I refuse to carry on the other thread, which is now out of control and spilling over into others…and likely will into this one as well…but this is a very good read.</font id=“maroon”>
Doughtie: Port Royal Sound Cobia, to be or not to be?
BY COLLINS DOUGHTIE
cdad@hiltonheadisland.netMarch 28, 2015
Being from the 1960’s and 70’s school of thought, I still hold onto the theory of peace, happiness and rock ‘n’ roll.
I try my best to avoid controversy – haven’t been in a fist fight since I was in the sixth grade – so what I am about to say is not directed to any one person or group because it wouldn’t make any difference. What is done is done.
If you attended either of the recent meetings where the plight of our cobia, especially our Port Royal Sound cobia, has been the topic then you know that the writing is on the wall. If changes to regulations are not made immediately, Port Royal Sound’s nickname “The Cobia Capital of the East Coast” will be nothing more than something you might read in a history book. Sadly, that title is already history if what all the current data and research that has been done is correct.
I could go on and on about how I used to catch 15 to 20 cobia almost every time I went cobia fishing in Port Royal Sound. But there’s no point beating that dead horse because those days are long gone. Other than a couple of days when the weather kept me from heading offshore, I have avoided fishing for cobia in Port Royal Sound for one simple reason – I felt sorry for any cobia that ventured into the madness that has consumed every Tom, Dick and Harry with a boat that was hell bent and determined to catch a cobia, or multiple cobia, in this amazing body of water.
I know how exciting it is to hook into a big fish. It’s intoxicating. Everyone on board is screaming, hearts are pounding and when you finally get the beast within gaffing range, the
Thanks Jim, I will spread the word around my part of the state and hopefully influence some of the people who love to catch them. I plan on sitting this year and probably the next few out. Hopefully they can return to good numbers in my lifetime and I’ll be able to share the experience with my daughters.
Very good read JIM . I fish the fleet a couple trips at least and never keep but one ,my fishing buddy does the same, we are gonna fish
it hopefully again this year. Catch and release only,our take home meat fish will only be some slot reds or trout if lucky enough to catch them , or maybe a few sheeps. I’m gonna do my part also!!!
Thanks for posting Jim! This is the reality. No matter how the fishery got in the shape its in WE/US the FISHERMEN are the only ones who can do anything to help it for the next two years. I’m gonna do my part and try to get others to do the same. Let me know how I can help any further. Jim do you know who we should be emailing our concerns to about law changes that need to be made to save these fish?
quote:,our take home meat fish will only be some slot reds or trout if lucky enough to catch them ,
Don’t ignore the whiting either, you can usually catch those steady while waiting for a cobia bite. They taste better than trout and reds We always have a couple of whiting lines out. They make good bait too.
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:I plan on sitting this year and probably the next few out. Hopefully they can return to good numbers in my lifetime and I'll be able to share the experience with my daughters.
I really didn’t know the situation was this serious. My normal sort of cobia day is to head first to the creeks and throw the net for some bait, then run out to the big river for a few hours. Usually get a couple and that’s all I ever want, they wear me out! Then back to the creeks and play with the reds and trout for a while
But after hearing all this, and talking with people smarter than I am about it, I’ve decided to defer to science and sit this year out right along with Tigerfin. I too want to see my grandchild catch one, and I’ve caught my share already.
Plenty of other things to fish for and if you like big pulls there is no shortage of sharks.
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
One more suggestion before I get back to work. Could we have some signs made up suggesting a voluntary moratorium and post them at all the boat ramps? Is there a sign maker in the house? Cracker Boats will chip in on the printing cost and help with distribution.
I nominate Jim to design the signs.
quote:We are working with DNR Justin Yost in hopes of landing a wild migratory female alive, so the eggs can be used for future stock!
Why not just let them spawn in the river as God designed them to do I’m no scientist, but I know that messing around with Mother Nature always brings unintended consequences.
