SPOTTED SEATROUT SIZE LIMIT INCREASES

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2009 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

SPOTTED SEATROUT SIZE LIMIT INCREASES

Speaking for myself, I am elated about this change. A 12 incher isn't even enough to stink up my fry pan. I wouldn't have complained about a 15 or 16 inch size limit. Most anglers I know don't keep them under this size anyway.

Date: Sept. 30, 2009
Contact: Patricia Smith
Phone: (252) 726-7021

MOREHEAD CITY— The minimum size limit for spotted seatrout will increase from 12 inches to 14 inches Monday, Oct. 5.

The change applies to both commercial and recreational fisheries. A 10-fish recreational bag limit will remain in place.

A 2009 stock assessment determined that spotted seatrout is overfished in North Carolina. The increased size limit is needed to allow more female fish to spawn in an effort to restore the stock to a healthy population level.

Only about 89 percent of female spotted seatrout are reproductively mature at 12 inches; by the time they reach 14 inches, 98 percent of female spotted seatrout have reached reproductive maturity.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is working with a Spotted Seatrout Advisory Committee to develop a fishery management plan for the species. The management plan will recommend permanent rules to address issues pertaining to the spotted seatrout fishery.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission authorized the size limit change as an interim measure until that plan is developed and adopted.

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nr-42-09

Date: Sept. 30, 2009
Contact: Patricia Smith
Phone: (252) 726-7021


Fishing Report
Spots on all three fishing piers. Wind has died down and turned around. Look for the spots to come back in when we get NE wind and a little chop on the water. Bright side, blues, spanish, and flounder seem to have turned on. Still seeing a few nice pompano. Surf report much of the same, with a few huge sea mullet, and a few puppy drum.

Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny