The bill passed. Nikki set to sign it tomorrow. Cobia season will be closed in state waters for the month of May.
Key West 2300 Bluewater
Good news!!
These fish are in serious trouble and need protection. May is the spawn month.
what if you launch out of Savannah and have out of state GA fishing license. can you still fish offshore area?
Yes, until May, then Federal and state waters both will be closed.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker LarryYes, until May, then Federal and state waters both will be closed.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
I thought Federal waters didn’t close till June???
Key West 2300 Bluewater
Federal Waters don’t close until June 20th.
Key West 2300 Bluewater
So if I catch a cobia in May at the Betsy and get checked by DNR in the Broad on my way back to the doc, do I have to prove that I was at the Betsy when I caught the cobia in my cooler? How will this be regulated?
Key West 2300 Bluewater
So… I was talking to a SCDNR gentleman at the Charleston Boat Show and asked him that very thing. When the Bill was written it specifically stated that possession of cobia in SC state waters south of Edisto was illegal during May. I never fish for Cobia in state waters and asked what if a fish was caught in federal waters and I was stopped on the way coming home in SC state waters?His response was a grin and said thats why the bill was written that way.He went on to explain studies have shown that the Cobia in the Port Royal sound are the same genetic lineage as the ones migrating along the ledge. Im not sure about that but that was the basis for the possession language.
SC and Ga have a shared license program that governs the waters around Savannah and Hilton Head.
Maybe the bill that was passed clarifys this but if not, I guess SC has found a way to override the Federal regulations permitting Cobia fishing at the gulf stream until June 1 and then it closes federally in mid June.
I guess at the end of the day, if this helps repopulate the Cobia along the Eastern Coast, then I can live with it but I don’t like the games that are played with an over reaching bill.
If anyone has knowledge to the contrary or one of the SCDNR guys would be kind enough to chime in, Id appreciate it.
Sorry, I meant to say through May.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
My senator has been keeping in the loop on the issue. I’ve asked him to give me a response on this question. I’ll let you know what he says.
Key West 2300 Bluewater
(2) cobia (Rachycentron canadum) located in the Southern Cobia Management Zone. Subject to the size limit established by federal regulation, possession of cobia caught in the Southern Cobia Management Zone is limited to one person per day, and no more than three per boat per day, from June 1 to April 30. It is unlawful to take and possess cobia in the Southern Cobia Management Zone from May 1 to May 31, and at any time federal regulations provide for the closure of the recreational cobia season in the waters of the South Atlantic Ocean."
So the federal water is closed for the month of May as well? I’ve not read that. What’s the source?
My senator responded to me with this…
We did discuss that, and this is no different than any other enforcement challenge. If law enforcement makes an arrest for violation of this or any other law, they must have probable cause and further prove the violation. Ultimately this will come down to the experience and training of the DNR law enforcement officer - and the courts if the accused believes a mistake was made.
In reality, this enforcement is designed for protection to the spawning around the Broad River Bridge. A fisherman coming in from offshore is probably not going to have an issue. But an angler coming in from offshore, and stopping near the bridge for some extra fishing before hitting the landing may place themselves in tight spot.
Key West 2300 Bluewater
Thanks for the follow up.
I just looked at the SAFNC app and rec season closes on June 20th, BUT the commercial season stays open!!! That is such Bull SHI>>>!
SAFMC
Beautiful, just beautiful…and RED SNAPPER~still closed 5 years later…just start limiting people and there will be more fish!
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Can someone with out doubt post state and federal closures? Don’t quote it…make it simple.
Key West 2300 Bluewater
quote:
So if I catch a cobia in May at the Betsy and get checked by DNR in the Broad on my way back to the doc, do I have to prove that I was at the Betsy when I caught the cobia in my cooler? How will this be regulated?
Reel Tight…
DNR will NOT ticket you for possession of cobia inside state waters in the area from Jeremy’s Inlet (above Edisto Beach) to the Georgia line, UNLESS they can prove you TOOK the cobia in state waters. This law is not to entrap you with a cobia legally taken in federal waters but transported through this special management zone. But they will be watching the PR & St Helena Sounds…and if they see someone take and keep a cobia in state waters they will check them…if only to give a warning.
Remember however…this law will not prevent catch and release.
quote:
So... I was talking to a SCDNR gentleman at the Charleston Boat Show and asked him that very thing. When the Bill was written it specifically stated that possession of cobia in SC state waters south of Edisto was illegal during May. I never fish for Cobia in state waters and asked what if a fish was caught in federal waters and I was stopped on the way coming home in SC state waters?His response was a grin and said thats why the bill was written that way.He went on to explain studies have shown that the Cobia in the Port Royal sound are the same genetic lineage as the ones migrating along the ledge. Im not sure about that but that was the basis for the possession language. SC and Ga have a shared license program that governs the waters around Savannah and Hilton Head. Maybe the bill that was passed clarifys this but if not, I guess SC has found a way to override the Federal regulations permitt
This is a good thing, I just hope the commercial guys are included as well. They are the cause of most fishery troubles, from menhaden to everything else up the food chain.
So as I understand Cobia will not be allowed to be caught during May . The season will be from 1 Jun - 20 Jun .
Bill
I DONT HAVE A BOAT
BUT LOVE TO FISH> HINT