The DFG (I refuse to refer to them as Department of Fish and Wildlife) is stepping up enforcement of ALL hooping laws, even the obscure and arcane ones. On October 19[SUP]th[/SUP] 2013, my son and I were hooping the front side of Catalina. We were approached by DFG officers who wanted to check our licenses, so I invited them aboard. Of course we both have our CA fishing licenses with the Ocean Enhancement Stamp, and our Lobster Report Cards filled out from previous trips.
After looking at our lobsters (they did not even measure them) they took our licenses and my drivers license aboard their raft to run us. When they returned, they politely told me they would have to issue me a citation under CCRT.14 Section 29.91(b):
Failure to fill out lobster card PRIOR to fishing.
Now, I have been boarded by the DFG at least 3 times prior to this, and they checked my card each time and never mentioned this law before. I do things by the book, and never keep any short lobsters, however in this case it appears I am behind in my knowledge of the hooping laws. It appears the DFG brass have mandated tickets (and no warnings) to be issued for all infractions, no matter how small.
So be aware and have all your ducks in a row, Ts crossed and Is dotted. Or it may cost you the ridiculous amount of $248.00, with a mandatory court appearance at the grand old Long Beach court house.
I know the officers were just doing their job, but you think they would cut law abiding sport fisherman a break, especially in light of just how many scum bag poachers that are out there. I guess not.
Mike
EDIT: We ended up with 5 nice bugs:

After looking at our lobsters (they did not even measure them) they took our licenses and my drivers license aboard their raft to run us. When they returned, they politely told me they would have to issue me a citation under CCRT.14 Section 29.91(b):
Failure to fill out lobster card PRIOR to fishing.
Now, I have been boarded by the DFG at least 3 times prior to this, and they checked my card each time and never mentioned this law before. I do things by the book, and never keep any short lobsters, however in this case it appears I am behind in my knowledge of the hooping laws. It appears the DFG brass have mandated tickets (and no warnings) to be issued for all infractions, no matter how small.
So be aware and have all your ducks in a row, Ts crossed and Is dotted. Or it may cost you the ridiculous amount of $248.00, with a mandatory court appearance at the grand old Long Beach court house.
I know the officers were just doing their job, but you think they would cut law abiding sport fisherman a break, especially in light of just how many scum bag poachers that are out there. I guess not.
Mike
EDIT: We ended up with 5 nice bugs:
