[Disco Lady]

Originally Posted by Harry Klauber

I have a college kid that fishes with me and his family runs a headboat out of Mayport. His mother was at the meeting and said if passed (Sec of Commerce has to pass it) she will have to sell her boat (85 footer in business 25 years). She said business is bad enough with the economy what it is but this would be the final nail in their coffin.

Wait - here is the worst news. Since Red Snapper are also found where they fish for mangroves and grouper, and they know that RS are going to be a prolific by-catch, the talk is why not close down fishing in water under 140 feet so as to protect the smaller red snapper that are quite easy to catch. They happen to be about the easiest snapper to catch as they eat any bait, rigged any way, and swallow it quickly. Without the use of Circle Hooks almost every one caught on a conventional snapper rig (4 foot leader and egg sinker) is gut hooked and dies. They didn't even consider Gulf Rules - Circle Hooks, venting tool, and de-hooker - just went right for the jugular with a closure. It sure seems crazy since anyone that you talk to says there are more RS now than in the last 25 years. Crazy!! Harry

Ñooooooooooo!!!!!! Ain't you glad you grew up in the good ole' day's Harry, I am.

DL,