salt water sportsman - january 2015 usa

8/10/2019 Salt Water Sportsman - January 2015 USA

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NEWELECTRONICS

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4/764 SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM -JANUARY 2015

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5/76

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62

COLUMNS

DEPARTMENTS

12 TALK ON THE DOCK

12 Casts + Blasts

13 Reader Catches

14 News Lines

18 Salt Water Kids

34SPORTSMANS WORKBENCH

Tips from Our Readers

58FISHABILITY

Boat Test:

SEA BORN FX22 TOURNAMENT

62 NEW GEAR

64 TRAVELING FISHERMAN

10 EDITORIAL / Glenn Law

20 TACTICS +TACKLE / George Poveromo

24BOAT TALK / Capt. Dave Lear

28ON THE FLY / Ed Jaworowski

30CONSERVATION / Rip Cunningham

74BACKCAST / Doug Pike

20

30

is published monthly, except for combined Aug./Sept. and Dec./Jan., by Bonnier Corp., 460 N.Orlando Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park, FL 32789. Copyright 2014 by Bonnier Corp. All rightsreserved. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission of Bonnier Corp. Mailing List:We make a portion of our mailing list available to reputable firms. If you would preferthat we dont include your name, please write us at the Harlan, IA, address.POSTMASTER:Send address changes to Salt Water Sportsman magazine, P.O. Box 6364, Harlan, IA51593. Periodicals postage paid at Winter Park and additional mailing offices.Subscription rates: $24.97 for one year, $41.97 for two years and $53.97 forthree years. Please add $14 per year for Canadian addresses and $28 per yearfor all other international addresses. Canada Post Publications agreement number#40612608. Canada Return Mail: IMEX, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 682.Printed in the USA.

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E D I T O R I A L

As winter and the holidaysloom, so does anotherexciting part of theyear: boat show season.

Tis kicked off recently with the FortLauderdale show, and it was a doozy,with a strong showing in shing boats,

from paddle boards to giant center-consoles. By unofficial count, there wasa big turnout in both exhibitors andvisitors. Boat manufacturers were busytaking orders, and I heard complaintsfrom builders struggling to keep upwith the production of boats that hadalready been ordered. Whats left of themarine industry following the recessionof the last few years appears to be on itsfeet once again.

Te enthusiasm for saltwater shing

was evident in Fort Lauderdale, whichcalls to mind an event I attended manymoons ago, a board meeting of theAmerican Sportshing Association.Foremost in the minds of attendees wasincreasing tackle sales. What ASA presi-dent Mike Hayden, former governor ofKansas and Assistant Secretary of theInterior for Fish, Wildlife and Parks,told them seemed to lack the trappings

Fair Sharesof either an industry focus or a businessstrategy. In essence, he said: Make surewe have clean water and healthy ecosys-tems; if the water is in good shape, wellhave sh in it. And if sh are abundant,people will buy tackle to try to catchthem. o steal from Field of Dreams, amovie about a different sport: Build itand they will come.

Tere have been many changes inshery management since that meeting

years ago, many of them resulting inhealthier sh stocks. In those cases,anglers did indeed show up and boughttackle ... and boats. What Haydendidnt take into account during hisaddress was the access to those sh. Sowhat happens when you build it andthen take it away?

Te Gulf of Mexico red snapperissue took a bad turn about a weekbefore that boat show, when the Gulf ofMexico Fisheries Management Council

passed Amendment 40, reserving asmuch as 47 percent of the recreationalallotment of red snapper for charteroperators. And thats to be carved outof the existing recreational allotment,not drawn from the current 51 percentreserved for commercial shermen.So the quota for recreational anglers isessentially being cut back to about aquarter of the shery.

If youve followed this matter overthe past couple of years, youre aware

of the painfully short recreationalseason adopted already. Sketchy stockassessments upon which the allotmentsare based and an evidently abundantpopulation of snapper make for ridicu-lously short shing seasons, like ninedays in 2014. Tis year, according toobservers, the recreational season willlast from one to seven days, while thenew charter season will run 34 days.

Tis kind of allotment to par-ticipants, recreational, charter andcommercial, is whats known as sectorseparation and catch shares. Tatsounds slick, but what it does is turnthe rights to a public resource into acommodity, shares that can be boughtand sold. Unless you happen to be arecreational angler.

In this current scheme, up to70 percent of the Gulf red snapper

shery is headed into private hands.Sector separation and catch shares areeffective tools to reduce participation ina shery. In this case, the ones gettingedged out are the recreational anglers:the people who buy shing tackle andboats, not to mention bait, ice, gas,hotel rooms and marina services. Tisruling is bad news economically, andits bad news in terms of access to shthat belong to all of us.

Te good news, if you can call it

that, is the new allocation is scheduledto sunset in three years; as well, in theinterim, the Gulf states may be ablewrest from the arrangement a largerrole in managing red snapper shingoff their own shores. But another set ofbattles awaits. So as 2014 winds downand a new year begins, its not withoutchallenges. And inside the challengeslies the hope that, with the right effort,we may yet reclaim more equitableaccess to our public resources.


11/76

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T A L K O N T H E D O C K

DROP US A LINEGot 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 [email protected] or via U.S. mail: SWS Editor, 460

N. Orlando Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park, FL 32789. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcomed but will not be acknowledged or

returned unless accompanied by an SASE. We are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES:saltwatersportsman.com/cs or 800-759-2127 OUTSIDE THE UNITED

STATES:800-979-6828 BACK ISSUES:800-464-2819 BULK REPRINTS:877-652-5295, ext. 117

I just read my November issue andtook great interest in the articleon backcountry snook. I live, andsh, in that area and love to tie intoover-the-slot snook. With greatsadness, I saw the picture of one

(page 54) being mishandled prior torelease. Without the stomach beingsupported, that snook very likely didnot live, even after what may haveseemed a successful release. One lessbreeder to keep my habit going.

Bill Allenvia email

I am an avid snook sherman fromFlorida. Te picture of a sherman

holding a beautiful, trophy-classsnook on page 54 of your November

issue distressed me greatly. You shouldNEVER hold a snook in the verticalposition as depicted in the picture; itbreaks a bone in their necks, whichcauses eventual death. Im reallysurprised that no one on your staffrealized this.

Vince Giaimo

Stuart, Florida

Actually, its holding large snook bythe lower jawthat is not advisable.

According to Dr. Ron Taylor, coordina-tor of Floridas snook program:Snook

over 26-28 inches in length are the onesto be careful with, for it [holding them

by the lower jaw] can rupture theisthmus, the connection between the

lower jaw and the body. Simply hold bigsnook by the gill covering and the tail

with wet hands and take your picture.Ed.

CRUSTACEAN FANSI couldnt agree with you more, PammyBrown: Tere has been a grave injusticetoward certain types of saltwater creatures. Ialso believe the editors of Salt Water Sportsmanshould recongure the name of theirmagazine to Salt Water Dummies.

I would gladly pre-purchase a MarineDebris Programrest-of-my-life subscriptionto Salt Water Sportswomanshould you decideto grace the pages with photos of anythingyou catch, including a cold.

In fact, I would gladly pay doublethe subscription rate and drop mysubscriptions to all other shing magazineslike bad habits. You sure have a huge fanbase here, so please keep sending in photos.

We can only hope the editors will go buysome reading glasses.

Ed StewartSan Clemente, California

Crustacean discrimination? I think she(Pammy Brown) qualies. I just hopethat she sends more pictures. It helps yourmagazine. Te guy with the Virginia echcap on the October cover helps, too!Keep up the good work,

Aubrey Butch Evans IIILynchburg, Virginia

SNOOK

PROTOCOL

CAST

S&BLASTS

SNAPPERCONTRADICTION

After reading your article, Feds Could End RecreationalRed Snapper Fishing In Gulf, (November 2014), I was

inside our major south exas grocery-chain store and ran

across a freezer full of red snapper for sale to the public, all within

a similar size range (12 to 13 inches). I nd it diffi cult to under-

stand how exas federal water red snapper shing is threatened

with closure to recreational shing while these juveniles are being

harvested for corporate gain.Gary Haverda

via email

FISH BABES ONLINESome of these ladies are holding grouper,which are now an endangered species. Shameon you. You should be more environmentallyconcerned. Ashamed of your magazine.

Joe CaymanCalifornia/Cayman Islands


13/76


CONNECTICUT

STRIPERucker Kane with his father, im, boatedthis striper while shing in Long IslandSound off the coast of Westbrook,Connecticut. Te sh bit a live bunkershed on the surface at the mouth of theConnecticut River, and it weighed in at

42 pounds.

SUPER SNOOKAngler Mark Dunnam reeled in this46-inch snook caught on a cut pinshduring a shing trip in ampa Bay, Florida.

