Is the owner/operator of a boat liable in any way for fisherman in the boat without a license? I am always current but I have a buddy who lapses a bit. I remind him to renew and all that, but sometimes we end up in the boat and he takes a risk. If we get checked and he has no license, can I get fined or something?

You will not get a ticket. There may be a risk of losing some or all of the fish in the boat but I am not sure about that one. My main risk would be coming home with a ticket and hearing to the rash of ^%*% from the wife. I don't risk it.

just a hassle for you. i remind my buddy of all the money i sink into the boat and that a fishing license doesn't cost that much.

The boat owner will not get a ticket.

The boat owner/operator is not responsible for the irresponsibility of his passengers.

They get the ticket, not you, though the loss of fishing time and embarassment are shared by all!

A couple hundred dollar ticket will do wonders to jog his memory.

Thanks guys.

Do like I do...tell him he ain't goin' with ya unless he has one.

My buddy and I got checked on a river that briefly goes into another state. I was legal in two states but not that one. The water patrol came over and checked our license. Of course neither one of us were legal. It was my buddies boat and he was at the front of the boat throwing a throw net for bait so we could do some catfishing. I never left the wheel as I guided my buddy to the bait. The water patrol said that both of us could get a ticket even though I never touched a fishing pole and never threw the net. He let us off with a warning only because his shift was over and he was headed to the house. So my advice is to not let him touch anything.

This Q always comes around this time of year I think. Renewal is at the end of the month and it is a gamble on wheather to buy the one day tag or just go fishing and take your chances. I wish TPDW would make the license year to date, but it makes more sense to the to sell it date to date from an accounting standpoint.

The person with a license will not be ticketed, but limits will be in question.

thats funny.....a couple of my friends do have a one year from purchase date license that they bought from texoma...its for texas....only a couple of dollars more...wouldn't make much sense to buy that license now but hey in june when he bought it , that was the best way to go.

I think that is just for Texoma which is separate from a TX fishing license and an Oklahoma fishing license.

Your partner's ticket. That said, my guess is if your partner has no license, the GW is going to give your boat the once over to see if he can get you for anything too. Here's a thought....After the 15th of this month, your partner can procure a new license....Why don't you remind him, or better still yet, offer to take him with you when you get your new license....A word to everyone on the TFF....New Licenses are needed on 9/01.....

Texas has an all-water year from date license. Just ask for the one that's $45. It runs from the day you buy it until the last day of the month a year later, so it's good for up to 13 months.

but you still have to buy a texoma stamp