Columns
Hail the new snapper king
The gray snapper — usually called the mangrove snapper — is one of 14 Gulf of Mexico members of Lutjanidae, the snapper family.[…]
Offshore Fishing
News Breaker
Sweep of Artificial Reef Development Fund pushing through the House
The House Appropriations Committee approved the required legislation earlier this week to transfer $20.6 million from the Artificial Reef Development Fund to help plug holes in the administration’s annual budget.[…]
News Breaker
Senator Allain: Administration could empty Artificial Reef Fund
If the administration of Gov. Bobby Jindal moves forward with a $20.6 million transfer from the Artificial Reef Development Fund to fill holes in its budget for the next fiscal year that commences July 1, the administration will almost certainly come up short, the Senate Finance Committee was told today.[…]
News Breaker
Louisiana, Texas file suit to stop shortening of federal red snapper season
A lawsuit has been filed to prevent implementation of emergency rules by the National Marine Fisheries Service that would limit the federal red snapper season off the Louisiana and Texas coasts, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries announced today.[…]
News Breaker
Text of the letter from governors asking for state management of red snapper
The governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida have signed a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, House of Representatives Speaker Rep. John Boehner, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi asking that red snapper management be turned over to their states.[…]
News Breaker
Governors call for state management of red snapper in Gulf
Governors from four of the five states bordering the Gulf of Mexico are calling on Congress to allow states to manage red snapper off their coasts, according to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office.[…]
News Breaker
LWF Commission still considering suit to stop Artificial Reef Fund raid
A possible lawsuit against Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration involving the state’s Artificial Reef Development Fund is still in the works, the head of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission confirmed yesterday.[…]
Offshore Fishing
Drift-line for more and bigger snapper
If you learn to fish the drift-line technique of presenting a bait slowly and gently to red snapper, you can catch more of them on every trip.[…]
Offshore Fishing
How to boat big snapper
Orange Beach’s Art Jones said that pointing the rod tip at the water allows you to bring the rod straight up over your head when you get a red snapper bite.[…]
Field Notes
More techniques for catching big red snapper
Capt. Art Jones of Orange Beach, Ala., shares his techniques for catching big red snapper, including the bait and line to use. […]
Offshore Fishing
Chumsicle
Biloxi’s Capt. Mike Moore’s favorite way to catch snapper is with a chumsicle — a fish popsicle that’s fished on a downrigger.[…]
News Breaker
Federal bill would mandate state management of red snapper
Members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation have introduced the Offshore Fairness Act to extend the Bayou State’s jurisdiction in the Gulf of Mexico and solidify its position on the management of the red snapper fishery.[…]
NEW PRODUCTS
Aluminum trolling plugs offer offshore anglers another option
They may look a little like cedar plugs, but the Stogie, Diamondback and Tailwiggler Lures from BooneDox Gear and Tackle are much more – because they catch fish and keep on catching them.[…]
Offshore Fishing
Tuna trip is totally worth it
“Where is the best place to get good sushi?” the stranger asked.[…]
News Breaker
Feds say Louisiana could face nine-day red snapper season
Federal fisheries managers delivered a message to Gulf states in late March: If states continue to set red snapper seasons that do not comply with federal mandates, the feds will shut down fishing off those coasts within days of the official June 1 opening.[…]
News Breaker
Red snapper thick for anglers looking to take advantage of state fishing season
In the days leading up to the red snapper season, there was much discussion about the abundance of the species and why federal agencies would shorten an already-stunted season in federal waters.[…]