Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Salt Water Sportsman

February is a favorite around here. Holidays have passed, the boat-show season winds toward a spectacular end in Miami, and the days are stretching out a bit with more daylight. Weather moderates and begins to break the grip of winter in the north. There’s a promise of tarpon stirring, and the reefs are alive in the southern climes. Part of our midwinter ritual has been our February Essential Skills issue. Over each of the past five years, we’ve enjoyed presenting a collection of fundamentals, and as basic as they seemed, we all learned a little something from those projects. As much as we live and breathe this stuff like we have for years—rather decades—there’s always a tidbit of knowledge or some twist on a basic skill that provides an aha…

Having done this longer than I care to think about, I have written about many different fish species. One seems to take up more space than others. Justifiably so, when one realizes it is available in almost every state, and one of the most prized sport-fish catches. It has been managed and mismanaged. It has been fisheries managers’ crown jewel, and has now declined into “being overfished” and “overfishing occurring” statuses. Striped bass management was the epitome of restoring a depleted fishery in the mid-1980s to mid-’90s. Everyone shared the pain that resulted in the gain. The population peaked around 2006, and since then, managers fought hard for their own state’s share of the pie as striper numbers declined. As the old saying goes, they fiddled while Rome burned. “If…

Twin Vee 340 GFX Boasting 34 feet in length, more than 11 feet of beam, a 382-gallon fuel capacity, and rated for up to 800 hp, Twin Vee’s 340 GFX is built for serious offshore anglers who place a premium on speed, stability and endurance. This power catamaran comes with a long list of standard fishing amenities, including three large livewells—twin 45-gallon wells aft and a 40-gallon in the helm seat—300-gallon macerated fish boxes, 16 Gemlux flush-mount rod holders, lighted thermoformed gunwale rod racks, bow and stern tackle centers, raw- and freshwater washdowns, and more. A fiberglass hardtop with lighting and an electronics box, a swim platform, and dual engine brackets are also standard. To keep the skipper and crew comfortable in a range of sea conditions, the 340 GFX…

LENGTH: 26'1" BEAM: 9'3" DRAFT: 17" DEADRISE: 21.5 degrees FUEL: 161 gal. WEIGHT: 5,555 lb. MAX HP: 400 PRICE: $123,088 w/twin Yamaha F150s COBIA BOATS: cobiaboats.com AS THE DIMENSIONS OF MANY CENTER-CONSOLE BOATS GROW TO RIVAL THOSE OF BIG-GAME BATTLEWAGONS, IT’S REASSURING TO KNOW THAT TOP BUILDERS LIKE COBIA HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN ABOUT THOSE FOR WHOM THE ULTIMATE CHOICE IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY FISHING BOAT, EASY TO TRAILER AND STORE, AND WELL-SUITED FOR A VARIETY OF SITUATIONS. The 262 CC checks all those boxes, adding excellent performance as well as a comfortable ride to the mix. Though not a bay boat, the 26-footer—with its 17-inch draft—is still capable of venturing well inshore to fish protected waters, a fun and safe alternative whenever moody King Neptune churns up the sea beyond one’s comfort…

Tropical tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean gained renewed protections and science-based catch levels under resolutions advocated by the United States and recently adopted by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. With earlier tuna management resolutions close to expiring, the IATTC approved new three-year management measures for yellowfin, bigeye and skipjack tunas caught by purse-seine and longline vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, imposing a 72-day closure for purse-seine vessels each year, and applying additional closure days to vessels exceeding a 1,200-metric-ton annual limit of bigeye tuna. The IATTC also amended a long-term agreement requiring the adjustment of catch limits if Pacific bluefin tuna are not expected to meet the stock rebuilding target. It maintains existing management provisions and increased catch limits for Pacific bluefin tuna, consistent with the recommendations of…

Today, like never before, marine electronics brands are scrambling to meet the growing demand for multifunction displays, sonar systems, transducers, VHF radios, radars and more. Blame it on COVID-19 because the pandemic spurred a boat-buying spree and, at the same time, hamstrung the supply of microprocessors, LED screens and other key electronics components. As a result, the usually feverish pace of introductions has significantly decelerated as companies shifted new development to the back burner. Yet there are still numerous bright spots on the new-electronics horizon, particularly when it comes to communication, radar, camera systems and wireless integration. Here are some prime examples. 1 RAYMARINE CYCLONE RADAR Raymarine’s Cyclone chirp, pulse-compression, solid-state radar series offers an aircraft-inspired open-array system with a host of advanced features, including Doppler, bird, navigation and unlimited dual-range…

In bays as well as the ocean and Gulf of Mexico, tide changes often bring clean water into discolored areas. Seek out the places that clear first; the upstream edges of islands and midwater shoals washed by the clean water are likely spots, as are areas with the most current. Also, when the falling tide slows in marshy or shallow areas, the water will often clear as sediment settles. These cleaner areas will often be the first to hold fish awaiting a meal on the incoming flow.…

