Watch out for the DFG guy. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dsafety · 06-03-2010, 09:17 PM

Maybe some of you were just having a little fun but I doubt the DFG cares about whistles or even PFDs. I am not sure about the net however. I know that is a requirement on some inland waters. Anyone know for sure about the ocean?

Since this is not Arizona, I guess we will not have to be able to prove that we are legal residents. Sometimes I wonder exactly how I would prove that I am legal. A drivers license and credit cards would not do it because anyone can get those. The only thing I can think of that would work for sure is a passport.

Note to self... next time I go to visit my son in Arizona, be sure to pack the passport.

Bob

Aaron · 06-03-2010, 09:37 PM

I'm happy to get checked by the DFG. Makes me feel like I got my money's worth out of my license. lol.

If you ever have the time, schedule a ride-along with a DFG warden. You'll quickly see why they may be a bit "pessimistic" when they approach you. I got a ticket once for shooting ducks in a poorly marked restricted area on Baldwin Lake in Big Bear and decided I should go on a ride along with the very cop that wrote me the ticket. I quickly realized the BS that they put up with. 90% of the boaters we stopped at random on Big Bear Lake did not have a fishing license. We were lucky if they weren't drunk as well. Then came the excuses...blah blah blah, standard stuff.

If a Warden asks you to open up your hatch, you don't have to. You can ask them to get a warrant. If its not in plain view, you're covered under search and seizure constitutional rights. But why bother? I'll gladly open up my hatch for the guys that are keeping the idiots out of the water that are scooping up 18" WSB and kill everything else in site. I'll gladly take out my fishing license to show that I paid into our fisheries so that Game Wardens can crack down on those that don't. I've been good to those guys and have received some great info that resulted in me shooting more birds and catching more fish. I dunno, maybe I'm weird, but since getting a ticket and going on a ride along I have a bunch more respect for those guys. But I get it that they can sometimes come off a bit harsh.

Dan · 06-03-2010, 09:43 PM

totally agree with sapdawg. dfg field agents are the good guys.

robmandel · 06-03-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

totally agree with sapdawg. dfg field agents are the good guys.

most definitely!!! lady up in malibu is very cool. got checked a couple of times, no problem. she isn't power trippy at all. quite the opposite. in fact, I've never had a bad experience with them, ever.

and remember, the warden's association is on record opposed to the MLPA. they've even said there's no way they can or will enforce it. honestly, dfg and us are on the same side. they're good people, doing a tough ass job. we oughta be as cool with them as we can.

sandydiego · 06-04-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robmandel

most definitely!!! lady up in malibu is very cool. got checked a couple of times, no problem. she isn't power trippy at all. quite the opposite. in fact, I've never had a bad experience with them, ever.

and remember, the warden's association is on record opposed to the MLPA. they've even said there's no way they can or will enforce it. honestly, dfg and us are on the same side. they're good people, doing a tough ass job. we oughta be as cool with them as we can.

I totally agree.

T Bone · 06-04-2010, 11:40 AM

I have sharpied a ruler on both sides of my kayak with marks at 13-22-28"

I think they should crackdown on all guys fishing on the breakwall in NPH.they have no licence and keep everything regardless of size-season-etc.You all know who I am talking about...

jimbo · 06-04-2010, 12:11 PM

I believe the CA law requires you have a net if you are targeting halibut. It's been a long time since I read that Reg and it never made sense to me b/c how can you prove you are or are not targeting a specific species. Maybe somebody else who has it fresher in their memory or somebody with a law degree can set the record straight.

I don't think PFD, horn, flares, type IV (throwable), and light requirements apply to yaks b/c it's they are not technically a "vessel" but rather a water sport device(that's why they don't require CF #s). But I definitely think lights are great idea voluntarily - it can be hard to see yaks from a boat. OEX sells waterproof Scotty lights that fit in the deck and are easily removable and pretty cheap. They don't require any wiring - 2 alkaline batteries. You could even clip a glow stick to a rod tip.

danny · 06-05-2010, 10:29 PM

The DFG here is not bad at all. The ones in WA state suck just plan a holes. I had never been fishing there and was trying to catch a trout and got a ticket for salmon. I was at fort lewis and had never fished there before. The guys here are great I have got some great tips from them. They are state workers and have plenty to be pissed about.

gilrockit · 06-07-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

I have sharpied a ruler on both sides of my kayak with marks at 13-22-28"

I think they should crackdown on all guys fishing on the breakwall in NPH.they have no licence and keep everything regardless of size-season-etc.You all know who I am talking about...

