by John Jefferson
As reported earlier, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) proposed regulation changes to the Parks and Wildlife Commission. One concerned the spotted sea trout (aka speckled trout) daily bag limit.
Those are arguably the most popular game fish caught in the bays and Gulf, a reputation “specks” share with red drum, commonly called “redfish”. Add Southern flounders to the abundance of reds and trout and you have a triumvirate of a revered resource that makes Texas’ bay flats a prime destination for multitudes of Texan and non-resident fishermen.
The proposal before the TPW Commission is to lower the bag limit on specks to five-fish a day in roughly the upper third of Texas’ coastal waters. That’s been the limit on the lower two-thirds of the coast since 2014. This standardizes the limit from the Mexican border to Louisiana.
Why? Are trout declining? Is the sky falling?
Not really. But this was not an arbitrary decision, either. Research in the early 2000s indicated a reduction in the catch rate and size of trout put on the stringer, particularly those fish over 18-inches. The commission carefully considered the research data and took comments from the public. TPWD considered all possible causes and decided over harvest was the culprit. Ultimately, a five-fish daily limit was placed on trout in the lower Laguna Madre. Increased fishing pressure in the upper Laguna Madre later caused the five-fish limit to migrate north to the Sargent community in 2014, favored 2-1 by public comment.
As fishing pressure increased up the coast — particularly in Galveston Bay — a public outcry arose. Anglers and guides who fished the area were surveyed. Seventy-seven percent of guides supported lowering the limit. Seventeen percent opposed it. Overall, among anglers, 48% favored; 25% opposed. On Galveston Bay, 78% of anglers supported it. Of Sabine Lake guides, four opposed the idea and three supported it. Sabine Lake fishermen were divided three ways: 1/3 for, 1/3 opposed and 1/3 neutral. TPWD coastal fisheries proposed it and the Commission voted to send it to public hearings before a final vote on March 20.
The public hearings are in Texas City Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at Nessler Civic Center, Port Arthur Civic Center on Feb. 28 at 6, and Conroe on Mar. 4 at 7 p.m. at the San Jacinto River Authority Board Room.
Interestingly, 71% of guided fishermen reported keeping only five or fewer fish under the existing 10-trout regulation. So, it looks like the reduced bag limit won’t adversely affect many anglers. If adopted on Mar. 20, it will take effect on Sept. 1. The Louisiana limit is still 15. But if you launch/return on the Texas side, you’ll only be allowed to keep five.
February isn’t the best month to fish for specks in the bays, but that will change as summer approaches. Port Aransas guide, Capt. Frankie Eicholz, confirmed that, saying there simply was no bait presently available. He did refer to a few trout having been caught on Rat-L-Traps, however.
JJ
