While taking the folks out for a ride in Loughman Lake I noticed a few Nile Perch and used a castnet to get a few for dinner. One of the tour boat guides, kind of a big guy told me that castnets in freshwater was illigal. I read the FWC Methods for taking freshwater nongame fish and It stated castnets with no longer than 1 inch streached mesh may be used for nongame fish with catfish being the exception. It must have been real important to this guy because he was just staring at me when he drove his guided tour by, then he waited to talk to me at Loughman. I hear that there is one bear of a FWC officer down there that is not creating a very favorable following and this guide said that the officer will take my boat. So the question is whats up? I don't want to get in trouble nor do I wish to step on toes. Is it that he doesn't like for me to catch the nile perch in that part of the lake. I didn't sit out there and fill the boat up which I could have. Any an every comment to help me out on this little situation will be greatly appreciated. I will call the state also but would like to know if maybe I'am stepping on someones toes out there. You know I don't like to stir anyone up If I can help it. By the way there was one heck of a fish kill out there I was told but the carcases I saw were armored cats and those picosamis fish. Thanks, WADE
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Castnets in puzzlelake area
- Thread starter wade
- Start date
A
Anonymous
Guest
Call FWC Office of Boating & Waterways at 850-488-4676. Speak to law enforcement. (try Major Paul Ollette or Capt. Richard Moore) Write down who you spoke with & what they said. If you're within the law do it. If you get hasseled while legal, post it or call me at 813-968-6154.
LA has a job to do, enforce the law, not make it. Hard asses are running sportsmen out of the woods & waters. Their superiors need to be informed of harrassment or it will continue.
PW
LA has a job to do, enforce the law, not make it. Hard asses are running sportsmen out of the woods & waters. Their superiors need to be informed of harrassment or it will continue.
PW
genevagater
Active member
Sounds like someone was having a bad day! I fish just up from this area all the time with my two boys and our nets. This is what the book (bible)says about useing cast nets in fresh water, NON Game,By cast nets in the Southwest Region (except in certain waters adjoining Saddle Creek Fish Management Area, and certain Fish Management Areas); Northeast Region, (except for Duval, Indian River, and Nassau counties; certain St. Johns River Water Management District areas of Lake County; and certain Fish Management Areas) in Citrus and Hernando counties (North Central Region) and Glades County (South Region). That does NOT exclude catfish. You just can not have a rod and reel in the boat of any game fish. So, eat um! 
deepsea diver
Well-known member
Nile perch are not native to fl. Take as many as you can. Clean them out.
As long as you do not take the bass and breem you are good to go. No game fish. Keep on casting. You are go to go.
As long as you do not take the bass and breem you are good to go. No game fish. Keep on casting. You are go to go.
Skeeter
Well-known member
Sounds like with the water being down and the lack of biusness, the last thing Loughman needs is their tour guides giving us $hit about something apparently they know nothing about.Thanks for the update Deepsea I thought that was the rule on Nile Perch.Maybe Bobby should educate his staff.
Rich Andrews
Well-known member
Saw a guy down here this weekend at the 27 boat ramp with a boat FILLED with Oscars etc, I didn't see one bream or bass. He said the cubans love them and he gets .50 a LB for them.
SwampMatt
Well-known member
Wade - I did not know you enjoyed throwing nets. I've tossed a net over Puzzle lake many times from my kicker to get baitfish for my own use. Fill the livewell on the way out. Release any leftovers.
I did not realize that there were issues having both net and rod in the same boat. My kicker don't leave home without a few nets and a few rods in it.
Skeeter, I've also heard that about the non-native species and free to take as many as you want. No season, no size limits.
Exception being, I've heard that some of these non-native carp species they've put in to eat up the hydrilla are a big no-no. Can't even reach out of the boat and touch one. It was seeing some of those 4 foot monsters that has me interested in bowfishing. But I don't want to remove a "work animal". I hate the hydrilla!!! (the shiners seem to love it though)
Wade - Let's get out there this summer! We can tag-team on some of them nile's and round 'em up!! The water's coming back up now, we'll have to make it soon!
The Pleco's (Armored Catfish) are another non-native species. Good for nothing other than removal. Although, I hear that some of the mexicans have figured out a good way to clean them and love eating them.
They should be giving you a medal for removing a non-native species - not hassling you over it!!!!!!
matt.
I did not realize that there were issues having both net and rod in the same boat. My kicker don't leave home without a few nets and a few rods in it.
Skeeter, I've also heard that about the non-native species and free to take as many as you want. No season, no size limits.
