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Woods, Waters and Wildlife
A friend in Beaumont once told me of fishing for red snappers on a party boat.
For those uplanders that might think a “party boat” is another venue for hosting a party, this isn’t about them.
The Party Boats discussed here sail out of harbors along the Texas coast and provide deep sea fishing ventures for their clients. The crew usually provides all bait, tackle, and gear for going to the sea in ships … and hopefully coming back to port later that day with a mess of fish for the frying.
My friend’s trip happened last century. He raved about all the fish his party caught. Red snappers were included. It was a different time, and limits on many species were very liberal. I don’t recall what the red snapper limits were back in history, but they were so much larger than today’s limits that some will want to cry just reading this. But you can’t turn back the clock.
The friend told of such wild numbers of fish caught that I told him that sounded boring to me. I guess I was just belittling his fun since I hadn’t been invited. To tell the truth, I have never been bored by catching a lot of fish. But creel limits and available fish nowadays save me from such boredom.
There are now different regulations for State waters and Federal waters. And you can’t delineate which water you’re in by its color. State waters are those out to nine nautical miles from shore. All beyond have seasons and bag limits regulated rigidly by the Federal government.
The Federal Waters season just opened June 1. The red snapper limit is two fish, 16-inches long or longer. The season ends when states reach their federally set allotment. TPWD will post it in advance.
The Texas waters limit is four fish, at least 15-inches long or longer. And that season is open year-around. The touchy thing about the two different regulations for state and federal waters is that you cannot catch your four snappers in State waters and then enter Federal waters with any more than TWO of those fish. Just like the waters, fish caught in State and Federal waters look alike.
Hence, any fish on board in Federal waters are presumed by wardens to have been caught THERE. And if more than two or any are under 16-inches, or the season is closed -- you go to jail.
Well, not really; but you will get a TICKET. Each illegal fish is a separate violation in State waters, but Federal wardens don’t ticket violations that way.
It also works in reverse. If you catch two legal fish in Federal waters and return to State waters, those two fed snappers count toward your state limit of four.
Kinda makes you want to keep a small grill onboard. But don’t do it. Flames or heat could sink your ship, and grills onboard are risky – legally and safety-wise.
