Thread: Violations of Pier Rules and Alabama Fishing Regulations

I was told that it was the same old story. The law enforcement flooded the pier, checked everything, then disappeared, never to be seen again. When they do show up, it's usually at a slack time when nothing is happening. I think they should hire Fishntime---he has plenty of experience.

Ran into the new park ranger yesterday who was checking licenses for everyone. He said they were planing on returning in teams with Fisheries on a regular basis in the near future to check limits etc.
One thing I told him is you can't be too aggressive or passive but must be assertive on enforcement. Be fair, and impartial and you'll earn respect of all.

Fshntime for Pier Ranger... I second the motion, the motion is carried and votes please.

fshntime ,you da HIGH SHERIFF !!

Originally Posted by ChileRelleno

Fshntime for Pier Ranger... I second the motion, the motion is carried and votes please.

I give him all ten of my votes.

I'm glad to hear they will be there.

i go out of my way to be sure i am 100% legal in my fish and game pursuits. i have never had a bad experience with a wildlife officer.

Ok guys and gals,

I just spent 3 days 10-14 hrs per day on the pier and I watched things with a close eye and I still saw no more than a few violations of the pier rules like more than one rod at a time and overhand sabiki casting. After reading the original post and with a few extra people jumping on the band wagon. I expected to see lawlessness and poachers loading coolers by the dozens. I personally believe the pier management is doing a more than adequate job of maintaining order and protecting our fishery. My general observations are that the locals and regulars help maintain order by educating the non-regulars and tourist on etiquette and the rules. After going through the year of having a heavy-handed police style ranger policing the pier. I really believe that it is a much, much friendlier atmosphere today. Instead of making a post on a public forum that paints our pier in a negitive way, I choose to continue to help educate inform and assist the regulars, non-regulars and tourist in hopes to maintain a family type of atmosphere on our pier.

I haven't read the entire thread but last year's Ranger was considered heavy handed and overzealous?? Wow I thought he did a decent thankless job. I saw him attempt to rein in some of the younger guys who tend to get a little more aggressive and lax with the rules when they applied to them which tends to irritate locals. Anyway I have seen the new Ranger and he didn't bother checking my license but did check those around me.

n529;103779]I haven't read the entire thread but last year's Ranger was considered heavy handed and overzealous?? .Wow I thought he did a decent thankless job. [/QUOTE]

He gave multiple people pier passes so that they would keep him informed on who was doing what. He would show up at the pier at 2:00 am to see if anyone was shark fishing in the middle of the night. He was always threatening to arrest or throw peole off the pier. He would carry kids in his office to interrogate them about shark fishing or getting in the water to release a Tarpon. The sunglasses he wore had a video camera in them and he would tape every conversation that he had with you. He once threatened to cause trouble for a person that worked at the state park because of something his son said and did. So yes he was heavy-handed!!! This is a fishing pier not a gang infested inner city.