InTheBite

Kite Fishing from a Center Console

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By Capt. Adam Peeples

There is arguably no better way to present a live bait to a cruising game fish than by suspending it helplessly splashing on the surface of the water using a kite fishing setup. Kite fishing has typically been associated with the South Florida sailfish and king mackerel fisheries, but it’s not unusual to see a kite flying in many other areas of the world—the guys in California and Mexico are using them to great effect to catch tuna.

Kite fishing allows anglers to fish multiple live baits on the surface while keeping the mainline and leader out of the water. The obvious advantage here is that wary and leader shy gamefish only see a frightened and erratic live bait on the surface. Keeping everything out of site increases the likelihood of a bite when compared to a standard flat line drift bait set up—where the leader and terminal tackle are visible to the fish.

While both large sportfish vessels and center consoles can effectively fish a kite spread, center consoles have a definitive advantage when it comes to suspending live baits from a kite and drifting. For proof of this advantage, look no further than the sailfish tournament results in South Florida.

Captain Chris Lemieux of Le-mieux Charters in Boynton Beach, Florida offers kite fishing charters from his 27 Conch. An expert kite fisherman and captain, Lemieux’s kite fishing setup involves one or two Tigress specialty lite wind kites, which he says can be used in ninety percent of the conditions he typically encounters. Lemieux operates his kites on Diawa Tanacom electric reels rigged with 50-80lb braided line.

He typically fishes three baits per kite, with the first swivel set at 100’ and then 75’ between each clip. Captain Lemieux also deploys a sea anchor while kite fishing. The sea anchor slows the drift speed with the wind and current, allowing the kites to catch more air and fly efficiently. This setup allows Lemieux to freely drift while not having to man the helm.

He can effectively fish multiple flat lines and a single kite solo. Adding one crew member allows him to fish two kites and multiple flat lines. This is a real advantage over kite fishing from a sportfish, as the captain is not constantly at the helm keeping the bow into the elements. This allows the center console crew to do more with less, presenting many more baits with minimal crew requirements.

While not a common sight in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, there are a few captains who utilize the effectiveness of kite fishing to their advantage. Captain Tim Kline of Recess Fishing Charters out of Pensacola, Florida taps into his South Florida roots and is known to use a kite for multiple applications aboard his Contender 31T. You wouldn’t normally associate kite fishing with sword fishing, but Captain Kline loves to put a kite up while drifting for daytime swordfish offshore.

Kline says that his favorite thing about fishing a live bait from the kite is the ability to fish heavier leader to fool leader shy and picky yellowfin tuna. In addition to tuna, Kline has hooked blue marlin, white marlin, jumbo mahi, and even wahoo on the kite while sword fishing. He typically fishes one large blue runner on the kite while sword fishing and has a dedicated crew member operating the kite fishing setup.

He has his kite rigged on a Diawa Tanacom 1000 with 80lb braided line, with the clip about 100’ from the kite. He also uses the kite to target smoker king mackerel during the fall run in Pensacola bay. Kline fishes from the anchor and uses a similar kite setup but adds a second clip about 50’ from the first clip. This allows him to fish two baits on the kite and two flat line baits simultaneously, covering as much water as possible. Kline says the 360-degree fishability of a center console is a definite advantage of fishing a kite in both situations.

When it comes to live bait fishing, kite fishing is king. Just because kite fishing has typically been associated with the South Florida live bait sailfish fishery doesn’t mean there aren’t a host of other areas and fisheries that could benefit from utilizing kites to present live baits or even artificial offerings. West coast crews and even some Northern Gulf crews are having success bump trolling artificial flying fish from a kite for jumbo tunas.

With an incredible amount of options for various kites, rod holder setups, electric reels, and rigging, a beginner to kite fishing may feel a bit overwhelmed at first. As with any specialized fishing tactic, kite fishing requires a lot of practice to become proficient. Rather than just diving right in to running two kites and several baits, novice kite fishing anglers should start slow and build up their skillset.

Start with launching and recovering the kite from the boat with no baits, and gain confidence with your setup and crew. As the crew becomes proficient with one element of kite fishing, adding an extra bait or even adding a second kite will become much easier than just diving straight into a two-kite spread. For any crew serious about live bait fishing, kite fishing is a skill that should not go overlooked.

Valhalla Boatworks – High Performance Center Consoles with a Viking Pedigree

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Last year, the Viking Yacht Company introduced Valhalla Boatworks – a new company dedicated to designing and building high-performance center consoles with the same Viking quality, craftsmanship and expertise. The Valhalla center consoles were recently on display at the 2020 Viking VIP Boat Show in Riviera Beach, Fl.

