Fishermen Catch Undersized Bass To Sell: DEC

SAG HARBOR, NY — Three fishermen were nabbed catching undersized bass they were attempting to sell in New York City, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

On the night of May 19, Environmental Conservation Officer Sean Rockefeller received a tip about three individuals fishing under the Rt. 114 bridge in Sag Harbor, the DEC said.

Rockefeller approached the bridge on foot and located three individuals fishing; watching from a distance, the officer saw one catch what appeared to be an undersized striped bass and hide it in a black garbage bag in some nearby tall grass, the DEC said.

ECO Ike Bobseine responded to assist, and when Rockefeller announced his presence, one of the "startled fishermen" attempted to hide his illegal catch in the rocks, just a few feet from Bobseine, the DEC said.

The officers found two porgies and one sea robin in a cooler, and when asked where the other fish were, the fishermen responded that there were no other fish, the DEC said.

ECO Rockefeller walked to the tall grass and picked up one of the hidden fish — in total, the ECOs found five striped bass, all under the legal 17" in length, the DEC said.

All three fishermen were written tickets for possessing undersized striped bass and possessing over the limit of striped bass, and are due back at Southampton Town Court on June 6, the DEC said.

Patch photo courtesy DEC.