Alabama ban's shark fishing ........

Bill D.

Bill D.

Crazy Old RO
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150
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At least that is what a new regulation said.

220-3-.77-.162ER Shark Fishing

(1) It shall be unlawful within three hundred feet of the shoreline or on a pier, on or in the waters of Alabama under the jurisdiction of the Marine Resources Division as provided by Rule 220-2-.42, to fish for or target sharks of any species or to fish by those methods commonly known as “chumming" or “bloodbaiting".

(a) For purposes of this regulation, “chumming" shall be defined as the throwing of bait or fish parts into the water to attract fish.

(b) For purposes of this regulation, “bloodbaiting" shall be defined as the use of blood, chemical or synthetic attractants, fish parts, chicken parts or other animal parts to attract fish or sharks.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to surf fish, bow fish or fish by any other means from any pier or beach in such a manner that presents an unsafe condition to any beach goers, sun bathers, swimmers, or any other person.

Now cutting to the chase. We had some numnuts using buckets of chum around swimmers. This, of course, resulted in the above regulation. However, myself and many others, have shark fished from the beach for many years using cut bait from fresh bluefish, ladyfish, or the like. We also would stop shark fish when the swimmers started arriving in any real numbers. A peice of cut bait does not draw sharks to the area. It only brings those that are looking for food and are already in the area. There is far more blood in the water from preator fish attack the bait schools than a peice of cut bait.

Anyway, after many calls and emails I have word that the regulation will be changed and my way of shark fishing will be perfectly legal. My point is when government makes knee-jerk reactions we can put enough pressure on them to correct it.
 
Knee-jerk? Did you ever see any state government move quickly enough to pass for Knee-jerk?
That Regulation sounds like some group loudly denouncing that Blood chumming near thier holdings down on the Beach.
You can have my share of sharks Bill.
 
quote:
would stop shark fish when the swimmers started arriving in any real numbers.
Click to expand...


So endangering just a few swimmers is OK?

I have nothing against fishing of any kind just found your words, interesting....
 
quote:
would stop shark fish when the swimmers started arriving in any real numbers.
Click to expand...


So endangering just a few swimmers is OK?

I have nothing against fishing of any kind just found your words, interesting....
 
First off, anyone who knows anything about shallow water sharks understands they are already present. Chumming and bloodbaiting makes no sense, as it is not needed, the sharks are already there.
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Thud,
Emergency regulations like these have 120 days before they go to the governor to be signed. As I said before, what happened was some visiting num-nuts were chumming off the beach. In fact I understand they did it in Orange Beach, in the middle of the day, by the public swimming area. That is beyond stupid. This regulation was worded so poorly that in my conversations with enforcement all shoeline fishing, of any kind, could be stopped because it "endangered" someone. Note: the regulation said "all Alabama Shorline", this includes bays, lagoons, and the ICW.
____________________________

"So endangering just a few swimmers is OK?", asks rommer
I quit fishing, not because my single peice of cut bait on a hook might endanger a swimmer, but because of the same reason I quit fishing for kings, cobia, and tarpon, when swimmers get near. These are large fish and could drag my 30lb mono line into a swimmer and possibly give them a line cut. That is the only reason.

I'll attach the rough draft of my letter to the Mobile Press Register, which I found out yesterday was forwarded to the head of Marine Resources. In my conversation with him I learned about the letter being forwarded and that it was part of the reason for what will be the change in the regulations wording.
________________________________

Here is my letter:

"In reply to the new regulation concerning shark fishing. The article by Ryan Dezember stated in its lead sentence, "Aiming to protect beachgoers". It later quoted Conservation Department Commissioner Barnett Lawley as stating he fully supports the measure and futher that there'll be no problem there. This is common sense. While I would agree that chumming is not reasonable, in my opinion there is little else in this regulation that contains "common sense".

First addressing the protecting of beachgoers. Today we have people in the water at daylight, dusk, and even at night. We also have people in the water when the water is murky from wave action. There are people in the water when the predator/prey interaction is highly visible even to the untrained eye. Anyone of these and in combination can lead a shark to mistake a foot, hand, or other body part for a prey item. There is far more blood scent in the water from bluefish, ladyfish, and sharks, attacking the bait fish schools than a piece of cut bait on a hook. If the protection of beachgoers is the driving force then I suggest regulations be drafted that prohibit beachgoers from entering the water except when the sun is high in the sky and the visibility in the water is excellent. There are far more shark bites from mistaken identity than can ever be attributed to a piece of cut bait on a hook. The use of a piece of cut bait does not draw the sharks close to shore. The sharks, such as blacktips, spinners, etc., are close to shore because this is their natural feeding ground. Based of the news release posted on the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation website it appears that the ambiguous wording could be used to cover all Alabama Shoreline be it gulf, bay, or lagoon. That means fish cleaning stations on docks and piers can not be used. The use of shrimp, squid, etc. are no longer allowed. Someone can now complain that hooks constitute a danger to beachgoers, and the regulation must be enforced. Someone can say a hooked fish of any kind is a danger because it might drag a line or hook into the body of a person, and the regulation must be enforced. Surf fishing for king mackerel and tarpon is over because the same bait and tackle will catch sharks. I understand the intent of the regulation is not to stop shoreline fishing, but in todays society how long will it be before
someone uses it to do just that?

