New Member & unhappy fisherman

[fishersfriend]

Hi i am new to this forum and i love carp fishing i have a little story to tell that i hope some people might be able to relate to:- I recently got caught without a license for the first time, having bought one for the last six years Ive never once seen a water bailiff in my whole entire fishing life therefore wondered what the point in buying one was for as no one as ever come and asked me to produce it, i then started fishing at a private pool where i was paying 20 pounds a time to fish there, as the land was privately owned i was under the impression that i wouldn't need one there as the 20 pounds would cover this, to my amazement 6 men turned up in green suits with clipboards and told me i needed a license and that i would be fined. I expected either a slap on the wrist and maybe the choice to buy a license on the spot with it being my first warning considering it was my first offense with me making a honest mistake or maybe a 50 pound fine but no I have now been fined 130 pounds at present with possible extra costs to this, i think its an absolute out rage and it makes me feel physically sick i haven't let it put it me off and i will make sure Ive got a license from now on i just think its really harsh the way ive been unfairly treated?? but then again its just another way to milk money out of innocent people and fishing is an expensive game as it is without them having to bleed you dry of every penny you've got left, it makes you wonder why you even bother

[big-al]

you should of bought a license in the first place and then you wouldn't of been fined

[Portland Pirate]

seems strange that you are willing to pay 20 quid a go to fish a pond, yet wont pay slightly more for a whole years licence. As you have said; you have had a licence for the previous 6 years, so you can't claim ignorance.

It always amazes me how indignant people get when they get caught. Think yourself lucky you got away with only £130.

Portland Pirate.

[MRG2000]

Welcome to the forum..

Self inflicteted wallet abuse i'm afraid,you obviously knew better as you had previously purchased a license for many years .

[barbelblanker]

This thread has me baffled. Sorry I just don't get your point.

[Baz T]

I dont think you have been fairly untreated. You need a licence to fish, end of story. The point of buying a licence is not just to have one in case bailiffs check, its to provide the EA with funds to improve waters, fish stocks etc. Read the anglers mail or anglers times, and you will see reports that show the EA does do a lot for angling and our waterways, though whether they do enough is open to dispute and is a matter for another thread entirely, therefore the licence is not just a way of milking innocent people as you put it. Perhaps you should fish somewhere cheaper occasionally, and use the money from that to buy a licence. All of us are feeling the pinch with the credit crunch, but I do make sure I have a licence for me and my son so that I have peace of mind in case I ever do get checked.

[Dubbed Squirrel]

We don`t have a rod licence up here, so we`re quite lucky. I was visiting relatives down south 2 years ago and bought a licence as, I was going fishing while there and it was required by law. I have to agree with rest, you have no reason to believe you`ve been treated harshly, as it was a conscious decision by yourself not to purchase one. Not what you want to hear, but it`s the law.

Welcome to the forum though.

[Bluesbro]

Welcome to the forum, I see what your gripe is sort of but by the letter of the law you did wrong and as you chose not to buy a licence it`s of your own doing. However my a mate of mine has been caught several times and been able to blag it and pay for day licences etc so for a first offence it was a lil harsh, did they not offer you a method of paying for one then and there?. Im a sea angler and have only gone fishing in lakes when i have been invited by my mates but i still got a licence, rather that than have my mates gear taken away and a fine. Consider yourself unlucky and a leason learnt

Joe

[Rob M]

I don't think you've been treated harshly. No licence= big fine. Simples.

[NICK R]

firstly
you should of bought your licence thats the law I have to cough up for 4 (his and hers )

to my amazement 6 men turned up in green suits
wow thats some going are there 6 in the country ?
ive bought them since the early/mid 70, and never seen 1 yet
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second

the laws of this land are total b*****ks as some person doing 40 in a built up area gets less than you , or a shop lifter ,
THE EA IS A QUANGO . SO ITS AFTER EASY MONEY .