All Crime, All The Time – News and Commentary on the Criminal Class
Chinese Pirate Poacher Caught 2nd time in week; Crisfield commercial waterman Ryan Brittingham busted for poaching in oyster sanctuary – Ryan Christopher Brittingham, 25, of Crisfield, was charged with illegally harvesting wild oysters in an oyster sanctuary after officers conducting surveillance watched four vessels enter the protected area and remove 36 ½ bushels of oysters. The oysters were seized and returned to the sanctuary.
CHINESE NEW YEAR POACHERS WERE HAULING IN THE BIG ONES
HAMPTON, VA. — Two Chinese men who police believe were out to snatch every large fish they could, regardless of legal limits, rules or species – in order to sell whole large fish to various Chinese restaurants for the Chinese New Year on Feb. 19th, now face serious felony charges.
Now that the cold weather has locked in till mid-February or even March in the Chesapeake Region there are far fewer fishing opportunities. Sure, you can go fishing, but why near freeze to death to not catch anything in frigid water?
Croaker fishing from a pier is quite productive. But, you can increase your odds by taking a boat to the edge of a channel and fishing along that edge. Also, oyster beds are particularly good feeding grounds for croakers to dine upon. Drift fishing will help you cover a lot of bottom till you find a good area to anchor.
The croaker limit of 25 per angler is quite generous. Make sure you keep those noisy fish chilled or iced down well. No sense spoiling that delectable salt water taste that croakers are known for. Fresh fried croaker is fine eating. Freezing the fillets diminishes the flavor greatly.