Thread: Snapper Fishing Commercial Style

Headed our way it seems...

Texas charter captains use loophole to get around federal red snapper limits | AL.com

Gotta hand it to them, its a slick business model.
So these people are basically being deckhands for the day and buying a portion of the catch.
Doesn't matter if a commercial boats quota is caught with bandit gear or with rod & reel, still counts towards their annual quota.
So as long as they are complying with all the Coast Guard regs concerning crew/passengers, its completely legal.
I'm not going to argue the ethics of it, just saying it is legal.


"Galveston Sea Adventures charter company website advertises the catch share fishing experience complete with prices that range from $1,200 for a trip that promises 75 pounds of red snapper, to $2,880 for 180 pounds of red snapper. The price works out to $16 per pound, about double what red snapper fillets sells for in a seafood shop, and a lot more than the $5 a pound that whole fish bring at the commercial dock."

But looking at the cost, that some damn expensive snapper.

My main problem is that they will be taking fish off the artificial reefs, which the commercials have been leaving pretty much alone until now. Those reefs were paid for by recreational fishing interests.

Don't forget that the commercials have a lower size limit.

What's unethical (at least in my feeble mind) is to allow ANY commercial fishing for a species considered 'overfished'.
That should be the sector to take one for the team, not some rec guy that gets 8 days a year to try his luck!

Originally Posted by frednic

My main problem is that they will be taking fish off the artificial reefs, which the commercials have been leaving pretty much alone until now. Those reefs were paid for by recreational fishing interests.

Don't forget that the commercials have a lower size limit.

Commercial fisherman have always been able to target artificial reefs, they just normally stick to the larger ones that are easier to anchor over.

Originally Posted by Pier#r

What's unethical (at least in my feeble mind) is to allow ANY commercial fishing for a species considered 'overfished'.
That should be the sector to take one for the team, not some rec guy that gets 8 days a year to try his luck!

Well said! Follow the dollar, and you can connect the dots, it seems.

Originally Posted by CarlF

Gotta hand it to them, its a slick business model.
So these people are basically being deckhands for the day and buying a portion of the catch.
Doesn't matter if a commercial boats quota is caught with bandit gear or with rod & reel, still counts towards their annual quota.
So as long as they are complying with all the Coast Guard regs concerning crew/passengers, its completely legal.
I'm not going to argue the ethics of it, just saying it is legal.


"Galveston Sea Adventures charter company website advertises the catch share fishing experience complete with prices that range from $1,200 for a trip that promises 75 pounds of red snapper, to $2,880 for 180 pounds of red snapper. The price works out to $16 per pound, about double what red snapper fillets sells for in a seafood shop, and a lot more than the $5 a pound that whole fish bring at the commercial dock."

But looking at the cost, that some damn expensive snapper.

Meh, same as going out on any charter, you're not paying only for the fish but for the fun and experience of catching them.

I don't agree with for the same reason #r gives.
But I will say the commercial license guys have found a way to make more money for the same quota.
Though I wonder how they feel about having to put up with Joe Schmoe Public?

Originally Posted by CarlF

Commercial fisherman have always been able to target artificial reefs, they just normally stick to the larger ones that are easier to anchor over.

Yeah, that's why I said "pretty much alone." If you read the article this kind of fishing usually entails a trip out and back in one day, not overnight, which puts them on the close-in artificial reefs. Plus, they are fishing from vessels that are more typical of charter boats with fishing poles, not the multi-hook power driven rigs typical of commercial boats.

Unless this just catches fire and affects fish population it probably won't mean much to the individual boat owner. It may be more of a threat to the Charter business. A regular charter captain is going to have a tough time competing.

I booked my charter, June 17th. Lets just hope the weather participates. I captain was cool enough to let me bring on two rods I built to test them out against those big, endangered red snapper.