Rangers Raid Cape Beaches 2019

This was written in 2019, but many forgot about this. Because in 2020 there was a whole new set of rules and issues with covid. Overcrowded drive on beaches not really being one of them, especially in the early part of the season.
The point of republishing this is to let you know that if you want serious enforcement. You could very well see that this year, just like in 2019. Make sure you are doing what is required and most of all have fun. Word on the hot sand is there will be a lot of enforcement seen this year. I mean many asked for it right? So this happened a couple times in 2019 …

(July 2019) … For the second time in a month, and yes the title is to get your attention.
The Delaware State Park rangers, in full force, went along a surf fishing beach and checked … every … single … vehicle. The beach was wall to wall vehicles as usual, on a weekend in the dead of summer, in the third week of July.

Today was Cape Henlopen State Park, starting at Herring Point Beach to Gordons Pond. I have no idea if they wrote any tickets. (update … there were several) I do know they got a standing ovation from many surf anglers.

This is great to see, mostly for the fact so many people complain they never see a ranger on the beach.
Today they got to see all of them … at once.
“They had me reel in my line and show them what I was using. People were so happy (giddy) to see them doing this. People were actually clapping” Suzanne Martin

Most if not all of the people out there will remain because as far as the rules go, they are fishing or trying to, or faking it well enough. I keep telling people, be careful what you wish for, and today they saw it in full force.
Parks rep … “These little checks will continue throughout the summer and there isn’t a set schedule. We don’t know when we will be doing this or where.”

Not everyone fishes the same. That seems to be a large issue for some surf anglers. The “hardcore” don’t want anyone out there who doesn’t fish the same as them. Sorry, doesn’t work that way.

Personally “I don’t give a flying flip what you do out there in your little space.”
Just don’t keep me from doing what I am trying to do, which is surf fish. Everyone surf fishing or not, can enjoy and share those beaches.

People are allowed to walk on set up between trucks and relax. They don’t have to fish. The summer crowds will never be relieved on the drive on beaches. The only way to make that happen is to limit the number of vehicles allowed on at one time.
“I like to walk on here at cape, sit, relax, drink my beer, eat my sandwich, and watch these surf anglers try to catch a fish” … said the random walk on beach guy I talked to last year next to my truck. Cool neighbor, taught him about surf fishing.

My best advice, meet your neighbors and have fun. If you spend all day pissed off that the guy next to you isn’t really fishing, guess what? He doesn’t care, you just ruined your day not theirs, and calling a ranger won’t help you. They are doing what is required enough to be there.
The term, mind ya business comes to mind. No one wants anyone scrutinizing their every move out there, so why do it to others. Do unto others is another phrase that comes to mind.

Rangers try to do weekly checks at drive on access. They will check vehicles before entering the beach.
“Most times we do these checks, we turn away about ten percent of the vehicles for one reason or another.”

Have fun, fish, follow the rules, respect your neighbors, most of all … enjoy the day. I mean seriously … you’re at the beach, can life get any better, cause it damns sure can’t get any worse?

The real problem is we have a set of rules that grown damn adults feel they are entitled to bend to the point of nope. Meanwhile all others should follow said rules. Sound familiar? Abide or change the rules.

Surf Fish and Chill people

Fish On!
Rich King