ARS , Gag Grouper & A Lot More

[harbison]

   As a Florida native who has been fishing our waters ever since the late forties I am very concerned about the state of our, or what was once our, fishery. I just returned from two very successful 39 hour trips on Hubbard's Florida Fisherman ll. We easily limited out, two day limit, on American red snapper both trips. On Friday the Florida was sold out with 50 guest. That means we kept 200 American red snapper. Virtually every ledge, pot hole, wreck, and spring was stacked up with red snapper.
Please join me as together we see, first hand, exactly what is out there. But first, where does 3/4 of the fed permitted for-hire head/charter boats stand on sector separation. It's sector separation that set up the 3/49 day ARS season.
Captain Dylan Hubbard:
"IF YOU CARE ABOUT OUR FISHERY, THIS IS A MUST READ from Hubbard’s Marina about the issues facing our federal fishery in the Gulf of Mexico… time to stand up for your rights:

Hubbard’s Marina DOES NOT and has NEVER SUPPORTED SECTOR SEPARATION so before you think that we are happy with 3 day season for recreational anglers and our 49 day season for red snapper first realize that we have vehemently opposed this idea since it was first ever discussed and begged the recreational anglers to get involved in fighting against Sector separation (amendment 40) when that didn't work we waiting till the sunset provision when it came up for a reinstatement and again we vehemently opposed it and urged recreational anglers to join us.

Despite our opposition and actually, a majority of fed permitted for-hire sectors opposition the amendment was pushed through. (More than 3/4 of for-hire sector opposed this still don't know how it was passed) However, Sector separation is now law, there’s nothing more we can do about it but we still have to unite." Captain Dylan Hubbard

If we, the American people, do not UNITE, and unite now, catch shares is next on NOAA's agenda. Under catch shares, better known as PAID FISHING, the American people will be forced to pay billions for the 'privilege' of catching our own fish.

Now, through picture & video, let's take a look at what is really out there.

Personally I prefer the overnight, two day possession limit, trips. The 12 hour trips also can do very well. 6/4, Mr. Craig Permenter:



39 hour American red snapper & gag grouper:

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And now the rest of the story.

39 hour trip #1:





Getting off to an excellent start:















95 miles off Madeira Beach, Florida, we were boarded by the FWC:



Every fish caught has been logged in and accounted for:

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Let the fights continue:



















Mr. Mike Greenwood, and daughter Lindsay:

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Mr. John Martin, Florida Fisherman ll fishing coach, shows how it's done:



John leads by example:



Ed is as good as they come. If it swims, Ed can, and will, catch it:



Not to be left out:







Still going strong:



Back at the dock. The FWC biologist go to work:



Those BIG smiles on Lindsay and her dad's faces are for real:





Only one thing left:

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39 hour trip #2:



Larry just returned from Canada. He left 30 degree temperatures:



























One last gag. We are still almost 100 miles from home:

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Back at the dock!
Many reasons for smiles:











In the money:

Red snapper, 17.9 pounds, grouper, 17.8, mangrove snapper, 7.7:



Catch the short, action packed-on the water-video of our trips:

     
 

Bob Harbison  Florida Outdoor Writers Association

[paul-e]

Awesome pictures of the trip catch 

No food pics ? 

Just kidding. Sort of 

[harbison]

  Thanks!
Had so many fish pictures I decided to leave the food pictures out. BIG mistake! Will include from now on.
I did take these: