Professional Documents
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Sport Fishing - February 2017 PDF
Sport Fishing - February 2017 PDF
2017
VOL 32
ISSUE 2
68
FEATURES
24
ON THE COVER
A magnificent yellowfin with
classic trailing allison dorsal
and anal fins, photographed
by Daniel Goez in the waters of
Ascension Island
DEPARTMENTS
8
10
18
24
30
34
EDITORIAL
GAME PLAN
FISH FACTS
GEAR GUIDE
NEW PRODUCTS
IGFA PENDING RECORDS
38
42
50
54
56
SF BOATS
FISHING MACHINES
FISH TRIALS
ELECTRONICS
NEW BOATS
BETTER BOATING
98 LAST CAST
SUBSCRIBERS: Address subscription service questions to Sport Fishing, P.O. Box 6364, Harlan, IA 51593-1864. For subscription inquiries, visit sportfishingmag.com/cs.
Sport Fishing (ISSN 0896-7369, USPS 1631), February 2017, Volume 32, Number 2, is published nine times per year monthly January to June, and bimonthly July to December by
Bonnier Corporation, 460 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park, FL 32789-3195. Entire contents copyright 2017 by Bonnier Corporation. May not be reproduced in any form without the
express written permission of Bonnier Corporation. Periodicals postage paid at Winter Park, FL, and at additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $19.97 for one year. Canadian subscribers, add
$14 for postage. All other international subscribers, add $28 for postage. U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sport Fishing, P.O. Box 6364, Harlan, IA 51593-1864. Printed in
the USA. Canada Return Mail: IMEX Global Solutions, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2 Canada. DISCLAIMER: Bonnier Corporation is not responsible for injuries sustained by readers while
pursuing activities described and illustrated herein, nor failure of equipment depicted or illustrated herein.
FEBRUARY 2017
ONE RIDE
39
4700 NW 132ND STREET, OPA LOCKA, FLORIDA 33054 PH: 305-685-2704 WWW.INVINCIBLEBOATS.COM
EDITORIAL
DOUG OLANDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CHRIS WOODWARD EXECUTIVE EDITOR
SAM HUDSON SENIOR EDITOR
STEPHANIE PANCRATZ SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR
MEGAN WILLIAMS MANAGING EDITOR
6M_@:IX4WVO+I[\
6M_@:IX4WVO+I[\;PITTW_
of saltwater
baits.
JOY GARIEPY
DETROIT ACCOUNT MANAGER 248-213-6156
MISSIE PRICHARD
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT 407-571-4692
ACTIVE INTEREST NETWORK
MATT HICKMAN VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR OF BRAND STRATEGIES
SHAWN BEAN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
MARK MACKENZIE CONTENT STRATEGY DIRECTOR
JERRY POMALES SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR
MIKE STALEY ONLINE DIRECTOR 407-571-4803
LEIGH BINGHAM CONSUMER MARKETING DIRECTOR
HALEY BISCHOF GROUP MARKETING DIRECTOR
KELSEY ALBINA MARKETING MANAGER
DAVID ERNE BUSINESS MANAGER
EVILY GIANNOPOULOS PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
PRODUCTION
MICHELLE DOSTER GROUP PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
TRACEY VOORHEES PRODUCTION MANAGER
SHAIRA BARNETTE, JENNIFER REMIAS GRAPHIC ARTISTS
HUMAN RESOURCES
SHERI BASS HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
8QKSMUWNZWUTWVOLQ[\IVKMI\:IXITIKWU
2016
FEBRUARY 2017
seakeeper.com
EDITORIAL
BEDLAM IN
BATON ROUGE
BY DOUG OLANDER
THE NASTY
MESS SERVES
AS A VIVID
REMINDER OF
THE DANGERS
OF APPOINTING
POLITICAL
CRONIES TO RUN
SPECIALIZED
AGENCIES LIKE
THE LDWF.
