FWC approves 44 day red snapper season

[Rhettley]

The FWC just voted to approve a draft measure for a 44 day, state water red snapper season. They still have to vote on it in April. Rumor is the limit will be at 2 fish per person. It will be interesting to see what the feds do now.

It's a small start back in the right direction. Lets hope for some fair winds and weather during that time.

[grouperfever]

Any additional openings are good news. I'm sure our compadres in Pensacola, Ft. Walton, Destin and Panama City are excited. I grouper fish in the big bend region so I've directly benefited from the four county state waters gag season the FWC has championed. BIG FAN! We will all need a little more information on this state waters snapper season to see if it is worthy of a fight. If they overlap the state and federal red snapper seasons like gag grouper (excluding the four big bend counties) it seems that a select group of fishermen will be picking up 17 days. It's not as if this could be used to try and influence the fed's to implement a 44 day season. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council already voted on a 27 day season. I'm not sure this is picking your battles wisely. I hope they stagger them which would more than double the season. I know several charter captains this would help tremendously but I really don't think that is what they are aiming for. Just speculation. Again, VERY happy for any and all fishermen this benefits. I fish out of Och. Bay. If anyone has any snapper holes in state waters nearby I will give you a free round trip boat ride. Heck, I'll throw in beer and ice! Assuming you like Miller Lite.

[Ranaman]

Well I certainly have Charlene's ear Ive recieved two emails trying to explan things for me... still makes no sense what their are doing the season used to be 168 days people and we are happy about 44 inside state waters sorry thats pathatic for the numbers of snapper out there!

[MudDucker]

I'm with Ranaman. 44 days is pathetic, unless they can show some recent valid scientific studies. I'm sorry, but from what I'm hearing, their numbers are bogus and their regulation is stupid!

[MarkM]

There used to be a lot of snapper out there, untill they started blowing them up. Now they're floaters.