Croaker as Bait

Croaker As Bait

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Update: 6/16/03

S.B. 1790 was submitted to the Natural Resources Committee on 3/24/03, where it died when the 78th Legislative Session closed. Further action regarding this bill is not expected during any Special Legislative Session that may be convened.

We believe that the letters written by YOU, our members, helped kill this really bad bill. RFA / TEXAS will be alert to any similar proposed legislation in the future, and will continue the battle as necessary.

Click here to view "Summer Success", an article by Doug Pike, as published in the June 26, 2003 edition of the Houston Chronicle.

We will keep this page active to update our membership of any future developments on this issue and to remind ourselves of the constant vigilance necessary to protect the rights of the recreational angler.

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Texas Senate Bill 1790 was recently introduced in the Texas 78th Legislature. This bill, if enacted, would effectively ban the use of Croaker as live bait in Texas.

RFA / TEXAS opposes this legislation. There is no reasonable justification for this proposed ban, and it would have a severe negative economic impact on our coastal communities and our quality of life here in Texas. We feel it is important for all to understand that the focus and effect of this bill is NOT to reestablish the "Croaker runs" of the distant past, but simply to ban Croaker as a bait, because it is deemed "too effective" or "unchallenging" by a well connected minority of elitist anglers. We also fear that this could be a first step toward the banning of other forms of live bait as well.

RFA / TEXAS recently sent a letter to each of our members, advising them of the croaker issue and providing each with a postcard to be completed and mailed to State Senator Kenneth Armbrister, Chairman of the Natural Resources Commission, expressing that members opposition to the bill.

Click here to see the related article : "Proposal Seeks to Outlaw Croakers For Bait" by Captain Marvin Landers, as published in the April 10, 2003 edition of The Coastal Bend HERALD.

See Editor's Comments regarding SB 1790 as appears on Tom Nix's Salty Angler Website.

See "Proposed Croaker Bill Serious Stuff" by Capt. Ron Behnke as published in the March 28, 2003 issue of Tom Nix's Saltwater Angler.

See recent commentary by Chester Moore as published in Texas Fish and Game Magazine.

See RFA / Texas letter to State Representative The Honorable Gene Seaman.

As elements of these issues approach critical mass and become time sensitive, they will be highlighted with **, alerting you to check our "RFA / Texas Minuteman" page to learn what immediate action you can take to help assure an outcome favorable to the recreational angler.

Click Here to Join RFA / TEXAS

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