What a waste of resource

[Jigman13]

Originally Posted by NJ219bands

I saw a CO issuing a ticket at Manasquan Inlet recently then when I returned on the next night two COs came after me, questioned me, then searched my bucket 🪣. At Dam Site 21 a few months ago, a CO went to my fishing 🎣 spot, questioned me, then searched my bucket 🪣. Last year two COs went to my Carnegie Lake fishing 🎣 spot, questioned me, then searched my bucket 🪣 while a fisherman from Virginia was in my fishing spot without a fishing license and didn’t get caught. NJ COs are too busy harassing old shore based fishermen instead of catching poachers.

Sounds like they were just doing their job to me. Ive had COs check me almost every wknd for like 4 weeks+ during the ice fishing season last year. One day he approached us and was like "oh its just you guys again" and left us alone. We told him to take note of our license plates to save himself a long walk across the ice!

[Broad Bill]

Without enforcement, regulations don't matter. It would be the wild wild west if it's not already. We complain about lack of enforcement all the time on the board and now complaining about too much or unfair enforcement. If there were enough bodies to go around and stop the rampant amount of illegal fish being kept, I'd actually look forward to being checked every time out as I'd know someone is looking out for our best interests. Bands I enjoy reading your posts but in this case I doubt anyone in enforcement is targeting older aged shore fisherman. Maybe you just had a run of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and either way, in my opinion, CO's presence is always welcome. Remember how this thread started.