I Was Investigated By FWC For “Illegally” Pier Fishing!

[@chrispfeifer7628]

Saw a comment whining about this channel and it makes zero sense. No one is forcing you to watch. Most of us are here cuz we prefer watching a guy who what handed everything, or owns a fleet of fishing boats. We don't grudge him for trying to beat the algorithm. Hopefully he does. And if it makes you unhappy, that's on you not Brad or anyone else. I hope this channel becomes the biggest fishing channel on KZbin. Peace ✌️

[@BeardedBrad92]

Let’s go!!

[@TheLawlessTide]

Yeah but have you ever been on a road trip with Brad? That might change your mind😂

[@garywarren2856]

​@@TheLawlessTideI have been on many road trips with him. 😅

[@TheLawlessTide]

@@garywarren2856 bahahaha, i feel your pain!

[@mdlabor43]

No chance of getting much bigger

[@ryantracy1531]

That officer was hoping he could just get an easy fine. Glad you stood your ground. I love your videos and enjoy watching with my son. Keep it up.

[@squillium3091]

Looks like the FWC officer was going fishing lol

[@mettabergman7089]

I've never seen blues frenzy like that. Its an amazing sight.

[@wh8085]

Loved the video ! 40" Snook , WOW ! Subbed , hope it helps feed that cute little blondie ! We raised two of them , you really miss 'em when they grow up and move on ! Great video !

[@daveg5181]

The dude on the phone has no proof that it wasn't 10". What a waste of time. Thanks for the content, Brad.

[@BeardedBrad92]

Yep!

[@johnlong8157]

I didn't see the Instagram post but I did watch the original video and it definitely looks like a keeper mang to me for sure!!!!! What a waste of FWC time and resources

[@Secondchance1223]

well that's what the gov agencies are about wasting taxpayers time and money

[@andrewwillis4911]

Been living and fishing in SW FLA for 31 years, thought I was well versed in the laws although they seem forever changing yearly. Appreciate you taking time out to educate an old dog.

[@anthobellant6466]

Yes. Up in NY we get blue fish blitzes with 10+ pounders. Sometimes mixed in with striped bass. I’ve seen them destroy full size menhaden schools.

[@tootiefnfruity2]

Great video Brad.. man those blues were off the chain!!

[@BeardedBrad92]

Thank you!

[@russellstewart2667]

Brad don’t let the Man get you down brother. Haters gonna hate. Keep up the fishing brother!!!!!👍🏻

[@themechanic7314]

We learn something new every day. Thank you for the tips.

[@pomexfishing5061]

Good stuff BB! Feels good to be in the right. Love your content.

[@lizgibson5266]

Keep on fishing, we'll keep watching.

[@spacecoastsurffishing1726]

There is no issue. Fish on!

[@broad100]

Great video Brad. I liked and subscribed.

[@bqoutdoors2334]

Brad, this was a good video catching blues near shore with your son and adding a good story to it. Finally a good video.

[@lizgibson5266]

Seen a few videos of people catching bream for flathead bait. I was told, probably 40 years ago, you couldn't use game fish for bait. I never looked it up. Thanks for the video.

[@walterrichards1802]

Bream are not 'gamefish' and they can be used as bait nearly everywhere. Bass of all types, are normally considered gamefish and at least here in Florida cannot be used as bait, live or cut bait. Just about anything else is ok to use including bream, crappie, catfish and whatever you have available.

[@mtnentertainment3454]

It depends. Some gamefish can be used (such as bluegill which can be used as long is it is caught by the angler using it and is above a certain size) while other gamefish cannot (such as black bass, striper, peacock bass, or white bass) be used as bait in any form live or cut. This is how it is in Florida where I live at least.

[@Chance_1517]

Lovin it keep it going!

[@TheConstitutionalGuardian]

You are under NO obligation to call that investigator back to help HIM with HIS investigation!

[@mcwilliams4546]

The bullies at the FWC are so entitled that they want you to do their job for them so they can extort money from you. They are the worst.

[@ihavetofishable]

FWC unwittingly works for the fisheries industry. The only "conservation" they are designated to do is to conserve the profits of the fisheries industry. The "elite" owners of the fisheries industry view EVERY FISH as THEIR FISH and with all of the more aggressive size limits, seasonal restrictions, slots, etc, year after year after year, it is easy to see that their goal is to make it that if you want a fish, you will have to BUY A FISH from one of their fisheries approved fish houses. No disrespect to the FWC officers, they are mostly unaware of their real roll in all of this but at the end of the day, our rights and OUR fish are stolen from us just the same. If what I'm saying were not true, then there would be limits of how many fish of a certain species you are allowed TO BUY from fish houses. There are none. If I go to the same waters and catch a snapper, I'm allowed 2 or 10 or whatever limit it is for that species HOWEVER if I go to the fish house, I can buy 100 of the same species or more.

