Anyone have a place we use to meet, intrested in chairing the association or halping in any way?  Do you care or not?

Candy would be a great one in my book.  I just want to help get it organized and up and getting the charters with the commercials so they will leave us alone.

If it ain't fried, it ain't cooked.

Rich

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My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations James 1:2

If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will lay hold of me Psalms 139: 9-10

MEMBER P.R.F.A.

_{^{(Recreational Fisherman)}}

_{2001 19' Cape Horn                                                                                                                    200 HPDI Yamaha                                                                                                 
Pensacola,FL                                                                                                                             
kniejac@hotmail.com}

_{><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>  Christopher Knieja ><((((º>`·.¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·..¸><(((º>}         

                                                        _850-261-9409

_{Board Member of the PRFA http://www.fishpensacola.net} 

_{Member of the RFRA  http://www.reeffishra.com}        

I agree we need a counter proposal.  Candy has some great ideas for one - here's her email.  candy@valp.net

You should write her and discuss your ideas - with her. 

"I aint as good as I once was...but I was good once...as I ever was".... Toby Keith

member PRFA        http://www.fishpensacola.net

I will be contacting Candy  to see what she has as far as a counter.  At least Chris is not afraid to make stand. Anymore recreational fishermen out there or is this why we keep losing our rights?

member RFRA

If it ain't fried, it ain't cooked.

My point here is that the post Coley and mike are putting up leads those that read it to think all of you guys support it.  I know its hard to read everything that is put on the forum, but I, for one, didn't see any responses, from any capt. that was against this proposal, stating that any capt. was against it.  Why would your average joe think otherwise.  You know how it goes, someone in an organization makes a proposal, that is is usually the position of said organization unless said members stand up and state otherwise.  It gives the appearance that these guys are speaking for all of you, when in reality, they are.  Glad to see some of you step up and state otherwise. 

Now, how do you deal with a devastating proposal that has been submitted and cannot be withdrawn?  The recreational fishermen cannot stand by and see where the cards fall on this issue. It's unfortunate that you guys that don't want it, just like us, are caught up in it and will either suffer the consequences or profit from the gain, whichever the outcome.  Either way, there's no turning back and just like you, I'm not willing to give up any of my fish.  It's really too bad the two groups couldn't continue to fight the fed's instead of the way it has ended up, fighting each other, thanks to Coley and friends.

I really don't dislike any for hire guys, a couple of retired ones and some that got out of the business are friends of mine.  Had to say something to get you guys that were against the plan to come out of the woodwork.  Don't know the numbers on those of you that are against it,  if you out number them by a large percentage maybe there is a way to petition that the proposal be withdrawn based on it misrepresenting the interest of the involved parties.  (it would have to strictly be for hire captains signing the petitions since they, you, would be the interested parties)  Maybe state wide you could accomplish this if it's even possible.  If this could and did happen, maybe, maybeee, the rec guys would help you guys fight the feds to get back what they took from you this last year, no fish for the capn and deck hands and now having to fish the fed season.  I don't agree with any of those changes and that is who Coley and gang should have directed their energy.

If it ain't fried, it ain't cooked.

Capt. Tony Blanton

Certified Marine Technician

Powerpole dealer and Outfitting specialist

SAMS SA Marine surveyor

http://powerpole.com/

Frydaddy - Glad for your support against the SOS proposal since that is the position of the RFRA (and most of the folks who have commented on the proposal here).  Some information for your edification -

The SOS plan has not been submitted - it's not even been discussed yet at any governmental public meeting - this Week's meeting in the keys is the first discussion of it.  There is nothing to withdraw.

There are a few recreational fishemen and charter captains  that I know of that are exdpending efforts to formulate another plan that does not call for recreational sector division.

Candy Hansard has a lot of information on the process and the people involved on various sides of the issue - I encourage you to contact her with your constructive ideas.

Hope this helps.

PS - Bonita Dan could be mistaken for a drunken sailor most of the time but he is not a charter captain that I know of . 

"I aint as good as I once was...but I was good once...as I ever was".... Toby Keith

With the hearing being held Thursday, hopefully you guys have written to the Council and Commission and requested the proposal not be presented or discussed?  Even though Crabtree is going to run like with it like a hive of hornets chasing you through the woods, it won't hurt to write him.  They tend to listen more when you don't rant and rave, just simply tell them you are against it, and charter guys state that you are being misrepresented and don't want it.  Our letter campaign worked last year in keeping our season against the fed's wishes. 

I have written them requesting they deny any and all changes to the recreational TAC, whether it be reducing or splitting it.  How many has done the same?  Still have Wednesday to do it.  I know most of you guys don't need their addresses, but here they are for those that do;

commissioners@myfwc.com

gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.com

roy.crabtree@noaa.gov

If it ain't fried, it ain't cooked.

Thanks for the link, I just joined the letter club...Told them what I think "diplomatically" and feeling better for it..

Hope my small voice is heard!

Jimmy

Need 2 fish- Once a proposal is submitted in writting to the council, even though it hasn't been heard, that is the time to proptest it, better to act than have to react.  Just trying to protect what we have.

Thanks for the compliment Coley, at you stayed on your train of thought for an entire sentence.

Need more letters.

If it ain't fried, it ain't cooked.