seems like the guy was trying to keep the fish and was playing dumb about not knowing the rules, so he would not get in trouble....

[yaknewb]

Yea i saw that vid it was sad i cant believe no one stoped him.

[taggermike]

I haven't seen this on a kayak forum but the photos of the little, sub 100 lb, BSB with a gaff through thier bottom jaws held up by some grinning yahoo really chap me. A gaff shouldn't be used on a no take fish. Just take a pic of the fish in the water at boat side if you have to docunent your catch. mike

[wade]

i heard that in florida the f&g issues tickets to people on facefart, myspace ect who hold goliath groupers out of water, even if released)..

(video your fight & it will allow the best chance of survival Versus wasting precious recovery time fussin with a still shot/photo op..)

Ps PELLYS has the BEST Black Sea Bass sandwich in SD.
ask for it toasted & teriyaki style...
Pelly's Fish Market & Cafe
7110 Avenida Encinas # 101
Carlsbad, CA 92011
(760) 431-8454


pps, how hypocritical is california for placing a species on an endangered list, but allows it to be consumed on california soil is beyond me?...
it sure tastes AMAZING though..
Ill take 2, Please!

[T Bone]

That guy is a total kook and a liar.

Fox news fact: 10 million people fish for "Black Bass"...

T-Bone Fact: The producer or whoever proofed that clip doesnt fish and preffers Tofu...

[dorado50]

Problem is most people believe what they read, especially from the libral press. Not me!.. Don't become a member of the "liars and misinformation" Club...its bad mojo....

[mermaidhunter]

I was there that day and told him 15+ times that he had to release that bsb safely and quickly, alot of fishermen on the pier were telling him the same thing, but other people on the pier were cheering him on. even going as far where they stuck 2 pier gaffs in her jaw, i went up to the crowd as they were trying to pull her up on the pier and i grabbed the pier gaff rope to stop them and told them that its illegal and they had to let her go. but they didnt care at all and they carried on. a private boater came by and dragged her in and the mob beached her. it was a horrible scene, my heart broke the next day when i found out she died and floated down to dana.

in the end he got away with it.

Originally Posted by yaknewb

Yea i saw that vid it was sad i cant believe no one stoped him.

[dorado50]

Can't fault you for your efforts Perhaps an urgent call to 911 would have resolved that mess....

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by mermaidhunter

I was there that day and told him 15+ times that he had to release that bsb safely and quickly, alot of fishermen on the pier were telling him the same thing, but other people on the pier were cheering him on. even going as far where they stuck 2 pier gaffs in her jaw, i went up to the crowd as they were trying to pull her up on the pier and i grabbed the pier gaff rope to stop them and told them that its illegal and they had to let her go. but they didnt care at all and they carried on. a private boater came by and dragged her in and the mob beached her. it was a horrible scene, my heart broke the next day when i found out she died and floated down to dana.

in the end he got away with it.

I also believe there is a number on our fishing licenses to call if we suspect someone is poaching or anything else that needs to be reported to the DFG. I've never called it, but I have voiced an opinion to someone once about the fish she caught.

As far as BSBs are concerned, I have a friend that will target ares that he as "accidentally" hooked them in SD bay, he catches, photos, and releases. However each time he posts photos, on a different fishing site, it starts a HUGE debate as to how wrong that was. He loves it though.

Until they change the regs on these fish I feel that if you realize that you have one hooked, don't fight it any longer so you can get a photo, cut the line and let it fight its way back down. I have known people who have tried to deflate the bladders and they have actually done more harm than good. So if you don't know what you are doing with them don't try.

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by roby

Is this the video?

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4000167/b...n-in-hot-water

The dude's website:

http://savetheseabass.com/

From what I have read, it seems like the guy was trying to keep the fish and was playing dumb about not knowing the rules, so he would not get in trouble....

I've heard it said many times in court that not knowing the laws is not an excuse. If you have a rod and reel in your hands you better know the regs, or have a way of knowing them, Regs book, or don't go fishing. I carry my regs book with me all the time in the event I am questioned, need to know what I just caught and it's regs, or and it gives me peace of mind. I hope this guy was fined.

[roby]

Link:

http://www.dailypilot.com/news/educa...,6691523.story

The two fishermen who hauled a massive black sea bass to shore at the Balboa Pier pleaded guilty Wednesday and were sentenced to 120 hours of community service.
They had faced up to six months in jail for catching the endangered species. Prosecutors had charged the two with misdemeanor possession of a black sea bass after they were videotaped with the fish, and their images landed on YouTube.
Orange County Commissioner Richard E. Pacheco agreed to the plea bargain, which reduced their violation to an infraction. Prosecutors objected to the plea bargain, according to Orange County district attorney's office spokeswoman Farrah Emami.
Jon Apothaker of Valley Village was fishing on the pier while John Brady of Huntington Beach was fishing below the pier in a small boat in January 2010 when
Apothaker got a bite. It was a giant black sea bass, more than 5 feet long and weighing between 140 and 200 pounds.
Apothaker struggled with the fish for about an hour until his line broke. Then Brady offered to help from below if Apothaker would agree to give up half the fish. He agreed, and Brady helped by towing the fish close to shore. Apothaker swam out, and brought it to the beach by hand.
There, he posed with the giant bass before releasing it.
Apothaker said that once he learned that the fish was endangered, he and Brady tried to save it. Apothaker said he massaged its gills for up to 45 minutes trying to resuscitate it until it finally swam away weakly.
Days later, the bass washed up on dead on the shore, authorities said. The two men claimed there was no proof it was the same fish.
Giant sea bass can live to be 100 years old, and the fish they caught was estimated to be 20 to 25 years old. They have been a critically endangered species since 1996.
In what he said was an effort to educate anglers about the black sea bass, Apothaker began making and selling T-shirts with warnings to not gaff the creatures. He also created http://www.savetheseabass.com.
Apothaker's attorney, Christopher McCann, said the outreach effort may have helped his client.
"I think the judge was persuaded by that," McCann said.
He will serve his community service hours with the United Pier and Shore Anglers of California, a nonprofit that educates pier and shore anglers in fish ecology and conservation.

[bus kid]

From a Felony to an infraction, but God help the first person to get popped in a mpa.... if it's me I printing up shirts with warnings that say "dont fish the mpas" and a web site called "savethempa.com" as soon as BWE posts my bail. thanks in advance guys.

[T Bone]

I think the guy should have done a 90 days.If the judge was a fisherman he would have seen through the Bullshit.