InTheBite

Tournament Observers Looking for Captains and Mates

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The International Gamefish Tournament Observers (IGFTO) is a great organization that offers some fun and exciting opportunities to professional captains and mates. IGFTO President Capt. Steve Hargett describes what the tournament observer programs is all about.

While being an observer is fun for anyone, it is especially appealing to a captain or mate. By becoming an observer you can ride with some of the top tournament teams in sportfishing. This gives you the chance to pick up tips and learn techniques as you verify the fish they catch.  It is also quite a bit of fun.

For more information, or to join the IGFTO, please visit: https://www.igfto.org/

The Wave Paver Program– 77′ Bayliss and 61′ Garlington

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Ever wonder what it takes to keep a 61′ Garlington and a 77′ Bayliss running, looking, and fishing at peak performance? Few can offer more insight into the topic than Capt. Garrett Van Orman, the ship’s engineer on the Wave Paver Program.  Enjoy the video walk through of one of the prettiest sportfishers you’ll ever see. Van Orman shares his perspective on being the man behind the scenes who keeps everything running smoothly.

Learn to Free Spool Sailfish with a Golf Cart and Reel

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ShowTime! owner Fred Hardwick illustrates an innovative and successful way to learn to free spool sailfish. Hardwick’s use of a golf cart and a reel are not only cool, but provide a great way to simulate feeding a fish, while getting a feel for you tackle.

Hardwick preaches the value of “soft engagement” of the circle hook. Avoiding jerking or other sudden movements that can prevent the hook from consistently finding it place in the corner of the jaw is critical to maintaining a high hook up percentage. Hardwick and the ShowTime! crew have the tournament hardware to back up his lessons.

Tribute 37′ – A Cutting Edge Design

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The Tribute 37’ features a state of the art design. The video showcases an in-depth look at the cutting edge step-hull bottom, offering unparalleled sophistication in looks and ride.

See for yourself!

If you liked the first video, you’ll enjoy this extensive walk-thru interview with John Gaza on the Tribute 37′:

Pristine engineering and design of the Tribute 37′ step-hull bottom.

Photo Gallery: Los Suenos Leg 1

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Photographer Pepper Ailor and Los Suenos Resort and Marina invite you on a backstage pass of Leg 1 of the Los Suenos Signature Series. Here is a sample of the boats in the gallery. Check out this world class event. For the entire gallery, click here.

Video Dock Talk: The Case for Fishing Guatemala

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Captain Chris “Kiwi” Van Leeuwen runs the Allure II, a 40′ Caps, in Guatemala. Kiwi and his wife Liz own and operate the Sailfish Oasis Lodge, an upscale, boutique operation. Van Leeuwen and the Guatemalan tourism board hosted InTheBite Magazine in November 2017. The great fishing and hospitality provide the backdrop for a feature in the January/February Issue of InTheBite and this Dock Talk Video.  Hope you like watching it as much as we enjoyed making it….

 

For more on the great fishing in Guatemala, pick up the January/ February issue of the magazine.  Subscribe here.

InTheSight- 2017/2018 Crew Hunting Gallery

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InTheSight 2017/2018 Crew Hunting Gallery sponsored by Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Lodge.

Sponsor

Who has bagged a trophy this hunting season? We want to see it. Please e-mail your images to Editor Elliott Stark- estark@inthebite.com

We’ll be publishing the crew gallery in an upcoming issue of InTheBite- The Sportfishing/Hunting Magazine.

Former boat captain Mike Brown nailed the biggest buck of his life recently. This symmetrical 8 point buck was taken in South Carolina in December. The buck scored 146 Boone and Crockett.  Congrats on a nice one!

Here’s a fat pig from Mike Brown’s memorable hunt.

Capt Mike Oglesby from Texas, the captain of the vessel “Backlash” a 65′ Viking pictured with a nice buck he harvested in south Texas on a ranch recently.

Some nice Missouri Whitetails shot by Capt. Robbie Munyan and friends in Meadeville.

Johnny Van Leeuwen with a tasty red stag shot with his father, Capt. Chris Van Leeuwen, and his uncle in New Zealand.

Capt. Allan Legge of the Viking 68 High Cotton with a South Texas monster.

Guide Travis Harper with a happy client and a South Texas Aodad sheep.

Check out previous years InTheSight Crew Hunting Galleries. Click Here

Traveling Shoes- Spares to Bring When You Take Your Operation off the Beaten Path

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This article first appeared in our October/November 2017 Volume 16 Edition 7 of InTheBite The Professionals’ Sportfishing Magazine

Traveling Shoes
Spares to Bring When You Take Your Operation off the Beaten Path
by Steve Katz

I am writing this column during peak tournament season in the mid-Atlantic area. During these tournaments, it seems that there is a service truck for every marine trade in the parking lot or service yard at the tournament marinas. Engine mechanics, propeller companies, fiberglass and paint contractors, electrical and electronics companies – just about all the trades and parts you would need to build a boat are readily available day and night during tournament season. While this is convenient for captains and crews, it is not the normal way of getting parts or service. Many of us have become accustomed to the abundance of parts and service companies that are available quickly and reasonably to help keep your boat in top condition. This is especially true for those whose home port is South Florida, Oregon Inlet, or other popular sportfishing destination. What happens when you travel away from the mainstream areas or off the beaten path?

Travel Case in Point

A sportfish captain recently returned from a summer fishing trip in the northeast, staying on Nantucket Island for a few weeks. While Nantucket is only 100-miles from Boston, it feels like millions of miles away when you need parts and supplies. He indicated that getting things like oil absorbent pads by the case and even refueling the boat was difficult and expensive. Travel farther south, towards the popular fishing destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean and the availability of parts and service becomes much more scattered. Next time you are at a South Florida airport, a quick scan of the parking area will often reveal service trucks of mechanics and trades people flying off to distant location to perform service for their customers. Importing parts or technicians is not the fastest or least expensive way to keep your boat running when away from your home port. Carrying a good cross selection of spare parts can allow you to make temporary or permanent repairs while away from your home port. One boat owner who prided himself in his spare parts inventory mentioned that, “Finding a technician was easier than getting the parts needed for the repair.”

Pack It Up!

When heading out for an extended trip, most professional crew prepare the boat with the important fishing supplies and food provisions for the voyage and destination. What about the spare/regularly consumed parts that you may need to maintain the boat while away? What if something critical breaks – do you bring a spare? What spare parts should you bring? What parts can I get at my destinations? How can I ship parts to my destination? How fast and how much will it cost? Do you have room to bring all of this with you? What to Bring? Let’s skip the typical spares and supplies. Such items as filters, oil, bulbs, fuses, screws, nuts and bolts, oil pads, bilge pumps and the other expendable supplies should be a no brainer on your pre-trip shopping list. How do you determine the other parts you should bring on your trip? The first way to be prepared is to bring parts that your boat………………. to read the rest of this article and the entire issue click here