“Valhalla Boatworks was developed to allow our dealers and customers to fulfill a strong desire for high-end center consoles built by the Viking Yacht Company,” says Viking President and CEO Patrick Healey. “It’s a very exciting time and another important chapter in our history of building a better boat every day.”

The Valhalla Boatworks V Series consists of three outboard-powered deep-V monohulls from 33 to 41 feet. The boats are designed to excel as hard-core fishing boats and built to the highest levels of workmanship and fit and finish. The V-33, V-37 and V-41 are the result of the cooperative effort of the Viking Design & Engineering team and Michael Peters Yacht Design (MPYD).

 

The V Series utilizes MPYD’s patented Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel running surface that reduces drag while increasing speed, stability and efficiency. Viking design traits can be found from stem to stern on the V Series boats. Proud bows, gently sloping S-shaped sheers, double forward chines, helm pods, raised toe rails and mezzanine seating are some of the hallmarks.

The many resources available to Viking’s vertically integrated company are at the disposal of Valhalla Boatworks. Major components of each build such as hardtops, marlin and gap towers and electronics packages are manufactured in-house by our experienced shipwrights to guarantee turn-key delivery for our customers.

On deck, a raised transom livewell, in-deck fish boxes, strategically located rod holders, a port dive door and an abundance of storage space are just a few of the standard features on each of these V Series boats.

They also feature a forward console lounge and optional port and starboard forward seating with forward-facing backrests. The consoles of these boats will feature rod storage, a head, a sink, and access to electronics, the electrical distribution panel and other critical components.

The V-33, V-37 and V-41 are powered by four-stroke outboards with horsepower ratings from 300 to 425 in twin, triple or quad configurations depending on the model. The efficiency of the stepped hulls and these direct-fuel-injected engines deliver best-in-class fuel economy and range. Power-assist hydraulic steering will be standard and joystick helm control systems will be optional for all three models.

For more info, visit www.valhallaboatworks.com

Targeting Marlin and Pelagics from a Center Console

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Captain Adam Peeples runs the One Shot Charters out of the Destin, Florida area. In addition to running a first-class operation, Peeples is a combat veteran with two deployments in Iraq and a stint as an instructor at the US Army Sniper School to his credit.

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.

Targeting marlin from a center console requires a slightly different approach from a large sportfish vessel. As most of my trips are charters, I am more likely to troll a variety pack in my spread than to specifically target marlin in most situations. I want to capitalize on a potential marlin bite, but I also want to appeal to the potential wahoo, mahi, or tuna that may be in the area. I’ve had success with pulling lures for marlin, but in some situations, I would rather put a couple of live baits out than dragging lures.

Setting Up for Both Scenarios on the Center Console

On my Cape Horn 31T, my typical spread for marlin and pelagic fish in general includes five hooked lures and three teasers, with a pitch bait on standby. Off the transom, I pull a set of bowling pin type teasers. I connect the teaser to the starboard transom cleat, and I use a laundry basket to store, deploy, and recover the teaser. The laundry basket works perfectly for keeping the teaser from getting fouled during deployment and recovery. It also makes it easy to move the entire rig out of the way while fighting a fish.

Next, I have Squidnation’s “Flippy Floppy Things” on both riggers. I have clamp-on teaser reels attached to the underside of the T-top within arm’s reach of the helm. This enables me to immediately retrieve one or both teasers in the event of a bite while never leaving the helm. The specific lures I pull will vary depending on the situation, but typically I start with a Moldcraft Super Chugger on the left flat.

The right flat behind the bowling pins is always going to be a dolphin scheme lure as the teaser itself is dolphin colored. It usually is a Black Bart Eleuthera Plunger, but sometimes I will switch that out with an Ilander Black Hole/Ballyhoo combo. And the left rigger will have an Ilander Sea Star/Ballyhoo combo, while the right rigger is my “wild card” position. I will switch this lure out with whatever I am in the mood for, often a skirted ballyhoo or Moldcraft Wide Range.

The shotgun is usually a Marlin Magic Ahi P bullet. The sweet spot on my boat is 1700 rpms. In most conditions this gives me a troll speed of 7-8 knots. If the seas are rough, then RPMs can vary based trolling down sea, beam to, or straight into the swell. Space comes at a premium on a center console, so when we get a bite, the primary objective is to first clear all lines and teasers.