MAKE EM BITEI just received your latest issue: Youre kidding, right? I neverthought your product could be so thin. On the south shore ofLong Island, striped bass and blacksh are in full swing, butyour magazine offers nothing new to catch these sh. At 54,Ive shed since I was a kid: different tactics to live line bunkerto catch more striped bass or jigging for blacksh. I sh in the

REA

DERCATCHES

Atlantic Ocean. Its a large area to cover. A little help would benice. I dont need to ask where to nd them, but how to makethem bite! If you cant get the ads for your publication, addmore articles to incentivize our reading. Give us new stuff, notthe same old stuff. Or am I that old and salty?

John Kampavia email

NO MATTER WHAT MOTHER

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14/76

THENEW PATHFINDERS.

NEWS

L INES

SWSEDITOR AMONG

HONORED CONSERVATIONISTS

The Billsh Foundation recognized three conservationistanglers with the Rybovich Lifetime ConservationAward, TBFs most prestigious, at its annual

fundraising banquet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November,and Salt Water Sportsmanshared in the honors.

Named after John Rybovich, pioneer in billsh conserva-tion and sport-shing boat design, the Rybovich Lifetime

ConservationAward is presentedto individuals whohave exhibited along and success-ful commitment tobillsh conservation.

2014 recipientsare C.M. RipCunninghamof Boston; Dr.Julian Pepperellof Queensland,

Australia; and Herman Dutch Prager of Mandeville, Louisiana.Cunningham has been involved in many aspects of

saltwater sheries conservation. His service includes nineyears on the New England Fishery Management Council,where he also served as chairman. A name synonymous withSalt Water Sportsman, Cunningham began his career at themagazine 41 years ago as associate editor, rose to editor-in-chief, publisher and eventually co-owner. He left full-timeemployment in 2004, but he continues to serve as SWSsconservation editor, shedding light on important issues andbringing a familiar voice to readers with his monthly column.

Fellow Rybovich award recipient Pepperell established therst game-sh tagging program for the New South WalesFisheries Ministry 40 years ago, helping Australias sport-shing community transition from a kill tradition to a tag-and-release ethic. An adjunct professor at several universities,he is widely published in both the academic and popular press.

Also honored, Prager is a founder of the New Orleans BigGame Fishing Club, established in 1961 with the purpose ofexploring the Gulf of Mexicos big-game shing and further-ing scientic knowledge of game species. As president from1962 to 1990, he carried on the clubs mission of serving asliaison between anglers and the scientic community.

WELL-DESERVED: TBF board member JohnBrownlee, right, presents Rip Cunningham withthe Rybovich Lifetime Conservation Award.


15/76-

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In a move opposed by recreationalanglers and the sport-shingindustry, the Gulf of Mexico

Fishery Management Council recentlyvoted 10-7 to approve Amendment 40,which will divide the recreationalred snapper quota between individualrecreational shermen and charter/for-hire captains.

Tis move is not based in soundscience or good economics. It is an

effort to Band-Aid a poor federalsheries management system needingmajor surgery, said Maverick Boatspresident Scott Deal, who is the co-chair of the Commission on SaltwaterRecreational Fisheries Management.

GULF ANGLERS TOSPLIT RED SNAPPERQUOTA WITHCHARTER BOATS

We in the tackle industry dontsee Amendment 40 as being in thebest interests of the entire recreationalshing community, said Gary Zurn,senior vice president of marketingfor Big Rock Sports, a shing tacklewholesaler. We know it will have asignicant nancial impact on thecoastal communities and businessesthroughout the Gulf that supportrecreational shing.

A small glimmer of hope for thefuture of recreational management ofGulf red snapper was provided by a last-minute attachment to Amendment 40that requires a three-year sunset, whichmeans that unless the Council takes

action to continue sector separation,it will expire after three years. Whilesector separation is now scheduled togo into effect for up to the next threeyears, the sunset provision stops anyforward movement on bringing catch

shares into the temporarily separatedrecreational sectors and prevents apermanent implementation strategy.

In addition, the ve Gulf states(exas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabamaand Florida) agreed on a path forwardfor regional management, formallyknown as Amendment 39, that wouldgive each one control over the recre-ational shery off its coast, in bothstate and federal waters, in a waythat better meets the needs of therecreational shing community.

Te states big stumbling blockwas how to divide the allowablecatch among the states. However, thestates agreed to an allocation formula

during the meeting, as well as a timingstrategy for implementation. Tisgives Gulf states a strong incentiveto agree upon a regional manage-ment structure by the time that sectorseparation expires.



16/76

NOAA SHEDS LIGHT ON

DERELICT FISH TRAPS

Tousands of shing traps are lost orabandoned each year in U.S. watersand become what are known as derelicttraps. Tese traps result in losses tohabitat and sheries, losses that arelargely preventable, according to a new

NOAA study recently published in theMarine Pollution Bulletin.

Te report, the rst to examine thederelict sh-trap problem and so-calledghost shing nationally, takes intoaccount the results of seven NOAA-funded studies in different sheriesacross the United States: the Dungeness

crab fisheries in Alaskaand Puget Sound; the blue

crab fisheries in Maryland, Virginiaand North Carolina; the spiny lobsterfishery in Florida; and the coral reef fishfishery in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It alsocompares the severity of the problemand common management challengesacross the regions, and it reportsimportant ndings, such as estimatesof derelict trap numbers and how longthey remain in the environment.

Before this report, the marine debriscommunity lacked comparable data onderelict traps, said Courtney Arthur,research specialist for NOAAs Marine

Debris Program and lead author of thestudy. We had different pieces ofinformation, but not a whole picture.Tis paper connects those pieces andidenties areas where we need to focusour efforts.

T A L K O N T H E D O C K NEWS LIN

ES

FEDS WITHDRAW

PROPOSAL TO LIMIT

WEAKFISH FISHERY

NMFS recently withdrew a proposedrule to set the recreational possessionlimit at one sh per person per dayor trip for weaksh (Cynoscion regalis)caught in the Exclusive EconomicZone (EEZ) and impose a 100-pound

per day or trip commercial possessionlimit. Te intent of the proposed rulewas to modify regulations for theAtlantic coastal stock of weaksh to bemore compatible with Addendum IVto Amendment 4 of the AtlanticStates Marine Fisheries CommissionsInterstate Fishery Management Plan(ISFMP). Te Commission concludedthat existing federal regulations areconservationally equivalent to stateregulations, so changes to the current

EEZ regulations are no longer needed.

The Squall Lever Drag 2-speed allows

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17/76



NOMINATE A KID To learn more about these and other exceptional Salt WaterKids, or to nominate one of your own, log onto saltwatersportsman.com/swkids.

Recognizing kidswho represent

sportsmanship,passion and

proficiency insaltwater fishing.


I N S H O R E E X P E R T

Jimmy Cirillo, 12Cherry Hill, New JerseyJimmy began shing before the ageof 2 in bays and channels aroundLong Beach Island, New Jersey, andhe remembers how his dad attachedthe Zebco rod to his wrist with a

Velcro strap so that he couldnt loseit. His rst catch was a uke, nopun intended, like this 18-incher hecaught last summer.

M A N H A T T A N P I O N E E R

Max Polsky, 12New York, New YorkMax, a Manhattan resident, spottedthis 13-pound mahi circling alobster pot and dropped a jig down

to catch it. Te sh was hooked just12 miles off Montauk Point at theend of Long Island, New York. Hecouldnt believe that it was even pos-sible to land a mahi in New York.

S H A R K E X P E D I T I O N I S T

Kayla Osiecki, 13Suffolk, VirginiaKayla has been an avid blue-waterangler for more than six years. She

loves to learn about sharks, and shetravels from her home in Virginia toshark sh out of Ocean City,Maryland. She enjoys teachingothers her discoveries on theseintriguing predators.


19/76



TACTICS +TACKLE

Gaff Advances

MAKE NO MISTAKE, HARRY VERNON III IS

AN EXPERT AT GAFFING FISH. HOWEVER,

THE DAY HE AND I TOOK A MUTUAL FRIEND

FISHING OFF POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA,AND I PLAYED A COBIA TO THE BOAT, YOU

WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS HIS FIRST-

EVER GAFFING EXPERIENCE. ARMED WITH

AN 8-FOOT GAFF WITH A 4-INCH HOOK,

HARRY INITIALLY MISSED THE FISH. HIS SECOND ATTEMPT PROVED WORSE:

HE STUCK THE COBIA, ONLY TO HAVE IT SHAKE FREE. ON HIS THIRD TRY,

WHEN HE FINALLY GAFFED AND LIFTED THE FISH OUT OF THE WATER, THE

POINT OF THE GAFF PROTRUDING FROM THE FISH STUCK IN MY RUB RAIL.

SOMEHOW WE STILL MANAGED TO PULL THE 43-POUND COBIA THRASHING

ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GUNWALE INTO THE BOAT. AS EXPECTED, HARRY

BLAMED THE GAFF, CLAIMING IT WAS WAY TOO LARGE FOR THE TASK.

IT WORKED, DIDNT IT? WAS MY LIGHTHEARTED REBUTTAL.

Choose right and bring more fish over the gunwale.

B Y G E O R G E P O V E R O M O

KEYSTO BETTERGAFFING

1.Lead a fish to gaff by keeping the boat

straight and barely underway. This prompts

the fish to swim with the boat and come

within easy reach.

2.Never attempt to gaff a fish in front of the

leader or fishing line. If you miss and the fish

charges off, the gaff could tangle or break

the line.

3.Use wind-on leaders whenever possible.

They promote a consistent fighting rhythm

that leads a fish to gaff without interruptions

or changes in pressure.

4. Sink the gaff in the upper shoulder area,

a tad behind the gill plates, if you can. This

renders full control of the fish and wont

damage the meat.5. To gaff spiraling fish, like tuna, take your

shot when the fish heads back toward the

boat, extending the gaff across and into

its upper dorsal region, but always behind

the leader.

6.With bottomfish you plan to take home

for supper, slip the gaff hook under their

lower jaw or into their mouth to keep the

meat intact.

7. Lift a gaffed fish from the water and swing

it into the boat in a single move, trying not to

pause between one and the other.

8. If you boat a fish thats still green, pin it

to the deck or nearest gunwale with the gaff

still in it. Once subdued, transport the fish to

the fish box without delay.

9. For safety reasons, keep all gaffs stored

until needed.

10.If a gaff is kept on deck, add a protective

barrier over the point, such as a tennis ball.

Should someone come in contact with the

gaff or should it fall from the T-top, the ball

will prevent an injury.

MISSION SPECIFIC: Gaff configurationsvary considerably, and each performs best in

certain situations. Left, choosing the righttool for the target species and situationensures safer, more effective gaffi ng.

The handlelength and

the caliber of

componentsare critical.


21/76

Its the Honda ofOutboards. Literally.

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that offers millions of miles of proven performance Honda Marine.


22/76


23/76

Lengthy DiscussionFor the record conscious, a gaff cannot exceed 8 feet in length tobe IGFA legal. Naturally, an 8-footer is better aboard big boatsthat do a lot of trolling and leadering of pelagics or bottomsh-ing with long leaders. On small and midsize craft with retractedoutriggers, a long gaff could interfere with the rigging whenlifting a sh into the boat. It has happened to me on more thanone occasion. So mind the angle of the gaff handle during theupswing to avoid this or consider shorter lengths. For school sh,4- and 6-footers are adequate.

Flexibility, to a small degree, is also advantageous. For manyanglers, the ideal gaff is stiff enough to plant its hook effectively,but it has a tad of exibility to help generate momentum whenlifting a sh from the water. Tat bit of exibility, inherent incomposite and berglass gaffs, also absorbs some of the shockscaused by a thrashing sh, helping to maintain control of it.

Like most marine gear and shing tackle, gaff technology is

advancing, too. Now, lighter, thinner diameter shafts and smallerand odd-shaped hooks make gaffing more effortless and efficient.Naturally, shafts become larger in diameter and sturdier as we goup the size ladder. Aboard my center console, I carry one 4-footer,two 6-footers and two 8-footers. You might not need such aselection, but make sure you have the right gaff for the intendedpurpose. Bottom line: Te sh wont know what hit them!

Now with BoatLink+ there is an

easy-to-use product that allowsyou to keep an eye on your boatfrom any smart device, laptop ordesktop computer.

You have invested a lot of time, energy, andmoney on your boat now with BoatLink+you can also have peace of mind. Designedfor any type of boat, BoatLink+ will notifyyou by cell phone or email if something goeswrong. When you have BoatLink+ enjoy peaceof mind while your boat is in the water byreceiving notices, alarms, and updates.

From your smartphone you will be able to viewand acknowledge alarm conditions, view mostrecent boat location on a map, monitor security

system status, view bilge water level, monitordoor open or closed, monitor AC shore power,monitor house battery voltage, set geofenceperimeter, and arm/disarm the security system.

For more informationcontact us today at800.561.8880 orvisit us on the web

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each gaffs overall strength and performance.Castros gaff shafts are also swaged, and the base of his

stainless-steel hook shanks are knurled. Te grooves created bythe latter enable a thorough distribution of epoxy when joininghook and shaft. Tat welds the hook in place, basically, and, inconjunction with the swaged shaft, prevents it from turning orpulling free.

Quality gaffs, by the way, also come with protective butt caps,which hold rmly without banging or spinning when youput a gaff in a rod holder. Tey also guard against chipping theboats gelcoat, scratching the teak or hurting someone with theend of the shaft.

Get a GripGrips strategically placed along the shaft of a gaff minimize slip-page from wet or sunscreen-slickened hands, and they are a bighelp when hanging on to a green sh and lifting it into the boat.

Grips at the upper third of a shaft provide control when reach-ing out and planting the gaff. However, a choker grip 18 inchesor so above the hook provides a rm grasp on the lower part ofthe shaft, generating both the stability and leverage needed to lifta heavy sh from the water and swing it into the boat. With thatin mind, the choker grips on Castros custom gaffs incorporate3M Anti-Slip ape.


24/76

B O A T T A L K

In shing, timing is everything. Being at the right spotat just the right moment can be the difference betweengoing shing or going for a boat ride. When opportu-

nity arises, having the right stuff properly organized aboard isequally important. So now that the slower winter months areupon us, take advantage of the downtime to tweak your craftby adding some new accessories. o jump-start the projectlist, here is some cool stuff thatll make the upcoming seasonmore productive and enjoyable.

Retrofit

SeasonWinter is the perfect time to add new accessories to the boat. B Y C A P T . D A V E L E A R

Cooler Shield HingesFace it: Plastic coolers, particularly thehinges, take a beating on boats. Butinstead of tossing a damaged cooler into

the recycling bin, Cooler Shield Hinges($14.99; coolerhinge.com) now give itnew life. Te hinges are designed to restagainst each other at the optimal anglewhen the lid is open. Componentsinclude 316 stainless-steel pins andscrews, and the heavy-duty Delrinmaterial is self-lubricating, UV- andcorrosion-resistant and food safe. CoolerShield Hinges retrot a number ofcooler makes and models, and theycome with a lifetime warranty.

Rigid Industries LEDSpreader LightsWith less power consumption, betterdependability and brighter illumination,why would anyone choose incandescentlights over LEDs, right? Exactly!Rigid Industries now makes a full lineof LED lights for marine applications,including the compact SR-M spreaderlights ($109.99; rigidindustries.com).With a 60-degree diffused pattern anda 50,000-plus hour lifespan, these lights

illuminate the cockpit like a concert stage

Upgrade yourboatwith the

latest equipment,so youll be ready

when the fishare biting.


25/76

The American Sportfishing Association is working for you! Through

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to ensure clean, accessible waters and sustainable fisheries, our

influential Government Affairs team is on the front lines protecting

your right to fish. We provide the most effective online tool where

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Visit KeepAmericaFishing.orgto learn about the issues andtake action today.

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26/76

B O A T T A L K

while drawing a meager 0.72 amps. Tebeam extends more than 62 meters.Featuring integral hybrid optics, the lensand reector combination captures themaximum light emitted and projectsit exactly where its needed most. Apowder-coated aluminum housing anda sealed polycarbonate lens ensure longservice in the harsh marine environment.

Leaf Marine DCAir ConditionerAnglers with older boats lackinga generator no longer have to beuncomfortable when the temperatureclimbs. Te Leaf Marine LM8000(starting at $8,000; leafmarine

distribution.com) is an innovativeair-conditioning unit that operates oncustomizable direct current from12 to 48 volts. Te lightweight, compactdesign offers dual-zone air-conditionedcomfort and reverse cycle heat, and ithas a capacity of up to 4,000 BU. Anoptional chiller plate can be added with-out needing a condenser and evaporator.Te organic ION battery in the powermodule is noncombustible, it will notdevelop a memory and produces

100 amps per hour without droppingoff. Te modules built-in managementsystem also protects against completedepletion. Stainless-steel construction andmilitary-grade components and connec-tions add to the systems reliability. With

Frigibar Salty DogStorage BoxesOne of the age-old truisms in boatingis that you never have enough storage.But Frigibar offers a simple, rustproofsolution for most stowage needs. Tenew E-Series Salty Dog deck anddock boxes provide convenient storage

units in four different sizes, including38-, 50-, 60- and 80-inch lengths. Allversions measure 20 inches wide and1712 inches high. With all-berglassconstruction, these rugged containersfeature a hard, smooth exterior nish

with a matte-white interior. E-SeriesSalty Dog deck and dock boxes (start-ing at $590; frigibar.com) also boostseating capacity with the optional3-inch removable cushion.

