Spotted Sea Trout Fishery has an Emergency Regulation.
Yesterday Florida Fish and Wildlife imposed a new restriction on the spotted seatrout fishery along the Gulf coast. Trout are very sensitive to red tide and because of it their numbers are way the hell down. In fact in Charlotte Harbor it is extremley hard to find a fish over 11 inches these days. This is a sad story for what is likely the most sought after fish in my water.
Released Spotted Seatrout
Here’s the new regulation for spotted sea trout. (Please note that last night the local nightly news incorrectly annouced that the entire trout fishery was closed.)
“Currently, anglers may harvest a single spotted seatrout per day that is larger than 20 inches. Starting Friday, Feb. 22, recreational anglers will no longer be allowed to harvest any spotted seatrout over 20 inches total length when fishing in state or federal waters from the Pasco-Hernando county line south to Gordon Pass in Collier County. This rule change will remain in effect through May 10, 2019. Red drum and snook are currently catch-and-release only in this region through May 10 as well.”
As noted, at this point the redfish fishery is closed to harvest, as is the snook fishery. And legal size spotted sea trout are pretty much nonexistant in Charlotte Harbor.
Hey Ed, Thanks for the update! I have been following your blog for numerous years now and always look forward to your postings. I am up here in CT and always like to know what is going on down in Florida. It is a place I enjoy to fly fish at least once or twice a year. Keep up the good work!