Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i Sport Fishing

BUFFER SECTOR MANAGEMENT WOULD ALLOW EACH STATE TO PURCHASE OR LEASE COMMERCIAL QUOTA THAT COULD BE HARVESTED BY ANGLERS. Many Gulf Coast anglers have been asking themselves what the world is coming to lately, when they can fish federal waters for red snapper for only a few days this year while commercial boats can take sport fishermen out anytime to catch snapper for the boat to sell. I sure wondered how that could be when, in April, I first heard about Texas captain Scott Hickman’s “catch-share experience trips,” which — quite legally — allow him to take sport fishermen along to fill his fish boxes per the commercial catch shares he owns. He accepts no payment from these anglers, just as by law he can accept no tips. The anglers…

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 fishfacts@ sport fishingmag.com (include your hometown) or via post to Sport Fishing Fish Facts, 460 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park, FL 32789. SF FISH FACTS EXPERTS NORTHEAST Mike Fahay, Sandy Hook Marine Lab, New Jersey SOUTHEAST Ray Waldner, Ph.D., Palm Beach…

The capture of a 151-pound, 2-ounce mako shark [A] took only four minutes on 2-pound-test line for Auckland angler Scott Tindale. He caught the shark on a skipjack tuna near Little Barrier Island, New Zealand, in March. If approved, it will beat by just over a pound the existing 2-pound mako record, also caught in New Zealand, in 2010. Fishing a speed jig in December 2015, Isamu Kinoshita of Nagasaki caught a 23-pound, 4-ounce Japanese Spanish mackerel [B] in Japan’s Goto Islands. The catch had just been approved at press time as the all-tackle record. Soaking a live yellowfin tuna out of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, produced this pending all-tackle-record 236-pound, 15-ounce dogtooth tuna [C] for Jon Patton of North Devon, England, in November 2015. The angler required 45 minutes…

“The most recent studies indicate that bluefin tuna are no longer in danger; they are recovering.” These are the conclusions of the recent meeting of the scientific committee of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, an intergovernmental fishery organization responsible for the conservation of tuna and tunalike species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. Sergi Tudela, head of fisheries at the World Wildlife Fund’s Office for the Mediterranean Sea, explains that despite the high uncertainty that has surrounded the assessment, one thing is clear: Bluefin tuna are no longer in danger, thanks to the current recovery plan. Raul Garcia, coordinator of fishing for WWF Spain, adds, “We can be very close to achieving a great success in the history of fishing, the dream of sustainable management…

North Carolina’s famed Outer Banks — a long, narrow strip of barrier islands and mostly connected peninsulas — are often labeled simply “the OBX.” Typically, this refers to the stretch of coast from Duck south to Ocracoke. That includes not only Hatteras Inlet but also Ocracoke and Oregon inlets. Even within this stretch, says Bob Eakes, one notices differences. “The beaches down around Ocracoke are more flat and stable, plus they’re warmer,” he says. “As you go farther north, the beaches become more sheer and the water definitely cooler.” The seemingly endless OBX beaches are renowned among surf fishermen. They produce most of the inshore species mentioned in this feature, but in particular, they offer a good shot at some frighteningly big red drum (such as the IGFA world-record 94-pounder)…

I WOULDN’T CARE to come back in the next life as a lure fished around northeastern Australia reefs. Figure on great abuse by brutal jaws and a very short life span. Fortunately, Odyssey’s onboard tackle shop has plenty of lures. They’re not cheap, but they are purpose-built from the ground up: Damon Olsen has designed a line of lures under the Nomad branding (nomadsfshop.com.au) that definitely catch fish out here. In fact, they work so well that they’re also big sellers around much of Australia, and within a year or so of this feature, they should be available in the United States. Having fished the Nomad line of lures extensively on the Great Barrier Reef and elsewhere since then, I can attest to their effectiveness. But equally important is their…

