Question about commercial fishing?

[wjhfish]

Yesterday (12/3/2020) I was heading back to Grasshopper from Harrison Bay and ran past/through/over orange buoys that were lined completely across the main channel. I did not stop and take pics but should have to show what I was seeing. Is this legal and how low are the nets attached if there are nets attached. Not far from the buoys I saw the guys in the flat bottom wearing the orange fishing gear. I know these were the commercial fishermen b/c I have seen them in Chester Frost. Just curious....

 

[Spinnerbait165]

Richard Simms or Jim Miller should be able to answer that when they see this post.

 

[rsimms]

They are likely legal, especially if they are marked that prominently.

And they are likely hanging deep. Commercial nets are expensive and the last thing a commercial fisherman wants is to have a net destroyed by a boat prop (or fisherman cutting it out of a prop). They're out there trying to make a living and getting nets destroyed cuts into their profit margin seriously.

But if you have any questions or concerns, you should call TWRA. The general numbers for our area are Phone: 931-484-9571, Toll Free: 1-833-402-4698

The Poaching Hotline is 1-833-402-4699

It is human nature for sport fishermen to dislike commercial fishing, but they have every right to be fishing out there (legally) as we do. And HOPEFULLY it will never happen, but if Asian Carp ever take a serious hold here everyone will be begging for MORE commercial fishermen. On Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, TWRA actually pays commercial fishermen an incentive to try and encourage them to get out there to try and keep Asian Carp in check.

 

[wjhfish]

Thanks rsimms. I have no complaints about people making a living, just curious about the process. I have read on this site about commercial fisherman possibly putting nets in areas that is illegal that is why I was asking about the net completely across the main channel. I want people to earn a living but I also do not want my motor wrapped with a fisherman's net.