Question about Licenses

[BobT]

For quite a few years I always bought a combination husband/wife fishing license just in case my wife decided to go fishing. After many years of her not going fishing I finally decided a few years ago to stop buying the combination license and just buy an individual angling license for myself.

Today, out of the blue, she suggests that we should maybe go fishing tomorrow. My first thought was that we'd have to remember to pick up a license for her. No biggie but then a thought occurred to me.

In a case like this where it is just one day in multiple years, would it be legal for a non-licensed person to attend a fishing rod when in the company of a licensed person? In other words suppose my wife and I went fishing together tomorrow. Would it be legal for us to use only one fishing pole and for her to do the fishing while I just operate boat?

Just a thought.

[cavalierowner]

Nope. I had a buddy get a ticket for fishing without a license a few years back because he held a rod for no more than a minute while the person actually fishing was clearing the prop of weeds. But because the line was actually in the water, he was considered to be fishing. The law is pretty clear; if you're fishing, you need a license.

[BobT]

I figured as much. I suppose if the non-licensed person is handling the rod, then technically it is an unattended line by the person with the license.

[cavalierowner]

I don't know if it would be considered an unattended line, but for sure the other person handling the rod would be considered fishing without a license, especially if there was a line in the water. If it were me, I would just get her a license, it's not all that expensive. I know "expensive" is a relative term, but $17 for an annual or $8.50 for a 24 hour would be cheap if you were wrong in an interpetation and got a ticket.

[jac714]

I was talking to a C.O. last year and the ticket for fishing without a license is $135.00 plus if they want to they can confiscate all equipment and material used to fish without a license (ie boat, motor, tackle, rods, and possible your tow vehicle and trailer.)

I would rather pay the money for a conservation license than take the chance.

[BobT]

Cost wouldn't be the main factor. I guess I was just thinking whether it would be necessary since we'd only have one line in the water and one of us in the boat had a license. It makes sense to just buy the license.

[mainbutter]

are you able to 'upgrade' a single resident license to a married couple license?

[UncleWally]

For heavens sake Bob, Buy her a license and GO FISHING WITH HER!!! Do you really think she'd ever go with you again if all you did is sit in the boat and watch? Jeesh man, how long have you been married?

[ozzie]

classic!!! Uncle Wally a member since 8/10/09 never has posted about anything and has to break his silence on this post!!! haha that is funny stuff right there.....

[Raider4ever]

GO WALLY!!!

[BobT]

For heavens sake Bob, Buy her a license and GO FISHING WITH HER!!! Do you really think she'd ever go with you again if all you did is sit in the boat and watch? Jeesh man, how long have you been married?

You make a good point, although that wasn't the intent of my question, but I appreciate what you are saying nonetheless. At least I finally found a way to get you to break the ice!!

Glad to have you on board.

[SkunkedAgain]

Not that I have anything against UncleWally (quite the opposite actually), but life would be so much sweeter if he never posted again - i.e. that was his only contribution to the forums. Think about, it's like a boxer winning the title with one punch and then never boxing again. UncleWally is the champ!

[SkunkedAgain]

Then again, we need more wisdom from the likes of UncleWally. Imagine if he saunters down to SillyTown?