I often fish for sharks in the surf. They are a great game fish that produce spectacular jumps and runs in shallow water. I understand the irrational fear many people have about sharks, but the sharks are there and no amount of regulation will change that fact. There are many "dangers" using the beach waters and the biggest is the lack of knowledge of the dangers. I would hope that Commissioner Lawley and his department will modify the regulation to include the common sense fishing of sharks. At the very least allow sunset to sunrise fishing, without the use of chum."
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If we allow "ban's" based on emotion rather than fact to stand, even thought a particular ban might not effect us personally we weaken our sport with every one passed. When I was younger I was very active in organizations that promoted ethical hunting and fishing. I have seen firsthand how the anti's will use any "well intentioined law" as a foothold to futher their agenda. If you want your children, grandchildren, and future generations, to be able to hunt and fish then I suggest you voice your concern anytime there is a threat against it.
 
What kind of sharks are you fishing for? I would think that anything that would make a shark more aggressive and active on feeding would not be of great comfort to nearby swimmers...I have seen very large sharks in NY's nearshore and even a very large Tiger in Moriches Inlet as well. So what are we talking here...Spiny Dogfish (sand sharks) or Bull Sharks?
 
quote:
Originally posted by rommer

quote:
would stop shark fish when the swimmers started arriving in any real numbers.
Click to expand...


So endangering just a few swimmers is OK?

I have nothing against fishing of any kind just found your words, interesting....

Click to expand...


Exactly my thoughts. I'd actually feel less safe being one of VERY FEW swimmers in this scenario than being one of a "real number" of swimmers. At least I'd represent a smaller percentage of the potential human targets ;-)
 
Perry,
98% of the sharks are either Spinners or Blacktips. Blacktips average 60 to 80 lbs, Spinners are often around 100lb. Of course there are bulls and others, but not often. The Northern Gulf is very different than your Atlantic waters, you can be 10 miles offshore and only be in 60' of water. We don't get the pelagic species are very rare near the beach, usually only occurs when the water is too cold for swimmers.
E,
As for Human targets, there is no such thing. Anyone who knows anything about the sharks knows they are present when people are in the water. If sharks were a real danger you could not enter the water. rather than having a irrational fear I would suggest be knowledgable of the habits of shallow water sharks and other dangers. Hell, we have people drown all the time in the surf. Often their bodies are not recovered for a day or two. Guess what the bodies are not ravaged by sharks. Not even Yankee's taste all that good according to the sharks I've talked to.....sorry needed to have some fun with this.
Here is a Shark Safety notice on tha AL Dept Of Conservation website:
"Shark Safety
A Word on Shark Safety
Sharks are generally not the nightmarish monsters depicted in TV movies. In fact, not all sharks are considered dangerous. Most "attacks" are simply cases of mistaken identity, and fatal encounters are truly rare. A few "common sense" precautions will dramatically decrease the chances of your having a negative interaction with a shark. Follow the rules of thumb below, and enjoy Alabama's coastal recreational opportunities!

Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to attack a solitary individual.

Do not wander too far from the shore -- this isolates an individual and additionally places one far away from assistance.

Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.

Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating --- a shark's olfactory ability is quite acute.

Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because, to a shark, the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.

Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and those being used by sport or commercial fisherman, especially if there are signs of bait fishes or feeding activity. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such action.

Sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks --- both often eat the same food items.

Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid uneven tanning and bright colored clothing --- sharks see contrast particularly well.

Refrain from excess splashing and do not allow pets in the water because of their erratic movements.

Exercise caution when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep dropoffs --- these are favorite hangouts for sharks.

Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present and evacuate the water if sharks are seen while there. And, of course, do not harass a shark if you see one!"

