Recreational Fishing is at Risk

Written by Capt. Ron Presley | 10 March 2010

Recreational fishing as we know it is at risk. There seem to be so many activities going on it is hard to keep up with them. The New National Policy for the Ocean, Coasts and Great Lakes is coming up for a vote soon and your voice needs to be heard. Here are two links for your consideration and action.

Winter Snook Kill

Written by Rick Roberts | 03 March 2010

The following message comes from Rick Roberts, Executive Director of the Snook Foundation. Read the message and view the video.

Dear Friends,

You probably have not had the chance to watch the video on our site, it is also on our FB page and on YouTube. It's something we feel strongly about. The fishing community has a target on its back. We are labeled as the problem because we "overfish".

Coast Guard Licensing and New Medical Requirements

Written by Captain Paul McElroy | 03 March 2010

When I speak with mariners who are in the throes of attempting to renew their Coast Guard license I cringe and visualize a blind monkey, crouched in a bushel basket wistfully stroking a deflated football. New medical regulations are stopping many older licensed mariners figuratively dead in their tracks.

FWC Gray Snapper Project in Tampa Bay

Written by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | 05 January 2010

FWC solicits assistance from anglers to characterize the recreational fishery for gray (mangrove) snapper (Lutjanus griseus) and estimate discard mortality rates in the greater Tampa Bay region

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) recently received federal funding (a Cooperative Research Program grant) to characterize recreational catch, effort, and discard mortality rates of gray snapper captured within Tampa Bay and nearshore Florida waters (Figure 1). We are soliciting help from recreational fisherman and Tampa Bay Florida Fishing Guides to help with this important research.

Coast Guard Licensing: "The Good Old Days"

Written by Captain Paul McElroy | 04 January 2010

Do you remember when we had easy to understand licensing forms, no User Fees and Regional Exam Centers (RECs) that understood how important a license is to a professional fishing guide captain? I do. However, professional mariner licensing is changing drastically.

I’ve been assisting mariners with their license applications, and in resolving disputes with the Coast Guard since 1981. That’s a long time. There have been so many drastic changes in licensing regulations in the past twelve months that they boggle the mind.

Here are a few new terms to add to your licensing vocabulary:

Support Our Troops

Written by Capt. Ron Presley | 01 November 2009

That’s right - you can support the brave military troops of America through your fishing guide business, your other business or any way you have available. No politics, no politically correct jargon, just plain respect and admiration of our military is all that is needed.

It is a simply way to say THANK YOU!

Understanding Fishery Data Collection

Written by Capt. Bob Zales | 25 October 2009

Editors Note: The recent amberjack closure has left many wondering how it could happen. Capt. Bob Zale, FGA Board Member and President of the National Association of Charter Boat Operators provides a lesson in data collection that helps explain why the amberjack closing or even some other species closing could come quickly and without notice. He comments, “I think understanding the system will help explain why the AJ fishery was shut down on such short notice and also help folks understand why any new data system will take time to implement.”

MRFSS 101 - Lessons in Data Collection

by Capt. Bob Zales

The basic design for collecting recreational fishing statistics consists of a complemented surveys approach that includes telephone surveys of fishing effort and an access-site intercept survey of angler catch. It’s not simple, but here goes.

Fishing License Sales Up

Written by Capt. Ron Presley | 20 October 2009

Despite Economy, Fishing License Sales Up 8 Percent

Sales increase mirrors recreational fishing's heyday in the 1960s and 1970s

ALEXANDRIA, VA (October 20, 2009) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) today announced the publication of a quarterly fishing license sales index to track trends that have an impact on the industry and the entire recreational fishing community.

Miami Angler Wins Women's Fall Fly

Written by Capt. Ron Presley | 14 October 2009

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys -- Three proved to be the charm for Heidi Nute of Miami Beach, Fla., who landed three of four fly fishing tournament species -- bonefish, redfish, snook and tarpon -- at the annual Women's Fall Fly Classic that ended Oct. 9.

Guided by Captain Rob Fordyce of Homestead, Fla., Nute earned the tournament championship as well as awards for the most snook and most bonefish with one redfish, nine snook and 11 tarpon, all released on fly.

Take of Peregrine Falcons and Pythons Authorized

Written by Capt. Ron Presley | 15 September 2009

FWC airs hunting, fishing and python-removal rule proposals

§ Agenda (with links to background reports): MyFWC.com/Commission

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wrapped up a three-day meeting Friday at Howey-in-the-Hills.

Wednesday’s agenda focused on inland issues, including discussion of a proposed rule that authorizes the take of peregrine falcons for the sport of falconry. Commissioners directed FWC staff to proceed with finalizing a rule to allow it and bring it back for final action at the Commission’s December meeting. Federal regulations would limit the program to five or fewer peregrines for falconry per year in Florida.