A change in the rules maybe coming within a year.

[quack quack]

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...df/06-4693.pdf

Read the info and comments in this report.Look at the dates for the new stock assessment and potential quota changes.Read the comment section carefully.

In my opinion it looks like once the stock is at 100% they will reopen the closed areas.If in this years report it shows the biomass at 100% or even 98% they may open some closed areas.

This is just my opinion of what I have read.

[Relentless33]

Honestly, im not quite sure what the biomass is or what that full report said. But I think if the long liners cant reach their quota they will be back in the straits.

I heard something they were going to lower the quota as well as lower the conventional bag limit.

I dont think its a bad idea considering how much it would help the species

[Colonel Klink]

I wouldn't hit the panic button quite yet.Juvenile swordfish are just one reason why the Florida Straits area closure was initiated.Other fish stocks,such as blue and white marlin, are at dismal levels to say the least;these too would have to show strong recovery to satisfy the criteria for opening up the time-area closures.However,we'll be watching.............

[quack quack]

Good point about the other species.But with the implications of the new circle hooks they feel they have reduced bycatch or at least mortality rates on marlin.That is why we do not want them to do any experimental sets in the area.If they let the experimental LLing to happen most of us would only want them to make limited sets.But that might be bad as it might show low billfish mortality numbers because of time of year and maybe some fuzzy counting by the observers.The observers need the LL boats to do there research on.This seems like a conflict of interest to me.

If the numbers show low billfish and juvenile fish mortality they would reopen in a heartbeat.The fishing here is the best sport sword fishery in the world right now and should only get better if left alone.If they open it up again it may stay good for awhile but it will drop again.He need to support our local organizations to keep this fishery from going away.The SE swordfish club is putting together a economical impact study and this needs to be supported!You need to report your fish and make sure the boat you fish on does!

[Relentless33]

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

IF THE LL'S WERE LET BACK IN HERE IT WOULD RUIN THE SWORDS IN A HEARTBEAT !!!!!

[The BEAST]

A few months back they tried to sneak a limited reopening of the Straits to 5 L/Liner permits. Susan Cocking at the Miami Herald caught wind of this and wrote an article the day before it was authorized. She gave out email addresses of the political powers in charge of this quiet "under the door deal" and asked all to email their displeasure. They opened it anyway and the very next day a L/Line boat diasbled and drifted ashore in Miami Beach or Ft. Lauderdale (can't remember) and made a headline story on all the major local TV news stations. I guess this let the proverbial "cat out of the bag" about the comm guys back in the area and within 2-3 days the permits were remanded.

We are starting to get our Swordfish numbers back to what I remember from my earlier days in the 70's - early 80's. We should take all necessary steps to preserve this fishery here, including policing ourselves. I, personally, don't agree with gut hooking methods and try to eliminate this whenever possible even using circle hooks whenever possible. I also have my own bag limit of 1 fish per night for the boat, not per person. If you want to kill and bag an 80# "rat" on The BEAST, fine, but if we catch a nice fish in the triple digits, too bad, that one is tagged and swims away. Kind of like TV's "deal or no deal"! I prefer they release the bigger brood fish anyway.

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[Relentless33]

Wow, how long do you think it would take for the LL's to wipe out the population again if they came back in ??

[The BEAST]

Do the math. A L/Liner can set more hooks in one night than 200 recreational fisherman. They were going to allow 5 L/Liners in the area. That is = 1000+ rec fisherman EVERY night.

Not Long!

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[Relentless33]

:shock: :shock: :twisted:

[Broadbill-Pro]

Originally Posted by The BEAST

We are starting to get our Swordfish numbers back to what I remember from my earlier days in the 70's - early 80's. We should take all necessary steps to preserve this fishery here, including policing ourselves. I, personally, don't agree with gut hooking methods and try to eliminate this whenever possible even using circle hooks whenever possible. I also have my own bag limit of 1 fish per night for the boat, not per person. If you want to kill and bag an 80# "rat" on The BEAST, fine, but if we catch a nice fish in the triple digits, too bad, that one is tagged and swims away. Kind of like TV's "deal or no deal"! I prefer they release the bigger brood fish anyway.

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

Well said

[Relentless33]

Well said is right, I can 100 percent agree to all of that.

My Dad and I have talked about it before, we want to sword a lot and have zero problem releasing a nice fish. One or more a night ? Maybe once just for the experience but what are you really going to do with it. Its UNNECESSARY !!!!!!!

[Broadbill-Pro]

Originally Posted by Relentless33

Wow, how long do you think it would take for the LL's to wipe out the population again if they came back in ??

The Truth - It was nearly 25 years before it was closed to LL and they were never wiped out. There were always good years and bad years until the closure.

Regardless, I believe the Straights of Florida should remain closed to Longlining and I will contribute to that cause.

[Relentless33]

But it would be extremely hard to catch fish like we did a month ago when the bite was going off and the fish were over 200 lbs. correct ?

[The BEAST]

Would you believe I have only kept 1 fish in the last 3 years? It's true. The BEAST has no exception to the "deal or no deal" rule of 1 Swordfish total per night. Actually this method works great usually ending up in all fish released. It seems I get mostly sport fisherman rather than grocery shoppers and the latter usually have no way to take the meat home either. I won't kill a fish strictly for a "macho" picture. Besides, if you really think about it, nothing KILLS a great fishing trip faster than being tired and then having to spend X amount of time at the cleaning tables cleaning your catch.

Exercise conservation for our children and grandkids. Set an example by being the example.

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[Relentless33]

Wow, charter captain and doesnt kill ?

Sets a good example is right

Check your PM box when you get a chance also

[The BEAST]

relentless33,

Most of us quit fishing for them from 1990 until 2002. The average fish was less than 50# if you were lucky enough to catch one.

I can remember when Marlin, Spearfish and yes even refridgerator sized Bluefin Tuna had numbers here in South Florida. The Bluefin are gone, the Spearfish very rare, and the Marlin are trying to make a comeback. The Sailfish has come back with awesome numbers as seen by this last years record setting tournaments. This due in part by commercial regulations compiled with the recreational fisherman and charter captains widely adopting and practicing, catch and release.

Billfish-Pro,

I am only 53 years old and want to live long enough to see our ocean teaming with the fish of yesteryear for my grandsons. I want tomorrow and the next day to be "the good ole' days"!

I will float my boat beside you in conservation of the Straits of Florida.

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[Relentless33]

Then we can have a three boat marina going on with anyone else that would like to join as well as one young person. lol :???: :lol:

[Broadbill-Pro]

There are plenty of other places for LL'ers to work successfully, no need to tangle heads with Sporties on this 100 miles of coastline.

The straights is much too important to fish migration for LL gear to be acceptable. I am 43 and started swordfishing at about the same age as Relentless33. I am impressed with the recent reports of all fish (sword, Yfin, sailfish, marlin, etc.), it does show that the combination of commercial restrictions and recreational catch and release has had a positive impact on all fish stocks. But there must be a piece of the pie for everyone, those who call for the elimination of commericial or recreational fishing are being unrealistic.

Who knows maybe someday we won't need kites and flurocarbon to get a sail to bite.

[Broadbill-Pro]

Originally Posted by Relentless33

But it would be extremely hard to catch fish like we did a month ago when the bite was going off and the fish were over 200 lbs. correct ?

It would be hard to get your leaders back to the boat, ever see 5 rods go off at the same time? try catching a LL

[Relentless33]

Wow, it was that packed out there ?