Sport Fishing February 2016

Sometimes ignorance is an excuse. Years ago, anglers had little reason to think that simply holding up a sailfish or tarpon in a boat’s cockpit for a few quick pics could be killing the fish. But few can claim such ignorance any longer: It has been believed for some time that big fish in particular should not be taken from the water for photos before their release, and a new study reinforces that idea. Led by John Graves, chair of the fisheries science department at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, a team of scientists planted pop-up archival tags in 18 white marlin. Seven of those were released after five minutes of air time (kept in the cockpit, out of the water), five after three minutes of air time, and…

DO YOU REMEMBER in the early 2000s when pork was branded “the other white meat”? I think of a snell connection as “the other fishing knot.” Although not as common as everyday knots, the versatile snell can be used with different styles of hooks, different techniques and different strength leaders. Plus, it’s easy to tie. While researching this column, I realized just how many ways there are to snell a hook, whether it’s a uni-style or traditional snell wrap. You can thread the terminal end of the leader through the eye of the hook once, twice or not at all before making your wraps, or you can complete your wraps toward or away from the hook eye. No matter which method you use to snell, insight from these experts can…

ANGLERS RELY HEAVILY ON THIS WIDELY ABUNDANT, AVAILABLE SPECIES WHILE BOTTOMFISHING AROUND FLORIDA. REDS TEND TO PREFER HARD BOTTOM, AWAY FROM REEFS, MAKING THEM SUITABLE LIGHT-TACKLE TARGETS. THE ALL-TACKLE RECORD, WEIGHING 42 POUNDS, 4 OUNCES, WAS CAUGHT OFF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA, IN 1997. CHALLENGE OUR EXPERTS (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 fluorescentyellow 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…

WHEN I GRAB my go-to rod, it’s a 6½-foot medium-action spinner. A quick glance at the rod racks in my garage shows that the majority of my sticks measure 6 to 7 feet in length. Anglers all have their favorite species to target (with the fishing gear to prove it), and yet this range of rods remains the most popular in salt water, no matter the weight or style. The length provides a good compromise between strength, control and castability. Still, on a recent jigging trip, I found myself wanting a shorter rod. On another day, I needed to cast much farther, and recognized how useful a longer rod would be. So I set out in search of not-so- common rod lengths, contacting rod manufacturers to learn when short and…

1. AUSSIE APPAREL Created by a team of avid Australian anglers, Bigfish Gear shirts are made from the company’s custom fabric, BF Maxflow, a knitted polyester. The moisture-wicking material carries UPF 50 protection. The long-sleeved shirts feature a champion collar; short-sleeved versions should be released this month. Available with colorful illustrations of game fish such as tarpon, redfish, dolphin and sailfish, Bigfish Gear shirts cost $59.95. 2. GOING ROUND Shimano has expanded the Calcutta Conquest line with four new 300- and 400-size models for 16- to 25-pound-test monofilament. These larger, round reels feature a 5.6-to-1 gear ratio and can be spooled with 50- to 80-pound braid. The 400 and 401 hold 300 yards of 50-pound braid. All feature Shimano’s S Compact body design, Stable Spool and Infinity braking system. They…

A 236-pound, 15-ounce dogtooth tuna [A] is the biggest of that species ever submitted to the IGFA. Taken last November off Tanzania by British angler Jon Patten, the beast crushed a live yellowfin tuna. Patten had his hands full for an hour before landing it. The current all‑tackle record for the species is 230 pounds, 6 ounces. To land this 256-pound, 15-ounce southern bluefin tuna [B] on 30‑pound‑class line, Clinton Adlington of Victoria, Australia, battled it for nearly six hours from his 20‑foot boat. The tuna took a Pakula Sprocket lure off Torquay, Australia. If approved, the November 2015 catch will defeat the existing 236‑pound, 15‑ounce line‑class record. Sjon Harless of Mobile, Alabama, stands to defeat her own women’s 130-pound-line-class record for roosterfish (64 pounds, 4 ounces) with this 67-pound…