All rods, the teaser basket, and any other loose items are moved to the bow of the boat and away from the angler. It is very important to keep the deck clear and free of obstacles while fighting a fish in a stand-up harness, especially in a battle that requires a lot of boat driving. I prefer to fight fish off the port side of the boat and have the angler move forward and aft as needed throughout the fight. When it is time to leader the fish, I direct the angler forward of the console while taking a slight left turn. This keeps the fish away from the props and allows the fish to be brought alongside the boat for a safe release.

The Effectiveness of Live Baiting

While pulling baits is my preferred method of fishing for marlin, there are circumstances when live baiting is more effective. I like to live bait around FADS, drill ships, and even on large pieces of flotsam that are holding bait. Not having tuna tubes, catching and storing several large marlin baits is not really an option for me. What I can do is catch the bait on location. Baits are immediately bridled and deployed so I can have two lively baits behind the boat in a matter of minutes.

Live baits, especially blue runners, love to find their way into the props and around the motors on an outboard powered boat. It’s a team effort to deploy each bait. As soon as the bait is bridled, it is pitched out to the side of the boat away from the motors. Simultaneously, I give the throttle a quick bump forward and pull away from the bait. I will continue to pull away from it until it is right where it needs to be behind the boat. The first bait out goes into the right rigger clip to keep the line off the water and help maintain separation between the second bait.

Putting the second bait out requires the same method; the only difference is that I run the second bait closer to the boat straight from the rod holder. After that, I simply bump troll the baits in the area I want to fish. I prefer using this technique when I am in a very fishy area and want to spend time working the same spot.

If you choose to target marlin from a center console, there are a multitude of rigging options and aftermarket products available to set up a center console for blue water fishing. I prefer to keep things simple on my boat, but the possibilities are endless for how technical one wants to be. Getting the bite is only one piece of the puzzle. Correctly positioning the angler, driving the boat, and the endgame of wiring and handling the fish are just as important to successfully catch marlin from a center console and should not be overlooked.

Why I Fish a Center Console

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Center Point is a section dedicated to bluewater fishing from a center console. The ongoing section explores techniques, rigging, approaches and best practices for offshore fishing from a center console boat. In this first column, Capt. Nick Stanzcyk of Islamorada, Florida provides his motivation for making the switch.

By Capt. Nick Stanzcyk
I grew up fishing on our family boat Catch 22. A 48’ Marine Management, it was 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 the fuel burn was double and the maintenance and upkeep was at least five times that of the old boat. Not great for a charter boat. I got my captain’s license in 2003. My family was pretty heavy into swordfishing 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.

My Dad wanted a faster boat he could fish with a smaller crew, so he ordered a 28’ center console. On the big boat you always needed a handful of people at the minimum to run the boat and fish safely. I started college a few months later at the University of Miami and ran charters part time on the center console on the weekends and on breaks. However, we sold the boat soon after because it didn’t get the speed we wanted, the fuel burn was more than expected and the boat wasn’t holding up to our expectations. We replaced it with a 34’ twin diesel crusader – the B n’ M.

Over the next six years, as I really started my charter career, I logged a lot of trips running the B n’M. I always joked and said it wasn’t fast but at least it was wet. In all honesty it was a great fishing boat, plain and simple, but I knew I wanted something bigger and faster. A few years later, I bought my own personal charter – a 36’ twin diesel express. I learned a lot with this boat, including working on diesel motors, generators, freezers and a better overall understanding of the “charter boat business.”

The boat had everything a nice 50’ boat had, except it was crammed into 36’ boat. Space was tight and the maintenance work was frustrating. It was miserable to go into the small engine room to change the oil, swap a bilge pump out, work on the generator, etc. And, I’m a small guy! This boat was a private boat before I owned it, and I realized it would make a better private boat than a charter boat. The ideal charter boat would minimize maintenance and upkeep.

Now we did catch plenty of fish on this boat, but after two years I finally decided it was time for a center console. I didn’t want to go in an engine room anymore (or at least anytime soon). Swordfishing was becoming my primary target species on charter trips so I wanted a boat with speed, stability and comfort. That’s when I came across Freeman Boatworks. My friend had fished one over in Venice, Louisiana and had nothing but nice things to say about them. I reached out to Freeman and eventually went on a sea trial at the Miami boat show. I’m pretty sure I had my mind made up before the show; I was going to get Freeman. I rode both the 34’ and the 37’, but I knew it was a better business decision to get a 34’. The build time was about one year back then. A few months passed and then they started calling me about getting a 37’ Freeman instead.

