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carolinacoot
Senior Member
1259 Posts |
 Posted - 03/27/2012 : 11:01:13 AM
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In that meeting they also said they were recommending a 12inch fork length.
1720 KW 110 Johnson
16' Bonito 65 Johnson |
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barbawang
Senior Member
1594 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 11:08:35 AM
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| this was mentioned a while back in another topic, but 12" fork should be about 14" total, so i think to avoid confusion with FL vs TL on inshore species they went with the precedent |
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PaddlePower
Junior Member
48 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2012 : 02:11:32 AM
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Does anyone have evidence of declining flounder or sheepshead populations? Why do so many of you believe the limits need to be tightened if catches aren't declining? The fact that "more people than ever" are joining the hunt and we haven't seen catches decline, means that there were untapped natural resources.
I hit the water in a complete setup that costs about $500 and fill a cooler several times during the course of a year. I usually spend all night on the water, and all next day cleaning fish and cleaning up. That is food for my family. I can't afford a more expensive rig (boat with motor) that would get me in and out fast, so I fish and gig far less frequently. Just because I get a few big hauls per year doesn't mean that I take more fish annually than other fisherman.
People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people. V |
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jtsnake
Senior Member
151 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2012 : 06:50:18 AM
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[quote]Originally posted by PaddlePower
Does anyone have evidence of declining flounder or sheepshead populations?
Yes, DNR has demonstrated that there has been a moderate decline in sheepshead abundance over the last 20 years. That's why the new limits aren't more restrictive, but some regulations are necessary as they will soon be removed from federal management.
Flounder, on the other hand, have showed dramatic declines in abundance over the same time period. Changing flounder limits is a political football, though. If you want to see them changed, contact your representative. |
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goozeman
Senior Member
232 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 10:03:31 AM
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| They need to reduce the flounder limit to 10 statewide, and increase the size to 16", and I have contacted all the state reps and senators that I know. Kinda ridiculous how many boats fish for flounder now, yet the only change was to go from 12" to 14" a few years ago. A 14" flounder can't even be justifiably filleted. Political football is right on, but they regs still need to be changed. Maybe we need to put all the reps on jon boats in Cherry Grove, Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island one Saturday in May so they can see how many people are out there fishing. More boats=more fish caught, no matter if they are good fishermen or not. I know giggers catch the majority of the flounder, by the way. Just seems that we would like to preserve the flounder before they are in the shape the weakfish are. Just common sense to me. |
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KJDGW
New Member
15 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2012 : 12:45:43 AM
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"I can remember the day when sheephead fishing was not the "IN" thing but thanks to websites like this and morons posting big catches we now have new rules.....This is what happens when people read how to catch something instead of learn how to and gain respect for the resource. If you dont think the agencies use websites like this for research you are wrong..... Gigging is next!
Been watching this site for years and watched areas get over fished because of pics and posts.
14" and 30 per boat is fine but this is just the beginning just ask the offshore bottom guys.........."
i agree with this. i wish folks wouldn't post pictures that reveal locations and talk about techniques or time-of-day etc., etc., online. Part of the fun is learning how to do it for yourself.
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goldfish
Intermediate Member
51 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2012 : 08:12:20 AM
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Just like the sheepheads, small flounder are better eaten whole. Some of the best flounder I have eaten were the 12 inch flounder fried whole. One was enough for a meal. I still am mad they raised the size limit a few years ago. I think that part of the responsible use of our resource is to not waste your catch by leaving 1/2 the meat on the carcass. Learn how to (and teach your kids how to) eat around a few bones.
Lower creel limits, even as low a 5 per day, would be fine with me for flounder, but please don't raise the length again. By the way, most of the flounder over 14 inches are the females (check out the SCDNR flounder publication). If you let some smaller fish count towards a lower creel limit you will leave more females. |
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goozeman
Senior Member
232 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2012 : 09:32:45 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by goldfish
Just like the sheepheads, small flounder are better eaten whole. Some of the best flounder I have eaten were the 12 inch flounder fried whole. One was enough for a meal. I still am mad they raised the size limit a few years ago. I think that part of the responsible use of our resource is to not waste your catch by leaving 1/2 the meat on the carcass. Learn how to (and teach your kids how to) eat around a few bones.
Lower creel limits, even as low a 5 per day, would be fine with me for flounder, but please don't raise the length again. By the way, most of the flounder over 14 inches are the females (check out the SCDNR flounder publication). If you let some smaller fish count towards a lower creel limit you will leave more females.
I actually like your thinking there, Goldfish. I like a lower creel over smaller size. And, I agree with the smaller fish eat better. The reason I posted the thing about filleting is that 90% of folks fillet fish. At my house, we steak em up. Seems like the bone gives a better flavor, but that's my 2 censts worth. |
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goldfish
Intermediate Member
51 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2012 : 10:17:55 PM
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goozeman:
gotta agree with that bone thing. True for beef, pork and chicken too. It all tastes better with bone in. |
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New Sheepshead limits on the way
