Attention from parks & recreation

Info, Photos and leaderboard thread for 2009
Goat
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Attention from parks & recreation

Post by Goat »

I recently met a person who claimed to be with the parks department and he said all the daytime shark fishing, videos on internet, etc appears to be getting a lot of attention from the public and they have been making complaints to county agencies. He said there is talk going on about banning shark fishing from all public beaches like down south.

Just an FYI and I am just relaying what I heard. I think you may want to keep it more low key or it could get shut.
Last edited by Goat on Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:32 am, edited 1 time in total.

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rsieminski
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Post by rsieminski »

Like I asked before:
This may be a stupid question, but... why do we need big cash prizes? Why does this need to be so serous?

Why do you want all this attn? I think Goat might have a good point. FL beaches make money off of tourists. If there are sharks on the beaches, they might think twice about vacationing here. They hide it just like they hid the red tide.
Something to think about if you intend to have statewide tourneys in the future.

JC
This is the place to sort the details, and ask questions. It's everyone's tourney. These discussions are how things improve over time.
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james380
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Post by james380 »

JunoChris wrote:Cudaman - You have a lot longer fuse then I do. I couldnt respond to this thread with as objectivity and patience as you do.
I second that.

YEAAHHH lol tourists will think twice about coming to florida to vacation. If the killer hurricanes can't stop them then I think we're ok.

Here's an idea. Once you catch the shark this year you can hurry up and have your team surround it with a left over blue tarp. Problem solved.
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rsieminski
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Post by rsieminski »

Well, it would not effect the number of tourists that go to see Mickey, but if the same guy sees you catch sharks off of the beach in front of his condo too many times, the Man who stand to loose finds out (owner of the 30 story condo), makes a complaint to the city.. poof, no more sharking from that beach. I've already been asked to leave places. What happens if you pull one up on shore, and there's people nearby? Parents often freak out about their kids in the water, they gather around, and don't go back into the water. Now we'll flood you tube with hundreds of videos of the sharks being caught right next to swimmers... Get as much press on this as possible, spread the word on the #'s of sharks being caught off of every FL beach. Big bro's not going to like it, even if it's city by city, the beaches will regulate shark fishing.
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cudaman
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Post by cudaman »

Thank you guys on the comments… I try to keep my kewl as much as possible, and yes I do picua. It seems to be the same every year always some one complaining, but we try to work things out. In the end is all about accomplishment, rewards, and satisfaction.

Rsieminski—This seems to be dragging on. We already know you do not like the video idea, please wait until the final changes are made.

#1- We do want this big, because shorebound fishermen and women don’t get the opportunity to do this often, why do we have to stick to Bragging Rights only? We don't have a boat so we don't matter? YES WE DO MATTER! THIS WILL BE BIG AGAIN!

#2- Tourists? Ask people like Mike Palmer that have been doing this since the 70’s
I would not go fishing to a tourist crowded beach. I did that once in my life and will never do it again. I like to go to beaches that are isolated or have very few people walking about, why would you want to go go to a crowded beach? Look at the pics most people post on shark fishing, most of the time you won’t see many people around and when you do it’s mostly family and friends. Please remember that SAFETY IS ALWAYS FIRST and one of the main reasons we only allow a minimum of 3 team members. Educate people. Let people know that sharks are always there and humans is not what they are after. When a shark bites it's usually by mistake. The surfer looked like a seal or marine animal of some sort, the person was swimming in ball of bait DAH!, or they were spear fishing with the dead fish too close to their body, etc.....


#3- The videos you have seeing online from the SBFG are of still shots. If we do a promotional video it would definitely not have chaos on the beach involved, and we would definitely not flood Youtube with videos of shark fishing from the beach, and by the way Youtube is already flooded by other people shark fishing from the shore. If fishing is permitted then you can fish for big fish unless otherwise stated.


...

Goat
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Post by Goat »

My name is Goat and been shark fishing in Jupiter area for last 30 years. Been lots of fun and only knew a handful of people doing it. We all keep pretty low key and usually only fish at night due to people on beaches getting upset with baits going out.

