new cobia size limit
Randemgun
Posts: 23 Deckhand
Ok with the new proposed size of 38 inches in Florida waters, does that mean any fishing guide must have some federal license or permit to keep one 33 inches in federal waters. What license or permits would that be and how would one get one.
Replies
If I catch a 33" cobia in Federal water, which is the legal limit for Federal water, and proceed directly from Federal Water to the dock without stopping, to land the fish. what would the violation be. There are several differences between State and Federal regulations for different species and I believe that one can travel over State water, without stopping, to land fish caught in Federal water. Mangrove Snapper comes to mind. You are allowed 10 mangroves in Federal water but only 5 in State water, but one is allowed to proceed without stopping from Federal water to the dock to land all 10
Yes you are correct. If you are a for hire vessel ( A guide ) and on a trip with paying customers you can not fish for or harvest Cobia of any size from federal waters. You would have to be issued a GULF CHARTER/HEADBOAT FOR COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC FISH (CHG). The gulf CMP permit is a limited entry permit and would have to purchased from another vessel at market price.
A guide with the proper permit can take 33 " cobia from federal waters (where they are usually larger then inshore) legally? WHY? who is getting payed off to push that decision through? I am really getting disappointed in all these bad decisions recently.
Everyone who supports leaving it at 33 in state waters should go to the fwc website and send a message to all the commissioners, I did and after reading the fwc staff presentation (also on the fwc website) I concluded they presented not one piece of evidence that cobia are being overfished. In fact to the contrary, central Florida anglers, me included, reported great cobia fishing the last several years, It is only 2 counties in the panhandle that are reporting poor fishing. Very easy to conclude that you can't have very good fishing here and poor fishing there and over fishing be responsible. Migration patterns change and for some reason ie change in water temps the fish are not coming that close inshore. Everyone should regularly go to the fwc website and review the commission meeting , draft proposals and upcoming votes and voice your opinion accordingly.
That being said, the cobia push came from the Panhandle guides whose spring runs are down, they blame the SW Fl. fisherman for catching the barely legal fish in the fall and winter before they get to migrate back to Panama City and points west.
I was shocked at the huge jump in size, didn't see that coming.
The guides got their way with the redfish, the cobia and trout are next. SAME THING TO THE T!!
If you make money on fish, you spend time and money on getting more fish. Average Joe can't win.
For they always bring me tears
I can't forgive the way they rob me
Of my childhood souvenirs"... John Prine
I hope he was referring to guides and party boats.
I have a lot of respect for many guides and even more of a soft spot for commercial.
Fact is , enough are just playing too dirty at this point to stop them. And they know it.
Things always change though. For better or worse.
For they always bring me tears
I can't forgive the way they rob me
Of my childhood souvenirs"... John Prine
Bad thing is that most recs follow fishery management and hav very little knowledge on what drives the rulemaking..
Same thing for hunters though, IMO hunters are more tuned in to the process.
Art is right, it has nothing to do with supporting commercial fishermen
I agree Jack, my reply should have clarified that
You agree with Art calling someone ignorant...........yet you were the first person to answer the OP with an "incorrect answer":huh
YJCMTSU:rolleyes
Re-read my post reference Art. It clearly states that's I agree with him that the new law has nothing to do with supporting commercial fisherman. Its states nothing else. Secondly my answer to the OP was not incorrect, rather it was not a full and complete answer which would have clarified the total situation better should it go into effect, but I already owned that.
Source: GCRL
I attached a copy of the migration pattern, from a study conducted by the Southern University of Mississippi. One would think, if there was a problem, the other 4 States would be following FWC's guidance on the amount of Cobia taken and the size limits. Louisiana 33" 2/person, Alabama 33" 2/person, Mississisppi 33" 2/person and the only State which has a larger size, Texas 37" 2/person. Doesn't make sense.
Evidently the map doesn't show: however, the pattern shown on the website shows that the Cobia travels south along the East Coast around the keys and north along the Gulf Coast of Florida and along the panhandle towards Texas.
I also am not saying anything against the commercial fisherman other then it should be the same as we are held to if they change it. If they are not targeted and are mainly a by catch, so what! it should still match what we have especially since they are in deeper water and they are larger out there.
Cobia
Draft rule changes for cobia to be brought back before the Commission in September for a final public hearing include:
Creating a Gulf/Atlantic management boundary defining all state waters north of the Monroe-Collier county line as “Gulf state waters” for purposes of managing cobia.
Increasing the minimum size limit in Gulf state waters from 33 to 38 inches fork length.
Making the recreational and commercial bag limits in Gulf state waters the same by reducing the commercial trip limit from two to one fish per person.
Reducing the recreational and commercial vessel limit in Gulf state waters from six to two per vessel per day.
You seem to personally insult a lot of people with your posts, as you hide behind your computer. You also frequent sex shops. Enjoy your right hand tonight.
Sex shops? Only to visit your Mom and she really liked my right hand and the left at the same time.
A1If I was in that part of Florida I would definitely hook up for a beer. I like you attitude here!
The smaller fish are still being taken by commercial catch - measured in tons - so increasing size limit on recreational only is ineffective.
This is from my personel observation and experience- which I tend to trust more than outside sources with an agenda.
With limits at 1 of these and 2 of those- recreational fishermen are not influencing anything. The six ARS I have kept this year certainly has not depleated the stock. Hard to get on board when commerical catch is measured in tons per trip- and I have 2 fish.
You are part of the problem in rec fisheries and will probably never be part of the solution...
*depleted:grin
Let's get on board with that guys!
For the good of the fishery, it certainly won't hurt the true commercial fishery, don't know if the guides in the panhandle can stomach it though.
LOL!
FLUSHED
I had you pegged for one of those guys who puts clamato in budweiser.