There was another 34’ coming to Islamorada and they wanted to have a bigger model down here. Scott was relentless and continued to stroke my ego about all the swordfish I caught. He would say all those big fish sure look better in a 37’ Freeman. Long story short, I gave him a green light to upgrade me into a 37’ from the 34’. Months passed and finally early the next year, I had a brand new 37’ Freeman delivered to Bud n’ Mary’s Marina. I told Scott (the guy who talked me into buying the 37’) I would trade him a swordfish trip in exchange for trailering the boat down from South Carolina.

I felt like a kid on Christmas when the boat showed up that night. It was pure excitement, big Yamaha outboards on the back, a pair of 16” Simrad screens on the console, JL speakers up and down both sides of the boat and a giant red, white, and blue wrap from Pelagic. The next morning, we put the boat in the water and Scott showed us everything on it. I figured he would drive back home after that, but he insisted on fishing that day. I was used to leaving at sunrise on my old boat and it was almost lunchtime now. I told him it was a 30-mile run to the close spot and we were already cutting the day short.

I wanted to give him the best-shot possible and put in a full day fishing. He insisted on fishing, so we loaded everything up and punched it offshore. I wasn’t used to running 35 knots, and sure enough we were out there in no time! I didn’t have any spots in the GPS, but I knew the area very well. On the second drop, the rod doubled over and we were tight. Two hours later, Scott caught his first ever swordfish –a 248-pounder! Not a bad way to break in the new boat! I knew I had made the right choice. It was also good for my street credit with Freeman. The last three years have been a fun ride. The boat became extremely recognizable with the red, white and blue wrap, and I’ve built a thriving charter business.

The best part is I haven’t had to go in an engine room in over three years! We’ve got better and better at swordfishing the last few years, and one reason we have more success is because we have more fishing time each trip. The boat is extremely comfortable when fishing and drifts amazing. I’ve never been on another center console that can drift in 4’ – 6’ waves with a similar level of comfort. The boat has it benefits when fishing for other species like sailfish and dolphin, too. You can walk (or run) around the entire boat while fighting fish, casting at fish, gaffing fish and you can chase fish with the angler on the bow. The boat has plenty of live well space with one well built in the transom and two in the deck and more storage than you could ask for in each sponson.

Sure, a center console isn’t for everyone, but for being a one man show and running a successful charter operation, I don’t see myself on another type of boat anytime soon.

GEMECO Releases New NMEA 2000(R) Temperature Sensors

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SmartSeal® Prevents Shaft Seal Damage or Failure from Over-Temperature Conditions

Lake City, South Carolina, July 9, 2019 –

Gemeco is pleased to introduce a unique and innovative solution for early detection and prevention of shaft seal failures on recreational, commercial, and municipal vessels. New from Tides Marine, their SmartSeal® Temperature Sensors monitor the temperature of a boat’s shaft seals and triggers a series of alarms when the water temperature exceeds the normal operating temperature range. “SmartSeal is an inexpensive and easy solution that works with any brand of shaft seal and operates as a standalone system or communicates over an NMEA2000® network, or both,” stated Peter Braffitt, General Manager of Gemeco Marine Accessories. “The sensor’s ability to communicate early warnings of potentially costly or life-threatening failures provide peace of mind to both family and crew,” Braffitt added.

SmartSeal solid-state temperature sensors detect an increase in water temperature within the shaft seal and will cause a warning alarm to sound, providing the crew with advanced notice of a problem. Further temperature increases trigger a critical alert indicating that a seal failure will occur if not corrected. Designed for quick connection to Tides Marine’s SureSeal® products, this system also works with other manufacturers’ dripless shaft seals by simply changing the existing NPT water injection fittings.

The control unit has a built-in engine room air temperature sensor and includes an output for an optional remote siren or for connection to an onboard warning/alarm system. Available for single or dual-engine installations, the SmartSeal kit includes a bulkhead mount control unit and sensor cable(s). Remote units designed for mounting at helm or flybridge positions as well as various NMEA components are also available. SmartSeal main and remote units are IP66+ rated (waterproof for heavy spray and brief submersion) allowing units to be mounted in damp or wet locations. The panel mounted remote units are additionally O-ring sealed allowing use in locations that are exposed to rain or sea water (e.g. mounting on a flybridge). Installation guidelines and diagrams for NMEA and non-NMEA systems are available at www.gemeco.com/tidesmarine.

