FWC: Status of Redfish in NE Florida

 Last Monday a I attended a Redfish focus group hosted by the FWC over in Jacksonville. The group was led by FWC Marine Inshore Recreational Fisheries Management Coordinator Jacob Espittia, and supported by Erika Burgess, FWC Analysis and Rulemaking Section Leader. Also attending were a couple of FWC biologists. In addition to myself, the focus group was made up of other fishing guides, surf anglers, and bait and tackle shop owners, totally about 15 attendees. 

There were three discussion topics: 

Satisfaction with Redfish fishing. Overall, those present expressed good satisfaction with our Redfish fishing.

How are Redfish Doing? Overall, those present felt our Redfish population is doing good.

Top Issues Redfish face?  Overall, those present felt that coastal development, habitat loss and fishing pressure will be the main issues that affect our Redfish fishery.

I brought up a concern that I had since the last time FWC did these studies, focus groups and workshops that culminated in a Redfish Summit down in Ocala. From all of that the FWC staff made their recommendations to the Commissioners. At that final meeting, a handful of anglers stood up and made passionate pleas for changes contrary to the staff recommendations. Based on those last minute subjective opinions, Our NE Florida Commissioner made the motion, and the changes were made. You can read all about that fiasco HERE. 

The point I wanted to make at the focus group the other night was this: Setting catch limits and bag limits based on folks emotions and personal experiences really worries me. If I fish 20 times per month, on any given day I can have an average day, an above average day, a terrible day, or even a Banner Day. But even that is based on my personal subjective idea as to what a "good" day of fishing is! If you have the " everyday Joe", who fishes once a week or once a month, and he/she happens to have a terrible day of fishing (and that is based on their opinion of what a "good day" is), then they may answer any survey, or focus group question, based on that. Some people may think catching just ONE Redfish is a good day. Some people may think catching only 15 "rat" Reds is a bad day. Some may think catching their personal best Bull Redfish and nothing else is a good day. It's all subjective. 

You have differences in skill level and experience. I see it all the time on my boat. Those that have just started are not going to catch as many fish. You may have someone that has never fought a big Red on light tackle. They may not be able to cast to the "spot". They may not catch fish. They may say, "the fishery is no good".  It took me years to get better at catching Redfish. And I did get better, but I still have a lot to learn.

So why does the subjectivity bother me? For one, there is a demographic out there that is anti-fishing, anti-hunting and anti-boating.  As Florida grows, so will that anti-fishing crowd. If you go on U-tube you can easily find videos of activists who are attacking anglers for even catching a fish, much less keeping it. So what happens when that attitude begins to outweigh those of us who love to fish? If we are basing catch limits on emotions? Will we be able to keep ANY fish even though FWC studies show the populations are good? 

You say it will never happen? With all the crazy stuff going on today in our world it's not too far off to think that a group of emotional activists can't affect our FWC rules. They did just a couple of years ago. 

If you click on the FWC's 2023 Annual Review of Redfish Management Metrics, you can see that our Redfish fishery is looking good. At that Summit a couple of years ago there were a few people advocating for making it All Catch and Release. That is based on their emotions and beliefs, not what the health of our Redfish population is about. The FWC has bookoodles of researchers and biologists and experts studying the fish population and as you can see in the above Annual Review, they have a good idea of how the fishery is doing. 

I had no problem with the change in limits downward a couple of years ago. I rarely keep fish personally. Heck, I purchased some frozen fish sticks from the Dollar Store the other day! But I do like a good, blackened Redfish on occasion.  I have no problems with my customers keeping their legal limits, but many choose to release them. I understand and appreciate why there are size and bag limits, but basing those limits on how some "feel" is edging towards a dangerous "slippery slope" for anglers. Let the FWC staff do their studies and research and base the limits on that data.