InTheBite

Spotter Power: The Eye In The Sky Pays

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Spotter Power: The Eye in the Sky

From the Vault- This article was previously published in InTheBite The Professionals’ Sportfishing Magazine.

by Dale Wills

One definition of passion is when you put more energy into something than is typically required to do it. It is more than just enthusiasm or excitement. Meet Mike Kasten, a tower spotter with eyes like a frigatebird. He personifies his passion by spotting fish in a spread before anyone else.

Kasten’s love for spotting fish began in the Florida Keys several years ago when he realized he had a knack for it. I was fortunate enough to work for some of the best captains in the keys sight fishing sails , mahi , and cobia. In 2010, Kasten persuaded Team Galati to give him a shot spotting fish from the tower. “They broke me in by going 26 for 28 on white marlin off Ocean City, MD the first time I went offshore with them and since that trip I was hooked,” he says.

“I never want to take my eyes off the spread or miss a fish. It drives me nuts if the captain or someone in the cockpit sees a fish before me,” says Kasten.

“I love coordinating the communication between the anglers and the fish,” he reports. “My job is to let the anglers know where the fish is and what it’s doing, like whether it’s lazy or aggressive. I also notice if there’s a tangle or if there’s a fish on the dredge that nobody in the cockpit can see. Seeing the fish and alerting the angler gives them an extra second to engage the fish versus letting the fish engage the angler. There are certainly a lot of boats that do not have towers and are successful tournament winners but if it’s a close race I am certain that I can be the difference in a few extra fish because I’m up there doing everything I can to help the team win,” says Kasten.

Kasten has also taken the tower communication to the next level by wearing a headset mic that lets him correspond clearly via a Bluetooth speaker in the cockpit, which he says all but eliminates the usual yelling and shouting during the fishing day.

When asked about how far back the long riggers are trolled and visibility of the bait, Kasten explains, “I have the guys fish the longs close enough to where I can just barely see the bait. If they are too far back, the fish usually ends up being a sneak bite and I’m no help. I probably drive them crazy because I’m always saying ten less or ten more feet on the rigger baits. If I can warn them the anglers love it.”

“Nine times out of ten, I see the fish before he gets to the bait depending on the light conditions. If the sun is on my back I can see everything in our spread and a sailfish or marlin sticks out like a sore thumb. If the sun’s in my face and there is a glare, I look for fins cutting through the water or a wake made by the fish. It also helps that I was blessed with 20/10 vision. If a fish comes up either very aggressive or lazy, I’m able to help the angler drop back to try to get the fish to eat but most of the time the fish wants to chase that bait and I try to not have them drop back unless he fades off. There have been countless times we have gotten a bite and not come tight and I will let the angler know if the fish is coming back to eat again and most importantly if they still have a bait. Another thing I help with is when we hook a fish and make our turn, sometimes you can’t tell where the hooked fish is and I’m vigilant at watching to make sure we don’t run over the line. I’ll let the captain know hard to port or starboard and give him a read on where the fish is.”

As you can probably tell, Mike Kasten is taking the job of spotting fish from the tower very seriously and has become an integral part of the Galati fishing team. Kasten adds that you also need to make sure the seas are not too rough to risk injury by climbing a tuna tower in the first place. “It’s something you should get comfortable doing at the dock before you try it offshore. It’s not for everyone but it’s an amazing view and something I love doing.” When it comes to sunglasses, blue mirror Costa sunglasses are his favorite for bright days in blue water. “They make the dark shadows of the sails stick out very well,” he says. “On a cloudy overcast day, I wear amber Costas to brighten things up.” Adding a tower guy can pay dividends. Just follow Team Galati via InTheBite as they compete around the world and remember that Mike Kasten will be riding 40 feet above the boat like a frigatebird waiting to dive on its prey. “Left long rigger!”

Kasten utilizes a Harmon Kardon headset with a wireless  transmitter which transmits to the cockpit speakers. Communication is a low key, no-yelling affair which keeps anglers calm during the bite. 

Team Galati spotter Mike Kasten keeps a watchful eye on the spread from his perch high above in the tower.

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Longline Boats Allowed To Fish Florida’s East Coast

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After the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced today its approval of the Exempted Fishing Permit that allows longline boats to fish in Florida’s east coast closed zone, Ellen Peel, President of The Billfish Foundation (TBF) said, “Florida anglers, all anglers who fish off Florida’s east coast and the recreational fishing industry should be irate at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Highly Migratory Species for not valuing or respecting recreational fishing by their approval of the Exempted Fishing Permit, which allows longline boats to fish inside Florida’s East Coast Closed Zone.

