By now, most of you know that North Carolina has passed a bill that as of January 1, 2007 requires anyone sixteen-years-old or older touching a rod, reel, bait, tackle, gaff, or net to have a saltwater fishing license.  If you will not be touching any of the fishing gear you do not need a license.  This license can be purchased online at www.ncwildlife.org or at East Coast Sports or Herrings Outdoor Sports on the island.  All kids under the age of sixteen may fish for free but, if an adult is helping the kid (baiting hooks, removing fish), the adult must have a license.

When purchasing a license you must have a valid ID.  For North Carolina residents, a yearly Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) costs fifteen dollars.  If you are over sixty-five, you can buy a lifetime CRFL for fifteen dollars.  You may also purchase a ten-day license for five dollars.  Lifetime licenses are available for non-seniors for two-hundred-fifty dollars.  Non-residents—owning a home here but having a driver’s license in another state means you are a non-resident—may purchase a ten-day license for ten dollars or a yearly license for thirty dollars.

If you are looking for a great present for a kid, a lifetime license is a great idea.  I just bought my son (ten months old) his lifetime hunting and both fishing licenses for $275.00.  You get a break for kids up to the age of twelve, but under one year old is the ticket.

The ocean piers have purchased a “Blanket License” which means you do not need a license for fishing on an ocean pier as long as they have this blanket license.  Piers have had to go up on ticket prices to cover the new license but only a dollar or two.  Legal charter boats will also have a blanket license for their boats.  To obtain a boat blanket license you must be a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain.

Please be aware that if you go past the 172 bridge on the New River you must possess a freshwater license (FW) to fish in any of the creeks (i.e. Duck Creek or French’s Creek) even if you are targeting saltwater species.  This is not a new law but a law that is now being more heavily enforced.  The FW license can be purchased at the same places and is the same price.  There are many other variations for residents or non- residents but the above covers most people.

You may also be asking, "What do I get for my money?”  North Carolina has already pledged one-hundred thousand dollars for an educational guide for recreational fishermen and two-hundred thousand dollars for enhancement of public access along the Chowan River.  Many towns will be jockeying for this money to enhance their own particular access to the water.  We, as Topsail Islanders, should stand together and make our voice be heard.  The soundside park in Surf City and the Bush’s Marina in Topsail beach are perfect examples of how the government can help improve our access to the water.  Many projects will be proposed the first year and many will be turned down, but a few will be approved.  There is even talk of a red drum and flounder hatchery.

In my opinion, the resource—Saltwater Fisheries—is not being managed as well in North Carolina as it could be.  Many of our native species are listed as “over-fished” or “concern.”  Hopefully with the money gained from the new CRFL we will be able to gain a better understanding of how many people fish our waters each year and how to better manage our fishery.  Recreational anglers in North Carolina have never been counted like this and can now stand up and have a voice in how our fishery is managed.

Many people do not know this but a ten-percent tax on all recreational fishing tackle produced is collected by the federal government.  That money is then delved out to the states according to how many fishing licenses they have.  North Carolina has been missing out on those monies for years.  You can request the money by an estimate but it must be requested.  The boat ramps in the Surf City soundside park were paid for by that tax money.  Now that North Carolina has a CRFL, the tax money will be received by North Carolina every year without a request.  This new money, along with the money from the licenses, will certainly improve water access for the public as well as provide much needed statistical data for the Division of Marines Fisheries (DMF).

(Left) - Captain Chris Medlin and son

I hope this license will serve us all in years to come.  It is off to a good start but “We The People” must stand up and let them know how we want our money spent.   These monies will hopefully serve the public for years to come with better management and better access. 

CAPT. CHRIS MEDLIN is a charter captain and a third generation tackle shop owner.  He is always available for questions at www.eastcoastsports.com or ecsports@earthlink.net.  For his weekly fishing/weather report, drop him a line and ask to be signed up.