Bennett Electric Trim TabsBennett, the longtime hydraulic trimtab maker (and inventor of the rstelectric tabs in 1960) is adding juice to

its uid lineup. Te company now offersthe Bolt Electric System (prices varyby size: a 12-by-9-inch set starts at$640; bennetttrimtabs.com) for trailerboats from 17 to 28 feet in length. Tesystems robust design includes a water-tight nylon actuator with the main sealpositioned up high for protection againstmarine growth and water intrusion. Tewiring remains secure and protected,concealed through the upper hinge,which does not have to be disassembled

for installation. Tese tabs produceminimal operating noise, the planes are304-grade stainless steel, and a ve-yearwarranty backs every system. Bolt tabscome with a choice of three controls,including two with the automatic tab-retraction feature.

ELECTRIC OPTION:

Bennett, long a leader inhydraulic trim tabs, nowoffers a redesignedelectrical series.

DUAL USE: Frigibarsheavy-duty dry-storageboxes are rustproof anddouble as extra seating.

COOL DOWN: Leaf Marines light and com-pact DC air-conditioner is sized to provide

cool comfort in older or smaller boats.


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with epoxy. Holding the hook behindthe eye with pliers, I grasp the bendand pull down on it slightly to producea soft curve in the shank, not a sharpangle, that keeps the hook point wellexposed for hooking. As with boneshies, all wing material on Bendbacksis tied on the inside of the bend of thehook to keep the point riding upward.

All of the y types mentioned affordreasonable hook protection as they slidethrough grass and bump over solidobstructions, but ies with added hookguards offer greater snag protection.Most such guards are made of monola-ment or wire, single strand or braided.Keep in mind, however, that the pur-

pose of a hook guard is to move the y,not the obstacle. After all, no guard willpush aside a rock, branch or coral. Yousimply want the y to deect around orover the obstruction. And dont worryabout missing strikes; most saltwater

sh have powerful crushing jaws, andhook guards collapse under their pres-sure without hindering the hook-set.

If you tie your own ies, you can justmake a loop (or two) of mono, tie thestrands in along the shank and let themprotrude out the back. When the y iscomplete, just pull the strands aroundthe hook bend and tie off on the under-side of the head. You can also opt to adda straight piece (or two) of single-strandor braided wire just before whipping thehead. Bend the wire so it extends justpast the hook point at a 45-degree angle.You can even add guards to hard bodypoppers that you purchase. Heat a bod-kin and sear a hole in the bottom of the

foam body. Dip the end of a stiff pieceof mono or braided wire into quick-dryepoxy and insert it in the hole.

Finally, theres an ingenious guardthat y-tying guru Bob Popovics cameup with. He added it to one of his

Siliclone patterns, a y tied Bendbackstyle. ie in a small bunch of bucktailbehind the eye of the hook and coat itwith regular household silicone to forma spike. Ten trim it just past the hookpoint. Te result is a springy, rubberguard that works amazingly well.

ED JAWOROWSKIis a writer,photographer and lecturer who has

fly-fished much of the western hemi-

sphere. His four books and hundredsof his articles have been published in

the U.S., Europe and Japan. A ClassicalStudies professor and chairman at

Villanova University for over 40 years,he now serves as fly gear design

advisor for Temple Fork Outfitters.

For a complete product line visit:

www.icomamerica.com/marine

2014 Icom America Inc. The Icom logo is a registered trademark of Icom Inc. 30960

iM24iM92D iM36

Give thegiftyourmariner

willreallyenjoy

iM506



CONSERVAT I ON

In last months column, Itouched on the topic ofMagnuson Stevens Act (MSA)re-authorization. Whilethis might come under the

heading of wishful thinking, I amgoing to say that a new Congress,without the leadership of Doc Hastingson the House Committee on NaturalResources, will not push forward the

Strengthening Fishing Communities

and Increasing Flexibility in FisheriesManagement Act. If action is taken, itwill be a modied effort. We can hopethat it will include some actions tomake MSA more effective at managingin a way that will positively impactrecreational sheries.

Coming out of last years seconditeration of the Saltwater RecreationalFishing Summit was the commit-

ment by NOAA Fisheries to craft a

Looking Ahead

BECAUSE OF THE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE OF PRINT MAGAZINES, THIS IS

BEING WRITTEN WELL IN ADVANCE OF PUBLICATION. IN A WORLD OF IN-

STANT INFORMATION AT EVERY LEVEL, IT IS SOMETHING OF A DISCON-

NECT. BUT IT IS THE WORLD I HAVE LIVED IN FOR MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE

AND APPARENT LY STILL DO. SO, I A M GOING TO DO SOM ETHING TH AT WAS

ALMOST STANDARD FARE BACK IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF SWS AT THE

BEGINNING OF EACH NEW YEAR: I WILL PREDICT SOME EVENTS FOR 2015.

Some realistic thoughts on the promise of a new year.

B Y R I P C U N N I N G H A M

National Recreational Fisheries Policy.Efforts are underway to accomplishthis task, and I predict that it willbe done early in 2015 and movedinto the implementation phase.My feeling is that much of what thispolicy will focus on has been outlinedin the Morris-Deal CommissionsVision for Managing AmericasSaltwater Recreational Fisheries, suchas a revised approach to managingrecreational sheries; allocating marinesheries for the greatest benet to thenation; managing for the forage base;and codifying a process for cooperativemanagement. All of these nal

recommendations will come throughthe Secretary of Commerces MarineFisheries Advisory Committee and itsRecreational Fisheries Working Group.

Staying at the federal level, therecreational shing industry should seeimplementation of some of the newMarine Recreational InformationProgram (MRIP). Tis has been a slowprocess that many of us thought wouldbe in place years ago. While there havebeen some improvements in the data

collection program, it has largely beenthe old Marine Recreational FisheriesStatistics Survey (MRFSS) program inMRIP clothing. While MRIP will byno means be complete in 2015, it willbe a step or two closer to completion.Te industry needs to have this inplace to allow sheries managers tomake decisions that will benet theresources and the recreational shingindustry and community.

I do not think that the level of

distrust that developed between somefactions in the recreational communityand the environmental nongovern-mental organizations as a whole willdisappear in 2015. Nevertheless, Ibelieve that having it do so would bebenecial. Our communities are largelyon the same side on a number of issues,and working together where we agreewould likely get better results. Tatdoes not mean that our communitieswill agree on every issue, but at least

we should agree to disagree. From I L L U S T R A T I O N

B Y

B I L L

J O H N S O N


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my own standpoint, I do not believethat all ENGOs want to eliminaterecreational shing. Most are interestedin the long-term sustainability of ourcommon-property resources, whichmeans some sacrices must be made byall user groups.

On a more local level, I dontthink that we will see any improve-ment in the striped bass population.I believe that continued decline inthe spawning-stock biomass has beenwritten in stone. Even if this yearsYoung-of-the-Year index is way offthe charts on the upside, we have anumber of very poor to disastrous years

of potential recruitment, with 2011as an exception, to work through thesystem. I am not sure that we will seethe highs of 2006 ever again in mylifetime. oo bad it was kinda fun,and it was great for the recreationalshing industry. Te West Coast

population of striped bass is also introuble, due more to environmentalproblems than overshing. I alsopredict a continuation of the severely

depressed state of the Northeastgroundsh stocks. It is likely that wehave gone past the vaguely denedtipping point where the populationloses its ability to rebound. Certainly,some of that decline is environmental,

but it is also the result of chronicovershing. I would not be surprisedto see a moratorium in the verynear future. How that might beimplemented, I am at a loss to say.

Summer ounder or uke along theAtlantic coast will continue to expandtheir presence. Along the Gulf Coast,red snapper should also see theirspawning stock grow, but how the issueof sector separation and state manage-ment play into this shery will take along while to resolve. What will happento the individual angler in this shery isthe biggest question.

My intent is not to be negative, but to

give a realistic idea that we will continueto face some complicated problems.Tey are not unsolvable, but they willtake a common effort from all the usergroups to make sure that recreationalshing remains a viable and vibrant partof our coastal communities.

My intent is not tobe negative, but togive a realistic idea that

we will continue to face

complicated problems.

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(YHU\RQH EHQHWV IURP KHDOWK\ PDULQH HFRV\VWHPV

7KDWV ZK\ , '2 NHHS P\ )ORULGD VKLQJ OLFHQVH XS

WR GDWH DQG \RX VKRXOG WRR ,I ZH DOO ZRUN WRJHWKHU

ZH FDQ KHOS WR HQVXUH D KHDOWK\ IXWXUH IRU PDULQH

OLIH LQ )ORULGD DQG DOO RYHU WKH SODQHW

Guy Harvey

Marine Wildlife Artist, Biologist, Diver, and Angler

2014WildlifeFoundationofF

lorida.