[@mcwaiting152]

This. The limits on recreational fishing are so absurd and irrelevant compared to the absolute ecological rape committed every season by commercial fishing. Unless you have money to literally burn, boat ownership, maintenance, fuel and fishing gear isn't worth it for the few fish you can keep once in a blue moon you get on a bite. How bored must this FWC officer be in his dead-end job to spend time on this? Pathetic.

[@cag1763]

@@mcwaiting152 as are you

[@mitchbrown2301]

​@@mcwaiting152listen man commercial fisherman get one third of the allocation please tell me whose doing more damage.

[@mitchbrown2301]

​@@mcwaiting152not to mention the fact all that bait you buy from baitshops/barges etc those guys are commercial fisherman as well. I don't hear you complain about the bait they provide.

[@SuperJlonergan]

@@mitchbrown2301 netters by me scoop up in one pull more shorts of every different species that they get to keep than all the rec fishermen for the whole state all week so please tell me how the poor chinaman catching dinner should get a friggin ticket setting him back week of salary, it is absurd the whole fwc and alike in every coastal state, they dont save DXKkkk

[@keithandrews4073]

I posted a video of me using a live herring to catch catfish a few years ago on FB and got investigated by the NC DMF. Unfortunately, they didn't pay attention to where the pin was. I was in SC at the time. Lol

[@jeffreyholmes5570]

Fifty years ago in Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island we had feeding frenzy's all the time. During the summer the bluefish would circle the schools of menhaden and that would start it. Fish were jumping everywhere. The frenzy would last maybe twenty minutes, then stop. Fifteen or twenty minutes later another frenzy would rise to the surface maybe half a mile from the previous one. The blues were great fighting fish for their size. A very strong tasting fish.

[@harrylegge4898]

Dude at FWC doesn’t have enough to do if he is investigating fishing videos.

[@bartphillips2613]

That's his job one of many why it's call😂d an investigation meaning check it out to s🎉e the validity

[@JoshCrouse95]

I’ve seen a bluefish blitz like that only once before when I was fishing a pier in the obx at night. The water was all churned up just like that, it was insane

[@BeardedBrad92]

Pretty cool to see!

[@danielsplayhouse3804]

Me and my father-in-law will Wade fishing down in the Manatee River down here in palmetto Florida and we had a school of redfish that was feeding on white bait and just turn the water red all around us like it was absolutely awesome seeing the color of redfish changed the watercolor!

[@1997wolverine]

My Dad got his PB 44" snook on a 13" mangrove snapper. It instantly elevated him to legend status among our fishing friends.

[@BeardedBrad92]

44”! Thats a giant!

[@grimreaper4801]

I remember at a pier. I saw FWC at a pier and two kids were using mangrove snapper as live bait. They almost got a ticket. The mangrove snapper were undersize but still alive (they have a huge bucket being used to storage their live bait). So, the mangrove snapper was return to the water. But one kid I see at a pier another time said you can use mangrove snapper for live bait (even if they are undersize).

[@BeardedBrad92]

They have to be legal size

[@egomaniac247]

Holy smokes that feeding frenzy was insane. My dad used to talk about frenzies like that he saw back in the 60's and 70's. I've seen schools of blues working up and down the beach but damn sure never seen anything like THAT.

[@BeardedBrad92]

It was pretty cool to see!

[@WNTnevermissOfficial]

The garbage can full of twisted teas 🤣🤣🤣 W brad!!!

[@BeardedBrad92]

😂

[@bassnbuckbillyb824]

Damn Brad sounds like TWRA here in Tn!They’re always watching FB during deer season.Great video!Im heading to Florida in few weeks.

[@danbrunski469]

Cut manatee chunks make excellent redfish bait....but you didn't hear that from me.

[@jorgefigueroa7573]

INCREDIBLE.. 100% CORRECT. You can use any fish of legal size and legal to catch as bait. PERIOD! Dammit you just can't catch a break from this CRAP!!!

[@timellis9293]

I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. We used to get blue's and rockrish (striped bass) that would boil like that sometimes back in the 80's and early 90's when I was a kid living there. Our blue fish would be 30+ inches though. Talk about fights.

