Quote:...Groper are a protected species in some parts.
Yeah, same here now. Heavily restricted open season, very limited areas (to where the fish AREN'T), and all sorts of restrictions on min/max size. It's like you have to carry a regulation book with you anymore to fish them.
Too bad some people just totally over-exploited the opportunities and got greedy. Really started when restaurants started paying good money on a per fish basis right off the docks. Greed! (SMH). I my particular case, I couldn't cut that fish loose because I had no way to weigh it. Plus, it wasn't looking too great when I finally got it up to the surface. Wasn't a big deal back then because there were lots of them. Now, not so much.