| 01 December 2010
December 1st - Red Drum Poll Interim Summary
434 anglers have taken the poll/preferences were as follows;
196 prefer to leave Red Drum rules as is
137 prefer the Red Drum bag limit in northern Gulf and Atlantic counties be increased to 2 per person per day
254 support a vessel limit (94 support a vessel limit of 1 per person, 160 support a vessel limit of 2 per person)
114 would like to see a trout rule review
44 have attended or plan to attend an FWC Public Workshop on Red Drum rules.
See Comments
[click here for Redfish Study link and to take poll]
Your Comments in the Red Drum Poll
Special Attention for Mosquito Lagoon
While I agree with the increase to two redfish in the northern zone, certain areas, such as mosquito lagoon, should be taken into account due to the "landlocked" nature and pressure reds receive in this area
My personal experience is that redfish stocks seem to be depleted in the IRL and Mosquito Lagoon areas. Not nearly as plentiful as 5 and 10 years ago. All that we can do allow the joy of searching and catching without depleting the resource is good.
What about central west and southwest counties why do we have seperate limitations in the same state? It is too confusing to fish anymore. And split commercial/charters from true recreational fisherman.
Other Regional Comments
I think redfish need seasonal regs for the gulf coast
The redfish are few and far between in the Ten Thousand Island area. Up till the winter of 1996 we would catch between 10 to 15 redfish a trip and see 40 to 50. We would also see sheepshead and bonnet sharks in large numbers in the shallows.
There is more pressure on the Red Drum in Florida than the other states, keep the limit to 1 per person per day. We need more pole and troll zones to protect the habitat from high powered boats. ML has a great pole and troll area that I just love to visit
Slot and Bag comments
Size limit trout from 15 to 14 inches, reds from 18 to 17 or 16
Increase size limits 18 to 30
Need to be able to keep 1 redfish above 27 inches per boat
The slot sized Redfish that are being kept are residents, not the migratory breeding fish. This will not impact fishing in other areas where Redfish are less common.
General Management Comments
I support fishing regulations based on proper scientific data supported by empirical data. Regulations based on junk science or made up formulas with no empirical data to back them up are unacceptable
Why is it when we get the fishery to where need it to be, someone wants to upset the balance. A redfish is such a great fish to catch only once.
I think the Red Drum limit should be raised to 2 per day everywhere in FL
A species rebounds and immediately rule changes are proposed. Give it a rest already fools!!!
Why mess with a good thing. With the pressure off of the Grouper for a few years, all of the angler pressure will now be focus on our in land species. I hope they have anticipated this increase in anglers.
Harvest some goliath before they eat everything else!
Mangement should be based on science, not public perception!
The larger bag limits have proven to work for the neighboring states (Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi)
Wait until 2010 assessment at the minimum
Snook Comments:
I would like to see the Snook limit be increased to 2 per person per day
I would like to see a change in snook regulations to allow one per season over the slot limit to accommodate that huge trophy we are all looking for.
