Einstein has never seen a tailing red… guaranteed.
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
The angle that SCDNR takes is that “nature” doesn’t put the newest year class (fingerlings) in the same areas as the 1-4 year olds. Obviously, they do cross paths at times, but those fingerlings DO NOT inhabit the flats until they reach the 8-12 inch range in July/August. I fish the Combahee, Ashepoo, and Edisto rivers regularly (brackish) and do quite well with the reds, but it’s all in water less than 10 feet deep. Their literature makes it sound as if they (fingerlings) are now suspended in the deepest brackish holes that exist, but creel surveys of these babies is limited at best. As they move back into the smaller creeks toward the ocean, logic would dictate that they do indeed run across schools of their older cousins in certain areas. The degree of predation within the species is unknown IMO.
quote:
Originally posted by RADDADDYThe degree of predation within the species is unknown IMO.
Exactly… so you cannot discount it any more than you can support it… except you did.
“1 year old fish are 12-15 inches long therefor not subject to predation by other reds. They reach fingerling size in just a few months”</font id=“blue”>
Where we disagree, if you had said “fish that are 12-15 inches long are not subject to predation by other reds”, we’d be on the same page… except you didn’t.
Gets back to the year class deal… Ninja
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Originally posted by 23SailfishEinstein has never seen a tailing red… guaranteed.
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
Well, I rekon you’re refuting your own dumba$$ advice then. 
4 days…do we need to send the Coast Guard out to find toppy?
“The good fisherman is surprised when he doesn’t catch fish: I am just the other way around.”
Gene Hill, Passing a Good Time.
Am I missing something? 1 year old (12"-15") reds ARE NOT subject to predation from 1-4 year old reds. I already said that. Then you say, if I would have said “12-15 inch reds are not subject to predation from other reds”, then we would be on the same page. WTF
quote:
Originally posted by Olebassardquote:
Originally posted by RADDADDYThe degree of predation within the species is unknown IMO.
Exactly… so you cannot discount it any more than you can support it… except you did.
“1 year old fish are 12-15 inches long therefor not subject to predation by other reds. They reach fingerling size in just a few months”</font id=“blue”>
Where we disagree, if you had said “fish that are 12-15 inches long are not subject to predation by other reds”, we’d be on the same page… except you didn’t.
Gets back to the year class deal… Ninja
Sure, I spend lots of time wade fishing. I don’t mean to imply that small red drum and larger red drum don’t cross paths. Only that their life history minimizes the time that the smallest fish are in the presence of the larger fish. If resource partitioning worked 100%, then predators would have a hard time ever finding a meal.
I can also say, through experience, that red drum are not nearly as predatory towards small red drum as seatrout are (although it still occurs). There’s a really interesting negative correlation between red drum and seatrout year classes, that could be environmental or it could be predatory. When red drum arrive in the nursery, they are in very close proximity to seatrout that were spawned in April-June.
And yes, one year old fish are often found in the same school with larger fish. That happens even if you directly target a school with a shorter net.
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Originally posted by OlebassardFlooded marsh you say… ever been wade fishing?
Less saline, deeper water you say… ever fished (and caught plenty red drum) in the Combahee near the bridge?
I’d say that is shared habitat.
Sample an area known to hold fish with a 300 foot long trammel net, having a specific mesh size, yeah, gets you quite the array of ages… and species for that matter…does that mean the Burrfish and Pinfish et.all were “schooled up” with the 4 year old redfish?
Nah.
JT, when do you think that photo on page 5 was taken?
So, what about the picture of the “fingerling”?
Raddaddy…it’s the concept that 2013 spawned fish, I consider 1 year olds in June, and they are not 12-15 inches by then and they are not hanging on a flat with 4 year olds by then…maybe by November but not May-June when everybody is huuuuuungry from a long winter and nature buffet really cranks up… consider sub adult redfish don’t move far (tagging studies), why is it so far fetched to think 2012’s year class hasn’t moved all that far from their “nursery”?
Low Tide, aint no place to Hide!
Oh yea, JT… maybe you can splain to 23 what wade fishing is, since he doesn’t know what it’s like. 
Thanks in advance
Congratulations! You now have been appointed mayor of TOPPYVILLE.
quote:
Originally posted by OlebassardSo, what about the picture of the “fingerling”?
Raddaddy…it’s the concept that 2013 spawned fish, I consider 1 year olds in June, and they are not 12-15 inches by then and they are not hanging on a flat with 4 year olds by then…maybe by November but not May-June when everybody is huuuuuungry from a long winter and nature buffet really cranks up… consider sub adult redfish don’t move far (tagging studies), why is it so far fetched to think 2012’s year class hasn’t moved all that far from their “nursery”?
Low Tide, aint no place to Hide!
quote:
Originally posted by OlebassardOh yea, JT… maybe you can splain to 23 what wade fishing is, since he doesn’t know what it’s like.
Thanks in advance
I’ve never been, I’d love to know all about this!!
Is this that thing where you wade in the water and fish for sharks from the beach?!! I’m in!! Let’s go now!! Sounds like fun!! Woo HOoo!!!