TIME TO BREAK those old habits. I’ll be the first one to admit I have some when it comes to fishing with soft baits. Often those habits take shape after successful trips. I think, “Heck yeah, I’ve got these fish figured out!” Then, on the next couple of trips, I’ll get skunked. Techniques for fishing with soft baits shouldn’t remain static. The same old baits can stagnate in their effectiveness. Take advantage of better fish-catching opportunities by using different styles of fishing, trying new lures and techniques, or even considering a wider range of target species. Pick up some new habits. FRESHWATER FINESSE Daniel Nussbaum, president of Z-Man Fishing, learned the costly consequences of sticking to the same presentations, especially during slow fishing periods. “I was fishing in South Carolina…

SALT WATER INFECTS the vital workings of reels like a disease. Countless opportunities exist to catch the affliction. If saltwater exposure remains unchecked, a reel faces a short life span. That’s why manufacturers continue to innovate and incorporate new technologies in their designs. Thankfully, most of today’s saltwater-tough reels feature sealed internal workings, anodized metals such as aluminum, and additional coatings to block and protect against salt. Zebco Brands’ SaltGuard and Shimano’s E.I. corrosion treatments fill porous metals with a specialized corrosion-preventing compound to seal the reel’s surface. Okuma’s corrosion-resistant coating process incorporates a bath of CorrosionX HD formula for both internal and external metal parts. “The formula penetrates and bonds to metal parts, which dramatically prolongs the life of those parts beyond anodizing,” says John Bretza, director of product…

When I started fishing with Capt. Danny Gabay, we trolled the Strait of Gibraltar in both Spanish and Moroccan territorial waters. But due to diplomatic problems between Spain and Gibraltar (British territory) over sovereignty of the peninsula, it has become harder and harder to obtain Spanish fishing licenses. As a result, Gibraltar applied for its own quota and received it for 2015. Fishing in Gibraltar waters requires staying within the national 3-mile limit. There are probably more tuna farther out in the strait. While the Gibraltar bluefin quota is 10 tons per year, catch-and-release fishing is allowed after the limit is reached (within the tuna season, mid-May to mid-October). The minimum size for keeping tuna, according to suggested rules of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, is…

The technique of using topwaters for kingfish is exciting and explosive. It can also get expensive if you aren’t equipped with some sort of wire leader. Most stainless and coffee single-strand wire is too heavy to effectively fish topwaters, and the swivel needed to fasten it to the main line can add front weight and hamper the action. The most effective solution is tieable titanium wire. Numerous manufacturers, such as Malin, American Fishing Wire, Aquateko, TyGer and Terminator, produce their own tieable titanium-alloy leaders. The wire is soft enough to allow wire-to-line tying with a variety of knots (I prefer a nail or blood knot). The leader needn’t be too long; 8 to 12 inches should suffice.…

PERMIT, MOVE OVER for the blue bastard. Granted, permit are one of the toughest game fish to target in clear, shallow waters. But in the sandy shallows of northeastern Australia swims a species of grunt that grows to 3 feet in length. Its light blue coloration makes it hard to spot, and it’s so skittish that permit seem bold by comparison. Making it all the more intriguing, scientists did not identify the species until 2015 (though it does not yet appear at fishbase.org). We did spot a couple, but couldn’t get close enough to put a soft plastic in front of one. (I suspect our odds would have risen sharply if we’d had some live shrimp.) Yes, blue bastard is the designated common name; the species’ Latin name, Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus,…

WELL PRESSURIZED MOST NEW FISHING BOATS feature pressurized livewells to minimize sloshing that can jostle and injure delicate baits. Many older boats have conventional wells, but you can pressurize them. Cut a plate of King StarBoard or clear acrylic to fit under the lip of the well opening. Attach a padeye on top of the plate and loop a bungee cord through it, securing the two ends to a piece of wood that will extend across the top of the well. Add four small circular pieces of wood or King StarBoard in the corners to center it. Use weather seal around the edges to keep the well watertight. Insert the plate and twist the piece of wood to tighten the bungee. Now your well is pressurized. — Jim Hendricks CHUM…

