FWC Looking for input on flounder, sheepshead, tripletail

[fishdux]

Its pretty obvious he doesn't enjoy gigging. While we're at it, lets outlaw spearfishing and castnetting.

[MIAcanes44]

2Salty spends more time cleaning his reels than he does fishing. If you don't believe me, go back to his post on the "Best spinning reel for +- 120".

[2Salty]

Hi 2SALTY, I have just got to ask, do you fish, hunt or own a boat???

Yes, yes and yes.

[2Salty]

2Salty spends more time cleaning his reels than he does fishing. If you don't believe me, go back to his post on the "Best spinning reel for +- 120".

On average 1 fish once a week. Each time I fish I'm on the water 4-8 hours. Typically I take along 3-4 reel/rod combos. Immediately after each outing I clean/maintain my reels, spending at most 15 minutes/reel. I spend far more time fishing than I do cleaning reels. But I do take thorough care of all my gear.

[JeffB]

For the catch and filet crowd, redfish were in great shape. For many others, though, the quality of the fishery had been declining since the premature implementation of the 2-fish bag limit in the NW zone. Fortunately the FWC made a prudent correction.

Of these three species the commission is now soliciting input, flounder have a 12-inch minimum with a 10-fish bag limit, while sheepshead must also be at least 12 inches with a 15-fish bag limit. Tripletail have a reasonable bag limit at 2 fish apiece, but the 15 inch minimum should be raised, IMO. I'd also like to see increased minimums for the other two and a lowered bag limit.

Florida's population is expected to increase by millions in the next couple of decades. If the state is going to retain its title as the Fishing Capital of the World, we all are going to have to face the reality that the Gulf of Mexico is not an unlimited "grocery store."

I agree! Also, as others have said, close trout in February.

[JeffB]

Florida:

- non resident fishing licenses (553,853) comprise 35% of all fishing licenses. An annual non resident fishing license (for saltwater) costs $47
- non-resident hunting licenses (15,769) comprise 4% of all hunting licenses. An annual non resident hunting license (for deer) costs $151.50

Georgia:

-non resident fishing licenses (102,906) comprise 13% of all fishing licenses. An annual non resident fishing license (for saltwater) costs $45
-non resident hunting licenses (144,964) comprise 14% of all hunting licenses. An annual non resident hunting license (for deer) costs $205

Based on license sales over 1/3 (35%) of the fishing "pressure" on Florida comes from non residents. In Georgia, less than 1/5 (14%) of the hunting "pressure" comes from non residents.

The non resident costs for an annual saltwater fishing in Florida or Georgia is about the same ($45 or $47). The non resident costs for an annual hunting license (for deer) is significantly greater in Georgia ($205) compared to Florida ($151.50).

If, in Georgia, where non resident hunting "pressure" is less than 1/5 of all "pressure" and Georgia charges non residents significantly more for deer hunting, then in Florida, where non resident fishing "pressure" is more than 1/3 of all "pressure" serious consideration should be given to charging non residents significantly more for saltwater fishing.

Many factors and variables influence population dynamics of fisheries. One of the easiest factors to control is the number of anglers (which always has been and is now without limit because virtually anyone and everybody can buy a fishing license). To help preserve and protect fisheries, regulations of harvest seasons and limits are typically employed, despite such tools being inexact.


A more exacting management tool that could - and should be employed to control "pressure" and harvest would be more careful and precise management of the number of anglers.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
data on licenses 2015 (most current available)
https://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/subpages/L ... ishing.htm
https://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/subpages/l ... unting.htm
info on cost of licenses
https://georgia.gov/popular-topic/getti ... ng-license
http://www.taylorcountytaxcollector.com ... tm#Hunting and Fishing Price List

Your percentages don't really mean much as there are lots of places to hunt deer and lots of them better than GA. But, there aren't many places that rival Florida for fishing, and people come from everywhere to fish there.
That said, I wouldn't mind paying more for my non-resident fishing license, especially if it's used for fish conservation, public facility upkeep etc.

[SCALAWAG]

I have lived and worked in Florida (Port St. Joe //St. Joe Container/Florida Coast Paper) until they closed. I moved to Georgia with my job. I would hate to know that I could not come and fish and hunt a place that I have fished and hunted almost my entire life.

