Prediction "Redfish will be fished to near extinction"
Capt. John GiddyUp-Bunch
January 21, 2010
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
Our fishery in SW FL is in real trouble. As everyone must know by this writing, Gov Charlie Crist signed an Executive Order protecting our decimated snook population. I have not spoken with one Pro Guide who disagreed with the decision to close snook until the fall.
Thousands of dead snook are still rising to the surface from the extreme recent cold weather and subsequent 46 degree water temps. Everyone in SW FL is deeply concerned about our snook and for good reason but those with vision can see dark clouds for Redfish on the horizon. Here's why.
Grouper season closes in all waters Feb 1st 2010. Snook are protected until the fall of 2010. This leaves trout and redfish for harvesting. In other words, anglers will put extraordinary pressure on both trout and redfish. The trout can stand the heat. Not so with the redfish.
Several years ago FWC (Florida Wildlife Commission) established a limit of one (1) redfish per angler per day. Work with me here on this logical consequence of advanced thinking. If snook are off the table for the Friday Night fish fry, what pressure will be placed on our redfish population. The Gov of Florida needs to suspend Redfish harvesting immediately. Tournaments? I cannot begin to tell you how much our Redfish get stressed from the 2-3 Tournaments (seemingly) per week in SW FL and especially Pine Island Sound. Add this pressure and the pressure to bring home a fish to eat for the aforementioned fish fry, the stage is set for the elimination of our already pathetic and over fished redfish population.
I have written Rep Gary Aubuchon and Sen Dave Aronberg to address this issue as well as offer immediate financial aid to Pro Guides whose businesses have and will be ruined as a result of this cold spell.
If you remotely care about our fishery, pls write Gov Crist and insist on protecting our Redfish. 2+2=4 so does no snook for the dinner table and redfish for the dinner table means 1 -1 = ZERO REDFISH by the fall of 2010.
Effective immediately, GiddyUp Fishing Charters will suspend all harvesting of redfish. If this does not sit well with my customers, they can go fish with someone who does not give a Rat's Ass about our fishery. Trout? I'm ok with their harvest. Tripletail, flounder, cobia, kingfish, spanish, and pompano are OK to take home when you fish with me.
It takes courage to make difficult decisions. Write Gov Crist and oppose the eventual extinction of redfish based on closing the snook fishery. It is the right thing to do. It is the logical thing to do. As well, all Redfish Tournaments should eliminate bringing fish back to a weigh station. Weigh the fish, take a picture with a tournament issued camera, and release the fish where you caught it.
We are at a great crossroads here in SW FL. Just between you and me, I have given away 3 charters because I'm not ready to place additional stress on the fishery I deeply love. Tarpon Season is just around the corner. Those who save for a rainy day will survive. For those who have not, I am trying my best to have the State of Florida realize the value and importance of some very great and hard working men. The Florida Fishing Guide.
Please write Gov Crist and ask him to close redfish before they are fished to extinction. The dots seem very easy to connect.
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