About Gemeco Marine Accessories
Gemeco Marine Accessories (GEMECO) is a wholesale distributor to thousands of marine electronics dealers throughout the USA and abroad. In addition to being the largest worldwide distributor of AIRMAR transducers, GEMECO offers products from over 150 manufacturers including NMEA 2000® networking components, radar mounts, antenna and GPS mounts, electrical and wiring accessories, hard-to-find and specialty marine connectors, as well as a broad range of installation and diagnostic tools. Located in Lake City, South Carolina, GEMECO has become a clearinghouse of marine products, technology and service. The company’s extensive inventory reflected in an expansive 700+ page catalog is available via same-day shipping, ensuring that GEMECO customers always have access to the products they need, and that orders arrive on time. www.gemeco.com

 

July/August Issue: Hitting the Docks Now

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2018 July/August Issue –

In many places, the summer time is the peak of fishing season. InTheBite has all the goods to keep you on track. July/August issue includes Chef Andi Bell’s Take on Wahoo, Covering your ASSets – the Law of Sportfishing, the Evolution of Big, Do-it-All Center Consoles, a Young Gun an Old Salt and more….  

Get your hands on a copy now! Available in both PRINT and DIGITAL – Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE 

Tribute 37′ – A Cutting Edge Design

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The Tribute 37’ features a state of the art design. The video showcases an in-depth look at the cutting edge step-hull bottom, offering unparalleled sophistication in looks and ride.

See for yourself!

If you liked the first video, you’ll enjoy this extensive walk-thru interview with John Gaza on the Tribute 37′:

Pristine engineering and design of the Tribute 37′ step-hull bottom.

Splash Report: Mag Bay Yachts 33′

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From sand to sea, the desert of Southern California may seem like an odd place to build boats. For the past 25 years, however, several companies have successfully created and delivered thousands of boats out of this region, literally from sand to sea. About 100 miles from the coast, the small town of Adelanto has been home to a lineage of boat builders – most notably, CABO Yachts, which produced offshore fishing boats ranging 31-50’.

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The desert is now home to a new breed of boat construction with Mag Bay Yachts.

Founded by industry veteran Mike Howarth and his son Barrett, Mag Bay is setting its sights on the center console market with a quality focused product.  Starting with a patented hull design from Michael Peters, the company’s first model is a 33’ that is earning great respect amongst accomplished anglers and captains alike. One look in the lazarrette alone will tell you that the Mag Bay crew is sticking close to their heritage.

The design concept of the 33′ was to build a gentleman’s center console that featured the heart of an angling platform with a styling element that could also make a statement as a tender or dayboat. The Mag Bay’s unique transom is a part of accomplishing the design goal. The shearline on the Mag Bay 33 blends into tumblehome that extends into the transom featuring curves that straddle the aft splashwell.

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With livewell capacity of up to 110 gallons, along with 1,464 quarts of insulated fishbox capacity, the Mag Bay 33’ features the backbone of a tournament battlewagon. Generous fuel capacity of 340 gallons and cruise consumption of 1.2 – 1.4 mpg achieve an approximate range of 350 miles. In addition to its offshore capabilities, the Mag Bay 33’ is appointed with rich amenities that will keep the family comfortable. A deep bow flare complements the twin hull steps in creating an agile feel and a dry ride.

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The base price of the 33’ is $294,000 and is standard with twin Yamaha 300s.

Premium interiors are standard, with customers able to choose from a collection of fine materials and even stitching colors. The Mag Bay 33’ is available with many amenities such as, joystick, Seakeeper gyro, Side Door, Extra Large Top, and various seating options forward and aft.

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To date, 14 Mag Bay hulls have been produced. It seems the future is bright as the team has plans to expand its factory in 2017, along with introducing a new model. Mag Bay Yachts are sold through a global dealer network.  On the Eastern seaboard, Mag Bay inventory is available in New England with Oyster Harbors Marine. Oyster Harbors sold Mag Bay 33’ hull #7 at the Newport Boat show in October, and Oyster just took delivery of Mag Bay 33’ hull #14, which will be at the NE Boat Show, February 11-19.

In South Florida, Mag Bay is sold through Yachting Experts. Based in Miami, the Yachting Experts team recently delivered hull #13 in Palm Beach.  Mag Bay will be at the Miami Boat show at the Virginia Key/Stadium location with two boats at the In-Water display; slips #542A & 468. Sea trials will be available daily, contact info@magbayyachts.com to be put on the schedule.