[redfish5]

Does anyone have a link to the FWC article? I keep hearing about proposed changes to bag limits, but can’t seem to find any actual articles on it. I apologize if this was posted somewhere else already.

 

[Ben]

I don’t think it’s been released yet but it needs to happen in SWFL. The amount of trout we have seen and caught the last 7 or 8 months is at pre gill net ban levels.

 

[flatzcrazy]

I don’t think it’s been released yet but it needs to happen in SWFL. The amount of trout we have seen and caught the last 7 or 8 months is at pre gill net ban levels.

The only changes I have heard about is the elimination of keeping one fish over 20”, where did you hear about bag limit changes? Yes I agree, the trout population has drastically declined in the last few years!

 

[redfish5]

The only changes I have heard about is the elimination of keeping one fish over 20”, where did you hear about bag limit changes? Yes I agree, the trout population has drastically declined in the last few years!

Saw it on another forum... here was the attached image. I can’t confirm it’s accurate.

 

[TylertheTrout2]

yea, i agree with letting the big one go.. I remeber filling coolers with em in Estero 15 years ago.. tuff to even find em now..

 

[firecat1981]

It's all on the FWC site and has been for a bit I think. The over 20" thing ends soon.

https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/

 

[Cam]

Prior to this last red tide episode they were the fish everybody went after when nothing else was biting. They were almost a nuisance on good fishing days. Since last year, they have become difficult to find in any real numbers.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Prior to this last red tide episode they were the fish everybody went after when nothing else was biting. They were almost a nuisance on good fishing days. Since last year, they have become difficult to find in any real numbers.

Guys here think a fishery can’t ever be over fished by rod and reel alone. I beg to differ.

 

[MatthewAbbott]

Guys here think a fishery can’t ever be over fished by rod and reel alone. I beg to differ.

I’ve watched it happen to my home waters within the last 15 years. I can’t wait for the limit to be lowered here.

 

[Flatbroke426]

I do see they are not touching the commercial guys as usual They can still keep up to 24" and up to 150 per boat per day

 

[Flatbroke426]

I’ve watched it happen to my home waters within the last 15 years. I can’t wait for the limit to be lowered here.

What they need to keep in mind when making regulations is look at all species in an area. When you drop the redfish people switch to trout and so on. This is what brings a lo of pressure quickly on a species.

 

[MatthewAbbott]

What they need to keep in mind when making regulations is look at all species in an area. When you drop the redfish people switch to trout and so on. This is what brings a lo of pressure quickly on a species.

It’s a simple numbers game for my area, as far as trout go. There a far more people fishing and far more of the “meat haul” guides who book multiple trips a day.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

It’s a simple numbers game for my area, as far as trout go. There a far more people fishing and far more of the “meat haul” guides who book multiple trips a day.

It’s embarrassing what these guys do. If they have to rape the resource to make a living maybe they need to get a real job and just guide part time so they aren’t acting like crack heads scavenging whatever they can get.

 

[SomaliPirate]

The main thing I see that I like is the season closure for NW zone in February. It needs to be done so folks can't roll up to the suicide hole in Steinhatchee and limit out every day of the week (which they do). Also, there's no reason to keep a trout over 20" in my opinion.

 

[Half Shell]

It looks like the over 20" catch & release change is only thru May 10th.

 

[Finn Maccumhail]

I do see they are not touching the commercial guys as usual They can still keep up to 24" and up to 150 per boat per day

I'm surprised that FL still has commercial fishing for trout. As I understand it, it's illegal in Texas to catch & sell trout or reds commercially. FL is usually ahead of us when it comes to conservation efforts.

And in related news, plenty of people on the Upper Coast here are bitching & moaning about the 5-trout limit going into effect 9/1. I also heard a report recently that Louisiana is going to have a helluva fight because their speckled trout stocks have dropped so low due to over-harvest they're going to have to take drastic measure. Basically, Louisiana managed their trout limits in such a way that the surviving trout stock isn't enough to breed replacements for those taken.

 

[Fishshoot]

Louisiana needs to do something about trout and redfish numbers. Limits are way to high there imo

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Louisiana needs to do something about trout and redfish numbers. Limits are way to high there imo

They think a 16” trout is a hoss because they box every 12” trout they catch.

 

[tailchaser16]

Eat trout? Don't know about elsewhere, but, I kept one years ago for dinner out of Chokoloskee. Never again!!!

 

[Gordon Johnson]

It's about time. Actually a bit too late. This should have happened long before the red tide. It will come a time when all sport fish will be catch and release. I personally don't keep them and try to eat sustainable stuff purchased from a good monger. Although I do keep a few speckled perch for a dinner.