FEBRUARY 2017
RADAR
REDEFINED
Solid-State Doppler Tracking
Its The
Generation
Radar at Youtube.com/FurunoVideo
www.FurunoUSA.com
GAME PLAN
FISH FACTS
GEAR GUIDE
NEW PRODUCTS
UP TO THE TASK:
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:KHWKHUWUROOLQJERWWRP
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Many techniques are versatile, allowing offshore anglers across the globe to utilize the leader setups.
Leaders from the past still have value today; new leader systems stretch the capabilities of todays tackle.
Youll nd both in this column. Below, three respected veteran captains describe tried-and-true leaders. At
least one of these leaders will almost certainly work for your preferred style of offshore hunting.
10
FEBRUARY 2017
THERES
NOTHING ELSE
LIKE IT ON THE WATER
THE NEW 280CC-X FROM WORLD CAT
When creating the new 280CC-X, we didnt change a single thing. We
changed everything. From the hull beneath you to the dash in front of
you, from bow to stern, from how it looks to how it rides, youve never
experienced anything like the new 280CC-X. Now you can.
GAME PLAN
+ GEAR GUIDE
TROLLING
FOR MARLIN
Capt. Rom Whitaker of Release
Sportshing in Hatteras, North
Carolina, targets dolphin, wahoo, marlin and tuna off the Tar Heel coast.
I wanted to know his leader rig for
catching blue marlin.
The leader combinations we use
have been tested and improved many
times over the years, says Whitaker,
but one certainty about shing is
theres always something new and better coming along, and you had better be
ready for change.
Whitaker sets out specic trolling
spreads for tunas, white marlin and
blue marlin, but here we highlight
his tournament-winning blue marlin
spread composed solely of lures.
Penn International 80s, packed with
130-pound braid and mono, are set
out on Whitakers long outrigger lines.
300- to 500-pound
extra-hard mono
leader measures
28 feet
Chafe gear to
connect leader
to swivel
650-pound cable
with larger lures;
400-pound for
smaller baits
8/0 to 11/0
J-hook
NEVER COMPROMISE.
Fast.
Comfortable.
SPEEDS UP TO
65MPH
RANGE UP TO
1,000 MILES
STABLE CATAMARAN
HULL DESIGN
1 2 21 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
ALL-PURPOSE
BOTTOMFISHING
Fishing in Key West this past October,
I noticed the bottomshing rig that Capt.
R.T. Trosset, of Spindrift Fishing, used to
catch all types of groupers and snappers.
I was lucky enough to join Fin-Nors Bob
Bagby and Chris Littau on Trossets boat
one day, testing the new Fin-Nor Primal
lever drags (available summer 2017) and
Mega Lite spinning reels.
The modest leader setup is a
beefed-up version of a freshwater dropshot rig. Ive shed sliding sinker rigs
plenty, but this might be the simplest
rig ever Ive used to keep cut baits and
live baits near, but not on, the bottom.
My main setup is 30-pound
Cortland Master Braid main line
connected to 40-pound Ande uorocarbon leader, says Trosset. I tie a
spider hitch in the braid and then a
PRECISIONCONTROL
Ease left
Twist left
Vessel turns
360 left
Ease right
Twist right
Vessel turns
360 right
Extra power
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VHDVRQ'LIIHUHQWVFHQDULRVPLJKWFDOOIRUD
VOLGLQJVLQNHURUGURSSHUORRSOHDGHUULJ
OPTIMUS360
JOYSTICK
DOCKING
www.optimus-360.com
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
13
GAME PLAN
+ F I S H FA C T S
CASTING
FOR TUNAS
Capt. Jack Sprengel, who runs East
Coast Charters out of various ports in
New England, has been jigging, casting
1 4 41 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
PAT FORD
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WLHGZLWKGRXEOHRYHUKDQGNQRW%RWKOLYHRUFXW
EDLWVZRUNHTXDOO\ZHOOSDLUHGZLWKWKLVULJ
GAME PLAN
+ F I S H FA C T S
SHIPP
W
O
N
ING
PEDAL-POWERED
WATERCRAFT.
