InTheBite

Destination: The Azores

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Johnny Fuentes anxiously watches the spread with the Azorean coastline as the backdrop. The marlin grounds here are often less than a 20-minute ride from the slip. (Photo/Christian George)

By Joe Byrum

The Azores have been a part of blue marlin lore for a couple of decades now. However, the archipelago’s remote location approximately 850 miles off the coast of Portugal has still limited the number of fishermen who have actually experienced this fishery firsthand. In today’s world, with yacht transport and mothership operations becoming more common, dream destinations like the Azores are becoming more of a realistic opportunity to visit.

[Read more…]

Elizabeth Arn To Achieve Junior Blue Marlin Record

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Chase Travers, Randy Baker, Scott Murie, Stephen Hall, Elizabeth Arn, and Jonathan Arn posing in front of the marlin.

From left to right, Second Mate Chase Travers, Capt. Randy Baker, Capt. Scott Murie, First Mate Stephen Hall, Elizabeth Arn and Jonathan Arn.

By Zachary Granat

On May 31, 12-year-old Elizabeth Arn reeled in a 624-pound blue marlin off the coast of São Vicente, Cape Verde. Her catch will mark the new pending world record for the Female IGFA Junior Angler category.

Her angling was “outstanding,” says her father, Jonathan Arn. Upon getting a bite from the marlin, Elizabeth pushed the drag up to 25 pounds to ensure it was hooked solid. Then, she backed off the drag and moved the rod and reel into the fighting chair.

[Read more…]

Circle Hooks to be Required When Fishing Striped Bass Off North Carolina Atlantic

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circle hook for striped bass

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.

[Read more…]

Captain Alan Card: Bermuda Icon

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Challenger boat hooked up in Bermuda

By Elliott Stark

A native of Bermuda, Captain Alan Card has been fishing since the mid-1960s. A man whose reputation proceeds him, the veteran captain tells his stories with charm, understatement and appreciation for all he has seen. If chartering a day of blue marlin fishing with Captain Alan Card is anything like talking fishing with him over the phone, it is no wonder that he has been in business for decades.

Living on the island there was not much to do but fish… there were not enough women to chase,” he says with a laugh. “It was natural to fall into fishing. My brother Andrew was fishing longer than me. He was having more fun than me, so I decided to fish, too. I wouldn’t change it for anything, it’s too late to change it now anyway.”

Alan’s early days were spent in the cockpit working as second mate on the boat that his brother was working on. He then progressed to running to a private boat for a few years before turning to a full-time charter operation. Card credits Captain Walter Voss of the Sea Quest as one of his early influences. “The owner of the boat had a house in Bermuda. We traveled back and forth between the Caribbean and Bermuda. Walter taught me a hell of a lot,” he recalls. These were those days that such captains as Mike Benitez from Puerto Rico and others started to become active fishing for marlin in the Bahamas. “A couple of trips exposed me to marlin fishing. On the island (Bermuda), much of what we did was self-taught. We picked up bits and pieces from other people and from magazines – it’s not like it is today. We got the basics and off we went.”

Card started running his own charters full time in 1971. “A full day’s charter fishing back then was $75. If you got a $5 tip you were really doing great. At the time, most of the boats were locally built – not the fancy boats that come here today. We never caught blues back then. We didn’t have the tackle to catch them,” Card recalls “It wasn’t until we invested in decent tackle that we started to catch blues – once we had 80 and 130-pound line on the boat.”

Card caught the first grander blue marlin ever landed in Bermuda. The year was 1982, the fish weighed 1,130-pounds. “I also caught the first fish over 500 – that was in the mid-1970s. Bermuda used to be a light tackle spot. We used to troll for wahoo and yellowfin tuna. Every once in a while, a giant would blow up on one of the lures – it would last be seen heading west!”

Captain Alan Card runs his 40-foot Gamefisherman, the Challenger. “My son Ian has worked with me for the past 25 years. There’s just the two of us on the boat,” Card describes. “In years past, we used to fish up to 190-days per year. Now we fish between 100-120 days per year. The price has changed a lot.”

“Working with your son has some advantages,” Card begins. “He’s in his 40s… I’ve known him for a long time. He likes to work in the cockpit, and I’m up on the bridge. We do what we do. Mostly it works quite well, but like anything it can have its ups and downs. It’s unique. Mates are hard to come by here.”

“There are not as many charter boats around now – maybe seven or eight here. It’s not easy to get into it. The boats are expensive, and the economics have changed. It’s a hard life, but it’s rewarding. I’ve met a lot of good people,” Card relates thoughtfully.

