Saw a family group fishing this morning on Cedar Creek, father, son and maybe an uncle or grandfather. The child looked to be 4 or 5 years old and was having a ball, it was great to be around someone having that much pure joy fishing. This kid could make a Zebco sing.

He wasn't wearing a pfd while fishing and I didn't notice him wearing one when they left.

Would you have said anything?

I also noticed that they were keeping nearly everything they caught, tossing small fish back but everything else went in the cooler, I was catching small hybrids 10/1 over the sand bass.

I would probably tell him the game warden was out earlier checking boats to make sure junior had a life jacket. The illegal fish would probably be solved by doing this.

I usually mind my own business while on the water but I might have said something in your situation. Would have said something about the child and the fish and tried to be polite

I witnessed 2 kids under 5 yrs old on a bass boat with their dad fishing at Grapevine lake one time with no pfd for the kids. The youngest one was running around near the edge trying to stick his foot in the water. While the dad was facing away fishing. Thought about saying something but watched from the distant making sure the kid was ok. I don't really like to say something so I mind my own business. But again if something happened to that kid I'll regret it. Fortunately it didn't happen. Game warden is on that lake a lot and I'm surprised why the dad didn't put a pfd on the kids was mind boggling.

I was at Ray Hubbard two weekends ago and witnessed a 4-5 year old on a pontoon boat with no life jacket on. It was bad enough they were going under the bridge at a pretty good clip in a no wake zone but when I saw the kid with no life jacket I just looked at them and shook my head. Between his boat motor noise and the traffic on the bridge above there was no use even trying to say anything to them. Had it been a different type of encounter yes I am sure I would have said something to them.

I don't stick my nose where it doesn't belong but I would hate to see a kid drown knowing I could have at least brought it to the parents attention that the kid was required to wear a life jacket at all times. DPD patrols Hubbard pretty regularly on the weekends so I would bet they didn't make it through the day without being stopped.

Was the kid drinking beer? Bet the Father and Grandfather were. He may have been designated driver. Were ya'll catchN at the Drew Barrymore House?

If they are parked .... Mute point .........

All children younger than age 13 must wear a life jacket while in a boat less than 26 feet in length that is underway.

I never hesitate to suggest to an adult that their kiddos need a pfd on. Even if they get mad, I know I've tried to prevent a drowning.

I do not tell folks what to do with their catch as the few times I've tried too, I'm perceived as a meddler. I just call 1-800-792-4263 and report them to Operation Game Thief. If the Warden is on the Lake, just sit back and enjoy.

Good Luck!

I encountered a similar situation once. I told them the kid needed to be wearing a life jacket and gave them one of Riley's , my 10yr old daughter. They thanked me saying they didn't have one that fit. I also told them the GW are checking fish so be careful .

There is a good chance they don't know the difference between a small hybrid and a sand bass. Good suggestion about telling them the game warden is checking.

Was the young feller wearing fashionable crocs, George ?

If they fish close to me and act friendly with smiles, I would talk fishing and hint them the rules. Or an expensive lesson learned. Most folks I encountered on the water are friendly. A few are clueless about boating rules.

If they are not on anchor, the boat is considered underway. Drifting is underway. Was told that by a game warden.

Lifejackets are ON if your floating period... at the age of 12 or younger or if you can't swim at any age (in our boat) period. Man.. George! good question .... Probably what Champion Fish said would be the best scenario for that particular encounter.

I would have said somthing. My kids were there life jackets at all times no questions asked

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt before going as far as calling the game warden on them. I will always inform someone of the law and help with their identification. I would feel like a complete [censored] if someone got a huge fine and lost all their gear because of a simple mistake. If they obviously know what is going on and continue their behavior I have no problem getting the warden on them.