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Freshwater bait in the Gulf.??

dewyafishdewyafish Posts: 5,025 Admiral
in Ask the Law! #1
I would imagine this wouldn't be legal, but thought I'd ask to see if anyone has tried it. I've got a pond that is WAY overstocked with bass. Instead of catching them and throwing them on the bank for the coons (they are almost too small to clean), could I freeze them and take them offshore for bait? I'm guessing if I got checked I would be possession of under-sized as well as over limit bass. Would the fact that they came out of a private pond matter? I would call FWC, but every time I call them with a question, I don't have lot of confidence in the person I'm talking with actually knowing the law. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
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Replies

  • Austins26Austins26 Posts: 1,989 Captain
    #2
    there are too many other legal options to even consider it
    The Original HOTD poster
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  • chronicbreakchronicbreak Posts: 1,063 Officer
    #3
    dewyafish wrote: »
    I would call FWC, but every time I call them with a question, I don't have lot of confidence in the person I'm talking with actually knowing the law. !

    Are you calling Tallahassee? Never had that issue myself and it's the nicest group.

    Probably illegal to use for reasons you've already mentioned. Curious - what would you target with them?
    National Marine Fisheries Service
    DESTROYING FISHERMEN AND THEIR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1976
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  • DocGlennDocGlenn Posts: 11 Greenhorn
    #4
    Butter-fly them for grouper and snapper?

    I don't like to waste anything or kill anything for no reason, except coyotes, I'll kill a coyote with a smile every time, but I've got a real problem with bass being over-stocked and because of this, I have a whole lot of 10-12" bass that are really too small to eat. I'm just trying to find a good use for them since I really don't want to feed the coons, but I don't want to get busted for a game violation trying get my pond in balance.
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  • dewyafishdewyafish Posts: 5,025 Admiral
    #5
    BTW, this was a cut and paste from the NW forum for another member.

    I prefer hand sized chunks of scaled tarpon for grouper bait, myself.
    There's nothing more enjoyable than suprise morning sex...
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    Unless you happen to be in jail at the time.
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  • breambream Posts: 74 Greenhorn
    #6
    I'd imagine it's illegal to use bass as bait in saltwater. It's illegal to do so in freshwater. From the FWC's website:

    Black bass, peacock bass or any part thereof may not be used as bait.

    http://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/taking-bait/
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  • The Cat's EyeThe Cat's Eye Posts: 1,379 Officer
    #7
    Grind them up and use them as chum !
    Giimoozaabi
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  • NOAA-EnforcementNOAA-Enforcement Posts: 202 Moderator
    #8
    No restrictions in Federal Waters.
    My purpose on this site is to help everyone understand Federal Fishery Regulations and to provide information. Working with the Florida Sportsman is a collateral (volunteer) duty I asked for and enjoy; I will only give you an answer that I’m willing to put my name on and stand behind. Sometimes that means checking with other agents/offices in the area of concern.
    Please Stay Safe And Have A Wonderful Day.
    Special Agent Allan Coker
    NOAA's Office For Fishery Law Enforcement
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  • L8RBRAL8RBRA St. LouisPosts: 448 Deckhand
    #9
    You can use freshwater baitfish for bait in Saltwater. Just not regulated species. 

    Go catch a few big catfish for that pond. They'll make quick work of your undersized bass problem. 
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  • snookaffinitysnookaffinity Naples, FLPosts: 1,152 Officer
    #10
    NOAA-Enforcement said:
    No restrictions in Federal Waters.
    Nice to hear from you Allan. I hope all is well with you.
    "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain
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  • conchydongconchydong Pompano BeachPosts: 6,211 Admiral
    edited October 2019 #11
    Allan's post is 4 years old though. I think he retired. No one else has had the courage to step up to the plate. You will find that a lot of LEO's feel that anything in writing can come back to haunt them. As you know a lot of laws are written to have a gray area so they can be adjudicated in court. Keeps the money flowing.

    “Everyone behaves badly--given the chance.”
    ― Ernest Hemingway

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  • snookaffinitysnookaffinity Naples, FLPosts: 1,152 Officer
    #12
    Thanks. Didn't look at date.
    "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain
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