Thread: Gulf snapper season article

Ran across this on twitter while ago. Gulf red snapper fishermen could get second, late-summer season | al.com

Reading that I wondered why we didn't have a split season all ready. Let the Feds have their season where you have to go fish in their waters then open the second one in in state waters after the first one is over. It would artificially make the season longer and help the local economy.

Originally Posted by Wildh2oskier

Reading that I wondered why we didn't have a split season all ready. Let the Feds have their season where you have to go fish in their waters then open the second one in in state waters after the first one is over. It would artificially make the season longer and help the local economy.

I don't know how a season in state waters would help Alabama anglers. Our state waters only extend three miles. Florida has nine and they're already open til July 15th.

... not to mention the Feds wanted to count those (state waters open) days against each state the following year.

Make it a split season. You get say 20 days to fish for red snappies (for easy math) The 20 day federal season when it is illegal to have the waters open inside the 3 mile limit at that time. Then after (or before) the fed water 20 day season happens you use the 20 days allocated to have the season in the state waters, making it illegal to fish for them in the federal water ways. Through the magic of mathematics and state vs. federal waters you have 20 days of snapper season in federal waters and 20 other days in state waters and voila!! the 20 day season actually last 40 days. They do it with split seasons for hunting Doves in this state (called zones) so why can't they do it with snapper fishing?
As for the feds counting those days against us next year.....let's see....the Federal government gives Alabama 20 days to fish for red snapper in state waters and Alabama allows people to fish for them for 20 days in state waters. So even though its not run concurrently with the federal days we are not using any extra days for them to penalize us with. I see a double up loop hole. I say let's jump through it. 'Tis better to ask forgiveness than permission in this case.

Well, all that sounds great if you can give me the coordinates to about 5,000 reefs that hold red snapper within three miles of the Alabama coastline. I know of one: the three mile barge, and I think it may be in federal waters, too.

Also, if it is legal in federal waters but illegal in state waters concurrently, then how in the world do you get back to port with your federal-waters-caught red snapper? The season must be open in state waters while open in federal waters, or else you would be crossing a three-mile zone with illegal red snapper in your box.

Alabama is a compliant state. This means that Alabama state waters are open when federal waters are open. Alabama will not be docked next year because of this. Florida may be. They were this year until a federal judge in Texas struck down the ruling. The snapper regulations prohibit possession of red snapper in closed waters, so your idea of closing state waters while federal waters are open makes no sense.

Methinks you need to re-think your proposition, Wildh2oskier.

You don't have a clue Wild. My life depends on snapper fishing and if you were in charge,ya might as well put a bullet in my head.

Well no offense taken as I am not a snapper fishing lawyer nor do I play one on tv. I am but a simple man who thought he may have found an angle to help our local economy and dared to put it out here to be sounded out, discussed and cussed. If it is the last stupid idea about fishing anyone ever has you have my unwavering support in erecting a statue in honor of "Wildh2oskier, Dumbest fisherman alive". Life is much to serious for me to get bent out of shape over this.

Good for you Wild
Some folks in these parts DO take snapper fishing seriously because it IS their life.

But like grammaw used to say "Ya never know if the spaghetti is done until you throw it against the wall to see if it sticks." LOL