Digging for Worms?

[Clam I am]

Does anyone know if you need a permit to dig blood and sand worms in Jamaica Bay?

[RJ]

shellfish in J Bay is not permitted...shellfish license ($5) in other bays but for worms I don't think you need one at all!

[Clam I am]

RJ...Please keep on Topic, who said anything about shellfish?

WORMS please:):):)

[Clam I am]

I just want to make sure....

[Alberto]

RJ...Please keep on Topic, who said anything about shellfish?

WORMS please:):):)

keep that up and you will be hanging out with offthehook LOLOLOL

[cowkiller]

Yes you do need a license to harvest any type of bait. It is called a marine bait permit and it can be obtained at the DEC office in E, Setauket.And NO you cannot dig anything out of Jamica Bay Because the whole area is considered a Sanchuary.,,,joe

[Clam I am]

Joe....Thanks, I knew I can count on you for an answer.

Where do you get the licsence or permits?

[cowkiller]

Call 631-444-0471 and ask for permit office. Then ask the woman or man for an application for a marine bait permit.They will send you the forms in the mail you fill them out and draw a check to them for 50 bucks and you will have your license.,,,joe

[Surfmeister]

I researched the DEC website and could not find anything that indicated that you need a permit to dig for worms in non-sanctuary areas, but I could be wrong. The bait permit regulations seemed to cover only shellfish (clams and crabs) and baitfish (minnows,etc.). There was also a brief section that referred to "aquatic insects" as bait.

I think there is a distinction between bait for personal use and bait for sale. Thus, unless you possess a commercial fishing permit or intend to sell the bait, you should be safe from being ticketed by DEC. To be sure, however, I would follow Joe's advice and call the number he gave you, but don't be surprised if they can't answer your specific questions concerning the need for a permit, as they are not familiar with the regulations (based on my past experiences in contacting them).

FYI, the DEC office is located on the Stony Brook University campus, north entrance off Nichols Road by the sports complex.

[cowkiller]

Surf no no no, The DEC is Located at 205 N. Belle Mead RD, E.Setauket NY 11733.They havent been in stony brook for years , thats why your information is no good. What i say is The truth.You cannot dig worms in jamica bay at all period. And the DEC SUCKS BIG TIME because they dont update their website.If you harvest bait for SALE OR RECREATIONAL USE YOU NEED A MARINE BAIT PERMIT(PERIOD). Sorry to yell but im so sick and tired of fighting the DEC it makes me sick to my stomach.They dont update their website but you can bet your ASS they will give you a ticket if you break THEIR LAWS.,,,joe

[samborges]

RJ...Please keep on Topic, who said anything about shellfish?

WORMS please:):):)
Wow clam, what a comeback. :D:D and beside Rich is feeling much better, since his doorbell rang and it wasnt domino;s pizza, it was Joe and his fresh flounder, Im so jealous. Clam follow Joe advice on calling that office. Better safe then sorry. Believe me the DEC folks are out there in full force, giving tickets. Follow all fishing rules and throw back all under size. Fishing should be fun and not stressful. Lets get them in sep on the Peconic Star.

[Clam I am]

Sam, I can't wait to slam them on the Peconic Star coming this Sept.

[RJ]

F' the DEC.,..I am digging worms for bait when and where I choose!!

[Clam I am]

F' them is right, RJ - I couldn't agree with you more

[sorry_charlie]

Surf no no no, The DEC is Located at 205 N. Belle Mead RD, E.Setauket NY 11733.They havent been in stony brook for years , thats why your information is no good. What i say is The truth.You cannot dig worms in jamica bay at all period. And the DEC SUCKS BIG TIME because they dont update their website.If you harvest bait for SALE OR RECREATIONAL USE YOU NEED A MARINE BAIT PERMIT(PERIOD). Sorry to yell but im so sick and tired of fighting the DEC it makes me sick to my stomach.They dont update their website but you can bet your ASS they will give you a ticket if you break THEIR LAWS.,,,joe

You gotta be kidding me - a permit to catch bait for my own use? never heard of that one. what about snaggin bunkers? that's bait too. I do not know anyone who fishes for recreation that has a bait permit in salt water.



Charlie

[Jaye43b]

This shocks the daylights outta me. I must have been breaking the law for years during lowtide at Cold Spring Harbor and Makamah beach. Wow!!!
Now I know!! Doesn't say I would not do it again but at least, I am prepared.
Does this also apply to catching spearings to freeze for the season?

[Surfmeister]

OK, guys, I just got off the phone with a DEC rep named Marty at the 205 Belle Mead Rd, Suite #1 office location. This location is the permit office for COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN permits. The DEC location on the Stony Brook campus is for "GAME" (deer, bird, etc) permits and freshwater fishing permits only. The SB location also handles "ACCESS" permits (parking and use) for state owned land.

