Pair Caught With Out-Of-Season Tautog At Smith Point Jetty: DEC

SHIRLEY, NY — A pair of anglers were ticketed after being caught with 17 out-of-season tautog fish at the Smith Point jetty on Sept. 23, the state's Department of Environmental Conservation said Tuesday.

The DEC received a complaint about people keeping tautog before the Oct. 15 season opener, and a second alert that the pair had packed up and were leaving the jetty, but the pair was headed off at the entrance by Environmental Conservation Officers, a short time later according to the agency.

While the pair were being interviewed, the driver tried to steer the officers’ attention to the back seat instead of a cooler in the rear cargo compartment, but it didn't work, and 17 out-of-season tautog were found inside, the agency said.

The fish were then seized and the pair ticketed for having tautog out of season, according to the agency.

Each ticket carries a potential fine of up to $850, the agency said.

The driver's passenger received an additional ticket for not having a valid marine registry and the driver picked up another citation from Suffolk County Park Rangers for not having the required 4x4 equipment, according to the agency.

The tickets are returnable to First District Court in Central Islip.