The FWC and Tarpon II

A soon-to-be illegal jig. Photo: Courtesy of the FWC.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved protective measures for tarpon and took the first step toward regulating how the sought-after fish can be caught in one of the state's most popular fishing destinations.
The FWC moved forward with a proposal that restricts jigging in Boca Grande Pass, one of the most famous tarpon spots in the world. The draft rule, which passed 4-3 during a public meeting in Lakeland on Wednesday, prohibits weighting a jg at the bottom of the hook.
The decision drew praise from conservation groups, who say the big fish in the Pass have been foul hooked and snagged with the jigging technique, which they say stresses the fish.
"Getting these important Boca Grande Pass gear restrictions brought to the table for discussion was a unique group effort not commonly seen in the world today," Save the Tarpon posted on its Facebook page. "A group of individuals from all over the world using nothing but their combined voices to make a difference. It's a beautiful thing. Again, thank you."
The heart of the debate centers on the Professional Tournament Tarpon Series, a big-money event that draws competitors from around the state to Boca Grande every summer. Save the Tarpon supporters say the PTTS competitors snag many tarpon and often mishandle their catch during the weigh-in process, accusations the PTTS denies and says lack scientific evidence.
The FWC is expected to vote on its gear restriction proposal in September.
"We're confident in the system and hopeful that the FWC arrive at a final decision based on the current evidence entered in the record, which fails to demonstrate any scientific, or biological impetus, that would necessitate restricting the rights of recreational anglers," the PTTS said in a statement. "Thank you to the hundred-plus supporters who were present at the meeting, and those who emailed and called to voice opposition to the rule, and the unjustified restrictions it will place on citizens and anglers in Florida."
In a related matter, the FWC formally approved tarpon and bonefish as catch-and-release quarry. Starting Sept. 1, the harvesting of tarpon will be prohibited unless the angler is pursuing an IGFA record.
Temporary possession allows for photography, measurement of length and girth and scientific sampling, with the stipulation that tarpon more than 40 inches must remain in the water.
The bonefish tournament exemption permit has been eliminated. This exemption allowed tournament anglers to temporarily possess bonefish for transport to a tournament scale.

FWC Meeting

 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission  met Wednesday and decided to move forward with its proposed tarpon regulations. The guidelines, which will limit anglers to harvesting a tarpon only in pursuit of a world record, are expected to be approved at the June meeting in Lakeland.
During Wednesday's discussion, the commission decided to restrict anglers to one tag per person per year as opposed to one tag per person per day. Discussion of  the PTTS' post-catch handling, gear and snagging was delayed until the June meeting. That issue likely will not be resolved until September.

FWC News

The Art of Snagging

Good story on snagging tarpon and the evolution of this practice.

Randy Wayne White weighs in

Some Research

I've been working on a story this week about the Florida Wildlife Commission's proposed tarpon regs and the controversy that's been brewing in Boca Grande. There's the locals, then there's the tournament anglers.
For six weeks every summer the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series fishes the waters of Boca Grande, an event that has fractured the community. Many want the PTTS gone. They say the tournament over stays its welcome, takes over the water and roughs up the fish with its gaff-and-drag, weigh-in tactics. The PTTS counters that their anglers are better stewards than many realize and that many of their critics' accusations lack proof. Furthermore, they maintain the PTTS brings revenue and national attention to the community.
I won't go into the details of the FWC regs --- I'll have more on that in The Drake --- but basically the proposed guidelines are moving toward pure catch and release, which means the PTTS may have to change its weigh-in procedure. The PTTS, to its credit, has said it plans to drop the gaff and drag part of the post-catch handling, which many anglers agree is a step in the right direction. However, questions still remain: Will the PTTS go with a photo release? Will the FWC define the 'release' in catch and release?

Black Death for Tarpon

Another common tarpon toad fly. I haven't used it that much, but I like the materials and the color combination, particularly the red tail.

The materials: 2/0 5170-121 Owner hook, red rabbit strip tail, black marabou collar, black EP fibers, black Danville Flymaster thread, Clear Cure Goo.

Instructions:
Cut the rabbit strip. The key here is to use your scissors like a knife along the edge of the hyde, so you don't cut the hair.
Tie on the tail near the hook point. The tail should be 2, 3x as long as the hook.
Use two clumps of black marabou for the collar. Attach three fourths of the way toward the eye. When you use the marabou, tie each clump on each side of the shank, not one on top of the other as I first did. One on each side gives the collar better circular spacing.
Take a thin strand of EP, cut to about three inches and attach to the shank using a figure-eight method. The key here is to go slow and pack the EP strands in tight, so that there's no gaps.  Loose wraps to get the EP in position. Tight wraps to secure. It's tedious. Be patient.
With the EP, go sparse. The thinner the better.
Attach small bead head eyes.
Use a comb to straighten the EP. Trim the fibers to desired shape. Some go more circular; I try to make it more of an arrowhead shape, shorter in front, longer in back. Basically you cut at a 45-degree angle, short as possible at the eyes, longer toward the back.
To keep the tail from fouling, use Clear cure goo at the base to stiffen, or tie in a snarffle guard as I did. I also dab a bit of CCG on the thread to better secure the EP and add durability.
I got this pattern off You Tube.
Here's the link.
Ripped Lips Tarpon Toad

Some fly tying

Getting ready for tarpon season. A respectable
attempt at a toad pattern.

A Saturday at home

The weather's too lousy to fish. Overcast and a bit windy. Good day for me to stay home, write and and advance my photo/web/tech skills. ... Got a couple stories going for the Kayak Angler. One on tarpon fishing from a yak off the beach. Another on Joe Wellbourn and a few things he's working on at Carbon Marine.

Something to think about

An important item to think about from my friend Terry Tomalin at the Tampa Bay Times. Tarpon should be catch-and-release.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/outdoors-notes-tarpon-bonefish-rules-on-the-table/2110508