Hot Off the Press

New Gulf Reef Fish Gear Requirements...Know the law!

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds anglers that new rules went into effect June 1, 2008 requiring all persons fishing from a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida for any reef fish species to carry and use non-stainless steel circle-hooks when fishing with natural baits. Gulf anglers also must carry and use a dehooking device and a venting tool. Reef fish species include all snapper, grouper, sea bass, amberjack, gray triggerfish, hogfish, porgy and tilefish.

These new rules are intended to help more Gulf reef fish survive if they must be released when they are not legal to harvest. Many reef fish species in the Gulf, especially red snapper and gag grouper, need protection, and anglers can help maintain and rebuild reef fish stocks by properly handling and releasing fish.

Let's Start at the End of the Line

A circle-hook is a fishing hook shaped so that the point is turned perpendicular to the shank to form a circular or oval shape. If you’re fishing for reef fish from a vessel in Gulf state waters (from shore out to nine nautical miles), you must use a non-offset circle hook. Research has proven that circle-hooks are more likely to hook fish in the mouth, instead of the esophagus or stomach, which reduces harm to the fish.

Dehooking Devices

A dehooking device is an instrument that allows the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging when the hook is removed from a Gulf reef fish. It must be blunt, have rounded edges and be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used for Gulf reef fish.

Dehooking devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Use one that works best for the species you are releasing. If a fish swallows the hook or the fish is too big to release from a boat, it may be better to cut the line as close as possible to the hook instead of trying to remove it.

Reef fish reeled up from depths of 50-feet or more may undergo expansion of the gasses in the swim bladder as they are brought to the surface. Signs of this condition are protrusion of the stomach from its mouth, bulging eyes and a bloated belly. Proper use of a venting tool will help the fish survive by allowing it to safely return to the bottom.

Venting Tools

A venting tool is a sharpened, hollow instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed or a 16-gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel. Larger gauge needles may be harmful to the fish, and a tool, such as a knife or ice pick, is not allowed to vent Gulf reef fish.

You can deflate a bloated Gulf reef fish by inserting the needle of the venting tool into the body cavity at a 45-degree angle under a scale in an area one to two inches behind the base of the pectoral fin. Insert the needle just deep enough to release the trapped gas so the fish can be returned to the water with minimal damage.

If the stomach is protruding from the mouth, DO NOT PUNCTURE IT or try to force it back into the mouth. It will return to its normal position following the release of a properly vented fish.

Proper Fish Handling Techniques

• Handle reef fish intended for release as little as possible and only with wet hands – never with a towel.
• If a fish must be lifted from the water, be sure to support its weight horizontally.
• Use tackle heavy enough to land fish quickly to reduce exhaustion, which could result in the fish’s death or weaken it making it more vulnerable to predators.
• If a net is needed to remove a fish from the water, use a hard plastic knotless net.
• If a fish is exhausted, revive it before releasing it by passing water over its gills.

By adopting just a few simple habits, recreational anglers will greatly increase the chances that the fish they catch and release will survive, meaning each and every saltwater angler can positively influence the future of Florida’s fishing stocks by striving for 100-percent survival of all released fish.

New Gear Regulations for Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Effective June 1, 2008

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why are these new regulations needed?

The intent of these new regulations is to reduce bycatch and discard mortality of reef fish that are caught and not kept. If the gear associated with these new regulations is used properly, it will help more reef fish survive when they are released.

• Are offset circle-hooks allowed?

Yes, offset circle-hooks are allowed in Gulf of Mexico federal waters, but not in state waters. The definition of a circle-hook indicates the point is turned perpendicularly back to the shank of the hook, but does not preclude an offset angle. An offset hook indicates the angle of sideways bending of the end of the hook in relation to the hook shank. While offset hooks are allowed in federal waters, some research has indicated the greater the degree of offset, the greater the likelihood of injuring a hooked fish. Therefore, the use of offset hooks is discouraged.