Juno Beach actually banned shark fishing at one time but did not enforce it at night. There was a big battle with the old Juno Pier because they allowed shark fishing. When the peir got knocked down during the Thanksgiving storm the town refused to let them rebuild. Took alot of effort and many years to get the new pier approved.

Anyhow- I wanted to pass on something I heard from a guy I met on the Jupiter sandbar a couple weeks ago. He claimed to be with the parks department and sounded like he lived in Hobe Sound. We talked about a lot of things and he brought up the shark fishing tournament.

He said they are getting a lot of complaints from the public about people shark fishing on the beach during the daytime. The tournament is drawing a lot of people who did not used to do it and they are making a big deal of it when pulling them up on the beach. Probably just a few but whoever it is it is getting county officials involved due to complains from beach goers.

This guy claimed that there are discussions taking place to ban all shark fishing on all public beaches from Ft Pierce down to South end of Palm Beach County due to the complaints now coming in. I think they have already done this down near Lauderdale years ago. I am just relaying what I heard but I think you may want to tone it down a bit or notify the teams to be more low key during the day time as they might just get it shut down for all of us.

Yes you can fish for sharks until told otherwise but if we take that approach and do not recognize the discussions taking place the it could get banned and then we are done forever.

If your film crew shows up I think you are going to get the attention you really do not want from the county agencies.

Again, I am just relaying what I heard but I think it is real.

Nice pictures and I have enjoyed meeting several people on this site.
Goat

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cudaman
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Post by cudaman »

Thank you for your input Goat.

Tone it down a bit? No way….This tourney is going big as it was last year! I invite you to participate in it and do your part on educating others about shark fishing while you are doing it.

You do have a point on being more low key while shark fishing….as you can read on my previous post:
cudaman wrote:
I would not go fishing to a tourist crowded beach. I did that once in my life and will never do it again. I like to go to beaches that are isolated or have very few people walking about, why would you want to go to a crowded beach?
About:
Goat wrote: He claimed to be with the parks department
Goat wrote: He said they are getting a lot of complaints from the public about people shark fishing on the beach during the daytime.
Goat wrote:This guy claimed that there are discussions taking place to ban all shark fishing on all public beaches from Ft Pierce down to South end of Palm Beach County due to the complaints now coming in.
Goat wrote: Again, I am just relaying what I heard but I think it is real.

I hate to say it, but I do not like hear/say….If you can get us the information on the town meetings, the council meetings, the commissioners meetings, work shops, etc, it would be great… If I have the time I would like to go and take part of those meetings if not I know some people that can do the same if we ask. If you haven’t realized, I am one of those people that WILL write letters to government officials to make request. If you know which officials are making those statements we can send them some letters.


...

Goat
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Post by Goat »

By tone it down a bit I mean whoever is making a the big deal and a scene while fishing when beach goers are around should understand there are complaints going to the county.

You have all the information. You can choose to be responsible with it or press on and possibly get us all banned from shark fishing the beach.

I'll go back in my hole now.

Goat

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cudaman
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Post by cudaman »

Goat wrote: I think you may want to tone it down a bit or notify the teams to be more low key
What I understood from what I read it says for us to tone it down a bit or to notify the teams, since you have explained your self now I understand you better.
You have all the information. You can choose to be responsible with it or press on and possibly get us all banned from shark fishing the beach.
Goat
No, I do not have all the information. You see, if we were to randomly start sending letters we would probably get the wrong parties involved. Since you spoke with this person I thought that maybe you had done some of the research already. We need to target the specific parties involved, and then we need to make an assessment as to whom else we need involved.

Thanks again

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Post by Goat »

I would not know who to contact but I do know that once the ball got rolling in Juno back in the early 80's it could not be stopped. I do not even think it was law but we had police escorting us off the beach during the day and tell us we were not allowed to shark fish. They never did bother us at night in the same spots.

Once the agencies get complaints and people say we are making the area unsafe by drawing sharks in then their hands are tied due to all the lawyers these days. All it takes after one complaint is for one person to get bitten even though it is not associated in anyway with anyone shark fishing .The persons lawyer then says the county is responsible because they had a complaint of people drawing sharks in, they knew about it, and did nothing about it.