Captain Alan Card at the helm of the Challenger

Over the course of carving out a livelihood for himself and his family, Captain Alan Card and his charter operation have transformed Bermuda and the way the sportfishing world relates to the island. For starters, the words “Bermuda” and “light tackle” are no longer used in relation to one another. The island nation that sits some 665 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina is one of the world’s leading grander blue marlin destinations. “I’ve caught seven granders – all of them here. There have been 25 or 26 granders caught in Bermuda all told. The largest was 1,350 – it’s only a matter of time before someone catches a record fish here,” Card surmises.

“We have released another two or three or four that were over 1,000-pounds. Our largest was 1,289,” Card says matter of factly. “Every one of them has a mother. We’ve seen some huge fish out here – bigger than we’ve caught. I’m sort of glad we don’t see them every day,” Card says with a chuckle.

Card’s approach to marlin fishing is influenced by the ever-present opportunity to catch the fish of a lifetime. “We rig baits and gear and tackle for the biggest fish you can imagine and let everything else go. I’m not sure how many I’ve caught – maybe 1,500 or 2,000, but I still get jacked up. I don’t remember all of them, but I remember the first one.”

When asked about pranks and dock jokes, Card’s Bermuda charm and manners are on full display. “On a daily basis, we are courteous.” When pressed a bit, Card delivers a gem. A joke that illustrates just how incredible his career has been. Bear in mind that the man has weighed seven blue marlin north of 1,000 pounds. “When people ask me, ‘How many granders have you caught?’ My answer is, ‘None. All of mine are over 1,100.’” While Captain Alan Card may well be the only person in the world able to provide such an answer to this question, he relates his story with understatement and perspective.

In describing his relationship with large blue marlin, Card is no less thoughtful. “It is a privilege and an honor to see a fish like that – let alone catch it. It’s a rarity to kill a fish now. There is nothing wrong with cutting them loose,” the veteran captain provides. “The 1,199 we caught was 28 years old. They used to say that fish that didn’t reproduce. But that fish had two egg sacks that weighed 80- or 90-pounds.”

Not only does Captain Alan Card provide perspective as it relates to large blue marlin, he also gives freely of experience in regard to those considering a career on the charter docks. “Fishing can be a hell of an opportunity for kids. If you get mixed up with the right crew, you can have a 30- or 40-year career like me. It’s been a fun and rewarding career, with lots of repeat clients,” Card provides.

He also provides a road map for learning the craft. “Hands on knowledge is important, Walter Voss taught me that. He’d take me and show me things, ‘This is how you do this.’” Beyond learning from those you work with, it’s also important to pay attention to what goes on around you. “Pay attention. Watch what others are doing. If someone is getting better results, ask questions. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to ask questions.”

Captain Alan Card is 71 years old. He and his wife recently celebrated their 49th anniversary. As many a good man does, Card jokes about the medals his wife deserves. “They call me Santiago now,” he laughs. More than an old man of the sea, Captain Alan Card is a fishing legend whose career has transformed how the world relates with the island Bermuda. He has spent his life on the water and the sportfishing landscape is better for it.

Ascension

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Ascension Island picture of the island with blue water around it

Photos courtesy Bryan Toney

By Mark Johnston

While Ascension Island doesn’t have high end luxury resorts or even a marina, statistics show it may be the best place in the Atlantic to catch a giant blue marlin. Three of the six largest blue marlin ever caught in the Atlantic were caught in the virgin waters surrounding Ascension. This statistic is all the more amazing considering how little fishing activity occurs around the island. [Read more…]

Team Reel Steel Wins 2019 Bermuda Triple Crown

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team Reel Steel holding winning tournament check

HAMILTON, Bermuda (July 30, 2019) – The 2019 Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship saw 47 boats fish at least one leg of the series for a total purse of more than $1.2 million, plus trophies and prizes. Anglers caught 165 billfish, including 143 blues and 22 whites. The Bermuda Triple Crown has a strong following from elite billfish teams, with crews traveling from the Caribbean and United States to compete each year. In 2019, the Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament had a record 38 teams participating.Team Reel Steel, this year’s Bermuda Triple Crown winner, was dominating throughout the three Bermuda Triple Crown tournaments, scoring 6,600 points from 12 blue marlin and three white marlin releases during nine days of fishing. The 66-foot Hines Farley was consistent in raising fish during all three events.

Utilizing a team effort, Reel Steel won two of the three legs of the Bermuda Triple Crown, including the Bermuda Billfish Blast and Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament. They finished second place in the team division of the Bermuda Big Game Classic. The team consisted of owner Mike Verzaleno, Captain Jason Parker, mate Drake Cropper, John Cantiverii, Charles Coats, Kayla Verzaleno and Marc Verzaleno.

