By Captain John Crupi
It doesn’t make a difference whether you need one or ten crew, the difficulties surrounding finding and keeping them are the same. Where do you start the search, how do you know which one to choose, what makes them stick around for the long term?
NOAA Southeast Fisheries, Jan. 14, 2022—Anyone involved in a tagging program is excited when they get a report of a recapture since these are the lynchpin of a volunteer, constituent based program. So when scientists with NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center were notified just after Thanksgiving that a few tagged sailfish had been recaptured, they were thrilled.
Goombay Smash/Remix tied up at Sailfish Marina on Singer Island after a champagne celebration of the tournament victory. Leonard Bryant Photography
Silver Sailfish Derby, Thursday, Jan. 2022—Eager anglers charge sailfish season as soon as they can feel it in the air. Preparation for the Silver Sailfish Derby starts well before the week of tournament as crews aim to dial in all the details that could make or break their chance to become a part of the storied 4-line tournament history. The Derby celebrated its 85th year with a sold out 50 boat fleet in early January.
The Billfish Foundation, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022—The Billfish Foundation (TBF) primarily focuses on billfish and other highly migratory species, including swordfish and tunas. “Sharks do not fall within our primary mission, however the current excessive shark depredation demands that TBF address the problem, otherwise billfish and many other species being killed by sharks, recreational fishing opportunities, and related businesses will continue to be harmed,” the Foundation stated. “Shark predation is out of control and the NMFS has no constructive plan to check it. In no way does TBF condone the finning of live sharks, it is a hideous practice that must be stopped.” [Read more…]
By Captain Nick Gonzalez
Kite fishing has been met by a number of innovations over the last 10 years. Electric kite reels have gotten faster, more reliable, and easier to use. To compliment these kite reels and increase efficiency, light, high-speed conventional reels with smooth drags and high gear ratios came into the market. A number of different rod manufacturers began making excellent rods with soft tips and moderate backbones that are ideal for kite fishing. In addition, circle hooks became mainstream and a number of different manufacturers make chemically sharpened circle hooks that are tournament legal and very affordable.
Staff Report
If you’ve tried your luck daytime swordfishing, then you know exactly what it is about this crazy fishery that intrigues the imagination when pursuing a genuine sea monster more than 1,500 feet below the surface. In efforts to increase our bite to catch ratio, daytime tactics across the East Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean have evolved tremendously to suit the specific conditions encountered offshore. [Read more…]
2021 68th Light Tackle Tournament Winners
CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION
CANYON LADY 1st
VINTAGE 2nd
SMALL CHANGE 3rd
SEMI PRO DIVISION
PRINCESS LILY WITH TOP LADY ANGLER, Dawn Samuels
TOP JUNIOR ANGLER:
COLE BATES on the VINTAGE
FIRST RELEASE DAY1:
SMALL CHANGE
FIRST RELEASE DAY 2:
SMALL CHANGE
DAILY DAY 1: VINTAGE
DAILY DAY 2: CANYON LADY
TOP MATE AWARD: MORGAN TOLBERT AND RYAN KEANEY – CANYON LADY
TOP CAPTAIN WHITICAR PERPETUAL LEGACY AWARDED TO:
JAMIE DILLER ON THE CANYON LADY
TOP OWNER JOE LEHNER PERPETUAL LEGACY AWARDED TO: JAMIE DILLER ON THE CANYON LADY
Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021—The Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020 (DESCEND Act of 2020) was signed into law on January 13, 2021. The new Act will require commercial, for-hire, and private recreational vessels to have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use when fishing for reef fish species in Gulf of Mexico Federal waters. The requirements of the DESCEND Act of 2020 will go into effect January 13, 2022.
By Captain Scott “Fraz” Murie
I’ve witnessed a few crew changes over the last several months on some pretty nice sportfishing boats. Let’s face it, crew turnover is inevitable. Sometimes a mate will take a job opportunity to try his luck at the helm. Other times a mate will be fired or quit for one reason or another. Maybe an owner will fire his captain and mate at the same time hoping for a fresh start. Whatever the circumstance, it is a small world in this business. At times like these, it seems everyone has an opinion or theory on why so-and-so got fired or quit. It becomes quite dramatic, akin to the Housewives on the Waterfront with all the dock talk.
By Capt. Nick Stanzcyk
I grew up fishing on our family boat, Catch 22. It was a 48’ Marine Management, your average charter boat with twin diesels, AC, bathroom and a 15-knot cruise. We fished every Sunday and then would travel to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos for a few weeks each summer. In 2003, my family upgraded to a 54’ Blackwell. The boat was bigger, faster, and much more comfortable. The only bad news was there was a big price to pay for the added comfort with the increased fuel burn and maintenance costs.
I got my captain’s license in 2003 and my family was addicted to swordfishing already at that time. Most of the fishing was at night but my dad, uncle and their friends were slowly cracking the code for daytime swordfishing here in Florida.
