‘You’ll catch your limit instantly’: Why fishermen are eager for red snapper mini-season

The down-sized red snapper mini-season for the year 2020 is set to begin next Friday, with a new regulation for anglers to follow also on the horizon.

The four-day mini season opens this coming weekend, July 10-12, with one additional day on July 17. Anglers must release red snapper for the remainder of the year in the South Atlantic Region, which includes waters from the North Carolina-Virginia line southward to Key West, Fla.

Only during the mini-season can recreational fishermen harvest red snapper, and the number of days has been dropping in recent years.

The mini-season lasted for six days in 2017 and 2018, five days in 2019 and now has dwindled to four days.

The limits for the four days of fishing are one red snapper per person per day with no size limit. The captain and crew on for-hire vessels are able to retain the one per person bag limit.

The mini-season was reduced due to an overage in the number of red snapper caught during the 2019 season. During those five days, landings of red snapper according to NOAA Fisheries numbered nearly 50,000, well over the annual catch limit of 29,656 fish, resulting in the reduced number of days allowed for 2020.

Meanwhile, most anglers are seeing as many red snapper as they ever have on bottom spots off the Carolina coast, and are frustrated with having to release the species. Many of the red snapper don’t survive being released due to barotrauma from being reeled up from deep water.

Anglers also report that red snapper are so numerous in some areas they prevent access to other reef species, especially grouper, that can be harvested.

Weather permitting, Capt. Brant McMullan of Ocean Isle Fishing Center in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., doesn’t foresee any issue with catching one red snapper per person on charter trips during the four-day season.

“That won’t be hard, (in) 80-100 feet of water,” said McMullan. “Catch some menhaden, go out there and you’ll catch your limit instantly.”

For the final day of the season, July 17, anglers targeting snapper-grouper species will be required to have a descending device on board and readily available for use.

The new rule, which goes into effect on July 15, also requires the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural baits north of 28 degrees north latitude, which is approximately 25 miles south of Cape Canaveral, Fla., and includes waters off the Carolinas.

“We’ve consistently heard concerns from both commercial and recreational fishermen about the number of fish that must be released as catch limits are met and seasons are closed,” said Mel Bell, Vice-Chairman of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

“These new requirements are designed to increase awareness of best fishing practices and help reduce the number of fish that float away on any given fishing trip, a sight no one wants to see.”

Bell stresses the goal of the devices and circle hooks is to reduce mortality of released fish.

“The Council purposely crafted the definition of a descending device in a manner that gives fishermen the flexibility to create their own devices, likely using some items they have on hand,” said Bell, also the director of the Office of Fisheries Management for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

“There are also several options available for purchase. I encourage people to visit the (SAFMC) website to get additional information on requirements. The goal is to get fishermen accustomed to using the devices and reduce release mortality.”

For more information, visit www.SAFMC.net.