1 6 61 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
JACK SPRENGEL
&DSW-DFN6SUHQJHOVWRSOLQHWROHDGHU
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VHUYHG35%REELQNQRW)*NQRW*7NQRWDQG
LPSURYHG%ULVWRONQRW
Go With Condence
SIMPLICITY.
CLARITY. CONTROL.
I N T R O D U C I N G NSS EVO3 F E AT U R I N G
D I S P L AYS
All-weather touchscreen
SolarMax HD Display
Integrated echosounder
SIMRAD-YACHTING.COM
GAME PLAN
FISH FACTS
GEAR GUIDE
NEW PRODUCTS
FISH FACTS
BY DOUG OLANDER / FEBRUARY 2017 / VOL 32 ISSUE 2
CERO MACKEREL
(Scomberomorus regalis)
Though sometimes cero mackerel are mistaken for their smaller cousin, the Spanish mackerel,
only the cero has a solid gold line running from just behind the gill cover nearly to the tail. This
fabulous light-tackle gamester is limited to clear tropical waters, feeding near the surface around
coral reefs throughout the Caribbean and the Florida Keys. The world record of 18 pounds came from
Bimini, Bahamas, in June 2013, though the greatest number of cero records is from the Keys.
18
MARBLED GROUPER
COASTAL TREVALLY
20
20
22
FEBRUARY 2017
INSIDE:
BOSTONWHALER.COM
GAME PLAN
+ F I S H FA C T S
Atlantic
sharpnose
shark
CHALLENGE
OUR EXPERTS
(And Win Up to
10,800 Yards of Line!)
SEND IN YOUR QUESTION
LOOKING SHARP
I caught this small shark (about 3 feet long)
off Fort Pierce, Florida. I dont think Ive seen
one like it before. Ive seen white spots only on
spiny dogfish. This sharks teeth looked jagged
and large. Can you help with an ID?
NORTHEAST
MYSTERY MARBLE
We caught this fish while deep-jigging near
Key West in about 250 feet. I think its a species
20
FEBRUARY 2017
Marbled grouper
GOING COASTAL
While fishing reefs in 150 feet of water in the
Seychelles, I caught this trevally. Which is this?
Frank Yerich
Houston
SF
FISH FACTS
EXPERTS
Bay Boats
Center Consoles
Dual Consoles
Walkarounds
For detailed information, build a boat or finding your nearest dealer visit:
ROBALO.COM
GAME PLAN
22
FEBRUARY 2017
+ F I S H FA C T S
Coastal
trevally
RIPTIDE ULTERRA.
AUTO STOW AND DEPLOY. POWER TRIM. AND NO CHANCE OF CORROSION.
It stows and deploys itself automatically. Its power trim allows you to adjust to whats below
the water in an instant. And its all controlled from an i-Pilot remote and fortified with the
corrosion-busting power of Riptide so you can fish from anywhere and dominate everywhere.
minnkotamotors.com
AUTOMATIC STOW
AND DEPLOY
POWER TRIM
UPGRADE
TO EIGHT
HAVE YOU COUNTED the bers in your braided line recently? Yeah, me neither. But even if the naked eye cant
identify different carriers woven together to create polyethylene (PE) shing line, thread count still matters. Just
like mens suits and bedsheets, right?
Consider how braided shing line is constructed. Polyethylene microlaments are gel spun (spun together while
in partial-liquid form, producing a stronger interchain connection) to create carriers or strands often under
trade names Dyneema or Spectra. The term carrier is sometimes replaced with end or yarn in braided-line
parlance. Whats misleading about the braid moniker is that carriers are actually woven together (a small but specic
difference some manufacturers pointed out to me) to create braided line, forming whats known as pics at points
where they intersect. For example, Sux 832 line stands for 8 strands and a pic count of 32 per inch.
