re: Speck Decision Already Made

I'd vote for no minimum size, first 15 you catch. Many times during summer we catch over 100 fish to keep 15 to 25 fish. even the biologist say that 28% percent of undersize fish die. It's more than that where I fish cause the dolphins get half of them. So basically I kill more fish than I keep, according to the biologist

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According to their data the majority of people now catch no where nears 15 trout per trip. 15 trout limits will do nothing to help the "recovery". I am thinking less......

"In areas of the state that have a bag limit of 25, which excludes the area from the Texas border to the Mermentau River, 85% of angler trips harvest 10 fish or less."

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I spoke with a well known and respected SE LA guide at the Nola Boat Show who made this very point. In other words, if the average recreational dude is catching 10 specks a trip then going to 15 could theoretically raise harvested numbers. He wouldn't say what the new limits should be and pointed out that younger fish are more prolific breeders and more numerous.

Habitat long term, blocked navigable water access and fresh water the past few years aren't getting near the attention they deserve. Guide's take is not the issue, we need to preserve them as well as the Marina's that help us all catch fish.

I would be happy with a 13" / 15 creel limit with one or two over 20" and rarely keep 12" specks b/c there's so little meat on them. I do keep them when they suck it down and removing the hook however gently, it's clear they will die when released.

To be clear, I am not in favor of changing the current regulations. The 12 inch 15 limit is palatable and will be in place at some point in July. People in southeast La. need to demand the opening of Morganza the next time we are threatened by flooding. I can tell the LDWF that when I was able to find good water, the trout were there. The damn river water is what is reducing numbers. I would also like to see the state open a number of hatcheries in coastal areas, but this will probably never happen.

Well the way its looking that battle will happen again this spring.

Anyone went to one of the meetings?

Expressed you concerns or asked questions there?

Have been told change will not happen this year. How accurate that statement is may be up for debate behind closed doors on quail dr. Also makes this kabookie dance more frustrating imo.

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The answer is that the collapse isn't caused by overfishing its been caused by a massive water quality fiasco caused by the state and the LaDWF is powerless to fix this issue.

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You trying to blame opening the Bonnet Carre?

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if the average recreational dude is catching 10 specks a trip then going to 15 could theoretically raise harvested numbers.

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I believe The biologists numbers on rec harvest. Every guide boat fishing where I have been catching the last two weeks of taking g limits. Most are fishing 5 per boat guide included for a 50 fish avg times x# of boats per fishing day. No engineering degree required to count the numbers taken weekly/daily, it’s staggering. 170 flounder taken in area I fished Sunday morning, same or more Saturday.
Take 10 boats with 3 clients taking 45 fish 7 days per week for 6 months = 75,600 trout. Avg # of guide boats daily 20-25 variable would be weather/water. Some boats would take 60 some less than my hypothetical # and some 75.
We are better killers now than 15 years ago and 20 years ago. Cell phones, faster boats, better bait allow many avg guys the ability to kill fish.