Outdoors column: Vermilion snapper to be fished year-round

Reef fishermen in the South Atlantic region had better be sitting down when they hear this news – one of the most important reef species in the region will likely be open to harvest year-round for the 2013-14 season.

The National Marine Fisheries Service announced that the recreational closed season for vermilion snapper from November through March will be eliminated, plus the vermilion snapper’s annual catch limit (ACL) has been raised.

The two changes open the door for what will likely be a year-round fishery for the species.

“In 2011 and 2012, fishermen (in the South Atlantic region) landed only about 64 percent of the vermilion recreational ACL, so with the substantial increase in the ACL effective in September, it’s very likely that the recreational vermilion fishery will stay open year-round,” said Murrells Inlet’s Tom Swatzel, a member of the South Atlantic Fishery Council.

The five-month closure has been in place annually since 2009 after the species was found to be overfished. The minimum size limit of 12 inches and the daily bag limit of five fish per person per day remain unchanged.

Vermilion snapper, known locally as beeliners, are commonly found on offshore bottom spots off the South Carolina coast and are considered a staple catch on bottom-fishing trips, especially aboard party boats.

Anglers should note that the elimination of the closed season for vermilion snapper will not be reflected in the new South Hunting & Fishing Regulations booklet, which has already been published and will be available to the public sometime in August.

Swatzel, whose term on the South Atlantic Fishery Council ends on Sunday, also noted that the recently approved increase in the black sea bass ACL should go into effect by early September, meaning the recreational fishing season for that critically important reef species will likely last for six months, until late November or early December.

The National Marine Fisheries Service also reduced the ACL for red porgy, known locally as pinkies, but Swatzel doesn’t expect the change to affect the current recreational harvest status of the species.

“For the last several years, only 50 percent or less of the red porgy recreational ACL has been landed,” said Swatzel. “The reduction in the ACL, triggered by the most recent stock assessment, will not likely have any effect on the recreational fishery.”

The minimum size limit of 14 inches and the daily bag limit of 3 fish per person per day remain unchanged for red porgy.

Record gag grouper

The South Carolina state record for gag grouper has been tied, pending approval by Gov. Nikki Haley.

Cantey Smith of Charleston subdued a huge 48.5-pound gag grouper on Saturday while fishing aboard Artemis out of Charleston City Marina.

Smith hooked up with the fish while fishing in about 150 feet of water 45 miles off Charleston, using a live menhaden for bait. Smith’s catch ties the current record, caught by R.L. Price of Ladson out of Charleston in 1997.

Amy Dukes of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division was on hand to verify the species and weight of Smith’s fish, which was a male.

S.C. DNR Dove Fields

The S.C. DNR is offering 48 public dove fields for hunting across the state this fall and winter through its Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program.

The fields are typically planted in annual grains such as wheat, millet, corn, sorghum and sunflowers. The only public dove hunts on a WMA in Horry or Georgetown counties will be at Samworth WMA in Georgetown County.

For a list of the public dove fields and special youth hunts, visit www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/dove/fields.html or call (803) 734-3886.

Hunters participating in public dove hunts on DNR Wildlife Management Area dove fields should be aware of special regulations in place on these fields, especially that hunting is allowed afternoon only. No entry is allowed on public fields before noon. Hunters will be restricted to 50 shells per hunt on all WMA public fields and shooting hours will end at 6 p.m. on all public fields during the first segment of the South Carolina dove season (Sept. 2-7).

The daily bag limit is 15 birds per day. Dove season traditionally opens on either the first Saturday in September or on Labor Day, whichever comes first. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, seasons for migratory game birds cannot begin before Sept. 1.

The state’s mourning dove season is set each year by the S.C. DNR Board within a framework of regulations and timetables issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 2013-14 dove season dates follow:

Sept. 8-Oct. 5 | Legal hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.

Individuals who plan to hunt on public dove fields will need a South Carolina hunting license and a WMA permit. Also, all persons hunting migratory birds (including doves) are required to have a migratory bird permit. Migratory bird permits can be obtained free-of-charge at all hunting and fishing license vendors.

Lottery Hunt Registration

Hunters can register online for lottery hunts on public lands thanks to a new online registration system offered by S.C. DNR.

For now, hunters can register for lottery hunts for deer with waterfowl hunts to come. The agency plans to make all lottery hunts available online where hunters can apply and pay any applicable fees.

The web address is www.dnr.sc.gov/hunting/drawhunts.html.

S.C. DNR will still allow paper applications this year, but eventually all applications for all lottery hunts will only be accepted on paper at a S.C. DNR regional office and online at the agency website.

This story was originally published August 8, 2013 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Outdoors column: Vermilion snapper to be fished year-round."