[Cool Breeze]

and weighed in at LB Point!!!! Lets see some pix!!!!!!!!

[Mega Bite]

Has anyone got the 411 on the 66 lb Striper that was caught yesterday?

[matt mccoy]

Has anyone got the 411 on the 66 lb Striper that was caught yesterday?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

no details, but are you fishing tommorow?

[Seaslammer]

I HEARD ABOUT THAT. I HEARD HE CAUGHT THE FISH IN CLEAR WATER. I KNOW THAT LINE IS MORE THAN 3 MILES.

BUT ON ANOTHER NOTE ANYONE CATCH ANYTHING TODAY

[Seaslammer]

IM GOING FISHING TOMARROW WHAT WAY ARE YOU ALL HEADED

[Mega Bite]

Yes,I will be out there the first half.look at your messages.

[Mega Bite]

This one could be Legit,look at the SST.

[71Whaler]

The State disqualified the catch because of a comercial license held by the angler even though he was out on a charter. Check it out:

http://home.hamptonr...83075&ran=13982

I'd still like to see a picture.

[71Whaler]

The catch was disqualified.

http://home.hamptonr...83075&ran=13982

[Tony S]

VSWFT RULES

1. Eligibility: The following persons are eligible to participate: all persons holding
valid Virginia Saltwater Fishing Licenses; all persons fishing on private
boats, charter or head boats, commercial fishing piers or rental boats that
possess valid "blanket" Virginia Fishing Licenses; all persons with valid
out-of-state saltwater fishing licenses that are reciprocal with Virginia's
license; except as provided in section following:

The following persons are not eligible to participate: a captain or mate
of a charterboat, headboat or partyboat and professional guides while
under charter or hire; holders of commercial hook-and-line fishing
licenses and all persons participating in a commercial hook-and-line
fishing trip; any person convicted in a court of law of the violation of
any marine fishery law or regulation, including failure to possess a fishing
license, is ineligible for the year in which the conviction occurred
and the following year.

All fish must be caught on a rod and reel in a fair and sportsmanlike
manner without aid by the angler. All catches must comply with all
applicable regulations and laws, including size limits, possession limits,
open and closed seasons, closed waters and areas, and the waters must
be open to public fishing.

To qualify for a “release” Citation, the angler or mate must control the
fish and either touch the fish or the leader and the fish must be alive
when it is unhooked and/or released. If a minimum length is required to qualify,
the fish must be measured, and the actual, measured length must
be recorded on the Citation entry form, except for bluefin tuna, sharks,
wahoo, king mackerel and tarpon in which the length must be determined
to meet the minimum requirement and the estimated length
recorded on the entry form. The tournament entry form is to be completed
in the standard manner and a witness to the catch, measurement
(if required), and release of the fish must complete the witness certification
attesting to compliance with tournament rules.

Anglers fishing alone may earn a “release” Citation by providing a clear,
sideview photograph of the fish on a measuring device clearly showing the
length of the fish provided the entry form is completed and photograph is
supplied to the weigh station within 7 days as required in rule 3(a).
Measurements for “release” citations shall be total length measured on a
flat measuring device; fish must be laid on top of a measuring stick or
tape that has been completely stretched out and is resting on a flat surface
and measured from the tip of its nose or lower jaw to the tip of its tail.
Catches are eligible from the saltwater areas within the Commonwealth of
Virginia (Chesapeake Bay, tributary rivers, ocean surf). Catches also are
eligible from the Potomac River, upper Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic
Ocean, provided that the angler fished on a boat which leaves from and
returns to a Virginia port without docking or landing outside of Virginia.
All fish must be weighed and releases registered at an official weigh station
as soon as practical, but no later than 7 days following the actual date
of catch. Scales used must be inspected or certified and fractions of an
ounce do not count.

Each entry must be recorded on an official entry form, signed by the
angler, weigh master, and a witness.

Weighmasters are eligible, but a witness to the weighing is required.
Weigh stations must forward the original (white) copy of the entry form
to the Tournament Director’s office within 10 days of the date registration.
Original entry forms may not be given to any person, and original entry
forms mailed to the Tournament office by any one other than the weigh
station will not be accepted.

Mutilated, cut, scaled, harpooned, speared, shot or frozen fish
are not eligible ; however, tuna, which have been cut and bled may be registered.
Weighmasters may cut, open or mark any fish after it has been
weighed.

Anglers will not be allowed to weigh fish at more than one weigh station,
or “shop” their fish among weigh stations for heavier weights. Entries
will be disqualified for anglers violating this rule.

