THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601070184
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
The Virginia General Assembly should extend the Virginia saltwater fishing license to cover all saltwater fishing.
The license currently is required only in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. You don't need it to fish ocean waters, Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach or along the Eastern Shore seaside.
A measure, sponsored by Del. Robert S. Bloxom, the Republican who represents the Eastern Shore, to take the license statewide was defeated by a single vote in the 1995 legislature.
Much of the opposition came from Virginia Beach Republicans, showing their support for Gov. George Allen's promise of ``no new taxes.''
That was a pretty flimsy reason. If we're going to pay to go saltwater fishing, let's make the plan as good as possible. And that means a statewide license.
A recent ruling by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission makes the decision of going statewide easier than ever. In funding the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament from license monies, the commission decided that, starting in 1996, only licensed anglers would be eligible for tournament awards, popularly known as ``citations.''
That's only fair. Otherwise, how can you justify using money from Chesapeake Bay fishermen to pay for awards earned by anglers fishing ocean waters for marlin, amberjack, dolphin, wahoo, tuna and other pelagic species?
Most Virginia charter boat and headboat operators, including many sailing from Rudee Inlet, have always purchased licenses. That's because they frequently fish waters of the lower Chesapeake. These are ``blanket licenses,'' covering anyone on their boats.
Additionally, many ocean anglers also purchase licenses for those days when they stay inshore.
The bottom line is that we're not talking a lot of money. Officials estimate that extending the license statewide would probably add only $50,000 to $75,000 to the $1.3 million the license generates.
Let's replace a ``Chesapeake Bay'' fishing license with a saltwater fishing license. It's an idea whose time has come.
NO RAMPS: The General Assembly should also eliminate another flaw in the program that allows license funds to be used for boat ramps.
This is not an argument against more ramps or even against the state purchasing boating facilities. It's an argument against using license money for these projects.
There are two valid points against this kind of misuse:
Saltwater fishermen are being asked to pay for facilities that would benefit commercial fishermen, pleasure boaters, sailors, scuba divers, Jet-Skiers and anyone else with a trailerable boat.
Money from titling and registering boats with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is supposed to be used to create and improve boating facilities. If there's not enough money, let's increase these fees.
It was predictable that a lot of folks would have their hands out when it came time to distribute the fishing license money. What wasn't predictable was that so many of the hands would need washing.
RECORD LOST: Virginia has lost one of its most coveted fishing records, the world all-tackle mark for speckled trout.
The new record of 17 pounds, 7 ounces was set with a fish caught last May at Fort Pierce Inlet in Florida. Only recently has it been approved by the International Game Fish Association, keeper of world angling records.
Virginia had held the mark since 1977 with a 16-pounder caught at Mason's Beach, near Hacks Neck on the Eastern Shore, by Bill Katko of Dunellen, N.J.
Eight of the 10 heaviest specks ever recorded were taken in Florida. All weighed at least 14 pounds. The other was boated at Texas City, Texas.
SEATS AVAILABLE: Seats are still available for Salt Water Sportsman magazine's national fishing seminar in Virginia Beach.
The seminar, featuring several top national and local fishing authorities, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Virginia Beach Pavilion.
The show will feature magazine staffers Mark Sosin, George Poveromo and Rip Cunningham, a well as Claude Bain, director of the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament, Bill Hall of Bloxom, Va., Bob Eakes of the Red Drum tackle shop on Hatteras Island and Keith Nuttall of Gloucester.
Additionally, Dr. Mitchell Roffer will talk on using satellite charts of ocean temperatures to locate fishing areas.
Registration will be $35, including a year's subscription to the magazine. You can register by calling 1-800-448-7360.
BOATING UP: Purchasers of America's smallest pleasure craft and grandest vessels propelled the nation's boating business up in 1995 for the third consecutive year.
The increase was pushed by sales of personal watercraft, also known as Jet-Skis, and inboard motor cruisers.
Overall sales rose to $17.2 million, just $500,000 short of 1988's all-time record. The year gained 22 percent over 1994, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
SHORT CASTS: Kevin Laxton of Virginia Beach earned the final citation of the year from the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament when he boated a 20-pound, 12-ounce tautog Dec. 31. . . . Ray Hardy of Virginia Beach enjoyed a productive fishing day on West Neck Creek on Tuesday. He boated more than 30 white perch, 11 largemouth bass and a striper. Most were released. His biggest perch earned a citation from the Virginia Fresh Water Fishing Program. The creek a tributary of the North Landing River in Virginia Beach. . . . Free kids' seminars on fly fishing will be repeated Saturday at Northwest River Park in Chesapeake. Hours will be 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. For details, call David Narr, 496-3632. . . . ``Mark Sosin's Saltwater Journal'' will air its second show of the season Jan. 13 on ESPN with a half-hour program on striped bass fishing along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The show airs at 10 a.m. . . . You can get 10 free flowering trees by joining the nonprofit National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, Neb. 68410. Membership is $10 a year. by CNB