Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2015 i Salt Water Sportsman

Janath DeSilva of Upton, Massachusetts (right), hooked this monster tarpon while fishing with Capt. Drew Davis (left) on Out of the Blue in Port Royal Sound off Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It took DeSilva about 40 minutes to boat the giant, which put on a fabulous aerial display, jumping and then diving deep. The crew took a quick photo with the 6-foot-plus fish, estimated at about 200 pounds, and then released it safely. The current tarpon South Carolina state record set in 1987 is 154 pounds, 10 ounces. Little did they know they had a potential record fish on their hands. YOUR CATCH To send in your catch photo, email us at catches@saltwatersportsman.com. DROP US A LINE Got a piece of good news to share? Want to gripe? Like…

PASSING IT ON: The true value of healthy fisheries lies in our ability to pass them on to the next generation of anglers. MANAGING RESOURCES FOR A SUSTAINABLE EXPERIENCE. A lot of fishing potential will happen within a short period. It is usually my favorite time, but, for me, at least, an unusual event took place during the heart of summer that made me appreciate the real value of our fishery resources. For the last couple of years, my eldest granddaughter has been getting more and more excited about fishing. She began the process of learning how to cast a spinning rod. response. It has to be worked to get results. She has also gone to an L.L.Bean summer camp where she learned to cast a fly rod, among other…

Whenever redfish are mentioned, most fly anglers imagine the distinctive black-dotted caudal fin of a tailer peeking out of skinny water, or the bulging wake of a cruiser tracking down its next meal. As exciting as such scenarios appear, they become even more exhilarating when topwater patterns, poppers and sliders, are substituted for the subsurface flies commonly used to target the fish. The anticipation increases exponentially as you watch a redfish rush a fly on the surface, and the explosive strike that ensues makes a heck of a thrilling payoff. Know Your Target The anatomy of a fish often reveals its typical feeding habits. The inferior position of a redfish’s mouth tells us it’s a species that predominantly feeds on the bottom. While it’s true that reds primarily eat crabs,…

A massive beam of nearly 10 feet afforded Sea Fox the real estate to include lots of fishing room, generous storage space, a range of functional features and a variety of seating arrangements in the new 28-foot Commander. At the bow, there’s a 40-inch-wide lounger with dual curved loungers on each side and a deep storage box beneath. The helm seating pod features a rigging station in back and a 65-quart Yeti cooler below on an electric slide. In the rear, jump seats and a bench accommodate four adults comfortably and fold down during fishing. A pair of cavernous in-deck fish boxes and a 60-gallon pressurized livewell with baffled divider and double-latched acrylic lid are also on the long list of standard features and available options. seafoxboats.com…

ANGLING FUNDAMENTALS LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR MASTERY OF THE GAME. EVERYONE CARRIES WITH THEM THEI R OWN SET O F ACQUIRED FISH ING SKI LLS, THE FOUNDATION FOR A LI FETIME O F LEARNING. WE’VE SELECTED 14 SKI LLS THAT CONSTITUTE A BASIC LITERACY I N ANGLING, THE THINGS EVERY FISHERMAN SHOULD KNOW. 1 HOW TO: REMOVE A HOOK FROM HUMAN FLESH To remove a hook that has penentrated the skin beyond the barb, loop a piece of cord or heavy line around the bend, then press down firmly on the shank of the hook. This pressure opens up the wound channel vertically, clearing the barb. While maintaining steady pressure, take a firm grip on the loop of cord, and snatch the hook out in one quick motion. 2 HOW…

Unless you own carbureted models or have diagnostic software installed on your laptop or tablet, there are limits as to what an owner can do to service today’s digital outboards. But with common hand tools and shop supplies, a few do-it-yourself projects help prevent bigger problems, save money and leave you free to concentrate on fishing. “At least once a season, pull the propeller off and check for fishing line behind the thrust washer,” says Mike Paulette, the senior certified technician for Shields Marina in St. Marks, Florida. Paulette works on Evinrude, Honda, Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha outboards. “If you find line plus water in the gear oil — it’ll look milky — there’s a good chance the prop-shaft seal is leaking and it’ll need replacing. But if everything checks…

SWS PLANNER: TEXAS RED SNAPPER WHAT: Red snapper WHERE: Middle and lower Texas coast WHEN: Yearround, best October through April WHO: Anglers on boats equipped with chart plotter and fish finder. The following charter captains know the spots and tactics to make your next red snapper trip a success: Port Mansfield Capt. Chad Kinney 956-802-2269 bammbammfishing.com port O’Connor Capt. Dodd Coffey 361-212-2726 port aransas Dolphin Docks Deep Sea Fishing 800-393-3474 dolphindocks.com FAST FACTS FOR SUCCESS COOL AND CALM: Plan your winter red snapper trip right after a cold front. The backside of a cold front offers calm seas and easier access to rocks, wrecks and reefs several miles offshore. BEST OPTIONS: A jig tipped with a piece of fresh shrimp, Spanish sardine or finger mullet is sure to get bites.…