24
FEBRUARY 2017
ZACH STOVALL
LET YOUR
IMAGINATION
RUN WILD...
The worlds nest yachts require the most distinctive and long-lasting nish. For that reason
Awlgrip developed a revolutionary new topcoat as part of a tailor-made high-gloss paint system.
The result is a fast-drying and easy to apply topcoat that comes in a limitless color palette of
solids, metallics and luxurious effects only bound by your imagination.
www.awlgrip.com
facebook.com/awlgripnishrst
twitter.com/awlgrip
All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. AkzoNobel 2016.
8135/1116
EIGHT-CARRIER
ADVANTAGE
Four-carrier is like an off-road tire, able
to cut through weeds with rigid strength
and brute force, says Ted Thibault,
TUF-Lines global sales manager.
Eight-carrier is like a highway tire,
with less noise and less friction when
used. The four-carrier works well for
bottomshing,
while
eight-carrier
castsbetter.
Eight-carrier fully occupied braids
are also known as diamond braids
because of their two-over, two-under
construction. The higher carrier braid
is smoother and more supple than fourcarrier half-occupied construction,
commonly referred to as basket braid.
Basket construction is a one-over, oneunder weave, recognized by nubs on
Eight-carrier braid truly shines during the cast.
The smoother, quieter line gives anglers increased
casting distance plus enhanced sensitivity.
2 6 62 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
+ F I S H FA C T S
FISHING EIGHT
Eight-strand braid creates a smoother,
quieter and rounder surface that casts
farther, says Dan Quinn, eld promotions manager at Suxs parent company,
Rapala, plus it still retains abrasion
resistance, knot strength and tensile
strength. I believe that one main reason
GAME PLAN
DEEPLY
REWARDING
Its time to live the offshore life. Serious
sportshing, ultimate luxury, and the
pursuit of quality time with family and
friends is just the beginning. Experience
powered by
GAME PLAN
+ F I S H FA C T S
EIGHT CARRIERS
MODEL
DIAMETER (INCHES)
PE TYPE
POUND-TEST OFFERED
PRICE (50-POUND-TEST)
Ande Braid
0.0075 to 0.023
N/A
20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150
Berkley ProSpec
0.009 to 0.028
Dyneema
500; 2,500
0.021
Spectra
80
250
Daiwa J-Braid
0.005 to 0.016
Dyneema
FINS XS
0.009 to 0.017
Spectra
Mustad Wish
0.007 to 0.018
Spectra
300; 600
0.006 to 0.017
Spectra
Seaguar Smackdown
0.005 to 0.016
Dyneema
150
6X[$GYDQFHG
Superline
0.006 to 0.018
Dyneema,
Gore
0.011 to 0.020
N/A
TUF-LINE Domin8
0.006 to 0.018
Spectra
28
FEBRUARY 2017
NEXT GEN?
The jump from four to eight carriers has
obvious benets, so can anglers soon
expect 12- or 16-carrier braid thats not
hollow-core?
Sixteen-strand would be incredibly
round and castable, but with so many
bers, the line would have a tendency
to cut itself, atten out, and have far less
abrasion resistance, says Quinn, as
well as cost roughly three times more
than an eight-carrier to produce.
Indeed, 16-carrier might be cost
ZACH STOVALL
* (65-pound)
S TA R T Y O U R B O AT I N G
LEGACY WITH OURS...
B U I L D I N G L E G E N D A R Y B O AT S S I N C E 1 9 8 4
Contender Boats, Inc | 1820 SE 38th Ave | Homestead, FL 33035 | 1.800.645.2906 | ContenderBoats.com
GAME PLAN
FISH FACTS
GEAR GUIDE
NEW PRODUCTS
NEW PRODUCTS
BY CHRIS WOODWARD / FEBRUARY 2017 / VOL 32 ISSUE 2
1. HANDS ON
Deep Apparels Leadering Gloves are compatible with all touchscreens, and include
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VOLSSLQJ7KHJORYHVFRPHLQPHGLXPODUJHDQGH[WUDODUJHDQGDUHJUD\DQGEODFNZLWK
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2. FISHY FAVORITES
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sun protection, Heybo OutdoorsORQJ
VOHHYHGgraphic performance tees come in
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3. TAKE CHARGE
Accurate Fishing Products has introduced two new models to its popular Boss Valiant series: the BV-400 Single-SpeedDQG
BV2-400 Two-SpeedIHDWXULQJDLUFUDIWJUDGHDOXPLQXPIUDPHV%RWKZHLJKRXQFHVIHDWXUHSRXQGVRIGUDJDQGKROG
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DJDLQVWFRUURVLRQ7KH%9SURYLGHVDWRJHDUUDWLRWRUHWULHYHLQFKHVRIOLQHSHUFUDQNWKH%9RIIHUVWRDQGWRUDWLRV
30
FEBRUARY 2017
WHERE ADVENTURE
MEETS PERFORMANCE.
THE ALL-NEW JUPITER 25 BAY
Theres never been a Bay Boat quite like Jupiters new 25 Bay. Combining the features of a traditional bay
with those of a larger offshore center console, we created a versatile hybrid. A 14 draft provides superb
VKDOORZZDWHUSHUIRUPDQFHZKLOHKLJKHUJXQQHOVXVKGHFNVDQGODUJHWRXUQDPHQWOLYHZHOOVSURYLGHWKH
functionality of larger offshore boats. With a stable ride, outstanding range and top speed of over 50 mph
youll be ready to rock your next adventure in style.
PLEASE VISIT US AT THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW | FEBRUARY 16 - 20 | PIER 4 | SLIPS 351 - 358
POWERED BY
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,PDJLQJIRUVLGHDQGGRZQORRNLQJVRQDUZKLFKHPSOR\VDIUHTXHQF\QHDUO\WKUHHWLPHVDV
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WRRIIHUVFKLUSFDSDELOLW\DQGFRPHVHTXLSSHGZLWK$XWR&KDUW/LYH
7
7. LIT UP
MORE NEW
PRODUCTS
32
FEBRUARY 2017
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RIIIRU\URGDQJOHU3DXO&KXNDU7XWXQMLDQRI,UYLQH&DOLIRUQLDWKLVSDVW
6HSWHPEHUZKHQKHFDXJKWD39-pound, 8-ounce California yellowtail
[A]RQSRXQGWLSSHW$RQHKRXUEDWWOHHQVXHG7KHFXUUHQWSRXQG
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256-pound, 10-ounce southern bluefin tuna [B] for two and a half
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ERDWHG,IDSSURYHGWKHFDWFKZLOOEORZDZD\WKHFXUUHQWVPDOOIU\UHFRUG
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Were coming...
The AV-26 is a true low prole bay boat with an overall length of 262 and a beam of 86, built with the serious sherman in mind. The Avenger
Bay Boats incredibly stable shing platform is complimented with standard equipment like 2 live release and one bait well, dual lockable rod storage
boxes, and anchor locker built to accommodate both bow and stern anchors. The Avenger is rated for a single engine of up to 400HP and features
an 89 gallon capacity fuel load, making your favorite shing spot easily and quickly accessible.
34
FEBRUARY 2017
SF BOATS SPOTLIGHT
CONTENDER
32 ST
INSIDE:
Fish Trial
Scout 215 XSF
42
36
FEBRUARY 2017
Electronics
Go Live
50
Better Boating
Stable and Able
56
TAKE IT OUTDOORS.
WEEKEND
MORNINGS
STARTING AT 5A ET
BY CHRIS WOODWARD
FOUR GIANT
DUAL CONSOLES
New Breed of 30-Plus-Foot DCs Truly Marries Fishing and Families
LIKE MANY OF YOU, most likely, I can admit to a history of dismissiveness when it comes to the topic of dual consoles as
fishing boats. Im a Floridian by birth, and so my admiration focuses on center consoles. But during the past four years, Ive been
amazed, and actually smitten, by the giant duals now on the market.
