Another OI beauty

[fishskipper]

Whoa-- hold the bus just a minute there Seaker. Know your facts before you advocate an all out Boycott of a fishery.

I have no affliation or interest in the OI fleet and I am by no means condoning the harvesting of undersized fish. Unfortunatly, it is pretty well known that the OI fleet has a history of some boats keeping undersized Mako Sharks--- there is no denying that. For the last few years I have wondered why some of these guys allow the OI fishing center to show photographs of undersized fish-- and even more questionable, why the fishing center puts them on it's website?--- dumber than hell no doubt. There is no sense in debating this issue further. Instead of simply bitching on the internet with the holier than thou comments I see from many, all that is needed to stop this practice is file a formal complaint and request in investigation by the National Marine fisheries Service, The NC Division of Marine Fisheries, and the National Park Service (the NPS owns the OI fishing center). Problem solved.

Now as to the general statement of a "bad place to fish", consider the following: The OI fleet was among the first in the Mid Atlantic states to promote and then insist on charter billfish releases. This goes back to at least 1977. Oh there were some unpopular times and tense moments for Charter Captains when they told their customers that their prize billfish must be released--- this was simply unheard of in the 1970's.
From the early 1980's, the OI charter fleet ( along with other NC fleets) imposed a voluntary 10 fish limit for Dolphin--- again, not so popular at times.
During this same time, the Charter fleet imposed a voluntary limit on Yellow fin Tuna ( before federal and state limits became effective).

Not that the following is limited to the OI fleet, but I have seen numerous times in which the fleet shined. On two occations, someone fell out of a boat offshore. The entire fleet stopped fishing to assist the Coast Guard in their search--- expected?, perhaps. On other occations the Charter boats have put themselves in danger by going into the shoals to rescue boaters whose boats had capsized, even with the CG on the scene and not safely able to get to the victims.

Again, don't get me wrong, some of the OI guys are far from saints but I suggest you consider the entire situation before making such a global remark

In summary, the Mako problem is not good PR, but I would hasten to say it is a "bad place to fish from". Again, if you feel strong about the harvesting undersized sharks, simply do something constructive about it.

Thanks Glenn,

I think theres been ( three sharks) THREE of these pictures this year and it seems that people think when they see a picture on a certain day that everyone in the fleet has some. Thats just not the truth. But as I said before, to condemn the whole fleet for what some may do is uncalled for. I no longer fish out of OIFC, but they are a great bunch of guys that will be there in a second to help you in a time of need. As well as the guys at my marina, Pirates Cove.

If these fish are too short then that is the captains call and his fine! And to my friends up north, don't be to quick to condemn all of us on the Outer Banks. I know I have seen pick up loads of sharks hauled off at the shark tournaments. Not to condemn, but seems a little on the same lines. I hope this issue will be put to rest, but as some others have said if this really gets to you then do something about it. Just don't do it in this forum!

Capt. Ron
Fish Pirates Cove!
www.littlejeanniesportfishing.com

[stockweiser]

Well said Glenn!!! It really gets old hearing the same old shit. Are there capts at OIFC that have pissed me off.....yes, do I hold a grudge.....no. I won't and don't agree with anyone taking an illegal Mako but I won't lose sleep or rant on this site about it!!! I can control only one man's integrity........MINE, thats it.

[costaricasportfishing]

OK OK DEEP BREATH.....Now go fishing and stop worrying sooooo much about what the guy down the road or on the next boat is doing. I lived on Hatteras Island for 15 years and for sure sometimes a small fish comes in. This doesn't happen as much as you might think. Most everyday Marine Fisheries is walking the docks having people fill out catch cards. Also usually a big crowd waiting for you to back in with your catch. Besides crashing the boat or getting skunked having undersize fish is the worse you can do. Please don't think those guys are killing every fish that comes up cause it ain't so.

[Seaker]

****Deleted****

[dman25]

My problem is simply the lack of respect for the laws. Posting pics of an obvious short fish on your advertisement website is like saying you don't care about rules or regulations. I just expect better from one of the best fishing fleets in the world. The response from the fishing center is the absolute opposite of integrity.

[dman25]

I think theres been ( three sharks) THREE of these pictures this year and it seems that people think when they see a picture on a certain day that everyone in the fleet has some. Thats just not the truth.


This is exactly why you don't put the pics on your website.

[Glenn W]

just expect better from one of the best fishing fleets in the world. The response from the fishing center is the absolute opposite of integrity.

