Rockfish and short fish in Mexico answers

[crazy hawaiian]

Originally Posted by lickinchickin

I called up the Fish and Game dept in San Diego last Thursday and asked about the declaration. I told her if I could get the declaration online, so I could bring my rockcod back from the Coronado islands. She told me the Coronado Islands were in California water and I didn't need a Dec. I told her that I've been fishing San Diego and Mexican waters for about 30 years and unless I missed something, Coronado Islands brlong to the Mexicans. She then told me to wait on the line for someone in the regulation section. But If I was new, this is the type of info that leads to fishermen down a wrong path and eventually into court. So becarefull on the info you get and make sure you read your regs.

Just try asking 3 or 4 different wardens the same question. You will probably get say 3 or 4 different answers. Not necessarily blaming the wardens, they're just as confused as we are trying to interpret the same confusing crap we're trying to interpret.

And any info you get over the phone comes with the same warning that comes with info you get over the phone from the IRS: If it's wrong you still pay the fine.

[Halibut Howie]

Oh great now we have a fucked up lawyer trying to explain what a disfunctional CA F&G is saying about fish caught in mexico like he some kind of god.

You CAN KEEP BSB that are illegal to possess in USA but CAN NOT keep undersized lingcod or halibut that are also illegal to possess in the USA along with canaries, ect.. This is just CA F&G madness at its best. Like stated above each F&G officer you talk to will have a different interpretation of their laws. They do not even know the laws they are trying to enforce. heaven forbid if they cite you, even incorrectly, cuz it causes you a whole day of your time to go to misdemeanor court with the dregs of the world. Not to mention having to put up with a bunch of fuckup lawyers & judges all day. I hope CA goes broke and laysoff all the F&G assholes. That way they will not be able to keep inventing/dreaming up rules on how to fuck us common, law-abiding fishermen more.

As for you lawyer keep your self serving, bunny hugging opinions to yourself about what you think about BSB. May your boat meet the same fate that you wished upon others.

HH

[portaslayer]

I heard there are different limits as far as quanities in mex too. For instance is it true you can take 5 dorado there but only two here? If so, how does this rule effect that?

[the hook]

Originally Posted by portaslayer

I heard there are different limits as far as quanities in mex too. For instance is it true you can take 5 dorado there but only two here? If so, how does this rule effect that?

You have it backwards.- sort of. 2 dodos in Mex.
I think it is 10 here.

[16glaspar]

Anyone have any experience with DFG siezing fish caught in Mex for not having a Declaration form? I did send one to DFG in Sac the next day. I was also informed fishing in the US and in Mex on the same day is considered double dipping...Right!!! I informed DFG that means I was fishing in the US and Mex at the same time...DFG took some of my fish and ticked me for not having a declaration form... I go to court in Nov. I'm screwed...Please advise.

[lickinchickin]

Let me know the date and time you are going to court. I will go with you Alan.

[crazy hawaiian]

Originally Posted by 16glaspar

Anyone have any experience with DFG siezing fish caught in Mex for not having a Declaration form? I did send one to DFG in Sac the next day. I was also informed fishing in the US and in Mex on the same day is considered double dipping...Right!!! I informed DFG that means I was fishing in the US and Mex at the same time...DFG took some of my fish and ticked me for not having a declaration form... I go to court in Nov. I'm screwed...Please advise.

Never received a ticket, but have been warned a couple times about not having one filled in completely before entering U.S. waters.

Regarding "double dipping", the warden you quoted said that fishing in US and Mexico on the same day is illegal, not sure about the comment "considered it double dipping, but having fought the good fight with the DFG over a long period over that same issue I have come to understand their position.

I use to fish Mexico a lot during the closed rockfish season here, and would stop at the jetty to drift for halibut at the end of the day.

If a warden checked me on the water he could question if in fact the rockcod I had were not caught at the jetty, and not as I claimed while holding a declaration form in my hand. He did not see me catch the rockfish, but he did see me fishing therefore it's more than just my word against his.

If on the other hand he checked me on the water while on my way back to the dock, my filled out declaration form, and my word that the rockfish were caught in Mexico is good enough for him.

I'd rather have that tradeoff over having to take a lie detector test everytime I return from Mexico.

BTW: Now if I want to make a few drifts for halibut after a day of fishing Mexico we simply drive to the launch ramp, put our fish, filleted inside the bay, not in Mexico which is illegal, in a ice chest in our tow vehicle, then run back out to our favorite halibut spot. Total time under 15 minutes.

And also have a declaration form completely filled out before entering US waters, and am always thankful that we still have the option of fishing in Mexico.

Hope they don't lean on you too hard. You might even point out to the judge that even the DFG agents are not clear on the statutes.

It tooks me months to get a clear answer on the issue. There's an article by the editor of Pacific Coast Sportfishing magazine about the phone conversation we had. It was in 2003 I believe. If I find my copy I will PM you the date. It covers the long process I went through to get my question regarding fishing in both countries on the same day, and all the confusion among DFG agents on the matter.

When I was told by an agent it was illegal I asked them to point out the specific regulations covering it, not one could do so!

Sorry for the long read.

[JAYROCK]

Originally Posted by sealskinner

I've got no use for your personal judgements.

ditto.