LETTER: Bon Voyage to the New Florida Girl

Thanks so much for your recent article "Goodbye to the New Florida Girl."

The old Girl and Capt. Jim Westbrook are truly one of Destin's real treasures. I grew up and have lived on the Gulf of Mexico all my life. Since I was old enough to get my shoulders above the handrail of the old Crystal Beach pier, I've been fishing the Gulf. I've been fishing with Jim for some 10 to 12 years, and he's never failed to produce a memorable fishing trip.

I was very relieved to hear that he'll continue to use his prowess and knowledge of the northern Gulf on another boat. He knows where they live. I was not surprised to hear of his innovative plans for the New Florida Girl, that's just Jim Westbrook.

I totally agreed with his comments on fishing regulation. Obviously, the stewardship of this great gift God has given us in the form of the Gulf of Mexico is a sacred duty. Jim's right when he says that current methods of regulation "just don't make sense."

I've seen this type of nonsensical regulation for most of my adult life as a native of Okaloosa County — not only in the Gulf and adjoining bays, but also in freshwater lakes controlled by the state.

Ask any longtime local fisherman, and they will tell you the same. The over abundance of red fish along the entire Gulf Coast is a prime example. You can catch them all day, everyday, but you can't keep enough to make one good meal.

I could go on, but I would like to see the evidence upon which these regulations are imposed. I suspect it's dubious at best. It wouldn't surprise me to find that most of the guys who make these decisions have never done much fishing.

The subliminal message in all of this, of course, is to regulate commercial fishing practices — which is, as they say, a whole ’nother can of worms.

James McMahon
Crestview