Satchmo

This topic's made up of the 40% of anglers who are willing to consider anything that might ensure a good future for recreational angling even if it's not a perfect solution and the other 60% who can only pick holes, moan and bury their heads in the sand while their sport gets slowly strangled. If you're going to complain about this proposal and why it won't work, at least suggest something that will!!

I'd suggest it would be impossible to cover every child and mackerel bashing holiday maker. And anyway for most children this is an introduction to fishing which should be encouraged not penalised. However, I would still be in favour of licensing for charter boat anglers and match fisherman who must surely account for 90% of recreational fish taken out of the sea. Also, as has already been noted, I think Leon should bear in mind the importance of the food chain. Fish gotta eat!

I'd add to that a programme for creating artificial reefs around the coast. None of this is rocket science. It could all be done relatively easily if the political will was there!

I'd suggest it would be impossible to cover every child and mackerel bashing holiday maker. And anyway for most children this is an introduction to fishing which should be encouraged not penalised. However, I would still be in favour of licensing for charter boat anglers and match fisherman who must surely account for 90% of recreational fish taken out of the sea. Also, as has already been noted, I think Leon should bear in mind the importance of the food chain. Fish gotta eat!

Makes you want to weep doesn't it! Why can't local council jobsworths recognise the benefit that something like this would bring. I reckon it would be possible to build private piers at a reasonable cost, charge anglers, rent out kiosks for ice-cream and bait etc. and make a good profit. Trouble is, the red-tape, planning disputes and visits from Health & Safety would drive you into the grave before you sank a pylon.

What would it matter how much you spent on bait if there are less and less fish to eat it? Tackle and bait shops would make more money and then pay more tax to the government. So what's the difference, except extinct fish species? I don't believe anything until I see the proposals. If they don't make significant changes then I wouldn't be paying a licence fee since I'd have stopped fishing. So what's the difference. For the hard case anglers out there who fish every week its about 42p a week or 1 extra peeler crab! All I'm saying is don't stick our heads in the sand and refuse to pay no matter what, see what's offered in return!

Yak Would you spend £22 on some good bait to catch a few extra fish? Would you spend £22 on some measures to make sure our children can catch fish? Don't be so negative Paul

I'm with Salar, Don't just rubbish the proposal and presume the worst! Run with it, let the government say what they're going to do with the revenue, let them say how fish protection measures will be enforced. It's all too easy to say that all governments are a bunch of crooks that won't take any action. But that fact is that £1.3 billion is a lot of money and we can't be ignored for ever plus with an extra £3 million revenue coming in they HAVE to say what they're going to do with it. Wait and see.

I didn't really want to have the hassle of taking rods and tackle with me but you've got me thinking now. Maybe I'll invest in a retractable rod and take a wander round in the evenings. Are there any restrictions on where you can fish or licenses required etc. Paul

Norm AnglersNet trip to Florida Keys next year. Sounds good! We're gonna try and fit in some scuba diving on the reefs and kayaking abound the backcountry while we're there so bring your flippers! Paul

Cranfield: Just me and my 12-year-old-boy. My budget's fairly tight, we'll only be over there about 10-12 days and I don't intend spending much time inside hotel rooms. I think we'll stick with Islamorada until I get to know the area a bit better (maybe next time). 12 weeks a year in Florida Keys eh! . . . . . . sigh!!!!! I'll try to hold on to that thought! I looked at 'Bud N Mary's' website and the owner was very nice in responding a couple of times to my emails about accommodation. That's how I found out about Memorial Day weekend which is apparently completely mad and to be avoided. Either that or Caloosa Cove which PaulG recommended and also looks pretty good. April or Mid May seem to be the ideal time combining cheap flights, accommodation and good fishing and I know a friend in the trade who gets rock bottom prices on flights. Paul

Newt I looked at : http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeroforum?id=9 and it looks real good, slipped my mind before. It's strangely AnglersNet like! Paul

Cranfield, there you are, perfect timing. Thanks for the advice. Could you recommend any skippers though? and is there any good basic accommodation rather than the expensive beachfront condo's? Thanks Paul

Alan, do you have his email address or is it somewhere on this site? not sure how to find it? Paul

Thanks Les and PaulG. April/May sounds like a good time to go. Flights are dirt cheap and it apparently doesn't get to crowded. I'd originally planned to go end of May until I found out about the Memorial Day Weekend on the 30th, the whole place is already booked up now for 2005! and this usually kicks off the summer season. A couple of skippers have told me if you get there 2, 3 or 4 weeks prior to this you can get the pick of the boats, cheap accommodation and great fishing. Looking forward to trying some saltwater fly fishing, never done any flys before. How hard can it be? Paul