I'm going to do my best to make sure I'm available on 2/17.
Back to the registration, while it is currently a free registration for 2010, does that mean if you register now, your FIN # will be valid for life, like the NJ CID #? And anyone who registers after 2010 will have to pay a fee to the feds in absence of a state reg/lic law? Or will you have to renew your number every year like the Delaware FIN #, making 2010 the only free year? Even though I have the HMS permit, I'm going to register again for free in 2010, just in case. There might be a time in the future that I do not require a HMS permit, and this might save me a few bucks down the road, who knows?
With the federal government allowing each state to keep any and all fees collected from either a registration or license, I'm sure NJ just might make us pay up. I would assume that they would use the excuse "It's cheaper then the federal registration fee of $15-$25 that is going into effect in 2011" and come in a few bucks cheaper.
With that in mind, since it's a federal thing, could we "Shop Around" for the best price? Buy a NY License, you will be able to fish NY waters, be federally registered,and not have to register for the federal registry in NJ ? More bang for your buck, so to spaek. The cheapest
state would fit the bill. NJ stands to loose money that way,so they just might go the license route.
Another thought, will NJ require proof of federal registration BEFORE they take your $2 and issue you a Striped Bass Bonus Tag? I guess they will have to. Like Joe says, this could go on and on....
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