Poaching and fishing off-limits water.

[Toadee]

What is the BFSA community's opinion on people fishing illegally? I note, with a degree of annoyance, that [REDACTED]'s first foray back was in prohibited water.

[theBee]

Hmmm, I'm not 100% sure who you are referring to (but I can just guess).. My 2 cents:

Rules, no matter how STUPID they are, are there for a reason. If one person disregards them then all the rest gets punished. Therefore I will then pay the price for another persons actions. Which is just BS.

I love checking googlemaps for new fishing locations and then spending time and effort get hold of the owners of the dam to do some legal fishing. Several times now I get feedback from farmers that because they had fisherman just rock up unannounced at their dam without authorization, they now don't allow anybody on the dam anymore. I then lose my marbles completely. :evil:

This to me is the same thing. Being Disrespectful to farm owners and their dams is the same as not giving a shit about prohibited water - It gives all fisherman a bad reputation and stops all future fishing trips dead in their tracks.

I just don't understand the maths.

How is 30mins of good fishing worth the massive negative of possibly never ever being allowed to fish there again...

[Lugnut]

When I joined this forum I couldn't understand what all the cloak and dagger was about venues. Over the last year I have learned exactly why, and found myself being called an idiot the other day because when I was asked where I fished on the weekend I answered "Sorry, promised I wouldn't say". I have also had prime private venues closed on me because of people just pitching and behaving like idiots. With numbers of fishermen rising, things are only bound to get worse in future what with gubbermint legislation on "alien" fish etc etc. Good venues are no longer a given. Treasure what you have. Respect others. Respect the venues.

[Kassie]

I'd be too damn scared to fish illegally

[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

[Juba]

If they can catch me...

[Riprap]

I also saw that FB post and understand exactly what this thread is about. It's not like we are a compliance and enforcement agency but what we can and do do is lay down the foundations here of what is legislated, moral and acceptable. What more should we do is the question here........?? :roll:

[GK]

It's speaks of arrogance and general disrespect to land owners as well as the greater bass fishing community who everyone who picks up his rod is, in a way, representing. Absolutely not acceptable and just not the way I am planning to raise my children, whatever the law states.

[Juba]

It's speaks of arrogance and general disrespect to land owners as well as the greater bass fishing community who everyone who picks up his rod is, in a way, representing. Absolutely not acceptable and just not the way I am planning to raise my children, whatever the law states.

Hi, GK
I see you also live in Hermanus. We must make a plan to meet....

[BassLightyear]

As I seem to be the only one who has no idea what Facebook post we are talking about I feel I need to deliever my neutral opinion.

As a young bassfisherman I do not have access to dams like Kwaggas, Clan and Theewaters except via Divisionals or Comps. I dont have a reliable form of transport and neither do I have access to a boat.

Yes, I fish dams I am not allowed too.

I think everybody in the Cape area knows about the small dam on Bellville golfcourse. Thats where I learned the art of bassfishing and caught my first bass. Thats also where I got hooked and where I learned most of what I know today. Studying the fish. Mastering different techniques etc. No, you are not allowed to fish there.

Yes, I guess you can call it poaching.

Its the only way I can practice.

Except for Hillcrest quarry which is a (expensive) waste of money I dont have legit dams to my exposal.

If someone is willing to show me fishable dams close to Bellville I would appreciate it.

What's worse, fishing dams with bass that management dont want you to fish, or sitting at home playing computer and sitting on your arse the hole day.

Just my 2cents, you dont have to agree.

[theBee]

I hear your reasoning BLY, and I understand that 100%.. My issue is that you fishing the golf course is not affecting me or any other bass fisherman. Its a golf course and not a farmers property. If you get caught you will have to deal with the consequences and not me.
Fishing Doordekraal or other semi restricted dams on the other hand is slightly different. Over the last 6 years there has been times that tubers and fisherman were not allowed to fish there for various reasons. There are people living around the dam which leaps at every possible instance to nail the fisherman because in their opinion we are disturbing the ducks or some other feathery animal...
If one person doesn't abide to the rules there - other people gets affected. THEN I have an issue with it.
And if I'm honest, my feeling is that if you break this rule, why wouldn't you just break another rule.. What would be the difference?

[Toadee]

What's worse, fishing dams with bass that management dont want you to fish, or sitting at home playing computer and sitting on your arse the hole day.

This is a false choice i.e. the two options are not related. The correct question is fishing dams with bass that management don't want you to fish or NOT fishing dams with bass that management don't want you to fish. What you choose to do when you're not fishing has no relevance in arguing the legitimacy of breaking the law.

I know which option the landowners, homeowners and lawmakers will choose. And it's the option you MUST choose as well. It's that simple.

[Riprap]

Besides my earlier post, there is another viewpoint here.
If you are a club member and thus a SABAA member, the rules and constitution prohibit you from such actions for fear of bringing the organization into disrepute and / or conduct unbecoming.

If you are not then you still carry the brand of "bass fishermen" with you and others get branded with the same wrath.

[Kassie]

If you are a club member and thus a SABAA member........

Hahahahahahaahahahahahahaazh :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :eusa_whistle: :eusa_whistle: :eusa_whistle:

[Riprap]

If you are a club member and thus a SABAA member........

Hahahahahahaahahahahahahaazh :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :eusa_whistle: :eusa_whistle: :eusa_whistle:

Ok smart*ss, maybe there are social clubs out there but hopefully they too have rules and regulations......... :eusa_whistle: :eusa_wall: :lol:

[Jacq]

It seems that every time this topic comes under discussion, the juniors anglers are the ones facing the firing squad.

Some very valid comments and concerns are brought forward, but I think that there is an alternative to the problem.

I think that we are firstly very fortunate to have juniors with a passion for bass fishing - they will rather fish than sit around doing nothing or playing whatever console gaming flavor is preferred by teens. And yes, this does make BLY's reasoning semi-valid. I say semi valid because there still remains legislative issues which cannot be ignored.

These juniors don't destroy property of "poach" fish, and if you spend some time around them you quickly notice that they are well mannered, energetic young men with a true passion for the sport.

Instead of crucifying them. why not help them gain access to "restricted" waters where they can go fish at times acceptable to the farmers. Help them by negotiating with the "private contacts" to set up a way which is beneficial to both the farmers and the juniors..... Or even better - post a invitation to the juniors to fish with you the next time you are out social fishing.

Who of us didn't at one stage drive a vehicle without a license, plucked fruit from the neighbor's tree when he wasn't looking or even splash in the school/municipality pool after hours?

I am sure that if a hand is extended to the juniors, they will gladly accept and situations like this can be avoided. If we want to grow the sport, we need to look towards the juniors as they are the future of the sport.

Just a thought