InTheBite

The Championship of Sportfishing: The Evolution of the Captain of the Year

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inthebite captain of the year trophy

Captain of the Year

The InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup, presented by Hatteras, is the championship of sportfishing. The Cup is the world’s only quantifiable way to recognize the tournament success of professional sportfishermen. Comprised of 90-sanctioned events that span the world, there is nothing else like it. Winning an InTheBite Captain of the Year Award is a major achievement. From the winners to the Cup’s origin, it is an interesting tale.

boat Tranquilo crew holding Captain of the Year plaques in the back of the boat

Tranquilo crew COTY pic. Photo courtesy Pepper Ailor

Origins of the Cup

InTheBite Magazine started in 2003. Since its conception, the magazine [Read more…]

Captain John Louis Dudas, Sandman, 63-foot Spencer

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Image of Captain John Dudas and his crew

Captain John Louis Dudas, Sandman, 63-foot Spencer

Homeport: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

1,200 points include: Buccaneer Cup, 3rd Place; Sailfish Challenge, 1st Place; Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring, 1st Place; Final Sail, 3rd Place

Not only is Captain John Louis Dudas in contention for the Captain of the Year in Florida every year, Dudas was named InTheBite’s Captain of the Year in both 2007 and 2009. Add to Dudas’ consistency and skill in finding sailfish in tournament situations, the Sandman fishing team is powered by an owner and crew who are as dedicated to fishing as is perhaps [Read more…]

InTheBite InTheSight: Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch

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Enjoy an InTheBite exclusive look into the World Class Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch in Corsicana, Texas.

A family run business for the past 33 years, owners Robert and Stephen Gegenheimer, have produced some of the top whitetail and exotics in the State of Texas. The ranch includes an 8000 square foot lodge that features six bedrooms all with private baths, cable TV and internet.

“If you like hunting and being treated like family, then Cotton Mesa Ranch needs to be on your list. Robert, his son Stephen, and the entire ranch staff are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They go above and beyond to make sure your experience at Cotton Mesa is one you’ll never forget.”— InTheBite Publisher Dale Wills.

Celebrating 60 Years – The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

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WHAT:          The 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), the largest in-water boat show on the seven seas produced by Informa Markets, is celebrating its 60th annual premier exhibition of yachts, boats, marine products, and accessories. Located in the “Yachting Capital of the World” and recognized as the pinnacle of all nautical exhibitions, this year’s show will feature over 1,500 boats on display and 1,200 exhibitors spanning over three million square feet of exhibition space and six miles of floating docks. More than 110,000 visitors from around the world are expected to attend. 
 
As part of the show’s 60th anniversary, the new Superyacht Village will be unveiled, expanding the show to seven locations and providing a notable display of some of the world’s most spectacular superyachts and exhibits. Located at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina’s new “Pier South” property, the 3.5 acre site includes a new dedicated marina as well as an on-land exhibition space. The Superyacht Village will feature show-stopping vessels up to 400 feet as well as exhibits by renowned shipyards and yacht toys, including helicopters, personal submarines, and exotic and collectible automotive, and other luxury items to showcase the superyacht lifestyle.
 
Additionally, the Windward VIP Club has moved to a new in-water location anchored in the heart of the show on the main dock at Bahia Mar. Presented by Delta Private Jets, the Official Private Jet Carrier of FLIBS, in partnership with Ulysse Nardin, the Official Timekeeper of FLIBS, the new in-water VIP experience will feature an arched tent with outdoor terraces for shore and water views as well as a luxury premium open bar and gourmet food offerings, and a cigar lounge presented by Delta Private Jets, providing a unique setting to enjoy the excitement of this international boating spectacular. 
 

·         A one-day general admissions ticket is available for $34 and is valid for any one show day from Thursday – Sunday, Oct. 31 – Nov. 3.

 ·         A two-day general admissions ticket is available for $59 and is valid for any two days of the show from Thursday – Sunday, Oct. 31 – Nov. 3.

 ·         Prime Time Preview tickets grant guests early access to the show and are available for $53 and valid for any one show day from Wednesday – Sunday, Oct. 30 – Nov. 3. 

 ·         Tickets for children (ages 6-15) are available for $15 and valid for any one day of the show.

 ·         Windward VIP Experience (new in-water location): For a more enhanced boat show experience, guests can purchase tickets to the Windward VIP Club. Each ticket is available for $300 and includes show entry, access to the Windward VIP Club, food and premium beverages, as well as a Water Taxi. Each VIP package is valid for one person and is good for one show day from Wednesday – Sunday, Oct. 30 – Nov. 3.

For additional information on other ticket and hospitality packages and parking details, please visit the website: https://www.flibs.com/en/home.html
 
WHO:           The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and produced by Informa Markets.
WHEN:         Wednesday – Sunday, Oct. 30 – Nov. 3, 2019
Wednesday: 12:00pm to 7pm
                        Thursday – Saturday: 10am to 7pm  
Sunday: 10am to 6pm
 
WHERE:        Main Location – Bahia Mar Yachting Center
801 Seabreeze Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
 
Superyacht Village
Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina’s “Pier South” property, adjacent to the southeast corner of the 17th Street Causeway Bridge
 
Pier 66 Marina
2301 SE 17 Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
 
Windward VIP Club (Main Dock at Bahia Mar)
Bahia Mar Yachting Center
801 Seabreeze Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
 
CONTACT:    Kreps DeMaria PR + Marketing / informamedia@krepspr.com
                        Cindi Perantoni / 305.66.3543 / cperantoni@krepspr.com
                        Laura Acker / 305.663.3543 / lacker@krespr.com

[Read more…]

The “Lisa G” – Viking 68 Enclosed Bridge

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Viking pioneered the development of the enclosed bridge convertible, and the 68 EB is another version that appeals to both tournament fishermen and long-range cruising yachtsmen. The recently delivered Viking 68 Lisa G is shown here, charging through the inlet in Atlantic City with her bold and beautiful profile on full display.