I does not matter that the sharks have always been there and we are just catching what has been there. I tried that excuse with the police and still got escorted off the beach in the early 80's. The lawyers still go after the county and the counties do not what million $ lawsuites or publicity that the beaches are not safe.

My recommendation is to ask the teams to minimize daytime shark fishing that is near the public as best possible and minimize the crowd they draw around when pulling one in and releasing it. I think most everyone recognizes this but there are a few out there who are beating their chests and making a big deal with alot of people around and those very few people are the ones who will ruin it for everyone else.

Hope that helps and now I will go back in my hole and watch the rest.

Take care,
Goat

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rsieminski
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Post by rsieminski »

The message sounds familiar.
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Post by Team Shark Fever »

This sport is growing and will continue to grow,the state's population and the number of fisherman is also growing and that is inevtible.This sport deserves that we protect it and defend our right to fish and our rights to beach access.Out of respect for the general public i do not promote or condone fishing from a crowded beach during the day.It is our job as responsible human beings and fisherman to think of safety first and our own entertainment second therefor we should be very careful of where we fish and what time we fish as to not endanger a swimmers life . Yes it is true that big money (condo and hotel owners) usually will influence city officials if they complain enough and laws in cities and local munipipalities could be enacted that would affect shark fishing from the beach. Sadly enough the land based fisherman are under represented and do not wield a great amount of influence YET!! It is up to us to unite,create or join organizations that will further our cause and become a voice for all Florida shorebound fisherman.To unite is our salvation to sit back and do nothing could be our destruction. Since the 1960's some seaside towns have been hammering away laws to ban shark fishing from there beaches and it is unfortunate and based on the undeserved fear of sharks.Well the world has changed , today we know better,we know that sharks are not blood thirsty creatures looking to devour the first human they can find.We know that sharks were here before we invaded the beaches and put up high rises on every inch of beach front land,and sharks will be here long after we are gone.We must educate the general public that comes in contact with us when we are involved in our sport.

MY SUGGESTION:is that we get the scientific community involved and in particular Mote Marine Laboratory (Dr Hueter and Dr Castro) by providing
tags to every fisherman involved in these tournaments. We could interest them in doing twice a year a census type thing to gauge how the overall shark populations off our beaches are doing-maybe even get state funding to help out.Why not? We should print with Mote's help literture to explain the purpose of tagging sharks and hand out to the frightened public we come in contact with. If we stride to educate them about sharks and there relationship to the beaches and the annual patterns in there migrations we would be percieved differently. Educate and bring awareness to the people around us when a shark is caught from a beach by letting them know that the sharks naturally swim in the waters of every beach in the state.

We will not lay down our shark rods because people are scared and uneducated about sharks.We have said it in the past and i'll repeat here again WE WILL BRING RESPECT AND RECOGNITION not only to land based shark fishing but to SHOREBOUND FISHING in general."Low key" no way i will not operate out of fear,,never have.I'm a strong believer that if you love something enough you must fight for it and i love a good fight. I for one will continue to defend this sport and the right to practice it and only hope that anyone who truly loves shark fishing will not only talk the talk but walk the walk by getting involved in it's defense.Herbert and crew you have my backing just say when and i am there.Stay dilligent in your efforts and the positive results will always be yours.God bless.

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rsieminski
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Post by rsieminski »

WOW! Well said, and good idea. A way to transform perception from bad to humane, scientific, conservation minded, for the good of the planets creatures ... green even. That sounds like it might just work.
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Goat
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Experiences

Post by Goat »

Hi everyone,

First let me say I am pro-sharkfishing from the beach. I enjoy seeing all the pictures from the tournament and I have met a lot of great people. I thought I would post some of my experiences as lessons learned over the years for your enjoyment and to consider as your tournament grows.

I thought I knew it all about shark fishing and sharks when I started but here is what I learned over the years the hard way. All of this is true and hope you enjoy it.

