Thread: Want to fish for some kings

[quote author=snake link=topic=698.msg6454#msg6454 date=1330965049]
seven strand wire is the way to go :headbang: 18lb for spaniards, 27lb for kings
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Since sevenstrand is now made in China, I'll put in a plug for American Fishing Wire. I've dropped down to 15# for Spanish and it worked great, and their 30# works in my admittedly limited experience on kings, tarpon, reds, and jacks. It may just be my experience, but it seems like the AFW brand holds together better without frizzing like the sevenstrand brand does.

[quote author=snake link=topic=698.msg6454#msg6454 date=1330965049]
seven strand wire is the way to go :headbang: 18lb for spaniards, 27lb for kings
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I dropped down to 12lb wire for the spanish....and not even 7 strand, pre made I got up here....and have caught over 75..... before changing....when I fish for them.

[quote author=Rich1 link=topic=698.msg6455#msg6455 date=1330966019]
[quote author=FinChaser link=topic=698.msg6438#msg6438 date=1330955028]
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The 180+ King Day was exciting to say the least, but I also remember that there were a lot of Kings left lying on the deck to ruin.
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I saw the same thing in October, Fin, when the big Spanish were doing their thing. It was a great day, but nobody ever should waste fish. If I were a Hindu, I would say such things create bad karma, but since I'm not, I'll just say that I don't think the Creator is pleased when we waste what He has made us stewards of.

However, Fin, your post brings up a question for me. If I hook a fish and pass it off to someone else who lands it, does that still count against my limit? Also, if I hook a fish but break it off without landing it, that is allowable without affecting the daily limit, correct? If such a day ever comes around again and I get in on it, I would want to make sure I'm doing right if I break them off or hand them off and keep fishing.



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As far as I know, a handoff is fine, just don’t handoff to someone that has the limit already. Also, popping them off doesn’t legally count against your limit either.
If the boys in blue are around, be sure the person you handoff to has a license or is too young/old to need one. I would hate to have a tourist experience the thrill of victory and the agony of a ticket all at the same time.
If I am wrong about the above; somebody please correct me, thanks.

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You know Bob this could start a whole new debate thread cause you can interpret all that in many different ways. As far as breaking the fish off it does not count cause you are not harvesting the fish. You could hook and fight 100 fish and break them off and be perfectly legal. The limit is 2 fish in your possession. In turn if you hook a fish and immediately hand it off that fish is considered to be the person holding the rod when the fish is landed as long as they keep it and don't give it back to the fisherman who handed him the rod. I personally do not see any problem with letting a person fight a fish whether they have a fishing license or not because it is not their rod and they were not fishing when the fish was hooked but u know the boys in blue will more than likely give that person a ticket just because they can to get the extra money for the state even though a lot of times it is a once in a lifetime chance for that person to be able to fight and land a big fish.

I saw one of the game wardens confront a bunch of Mexicans last summer. A couple of them had no license and claimed they weren't fishing. John Law said he saw them hand a rod off as he walked up. He said having a rod in hand with a line in the water constituted fishing and thus required a valid permit. I don't think they helped themselves when they prentended to no hablo Engleesh. oke1:

Don't be afraid to ask. I think it would be safe to say that 98% of the locals will gladly help you but only if you ask and then are willing to listen and follow the instructions given to you.

Also, if I am down there and give you a dirty look. Dont get offended, that is just how I look at people.

Good Luck

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RodBender, we are sorry for the sidetrack! If you still have questions, post ‘em.
I was going to try and separate this other discussion into another thread, but no can do.

Last year, shortly after the big King runs, I asked a boy in blue about the catch and giveaway thing and was told that if you catch the limit (2), you are done for the day on that species. As for “in possession”, if you catch and keep two and then someone catches one and gives it to you, then you are eligible for a ticket and the friend who gave you the fish can still catch one more while you go pay your fine.
I also asked about the handoffs and he said as long as you do not land the fish you are ok.
I think that DiveDeep is correct about: “Having a rod in hand with a line in the water constitutes fishing and thus requires a valid permit. Plus, it probably doesn’t matter whether or not there is a fish on the hook.
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[quote author=FinChaser link=topic=698.msg6473#msg6473 date=1330979072]
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RodBender, we are sorry for the sidetrack! If you still have questions, post ‘em.

I also asked about the handoffs and he said as long as you do not land the fish you are ok.
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Wow. So many little things can get us in trouble. Good thing a lot of these laws are not strictly enforced or fishing would be a pain. Could you imagine getting a ticket for a hand off seeing as that probably increases tourist dollars?

Since we are sidetracked on fishing "morals" it makes me mad to see people killing fish just to do it. A few years back I watched some idiots killing baby sharks at Perdido Pass just so they could take pictures with them. Seems like there is never a warden around when you need one!