NEW Tarpon Fishing Rules
in BOCA GRANDE PASS

June 29, 2004
CONTACT: Gary Morse (863) 648-3206
Joanne Adams (239) 332-6971

Technically, a new set of rules regulating fishing gear in Boca Grande Pass will go into effect on July 1, but the restrictions do not apply until April 1, 2005.

The new rule passed by The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is pretty simple.  Rule 68B-4.018 limits the number of lines fished per vessel to three and prohibits the use of breakaway gear for any type of fishing during the period from April 1 through June 30, when angling effort in the pass is traditionally at its heaviest.  During the remaining nine months of the year, there are no restrictions on the number of lines fished from a vessel, nor are there any restrictions on the use of breakaway gear.

FWC officers plan on patrolling the pass during times of heaviest use and will take the opportunity to educate anglers about the new rules.

ÀOur objective is to gain compliance with these rules using an educational approach, just as we would when any new rule is implemented,” said Lt. Col. Don Holway, FWC Deputy Director of Law Enforcement.

ÀOur officers will also be conducting boating safety checks and monitoring compliance with navigation rules of the road.  We want to insure that all users have an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent resources of the pass in a safe environment,” said Holway.

Anglers are reminded that possession of tarpon is still prohibited unless a $50 tarpon tag has been purchased for that purpose and affixed immediately to its lower jaw.  Tarpon tags can only be transferred from a licensed guide to a customer.  Tags cannot be transferred between anglers.  Tags are good for one year only, from July 1 through June 30.  Any person may catch an unlimited number of tarpon without affixing a tag, as long as those fish are immediately returned to the water and released.

For purposes of these gear restrictions, Boca Grande Pass shall consist of all waters located within the following boundaries:

• Beginning at the westernmost edge of the Phosphate Dock (26¯ 43.216' North Latitude, 82¯ 15.517' West Longitude) on the southeast bay side of Gasparilla Island, due east in a straight line to the western most edge of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) (26¯ 43.216' North Latitude, 82¯ 14.703' West Longitude);
• From the previous point on the ICW, in a southerly direction to the #75 ICW Marker (26¯ 42.299' North Latitude, 82¯ 14.580' West Longitude) on the northeast bay side of Cayo Costa;
• From ICW #75 proceeding around the northern tip of Cayo Costa along the shore to the QR test buoy (26¯ 42.002' North Latitude, 82¯ 15.448' West Longitude) on the northwest Gulf coast side of Cayo Costa;
• From the QR test buoy proceeding westerly in a straight line to the #12 red buoy (26¯42.336' North Latitude, 82¯ 16.748' West Longitude) marking the entrance to Boca Grande Pass;
• From the pass entrance buoy #12, proceeding northeast in a straight line to the easternmost edge of the concrete pier ruins (26¯ 43.165' North Latitude, 82¯ 15.778' West Longitude) at the lighthouse beach on the southwest Gulf side of Gasparilla Island, then proceed along the shore around the southern tip of Gasparilla Island to the Phosphate Dock, the beginning point of this description.

http://myfwc.com/whatsnew/region04/tarponrules-sw.html

For more information on tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass and a map of the restricted area, visit: Tarpon in Boca Grande regulations pdf

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