Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Salt Water Sportsman

This is my last column in Salt Water Sportsman. Change is a certainty; every tide goes out once its purpose is filled. When people hear what I do for a living, their first response is generally, “Oh, you must fish all the time.” Not really. If we fished all the time, there’d be no magazine, no website, no newsletters, no social media. The fishing takes place in between the work schedule. But always, beneath those routines, the fundamental joy and love of the sport, and the promise that you can always tap into it, drives us. It’s been an honor to occupy this desk, which has been observed by others as the most enviable in outdoor writing. No argument there—but it’s still a desk. When your work is something you…

The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced the allocation of $1.5 billion in annual funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program to support state and local outdoor recreation, and wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. The announcement includes historic levels of funding for the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund reauthorized as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law late last year, which means significantly increased funding for boating access and conservation efforts nationwide. The WSFR Program apportions excise taxes on hunting, shooting and fishing equipment, and boat fuel to all 50 states and US territories. The core value of all WSFR programs is fostering cooperative partnerships between federal and state agencies, working alongside anglers, hunters and other outdoor interests to enhance recreational opportunities while advancing sustainable resource…

The old saying goes, “Money talks and BS walks.” Well, the truth is a lot closer to yes and no when it comes to fisheries issues. As it applies to the money aspects, it should be fairly black and white. The “socio” impacts are a little murkier, unless you are simply looking at participation. Then for recreational fisheries, it is a slam dunk. A recent report published by the American Sportfishing Association shows just how big the economic impact of sport fishing is and how many participants enjoy the benefits. The numbers are astonishing. Nationwide the annual number of anglers is about 50.1 million. If those who might not purchase a license every year are counted, that number expands to 74 million, more than 1 in every 6 US citizens.…

Native Hawaiian watercraft were the inspiration behind Aquila’s 28 Molokai power catamaran, designed for the rigors of island hopping and the big waters of the open ocean. It boasts the highest tunnel clearance in its class for a better air cushion and reduced hull noise, as well as impressive stability and a smooth, comfortable ride. Large aft and forward cockpits ensure unencumbered, 360-degree fishability, and a wealth of fishing and family-friendly features and comforts make the 28-foot cat well-suited for offshore angling, tournament fishing and cruising. Ample seating with a table makes the bow area perfect for sharing snacks and beverages with the crew, and a central walk-through leads to a center transom door, providing direct water access for taking a dip or boating gaffed fish without having to clear…

The Mississippi Delta’s forest of oil-industry structures presents an ideal habitat for giant gray snapper. From simple well heads with four to six legs to multi-unit platforms with crew quarters, the structures give these snapper a lot of cover and a veritable food magnet—and that makes for happy fish. Capt. Mike Frennette of Venice, Louisiana’s Redfish Lodge targets 35- to 50-foot depths until summer swelter ushers the fish out to between 50 and 100 feet. Water temperature pulls them even farther out, but Frennette stresses that depth doesn’t change the game. “They’re not on the bottom; I think they just move out deeper so they can go down into some cooler water,” he says. “But we still fish them at the surface no matter what depth they’re in.” Hands-down, live…

A coveted catch for private anglers and charter captains along the central Gulf Coast, red snapper have clearly rebounded despite the federal management debacle, and these crimson kings are so sought after for two reasons: powerful fights and delicate flavor on the table. Capt. Tim Kline routinely puts his clients on quality reds aboard his Contender center-console based at Day Break Marina in Pensacola, Florida. “I love the visual aspect of the strike,” Kline explains. “So, I like to fish in 50- to 100-foot depths and chum. It’s too much fun watching 10-plus-pound red snapper swimming right behind the boat. It makes you giddy!” Kline cuts up pilchards and bonito into small pieces and tosses them overboard a handful at a time. He instructs his anglers to pitch their baits…

LENGTH: 46'7" BEAM: 13'4" DRAFT: 32” DEADRISE: 24 degrees FUEL: 694 gal. (gas)/33 gal. (diesel) WATER: 70 gal. WEIGHT: 24,703 lb. MAX HP: 2,400 PRICE: $1,297,260 (as tested) VALHALLA BOATWORKS: valhallaboatworks.com HOT ON THE HEELS OF THE SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTIONS OF ITS 33-, 37- AND 41-FOOT LUXURY CENTER-CONSOLES, VALHALLA BOATWORKS HAS LAUNCHED THE V-46, A LARGER MODEL THAT BLURS THE LINE BETWEEN OPEN BOATS AND THE REFINED SPORT-FISHERS PRODUCED BY VIKING YACHTS, ITS PARENT COMPANY. The V-46 build process begins with Viking’s computer-driven five-axis router, which carves the plugs for the hull, deck liner, coaming and all other parts. The plugs are then used to manufacture the fiberglass molds to build the boat. To increase strength and reduce weight, the hull, deck and hardtop are built with rigid foam coring, then…

