R. PAGE CAMPBELL, LAWRENCE W. MCEACHRON, AND PAUL CHOUCAIR, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 702 Navigation Circle, Rockport, Texas 78382, USA

Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus and spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus are important recreationally sought species in Texas. Size and bag limits are used to reduce mortality and optimize yield of these fishes. Three red drum (20-28 inches long) and 10 spotted seatrout (> 15 inches long) can be retained per day; one red drum > 28 inches can be kept per year with an attached trophy tag. If too many fish die of handling, then using size and bag restrictions may jeopardize management goals of allowing fish to spawn, reducing growth overfishing, providing adequate escapement, and providing for quality or trophy fisheries. The objectives of this study were that knowing the numbers of caught and released fish and subsequent mortality of released fish allows managers to evaluate the success of harvest regulations. The results included determining estimates of bycatch of Texas private sport-boat anglers during May-November 1993; these estimates of released fish ranged from 347,000 to 378,000 red drum and from 803,000 to 902,000 spotted seatrout. About two each of red drum and spotted seatrout were released for every one landed. Studies in Texas report hooking mortalities of 4-10% for both red drum and spotted seatrout. Conclusions indicate that even with relatively high numbers of released fish, the corresponding low hooking mortality indicates Texas size and bag limits are appropriate options to allow spotted seatrout to spawn at least once, reduce growth overfishing, provide adequate escapement of red drum, and provide a quality red drum and spotted seatrout sport fishery. Because of these findings, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fishery managers will continue using size and bag limits to manage red drum and spotted seatrout.