Please answer Ron

[quack quack]

Ron posted


And something else, ... The Swordfish Club is the major player and political arm of the recreational swordfishing community. We have dedicated ourselves to the politics of swordfishing, and we have spent a lot of money and time to protect this fishery. We encourage and enjoy other swordfishi clubs and fishing clubs in the area, but if you recreational swordfish, you owe it to yourselves and the fishing community to stay intouch with the swordfish club.

We are the Blue Water Fishermen's Association of the recreational swordfishing community



Any way Ron I have a problem with you saying the sword club is THE MAJOR PLAYER AND POLITICAL ARM of all rec swordfisherman.BS BS BS.You are forgetting about every one on this forum the other forum TBF,RFA and so on.Almost every one on this forum sent letters,emails,called NMFS,NOAA,Congressmen and so on.You are not the only rec person on the whole AP panel.We talked alot on the phone about things so you know I am right.But you have been getting on SFC to get support to do away with buoy guys.WHY WHY WHY?I know you want to get NMFS to let all rec guys sell fish legally.That is a bad thing because the first time a rec guy sells a fish he is now a commercial fisherman.He is not a rec guy that sells fish he is a commercial fisherman with no say in rec fishing.Period end of story no gray area a commercial fisherman.Besides any one from up North knows what the blue fin fleet looked liked when every one started selling those fish..

You think the 50 is crowded with buoys.Imagine a 100 boats on every good night 7 days a week.Guy's would flood down here to fish for them.Guys in 20ft CC to 70ft battle wagons would be out there to put a little extra coin.Now with the day fishing it could be round the clock.I will say it again if a rec guy sells a fish he is now a commercial fisherman with NO say in rec fishing matters.

So Ron do not claim that you and the club are the only ones protecting this fishery.That is the attitude that has kept many people from joining the club. So stop dividing us as club guys,forum guys,buoy guys and so on.We all are the same and you need to realize that.

[CAPTINMITCH]

So Ron do not claim that you and the club are the only ones protecting this fishery.That is the attitude that has kept many people from joining the club.

Yeah, it seems very clique-y..

[PURPLE FEVER]

Eric thanks for your post. I dont think recreational sale of swordfish should be permitted. I do think Ron and the SESC have been a voice for the fishery here and I think thats what he may have been trying to convey.

Differing opinions is the backbone of our society and the freedom to express them is what makes our country great.

Its too bad that the original purpose of the SESC has been viewed as changed.

The concept when it first started was the small group that were fishing most nights to have a forum to share ideas and fishing reports so that when you were heading out you would have an idea of what they were eating and where.

Maybe we can get back to that.

[bajakian]

Originally Posted by PURPLE FEVER

Eric thanks for your post. I dont think recreational sale of swordfish should be permitted. I do think Ron and the SESC have been a voice for the fishery here and I think thats what he may have been trying to convey.

Differing opinions is the backbone of our society and the freedom to express them is what makes our country great.

Its too bad that the original purpose of the SESC has been viewed as changed.

The concept when it first started was the small group that were fishing most nights to have a forum to share ideas and fishing reports so that when you were heading out you would have an idea of what they were eating and where.

Maybe we can get back to that.

Good post!!

[quack quack]

While I agree and thank Ron and the club for doing a lot for the fishery.I think it is an insult to discount the efforts and time other people have put forth.The biggest reason I have been told why more people do not join is because of a attitude by some to wards forum guys.On top of that even club members have complained that the meetings have turned in to bitch session against buoys.The last meeting has not as bad for that.From what I have been told the membership of the club has been going down because of this as well.Not sure if that is fact just what I was told.The membership of this forum is much larger and wider reaching then the club.As a matter of fact it is the way the club communicates to the public.On were there is no secret meetings with select guys behind closed doors.No secret comity's and such.Every thing is up front and honest here.We might not all agree but that is ok.Come Dec there will be some new guys on the panel to help us in DC.Ron you have not come on here and asked people what they think about any issues just given your opinions.As a rec rep I think you should ask the rec comm for a little input besides trying to rally support for your ideas.

[Skip Smith]

Vinnie even pointed out that the "club" should be heard. We are working on that. We have tried survey’s and I even sent all the members an email asking for help with certain areas. Unfortunately I only received two replies.
What Washington DC saw in us, was they we were the largest rec group of swordfishermen. We tried to relay the recs voice. We even talked to every conservation group and only Ellen answered our questions. That why we try and stay close to The Billfish Foundation.

We also were hand a deal to "get rid of the buoy guys" from the Bluewater group and we told them that we could not answer for them. It was the right thing to do.

Even though each officer of has their own opinion, we can not let that make any decision for the fishery.

Ron was appointed as himself. He does try and let Washington know what he is hearing from our group. He represents the recreational side of the panel and represents himself.

In reviewing our membership we did notice that many of our members did go commercial. When we started, everyone just wanted to learn how to catch the fish.

The club tries to bring up the hot topics and address the problems that we hear about or even encounter ourselves. Some of us have our opinions and do voice them.

The only hard stance the club took was to say no to the PLL to their EFP off of Florida.

We are always open to new members and guests. We allow the buoy fishermen (and longliners) into our meetings. Communication is key to learning and working things out. (these forums work good too.)

Our goal at the club is to educate as well as to learn more about the different fishing methods and sharing great stories. We have had some great speakers and put faces to a lot of names. When the fun quits, we will close the doors.

I hope this clears things up.

[Another Grand]

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon South Florida, a new club, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that "all men are ok so long as they are good fisherman"

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that club, or any club so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field called the Darkside. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for the swordfish that died here, that the club might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow, these swordgrounds-- The majestic broadbill, living and dead, who fought here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what these amazing fish died for.

