Boating All Out wrote:
In article ,
says...
On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 17:57:39 -0500, Boating All Out
wrote:

In article , says...
On 9/19/14 2:41 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:31:19 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

http://www.abc-7.com/clip/10574887/goliath-grouper-pose-problems-for-fisherman-5-pm#at_pco=cfd-1.0

Great video of a giant grouper taking a large shark and also a scuba
divers fin.

We were once anchored in the Dry Tortugas (Ft Jefferson) and a giant
grouper camped out in the shadow of our boat. Every once in a while
he would stick his nose out where we could see him. His mouth was as
big as a pie plate.
It is probably time to open up some take permits.
We tend to over shoot sometimes when we try to protect a species.


Right. How dare the fish want to live in *their* environment.
It's the job of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to
set Jewfish harvesting policy.
They've been studying it, tagging, etc.
It's only of interest to commercial interests. Jewfish eat mostly crabs
and rough fish.
You can catch them now. Just have to release them. The meat isn't any
better than other grouper.
Spearfishermen would wipe them out in a few years.
I see nothing wrong with line permits if it's justified.
I disagree that they only eat "crabs and rough fish". They eat
anything that will fit in their mouth.
Who are you disagreeing with? I never said that.


If Harry wants to see a 326 pounder he can just drive down to
Scheible's in Ridge and look under the cash register in the glass
case. That was caught on a big jack that was originally caught by one
of his head boat customers. The Jewfish followed it up, Doug Scheible
hooked the jack up and tossed it back to the Jewfish..

hehe. A bait jack isn't a free jack.
Here.
http://www.marinelab.fsu.edu/labs/ck/grouper-
ecology/goliath/vulnerability

I do agree a managed harvest is the way to go. Maybe make it a hook
and line tag that isn't cheap.
The experts will decide. Okay by me. I don't need to catch Jewfish.
The 90 pounder I caught before the restrictions was one too many.
Plenty of fish in the ocean to occupy my time.
Sheepshead are enough to keep my belly full.
Last thing I need when I go sit over a reef is a big Jewfish dragging me
around.

You can choose the reef fish you catch, Kevin? That's an amazing
talent. Please share your tactics.