"Fernandina Snapper Grounds"
By Terry Lacoss
Southeast Atlantic fishermen were able to harvest red snapper beginning on July 10th, 11th and 12th with one more day coming up this coming Friday, July 17th.
NOAA Fisheries determines the season length for red snapper which is determined by catch rates coming from recreational and charter vessel anglers participating in all of the South Atlantic States. Also data coming from Marine Recreational Information and the Southeast Region headboat survey.
NOAA Fisheries also used catch rate estimates from state surveys conducted by South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida and MRIP data were used for North Carolina, because the North Carolina red snapper survey did not provide any catch rate and landings estimates.
Last year, the recreational season was open for 5 days.
In 2019, recreational landings exceeded the recreational annual catch limit.
Since NOAA Fisheries estimates the season length based upon catch rates from the previous year, this year is shorter by one day to reduce the likelihood that the recreational landings would exceed the recreational annual catch limit in 2020.
NOAA fisheries also promotes the use single hook rigs since the recreational bag limit for red snapper during the limited fishing seasons will be one per person per day. This will potentially reduce the number of red snapper that are caught on one drop.
Use a dehooking device to remove the hook. Keep fish in the water if you plan to release them or return them to the water as quickly as possible. Use descending devices when releasing fish with signs of barotrauma.
Certianly the regulations and seasons that NOAA Fisheries have set for red snapper have protected the stocks of red snapper. However the majority of saltwater fishermen are wondering why the seasons are so short while the stocks of Southeast Atlantic red snapper seem to be in great shape.
I spent the afternoon this past Saturday taking photos of red snapper catches as both recreational and charter fishing boats returned to the Fernandina Harbor Marina. I don't believe in all mof my forty fishing seasons fishing from this popular port that I have witnessed such happier fishermen and good reason.
Fishermen were able to catch their one red snapper limit in little less time while fighting a bottom fish that typically puts a deep bend in your saltwater fishing rod and is by far one of the best eating fish in the ocean.
"I took my fishing party offshore, anchored over a good bottom and began cutting up menhaden that I had cast netted earlier," Captain Bryce Schmidt said. "My fishing party was instantly hooked up with red snapper after dropping their barbed menhaden down to the bottom. After a few minutes of fishing, red snapper followed the chum slick and were actually swimming around the boat where we continued catching red snapper minus the weight."
"I believe the red snapper season is too short, their are plenty of red snapper and they are eating all of the smaller fish that now don't have a chance to grow up."
After witnessing all of the happy charters and recreational fishermen I loaded up my Caymas fishing boat and Glenda and I were soon red snapper fishing the following day. I followed my son Terry David out to one of his secret red snapper spots and both boats were soon hooking up to red snapper from five to twenty pounds. Glenda Crosby lost two large red snapper before catching her limit a nice 22-pound red snapper. In fact that is all we did catch were red snapper, it was very evident that the natural reef below was over populated with red snapper!
To voice your opinion on the current regulations and seasons for red snapper please go to www.fisheries.noaa.gov