It is rather for us, the recreational and commercial fisherman, to stand here, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that, from these honored dead of the great swordfish we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the club, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

I would like to nominate myself as president of the SE Swordfish Club for 2008

Let the people Rule….

Johnny Tuna
Running as an independent party......
“The Day Time is the gay time, the Night Time is the right time!"
SESC Presidential Candidate 2008

In all seriousness,
a) I just reported Quack
b) This is like a $60 question, Ill throw $5
c) the spirit of da Prince lives on

And Ill leave you with this.....

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American Dream.
I have a dream that one day this club will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the 00 and the 49.5, the sons of club members and the sons of normal people will be able to sit down together at the pasta bar and drink Rum while the Risktaker preaches philosophy.

I have a dream that one day even a little south and slightly offshore, this Darkside sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice where it isn’t about image, just the fact that you fish make you an acceptable person.

I have a dream that Turtles 16 little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the size of their dad’s muttons, but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Lighthouse Point, with its vicious Bertrams and Small Yatchs, with its Governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Lighthouse Point, Ron, Quack, and everybody recreational fisherman will be able to join hands with Vinnie, Da Prince, Ollie and other commercial fisherman so that they accomplish something.

[JahMussa]

Originally Posted by PURPLE FEVER

The concept when it first started was the small group that were fishing most nights to have a forum to share ideas and fishing reports so that when you were heading out you would have an idea of what they were eating and where.

Maybe we can get back to that.

I agree with you Burt for the most part. I'm pretty sure that's why Mike created this forum as well. As a way to get like minded people to share information about Swordfishing. The club and the forum has somewhat merged except for the fact that there seems to be separation amongst the groups.

There are a few reasons.... Some see the club as "the lucky sperm club". Some think tackle stores charge to much. Some think guys on the forum are googans. Some can't think for themselves and need direction or a keyboard to hide behind. Some can only use a computer to read the forum but would never type a word. Some can type very well but have never caught a fish. There's a lot of reasons why people see the world differently. The forum can't police everyone and neither can a club. Sometimes it's good to have a different view to level the playing field. Sometimes standing alone won't make you popular but sometimes it will. Of course to there is safety in numbers but no one wants to be a Lemming.

So welcome to the year 2007 where Internet forums have now taken the place of "clubs". As a member of "the club" and this forum, I see a need for everyone to get along. As a club with politial interests, we need to be as strong and united as we can be.


-Tek

[JahMussa]

Wow.. in the time it took me to type that last post.... a lot had happened.

I'm not sure but I think RiskTaker or POD just hacked Johnny's account and made that post.... That law school is really paying off

[Broadbill-Pro]

Originally Posted by quack quack

Ron posted


And something else, ... The Swordfish Club is the major player and political arm of the recreational swordfishing community. We have dedicated ourselves to the politics of swordfishing, and we have spent a lot of money and time to protect this fishery. We encourage and enjoy other swordfishi clubs and fishing clubs in the area, but if you recreational swordfish, you owe it to yourselves and the fishing community to stay intouch with the swordfish club.

We are the Blue Water Fishermen's Association of the recreational swordfishing community

QQ,

I agree with you that Ron may have stepped on a few shoes by saying that everyone needs to "stay intouch" with the SESC. I don't agree with some of the agenda's of TBF and RFA (most of the others are silent), but Ellen and Jim are always in the front of the fight for the recs.

In regard to swordfish, I do not believe another group is dedicated to the extent that the SESC is (except this forum). I enjoy the meetings and was amazed but the way the members came together to oppose BWFA. I do believe that this club took the lead in that fight, as I was in their line of fire at the last AP meeting I should know where the bullets were coming from.

If the club is bias against the internet guys, I have to say I don't feel it at the meetings, I get more grief for being on here from family and friends. Most of the members do not agree with me, but the meetings are always respectful of everyones opinions.

I am glad I joined, it's a good oppertunity to share all of the aspects of this fishery with guys who are concerned, regardless of which side of the street they walk on.

[Nick C]

Amen brotha man Johnny!

[GENERALturtle.]

Classic!

[Skip Smith]

Originally Posted by PURPLE FEVER

Eric thanks for your post. I dont think recreational sale of swordfish should be permitted. I do think Ron and the SESC have been a voice for the fishery here and I think thats what he may have been trying to convey.

Differing opinions is the backbone of our society and the freedom to express them is what makes our country great.

Its too bad that the original purpose of the SESC has been viewed as changed.

The concept when it first started was the small group that were fishing most nights to have a forum to share ideas and fishing reports so that when you were heading out you would have an idea of what they were eating and where.

Maybe we can get back to that.

We started out with those goals. Unfortunately, the "Swordfish" brought us into the politics of the fishery. We could have turned our head and stayed with our sharing techniques, but we decided to try and make a difference.

When we called the conservation groups, none of them were aware of the first PLL attempt to get into the zone. (But they all took credit for turning them back) We do not deserve all or much of the credit, but we did make those conservation groups aware of the problem and let them know that there were a lot of us down here that did not want the PLLs fishing off of South Florida.

We know we made a difference. When Dr. Hogarth called and asked us to set up that meeting earlier this year, it showed they know who "we all are” here in South Florida.

It wasn't part of the clubs plans, but we dealt with it.

[Relentless33]

Originally Posted by Skip Smith

Vinnie even pointed out that the "club" should be heard. We are working on that. We have tried survey’s and I even sent all the members an email asking for help with certain areas. Unfortunately I only received two replies.

That's insane.