Changes are coming for saltwater fishermen who target red drum (redfish) in South Carolina waters.
The South Carolina General Assembly passed a law reducing the daily catch limit for red drum from three fish to two per day and imposed a daily limit of six red drum per boat. The slot limit remains in effect with anglers only able to keep red drum that measure at least 15 inches but no longer than 23 inches.
The legislation, which becomes effective July 1, was signed by Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday.
Charles Farmer, the legislative liaison for Coastal Conservation Association of South Carolina (CCA SC) and a former biologist for the state wildlife department, said it was clear that the red drum population needed help.
“The numbers were going down. Red drum is certainly one of the three most popular inshore species we have along with trout and flounder. It was imperative that we stay on top of that and make sure the population is protected,” Farmer said.
"The numbers have gotten progressively worse in terms of scientific studies and surveys. (CCA SC) worked very closely with the Department of Natural Resources and helped get a Senate and House bill introduced that would change the bag limit of red drum.
“We are hopeful that this is going to be enough change to have the population turn around in terms of numbers. It’s probably going to take a good three years to really see some change for the good and get back to a stable population.”
Deputy director Robert Boyles of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division, said anglers had approached DNR with their concerns and DNR hired Dr. Mike Murphy, a stock assessment analyst, to look at those numbers. Boyles said the conclusion was that we were overfishing red drum with the three-fish limit.
Boyles said the goal for red drum is to have a 40-percent spawning potential ratio (SPR) and that was not happening with the current limits. SPR has fluctuated between 30 and 40 percent over the past 10 years but c
I good with that…I do wish they’d change the size limit from current to 17-25". At least you’d get enough to make dinner for 2 per fish. A 15" fish only feeds one at the table.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 23 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 19 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
I’m all for it! I also wouldn’t object to a 17"-23" slot either but I’ll take this as a step in the right direction.
Cue the “how’s a man supposed to feed his family…” and the “it’s not worth me driving from the upstate for two measly redfish…” and the “the DNR is ruining hunting and fishing in SC…” crowds in 3…2…1…
Leaving the slot the same will make it easier to discern the effects of the change in the bag. You can bet if there is not a change in the trajectory of the population after several years of monitoring the slot will be the next thing on the agenda. Of course targeting and post release mortality the brood fish which have been prohibited from harvest in federal waters since 1984 will continue to be an issue which could someday lead to gear restrictions (see NC regs) and outright prohibition of lifting them out of the water for photos.
I’m all for it! I also wouldn’t object to a 17"-23" slot either but I’ll take this as a step in the right direction.
Cue the “how’s a man supposed to feed his family…” and the “it’s not worth me driving from the upstate for two measly redfish…” and the “the DNR is ruining hunting and fishing in SC…” crowds in 3…2…1…
“…be a man and PM me.”
I think that arguement is long gone today bangstick. Too easy to get free Ice Cream if you can’t afford or don’t want to work for food. I don’t know of any that actually have to have the extra fish to survive like in the past. And those that did, sure wouldn’t have had a nice boat.
My fishing days have taken a serious slow down, and not as many living in the house now. I don’t agree with only two fish, but I’ll abide by it. There is no need in anyone arguing with what the state and feds do with regulations, they are going to do what ever they want anyway. Take BSB, grouper, and ARS for example.
This goes to show how money and those with pull make the rules, even if they are just feel good rules and don’t affect anything.
I do agree with Claim, 17"-25" would be nice. But then I’ve had days when you couldn’t get anything over 15". I’d have been happy to take a couple of 14" home to fry up whole. One cormorant will eat more reds than me in a year.
I’m on board with the change. The redfish have definitely had a decline in population. There are plenty of places that used to always hold fish that just don’t produce like they used to, if at all. The problem is going to be enforcement. The current 3 fish is overlooked and people keep extras, so dropping that to 2 isn’t going to change their habits. Hopefully people understand there is a reason this is happening and allow the resource to replenish for all of us to enjoy, including future generations.
I’m all for it! I also wouldn’t object to a 17"-23" slot either but I’ll take this as a step in the right direction.
Cue the “how’s a man supposed to feed his family…” and the “it’s not worth me driving from the upstate for two measly redfish…” and the “the DNR is ruining hunting and fishing in SC…” crowds in 3…2…1…
“…be a man and PM me.”
I think that arguement is long gone today bangstick. Too easy to get free Ice Cream if you can’t afford or don’t want to work for food. I don’t know of any that actually have to have the extra fish to survive like in the past. And those that did, sure wouldn’t have had a nice boat.
Oh, I agree completely but there’s always that person or three that whine about not being able to feed their families with tighter restrictions. Yet they can afford a computers and internet access to post on public forums about how they can’t afford to buy food so they have to hunt/fish for it. Those people are the reason the “palm face” emoji exists. For the record, my five year old son had to educate me as to what the “palm face” emoji is.
I’m on board with the change. The redfish have definitely had a decline in population. There are plenty of places that used to always hold fish that just don’t produce like they used to, if at all. The problem is going to be enforcement. The current 3 fish is overlooked and people keep extras, so dropping that to 2 isn’t going to change their habits. Hopefully people understand there is a reason this is happening and allow the resource to replenish for all of us to enjoy, including future generations.
Capt. Jeremiah
Southern Slam Fishing Charters
2018 Sea Hunt BX 22 BR
Well then maybe the DNR just likes me or my boat because I’ve been checked multiple times while taking out at Remley’s over the last several years. Granted, I don’t care about getting checked because I’m not hiding anything and I’m not one of the countless conspiracy theorists that believe the DNR is out to get them and/or ruin hunting and fishing in SC.
