With the extension of Red Snapper season for both recreational and for-hire sectors, now’s the perfect time to gear up with descending devices! 🎣🐟 While targeting ARS, you’ll likely encounter bycatch species like gags, red grouper, and lane snapper.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Return 'Em Right crew! 🦃🎣 Wishing you a day filled with delicious food, great company, and plenty of reasons to be thankful. 🙌 We hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy this week’s beautiful weather out on the water! 🌊
#returnemright#offshorefishing
ICYMI: Great news for anglers! 🎣 The 2024 Gulf Red Snapper recreational season has been extended, adding 17 extra fishing days for Florida families and visitors to enjoy this holiday season.
November:
28-30
December:
6-8
13-15
20-22
24-31
#Fishing#redsnapper#GulfofMexico
Using an inverted hook device through the existing hook hole minimizes handling time and makes the release process that much quicker!
#returnemright#earnanotherfight#barotrauma
Quick release for this undersized ARS! With the reopening of the for-hire red snapper season, we’re excited to hit the water for some winter trips.
Remember to support your local captains and safely return the short ones back where they belong!
Did you know? The oldest recorded red grouper in the South Atlantic lived to be 26 years old, while the oldest in the Gulf of Mexico reached 29 years! This lucky red grouper is on its way back down after being caught out of season. With a little luck, we might see her again!
This gag never stood a chance against @julesg44! 💪 While targeting snapper, this beauty shot up through the water column and devoured a live pinfish. After a quick fight, Julia made it clear who was in charge! 📸 A quick photo and a safe release followed. 🐟💥
The inshore mackerel bite is on! 📷 Whether you’re casting in the bay, along the beaches, or from a boat, these fish are perfect for smoking and make an incredible dip. Fire up the smoker and enjoy the catch! @bellazfishkill#mackerel#fishing#smokedfishdip#offshorefishing
@30gstephens went deep dropping & it definitely paid off—just look at those beautiful Queen Snappers! 📷 When deep dropping, remember to target only in-season species, as survival rates drop with depth. Garrett was fully prepared with a deep SeaQualizer device rigged and ready
Happy Halloween! 🎃 📷 Cooler weather means the fall bite is on, and the hogfish are active! Don’t miss out on the action – they’re delicious & fight great! 📷#returnemright#earnanotherfight#barotrauma#hogfish
Double the release, double the impact! 💥 If you reel in undersized red snapper, clip them belly-to-belly on the SeaQualizer descending device and send them safely back down together. Protect the future of our fishery, one descent at a time!
#returnemright#earnanotherfight
This week, we're featuring the SeaYaLater Inverted Hook Device—a fantastic alternative to the SeaQualizer. The fish's buoyancy triggers the device to flip at depth, safely releasing the fish back into the water.
#returnemright#earnanotherfight#barotrauma#redsnapper
Attention Gulf of Mexico anglers! If you target federally managed reef fish like snapper or grouper, you're eligible for FREE release gear worth ~$100 by completing our online best practices training.
Learn more at returnemright.org/about-us/g….
#returnemright#earnanotherfight
When it comes to running & gunning, securing your weighted descending device in a gunnel rod holder is by far the most efficient & hassle-free method. No more weights banging or rolling around, & you'll be instantly ready to release a fish when the moment comes.
#returnemright
A huge thank you to Big Fish Initiative for preparing this amazing post to support best release practices for reef fish! They have been extremely supportive of efforts to improve survival of released reef fish and promoting the use of descending devices in the Caribbean region!