Florida has more anglers than any other state in the nation, 2.4 million, and the related industry generates an economic impact of $7.6 billion dollars (2015/16) and supports 109,300 jobs! This is a slap in the face of all connected to recreational fishing in Florida especially after strong opposition was expressed by the industry and community participants. This decision could have a negative impact on Florida’s wide ranging marine tourism.

Peel added, “she was not surprised, though held out some hope, the NMFS would realize allowing longlines back into Florida’s east coast closed zone to land the conservation benefits accrued over 16 years of closure would be illogical. The NMFS has accommodated the one scientist at NOVA, who filed for the permit, project after project, regardless of prior results or inappropriateness of this project. The hypocrisy of the situation is blatant for the scientist, along with the owner of many of the longline boats that will fish in the zone, were part of a CNN interview in 2012 (see video here), in which they made the argument that longlining was not a clean gear and should be replaced by buoy gear. Now that the scientist and boat owner can sell the conservation benefits their story has changed. The longlines will kill billfish, swordfish, sharks and sea turtles. Be prepared, the NMFS, HMS may issue more restraints on recreational fishing so there will be more fish for the “research longlines” to kill if their illogic continues. Keep in mind that the State of Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission opposed the permit being issued.”

The Billfish Foundation is the world’s leading science-based sportfishing conservation organization that advances research, education and advocacy for responsible management and conservation of billfish (marlin, sailfish, spearfish, swordfish) and other highly migratory fish, including tunas.  

2017 White Marlin Open Updates- Griffin Leads With 86 lbs. WM

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136 Boats Fishing Today – 353 Boats Entered – $4.97 Million in Prize Money!
 

Local Boat Takes Top Tournament Prize
8/11/17

Within the first 40 minutes on the last day of weigh-ins at Harbour Island, $3 million dollars changed hands.  To win the biggest share of the $4.9 million dollars in prize money, a white marlin would have to top the 86-pound white caught off The Griffin from Palm Beach, FL on Wednesday.  That’s a big white and would have won 36 of the last 43 tournaments.  A closer look, however would reveal that it would have only won 4 of the last 8 events.  Still, Wilmington Delaware angler Mike Donohue had to like his chances to hold onto the $2.6 million-dollar prize.

The scale for the last day of weigh-ins opened at Harbour Island Marina at 4:00 PM.  Waiting at the 3:30 bridge was MR Ducks from OC, Md.  The boat was carrying OC, Md. angler Joe Andrews with a white to weigh.  The digital scale judged Andrews’ fish to weigh 79.5 pounds which didn’t affect Donohue’s $2.6 million, but jumped into 2nd knocking another OC boat, the Berzerker down to third place.

Yet another Ocean City boat, the Wire Nut made the 4:00 PM bridge and cruised toward the HI scale with a quiet confidence.  Angler Glen Frost, an attorney from Stevensville, Md. knew that he had to beat a large white, but the crew felt the measurements indicated that was possible.  When the digital scale read 95.5 pounds the celebrating started.  It was the third largest white marlin ever caught in the 44-year-old event and it was Frost’s first white marlin catch!

So, Frost’s first ever billfish catch earned first place in the 2017 WMO and $1,654,800 in prize money.  That fish cost Donohue $1,400,000 but Donohue and The Griffin still earned $1,525,964 for the 2nd place white.  MR Ducks and fell to third with earnings of $164,673.

The tuna category produced 8 winners including a White Marlin Open record $866,553 tuna payout to Joe Sadler off the Intents both from Jupiter Florida.  Other top tuna winners were $90,380 to James Boynton of Situate, MA fishing aboard the Blue Runner out of Manasquan, NJ for their 67-pound tuna.  The Warden Pass from Cape May NJ carried Buena, NJ resident Kris Rainear who caught a tying 67-pound tuna and earned $52,950.

Tuna also earned big bucks for small boats.   The Lisa from OC Md. carried angler Mike Cutler who hones his billfishing skills in Leawod, Kansas.  Team Lisa won $112,050 for small boat top tuna and small boat big fish.