SWS Planner: VIRGINIA TROPHY STRIPeD BASS WHAT: Striped bass WHEN: Year-round; spring for trophies WHERE: Virginia, Lower Chesapeake Bay WHO: For more information on Virginia striped bass, go to: mrc.org. These charter captains are experts in the subject: Capt. Zach Hoffman Salt Treated Fishing salttreatedfishing.com 757-817-1388 Capt. Ben Shepherd Above Average Sportfishing 757-621-5094 Capt. Herb Gordon Pretty Work Charters charterfishingvirginia beach.com 757-236-4665 Capt. Craig Paige Paige II Charters paige2charters.com 757- 672-9381 FAST FACTS FOR SUCCESS LOW LIGHT: Focus your efforts during low-light periods. Dawn and dusk usually prove the most productive times. FLEX TIME: Stay alert to opportunities. Topwaters, swimbaits, jigs and poppers all have their time and place. TROPHY TIME: Look for the biggest fish in early spring once water temperatures reach 60 degrees. SWS TACKLE BOX: VIRGINIA TROPHY…

Dad wants a fish boat: fast, seaworthy and economical to get him into the action. Mom wants amenities: a private head, cabin, and space to cook, eat and entertain with the security of lots of freeboard in the cockpit. The kids, well they want it all: fishing with dad, swimming, crabbing, tubing and power for their iPhones. A conundrum? Maybe not because Minnesota-based Striper Boats just added a midsize walkaround to its line that does it all in a mere 27 feet. TEST CONDITIONS WEATHER: CLEAR AND SUNNY LOCATION: SANDY HOOK, NEW JERSEY WIND: SOUTH 10 TO 15 KNOTS SEA STATE: CHOPPY BAY; OCEAN, 4 TO 6 FEET TEST LOAD: TWO ADULTS, 100 GALLONS OF FUEL Our test boat, hull No. 1, was powered by a pair of bright-red Evinrude…

Anticipating the needs of anglers who enjoy time on the water with the family, Grady-White launches a new and improved version of its popular Freedom 275. The versatile dual-console model has been upgraded with a number of functional and plush features. A new deck design, an expanded helm area, a wider entry to the lockable port console with head, reconfigured deluxe seating and an optional wet bar setup with a grill and refrigerator are among the enhancements. The enlarged aft cockpit offers more room to fish or just chill. Grady-White’s patented aft benchstyle seat folds away when things get busy. There’s also an integrated swim ladder with transomdoor access. The bow now has seating for six, and the new layout allows longer-rod storage in the console. gradywhite.com…

FIND PRIME INSHORE GROUPER ACTION IN SOUTH FLORIDA SWS PLANNER SOUTH FLORIDA INSHORE GROUPER WHAT: Gag grouper WHERE: South Florida (Miami to Palm Beach) WHEN: Year-round, best during the cooler months WHO: This is a DIY fishery, available to any angler aboard a boat with a fish finder. Even those with bay boats and skiffs partake, as the fishing takes place primarily in protected waters. FAST FACTS FOR SUCCESS GROUPER GROUNDS: Troll around shallow wrecks and rock piles, along jetties and over hard bottom in the ICW. TRACK STRIKES: When you get a bite, mark the spot on your chart plotter so you can return and fish it again later. STOUT WINS BOUTS: You’ll boat more grouper if you use heavy gear. Ten- to 15-pounders pack plenty of power. MOVEABLE…

FAST FACTS FOR SUCCESS TARGET: Seek out rock reefs and hard bottom in 75 to 300 feet of water. THE ZONE: Work lures in the lower 15 feet of the water column. NO QUARTER: Steady pressure keeps hooked fish off the bottom. LINGCOD RULE THE ROCK PILES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S COASTAL WATERS. ENDOWED WITH CAVERNOUS MOUTHS STUDDED WITH TEETH, THEY’RE EAGER TO LATCH ON TO WHATEVER SWIMS BY. WHETHER THEY CAN SWALLOW WHAT THEY ATTACK SEEMS IRRELEVANT. THEY OFTEN GRAB OTHER FISH AS THEY’RE REELED IN AND REFUSE TO LET GO, HOLDING ON ALL THE WAY TO A WAITING NET OR GAFF. TH IS TRAIT MIGHT NOT BE SOPHISTICATED, BUT IT MAKES LINGCOD IDEAL TARGETS FOR OVERSIZE REACTION BAITS. California-based tackle manufacturers like Kustom Kraft, Candy Bar and Okuma have…

When it comes to bay boats, Pathfinder has been at the forefront in design and innovation from the get-go. So it comes as no surprise that the 2600 TRS, its latest addition, offers a number of nifty features in a smart layout tailored to the needs of serious anglers who value not just performance, but also creature comforts for the family. TEST CONDITIONS WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY LOCATION: STUART, FLORIDA WIND: 14 KNOTS SEA STATE: LIGHT CHOP TEST LOAD: TWO ADULTS, 16 GALLONS OF FUEL Built on the tried-and-true double-stepped hull of the 2600 HPS, the new TRS is fast and dry on the run and stable adrift or at anchor. At just over 26 feet with nearly 9 feet of beam, this Pathfinder offers lots of room to move about,…