Using snapper as bait
Using snapper as bait
So looking at the TPWD site, bait is defined as anything that does is not listed as game fish to lure fish.
Does that mean I can use undersized snappers a bait?
Does that mean I can use undersized snappers a bait?
- kickingback
- TKF 5000 Club
- Posts: 5178
- Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2016 3:24 pm
- Location: Houston, Texas
Re: Using snapper as bait
I take it as any game fish has to kept or released per regulations. If too small you must release. You cannot use it as bait just because it is undersized. Think of it like you keep it as bait in your cooler for the next troll and looky there, here comes the Coast Guard to do a spot inspection. You're busted. Same thing if you're trolling that said small game fish and you get checked and reel in your lines and lo and behold, you're busted.
I'm thinking bottom line. I don't use game fish for bait or I may get ticketed and/or fined.
I'm thinking bottom line. I don't use game fish for bait or I may get ticketed and/or fined.
Re: Using snapper as bait
That is true, I was thinking about how no one bats an eye when you use undersized blue crab as bait.kickingback wrote:I take it as any game fish has to kept or released per regulations. If too small you must release. You cannot use it as bait just because it is undersized. Think of it like you keep it as bait in your cooler for the next troll and looky there, here comes the Coast Guard to do a spot inspection. You're busted. Same thing if you're trolling that said small game fish and you get checked and reel in your lines and lo and behold, you're busted.
I'm thinking bottom line. I don't use game fish for bait or I may get ticketed and/or fined.
Now, does that mean it would be totally ok to troll around with a 20 inch snapper behind your yak?
- Prof. Salt
- TKF 4000 Club
- Posts: 4873
- Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2011 9:23 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi - or paddling over the horizon
Re: Using snapper as bait
A twelve inch red snapper is worth almost $500 to the state (maybe more now, this was 15 years ago), and they don't hesitate to fine you to the fullest extent allowed by law. I took some guests out once and someone tossed an undersized red snapper into the cooler when we were fishing from a powerboat. Nobody owned up to it, so I ate the ticket thinking it would just be $50 or somewhere close. That was an expensive mistake.
Re: Using snapper as bait
Quoting from Big Brother:Karyuu wrote:That is true, I was thinking about how no one bats an eye when you use undersized blue crab as bait.
This phrase is confusing af, but bottomline is that using blue crab as bait is officially permitted.Except that not more than 5% by number, of undersized blue crabs may be possessed for bait purposes only and must be placed in a separate container
- AcousticTennis
- TKF 1000 Club
- Posts: 1578
- Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:06 pm
Re: Using snapper as bait
You cannot use small snapper.
If its not listed as a gamefish then you can use it for bait BUT it has to be a legal size. Thats how I've understood it. Black drum and sheepies can be good lemon shark bait just have to be a legal size.
Not sure if red snapper have their own set of rules though.
If its not listed as a gamefish then you can use it for bait BUT it has to be a legal size. Thats how I've understood it. Black drum and sheepies can be good lemon shark bait just have to be a legal size.
Not sure if red snapper have their own set of rules though.
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 2:44 pm
- Location: San Marcos
Re: Using snapper as bait
If it’s not a gamefish, there aren’t size limits?If its not listed as a gamefish then you can use it for bait BUT it has to be a legal size.
- Prof. Salt
- TKF 4000 Club
- Posts: 4873
- Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2011 9:23 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi - or paddling over the horizon
Re: Using snapper as bait
Quite a few fish are not considered game fish but have size and bag restrictions. Mahi Mahi and sheephead aren't considered game fish.
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 2:44 pm
- Location: San Marcos
Re: Using snapper as bait
What about baby mahi for personal aquariums?
- AcousticTennis
- TKF 1000 Club
- Posts: 1578
- Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:06 pm
Re: Using snapper as bait
No size limit or restrictions on mahi mahi so you can do whatever ya like if ya catch one.