I just saw a speared GSB from Catalina on Instagram

[MaxBottomtime]

Digital Smiles on Instagram: “While fishing in Catalina our Long Beach patient, Richard, broke a tooth. Unlike sharks he didn’t have a second row waiting to take its…”

 

[runsongas]

you send it in to cdfw?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

First thing. I wanted them to see it before the dentist office takes it down.

 

[Seaweed Doc]

GSB =giant sea bass?

We don't have them up north....

Glad you reported them.

 

[CuzzA]

How do you know it was speared? Could have been caught hook and line then gaffed. It looks like it may have been speared, but the post just says fishing.

 

[keithbt]

"How do you know it was speared? Could have been caught hook and line then gaffed. It looks like it may have been speared, but the post just says fishing."

I dont think that was the point.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I figured the two holes were from a spear, unless of course they gaffed it twice.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I see they removed the image already.

 

[CuzzA]

"How do you know it was speared? Could have been caught hook and line then gaffed. It looks like it may have been speared, but the post just says fishing."

I dont think that was the point.

Yes, it was part of the post. "A diver speared a protected species", but if it wasn't, then it incorrectly casts divers in a bad light. I don't want this guy representing divers.

He may very well have speared it, but I didn't see that info and a poorly executed gaff could cause similar damage. See an example below.

I'm not suggesting Max has any ill intent and I could certainly see why Max would suggest it. However, remember when VP candidate/Senator Tim Kaine pushed for gun control and told all of his followers the knife attack at Ohio State was due to gun violence? I hope the guy is punished, but I also don't want to see knee jerk reactions from law makers punishing others who follow the rules on methods of fishing.

Max, again, to be clear, I'm not suggesting you had any ill intent, and your assumptions may be true. He could have shot the fish twice or shot it and strung it, there's plenty of examples on the web of guys tearing fish up and putting multiple holes in them with a gaff.

Good for you reporting him.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There is a smaller hole above the gills. Why would he gaff it twice? Either way, it's an endangered species and shouldn't have been shot or gaffed.