Late August Bait Question

Xaf

I've never been to the Keys in late August. Will the normal fresh bait (goggle eyes, speedos, balleyhoo, etc) be available from the guys who supply fresh bait?

Xaf

Anyone?

Bill Welder

Gogs will be available.
Bait guys can not sell fresh caught ballys in August legally. It is OK to catch them though.

Panhandler80

Bill Welder wrote: »

Bait guys can not sell fresh caught ballys in August legally. It is OK to catch them though.

Learn something every day. What's the logic here?

Xaf

That's interesting. Is there a season on balleyhoo?

Bill Welder

I would never look for logic pertaining to any government agency.:nono

That being said:
FWC prohibits the commercial harvest of ballyhoo with a Lumpur net during August each year. Spawn I assume. Been like that since 2003. The big commercials can sell frozen ballys in August caught before the closed season. Recs. can catch ballys but are limited to 5 or 10 gal per person.

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/history/a-g/

Coral Head

I havent seen many hoos around to catch anyway.

TeamTeke

Coral Head wrote: »

I havent seen many hoos around to catch anyway.

Last week I had ballyhoo in my chum slick at ever spot I fished off of Marathon. From patch reefs out to 65'. They did hold way back and I had to use a rod with bait and float to catch them.