Runner-up Team Flyer, an 86-foot Merritt, scored 6,000 points in the Bermuda Triple Crown from 12 blue marlin releases. Team Flyer won the 2019 Bermuda Big Game Classic and was neck and neck with Reel Steel going into the third leg of the Bermuda Triple Crown. The team consisted of owners Kevin and Teresa Jaffe, Captain Bryce Garvey, mate Mike Overton, mate Mike Tarmey, Greg Axton, Dylan Jaffe, Gotzon Otxoa and Mark Woodbury.

Third place went to Team Big Deal, a 75-foot Spencer, scoring 3,700 points from seven blue marlin and one white marlin release. Big Deal had two top-10 finishes in the Bermuda Triple Crown to jump ahead of Team Pescador with 3,600 points. Team Big Deal consisted of owner Ed Russo, Captain Brian Rabbit, mate Ben Zafir, mate Sergio Vargas, Matthew Russo, Bill Pembroke, Kim Pembroke and Mike Pembroke.

All three teams entered the new Bermuda Triple Crown Jackpot at the beginning of the series, so each team received a check for their performances.

[Read more…]

Captain’s Wife-Approved Destinations

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by Alexandra Stark

One of the many charms of the sportfishing lifestyle is the travel to exotic places. By the very nature of the activity, just about every place from which you can catch a marlin or sailfish has a beach. Most also have marinas and a place to grab a bite to eat. For a captain’s wife, the chance to spend a vacation in a place where the boat is fishing can be a wonderful perk.

If you were setting up a travel plan, how could you select a location that combines great fishing with everything necessary for a special trip for your special lady? Get this wrong at your own peril – Ascension Island has world class blue marlin fishing, but how would she feel about “feeding bread to half-wild donkeys” as the headliner of her land-based itinerary? There are also many places with great night life and amenities that don’t hold up the fishing side of the equation.

There are places, however, that play host to great fishing and the types of amenities and activities that make them ideal for captains and their wives. We’ve selected the following locations by asking professional captains and their wives for their recommendations. The following is a profile of a few of the best, with an interview from a professional who describes the ins and outs of each location.

Andrea Angel, with her husband Captain BC, is a veteran of many fishing vacations.

Los Suenos Resort and Marina, Costa Rica

By now everyone in the world has heard of the great billfishing opportunities out of Los Suenos. The world class fishing is matched by a resort that overlooks no detail in providing an incredible atmosphere. It truly boasts of a whole gamut of activity – one that any captain’s wife would certainly enjoy.

Ashley Bretecher, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications has been with Los Sueños for 16 years. When she started it was to help during the high season only. Ashley left for a year to go to school and decided to come back to stay. Los Suenos is now home to Ashley and her daughter. Here is Ashley’s perspective:

  • What are some of the reasons most people choose to come to Los Suenos? While the reasons vary between guests, most come because they can enjoy the Costa Rican jungle and Pacific Ocean in 5-star luxury, with superior service and amenities. The marina and our fishery have and continue to be the primary driver of real estate sales, given the blue skies, flat calm waters, and supreme bill fishery. We are also known as a premium inshore fishing destination with plentiful roosterfish, cubera snapper, grouper, and amberjack.
  • What about Los Suenos is especially attractive to women? Los Sueños is especially attractive to women because they can enjoy all the same activities that their husbands enjoy, with the benefit of a 5-star resort. There is shopping, medical services, restaurants, chef services, cooking classes, full service spa, golf, fitness facilities, yoga, tennis, beach club, and plenty more. All this in a safe and secure environment. We hear it all the time – they can go out walking or jogging and feel completely safe at all times

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas is a place full of adventure and wonder. Its desert climate mean lots of sunshine and little rain. The waters surrounding it host a world class striped marlin fishery, with big blues and blacks mixed in. Aside from the fishing, Cabo offers an unmatched quality and diversity of accommodation and activity (dune buggy riding, parasailing, desert camel riding, spa days, drinking margaritas on the beach…you can even take pictures with baby lions!)

If you can’t figure out a good place to grab a cold drink in Cabo, you might have a serious problem. The Marina Cabo San Lucas is a great place to start. Photo courtesy Marina Cabo San Lucas

Darren “Diz” Carey is the General Manager of IGY’s Marina Cabo San Lucas, the 375-slip marina that plays host to sportfishers and megayachts – up to 380’ – from far and wide. A British ex-pat, Diz offers some wise perspective on what a companion/fishing vacation to Cabo might look like. His perspective is delivered charmingly with an understatement, thoughtfulness and wit.