Lesson 1: Beach goer complaining will shut you down.
We started shark fishing the Jupiter/Juno beaches in 1978. It was still legal to drink while you were driving back then so you can see it was pretty lawless. Would not think you would have to worry about police and shark fishing. We started getting kicked off the beaches shark fishing in 1981. It took only a couple of years and only a few complaints. We were very polite when people asked us to move (were not many people back then either) and we tried to explain we were only catching what was already there. All that got us was an escort off the beach from where we relocated to. Back then I was rowing baits out in an inflatable canoe.

I knew and worked with Wally Scheltz who owned the old Juno Pier. They allowed shark fishing on the pier and it really pissed off the town. They let me go out on the pier at night also after they shut down for the day. It was great. When the pier went down in the Thanksgiving storm the town refused to let them rebuild. It took a lot of people many, many years to work to get the new pier finally built and there is no shark fishing allowed (although we still do quietly)

Here is the reason they will shut shut you down. Someone complains and you get charged with public endangerment. Then the town lawyer gets involved. Since the town manager knows about the issue he can be sued personally along with the town if he does nothing about it. The manager at that time was a really nice guy and he told us his hands were tied and actually apologized for having to kick us off. It took us 4 years of fishing only at night for them to finally leave us alone. You can't win once the county or town is notified. The financial liability is too great for the county or town. There are more lawyers than sharks these days so you can see what can happen and someone is already sqwaking about the people now shark fishing possibly in this tournament to the people who could shut it down. I actually believed that sharks would not hurt anyone until I learned Lesson 2.

Lesson 2: Putting bait out does attract sharks, they can go into a frenzy, and they do bite people.
Have seen this with them attacking a bait with double hooks and going nuts. Actually attacking each other. When baits are out they come from all over. I was pulled off my surf board by a bull shark in 1982 at the north end Hobe Sound Beach. I was surfing near where my friends were shark fishing and I got hammered while my friend was reeling in another bull. The young emergency room doctor (Dr Carr) at that time is still my family doctor to this day and he still talks about it. I have scars to prove it also.

Another friend of mine (Gordon Wynland) was a life guard at Hobe Sound beach. He had a shark rip the back of his leg to shreds . I'll see if I can find the article from the paper so you can see it. He is now with the fire department and still lives in Hobe Sound.

Sharks bite people. I will not let any of my family or friends swim anywhere near where someone is shark fishing. This is also why the lawyers in Lesson #1 will always win no matter what you try to tell them.

Lesson 3: Beware the Turtle People.
Turtle people will shut you down faster than any of the above. If you are in a nesting area which is pretty much all off Palm Beach north to Cocoa and someone sees you hook a turtle or you have your lights on then expect to get a reaming and expect the police. I actually no longer fish the Jupiter/Juno beaches at night because of that. I only fish the inlet jetty or pier. Turtles will actually eat your bait and I got tired of the turtle people reaming me and then calling the police because I had a light on. I only hooked a turtle maybe twice and no one ever saw that. The turtle people were having at me because of my light and they said they were calling the police. I'm still not sure of the law in Jupiter on this one.

I have a friend who's dad owns the South Beach Inn in Cocoa Beach. We were up there two weeks ago to celebrate her father's birthday. Not sure if anyone knows this (I did not) that it is now a felony to turn on any light on the beach in Cocoa at night. My one friend turned on his head lamp while sitting on the beach deck and it only took two minutes for the manager to come out yelling at us to please shut off the light or we could end up in jail. We had planned on shark fishing that night and had to call off our plans because of the turtle laws. They take it seriously and if we are not all careful we may see the same laws down here. You can't fight the endangered species act. Entanglement or lights can send you to the pokie and the sharks in the pokie are not looking for Bonita.

So that is it. Lot's of other interesting stories and hope to meet some of you someday during this tournament. Again I am pro beach shark fishing and I just do not want to see you learn the lessons I did the hard way and get shut down. It can happen over night and you won't even see it coming

Take care and catch a big one,
Goat

PS: My biggest beach shark was a hammerhead over 14 feet and took over 3 hours without a harness. Will never forget it and still live to catch that big one.

