California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Monday, March 8, 2021—New freshwater sportfishing regulations which take effect on March 1, 2021, aim to simplify and streamline the laws regulating inland fishing while maintaining and protecting California’s fisheries. The package of updated regulations was adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission in October 2020. It was the largest regulatory inland sportfishing package in the Commission’s history.
Hawaii-Guide.com recently provided a new update to requirements and changes in regards to Hawaii travel and the COVID vaccine parameters. Read the excerpt below or click here for the full article.
Presently, proof of vaccination is not a recognized exemption to the Hawaii travel quarantine. The state continues to evaluate the latest science and will inform travelers of any new exemptions as those decisions are made. Please see the Hawaii Travel Restrictions page for more information.
A potential Spring/Summer 2021 timeline has been proposed for Hawaii vaccination “passport” travel to begin. There is also a March-April timeline for Inter-Island Travel, potentially early May for trans-Pacific travel.
In mid-December 2020, word was received that Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, who is both a physician and is in charge of Hawaii’s Safe Travels program, had said that he would ask the governor to approve travel both trans-Pacific and interisland for anyone who has had a COVID vaccination without further requirements starting in early 2021. For travelers who choose not to get vaccinated, we believe the current restrictions, testing requirements, and quarantine policy are likely to remain in effect for most, if not all, of 2021 and potentially beyond.
Initially, it was proposed to start at the beginning of February 2021, but this has since been postponed until sometime in the Spring of 2021. After approaching the Governor about the update, the Lt. Governor has now indicated that Governor Ige is more inclined to make this change sometime in the Spring or early Summer, not in February as originally proposed. The latest news suggests, as of mid-February 2021, that vaccine/health passport travel will begin in three phases; which is outlined below.
Photo courtesy Kirk Elliott
Most all Texas crews have been focused on yard work or hunting, but there has been an incredible yellowfin tuna bite for the fishermen that have found the time to venture out. After the numerous storms that came ashore in the Gulf this fall, we experienced an abundance of green/freshwater that covered a large portion of the fishing grounds off the Texas coast and lingered for a couple months. Fortunately, there were a few spar rigs and drill ships farther offshore that produced plenty of large yellowfin through the end of the year.
Photo courtesy Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hightower, U.S. Coast Guard
US Department of State, US Coast Guard, Jan. 20, 2021—The Department of State is supporting the U.S. Coast Guard Operation Southern Cross as part of an effort to build regional maritime security partnerships and counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the South Atlantic. The U.S. Department of State announced the multi-month inaugural deployment of the new USCG Legend-class National Security Cutter, the Stone (WMSL 758), will strengthen cooperation and enhance security throughout the region.
InTheBite’s New Sportfishing Tournament Series is open for registration. 5 Divisions | Over 90 Events East Coast | Gulf Coast | International | Hawaii | Florida
January 16, 2021—Check out the gallery of some of the finest sportfishing teams returning to Palm Beach inlet. Most of the vessels are competing in the Operation Sailfish tournament. Scroll to the bottom for a new video showcasing the incredible speed of these modern-day machines as they return from the competition.
January 7, 2021—It’s with a heavy heart that we announce well-known Hawaii Captain Chris Sheeder has passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to a public Facebook post from his brother. Sheeder’s love for the water began at the young age of 11 when he took his first offshore trip out of Kona. This eventually led him to become a leader in refining techniques for catching billfish on the fly. He accumulated a career billfish tally of more than 35,000.
Sheeder worked his way up the ladder, from mate and then to captain. And throughout his time in the fishing circuit, Sheeder was always ready to give back to the community and share what he had learned himself.
This is best summed up in his own words when InTheBite interviewed him a few years back.
“I don’t feel like I’m in the sportfishing business, I’m in the dream fulfillment business. It might sound cheesy, but fishing is a great way of enriching other people’s lives. It’s been my avenue to making lifetime memories. How can you touch other people’s lives? Take them fishing. Lots of people think about a day spent together for a long, long time.”
Read more about Captain Chris Sheeder’s career here.
While traveling in the Dominican Republic, Eight Eights Mate Miguel Santana demonstrated his quick and easy set-up when it comes to rigging his DR ballyhoo.
Photo courtesy NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources Marine Fisheries
North Carolina anglers take note—starting January 1, 2020, anyone recreationally fishing off the state’s Atlantic coast will now be required to use circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with natural bait.
Photo courtesy Tropic Star Lodge
Friday, November 20, 2020—This year has consisted of many challenges, and for anglers around the world, one of them has been having to put international fishing plans on hold. Outfitters of all shapes and sizes have had to turn guests away due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the world-renowned Tropic Star Lodge was no exception. Tides turned in Mid-November though, when the Tropic Star team were able to fire up boat engines, dust off tackle boxes, and welcome back exuberant anglers to reap the rewards that the
8-month-untouched waters of Piñas Bay had to offer.
Carson Byers of the Freebie creates a video from his exploits as an observer in Costa Rica this spring. When you see the InTheBite shirt, you’ll see the 74-foot Tribute Nemesis releasing a blue marlin. Good video worth the watch- enjoy!
