A fishing update, some sailing news and a few great gift ideas

If the holidays are keeping you so busy you can't keep up with outdoors news, then here's a roundup for you of what's happened lately and what's ahead after the New Year.

. SNOOKERED: Didn't get a snook yet? Hold off for now — in these parts anyway. Anglers on Florida's Gulf coast, the Everglades and the Keys saw the season close Dec. 1 for the elusive gamefish with the lone stripe. No catching and keeping here till March 1.

But the Atlantic coast, the Kissimmee River and Lake Okechoobee (as if?! Who goes there for snook? Do the bass mind sharing the limelight?) will be open for snook harvest until midnight Sunday. Then those anglers are out of luck for tasting the tasty white meat until Feb. 1.

Why force anglers to only catch and release this species during winter? Protecting the fish in the cold months helps sustain their population. They might be fighters most of the time, but one state marine staffer told me it'd be too easy to get 'em when the water temps drop — kind of like shooting fish in a barrel. For more information, go to www.MyFWC.com.

Fishing regulations are in the news this month. . BITE ON THIS: If snapper is what you fancy, then be aware of a potential change for offshore anglers.

The FWC has proposed a draft rule to change the recreational harvest season for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico state waters. No one will decide for sure until after a public hearing at the FWC's February meeting in Destin. But the plan goes like this: Change the recreational red snapper harvest season in Gulf state waters from April 15 through Oct. 31 to June 1 through Sept. 30.

This would do two things: Make state season on red snapper consistent with the closed season in Gulf federal waters. And do something about overfishing of this species, which tastes so good sautéed in citrus or fried for a sandwich. Not convinced? FWC staffers said at the commission's recent monthly meeting that this change would likely mean no need for further restrictions in the future.

. GROUPER NEWS: Just after the holidays, people going for grouper in the Gulf will have to take note of new rules for both gag and red grouper. In short, the rules mean fewer gags and more reds for recreational anglers.

State and federal waters will have a twofish per-person recreational daily bag limit for gag grouper within the five-grouper aggregate limit here starting Jan. 1. Plus you won't be able to keep gags from Feb. 1 through March 31.

The bag limit for keeper-sized red grouper will increase from one fish per person to two in the New Year. That's just for state waters, but the FWC expects the feds to follow suit sometime in 2009.

Sound confusing? Here's how FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto put it: "The improvement in red grouper abundance in the Gulf gives us a chance to 'give back' some fish to anglers and helps reduce the overall impacts of the new gag grouper restrictions."

More information on grouper management is available online at MyFWC. com/marine/grouper/index.htm.

. CONCH REPUBLIC SAILING: The lousy economy isn't slowing down the sailing action in Key West. Sailboats and sailing crews from around the world are to compete in the waters off the Conch Republic during Acura Key West 2009, one of the most prestigious regattas on the international calendar. The racing challenge is scheduled Monday through Friday, Jan. 19-23.

Now in its 22nd year, Acura Key West 2009 features world-class racing. Besides a strong European representation, international sailors also are coming from as far away as New Zealand. In addition, every region in the continental United States is to be represented. Bring your boat and watch off shore, or check out the races from land at one of the island's Atlantic-front restaurants, resorts or beaches. Visit www.Premiere Racing.com or call (781) 639-9545.

. LAST-MINUTE GIFT IDEA: Here's one I hadn't thought of but the state did: You can buy a gift certificate from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to get a specialty license plate. The state has five specialty tags, all of which dish dollars to preserve and conserve when someone selects them.

What's available for the outdoors type in your life? Conserve Wildlife plate with the black bear logo ($15), Go Fishing plate with the largemouth bass logo ($25), Protect the Panther plate ($25), Helping Sea Turtles Survive plate ($23) and Save the Manatee plate ($20). (By the way, an additional $4.50 will be added at the time of purchase for administrative and certificate costs.)

You can get the gift certificates for a specialty tag at any motor vehicle office, such as the Lee County Tax Collector's Office. A credit will be issued in the name of the gift recipient. When recipients renew their license plates and pay the regular registration fee, they can use the gift certificate to buy the specialty tag.

Already shopped for your outdoors sweetheart? Because most tags are renewed on the birth date of the registered vehicle owner, these gift certificates make great birthday present, too.

To learn more about the FWC's specialty plates, visit www.WildlifeFlorida.org, or call 800-988-4889.

— Betsy Clayton is a freelancer based on Pine Island and also is Lee County Parks & Recreation's waterways coordinator. Contact her at boatingbybetsy@yahoo.com.