Updated Red Snapper numbers for the gulf

[KKrueger]

Here is a report that was done independant of NOAA showing 3 times the number of snapper NOAA was showing. My hope is this will equal a longer season and or more liberal limits.

I see the recreational for hire season begins in FL on June 1. Looking forward to seeing the private vessel dates.

https://www.harte.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Red Snapper Fact Sheet 6.pdf

 

[KKrueger]

More data here: https://www.harte.org/snappercount

 

[Fletch_W]

NOAA is a joke. Everyone knew it from day one, wasn't it about 13 years ago when they first enacted this nonsense?

 

[Fletch_W]

NOAA should stick to mapping seafloor and maintaining weather stations.

 

[Buckstop]

This is exactly what is needed in the Atlantic too. I would be very surprised if the discrepancy isn't proportionally larger in that stock.

 

[Dustin Pate]

Anyone that has fished for them in recent years would echo those thoughts.

 

[seachaser]

I think it is harder to not catch red snapper then it is to catch them. I sold my boat a few yrs ago but I caught hundreds of snapper over a 5 yr span and some upwards of 25 lbs and 90 percent of them were caught within sight of shore.

 

[doomtrpr_z71]

NOAA should stick to mapping seafloor and maintaining weather stations.

Please....no.....they do a horrible job with weather station maintenance.

 

[Mr Bya Lungshot]

I caught one trolling I knew right then they’s is a bunch more on the bottom.

 

[lampern]

9 miles out from shore into the Gulf the states have control over red snapper

In the Atlantic its 3 miles out and in

 

[LowerAl]

Yeah, their there. All public spots, in a bay boat. The only time we didn’t limit last year was literally the day after a hurricane, was a bit rough

 

[Rabun]

I think the stripers aren't getting to huge sizes also because of the forage base like others have mentioned. They're eating a lot of herring which aren't as big or high in fats and protein as skipjack herring or gizzard shad. Mouth full of 4 inch bluebacks isn't very filling. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, a 2 pound skipjack herring or a 16 inch gizzard shad is the BAIT to catch 60-70lb freshwater striper

Yeah, their there. All public spots, in a bay boat. The only time we didn’t limit last year was literally the day after a hurricane, was a bit rough

I’m with you!! I have a 24’ bay and limit every time I go out. Been turned back a few times but if we got to fish caught nice limits of snapper 8-12 out. No shortage of ARS

 

[Rabun]

Not sure why the Striper post was in there

 

[Michael F Sights]

Just more proof of the absolute INCOMPETENCE of our Government

 

[Geffellz18]

Them red snappers are so scarce in the gulf, you can’t fish a spot anywhere including the bays without pulling up 1 or 20 so I hear when bottom fishing!