Meldahl problems

[mountain goat]

Ask any fisherman who fishes regularly at the Meldahl tailwater and they'll tell you we have a problem with what appears to be a commercial operation involving individuals that either do not speak english or they do situationally harvesting over their limits especially in the peak months. They have couriers pick up stringers of fish and then they continue fishing. It's a group of at least 8-10 individuals that work in unison and involves a coordinated effort to secure and fish the best spots each taking turns in shifts. They will block bank access to the best area as well as hinder your ability to fish the "boils" by stationing several up high taking turns with no regard for anyone else. They fish like they're fishig for money, not fun and they bully you asking for your own catches. The locals including the local bait shop owner have seen this as it's become commonplace. There have been many heated exchanges over the past few years because of this activity and was wondering if someone would investigate this next year. These individuals, I assume are legal citizens, do not speak any english and communicate with one another in their own native language so you cannot understand what they're saying.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Interesting. Any idea where they are from? Could people band together and just kinda “overcrowd” them out? Just legally haze them away? That would make fishing in the short term pointless but preserve for future use by normal people with decency?

 

[mountain goat]

Again, I assume they are american citizens but they do not or simply won't speak english and only communicate with their crew. They have a communication system where some sleep in a conversion van that's parked there, they secure the area and bring in others. A purple Mercedes Benz suv/van picks up the stringers and they continue fishing morning, noon, and night. With their numbers, they are able to accomplish this everyday and all day. Many have simply given up trying to fight this from happening but I feel it needs to be addressed before someone gets hurt or tempers boil over. It's a very contentious and heated topic amongst the fishermen of Meldahl and we are just looking for some help.

 

[DH13]

Has any body contacted F&W about it? Seems like a place to start. See if F&W sit up surveillance to watch and check limits and license.

 

[1wildcatfan]

Ask any fisherman who fishes regularly at the Meldahl tailwater and they'll tell you we have a problem with what appears to be a commercial operation involving individuals that either do not speak english or they do situationally harvesting over their limits especially in the peak months. They have couriers pick up stringers of fish and then they continue fishing. It's a group of at least 8-10 individuals that work in unison and involves a coordinated effort to secure and fish the best spots each taking turns in shifts. They will block bank access to the best area as well as hinder your ability to fish the "boils" by stationing several up high taking turns with no regard for anyone else. They fish like they're fishig for money, not fun and they bully you asking for your own catches. The locals including the local bait shop owner have seen this as it's become commonplace. There have been many heated exchanges over the past few years because of this activity and was wondering if someone would investigate this next year. These individuals, I assume are legal citizens, do not speak any english and communicate with one another in their own native language so you cannot understand what they're saying.

You need to contact F&W and your game warden. They're not on here unless stealth like.

 

[CRFmxracer]

All it takes is a phone call to a game warden buddy

 

[Mt Pokt]

All it takes is a phone call to a game warden buddy

And that particular game warden is happy to work folks over!

Get photos and videos of this going on or you're just a sore loser in the warden's opinion.

 

[DH13]

If they are Asian you can bet they are selling them. If Mexican they are eating them. Either way it is wrong in what they are doing.

 

[KY_Fried]

I live in Foster and fish Meldahl often. Never seen or heard of this before. Not doubting you, just saying I've somehow never seen it. Like others have said, report it. COs patrol Meldahl often. If it goes on long enough they'll catch it. I have witnessed some major spoonbill poaching in that area before though. I was going to report it but a CO was already walking him back to his truck on my way out. They really do keep a closer eye on that kind of stuff then you think there.

 

[carnivore]

Ask any fisherman who fishes regularly at the Meldahl tailwater and they'll tell you we have a problem with what appears to be a commercial operation involving individuals that either do not speak english or they do situationally harvesting over their limits especially in the peak months. They have couriers pick up stringers of fish and then they continue fishing. It's a group of at least 8-10 individuals that work in unison and involves a coordinated effort to secure and fish the best spots each taking turns in shifts. They will block bank access to the best area as well as hinder your ability to fish the "boils" by stationing several up high taking turns with no regard for anyone else. They fish like they're fishig for money, not fun and they bully you asking for your own catches. The locals including the local bait shop owner have seen this as it's become commonplace. There have been many heated exchanges over the past few years because of this activity and was wondering if someone would investigate this next year. These individuals, I assume are legal citizens, do not speak any english and communicate with one another in their own native language so you cannot understand what they're saying.

Haven’t noticed this. A few mexican families here and there. But nothing close to what you described. Noone has ever been aggressive towards me in the slightest. What time of day? Days of the week? what season?
Id have called/text my local CO to advise. Or called a dozen buddies to give it back to them lol.