fishing for red snapper - half...
TRANSCRIPT
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SCALLOPING
Presented by
Tom Putnam
Half Hitch
Hosted by
Bob Fowler
[email protected] (850) 708-1317
marinemax.com treasureislandmarina.net halfhitch.com
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BAY SCALLOPS
Bay Scallops (Argopecten irradians)
live in shallow, nearshore waters
along Florida’s Gulf coast, from
Pensacola to the Florida Keys. These
bivalves are usually found nestled in
seagrass beds and are easily
distinguished from other bottom-
dwelling animals by their electric blue
eyes. Bay scallops are capable of
swimming by opening and closing
their shells rapidly to generate thrust,
which can make catching them more
challenging.
BAY SCALLOP BASICS
• Bivalve mollusk
• Historically throughout
Florida’s west coast to
West Palm Beach on east
coast.
• Short-lived: 12-18 months
• Inhabits shallow bays and
estuaries
– Seagrass dependant
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SCALLOP REGULATIONS • Commercial harvest prohibited in state waters
• Open Season: July 1st – September 24th, 2012
• Fishing license required
• Bag limits:
– 2 gallons per person whole or 1 pint of meat per person per day
– 10 gallons whole or ½ gallon shucked meat limit per vessel per day
• Harvest methods:
– By hand
– Landing or dip net
• Must remain in authorized areas while in possession of scallops
on the water.
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WHERE TO SCALLOP
• Pasco/Hernando line northwest to west
bank of Mexico Beach canal (Bay County)
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EQUIPMENT
• Swim mask
• Snorkel
• Fins/water shoes
• Small mesh bag
• Divers-down flag (required by law)
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CLEANING SCALLOPS
Insert knife blade or
sharpened spoon
between shells and
cut away the muscle
at its attachment to
the top shell
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CLEANING SCALLOPS
Insert knife blade or
sharpened spoon
between shells and
cut away the muscle
at its attachment to
the top shell
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CLEANING SCALLOPS
Remove the dark
innards by gently
scraping from hinge to
front with knife or
spoon
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CLEANING SCALLOPS
Scrape away the
scallop muscle from
bottom shell*
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FISHING THE FLATS
Presented by
Tom Putnam
Owner of Half Hitch
Hosted by
Bob Fowler
[email protected] (850) 708-1317
marinemax.com treasureislandmarina.net halfhitch.com
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SPECKLED TROUT
Family: Sciaenidae, DRUMS, Cynoscion nebulosus
Description: dark gray or green above, with sky blue tinges shading to silvery and white below; numerous distinct round black spots on back, extending to the dorsal fins and tail; black margin on posterior of tail; no barbels; no scales on the soft dorsal fin; one or two prominent canine teeth usually present at tip of upper jaw. Where found: INSHORE and/or NEARSHORE over grass, sand and sandy bottoms; move into slow-moving or still, deep waters in cold weather. Size: common to 4 pounds on west coast, larger on east coast. Florida Record: 15 lbs., 6 oz.
World Record: 17 lbs., 7 oz. 1995 Ft. Pierce, FL
Remarks: matures during first or second year and spawns INSHORE from March through November; often in association with seagrass beds; lives mainly in estuaries and moves only short distances; adults feed mainly on shrimp and small fish; prefers water temperatures between 58 and 81 degrees F and may be killed if trapped in shallow water during cold weather; longevity 8 to 10
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REDFISH
Family: Sciaenidae, DRUMS, Sciaenops ocellatus Description: chin without barbels; copper bronze body, lighter shade in clear waters; one to many spots at base of tail (rarely no spots); mouth horizontal and opening downward; scales large. Similar Fish: black drum, Pogonias cromis. Where found: juveniles are an INSHORE fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population OFFSHORE. Size: one of 27 inches weighs about 8 pounds. Florida Record: 51 lbs., 8 oz.
World Record: 94 lbs., 2 oz. 1984 Avon, NC
Remarks: red drum are an INSHORE species until they attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then they migrate to join the NEARSHORE population; spawning occurs from August to November in NEARSHORE waters; sudden cold snaps may kill red drum in shallow, INSHORE waters; feeds on crustaceans, fish and mollusks; longevity to 20 years or more.
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SPANISH MACKEREL
Family Scombridae, MACKERELS & TUNAS, Scomberomorous maculatus
Description: color of back green, shading to silver on sides, golden yellow irregular spots above and
below lateral line; front of dorsal fin black; lateral line curves gently to base of tail.
Similar Fish: cero, S. regalis; king mackerel, S. cavalla.
Where found: INSHORE, NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, especially over grass beds and reefs; absent
from north Florida waters in winter.
Size: average catch less than 2 pounds (20 inches).
Florida Record: 12 lbs.
World Record: 13 lbs. 1995 Ft. Pierce, FL
Remarks: schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water
temperature drops below 70 degrees F; spawns OFFSHORE, spring through summer; feeds on small fish
and squid.
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SHEEPSHEAD Family Sparidae, PORGIES, Archosargus probatocephalus
Description: basic silvery color; with 5 or 6 distinct vertical black bands on sides, not
always the same on both sides; prominent teeth, including incisors, molars, and rounded
grinders; no barbels on lower jaw; strong and sharp spines on dorsal and anal fins.
Similar Fish: black drum, Pogonias cromis; Atlantic spadefish, Chaetodipterus (black drum
have barbels on lower jaw, sheepshead do not; vertical barring on sides of black drum and
spadefish disappear as fish mature; spadefish have small, brush-like teeth).
Where found: INSHORE species around oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks; moves
NEARSHORE in late winter and early spring for spawning, gathering over debris, artificial
reefs and around navigation markers.
Size: INSHORE, 1 to 2 pounds; OFFSHORE, common to 8 pounds.
Florida Record: 12 lbs., 2 ozs.
World Record:
Remarks: feeds on mollusks and crustaceans such as fiddler crabs and barnacles; famed
nibblers, prompting the saying that "anglers must strike just before they bite."
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FLOUNDER
Family: Bothidae, Left Eye Flounders, Paralichthys Albigutta
Description: body color brown, its shade depending on color of bottom, with numerous
spots and blotches; 3 prominent eye-like spots forming a triangle; one spot on lateral line,
one above, one below; numerous white spots scattered over body and fins (albigutta,
white-spotted); strong canine-like teeth; caudal fin in shape of wedge, its tip in the middle.
Similar Fish: southern flounder, P. lethostigma (no eye-like spots; color pattern is key to
distinguishing the two species).
Where found: INSHORE on sandy or mud bottoms, often ranging into tidal creeks;
occasionally caught on NEARSHORE rocky reefs.
Size: common to 2 pounds, generally smaller than southern flounder.
Florida Record: n/a
World Record: 20lbs 9 oz. 1983 Larenza Mungin Nassau Sound
Remarks: hatches into usual fish form, but right eye migrates over to left side early in life;
a bottom dweller; thought to spawn OFFSHORE; feeds on crustaceans and small fishes.
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TARPON
Family: Elopidae, TARPONS, Megalops atlanticus
Description: last ray of dorsal fin extended into long filament; one dorsal fin; back dark
blue to green or greenish black, shading into bright silver on the sides; may be brownish
gold in estuarien waters; huge scales; mouth large and points upward.
Similar Fish: (as juveniles) ladyfish, Elops saurus.
Where found: primarily INSHORE fish, although adult fish spawn OFFSHORE where the
ribbon-like larval stage of the fish can be found.
Size: most angler catches 40 to 50 pounds.
Florida Record: 243 lbs.
World Record: 283 lbs. 4oz. 1991 Sherbro ls., Sierra Leone
Remarks: slow grower; matures at 7 to 13 years of age; spawning occurs between May
and September; female may lay more than 12 million eggs; can tolerate wide range of
salinity; juveniles commonly found in fresh water; can breathe air at surface; feeds mainly
on fish and large crustaceans.
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TARPON
• First 1st full moon in June to the last full
moon in August
• Lots of traveling fish & difficult to get to eat
• Use small baits, light fluorocarbon leader
to get bite
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CHART #11390
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ROD ACTION
• Light tip rods are more
sensitive but lack
backbone for pulling fish
off their wreck
• Long slow action rods are
called picking poles
• Easy to feel bite but very
poor leverage
• Stand up vs. picking Pole
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SPINNING vs. CONVENTIONAL
Best for casting
Poor leverage, limited drag
Best leverage
Best drag, poor casting
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SUPER BRAID vs. MONO
Mono
•Reasonable priced
•Able to stretch
•Multiple colors
•Has memory
Braid
•Zero Stretch
•Small Diameter
•No memory
•Can not color, coat
only not able to die
•Pricey
•Very durable
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HIVIS, CLEAR, COLORED MONO
• If using Hi Vis use
long mono leaders
• Mono is a light
transmitter similar to
fiber optics
• Use a variegated
mono to reduce light
transmittal
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POWER PRO
• Low stretch helps with
hook set
• Keep fish from getting
in the bottom
• Small diameter
increased line capacity
• Less water drag
• High abrasion
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POWER PRO
• Knots with only 2 or 3 twist do not work well with braids – most knots with 6 or more twist will work – best knots palomar – Uni – Bimini twist
• When using Super Braid’s most knives and wire cutters will not work – scissors, preferable braid scissors work best.
• Visit powerpro.com for knot tying directions.
Palomar Knot
UNI to UNI KNOT
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LANDING NETS
• Tangle free nets allow you to net a fish
with lure. The lure will not get tangled
in netting.
• Rubber nets are great to release fish.
Doesn’t have the rough knotting that
would damage the fish and remove it’s
protective slime.
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FLUOROCARBON
• Great Leader
– High abrasion resistance
– Stiffer
– Larger Diameter
– Same density as water
– Carbon fleck stops light transmittal
– Has UV inhibitors – last longer in sun
– Very slick, passes through guides easily
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BAIT
Shrimp – all fish love
LY’s – great bait hard to keep alive
Pinfish (Choffer) – hardy good bait
Finger Mullet – hardy good bait
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CATCHING BAIT
• Sabaki – catching bait on
bare hook
• Great to catch most small
baits
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Live Chumming
Chumming with live
baits. When baits hit the
water it’s like they are
jumping to avoid
predators. Also sound
and vibration attracts
attention.
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Lure Color
• Match the bait & water color
• Clear water: light color
bottoms to lures with darker
tops
• Dark Water: Gold & darker
bottoms & colors
• Red to indicate injured or hurt
fish
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Gulp • Best saltwater plastic bait ever
made. Although not a true
plastic. Available in all popular
shapes & sizes.
• Biodegradable
• Leeches out scent as used, and
when placed back in the
container the bait will absorb the
scent to regenerate the bait.
FLOATS
Acts as a
strike
detector &
also can be
use to
stimulate fish
popin top of
water when
feeding.
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GRUBS
Work slow, with short poppin
motion: Great fishing ledges &
holes.
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CASTING SPOONS & PLUGS
Works great fishing on flats.
Use gold spoons in tannic (brown)
water & silver in clear water.
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HOOKS & LEADS
• Treble hooks are illegal for Redfish, Trout &
Pompano when using natural bait.
• Circle hooks work best for live baits. Remember
with circle hooks, don’t jerk, just reel.
• To be a legal circle hook, the hook point must be 90
degrees to the hook shank.
90° -------
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DIURNAL TIDES
www.saltwatertides.com
Because of East/West shore line & the
effect of our Bay – we only have 2 tides
daily
1 high
1 low
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DRIFT ANCHORS
When drift fishing use a drift anchor
to slow down the effect of wind
Will also pull in tide direction
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POLLING
• When fishing shallow water, Pole
instead of motoring to avoid
damage to sea grass
• You can be fined for destroying
grass beds
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TROLLING MOTOR FISHING
Using a trolling
motor to easily
move up or down
the current & to
where you spot fish
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TAILING REDS
North shore of
East Bay
entering the
Intercostals, lots
of oyster beds
favorite place for
Reds
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WADE FISHING • Preferred by most good
anglers fishing shallow
water.
• Easy to approach fish or
schools without spooking
them
• Use 8’-81/2’ Rod to pick
bait up high to get greater
casting distance
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PILING FISHING-SHEEPSHEAD
• Sheepshead hang
around pilings eating
crustaceans
• Great structure fish
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GRASS BEDS
• Now protected by law
• Shallow water is marked with
signs
• When fishing shallow water,
Pole instead of motoring to
avoid damage to sea grass
• You can be fined for destroying
grass beds
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FLY FISHING
• Ultimate light tackle
fishing.
• Great for site casting
• Easy to have line out &
pick up & cast to fish
without retrieving line
with one motion
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POPULAR KNOTS
Loop to Loop
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KNOTS
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FUTURE CLASSES
• August 11th – Surf Fishing
• September 8th – King Mackerel
• October 13th – Flounder & Fall Bay Fishing
• November 10th – Hands on Rigging
MEETINGS
Next Two Meetings Schedule
• August 20 - 24, 2012
Astor Crowne Plaza
739 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
• October 29 - November 2, 2012
Marriott Courtyard
1600 E. Beach Blvd.
Gulfport, MS 39501
Gulf Of Mexico Fishery
Management Council Meeting
Schedule 2203 N Lois Avenue, Suite 1100
Tampa, Florida 33607 USA
Toll Free: 888-833-1844
Email: [email protected]
gulfcouncil.org
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MEETINGS
Next Meeting:
September 5-6, 2012
Tampa
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission
Farris Bryant Building
620 S. Meridian St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
(850) 488-4676
Saltwater Regulations
myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/
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HOW TO MEASURE
• Fish regulated by fork length are measured from the tip of the jaw or tip of the snout with closed mouth to the center of the fork in the tail.
• Fork Length Species Include: Amberjacks, Bluefish, Rudderfish,
King Mackerel, Hog Fish, Spanish, Mackerel, Dolphin, Permit, Cobia, Pompano, Mullet, African Pompano
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