Just to let you guys know that don't. You can't catch state water snaps if you have ventured into federal waters. You either fish federal waters or state, not both. Not my rule, but if caught it would be a bad situation. I went out in state waters yesterday(April 11) with a buddy. We were able to catch 8 snaps all 18 - 22 inches along with one 7 lb gag grouper. With the weather being so nice, it was very tempting to go past the state line, but we didn't. Also, a fair warning, make sure you have the proper safety and miscellaneous equipment on your boats, because the coast guard is checking people and also issuing fines. Good luck to all on the water!.
Casey C
Follow the Laws!!!
Casey C is correct- it does not matter where you catch the fish, it is where they pull you over at. If you catch snapper in state waters and then go into Federal waters, you are in violation of the Federal regulations and you can be fined- There does not need to be any burden of proof- you are in violation once you enter Federal waters with the fish in your box!!!
But if you are in Federal waters fishing in the morning, and then come into state waters in the afternoon, you can catch red snapper and are not in violation of any laws unless you do not have a Texas fishing license- (Must have that to catch fish in State waters), or you travel back into federal waters!!!
Hope that makes sense!!!
Casey C is correct- it does not matter where you catch the fish, it is where they pull you over at. If you catch snapper in state waters and then go into Federal waters, you are in violation of the Federal regulations and you can be fined- There does not need to be any burden of proof- you are in violation once you enter Federal waters with the fish in your box!!!
But if you are in Federal waters fishing in the morning, and then come into state waters in the afternoon, you can catch red snapper and are not in violation of any laws unless you do not have a Texas fishing license- (Must have that to catch fish in State waters), or you travel back into federal waters!!!
Hope that makes sense!!!
I just read in the chronical that the state just passed a new law that says you must use circle hooks for snapper, which would make in almost mandatory for all reef fish if using natural bait
You can't catch state water snaps if you have ventured into federal waters. You either fish federal waters or state, not both.
But if you are in Federal waters fishing in the morning, and then come into state waters in the afternoon, you can catch red snapper and are not in violation
im confused
But if you are in Federal waters fishing in the morning, and then come into state waters in the afternoon, you can catch red snapper and are not in violation
im confused
How do you prove you fished state waters?
To add one more question to this. I've often wondered, since the state length limit is 15" on red snapper and the federal is 16", plus Texas allows a limit of 4 fish and feds will be 2. If I am checked at the boat landing after returning from offshore, will they take my word for it that I was in state waters or will I have to prove it? I can understand if you're checked while in federal waters, but what about at the dock?
To add one more question to this. I've often wondered, since the state length limit is 15" on red snapper and the federal is 16", plus Texas allows a limit of 4 fish and feds will be 2. If I am checked at the boat landing after returning from offshore, will they take my word for it that I was in state waters or will I have to prove it? I can understand if you're checked while in federal waters, but what about at the dock?
The burden of proof is always on the law, they have to prove that if you have a 15" fish, that you caught it illegally.
the burden is on the state/fed but the assumption will be that they are illegal if stopped in fed water. that will be enough to get you charged and unless you want to go to trial which would not be a good idea in federal court you are going to have to rebut that presumption. don't get me wrong the burden is on law enforcement but the answer is usually so what let's go to trial so you better have some way of rebutting it. picture of your gps with time stamp may work.
Last August we were 22 miles out of Port O'Conner and were approaching a platform, I slowed down to see what the boat that was there was doing, drifting, tied off or whatever. As I approched the platform the other boat came into view with two game wardens and it had, 8 to 10 inch lettering about 6 feet long on both sides of the twin outboard center console " TEXAS GAME WARDEN". We got into position and did a drift and the Game Wardens left, going further out. Two weeks later I got stopped coming in the jetties by the game warden for a check. There were 4 wardens in the boat and one of them asked me if I was the boat that came up on them offshore. I said yes I was. One of the other wardens asked "How come I didn't ask them why they were so far past the nine mile mark". I replied, " They were too busy putting away their rods when we came up on them". The other two wardens about fell out of the boat laughing and asked if I got pictures, LOL. ( They were not fishing but I couldn't resist)
Nice.muzzleloader said:
As it relates to the topic of discussion, I wonder if you used the tracking function of your GPS and could show them your location at a specific time if it came into question. WHile it may still "technically" be grounds for a ticket, they might be a tad more lenient.
No confusion!!!
You cannot fish state waters- catch snapper, and then fish Federal waters. But, yes, you can fish both state and federal waters as long as you follow the Federal guidelines when entering Federal waters.
Simply put, when fishing offshore and you plan on going into Federal waters, follow Federal regulations.
And once you are in State waters, it would be very difficult to prove where you caught the fish, so if boarded at the jetties or dock, make sure you have your stories straight- better yet, just make sure you follow the guidelines and then you do not have to worry!!!
You cannot fish state waters- catch snapper, and then fish Federal waters. But, yes, you can fish both state and federal waters as long as you follow the Federal guidelines when entering Federal waters.
Simply put, when fishing offshore and you plan on going into Federal waters, follow Federal regulations.
And once you are in State waters, it would be very difficult to prove where you caught the fish, so if boarded at the jetties or dock, make sure you have your stories straight- better yet, just make sure you follow the guidelines and then you do not have to worry!!!