Jimmy Michael on the Dawg Haus out of OC, Md won $51,300 in the small boat white marlin division with his 58 pound tuna since no qualifying small boat white marlin were weighed.

The money in the Daily Meat Fish division is split between the heavy wahoo and heavy dolphin. The dolphin fishing was the slowest in memory and only one dolphin qualified.  The one dolphin that did qualify, however, took big money.  Ashton, MD angler Andrew Cohen aboard Annapolis based Silly Money weighed the a 23-pound dolphin to win all the daily money for dolphin and earned $74,841.  The 3 wahoo shared the daily prizes and the Hog Wild, G-Force and Karen Marie each won over $25,000 for their fish.

The Restless Lady from Ocean City, MD took $7,091 for the only shark weighed when Frank Snover from White Township, NJ caught a 126 mako shark.

In the Daily Release Point division, the Bar South took first with 735 followed by Fender Bender with 700 points and Weldor’s Ark with 665 pts.  Those same boats took the top three places in the prestigious Billfish Points division.

The top Tournament Anglers who will receive the coveted Master Angler Rings are:  Jack Owens off the Rebel, John Roberts on the Weldor’s Ark, and Kevin Pento aboard the Singularis.

Dona Lucy Wins USVI Blue Marlin Tournament

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Photo: Top Boat, Doña Lucy, from Puerto Rico. L to R: Bryan Ramos, Jose De Veer, Rafael Caicedo, Efrain Rodriguez, Captain Juan Garcia, and Joselo Hernandez. Credit: Dean Barnes.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. A total of five blue marlin released in three days of fishing earned Doña Lucy the top boat prize in the 45th annual USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament (ABMT). Incredibly, the San Juan, Puerto Rico-based team scored four of these fish on today’s last day of fishing to take the trophy over A1A, which also released five blue marlin total, but had to settle for second place based on time. Doña Lucy’s triumph was in a Davy versus Goliath-style as the 41’ Ronin sports fisher was half the size of other ABMT competitors.

“We had a team meeting last night and our captain, Juan Garcia, said he had a feeling it would be a good idea to fish the tournament’s last day up off Anegada,” says Doña Lucy angler, Rafael Caicedo. “This is where we released our first fish on Day 1. We fished the North Drop yesterday, with all the rest of the boats, and didn’t catch a thing. The idea was, as the smallest boat in the tournament, we had to break away from the pack. Luckily, we did. We found a small patch of blue water without weed and trolled in that patch.”

The Doña Lucy team raised its first fish of the day late morning, but it wouldn’t bite. Then, barely a half hour later, anglers Bryan Ramos and Efrain Rodriguez hooked up a blue marlin double header and landed both. With barely time to set the baits back out, Rodriguez hooked, caught and released a blue marlin weighing an estimated 500 pounds.

“Two minutes later, Efrain hooked up the big girl. It was about a 650 to 700-pound blue marlin and took 2 hours and 15 minutes to fight and release. It was during that time that A1A almost caught up to us. However, we were the first to reach five when we released that big fish,” says Caicedo.

There were three secrets to the Doña Lucy’s team’s success. One, the skilled anglers successfully caught everything that bit. Secondly, dead bait rather than lures was the team’s preferred fish attracting method. Third, the anglers and crew had a great boat.

“We just finished building the boat and this is only the second tournament we’ve fished,” says Caicedo.

The beautiful little Ronin was the last unfinished hull sitting in the factory when the Ponce, Puerto Rico-based yacht builder closed. Two weeks before the hull was to be sent to the crushers, says Caicedo, he and his fellow fishing team moved it to a small shed and spent five years finishing her. This is the little Ronin’s debut summer.

“It’s the little boat that could and did,” says Caicedo.

A1A, a 72’ Jim Smith based out of Florida, finished in second place in the boat standings with five blue marlin releases. Angler/owner, Bill Waldorf, earned Top Angler, caught and released all five blues. Business Stinks, a 72’ Merritt with Brazilian-based owner/angler Lucas Abud aboard, ended third with three blue marlin in the boat standings.

The 8-boat tournament fleet released a total of 22 blue marlin in the three days of fishing.

Boats competing in the ABMT were A1A, Angela, Business Stinks, Cheeseburger, Doña Lucy, Gulf Rascal, Reel Tight and Sodium.

The ABMT was run this year as a team tournament under IGFA rules only, without the call for competitors to adhere to additional special tournament rules such as the need for anglers to rotate rods hourly.

