04-29-2003, 06:23 AM
Hey there lonehunter,
That's the wrong question to ask me here in Los Angeles/South Bay area. bank fishermen!? It's even crazier for tubers where the ocean is traditionally a free space within common navigational laws. There are a number of places that have been restricted not because of immediate security risk, but because authorities decided it was a hassle allowing access as they would have to cover the area.
In one harbor, the county sherrifs (in link with the locals, of course the USCG and harbor and beach department don't have a problem with access) have decided to restrict certain body contact craft (USC skul clubs are OK but they're classy ) that doesn't fit there yacht club(s) standards. They would like to get rid of the public landing too as the riff raff in their Bayliners (Bayliners are nice economical boats) tend to spoil the view of their cocktail parties on million dollar rafts.
There are also legimate restrictions but many of the areas restricted, that I know of, seem to be for convenience (looking at harbor nav charts) rather than neccessity from an immediate threat.
When the public pays for recreational facilities and an overall area is improved it's a rip to anglers to be excluded from use, especially when there are no official signs saying this and that and, just the opposite, many signs say you can have access, until the sherrif comes along.
I'm a patriot, a Viet Nam vet and, no whinner but there are areas that are too over-regulated. I don't believe that shutting up and offering no resistance to the elimination of certain hard fought-for freedoms for intangible threats is logical.
Oh ya, It hasn't effected my fishing as I simply shake my head
ly and move on down the beach when the nice policeperson asks me. No flaming please.JapanRon
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