I don't know if someone else already posted this, but I just found out about it last night. There's two changes in TX saltwater regs that might trip somebody up if they dont know ... copied this directly from TPWD website. If you fish offshore in Federal waters, you now need a saltwater fishing license to land your fish in Texas. You also are REQUIRED to use circle hooks when red snapper fishing.

"The 80th Texas Legislature also passed a bill requiring anyone landing fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico in Texas to possess a valid Texas saltwater fishing license and saltwater stamp endorsement. The bill, introduced as H.B. 3765, was rolled into H.B. 12 and signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry June 15.

Previously, anglers fishing in federal waters � often on �party� or �head� boats, but on private boats as well � were not required to have a Texas fishing license. Anglers exempt from the requirement to hold fishing license and saltwater stamp endorsement (for instance, anglers under the age of 17 or those born before Sept. 1, 1930) also are exempt from the new law.

Also, beginning Sept. 1, anglers are reminded that:

* The minimum length limit for sheepshead has increased from 12 inches to 13 inches, and will continue to increase in one-inch per year increments until the minimum length for possession is 15 inches.
* The minimum length limit for tarpon now is 85 inches.
* Circle hooks are required when fishing for red snapper in state waters.

Good information. I do a lot of flats fishing, therefore always carry my Texas saltwater fishing license. I asked Texas Fish and Game people at their booth at the Rockport Hummingbird festival a question that bugs me. "If I catch an Amberjack in Federal waters that is legal according to the fed. regs (28"), and I am inspected in Port A by Texas officers where the minimum is 32" (Texas regs.) am I in violation or not." They could not answer the question. The one person said "it depends on the officer".

Grouper, I can actually answer that one for you .... the federal reg is 28" FORK length. TX state length is 32" OVERALL, in the outdoor annual you'll see the illustration on how to obtain the greatest overall length by tilting one fork of the tail.

Have a feeling that a 28" fork length AJ will always max out to at least 32"

I always take the more conservative length or bag limit, however, the slight differences in the regulations may lead to arguments if the angler who caught the fish see it returned to the ocean. Fortunately I fish with family and friends that have the same conservative approach.

Who would want to keep a sheepshead that small anyhow? They need to be like 5lbs before they are worth the cleaning effort.

Quote:

requiring anyone landing fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico in Texas to possess a valid Texas saltwater fishing license and saltwater stamp endorsement.

Sounds like TPWD is trying to make some extra coin... Come on now, regulating Sheepshead? What the %%$% is that about? Why don't they regulate something that needs regulating.

Just my .02 tho'

-Z-

The only answer I've gotten that makes sense on the license being required to land fish from the Gulf is that the Federal government cannot or will not enforce their own rules, so this gives TX law enforcement the ability to go after poachers (see the red snapper poaching articule I posted in a separate thread).

Couldn't say what they're thinking about sheepshead

Flounder possession limit is 10 same as daily bag limit...not 20 as before.

Zeek..

I read the other article.. But lets be serious.. Until I see a confiscated boat used by poachers go up for sale on Ebay, I won't think much of this new regulation.

But.. I will give it time.

Time will tell



-Z-

On sheepshead, it is about reproductive size to the fish.

did i read it rite when the regs said that gigin; flounder is illegal now?

Gigging is allowed for non-game fish only (pg. 33). Flounder is not on the list of GameFish (pg. 32).

I've mentioned this before elsewhere ... the TX list of game fish excludes quite a few species that have bag & size limits. I was always under the impression that a fish with size & possession limits was considered a game fish, but flounder, red snapper and amberjack are all excluded from the list in the TX outdoor annual.

Guess this means you can fish for red snapper with a gig, huh? lol

Yes, spearfishing for snapper and amberjack is a legal means of take.