Boating in Central Florida | Boat Space Coast | Brevard County & more
Very Important Reminders with Fishing Closures
When Fishing Closures start over large area's, there are details to remember that are very important.
When Red Snapper closes Jan 4th in federal waters, it remains open in state waters. Though unlikely
to catch them of keeper size in state waters this far north, if you did, you could keep it, but if on a
boat, you may not travel into Federal waters while it is onboard. Reds are the same, they are legal
if in slot siz in state waters, but if you catch one while on the way offshore, you cannot take them
into Federal waters (3 miles), as it is illegal.
When (we all know its going to happen) the bottom fishing is closed from 98' to 300' from Sebastain
north, it will be illegal to have any bottom spesis in the boat past the 98' mark. This means is you are going to troll in deeper waters as well as bottom fish from 98' in, you must wait till done trolling out deeper to bottom fish if you intend to keep any catch! If you catch a "bottom" specis, such as
AJ's, even at the surface, while in water deeper than 98', it must go back in to be legal.
Expect Janurary 4th to see many more FWC checks, and perhaps NOAA checks for Red Snapper and Grouper, as well as Vermillion Snapper. When the bottom is shut down, expect a flotilla of
Marine LEA's on the water.
Henry
Wile E. Coyote
When Red Snapper closes Jan 4th in federal waters, it remains open in state waters. Though unlikely
to catch them of keeper size in state waters this far north, if you did, you could keep it, but if on a
boat, you may not travel into Federal waters while it is onboard. Reds are the same, they are legal
if in slot siz in state waters, but if you catch one while on the way offshore, you cannot take them
into Federal waters (3 miles), as it is illegal.
When (we all know its going to happen) the bottom fishing is closed from 98' to 300' from Sebastain
north, it will be illegal to have any bottom spesis in the boat past the 98' mark. This means is you are going to troll in deeper waters as well as bottom fish from 98' in, you must wait till done trolling out deeper to bottom fish if you intend to keep any catch! If you catch a "bottom" specis, such as
AJ's, even at the surface, while in water deeper than 98', it must go back in to be legal.
Expect Janurary 4th to see many more FWC checks, and perhaps NOAA checks for Red Snapper and Grouper, as well as Vermillion Snapper. When the bottom is shut down, expect a flotilla of
Marine LEA's on the water.
Henry
Wile E. Coyote
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Henry on -
This situation already exist off our coast at the ouclina Banks (by the Cones). It is illegal to have
in possesion any spesis that is regulated under the "Snapper-Grouper" fisheries, which are about
any fish that can be caught bottom fishing, including AJ's. Though this is not typically enforced, it
is the law. I do expect more enforcement with Red Snapper closure Jan 4, and especially when
they close from 98' out.
Henry
Wile E. Coyote
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Permalink Reply by Tim, Jane, Michael and Patrick on -
So where can we go to get a straight forward explanation of what we can not catch and where we can not catch it?
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Permalink Reply by Henry on
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http://www.safmc.net/
Even here you have to do a little browsing, butthey are the ones making the fishing rules for 3-200 miles
offshore. The FWC does have many of the federal rules mirrored, but not all, so you really need both.
Right now,
Red Snapper are closing Jan 4, 2010. Dont expect this to reopen without legislation!
Grouper are closing Jan 1, 2010 and will reopen May 1, 2010
Vermillion Snapper are closed now, and will reopen April 1, 2010
Catch limits on Grouper and Vermillion have changed.
Venting tools and De-Hooking tools are required onboard.
This is for our waters, the Gulf has its own rules. This is also Recreational Rules, with
Charter and commercial having even more requirements.
You can download federal fishing regulations from the SAFMC site, and State Reg's
from the FWC site. Check regularry for updates. Have a copy with you onboard, as if
you would be stopped, you can at least show you are trying to follow the rules.
For my charter business I have (4) federal permits, and a Dolphin/Wahoo Operater Card,
plus a stack or regs about an inch thick, turtle and marine mammel notices and gear,
as well as a host of other "Red-Tape" specials!
Henry
Wile E Coyote
Henry
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Permalink Reply by Scott on -
Cobes, Dolphin and Kings will now be overfished so I am sure they will soon follow!!! Thanks for posting the regs got to get some spots inside at 70'
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Permalink Reply by Henry on
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Closed Red Snapper, Grouper, and Vermillion Snapper! However.........Wednedsay we nearly Aggregate
Limited the boat on Mutton, Lane and Yellowtail Snapper! Give it time though and they will try shutting
it all down (that was in 80' of water).
On the serious side it is going to kill the 70' to 80' reef line, such as Pelican and 8A for us, since everyone
including the party boats will hammer this to oblivion (they will have no choice).
It could be worse......one of the proposals was to shut down from 3 miles to 200 miles! Better not talk too
much about that, since they have not decided yet what they are doing for sure.
Henry
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I have some fresh water boating friends in Orlando.I will pass your original post to them. In case they left the local area. Which is probably the case. Others should do the same, maybe we can cover the state at least.
good luck,
Rob
We haven't heard anything. Please keep an eye out, but the chances of getting the boat back don't look good. I hear that there have been a lot of problems at Lee Wenner with theft, so everyone be careful if you put in or dock there.
Plastic tank. Fiberglass would deteriorate and I believe that aluminum oxidizes. Not iron oxide rust but oxidation nonetheless. Boats made after 1994 are supposed to have ethanol compatible gas tanks. Do you agree? Do you replace the water separatio…
Janet and Dan,
What is the status on your boat? Have you heard anything?
I am still looking on the weekends.
Rob
"Thunder on the Beach" Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix at Cocoa Beach/ Port Canaveral
August 20, 2010 to August 22, 2010
Welcome Race Fans! August 20th - 22nd the 1st annual "Thunder on the Beach" Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix is coming to Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach! The race is offshore from the Pier to Lori Wilson park at speeds of up to 150 MPH!!! In the Co…
Henry,
Saw your boat heading in at the port Wednesday. We had been out to 8A and points north of there, not a lot of luck, Cuda and sharks. Was looking to see how you did Wednesday for comparison, I hope your report doesnt depress me too much.
Tim
In one of the blogs about the offshore races out of cocoa someone said the locks would be closing that weekend. just got off the phone with canaveral locks that closing has been postponed til january.
November 27, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm
The City of Cocoa is proud to announce its 17th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Indian River Boat Parade located in the Historic Cocoa Village. Last year’s event drew over two thousand spectators to watch the decorated boat parade, get a glimpse of…
Please post your photos from the event on the site! We want to know how it was!
