TPWD

[Exodus Outfitters]

If the creel surveys and data do not show that we have an issue w/ the number of Trout, then why would we change it? Just because were dying for more rules, more regulation? Because we think that a bunch of Austin Liberals know what it takes to keep our fishery in good shape? Did you know that the TPWD board that actually makes the regulations are appointees that do not live near the coast, let alone fish? This comes back to politics, not conservation. If there was a credible need for lowering our limits and tightening the slot then I think ALL of us would be game. Another thing to consider is that most of the Undercover Bed Wetting Liberals crying for lower limits couldn't catch a limit of five, let alone 10. I have to add that not everyone at TPWD is what I described, there are some truly passionate GW's and Biologists out there. I do not know If the discust in my post is frowned upon by FWE, but the CONSTANT Government overreach is just unbearable, and it amazes me how some people just cant wait to hand over what we have left on a Silver Platter.http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/gis/ris/catchrate/

[mgstei1]

I remember Gill nets, mile long surf nets, Shrimp boats everywhere, far less bay houses, no west end development, refinery and chemical plant and ship and barge spills, no depth finders, no GPS, no 20K$ boats loaded out with technology, edible oyster beds everywhere, far fewer fishermen, boat loads of snapper, boat loads of Flounder, specs, and reds.
Yeah, those Austin liberals are all evil in taking away our rights to do whatever whenever how many and how long and keeping my grandkids kids from ever catching a spec.

[plugger]

What CRANE OPERATOR said and not using croaker which is just too effective . How often do you guys catch more than 5 trout let a lone 10 trout with artificials ? I get skunked more often than I get a 10 fish limit . But maybe that just means I stink at fishing ! HAR !

[Curmudgeon]

If the creel surveys and data do not show that we have an issue w/ the number of Trout, then why would we change it? Just because were dying for more rules, more regulation? Because we think that a bunch of Austin Liberals know what it takes to keep our fishery in good shape? Did you know that the TPWD board that actually makes the regulations are appointees that do not live near the coast, let alone fish? This comes back to politics, not conservation. If there was a credible need for lowering our limits and tightening the slot then I think ALL of us would be game. Another thing to consider is that most of the Undercover Bed Wetting Liberals crying for lower limits couldn't catch a limit of five, let alone 10. I have to add that not everyone at TPWD is what I described, there are some truly passionate GW's and Biologists out there. I do not know If the discust in my post is frowned upon by FWE, but the CONSTANT Government overreach is just unbearable, and it amazes me how some people just cant wait to hand over what we have left on a Silver Platter.http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/gis/ris/catchrate/

The ones driving this bus, the "Undercover Bed Wetting Liberals", are the CCA.

[Ibtsoom]

The ones driving this bus, the "Undercover Bed Wetting Liberals", are the CCA.

Exactly

[H.Maier]

I remember Gill nets, mile long surf nets, Shrimp boats everywhere, far less bay houses, no west end development, refinery and chemical plant and ship and barge spills, no depth finders, no GPS, no 20K$ boats loaded out with technology, edible oyster beds everywhere, far fewer fishermen, boat loads of snapper, boat loads of Flounder, specs, and reds.
Yeah, those Austin liberals are all evil in taking away our rights to do whatever whenever how many and how long and keeping my grandkids kids from ever catching a spec.

I can't stop laughing. Austin liberals messing with fishing regs? Liberals can't catch any fish anyway? Lmmfao. Meet me at your disgression, my boat or yours. I'm a liberal that can fish a little. Bring your wallet. Lol.

[SCHU]

Yep, mgstei1, I remember those days, too. Now we have way fewer bay shrimpers, hardly any pollution, west end development, more fishermen, megabuck boats loaded with technology, blah, blah, blah. I think there are more fish now due all the regs such as netting, sizes, and MAYBE by catch, but you seldom catch a spec in a shrimp net (ibstoom?). Just because you have all the bells and whistles on your boat does not make you a better fisherman, otherwise, we all would limit out each time we go out! I think that Galveston Bay trout fishery is in great shape overall. If you don't believe me, go to on of the ramps in Kemah and watch what the croaker soakers bring in EACH DAY!!! Not saying anything against that, just about the amount of fish. This goes on every day from May until September, guys! I personally have never limited on trout on arties and I wonder how many on this board actually have, but I am sure a lot have!




If the specs were under duress from a freeze or from overfishing (which they are obviously not), I could see more regs.

[mgstei1]

Forget about short term, look out 10-25 years.
No. I haven't limited out in years and years. Don't keep any Reds. And only 15-18" Specs. And same on slabbies. When I want to eat some that's the best. Give me a nice croaker or sandie anyday. Most days they all go back and I think about several generations from now and what they will have to catch. Same thing Whitetail hunting.
Aint no way there is more fish than what we caught back in the 60's.
And yes, a shrimp net catches all young game fish. Been there done that. Especially small silver dollar size slabbies'.
Greed and bragging rights went out my window years ago.

[JT]

aawwwwwww fark crane operator!!!!! Now you pulled MG's string and this thread will go on for a week or more

[Baby Tran Cat]

Here we go with the shrimpers are the devil thing again.... Ugh

Mike is the devil

[Baby Tran Cat]

How in the world can this thread go three pages without ONE Robalo post????? Jerry die over the weekend?

[mgstei1]

I miss him terribly and his rantin and ravin and swearin and his love for good politics!!
Wonder what his take is on more regulation ?

[Ibtsoom]

MG did your shrimp net have Fish excluders and Turtle excluders sewn into it? Not gonna say they never catch and game fish but with the limited entry Kenny was talking about and all of the measures that have been taken in recent years to reduce bycatch shrimpers are not the issue everyone thinks. Also, as Kenny pointed out all of the bay boats left are Live bait boats - everything comes up alive and the majority of bycatch is thrown back over - alive.

[mgstei1]

That's what Im saying. Regulations, regulations and more regulations has and will in the future save the Bay and wildlife.
No problems with the number and their regulations now. Thank goodness the regs are here now on the shrimpers. And also the Snapper. But I do remember the culls we did in the bay and also the Gulf the numbers of game fish and mostly the small Flounder that was fed to the gulls. Game management has worked in all arenas and will continue. Sportsmen have, will, and should support good management controls.
Course that's my opinion, a proud bed wetting liberal is I believe what was referenced that agreed with Great State of Texas Regulators. I've certainly been called worse. Wheres Robalo, I need off this stump ?

[Ibtsoom]

"Sportsmen have, will, and should support good management controls."

And we do - the problem is who defines what's "good" and whether or not they're using sound scientific research to base regulations on or politics.