I doubt many of you could step foot aboard the Grady-White Freedom 375 and not be impressed by its overall design and
comfort, particularly if youre of a certain age. Its an express boat without the superstructure.
For instance, the 375 and the three other vessels over 30 feet listed here that Ive looked at offer tremendous beam and
cockpit space. With their ample LOAs and reasonable deadrise, they perform well offshore.
Yes, they come with a design that limits fishing mobility fore and aft, so theyre not going to displace CCs for hardcore anglers.
But unless youre into competition or chasing records, why not enjoy the luxury aspects of these family-friendly designs?
To share more details about these boats, I asked all four manufacturers to help explain the best features of their DC giants.
The boats are listed by LOA.
SPECS:
LOA: 32 ft. 2 in. Beam: 10 ft. 6 in. Transom Deadrise: N/A (catamaran) Draft: 1 ft. 4 in.
Dry Weight: 12,500 lb. (w/ engines) Max Power: 600 hp MSRP: $346,391 (w/ twin Yamaha F300s)
FEBRUARY 2017
SPECS:
LOA: 33 ft. 6 in. Beam: 10 ft. 4 in. Transom Deadrise: 21 deg. Draft: 1 ft. 10 in.
Dry Weight: 9,800 lb. (w/o engines) Max Power: 700 hp MSRP: $285,000*
* (w/ twin Mercury 250 Verados)
39
PURSUIT DC 325
SPECS:
LOA: 34 ft. 6 in. Beam: 10 ft. 10 in. Transom Deadrise: 20 deg. Draft: 1 ft. 10 in.
Dry Weight: 11,775 lb. (w/ engines) Max Power: 600 hp MSRP: $272,250 (w/ twin Yamaha F300s)
40
FEBRUARY 2017
SPECS:
LOA: 36 ft. 7 in. Beam: 13 ft. 2 in. Transom Deadrise: 20 deg. Draft: 2 ft. 5 in.
Dry Weight: 16,250 lb. (w/o engines) Max Power: 1,050 hp MSRP: $666,945 (w/ triple Yamaha F300s)
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
41
BOATS
FISHING MACHINES + FISH TRIALS + ELECTRONICS + BETTER BOATING
BY CHRIS WOODWARD
One thing about a yacht: Its not hard to make one look luxurious. Not so with a piece of fiberglass less
than 22 feet in length. But when I stepped aboard Scouts 215XSF for the first time this past October,
I saw comforts and conveniences that belied the compact design.
Scouts director of sales and marketing Alan Lang and Capt. James Lavanway (reelfishfinder.com)
had met me at a coastal launch ramp just north of the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina.
Only two weeks had passed since Hurricane Matthew lashed the Low Country, and Lavanway had just
started patterning the bait and the bull redfish.
But even if we couldnt find the fish, we still faced a fine day on the water in a well-appointed
MAKING WAY
Lavanway nudged the 215 up to speed, and
we headed southeast toward the mouth of
Charleston Harbor. At a comfortable 3,900 rpm,
PERFORMANCE
POWER ..............................................Yamaha F200
LOAD ..........Three adults, 45 gal. fuel, full livewell
TOP SPEED ....................... 46.1 mph @ 5,400 rpm*
TIME TO 30 MPH ....................................12.6 sec.*
BEST MPG .......... 3.8 mpg @ 29.5 mph (3,900 rpm)
(* Note: Correct prop unavailable. See article.)
HULL
LOA ......................................................... 21 ft. 6 in.
BEAM .........................................................8 ft. 6 in.
DEADRISE ................................................... 20 deg.
DRY WEIGHT .......................2,776 lb. (w/o engine)
DRAFT .................................................. 1 ft. 3.75 in.
FUEL ..............................................................82 gal.