Any angler, weigh station, boat or pier operator, or other person who violates
Tournament Rules may be excluded from Tournament participation
and forfeit all rights to all Tournament awards.

Rules violations may be considered any time, however protests filed by
other anglers must be submitted in writing within 10 days of any alleged
violation. The Tournament director may require additional information or
affidavits for any entry.

Decisions of the appointed Tournament Committee will be final.
No fish which falls below the posted minimum Tournament standards
shall be eligible for a Tournament award.

Anglers may earn only one Citation award for each species per
year. Anglers with multiple entries in a single species will receive
an award for the largest entry in the species.

STATE RECORD RULES

The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament (VSWFT) maintains the
official records for saltwater game fish in Virginia. Records are determined
by weight in pounds and ounces, and ties will be recognized and
accorded record status. Special "State Record" citation plaques are
awarded for catches exceeding or tying existing state records, provided
the catches comply with all state record standards, proper registration
procedures are followed, and the fish is certified by the VSWFT director
as a state record. It is the sole responsibility of the angler to ensure all
state record rules and procedures are followed.

State record entries must conform to all the rules of the VSWFT. In
addition, the following conditions must be met:
State record entries must be made on the special, two-page
state record application forms and all information requested
on the form must be supplied.

The actual fish must be viewed by the VSWFT director, or a
member of the VSWFT committee, or it will not be eligible
for state record recognition. The VSWFT office and director
should be contacted as soon as possible, and the fish must be
preserved (unfrozen) for viewing.

Two side-view photographs of the fish must be submitted
with the application; photographs become the property of
the VSWFT and may be used for publicity or publication.
The actual tackle (rod, reel, terminal tackle) used to catch
the fish must be available for inspection by weighmaster and
VSWFT director.

In addition to the boundary requirements listed in Rule 2 of
this brochure, state record catches must be made in waters
regularly and commonly fished by boats leaving from and
returning to Virginia ports. Current boundary limits are
waters north of the line connecting Cape Point, Hatteras, NC
with Diamond Shoals Tower and south of latitude line 38o 15'
south of Ocean City, MD.

Initial state records will be recognized in the following species at the listed
minimum weights;
Blackfin Tuna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 lbs.
Atlantic Bonito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 lbs.
Gray Triggerfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 lbs.
Atlantic (Boston) Mackerel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 lbs

[bythegills]

Boy, this is a tough one. Read in the paper that the Captain is going to fight this regulation for a long time. Seems to me that even though he has a commercial license, if you are on a private boat or charter you should be eligible for a state citation. Wondering what you guys think??

[Sanity]

Seems to me the key words are whether he was under charter or set out with the idea of commercial fishing. This one is harder to prove than the "over the line" criticism. If he was just registering a "release" citation or any old length citation, then the committee might give him a "by" rather than making a fuss for a piece of paper.

This is for the record......high profile. Now we get nit pickin'......not me......I don't particularly care. I don't have a stake in its outcome. To me the personal satisfaction of knowing that I caught the fish, my friends know that I caught the fish, the committee knows that I caught the fish and someone damn well better beat 66# before registering his in order to "earn respect".....would be enough.

[cpro]

since there are records kept for fishing, i think a record is a record. the largest fish no matter what the method of catch should be recorded and then a brief description of how the catch was made should be recorded. if fishermen want to debate the method used, so be it. it just adds to the lore. all fisherman love a little debate now and again. but the state needs to take a closer look at this case, if the claim that the catch was made and in no way other than the fisherman held a commercial license, would have qualified otherwise. i don't see a problem. in my opinion, it renders the current record illigitimate.

[Tony S]

[Tony S]

Here's the picture!

[cpro]

how can you deny that this is not the true state record. what a shame!

[RECOVERY]

thats one big fish!!!
i'd like to have it on my line!!

[Sanity]

Nice looking fish! I'm sure there are some sore arms this morning. Too bad about the sore feelings.

[NJ1]

Beautiful fish.... I think the issue of the record is a tough one. Yes, it seems that the guys intent was not a commercial trip, but I don't think that asking the governing board to judge someone's intent is too much to ask..this case is pretty clear cut, but most probably aren't. In my opinion, if they allow this, they are just opening a Pandora's box, and they know it, which is why the Capt. can fight all day but he ain't gonna get anywhere. They'll just have to accept the personal satisfaction and respect of folks like us who know they caught the biggest GD striper in the state of VA!!!!

[Mega Bite]

I bet that poor Guy is sick.There should be a place commercial fisherman can call in and give their Lisence # and say I am off today I wish to go sport fishing.Then every one knows he is legitimate.Maybe a few days in advance so there is no doubt he caught it the day before and kept it alive in a well on his boat.