The Red Snapper "Grande Finale"

[chumhead]

Since I had to work on Friday the 14th, Capt Jim and I headed out on Wednesday the 12th for the end of Red Snapper Season 2009 *surrender* *kickrock* *004*

The darn Red Snapper are so nearly extinct that it takes all of about 15 to 20 seconds to get one to hit *006* For the second trip in a row, I started off by reeling up half of a red snapper. A few minutes later, Capt Jim hooks the culprit,
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/100_5458.jpg
and after a good long (huffing and puffing) fight, pulls a 6 foot shark up to the boat. Here is a still shot from the video I took.....
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/PICT0073.jpg

We went back to snapper fishing and kept releasing the barely legal ones hoping to upgrade....Capt Jim hooks into a nice one for being only 5 miles out...
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/100_5466.jpg

He also tied into a nice Grouper to add a little variety...
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/100_5469.jpg

Having our limit of snapper, we changed gears and started catching Ruby Redlips for AJ bait, dropping them down and reeling up about 6 full cranks for good exposure.....it worked
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/100_5472.jpg

We made our customary stop for some pics and a quick swim to cool down (it was very hot that day).....
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/100_5476-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/100_5474-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/100_5478.jpg

The final score:
4 Red Snapper (ended the season with a limit *thumbsup*), 1 Black Snapper, 1 Grouper and 2 AmberJack
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/100_5479.jpg

chumhead

[Whatever]

Very nice catch guys...*thumbsup**thumbsup*

[Dad2RMH2]

Chumhead that's a nice looking limit of the Red Snapper Red. Does sound like you managed to reduce the numbers of the "nearly extinct" species by 4.5. Good day fishing!

[fishin jones]

wow..great post..looked like a great day out there, plus big fish!! good thing I still have a couple fish left from our weekend before in the freezer since it'll be next summer before we get more fresh red snapper.

It really is amazing how 'extinct' those red snapper are- If you dont get a bite within 15 seconds of dropping down you move spots.

That boat still is a fish raiser, even if you dont have on your lucky shirt!!

[Fayetteguy]

*Warning science based questions*

Hey chum or anyone else in the gulf snapper, would you say that what yall caught is the average size down there? Are the snapper getting closer in yr after yr? um lets see, what else, oh would you say the juvie fish far far far outnumber BIG fish? With all these changes in the Atlantic im curious, im thinking you close the snapper that the juvie fish which are much more voracious feeders will outcompete the BIG fish for food, and ultimately you end up with a HUGE juvie population and a low BIG FISH population. Do yall get 15+ lb snapper regularly? i mean maybe one or 2 per trip?

Ok science done, nice catch!

[sportskiff]

I am going to move to florida and become a beach bum..........
Now where kin i put my still up???????
Yall fl dudes are fer sure KILLIN ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
( wheres that DROOL icon at????)

[MartyJ16]

Great job guys. I envy you!*thumbsup*

[fcogarciam]

Thanks for sharing the photos, great shots

[chumhead]

*Warning science based questions*

Hey chum or anyone else in the gulf snapper, would you say that what yall caught is the average size down there? Are the snapper getting closer in yr after yr? um lets see, what else, oh would you say the juvie fish far far far outnumber BIG fish? With all these changes in the Atlantic im curious, im thinking you close the snapper that the juvie fish which are much more voracious feeders will outcompete the BIG fish for food, and ultimately you end up with a HUGE juvie population and a low BIG FISH population. Do yall get 15+ lb snapper regularly? i mean maybe one or 2 per trip?

Ok science done, nice catch!


To be honest with you, we are not targeting BIG snapper, we're barely 5 miles miles offshore and in 70 feet. Our Reds from this spot avg about 18-22 inches. Now if I wanted to spend more on gas I could make a longer run and pull in the big ones....just watched a local show I recorded on DVR and they were fishing 25 miles out on live bottom in 150 feet and were pulling in 20-25 lb'ers 2 and 3 at the time fishing 11 people on a charter, so I guess the adults are definitely farther offshore. My experience has been if you want the bigger snapper, reel up a couple more cranks......divers have also told me that on dives they noticed that the larger snapper hold higher in the water column.....my biggest Red Snapper was actually caught on a flat-lined cigar minow set out for King Mackeral.

I don't know anything about the Atlantic situation, but I can attest that there is definitely no shortage of them in the Gulf, despite what Dr. Crabtree from NMFS says. The economy also has lessened the pressure on these fish....how many people do you know that would pay $400-500 to charter a boat and only be able to keep 2 fish per person? We'll see if this new "Federal Fishing License" helps NMFS collect real, usable data instead of the admittedly flawed data they are currently using to set limits and season lengths.

I'm off my soapbox......

chumhead

[sportskiff]

Chum,
climb back on the ol box........
jus like poloticians, dnr lookin out fer monies.........they dont care bout the "real world", too busy dreamin up chit that makes no cents, ta man nor beast.............unless SOMEBODY puttin greenbacks into THIER pockits......
( look at the shrimpin here in SC, the commie boys says us cast netters gonna put THEM outta bizness........sheer bull, an the commies LOAD the pockits of dnr,local,state "politicians".... PLEASE NOTE, politicians kinda rymes with magitions, mabe THEY ought ta work the shrimp boats.......)
KICK ON BRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave]

Great report Chum... love the pics *Woot* If I ever get down your way, I could use a lesson on red snapper fishing ;D They're here, but I rarely target them and only catch a red now and again, incidental to general bottom fishing *kickrock*

Dave

[chumhead]

Not much to it Sarge. Here its mostly "location, location, location". If you find the spot, the circle hooks do the rest for you. New laws in the Gulf of Mexico require you use circle hooks while fishing for reef fish using live or dead natural baits. I've been using them exclusively for about 7 years, and have gotten very used to them. They really do almost all the work in hooking up a fish if used properly.......no hooksets, just start reeling.

chumhead

[Dave]

Not much to it Sarge. Here its mostly "location, location, location". If you find the spot, the circle hooks do the rest for you. New laws in the Gulf of Mexico require you use circle hooks while fishing for reef fish using live or dead natural baits. I've been using them exclusively for about 7 years, and have gotten very used to them. They really do almost all the work in hooking up a fish if used properly.......no hooksets, just start reeling.

chumhead

Same here... gotta be where the fish are. It would be cool to see some close up pics of your bottom fishing machine screen when you know that you are over a school of reds. Luv them circle hooks *Cheers*

Dave