Quote Originally Posted by elnutsmalljaws View Post
It happens more than you think. I know in December 2005 they Tenn Wildlife busted a houseboat that had 6 guys on it and they had coolers full of "Fish Fillets" and almost a hundred pounds of Smallies in the cooler yet to be cleaned. I never heard of the total they thought these 6 had taken but did hear they played the "Stupid" card and said they thought the limit was 5 over 15" long like the Largemouth per person per day and were from out of state so they did not know the lake size and creel limit. I was told by a guy a few months later that they went to court and all the judge did was take away their liscense and fine them $150 per man. Not a big enough penalty if you ask me, Fillet them and see how they feel.
On page 15 of the Tennessee Fishing Guide it says:
"Possession Limits: The total possession limit is twice the daily creel limit. You may not have more than the daily creel limit with you while afield. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO HAVE, WHILE AFIELD, ANY FISH WHICH HAS BEEN ALTERED SO THAT ITS SPECIES AND/OR TOTAL BODY LENGTH CANNOT BE DETERMINED."

It is perfectly clear those guys broke the law and I agree with you that the penalty should have been much greater. The judge's decision was nothing more than a slap on the wrist.