If a person thinks, just a little, they would understand that the very common site of schools of baitfish being puhed against the shoreline and then being attacked by the predator fish like Bluefish, Ladyfish, and Sharks, put far more scent attraction into the swimming area that a peice of cut bait thrown 70 or more yrds out from shore. I've watched people who when I catch a shark react with great fear......but upon seeing the bait being attacked will get right in the middle because of all the neat little fish running into them. Of course, they don't realise the big fish are right under their feet. As Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Look, I'm not just voicing my opinion, the marine resources people agreed with what I wrote. I've fished for sharks most of my life, along with many other species. I fished for them long before JAWS scared the hell out of the dumb masses. There is a reason all of us who wade fish for specks, reds, and flounder, use long stringers with a large float above our catch. It's because we don't want the fish around our legs where a shark might mistake our leg for a fish. Most of us have lost fish to sharks right off our stingers many times. Sure a shark might hit you, but the risk is minimal if you are observent and a little careful. You would be better served to worry about a lightning strike that a shark bite.
 
Bill - I know quite a bit about sharks, I grew up boating the caribbean remember? And I've never witnessed an attack. And trust me I've had my share of beach time!!!

I was just pointing out what rommer did, which was very curious wording on your part. The fact that you stopped your practice once a significant number of swimmers was in the area. The point he (and I) were trying to make is clearly illustrated with the first suggestion on your list:

"Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to attack a solitary individual."


So your statement of: "We also would stop shark fish when the swimmers started arriving in any real numbers" seems very curious to us. It doesn't seem like there being more swimmers on the water would make any more dangerous for you to keep fishing or for the swimmers that were already there before.
 
good times...are the sharks you catch edible? I'm sure catching a 60-100lb fish from the surf would be pretty cool...not sure how I'd like a bull shark grabbing a fish off I stringer I had connected to me though.
 
E, I know your background as you stated. Maybe I should have said when swimmers get close enough, which BTW I did say in my response to rommer before you replied. I guess you just missed it. Also, as stated it is not my list but one from the Al. Dept. of Conservation. Anyway, here is a typical photo of the crowds of people on the beach when I'm shark fishing...in fact, I'm fighting a shark.

Sharkfightjpg.jpg
 
Perry, the Blacktips and Spinners are excellent. They do very well on the grill because they are similar to pork in texture. I only kill one or two a year for the table. I release all the others to fight (and BITE <grin>) again. BTW, the jumps they make often put tarpon to shame.

Here's one I did keep:
Blacktip.jpg
 
quote:
Originally posted by Bill D.

Maybe I should have said when swimmers get close enough, which BTW I did say in my response to rommer before you replied. I guess you just missed it.

Click to expand...


Hey don't blame me. Look at all the typing you're doing! Who do you think you are, PETE?!!! We'll need to get you your own "sock fasion faux pas" avatar.
 
That's OK E, I'll leave that for the croc wearing, foo-foo owning, veggie's, whose diet and fashion allow for only short periods of thought on a topic. (don't get your shorts in a wad...I'm kidding, as think you were)
 
Now that must be a nice fight from the beach...you guys use gaffs or harpoon to bring that up thru the surf? I don't see one in the picture...or do you southern boys just wrestle them in shallow water...giddy up!
 
No gaff, we get right in there with em'!! I don't want to hurt them which is why I use a circle hook. What I normally do is fight them up to the beach edge, wait for a wave, shark movement, or both, that allows me to get them mostly out of the water then just grab the tail and drag them out. Quickly take the hook out, let a tourist or young person come touch it while I hold the business end, then walk it back in the water making sure it is revived enough to swim on its own and then release it. Usually by then a lot of people have gathered too watch the show and after that I answer a lot question about sharks and their habits, hopefully showing people they are not the evil monsters just waiting for them to get in the water like in the movies. I often get a lot of thanks for the information and have even had the same people arrive the next morning to just sit, talk, and watch, as I catch some bait and then start to shark fish. I've received pictures and emails from many of them. I often meet the same people year after year. I run into them at different resturants in the area when they come over to my table and say, "Hey, you're the shark guy. We really enjoyed watching you fish the other day."

Here's a early morning pix where I'm holding a small still kicking blacktip shark....haven't even had time to remove the hook.
Holdshark.jpg
 
Very nice...that's some long surf stick you guys use. Looks about 12'-13'...very tough to handle...looks like fun though. I'm in!
 
It's a 15' ugly stick with a penn 950 w/300+ yrds of 30lb mono. I make my own leaders using 90 or 130lb 7stran wire 8' - 10' long, barrel swivel and 10/0 circle hook. Come on down, I'll put you into a few sharks.... The long rod allows you to put a large bait waaaaaaay out.
 
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