News Digest: TrophyCatch Bass Possession Rule Amendment Approved by FWC

At their May 2024 meeting in Daytona Beach, Commissioners with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a rule amendment to clarify the possession of largemouth bass over applicable legal bag or length limits when participating in FWC documentation programs.

According to a FWC news release, the amendment clarifies possession rules when documenting largemouth bass for TrophyCatch, FWC’s bass fishing and citizen science program. It also allows for possession for the certification of a potential state record largemouth bass.

An angler is in possession of a fish once the fish is placed in a live well or any other container. While current statewide regulations permit a five-fish bag limit for largemouth bass with one exceeding 16 inches, some specific waterbodies have regulations that prohibit possession of bigger largemouth bass, such as catch-and-release or maximum length limits. However, temporary possession is necessary for TrophyCatch submissions or state record certification.

The new regulations will allow an angler to temporarily possess, in live condition, one largemouth bass over the legal length and bag limit for that waterbody in two situations: 
1) The bass weighs more than 8 pounds and the angler is in the process of obtaining photographic or video documentation of the fish for submission to TrophyCatch. 
2) The bass weighs more than 16.5 pounds, the angler is participating in the certification of a potential state record, and the angler has notified the FWC of their catch by following directions on the state record web page. In both situations, the bass can only be released alive in the same waterbody from which it was caught.

These rule changes provide a pathway for anglers to submit a TrophyCatch largemouth bass or to certify a potential state record, especially on waterbodies with catch and release or maximum size limits.

To learn more about the Florida Trophy Bass Project, visit MyFWC.com/TrophyBass.

For more information about the May Commission meeting, visit MyFWC.com, pull down “About Us” at the top of the page and select “Commission Meetings.”

Also at its May meeting, the commission made these executive orders:

Blueline Tilefish Rec Harvest Ends July 19

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order to close recreational harvest of blueline tilefish in state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including all state waters off Monroe County. The 2024 recreational season will close at 12:01 a.m. on July 19, 2024, consistent with the closure in adjacent federal waters. Consistent state and federal recreational seasons for Atlantic blueline tilefish will help prevent quota overages and reduce the risk of overfishing, while also helping to ensure future harvest opportunities.

For current recreational blueline tilefish regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Tilefish.”

Gag Grouper Harvests Close June 15

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order to close recreational harvest of gag grouper in state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including all state waters off Monroe County. The 2024 recreational season will close at 12:01 a.m. on June 15, 2024, consistent with the closure in adjacent federal waters.

Consistent state and federal recreational seasons for Atlantic gag grouper will help protect the gag grouper population and rebuild the fishery, while also helping to ensure future harvest opportunities.

For current recreational red grouper regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Grouper.” This page will be updated with the new season dates.

Recreational Harvest of Gulf Red Grouper Closes July 1

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order to close recreational harvest of red grouper in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, excluding state waters off Monroe County. The 2024 recreational season will be closed from July 1 through Dec. 31, consistent with the closure in Gulf federal waters.

Consistent state and federal recreational seasons for red grouper will help prevent quota overages and future harvest opportunities.

For current recreational red grouper regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Grouper.”

---