Anglers spent an average of 27 days (median = 17) fishing in the previous 12 months with an average of 18.9 days (median = 10) in saltwater. Nearly all of their saltwater fishing was for spotted seatrout (18.6 days) (median = 10).

Anglers had been fishing for spotted seatrout for an average of 18.5 years (median = 20).

Most (71%) reported being moderately to extremely satisfied with spotted seatrout fishing in Texas.

On average, anglers spent $132 on a typical spotted seatrout fishing trip. The trip lasted 2 days and involved one-way travel of 85 miles.

When survey results are applied to estimated license sales, approximately 384,000 licensed anglers in Texas will target spotted seatrout as their first, second or third preference in the 1992-1993 license year. These anglers spent an estimated $495,000,000 in the previous year on spotted seatrout fishing trips. This includes trip costs only and does not include equipment purchases (e.g., boats, rods, reels, etc.).

Major expenditures on spotted seatrout trips were for transportation, lodging, boat operation cost, and food, drinks and ice.

Only about 16% of the anglers participated in saltwater fishing tournaments in the previous 12 months. Of those who reported fishing in tournaments, most reported fishing in only 1 (53%) or 2 (30%) tournaments in the previous 12 months.

Anglers were split on whether saltwater tournaments were putting too much pressure on spotted seatrout populations (32% agreed, 31% disagreed, and 37% were neutral).

About 43% of the anglers reported they were neutral toward the ideas of organized saltwater fishing tournaments in Texas or organized saltwater tournaments which offer large cash prizes.

Most (53%) anglers expressed support for a requirement that tournaments have a permit from TPWD. Even more (64%) felt tournaments should return a percentage of their purses to TPWD to support saltwater fisheries management.

About 42% of anglers were opposed to designating certain areas as catch and release fishing only for spotted seatrout. An option which would allow anglers to keep 1 trophy fish while fishing in catch and release areas did not decrease opposition.

Opposition further increased (57%) when anglers were asked about having their favorite fishing area designated as catch and release fishing only.

About 22% of the anglers reported that they had fished for spotted seatrout with a professional guide at some time.

Anglers who fished with a professional guide during the previous 12 months averaged 3 days of spotted seatrout fishing with a guide.

About 37% of the anglers agreed (28% disagreed, with 35% neutral) that professional guides are putting too much fishing pressure on spotted seatrout populations.

Anglers were nearly evenly split in their support (40%) or opposition (33%) of a regulation that would prevent guides from keeping spotted seatrout when fishing with paying customers.

Most (62%) anglers supported a regulation which would allow them to keep one fish under the 15" limit with the current bag limit of 10 fish, but fewer (47%) supported the idea of being allowed to keep two fish under the limit.

One-half (50%) supported (with 15% neutral) lowering the current minimum size of 15" to 14" with the current bag limit.

About 23% of the anglers felt there was currently too much fishing pressure on trophy-sized (over 28", for example) spotted seatrout.

About 28% of the anglers supported (51% opposed, 21% neutral) a requirement that all trophy-sized spotted seatrout be released. However, most anglers (60%) supported the idea of releasing trophy spotted seatrout if they could keep one fish over a trophy size limit (i.e., 28") per day.

Nearly one-half (48%) of the anglers supported a limit on the number of trophy spotted seatrout an angler could keep per year.

Questions regarding trophy tags were introduced as follows: In order to regulate the taking of trophy spotted seatrout (over 28", for example), so that more people have an opportunity to catch one, several alternatives are being considered. One of these involves the use of a "trophy tag". The tag would be placed on large spotted seatrout, much like tags are currently used in deer hunting, and would allow you to keep tagged spotted seatrout over the maximum size.

Most (61%) anglers reported they would support a trophy tag available at no charge when they purchased a license.

Most (70%) anglers were opposed to a tropht tag if it was at additional cost to their license fee. Opposition decreased to 44% if revenue from tag sales went soley for spotted seatrout management.

If only one tag was available for purchase to each angler per year, 45% reported they would oppose a trophy tag. If multiple tags were availabe for purchase throughout the year, 55% were opposed.

When anglers were asked if they would purchase the tag at varying prices from $4-$50 rather than release all spotted seatrout over a maximum size of 28", most (83%) reported they would not purchase the tag.

For those willing to pay for a trophy tag for spotted seatrout, the average price they listed as the highest price they would pay was $8.