September From the Helm

There has been some confusion on the rules for Catch, Photo and Release (CPR) and how to properly measure a fish.

The purpose of the CPR tournament is to release fish (ALIVE) that you would otherwise keep. For example, I go fishing, catch a 26” Redfish (Red Drum) instead of keeping the Redfish, I place it back in the water and watch it swim away (ALIVE).  For CPR tournament before I release the fish, I place it on an club approved bump board and take a picture. Then I release the fish in to the water and watch it swim away.  This picture is then uploaded to the CPR entry on the clubs website.

The 23 species of fish which will are eligible are as follows: Amberjack, Black Drum, Bluefish, Cobia, Dolphin, Flounder, Grouper, King Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper, Pompano, Porgy (includes all with exception of Sheepshead), Redfish, Red Snapper, Sea Bass, Sheepshead, Snapper (other), Snook, Spanish Mackerel, Triggerfish, Spotted Sea Trout, Tuna (which includes Bonita), Wahoo and Largemouth Bass (12” minimum)

Eligible fish must be photographed on club approved bump board, safely released and within legal FWC rules for size and season. Following FWC rules and regulations means that fish which are out of season or over-sized/under-sized will not be accepted for the CPR tournament.

Now to properly measure a fish, you will need a tape measure or bump board.

1. Ensure the fish is as flat as you can get it.
2. Ensure the fish’s nose starts at zero (0) inches.
3. Depending on the type of fish, which is determined by the tail, measure the fish.

a. Hard tail (Fork Length) which is measured to the fork of the tail such as

1. Pompano/Permit Family
2. Jack family

• Bluefish

1. Bonefish
2. Tuna family
3. Dolphinfish

• Cobia
• Wahoo

1. Mackerel Family
2. Trigger and Hogfish
3. Billfish (including swordfish) start starting at the tip of the lower jaw

• Tarpon
• Grouper (Snowy, Warsaw/ Speckled Hind, all other grouper not listed as a soft-tail.)
• All Shark species

Soft-tail (Total Length) which is measure to the longest part of the tail when pinched together. Such as

1. Drum Family (Red/Black)
2. Trout Family

• Flounder

1. Sheepshead
2. Porgy Family
3. Snapper Family

• Grouper (Black, Red, Scamp, Gag, Yellowfin/Yellowmouth
• Black Sea Bass

1. Tripletail

I hope this helps you avoid taking a fish that is over/undersized. I will be conducting a demonstration of how to measure different fish during the quick tips portion of our meeting on September 5^th starting at 7:00pm.

Remember the fishing lies start here.

Capt. Mike Vickers Jr.

President

Flagler Sportfishing Club