Exception being, I've heard that some of these non-native carp species they've put in to eat up the hydrilla are a big no-no. Can't even reach out of the boat and touch one. It was seeing some of those 4 foot monsters that has me interested in bowfishing. But I don't want to remove a "work animal". I hate the hydrilla!!! (the shiners seem to love it though)
Wade - Let's get out there this summer! We can tag-team on some of them nile's and round 'em up!! The water's coming back up now, we'll have to make it soon!
The Pleco's (Armored Catfish) are another non-native species. Good for nothing other than removal. Although, I hear that some of the mexicans have figured out a good way to clean them and love eating them.
They should be giving you a medal for removing a non-native species - not hassling you over it!!!!!!
matt.
Rich Andrews
Well-known member
who says you can't have a castnet on board if you have rods?
genevagater
Active member
When I called FWC they said they had people that would take a cane pole or a old rod with them and catch game fish in there net and put a hook through the fishes lip and say they caught the fish on the pole. I haved always carryed my net to catch bait also. I just do not care my ten foot one with us any more.
genevagater
Active member
Or not of :roll: Sorry!
deepsea diver
Well-known member
WoW, sounds like guilty till proven innocent!!! Oops, Thank God it's the 4th of July, I am going to enjoy my freedom, rights and privilges.
I have been down at Hatbill and seen at least 20 people throwing cast nets. About a month ago they worked HWY 50 over pretty good. Your luck is going to run out soon. When the water jumps the bank its all over.
Same for gator hunting. If the river stays in the banks it will be really good. I got puzzel Lk. Seen some really big ones.
FWC has been working 46 and 50 mighty hard. I swear some of those boys could *** out of the top of their heads if you know what I mean.
I have been down at Hatbill and seen at least 20 people throwing cast nets. About a month ago they worked HWY 50 over pretty good. Your luck is going to run out soon. When the water jumps the bank its all over.
Same for gator hunting. If the river stays in the banks it will be really good. I got puzzel Lk. Seen some really big ones.
FWC has been working 46 and 50 mighty hard. I swear some of those boys could *** out of the top of their heads if you know what I mean.
rick
Administrator
The castnet subject has always been a little confusing to me too. Looks to me like it's okay to take non-game species, including catfish unless I missed something, in that area of the St. Johns. I think the exception is that you're not allowed to take catfish minnows.
http://floridafisheries.com/rules.html
I'm still confused about the bait situation though. It's okay to use a castnet to catch bait and it's okay to use small bream for bait, but it's not okay to catch small bream for bait with a castnet, right?? I like using those little bream for bit cats.
Another one that I have a hard time remembering is that even though you're a couple hundred miles upstream from the ocean, you still need a saltwater license to take American Shad, grunts, etc.. Unless of course you're taking them without a boat.
Rick
http://floridafisheries.com/rules.html
I'm still confused about the bait situation though. It's okay to use a castnet to catch bait and it's okay to use small bream for bait, but it's not okay to catch small bream for bait with a castnet, right?? I like using those little bream for bit cats.
Another one that I have a hard time remembering is that even though you're a couple hundred miles upstream from the ocean, you still need a saltwater license to take American Shad, grunts, etc.. Unless of course you're taking them without a boat.
Rick
Raizincane
Well-known member
Ive been stopped and check a couple of times fishing on the river and got my bait before catching fish and the FWC just told me to make sure my net was rolled up and put away and nothing would probably be said. But you could get a ticket for bass and other game fish being in your boat the time with a cast net.I guess you take you chances and hope the FWC is not in bad mood that day.
genevagater
Active member
You know when I was 18 or so I didn't think twiced about all of this now here I am trying to figure it all out! I think I will just keep catching Mullet with the boys! :lol:
Thanks guys I thought I was right about the Nile perch. I just wanted to know mainly if I was stepping on the commercial fisherman or other folks who may have found them first. I figured I was illigal because it seemed way too easy to catch that many nice size fish. It really kind of struck me weird because the guy seemed very concerned . I feel much better know.
Mood I'll try to get back out there soon, Especially so I can try out this new prop. I'll PM you next time I try to go.
I thought I was right about the Nile perch. I just wanted to know mainly if I was stepping on the commercial fisherman or other folks who may have found them first. I figured I was illigal because it seemed way too easy to catch that many nice size fish. It really kind of struck me weird because the guy seemed very concerned . I feel much better know.Mood I'll try to get back out there soon, Especially so I can try out this new prop. I'll PM you next time I try to go.