Allrightsreserved.

THE I DO PLEDGE

( #.RTOONQS BNMRDQU@SHNMLHMCDC RTRS@HM@AKDRGHMF

( #.RTOONQS RBHDMBDA@RDC RGDQX L@M@FDLDMS

I DOsupport a path to connect kids with the outdoors;

to become anglers and stewards of the resource.

FloridaFishingLicenseCampaign.com

J O I N O U R C O N S E R V AT I O N P A R T N E R S

Wildlife Foundation of Florida | P.O. Box 11010 | Tallahassee, FL 32302 | 800.988.4889 | WildlifeFlorida.org | [email protected]


36/76

Saltwater anglingsheavy hitters areset to divulge theirsecrets for success asthe highly acclaimedSalt Water SportsmanNational Seminar

Series kicks off its 2015 tour. Find outwhere, when and how to connect withyour favorite inshore, nearshore andoffshore species, and learn key strategies

the pros use

to catch trophy sh in your area. opbaits, lures and tackle will be revealed,along with step-by-step rigging instruc-tions. Dont miss your chance to boostyour shing IQ.

Wealth of Knowledgewenty-eight years after its inception, theNational Seminar Series is the nationsmost popular educational course onrecreational marine shing tactics, as well

as the longest running. Whether you area novice, intermediateor highly experiencedsaltwater angler, you aresure to learn valuableinformation to help you

improve your shing skills and ultimatelyscore more sh.

A minimum of 10 faculty memberswill be present at each location. Facultyteams comprising Salt Water Sportsmaneditors, noted national shing authoritiesand top local guides and pros will sharein explicit detail their expertise on anumber of shing-related subjects,including popular and cutting-edgetechniques to target the various game sh

most sought after within each specicSeminar Series tour region.

The ConceptTe Seminar Series uses a team-teachingconcept where four faculty members takethe stage for each session. Every teammember is an authority on the respectivetopic. Tis makes for an entertaining andlively exchange of information, with in-depth discussions on various approachesto catch the species being covered. Faculty

teams are well-versed on shing different

NATIONAL SEMINAR SERIESLearn top angling strategies and check out the gear used by the pros at a town near you.

36 SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM -JANUARY 2015

FACULTY TEAM: At everyvenue, national fishingauthorities and local prosdivulge angling secrets andoffer expert advice.

f eatur ing

George Poveromo


37/76JANUARY 20 15 -SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM 37

locations in each specic Seminar Seriesregion with articials, as well as liveand dead natural bait.

Te beauty of combining nationaland local talent for a session is theexchange of ideas and shing methodsthat takes place, helping Seminar Seriesattendees expand their knowledge ofdifferent game-sh species, their habits,and the wide array of tried-and-truetactics employed by top anglersthroughout the country.

The VenuesMost Seminar Series event venues arelocated near a major interstate, are easy

to get to and offer plenty of parking.Tey are all performing-arts theatresand ballrooms where the acoustics areperfect, seating is comfortableand controlled lighting maximizesonstage visual presentations.

Photos and graphics of specicrigs, techniques and the species beingcovered, along with video, will be shownon 10-by-10-foot screens set up at bothends of the seminar stage to help illus-trate demonstrations and reinforce key

points made by faculty experts.

The Door PrizesA Seminar Series tradition, thousandsof dollars worth of door prizes are upfor grabs at each tour location. Teseinclude reels, sunglasses, lures, coolers,kites, dredges, teasers, Bass Pro Shops giftcerticates, Nu-Ice packs and a wholelot more. In addition, a grand prize ashing trip to the fabulous Florida Keys will be awarded at each location,

and two weeks after the eighth and nalseminar, a super grand prize a MakoPro 17 Skiff CC will go to the winner

of a drawing comprising the names of allthose who attended one of the events.

The SponsorsWant a peek at some of the latest shingtackle, marine electronics and accessories?

Seminar Series sponsors, includingBass Pro Shops, Penn, Rapala, Sux,Williamson, VMC, Simrad, ColumbiaSportswear, Mako, Costa, Engel, Starron, and the Florida Keys and Key West,will have products on display and repre-sentatives on hand to answer questions.

The StashIn addition to ve hours of instructionby top national and local pros andchances at numerous door prizes, each

ticket holder also receives a one-yearsubscription or extension to Salt WaterSportsman, a course textbook, oneRoffers Ocean Fishing Forecast Analysis,a $10 Bass Pro Shops discount card (onany purchase of $75 or more), a bottleof OrPine Wash & Wax, a bottle ofCorrosion Block, a bottle of Star ronfuel additive and a bottle of Star briteBoat Guard.

The After-PartyNew this year, the local Bass Pro Shopsstore is hosting a party after the seminarat ve of the tours eight locations:

Cary, North Carolina; Islamorada,Florida; Fairhope, Alabama; Port St.Lucie, Florida and Myrtle Beach,South Carolina.

Te parties will run from 6:30 p.m.to 8:30 p.m. and afford every seminar

attendee and a guest the chance tomingle with George Poveromo andother faculty experts. A Seminar Seriesname badge will be required to attend.

How to Registerickets are $55 and can be ordered witha major credit card by calling 1-800-448-7360 or online at nationalseminarseries.com. Tis is a one-day school you dont

want to miss. So act fast, or you mightnot get a seat!

Held on Saturdays from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m., every event of the2015 Seminar Series featuresGeorge Poveromo, editor-at-largefor Salt Water Sportsmanand hostof George Poveromos World ofSaltwater Fishingon NBC Sports,and hes bringing along an impres-sive lineup of national and regional

experts with one thing in mind:helping you catch more fish!

Boston - Jan. 10

Atlantic City, N.J. - Jan. 17

Cary, N.C. - Jan. 24

Islamorada, Fla. - Jan. 31

Fairhope, Ala. - Feb. 7

Long Island, N.Y. - Feb. 21

Port St. Lucie, Fla. - Feb. 28

Myrtle Beach, S.C. - March 7

2015 TOUR STOPS

2015Super

Grand PrizeMako Pro 17

Skiff CC



t was a great start to a solid day of shingin South Florida, where sailsh season kicksoff around Tanksgiving and remains stronguntil the end of March. From Miami toKey West, the waters are just teeming withsails during that stretch. Catch the actionwhen major bodies of sh push throughand double-digit releases are common. Ofcourse, sailshing has its off days, but with

the right tactics, the odds of catching sh

soar, even during slow periods.

Contributing FactorsFour basic factors contribute to successfulsailshing: First, a northbound current,which moves groups of sh and createsrips and edges as it meets inshore waters.Te mixing and abutting of waters resultsin nutrient-rich upwellings that attract anddisplace baitsh, creating sailsh-feedingzones. Edges, like current rips, color changes particularly those formed when a strong

easterly wind pushes cobalt blue water intocloudy blue or green water even tidelines are important because they concentrateboth bait and sailsh. Structure is anotherkey factor, so look for zones where a current,color change or rip overlays a wreck, under-water mound or steep bottom slope. Suchstructures typically hold plenty of bait andare excellent places to live-bait or troll inthe absence of a well-dened current oredge. Finally, bait is the last piece of thepuzzle. Find heavy concentrations of ying

sh, showering ballyhoo or other baitsh

Out went our spread: three live baits dangling

downwind from a bow-positioned kite and four

others upwind, staggered at different depths.

Just a moment later, a sailfish hit one on a

flat line and immediately went airborne. Not

30 minutes after its release, we followed that

up with a doubleheader. One sail came off the

kite, the other took one of the deep baits.


39/76


40/76



enough weight to keep one down at aquarter of the depth and another at halfthe depth.

Hit the Showers

Ballyhoo populations peak in winter,and sailsh are known to corral thesebaitsh over shallow patch reefs andright off the beach in as little as 10 feetof water. Tat happens often in theFlorida Keys, where sight-shing forsails amid ballyhoo showers is a classic

scenario. Fishing ballyhoo showers isgenerally best when an early morn-ing incoming tide pushes clean waterand hordes of ballyhoo over the patchreefs. At a low angle, the sun illumi-nates a greater area of the water and thebottom, so the same holds true late inthe afternoon. A north wind seems tostack the ballyhoo and trigger aggressivefeeding. Live ballyhoo are a must for thetask. You can chum them up with frozenchum over patch reefs, then catch them

with a cast net or gold hooks.Once rigged and ready, idle about the

patches looking for ballyhoo showers.Sporadic bursts of ballyhoo usuallymean mackerel and barracuda, butwhen ballyhoo shower in a uniformdirection, like ying sh, thats the markof sailsh. Race to the spot, trying tokeep the sun and wind at your back,and look for the long, dark shadows ofsailsh. Once you locate the sails, cast a

few feet in front of them.