On land, the 5th Annual MarlinFest concluded with a Shrimp Boil and Caribbean Show in the parking lot of the Red Hook Shopping Mall.

The ABMT and MarlinFest benefit the locally-registered not-for-profit Marine Vocational Program (MVP). The MVP’s goal is to serve as a vocational institution that provide U.S. Virgin Islands youth with a career path into the marine/hospitality/tourism industries. Current MVP programs include learn-to-swim, sailing, scuba diving and small boat handling and operation skills.

Started by Chuck Senf back in 1972, the ABMT has evolved into one of the most competitive saltwater sports fishing events in the world or the ‘Super Bowl of Sports Fishing’.

White Marlin Winner Appeals $2.8 Million Prize Case In U.S Federal Court

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White Marlin Open Winner Appeals Case in U.S. Federal Court

Ruling that denied $2.8 million prize was based on erroneous assumption and ignored significant evidence

August 02, 2017—Baltimore, MD—2016 White Marlin Open winner Philip Heasley today filed a notice of appeal of last month’s U.S. District Court decision in the case of White Marlin Open et al. vs Heasley, RDB-16-3105.

“We filed today’s appeal because the District Court ruling last month was fundamentally wrong. It became clear that the judge based much of his ruling on a deeply flawed assumption, and discarded facts, evidence and eyewitness testimony that contradicted it,” said Mr. Heasley, owner of the boat Kallianassa. “The Kallianassa crew and I caught the tournament’s only qualifying white marlin fairly, legally and without violating any tournament rules.”

The June 14, 2017, U.S. District Court’s decision is seen by many within the professional fishing industry as demonstrating a lack of understanding of how fishing tournaments work.

Two areas that Mr. Heasley’s attorneys will focus the appeal on are: 

1.  The finding that the Kallianassa put fishing lines in the water early: The judge misinterpreted a statement made in deposition that it takes 15 to 20 minutes to get the lines into the water.  In reality, that preparatory work is done on the deck and the lines are then dropped into the water at the 8:30 a.m. start time, taking one to four minutes.  Dismayingly, the judge clung to this statement and then extrapolated that the boat was at trolling speed because the lines were down, when in fact it was because the baiting of hooks and other preparatory work was underway.  The judge further ignored eyewitness testimony from the captain and mate of a competing fishing boat, who testified that they were in  close proximity to the Kallianassa and that they did not see any lines in the water prior to 8:30 a.m. start time.

2.  The court based its decision on polygraphs, which are generally not admissible in federal court because they are unreliable: The problems with the polygraphs are legion. To touch on a few:

The polygraph examiners who gave the tests admitted they gave a certain type of polygraph, where the polygraph standards referenced in the tournament rules required that a different type of polygraph be given. As a result, the polygraph examiners gave incomplete tests.

One polygraph examiner who administered the test testified in court that he did not understand the rules of the White Marlin Open tournament, nor of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). As a result, he asked general questions that were so broad, they did not even apply to catching the winning fish.

One polygraph examiner was unfamiliar with the polygraph standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), which are safeguards to ensure that a polygraph is administered properly (even with these in place, there are still reliability issues with polygraphs).

One polygraph examiner used an outdated polygraph technique, called the “Relevant/Irrelevant” test, which has been rejected by the polygraph community as scientifically invalid because it does not have much better than 50-50 accuracy. 

The bottom line is that the White Marlin Open directors did not disqualify Mr. Heasley, nor did any other competitor lodge a single complaint. Instead, the White Marlin Open directors declined to make a determination and sent it to the court despite Mr. Heasley’s several requests to describe the catch and present his boat’s electronic information directly to the tournament directors. The court then based its ruling on a combination of unreliable polygraphs and false assumptions.

“For the first time in my life, my integrity and honesty have been challenged because of a polygraph test,” said Mr. Heasley. “The impact of this incorrect ruling not only has had great emotional impact on me and my family, but also on my professional captain and crew—who are fine, upstanding men and fishermen who are being unfairly branded as cheats. Whatever the outcome of the appeal, I could not let this ruling stand unchallenged. This has become about more than a winning white marlin. We’re honorable people, and we will continue to fight for our reputation and the truth.”

Today’s appeal will send the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia.

