new grouper regs.

[KYFRED]

It soes seem counter intuative to place these restrictions if the feds are worried about mortality. Seems the easiest thing to do would be to combine seasons. How many snapper are caught that have to be returned out of season when grouper fishing and vice versa.

[Dubble Trubble]

It soes seem counter intuative to place these restrictions if the feds are worried about mortality. Seems the easiest thing to do would be to combine seasons. How many snapper are caught that have to be returned out of season when grouper fishing and vice versa.

You forget, we are talking about government bureaucracy. Ther must be studies done, then many meetings held. Then there have to ba analysis's done of proposed solutions, then more studies and meetings. Then, and only then, can they then begin to discuss doing it......

If it is a simple and cheap solution, our government can't comprehend it.....

Dubble

[bman]

What kind of "bait" are you fishing for? If they are not classified as "reef fish", the circle hook requirement does not apply. If they are "reef fish", you can't legally use them for bait, anyway. So called "squirrel fish" or pinfish which are often used as bait for grouper are not reef fish, per the rule. Check the rule for the list of fish that are "reef fish". It covers all of the groupers, snappers, triggers, porgys, and vermillion "snapper". So, the common practice (especially in West Florida) of using small vermillions for bait is no longer legal, if it ever was.
EJ

Ok- just looked up their def of reef fish and I guess I'm ok... Never used vermillion, we eat those!
http://myfwc.com/marine/ReefFish.htm

My question is how would I prove what I was fishing for if they came up on us out there.
Or for that matter- what if we have a bait rig on the boat when we are coming in...
Lots of room for an officer to be a good guy or be difficult!

[welladjusted]

If you're in Orlando anytime soon, BassPro has the X-tools extra long de-hooker for $3.99. Sure beats the heck out of the arc price.

[This Side Up]

You need to be careful I think the only ones that are approved by NOAA, are the ARC ones. Or at least that is what I have been told by FWC.
There are a lot of "GRAY" areas in these new laws up for interpretation!!! These are the least of our problems the one power at be that handles the gulf fishery, I believe wants all recreational fishing to be catch and release. Just my 2 cents!

[Tom Keels]

You need to be careful I think the only ones that are approved by NOAA, are the ARC ones. Or at least that is what I have been told by FWC.
There are a lot of "GRAY" areas in these new laws up for interpretation!!! These are the least of our problems the one power at be that handles the gulf fishery, I believe wants all recreational fishing to be catch and release. Just my 2 cents!

If that is the case then there needs to be an investigation into it.

[No Slack]

From my conversation with a FWC officer at the FWC booth at the Florida Sportsman Show in Ft.Walton Beach: If you are where you could be fishing for reef species and are not trolling, have a venting tool, de-hooking device and have a rod with non-stainless circle hooks on board. The de-hooking device does not need to be an ARC dehooker or the like. It can be longnose pliers. Just something to use where you're not having to cut the line on a deep hooked fish. Although the ARC brand is all that has been formally approved, any others can be used if they do the job. As far as the venting tool is concerned, any hollow needled in the 10-14 guage range is acceptable. They were giving away the ARC tool if you asked for ine that day. He agreed that there is a gray area but he gave this same info to everyone who asked these same questions.

[welladjusted]

If it has to be the arc brand that is total bs, and we should all buy stock in them. What a scam. I sure hope that isnt true. I agree, there is a lot of grey area there, but I suppose we will all find out sooner or later. Personally, I like the x-tools dehooker....it is cheaper and it floats

[laddadah]

I have been using the ARC Dehooker for a few years and found no tool for the extraction of a hook more useful. The plier idea is just not feasible, as I use to do it and it can't help you if you hooked the fish in it's gut. Especially if it is a shark, or any fish that has sharp teeth, which I have found the ARC tool to be extremely valuable in those situations. the X one, I think green, is not a very sturdy product, I broke a few first few times using. Cheaper and that is what you get. Found out it floated when I threw it overboard, which was actually a disadvantage at that point. Get a dehooker from ARC, well worth it and you won't get a ticket from FWC, as they are looking for you not to have one now that the red snapper regs are in. I think you need circle hooks and venting tool kit as well. God luck fishing everyone, catch a big one and release the little guys

[This Side Up]

No Slack,

You are rite about what the FWC is going to enforce for now! However the feds and Coast Guard may see it differently. And require you to have the "approved" ones. Also if you fish toward the western side of the state and venture into Alabama waters what are they going to be enforcing? I have heard also that some other companies are submitting there devices for approval to NOAA. I have been using the ARC dehooker for a year or so and it does work great, the venting tool on the other hand I have had only limited success! And yes I smell a rat in this whole thing as well there are some people getting rich off this deal!

[fish on!!]

Just FYI... Every registered angler in the Big Bend Saltwater Classic next weekend will receive a free Vent a Fish tool. Register at http://www.saltwaterclassic.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

You can also check out the vent a fish tool at http://www.ventafish.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;