KITE-RIGGED: Goggle eyes, or other kitebaits, should be bridled through the back tominimize trauma and let them breath prop-erly while suspended at the surface, wherethey create a most alluring commotion.

W I N D

SURFACE BAIT WITH BALLOON

OR FREE-LINED

Maximize coverage bysuspending baits off kites

downwind while drifting

weighted and unweighted baits at

varying depths behind the boat.

SOUTH FLORIDASAILFISH

RODS20- to 30-pound conventional or

spinning for kite-fishing and trolling;

12- to 20-pound spinning for instant

drop-backs and casting to fish feeding

or cruising on the surface

REELS12- to 30-pound class, spinning or

conventional, to match rods

LINE12- to 30-pound monofilament line

and 15-foot wind-on leader of 40- to50-pound fluorocarbon

BAITHardy live baits, like goggle-eyes, blue

runners, threadfin herring and mullet

are best for kite-fishing; bridling them

is recommended. Opt for rigged live

ballyhoo to coax fish off dredges and

teasers or if fishing ballyhoo showers.

HOOKSLight wire, in-line circle hooks, 4/0 to

7/0, depending on the size of the bait

WEIGHTED BAIT AT

OF TOTAL DEPTH

LIVE-BAIT SPREAD

[1] Start by fastening a piece of copper rigging wire to the eye of a circle hookand hooking the ballyhoo through the lower jaw. [2] Wrap the copper wirearound both the beak of the ballyhoo and the hook shank. [3] Next, wrap thewire back along the hook shank, past the eye and around both the beak and theleader. Then quickly return the rigged ballyhoo to the livewell.

LIV E BALLYHOO FOR C ASTING

3

2

1

ILLU

STRATIONS:JOE

M

AHLER/JOEM

AHLER.COM


42/7642 SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM - JANUARY 2015

Fish-raising Illusionsrolling dredges and teasers in lieuof live-baiting is an excellent tactic.

Seasoned game-boat crews make an artof fabricating tantalizing dredges withdozens of fresh mullet and ballyhoo, atime-consuming undertaking. However,variations on that theme also bodewell. For instance, articial dredge kitsby Strike Point and Strip easer offerclear dredge strips garnished with asmany as 156 reective baitsh decalsthat resemble a huge school of bait. Tebaitsh-school illusion can be enhancedby pulling daisy chains of articial squid

or mullet from the outriggersA dredge should be set back and deep,

but still remain visible. A clear view isessential to spotting and baiting an inter-ested sailsh. I deploy a pair of dredges,one cleated off each transom corner,along with daisy-chain teasers positionedjust outside and in front of each dredge,in clean water. I run my teaser linesthrough my farthest outrigger eyes.

Dredges function best at slowertrolling speeds, around 5 to 7 mph.

Use the same pitch-bait outts you

would use when targeting sails aroundshowering ballyhoo, matching the sizeof the bait to that of the replicas on the

dredge. When a sh rises on a surfaceteaser, wind in that teaser and pitch abait alongside it. Ten get the pitch baitskipping and position it in front of thesailsh. Te goal is to coax the sailshoff the teaser and onto the pitch bait.

With a sh on the dredge, pitch abait back and free-spool it, keeping therod tip low to the water. Te bait shouldsink just ahead of the sh, appearinginjured. Youll sometimes have to teasethe sh by keeping the bait in front of

it, imparting taunting actions like itstrying to get away.

Modified StandbyDie-hard natural bait trollers can use thesame setup in conjunction with a spreadof skipping and swimming ballyhoorigged on circle hooks and 50-pounduorocarbon leaders. Position theat-line baits at the surface, 10 or so feetbehind the dredges, or to the outside ifusing the short rigger clips. Te outrig-

ger baits should be staggered between

100 and 300 feet behind the closest baits,with any center rigger bait some 400 to500 feet back.

Put the recommended tactics intopractice, focusing on bait-rich pockets,rips, color changes, wrecks or othernotable structure in 90 to 300 feet ofwater. When you locate an active zone,shorten your drifts accordingly or justslow-troll. Remember, the broader thearea your baits cover, the more likelythat sailsh will nd them.

NUMBERS GAME: In South Florida waters, whenthe conditions are right and you employ the proper

tactics, you are bound to tally multiple releases.

GEORGE

POVEROM

O

(5)



SOUTH FLORIDASAILFISH

WHAT

Atlantic sailfish

WHERE

Miami to Key West

WHEN

November through March

WHO

Anglers with boats equipped to

deploy six or more rigs at once, to keep

a decent supply of live bait onboard

and to venture safely offshore during

the windier months

SWSPLANNER

SAILFISH STRATEGIES

Deploy a pair of

dredges off

the transom

corners and drag

daisy-chain teasers

from the outriggers

outside and ahead of

them to draw sails

to within casting or

baiting range.

SOUPED-UP

TROLLING SPREAD

TEASERS

TEASERS

DREDGES

FAKE 'EM OUT:An effective dredge,either printed stripsor rigged plastics,inset, creates theillusion of a baitfishschool to attract

sailfish.

SPIN DOCTOR:With spinning

tackle, the anglercan cast to fish

on the surface ordrop a bait back

instantly. Above,the right strategyand planning pay

big dividends.

ILLUSTRATION:JOE

M

AHLER/JOE

M

AHLER.COM



ULF

GATORS

T I S T H E S E A S O N F O R M O N S T E R T R O U T

S t o r y a n d p h o t o s b y W i l l D r o s t


45/76



T

he action was hot butshort-lived. We enjoyedthe chaos; unfortunately,that school of big sheventually disbanded.

Knowing they couldnt have gone veryfar, we kept working the shoreline, catch-ing big speckled trout here and there forseveral hundred yards. Tis particularstretch was a sandy at with pocketsof clam, oyster and mud that heldtremendous amounts of bait. As sh fedon schooling baitsh, small slicks beganto form, and we spent the next severalhours quietly wading in clear, knee-deepwater, releasing a number of trout in the5- to 10-pound range along the way.

Chilling DiscoveryI have chased spotted seatrout alsoknown as speckled trout throughoutthe Gulf Coast most of my life, be ithot or cold, in water dirty and clean.Over time, Ive learned that when wintersets in you can always rely on shingdeeper water. Tats where you ndtrout seeking the comfort of warmer-water thermoclines. Many of my mostmemorable shing trips, in fact, have

taken place just after a winter blaststacked schools of trout in deep water.But more and more, trophy troutacionados are discovering that thelarger females dont really mind watertemperatures in the low 50s, and theycan be targeted effectively by wadingquietly in waist- to knee-deep water.

Cause and EffectOn the northern Gulf of Mexico, coldfronts start to arrive in late September.

By December, they are pushing throughconsistently, and shrimp start moving outof the marshes and into the bays. ComeJanuary, the fronts become stronger, watertemperatures fall and the shrimp head outto sea. According to Michael Harbison,biologist for the Louisiana Department ofWildlife and Fisheries, the lack of shrimpthen leaves seatrout to pursue scaledprey. In the coldest days of winter, theymostly see mullet and menhaden on themenu, as very few shrimp remain. Really,

though, estuaries along the Gulf Coast

hold great quantities of bait all year long,and that is responsible for our generouspopulation of sh.

Seatrout stage at the passes, near bayou

outlets, in coves and along shorelineswhere the bottom is a mixture of mudand sand. Barring periods of excessiverainfall, cold, calm nights usually makefor clear water conditions. rophy-sizesh often called gator trout seekshallow zones where the sun warms upthe bottom and bait gathers. Bait will tryto migrate to the edges and seek shelter inthe grass, but because of low water levelsfrom strong north winds, baitsh likemullet often nd themselves unprotected

at the waters edge, says Harbison.

GULF GATORS

STEALTHY APPROACH: Artificials thatmimic mullet flip the switch on large wintertrout. Right, when the temperature drops,search deeper water for schooled fish. Below,wading allows anglers to stalk trout withoutalarming them.


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Bankers HoursIn the winter months, Capt. DavidRowsey sometimes advises his clientsto sleep in. I like to start shing laterin the morning, say, from 10 a.m. untildusk, to stay out late enough to catchthe bite right before sundown. I focuson protected shorelines that warm upas the day progresses, he says. Row-sey likes to look for trout that pullup in knee-deep water. He notes thatwinter has a way of moving big femalesaround. I have many sweet spots orgo-to areas, but on cold days, I focus onplaces that hold bait. While Rowseyagrees that a mullet-lled shoreline canmake for quite a trophy trout day, he

doesnt only focus on that. Im per-fectly happy nding a school of smalltrout. Many times, I locate dinks feed-ing aggressively. I like that. Rowseysvast experience and time on the waterhas proven that small trout schools are

also a food source for much larger sh.Says Rowsey, Just the other day, wewere catching small sh, and my clientsasked, Where are the big girls?