[@bobm4447]

Yes I’ve seen it in CT but the blue were 10 to 15 lbs and the turned the water red from all the bunker they had trapped

[@mrpfy]

The most important part of this story is the way you handled this phone call and response video. You treated everyone involved with respect. Now the question is, How far back can the FWC cite anyone for a violation with evidence from an internet video? Also like you said, are they just doing this from calls from KZbin watchers or just one individual or do they monitor KZbin videos themselves?

[@UberRealty]

yes, In the Chesapeake bay. blue fish and strip bass

[@aaronryan6194]

I have seen bluefish do this before. I was at a beach at Montauk Pt on Long Island and the bluefish would just boil up like that and move along the beach. The people foshing were shoulder to shoulder but would hook up on every cast. Ive never seen anything like it before.

[@timechild1261]

😂😂Someone has to make an artist wanted poster of Brad. Fish Bandit. 😂😂😂😂

[@BeardedBrad92]

Someone sent me one😂

[@johnwall7306]

Apparently we are not free anymore. Been fishing at night here in Venice florida for 20 years now. Last weekend I got chased off every fishing spot I tried by local police. They would not give me a reason just a you can't be here leave now. Then escorted me back into town. If a guy can't fish when a guy wants to what else can't we do anymore? NO VIOLENCE NO VICTIM NO CRIME .

[@ErinLogan-x7t]

Beautiful fish you caught Bearded Brad❤❤

[@BeardedBrad92]

Thanks!

[@wendellsuiter7869]

Yes schoolies that massive at the Old Scotch Bonnet pier Topsail Island NC back in the day...my2c FWC reaching for the stars...

[@timandmichelleschuller3647]

Bummer Brad! Still envious of you fishing .. from land locked Indiana.. such great videos you put out. Have you ever looked into a pivo for your camera?? it follows you.. just a thought. I always look forward to your video's. Hope to get to Florida next year to fish! Thank you. Tim

[@BeardedBrad92]

I’ll have to look that up. Thanks!

[@pwrplnt1975]

I don't know why they even bothered, it's not like he could come close to proving it!

[@mcwilliams4546]

Because it’s the FWC, and they’re the worst,most corrupt agency existence. Instead of actually getting out and investigating violations that actually do harm to the fishery or the wildlife population, they park somewhere and watch internet videos hoping to see something they can try to bully someone into incriminating themselves. They are horrible.

[@Kayhooks331]

I think you are Awesome! Always a Karen in the bunch !! Your videos are always good ! We really enjoy them ! Keep it up!

[@BeardedBrad92]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@Tonytrinceri1]

Yeah I’ve seen it all the time south shore of Long Island only difference is we actually catch big blues weeks and stripers not snappers like your catching 😂

[@cag1763]

@@Tonytrinceri1 I came from Jersey...these people do not know what a big bluefish is...

[@BloodCover]

Good thing I know the FWC commissioner, I just text him if I got questions

[@christopherworks400]

Sounds like they were fishing for a fine.

[@fishydubs7964]

Well I'm glad you put an end to the controversy I always thought you can't use snapper for bait a lot of times I want to use Lane snapper Vermillion snapper or any other kind of Fish off shore but I hold off on doing it because I always thought it was illegal

[@BeardedBrad92]

It’s legal in Florida!

[@stayontarget47]

Beautiful baby girl. My kids are all the proof I need to avoid haters and spend time with what matters. Love your videos my friend.

[@BeardedBrad92]

Thank you!!

[@jeffreyvanderklip6769]

Heck, we use Legal lobster to catch Cubera Snapper

[@emsamish]

Last week in Delaware ribbonfish were exploding like that on the surf. First time in 30 years, ever even seen ribbonfish on the shore always get them offshore.

[@felonfarms3245]

What’s crazy is I literally have no idea who you are then on Monday hear dudes straight ratting you and hella others out at Juno pier to FWC. Then I see this video today 😂😂😂😂

[@mcwilliams4546]

Why people simp for the tyrants at the FWC is beyond me. They can rat all they want, and that won’t stop the boot from landing on their neck when they give the terrible FWC the opportunity.

[@jackbelk8527]

A Grouper Trooper with nothing better to do is pretty common.

[@mcwilliams4546]

AMEN!

[@brown80204]

OMG! She's adorable! Look at those sky-blue eyes!

[@QueBabyWilliams2022]

2 years ago!!! They are really reaching. 😂

[@donaldwilson7579]

People can be complete jack asses. Why mess with a guy that is doing the right thing and trying to make a living.

