Friday Fishing Forecast and Upcoming NOAA Interview! 

Most of these targeted species are over fished. We do have to protect the resources. I go fishing offshore Tampa Bay on my own mostly, and although I do pull up small gags, rarely do I pull up keeper size. They are few. Went on a charter in March, just to see if I could learn anything. I was shocked that every rule in the book was broken. Undersized groupers, ARS's, snappers immediately cut up and used for bait. Some eaten on board. The released ones not vented or descended - I could see a long string of Reds Groupers, American Red Snappers, Yellow tails, Gags, etc, floating away in the current unable to descend. Eventually I made them find a venting tool, and the vented my releases, but everyone else's, got tossed and floated away. No protection of the resources for their own future business. People catch more than they need, and then distribute around the neighborhood. Forget it. Each one you leave behind, could potentially lay thousands of eggs.

Fishing pressure doubles every year boats go further than he ever and the electronics and mapping is better than ever. All the Yankees want fresh grouper at the restaurant I guess they come first first.

Initial Question: Given the recent advancements in NOAA's ecosystem models that now include data on significant environmental stressors like red tide, particularly their impact on juvenile gag grouper, can you explain why the integration of these critical insights into regulatory frameworks for gag grouper management hasn't been accelerated? With the pressing nature of these environmental threats, what proactive steps are being taken to implement this new knowledge into actual management strategies? Follow-up Question: Considering the ongoing development and refinement of these models, as reported by the NOAA RESTORE Science Program, which indicates that these models are still being adjusted and not yet fully integrated into management decisions, how does NOAA justify the strict 15-day recreational fishing limit? Isn’t there a concern that decisions based on these evolving, yet incomplete models could lead to unnecessarily harsh regulations that impact the economic stability of fishing communities without a proportionate conservation benefit?

Initial Question: With NOAA's recent modifications to the gag grouper management, such as establishing a rebuilding plan and revising catch limits and sector allocations, it appears there's a strong emphasis on conservation. Can you detail how these changes are projected to significantly improve the gag grouper population over the rebuilding timeline? Follow-up Question: Given the acknowledgment in the 2021 stock assessment that the Gulf of Mexico gag grouper stock is both overfished and undergoing overfishing, and considering the drastic reduction in the recreational catch limit to a mere 15 days per season, how does NOAA reconcile these severe restrictions with the actual effectiveness of these measures? Specifically, how can NOAA ensure these stringent limits will not disproportionately impact recreational fishing communities, especially when historical data suggests that past management measures have not halted the decline in stock levels? Additionally, with the substantial economic impacts of such measures, what immediate steps are being taken to mitigate these effects while also ensuring the gag grouper population is on a true path to recovery?

Taking the wife fishing in the bay tomorrow. Hoping to get on those mangrove snappers! I have a couple of spots on the Fish Reveal to check out.

15 days you better get out there fast because the Captain's going to be hit them hard all week

Awesome vid bro thanks for the feedback! Just moved down this side and taking my skiff out to E.G. Simmons. Gonna try and find somewhere for those groves not familiar with the area 😂

Take everyone's electronics and it's open season. Or keep advancing and have no session

15 days??!