Just last week I saw some guys at NPH from my kayak taking short Halibut! it ticked me off! Whats the number to fish and game for poachers!!!!!

Hunters Pa · 06-04-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robmandel

most definitely!!! lady up in malibu is very cool. got checked a couple of times, no problem. she isn't power trippy at all. quite the opposite. in fact, I've never had a bad experience with them, ever.

and remember, the warden's association is on record opposed to the MLPA. they've even said there's no way they can or will enforce it. honestly, dfg and us are on the same side. they're good people, doing a tough ass job. we oughta be as cool with them as we can.

Yep Rob, I remember her at the Kahuna series. I was so impressed that I went into the DFG office in Cypress & filled out a commendation form for how well she fit in and the courteous manner she did her job. Her name is Cindy Wood, and having a commendation in her file due to her interaction with the kayak nation ain't gonna hurt our future interactions.

I'll complain when it's warranted, but I try to make the effort to make sure management gets the good feedback that is usually earned but never rendered

sdfisher · 06-04-2010, 03:57 PM

I went fishing today with my buddy at mission bay for his b-day, the DFG guy came and I realized I did not have my license on me, the one time I forget it I get a ticket, and I have bought a license every year since I was 16... no animosity towards him, he was just doing his job, but there are a lot of scumbags out there who poach, fish with out licenses and follow none of the regs.
bummer hopefully the fine will not be as much since I have a license. Lesson learned, do not even touch a pole if I do not have the L with me

Gino · 06-04-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdfisher

I went fishing today with my buddy at mission bay for his b-day, the DFG guy came and I realized I did not have my license on me, the one time I forget it I get a ticket, and I have bought a license every year since I was 16... no animosity towards him, he was just doing his job, but there are a lot of scumbags out there who poach, fish with out licenses and follow none of the regs.
bummer hopefully the fine will not be as much since I have a license. Lesson learned, do not even touch a pole if I do not have the L with me

Just go to Court, with your lisecense and tell the judge, you made a mistake and forgot it. Hell reduce your fine to like $100...(usually $250+) Witch isnt to bad.

batty1of3 · 06-03-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapdawg711

I'm happy to get checked by the DFG. Makes me feel like I got my money's worth out of my license. lol.

If you ever have the time, schedule a ride-along with a DFG warden. You'll quickly see why they may be a bit "pessimistic" when they approach you. I got a ticket once for shooting ducks in a poorly marked restricted area on Baldwin Lake in Big Bear and decided I should go on a ride along with the very cop that wrote me the ticket. I quickly realized the BS that they put up with. 90% of the boaters we stopped at random on Big Bear Lake did not have a fishing license. We were lucky if they weren't drunk as well. Then came the excuses...blah blah blah, standard stuff.

If a Warden asks you to open up your hatch, you don't have to. You can ask them to get a warrant. If its not in plain view, you're covered under search and seizure constitutional rights. But why bother? I'll gladly open up my hatch for the guys that are keeping the idiots out of the water that are scooping up 18" WSB and kill everything else in site. I'll gladly take out my fishing license to show that I paid into our fisheries so that Game Wardens can crack down on those that don't. I've been good to those guys and have received some great info that resulted in me shooting more birds and catching more fish. I dunno, maybe I'm weird, but since getting a ticket and going on a ride along I have a bunch more respect for those guys. But I get it that they can sometimes come off a bit harsh.

here here i am always happy to see the dfg guys out and about poachers beware i still wear my license in plain sight and mebbe its a bit mean but i love watching them run up on a bucketeer at the bay and whip out that ticket book for no license and undersized fish

Lord Matthew34 · 06-03-2010, 11:13 PM

I'm of the mindset that I have nothing to hide and anyone is welcome to check my vessel. As long as you're following the rules then all it costs you is about 3 min's out of your life. BTW i got stopped by a pretty hot dfg chick last week at the dana launch ramp. Would be cool if there were more of them around

j mo · 06-04-2010, 06:01 AM

The LJ DFG are good folks, doing their Jobs for the most part. They catch "idiots" every season for taking shorts and 1 too many WSB's.

