InTheBite

Early Entry for First Leg of “Operation Sailfish” ends Friday, Dec. 20th

By

It’s time to gear up because early entry for the first leg of the Quest for the Crest Series, the “Operation Sailfish” tournament ends this Friday 12/20/19.  Get your registration in before Friday to save $500. Click here to log into your account and register now before it’s too late.
Operation Sailfish,  January 15-19, 2020, is a two-day battle against sailfish on the high seas off West Palm Beach, FL. What’s at stake? An $800,000 purse and the exclusive champions dog tags.
Bluewater Movements is also looking for teams to volunteer to take a Hero Fishing on Thursday, Jan. 16 for the annual “Take A Hero Fishing” day.  Show your support to the troops and thank them for their service to their country by participating in this rewarding event.
Call 954.725.4010 to pair your team with a hero.

Full Time – 77’ of Performance by Paul Mann

By

Delivered to South Florida, the FULL TIME is the latest offering from Paul Mann. When tested for it’s final performance numbers the boat (with tower attached and with 16 crew aboard) went 45 kt (52 MPH) WOT. Even at 1250 RPMs tests showed over 18 kt. She’s equipped with state-of-the-art 16-cylinder Tier 3 MTU Series 2000 M96 engines. These brawny built for long-distance power plants not only generate up to 2600 HP per engine, but also have a power-to-weight ratio that contributes to fuel efficiency.

FULL TIME’s fit and finish matches her performance numbers.  This four-stateroom luxury sportfish yacht features three full heads plus a day head, galley and salon with custom teak joinery, including select areas of solid teak flooring. As you move throughout the spacious layout from the living quarters to the master suite and each stateroom, luxury and conveniences are abundant. The exterior teak package consists of a solid teak transom, drip molding, toe-rail, cockpit deck, back bulkhead, and mezzanine. In addition, the fly-bridge has all the richness of wraparound seating with teak caps, rod storage, (2) built-in custom freezers and the comforts of a/c, along with a custom teak Palm Beach-style helm pod.

SiriusXM’s New Fish Mapping Brings Advantages to Offshore Anglers

By

SiruisXM Marine is changing the landscape of offshore weather and satellite service. The latest offering, Fish Mapping, is a service that compiles and analyzes a number of variables to pinpoint the fishiest areas. From temperature breaks and locating weed lines to staying on top of offshore weather, SiriusXM offers everything you need offshore in a single service. It is available now and ready to make a difference for your time on the water. Visit: www.siriusxm.com/fishmapping

Oh, and by adding SiriusXM Marine radio, the days of worrying about having to listen to whatever music your buddy happens to have on his phone are over too!

Excitement is Building for 2019 MidAtlantic Tournament!

By

Middle Canyons Hot and Cape May is Ideal Location!

You could run out of adjectives describing the current billfish bite along the canyons off the mid-Atlantic coast but safe to say “it doesn’t get much better then this!”  A combination of cobalt blue water, abundant schools of forage species and ideal weather have produced incredible action with white marlin and blue marlin for those making the run offshore.  And, with the 2019 MidAtlantic tournament just days away, this world-class bite couldn’t happen at a better time!  That’s right!  We’re just a few days away from sportfishing’s “Main Event” on the tournament calendar and preparation for this year’s event has reached a feverish pace.  Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey put the Mid in MidAtlantic and, as always, will be “home base” for the tournament which is set for its annual run the week of August 18-23.  At Canyon Club Resort Marina participants are right smack in the middle of the action enjoying the best access to the fish whether running north to the Hudson Canyon or south to the Norfolk Canyon as well as every canyon in between!  In fact, during the recent White Marlin Open, Ed Russo garnered the Top Angler award for the tournament among a field of over 2000 anglers and 400 boats with 17 white marlin released and his boat, Big Deal, won the prestigious Top Boat award for 28 white marlin released during three days of fishing including 15 in one day while sailing from Canyon Club Resort Marina for the event!

Tournament entries have been flowing in at a steady pace and while Canyon Club Resort Marina is filling up, some slips are still available for vessels of various sizes.  Join the tournament fleet at Canyon Club Resort Marina along with many of the MidAtlantic’s previous winners who sail from Cape May each year.  Besides a world class marina that offers all the amenities to pamper tournament participants, family, crew and friends during the best week on the tournament calendar, you’ll also be at the tournament’s epicenter with access to the “Big Top” tent which includes the “Sponsors Midway” where you’ll find the latest in gear and services offered by MidAtlantic exhibiting sponsors.  For dockage information and slip reservations give Paul Hoffman a call at 609-884-0199.

