Nets in the river

[fishinpreacher]

Went fishing today and saw some guys out pulling up these nets that seemed to stretch from one side of the river to the other. They were pulling cats out by the droves. Were they commercial fisherman and if so, who do they sell to around here out of the river? I"ve never seen that before. Is that good for the fishing in our river? Any body know about this practice?

 

[SpurHunter]

Hmmm....preacher, you are in for an earful on this thread. Not against you....just against the subject. This is the most controversial subject I have seen on CFF, and it makes my blood boil as well! That most likely was a commercial fisherman, and from what I undersand, they take those fish elsewhere to sell. I am sure some folks will inform you more than I, but that is the jist of it. I have even heard that, they take some of the trophy fish out, and sell them to the "fish farms" so folks can catch a "trophy" out out of a dang swimming pool! I am not kidding here.

 

[fishinvol]

You ought to see all of them in and near Wolftever now. Everywhere!!! It's ridiculous!!!!emoBadLanguage emoBadLanguage

 

[FROGGER]

I know a feller who got his trolling motor caught up in one at Nick-A-Jack somewhere around the Cave Lake by the power lines. I really think that if these are going to be fished (especially in shallow water) they should be marked!

 

[DHaun]

I would expect commerical anglers are conservationalists as well, since repeatable income depends on a healthy fishery. However, if nets are placed in prohibited areas or exceed the creel limits then that may impact recreational fishing.

Please add this number to your cell phones:
*** Report Poaching and Creel Limit Violations at 1-800-241-0767 ***

Here is a great link with information and rules.
http://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/Commercial/TN_com_reg_08.pdf

An excerpt from the link above:

"No commercial fishing gear may be fished within <u>100 yards of the mouth of any river, creek, slough, inlet,
or outlet</u>, nor shall any commercial fishing gear be set so as to extend more than <u>three-quarters (3/4) across
any stream, river, chute, or embayment.</u>

Commercial fishing gear is prohibited within 1,000 yards downstream of any TVA or Corps of Engineers
Dam or within 300 yards of any commercial boat dock or resort. For enforcement purposes, wingwalls and
lock walls are considered to be part of the "dam", and measurements will be made from their downstream
end.

Each piece of commercial fishing gear, including trotlines fished commercially, shall be marked with a tag
securely fastened to the head end of the line or net or to the float. The tag should measure 1 inch by 3
6 inches or larger. The name and current license number of the commercial fisher using the gear must be on
the tag. Tags may be made from metal, plastic, or other non-degradable material. The commercial fisher
must furnish the tags."

 

[Guest]

That is what sharp knives and scissors are made for. JMHO

 

[Guest]

Cheez, I know some fishermen who practice exactly what you are saying. The commercial fishermen moved from nickajack because of the grass, they moved to the chick because of no grass. Flowing grass weighs the nets down and breaks them.

 

[tarheel]

Thanks Dhaun, I will report every net that violates those standards.

 

[fishinpreacher]

Well, I know for a fact that those I saw today are in violation because they went from one side of the river to the other. I sat and watched them for about 30 minutes. My buddy wanted to go whack them with a boat paddle. I had to constrain him.emoAngler

 

[Guest]

Rev, a razor knife works wonders on the nets, makes bigger holes for the larger fish to go thru.</p>

PS...Don't get caught doing it.</p>

 

[fluke]

Should of let him do it

 

[jon the fisherman]

Doc1 - 10/19/2007 9:44 PM



Rev, a razor knife works wonders on the nets, makes bigger holes for the larger fish to go thru.</p>

PS...Don't get caught doing it.</p>

If I get one caught in the motor, they had better not come aroundemoEnforce

 

[Guest]

I got an unmarked trotline in my prop on Weiss a few years back and when I was done there were no more fish and no more trotline. I will do the same for an unmarked net.

 

[fishinpreacher]

So, what they are doing is completly legal as long as they abide by creel limits? Are their nets considered private property?

 

[SpurHunter]

Well, as long as they abide by the regs set forth. And yes, their nets are 100% private property! You mess with one, and you could get arrested........even a nice preacher-man!

 

[kbar]

At the river park were i eat lunch at , there is a sign saying not to eat the fish or to limt the consumption of the fish. Who are they selling the fish to and who eats these fish?

 

[fishinpreacher]

That's a good question. It'd be interesting to know where those catfish filets labeled "farm-raised" in your local super-market come from. I wonder if when they turn the lights off there is a strange glow coming from the freezer case? Oh, and SpurHunter, don't worry, I'm not going to go and do anything like that. I might have a pleasant conversation with them and try to convert them to "real" fishermen, but I'd never vandalize their nets even though I really, really, really, really, want to. There is a difference between temptation and giving in to temptation. emoAngel

 

[SpurHunter]

kbar - 10/19/2007 11:25 PM At the river park were i eat lunch at , there is a sign saying not to eat the fish or to limt the consumption of the fish. Who are they selling the fish to and who eats these fish?

</p>

The only restrictions are below the Chick Dam, There are no warning or adviseries, on the Chick. FYI.</p>

 

[Fishin Fool]

There is more information concerning commercial fishing and it's impact in this thread:


http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=11817&posts=14

 

[fishinpreacher]

Boy, FF for you not to be a preacher, you sure did a fired up job at it on that post. I'm glad I posted this thread, it has been very resourceful and educational. If anyone wants to see a bunch of nets, just put in at 30 bridge and head towards Watts Barr. Before you get to the big bluffs, look on the right and there are bright green floats all up the side of the river.