In 2007 the daily speckled trout limit was reduced from ten speckled trout to five fish down below the Land Cut along the Texas Gulf Coast. Shortly after eight years of research it was identified by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department that there was a progressive fall in the population of mid-size speckled trout from south of Port Mansfield. State biologist assumes the decline was from an increase in fishing pressure and possible some over-harvesting. The decrease was exclusive to speckled trout, no other fish species from Port Mansfield south seemed to have any concerns with a fall off in population. All of the Texas Gulf Coast north of Port Mansfield appeared to have no issues with a speckled trout diminish at this time either. Now just four years later there are several serious discussions of adjusting the daily bag limit from ten per day to five for all of the Texas Gulf Coast.
The obvious question here is, is a lower bag for speckled trout limit really necessary and important. If so what should the limit be? Relating to nearly all research performed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the mid to upper Texas gulf coast is in decent shape as far as speckled trout and overall species is concerned. The TP&W has scheduled an assortment of scoping gatherings at the end of January 2011 to summarize any problems and analyze a range of management solutions. On January 26-27 the TP&W will meet up in Austin Texas and in this meeting biologist will in all likelihood reveal projected outcomes of any and all rule adjustments. If a change is suggested, the rule would be posted on the Texas Register. This means that the public will be able to voice their opinions and leave observations. If there is a serious support in favor of change, this would probably lead to a vote in the March 31st commissions discussions. If the publics response is to leave the rule as is, there could be no vote and no change.
It could be important to you to be familiar with how our fish population is researched and developed. Throughout the state of Texas, speckled trout abundance is determined by spring gill nets and creel nets conducted by coastal fisheries staff. In accordance to their latest results, speckled trout has held fairly solid over the past decade. Gill net surveys produced some of the strongest catch rates of trout in some current years in some bay systems since the standardized surveys began in the 1970s. Even though there has been a minor fall over the past couple of years, the gill net catch rate of trout is nevertheless higher than it was for a good deal of the 1980s. The amounts of speckled trout have not declined much over the past decade according to the coastal fisheries staff. The entire fish population including speckled trout is good, with quite a few years better than others.
Regardless if you prefer a change or not, this is a highly important matter if you are a Texas saltwater angler. This projected rule change affects all Texas gulf coast anglers. Let's not forget about the fishing guides that make their living catching speckled trout. What kind of impact will this have on their business if this change becomes law? On the other hand we have to think about the future. There are a variety of biologists that are under the impression that a transformation is important to give surety that the trout population is going to prosper for years to come. It has been four years since the five trout limit change on the lowermost gulf coast, there are still varying reviews. Some say it hasn't changed the trout population at all while others state it as helped. It all comes down to how we expect to manage our fishery. There is a very good chance that no rule will be proposed, but if it does go to a vote and becomes law it will go into effect September 1st 2001. So let your opinion be heard.
Capt. Alan Pereyra www.galveston-fishing.com www.galvestonbayfishingteam.com