Weekend 1 of the 2018 Atlantic Red Snapper Season



Initial Fishing Reports Are In

Weekend 1 of the 2018 Atlantic Red Snapper Season



Thank you to all who reported through MyFishCount during the first weekend of the 2018 red snapper mini-season. From your participation, we were able to gather information and insights into the private recreational fishery. The figures below summarize reported data for the first red snapper weekend with information through August 15, 2018. We will be sending updated information that will include the second weekend (August 17-19) and any additional trips next week.





Please encourage your fellow anglers to continue to report all of their catches this weekend and beyond!




MyFishCount Reported Weekend Highlights



  • Largest grouper was a 21 lb gag
  • Largest red snapper was 35 inches weighing 25 lb
  • Smallest red snapper was 12 inches
  • Largest reported fish was a 72 inch nurse shark
  • Smallest reported fish was a 6 inch spot tail pinfish



Species Reported During the First Atlantic Red Snapper Mini-Season Weekend


Figure 1. Species Reported Through MyFishCount During the First Red Snapper Mini-Season Weekend

 

The figure above shows species in addition to red snapper reported during the first Atlantic red snapper mini-season weekend. As seen in the figure above, black seabass, vermilion snapper, gray triggerfish, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks, were the most commonly reported species in addition to red snapper. Remember MyFishCount allows you to report all fish during a trip. It is important to log all species to the best of your ability in order for us all to learn more about our offshore fisheries and recreational reporting.




Red Snapper Catch and Release Information



Figure 2. Percent of Red Snapper Kept and Released by Length


As seen in the figure to the above, there was not a large trend in the size of kept red snapper. The majority of reported released red snapper were under 25 inches.





Figure 3. Reason for Releasing Red Snapper

 




The pie chart above shows the reason for releasing red snapper as reported through MyFishCount. The number in the parenthesis show the number of fish. Anglers indicated that most fish were released because they were "Too Small." 




Figure 4. Release Treatment of Red Snapper Based On Depth

 



The figure above shows the release treatment of red snapper based on depth. Most anglers who released fish in 105 feet or more of water indicated they used descending tools or vented fish. This could be attributed to the fact that fish are more likely to experience and exhibit symptoms of barotrauma when reeled up from depths greater than 90 feet. To learn more about barotrauma and best fishing practices click here . 




MyFishCount Reported Lengths Compared to
Recent Stock Assessment (SEDAR 41)


Figure 5. Red snapper lengths and weights reported through MyFishCount compared to red snapper length and weights from SEDAR 41.

 



The line in this figure represents the length and weights for red snapper from SEDAR 41 (the last stock assessment completed for red snapper in 2017). Each point represents a length and weight for red snapper reported by an angler. The SEDAR 41 line falls between the points reported by anglers, indicating the lengths and weights reported by anglers are similar to the lengths and weights from SEDAR 41. 



Get Ready to Report This Weekend and Beyond!



If you have not yet done so, download the app to report your trips this weekend! Create your own personal fishing log and share your catch and trip data with fishery scientists and managers by downloading and using the FREE MyFishCount mobile app for private anglers.





Click the above buttons to download the app today!