Trout limits?

[reeltime]

Gilbert you are dead on about down south and most of the people that fish it don't relize that's why ! not five.I've allways caught bigger trout down there.I agree with Robalo,kenny and gater all the way.

[Robalo]

Good subject and good posts-I like Kenny's post and points, but politically I don't think punishing guides is the ticket by raising fees (which likely would be used some for non-fishing funds at TPWD). I would like to see enforcement of limits. I enjoy catching my 10 limit (rarely of course) and agree the mitigation projects will help rebound/increase populations in the future (the marsh enhancing projects). You all have put forth some great items/areas of thought and I for one plan to take some to heart such as self-regulating my catches and tossing some back. Gater also made some great points. BTSOO 2Cool's rants and made some food for thought for all of us! As far as Mid and Lower Coats, water is a major issue-no handle on the toity to flush the systems down there and perhaps opening some passes again (usually temporary since they sand up eventually) is a way to help the trout/fish populations down there, but who pays for it and maintains it?

[trophytroutman]

I agree with robalo,kenny and gater also.

[Race1Mopar]

I've been thinking of this subject a while too and mostly because I see the decline in flounder, especially the over 20 size. I've released more flounder this year than any other when caught because of it. If you've been around a while you remember the 70's and how exciting a time it was to fish the Galveston Bay complex. Although I was young at the time I remember fishing with my dad and we couldn't go out and not catch limits. We fished a lot of the complex so it wasn't one area. The populations were not only pretty good but great for specks and reds. When it declined, then declined again I was afraid for sport fishing in Galveston. To see the speckled trout make this much of a come back, and now red too... I've caught more reds in the last few years than I've caught in a while, some kept, some released..

I have to agree that we should be looking forward. I mean I don't see an issue with the speck population now but who's to say a little proactive protection wouldn't be helpful. I agree with the 7 speck idea though... and the size limits on them are fine with 1 over. I think the slot on reds should be lowered 2" on each end plus the one over. The smaller ones are tastier and the bigger ones have more babies. Flounder... TPWD should step up their hatchery efforts and we should step up our efforts to give them good big fish to breed.

Just thoughts...

[captmike]

Hey guys, I take it personally to help protect our resources, I am a mid coast guide and 98% of my customers don't waste their fish, I know before booking what they want, they want to enjoy a day relaxing on the water and catching fish is just a bonus. If they are meat haulers, I sent them to someone else. If I don't take care of the resources and help educate my clients who will?
You want to talk to 600 plus people for 7-8 hours each about saving resources, don't think so!
We do lots of catch and releases, I am not in the race to see who can get 40 trout and be back to the dock the quickest, you pay me for a day and that is what you get, unless you want to go in early.
I agree 5 18'' will most of the time out weigh 10 15'' fillets. But sometimes the 18'' are few and far between.
5 trout limits are coming no matter how we feel, but if it helps in the long run so be it. I am sick and tired of the guide in LLM bragging about how many big (30") fish the release daily. That is great, but if you stay on the big ones and we all know they are not often mixed in with dinks, you will clean them out and stop them from eating and breeding, even if you are releasing them. But I will get over it.

Llet's show sportsmanship and courtesy on the water to all even if they don't show it to us.

If you see game laws being broken, call a warden ( you can get every wardens cell phone off the TPWD website) or call game theft, but they are slower in responding. I sure don't mind turning someone in, it's my grand kids and yours grand kids future resource we are protecting.
Capt. Mike O'Dell
Aransas Pass, Texas