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Post by Team Shark Fever »

Hey man all my respect to you goat i can tell you know your stuff and have alot of local knowledge as to the laws and sharkfishing the beaches. I say we work together to try and advice the beach sharkers to the do's and don'ts.The local authorities are gonna do what they have to to protect the public (rightfully so)and we as fisherman are gonna learn more and more how to act responsibly(we hope). As for lesson #2-think about it if your bait is dropped 200 yards or more off the beach the sharks are not being attracted to the swimming beach but rather away from the shoreline.The danger is when the shark has been hooked and is being brought in towards the beach and that is why i discourage anyone from fishing near the public in daylight hours.Unfortunetly this country is being over regulated and our rights constantly being diminished ;even though the publics right to safety is of outmost importance. The outcome of these tournaments i predict will not be affected by localized anti sharking laws because the die hards such as ourselves (goat included)will always find a way to fish(jetty,pier,bridge or even beach).We can retain a good team of lawyers and lobby Tallahassee if need be.They can't shut us down they can only enforce localized laws and thats fine it's a big state and alot of beach to fish. So lets all work together to keep on fishin and living while in the pursuit of happiness.Hey goat lets see that 14 ft hammer.How much did it weigh?Are you putting together a team for the upcoming tourney?Good luck to all.

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Post by JunoChris »

I guess you werent real comfortable in that hole you keep saying your going back to.
Seriously man your wasting your breath, this tourney is going to happen whether you like it or not. Our team won the last HH challenge with a 11 ft Hammer off the Juno Pier. The cops were there and tried to give us some crap at first, then they called Fish and Game who told them we werent doing anything illegal and there was nothing they were going to do. After we landed it and measured the shark and released it they shook my hand, told me they were sorry for getting in the way, and gave us congrats on our catch. Granted it was around 6 in the evening, the life guards werent there, and there was no one on the beach and only one surfer but still. This tourney isnt adding shark fisherman to the beach we would be there just for fun anyways.

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cudaman
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Post by cudaman »

Dude by what I have read it seems to me that you are making it sound like you are very scared of something to happen against your beach (but you write that has already happened) and must of all you say you are pro beach shark fishing and here you are writing about frenzies that will automatically happen with natural bait in the water (schools of mullet, macks, bluefish, pompanos, etc...). The sharks roam the shores, in the guts, in the sandbars, but you are making it sound like JAWS the movie. I really started to think that you want these tournaments shut down. Sorry man but this is what I am understanding so far.

If you really are pro shark fishing from the beach then you need to take the approach that Will is talking about. You can work with us and help us educate people, not just the beach goers but the new sharkfishermen and women as well. What you wrote doesn't go anywhere positive.

I don't like to say this but I will. Goat, If you have any questions about the rules or on how to enter into the tourney please ask them. If you have anything else to say which is not a question on the rules please make another thread and continue on there or please continue in PM, I will be more than happy to work with you on your concerns.

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Post by BoatlessFisherman »

Some great info at FWC
Anyways here is an interesting article, I for one know the Sharks are there and so do State officials, kind of hard to argue your own findings.

I hope all read this and take very close note to the last paragraph, We as fisherman need to help by being careful so the Sharks LIVE--- funny how there population is going down and bites up could it really be that more people are swimming and doing more water activities.

http://floridamarine.org/features/view_ ... p?id=12798

Sharing the Water with Sharks:

Awareness and Education are Key
Experts offer tips on sharing state waters with one of the earth’s oldest predators.

Nurse Shark
Photo Credit: (c) Doug Perrine
Every year, millions of tourists and residents visit Florida’s beaches and waterways, and these beaches and waterways will more than likely contain sharks. According to experts, while there are no guaranteed ways to avoid shark attacks, understanding shark behavior could help you make better decisions on when and where to swim.

"It’s very important for people who visit Florida waters to be aware of their surroundings, understand the relative risks, and be educated on various shark issues such as behavior, biology and fisheries," says Brent Winner, scientist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI).

In the over 400 million years that sharks and their ancestors have roamed Florida waters, their role in their environment has changed very little. As the top predator in most marine ecosystems, sharks continue to help maintain balance within each ecosystem they inhabit.

