Fishing Fine

[mrJB]

Once you get your ticket in the mail and get off the floor you'll realize how obscene these things are, especially the way they're disguised. You should definitely GO TO COURT as the amount on the ticket is the bail amount, not the fine. The fine should be around half the bail amount, give or take. Most people do not realize the difference and send in the BAIL amount.

Then again, most people think nothing of spending $300 for a bait tank when they can make one for $50...

[Yakin]

Originally Posted by mrJB

Once you get your ticket in the mail and get off the floor you'll realize how obscene these things are, especially the way they're disguised. You should definitely GO TO COURT as the amount on the ticket is the bail amount, not the fine. The fine should be around half the bail amount, give or take. Most people do not realize the difference and send in the BAIL amount.

Then again, most people think nothing of spending $300 for a bait tank when they can make one for $50...

The bail money is true but not always in the case of getting fined
being locked up yes what you have to pay is only 10% of the bail but with the fine you have to pay the full amount enless told other wise by a judge

[Mobsan]

Thanks for the posts. I will definitely go to court in hopes of having the fine reduced. I did pick up a regulations booklet and plan on memorizing the damn thing. Ignorance is no excuse, but I swore the fish was a Sculpin. My buddy was on land and warned me DFG was coming, but I didn't think I had anything to worry about since Sculpin only need to be 10". Next time I will either pretend to be deaf and keep diving or just swim away and let the Coast Guard track me down. The officer acted like he was giving me a big break for not confiscating all the gear on me and in my truck. I made an innocent mistake and am not a criminal. It's not like I was poaching abalone or taking lobsters out of season. He even searched my Omer dive vest pockets that hold lead shot weight to see if I was hiding fish filets! I am all about following the rules and protecting our resources, but damn this guy was out for blood and was really trying hard to hit his quota. F it. I am off to go pick up my Olive PA right now, so no more whining from me

[mbaha]

Originally Posted by Mobsan

Thanks for the posts. I will definitely go to court in hopes of having the fine reduced. I did pick up a regulations booklet and plan on memorizing the damn thing. Ignorance is no excuse, but I swore the fish was a Sculpin. My buddy was on land and warned me DFG was coming, but I didn't think I had anything to worry about since Sculpin only need to be 10". Next time I will either pretend to be deaf and keep diving or just swim away and let the Coast Guard track me down. The officer acted like he was giving me a big break for not confiscating all the gear on me and in my truck. I made an innocent mistake and am not a criminal. It's not like I was poaching abalone or taking lobsters out of season. He even searched my Omer dive vest pockets that hold lead shot weight to see if I was hiding fish filets! I am all about following the rules and protecting our resources, but damn this guy was out for blood and was really trying hard to hit his quota. F it. I am off to go pick up my Olive PA right now, so no more whining from me

SO DFG was standing on the jetty and ordered you to get out of the water? Also, you learned another with the lost mask, never let go of your gear...

[Yakin]

Originally Posted by Mobsan

Thanks for the posts. I will definitely go to court in hopes of having the fine reduced. I did pick up a regulations booklet and plan on memorizing the damn thing. Ignorance is no excuse, but I swore the fish was a Sculpin. My buddy was on land and warned me DFG was coming, but I didn't think I had anything to worry about since Sculpin only need to be 10". Next time I will either pretend to be deaf and keep diving or just swim away and let the Coast Guard track me down. The officer acted like he was giving me a big break for not confiscating all the gear on me and in my truck. I made an innocent mistake and am not a criminal. It's not like I was poaching abalone or taking lobsters out of season. He even searched my Omer dive vest pockets that hold lead shot weight to see if I was hiding fish filets! I am all about following the rules and protecting our resources, but damn this guy was out for blood and was really trying hard to hit his quota. F it. I am off to go pick up my Olive PA right now, so no more whining from me

GO GET YOU PA enjoy forget about the fine till it comes in the mail

[ReelNasty]

My buddy got fined like 550 for catching sheephead out of season....and that was years ago..good luck with that.

[Billy V]

The fine could be between $600-$1000.

That does not include Court Cost that will be imposed by the Judge if you go to court and loose the case.

Look Here
http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/july2011_jcbail.pdf

[mrJB]

Bail and fine/penalty are not the same thing. Going to court (and standing before a judge) is not the same as going to trial.

I know of three people with F&G infractions. All went before a judge and paid a substantially lower amount, although one elected to do some community service as partial payment (short lobster).

Please let us know how this turn out...

[Billy V]

This might give you an idea of what to expect.

(California Code of Regulations, Title 14) as posted on the DFG Website

Scroll Down to page # 124 it is right there on top.
http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/july2011_jcbail.pdf


Undersize Fish (I)-infraction (M)-misdemeanor
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Please let us know what happens.