StMarks to Ktower and back...

[zload]

OK now I know that the plotter has the right regulatory info and I understood it correctly... now where to find the grouper... something tells me that isn't going to be as easy!

@Tom... got plotter and the Homeport software setting all set to NM so it does the thinking for me.

Thanks

[Dubble Trubble]

Ok, but I still want to know if FWC used their GPS at where they stopped you, or went onboard and looked at YOURS....

Dubble

[bman]

Just used theirs to see where we were... and asked where we had been.
We were honest and said we had been further out but did not keep gags there.
I think there is an element of officer discretion and depends on what they are seeing when they check you.

[Tidedancer]

Great trip folks. Nice photos too. As for the FWC thing, it is my understanding that they use their on board GPS to see where you are when checked. If you have Gag grouper in fed water you get a ticket. If you are in state water you do not. Where you have been is not an issue and can not be used to convict. So go deep early and get your Red grouper then come back into state water to try for Gags.
We went out Sunday and fished the 75 to 80 ft water and caught 8 keeper Red grouper (only caught 1 Gag in the deep stuff). Then came back into state water to try for Gags there with no love. We did keep 30 Black Sea Bass (my favorite) for the table.
As for the Red Snapper, we returned about 200 lbs. in the deep water. Some were at least 15 lbs or more. Man that hurt but I do not keep fish I should not.

[MarkM]

Nice catch. Water looked great. I was told by a stste trooper, who has FWC buddies, that they don't check your gps. That's just what I was told.

[MudDucker]

First, why the heck did FWC even care if you went into federal waters. According to the present administration in Washington, the feds are the only ones who are supposed to be letting people break the law under their nose ... errr enforce federal laws. The FWC needs to butt out of enforcing anything federal!!!!!!

Second, pink mouth grunts when filleted and skinned are great eating fish. I do cut out the dark line from the fillets, but even without doing that, they are doggone good!

Looks like a fun trip Barry. I am jealous. I've got to get my ol' pro to Madison to get a new windshield so I can get it wet.

[Dubble Trubble]

I am with you guys on the Key West Grunts (Pinkmouths). I filet them and they are some mighty fine eating.

MudDucker, we have a new policy in the Fed now. It is called "selective enforcement". They only enforce what they believe in, regardless of what the law is.

Dubble

[silverking]

Looks like a fun trip Barry. I am jealous. I've got to get my ol' pro to Madison to get a new windshield so I can get it wet.

Did you get up with Don? I gave him a plug in my Boat Talk column in SWS and he told me he's gotten calls from all over. So don't wait too long or he might be backed up.