Recently announced results of a three-year study revealed traces of numerous pharmaceuticals in the blood and tissue of bonefish captured in popular South Florida waters. The study was conducted in Miami-Dade County’s Biscayne Bay as well as the Florida Keys by Florida International University scientists working in collaboration with Sweden’s Umeå University and University of Agricultural Sciences, whose labs made possible the specialized testing required. The research was funded by Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a conservation group focused on the protection and proliferation of bonefish, tarpon and permit, their habitats, and the larger fisheries they comprise across the southeastern US, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean through science-based conservation, education and advocacy. Researchers have sampled 93 bonefish in South Florida since the project got underway in 2018, finding an average of…

Savvy anglers know that if you want red drum—big ones in the trophy category—you head for Pamlico Sound, west of Hatteras, North Carolina. Frank “Dino” Early got what he was looking for on a warm September day when he landed this 48-incher while fishing with mullet aboard Capt. Cam Whitaker’s charter boat, Tradition. YOUR CATCH To send in your catch photo, email us at catches@saltwatersportsman.com. Got a piece of good news to share? Want to gripe? Like to see your thoughts on the pages of Salt Water Sportsman? Send your letters, manuscripts and any relevant comments to editor@saltwatersportsman.com or via U.S. mail: SWS Editor, 555 Winderley Place, Suite 300, Maitland, FL32751. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcomed but will not be acknowledged or returned unless accompanied by an SASE. We are not…

Yesteryear’s deep-jiggers had it easy, choosing from just a handful of basic head designs and colors. Pinning on a bait or plastic worm constituted a major modification. With paint schemes depicting nearly every ocean creature, flutter and slow-pitch jig designs dominate today, and for good reason: They catch fish. Despite similarities in appearance among various manufacturers, it’s their action that sets jig models apart. Compared to traditional deep jigging, where 90 percent of lure action is angler-driven, it’s the reverse with flutter-type irons: The shape of a flutter jig determines its basic movements. Beyond that, aggressiveness is dictated by the body profile and thickness, weight distribution, and deviation in body alignment (bends or curves). Of course, anglers also have a hand. Flutter jigs come ready to fish. However, their potential…

A great choice for nearshore and offshore angling fans, the 266 Cayman from Robalo delivers a superb blend of performance, fishability and comfort. For starters, the generous bow and aft seating areas convert to raised casting platforms. And the extensive standard features include a fiberglass hardtop with electronics box, tri-color map lights and spreader lights, plus coaming bolsters, built-in tackle storage, port and starboard gunwale rod racks, lockable rod storage, four flush-mount rod holders on the covering boards, a 45-gallon forward fish box, a 20-gallon bow livewell and twin 30-gallon livewells/fish boxes—all with LED lighting and adjustable flow valves. The Cayman also packs in innovations. For instance, the standard helmseating leaning post can be upgraded to a multifunctional model with two rod holders, dual flip-up bolsters, a cooler underneath, and…

With more than 100 species known as snapper worldwide, it’s no surprise this group of saltwater fishes is highly sought after by anglers. Though most abundant in semitropical and tropical waters, some snappers also tolerate cooler water temperatures and are found in morenorthern latitudes. While this assemblage varies in size, color and biology, they share characteristics that define them as snapper: schooling fishes with elongated bodies, large mouths, and the canine teeth of predators. There are no vegetarians in the snapper world. Just about anything that swims can make a meal. Older juvenile snapper eat amphipods, shrimp and other invertebrates, while adults of most species shift to a diet dominated by fish. Anglers use whole dead baits, live baits and lures that mimic prey to draw strikes. All snapper species…

Capt. Walter Mason of Islamorada is not a biologist, but after 45 years of fishing and diving in the Florida Keys, he probably knows more about mutton snapper habits than most scientists. He does a lot of little things to catch more than his share of this prize species. “We used to use 30-foot leaders; now it’s 50-foot leaders because the sinker spooks fish,” Mason says. “It’s crucial not to bang your sinker on the bottom because it freaks out the big muttons.” Mason keeps the sinker from stirring up sand by raising and lowering the rod with the boat motion, with the reel in free-spool or with the bail open. The best fishing for muttons is during the spawn in June or July. “If the full moon is in…

0f all the Florida Keys species, the most iconic just might be the yellowtail snapper, the perennially popular resident of the reefs. “Most people I take fishing want snapper,” says Capt. Jimmy Gagliardini of High Caliber Sport Fishing in Marathon, Florida. “They’re challenging, fun to catch and good to eat.” Yellowtails inhabit drop-offs, ledges, and especially the main reef paralleling the Keys. “Anywhere you see a drop, you’ll find yellowtails waiting for the current to bring them a meal,” Gagliardini says. Moving water is a prerequisite for yellowtailing. “You need at least a half a knot of current,” he says. The best time of the year is spring and into summer during the spawning months, when yellowtails of all sizes aggregate. While abundant, yellowtails get pressured from both commercial and…

