Quartro Wieboldt, a South Texas charter for-hire fisherman, grew up spending time fishing from the Thunderbird, a local charter boat still operating on South Padre. He feels the tragedy with Gulf red snapper is recreational anglers have historically failed to follow the rules. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
Quartro Wieboldt’s “six pack” has sat high and dry for more than five years waiting for an opportunity to return to Gulf waters, its federal fishing permit still active and proudly attached to the side.
With the limited number of days to catch red snapper that Gulf fishermen have had during the past years there are a lot of captains that have put their boats on the dock, including Wieboldt. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to get back into the charter business,” explained the life long south Texas fisherman. “I think I might have finally found the reason to spruce her up and get back to the business of fishing; bring on electronic data collection.”
With the limited number of days to catch red snapper that Gulf fishermen have had during the past years there are a lot of captains that have put their boats on the dock, including Wieboldt. Federally permitted charter boats cannot be used recreationally once the permits are in place.
The South Padre Isle, Port Isabel and Port Mansfield area have a limited number of federal for-hire charters compared to places like Florida, Alabama or even Galveston. “There are close to two dozen permitted boats actively taking recreational fisherman from around the country out during the federal red snapper season,” explained the captain who started fishing in the Gulf at the age of nine. “There just isn’t a lot of snapper fishing with the limited amount of days we’ve had lately.”
According to the Harlingen native most are “six packs”, named for the six fishermen they can accommodate. There are also a dozen party boats that can accommodate more than 30 fishing enthusiasts.
Dying of Old Age
When asked if the snapper stock in the south Texas waters is in good health, the charter captain that got his first boat at the age of eight replied with a humorous one, “The snapper are dying of old age” because fishermen here are not legally able to catch them.”
“The snapper population off of South Padre is massive. I’ve been fishing in these waters for more than 35-years. Red snapper can be caught right off the beach, but the federal for-hire charters have to fish past the state’s nine mile limit,” said Wieboldt. “You can go out on any given day and easily catch 15 pounder after 15 pounder.”
A more flexible red snapper season would mean a huge boost for the area’s tourist industry, especially for Winter Texans which have never had the opportunity to enjoy snapper fishing during their migration to the warmer weather. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
He remembers when the snapper season used to be the first 10 days of every month, which was idle for the South Texas area. “It was nice because you could go and fish during months that the weather was nice,” he explained. “The short snapper seasons are now occurring during a time that the weather around South Padre makes it hard to fish.”
During the summer months, weather in South Texas is not conducive to offshore fishing. Strong winds constantly produce large waves. “It is really miserable out there, is is so windy and rough, with massive six foot waves everywhere. Most of the days of fishing during the current federal red charter season are blown out.”
Quartro Wieboldt as a young man with is catch aboard the Thunderbird. Photo: Quartro Wieboldt
With the federal for hire charter sector finally allotted a separate quota and with the new electronic data collection system for the fleet, Wieboldt is hopefully that he can soon return to the water.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced the 2015 red snapper season for the recreational federally permitted charter-for-hire fishermen would be 44 days in length. He sees this as a great start.
“The 44 days for the charter-for-hire sector is a fantastic news for Americans anglers that have no access to the Gulf other than fishing with a charter captain,” whe said. “This will mean every father and son and family who can’t afford a boat, can access these fish. It will give people an affordable opportunity to enjoy themselves on a private boat that can ensure good quality fishing.”
For South Texas charter fishermen he sees the real opportunity to grow their business coming from electronic data collection and the flexibility of fishing over a longer period of time.
Not every port along the Gulf has been blessed with good weather during the set snapper season. In South Padre, June and July are probably the worst times for the charter sector. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
“Not every port along the Gulf has been blessed with good weather during the set snapper season,” he said. “Here in South Padre, June and July are probably the worst times for the charter sector. We have heavy winds and high waves. It is totally ridiculous to go fishing in six to eight foot seas. With a set yearly quota, we hope the charter-for-hire sector will be given the opportunity to fish during more optimal times.”
“When you try and take somebody fishing when the weather is bad you are not only making it dangerous for the customer, you are also making it dangerous for the crew and tearing up the boat at the same time. It is just not safe – period. With a quota system, we will be able to set dates that are historically known for better weather, as well as when tourist or conventions book heavily in the area.”
According to the outspoken fishermen, South Texas charter captains are anxious for this program to start. “Better data will better serve everybody all the way down the line,” he said.
The South Padre area gets a majority of its fishing tourists from San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston. A more flexible red snapper season would mean a huge boost for the area’s tourist industry, especially for Winter Texans which have never had the opportunity to enjoy snapper fishing during their migration to the warmer weather.
The South Padre and Port Isabel area gets a majority of its fishing tourists from San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
For South Padre fishermen the trip to federal waters takes approximately 30-40 minutes. A flexible season will make the area more competitive as a snapper destination because of the shorter trip times compared to other parts of the Gulf. “It will definitely make us look for attractive,” he said. “The fall and winter months are the time to be out fishing here in South Padre, the weather is wonderful and the Gulf is calm.”
When not fishing for snapper, South Texas charter captains target tuna grouper, triggerfish, shark and amberjack. “Amberjack is one fabulous fish and has gone unrecognized as being a prized catch,” said the fisherman who can’t wait to get back on the water.
Weiboldt also explained that the area has faced the problem of dormant oil rigs being removed, taking the structure out of the area for snapper and other fish. He sees fish being forced to move to natural structures like reefs, canyons mud dumps and sunken boats. He explained, “It would have been more beneficial to leave the infrastructure of the rig under the water, so the snapper population could remain in the area.”
Accountablity
A member of CCA, Weiboldt supports the organization, but disagrees with the lawsuit it filed to block the new charter for-hire sector. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
Recently the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) filed a lawsuit on against the recent approval by the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council to give the federal for hire recreational sector a separate quota. He feels that filing a lawsuit is not the way to increase the number of fishing days for recreational fishermen. “It is a shame that it has come to limiting the private boats to just nine days,” he said.
A member of CCA, Weiboldt supports the organization, but disagrees with the lawsuit it filed to block the new charter for-hire sector.
According to the fisherman who grew up spending time fishing from the Thunderbird, a local charter boat still operating on South Padre, the tragedy is that the current management plan for recreational anglers fails to provide a mechanism for staying within the quota. Individual fisherman can follow the existing rules precisely, but in the aggregate, the millions of fellow fishermen will catch more fish than allowed. “The problem is not each fisherman, but the lack of controls by the management plan to control the catch of all the recreational fishermen,” he explained.
“It is time for them to become accountable,” he explained. “It is time to start looking into the issuance of a tagging system, or the iPhone data collection system that is being used successfully by fisheries on the other coasts. There is no way for them to have accurate data on their quota while they continue to harvest over the limit, and have no formal reporting system. It is just plain irresponsible.”
The South Texas fisherman feels that if everyone would be accountable and responsible for catch, there wouldn’t be a problem. “Its not rocket science. I can’t wait to get my boat back in the water and ready to take tourists out for some of the best red snapper fishing in the Gulf. This is something I enjoy doing all my life, and I love to provide access to a great sport for those without their own boat,” he said.
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