Thread: Redfish

Not sure if it is a law yet or not, but the Conservation advisory board has posted that they will no longer allow any redfish over 26" to be kept.

this is the link to the article, the fishing info is in the last part of it. https://www.outdooralabama.com/artic...g-deer-hunting

"a reduction in the bag limit for sheepshead from 10 fish to eight because of increased fishing pressure, and an increase in the daily harvest limit for commercial gill net anglers who target flounder from 40 fish per day to 80 fish per day"

--- I can barely find a Flounder these days, but weren't we recently told the stock had "finally recovered"?

Originally Posted by OldSpool

"a reduction in the bag limit for sheepshead from 10 fish to eight because of increased fishing pressure, and an increase in the daily harvest limit for commercial gill net anglers who target flounder from 40 fish per day to 80 fish per day"

--- I can barely find a Flounder these days, but weren't we recently told the stock had "finally recovered"?

Tightening on the amateur fishermen and loosening on commercial. Par for the course

Originally Posted by LevelWind

Not sure if it is a law yet or not, but the Conservation advisory board has posted that they will no longer allow any redfish over 26" to be kept.

I understand this will likely be implemented later this summer, perhaps in August.

On another front the Gulf Council (Council) met in Tampa, Florida on June 3-4, 2025.

Spanish Mackerel
The Council took final action to modify Spanish mackerel catch limits and accountability measures. The Council decided to reduce catch limits based on results of the most recent stock assessment and resulting advice from the Scientific and Statistical Committee. The newly recommended stock annual catch limit will be 9,630,000 pounds landed weight. The Council also chose to modify the accountability measure by only allowing the Regional Administrator closure authority for commercial and recreational fishing if the stock annual catch limit was exceeded in the previous fishing year and the stock ACL is reached or projected to be reached. This Framework Amendment will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for consideration and implementation as soon as practicable.

I have not yet heard how this will be translated into daily angler limits and the possibility of closed seasons.