FWC to consider changes to redfish rules in November
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are expected to consider changes to Florida’s redfish rules in November.
The commission is considering a number of changes including upping the daily bag limit for redfish from one fish a day to two, and setting an 8 fish vessel limit.
The proposed rules would also create three management regions around the state to make it easier to manage the species.
The FWC tentatively approved the rules last February but waited until the Fall for a final decision to give them time to look at a red drum population study that was completed over the summer.
Redfish used to be an extremely popular fish in local waters, but their population was decimated by unregulated commercial and recreational fishing.
Since 1988 the state has banned all commercial fishing for redfish and has only allowed recreational fishermen to keep one fish a day.
By Kacey Karas