Legal Limits for various fish

[johnhermes]

I am a little concerned that I may not have the limits right on a couple of fish. Last night I was Wally World buying ammo and they had the state of Florida publication which listed limits on the various fish. Two of the limits listed contradict what I have always been told:

Mango - Everyone says 10 per day, but the brochure said five Mangos per day, which count against an aggregate of 10 Snapper (any species) per day.

Scamp grouper - Specifically says 20", not 16"

Anyone have some insight.

And yes, the red grouper size changes to 22" in February, the same time the longliners are put out of business.

[Steel Shootin']

That is really funny you posted that, because I was just about to point out that we were wrong on the scamp. Here is the link:

http://marinefisheries.org/Ch68B-14.htm

Yes, scamp are 20", and red grouper also 20." I still need to find out about the possible change to 22" next year.

[Steel Shootin']

The 10 snapper is the aggregate. The bag for mangrove snapper is 5.

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"(1) Snapper.

(a) Aggregate bag limit. Except as provided elsewhere in this rule, no recreational harvester shall harvest in or from state waters, nor possess while in or on state waters, more than a total of 10 snapper per day, in any combination of species.

(b) Gray (mangrove) snapper. Except as provided elsewhere in this rule, no recreational harvester shall harvest in or from state waters, nor possess while in or on state waters, more than 5 gray (mangrove) snapper per day. Such bag and possession limit shall be counted for purposes of the aggregate snapper bag and possession limit prescribed in paragraph (a).

(c) Red snapper. Except as provided elsewhere in this rule, no recreational harvester shall harvest in or from state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, nor possess while in or on state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, more than 2 red snapper per day, nor shall a recreational harvester harvest in or from state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, nor possess while in or on state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, more than 4 red snapper per day. Such bag and possession limit shall be counted for purposes of the aggregate snapper bag and possession limit prescribed in paragraph (a).

(d) Atlantic vermilion snapper. Except as provided elsewhere in this rule, no recreational harvester shall harvest in or from state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, nor possess while in or on state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, more than 10 vermilion snapper per day. Such bag and possession shall not be counted for purposes of the aggregate snapper bag and possession limits prescribed in paragraph (a).

(e) Gulf lane and Gulf vermilion snapper. Lane snapper and vermilion snapper harvested in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico shall not be subject to nor counted for purposes of determining compliance with the bag and possession limits established in paragraph (a).

[Grande]

The scamp law is 20" in state waters and 16" in federal.

[johnhermes]

How does the marine patrol interpret your catch when you are pulled over in the ICW or at the ramp??

[Grande]

if you have a fish on board that is only legal in federal waters like a 16" scamp or a speared cobia you just cant be stopped(not under power) in state waters. As long as you are on your way in then you are fine but dont stop at a spot 8 miles out and start fishing again or you will be risking it.

[Reef Raider]

Is the scamp over all or to the fork?????????

[Grande]

the scamp is measured by total lenght.

[dabulltrouble]

does anyone know anything about a 2 day bag limit.i was told about a year ago by the marine patrol/game warden that you could keep a 2 day bag limit as long as you were out more than 24 hrs.a friend of mine was told the exact same thing by another marine patrol in another county here on the west coast,as long as you can prove you were out for more than 1day.she asked the marine patrol how she could show proof.he told her to save her gas,bait,ice reciept.just wandering if this was true.was also told you were allowed 10 mangro snapper in fed waters....dave

[Reef Raider]

Seem to me thats just comm. charters with 2 CAPT. on board if thats not the case I need to get me more fish!!!!

[dabulltrouble]

hey raider i thaught i was the only one playing hookie from work.are you home i need to call you and ask you a couple questions about that shot for quitting smoking

[Reef Raider]

Call me Dave I can't find your ####

[Dive4Blood]

Here's the straight up deal on all the questions:

*10 snapper limit in federal waters(9+ mi in the Gulf) ALL of which could be mangos. Red snapper are a separate 4/day limit w/ 16" TOTAL length min.

*Scamp are 16" TOTAL length limit (including their long caudal fin rays) federal and go against your 5/day grouper limit.

*Grande's answer to the legality of fish shot in federal waters be transported through state waters is 100% correct.

* You can have a 2 day bag limit ONLY if you are a licensed charter vessel on a trip more than 24 hours with two licensed USCG captains, having sleeping berths as well as galley facilities for all. EG.-JOLLY ROGERS 2. All the more reason to come out with us to the MG. Otherwise you can be out for 3 months and still only get a one day bag limit.

[201proguide]

whats the diffrence between federal and state waters? where is the diffrence distinguished?

[Grande]

9 miles out and farther is federal waters in the gulf and 3 miles out is federal on the east coast.