Question about state grouper season

[syrupdawg]

Trying to get a trip together for Sunday to catch some grouper. I have a question about the regulations. Just say we got out there early and caught our limit of gags in a short amount of time and the weather looked good so we want to try and go farther for some AJ or red grouper. Can you run on out or is it like the main season where if you catch them in federal waters you can't stop in state waters? Thanks in advance!

[wevans]

If you are in possession of a fish that is not in season "for the waters that you are checked in", you will get a ticket!!

[Tidedancer]

Do not get caught in federal waters with Gag grouper on your boat. It will be ticket time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Scoop Sea]

Here's the wording for when Federal Waters are open and State Waters are closed, so it would make sense it would apply if vice versa:

During the July 1 through Dec. 3 season, can I harvest gag grouper in open state and federal waters and transit through or land those fish in the closed state waters off of Taylor through Franklin counties?

Yes. Recreational anglers will be able to transit from open federal waters or open state waters through the four-county closed area but cannot stop and fish if you have gag grouper on board your vessel. Vessels possessing gag grouper in the four-county closed area must travel through state waters without stopping and must have fishing gear stowed. If stopped and fishing in a closed area, it will be prima facie evidence that any gag grouper on board were harvested at the location where the vessel is stopped.


Here's a definition of prima facie as well: prima facie

: (pry-mah fay-shah) adj. Latin for "at first look," or "on its face," referring to a lawsuit or criminal prosecution in which the evidence before trial is sufficient to prove the case unless there is substantial contradictory evidence presented at trial.