White Marlin Open Winner Appeals Case In U.S. Federal Court

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White Marlin Open Winner Appeals Case in U.S. Federal Court

Ruling that denied $2.8 million prize was based on erroneous assumption and ignored significant evidence

August 02, 2017—Baltimore, MD—2016 White Marlin Open winner Philip Heasley today filed a notice of appeal of last month’s U.S. District Court decision in the case of White Marlin Open et al. vs Heasley, RDB-16-3105.

“We filed today’s appeal because the District Court ruling last month was fundamentally wrong. It became clear that the judge based much of his ruling on a deeply flawed assumption, and discarded facts, evidence and eyewitness testimony that contradicted it,” said Mr. Heasley, owner of the boat Kallianassa. “The Kallianassa crew and I caught the tournament’s only qualifying white marlin fairly, legally and without violating any tournament rules.”

The June 14, 2017, U.S. District Court’s decision is seen by many within the professional fishing industry as demonstrating a lack of understanding of how fishing tournaments work.

Two areas that Mr. Heasley’s attorneys will focus the appeal on are: 

1.  The finding that the Kallianassa put fishing lines in the water early: The judge misinterpreted a statement made in deposition that it takes 15 to 20 minutes to get the lines into the water.  In reality, that preparatory work is done on the deck and the lines are then dropped into the water at the 8:30 a.m. start time, taking one to four minutes.  Dismayingly, the judge clung to this statement and then extrapolated that the boat was at trolling speed because the lines were down, when in fact it was because the baiting of hooks and other preparatory work was underway.  The judge further ignored eyewitness testimony from the captain and mate of a competing fishing boat, who testified that they were in  close proximity to the Kallianassa and that they did not see any lines in the water prior to 8:30 a.m. start time.

2.  The court based its decision on polygraphs, which are generally not admissible in federal court because they are unreliable: The problems with the polygraphs are legion. To touch on a few:

The polygraph examiners who gave the tests admitted they gave a certain type of polygraph, where the polygraph standards referenced in the tournament rules required that a different type of polygraph be given. As a result, the polygraph examiners gave incomplete tests.

One polygraph examiner who administered the test testified in court that he did not understand the rules of the White Marlin Open tournament, nor of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). As a result, he asked general questions that were so broad, they did not even apply to catching the winning fish.

One polygraph examiner was unfamiliar with the polygraph standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), which are safeguards to ensure that a polygraph is administered properly (even with these in place, there are still reliability issues with polygraphs).

One polygraph examiner used an outdated polygraph technique, called the “Relevant/Irrelevant” test, which has been rejected by the polygraph community as scientifically invalid because it does not have much better than 50-50 accuracy. 

The bottom line is that the White Marlin Open directors did not disqualify Mr. Heasley, nor did any other competitor lodge a single complaint. Instead, the White Marlin Open directors declined to make a determination and sent it to the court despite Mr. Heasley’s several requests to describe the catch and present his boat’s electronic information directly to the tournament directors. The court then based its ruling on a combination of unreliable polygraphs and false assumptions.

“For the first time in my life, my integrity and honesty have been challenged because of a polygraph test,” said Mr. Heasley. “The impact of this incorrect ruling not only has had great emotional impact on me and my family, but also on my professional captain and crew—who are fine, upstanding men and fishermen who are being unfairly branded as cheats. Whatever the outcome of the appeal, I could not let this ruling stand unchallenged. This has become about more than a winning white marlin. We’re honorable people, and we will continue to fight for our reputation and the truth.”

Today’s appeal will send the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia.

 

Top 5 Marlin of 2017- So Far

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Check out this list of the top 5 Blue Marlin weighed in so far in 2017 Captain of the Year Divisions. The IGY Marinas Int’l Division leads with team Flyer, led by Captain Bryce Garvey fishing the Bermuda Big Game Classic who harvested a 871 lbs. Blue Marlin. Pretty work crews!

IGY Marinas Intl’ Division

#1)Capt. Bryce Garvey, Flyer, 600 Points -Bermuda Big Game Classic, Largest Marlin, 500 Pts. 871 lbs.

Costa Sunglasses Gulf Division

#2)Capt. Scooter Porto and Reel Addiction team with 771lb Blue Marlin caught during the 46th Annual Pensacola International Billfish Tournament.

Release Ruler Hawaii Division 

#3)Capt. McGrew Rice on the Ihu Nui II hit big and won the Skin’s Tournament with a 731.5-pound blue marlin and TR release points. Photo courtesy of the Honokohau Charter Desk.

