Bayliss Boatworks recently announced the completion of Wave Paver, the latest 75’ custom sportfishing yacht to hit the water. Now that the builder’s work on the project is finished, Bayliss is looking back with pride to just over two years ago when they were approached by her owners to discuss their second build. It is an honor to build each and every hull, but it is an exceptional privilege when customers choose us for a second time. Wave Paver will be joining a long-standing and very successful fishing program on the tournament circuit, with the original Wave Paver 77’.
Prep and Safety

Some vessels were fortunate during Harvey, others less so.
By Captain Scott “Fraz” Murie
Years ago, back in the ‘80s, there was an old captain who used to tell me “it’s all in the preparation.” That is still true today. It took me a while to understand, but I learned there is a lot of wisdom in those words when it comes to our line of work. There are things to be prepared for in every aspect of our job.
I seem to talk a lot about safety, but preparation for the unthinkable is so important. It is not about if you have a life raft, life jacket or survival kit or E.P.I.R.B., it’s about how accessible they are in the event you need them. If your safety gear is stowed in an area that is not immediately accessible, you could be in trouble. When I do a long crossing and there are four of us on the boat, I have four life jackets out, along with safety lights and provisions for everyone onboard. The provisions, such as water and crackers, are stowed in a small cooler sealed with duct tape or a ditch bag. Everything is together for immediate access. I don’t want to be crawling through a hatch or a hole to find them.
Advanced Boat Building

Photo: Chris Rabil
By Christopher Swanhart
The construction of marine vessels has long relied on multiple kinds of materials. Starting with wood, other techniques developed and continue to evolve including steel, aluminum, fiberglass, high tech foam cores, exotics like carbon fiber, and…wood. The sportfishing world employs many of these for different reasons. This discussion is centric to higher performance planing hulls, so we’ll examine wood and various composites, metal doesn’t make sense for this segment. Like they say, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
How Aesthetics Will Save the American Sportfishing Industry
By Patrick Knowles
Imagine a time of consistent and identifiable customers who kept your order books, and the shipyards, filled to maximum capacity. An industry where business flows in as steadily as the tides. This was the state of the U.S. marine industry three decades ago upon my entry as an American yacht designer. The client base was well-grounded, stable and secure.
Resounding Success at the 62nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

The 2021 boat show attracted over 100,000 visitors, featured over 1,000 boats on display, and generated millions for the South Florida economy | FLIBS
The 2021 boat show attracted over 100,000 visitors, featured over 1,000 boats on display, and generated millions for the South Florida economy
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (November 8, 2021) – The 2021 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) returned in full force for its 62nd year, putting on five full days of programing filled with superyachts, family-friendly events, and experiential activations throughout Fort Lauderdale. This year’s show lived up to its title as the largest in-water boat show in the world, welcoming over 100,000 visitors and featuring exhibitors from global shipyards and local marine manufacturers. FLIBS, which is owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and produced by Informa Markets, took place from Wednesday, October 27th through Sunday, October 31st.
Updates on 61st Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament
LINES ARE IN THE WATER FOR DAY 4!
61st Annual Big Rock Tournament- There’s a total of 184 boats entered and the 2019 overall purse is a record-breaking $2.86 million!
Good luck to all the participants! Check back to InTheBite for updates or follow the tournament live through Reel Time Apps.
Day 4, June 13- Updated as of 11:40a.m.
UPDATE: There is 1 boat fishing today, Paved For, tight lines guys!
Day 3, June 12
1 of 3 blue marlin releases ANNIE O has racked up so far this week- putting them 1st in the Release Division

Using the Marlin Release Ruler to measure their blue. You can find these in the ITB shopping cart!
Day 2, June 11th
DAY 1 , JUNE 10TH
Happy 100th Year Anniversary Rybovich!












InTheBite Dock Talk: Tropic Star Lodge in Pinas Bay, Panama
Panama’s Tropic Star Lodge has been a staple of the sportfishing landscape since 1963. The present is a very interesting time at Tropic Star.
This all access pass provides a look at one of the most unique and historic fishing operations in the world:
Read Tradition and Trajectory at Tropic Star in our latest issue of InTheBite
March Issue 2019: Hitting the Docks Now!
Ready for a Spring Break? Check out the March issue of InTheBite, hitting the docks now!
Team Seraphim Wins 2019 Jimmy Johnson Billfish Championship
KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — Team Seraphim of Ocean Reef, led by Captain Jerry Pohl of Miami, Florida, tallied 12 sailfish releases to take top honors at the two-day Billfish Championship, a main event of the Jimmy Johnson Fishing Championship Week that ended March 9 in the Florida Keys.
The Seraphim team earned $405,000 in overall prize money for the victory, as well as authentic, custom-designed Jimmy Johnson’s NBC Championship rings for each team member. [Read more…]