Sat - 9/22/2007 - Another California DFG Free Fishing Day! No License Required!

[Sea Hag]

DFG Announces Another Free Fishing Day!! No License Required!

Have you ever felt the excitement of watching your bobber suddenly jiggle, then dive out of sight? Or feeling the tap-tap-tap of a bass as it tastes the worm on the end of your line? Or having a salmon practically tear the rod out of your hands as it smashes your lure? What's that? You say you never learned to fish?

Well, if you're new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, we have a great deal for you. The Department of Fish and Game offers two "Free Fishing Days" each year. That's right, you can fish without having to buy a license on free fishing days! They're a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try. Some Department offices even offer clinics on free fishing days! And we have a "Fishing in the City" program where you can go fishing in the middle of major metropolitan areas -- maybe just a block or two from your home! "Fishing in the City" andDFG Announces Another Free Fishing Day!! No License Required!

Have you ever felt the excitement of watching your bobber suddenly jiggle, then dive out of sight? Or feeling the tap-tap-tap of a bass as it tastes the worm on the end of your line? Or having a salmon practically tear the rod out of your hands as it smashes your lure? What's that? You say you never learned to fish?

Well, if you're new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, we have a great deal for you. The Department of Fish and Game offers two "Free Fishing Days" each year. That's right, you can fish without having to buy a license on free fishing days! They're a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try. Some Department offices even offer clinics on free fishing days! And we have a "Fishing in the City" program where you can go fishing in the middle of major metropolitan areas -- maybe just a block or two from your home! "Fishing in the City" and free fishing day clinics are designed to educate people just like you about fish habits, proven methods of catching fish, and tackle you'll need. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night!

While all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect; there are two Saturdays each year where anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license.

For 2007, California's free fishing days are JUNE 9TH and SEPTEMBER 22ND.

free fishing day clinics are designed to educate people just like you about fish habits, proven methods of catching fish, and tackle you'll need. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night!

While all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect; there are two Saturdays each year where anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license.

For 2007, California's free fishing days are JUNE 9TH and SEPTEMBER 22ND.

[PADavid]

I am there - which way to CA?

[Sea Hag]

Go West, young man...!

[SilveDreamDave]

Now that is what i call a gr8 idea. What a gr8 way for people to become accustomed to fishing without lots of expense. I hope the people who benifit form this take up the sport full time as well. Regards SDD

[Mutt]

Sea Hag I have a question for you. Do you guys have a big problem with people fishing illeagly down that way? Up this way we have a lot of issues with people breaking the law. Almost every weekend there is this family from vietnam out there using nets and what ever else they can they have stipped this one area almost clean of all fish. they have even been arrested a couple of times yet they are still at it. I think our local dfg here gave up I dont know but it ticks me off. And on the free fishing days it gets even worse up here in some areas I used to think the free fishing days were a great idea but it seems in some of the less patrolled areas its like a license for the law breakers.

[Sea Hag]

I know a year or so ago some guy caught a small shark off the pier in Hermosa Beach (a popular swimming area). It was about 4-5 feet long, he was saying it was a Mako. A reporter from a small local paper took some pictures and put it on the front page.

A Game Warden saw the picture and recognized it not as a mako, but a small great white! He looked up the guy's address and went to his house to collect the fish, but he had eaten it all or given it to relatives who had eaten it all. The warden was about to give up, the photo wasn't enough to charge him, but he was sure it was a great white. He'd hoped a piece of meat could have been tested for DNA....

Then he spotted the guy's souvenier hanging on the wall... the boiled jaws of his catch. He confiscated those. Great whites have very unique type of tooth, and from the jaws and teeth he was able to positively identify the species.

The guy was given a number of hours of community service, and a heafty fine... which they refused to waive.

I fish mostly sportboats. A few people have been caught over the limites, and they've started fining the boat owner/captain, as well. The captains and crews watch the fish counts much more closely, in most cases. There are a few that would rather keep their passengers happy and risk getting caught than tell them they can't keep any more 5 pound yellowfin, but ...

I have the DFG tip line in my cell phone now. Next time I see that I'll be making an annonymous call when we get in cell phone range. From what I've heard, they'll try to make it..

[SilveDreamDave]

Some fishery boards have the power to confiscate your gear, car, equipment and anthing else you have with you if you are fishing illegally on the rivers here in Ireland. If we are going to employ these people to look after fisheriers then they should have the power to do exactly that. Its up to the judge to decide if you get your gear and stuff back. And if you are willing to take a chance to fish illegally. you should also be prepared to pay the price, and take the punishment. I know we had people fishing on a private salmon fishery, who were taking to many fish. Once we told them there was a limit, they never came back. (sad loss) If you are going fishing, and have to catch fish to sell, to cover the costs of petrol, deisel, or anything else. You shouldn't be going. The fish mongers soon stopped coming to the river when the new restrictions came into force recently, one spring fish up to the 12th of May from the begining of the season. Three fish a day with a total of ten for the season, you can catch as many as you like after that, but ya gotta put them (salmon) back. There should be heavy fines, prison sentences, and hanging (bit over the top maybe) for people who abuse fishing, which so many use and try to protect for future generations to come. Regards SDD

[Mutt]

I agree SSD thing is here in my area they just slap em on the writs and they are back at it the next weekend.

I dont know there Sea Hag seems there is more they would do. I was just wondering though as it seems these same people are at it again in my favorite bass spot now guess that will be destroyed before long now since DFG wont do anything. as to why I brought this up is some people (one was arrested next county over) for fishing with no license thier response in court was Well they said its free to fish now the judge couldnt get it through thier head that was for one day and has even went as far as to say maybe the state should not give freebee days. Kinda sad that people would use that for a defense when you know they cant be that stupid.

[Sea Hag]

Well, I know the guy with the great white tried the "I didn't know" defense and they fined him anyway.

That and these people who think they need to get their money's worth of meat out of a trip. Oh please. It's entertainment, not a method to feed your extended family for a week...

I try to set a good example and point out to people who aren't following the rules. I don't generally keep any calico bass, we can, but they're slow growing and frankly, I don't think they're that good anyway.

And I keep the DFG Tip hotline number on me, and I'll use it. I don't know if it will do any good, but I expect some day I'll get the opportunity to find out.

[Sea Hag]

California Anglers!

This is tomorrow! Don't forget to take a friend fishing tomorrow, no license required.

; )