Sooo what's next?

GulfCoast1102

With gags, red snapper, and AJs out of season, what's swimming in the 20-40 mile range out of St Pete this time of year that is worth the effort of running offshore?

I've fishes the Texas side of the gulf for the last several years, and the fish on the Florida side tend to have different habits, different seasonal runs, etc. I'm kinda learning all over again.

CaptainBly

Mangos, hogfish, tripletail....clean and prep rods for february/march when everything goes crazy....

Kokosing Lover

Big flounder. Shhhhh.....

BryanC

I believe AJ is open in Gulf Federal water January 1-27. This is from the myfwc.com website:

Gulf federal: Closed through Dec. 31, 2017; reopens Jan. 1 and closes again Jan. 27.
http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/amberjack/

Red grouper and mangos are in season.

GulfCoast1102

I'd be pretty leary about bringing a fish to the dock anywhere in Florida that is not in season by state law. I'm thinking the warden wouldn't give a rip where I said I caught the fish.

Am I wrong? Is that not the law?

FusionZ06

I focus on mangos and hogfish this time of year if going offshore. Other than that it's all bayou fishing for me and beating docks.

clarosa

GulfCoast1102 wrote: »

I'd be pretty leary about bringing a fish to the dock anywhere in Florida that is not in season by state law. I'm thinking the warden wouldn't give a rip where I said I caught the fish.

Am I wrong? Is that not the law?

Well, Aj's can almost never be caught in our state waters so you'd have a pretty valid argument if it ever made it to court. Especially a 34" one. If they knew ANYTHING about their job, they SHOULD know that.

drgibby

GulfCoast1102 wrote: »

I'd be pretty leary about bringing a fish to the dock anywhere in Florida that is not in season by state law. I'm thinking the warden wouldn't give a rip where I said I caught the fish.

Am I wrong? Is that not the law?

Should not be an issue provided you do not stop and fish in state waters on the way in.

jdl1948

This has always been a question for me with the differences between state and federal seasons. You get stopped inside the pass or checked at the dock. He says "Got ya!" You say "All from way offshore." If push comes to shove and court is the result, LEO testimony supposed to be no more credible than anyone else's, but ......
Is the potential hassle worth it?

BryanC

jdl1948 wrote: »

This has always been a question for me with the differences between state and federal seasons. You get stopped inside the pass or checked at the dock. He says "Got ya!" You say "All from way offshore." If push comes to shove and court is the result, LEO testimony supposed to be no more credible than anyone else's, but ......
Is the potential hassle worth it?

The federal limit for mangrove snapper is 10 per person. The state limit is 5 per person. I don't hesitate to keep a federal limit if I'm fishing out past 9 nautical miles, and I understand the rule is that once you re-enter state waters, you need to proceed directly to your dock/marina/boat ramp without stopping to fish. The same thing would apply here with AJs. I don't think they would have a case if they check you back at the dock. Now if they catch you fishing in state waters with an AJ in your fishbox, that's a different story. Even if you had caught it in federal water, you would probably be in trouble in that scenario.

I would not hesitate to bring home a 34"+ AJ that I catch in federal water between Jan 1-27. There is no reason to, and I don't think any LEO would hassle you about it back at the dock.

lukkyracer

That whole mangrove snapper rule is nuts. Basically you can't fish in federal waters with more than 5 fish per person, and then go redfishing at high tide on the way back to the ramp. Crazy!!!