If you like fish and wildlife content, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on future videos. A deputy with Monroe County Sheriff's Office was on patrol when he observed people placing snapper into a plastic bag. >> How we doing, ladies? >> Hi. How are you? >> I'm good. Deputy Far with the Sheriff's Office. You guys having any luck today? >> Yeah. >> Not really. >> Not really. Catching them release, sir. >> Catch it and release. >> Yeah. >> Okay. There's no white bag somewhere with fish in it. >> Check. >> Okay. So, what did we do with the fish that you just caught while you were in the water? >> You put it back in the water. >> I just got a little one to the back. >> Okay. All right. >> Sorry, it's hot. It is extremely hot. >> I got so much sweat in my eyes. >> No, I got some on the boat. >> Do you mind if I check your cooler real quick? >> Yeah. Do it. Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Oh, we having a good day so far? >> Enjoying ourselves. Relaxing. >> Relaxing. >> Very good. Very nice. >> You want to go? Yeah. You want you want to go cook? >> No, I'm I'm good right now. Thank you, though. I really appreciate it. >> Sure. >> This is just the chum. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. What's in this bag here? >> Oh, the good stuff. Huh? >> No, I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. >> Okay. >> Plenty of food. No fish, but plenty of food, sir. >> Okay. >> And I just want to grab the bag that's under your feet here. >> Which one? I don't want to reach between you. >> Let me move out of >> your. >> All right. So, this is what I was talking about. >> Oh. >> Okay. You guys cannot you can't lie to me. Please don't lie to me. All right. That hurts my feelings. Okay. When you tell me you're catching >> Let him explain. Let him explain. >> You guys, I I saw you. I saw her catch the fish. >> Okay. She was in the water. Well, not all the way in the water, but her leg. You understand what I'm saying, right? >> Yes. >> You got You caught the fish. You guys were happy. You cheered. Okay. I was right there. I was I was on the boat. >> But did you see everything that I threw away? >> No, I only saw this one. I saw this fish go straight into the bag. There was no measuring. There was no nothing. >> That's why I came over here. Okay. >> You have to measure your fish, okay? cuz we need to know what we're catching. Do we know what's in this bag? >> Okay, so who caught the fish in the bag is my question. Like I said, you guys already lied once. I need the truth now. I need the honesty. Who is caught the fish? >> I'm sorry. >> I I know you're sorry. >> So, is she the only one that was catching fish? >> Yes, I'm the one who caught the fish. >> Okay. You You understand my my situation here, right? You >> you I asked if you had any fish. You guys said no. There's plenty of adults here that could have said yes. I caught fish. Right. >> You're right. >> Okay. This is not catch and release. This is catch. Throw it in a white bag and put it under your feet. >> Okay. So, this is why I'm here. All right. So, I'm going to measure these fish. Do we know what's in the bag? Do we know what kind of fish these are? I'm speaking to you specifically since you're the one who caught them. >> I caught it, but I don't eat it. You know, you don't know. >> You don't know. >> Okay. Um Okay. All right. Do you know Do you have a fishing license? Have you ever had one before? >> No. >> No. >> I I understand. Yes. That's why I asked if she's ever >> Yes. >> 65 and older, you don't need a fishing license. >> Okay. Um >> only 65, >> right? that you don't need one if you're 65 or older. >> No, I'm not 65 yet. >> Okay. >> But she was the one fishing. She was the one that I saw fishing. That's That's my That's the the thing here. Okay. I I understand you guys were happy about it. You saw it. That was awesome. Um Okay. We don't know what kind of fish this is. >> Is that a run? >> That is not a grunt. >> No run. >> Not a grunt. >> No. Seven. This one's still kind of alive. >> Let go. >> Yeah. These are not grunts. >> No. >> No. Grunts have pink mouths. >> Pink. >> Pink. Pink. They don't have teeth like that either. >> Oh. >> Okay. So, >> can Yeah. I'm going to try to save them as much as fast as I can. Okay. And then that one I don't that one's not really regulated. >> Which one is the one that is regulated? >> The one in there, the silver one. >> So, what type of fish is this? >> This one. >> This one. I have to look that up. That's a bait fish. >> The grunge. You can catch like up to 100 pounds. Okay. >> of them. But they they have to be any size. >> They they No. No size on the grunts. >> That one 8 in, >> right? >> I know fish. >> I'm trying. I don't understand. I don't >> It's an IP. >> He is alive. >> You want him? >> I got him. >> I don't know if I can explain this to you. The >> They're school master snapper. >> Snapper. Okay. Snapper, >> the school master snapper. Okay. All the fins are yellow. Okay. >> They're all yellow. All right. They have to be 10 in. >> 10. >> 10. >> Okay. They have to be 10. >> 10. That's a big fish. >> Well, >> a little bigger than this. >> Oh, yeah. Like >> they have to be 10 in. >> Three inches more. >> Okay. Um, >> I need uh I need uh your driver's license. Do you have a driver's license or ID on you? >> Okay. >> Okay. >> And then, ma'am, do you have your driver's license or ID on you as well? >> What's going to happen now? >> Well, I'm going to give you a citation. Okay. >> If if there was a Yes, I caught fish. Here it is. It's a different a whole different ball game. Okay. But I I don't like being lied to. >> No, that was my bad because I really, you know, I was in this corner and that's what I said. No, I didn't catch any >> I understand. >> You want to see my driver license? >> Just the driver's license. Yes. >> And I have uh the fishing license, too, if you want to see it. >> Do you have it on you and just take a observe it real quick? >> The guy gave me like three copies. >> And you you've had a fishing license before or never in your life? Never. Maybe I did. >> I think long ago I said >> two months ago when we used to be 30 years old and come here every weekend. Now we're doing a book. >> Okay. Um >> we used to go deep sea fishing. >> May I ask you why you need my driving license, sir? Because I like >> I have to put you in my report. Yes. >> Do you know >> what's up before? >> What's