• Why are non-stainless steel hooks preferable?

Non-stainless steel hooks will deteriorate over time, thus reducing the probability of damage to the fish. Stainless steel hooks will not deteriorate and have a greater chance of injury or killing fish.

• What are considered natural baits?

Natural baits include any bait derived from a living organism, either dead or alive. Examples of live bait include herring, shrimp, and pinfish. Examples of dead bait include cut and frozen fish, shrimp, and squid. Artificial baits which include a small amount of embedded fish or shrimp are not considered natural baits.

• Is it legal to have J-hooks in my tackle box onboard a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico when I’m fishing for reef fish?

Yes, as long as you are not using them with natural bait to harvest Gulf of Mexico reef fish.

• If I am using a J-hook fishing for non-reef fish species from a vessel in Gulf state waters (such as snook, redfish, etc.) and I catch a reef fish (such as a mangrove snapper), is that illegal?

No, as long as the reef fish is not harvested. Reef fish caught on J-hooks must be released.

• Do I have to use circle-hooks, venting tools and dehooking devices if I’m targeting Gulf reef fish from shore, a pier, on a jetty or a bridge?

No. This gear is only required if you are harvesting reef fish from a vessel. However, the use of circle-hooks and dehooking devices are always recommended.

• What are appropriate dehooking devices in order to comply with the new Gulf of Mexico reef fish regulations?

Examples of allowable dehooking devices include tools with a long shaft with an inverted-V, blunt-nosed pliers, alligator pliers, or dehooking forceps. Examples of what not to use include knives, sharp-nosed wire-cutters or pliers. Note: While forceps can be used as a dehooking device, the use of dehooking tools that can grab the fishing line, slide down the line, and remove the hook quickly are encouraged because these tools require minimal handling of the fish and are better able to secure the hook during removal.

• If a fish has swallowed a hook and removing it with a dehooker would do more than minimal damage to the fish, can I just cut the line?

Yes, it may be safer for the fish to simply cut the line as close to the hook as possible on deeply embedded hooks rather than use the dehooking device. A good rule of thumb is to use a dehooker if you can see the hook Note: Some dehookers are designed to remove swallowed hooks (e.g., ARC and Safe Dehooker), so you may want to consider carrying this type of device in addition to other dehooking devices.

• Where can I find a dehooking device for sale?

Dehooking devices can be found in stores that sell fishing gear and on the worldwide web.

• Why do some Gulf of Mexico reef fish need to be vented?

Many marine reef fish have a gas-filled swim bladder that controls buoyancy to allow the fish to maintain a certain depth in the water column. When a fish is quickly retrieved from deeper waters, the gas in the swim bladder can over-expand and fill the body cavity with trapped gases. As a result, the fish can sustain serious injury, and if released in this buoyant condition, float away and die from exposure to the elements or become an easy target for predators.

• When should I use a venting tool and how should I use it?

In general, fish retrieved from more than 50-feet need to be vented, but some species are more susceptible to swim bladder overexpansion. When retrieving a reef fish, carefully assess its condition. If the fish is bloated and floats, has bulgy eyes, or if the fish’s stomach is distended from the mouth, the fish requires venting. If the fish appears normal, not bloated, and appears like it would be able to swim down to the depth where it lives, venting is not necessary.

To properly vent a fish, the tool is inserted into the fish at a 45–degree angle approximately one to two inches behind the base of the pectoral fin. The tool should be inserted just deep enough to release the gases to avoid damage to internal organs.

Web Help For more information on circle-hooks, visit Florida Sea Grant’s web page at: nsgl.gso.uri.edu/flsgp/flsgpg02001.pdf More information on venting can be found on the Florida Sea Grant web page at: www.flseagrant.org/program_areas/fisheries/venting/ To view a video on how to vent fish with minimum damage, visit: isurus.mote.org/research/cfe/fish-bio/how-to-vent-a-fish.htm