Offshore 7-30-10

In lieu of the sailfish tournament the team decided to do a little bottom fishing / trolling combo trip. Headed out 30 miles in less than ideal conditions. The further out the worse it got especially past 20 but we reached our destination and dropped lines with immediate hookups. Unfortunately we couldn't keep our catch as they were all American Reds. What beautiful fish they were. I've never really bottom fished before so the two I caught were my first. I hear they are tasty but I guess I'll have to wait another day to find out. Had a mahi come to the boat and Billy was able to get a hookup before the fish quickly spit the bait. By mid morning it was getting a little nasty so we decided to troll toward the school house. I hooked a huge barracuda, around 40 lbs that gave a good fight but no meat for the table. we picked up a couple small Mahi along the way. Reached the school house and picked up a nice gaffer and a king. Decided to try the bottom again a little closer to shore where we picked up a flounder an a nice gag. After that it was time to come home. Still had a boat and plenty of fish to clean. All in all it was a great day with a tally of 5 released reds, 1 trigger, 3 grunts, 1 huge stinky, 4 mahi, 1 king, 1 flounder and 1 gag.

What is the season on red snapper? I'm probally going to make a run offshore for some BSB, grouper, and snapper pretty soon

closed until further notice on the reds.
V. Red Snapper
It is unlawful to possess, sell or offer for sale red
snapper taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or
the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for recreational or
commercial purposes.
VI. Vermilion Snapper

A. For recreational purposes:

1. It is unlawful to possess vermilion snapper (beeliner) less than 12 inches total length.
2. It is unlawful to possess more than 5 vermilion snapper per person per day.
3. It is unlawful to possess vermilion snapper
(beeliner) taken from the waters under the jurisdiction of North
Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from November 1
through March 31.

B. For commercial purposes:

1. It is unlawful to possess or sell vermillion snapper (beeliner) less than 12 inches total length.
2. It is unlawful to possess more than 5 vermillion snapper
per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic
Snapper-Grouper permit.

VII. Other Snapper

A. It is unlawful to possess silk snapper less than 12 inches total length.
B. It is unlawful to possess blackfin snapper less than 12 inches total length.

X. Combined Bag Limits

A. It is unlawful to possess more than 5
vermilion snapper and 10 other snappers per person per day without a
valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.

Thx Hunter. I mostly do trolling now(although I used to excluvisely fish bottom species), so I'm not up to date on all the specs. So, ARS are out of season, Beeliners you can keep 5 per person over 12". What about what we call pinkies??

I'm not a bottom fisherman and I was with someone who normally guides so I just kept what he said we could keep. I love to hear those reels singing so trolling is more my game but when it comes to taste I have to say the bottom dwellers get my vote so I may just have to try to bring some home on occasion. here is the link to the NCDMF with all the current info.
www.ncfisheries.net/recreational/recguide.htm

Gery......... Had a great time fishing with you & hope to do it again soon ......... ICM

Hey Billy,
We've got to do it again soon. The wife says thanks for the grouper fillet. It tasted great! Be sure to introduce yourself in the meet and greet. See you soon.

vettnman wrote:Thx Hunter. I mostly do trolling now(although I used to excluvisely fish bottom species), so I'm not up to date on all the specs. So, ARS are out of season, Beeliners you can keep 5 per person over 12". What about what we call pinkies??

Pinky's (Red Porgy's) are 3/ person---14 inches.
Nice catch guys!!!!

Thanks Midnight,
How did it go with the sailfish? Get any hookups?

Hunter's Haven wrote:Thanks Midnight,
How did it go with the sailfish? Get any hookups?

Sorry, I got ahead of myself this morning. I see you posted in another thread.

Thx for the info Midnight.