OK, so can I catch 2 Fed water Snaps, then come back and stop in State waters and catch 4 snaps and be legal. Technically maybe?
no more than 4 per person.. only 2 in fed waters. better have GPS coordiantes marked where you caught them. if you venture into fed waters with 4 per person you are in violation of the law.
Go into fed catch 2, then come into state and catch the other 2 and make sure you are hitting the waypoint button for proof.
Go into fed catch 2, then come into state and catch the other 2 and make sure you are hitting the waypoint button for proof.
Mostly Correct
OK, so can I catch 2 Fed water Snaps, then come back and stop in State waters and catch 4 snaps and be legal. Technically maybe?
4 snapper total per person on the boat!!! So you can catch 2 Federal waters Red snappers (after April 21st) and then come into state waters and catch 2 more. Once you are in State waters you must follow those regulations. So you cannot have 6 Red snapper and tell the Game Wardens you caught 2 of them in Federal waters and the other 4 in State waters. All they know if that you are now in State waters and should be following those regulations!!!
OK, so can I catch 2 Fed water Snaps, then come back and stop in State waters and catch 4 snaps and be legal. Technically maybe?
4 snapper total per person on the boat!!! So you can catch 2 Federal waters Red snappers (after April 21st) and then come into state waters and catch 2 more. Once you are in State waters you must follow those regulations. So you cannot have 6 Red snapper and tell the Game Wardens you caught 2 of them in Federal waters and the other 4 in State waters. All they know if that you are now in State waters and should be following those regulations!!!
I just know that pretty darn quick I can not keep more than 2 red snapper per trip no matter how many days Im off shore on my boat or where I fish, Federal or State. Its pretty plain and simple to me.
A person might be able to find something on these sites listed below to answer the "what if" questions about possession depending on where you catch them. Or simply call one of these two places and ask to make sure.
Texas Parks & Wildlive @(800) 792-1112
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at (888) 833-1844
Texas Parks and Wildlife Saltwater Harvest Regulations
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/limits_saltwater/
The date at the bottom of the page I copied this from is dated 4/12/07. The website is http://www.gulfcouncil.org/beta/GMFMCweb/downloads/BB%202007-03/R-1%20TX%20Director's%20Report%20307.doc
1. Coastal Fisheries Statewide Hunting and Fishing regulations will be considered for adoption at the Commission's April meeting.
The proposal would require that anglers that land red snapper in Texas for commercial purposes be in complete compliance with federal requirements under the rules requiring federal permit for the harvest of Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and a federal red snapper Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) vessel endorsement. This change is necessary to allow enforcement of these requirements in state as well as federal jurisdictions
Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Counsel site
http://www.gulfcouncil.org/
A person might be able to find something on these sites listed below to answer the "what if" questions about possession depending on where you catch them. Or simply call one of these two places and ask to make sure.
Texas Parks & Wildlive @(800) 792-1112
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at (888) 833-1844
Texas Parks and Wildlife Saltwater Harvest Regulations
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/limits_saltwater/
The date at the bottom of the page I copied this from is dated 4/12/07. The website is http://www.gulfcouncil.org/beta/GMFMCweb/downloads/BB%202007-03/R-1%20TX%20Director's%20Report%20307.doc
1. Coastal Fisheries Statewide Hunting and Fishing regulations will be considered for adoption at the Commission's April meeting.
TEXAS - Coastal Fisheries State Director's Report
Ø Red snapper: The proposal would change the size limit for red snapper from 15 to 13 inches for all anglers. Also, the take and retention of red snapper will be restricted only to those anglers that fish with circle hooks.
The proposal would require that anglers that land red snapper in Texas for commercial purposes be in complete compliance with federal requirements under the rules requiring federal permit for the harvest of Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and a federal red snapper Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) vessel endorsement. This change is necessary to allow enforcement of these requirements in state as well as federal jurisdictions
Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Counsel site
http://www.gulfcouncil.org/
What would a "cajun" do?
No offense meant but just a question to our brethren since their state regs are the same as the feds. I would assume the answer would be come fish our waters but let's see what happens.
AGF
No offense meant but just a question to our brethren since their state regs are the same as the feds. I would assume the answer would be come fish our waters but let's see what happens.
AGF
This is off the TPWD web site at the link bellow. It seems plain to me the State of Texas does not care where you catch em only where you land them.
Note the part about "and also apply to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and landed in this state. "
"The limits and restrictions in this guide apply to aquatic life caught in the public waters of Texas out to nine (9) nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico, and also apply to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and landed in this state. "
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/limits_saltwater/
And it is not just Red Snapper that has different rule. Look at Vermillion Snapper.
Note the part about "and also apply to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and landed in this state. "
"The limits and restrictions in this guide apply to aquatic life caught in the public waters of Texas out to nine (9) nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico, and also apply to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and landed in this state. "
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/limits_saltwater/
And it is not just Red Snapper that has different rule. Look at Vermillion Snapper.
They do a great job of making sure everything is cystal clear. Now we have to fish with circle hooks? Jesus they're snapper not blue marlin...So can we keep 4 fish in state waters or not?
I'll make sure and check the address's on my snapper to make sure. It doesn't matter what your gps says. Noone says you have to have a gps to catch snapper. Gps is a luxury and not a mandatory piece of equipment. The bottom line is if they stop you at 9nm + you better not have more than 2pp and in state no more than 4pp. That's the real deal.
Be safe and conserve our fisheries.
Be safe and conserve our fisheries.
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