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
One more suggestion before I get back to work. Could we have some signs made up suggesting a voluntary moratorium and post them at all the boat ramps? Is there a sign maker in the house? Cracker Boats will chip in on the printing cost and help with distribution.
I nominate Jim to design the signs.
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I second that and some fliers that could be printed out to post on the board in our local tackle shops or where fishermen could see them. Anything to help spread the word.
Good idea Cracker L on the signs, but should also include phone #'s
for Waddell center and or pick up boats for the ones that want to
help furnish brood stock!
I’ve got another question. Yeah, I’m curious and like good answers. I’m not trying to be controversial, just like to understand things.
The article Jim posted says that…
quote:
And those big cobia you see the sound during this period are ALL females, ALL loaded with eggs and ALL looking to perpetuate the Port Royal Sound group for all time.
Sorry. I’ve often repeated that I’m no scientist or biologist, but those fish have been spawning and breeding here for hundreds of years. I do know that it takes both hemales and shemales to make baby fish, innies and outies both are required. I can tell a male from a female cobia and have caught plenty of both out there. “ALL” the cobia in Broad River are not females. Otherwise we wouldn’t have any cobia at all. The more I hear the more confused I become as to the science. If this “fact” in the article is not correct, it leaves me doubting the rest. But I’ll still leave them alone this year.
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
He is right in what he said Larry…the key word is BIG. ALL the BIG cobia are females…that has been proven time and time again when sexing the carcasses.
Thanks for your thoughts on this as always…and to all the others on this thread for keeping the health of the fishery in the forefront!
I’m with you on the signs…and DNR may print some asking folks to voluntarily release as they did a few years ago asking that trout be released. It’s all they can do since the legislature sets the game and fish laws.
You CAN do more! Let your senator and representative know you want action on this important fishery. That is the ONLY way it will make its way thru the House and Senate and into law.
But hold on…FIRST some senator or legislator must draft a bill, get it thru sub-committee and then the full committee, then to the other body. If from the House, it has to go thru the House Ag and Natural Resources sub- and full committees and be reported out to the floor. Then it has to pass and go over to the Senate to be ratified…or the Senate may ammend or add language and send it back to the House for their approval, then to the Governor for her signature. If it originates in the Senate, the reverse scenario takes over.
So you see…it ain’t gonna happen overnight…if at all during this legislative session. That said, our best hope is to try our best to do our part!
Great idea on the signs… We also need the takle shops, the guides and the fishing and boat clubs to promote catch and release or just go on to some else.
Willing to post signs and make a contribution to print
I’ve held off but want to say that the recent threads have influenced me. For the last 3 years I have organized a cobia outing for SSWA. It had grown every year. Last year, zero cobia were caught. I decided to cancel the event this year. I can’t support bringing a group down to pressure the fish more. It’s similar to the voluntary effort to release trout a few years ago, that made a real difference in how quickly the fish recovered. I hope the stocks recover soon
OK, that makes good sense. Agree. The smaller fish are usually males for sure.
quote:and DNR may print some asking folks to voluntarily release as they did a few years ago asking that trout be released. It's all they can do since the legislature sets the game and fish laws
.
Why can’t we do the same? Do we really need the DNR and laws and legistrature to make some signs? With all the tax dollars and approvals involved? If we can afford boats, gas, rods and reels, we can make some signs without the DNR. I can make signs. Cheap.
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:So you see...it ain't gonna happen overnight...if at all during this legislative session. That said, our best hope is to try our best to do our part!
Walk outside and look at that moon. The fish are moving in right now as we speak. The signs need to go up this week, like tomorrow, and the wheels of gov turn very slow. We’ve all got printers. We can make a difference, just like we did with the trout. The fishermen were 3 years ahead of the DNR on those.
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Jim, I posted that letter on the Coastal Outdoors forum, which will reach most of the anglers fishing out of the Savannah area and a couple thousand other people, along with a few comments. Spreading the word. Wish somebody would draft a good sign to post. I’ve got a good printer.
I’m no scientist, but I know that messing around with Mother Nature always brings unintended consequences.