LENGTH: 33'11"” BEAM: 10'3"” DRAFT: 22" FUEL: 400 gal. WEIGHT: 11,000 lb. w/power MAX HP: 900 PRICE: On request INVINCIBLE: invincibleboats.com INVINCIBLE, ONE OF THE TOP BOATBUILDERS LEADING THE CHARGE IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE FISHING CATAMARANS, RECENTLY ADDED ANOTHER MODEL TO ITS CAT LINEUP, A 33-FOOTER THAT TUCKS EASILY INTO PRIVATE MOORINGS AND OFFERS MANY OF THE SAME FISHING FEATURES AND COMFORTS OF ITS HERALDED LARGER SIBLINGS. The 33 Cat rides smoothly in rough water, is stable at trolling speeds and at anchor, and resists rolling in beam seas—all thanks to the Morrelli and Melvin “hybrid semi-asymmetrical” hull design, which seamlessly combines the best characteristics of symmetrical and asymmetrical catamaran hulls. A blend of both hull styles, the Invincible boasts turn-hugging inboard sponson sidewalls and wave-deflecting outboard sidewalls, so it makes sharp…

MARINE DEBRIS IS A GLOBAL THREAT TO MARINE SPECIES, but a good system to document and track ongoing problems has been lacking. However, a new tool available to the public may offer some solutions. A project developed through NOAA’s Southeast Marine Debris Action Plan now affords a reporting tool for anyone, including wildlife resource officers, animal rescue teams, and all members of the community in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to document interactions between animals and marine debris. Reporting will provide wildlife responders with timely reports in the field so they can assess, and ultimately reduce, the impacts of marine debris on wildlife in the Southeast. Meanwhile, housing the information in one place will allow natural-resource agencies to better understand how marine debris affects wildlife populations and develop effective…

1 Shimano The radically designed Pop-Orca from Shimano features a right-angle bubble chamber that directs water out the top of the lure for added commotion on the retrieve. Available in seven colors and patterns, 4¼- to 5⅞-inch, in 1⅞ to 3⅛ ounces. $19.99 to $27.99; fish.shimano.com 2 Berkley Featuring best-in-class abrasion resistance, ProSpec Chrome copolymer monofilament from Berkley has been designed and tested under challenging trolling and casting conditions. Available in Hi-Vis Yellow, Blaze Orange, Ocean Blue or clear in small and bulk spools, 10- to 130-pound-test. $46.99 to $279.99; berkley-fishing.com 3 Costa del Mar Costa expands its sunglass reputation and functionality into prescription lenses with anti-static, smudge-, water-, oil- and scratch-resistant Costa Clear lenses. Available in three single vision and four progressive lens options, featuring advanced coatings, blue light…

“EVA foam offers comfort, protection and simple solutions to common problems.” Well before EVA foam deck material made its splash in the boating industry, Scott “Butch” Bouchard was using X-Trak traction material on his surfboard. The former Florida pro wave rider wanted extra grip, and the foam material helped his feet stay planted. So, when he wanted decking for his center-console fishing boat, he went to the company that made X-Trak: SeaDek. “I fish for tuna and wahoo a lot, and I run to the Bahamas. The comfort is phenomenal, and the traction—there’s nothing that compares,” says Bouchard, who adds that SeaDek reduces light refraction. When sun rays bounce off a light-colored nonskid or gelcoat, heat radiates. The foam material, by contrast, delivers a cooling effect. And because it’s literally…

“Every year is different, but oftentimes the same year-class of bluefins returns year after year, they just get larger each season,” Crochetiere says. “In 2019, we had two separate year-classes: fish measuring from the mid-20 inches to the low 30s, and from 50 to the low 60s. In 2020, we had the same year-classes return, but the younger tuna had reached the mid-30s, and the older ranged from 60 to 70 inches. Another year-class of 20-inchers and high 30- to low 40-inchers joined the mix in 2021. This was in addition to some large 65- to 80-inch bluefins, and giants measuring 95 to 115. I do not specifically target the giants on jig-and-pop tackle, but they are occasionally hooked on such gear. And that usually ends in the fish’s favor,”…

As the son of an accomplished South Florida charter captain, Casey Hunt got an early education on the water. He saw what it took to win marlin and wahoo tournaments. “Winning the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo at 15 and drift-boat-fishing the Pompano Rodeo, the thing that stood out was preparation, preparation, preparation. When preparation meets opportunity, you catch that fish. It’s the littlest things that make the difference,” Hunt says. “Each time a line goes in the water, the hooks, the knots, everything should be perfect. You’ve got to spend that extra time because that is going to catch you more fish.” A few years ago, Hunt moved to Key West, where he operates CN-It Adventures with his partner, Capt. Natalie Rarick, chartering, tournament fishing, and plying skills gained on…

“I was hoping to fish tight to shoreline structure today,” said Capt. Ryan Kane of Southern Instinct Charters in Fort Myers, Florida. “Unfortunately, we have a red tide bloom spreading across this cove, so we’ll have to make a little adjustment. Hold on tight.” Kane pushed the throttle forward and pointed the bow toward open water in Pine Island Sound, where a small shoal awaited a mile away. The shallow waters, he reasoned, would be clearer due to stronger tidal flow, and redfish and snook were likely to cruise the perimeter in search of crabs, shrimp and baitfish during the early-morning flood. Kane’s theory proved on the mark. After dropping the hook, it took less than 15 minutes to connect with our first snook of the day, and another 20…