[@allenandmain]

Looks like they would hunt some bad guys, give em hell Brad , thanks for show

[@Catchyalater_Fishing_Co]

I can't imagine simping for game wardens unless it was a pretty serious crime. And even then, fwc called you just reaching for nothing. They must be hard up to charge someone

[@mcwilliams4546]

They’re always hard up to catch someone. They are the worst.

[@scottrutter8388]

Brad, love your videos and been to your store. I just double checked to make sure I was still Subscribed and I no longer was. I resubscribed. This happens to a lot of channels. Might want to remind your viewers to double check to make sure they are still Subscribed. Keep up the good work.

[@BeardedBrad92]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@mikehataway4126]

Anybody with a man bun should be investigated. 😂

[@BeardedBrad92]

It’s gone now!

[@L3Dhelpguide]

So not being from the region, is there a restriction on boat proximity to the piers?

[@BeardedBrad92]

There is, but the pier I was fishing near is closed for construction

[@renebrioso835]

Is that pier 60 Clearwater Beach?

[@irvinsingh3067]

You can literally use anything as long as its legal size and in season and also.for fish with a size limit you have to use it whole can't cut it up

[@garywarren2856]

Oh well. Great video and challenge

[@baylentroutner7565]

The Twisted Tea in the trash! lol so good

[@BeardedBrad92]

😂

[@ThomasShue]

People suck for trying to get you burned! Your daughter is beautiful!

[@peterphelps7969]

That pier sure looks like the Alabama Gulf State Park Pier.

[@Digitize49-g2f]

Florida…Citizen Fine-Corn Holing.

[@junesecrist6719]

You might want to put a disclaimer on the video in question.

[@paulmerritt5318]

I enjoy your program, you are a positive roll model for sportsman and dads.

[@BeardedBrad92]

Thank you!

[@lelanddyals6004]

Theres a reason we always called them a possum sheriff's lol. They were this dumb like this before the internet. Took them to court 6 times and judge kinda got pissed last couple of times for the sillyness of what they charged me with. I ran inshore charter trips and back then they didn't quite understand i was exempt from a lot of they're rules. Hey it was coast guards rules not mine. So i would keep my mouth shut let them issue a ticket not admit to anything. Then I would show up in court with the appropriate Coast guard documents and the case would be dismissed. But each time they did that I took a picture of their vessel and then when I got the pictures I simply circled all the violations and dropped it off at the local Coast guard office. They were more than happy to go ticket them on the water. So between the judge wagging the finger in the Coast guard giving them harassment to they finally decided to leave me alone lmao. Most of the time if you find yourself with FWC in Florida let them check your fish and your safety gear and anything else you like a lisc but have zero comments otherwise

[@anthony3603]

Same rule applies to yellow tail snapper.

[@walterstephens8851]

I’ve seen them rush the beach like that in buxton North Carolina

[@slamvibes]

Appreciate the background of the situation and helping clarify what the law is. Have to say it's sooooo law enforcement to be WASTING time using an instagram clip and God given brilliance of measurement to claim for fact you broke the law because your bait wasn't 10".

[@KeysMan-b5j]

I lived in the keys for 50 years plus. I saw where you were fishing down on Long key bridge that's probably been a year ago maybe. FWC has been in existence for 25 years. When I first lived there they were called Florida marine Patrol and they got along with people when they became FWC they thought they became God. And they Treat people very condescending I've only known a few of them that acted like they were actually serving the people, and not throwing t h e i r Authority around.

[@mcwilliams4546]

They are awful.

[@bartphillips2613]

Arent boats suppose to be 200 yards from a pier and 100 yards from a beach that's how it is in South Carolina

[@BeardedBrad92]

Yes, but this pier is closed for construction.

[@bartphillips2613]

On the video you showed of catching the snook you could hear people say it was illegal

[@BeardedBrad92]

Yep, and they were wrong. Lots of kids down there hate KZbinrs filming on the pier

[@boatsail1]

I say be legal and go forward. Interesting the Invest and phone number were unallowed (i'm guessing).

[@mikebojtor]

Right on dude nice snook but what happened to the tarpon 😮😂

[@chriss8206]

It's a shame that we have people that don't know how to do their job nowadays. Good job fwc

[@SpeedracerMach]

That just because somebody doesn't know anything and it's probably friends with a FWC officer which is BS when you state with the law is right in your video

[@kylehermanfishing]

so fun!