that? >> I'm not reading your name. We used to go deep sea fishing with my father for sharks. >> Oh yeah, shark fishing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They've put a huge regulation on that, too. Just like I said, >> well, I can tell you the story cuz he's gone already. He's not even on this planet. But we used to go and the same thing one day happened to him. >> The guy was forgiving them. >> He gave us some understanding. I hate fishing cuz my dad used to do it all the time. Small rotten fish. I didn't like fishing. Is there any way better forgiveness? Listen, I I >> I take that into consideration, but the the what my job is and for me to keep my job as a resource voting and resource officer. >> This is what I have to do to keep my job. >> I understand. >> Okay. this is what I have to do and the pressure is on me >> to do these checks. >> I really didn't lie to you because I answer you. I catch and release and that's what I was doing. [Music] >> Okay. There's no white bag somewhere with fish in it. >> I didn't even check. >> Okay. >> To do these checks. >> I really didn't lie to you because I answer you. I catch and release and that's what I was doing. >> Okay. I didn't know that they kept the fishes. >> I That's why I kept the general question. >> Okay, so here's the deal. When she caught the fish, you got to remember I'm watching the whole time. >> No, no, no. I >> I'm I was I'm right there on the boat. I was watching. She caught the fish. You guys cheered. You cheered. Yay, everybody. Yay. And then you came over. White bag done. >> No, it wasn't me, >> right? Well, what I'm saying is white bag came over. It went right in their white bag. And that's that's why I came over here cuz I didn't see >> I understand. But you saw me when you were coming here. I was coming from there. >> I understand. >> That's when you when you asked the question. I said, "No, I've been cashing and releasing." >> I got you. You're not in any trouble. >> Okay. Just give me I know. Give me a second. I'll be Listen, my boat is way over there, so you're going to have to give me a second. I'll be right back with you. Okay. >> 6118 offense. It's missing me a court date. [Music] I asked them if they had any fish. No. No. Catch and release. Meanwhile, she's standing over the bag with the fish flopping in it. >> Oh my god. >> All right, I'm back. Here you go. Oh, wait. That one. >> Officer. I have grease in my >> Yeah, absolutely. No problem. Okay. Um, I'm going to need you guys have your licenses on you as well or do you know them by heart? The the number >> I have mine somewhere. >> You have yours? >> Did I bring your left? >> I left mine. >> That's okay. >> Okay, Miss Esther. >> Let me explain something to you. Okay, this I know it's just two fish, two short fish. However, it is arrestable. Okay, the the we take in Monroe County, we take this very serious. Okay, we it's an arrestable offense to be in possession of shortfish, lobster. Okay, that's why we have size limits. That's why we have regulations and rules. Okay, I'm not taking you to jail. Not taking you to jail. I don't want to take you to jail. I'm not doing that. Okay. Along with this citation is a court date though. Okay. You have to understand that it's a misdemeanor to be in possession. Okay. Of undersized resource like fish, lobster, things like that. Okay? So, I'm going to have you sign this citation. It's not an admission of guilt. It's just an understanding that you have a court date that you need to attend. Okay? Call the number, get the information. You might be able to do it by Zoom. I'm not sure. You have to you have to speak with the the the the clerks. Okay. Um so you are getting a citation for the possession of the undersized school master snapper. Okay. And I'm going to need you to sign right on the X for me. Okay. >> Okay. What is citation? Uh is there uh uh >> you're going to have a court date on 8:28 2024 8:45. It'll be >> What about if I'm away? I I won't be back in 30 minutes. >> You call this number. Call that number. Let them know. >> Okay. >> Okay. That's You have options. You can call the number. Okay. Let them know. >> Okay. >> Okay. It'll be here at this address. Okay. 88. >> Okay. Um I just need you to sign. Now, like I said, it's not an admission of guilt. It's just an understanding that you have a board date. >> So, what is the citation for? >> The citation is for >> the You will have to see the judge first. You have to talk to the judge. >> Okay. >> Okay. Okay. Whether you get an attorney or you do it yourself, that's up to you. I can't give you legal advice. Um, once you see the judge on that date, they give you whatever. Okay. >> Okay. And obviously, if you haven't done this before, >> never. >> Okay. They have leniency. Okay. I'm sure you know what I mean. Like, >> you're not out here poaching every day. So, I'm sure you've been here for years and years. I'm sure they'll give you a fine and you'll be good to go. Okay? But, however, this is how we have to write it up. Okay? I'm not saying you cannot fish anymore. I'm just saying you need to make sure you release when you say you're releasing. Okay? All right. We can't keep the short ones. We can't keep the short ones. We got to make sure that they're they're they got to probably be bigger than your shoe. That's not a good measurement, but >> I'm not I don't eat them. I fish them, you know, just whatever. I should have released it because I'm not doing anything with that. >> She's Jewish. She doesn't even eat those kind of food. >> I should have I should have released it. >> You know what? I'm going to use bread as a base because I don't want to eat the squid. >> They don't want to eat the squid. >> Well, they ripping it off. It's pretty tiny. >> Do you have any questions for me before I get back on the boat? >> Okay. You let Don't let this ruin your day. You can keep fishing like I said. All right. Enjoy the rest of your day. Okay. All right. >> In the end, 68-year-old Esler was charged with one count of possession of undersized school master snapper. She initially pled not guilty, but later plead no contest as part of a plea deal. Her adjudication was withheld, and she was ordered to complete a Florida fishing regulations course, pay a total of $318 in costs, and donate $240 to Florida Fish and Wildlife. If you like this video and want to see more like it, subscribe to Arrest Cam. As always, thanks for watching.