Outdoors

Sideline

By RODNEY PAGE
Published June 23, 2006

COMMERCIAL GROUPER: The commercial fishery for deep water grouper in federal and state waters of the Gulf of Mexico will close Tuesday and remain closed until the end of the year.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has determined the fishery, which includes misty grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, warsaw grouper and speckled hind, will reach its available quota of 1.02-million pounds by June 26. That means commercial fishermen will be unable to harvest and sell those grouper until Jan. 1, 2007. The rule does not affect recreational fishermen, who must still follow the state rules. For a list of state rules, check out www.myfwc.com

THAT WAS FAST: It took about four hours for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to sell all 4,406 available alligator harvest permits when they became available June 15. The FWC extended alligator hunting season by 41 days this year and allowed hunters to buy multiple permits. In the past, hunters could purchase only one permit. Alligator hunting season runs from Aug. 15 through Nov. 1.

SCALLOPS: A reminder that open harvest season for bay scallops starts July 1 and runs through Sept. 10. State waters in the Gulf of Mexico open to the scallop harvest run from the Pasco-Hernando County line north to Mexico Beach. It is illegal to land or possess scallops in water outside the open harvest area. For more information, check out www.myfwc.com

HEY LADIES: The Old Salts Fishing Club Ladies Fishing tournament is Saturday beginning at midnight. Weigh-in is 4-5 p.m. at John's Pass. There are inshore (trout, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and flounder), and offshore (snapper, grouper, amberjack and king mackerel) categories. For information, call (727) 497-1060.

SPEARFISHING TOURNAMENT: The Florida Skin Divers Association will hold the Southern Open on Saturday in Tarpon Springs. The tournament will award prizes for largest grouper, snapper, hogfish, amberjack/cobia and sheepshead/triggerfish. Weigh-in is 8 p.m. at Ballyhoos Grill in Tarpon Springs. The entry fee is $75, $45 for youth. For information, call (727) 403-6281.

CHECK IT OUT: Redfish action is heating up. If you are a newcomer to fishing for redfish, or if you want to learn new techniques on how to catch them, Capt. Rob Gorta will hold a seminar Wednesday at 6 p.m. at West Marine in Clearwater. For more information, call (727) 447-5320.

[Last modified June 23, 2006, 06:42:18]