Cardiff State beach park rangers that hide in the bushes and try to pull an "ahhh ha!" on you assuming you've done something wrong are another story...

Iparker · 06-04-2010, 06:40 AM

Same thing here. Our recent run-ins with the DFG guys have been nothing but positive including getting stopped by a warden in the Apple Valley region when we were chasing Chukar with "Geoffkoop". The warden spent 10 minutes with us chewing the fat, giving us a few suggestions for birds and telling us his opinion on the MLPA. Overall, I think the vast majority of these guys are hunters and fisherman, just like us.

Kesepton · 06-04-2010, 06:57 AM

Yeah, I never mind when they check me. I see so many people walk away with undersized catches and over limit. Im not doing anything wrong so I dont care if they check everything.

Though, if you are caught, they can take all your gear on site. So... keep it legal.

Gino · 06-04-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

Maybe some of you were just having a little fun but I doubt the DFG cares about whistles or even PFDs. I am not sure about the net however. I know that is a requirement on some inland waters. Anyone know for sure about the ocean?

Since this is not Arizona, I guess we will not have to be able to prove that we are legal residents. Sometimes I wonder exactly how I would prove that I am legal. A drivers license and credit cards would not do it because anyone can get those. The only thing I can think of that would work for sure is a passport.

Note to self... next time I go to visit my son in Arizona, be sure to pack the passport.

Bob

When you buy a fishing liscense, the vendor is supposed to check your drivers liscense and compare it with what you have written on the fishing lisecense. A fishing liscense can be a form of pseudo Identification.
Not sure how Arizona has anythign to do with DFG asking for your liscense.

dsafety · 06-04-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gino

Not sure how Arizona has anything to do with DFG asking for your license.

Sorry, just a lame attempt at some political humor. I will drop that one from my next standup routine.

On a more serious note, I would really like to know if we are supposed to pack nets when fishing in the ocean. I could not find anything on the DFG site so I sent them an email. Today was a mandated furlough day so no one was working at the DFG today, (does this make sense to anyone?).

If I get an answer, I will post it here.

Bob

GregAndrew · 06-04-2010, 08:21 PM

Yes, a net is required by the DFG. It is supposed to have an opening of at least 18 inches. In practicality though, they rarely ask if you have one and really do not care if it is a bit smaller than 18 inches.

I don't think that the DFG will enforce the PFD requirement, but the Coast Guard and Harbor Police can and do.

I am fairly certain that a single white light is required on your yak at night, but also not enforced by the DFG.

06-04-2010, 11:40 AM	#6
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 871	I have sharpied a ruler on both sides of my kayak with marks at 13-22-28" I think they should crackdown on all guys fishing on the breakwall in NPH.they have no licence and keep everything regardless of size-season-etc.You all know who I am talking about... __________________ Barachit Baralah,Elohim-In the beginning,God-Genesis 1:1 "Who among you,if your son asked for a fish would give them a serpent " Jesus Matt. 7:10

06-04-2010, 12:11 PM	#7
jimbo Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 97	net requirement I believe the CA law requires you have a net if you are targeting halibut. It's been a long time since I read that Reg and it never made sense to me b/c how can you prove you are or are not targeting a specific species. Maybe somebody else who has it fresher in their memory or somebody with a law degree can set the record straight. I don't think PFD, horn, flares, type IV (throwable), and light requirements apply to yaks b/c it's they are not technically a "vessel" but rather a water sport device(that's why they don't require CF #s). But I definitely think lights are great idea voluntarily - it can be hard to see yaks from a boat. OEX sells waterproof Scotty lights that fit in the deck and are easily removable and pretty cheap. They don't require any wiring - 2 alkaline batteries. You could even clip a glow stick to a rod tip. __________________ that's why they call it fishing

06-04-2010, 06:01 AM	#15
j mo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Encinitas Posts: 600	The LJ DFG are good folks, doing their Jobs for the most part. They catch "idiots" every season for taking shorts and 1 too many WSB's. Cardiff State beach park rangers that hide in the bushes and try to pull an "ahhh ha!" on you assuming you've done something wrong are another story... Last edited by j mo; 06-04-2010 at 06:16 AM.

06-03-2010, 09:17 PM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	Maybe some of you were just having a little fun but I doubt the DFG cares about whistles or even PFDs. I am not sure about the net however. I know that is a requirement on some inland waters. Anyone know for sure about the ocean? Since this is not Arizona, I guess we will not have to be able to prove that we are legal residents. Sometimes I wonder exactly how I would prove that I am legal. A drivers license and credit cards would not do it because anyone can get those. The only thing I can think of that would work for sure is a passport. Note to self... next time I go to visit my son in Arizona, be sure to pack the passport. Bob

06-03-2010, 09:37 PM	#2
Aaron Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 175	I'm happy to get checked by the DFG. Makes me feel like I got my money's worth out of my license. lol. If you ever have the time, schedule a ride-along with a DFG warden. You'll quickly see why they may be a bit "pessimistic" when they approach you. I got a ticket once for shooting ducks in a poorly marked restricted area on Baldwin Lake in Big Bear and decided I should go on a ride along with the very cop that wrote me the ticket. I quickly realized the BS that they put up with. 90% of the boaters we stopped at random on Big Bear Lake did not have a fishing license. We were lucky if they weren't drunk as well. Then came the excuses...blah blah blah, standard stuff. If a Warden asks you to open up your hatch, you don't have to. You can ask them to get a warrant. If its not in plain view, you're covered under search and seizure constitutional rights. But why bother? I'll gladly open up my hatch for the guys that are keeping the idiots out of the water that are scooping up 18" WSB and kill everything else in site. I'll gladly take out my fishing license to show that I paid into our fisheries so that Game Wardens can crack down on those that don't. I've been good to those guys and have received some great info that resulted in me shooting more birds and catching more fish. I dunno, maybe I'm weird, but since getting a ticket and going on a ride along I have a bunch more respect for those guys. But I get it that they can sometimes come off a bit harsh.

06-03-2010, 09:43 PM	#3
Dan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,053	totally agree with sapdawg. dfg field agents are the good guys.

06-05-2010, 10:29 PM	#8
danny Danny Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 70	The DFG here is not bad at all. The ones in WA state suck just plan a holes. I had never been fishing there and was trying to catch a trout and got a ticket for salmon. I was at fort lewis and had never fished there before. The guys here are great I have got some great tips from them. They are state workers and have plenty to be pissed about.

06-04-2010, 03:57 PM	#11
sdfisher Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 179	I went fishing today with my buddy at mission bay for his b-day, the DFG guy came and I realized I did not have my license on me, the one time I forget it I get a ticket, and I have bought a license every year since I was 16... no animosity towards him, he was just doing his job, but there are a lot of scumbags out there who poach, fish with out licenses and follow none of the regs. bummer hopefully the fine will not be as much since I have a license. Lesson learned, do not even touch a pole if I do not have the L with me

06-03-2010, 11:13 PM	#14
Lord Matthew34 Mad Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Mesa Posts: 38	I'm of the mindset that I have nothing to hide and anyone is welcome to check my vessel. As long as you're following the rules then all it costs you is about 3 min's out of your life. BTW i got stopped by a pretty hot dfg chick last week at the dana launch ramp. Would be cool if there were more of them around

06-04-2010, 06:40 AM	#16
Iparker Junior Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 23	Same thing here. Our recent run-ins with the DFG guys have been nothing but positive including getting stopped by a warden in the Apple Valley region when we were chasing Chukar with "Geoffkoop". The warden spent 10 minutes with us chewing the fat, giving us a few suggestions for birds and telling us his opinion on the MLPA. Overall, I think the vast majority of these guys are hunters and fisherman, just like us.

06-04-2010, 06:57 AM	#17
Kesepton Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 70	Yeah, I never mind when they check me. I see so many people walk away with undersized catches and over limit. Im not doing anything wrong so I dont care if they check everything. Though, if you are caught, they can take all your gear on site. So... keep it legal.

06-04-2010, 08:21 PM	#20
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Yes, a net is required by the DFG. It is supposed to have an opening of at least 18 inches. In practicality though, they rarely ask if you have one and really do not care if it is a bit smaller than 18 inches. I don't think that the DFG will enforce the PFD requirement, but the Coast Guard and Harbor Police can and do. I am fairly certain that a single white light is required on your yak at night, but also not enforced by the DFG.