Summary
The effects of hook soak time on targeted reef fish and shark bycatch were investigated in the eastern Gulf of Mexico bottom longline fishery. Hook timers were used to evaluate capture time and catch per unit effort (CPUE) for the target species, red grouper (Epinephelus morio). The results indicate the typical duration of hook soak times is longer than needed to efficiently harvest red grouper. Reducing soak time to less than one hour would result in minimal to no reduction and CPUE of red grouper. Because the mean capture time of sharks and red grouper differ significantly, reducing the hook soak time would likely reduce bycatch of sharks in the fishery.