4 South Carolina anglers on hook, 1,268 fish seized

[Olebiker]

March 16, 2009

Friday the 13th proved unlucky for four South Carolina anglers when a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer seized their entire catch of 1,268 freshwater fish.  The case is believed to be the largest of its kind ever filed in Polk County by the FWC.

Veteran FWC officer Jim Adams received an anonymous tip that led him to seize 1,264 shellcrackers, one warmouth, one spotted sunfish and two undersize largemouth bass from the group of out-of-state anglers fishing on Lake Kissimmee.  Each angler is allowed 50 panfish per day, with a maximum of two days' bag limit in possession.  Possession limit violations are a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or 60 days in jail.

Sam C. Shumpert, (DOB 01/01/42), of 1508 McNeil Drive, West Columbia, SC, was charged with possession of 294 fish over the legal possession limit.

Daniel Shumpert, (DOB 04/24/43) of 17 Dunbar Rd., West Columbia, SC, was charged with 294 fish over his legal possession limit.

Richard L. Richenbaker, (DOB 12/08/62), and his wife, Maura R. Richenbaker, (DOB 11/28/62), 54 Rick Road, St. Matthews, SC, were each charged with 340 fish over the legal possession limit.

The four anglers had been fishing out of Grape Hammock Fish Camp on Lake Kissimmee for three days.  They told Adams they had been coming to Florida to fish every spring for a number of years and that fishing in South Carolina was never as good as it was here.

"The FWC depends upon partnerships forged with conservation-minded sportsmen to ensure the future of our freshwater fisheries," Adams said.  "Reports to the Wildlife Alert Hotline of potential violations are a key component of that partnership," Adams said.

The FWC donated all of the fish to Natural Encounters in Lakes Wales. The fish will provide a six-month supply of food for the birds that Natural Encounters trains for Disney Productions.

Call 888-808-3922 to report fisheries or wildlife law violations.  Those reporting violations can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

[Pitchinkid]

Wow thats amazing. Glad they got caught. Can you imagine cleaning 1268 fish. That would be worse than the fine.

[CFFF 1.5]

That is a hell of a lot of fish to catch. I wonder if they caught or used some kind of illegal net.

[dallas0996]

I am absolutely clueless to the motivation behind this if you are not a commercial fisherman!  

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Reminds me of some anal orfices we saw around here cast netting bedding bass. I called the FWC twice about it and was told they have to catch them in the act and basically if the act isn't in progress right this moment there is nothing they can do.Hey thats fine,whatever but I can't leave an anomymous tip so someone can watch out??!!i guess I will first approach the gentlemen look in their buckets and then make the call,then proceed to get shot the next time I go out. Truth is they don't care two sh--s if it isn't a state funded park or salt water violation.I mean netting bedding fish? Pretty sick They will however be the first ones to give me a ticket for not having a life jacket or a whistle in my POS jonboat :

Sorry had to vent. I am glad that they followed up and caught those idiots.People like that have no place on the water.Too bad they won't come up with stiffer penaltys.

 

[Tokyo Tony]

Cast netting bedding bass? That's pathetic. Also, if you can get that close without spooking the bass, I really believe it would be easier just to flip a jig next to the bed and catch the fish. It would be a lot more fun too.

And about the 1000+ fish - at least they weren't bass  :

[IDbasser]

So the fishing was real poor where they live :  I wonder why >

[burleytog]

Can you imagine cleaning 1268 fish. That would be worse than the fine.

Yep, should have waited until they got finished cleaning them.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Cast netting bedding bass? That's pathetic. Also, if you can get that close without spooking the bass, I really believe it would be easier just to flip a jig next to the bed and catch the fish. It would be a lot more fun too.

And about the 1000+ fish - at least they weren't bass :

Yep.Think about it.You can put a boat right on top of a guarding male and catch him sometimes and briefly see the female circling nearby.Or even if you spook them then he and she will just scoot into the shadows just beyond view and stay there.What happens if you throw an eight foot spreader on top of the bedding area?

Sorry I turned it into a rant.It just infuriates me that they can't or sometimes wont go after everybody.