TPWD Seeks Input on Possible Coastal Fisheries Regulation Changes

[Lori77563]

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has scheduled three public scoping meetings in January to gather input about possible regulation changes for 2013-14.

The scoping items include incorporation of a rule regarding recreational possession limit, clarification of fish harassment rules, bonus red drum tag requirement changes, and new possession rules in state waters for aquatic resources in excess of federal limits.

All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. and are set for:
Jan. 7 — Dickinson TPWD Regional Office, 1502 FM 517 East;
Jan. 9 — Corpus Christi on the TAMU CC campus, NRC #1003, 6300 Ocean Dr.;
Jan. 10 — San Antonio at Bass Pro Shops, 17907 W. IH 10.

Public input on these scoping items can also be submitted electronically at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business...mment/scoping/ by email to Jeremy Leitz at jeremy.leitz@tpwd.state.tx.us, or in writing to Jeremy Leitz, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744. –Steve Lightfoot, TPWD



TPWD: Scoping

https://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/Scoping

[Lori77563]

Changes to fishing regulations I would support:
- Increase minimum size limit of flounder to 16"
- Possession limit of 1 flounder over 22"
- Decrease minimum size limit of Redfish to 19"

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks for the info Lori.

[Robalo]

I would NOT support changing Red Snapper State rules to match Federal rules-many reasons-mainly that the NMFS and Gulf Council are blathering idiots and fools basing data not from Texas (or even Louisiana) waters and they generally are self-serving bastages to say the least, since mainly are Commercials and not Recs.

In general, if the Feds want to do it, I am against it!!!! "Hi we're from the Government and we are here to help." is like saying JT lives an alternative lifestyle-NOT!!!!!

[76794p]

TPWD Seeks Input on Possible Coastal Fisheries Regulation Changes

Would there be a a slot for flounder now. The mention a min of 16 and keeping 1 over 22. Would that mean a slot of 16-22 inches?

[Gulfcoast13]

Would there be a a slot for flounder now. The mention a min of 16 and keeping 1 over 22. Would that mean a slot of 16-22 inches?

Ding Ding Ding..

These are all just up in the air right now. We will have to wait and see what passes.

[Silver Wolf]

keep the limit of flounder at 14 and 1 over 24 inch. never caught a 24 inch, but maybe some day. it's very hard to keep a flounder over 14 during the winter. during the summer it's still difficult to catch over 16 inches. i wade fish and can't move around as with people with boats or kayaks. people might say "well get one", i'll take any donations to get a kayak. ok just being smart with the attitude. keep the limit of flounder at 5 or raise it back to 10. very rare do i get over 5 anyway. this is just an opinion for regulations. Lord Bless.
robert

[Lori77563]

Would there be a a slot for flounder now. The mention a min of 16 and keeping 1 over 22. Would that mean a slot of 16-22 inches?

Essentially yes just like with trout. Flounder under 16 are generally males and it takes 6-8 males to 1 female for reproduction, besides there isn't enough meat on a flounder under 16" to make it worth taking. My personal limit is 16"-22" (except when fishing a tournament).

[coachlaw]

Decrease redfish minimum size to 16 inches PLEASE! 20 inches is idiotic, and the 16-18s are the best eating size.

[76794p]

TPWD Seeks Input on Possible Coastal Fisheries Regulation Changes

I like the idea of going down one inch on the reds slot. Anymore is too much. The last thing we want is for the stocks to be depleated and the slot be raised too high and the red's become like the goliath grouper where they cannot be kept.

[Overkiller]

I was under the impression the flounder fishery was doing quite well, am i mistaken?

[Robalo]

I also agree with Sandy (Coachlaw). The reds over 24" and greater are tough, hard to clean and much is wasted. The Cajun Rule makes more sense (5 per day between 16 and 27). No reason not to increase the limit since the Paul Proudhomme crapola of "blackened redfish" Craze is pretty much over and so is the purse seining of them under Federal Law and most state law, so their stocks are up and we should be able to retain more and decrease size for slots.

Flounder: I rarely target and really consider them not tasty-to me, the meat is mealy like a soft apple-I know, you all say "tender" and I don't disagree, but I prefer trout anyway or Red Snapper or Dorado over flounders or reds. I donm't have a fight on flounder, but respect other's opinions regarding any change on flatties.

[Lori77563]

Don't think I'll ever see 16" red limit, maybe 18". We need not to be greedy and go for 19" which we may be able to get, then in a year or two try for 18" if all goes well, think a 18" limit would be a hard sell. The flounder is doing better but we are a long ways from where we want to be, a limit of 5 right now is good we need the slot though. We also need a official ruling on the definition of possession in regards to culling and not leave it up to the individual game warden to decide.

[buoy37]

Decrease redfish minimum size to 16 inches PLEASE! 20 inches is idiotic, and the 16-18s are the best eating size.

I am with you Sandy!!!

I love keeping the 17"-18" reds in Louisiana. The half-shell filets at that size fit on the plate so perfectly.

[Swells]

The rules are just being cleaned up and clarified to prevent confusion and ensure that TPWD has the right offshore and possession rules to make the NMFS happy.

No new rules for fish limits, sizes, or daily bag.

Looks like a sleeper to me, since they're not going to change anything for reds, specks, flounder, or anything like that.

Any change on red drum is about the oversize +28 tag and the bonus +1 tag, allowing both to be kept at the same time. No change to the basic rules though.

In other words, boring.