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

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

no details, but are you fishing tommorow?

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

IM GOING FISHING TOMARROW WHAT WAY ARE YOU ALL HEADED

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

This one could be Legit,look at the SST.

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.hamptonroads.com/stories/story...83075&ran=13982

I'd still like to see a picture.

The catch was disqualified.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story...83075&ran=13982

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

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??

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.

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.

Here's the picture!

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

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

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

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!!!!

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.

Let's take a look at this again. He was fishing on a charter boat, Fishing Fever. Captain Ewing has a boat license. If they were checked by Marine Patrol, V.P Police or Coast Guard, they are all covered by the BOAT'S license for fishing purposes. Why shouldn't he be awarded the state record???

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CAPT & CREW. BEAUTIFUL FISH!

The way the rule is written, both conditions have to be met.....hold a commercial hook-and-line fishing license and participatie in a commercial hook-and-line fishing trip.

It really doesn't matter what the authors of the VMRC rule intended....what matters is how a lawyer and judge interpret the language. Since the VMRC rules form the basis of law that can be enforced, the legal interpretation becomes the precedence (not what the author intended). While I'm not a lawyer, I do believe a lawyer would interpret this rule as both conditions having been met.

Any lawyer anglers on this board care to give us your take?

If he wanted to fight this legally, believe he would win based on how the rule is worded.

And since he did bring this fish in with a rod/reel on a private fishing trip....I say let him have the recognition. After all, if the next fish is over 63 but under 66, is he going to feel right about accepting the prize....I would not.

Another reason, from VMRC's perspective, that they should allow him the record is to avoid the embarrassment that VMRC does not a good command of the english language since they can't seem to write a good, clear rule.

Let him have the record.

I understand the intent of the rule ..... IV been invited on charters boats (no charge) to reel on commercial tuna trips out of OI in the off season. If we had caught a state record Big Eye it would have been tempting to redefine our mission. It seems to me that the current rules eliminate anyone with a commercial license or anyone fishing on a commercial trip.

When a commercial business like a radio station runs a contest it usally excludes employees, in this case it's commercial fisherman. This is nothing but a contest / tourney put on by VMCR to promote recreational fishing in Virginia.

Now let me really get something started.... Year after year the commercial industry lobbies to keep their quotas high and to cut the recreational ones and to prevent the recreational guy from selling any of his catch. Having a commercial license and participating in recreational tourney is almost like double dipping. Hey it was a great catch, just leave it there.

Just my opinion

Blank post

A hook and line commercial fisherman is chartering a boat to go Striper fishing? Were there any Striped Bass tags on that boat? Questions like these are why the rules were written.

Any striped bass tag holder can fish hook and line. Say one of them is on a charter (or just out recreational fishing). When they left the dock they were not planning on getting a ton of fish with any size but they happen to have their tags. They get into a school of nice fish and they got their limit of 30 to 40 pound fish and they are still catching them. Suddenly the trip can be turned into a hook and line trip and all of the fish get tags. Now (at $2.00 a pound) all those fish are worth $60 to $80 apiece.

Take it in reverse and you have the salt water tournament's problem. They start out on a commercial hook and line trip and catch the state record fish. Maybe it was on a boat that is used for charters, maybe it is on a private boat. "Suddenly" it is a recreational trip so that they can get that record. Who is to know which was which, especially if they have not exceeded any recreational limits before they return to the dock? Oh and don’t forget there are a number of charter captains who hold hook and line licenses.

it's simple, biggest fish gets the record.

If he declared he was fun fishing before he left the dock than it should be a record,but if he did not the fish should be disqualified.Commercial fisherman have an unfair advantage over sport fisherman,hell they could catch a fish in a net and then say they caught it on a hook.A 129lb Striper was caught in a net around the turn of last century why isnt that the all time world record ?Because it was caught by a commercial fisherman.

Well their buddy if you knew anything about what you are saying you would know that a netted fish have signs of being netted and they are dead giveaways thats what is wrong with this situation now poeple saying stuff and know really have an idea

Lots of opinions on this one, IM keeping an eye on this thread, let’s not let it get personal.….

Glad my names not Claude!

Capt. Jerry I know what I am talking about I have worked on fishing boats both Commercial and 6 pack for years.I dont need to prove my self to you anyway.I have seen fish come out of a net that a scientist couldnt tell where it came from,especially a pound net.

Yea I'm gonna have to agree with Mega Bite on this one!!!!!!!!!!

The question was raised what a lawyer would say about the wording of the rule, and although I am not a lawyer, I am a third year law student and although that doesnt make me anything as of yet... here is my take on the wording alone.

The rule reads "holders of commercial hook-and-line fishing licenses and all persons participating in a commercial hook-and-line fishing trip." This does not mean that a person has to be both... it is a disjunctive rule, basically a person is disqualified if he is either (1) a license holder or (2) on a commercial trip (inference being that he does not hold a license). Therefore, he is disqualified because he holds the license regardless of whether he is out with his wife on a pleasure cruise or out on the job. I dont really have much of an opinion about whether he should be able to hold the record, but as far as the rule goes, it is pretty clear he is barred.

I agree. The only debate I see is whether there should be changes in the future by the VMRC to establish a procedure to allow commercial license holders to participate. I have a feeling most commercial guys enjoy being able to turn a recreational trip into a commercial one when the situation warrants. If they have to give up that right by declareing every trip most will not be interested.

I don't claim to be an expert on anything but I think the rule should stand as written and all concerned should abide by it.. for all the reasons stated above by those that agree with me. By the way, I havn't seen the guy who caught the fish on here complaining.

AMEN MEGA BITE !

i'm sorry, i just dont feel bad for the commercial waterman here, so he won't get the record, he'll get over it while he's throwing dead by-catch back in the water, sucking up a couple million pounds of menhaden or scraping off miles of the ocean bottom.

if he didnt catch a 65 lb'er, where was his catch going? what are the chances it was gonna get sold?

once you go "pro" you lose your amateur status. he needs to accept the benefits and suck it up for what he's given up.


hey mega, good call. you're absolutely right, i've seen rockfish in menhaden traps that showed no signs of being netted.

I agree with Mega Bite--I thought the design of pound nets made so that fish were not "stuck" in the net, but encircled by it, to be removed by the commercial fisherman--hence the fish not showing signs of being entangled in a net. Anyway, seeing the attitude of many commercial fishermen towards recreational anglers maybe one of the reasons why they aren't getting much sympathy on our board. I agree 100% with notenoughigloo's comments about bycatch, menhaden, etc.

Well after digesting all this info I think yall are missing the point. There are probably some more 65lb+ fish out there. Let's go get um!

What is to stop commercial anglers from using bay tags in the ocean? There aren't many stripers in the bay when they get issued new tags at the first of the year.

It's a good rule but doesn't cover events like this. Either way that's still one h#77 of a nice fish. Maybe they will impliment an admendment so that even the commercial guys can get in the record books. The only bad part is that someone would find a way to keep another 129#er alive till he could check off the clock. If nothing else he's still has earned the braggin rights.

REGARDLESS OF THE RECORD OR THE CITATION I WOULD BE TOTALLY THRILLED FOR LIFE TO CATCH A FISH LIKE THAT. CAN YOU IMAGIME THE BRAG QUOTIENT ON THAT THING?

Wow that's a nice Rock Fish .....

First of all, I would like to say that this catch is one heck of a fish by any measure. It would be an excellent marketing event for our charter fishing business, for sure.

I have been told that 3 VSWFT rules for VA State records were broken on this catch, not just one. Although I have no way of verifying this, the angler in question has already admitted to breaking one of the rules in public and has admitted to breaking 2 more in private. If the Captain does eventually take this matter to a court of law, the discovery and testimony will shed light on all 3 violations.

Everybody breaks rules, and/or they lie about it. Some get caught, some don't. The point is that the VSWFT has set these rules to promote recreational fishing. It would be easy for one of us (we, as experienced commercial fisherman) to break a whole lot of recreational records by "breaking a few rules". In fact, the world record for Rockfish (with no gear our license restrictions) is 125 pounds which was caught by a Commercial Fisherman in 1896.

I agree with those who here who have suggested here that the VSWFT remain exclusively for recreational anglers. We, as Commercial WATERMEN, have always known that this was the case and should abide by the rules.

That's my .02 on this matter.

Capt. Jim Brincefield
www.captjim.com

Cap't Jim is exactly right in my humble opinion. The rule was written to minimize abuse and should be left that way, as it protects the rights of both commercial and recreational fisherman. The tags issued to hook and line commercial fisherman are exactly the same as netters get, and are good in the bay and Virginia's ocean waters (out to three miles). I've fished for years with a buddy who has a commercial hook and line license. He averages about 90 tags a year for the hook and line, and he buys 500 a year from a netter. Either way it's still 590 stripers for sale at Farm Fresh, and at least he can cull his catch while it's still alive. I've seen him catch everything from a 50 lb striper to a 600 lb blue marlin and he never submitted the paper for a citation. He knows the rules. That other guy should also.

i wonder if anyone would stop fishing for stripers if that 125lbs fish was the record, i don't think so. anyone replying or even reading this thread has one thing in common, a love for fishing. i would like to see some info on all and i mean all the largest recorded fish, not just those caught on rod and reel, accompanied by a statement of the method of catch. that would be the only fair way to judge a catch. by the way, where can i find the story behind that 125lbs fish?

I saw it somewhere,Mag.Article in SWS I believe, It looked like an old plate photo of a man standing next to the huge Striper in the back of an old horse drawn fish cart.I thought it was 129 lbs but I very well could be mistaken.

Well stated Capt. Jim!