Fishing with weedless soft baits is and always has been a productive technique in estuaries, creeks and other inshore waters. But for many, the jerkbait is just a single tool in the box when fishing in shallow waters. I propose that the jerkbait become your prized tool, like a hammer that’s used regularly in around-the-house projects. Make sure there’s always a rod rigged with a jerkbait and worm hook whenever you’re fishing shallow waters less than three feet deep. “If you retrieve the jerkbaits fast, you can skim them on top for surface strikes,” says Adrian Gray, fishing photographer and creative director at the International Game Fish Association. “If you fish them slower, they suspend if not heavily weighted. Plus, they land softer than most hard-body lures and spook fewer…

Polo IV is a state-of-the-art, high-speed big-game fisher featuring a walk-around deck and a cabin with galley and enclosed head. The 29½-foot flybridge is powered by twin turbo 200 hp Yanmar diesels, providing a cruise speed of 25 knots. Fishing equipment includes rods and reels from Penn and Shimano rated for 12- to 130-pound-test line. Skippers Danny Gabay and Anthony Pons have fished extensively worldwide, and both represent Gibraltar at European big-game fishing championships. Lee Torres and Johnnie Neish, both with many years’ experience fishing local waters, also serve as captains. You can contact Polo IV for charters at biggamefishinggibraltar.com.…

GETTING THERE: The closest major airports are at Norfolk (82 miles north of the upper OBX) and Raleigh-Durham (192 miles west). Best not to be in too big a hurry while driving down the speed-controlled Highway NC 12: Speed limits intermittently fall to just 25 to 30 mph, and on weekends (particularly Saturday), long, slow lines of cars can be the rule. STAYING THERE: For families, the many large rental homes that range from quaint to magnificent add great appeal to a vacation here. To be sure, you’ll find hotels and motels, but realty companies will help you find your own home for a week or however long. Nothing beats having a wellequipped kitchen and outdoor grill for getting together to cook your fish and steam your crabs and clams…

It never hurts to have your favorite popping rod rigged with a topwater or jerkbait on a fluorocarbon leader ready for action. Mackerel aren’t the only kings that hold court during Texas’ mild months. Schools of tarpon of varying size, from acrobatic 20- and 30-pounders to mauling brutes topping 160 pounds, are often spotted rolling in the passes. They can be coaxed into striking a properly presented lure or bait. A large white jerkbait such as a Slug-O or Saltwater Assassin is tough to beat. On a prior trip, a member of our fishing party, “Gator Dave” Rutledge, was pulling up a mullet to inspect its liveliness. Before he could pull the baitfish out of the water boatside, the bucket mouth of a 7-foot tarpon closed around it and cherry-picked…

WHEN TRAGEDIES HAPPEN on the water, the outpouring of raw pain and sorrow reminds boating anglers that anyone can fall victim to an unforgiving sea. At those times, safety gear and procedures become more than just afterthoughts and burdensome expenses. Florida has enacted a law, effective July 1, reducing vessel-registration fees for boats equipped with EPIRBs or PLBs, and most states now require children to wear life jackets. But adult Americans remain free to make choices that affect not only themselves but also their families as well as emergency response teams. For instance, at this writing, no agency requires VHF radio carriage or installation, yet communication should be a boater’s first line of defense. Cellphones offer extremely limited protection near shore, and they cannot readily transmit a boat’s position. Properly…

I’ve always worked hard to keep my boat’s gelcoat as close to showroom-glossy as possible. Yet despite all the sweat equity, I have noticed that the finish has dulled slightly over the years. To find out what I could do to restore the shine and maintain it in the future, I talked to companies that offer boatcare products. In the process, I learned that I had been doing some things correctly and other things incorrectly. “While anglers love their boats, most would rather be fishing than waxing,” says Tom MacDonald, sales and training specialist for Meguiar’s marine and RV division. “Yet a little extra time spent caring for the boat’s finish can make a major difference.” Following these five basic steps will keep your gelcoat looking good for years. [1]…