The “flounder” you guys are referring to are mostly toungefish and hogchokers.
http://www.safmc.net/Portals/6/Library/FMP/Shrimp/ShrimpAmend2.pdf, page 34 and 35
Sea Hunt 207CC,Yam 150
www.abfishcharters.com
the link above is not working. Its true that the by catch flounders are mostly other than the ones we fish for. BUT there are lots of game fish in the nets.
Report shows 64% by catch - WOW!! The untold story is the soft corals and other live botton that are scraped away like plowing a field. The “tickle” chain in front of the net cuts off everything. I spent some time working on a shrimp boat in the late 60’s and we hated cannonball jelly season. This was long before TED’s. We caught lots of flounder that we sold - along with sharks - red drum - sea trout and lots of crabs and beer cans.
Has anyone looked up the percentage of catch by the three species detailed in the original post? There’s certainly been a decline in southern flounder abundance. Summers are caught more often in Horry county and north or nearshore and gulfs are caught more often nearshore or offshore. Just curious how much of our catch is comprised of the latter two species. Will see what I can find. I do agree that they are not that difficult to differentiate if you can count eyespots. Glad to see some movement on flounder limits for the health of the fishery.
Shrimp trawl bycatch has been reviewed extensivly for many many decades by SCDNR, if large amounts of gamefish where being captured SCDNR would have acted appropriately by now. I propose that we all get together one day, go out on a shrimp boat, and make a few drags. I will personally eat, raw, any red drum or speckled trout caught in the trawl. This meal will take place at Marion Square. Afterword, I will buy a round of drinks for anyone on the Charleston fishing forum that attends. This offer stands all summer.
Sea Hunt 207CC,Yam 150
www.abfishcharters.com