LENGTH: 23’2" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 15" DEADRISE: 14 degrees FUEL: 65 gal. WEIGHT: 2,800 lb. MAX HP: 400 PRICE: Starts at $87,777 w/power SCOUT BOATS: scoutboats.com WHILE WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS LUXURY CENTERCONSOLE MODELS, SCOUT IS NO STRANGER TO BAY BOATS. IN FACT, IT NOW OFFERS THREE MODELS IN THAT CLASS, ALL BOASTING THE QUALITY CONSTRUCTION AND FIT-AND-FINISH THAT MADE THE BUILDER A STANDOUT. THE 231 XSB, THE LATEST, SHARES MANY TRAITS WITH ITS POPULAR 231 XS SIBLING. It also offers improvements in three important categories: performance, comfort and fishability. And in typical Scout fashion, it sports an innovative feature bound to leave the competition wondering why they didn’t think of that: the patent-pending Scout Post, a clever yet simple through-hull anchoring pin that enables staking out in shallow water from…

NOAA Fisheries released its Recovering, Threatened and Endangered Species Report to Congress (FY 2019-2022), which covers the agency's efforts to recover all domestic and transnational species under its jurisdiction from October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2020, and summarizes the status of each species that has or will have a recovery plan, along with the status of the recovery plan, and the completion date for the last five-year review. With this report, NOAA provides updates on the progress made on its strategic approach to endangered species recovery, focusing agency resources on species for which immediate, targeted efforts can be taken to stabilize the populations and prevent extinction. The report highlights recovery progress for nine species most at risk, including Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon, Central California coast coho and Sacramento…

1 Yo-Zuri Fingerling Yo-Zuri advances its proven 3D Minnow into the salt with the 3D Inshore Fingerling, a minnow-shaped suspending lure designed for inshore species. Available in 14 color patterns in two sizes: 23/4- and 4-inch (1/4- and 5/8-ounce). Starting at $8.99; yo-zuri.com 2 Frabill Bait Station Keep baits alive and frisky when you're on the move with the Universal Bait Station from Frabill. The soft-sided cooler keeps the water cool, and the battery-operated side-mounted pump provides oxygen through the included air stone. It also doubles as a tackle bag sized for Stowaway boxes, or as a lunch cooler. $59.99; planomolding.com 3 No-Spill Toadfish Keep your drinks upright and where they belong with the nontipping 10-ounce Rocks Tumbler with lid and sipping slider, 10-ounce Wine Tumbler with or without optional glass…

With all the new technology designed to hold a boat’s position, such as boat-control systems and trolling motors with spot-lock or virtual-anchoring features, anchoring might seem like a dying art. Yet deploying an anchor, particularly in water deeper than 100 feet with a considerable wind or current, remains the most dependable method for parking a vessel to bottomfish or target game that gravitates toward wrecks and other underwater structure. But that’s where consensus dissolves. The type of bottom, the prevailing conditions, and even the boat’s design frequently demand changes to the gear and rigging commonly recommended for anchoring. For West and East Coast perspectives, we talked to Capt. Mark Wisch of Pacific Edge in Huntington Beach, California, and Capt. Dave Marciano, charter guide and commercial fisherman of TV’s Wicked Tuna…

On a 30-mile night passage to the tuna grounds, my crewmate grew noticeably uncomfortable with his inability to see in the inky blackness of a moonless evening and expressed doubt in my ability to pilot safely via radar. So, I handed him my handheld FLIR Ocean Scout TK marine thermal camera. “Try this,” I said. “And speak up if you see anything.” Armed with the technology to visually pierce the darkness, he settled down, gained confi-dence in our safety, and served as a more effective lookout. From mobile phones and doorbell cameras to public surveillance and automobile backup warnings, video increasingly pervades our lives. That extends to a growing number of marine camera systems that enable safer navigation, easier docking and improved security, as well as capturing angling action and…

SNAPPER LOCATIONS…

Many consider snapper the headliners of the myriad Bahamas reef species. Hit the right spots and the right conditions with the proper techniques, and plump yellowtails, muttons and mangroves are the rewards. Go deep, and you’ll add even more players to the roster. Location, Location Precise GPS coordinates to prime Bahamas bottom spots are so guarded, anglers commonly assign them code names. After a successful day of bottomfishing some years ago, three gentlemen stopped me as I left my boat at the Bimini Big Game Club docks. One, a Bimini homeowner, had heard me mention “Wilson Rocks” on the radio. No such spot exists, he insisted, unfurling a chart. I pointed to nearby Piquet Rocks, and asked if he’d heard of Wilson Pickett. He nodded and slowly came to realize…

A limit of 10 vermilion rockfish —known as “reds”—has long been the measure of successful rockfishing. Its size (up to 10 pounds), availability and flaky white fillets put this brilliantly colored species on a pedestal as Southern California’s top bottomfish. However, new regulations for SoCal for the 2022 season come with bitter pills: a sub-limit of four vermilion rockfish within the overall 10-fish bag limit. Even more Draconian is a reduction in the sub-limit for the almost equally popular copper rockfish to just one, as well as one of the less popular quillback rockfish. This is all complicated by the fact that rockfish can only be released by using specialized descending devices. The rule has created situations where boats have to pull away from great fishing to avoid going over…