Florida’s diverse shark population includes species that range in size from only a few feet to more than 40 feet in total length. Most of these species feed on fishes or marine invertebrates. Some even feed on plankton, but none see humans as a food source. Experts believe that most shark attacks are cases of mistaken identity, which explains why nearly all shark attacks that occur in Florida waters are of a bite-and-release nature. The percentage of fatal shark attacks has dramatically decreased worldwide: in Florida, shark attacks are fatal only 1% of the time, 10 times less than the current worldwide average.

Many shark species are common in Florida’s nearshore waters and bays. More than 13 species of shark use these areas as nursery grounds for their pups. Scientific data show that many shark species migrate in and out of Florida’s waters each year. These migrations are
Lemon Shark
Photo Credit: (c) Doug Perrine
often linked to temperature and the presence of prey such as mullet, sardines, menhaden, and other species of baitfish. Migrating sharks will either move in an inshore-offshore manner or along latitudinal gradients (e.g., north-south).

In Florida, sharks typically move inshore and north in the spring and summer, and offshore and south in fall and winter months. This pattern explains why shark activity is at its peak in Florida waters during April through October, which coincidentally, is also the time period that humans are more likely to be in the water. Yet shark attacks still remain very rare. Humans are 30 times more likely to be struck by lightning in Florida than to be bitten by a shark. Experts agree that the increase in the number of shark attacks in recent years is more related to an increase in human visitors than to an increase in shark populations or activity.

Humans are much more of a danger to sharks than vice versa. On average worldwide, fewer than 10 people die from shark attacks each year; however, the world’s fisheries kill an estimated 100 million sharks annually. The general biology and life history of most shark species make them extremely vulnerable to overfishing, which is why federal and state regulations protect these valuable resources. Some data show that shark populations are at 20%–30% of the level they were just 25 years ago. To ensure our own safety and the continued existence of these fascinating fishes, people need to become more aware of sharks and more educated about sharks and related issues.
-Tommy A-

click, click, click, Fish ON - Over, Under, Over, Under Get out of my Way. Sound familiar.

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Post by BoatlessFisherman »

My Opinion which means nothing to anyone but ME

Fishing the beach responsibly does not bring sharks nor a danger to the public, yes it may bring more attention to the sharks but the tourist want to see them, I could not tell you what the percentage is that ask about sharks at the beach, but its alot over 50% I see them everyday they love my shark videos, they really love that the sharks swims away.

I am not saying fish the beach were swimmers are bathing, the law states bathers have right of way and we must adhere to them so off hours it is, each person makes there choice to fish like a fisherman or like an idiot, I hope we fisherman help to positively enforce responsible fishing practices.

When I shark fish I fish for other species and many people who fish with me want me to concentrate on the shark'in, but I am just a fisherman looking to catch a big fish "anyfish".
-Tommy A-

click, click, click, Fish ON - Over, Under, Over, Under Get out of my Way. Sound familiar.

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Post by baitwetter »

Very good posts Tommy and Will. I agree you have to have common sense when doing this sport. You must put yourself in the viewers perspective. When people see a beach shot of a 12 foot hammerhead with a crowd of 20 behind it INCLUDING little children soaking wet in their bathing suits, for all intents and purposes to them, you were fishing where people are swimming. Not to mention pictures of large sharks on the beach with a 2 year old holding its tail. Doesn't seem very safe to john Q. public at all even though you know the picture doesn't tell the real story.

Just want to ask all the teams fishing the tourney to PLEASE use common sense when doing your thing out there. Stay safe. Keep all those around you safe. Do all in your power to educate those that dont realize they are risking our freedom to fish where we want to. Lets all do our part.

And to Benjamin and Will: Please try to keep your feet safe and blood free during this tourney. Do I have to give out first aid kits before the tourney starts? :lol:
Sad to be sitting out this years Shorebound Shark Tourney due to work issues. Good luck to all that participate!!!

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Post by Goat »

I think Juno Chris input may point to part of what kicked off the investigation I had heard about. Cops there and also fish and game. Cops were nice that time but it probably went back to town hall. It was not illegal when they started kicking us off the beach either but it was heading that way. We promised not to do it during the day and they eventually backed off from passing the ordinance.

