The fellow on the T-head had just landed a beautiful 34" Redfish...fat and sassy! and apparently non-the-worse for the wear. I couldn't help but notice that he wasn't "tagging" it...so I asked him if he was going to keep it. He didn't speak english so his friend interpreted in spanish. Neither of them new what "tagging " meant, and they readily admitted that they had no fishing license. I suggested they release the fish while it still stood a chance of survival...they refused, so I told them I would call the Game Warden. They still refused, and began to drag the fish off the pier. I called the Game Warden. He was literally "around the corner" and as they were approaching the foot of the pier, he pulled up and caught them "Red-handed". Not only did he make them put the fish in the water (dead by now) he wrote them citations and we saw a wrecker come and tow their truck. The two fishermen were arrested and taken away...(no fishing license, illegal fish) I've called the Game Warden b-4, but this was the first time we scored a direct hit on those that arren't willing to abide. I didn't like it, but I felt good about seeing our system work. Don't know what came of it all (jail, fines, etc.) Chances are real good that those guys won't be doing that again.

You did the right thing congratulations. Wish I could have been there and taken some pics of the arrests and the tow.

hay bro you did the right thing. more people need to get involved or the day will come when there are no fish for our children to catch.
thanks for standing up for what is right!!!!!!

Good job! You did the right thing. I've called the Warden on people before and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I'm not a taddle tail but I don't take it lightly when I see people blatantly wasting our resource. The one time I've called was when I saw a bunch of guys castnetting speckled trout near a bridge and dumping them 5 at a time (mostly under the legal size) into a bucket.

I called Operation Game Thief and they were very helpful and got a Warden on it promptly.

Here's the number:
1-800-792-GAME

Congrats Leanardo. I would have done the same thing. Ignnorance of the law is not an excuse.

good job, I clapped when I got to the end of your story.

Thank you on behalf of future fishing generations. People need to obey the laws so our gamefish are around for years to come.

Great job Leonardo!

And thanks for posting the Operation Game Theif number Crank.....Loaded in my phone in case I come across someone breaking the law.

Good For You!!! I'm glad you called them.

Randall

OK. I plan on catching one of those tomorrow. What is the proper procedure in "tagging" an oversized red? I do have a license with oversized red stamp by the way:) Do you just fill it out and mail it in to TPWD? After that, what do you do to get the one extra stamp they are offering? Thanks.

Good mornin' Gator_Nutz! Just use a piece of fishing line to tie the tag around the caudal...fill it out accordingly...this is so if the MAN shows up, you're covered. After you get 'em hone, take the tag off and take it to a location that sells fishing licenses...they'll ask you a few questions (like where you caught it etc.) Then they'll print you out another "bonus" tag, at no charge. GOOD LUCK! I like your can-do attitude! Lookout Redfish!

Excellent job!! I keep that number programmed in my cell phone for the very same reason!

i would have done the same thing .we need more true sportsmen like that.i hope they learned there lesson, sadley they probably didn,t.

Leonardo,

Man...o...Man...O...MANNN!!! Dude, that was just plain GREAT and AWWWWWESOME!!! Just like rpcathunter, I too clapped and read the your story to her out loud. She too laughed.

I tell you what, just like fishingrg said...."Ignorance of the law is NO excuse", amen to that brother.

I too have that number programmed into my cell phone. And ready to dial whenever necessary. Job well done lad, and keep up the good work.

Since they took them away and had their vehicle towed......wondering if they were also lacking a green card?????
Pat on the back for ya and keep up the good work. People like us, who pay the fees, abide by the rules and then take no action against people who do not are just inviting others to do what they want and when. If they see action being taken, maybe they wont come to that area again unless they are legal........in ALL aspects.
Dusty