You can only have one pole for each person that has a license when there are persons on the boat without a license , I heard them use the term availabillity -------------- personally I think the no eyes shrimp is bull , I got a night rig boat and none of my friends or me have caught a shrimp yet with no eyes

Thanks fishhfiles I personally wondered if it was Texas or Fla. person or angry Football fan trying to tarnish our states great fishing, or some how some one trying to capitalize on our loss

Thank for the info

they dont need a license if they are not fishing but make sure you don't carry more than one rod on your boat for the trip. Don't give the agent a reason to ticket you.

I emailed this question to LDWF and the response was , Daughter in law don't need a license to watch, have as many poles in the boat as you want as long as she is not seen using one. Note, these guys have really good binoculars with them.They will see you long before you see them.
Have a nice boat ride.

There's no law per say but its hard to argue with an agent who sees one licensed fisherman hauling 3-4 rods and claiming all the other occupants are just guests. You catch him on a bad day and you'll have to take it up with the judge. Remember when he stops you, its at his discretion whether you receive a citation or not.

...could they go as far as arresting women for 'solicitation' because they have the available parts ???...'dat one way to keep 'dem women libbers out 'ya boat ???...cheers

Admiral, that joke is older than me and you(well maybe just you). Told my ole lady she can't ride the neighbor to the store anymore cause the neighbor don't have a drivers license. Never know when she might run across the police in a bad mood.

I've talked to several agents about this subject and got the same answer from all. If your in a fishing boat with 5 people with one fishing pole all 5 need a license, if there is no pole and no fish in the boat then you don't. I have customers sometimes bring along an extra person that doesn't want to fish but I make sure that person has a license because 99% of the time that person ends up fishing. I understand your situation and my recommendation would be to get them all fishing license or leave ALL fishing poles at home, I know that sucks but your better safe than sorry.

I agree with Capt. Boola. Leave the rods at home or get them a 1 day non-resident license and go have fun with no doubt or worries. If they just want to look at the fish bring them around to some of the Marina's with fish cleaning stations. That way they can see diffrent species of fish and that they are all normal.
I have a feeling though that they will still return to California to hug a tree under a rainbow and end up eating tree bark and roots for dinner.
Sorry but most of the people I have met from California just don't seem to understand how we can eat something that has a face and eyes on it.
Good luck and hope all goes well.

Drewb I understand u are an attorney and have the time and resources to fight this fight for the rest of us it's just not worth the fight. We have to pick and choose our battles. It's just so much easier to have a license when a board a boat thats fishing. Otherwise leave all the fishing gear at home if you want to cruise.

I actually agree with Drew on this one..... the citation is for the act of fishing without a license... if the act isnt seen or committed then you cannot be cited for it.... it would be like saying you should get a speeding ticket because you are in a car and there was a possibility that you MIGHT HAVE been speeding at one point.... or saying you shoudl get a ticket for making a wake in a no wake zone just because you are in a boat and in a no wake zone!.... its just not gonna happen