Re: FWC Looking for input on flounder, sheepshead, tripletai
Posted: February 3rd, 2017, 8:04 am
Its pretty obvious he doesn't enjoy gigging. While we're at it, lets outlaw spearfishing and castnetting.
A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
https://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/
Yes, yes and yes.SCALAWAG wrote:Hi 2SALTY, I have just got to ask, do you fish, hunt or own a boat???
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.MIAcanes44 wrote: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".
I agree! Also, as others have said, close trout in February.silverking wrote: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."
2Salty wrote: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.
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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
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.JeffB wrote:...But, there aren't many places that rival Florida for fishing, and people come from everywhere to fish there...
Additional revenue gained, yes.2Salty wrote:
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.
Kayaks don't count2Salty wrote:Yes, yes and yes.SCALAWAG wrote:Hi 2SALTY, I have just got to ask, do you fish, hunt or own a boat???
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.Salty Gator wrote:Kayaks don't count2Salty wrote:Yes, yes and yes.SCALAWAG wrote:Hi 2SALTY, I have just got to ask, do you fish, hunt or own a boat???
Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, and Sheepshead have nothing to do with "commercial fisheries". And no, I'm not a CCA member.galantnole wrote: 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?
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?Salty Gator wrote:Kayaks don't count2Salty wrote:Yes, yes and yes.SCALAWAG wrote:Hi 2SALTY, I have just got to ask, do you fish, hunt or own a boat???