Shiznik

Long story short, I believe the rule is to not Shark fish at public swimming access points on the beach. Aren't most of the reports coming from areas that are public? Or, is it legal to Shark fish in those areas at night? I would not deliberately Shark fish around swimmers but am wondering if it is okay to try a night when there are no swimmers. Maybe I should call the man and ask.

Tight Lines,

Chris

saltfisher1

I've never been ticketed for dead bait fishing any public spots at night...Just do not chum the water...If youre in Orange Beach they passed some crazy law about dead or cut bait fishing.

http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/...-2008_2-14-am/

"<SPAN id=article_font>The Orange Beach City Council voted at their worksession Monday to adopt an emergency resolution banning shark fishing along the immediate coastline. Council members have been discussing the issue for the past few months, after shark fishermen were spotted "chumming" near a public pier.

"We're also concerned about this following the shark attacks in Florida over the weekend and in California last week," says Orange Beach Mayor Pete Blalock. "Sharks draw sharks and if you're chumming, you're drawing in more sharks. It just doesn't need to happen right near the coastline. What we're saying is to get a boat and go do it out in the Gulf."

The city council will formally vote on the shark fishing ban at next week's council meeting. If approved, shark fishing, baiting and chumming will be illegal within 300 feet of the coastline. City leaders will work with state officials in enforcing the ban.

"The Gulf is state water," says Blalock. "We've actually approved this emergency resolution sent to us by the state. We're trying to have a little teetch in our law down here to tell people you can't do this here."

Once approved and passed, the ordinance will go into effect in about 90 days."

Shiznik

Yeah, I am more concerened for the public than I am catching a Shark. Meaning, I don't ever want to endanger anyone but also think it should be okay after dark.

konz

I'm not sure of the official ruling. I have never had an issue fishing at night though. I never shark fish around swimmers. I only do it at night where nobody is around. A quick call to the powers that be should answer that question for you though.

Shiznik

Just hoping they cant cite us for fishing in an area that is a public swimming area after dark if you know what I mean. Harm to swimmers would never be in my future from Shark fishing. Its just easier to access. Thanks! Hey Konz, when is the next Shark Fishing Bash?

saltfisher1

?We're also concerned about this following the shark attacks in Florida over the weekend and in California last week," says Orange Beach Mayor Pete Blalock. "Sharks draw sharks and if you're chumming, you're drawing in more sharks. It just doesn't need to happen right near the coastline. What we're saying is to get a boat and go do it out in the Gulf."

The city council will formally vote on the shark fishing ban at next week's council meeting. If approved, shark fishing, baiting and chumming will be illegal within 300 feet of the coastline. City leaders will work with state officials in enforcing the ban. "

My thoughts:

Sounds like these guys are catering to boaters and forcing the poor man into investing in a boat just to fish offshore by 300 ft.....Boat money means more money for city leaders...The sharks are always out there regardless if theres a fisherman nearby or not so I do not get what theyre saying here...The sharks in the cold waters of California are by far larger and potentially more aggressive than a few blacktips on the Gulf beaches..The chances are still slim on being bit by a shark even if youre swimming under the Pensacola pier....Its just a way to try to pick up extra revenue.

I'm not sure how this law is enforced if a guy is just fishing with a chunk of mullet for big reds and a shark gets it first..I guess you cut the line or get a hefty fine?

konz

A few other members and I have been throwing around some ideas. I'm trying to find a suitable location. Amberj has volunteered to make up some bbq for the next one. It should be awesome! As soon as we nail down a location we will nail down a date.

Shiznik

Sounds great! I'm willing to bring something foodwise also to add to the feast! Hope I can make it.

tigershark

I was in Pensacola this past week and went over to Orange Beach and was told by the locals that they do enforce the fishing ordinance now. I was fishing in FL and it sucked but just waved to the Game warden as she drove by every morning. I only fish in the early AM and after the swimmers are out of the water usually by 9PM. My almost 4yr old daughter caught her first black tip on a tweety fishing rod I was so proud, my wife and son caught multiple sharks but I did not have any luck, we had a 400 yard wide sand bar in front of the condo which really sucked and hurt fishing. I yakked up to 800 yards off shore daily and only caught 1 skipjack the entire trip and zero schools of fish. probably my worst fishing trip personally in the last 25 years but my daughter's first shark made up for it. an 18 inch BT.

I did have some drunk old ladies come down to the beach for a swim one night around 11 PM. They saw my fishing rods/reels 12/0s and I told them I was fishing for large fish and they went ahead and swam 15 yards to the right of me. I did not reel in because they were about 25 yards out and my bait was 450+ yards out but I did get a little nervous . I guestimate their age to be mid to late 60s :doh adn they were pretty drunk

saltfisher1

It never fails that folks want to swim right next to the fishermen....It happens to me everytime I fish the beach in summer...There can be 40 miles of open beach but they have to get under the lines...I dont get it.