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Post by budman »

pier-afficionado wrote:
BoatlessFisherman wrote:
I am not saying fish the beach were swimmers are bathing, the law states bathers have right of way and we must adhere to them so off hours it is, each person makes there choice to fish like a fisherman or like an idiot, I hope we fisherman help to positively enforce responsible fishing practices.
I think you hit it on the head Tommy, fish like fishermen or like idiots. Fishing a populated beach during the daytime, well is not exactly the brightest idea. If you look at pics from tournies past up until now, notice how there have been more pictures with crowds in the background.
There are also idiots on the other side of the coin, Like the guy surfing 30 yds from the cleaning table on the pier, or swimming with his dog in muddy water. It seems like they try to get bit, but it is someone elses fault.
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JunoChris
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Post by JunoChris »

There was no Fish and Game there. The cops called fish and game and they said there wasnt any wrong happening and they werent going to come down there. The cops were already there they werent called by anyone, they are always there. And that didnt start any investigation or anything like that, we catch Spinners all winter long off the pier in the middle of the day with surfers out there every year since the pier opened. Dude you are grasping in the dark, either put some facts about this supposed investigation or whatever you call it or shut up. And saying I heard something from some guy who may work for the parks department isnt good enough.
I heard Fish and Game were monitoring the shark fishing on the beach in Palm Beach County from a beach cop, but that was because two sharks had washed up on the beach (not in Juno). He never mentioned that anyone from the public had made a complaint or that they were worried about people shark fishing around swimmers, just that they were making sure people werent killing the sharks on purpose.
Come with some solid facts or stop accusing people, honestly I was hoping you would stay in that hole you crawled out of.

Goat
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FIsh

Post by Goat »

So let me see if I got this right
1) The cops called fish and game when you were reeling in a shark. (I've never heard of that happening before). They won't tell you if the county or town of Juno/Jupiter is now doing further review of shark fishing but you can be sure the report went back to town center since they have a big sign on the pier that says no shark fishing. You have probably even met me out there as I also shark fish during the winter when it is open at night but I have never reeled one in with a cop or F&G there.
2) You met a cop who told you fish and game were monitoring shark fishing on the beach. I never heard of that happening before until they were looking at shutting it down.
3) A guy told me he heard an effort was being reviewed to ban shark fishing on the beach. That is a fact and I don't BS anyone.

You have added even more to my concern with things I did not know. I think we can all put 3 and 3 facts together. No need to start getting mad at me. I am just providing info to consider. The more informed we all are of what is happening the better. Again I enjoy seeing the tourmanent and my inputs are not meant to offend or upset anyone.

take care,
Goat
Last edited by Goat on Thu May 15, 2008 11:15 am, edited 5 times in total.

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rsieminski
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Post by rsieminski »

We changed the title? LOL

How about TeamSharkFever's idea:
MY SUGGESTION:
is that we get the scientific community involved and in particular Mote Marine Laboratory (Dr Hueter and Dr Castro) by providing
tags to every fisherman involved in these tournaments. We could interest them in doing twice a year a census type thing to gauge how the overall shark populations off our beaches are doing-maybe even get state funding to help out.Why not? We should print with Mote's help literture to explain the purpose of tagging sharks and hand out to the frightened public we come in contact with. If we stride to educate them about sharks and there relationship to the beaches and the annual patterns in there migrations we would be percieved differently. Educate and bring awareness to the people around us when a shark is caught from a beach by letting them know that the sharks naturally swim in the waters of every beach in the state.
This could help to ensure our rights to use the beach in the future.
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JunoChris
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Post by JunoChris »

Dont distort what I wrote. The cops called Fish and Game cause they had no idea what the rules were and wanted to ask them what they should do, and they were told by fish and game that they shouldnt do anything.
That sign is for show only, if it wasnt they wouldnt let you walk on with 14/0's whenever you wanted. It sounds like you have a problem with people shark fishing on the pier or beach, unless that person is you.
The cop that told me they were watching shark fishing on the beach was the beach patrol cop on Hope Sound Beach. He told me that Biologist together with Fish and Game was watching THAT BEACH cause two sharks washed up and they wanted to make sure someone was usually killing the sharks.
You have nothing but hearsay from "some guy" and assumptions. And now that you said you fish on Juno at night in the winter I know exactly who you are.