  • What are some of the reasons most people choose to come to Cabo? There are many fishing tournaments in Cabo San Lucas, most notably the Bisbee’s Black and Blue Marlin tournament each October.
  • What about Cabo is especially attractive to women? “Cabo is especially attractive to everyone if you ask me. Cabo has it all –

 shopping from designer brands to the best fakes – you can buy a $10 Rolex or walk down a little ways and pay $25k for the real thing. There are health spas with a large spectrum of services and pricing, 19 luxurious golf courses, restaurants spanning from taco bars to Michelin star chefs,” Carey says. Carey recommends the organic farm to table restaurant “Flora Farms” for a great meal and a good time. Whale watching and turtle hatchling release are must sees if you are there in the right season. There are also secluded beaches with wild horses are in Cabo, yes, this actually exists and it’s free!  Carey reports that there are three stores in the marina that cater to women, even selling the latest in fishing gear.

One of Cabo’s many charms: You never know what you might see. Photo courtesy IGY Marinas

  • What is one thing about Cabo San Lucas that most people do not know? “Though many people are attracted to Cabo for the fishing and the partying, there is also a recent uprise in upscale and high-end restaurants that are getting national acclaim,” Carey reports. Baja has also recently opened its first and only craft brewery, El Toro Baja Brewery. Another surprising fact is that there are many family packages available when visiting Cabo so that the entire family, including the kids can have a wonderful time in this magical place.

The Abaco Islands, Bahamas

There is just so much to do in the Abacos, so many places to go – rent your own boat or grab a ferry and you can do most anything. Everything is right next to each other and you can do something new every day. The main hub is Marsh Harbour, but don’t miss Manowar Cay or Treasure Cay. The most popular spot is Guana where you can join the sportfishing crowd every Sunday at Nipper’s and Grabbers. Visit Pete’s Pub by boat while you’re at it.  You can swim with the pigs on Pig Beach in No Name Cay. The blue marlin fishing in the spring time is the high liner. The Abacos feature lots of canyons and bottom topography with plenty of coverage for tournament fleets.

Kevie Thomas, Rooms Division Director, Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour Marina Marsh Harbour, Abaco, The Bahamas.

Kevie is a local and oh so proud of her Bahamian culture. She provides an insider’s perspective on what a trip to the Abacos, a group is islands and barrier cays in the northern Bahamas, might look like. “I was born and raised here, but I would not want to live anywhere else. Abaco is one big family, everyone knows everyone. It’s just a relaxing great place to live.”

“Don’t leave me on a beautiful beach with a waterfront resort!” said no wife ever. Photo courtesy Abaco Beach Resort

  • What are the reasons most people choose to come to the Abacos? “People choose to come to Abacos first and foremost because of the warm, friendly, kind and loving people. Abaco is also the destination of choice for the boaters because there is so much you can do. We have some of the best deep sea and bone fishing, diving, snorkeling and best beaches in the world. We are surrounded by little Cays each offering something different to explore. The Abacos are so protected that boating is still possible, even on windy days.”
  • What about the Abacos is especially appealing to women? Women like if they do not want to fish on that particular day they can go beaching, island hopping, shopping or visit a very nice restaurant for lunch or just relax by the pool.
  • What is one thing about the Abacos that most people do not know? Abaco has so many unexplored natural resources, like the blue holes, one of the amazing wonders of the world and this island is covered with them.

Key West, Florida

Want an island experience without the need for a passport? Key West provides an excellent fishery for everything from sailfish and wahoo to all manner of snapper and grouper exploits. It is also home to a vibrant hospitality scene, complete with a laid-back atmosphere, plenty of options for having a good time and eating something tasty.

The Oceans Edge Marina provides the fishing facilities necessary to compliment Key West’s full suite of good time attributes.

Brianna Birtles is the marketing director at Oceans Edge Marina in Key West.   “I have been in Key West for six years now, having moved from New York. I was sick of my NY commute and in need of a change. I visited Key West prior to and decided to (do as David Sloane’s book suggests) ‘Quit my job and moved to Key West.’  I had previously worked in both advertising and travel but looked to completely restart and build a career in hotels.” Just 90 miles from Cuba, Key West is the most Southern City in the United States.

  • What are the reasons most people choose to come to Key West? People travel to Key West to enjoy the beautiful, surrounding waters, many water activities, fantastic fishing, the vibrant Cuban culture and many musical influences.
  • What about Key West is especially appealing to women? “Key West has many female fishing enthusiasts that travel here to Key West for tournaments like: That’s What She Shot. Additionally, women travel to Key West for our beautiful scenery, luxurious spas and resorts and lots of fun on Duval!  Key West also has a very close connection to the arts and history.”
  • What is one thing about Key West that most people do not know? Key West once declared war with and succeeded from the US. In the 19th century, Key West was one of the country’s most prosperous cities per capita thanks to its numerous shipwreck treasures. Key West is home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US. Last, but certainly not least, Key West is NOT known for our beaches. Due to the surrounding reef system we don’t naturally produce beach.