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
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Originally posted by OlebassardRaddaddy…it’s the concept that 2013 spawned fish, I consider 1 year olds in June, and they are not 12-15 inches by then and they are not hanging on a flat with 4 year olds by then…maybe by November but not May-June when everybody is huuuuuungry from a long winter and nature buffet really cranks up… consider sub adult redfish don’t move far (tagging studies), why is it so far fetched to think 2012’s year class hasn’t moved all that far from their “nursery”?
2013 spawned fish aren’t 1 year old in June, they won’t hit 1 year until September or so.
June they’re around 8"-10", September about 12", and by November 14-15".
I must be missing something; I don’t remember talking about anyone’s ability to wade fish or even responding to anything 23 said. You seem really angry, Have I offended you?
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Originally posted by OlebassardOh yea, JT… maybe you can splain to 23 what wade fishing is, since he doesn’t know what it’s like.
Thanks in advance
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Originally posted by toppyblue .I have a serious question about the size limit for reds. The law as written says between 15 and 23 inches TL(tail fins closed).A friend of mine keeps everything between 15.00 inches and 23.99 inches. He claims that technically and legally the fish is Ok to keep.Since the law does not specifically say 23.00 inches, is he correct?
You and your “friend” need to read the law, because it’s clear “you and your friend” don’t know the law.
You’ll get a ticket if “you and your friend” get caught breaking the law. If you inadvertently do so, people here would nicely let you know. Purposely break the law, and most of the people here (including me) would have no problem dropping a dime on you, Bob, TreeDog, and any other usernames you happen to be posting under.
You’d better be careful there pitcher, treedog will shoot your boat full of holes. He don’t like no stinking rats.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
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Originally posted by jtsnakeI must be missing something; I don’t remember talking about anyone’s ability to wade fish or even responding to anything 23 said. You seem really angry, Have I offended you?
quote:
Originally posted by OlebassardOh yea, JT… maybe you can splain to 23 what wade fishing is, since he doesn’t know what it’s like.
Thanks in advance
Sorry dude, shouldn’t have brought your name into it, except that when I mentioned wade fishing, you knew exactly what I meant, 23 smartelec made this comment… That sounds fun, what’s that like?!!</font id=“blue”>… so I thought maybe you could help him out.
quote:
Originally posted by pitcherquote:
Originally posted by OlebassardRaddaddy…it’s the concept that 2013 spawned fish, I consider 1 year olds in June, and they are not 12-15 inches by then and they are not hanging on a flat with 4 year olds by then…maybe by November but not May-June when everybody is huuuuuungry from a long winter and nature buffet really cranks up… consider sub adult redfish don’t move far (tagging studies), why is it so far fetched to think 2012’s year class hasn’t moved all that far from their “nursery”?
2013 spawned fish aren’t 1 year old in June, they won’t hit 1 year until September or so.
June they’re around 8"-10", September about 12", and by November 14-15".
Yea, no @#@# huh?
So let’s just say, instead of 1 year olds and 2 year olds (or 1 year olds and 1-4 year olds), we call them 8 month olds and 20 month olds…
You think 20 month olds and 8 month don’t share habitat?
OK!
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Originally posted by RADDADDYCongratulations! You now have been appointed mayor of TOPPYVILLE.
quote:
Originally posted by OlebassardSo, what about the picture of the “fingerling”?
Raddaddy…it’s the concept that 2013 spawned fish, I consider 1 year olds in June, and they are not 12-15 inches by then and they are not hanging on a flat with 4 year olds by then…maybe by November but not May-June when everybody is huuuuuungry from a long winter and nature buffet really cranks up… consider sub adult redfish don’t move far (tagging studies), why is it so far fetched to think 2012’s year class hasn’t moved all that far from their “nursery”?
Low Tide, aint no place to Hide!
Yet, in one hand you say predation is not a factor, then in the other you say it can’t be measured. 
What Ville does that make you mayor of, Ninja?
Grasshoppa- You not even know 1 year old reds share habitat with 4 year old cousins. You say, you never catch big fish then small fish in same place. You say, “I dunno”. Only true statement you make. Shows your experience. You ever clean a redfish with another redfish in stomach? Grasshoppa should bring more than stick to gunfight.
quote:
Originally posted by Olebassardquote:
Originally posted by RADDADDYCongratulations! You now have been appointed mayor of TOPPYVILLE.
quote:
Originally posted by OlebassardSo, what about the picture of the “fingerling”?
Raddaddy…it’s the concept that 2013 spawned fish, I consider 1 year olds in June, and they are not 12-15 inches by then and they are not hanging on a flat with 4 year olds by then…maybe by November but not May-June when everybody is huuuuuungry from a long winter and nature buffet really cranks up… consider sub adult redfish don’t move far (tagging studies), why is it so far fetched to think 2012’s year class hasn’t moved all that far from their “nursery”?
Low Tide, aint no place to Hide!
Yet, in one hand you say predation is not a factor, then in the other you say it can’t be measured.
What Ville does that make you mayor of, Ninja?
quote:
Originally posted by OlebassardSorry dude, shouldn’t have brought your name into it, except that when I mentioned wade fishing, you knew exactly what I meant, 23 smartelec made this comment… That sounds fun, what’s that like?!!</font id=“blue”>… so I thought maybe you could help him out.
Sorry, I didn’t know you were so cranky. I’ll stay out of this.
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire