Let's split some hairs...

[yak'em-n-stack'em]

im pretty sure its the waters your in when they stop you,

if you are fishing offshore past 3 miles which is federal waters, and you get stopped in state waters with more than the state limit, then i think you are in violation

[eman]

If you get caught inside the area that has a 15 fish limit w/ more than 15 fish you are in violation of the reg. now if you can convince the warden not to write you a ticket cause of your circumstances ?
Good luck w/ that one.