Costa Sunglasses Gulf Division

#4) Capt. Jason Buck, Done Deal, 500 Points- Blue Marlin World Cup, Largest Marlin, 600 lbs.

Billfish Foundation East Coast Division

#5)Capt. Brian Harrington, Run Off, 500 Points -Big Rock, Heaviest Marlin, 533.8 lbs. , 500 Pts.

   

New Tackle For 2017

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Hello friends,

Here’s a look at the latest new products which won awards at the annual ICAST show(Trade Show for Fishing Tackle). Each year we attend the show to stay informed on the latest news, trends and equipment in the fishing industry. Although the show tends to be 75% related to freshwater fishing, its still interesting to see all the latest tackle in the industry. You’ll see most of the new tackle start to hit the shelves this fall and early 2018.

Best of Category

Boating Accessories – Yeti Coolers, LoadOut Bucket. Info: http://yeti.com/

Boats and Watercraft – Bote, Rover. Info: https://www.boteboard.com/

Eyewear – Costa, The Sunrise Mirror Lens. Info: https://www.costadelmar.com/

Footwear – Huk Performance Fishing, Attack. Info: https://www.hukgear.com/

Giftware – The Catch and Release Print Shop, Fish Prints Actual Size. Info: https://prints.fish/

Lifestyle Apparel – Frogg Toggs, Prym1 Series Pilot II Jacket & Bibs. Info: https://www.froggtoggs.com/

Technical Apparel – Frogg Toggs, Sierran Transition Wader. Info: https://www.froggtoggs.com/

Electronics – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc., Solix 15 Chirp Mega SI GPS. Info: https://www.johnsonoutdoors.com/

Fishing Accessory – Yeti Coolers, Panga Duffel. Info: http://yeti.com/

Fly Fishing Accessory – Simms Fishing Products, G3 Guide™ Stockingfoot Wader. Info: https://www.simmsfishing.com/

Fishing Line – Pure Fishing Inc., Berkley Fireline Ultra 8. Info: http://www.berkley-fishing.com/

FishSmart – Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle, 2017 Flounder Sample Pack. Info: https://www.eagleclaw.com/

Kids’ Tackle – 13 Fishing, Ambition Combo. Info: http://www.13fishing.com/

Tackle Management – Daiwa Corporation, Tactical Backpack. Info: http://www.daiwa.com/global/en/

Terminal Tackle – Trapper Tackle, Trapper Round Bend Treble. Info: https://trappertackle.com/

Freshwater Hard Lure – Okuma Fishing Tackle Corp., Savage Gear 3D Topwater Bat. Info: http://savage-gear.com/

Saltwater Hard Lure – Rapala, X-Rap Magnum 40. Info: http://www.rapala.com/rapala-lures/

Freshwater Soft Lure – Lunkerhunt LP, Prop Series. Info: http://www.lunkerhunt.com/

Saltwater Soft Lure – LiveTarget, Hollow Body Mullet. Info: https://www.livetargetlures.com/

Fly Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc., Pflueger Supreme QRS Fly Reel. Info: http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/

Freshwater Reel – Shimano American Corp., Curado K Baitcasting Reels. Info: http://fish.shimano.com/

Saltwater Reel – Shimano American Corp., Sustain Reels C4000/5000. Info: http://fish.shimano.com/

Rod & Reel Combo – Lew’s Fishing Tackle, Mach Crush Speed Spool Combo. Info: http://www.lews.com/index.php

Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis, Inc., IMX-Pro Fly Rod. Info: http://www.gloomis.com/

Freshwater Rod – 13 Fishing, Fate Black. Info: http://www.13fishing.com/

Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Rods, Legend Tournament Inshore. Info: http://stcroixrods.com/

 

First Runners-Up

First Runner-Up – Boating Accessories – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.

Product: Talon Shallow Water Anchor – 15 ft

First Runner-Up – Boats and Watercraft – Live Watersports

Product: Live L4Expedition – Realtree Edition

First Runner-Up – Eyewear – Maui Jim Sunglasses

Product: Kanaio Coast Style #766

First Runner-Up – Footwear – Simms Fishing Products

Product: Challenger Mid Boat Shoe – Waterproof

First Runner-Up – Giftware – L’il Sucker Products, Inc.