[@FloridaBvids]

Damn the haters keep up the videos broski

[@madhatter2465]

These guys are checking social media to try to snag fishermen who are responsible members of society, they are listening to crybabies who don`t like what you do but that`s too bad! This WF whatever they are named should be embarrassed for what he tried to do to you, His boss should be notified of his scrupulous behavior and should be told to stop harassing decent and truthful fishermen, I am from NYC, and if one of these characters would have called I would have told him to call my lawyer, these guys with guns and badges think they are something to our society Society don`t need to be harassed by high paid mall security!

[@pschwinn7599]

Oh you haters are so freaking cute. This guy (bearded brad) is a good dude. Traveled down to Pensacola in March. Stopped by the store and he was nice enough to talk a little bit. He loves what he does. Good for you Brad keep your head up and your lines tight. Only complaint I have is I forgot to ask you where the roadside black drum spot is. Dammit 😂

[@BeardedBrad92]

lol I appreciate it! It’s on the canal between gulf shores and orange beach!

[@pschwinn7599]

@@BeardedBrad92 I appreciate it will be there again next year. I'll hit you up when it gets closer to see if you have any time.

[@my67falcon]

That water was boiling big time.

[@TexasPapa13]

You’re a FWC magnet 😆. I think they just want to be in your videos

[@PyrosPelagics]

this dude stays in some drama, lol i dont care as long as you stay out of jail and keep teaching us

[@BeardedBrad92]

I’m trying!!

[@BrokeboyOutside]

Just craziness they need to be going after the dudes Intentionally doing harm.

[@carlgruver695]

Wonder what was chasing those blues

[@BeardedBrad92]

They were changing glass minnows and pilchards

[@dustyflair]

BB, just becasue an officer tells you it is legal, doesnt make it legal. The law says you can not use ANY reef fish as bait. The ONLY exception, in the law, is the use of the carcasses in traps fro crabs. It doesnt state IF the fish was legal you can use it as bait....Otherwise charterboats could use some reef species as bait....I would be careful messing with reef species as bait.

[@BeardedBrad92]

It is 100% legal in the state of Florida

[@dustyflair]

@@BeardedBrad92 be careful is all. You fish so much you dont need to be in a grey area. Just my opinion...The law reads...."The use of Gulf reef fish as bait is prohibited. Gulf reef fish may not be used as bait in any fishery. The only exception to this is that filleted carcasses and guts of Gulf reef fish can be used as bait in trap fisheries for blue crab, stone crab, deep-water crab, and spiny lobster as long as it’s purchased from a fish processor. "...check this out too..."the filleted carcasses and guts of Gulf reef fish can be used as bait in trap fisheries for blue crab, stone crab, deep-water crab, and spiny lobster as long as it’s purchased from a fish processor. Using your own harvested reef fish carcasses is not legal."....cant even use your own reef species carcass as bait...so how can you use a whole fish?

[@chrispickett3092]

If you have a short fish on the line, and a bigger legal fish takes that fish, but gets caught in the act, legal or not legal. Larger fish is hooked in mouth from eating not legal length fish..............

[@Michael-u4m8l]

Got snitched out by a bunch of angry Karen's who cant even catch bluegill.

[@patcrowe9780]

Just a damn Debby

[@larrygolden167]

Brad even if you are right never talk to them they will try to twist your words. Tell them you aren’t answering any questions have a nice day. They have to prove you done something wrong that is why he wanted to talk to you to try and get you to incriminate yourself.

[@mirandamaher9465]

That FWC agent should lose his job just on being bad at eyeballing fish. that snapper is every bit of 12.5 to 13 inches, your thumb is a perfect reference in the picture of you unhooking the fish @17:49 . The FWC agent probably needs glasses...

[@BeardedBrad92]

The video he saw was an Instagram reel so maybe harder to see

[@terepage7474]

File a harassment report and always carry a tape measure.

[@cannix8055]

How would that hold up in court if they wanted to fine/charge you. You can't say that is mangrove is not 10 inches with verifiable proof, so why even try to go after you. Well the more i htink about it, he was doing some fishing of his own trying to get you to admit it wasn't 10 inches. I've caught plenty of mangrove in my life that one sure did look at least 10 inches.

[@cappercapper485]

They should be investigating your life vest usage. Having a kid casting lines of a bow in flip flops without one is just asking for it.

[@BeardedBrad92]

Not breaking any laws🤷🏼‍♂️

[@danmillercrna]

Sorry this happened to you.