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baitwetter
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Post by baitwetter »

Chris, Goat is not trying to bust your ball$. He is just pointing out something to all of us and should be taken for what it is, just a heads up. Goat has been doing this for MANY MANY years and has seen things come and go in the world of landbased shark fishing. As a board member, I will listen to what anyone has to say and take it into consideration. Thats all he is saying to us. I met goat during the first shark tourney and found him to be a quiet and likeable guy. I dont think he would speak up if he really wasn't concerned about the image this or any tourney could possibly get stuck with should we have irresponsible people fishing near a public beach and then making a spectacle for everyone to see. On the other hand, Goat, any heads up should have been directed to the tourney organizers first so we could investigate the reports and make adjustments to the rules that could benefit everyone involved. Cudaman has been working diligently on accomodating the rules and legal issues as they come up and is very receptive to open dialog with anyone that has concerns.

This tournament is all about safety. Safety for the anglers involved, people swimming near by and the sharks we catch. We want everyone to have a good time but we need to be reserved and professional with what we do in public during this tourney. We will be collecting scientific data that will help us take care of these predators in the future but we must all ensure that we will be allowed to do this type of fishing first.

Im sure Chris that you and the other teams fishing this are going to post some amazing catches during the tourney and I cant wait to see what comes ashore. Just use your common sense WHERE you bring them ashore.
Sad to be sitting out this years Shorebound Shark Tourney due to work issues. Good luck to all that participate!!!

JunoChris
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Post by JunoChris »

I take offense at Goat saying that this tourney is going to get shark fishing shut down in Juno and the fact that he said the fish I landed off the pier in the HH challenge lead to some investigation. But then he wont expand on any info other then I heard from some guy.
I am still trying to figure out what exactly his point is, what does he want changed or done? People dont even fish the area he is talking about for sharks in the tournments. No one including myself is fishing a crowded beach, and I only fished the pier in the evening when there werent people on the beaches and the lifeguards werent there. I already took every precaution not to cause a problem, so the only step left if not shark fishing in that area at all and that would require him to stop fishing there himself.
Don has no problem with shark fishing on the pier, when the spinners are running there will be dozens of people catching them off the T and even in the surf and he has NEVER told anyone to stop. Mainly cause people are already smart about not making it a big deal. I asked Don if we gaffed black tips that were going to eat and took them off the pier if it was a problem and he told me no that he didnt care. I have sat there with Donavan (before the drugs) and caught sharks all day while Don watched. As long as you follow common sense and dont beach them in the middle of a crowded beach no one will ever say anything to you on Juno.
If he is trying to warn people not to do anything stupid thats fine. But nothing has happened from any tournment on here to cause problems or investigations in Juno.

JunoChris
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Post by JunoChris »

The bottom line is no one is shark fishing on Juno beach much in the tourney. If at all its around green roofs in the evening with no one around, and that is an unregulated beach without lifeguards or patrols. As for the pier you dont even have to beach the fish in the shorebound, just get it to the side for the pic with the flag lowered down. So I just dont see what the problem is, I cant speak for other areas but there isnt the big problem in Juno that you make it out to be.

JunoChris
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Post by JunoChris »

Red doesnt make it out too much, but once in a while.
Brad is a little thief. He got his butt kicked for stealing rods and reels out there. He has been banned more then any person ever to step foot on the pier, for stealing, prank calling the pier, just overall being an idoit. I was there one night he took a kids reel apart and put the pieces in different garbage cans. The latest thing for those kids to do is put Bonito chunks in the line disposal tubes. Brad is not well liked on the pier anymore, although he doesnt bother me much cause he stays away from my stuff.
But me, Homeschool, Terry, and some of the other regulars are still out there a lot. Homeschool is on our shark team for the last HH challenge and this year's Shorebound. We go all over the place fishing, infact we are going to the Skyway this weekend.

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