[DixieReb]

Catching and keeping more than the limit(poaching) exists , and unfortunately affects fish stocks everywhere. So does illegal netting, which we all know has not gone away just because the law says they can't do it anymore. I wish these guys could be caught and gotten off the water, it's not fair to sportfishers to have to bear the brunt of fishery management.

[2Salty]

...But, there aren't many places that rival Florida for fishing, and people come from everywhere to fish there...

Exactly. Florida is #1 in the USA for non-resident fishing licenses (553, 853). And to reiterate, in Florida non-resident fishing licenses comprise 35% of total fishing licenses.

In Florida, a non-resident annual saltwater fishing license costs $47.

Texas non-resident annual saltwater fishing license $63. [3 reds/day 20" - 28" Spotted Seatrout 5-10/day (depending on area) 15" - 25"]
Louisiana non-resident annual saltwater fishing license $90. [5 reds/day 16" not more than 1 over 27" Spotted Seatrout 25/day 12" minimum]

And all the while Florida resident anglers are subjected to tighter and tighter regulations prompted in large part by concerns about fish abundance. But we don't hear much (or anything at all) about Florida reducing or at least putting a cap on the number of non-resident fishing licenses available for sale - or increasing the cost of non-resident fishing licenses.

FWC is "missing the boat" (no pun intended) by not seeing that appropriation of additional revenues that could be gained from increasing non-resident fishing license fees could help better manage and improve Florida's fisheries.

Perhaps now more so than ever concerns about Florida fish abundance should focus more on the number of anglers.

[FishWithChris]

And all the while Florida resident anglers are subjected to tighter and tighter regulations prompted in large part by concerns about fish abundance. But we don't hear much (or anything at all) about Florida reducing or at least putting a cap on the number of non-resident fishing licenses available for sale - or increasing the cost of non-resident fishing licenses.

FWC is "missing the boat" (no pun intended) by not seeing that appropriation of additional revenues that could be gained from increasing non-resident fishing license fees could help better manage and improve Florida's fisheries.

Perhaps now more so than ever concerns about Florida fish abundance should focus more on the number of anglers.

Additional revenue gained, yes.

However, regulations due to "fish abundance" is prompted by the commercial fisheries and the pressure they put on from the corporate side of things (see: politics of capitalism).

2salty - are you a CCA member by chance?

[Salty Gator]

Hi 2SALTY, I have just got to ask, do you fish, hunt or own a boat???

Yes, yes and yes.

Kayaks don't count

[onefishtwofish]

What scientific evidence/information can you share (with documented factual and supportable proof) that indicates the redfish bag limit should have been raised to 2 in the first place?

[silverking]

Hi 2SALTY, I have just got to ask, do you fish, hunt or own a boat???

Yes, yes and yes.

Kayaks don't count

What power boat(s) do you own, 2Salty? Nothing wrong with kayak fishing. I own one myself and it's a fun and effective way to fish the coast. But powerboat owners help support ramp construction/improvements, add to the local communities (as the Cedar Key ramp thread demonstrates) and other fish and wildlife initiatives through earmarked excise taxes (Wallop-Breaux, among others). Boat registrations are also another way to help track fishery impacts. Granted, taxes are paid with the initial purchase of kayaks and gear, but those monies go into the general revenue fund. And kayaks don't have to be registered with paddle power.

Do you truly believe higher bag limits are not affecting fish populations? Say, three adult anglers on a bay boat fishing for sheepshead for the weekend? Isn't 90 fish over two days just a little excessive? And would you like an artificial cap on the number or state residence of customers in your particular business?

[2Salty]

Additional revenue gained, yes.

However, regulations due to "fish abundance" is prompted by the commercial fisheries and the pressure they put on from the corporate side of things (see: politics of capitalism).

2salty - are you a CCA member by chance?

Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, and Sheepshead have nothing to do with "commercial fisheries". And no, I'm not a CCA member.

[2Salty]

Hi 2SALTY, I have just got to ask, do you fish, hunt or own a boat???

Yes, yes and yes.

Kayaks don't count

Not that I've never had/don't have now a boat other than a kayak, nonetheless, why don't kayaks count? Geez, your friends (if you have any) at Forgotten Coast Kayak Anglers (where you've participated) would probably be disappointed to know you think "kayaks don't count". And so much for "ignore", eh?