Corpusfishing.com

[longrod]

This is a follow up to the thread started by E&A last week.

I penned a letter to Texas Parks and Wildlife and asked for some clarification of the regulations that cover this topic. I was answered very promptly by Kris Bishop. All government agencies should be so quick to respond to questions by the tax payers. While he did not offer any extra information outside of the questions I asked, the answers I did get, are very specific. I hope that this helps confused fishermen such as myself (or maybe I am the only one )
Kris Bishops comments and answers are in 'red'

"Replies will be in red"

Comment or Question:
Sirs, This is in reference to the regulations on when and where
a regulated game fish taken from salt water may be cleaned and
filleted. The rules as written are confusing and I have noted
among my fishing friends, a wide disparity in the understanding
of the rules. It would be greatly appreciated if someone would
clarify for us just what is legal and what is illegal. Among
the questions we would like answered are..

What is final destination? The law regarding cleaning fish does not use the phrase “final destination”
I take my catch to my residence to clean (including gutting).(this is lawful)
Some fillet their catch on the beach/bayshore and then transport to their residence.(this is lawful)
Why is one not allowed to clean fish on pier and jetty but
allowed to at the cleaning station of the boat launch point?(you are allowed to clean your catch once it has been finally landed on shore- this could be a cleaning station at a boat ramp- as long as the fillets are not further transported by boat- we also allow you to clean fish at a cleaning station at the base of the pier- once all fishing activity has stopped and all fishing equipment has been put away...as a side note you can gut a fish anywhere- they must have their bodies left intact on piers and boats for id and measuring purposes)

If you would, please don't quote the 'Manual' that I have a
copy of, but in plain English. As in "The head and tail must
remain on the fish until you get to your residence"(False) or "It is okay to fillet your fish on the bayshore once your kayak is
loaded on your vehicle" (True) or "You may not fillet your game fish while on the pier, but it is okay to do so once you reach your vehicle in the parking lot" (True)


The law states: ”It is unlawful to to possess a finfish of any species, except broadbill swordfish, shark or king mackerel, taken from public water that has the head or tail removed until such person finally lands the catch on the mainland, a peninsula, or barrier island not including jetties or piers and does not transport the catch by boat;


I guess what I am looking for is the equivalent of the "Ten
Commandments" as it relates to possesion/cleaning and
transporting game fish. Commandments written for the lay person
and not for and by attorneys. Thank you.
_________________
WORK TO LIVE, LIVE TO FISH

[CopanoCruisin]

Thanks longrod for getting the clarifications on this...................

[FB PHIL]

Thanks for going to the trouble of getting clarification on the rules - Longrod. I bet the parks people would hate it if the fishermen at BHP started cleaning their fish in the parking lot and dumping the carcasses in the garbage cans. What a smell that would be in the summer.

[Bigun23]

Thanks Longrod!! That sure clears things up for me!!
_________________

[juanpescado]

Finally , clear info , good job ...
_________________
I,d rather DIE while i,m living than LIVE while i,m dead

www.wadeextremetexas.com
www.myspace.com/jpescado

[sandflea]

What about if you are camped on the beach for several days. Could you clean the fish at the end of each day? It sounds like you could clean them before you left for home but not at the end of each day.

[longrod]

Sandflea asks