Product: Insulator

First Runner-Up – Lifestyle Apparel – Simms Fishing Products

Product: SolarFlex® Armor Shirt

First Runner-Up – Technical Apparel –  Simms Fishing Products

Product: Contender Insulated Jacket 

First Runner-Up – Electronics – Lowrance-Navico

Product: Lowrance HDS Carbon 16

First Runner-Up – Fishing Accessory – Rapala

Product: Mag Spring Pliers

First Runner-Up – Fly Fishing Accessory – Phoenix Inventors, LLC

Product: The SimpliFLY

First Runner-Up – Fishing Line – Rapala

Product: Sufix 832 – Coastal Camo

First Runner-Up – FishSmart – Adventure Products, Inc.

Product: EGO Kryptek S2 Slider Landing Net – Medium Clear Rubber

First Runner-Up – Kids’ Tackle – Anything Possible

Product: Steinhauser Tangle-FREE Pocket Combo

First Runner-Up – Tackle Management – Plano Synergy

Product: KVD Signature Bag

First Runner-Up – Terminal Tackle – American Tackle Company

Product: JIGSKINZ “ProSkinz Color Series”

First Runner-Up – Freshwater Hard Lure – Rapala

Product: RipStop

First Runner-Up – Saltwater Hard Lure – Yo-Zuri America, Inc.

Product: Hydro Minnow LC

First Runner-Up – Freshwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET

Product: BaitBall Spinner Rig

First Runner-Up – Saltwater Soft Lure – Chasebaits Australia

Product: Smash Crab JNR

First Runner-Up – Fly Reel – Zebco Brands

Product: Van Staal VFHD 8-10-12 Wt

First Runner-Up – Freshwater Reel – 13 Fishing

Product: Concept Z

First Runner-Up – Saltwater Reel – Pure Fishing

Product: PENN International VI – 50VISW

First Runner-Up – Rod & Reel Combo – 13 Fishing

Product: Fate Black and Origin FB Reel

First Runner-Up – Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix Rods

Product: Imperial USA

First Runner-Up – Freshwater Rod – G. Loomis, Inc.

Product: CONQUEST Bass Rods

First Runner-Up – Saltwater Rod – Lew’s Fishing Tackle

Product: Tournament Performance TP1 Inshore

Done Deal Wins World Cup Blue Marlin Championship

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Palm Beach, Florida: With a record payout on the line and redhot fishing worldwide, the story of this year’s Blue Marlin World Cup Championship centered on what some may consider an overlooked destination: the Gulf of Mexico. And yet with a fleet of 144 boats fishing in some of the planet’s best big-fish hot spots – including Bermuda, Madeira, Cape Verde and Kona -the Gulf produced the only two qualifying blue marlin in the one-day shootout.
The team aboard Gunnslinger was first to report a fish in the boat: their 110-inch blue marlin weighed 556.1 pounds and met the tournament’s qualifying minimum weight requirement of 500 pounds. But it was Jon Gonsoulin’s Done Deal that would seal the deal, scaling a beautifully-proportioned 600-pound blue marlin. They won the tournament cash plus the optional Big Blue Challenge, taking home a cool $1 million payday. Not bad
for a day of fishing. Done Deal is a 70-foot Viking captained by Jason Buck; angler Wilks Hammock was on the rod soaking a live bait off the Southwest Pass of Louisiana when the fish struck. In addition to their weighed fish, the team also released three additional blue marlin in what proved to be a superb day of
sport-fishing action.
With the increase in the base entry and the added jackpot in the Big Blue Challenge, it’s a new record payout for the World Cup. Winning $1,000,000 for a single blue marlin is the dream of any big-game angler, and the Blue Marlin World Cup reached that milestone this year. Seven of the participating teams were fishing in the Gulf region, and that is the first time since 1989 that the Gulf had produced a World Cup winner. Overall, the fishing was terrific in the Gulf. The Reel Fire team released four blues in the tournament. That’s great fishing anywhere.
The Blue Marlin World Cup is a one-day shootout held on July 4 each year. Blue marlin are the only eligible species, with a required minimum of 500 pounds, in a winner-take-all format. Teams fish from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in their respective time zones around the world, producing a very exciting event that has attracted a tremendous following on social media.
Tournament director, Robert “Fly” Navarro, says the World Cup team is already planning for a bigger and better tournament next year. You don’t need to fish an exotic destination to catch big blues. It is anticipated that more boats from the Gulf and also the East Coast will be participating in the July 4, 2018 Blue Marlin World Cup. Note the date on your calendar, and sign up early to match your blue marlin fishing skills against the rest of
the world.
For more information, visit www.bluemarlinworldcup.com.

