I'll be attending a TP&W information/suggestions seminar this month to discuss changes or reccomendations concerning the flounder fishery. Being a commercial fisherman and seeing what goes on out there 10 months out of the year; a couple of suggestions I have is to get Cedar Bayou opened ASAP and to maybe put a season on them , Jan. through October. This would protect the big females making their way to the gulf. I'm open to any more ideas you guys(or girls) might have. Thanks!!

I think by having a season is a great idea not only will it allow the females out but also all the small males that get wiped out due to the snowbirds every year. I use to commercial fish out of A.P. now my father does.I hope your suggestion passes and hopefully the TP&W will be able to enforce it...

Flounder Workgroup Meetings are being held next Wednesday (recreational, 6pm) and Thursday (commercial, 10am). These workgroups are made up of individuals identified as being participants in the respective fishery (recreational and commercial) and who agreed to participate in this workgroup to help evaluate management options.

Public Scoping Meetings will also be held along the coast in order to provide information on the current status of the Texas flounder fishery, to discuss possible management options for the future and take comments from interested fishery participants (recreational and commercial). Meeting dates, times and locations follow. All Public Scoping Meetings begin at 6 pm.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Port Arthur
Port Arthur Public Library
Gallery Room
4615 9th Avenue
Port Arthur, TX

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Dickinson
Dickinson Marine Laboratory
1502 FM 517 East (Pine Drive)
Dickinson, TX 77539

Thursday, September 25, 2008
Port Lavaca
Calhoun County Extension Service
Bauer Exhibit Hall
186 County Road 101
Port Lavaca, TX

Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Rockport
Aransas County District Courtroom
301 N. Live Oak
Rockport, TX

Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Port Isabel
Port Isabel High School Lecture Hall
101 Port Road
Port Isabel, TX

If you’re unable to attend any of these meetings and would like to make comments about flounder management, please feel free to contact the following:

Tonya Wiley
Fisheries Outreach Specialist
Dickinson Marine Laboratory
281-534-0131 tonya.wiley@tpwd.state.tx.us

Art Morris
Fisheries Outreach Specialist
Corpus Christi Field Station
361-825-3356
art.morris@tpwd.state.tx.us

All the males get wiped out by snowbirds every year? Bullsh##!!!
What evidence could you possibly have that snowbirds have any effect on the population of flounder? Snowbirds support the local coastal economies from Brownsville to the Louisianna border and you want these temporary visitors to take the blame for catching all the flounder? Why? That staement makes absolutely no sense at all!

gigging season and lower the limit???

IMO the giggers have the largest impact on the flounder population. As fun as it might be the problem is that it is too productive as it is not difficult to get a limit of flounder on a mediocre outing. Something should be done to further limit the number of flounder taken in this manner every year.

I'm wanting to comment on the flounder Regs changes. I have been fishing many years. I have gigged my share of flounder. I think that if they would leave the limits right were they are and put a stop to everyone in the dog from owning a flounder boat. Do it like the commercial fishing guys, if you have a flounder boat then you are in, if you do not then don't let the people have one. The only time people really get in to floundering is during the flounder run. Other than that they don't even put there boats in the water. Limited entry is the was to go. And the opening of Cedar Bayou is a must.

either make it no gigging between the months of blah blah, no fishing between the months of blah blah, or lower the limit, or all three... flounder limit of 5 must be taken by rod and reel only between the months of november to feb, april to september, limit 7 per day from months of march and october. gigging is only permitted from spet. 21 - nov. 1 limit 10 per day 20 pos.

just enough to let the average fisherman who picks up a lucky 2-3 a day to live with out worries and harsh enough to make the flounder fishermen/giggers who take 10 a day 50 - 100 days a year stop taking adavantage of something so sought after. just like doves and deer and turkey, they all have seasons, and they flourish.. flounder need a season.