That said, I agree that rules and regs are only as effective as the level of enforcement. Granted, we should all be doing our part and policing our own.
I’m on board with the change. The redfish have definitely had a decline in population. There are plenty of places that used to always hold fish that just don’t produce like they used to, if at all. The problem is going to be enforcement. The current 3 fish is overlooked and people keep extras, so dropping that to 2 isn’t going to change their habits. Hopefully people understand there is a reason this is happening and allow the resource to replenish for all of us to enjoy, including future generations.
Capt. Jeremiah
Southern Slam Fishing Charters
2018 Sea Hunt BX 22 BR
Well then maybe the DNR just likes me or my boat because I’ve been checked multiple times while taking out at Remley’s over the last several years. Granted, I don’t care about getting checked because I’m not hiding anything and I’m not one of the countless conspiracy theorists that believe the DNR is out to get them and/or ruin hunting and fishing in SC.
That said, I agree that rules and regs are only as effective as the level of enforcement. Granted, we should all be doing our part and policing our own.
“…be a man and PM me.”
I can honestly say the only time I’ve been stopped on the water(which can be counted on two hands) has been to check licenses. Only been asked once at Remley’s about our catch which I don’t keep fish. Only once as well at Shem, but he didn’t want to check, he was watching someone doing some illegal stuff fishing from the bank.
I’m all for it! I also wouldn’t object to a 17"-23" slot either but I’ll take this as a step in the right direction.
Cue the “how’s a man supposed to feed his family…” and the “it’s not worth me driving from the upstate for two measly redfish…” and the “the DNR is ruining hunting and fishing in SC…” crowds in 3…2…1…
I’m all for it! I also wouldn’t object to a 17"-23" slot either but I’ll take this as a step in the right direction.
Cue the “how’s a man supposed to feed his family…” and the “it’s not worth me driving from the upstate for two measly redfish…” and the “the DNR is ruining hunting and fishing in SC…” crowds in 3…2…1…
“how’s a man supposed to feed his family…”Move to Georgia, you can keep 5!
“it’s not worth me driving from the upstate for two measly redfish…” Was it worth it for 3?
“the DNR is ruining hunting and fishing in SC…” uhh…Move to Georgia? Maybe Nebraska?
I’m all for the change, don’t keep any fish these days anyways. For me though seemed my average Red Drum was upper to just over slot last year. Maybe DNR is seeing the same and is trying to increase the slot fish population???
The folks that will complain, are gonna complain regardless. Probably because they got nothing else productive to do.
“how’s a man supposed to feed his family…”Move to Georgia, you can keep 5!
“it’s not worth me driving from the upstate for two measly redfish…” Was it worth it for 3?
“the DNR is ruining hunting and fishing in SC…” uhh…Move to Georgia? Maybe Nebraska?
I’m all for the change, don’t keep any fish these days anyways. For me though seemed my average Red Drum was upper to just over slot last year. Maybe DNR is seeing the same and is trying to increase the slot fish population???
The folks that will complain, are gonna complain regardless. Probably because they got nothing else productive to do.
Crazy thing is as much as I love S.C. if I could convince the wife, I wouldn’t mind a move to Georgia. School systems, Roads, People, Etc… that is minus Atlanta. Georgia’s secondary roads are better than our Primary ones.
I hear a lot on this sight talk about diminishing spot tail, but I just don’t see it. Nor do many I associate with that fish much more than I do.
“how’s a man supposed to feed his family…”Move to Georgia, you can keep 5!
“it’s not worth me driving from the upstate for two measly redfish…” Was it worth it for 3?
“the DNR is ruining hunting and fishing in SC…” uhh…Move to Georgia? Maybe Nebraska?
I’m all for the change, don’t keep any fish these days anyways. For me though seemed my average Red Drum was upper to just over slot last year. Maybe DNR is seeing the same and is trying to increase the slot fish population???
The folks that will complain, are gonna complain regardless. Probably because they got nothing else productive to do.
I hear a lot on this sight talk about diminishing spot tail, but I just don't see it. Nor do many I associate with that fish much more than I do.
I can’t say I’ve seen a drop off in redfish either. Hell, the last few years have resulted in some of my best fishing (for redfish) that I’ve ever had. That said, I realize the water I cover is a drop in the bucket compared to the water (and subsequent fish populations that live there) the DNR is responsible for managing and doesn’t comprehensively represent the redfish population as a whole.
Make no mistake, the redfish population is way off what it used to be. I’m glad our legislature was able to get this passed, despite a few trying to stop it from what I heard.
It should help significantly, I hope!
Sadly, I can’t say I’ve been fishing in the salt as long as most of you. I’ve been doing it for the last 12 years or so but it wasn’t until the last 5 years that I’ve actually started focusing on saltwater (inshore) fishing and putting in a considerable amount of time on the water. Hell, now I spend more time in the salt than in fresh and yet I live 5 minutes from Lake Murray. I credit my banner seasons of late to time on the water and a select few on this site being very gracious with their knowledge/experience.
I say that to touch on Optiker’s point. I don’t have the sample size that most of you do that would give me a deeper perspective on the matter. That said, I trust a few people on here and I trust the biologists at the DNR and if they tell me an issue exists and needs to be addressed, I believe/trust them and will follow suit and do what needs to be done.