The tournament’s base entry fee of $3000 includes all dockside social activities for up to six people.  Proceeds from ten optional calcuttas with fees ranging from $1000 to $6000 provide the prize money for the tournament.  Last   year well over $3 million was paid out and the MidAtlantic continues to be, boat-for-boat, the richest big gamefishing tournament in the world.  The event’s prize structure provides numerous big payouts each year and last year eight winners walked off the awards podium with checks greater than six figures while eight others won $25,000 or more!

Participants will select three days to fish during the week of August 19-23 with cash prizes awarded in various ways for white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dolphin and wahoo weighed as well as billfish released.  Minimum weights are 65 pounds for white marlin, 400 pounds for blue marlin and 50 pounds for tuna (big eye, yellowfin or true albacore) to win cash.  All boats must fish within 125 miles of the Cape May Sea Buoy regardless of sailing port.

The MidAtlantic gets underway on Sunday, August 18 when late registration, calcutta entries and a cocktail reception will take place from 1 – 4:30 p.m. at Canyon Club Resort Marina and the event’s only satellite venue, Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland.  For your convenience registration can also be completed online prior to the tournament at www.themidatlantic.com.  You’ll also find complete rules, schedule, calcutta information, points and prize breakdowns and a link to purchase 2019 tournament apparel.  For additional tournament information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177.  Be sure to follow the action via the South Jersey Tournaments App which can be downloaded for free on any IOS or Android device from the Apple App and Google Play stores.  Additionally, follow the tournament on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter; @midatl and on Instagram; @themidatlantictournament.

It’s the 2019 MidAtlantic!  It’s only a few days away and it’s gonna be another dandy!  Come join the fun and perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to join the winners on the podium and be in a photo with a big check!

Live Updates of the 2019 White Marlin Open

By

46tTH ANNUAL WHITE MARLIN OPEN – This is the BIGGEST one yet! There’s a total of 404 boats entered and over $6.1 MILLION in prize money.

Good luck to all the participants! Check back to InTheBite for updates or Click HERE to watch the live stream and all the action as it unfolds – Scales open at 4pm!

World’s Largest & Richest Billfish Tournament

DAY 4 – 

Scales just opened up and there’s a new front runner! Fish Whistle with a 79.5 white marlin caught by angler Tom Hinkle. Worth approx 1.4m Let’s see what comes in next!

White Marlin Open Biggest Fish 79.5 lbs Fish Whistle

DAY 3:

New Small Boat Tuna Leader!

$100,000 Tuna

Largest Tuna 201lbs White Marlin Open Day 3

It was a rainy day at the scale but the fish don’t care!  There were several dolphin weighed, with HELLSEA bringing in the heaviest at 22 pounds which took the Daily Dolphin category and $16,000.  A 54.5 pound wahoo caught aboard the Nighthawk III took the Daily Wahoo category and will make some delicious dinners.  The big story of the day was the 121 pound tuna caught by Graham Ward on Reeldiculous.  It is the new leader in the Small Boat Tuna category and took the Daily Tuna prize.  It is currently worth $100,000.  Check out all of the live action tomorrow streaming live on the MarlinCam!

DAY 2:

DAY 1 –  

Day 1 Leaderboard:

White Marlin

8/5/19, Chasin Tail, Nathan Walker, 74, $1,450,000.00

8/5/19, Reel Chaos, Brandon Dick-Giordano, 70, $1,500,000.00

Tuna

8/5/19, Crisdel, Russell Garufi, 201, $940,000.00

8/5/19, Theresa Jean, Chuck Metz, 101, $88,000.00

8/5/19, BAR South, Rob Gothier, 77.5, $36,000.00

8/5/19, Eastbound, Billy Fox, 69, $66,000.00

8/5/19, Priceless, Sean Garry, 64.5, $98,000.00

Dolphin

8/5/19, Game Changer, Rob Howes, 35.5, $18,000.00

8/5/19, Ditchdigger Too, John Albanese III, 30.5, $1,500.00

8/5/19, Top Notch, Jim Kwortnik, 27, $1,000.00

8/5/19, Heatwave, Brett Clarence, 26.5, $75,000.00

Wahoo

8/5/19, The Natural, Kyle McLaughlin, 82, $18,000.00

8/5/19, Caneelin, Sarah Bohlman, 54.5, $2,000.00

8/5/19 Sweetums, Terry Dorris, 50.5, $1,500.00

Shark

8/5/19, Polarizer, Greg Robinson, 277.5, $225,000.00

Chasin Tail is first to the scales with a 74lb. qualifying white marlin.