I hope this resolves the location confusion.

Now to the marine bait permit issue. Marty indicated that a "recreational fisherman" DOES NOT need a permit to dig for worms in a non-sanctuary area, as long as the worms are for personal use and not to be sold or used on a commercial trip. In Joe's case, since he is a commercial fisherman, he DOES need a permit. However, when I asked more specifically about how much you could dig up (worms), he replied that "we're still waiting for the restrictions." So there must be a limit to how much you can dig up (worms or clams) for "personal" use. He also indicated that the commercial bait permits focused primarily on shellfish (clams, mussels, etc.)

All of which leads me to a few suggestions:

1. If you are a commercial fisherman, like Joe, cover your arse and get a bait permit, even if you're only digging up for your own personal use. The DEC will probably assume that you'll be using the bait for commercial reasons anyway.
2. If you are a rec fisherman, dig up only what you need for one or two fishing trips. Anything more than that and again, the DEC will probably assume you'll be using it for commercial reasons.

The DEC is certainly inept at providing clear information to the public, or at being consistent about its regulations and their enforcement of them. Their inability to provide regulations on a timely basis, along with their propensity to change the rules in the middle of the game, is simply unexcusable and patently unfair.

Now although I would certainly hesitate to suggest that anyone ignore their regulations, I would suggest that if you get a ticket, you should contest that ticket through the proper protocal, if any exists, even if you know you're guilty. Why would I suggest this? Because nothing will change at the DEC unless the public holds them accountable. When the number of contested tickets piles up enough, they will be forced to review their policies, regulations, and enforcement mechanisms. A telephone call and letter blitz to the DEC might wake them up, too.

Just like any other government entity, the DEC will not be responsive to the needs of the public unless the public demands it. :(

[cowkiller]

That guy MARTY doesnt even know what day it is.
Sec(403-7) Conservation Laws 2008 :Any person harvesting marine worms,(blood worms,sandworms, and or tapeworms) must possess marine bait permit, Unless that Marine District has special areas for harvest.

Which meens that some towns will let you dig worms, but everywhere else you need a permit.

[Surfmeister]

That guy MARTY doesnt even know what day it is.
Sec(403-7) Conservation Laws 2008 :Any person harvesting marine worms,(blood worms,sandworms, and or tapeworms) must possess marine bait permit, Unless that Marine District has special areas for harvest.

Which meens that some towns will let you dig worms, but everywhere else you need a permit.

OK, great, so now I need to be a lawyer to figure out if I can dig for worms without a permit.

As for Marty, I believe the DEC is mandated by the state to hire the handicapped. :p

------------------------
Calling all patriots!!! We will be protesting the DEC bait permit regulations by throwing worms into the Boston Harbor.
No, wait...that's what THEY want us to do.
Never mind...

[Jaye43b]

Forget about Boston harbor!!!! Let's have bumper stickers that read" We dig worms for our personal use and we VOTE". That will scare them !!!

[Surfmeister]

WIFE: "Not tonight, dear...I have a headache."
HUSBAND: "Well, the government screws you every day, with or without a headache, so why can't I?"
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Sorry, did I go off topic?

[Clam I am]

Surf,

DAMN IT YOUR OFF TOPIC:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Lol

There's an alternative to wives and headaches: Hookers!!!

I'm gonna dig my worms, screw the DEC

[Jaye43b]

Surf,

DAMN IT YOUR OFF TOPIC:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Lol

There's an alternative to wives and headaches: Hookers!!!

I'm gonna dig my worms, screw the DEC

Just don't try to do that while you are running our great state. We will run you out of office. You can only do that in every other country in the world.

[Surfmeister]

Surf,

DAMN IT YOUR OFF TOPIC:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Lol

There's an alternative to wives and headaches: Hookers!!!

I'm gonna dig my worms, screw the DEC

You should talk to RJ...he's looking for a few good men to be moderators. ;)

Besides, getting off topic is so easy, even a caveman can do it.

OK, so if I mention "worms," am I still on topic?

How's this? Digging for your own worms, and hiring hookers, are both cheaper in the long run, but apparently you only need a permit to do one of them. :rolleyes:

[Surfmeister]

Just don't try to do that while you are running our great state. We will run you out of office. You can only do that in every other country in the world.

And in the case of France, you can actually brag about it to others.

Hey Jaye, your humor/wit is only exceeded by your sarcasm. :D

[Clam I am]

I can't be a moderator of others, I can't even moderate myself.

And yes...us cavemen need worms, and we vote!!!

