Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited three men for fishing violations on Jan. 10 in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents cited Nelson D. Robinson, 47, of Luling, Vernell C. McBride, 44, of Houma, and Troy A. Dangerfield, 37, Houma, for fishing without basic and saltwater fishing licenses and for possessing over the limit of red drum.
An LDWF agent in his off time was fishing near Bayou Chauvin when he came into contact with Dangerfield and Robinson fishing the same area. The men didn’t know he was an agent and told him they already caught their daily limit and were heading back where they would drop off their fish and head back out to catch another daily limit.
The agent and the men made their way to the Ashland Public Boat Launch in Grand Cailou. The agent was able to document the men give 10 red drum to McBride who was waiting for them on shore. The two men then relaunched the vessel to catch more fish.
The agent was able to call two on duty agents about what was happening and also gave a description of the boat and truck the men were using. The two agents arrived on the scene shortly after 10 a.m. and waited for the men to come back with more red drum.
Around noon, Dangerfield and Robinson came back from their second trip where McBride was again waiting. The agents were able to make contact and found the three men in possession of 25 red drum. The daily limit is five red drum per person per day.
Possessing over the limit of red drum brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Also, the men face an additional $25 per fish over the limit and since they did not possess fishing licenses all 25 are considered over the limit resulting in a $625 fine. Not possessing a basic and saltwater fishing license each carries up to a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail. The men may also face a $661.75 civil restitution charge for the replacement value of the fish.
Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Bryan Marie, who was the off duty agent, Sgt. Richard Purvis and Lt. Joseph Arnaud.