red fish question

[akey]

Well once again the government is f'n things up. These are your breeding fish and has been proven required to keep a healthy population in the bay system. (once they reach 30+ reds move to the gulf) TDW had it right when the slot was topped at 28". Don't take this the wrong way, I don't have a problem with people keeping 1 large fish a year and enjoy seeing new records set. But in 26yrs of fishing 3' of water or less I've only had to let 1 red go because it was over 28". That tag will be still be on my license on Sept. 1st every year regardless.

I hear you. Like I said I don't fish the coast but I got curious because of this thread and looked it up. I grew up fishing the flats with my grandpa and would love to get back down there and introduce my son to it.

[Stuck]

I hear you. Like I said I don't fish the coast but I got curious because of this thread and looked it up. I grew up fishing the flats with my grandpa and would love to get back down there and introduce my son to it.

I'd invite you and the whole family to join me but the handful of times I make it anymore it would probably be just a boat ride. It's a lot easier to find fish when your there 40 times a year.

[akey]

I'd invite you and the whole family to join me but the handful of times I make it anymore it would probably be just a boat ride. It's a lot easier to find fish when your there 40 times a year.

Haha, I hear that. Boat rides are fun, too. My grandfather spent half the year down at the coast chasing redfish and running his crab pots and I spent most of my time out of school down there with him. My oldest son and I are starting to get in to kayak fishing and I hope it translates in to a couple of coastal trips per year.

[flsv1997]

yep...3

[Poco]

Not according to TPWD.



Bonus Red Drum Tag



Type 599:

$3



This tag is required for an individual to take an additional red drum per license year over the maximum length limit of 28 inches. Bonus tag can be purchased at any license sales location upon presenting a valid fishing license or other valid personal identification. Only one bonus tag allowed per person per year.

Wow!! Well they use to give them out for free. Not sure when that changed since most years I dont tag any oversize fish. For table fare there not the best. Guess the extra $3 a year helps them out in some way. The way the licenses having been going up I can see that bonus tag costing a lot more pretty soon.

Two oversize reds per year is not a real bad thing though. Ive caught over 20 in one day when there schooling at the surf and jetties.

Ray

[wdixon]

yes you can keep in addition to your daily limit, but you cant get your bonus tag until you use your oversized tag that comes on your license

[dpg481]

I spoke to the boat capt. yesterday. He said when he first read the new rule he was leary of it. He said he took it to the GW and was told two over slot reds can be I possession, but as stated before, the tag on the license has to be used first. He explained it to me like this. You may go out an catch three in slot fish and nothing over, or go out and catch only over slot fish, but five is legal.

[cripsol]

Go to Louisiana. We get 5 slot reds or 4 plus one over 28...And thats each trip. Plus, Im not 100% sure but I think our daily limit of 25 specs trumps Texas as well.

[GarGuy]

Go to Louisiana. We get 5 slot reds or 4 plus one over 28...And thats each trip. Plus, Im not 100% sure but I think our daily limit of 25 specs trumps Texas as well.

I have seen those reds out on the islands at Grand Isle where there were acres of monsters.35 inches was the small end.

I also shot a bowfishing tourney in the marsh at cocodrie. three man teams and we could weigh in a five fish string. Of course only three could be over 27 inches. We got our three overs easy and looked at thousands of fish but couldn't find two unders! We weighed in the three fish for 102lb and ended up SEVENTH!

[cripsol]

It's a good place for sure. we fish the pass in grand isle every year for ride the bull. It's a kayak tournament and those bulls will pull you all over the place.

[dpg481]

I had my question answered from the game warden herself just after she took my picture. Tagged two oversized bulls this morning out of Galveston with capt Sammy Flores. Heck of a good time and a great capt.

[akey]

I had my question answered from the game warden herself just after she took my picture. Tagged two oversized bulls this morning out of Galveston with capt Sammy Flores. Heck of a good time and a great capt.

NICE! So what did the GW have to say about the question??

[glen]

It's 3 fish. If you use your tag it counts against the 3. Try to read it however you want but this is what is enforced. If you feel like getting a lawyer and fighting it you may win

[ken]

That's what I tried telling everyone a little while ago. Never seen anything about mailing it in.

When TPWD first started allowing fishermen to keep a red over 28" they wanted to see how many bull reds were actually being retained. As a tool for gathering data they would send you a free bonus oversize red tag if you mailed in your used oversize red tag. That helped them figure out how many were being retained.

A few years ago TPWD changed the oversize red bonus tag to just something your purchase at any license retailer. This change also fixes the problem where people who are not required to have a license due to age can retain a bull red by buying a tag.

[dpg481]

NICE! So what did the GW have to say about the question??

When we pulled up to the ramp so did she. She looked at all the tagged fish and said congrats. That was about it, other than getting her to take a pic. She had no issue with any of our legally tagged fish.