Sport Fishing March 2016

Recreational fishermen have often shown a desire to place the welfare of game-fish stocks ahead of their own opportunities to catch them. More than once, for example, Florida anglers, via representative groups such as the Coastal Conservation Association, have actually pushed for tighter rules and seasons. In particular, I think many anglers are all about sacrifice when they believe specific game-fish stocks are in trouble. But sacrifice for a species that has become ubiquitous is a much tougher sell. Last spring, I fished a day out of Destin, Florida, with Capt. Pat Dineen. The weather pretty much sucked, and we were limited to dropping on small pieces of rubble in shallow water — not traditionally where one would expect great fishing for red snapper. Yet in drop after drop we…

I’VE SEEN SOME truly interesting fighting techniques used to pull against resilient fish. Stand-up anglers bend at the knees enthusiastically and repeatedly to gain line, almost like a participant in a cardio class. Other anglers sit on a rod that’s pressed against a rail, positioned as if riding a horse. No matter how weird these anglers look, each of their different techniques has merit and helps lead to a successful capture. Notice how none of the anglers rely on pure back strength? Your back is one of the first body parts to tire in a drawn-out fight. I spoke with three captains who regularly fight massive tuna, marlin and trevally to learn some of the best techniques to triumph in protracted struggles with large sport fish. THE FIGHT “The first…

Drifters of the world’s warm oceans, tripletail are known for appearing to float on their side near the surface, while in fact waiting to make a lightning strike on unsuspecting prey — or an angler’s bait. They fight hard, jump often and eat good, so logically they’re much appreciated. The IGFA all-tackle record weighed 42 pounds, 5 ounces, caught on a mullet off South Africa in 1989. 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…

FOOTBALL, BULLET, shad, grub and boxing-glove heads — these common jig styles catch fish, period. Similarly, bucktail jigs (with natural or synthetic hairs) always make it into our tackle trays and onto our boats. But plenty of other types of jig heads exist beyond the known commodities. The same companies that produce traditional jigs also manufacture lesser-known designs meant for specific fishing styles and techniques. Traditional jig heads fill the jack-of-all-trades role, but better options might be available for specific styles of fishing. Fish the grass flats regularly? Prefer to chinweight your live baits? Cast soft baits for tuna or calico bass? There’s a specific jig head for you. Check out these 10 diff erent jig-head designs to consider adding to your tackle arsenal. ALMOST ALIVE WEIGHTED SWIMBAIT HOOK SIZES:…

1. IN DISGUISE Bluefin USA’s Camo Performance Tees are made from 100 percent polyester with vented mesh under the arms and an advanced cooling system. The long-sleeved tees feature SPF 50 and anti-microbial properties. They wick moisture and dry quickly. Available in gray or light blue and in sizes XS to XXL, they cost $43 each. 2. COASTAL CASTER Daiwa’s new Coastal TWS 200 inshore bait caster features the company’s TWS long-cast system and eight corrosionresistant ball bearings. It also comes with high-strength gearing material, a 7.3-to-1 gear ratio, and a swept-handle design with custom EVA knobs to provide better cranking power. The new 200-size reel offers about 35 percent more line capacity than the previous 100 (165 yards of 14-pound-test mono) and includes Daiwa’s Ultimate Tournament Drag, with up…

Angler Christian Hampl of Cartago, Costa Rica, needed 25 minutes to land a 19-pound, 1-ounce rainbow runner [A] on 6-pound line. Hampl fished a live bait with Capt. Bobby McGuinness near Panama’s Isla Montuosa this past November. If approved, the catch will beat a longstanding record of 17 pounds, taken in 1974 at the old Club Pacifico by Stu Apte. While fishing out of Venice, Louisiana, this past November, Meredith J. McCord of Houston was rewarded with a 37-pound bull red drum [B] on fly. She landed the fish on 16-pound tippet after it struck a Huck’s Twist fly. If approved, the catch will replace a 33-pound, 8-ounce red taken in 2014, also in Louisiana. Currently pending as the length record, a 43-inch (109-centimeter) Atlantic snook [C] took a soft-plastic…