I haven't renewed my license yet and my uncle told me that if you get caught fishing without one, all of your gear, your boat, and truck can be confiscated and you won't get it back. Is this true? If not, what's the penalty? I live in FL btw, don't know if the laws for this vary by state or not.

"Yes there are two paths you can go by

But in the long run there's still time

To change the road you're on."

- Led Zeppelin, Stairway To Heaven

I'm not sure of FL law, but now might be a good time to follow the advice of Mssrs. Page and Plant.  Don't take the chance.

Depends on your state but I can tell you one thing that is true in every state... the license is cheaper than a ticket.  You probably pass a store several times each day that sells them.

Yeah, I'm gonna renew it this weekend; I was just curious if this was true or not. It doesn't seem like your boat and truck can be confiscated, maybe just tackle, idk.

That seems a bit overboard.  I know in NC and Ga you will just get a ticket.  In SC, you will get a BIG ticket.  Have a teacher who go fined 800 bucks once.  He was just passing through SC, and decided his boat was to dry for its own good, so dunked it in.

I have heard of situations where someone was cited for not having proper safety equipment on their boat and the boat was impounded until they could pay the fine.

You get a ticket in Virginia.

Sometimes just a warning; but you can receive a ticket.

I hope you purchase your license to help support the state's efforts to keep fishing a top notch sport.

I purchased a lifetime license so I am set for both fresh and saltwater fishing until I go to the big pond in the sky.