Outdoors

Gulf and Bay: News and notes

By Times staff
Published December 28, 2007

Regulations

Spotted Seatrout season opens

After a two-month closure, the spotted seatrout season will reopen Jan. 1 in the southern half of Florida, a region that runs from the Flagler-Volusia counties line on the east coast and waters south of Tarpon Spring's Fred Howard Park Causeway on the Gulf coast.

The maximum daily bag limit for spotted seatrout in these areas is four fish per person. In all Florida waters north and west of these areas, the daily limit is five fish per person. The statewide slot limit is 15-20 inches, however, anglers may keep one trout longer than 20 inches per day.

The harvest of spotted sea-trout will close during February in northeast and northwest Florida waters, which would be waters north of Fred Howard Park.

Check it out

Florida Trail needs a good grooming

The Florida Trail, a 1,400-mile network of footpaths that stretches from Big Cypress Swamp to the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is one of the best marked and maintained trails systems in the United States.

But that is because of the hundreds of volunteers who hit the woods each winter to clear brush and fallen trees and repaint the familiar orange blazes that keep hikers from getting lost.

You can help this Gainesville-based organization by becoming a member or signing up for a work party. One such work session is scheduled for Jan. 5-6 at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County.

Volunteers should expect to get dirty. The work is hard but rewarding. Call Bill Martin at 941 349-7171 to sign up. To learn more about the Florida Trail Association, go to www.floridatrail.org or call 877-HIKE-FLA.

More Regulations

Snook still closed

Snook are still biting, but anglers should note the season remains closed through the end of February.

Snook are hardy fish. If properly handled, 98 percent of snook caught survive upon release.

Anglers can help a snook's survival by landing their catch as quickly as possible. Leave the fish in the water and unhook it using a pair of pliers or dehooking tool. The quicker you release the fish, the better its chances of swimming away unharmed.

If the hook has been swallowed or is deeply embedded, cut the leader as close to the shank as possible and leave it in the fish. Most non-stainless steel hooks will dissolve in a few days.

Q&A

Ask the experts

Got a question pertaining to one of Florida's great outdoors pursuits? E-mail it to rkenda@tampabay.com and put "Q&A" in the subject field. We'll try to find an expert to provide an answer.

[Last modified December 27, 2007, 20:43:13]