Red Drum Opinions

[carolinadrifter]

IMO it’s a combination of a few things.
1. Targeting large breeders during the spawn.
2. Glamorization of flats fishing on social media.
3. Population increase along our coast over the past 25 years = more people using the resource.
4. The learning curve has been shortened due to YouTube and so many guides willing to give away information at seminars for publicity= people are more proficient at catching fish.

A closed season during the spawn seems like a slippery slope and would be hard to enforce. I’ve guided part time off and on over the past 6 years. I’ve always thought the blanket guide license is way too cheap for the amount of people coming to fish our waters. I would like to see DNR keep the guide license for reporting sake but make it mandatory for out of state fisherman to purchase their own 7 day license. Additional funds could go towards stocking efforts, habitat restoration and spreading more information on the impacts of fishing for breeding fish and fish handling.

[Air Raid]

If you look at Facechat any Friday Saturday or Sunday evening there definitely seems to not be an issue with catching them.

[SouthernWake]

What have you seen over the past few years? Do you agree with DNR assessment?

My observations are in line with a decline. As are the observations of most everyone else I speak with as well, both throughout the state and into neighboring states.

[SouthernWake]

What is the issue with drones? I'm out of the loop on this and curious.

To grossly oversimplify, it’s an ethical issue over their use in locating fish.

[SouthernWake]

There are over 150 guide services in this small screenshot.

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No doubt it’s an oversaturated market. Majority of those are not running regularly though.
Guide numbers have consistently grown along with the booming population.

Data shows reported guide trips are still way out shadowed by recreational fishing effort/trip numbers.

[SouthernWake]

If you look at Facechat any Friday Saturday or Sunday evening there definitely seems to not be an issue with catching them.

There are plenty here who kill ducks in SC, that must mean we have an abundant population statewide right?

[CUduckreeper]

To tack on to the "targeting of larger breeders". I believe that the mis handling of fish in general but especially the larger breeders has a substantial negative impact. My vote would be to treat the "bull reds" like tarpon, no need to pull them out of the water just for a picture.

[drwilly]

Their predictability makes them vulnerable.
My personal gripes:
1. Drones
2. Targeting spawners in the usual spots like Charleston harbor
3. Hammering bass in the low tide feeder creeks in the winter

Maybe one of the rare times I agree with you. lol. However, I'm super leery of the slippery slope of more govt regulation. You aren't allowed to stick them in the cold months maybe limiting the season for fishing as well? I never understood fishing for the huge overslot reds in the harbor and jetties when you can't keep them, can easily kill them when bringing them in and losing 75% to bull sharks just so you can take a pic for facebook.

Don't know the numbers as referenced comparing recreational anglers to guides but limiting the total number per season that can be kept by guides and rec fisherman might help. The drawback there is most guides and a few rec anglers would honor this as it would be difficult to enforce. might be a start. Kinda like the guys who used to kill 20-30 deer every season.

While I like the youtube videos of the drones I think at some point using it locate the big schools is an issue. While flats fishing is sick rad cool I'd be interested to see what percentage of kept fish are from flats fishing. I doubt its a big number.

its puppy drum or rat red up until the slot. then they are spottails.

[TXFowler]

1- it’s a REDFISH

2 - fish are no different than ducks. They migrate, it’s impossible to estimate a population. They can guess, but that’s all this is…a guess. Also like ducks, they will continue to use old practices to form this guess.

3 - like everything else, advancements in equipment and technology have made catching much easier. How many fish do you catch today that you wouldn’t have without a power pole, spot lock, or the solar we have now? Same for rods, reels, and even fishing line!

4 - catch and release is way more prevalent than it was in 1990, I’d be willing to bet the number of catch and release fisherman somewhat offsets the population growth in people fishing.

5 - most guides are stewards of the resource (most not all)

6 (what I believe is the biggest factor) SC has the LOWEST slot limit of all states from Texas to Virginia. Most other states are in the 18-20” to 28-30”. I understand the principle that the big fish are the spawners but,on the other hand, the small fish are easier to put on the table for a million reasons. I’d like to compare other state’s estimated populations vs their slot limit but I’d be willing to bet there is something there.

[ecu1984]

Have seen over a 1000 in the last 4 days
Multiple schools of 100 or more fish in the creeks, creek(s) as in plural.
Eastern NC where gil netting is allowed...............go figure
Will be back at it on Wednesday, will try to remember to get some pics

[Glenn]

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