201lbs big eye tuna hauled in by the Crisdel out of Islamorada, FL.

 

2019 Texas Billfish Classic Final Results

By

Texas Billfish Classic
July 17-20, 2019
Freeport, Texas
 
28 boats, 22 blue marlin, 4 white marlin, 7 sailfish 
Release Division:
1st Place: Done Deal, Captain Jason Buck
6 blues, 1 white
2nd Place: Bali Ha’i, Captain Anthony Lopez
4 blues
3rd Place: Amigo, Captain Brad Shoenfeld
3 blues
 
Heaviest Marlin:
Amigo, Captain Brad Shoenfeld
643- pounds

Ritchie Howell’s Boat Building Philosophy

By

Ritchie Howell is perhaps one of the most interesting builders in sportfishing. While Ritchie is a pleasure to talk to, his boats speak for themselves. In this Dock Talk, Howell breaks down his boat building philosophy and describes all that goes in to making a Ritchie boat.

Splash Report: First Look At Valhalla Boatworks V-37

By

The first Valhalla Boatworks V Series center console – the V-37 – has hit the water. Check out this video to watch the initial sea trial, which comes only six months after Viking announced this revolutionary line of high-performance luxury center consoles.

Marine Industry Veteran Joe Schwab Joins BlueWater Chairs

By

BlueWater Chairs Adding Marine Industry Veteran
 
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 2019) Tom Ackel, founder and CEO of BlueWater Chairs, proudly announced that well known marine industry veteran Joe Schwab has joined BlueWater as President. 
 
Joe will be responsible for continuing and expanding BlueWater’s growth and success as one of the largest and longest operating U.S. based manufacturers of fighting chairs, rocket launchers, helm seats and custom high-end furniture for fishing, cruising and mega yachts. “Joe’s extraordinary career and emphasis on customer service excellence is a perfect fit for BlueWater” said Tom. 
 
“I have known Tom for over 25 years and have watched him build BlueWater’s reputation for well designed, high-quality, customer focused custom teak chairs and furniture. I’m excited to lead the company in its next phase of growth,” said Joe.
 
Joe previously spent 28 years with Viking Yachts in New Gretna, NJ where he held various positions and most recently Vice President of Sales. “I am eager to continue the relationships with all of my clients and look forward to meeting many new customers. I understand the needs, desires and expectations of yachting and sportfishing owners and crew when it comes to the product. Equally important, I also recognize the level of service that must be provided once the product is delivered. This insight coupled with my OEM and diverse manufacturing experience will allow me and BlueWater to equally service clients and address the day-to-day operations of the BlueWater team,” said Joe.
 
Spending his youth fishing and boating in Cape May, NJ, Joe graduated from LaSalle University in Philadelphia with a degree in Finance. After graduation, he started his career with Viking Yachts. During his time there, various roles and responsibilities provided him exposure to all aspects of sales, marketing, engineering, manufacturing and service. 
 
“I am grateful for the privilege of working at Viking with the Healey family for that many years, I truly understand the importance of delivering the finest possible product and value along with standing behind it with service that is second to none. This comes from an unwavering dedication to the product and people that starts with the owners and is carried through the management and every employee,” said Joe. “Tom and the entire team at BlueWater Chairs reflect this philosophy and I look forward to working with everyone to realize BlueWater’s future growth.” 
 
Tom and the BlueWater Chairs’ family has been building the industry’s finest wood products and marine accessories for over 30 years. Located in Fort Lauderdale on the “Marina Mile,” BlueWater is the go-to name when it comes to anything that involves helm and fighting chairs, wood tables, furniture and accessories in Florida and throughout the world. Visit them at bluewaterchairs.com or call (954) 522-4238.

Sirius XM Fish Mapping Coming Soon

By

Sirius XM has been making waves in the offshore space for years, but the service is about to get a whole lot better: Fish Mapping. What is it and how does it get you dialed in faster? Check out siriusxm.com/fishmapping to see how it works and when it hits the docks.