[Surfmeister]

I can't be a moderator of others, I can't even moderate myself.

And yes...us cavemen need worms, and we vote!!!

Soooo...if you change your name to "Worm I Am," I'll know you're really really serious...not to mention self-deprecating. :D

[Surfmeister]

Ideas for t-shirt slogans:

I'm a Rebel Worm-Digger

I Survived the DEC

D.E.C.: Department of Executive Constipation

[cowkiller]

SCREW the DEC

[cowkiller]

Pretty soon you will need a permit to go to the bathroom.

[samborges]

This shocks the daylights outta me. I must have been breaking the law for years during lowtide at Cold Spring Harbor and Makamah beach. Wow!!!
Now I know!! Doesn't say I would not do it again but at least, I am prepared.
Does this also apply to catching spearings to freeze for the season?

these new rules came about a few years back. I saw new sign posted, DO NOT disturb shell life. I saw these sign in the western sound and ask one of the local bait shop about this and he stated that mussel and clams are not allow to be dug up anymore. He didnt mention worms, Joe did you know which area are ok to dig without a permit, so that every member knows what is the latest and greatest on getting worms.

[samborges]

Soooo...if you change your name to "Worm I Am," I'll know you're really really serious...not to mention self-deprecating. :D

Surf, I going to change my name: Sam I am, how does this sound. :) I got tease with this many, many moons ago; in school. Those were the good old days, fishing was great.

[Jaye43b]

Pretty soon you will need a permit to go to the bathroom.


Then you going to have to watch those legislators with the wide stance in the next cube. I think you should stick to bottom-fishing. Hmmmm!!!!!

Then again, I think bottom is out. Stick to something safe like moderating the TFL forum.

[cowkiller]

SAFE you think this is safe, I gotta deal with RJ every day, Its not good for my health haha,,,joe

[samborges]

RJ , he one cool cat. When he fishing, he like a new person, like a little boy scout making a house with ice cream stick. ;)

[Surfmeister]

Boy.....this thread has more legs than a sandworm!!!

See, I mentioned worms, so I'm safe from the ruler of TFL-Land.

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"Don't beat me, Masser!!! I'll do better, Masser."

[cowkiller]

worm? whats that.

[Surfmeister]

RJ , he one cool cat. When he fishing, he like a new person, like a little boy scout making a house with ice cream stick. ;)

I once made a boat out of ice cream sticks...and painted it with "worm" blood.

Then the DEC confiscated it for improper use of bait products. I was also fined for not having a building permit. :rolleyes:

[cowkiller]

what type of wood were the ice cream sticks made out of, you could be using wood that prohibated in NYS resulting in another fine,, hahahah oh by the way,: worm, keeping it on track.:}

[Surfmeister]

worm? whats that.

Now you're catching on...just change the definition of "worm" and the permit regulation doesn't apply anymore.

For more tips & tricks, turn the channel to C-SPAN to see how our illustrious paid representatives do it. :rolleyes:

[cowkiller]

Now you're catching on...just change the definition of "worm" and the permit regulation doesn't apply anymore.

to C-SPAN to see hFor more tips & tricks, turn the channel ow our illustrious paid representatives do it. :rolleyes:

C-span is not a paid advertiser on TFL, as a moderator I will have to warn you not to mention their name as it will result in major ramifacations. hahahah . Im having to much fun.:)

[cowkiller]

worm, Earthworm, sandworm, bloodworm, tapeworm, cinder worm I love worms.

[cowkiller]

last but not least GUMMYWORMS.

[Surfmeister]

what type of wood were the ice cream sticks made out of, you could be using wood that prohibated in NYS resulting in another fine,, hahahah oh by the way,: worm, keeping it on track.:}

The wood wasn't the problem, but the tree I used for the wood JUST HAPPENED to be the natural habitat of a rare and endangered species of termites, who were still in their larvae, or "worm-like" state. Silly me for not knowing that!!! :p

[samborges]

last but not least GUMMYWORMS.

Joe not only your fishing skill are great. But your comeback and typing skill are getting way too good. Keep up the good work.

[Surfmeister]

C-span is not a paid advertiser on TFL, as a moderator I will have to warn you not to mention their name as it will result in major ramifacations. hahahah . Im having to much fun.:)

As they say: "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Am I going to be exiled for being a dissident?

Oooops, I almost forgot, what do cinder "worms" look like? Had never heard of them before joining TFL, the bastion of information for all things concerning fishing (gratuitous plug).

[cowkiller]

a cinder worm looks like a shorter fatter version of a sandworm and they swim in large schools on the surface, the bass love them.

[Clam I am]

Joe...when can you catch cinder worms?