Sodium Wins Virgin Islands July Open Billfish Tournament

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Top Boat, Sodium, with six blue marlin releases. L to R: Captain Randy Jendersee; angler/owner Chad Damron; VIGFC President, Kevin Haddox; mates Travis Butters and Tyler Valles. Credit: Dean Barnes.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Two boats nearly swapped places on the leaderboard during the third and final day of fishing in the 54th July Open Billfish Tournament (JOBT), hosted by the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (VIGFC). In the end, it was Sodium that earned Top Boat and the 75-foot Weaver’s owner and angler, Chad Damron, who won Top Angler with six blue marlin releases.
“We hooked up quickly this morning and were one of the first of the day to catch a blue marlin,” describes Damron, of Crystal River, Florida. “Never Say Never hooked up while we were fighting our fish, so that put us both one ahead.”

By midday, the release tally was 5 blue marlin for Sodium and 4 for Never Say Never, a 72-foot Merritt owned by Jim Carr of Coral Gables, Florida. Never Say Never won Top Boat and one of its anglers, fifteen-year-old Zachary ‘Zac’ Murck, of Davie, Florida, Top Angler in the 2016 JOBT.

Then, Sodium hooked up. But, the marlin broke off the hook. Never Say Never used the opportunity to tease up a blue and connected with a release. This tied both boats with 5 releases apiece, with Sodium still in the lead based on time.

“We caught another marlin around 2 p.m. That meant Never Say Never had to catch two more to beat us, so I was feeling pretty confident. The closer it got to line’s out, the better I felt,” says Sodium’s Damron, who credited his crew, Captain Randy Jendersee and mates Travis Butters and Tyler Valles for the win. “It’s so special here. The fish are meaner and if you miss one on the first pass it usually comes back around. The Virgin Islands are such a great place to fish. Big fish and lots of fish.”

For his Top Angler win, Damron will have his name engraved on the prestigious Captain Johnny Harms ‘Give Him Line’ Trophy. Past winners of this trophy read like a Who’s Who of blue marlin sport fishing. Angler Elliot Fishman’s winning 845-pound catch in 1968 set an all-tackle world record. Only two anglers have reeled in this honor two times – the late Howard Crouse in 1965 and 1988, and Puerto Rico’s late legendary angler Ralph Christiansen in 1973 and 1984.

Damron’s six blue marlin releases were 9 fish short of earning this year’s new prize: $25,000 cash for catching and releasing 15 blue marlin during the three-day tournament.

Never Say Never, helmed by Captain Eddie Herbert, finished second in the Top Boat standings with five blue marlin releases.

“I just hoped we could have seen a couple more marlin to win,” says Never Say Never’s Murck, who won the Top Junior Angler award. “Still, it was pretty exciting.”

Local charter boat, Mixed Bag, a 40-foot Luhrs based out of The Westin, St. John with Captain Rob Richards at the helm, finished third in the boat standings with the release of three blue marlin total.

In total, the six-boat tournament fleet caught and released 19 blue marlin and 1 white marlin in three-days of fishing. Teams in this longest annually held angling contest in the Virgin Islands, represented the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and U.S. mainland.

Profits from the VIGFC tournaments, which received 501 C (3) status this year, will benefit the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Marine Vocation Program and local veterans. Tournament sponsorship and donations are tax deductible.

Sponsors include IGY’s American Yacht Harbor; Fish Tails Bar & Grill; Southern Glazer’s Wines & Spirits, distributor of Mount Gay Rum; and Yeti. and Yeti.

For more information and to register, visit: www.vigfc.com or call (340) 775-9144. Visit us on Facebook too!

Chad Damron on Sodium (second from left) win’s Top Angler and the Captain Johnny Harms ‘Give Him Line’ Trophy. L to R: Captain Spike Herbert; VIGFC Board Member; Damron; Dr. Brian Biscoe, VIGFC Board Member; Captain Red Bailey, Past President and VIGFC Board Member. Herbert and Bailey both fished with the late Captain Johnny Harms, who pioneered the blue marlin fishery in the Virgin Islands.