Texas Game Wardens cited Chang Lin, 52, for 15 violations after he was caught with illegal trot lines in Buddy Holly Park.
Game Warden Aaron Sims said a local fishing group kept finding trot lines in various playa lakes in Lubbock. Eventually one of the members saw Lin, according to Sims, and that’s when Wardens were able to intercept him.
Sims said Lin was cited seven times for illegal means and methods, and eight more times for exceeding pole limits.
Sims said in the city’s playa lakes, only poles and lines are allowed – no trot lines. Trot lines are not always illegal but they are illegal in the playa lakes.
Sims also said there is a limit of two fishing poles for anyone fishing in a city playa lake.
Each of the citations was a class C misdemeanor with a maximum $500 fine.
Sims said Lin was given seven written warnings for not marking trot lines with his name and a valid fishing license number. The written warnings would not carry a fine.
Sims said Game Wardens confronted Lin about a month ago for taking a fish that was not within size and weight limits. He received a warning at that time instead of a citation.
A trot line is basically a fishing line with many hooks along the line. In this case, Sims said Lin used goldfish as bait on the hooks.
Sims said he was grateful to the fishing club members who helped Game Wardens track down and stop the trot lines.
