Snook Regulations

SoutheastSnooker

This post will probably have a lot of differing opinions, but it has been a bit since we revisited the topic of widening the slot limit of snook. I do want to point out the abounding numbers of big snook in SE Florida the past few years, and the lack of snook meat in my freezer. I’m definitely not proposing widening on the top end of the slot, because we need those big females, but maybe 26-32? What’s everyone’s thoughts?

surfman

i think it is fine the way it is.

lemaymiami

The state has done a great job with the regs for snook (both on the east and west coast...). I wouldn't change a thing... .Those regs are why we have those big snook - and every one is a breeder, making sure we have good snook fishing in the future.... 

Up and down the east and west coast our biggest problems are water issues.... If we don't solve those, our fishing regs won't be enough to keep populations from crashing... 

KILL THE BILL

WestWall

Snook regs are fine where they are. I'm all for tightening the Redfish size limit and putting a closed sesson on them as well

cortr

WestWall said:

Snook regs are fine where they are. I'm all for tightening the Redfish size limit and putting a closed sesson on them as well

Redfish have definitely not rebounded as well as snook from the red tide and severe cold weather.  I agree addressing water quality would help more in the long run, rather than size limits and closed seasons.  However, with the number of people moving to Florida, it is going to be a huge task to reverse the damage to the environment by  overdevelopment.

lemaymiami

"A huge task" is an understatement... If we got started today to fix all the mistakes we've made in our waters we'd still be working at it fifty years from now.. It will also take a ton of money so maybe our first task is to convince most folks in our state of how necessary it is... You know, the kind of folks that think nature is something you look at - on TV...  and get angry if you even mention raising their taxes to pay for it...

I'll be talking about this as long as I'm around - it's that important...

ANUMBER1

net ban was just a small band-aid on a gaping wound, and it fell off, y'all failed to address the real issues and took the easy way..

reap what you sow bit ch es.

CaptJ

We wouldn't need a ban on anything if people would adhere to sensible rules, but it seems that the few will always try to take advantage when they can. I witnessed first hand the destruction of the Mackerel biomass in South Florida in 1980 when the high roller rig net boats decimated the fish off of Miami and caught more than they could possibly store or sell leading to them just dumping the fish in Miami River. Total waste of the resource. The fish never returned in any numbers. Had the fisherman used any common sense they'd still be at it today and there would be plenty for everyone. But no, greed overcame common sense and  what was an isolated instance swung the pendulum of public opinion. I'm all for commercial fisherman making a living as they are the hardest working people I know. Not everyone knows how to catch fish and eating fresh fish was always a Florida tradition. Sorry for the rant, but in today's society it seems that taking sides is the fashion and you're either for or against. How about an honest discussion and realistic laws to protect dwindling resources?