Fishing questions

[fmaster360]

Guys I feel like an idiot, but I can't find this stuff online. I'd like to be pointed in the right direction for a book that I can take on the water for fish identification since I'm probably not going to be able to use my phone if I go too far offshore. Second off, how do I know what I can keep/use as bait, and what I have to throw back? Thanks in advance.

[Blue Agave]

FWC - Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission was a website with all the saltwater regulations. I feel this is the best place to make yourself familiar wit the regs. due to the fact that they change so often. I would also give them a call, they may have some literature they can send you. If not they should be able to point you in the right direction.

[CH Jr]

Walmart also has regulations books and i'm pretty sure identification books at the fishing and hunting counter, I know that the regulations books are free

[fmaster360]

Thanks guys, I looked at wally world yesterday and didn't see one there, I'll have to look again. Looking at the regulations, it says Dolphins are legal to catch? As long as they are over 20"? Is that really accurate?

Dolphin - 20? fork Atlantic - 10 per harvester per day, not to exceed 60 per vessel per day

What is the fork thing by the way?

[Capt. Bob]

Unless you just want to have a book, go to the place everyone hates (WM) and get an OAR map of the Gulf. They're covered with pretty pictures of the area's fish and make for good identification. They provide artificial reef GPS numbers but these usually see heavy pressure.

http://oarreefs.org/about.shtml

Here's your FWC link. Lots of .PDF stuff. Pick and choose. Print and carry and wave it like a flag if to are checked by the Federales

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/regulations/

[Capt. Bob]

Thanks guys, I looked at wally world yesterday and didn't see one there, I'll have to look again. Looking at the regulations, it says Dolphins are legal to catch? As long as they are over 20"? Is that really accurate?

Dolphin - 20? fork Atlantic - 10 per harvester per day, not to exceed 60 per vessel per day

What is the fork thing by the way?

Dolphin the fish, not the mammal. AKA Mahi Mahi by the Beautiful People. Still just a dolphin (not a porpoise) to a Fla. boy.

Fork is the base where the tail "splits". Overall includes the entire length of the tail(s).

Again the FWC is you friend (though at times that sounds like an oxymoron).

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/regu ... asurement/

[Blue Agave]

Thanks guys, I looked at wally world yesterday and didn't see one there, I'll have to look again. Looking at the regulations, it says Dolphins are legal to catch? As long as they are over 20"? Is that really accurate?

Dolphin - 20? fork Atlantic - 10 per harvester per day, not to exceed 60 per vessel per day

What is the fork thing by the way?

Dolphin the fish, aka Mahi or Dorado. Not the mammal, aka Flipper

Fork as opposed to overall length. The fork is the center of the tail.

[Blue Agave]

Bob, looks as if are last posts were identical.

[Capt. Bob]

Bob, looks as if are last posts were identical.

I've heard tell brilliant minds think alike.

I'd say that pretty fair proof.

[fmaster360]

thanks guys! there was a bunch of water in the boat when I came back saturday, but I couldn't remember draining it after the rains, and cleaning the boat. I had put the plug in before taking it to the dock like a noob, so I have no idea how much of that water - if any - got in while we were out. I'm going to splash it tomorrow and just sit somewhere for a couple hours. any place up central/north pinellas bay area that I won't be wasting my time at fishing?

[John Jones]

This is one of the better books out there.

https://store.intermediaoutdoors.com/pr ... Of-Florida

[Blue Agave]

thanks guys! there was a bunch of water in the boat when I came back saturday, but I couldn't remember draining it after the rains, and cleaning the boat. I had put the plug in before taking it to the dock like a noob, so I have no idea how much of that water - if any - got in while we were out. I'm going to splash it tomorrow and just sit somewhere for a couple hours. any place up central/north pinellas bay area that I won't be wasting my time at fishing?

Does your bilge pump have a float switch?  If not, did you periodically turn on the bilge pump when you were out on Saturday?  I would recommend a float switch, so if there is water in the boat the bilge pump will kick on automatically when there is enough water to float the float switch.

Anywhere on the beach right now should be good for Kings and Spanish mackerel. Look up the Clearwater reef. It's just a couple miles off the beach.

[fmaster360]

I don't think the bilge is on a float switch. I did turn it on, but the water was only about an inch deep, and the pump wasn't picking it up. I didn't really think it was that much, but I guess an inch that's 4" wide by 16' long, adds up. I think it's really due to me putting the drain plug in before taking it down to the dock and not draining it prior to splashing it, which is why I wanna head out tomorrow, just to make sure that it really was the water.

[T Race]

Hey Carl,

    Here is an idea that I stumbled across.  One of the fish counter-college-intern-drones provided me a great suggestion to solve the problem of fish identification.

At our local aquarium, which has a gift store, I picked up a waterproof spiral-bound color photo fish identification guide.  In conjunction with my California fishing regulation Law Degree - essential for navigating the minefield of regs here in this smoking hole of a state - the book is highly prized.  This book is hot accurate and a great tool to keep Johnny Law out of my pocket.  :sunny:

Maybe in your travels, if you have an aquarium around, you can find something similar.  

Best of luck to you, Carl, and show us some photos of your fishing success.  

[Blue Agave]

Make a habit of turning the bilge on right after you throttle up and the bow is still up, that will push all the water to the back of the boat.  When you see that no more water is coming out turn it off.