InTheBite

Getting Dialed in for Sailfish Season 2019

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Whether you’re running the boat, manning the rod or trying to get your team in shape, everyone could use a refresher on making the most of your bites. In this video, originally published in 2017, acclaimed tournament angler Fred Hardwick outlines an ingenious, practical way of getting a fell for the drop back. If that were not enough, check out what the best fishing teams on the professional series are doing in 2019.  For even more from the archives, check out the bottom link– a 2014 round table with some of professional sportfishing’s best…. Have things changed? Are they the same?

More ITB Sailfish Articles to Read –

Fishing for sails in Florida is a numbers game. Those who play it seem to be getting faster and more efficient with every passing season.

Sailfish 2.0 (click here…)

A Q&A with 4 of the Best Captains in the Business

The Art of Sailfishing (click here…)

Cash Purse Worth Over $800,000 in 2019 Operation Sailfish

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Two days of battle by an infantry of elite Sailfishing teams

Photo courtesy of Endless Imagery

West Palm Beach, Fla. (Dec. 27, 2018) – Recognized as both the largest and richest sailfishing series in the world, the first leg of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series, Operation Sailfish, will be held at the Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach from January 16-20, 2019. Participating teams will battle it out on the high seas, sailfishing both Friday and Saturday for the chance to take home a custom set of champion dog tags and a stout payday with a cash purse worth over $800,000.

Other opportunities to reel in a win include the “Release Round-Up” jackpot.  This winner-take-all category is approaching a $300,000 payout at Operation Sailfish with a buy-in of only $1,000. Win the tournament and the Release Roundup and your team could be cashing a check for over $500,000. The 2018 champion team and current titleholder, Weez in the Keys went home with a cash payout of $210,000 last year.  Who will earn the prestigious title this year?

This two-day long tournament will give anglers a run for their boats, rods, and money. With  a variety of prize categories available to enter, anglers will have many opportunities to collect some hefty checks and patriotic trophies. There are two tiers of optional entry through the daily categories that provide teams with an opportunity to win over $80,000 on a first place daily. Early and late bite categories also offer teams the chance to win some bonus cash in both the first and second half of the day.

Along with the competition, one of the most notable highlights of Operation Sailfish is the unique opportunity it provides anglers to give back to the men and women of the United States military. In partnership with its charity, Operation Homefront, each year this tournament holds a “Take a Hero Fishing Day,” which is designed to honor and support military veterans, active-duty soldiers, and wounded warriors by getting them out on the water for a fun day fishing. Held on Thursday, January 17, 2019, each participating team will be paired with a hero to enjoy a day of fishing, followed by a cocktail reception and awards ceremony, where top hero’s will be presented with trophies of their own!

Photo courtesy of Endless Imagery

The kick-off party is held on Wednesday, January 16 at the historic Sailfish Marina Resort in Palm Beach, with a color guard and national anthem ceremony. Competition days are both Friday, January 18 and Saturday, January 19, followed by a brunch and awards presentation Sunday, January 20 at Sailfish Marina Resort. Tournament registration is available online at www.operationsailfish.com.  Registration remains open until the conclusion of the kickoff party on January 16th.

Photo courtesy of Endless Imagery

For more information on Operation Sailfish, visit the tournament website at www.operationsailfish.com or call 954-725-4010. The entire Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series schedule can be found at www.questforthecrest.com

Conquering The Backlash

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From the ITB Vault- openerConquering the Backlash

by Sam White

Chasing billfish with light tackle, circle hooks and dead bait is a tactic that’s gaining in popularity worldwide. It’s a great way to keep the anglers involved in catching fish rather than just waiting for a blind strike, not to mention that pitch-baiting a lit-u [Read more…]

The Art of Sailfishing

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featsailfishA Q&A with 4 of the Best Captains in the Business

by Jan Fogt from the ITB Vault

Capt. V.J. Bell resides in Stuart, FL. Born in Wachaprague, Va., Bell’s first job was working for Capt. Earl Parker but when Earl’s brother Ray went south to Stuart in 1986, he signed onto the Seabird for his first sailfish season and never went back. In addition to Ray Parker, other mentors include Henley Sandige, Kim Phillips and Frank “Boogie” Warren, who he worked for on the Hobo. One of the top sailfish captains on [Read more…]