Merab-Michal Favorite
BRADENTON – Tarpon statewide snagging definition and changes in gear rules in Boca Grande Pass take effective on November 1. Atlantic vermilion snapper season will remain open this fall and the FWC is reporting that green sea turtles nest at unprecedented pace in Florida this year.
Fishing Updates
Tarpon statewide snagging definition, gear rules in Boca Grande Pass changes effective Nov. 1
- Changes that will add language to the current statewide snagging definition for tarpon and modify what types of gear can be used when fishing in Boca Grande Pass will go into effect Nov. 1.
- These changes will provide further protection for this iconic fish.
- The first part of the adopted changes includes adding language to the snagging definition to prohibit catching or attempting to catch tarpon that have not been attracted or enticed to strike an angler’s gear. This change will apply to tarpon fishing statewide. The current definition for snagging or snatch-hooking is the intentional catch of a fish by any device intended to impale or hook the fish by any part of its body other than the mouth. Adding language specifying that gear must entice the fish to strike with, and become hooked in, its mouth will help further protect tarpon from the act of snagging.
- The second part of the changes prohibits fishing with gear that has a weight attached to a hook, artificial fly or lure in such a way that the weight hangs lower than the hook when the line or leader is suspended vertically from the rod (see photo below). This change will apply to fishing for all species year-round within Boca Grande Pass.
Reminder: Atlantic vermilion snapper season will remain open this fall
- Atlantic vermilion snapper will remain open to recreational harvest this fall in both state and federal waters now that the season closure has been eliminated. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission eliminated the annual Nov. 1 through March 31 closure at the September Commission meeting. The Nov. 1 through March 31 closure in federal waters was eliminated earlier this year.
- Vermilion snapper populations have improved thanks to successful state and federal fishery management. In 2008, the Atlantic vermilion snapper population was considered to be undergoing overfishing, which means more fish were being removed from the population than was considered sustainable. At the time, state and federal fishery managers implemented several management changes, including bag limit reductions and the five-month season closure for the recreational fishery. A 2012 stock assessment revealed these management actions were successful in rebuilding vermillion snapper numbers. Removing the closure will positively benefit recreational anglers by providing additional fishing opportunities.
Green sea turtles nest at unprecedented pace in Florida this year
- The number of green sea turtle nests in Florida this year was more than double the count of the previous highest year. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have documented more than 25,000 green turtle nests on 26 index beaches in the state in 2013.“Gulf Snapper.”
Fishing Forecast
High pressure will continue to ridge across the waters through Friday...gradually shifting to the southeast as a cold front approaches the area. The front will move southeast through the waters Saturday...followed by high pressure building in from the north. The cold front will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms...followed by breezy northerly winds approaching caution or advisory levels Sunday and shifting to the northeast for early next week.
Thursday
Southeast winds around 10 knots then becoming south in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Thursday night will bring southeast winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth.
2013/10/31Thu05:48 a.m.0.5L
2013/10/31Thu11:39 a.m.1.86H
2013/10/31Thu05:34 p.m.0.9L
2013/10/31Thu11:02 p.m.2.23H
Friday
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.Friday night will bring southwest winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms may increase winds and seas after midnight.
2013/11/01Fri06:28 a.m.0.25L
2013/11/01Fri12:31 p.m.1.86H
2013/11/01Fri06:05 p.m.1.02L
2013/11/01Fri11:27 p.m.2.38H
Saturday
West winds around 10 knots then becoming northwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms may increase winds and seas. Saturday night will bring north winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms may increase winds and seas.
2013/11/02Sat07:09 a.m.0.03L
2013/11/02Sat01:20 p.m.1.83H
2013/11/02Sat06:33 p.m.1.13L
2013/11/02Sat11:55 p.m.2.52H
Sunday
Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Sunday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2013/11/03Sun06:50 a.m.-0.15L
2013/11/03Sun01:10 p.m.1.78H
2013/11/03Sun06:01 p.m.1.22L
2013/11/03Sun11:27 p.m.2.64H
Solunar Forecast