Florida topless traps.

[SHELLFISH]

RD, Have you heard if Florida has addressed the topless traps in their last session?

[captaincrab55]

RD, Have you heard if Florida has addressed the topless traps in their last session?

Topless Beaches,  OK    ...  Topless Traps,  No No ...    Go figure....

[SHELLFISH]

I heard they were going to discuss topless traps in Ocala Tuesday; they voted against them? If so why?

[R D]

I heard they were going to discuss topless traps in Ocala Tuesday; they voted against them? If so why?

I will find out tomorrow,didn't talk to any of them today

[SHELLFISH]

Thanks!

[tattoo]

That is crazey.

[R D]

For all who are interested, The Blue Crab Advisory board did vote Tuesday to make the necessary change to allow Topless traps in Fla. waters. I just got off the phone with Bill Sharp of the FFWCC,all that has to be done is strike the word Prymid,but since it is in Fla. Statues it will probably be a part of the blue crab bill in the legislature this session,when the time comes it may be necessary for y'all to call your local legislative delagation to put in a good word for it to pass, I will post the bill #s when I know them

[SHELLFISH]

Thanks RD!

[tattoo]

GOOD luck , hope they pass it . 

[Crabcruncher]

Thanks for all your help with this Rd, we all owe ya one.

Cc

[fla chicken necker]

Thanks for the update Rick. I'll make a call or send a E-mail to my local representatives once I know it's on the agenda. I personally don't use top less traps, but the box style I made, and used, were considered illegal as well. And most of the pyramid traps I see used are illegal under current laws. Most have 16" X 16" bases, not the 12" X 12" required.

Al

[mreinke]

Im still a bit confused about this topic. I know that 12 x 12 pyramids are legal ,but the bait shops dont.
Also where is it legal to place the larger traps and pots ?
Mike

[R D]

The larger traps are still not legal anywhere,you are allowed 5 pots in Fla waters,I am not aware of any place that is closed to pots except Everglades National Park, I am sure there are a few more scattered around.

[gkrangers]

Any word on when the change will be official?  I'd like to start crabbing in a month or so, with box or topless traps.  Can't stand those pyramid ones...

[R D]

The bill is in a Senate committee in the morning at 9,but it has some opposition  and at least 3 more stops in the legislature before floor votes,if we can get it passed it will still be July 1st before it comes into effect.

[fla chicken necker]

The bill is in a Senate committee in the morning at 9,but it has some opposition  and at least 3 more stops in the legislature before floor votes,if we can get it passed it will still be July 1st before it comes into effect.

Ron, are you refering to the proposal to strike the word "pyrmid" from the current recronational trap law. Or is that bundled into a larger package of issues to be voted on. It must, or why would there be any opposition. I know in the grand sceem of things, the kind of traps I use is a minor concern for the legislator, but from purly a selfish stand point I was hoping that at least the "P" word would be dropped. Thanks for keeping us updated and hopefully one day I'll read a post from you that will make my 12" square traps legal, like they are everywhere else.

AL

[R D]

All the FWC's issues are in one bill,including the Blue Crab management plan It should all pass,we are working on fixing some penalty and fines language that we couldn't live with, the opposition is from a commercial group who just don't want anything to change or have to pay out any money,these guys would rather wait until they take pots from us one day and then scream "somebody needs to do something" rather than be proactive and initiate and pot reduction and put money in the kitty for cleaning up old pots or cut offs

[DocSmith]

Any updates on the topless trap issue?

Doc

[R D]

Hey Doc,  it didn't get out of the Senate Committee Thurs, ran out of time just as it was being read,it will be 2 weeks before this committee meets again,

[tattoo]

Hope they pass the box trap issue for you guys down there , that would be sooooo nice. Good luck.

[bayoubilly]

its hard to believe that florida with its long coast line doesnt have a program to clean up abandoned traps.  we have one here in alabama that is based primarily on rec boaters and fishermen volunteering to clean up on a set date.

http://www.outdooralabama.com/programs/crab-trap.cfm

i missed this years because i thought it was in june, but there are quite a few old traps in one of my favorite speckled trout spots that i plan to get at the next clean up date.  otherwise the program works great as the traps get cleaned up  in most of the visible and navigated waters. 

any way i didnt mean to pirate this post just curious if other southern states have a similar program.

[R D]

We are working on it,we have to get this managment plan in place first and then start setting some dates.