Just wait, I said. And soon enough,the smaller sh just stopped biting, andwe started catching and releasing troutup to 30 inches.

Muddy WonderlandWhile a Louisiana and a exas guidemight disagree on the exact denitionof muddy bottom, both concur thatit is the place to land a trout of alifetime and that wading is the rightmodus operandi. Tere are places thatwill challenge wading anglers. I have

caught really big sh carefully walkingin shin-deep mud, but for the mostpart, ankle-deep mud mixed with sandwarms up quickly, and shing thereis fun and easy, says Baugh. Butthe muddier the better when it gets

really cold. Capt. Rowsey likes theseareas, too. I like guts that paral-lel shorelines and are a mix of mudand sand. Sometimes it can be just asubtle 6-inch drop; thats why wadingworks so well, he says. But thoseareas are just one factor. Both guidesbelieve sustained temperatures are alsoimportant. Everything depends onsustained water temperatures from themid-50s into the 60s. A big down-swing will scatter sh. Pre-frontaldays, however, reign supreme. I lovepre-frontal conditions right up until acold front hits, says Rowsey.

Pros Choice

When it comes to lures, Baughfavors mullet imitations and varioussuspending baits in different sizes andshapes. He helped develop a special-ized lure for seatrout that has provenmost effective. Tese broken-back lures

GULF GATORS

Which is why we strive to make products that keep our waterways

clean. Bel-Rays antimony free eco-friendly gear lubricant is an

industry first, offering superior performance over traditional gear

lubes. Next time you change the lubricant in your lower unit,

insist on Bel-Rays Semi or Full Synthetic gear lubricant.

Learn more at BELRAY.com2014 BEL-RAY COMPANY, LLC


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SWS

Planner

NORTHERN GULFCOAST TROUT

WHATTrophy seatrout

WHENYear-round, but exceptionally good

October through May.

WHERE

Louisiana and Texas coasts

WHOAnyone willing to wade in cold water

can target large trout, but many of

the better wading spots can only be

accessed by water. Local knowledge

is a big asset, and a boat makes it

easier to search for areas with the

right conditions to hold trophy fish.

The following charter captains help

simplify the process:

Lake Calcasieu, Louisiana

Capt. Bruce Baugh

337-660-1814

tidelinechartersllc.com

Laguna Madre, Texas

Capt. David Rowsey

361-960-0340

davidrowsey.com

Hackberry, Louisiana

Capt. Guy Stansel

337-762-3391


have a good sink rate, they cast welland mimic a large injured mullet, hesays. Paul Browns Originals and otherMirrOlures also work extremely wellon big winter trout, in addition to anumber of topwaters.

Capt. Rowsey agrees, but he will notleave port without a healthy supply of5-inch Bass Assassins. He likes to rig

them with 116-ounce jig heads andsmall short-shank hooks. Big wide-gaphooks hang too much in the grass, andgiant trout throw heavier jig heads easilywith their head shakes, Rowsey notes.Bass Assassins work anytime, anyplace,and when I have conditions dialed in,I use a Paul Browns Floater.

I am not a bright-color guy, saysRowsey. We sh a lot of clear water,and the clearer it is, the more naturalthe lure color should be. Baugh agrees,

but he adds that in Louisiana, he guidesclients in off-color water most of thetime. Ill sh bright colors, but moreimportantly, I nd that large luresmove a lot of water and thats crucial.Larger lures denitely work in muddywater, says Baugh.

Sometimes, shing a lure slowly, veryslowly, is the key. In fact, many strikes occurwhen the lure is stopped. So dont assumelethargy when the temperature drops.Despite the cold water, winter trophy

trout strike and pull with authority.

NORTHERN GULFCOAST TROUT

RODS7-foot bait-casting rods by

Waterloo Rods, Fishing Tackle

Unlimited or equivalent

REELSQuality bait casters by 13 Fishing,

Quantum or equivalent

LINES30-pound Suffi x braid, 20-pound

Fins Wind Tamer or equivalent

LEADER9 feet of 20- to 25-pound

fluorocarbon attached to main

line with double Uni-knot.

LURES

1. MirrOlure Paul Browns FloatingFatboy and 2. MirrOdine; 3. 5-inchBass Assassins in black and pearl,

chartreuse and pearl, or pink;

B & L Bait Company soft plastics.

OTHER

Simms or other quality chest waders

GULF GATORS

SHALLOW-MINDED: During winter, heftyseatrout, like this impressive pair, are oftencaught in ankle- to waist-deep water.

[1]

[2]

[3]


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A new crop of marine electronics improvesnavigation, communications and fishing.

By Jim Hendricks

Marine electronics companies con-

tinue to pump out new products

and enhanced features at a

mind-boggling pace. Remarkable advances

in sonar, radar, chart plotting, AIS, thermal

imaging, communications, electronic security

and onboard entertainment emerge almost

weekly. Its a great time to be a boating

angler, but staying current on the latest

electronics isnt easy. To help out, heres a

preview of some products youre likely to see

on saltwater fishing boats in 2015.

1


NEWELECTRONICS

FOR2015



HUMMINBIRD HELIX

Te Helix series fromHumminbird includesve models with varyingfunctions and 5-inch 480-by-800 pixel high-denition color

screens. Te top-of-the-lineHelix5 SI-GPS features sideimaging, down imaging,conventional 500W sonar,GPS and a chart plotter witha host of electronic carto-graphy options, includingLakeMaster and NavionicsGold/Hot Maps, via themicro SD-card slot. It has abuilt-in Contour XD mapand is compatible with

Humminbirds AutoChartand AutoChart Pro. Te SIreads up to 100 feet on eitherside of the boat, while thesonar reads down to 1,500feet. Tis new model storesup to 2,750 waypoints. $199to $499; humminbird.com

FLIR THERMAL MONITOR

Te compact, waterproof FLIR AX8 is designed forpermanent mounting to provide simultaneous temperatureand visual monitoring of systems and compartments below

deck, such as the engine room. wo lenses a thermal sensorand digital camera provide streaming video to a monitor ormultifunction display. Te sensitive thermal imager detectsexcessive temperatures such as an overheating turbo or anoverloaded fuse. You can also combine the thermal andvisible-light images for a sharper image and greater context.Smaller than a mobile phone, it installs in the tightestcompartments. $999; ir.com

3

3

LOWRANCE HDS GEN3 SERIES

Te new HDS Gen3 multifunction displays from Lowrance combine lightning-fastprocessors with advanced sh-nder technologies in 7-, 9- and 12-inch models. ouch-screen icon-driven scrolling menus and slider bars offers simple access to functions suchas StructureScan HD, DownScan Imaging and CHIRP sonar. Wireless connectivitylets you directly download mapping and software updates. All HDS Gen3 models offer

plug-and-play compatibility with Lowrance Broadband Radar, SonicHub, SiriusXM,Class B AIS, DSC VHF, and Lowrance Outboard Pilot. Each has built-in Insight USAcharts, but they also run Insight HD and Pro, and Insight Genesis, as well as C-MAPMAX-N+ and Navionics. $1,199 to $3,199; lowrance.com

2

2


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SHAKESPEARES

HDTV ANTENNAS

Shakespeares new line of SeaWatch V

antennas deliver over-the-air digital high-denition V reception aboard just aboutany boat. Te three permanent-mountmodels the ultra-compact 3004 with a4-inch dome and the saucer-shaped 3015and 3019 (15- and 19-inch diameters) are threaded to accept common 1-inchantenna mounts and include 20 feet oflow-loss RG-59 coaxial cable, F-connectors,and a 30 dB low-noise amplier withAC and DC power supplies. When pairedwith an optional two-way band separator

between the antenna and the amplier,these antennas also receive AM/FM radiosignals. A full line of mounts and extensionmasts are available to ne-tune the instal-lation specically to your boat. $161.95(3004), $170.95 (3015), $244.95(3019); shakespeare-marine.com

ICOM VHF

Te new xed-mount M324,M324G and M424G VHFradios feature built-in Class-DDSC and an integrated GPS(on G models). Te soft-keyassignments and directional

keypad allow you to quicklynavigate settings and radiofunctions. For better readabilityand nighttime operation, thedot-matrix displays are backlit.Te M324 and M324Gfeature amber screens, whilethe M424G emits a whitebacklight. With the G models,you can view current position/time and access GPS way-points. Te M424G features

public address, foghorn andactive noise canceling. All threeare rated IPX7 submersible.Available in black or white.$199.99 (M324), $259.99(M324G), $399.99 (M424G);icomamerica.com

SIMRAD HD RADAR

Te new Advanced high-denition digital radar from

Simrad features leading-edgesignal processing and high-performance open-arrayscanners. Te lineup includes4- and 6-foot, 10 kW openarrays and a 7-foot, 25kW openarray all with long-life mag-netrons and brushless motorsfor durability. Features includeauto tune, gain and sea-clutteradjustments, auto harbor andoffshore modes, and relative

motion, allowing you to discernmoving targets from stationaryones. Tey readily network witha high-speed heading sensorto enable chart/radar overlays.Starting at $6,199; simrad-yachting.com

2

1

NEW ELECTRONICS

FOR2015

1


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http://saltwatersportsman.com/http://airmartechnology.com/


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Conducted by George Poveromo, host of World of Saltwater Fishingon NBC Sports, plusSalt Water SportsmanEditors along with leading national and local fishing authorities.

