| 02 October 2011
Snook
Indian River County
RPS Officer Andy Zamonis was on foot patrol in plain clothes at the Sebastian Inlet. He
watched a man fishing from the beach with a rod and reel catch a red drum and place it in
a cooler. The subject returned to fishing and caught a second red drum, also placing it in
the cooler.
Officer Zamonis approached the fisherman, identified himself, and conducted
a fishery inspection. The cooler contained two red drum, two snook and several yellowtail
jacks. Officer Zamonis issued citations for over the bag limit of red drum and possession of
one oversized snook.
Hillsborough County
Near Picnic Island, RPS Officers Bill Holcomb and Josh Allison observed two subjects
wading in the water with a small vessel. When the individuals returned to shore, the officers
made contact and discovered they were in possession of monofilament entanglement net
and various species of fish. Both subjects were cited for the use of a gill net in state waters,
possession of a gill net on a vessel less than 22 feet in length, failure to transit directly,
possession of an unmarked gill net, possession of undersized red drum, taking snook by
illegal method, possession of undersized snook, and possession of snook during closed
season.
Pinellas County
RPS Lieutenant Grant Burton was on land patrol near the Fourth Street Boat Ramp when
he observed two subjects in a small vessel operating without the required navigational lights
displayed. When the vessel returned to the boat ramp just prior to daylight, Lieutenant
Burton notified Officers Ken Thompson and Aaron Wise for assistance. A boating safety
and fisheries inspection determined the subjects were in possession of three large
containers, one of which contained approximately 100 yards of monofilament entanglement
net, with fresh mullet still caught in the net. There were also several large coolers onboard
that contained a mixed bag of 208 mullet, snook, and flounder. The officers determined the
subjects had fished with the net in state waters. Both subjects were charged with the use
of an entanglement net in state waters, possession of gill net on a vessel less than 22 feet
in length, and simultaneous possession of mullet and monofilament entanglement net. The
subjects were transported to the Pinellas County Jail, with additional charges pending for
snook and mullet violations.
Redfish
Lee County
Officer Gregory Bryson responded to a complaint regarding individuals keeping illegal
redfish. The complainant reported the subjects were fishing in the same location the
day before and had kept redfish on that day, as well. Officer Bryson arrived on scene
and located the individuals. He conducted a fisheries inspection and found they were in
possession of undersized and over the bag limit of redfish. The appropriate citations were
issued.
