Thread: King mackerel creel increase...

http://gulfcouncil.org/news_resources/Newsletters/Newsletter_Winter%202017.pdf

In addition to determining that the stock is healthy, a recent stock assessment revised the mixing zone between Gulf

and South Atlantic Groups of king mackerel. As a result, the Council’s scientific advisors revised the king mackerel acceptable biological catch levels and the Council decided to reallocate quota in the commercial zones and increase the recreational bag limit.

*Increase the recreational bag limit to 3 king mackerel per person.
Once the Secretary of Commerce approves and implements any of these suggested management measures the Council will update the regulations and publish and press release announcing the changes.

I have some potential reservations here. 3 kings of legal size can equal a lot of steaks or fillets. Who needs to keep three kings for dinner? Maybe a few people, but not most. The king steaks that I attempted to freeze lost a lot of quality/flavor after about a month. Personally, I'd rather have more plentiful kings in the gulf when I "attempt" to catch one.

Originally Posted by fordguy

I have some potential reservations here. 3 kings of legal size can equal a lot of steaks or fillets. Who needs to keep three kings for dinner? Maybe a few people, but not most. The king steaks that I attempted to freeze lost a lot of quality/flavor after about a month. Personally, I'd rather have more plentiful kings in the gulf when I "attempt" to catch one.

We want as many as we can get to bring home. Vacuum packed and frozen, it lasts about 6 months before any noticeable loss of quality or flavor.
That being said, I am no real threat to the population as I have caught no more than 3 in the whole week, much less in one day.

There is no guarantee of catching on any given day, but when it rains it pours. This might help even out for slow days for those who consume. In my case distance is a barrier to taking many home anyway.

Originally Posted by stik

We want as many as we can get to bring home. Vacuum packed and frozen, it lasts about 6 months before any noticeable loss of quality or flavor.
That being said, I am no real threat to the population as I have caught no more than 3 in the whole week, much less in one day.

Then you are part of the aforementioned few. As fishermen and women it's everyone's responsibility to conserve the resource rather than exploit it. That being said, I have no issue with people who use what they take. If you're not going to use it, take a picture and let it go.

We use every last fillet. Usually long before 6 months. I would have no need to keep 3/day every day for a week but it would be nice to be able to keep 3 in one day(IF I should be so lucky) to make up for the 0 days.

We all the fish we catch.
If I get an opportunity, I'll put 3 in the cooler.

I doubt Im a threat to the local population but going to bring my vac packer just in case .stik you may need to lead me down there and show me the ropes lol.headed there last full week in july

No, the threat to the local population is the net boat... All it takes is a few well placed nets and the fishing takes a serious dive. And yes, I'm aware that the net boats target Spanish, but I'm guessing that a fair number of kings are bycatch or juveniles that pass for Spanish.

Originally Posted by mike243

I doubt Im a threat to the local population but going to bring my vac packer just in case .stik you may need to lead me down there and show me the ropes lol.headed there last full week in july

I spent the first day just watching, asking questions and introducing myself to the forum regs that i recognized. Didn't even take a rod. They are more than willing to help if you are willing to listen,