The Seminar Series no holds barred format requires these experts to reveal their primefishing spots, the best times to fish them, and the best baits and lures to use.

LEARN FROM TEAMS

OF EXPERTS WITHIN

YOUR REGION!
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DONT DELAY! RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW!

GET COMPLETE DETAILS OR ORDER ONLINE

NATIONALSEMINARSERIES.COMor call us at8004487360

2015 SEMINARLOCATIONS AND DATES

Five hours of fishing instruction from leading national and localangling authorities!

One year subscription or extension to Salt Water Sportsman!

Course textbook!

Roffers Ocean Fishing Forecast Analysis!

$10.00 Bass Pro Shops discount card on purchase of $75.00 or more!

Bottle of OrPine Wash & Wax!

Can of Corrosion Block!

Star tron Fuel Additive!

Star brite Boat Guard!

$55 ticket includes:Over $200 in Value, plus chances to winthousands of dollars worth of door prizes!

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A chance to win a Florida Keys fishing trip at each location!

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Invite to the Bass Pro Shops after seminar party with GeorgePoveromo, at selected sites!

Saturday - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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58/7658 SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM-JANUARY 2015

F I SHAB I L I TY

I

n the normal scenario, boat builders develop and incorpo-

rate new designs into a targeted model, then apply similarimprovements to other boat sizes afterward to complete a

specic line. With the introduction of the FX25, its hybrid bayboat, Sea Born followed this plan to perfection last year. TeGeorgia builder is now continuing the process with the FX22,a true tournament boat thats also proven a capable multitasker.With the help of Shields Marina in historic St. Marks, Florida,

B Y C A P T . D A V E L E A R

SEA BORN FX22TOURNAMENT

I had the opportunity to see just what this 22-footer can do.

My conclusion: a lot!For starters, this is one of the biggest 22s out there, with

tons of storage and shing room. Te large bow casting deckfeatures the Sea Freeze divided icebox with extra insulation onthe centerline. Another sizable storage compartment is locatedforward, and there are two companion boxes outboard to rackrods or other gear. Te bow holds a dedicated anchor locker

Length:21'9" Beam:8'5" Draft:11" Fuel:52 gal. Transom deadrise:17 degrees

Max hp:250 Weight:3,040 lb. w/250 hp Base price:$44,457 Sea Born Boats:912-449-0033; seabornboats.com

TEST CONDITIONS

LOCATION: St. Marks, Florida

WIND: Light and variable

SEA STATE: Smooth

TEST LOAD: One adult, 38gallons of fuel

Heres another welcome addition

to Sea Borns bay-boat lineup.
http://saltwatersportsman.com/http://seabornboats.com/http://saltwatersportsman.com/http://seabornboats.com/



e ou e ep u es gn

on the Sea Born FX22 eats up

a chop and provides improved

performance and handling.

The divided Sea Freeze compart-

ment in the forward casting deck

has extra insulation to keep the

days catch fresh.

w n a ump sea s ea ure

stylish upholstery and they afford

passengers a safe and comfort-

able boat ride.

c ear on e aera e -quar

transom livewell makes it easy to

keep an eye on your tournament

catch or the live bait supply.
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60 SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM-JANUARY 2 015

F I SHAB I L I TY

pre-wired for trolling motors. And foreasy cleaning, all hatches on the FX22are fully nished on both sides.

Youll nd a 32-quart baitwell underthe forward console seat, a 35-quartwell with clear Plexiglas lid on the aftcenter casting deck and an 80-quartsh box to port. All are foam insulatedand equipped with 1,000 gph pumpswith seacocks, stainless through-hullsand high-speed pickups. Te baitwellsare nished in blue and rigged withblue LED lights. Additional rod storageincludes six holders in the center con-sole, four more in the leaning post, plushorizontal rod racks under the gunwales.

Te aft deck includes two folding

jump seats for passengers. Te standardleaning post has a storage bin beneaththe cushion, an integrated footrestand a cooler. On the console, you'llnd backlit-LED rocker switches andpush-button circuit breakers, a 12-volt

power port, and a stainless-steel steeringwheel with knob augmented by standardhydraulic steering. A convenient glovebox offers quick access to cellphonesand other necessities, while the roomyelectronics panel accommodates a largedisplay. For those with low clearanceconsiderations, the console windshieldand handrail drop witha few quick adjustments.Premium upholstery withtwo-tone patterns adds astylish look.

In addition to theaforementioned standardfeatures, the optional LEpackage includes a raw-

water washdown, consoletackle center, cockpitcoaming bolsters, marinestereo, tilt steering and a-top with electronics box.All FX22 models come

standard with a 10-year transferable hullwarranty, all-composite construction,self-bailing cockpit and an advancedberglass stringer system. Qualitycomponents are evident throughout, andthe t and nish is right in line with SeaBorns noteworthy attention to detail.

As on its larger sibling, the hull of the
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JANUARY 2 015 -SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM 61

J P E R F O R M A N C EFX22 features twin steps for enhancedperformance and fuel economy. Te testmodel was powered by the new 2.8 literYamaha F200XB, which proved an idealmatch. With a weight of just 489 poundsand an impressive hole shot, this powerplant produced a top speed of nearly50 mph at 5,800 rpm. During Yamahasfactory performance tests, the 22 sippedonly 5.4 gph at its 3,500 rpm sweet spot,producing a range of 4.83 mpg at 26.1mph. With a 52-gallon fuel capacity, thatworks out to an awful lot of shing time.

Yamaha four-strokes are not the onlypower choice: Te FX22 can also beordered with Suzuki or Mercury four-stroke packages ranging from 150 up to

250 hp or Mercury two-stroke Optimaxengines up to 250 hp. Bobs jack plates,Power-Pole anchor systems and trim tabsare available performance options.

I wanted to see how the twin-steppedhull performed during sudden maneuvers,

and it didnt disappoint. ry as I might,I couldnt get the stern to break loose,even in quick, hard turns. As noted,initial acceleration was uid, and the bowsettled nicely for unobstructed sight lines.Even with the motor trimmed way up,handling was very similar to expensivesports cars Ive driven deft, sure andexhilarating. Te boat cut through thechop like a nely honed llet knife. It wasalso very stable at rest, despite a deadriseof 17 degrees at the transom. I walked upand down the gunwales without noticingthe slightest roll. Tis is truly a fun one todrive and, I expect, even more fun to sh.

If youre looking for a hard-coreshing machine thats equally adept at

nearshore trolling or drifting the inshoreats, be sure to take a good look at theFX22. And if you also need a boat thatlldouble for family outings at the beachwithout breaking the bank, denitelyput this one on the shortlist.

POWER OPTIONS:

Our test boat

delivered solid per-

formance with the

Yamaha F200XB,

but buyers may

also elect power

packages from

Suzuki or Mercury,

from 150 hp up to

250 hp.

F I S H I N G

MISSISSIPPI DIVISION SPONSORS

The Fun Begins Again Memorial Day 2015
http://saltwatersportsman.com/http://saltwatersportsman.com/


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PresentedBy

HostedByJohnBrownlee

Saturdayat8:30 a.m.EST

Sundayat5:00 a.m.ESTSundayat3:30 p.m.ESTFridayat1:00 p.m.EST

New Season Premieres in January

Visit SportFishingTelevision.com for episode previews and information
http://sportfishingtelevision.com/http://sportfishingtelevision.com/


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S P E C I E S 1 s t C H O I C E 2 n d C H O I C E C O M M E N T S

T H E T R AV E L I N G F I S H E R M A N

64 SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM- JANUARY 2015

BEST WORLDWIDE FISHING:December/January 2015

Pacific Blue Marlin: The new year brings outstand-ing action to Marlin Boulevard, which includes the watersoff Salinas, Isla de la Plata and Manta. Local boats tanglewith as many as a dozen blues on a good day. In CostaRica, blues are on the prowl off Flamingo and Tamarindothis time of year. Look for them near schools of tuna.

Atlantic Blue Marlin:Vast scho

salt water sportsman - january 2015 usa

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