A secondary salon stands out as one of the many design attributes of our enclosed bridge models, providing a comfortable gathering area with spectacular water views. The climate-controlled space is appointed with an L-shaped lounge (elevated to enhance visibility), walnut cocktail table and entertainment center featuring an HD TV. Cabinetry and furniture feature walnut hardwoods and veneers with a satin finish.

The center helm station houses all necessary switches, lighted instruments, engine and steering controls and a touch-screen systems monitor. A trio of Garmin displays anchors the custom Atlantic Marine Electronics installation. Stidd helm and companion chairs boast custom black upholstery with an orange stitching that jibes with the yacht’s color scheme.

The salon staircase exemplifies Viking‘s ability to balance artistic interior form with space-saving function. Built with polished stainless steel and walnut in a floating spiral design, the finely crafted structure maintains the salon’s open, free-flowing layout.

The enclosed bridge option is offered with our sportfishing boats from 62 to 92 feet and our 75, 82 and 93 motor yachts. For more information about these models or any of our yachts from 38 to 93 feet please contact your authorized Viking dealer.

InTheBite Dock Talk: 2019 Yamaha Helm Master Upgrade

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InTheBite was on site for the unveiling of the latest upgrade to  the Yamaha XTO Offshore. Checkout this video with Captain Shannon Pickens explaining the latest version of the Yamaha Helm Master and fine tuning your position with the upgraded SetPoint modes.

Father’s Day 2 for 1 Subscription Special

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It’s not too late to shop for DAD! We’re offering our Father’s Day Special- 2 for 1 subscriptions. Our latest June issue is hitting the docks now. Everybody loves fishing with Dad. Give him a year’s subscription on us! Happy Father’s Day from InTheBite.

Relentless Pursuit Wins 2019 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic

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June 11, 2019; Biloxi, Mississippi:
Relentless Pursuit, a 95 Jim Smith owned by Dennis Pastentine, won the top honors in the 2019 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, which concluded Sunday evening at the Point Cadet Marina. Led by Capt. Robert Doggett, anglers Josh Jones and Mike Akue and the team scored 1,800 points in the billfish catch and release division to take the overall tournament award. They also won optional prize money in the tuna and dolphin divisions for an overall payout of $116,675. Relentless Pursuit calls Venice, Louisiana, its home port.
No blue marlin were weighed during the tournament, which convened during inclement weather offshore. The original field included 115 boats, but only 25 opted to compete in the heavy seas. Conditions were compounded by massive amounts of flood water pouring out the Mississippi River and floating debris, which made navigation difficult. Several impressive game fish catches were tallied, nonetheless.
Easy Rider II, a 61 Buddy Davis based in Galveston, Texas and skippered by Capt. Leslie Van Norman, was the second place catch and release team. The 1,200 points accrued, plus optional entries, earned the Texas anglers $28,382 in prize money. Pullin Wire, another 61 Davis from Panama City, Florida, also scored 1,200 points, good for the third place tournament award. Brennen Moore is at the helm of Pullin Wire. Sancha, a 68 Viking from Port Aransas, Texas, and Fleur de Lis, a 72 Viking from Grand Isle, Louisiana, won optional money for releasing marlin.
The game fish categories were tightly contested with the leaderboard changing several times during the weigh-ins. Owner/angler Robert Burroughs on Quick Time, a 70 Viking from Orange Beach, Alabama, took home $44,474 with the top tuna, optional dolphin and wahoo. The 142.87-pound yellowfin was the biggest fish weighed. Capt. Shelby Johnson is Quick Time’s skipper.
Deb Hebert, fishing aboard her 57 Gillman, Doctors Orders, took second-place tuna honors with a 137.16 yellowfin. Angler Toby Berthelot whipped the third-largest tuna at 128.49 pounds on Get Reel, a 60 Hatteras. The team also added optional dolphin and tuna for a $35,559 payout.
In the tournament dolphin category, Andre Feucht on Split Decision, a 37 Freeman (Capt. Scott Robichaux), wound in the biggest bull, tipping the scales at 35.8 pounds, worth $10,535. Iona Louise (68 Hatteras), with Tami Hudson in the chair, scored the second heaviest dolphin at 35.72 pounds. Combined with an optional wahoo, owner Joe Hudson, Capt. Clip Hopkins and the team earned $26,816. Angler Abbigal Weidenharf and Team Snafu, a 74 Viking, were third place in the dolphin division with a 35.44-pound entry.
Josh Collier and Intense owner Neal Foster captured the first- and second-place wahoo aboard a 39 Contender center console. Their fish weighed 89.83 and 59.68 pounds, respectively, good for a $53,056 payout.
“It was a very tough week due to circumstances beyond our control,” says Tournament Director Bobby Carter. “I’d like to thank everyone who participated and I’d also like to thank my team for pulling this one off.”
The 2020 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, hosted by Golden Nugget Biloxi, is scheduled for June 1-7, 2020. For more information, please visit: www.mgcbc.com