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I’m writing this outside, under a morning sun, with a thin line of surf ripping along an empty beach. You really can’t beat that, huh? The last few days, I’ve wandered around the flats, trying my luck at snagging some unsuspecting pelagic. I’ve done alright and it seems like a bargain all parties can live with. I cast madly to and fro, occasionally a fish bites, we wrestle for a couple of exciting minutes, and it usually leaps free as soon as it gets close. Fun stuff.
At any rate, pulling things from the sea got me thinking about that anecdote of the English commons where everyone shares the resources, the sheep are happy, etc. That is, our coastal waters are pretty heavily regulated these days so as to preserve what resources are left. Dropping a line in the water and pulling up your catch usually means you’ve triggered some rule or regulation. Whether it’s a catch limit, a minimum size requirement, a species prohibition or a local licensing mandate, the point is that it’s not the wild west. From fines to the state seizing your gear and vessel, the penalties for the cavalier can be tough.
I bought a seven-day salt water license for a small fee and I’m not keeping anything I catch, so I’m probably in good water. If you’re a vacationer eyeing a new stretch of seawater, quiz a local on what’s needed and what’s not. And if you’re particularly good at planning, many coastal communities have toll free numbers and websites with fishing information allowing you to license-up even before you board the plane.
Underway and making way.
--- JKF
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