(Note: This was written and published before a federal judge issued a last-minute halt to the May 22 opening of a monthlong exemption that would allow recreational anglers to catch and keep one red snapper per day.)
If there’s one thing we respect around here, it’s the Gift Horse.
We’d never give it the stink-eye.
But all the same, how about a sideways glance?
As mentioned here over the past several weeks — a time or three, but who’s counting? — offshore anglers have been freed up a bit and given more opportunity to catch and keep red snapper off our Atlantic coast.
Instead of one or two days per year, this initial freedom allows for 39 days this year — three long weekends in the fall but also 30 consecutive days starting … NOW. What could go wrong?
Here’s where that sideways glance comes in handy.
Confession: When the upcoming dates for the new snapper season were being tossed around, I was among those applauding and never thought to free a hand and raise a red flag. It’s a little late now, but all the same …
We do know it’s Memorial Day Weekend, right? And we do know the chaos that often ensues on the otherwise orderly and functional public boat ramps around here, right?
When the weather cooperates, as it will (more or less, but some wind remains), this particular weekend can become a free-for-all at the ramps but also a bit testy at times way out there around the popular deep-water reef-fishing spots.
Now, imagine the potential for mayhem over the coming few days when we mix the traditional Memorial Day boaters with those who can’t and won’t wait to go after a red snapper, as if those other 36 days will be yanked off the table in a moment’s notice.
(A pause, as some muttering is overheard among the gathered mass.)
Huh, what’s that? Wow, that’s great news! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?
Folks, this just in and it changes everything: Turns out, we’re still within the confines of National Safe Boating Week, so everyone calm down.
Whew, we were worried there for a minute. But the U.S. Coast Guard has again designated the pre-Memorial Day week as the time to double-check all your safety gear and, while you’re at it, mind your manners out there. The Coasties are joined in this effort by an aptly named bunch: The National Safe Boating Council.
Potential crisis (or crises) averted, right? Right.
Granted, this doesn’t affect the vast majority of you, who either don’t have access to a boat or, if you do, one that you’d dare take out of Ponce Inlet pointed toward the deep blue. But you can still pack some refreshments and chairs and visit a nearby ramp over the coming afternoons.
For entertainment purposes, you could do a lot worse. Keep your head on a swivel, though.
Halifax/Indian River
While a lot of additional traffic will be in and around the inlet, it’s a great time to feast upon the ongoing parade of redfish, snook and other quality catches running throughout the intracoastal. The heating water hasn’t yet reached a point where the good fish start playing overly hard to get.
Anglers on the assorted piers are still finding black drum and sheepshead feeding on and around the pilings.
The tarpon are starting to roll around, itching for the fights they know they’ll likely win over the coming weeks. What we call a “summer flounder” is also picking up the pace.
“We’ve been catching at least one or two every trip. They should only get thicker over the next few weeks,” says Capt. Jeff Patterson (Pole Dancer charter).
Surf
It was looking bad there for several days — waves of seaweed, quite literally, washing ashore and stinking up the scene (also literally). Not good when you’re expecting a lot of guests for the holiday weekend.
“Huge patches. Makes fishing impossible,” Marco Pompano moaned early in the week.
But just like flipping a switch, Thursday morning brought relief. Much, or most, of the weeds were pushed way up out of the way by overnight tides.
“It’s really nice out here,” Marco reported. “There’s no current. It’s low tide and I’m waiting for the water to fill in a little bit, and I’m sure the fish will follow.”
More red snapper news
Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (the FWC), a day before the start of red-snapper month, was still working on a specific app anglers will need to use in order to go after the prized catch.
There are some rules involved and protocol to follow, which seems a small price to pay for the unlocking of more snapper days this year. But until the app is worked out, the FWC plans to gather their info the old way, in person around the docks and ramps, where they’ll talk to returning offshore folks who’ll gladly (right?) provide accurate information (right again?) regarding hookups, keepers and discards.
The better the info, the better the chance of further opening of future seasons.
St. Johns
The shad are still invading, which means the bigger bass are still giving chase and providing opportunities for those going after the famous largemouths of the St. Johns. They’ve been especially busy in the Norris Dead River and Lakes Woodruff and Dexter, as well as the main river.
“Bluegill and shellcrackers are also getting ready to spawn, so they’ll be getting real good here on the next full moon,” says Capt. Ronnie Paige, out of Highland Park Fish Camp.
That next full moon, by the way, is a week from Sunday, May 31.
Capt. Don McCormick went crappie fishing this past week with a member of Pierson royalty, Richard Hagstrom, who celebrated his 91st birthday with a big haul of specks — “with him catching most of them,” Capt. Don says.
“Bait of choice was minnows on a slip-cork, fishing in the 10-foot depth.”
Good news for fishing tourists!
You might recall the recent complaints when the FWC quit allowing Florida visitors to go online to purchase their short-term fishing licenses (three- and seven-day).
Guess what. The griping worked, as confirmed in this info received this week from Tallahassee:
“We are pleased to announce the restoration of the 3-day and 7-day nonresident saltwater and freshwater fishing license options online, effective May 21 at 5 p.m., just in time for the upcoming holiday weekend and coinciding with the opening of both Atlantic and Gulf recreational Red Snapper seasons.”
Along with hundreds of statewide locations that sell licenses (bait shops, Walmart, etc.), visitors can again purchse them at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Oh, you can also get them at your nearest tax-collector’s office, unless you prefer to low-profile such places.
Hook, line and clicker: Send us your fish pics
We want to see your most recent catch. Email your fish photos to ken.willis@news-jrnl.com.
Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we’re occasionally stumped). Some may be used in print, but all appear in the online version of the fishing roundup.
Do I need a fishing license?
You can find all the license info, including exemptions, on Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com. But the basics are: No: If you’re 65 or older, 15 or younger, you don’t need a license. “Probably” Not: If you’re fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat, both of which often purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers. Yes: Most everyone else, including visitors from other states. Yes: Even if you’re a shore-based angler (shoreline, dock, pier, bridge, etc.), and even if fishing with a shore-based guide. However: The shore-based license is free . . . But: You still need to register for that free license.
Where do I get a license and what does it cost?
Many bait shops sell licenses, as do the bigger retailers (Bass, Dick’s, Walmart, etc.). Florida’s FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses: GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The cost: $17 for an annual license. Don’t forget: Whether you’re fishing fresh or saltwater, you need the specific license. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually.
I’m here on vacation, do I need a license?
Yes you do, and some are available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, but what you need probably isn’t. Short-term: Three-day ($17) and seven-day ($30) licenses are no longer available online, but only at local tax-collector offices and many bait shops. Long-term: The yearly visitor pass is still available online for $47. “Some” exceptions: If you’re fishing on a charter boat (saltwater only), that guide should have a license that covers all his clients. If you’re hiring a shore-based guide, no such coverage exists and you must go purchase a license.
What if I get caught fishing without a license?
Florida residents: First-time violation is usually $50, plus the cost of the license you should’ve had. Non-residents: Fines range from $100-250, plus cost of license. Both go up exponentially with future violations.
— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Red Snapper bonanza opens on Memorial Day Weekend, and it could get messy … or not
Reporting by Ken Willis, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
