First time in about 8 month i had free time to go fishing. I went to Turtle Beach, to get my hands on some Sandbars. there are crab traps everywhere. I'm not talking about hundreds, im talking about thousands. Just everywhere from 25 yards to 500 yards out , as far as you can see up and down the beach. Does anyone know why this is? is this even legal being at a public beach, and so close to shore?
I contacted the FWC and they have not yet got back to me with an answer. Also found out you cant park overnight at the public parking area, due to an incident back in Spring.
Yeah man welcome to the west coast during stone crab season. It will be like this every day all the way until the 3rd or so week of may. There are days I've driven to every beach from sarasota to boca grande and ended up driving to the east coast because there wasn't a single fishable spot. Your best bet if you cant find a fishable beach and want to save gas money is to fish inshore bridges, docks, beaches, seawalls, etc.
dont let it discourage you. pack a 6/0 with 100 lb test and cast it into the deep parts. ive seen those big sandbar sharks come in really close, like 5 feet. and the heavy mono will allow you to stopp that shark before he gets to the traps. thats what i would do. good luck
Its pretty tough to fish over here during stone season. Thats why I havent been out in so long. Sucks but all you can do is keep hopping spots till you can find a break or gap in them. Last time I asked the FWC about it they never bothered to answer me. This time of year I end up in Tampa Bay mostly but my spots in there are kinda limited.
thanks for the replies i couldn't find any info on the on the stone crab season, but i makes perfect sense. I'll just have to wait it out. Still have not head back from the FWC.
tight lines~!
Mike