Assateague Island National Seashore Rangers Troll Internet For Big Catch
Assateague Island National Seashore. Fishing is legal...as long as you obey the regulations. NPS Photo.
The Internet can be a fascinating place, but for one boastful angler it proved her undoing. The woman in question made the mistake of bragging about catching smaller-than-allowed striped bass from Assateague Island National Seashore.
Ranger Dave Rapp noticed the brag on a popular Internet discussion board used by anglers who visit the national seashore.
According to the National Park Service's Morning Report, Rapp "noticed one entry in which the author wrote that she had caught 22-inch and 24-inch stripers (rockfish) on Assateague Island - a violation, as Maryland state law establishes a minimum length of 28 inches for this species.
"The author also wrote that she was 'keeping this baby for dinner!' Included in the entry was a photograph showing the angler holding up the fish. Rapp noted that the entry was only a few minutes old and that the photograph appeared to have been taken inside of the park. He located, recognized, and contacted the angler, who was still on the beach within the park. She produced a 21-inch striper, and reported that she'd utilized a Wi-Fi Internet connection to post her entry from the park. A violation notice was issued for the undersized fish. "
Comments
Anonymous (not verified)
Good work constable!
jimmy (not verified)
Way to go Officer!!! The stupidity of violators never ceases to amaze me. Kudos to the ranger for playing a hunch. Nice collar.
Anonymous (not verified)
Excellent work and thank you!
Anonymous (not verified)
HAHAHA!!! What an idiot...both for keeping the fish and posting the picture. What a moron.
Anonymous (not verified)
Stupid IS as Stupid Does!! would love to have seen the look on her face as the ranger pulled up.. Priceless!
Anonymous (not verified)
Way to go
steve ,,m (not verified)
great job should have fine her more
Anonymous (not verified)
Did anyone ever think the lady thought she was right, Agreed she broke the law and must pay the penalty but I don't think she could have been fool enough to brag, with a picture, if she thought she was in violation.
Anonymous (not verified)
by not knowing the law is stupid i think it is sad to brag about a fish that small. end of story
Anonymous (not verified)
she knew where to post it so she know shomething about the fish she just got caught
bon bay (not verified)
WOW big striper cop worried about one undersized fish when the big boats and gill netters rape the bay and ocean's .what a joke!
Anonymous (not verified)
She tried to blow it off on the site where she posted it. Later that day she posted that the fish "went back for a swim to grow up". Yeah after she got caught.
Anonymous (not verified)
i bet she drove an orv. THose orv fishermen should be banned from the beach!
Anonymous (not verified)
Granted she was wrong. The comment regarding the ORV and that those fisherman should be banned from the beach - that's just plain ignorant. Banned from the beach???? What is this world coming to?
Team ROCKIT (not verified)
The woman was ignorant for bragging, it never gets you anywhere. As for posting incriminating evidence, that was without a doubt stupid. Not knowing the law is no excuse. Banning ORV from the beach is not the answer. There should be more patrols by rangers to keep the fishermen in check and inspect their catch. To keep the traffic at a minimum they (rangers) should use ATVs or SideXsides (ie. Polaris Razor or Yamaha Rhino, and etc.) to transverse the seashore more efficiently.
Great work to a watchful eye in a world where the PC is the communication tool of the world. Keep up the good work.
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