so again...has anyone reported the illegal behavior to TPWD via Operation Game Thief? https://www.ogttx.org/

Why is illegal to throw a cast net?

The cast netting is destroying the bass habitat and they are likely keeping bass caught illegally with the net. Some individuals brought the cast net issue to the attention of TPWD and I guess they took action by posting signs restricting the use of cast nets at Fayette.

I plan on going out there at the beginning of June and I wont hesitate to report it to the game warden and TPWD if I see it. I will also generously include photos of them and their boats.

Just like they do on Fairfield.

A while back myself and a Fayette resident met with the the fish biologist that manages Fayette. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss what could be done about the cast netters. It was the opinion of the Fayette resident who spends a lot more time than most on the lake, that the cast netters were impacting the spawn and destroying the habitat by wading and dragging their cast nets through it. I echoed those sentiments as well. Common sense would say indiscriminately wading and throwing cast nets during spawning season would have a definite impact. The local Fayette resident also disused how the LCRA enforcement had multiple issues with the cast netters. That part of the discussion I could not add too because having no contact with LCRA enforcement.

With that background, the Fayette fish biologist responded to me today regarding our concerns that we discussed with them. Basically he stated that in his discussion with LCRA enforcement, they said they have had some past problems with cast netters regarding compliance but they have been pretty much resolved. So LCRA enforcement does not have an issue with the cast netters. But the biologist said a review of past fish and vegetation surveys might show an issue. He looked at data from 2005 through 2019. Bottom line, the bass shocking and vegetative surveys shows the lake is doing well as far as the bass is concerned. Vegetation is not that healthy but its been that way since their 2005 survey and the bass population has not suffered. So according to the data, they do not see that the cast netters are causing a negative impact.

That makes me wonder who put up the sign.

Maybe LCRA management has decided they do not want cast netters so they have decided to stop them anyway. Or since there were those people that were cast netting drown the other month, maybe they have posted the "no cast netting signs" for legal purposes.

Thumb down to the video. Guy in red shirt. Rick Denton, a guide on Fayette, talks about this issue —


https://m.facebook.com/groups/114938128598481/

Thanks for the video link. I agree with R. Denton that the issue needs addressed. There are so many of them on the lake that I worry the LCRA will take the "politically correct" approach and just close the lake down to fishing, or limit it to people that are staying at their cabins. I sent him my written response from the TPWD fishery biologist. Hopefully law enforcement will step up and get a handle on all the illegal activity. As an example 3 boys from south of the border came down and got out of their boat in front of me Wednesday and started casting their nets. I could of all most hit one of them with my lure, they got out that close to me. Anyway the cast nets they were using were huge. Im sure they were not legal. Im not sure if R. Denton will get the game wardens to step up their patrol activity. I have been fishing that lake starting in 2005. Since 2013 when I retired, I average at least 40 days on Fayette a year. From 2005 to present, I think I have been checked by the game wardens maybe 6 times total.

Bill Speer was still guiding on Fayette the last time I was checked by a game warden.

They are not pushing this no cast net thing at all. It's a dang shame what these people are doing to this lake, it has not been the same for about ten years now. How ever there is a small group of folks working on getting this issue resolved because these cast net guys are not giving these bass a chance to spawn because they are out wading and throwing nets on top of nesting areas. At least enforce a law to stop netting till they get through spawning. These guys that cast net don't even follow the rules on PFD's or having their boat in order. It's a 100% joke out there. You have to stop backing your boat down a ramp to ask kids to get out of the way, stop swimming so you can launch.

So to help out this small group of people actually trying to do something, us as fishermen need to call the Game Wardens right when we see it happening. Don't wait to tell the lady in the hut, or whine online later about it. We need to be calling it in right away!
I've seen these guys at the ramp many times and I look in their boat and always see bass. I take photos of them, their vehicles and call the Warden.

I'm assuming all those Tilapia wind up being sold for fish tacos in Houston and Austin. So throwing a cast net and selling the fish is not illegal as long as:

1. You have a commercial fishing license
2. You are not violating species limits or slots
3. You immediately gut or remove the head of the tilapia
4. If you are using a boat you are following all the rules and regulations to legally operate said watercraft

I know for certain rules 3 is never followed. I know for certain rule 4 is often not followed. I have strong suspicion rules 1 and 2 are often not followed.

They probably do sale their catch. They do use nets bigger than 6 feet which is not allowed. They do not immediately remove the head of the Tilapia, and their boats are either over loaded or not running illegal as I can attest to coming within a few yards of one last week while running with no lights. Also they were not wearing life jackets. My opinion if law enforcement can't or wont address the issue, then I thing we need to go the political route and get the politicians involved.

You have to be real careful with getting politicians involved with LCRA. You have to go slow and easy, and focus on one issue such as the water safety aspect. It may get a lot worse than you want.