A close look at Red Snapper fishing

[harbison]

A close look at Red Snapper fishing

Alexandria, VA, October 29, 2014, The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Council voted 10-7 to approve Amendment 40, sector separation. Amendment 40 divides the recreational quota between individual recreational fishermen and for-hire operators with a valid or renewable federal reef fish for-hire permit. Amendment 40 establishes separate Red Snapper season closure provisions for the federal for-hire and private angling components. As such the private recreational 2020 American Red Snapper season is 45 days beginning June 11 and ending July 25. The vessels with federal for-hire reef fishing permits is 62 days in federal Gulf of Mexico waters Beginning June 1 and closing August 2. The Red Snapper total 2020 non commercial quota is 7,339,000 pounds whole weight. 57.7% is allowed for the recreational sector and 42.3% for the for-hire, with federal reef permit holders.  The American Sportsfishing Association, as well as Hubbard's Marina, are strongly opposed to sector separation. Why? because sector separation will, in all probability, create serious conflicts between private anglers and charter/for-hire captains, and further diminish recreational fishing for Red Snapper. Equal access of the ARS quota, 7,339,000 pounds, for one & all is in the best interest of our fishery.  On the other hand the Charter Fisherman's Association supports Amendment 40 stating that sector separation provides an opportunity to explore new management choices for all recreational fishermen. In 2020 this "new management choices" resulted in a private recreational ARS season of 45 days, and 62 days for the federal for hire permitted vessels. This is just not acceptable. Unfortunately, due to competition, for-hire operators with a valid or renewable federal reef fish for-hire permit are all but forced to fish for Red Snapper the entire 62 days. Late July fishing in Florida is hot, really HOT! Is the fishing also hot? Let's take a look.As seen from the deck of the Florida Fisherman ll:Jason, that's a beautiful American Red. Let's look closer.Friday, July 24, 2020, Captain Garett Hubbard is ready and so are we:Friday night; we have not been catching large numbers of Mangrove Snapper. Could it be the much more aggressive Red Snapper are taking over?Beautiful, extremely good eating, Red Grouper:Leave it to the girls to show us how:We learned:With only three more over-night American Red Snapper trips this year...Looks like the American Reds will be forced to wait...This beauty was released to fight again. Now!  Let's get down to business: The Florida Fisherman ll has all but limited out on American Red Snapper (2 day limit): 'In 2020 this "new management choices" resulted in a private recreational ARS season of 45 days, and 62 days for the federal for hire permitted vessels. This is just not acceptable.'There is a chance the private recreational 'sector' will have more ARS days in the fall; let's hope so. Catch the on the water 7/24/20 video:

[fluke - u]

  .... Thanks for the read Capt. .... 

[harbison]

     Thank you sir!