Intersting thread for those who didn't attend TPWD meeting

[JT]

I just dont believe there are that many fisherman who are gonna catch enough fish to cull. i dont believe culling is an issue at all.

[Gilbert]

I don't believe there is a need to drop the limit.

[FlatoutFishin]

I just dont believe there are that many fisherman who are gonna catch enough fish to cull. i dont believe culling is an issue at all.

You're probably right...most will be in the ice chest back at the ramp while they go out for another score!

[reeltime]

They allways taketh but don't giveth....Ten is fine and five sucks!I think they should givew us more reds.

[FlatoutFishin]

I am torn...on one hand I thinbk 5 is plenty, but for my friends that live or die by the trade...I believe no adjustment to a limit is needed. I haven't seen the numbers and have no idea about the meetings because I had to work and can't make them. I will email asking for research and how its obtained. I know when they ask it's hit and miss at the dock surveys...a lot needs to be taken into consideration before passing judgement...time of year, weather conditions, boaters on water that day...so many variables that could make faulty numbers documentation possible. Surely they look at that too though????
5-5-5 does seem like a good number from my vantage point but I get to go fairly often and don't freeze fish anymore...fresh or nothing at all.Damn, Why does this chit have to be so complicated? North/ middle/ South is also an alternative. I sure miss the days of just going out and fishing!

[shallowist]

There were a handful of guides that were concerned about what would happen to their customer base if the limit decreased, mostly those who fish bait. I think that the lure chunking fans seem to be less "meet fishermen" these days. i may be wrong, but personally I don't believe that there are nearly as many people booking trips solely for the filets. It's way cheaper to hit the seafood market or grocery store if that's what they are after.

Release issues could all be resolved with better handling of the fish and keeping people from trying to cull for a bigger fish.

[FlatoutFishin]

There were a handful of guides that were concerned about what would happen to their customer base if the limit decreased, mostly those who fish bait. I think that the lure chunking fans seem to be less "meet fishermen" these days. i may be wrong, but personally I don't believe that there are nearly as many people booking trips solely for the filets. It's way cheaper to hit the seafood market or grocery store if that's what they are after.

Release issues could all be resolved with better handling of the fish and keeping people from trying to cull for a bigger fish.

I think your 100% right. I do enjoy a good catch if planning a fish fry, but wwhen I go with a guide nowadays it's a 100% "I want a big girl tug" and the education part. Maybe guides need to push this aspect more at the shows and in adds...I can teach you how! To me that's much more appealing.