Texas limits

[bamafan611]

Looks like TX had a good season and was curious as to when the limits were reduced and season resricted. Does anyone know how and who made the decision? I see it happening in AL soon.Took my son(never been) and my granddaughter on a trip and he got the biggest so far this season at 26 inches. My grandaughter gigged most of the fish and had a couple around 20. Brian is in school at TX university and was a good visit. Good Times

[WestEndAngler]

It happened about 2-3 years ago when they dropped the limit from 10 to 5 per angler/ day.

They also outlawed gigging during November & reduced the number we can keep to 2 only during that month.

[bamafan611]

Man it would be hard to justify hooking up the boat for 2 fish. Nov. is by far our best month.Curious as to the data used to determine limits?

[WestEndAngler]

Man it would be hard to justify hooking up the boat for 2 fish. Nov. is by far our best month.Curious as to the data used to determine limits?

There was a lot of research. I don't have my hands on it right now but as we all know the main exodus of flounder from the bays happens during November - December when the cold fronts start hitting the coast. The flounder exit the bays to spawn. The reduced bag limit was set in place to give more flounder a chance to spawn.

[troutwader]

A lot of the limits enforced by TPWD are stimulated by surveys from local anglers. If we got involved more as fishermen, our voice would be heard more. I studied Fisheries Biology at TAMU and I did a research project and the answer I got on limits is that it is dependent on field surveys that give data on size, age, numbers, etc. I do agree with gigging being outlawed in November. I myself would like gigging to outlawed altogether. I believe the only skill associated with it is finding clean water. Nothing too hard about stabbing a doormat. I would also like to see that since gigging is legal in all months except November, that flounder taken by gig cannot exceed 20". I don't agree with the 2 per person limit in November. Us rod and reel fishermen are being punished by the damage done by gigging and commercial fishermen.

[WestEndAngler]

A lot of the limits enforced by TPWD are stimulated by surveys from local anglers. If we got involved more as fishermen, our voice would be heard more. I studied Fisheries Biology at TAMU and I did a research project and the answer I got on limits is that it is dependent on field surveys that give data on size, age, numbers, etc. I do agree with gigging being outlawed in November. I myself would like gigging to outlawed altogether. I believe the only skill associated with it is finding clean water. Nothing too hard about stabbing a doormat. I would also like to see that since gigging is legal in all months except November, that flounder taken by gig cannot exceed 20". I don't agree with the 2 per person limit in November. Us rod and reel fishermen are being punished by the damage done by gigging and commercial fishermen.

I respectfully disagree. It is a division like this, amongst anglers as a whole, that allows TPWD to push regulations through. I don't care to get into another debate my opinions and that of others who share my feelings have been clearly expressed on the forum.

All you need to do is search.

[Termo]

This is a tough one......I believe EVERYONE on this site is grateful that we have a robust fishery here, thanks in part to the hard work of fishery management. It is tough pill to swallow when you have to release that flounder (red or trout) because you have reached your legal limit, but everyone realizes that fishing pressure is much greater than it was years ago and will increase in the future. If we don't self-regulate ourselves AND obey the law, we will pay for it in that future. I wish the regulations were more stringently enforced and those breaking the limit guidelines were procecuted to the full enforecment of the law. I applaude all the guides out there who work their butts off to put their clients on fish and since they are basicly the best example of fishing at its best, I also hope and wish they would (I know some do) teach conservation and catch and release as much as they can. Teaching a person how to catch fish just part of what I belileve is a guide's responsibility. He/she should also share his/her knowledge of conservation and what it may mean to that client in the future. I see where they regularly catch multiple limits every time they go out and I would love to see more posts and articles where they released that sow trout or saddleblanket, released half the fish, etc. and substitute a picture for that fish. We as amateurs need to do our part too. I personally release all of the fish I catch (I don't suggest that you do this) unless I have a friend fishing with me who I feel will personally eat them (I don't eat fish). We are in this together for ourselves and our children. Just sayin'....

[WestEndAngler]

This is a tough one......I believe EVERYONE on this site is grateful that we have a robust fishery here, thanks in part to the hard work of fishery management. It is tough pill to swallow when you have to release that flounder (red or trout) because you have reached your legal limit, but everyone realizes that fishing pressure is much greater than it was years ago and will increase in the future. If we don't self-regulate ourselves AND obey the law, we will pay for it in that future. I wish the regulations were more stringently enforced and those breaking the limit guidelines were procecuted to the full enforecment of the law. I applaude all the guides out there who work their butts off to put their clients on fish and since they are basicly the best example of fishing at its best, I also hope and wish they would (I know some do) teach conservation and catch and release as much as they can. Teaching a person how to catch fish just part of what I belileve is a guide's responsibility. He/she should also share his/her knowledge of conservation and what it may mean to that client in the future. I see where they regularly catch multiple limits every time they go out and I would love to see more posts and articles where they released that sow trout or saddleblanket, released half the fish, etc. and substitute a picture for that fish. We as amateurs need to do our part too. I personally release all of the fish I catch (I don't suggest that you do this) unless I have a friend fishing with me who I feel will personally eat them (I don't eat fish). We are in this together for ourselves and our children. Just sayin'....

I couldn't agree more. I too only retain fish for people who say they want them. Now ducks... That's a different story

[Termo]

....and boiled crabs and fried shrimp....I can put a hurtin' on them suckers. Coe, I don't hunt either, but if you are ever driving by my house and a few of them ducks fall off the back of your truck, well, let's just say the critters ain't gonna get to them first!!!!

[single prong]

I respectfully disagree. It is a division like this, amongst anglers as a whole, that allows TPWD to push regulations through. I don't care to get into another debate my opinions and that of others who share my feelings have been clearly expressed on the forum.

All you need to do is search.

Well said and I agree 100%

[Jerkyourcroaker]

There are alot of opinions on this topic. All I would like to add is a thank you to the folks posting on this thread for keeping the dialog civil. So many times this devolves into senseless crappy name calling. I'm glad to hear (read) the different opinions, especially when delivered respectfully.

[Trussman]

Having worked on a shrimp boat myself I can say that commercial bay shrimping has, by far, the biggest impact on our fishery. TONS of small "Tater Chip" flounder and other undersized fish are killed daily when the bay shrimpers go out. Bay shrimping is the worst of the worst. If we could ban that for just one year there would a HUGE turn around in our local fishery.
Just Saying.

[Ibtsoom]

Texas limits

By all means. Shrimpers are an evil sordid lot out to destroy all the worlds fish and oceans. Stop them before their evil plan succeeds. Tar and feathers and pitchforks I say!!

Geez -- here we go again.

[Curmudgeon]

There are alot of opinions on this topic. All I would like to add is a thank you to the folks posting on this thread for keeping the dialog civil. So many times this devolves into senseless crappy name calling. I'm glad to hear (read) the different opinions, especially when delivered respectfully.

Having worked on a shrimp boat myself I can say that commercial bay shrimping has, by far, the biggest impact on our fishery. TONS of small "Tater Chip" flounder and other undersized fish are killed daily when the bay shrimpers go out. Bay shrimping is the worst of the worst. If we could ban that for just one year there would a HUGE turn around in our local fishery.
Just Saying.

So much for that! LOL!

[Jerkyourcroaker]

Texas limits

So much for that! LOL!

Well.......I tried.

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