40.7-Pound dolphin wins $5,000 at Blue Water Open “Dolphin Mania”

New fish hook regulations on our coast in the new year

Beginning Jan. 1, recreational anglers and commercial fishers along our coast who target snapper and grouper with natural bait on hook-and-line gear from boats must use only non-stainless steel hooks to catch them. The new rule for state waters --(out to three miles from shore)--recently was adopted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to improve conservation of valuable reef fish stocks.   In addition, fishers from Sebastian Inlet north will be required to use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks for grouper and snapper. The new hook requirements are aimed at enhancing survival chances of undersized fish that are released, or those that break the line during a fight, or in cases where a hook can not be removed.  Non-stainless ...

Recreational anglers have only 4 days to catch red snapper this year

Private recreational anglers and charter and head boat fishermen in the South Atlantic, including here in our local waters, will have only four days in July to harvest red snapper for dinner. And they must sign up for the newly adopted Statewide Reef Fish Survey ahead of time. Recreational red snapper fishing dates this summer are July 10-12 and July 17. Anglers can keep one red per person per day of any size.  And as of July 1, all recreational anglers who target red snapper and other reef fish such as grouper, amberjack and hogfish must obtain a Reef Fish Angler designation from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Signing up for the designation is free at MyFWC.com/Marine. Click ...

Recreational anglers who fish on Atlantic reefs must register with the state

The state of Florida announced this week a $3-million, mandatory reef fishing registration program. Beginning July 1, all recreational anglers who fish for 13 species of reef fish in Florida's Atlantic waters must register each year with the state – a measure aimed at learning how many fish are being harvested to help manage stocks better. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, meeting virtually on Thursday, voted unanimously to expand the Gulf Reef Fish Survey – launched in 2015 – to the entire state. Under the program, recreational anglers will be able to register free online at MyFWC.com or at county tax collectors' offices and participating sporting goods stores.  Once signed up, anglers could be contacted by mail, or ...