This is the only way I would get involved in your made up scenario. His license is none of my business. I would hope he has one, but whether he paid what Frankie calls "extortion" or not is between him and the state and really only involves money. But if his bucket of fish included over limit, under size, protected species you bet I would turn him in. That would be a crime against the resource. Those fish are not one persons, they belong to all of us, even you Frankie. Possession limits are set based on a species reproduction, so as not to deplete the specie. Size limits are set so the fish can reproduce at least once if not twice before becoming a legal catch. To allow any one to abuse the resource because they are hungry will thwart all efforts at sustainability.

What I find amazing is that Frankie seems to think you can catch a dinner cheaper than you can buy it. Like I told my charter customers, "you want cheap fish go to the supermarket. You want to have the pleasure of catching a fish you came to the right place" I will spend a minimum of $25 on bait every time I go fishing for myself, sometimes more. My 60 years of fishing have taught me the success of your catch goes up considerably with the quality of your bait. When I ran charters my daily bait bill could go $75 easily. Bait and fuel were my two biggest daily expenses. So let's say you inherited a rod and reel and all the terminal gear. So now all you are spending money on to go fishing is bait. That $25 +/- for bait, with no guarantee of a catch would probably feed his family a couple of meals. So the idea that the poor starving fisherman that cannot afford a license is just trying to feed his family is total nonsense. There are guys like Frankie in all walks of life. They think the laws do not or should apply to them, and have a great line of B.S. to justify it. Frankie is just looking for a way to rationalize his being a cheap a$$. He definitely came to the wrong place to push his crap.

@c-17trainer- You’re mistaken. Again, the Statist or King George mindset. Fishing is not a “privilege” that needs to be paid for. It is in fact an inalienable right. A Liberty. You do not need permission from anyone to feed yourself, to harvest a few of Gods fish that he created from Gods waters that God created. as long as you do not violate the Liberty of others. @SamofVukcan- Believing that purchasing a fishing license somehow ensures plentiful fishing for (our grandchildren) is a fallacy. It is simply incorrect. Of course i am against overfishing, using vast nets or dynamite, etc. Again, I am talking about the common freshwater bank fisherman. They do a helluva less damage to the environment and disruption of a peaceful day than the douchebag jet-skiers, powerboaters, yard runoff chock-full of pesticides, other pollutants and water oxygen deprivation . not to mention the invasive fish and plant species. Follow the money. Your purchase of a fishing license is for nothing more than to generate revenue. plain and simple.
If you want to get one because you feel that your doing something good, then great. more power to you. If not, then i wish you all full bellies and tight lines. Remember, for many freshwater fisherman, it’s not hobby, it’s survival. Show some compassion for your fellow Americans that might be hungry, don’t call the cops on them. All i know is that if i see some busy-body harassing some old homeless bank fisherman about what’s in his spacklebucket, they are going to get an earfull from me. at the very least.

@ ranger632- you are a snitch and a rat. The epitome of the Karen/Darren culture in 2022. No doubt you would call the authorities from the safety of your own moving car or the safety of your home, instead of offering friendly education through fellowship, because you know that not minding your own business could get you punched in the face. Fishermen ratting on fishermen. Sad.

@plumbob - there is right and there is wrong. and then there is the law. If your leaders decreed that there must be a law passed that you will be obliged to pay a “carbon tax” (a tax just for existing and breathing), to combat g****l w*****g, or a fine imposed for collecting rainwater, or growing a garden on your own property, or that you need to purchase a license or permit to have a fireplace or wood-burning stove in your house, would you happily comply without question?
Well guess what, these ridiculous laws are already on the books in some places. But i digress. But to answer your question, “where do i fit in?” It’s simple, and i’ve explained in detail already. The concept of a fishing license is an absolute racket from top to bottom. Follow the money instead of licking game wardens and park rangers boots, unless it gives you some kind of thrill, to each his own. And please spare us the drivers license comparison. It needs to be proven that you are able to safely operate a motor vehicle so that you don’t k**l someone. A 6 year old can’t walk into a Ferrari dealership for test drives for good reason. So there’s that. But again, I digress. Soon i will be eligible as an senior veteran to be exempt from having to obtain a fishing license at all? Why? The argument that it’s all about conservation and supporting restocking efforts goes right out the window then doesn’t it? Why? How is it any different than some homeless guy with a few bluegill on his line to feed himself? Are you going to inspect his bucket ask him to show his papers to you? Of course you’re not. Snitch from afar? Why not just mind your own business? I personally couldn’t care less about who has a fishing license and who doesn’t. If you choose to be an obedient citizen and pay for a Liberty, than good for you. Not everyone has a home address or money or speaks english. Try to simply wish your fellow man tight lines and full bellies. Hatcheries/fisheries are nothing more than a smokescreen. I have zero interest in GMO sterile frankenfish. Stop relying on the State to solve problems with your money where problems don’t exist. Their track record speaks for itself. Again, if you just follow the money, you’ll see that it’s a total s**m all the way around. Otherwise I would highly encourage you to walk up and down these rivers and try the Darren/Karen control-freak Statist thing, and see how the common bank fisherman reacts towards you. Hope you know how to swim. Or you could try to educate through friendly fellowship as i’ve stated in my original post. Pollution and evasive species control is what is needed, not more armed extortion agents and emaciated stocked GMO rainbow trout.

@CaptJim no one’s hiding. out in the open all day every day. Maybe you should go hide with your den of c****es that h**e Liberty. Heres my license: now go tattle you lousy rat.


"NO STATE SHALL CONVERT A LIBERTY INTO
A LICENCE, AND CHARGE A FEE THEREFORE."
(MURDOCK V. PENNSYLVAINIA, 319 us 105)
"IF THE STATE CONVERTS A RIGHT (LIBERTY)
INTO A PRIVLIGE, THE CITIZEN CAN IGNORE
THE LICENCE AND FEE AND ENGAGE IN THE
RIGHT (LIBERTY) WITH IMPUNITY."
'SHUTTLESWORTH V. CITY OF BIRMINGHAM,
LABAMA 373 U.S. 262)

FEEDING THE HUNGRY BELLY OF A POOR MAN IS A RIGHT AND NOBLE PRIVILEGE. THE POOR MAN FEEDING HIS OWN BELLY IS A GOD-GIVEN RIGHT UNDER COMMON LAW/NATURAL LAW. NO DIFFERENT THAN THE RIGHT TO PROTEST.