Sport Fishing September - October 2015

A FRACTION OF 44 MILLION TOTAL ANGLERS HAS A LOT MORE IMPACT THAN THE SAME FRACTION OF 11 MILLION SALTWATER ANGLERS. Nine Inch Nails’ 1999 release, We’re in This Together, sprang to mind when I heard the June 1 announcement by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) that it had launched Bass Anglers for Saltwater Conservation (BASC — bassforsalt.com). The announcement was met with the sort of enthusiastic public support you’d expect from other recreational-fishing-community organizations, such as the Coastal Conservation Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, American Sportfishing Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Recreational Fishing Alliance, Center for Coastal Conservation and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. These groups had reason to be pleased, given the numbers. B.A.S.S. is a half-million members strong. In addition to more than 11 million saltwater anglers…

IN SOUTH TEXAS’ glassy inshore waters, Capt. Brian Barrera of South Padre Island targets redfish, seatrout and even snook using jig heads and soft baits on light leaders. He catches spooky fish in the clear waters — but to do so, he has to downsize his tackle. “Sight-fishing in 8 inches of water, I have to drop down from 20- to 10-pound braid to make longer casts,” says Barrera. “Jig heads must be ⅛ to 1∕16 ounces. Four- to 6-inch finger mullet require smaller hooks, too. Don’t use a swivel to connect braid to leader; instead use a line-to-leader knot.” Because fish are often on edge in his local waters, Barrera prefers to fish greener, of -color waters around his local sand flats. He’s also meticulous about not crowding the…

(Oncorhynchus kisutch) ALTHOUGH NOT THE LARGEST OF THE SIX PACIFIC SALMON SPECIES, THE COHO (AKA SILVER) IS THE MOST AGILE AND WILDEST ON THE HOOK, OFTEN LEAPING REPEATEDLY. THE COHO RANGES FROM CALIFORNIA NORTH TO ALASKA AND WEST TO THE KAMCHATKA PENINSULA. THE IGFA ALL-TACKLE RECORD IS 33 POUNDS, 4 OUNCES, FROM NEW YORK’S SALMON RIVER IN 1989. (THE SPECIES WAS SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED TO LAKE MICHIGAN IN THE 1960S.) TAILS FROM THE DEEP SIDE Q I’ve had hands-on experience with both makos and swordfish, and several times have had them lying side by side. The area just in front of the tail of both species is very similar, but different from most other species. Does this thick area have a specific purpose? Both species are immensely strong and fast, but…

(And Win Up to 10,800 Yards of Line!) SEND IN YOUR QUESTION and any relevant photos of your mysterious catch or observation for our experts’ ID and feedback. If we publish your question, and you have a shipping address within the United States or Canada, you’ll win a 3-pound spool of Berkley Pro Spec ocean-blue or fluorescent-yellow monofilament (1,000 to 10,800 yards, depending on line strength) or a 1,500-yard spool of Spiderwire Stealth braid up to 100-pound-test! Send questions and images via email to fishfacts@ sportfishingmag.com (include your hometown) or via post to Sport Fishing Fish Facts, 460 N. Orlando Ave., Suite SPONSORED B Y SF FISH FACTS EXPERTS NORTHEAST Mike Fahay, Sandy Hook Marine Lab, New Jersey SOUTHEAST Ray Waldner, Ph.D., Palm Beach Atlantic University, Florida GULF OF MEXICO…

MULLET, HERRING, MENHADEN and sardines swimming erratically just below the surface, throwing a telltale V-wake, don’t swim that way because they’re comfortable. Chances are those baits are speeding away from a perceived threat. “Distress is typically the ‘running motor’ behind a waking baitfish,” says Patrick Sebile, founder and lure designer for Sebile Innovative Fishing. “Predators are sensitive to any signs showing a weakness.” The swimming movements of a suffering baitfish, especially when separated from a school, demonstrate why a wake bait’s action is so effective. Wake baits (at least those covered in this column) are lures that have a drastically sloped lip or other design feature that causes them to swim methodically near the water’s surface. Some wake baits work on top of the water, others just below the surface,…

1. ALL THAT SPLASH Toro Tamer’s new surface Poppers come in three sizes (8 inches, 5.3 ounces; 6 inches, 3.2 ounces; and 4.5 inches, 1.5 ounces). The two larger lures feature VMC inline hooks; the smaller popper uses treble hooks. The head shape of the new Poppers is rounder than previous models, so it creates more splashing. All lures are through-wired, rigged with 200-pound split rings and sonically welded for durability. The lures cost $12.99 to $18.99 and are available in five color patterns: skipjack, pink ghost, blue mackerel, ahi and sardine. 2. TECHY TIMEPIECE From the category of Really Cool Technology comes Breitling’s Emergency — a classic watch that also functions as a dual-frequency Personal Locator Beacon. The dual antenna, housed in the lower part of the watch, deploys…