| 29 August 2010
COLLIER COUNTY
Officer Doyle Cook was watching an area that is notorious for snook violations. He observed a known, repetitive offender who was fishing. Officer Cook observed the subject catch a snook and eventually confronted him. The subject was arrested after being found in possession of fourteen snook and two redfish filets. During a jail house interview, the subject stated how he strategically planned each night’s fishing activities to escape law enforcement detection. He was also well aware of Officer Cook’s past attempts to catch him.
Using thermal imaging and night vision scopes, Officers Shea and Haney watched two subjects as they fished during evening hours at a local park. They could clearly see illegal fish being caught and kept and thus conducted a fisheries inspection. Citations were issued for undersized snook, redfish and grey snapper.
LEE COUNTY
Officer Demian McColgin was on land patrol near Blind Pass when he observed two individuals harvesting snook from underneath a bridge. A marine fisheries inspection was conducted and revealed that the individuals were in possession of several undersized snook during the closed season. Officer McColgin charged both subjects with possession of undersized snook and possession of snook during the closed season.
MANATEE COUNTY
Officers Ammon Fisher and Louis Hinds were conducting fisheries inspections at the south Skyway Bridge. While checking an individual’s catch, the officers located one undersize and out of season snook, one undersize gag grouper, one undersize mangrove snapper, and two undersize red drum. After being questioned by the officers, the fisherman admitted to catching and keeping the undersize fish and was subsequently issued citations for the violations. The fish were seized.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Officer Brian Sierra discovered hidden snook at the Lake Worth Spillway. Officers Sierra and Howell covertly observed a fisherman at the spillway until the subject retrieved the snook and attempt to place them in a vehicle that was picking him up. The officers stopped the suspect and vehicle. Officers cited the subject and seized three snook, between 31” and 37.5”.
Lieutenant Charles King and Officers Basford, Molnar and Sierra were conducting surveillance on a fisherman on the Flagler Bridge when the subject caught a fish and placed it in a shirt on the opposite side of the bridge from his poles. The subject then placed the shirt on a hidden section of the bridge. Officers conducted a fisheries inspection on the subject and located the shirt, which contained two undersized Snook and an undersized Snapper. Officers issued the subject citations for the fish.
SAINT LUCIE COUNTY
Investigators and officers received a complaint in reference to subjects taking snook during the closed season near the Fort Pierce Inlet between the hours of midnight and daylight. Investigators observed one subject harvest two snook and then hide them in discrete locations. Lieutenant Rogerson identified the subject and conducted a fisheries inspection. Investigators obtained and served an arrest warrant for harvest and possession of snook during closed season, possession of undersize snook, and over the limit of snook.
Officer Simons and a FWC Investigator patrolled the area of South Jetty Park in Fort Pierce. They observed an individual walking at a brisk pace towards the parking area. The subject attempted to run when he realized officers were approaching him. Officers apprehended the subject and issued a citation for possession of undersize snook.
Officer Simons and a FWC Investigator observed two individuals fishing at the Fort Pierce South Jetty. The subjects informed the officers during the fisheries inspection that they did not catch any fish. Officer Simons observed a fresh pool of blood on the ground about four feet from one of the subjects and discovered two snook hidden in the rocks. Officers cited the subject for the violation.
