TIDE LINES
Coastal Consevation Association of Georgia
December 2002
Volume 2, Issue 2

Interstate Fishery Management: A Look Back...

It has been eight years since the phone rang late one evening when I recall telling Karen, "Don't get up, I'll get it."

I answered in the dark to an unfamiliar voice asking me a familiar question, "Are you one of them in favor of that net ban?"

The caller's voice had a frightening slur, and after I answered, "Yes," his disposition became increasingly negative and nothing he said could be repeated to a PG audience. I didn't really take his threat on my life seriously. I slept fine the rest of the night, but I'm not sure about Karen.

There were a few other late-night-undesirable phone calls; dirty looks from passers -by (I had 2x2 ft. sign taped to the back window of our old black Jeep declaring Ban the Nets, Save Our Sealife!); and a bit of dangerous vandalism one stormy afternoon at Sebastian Inlet when a couple of net-fisherman decided to loosen the lug nuts on my Jeep. Thankfully, that incident didn't end tragically.

On Nov. 4, 1994, Florida voters united (72% to 28%) to outlaw fishing nets from Florida waters. It was a powerful victory for Florida's recreational anglers and a huge step towards preserving Florida's saltwater fisheries.

The road to recovery has been slow, but since the net ban, effective July 1, 1996, we have witnessed a great marine fisheries' revival. I never imagined the rewards we'd reap from Florida's net ban amendment.

Today, the gentle sound of junior tarpon slapping the placid, lagoon surface can be heard over a semi-stiff breeze and the constant hum of summer's cicadas. For me, this peaceful tarpon rhapsody has been severely interrupted by the rudeness of a leaping, silver-scaled bullet landing squarely on my angler's lap. In other words, tarpon fishing has become so good they're jumping in the boat!

Pompano frequent the Indian River Lagoon each summer, but since 1996, their number and size has continued to increase. I actually had one of my clients catch a five-pounder while fishing with a top water plug from the Indian River Lagoon's west shore north of Melbourne.

Spanish and king mackerel numbers have steadily increased since the net ban. During the past few years, Indian River Lagoon mackeral have become increasingly larger and more numerous.

There are more schools of black & silver mullet, pilchard, glass minnows and menhaden along the Indian River Lagoon coast than I've seen in the past twenty-five years. Last fall's mullet run started early. An incredible exodus of silver and black mullet (finger size to 18") reached Sebastian Inlet, Port Canaveral, and the forty miles of beaches between these inlets.

Fishing for tripletail (world-class outside Port Canaveral), jack crevalle, ladyfish, spotted sea trout, and black drum has improved threefold.

Last fall, there were acres of mullet moving south along our Indian River Lagoon beaches, fluctuating with the wind and swell direction. Tarpon pushing 200 lbs. and numerous large sharks were thrashing the mullet. My sons and a neighborhood crew of teenage boys hooked many sharks, a few snook, and some tarpon while fishing from canoes and the shore. Without the Net Ban Amendment this opportunity to target big fish from the beach would be gone.

Guidance from Florida's Coastal Conservation Association during the Net Ban campaign greatly assisted the passing of this Amendment.

How would our lives be different if the amendment had failed? I doubt seriously I'd still be employed as a fishing guide or the publisher of a magazine that focuses on fishing and boating on the Indian River Lagoon coast.

I realize that I will probably never become more than a fishing guide, nor do I want to. My life lessons have been accumulated through my relationship with the outdoors; and looking back, I see my finest moments have been realized throught my efforts to preserve our region's natural habitats.

Remember, when fishing for fun - you always catch something.

'Til next time...

Rodney Smith

Rodney Smith is a veteran guide of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon Systems. He can be reached at 321-777-2773 or fax 321-777-4622. Coastal Angler Magazine @ the Indian River Lagoon http://www.CAMIRL.com/ Email:editor@camirl.com