No arguing that fact and opinion.
I think alot of the debate stems from those that don't really give a shit about a shark and those that do, but don't do anything constructive about it. In other words, many sound as if somone raped their daughter over a shark, kick and scream like it was the last individual on the planet but do nothing about the situation.
You are not going to change the minds of those that don't really care about catching an undersized shark, so you might as well work on a solution to your campain. The solution is so simple it is ridiculous---- simply file a complaint, request an invstigation and be notified of the results of the investigation, and most important: send your concerns and evidence to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Park Director in Manteo, NC w/ a cc to the US Secretary of Interior regarding the National Park Service condoning such actions by turning their nose on Federal Marine Wildlife violations on a consistent basis. Also send a cc to the National Fish & Wildlife Service and request a response.
This will be alot easier and much more productive than simple bitching on an internet forum---- IF something pisses you off, do something about it.

[fishskipper]

No arguing that fact and opinion.
I think alot of the debate stems from those that don't really give a shit about a shark and those that do, but don't do anything constructive about it. In other words, many sound as if somone raped their daughter over a shark, kick and scream like it was the last individual on the planet but do nothing about the situation.
You are not going to change the minds of those that don't really care about catching an undersized shark, so you might as well work on a solution to your campain. The solution is so simple it is ridiculous---- simply file a complaint, request an invstigation and be notified of the results of the investigation, and most important: send your concerns and evidence to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Park Director in Manteo, NC w/ a cc to the US Secretary of Interior regarding the National Park Service condoning such actions by turning their nose on Federal Marine Wildlife violations on a consistent basis. Also send a cc to the National Fish & Wildlife Service and request a response.
This will be alot easier and much more productive than simple bitching on an internet forum---- IF something pisses you off, do something about it.

Exactly Glenn................. If your going to just complain on a forum then your just as much at fault for doing nothing!

[h2orowe]

I'm over hearing the same guy complain about things over and over again.
Noone on this site was on the boat to know any of the circumstances, noone was at the dock to put a tape to it. Plain and simple... Noone knows; pics can be very deceiving. (I'm not saying it was or wasn't legal)
So it sounds like some of the people on this board have NEVER broken a law or rule. People make mistakes..... Very righteous...
It's funny there is a thread that condones the killing of ALL dogshark for no other reason that they don't like them and there are threads about someone bringing in a small mako shark. Why is one right and the other not?.. Because mako are good to eat?
Get off the keyboard and do something... Don't say you can't get in touch with anyone... There are six DMF offices in NC and then an 800 number for marine patrol that will get someone 24 hours a day.
Now to say all OI fleet is horrible... First of all I know the capt, in which this thread is talking about, very well. He is a fine man and a fine capt. I have seen him do somethings that I thought were dangerous to help a boater in need. I have seen him risk his boat and life for someone he doesn't know.

Last year during the OC white marlin tourney- when that boat went down, the OI fleet was the one to help. The crew of that boat said they were passed by many boats (even their local guys). One boat not from OI stopped but every boat that did anything was our fleet.

Maybe a few small fish are kept here and there... I'm sorry that it happens and I'm sorry it was put on the internet for every person to see. Don't think DMF doesn't have people looking though these websites (including OI's website) looking at pictures to see what is happening.

[BoundForGlory]

[QUOTE=h2orowe;199592]I'm over hearing the same guy complain about things over and over again.

I'm new to this so I don't understand if you're "over" hearing about things that someone posted why are you reading the post and why are you and the other guys responding to a post that might be "old news" to you?

"Now to say all OI fleet is horrible... First of all I know the capt, in which this thread is talking about, very well. He is a fine man and a fine capt. I have seen him do somethings that I thought were dangerous to help a boater in need. I have seen him risk his boat and life for someone he doesn't know."

So maybe you can say to the capt. that everyone understands that things happen and that pictures alone can tell two stories, and just don't post pictures that can be questioned and then this will all go away!

I'm finding there is a lot of great information here and hope to do more reading, learning, and fishing. My understanding however is that is a forum, that people can place post within guidelines. If someone places a post about overfishing , taking short fish, that's one way for them to blow off steam and to bring it to light to be discussed. I'd rather you go visit the capt. and ask him not to a least post his mistakes than call the fish police on him espeacially as you say he is a good guy. I won't boycot a whole fleet because of a few mistakes, and maybe the other captains can tell Bill & Jenny to be a little smarter in their post and again this will go away! Back in April we only had two fish on our charter out of Broadcreek and we were the only boat out at the Point. They came and took our picture but it was never posted, why because two fish don't make for great reporting and booking more charters. So OI should just learn they can of course do what they want but some where some how they should learn short fish also don't make for great reports!
Enough said, do you guys use Hi-Vis Momoi are the regular?