InTheBite

Editors’ Top Story Picks for 2021

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2021—what a year it’s been. We’ve seen some incredible teams on the water and we’ve also learned a lot, from tying better knots to better boat maintenance. To take a trip back memory lane, and give you some holiday reading, our editors have picked a few of our favorite stories from this past year. We hope you enjoy and have a wonderful Christmas weekend!

How the Newest Texas Bluefin Record Came to Be

Photo courtesy Capt. Justin Drummond

By Nichole Osinski

Mid-April and the guys in Texas are already at it again, this time with yet another pending Texas state record giant bluefin tuna. The giant was caught just one year after the previous record was set raising the bar for anglers once again in the Gulf.

The story, retold by Capt. Justin Drummond, starts early on Tuesday, April 14, on the 64′ Spencer Quantified as the team headed out of Port Aransas in search of a very specific fish—the bluefin tuna.

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Why I Fish a Center Console

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center console

By Capt. Nick Stanzcyk

I grew up fishing on our family boat, Catch 22. It was a 48’ Marine Management, your average charter boat with twin diesels, AC, bathroom and a 15-knot cruise. We fished every Sunday and then would travel to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos for a few weeks each summer. In 2003, my family upgraded to a 54’ Blackwell. The boat was bigger, faster, and much more comfortable. The only bad news was there was a big price to pay for the added comfort with the increased fuel burn and maintenance costs.

I got my captain’s license in 2003 and my family was addicted to swordfishing already at that time. Most of the fishing was at night but my dad, uncle and their friends were slowly cracking the code for daytime swordfishing here in Florida.

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Contender’s 44CB Hits the Water

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contender 44cb

44CB running on the water | Contender Boats

Designed with the fishing capabilities of the 44ST, Contender has now given anglers another way to escape the elements with the 44 Canyon Berth.

Equipped with a console berth, the 44CB combines both comfort and functionality needed for long canyon runs while also providing a maximum power rating of 2000HP, getting you to the grounds quickly and comfortably.

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The Benefits of Offshore Fishing on Center Console Boats

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By Capt. Adam Peeples

My entire fishing career has revolved around fishing center consoles. One of my earliest memories of saltwater fishing was on the back of an old Mako 258 catching spanish and king mackerel with my granddad and uncle out of Mexico Beach, Florida.

Technological developments in the past 20 or so years, such as the realization of reliable 4-stroke motor technology and significant advances in marine electronics, have turned today’s center console fishing boats into efficient, fast, and reliable fishing platforms that far surpass the abilities of their predecessors.

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Fighting Big Fish from A Center Console

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Yellowfin boat floating in water

By Capt. Adam Peeples

When I head offshore for a day of fishing my wife, Cadence, almost always says, “I hope you catch a big one today!” Catching a big fish is probably every captain and angler’s goal on any given fishing trip. We obsess over gear, baits, weather, moon phase, lucky shirts and hats – the list goes on. One thing that often gets overlooked, however, is the actual battle of man versus fish.

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Contender Boats Announces Second Manufacturing Facility in Fort Pierce, Florida

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HOMESTEAD, FL – June 29, 2021 — Since its inception in 1984, Contender Boats has led the industry in building semi-custom sportfishing boats — for fisherman by fisherman. That mission has only grown stronger over the years.

Today, in a market trending toward brand consolidation, Joe Neber, president and owner of Contender Boats, solidified Contender’s legacy as a family-owned, Florida-based company by purchasing a second manufacturing facility in Fort Pierce.

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Targeting Marlin and Pelagics from a Center Console

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As seen on this Invincible 36, King Size, the walk-around design of large center consoles provide plenty of options when fighting big fish. Photo courtesy Steve Dougherty

By Capt. Adam Peeples

Here in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, we are fortunate to have an excellent marlin fishery. Whether live baiting blue marlin, pulling an all-around spread for pelagics, or targeting white marlin during the late summer with naked ballyhoo, there are plenty of options to get connected with a feisty billfish.

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A Closer Look at the Contender 44ST Reel Synergy

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We headed out on the water with Owner Ryan Davis to learn more about his new Contender 44ST, Reel Synergy. The 44ST is the largest, and perhaps most anticipated, offering in Contender’s 35-year history. With a beam of 12’ and coming in at 44 feet long, the 44ST is perfectly stationed for serious bluewater application. With a maximum horsepower rating of 2,000 and a 600-gallon fuel capacity, the 44ST delivers on Contender’s promise of “performance through innovation.” Powered with triple or quad engine configurations, the boat excels in speed, performance and reliability.

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Contender Boats Expands Facility to Saint Lucie County

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Contender Boats, Saint Lucie County, FL,—Joe Neber, President and Founder of Contender Boats, announced the acquisition of a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Saint Lucie County, FL. Contender Boats plans to complement their current Homestead, FL manufacturing facility by moving the production of the 22-32 foot product line to Saint Lucie County.

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Contender 44FA—The Next in Line

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Contender-Boats-44FA-Contender-One-44FA

Photo courtesy Contender

Following in the wake of the 44ST and built from the same hull mold, Contender’s 44FA is made for the angler who knows where they want to go and in record time. With a fish around liner, the boat features a berth with queen-sized bed, enclosed head with shower, galley with sink, refrigerator/freezer, and stovetop to provide all the necessary creature comforts no matter how far you’re going.

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