MAX POWER ............................................... 250 hp
MSRP .......................... $65,464 (w/ Yamaha F200)
SCOUT BOATS
Summerville, SC
843-821-0068
scoutboats.com
FISHY FISHY
Just as I was considering where to plop
down to enjoy a cold drink, I saw the
portside rod tip arc like a rainbow. Bull
reds dont smash-strike a bait; they pick
it up and power away like a tractor.
I set up in the port corner, thighs
against the coaming pads, and worked
LOUNGE LIVING
Almost immediately antsy, Lavanway
made a few calls to friends and decided
to relocate to a spot just inside the
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
43
BOATS
EASY RIDER
After our second redfish release, we
hauled anchor and headed back to
the harbor so I could experience the
boats handling. We had zero seas, so
I created some chop with sharp turns to
port and starboard.
A transom bench
folds out to create
comfortable crew
seating but tucks
way for fishing. This
compact craft also
comes with a transom
door. In the port aft
corner, Scout placed a
21-gallon livewell.
4 4 44 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
geico.com/boat
800-865-4846
Service provided by
Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company.
GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. 2015 GEICO
BOATS
FISHING MACHINES + FISH TRIALS + ELECTRONICS + NEW BOATS + BETTER BOATING
BY JIM HENDRIC K S
SEAVEE 390Z
The interiors of big, new center console boats increasingly sport cushy amenities such as loungers,
dining tables and posh center cabins. These add curb appeal for families but obviously dont
contribute to fishing success.
In my Fish Trial of the SeaVee 390Z this past fall, I found few such elements. Save for the supportive
helm seats, a perch in front of the console and a pair of beefy fold-out benches bracketing the bow, this
boat was custom built for a singular mission: serious saltwater fishing.
Greeting me at the dock in Lighthouse Point, Florida, were SeaVee fishing pro Capt. Art Sapp and
4 6 64 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
PERFORMANCE
POWER ........ Four Mercury 350 Verado outboards
LOAD ............................... 120 gal. fuel, three crew
TOP SPEED 74.8 mph @ 6,500 rpm (outer motors),
6,200 rpm (inner motors)
TIME TO 30 MPH ....................................... 6.5 sec.
BEST MPG .................. 1.3 @ 37.9 mph (3,500 rpm)
HULL
LOA ..................................................................39 ft.
BEAM ...............................................................11 ft.
DEADRISE ................................................ 22.5 deg.
DRY WEIGHT ..................... 9,670 lb. (w/o engines)
DRAFT ........................................................2 ft. 2 in.
FUEL ............................................................563 gal.
MAX POWER ............................................ 1,600 hp
MSRP....$355,500 (w/ quad Mercury 350 Verados)
LINES IN
LETS DANCE
As Sapp pulled the big center console
away from the dock, I marveled at the
amount of deck space in the aft cockpit. Its like a dance floor back here,
I said to Collier. Surrounded by padded coaming bolsters, this interior
gives crew members plenty of room to
do-si-do while manning lines.
Thanks to 18 stereo speakers and
four subwoofers positioned throughout the interior, the Fusion sound
system provides plenty of dance music.
(Even serious tournament anglers like
theirtunes.)
As we cleared Hillsboro Inlet, Sapp
advanced the throttles, and the quad
350s vaulted the 390Z to plane in about
five seconds.
The Z is SeaVees designation for
its stepped hulls, introduced about
four years ago after a lengthy process of proprietary computer design,
fluid-dynamics modeling and on-water
evaluations. The result is a hull that creates remarkable lift with very little bow
rise as it accelerates. Two steps usher a
cushion of aerated water under the hull
to boost efficiency.
Our speed rose to about 45 mph as
Sapp turned hard to the south at the
outer marker. The 390Z responded
with comforting predictability.
SEAVEE BOATS
Miami, Florida
305-759-6419
seaveeboats.com
47
BOATS
FISHING MACHINES + FISH TRIALS + ELECTRONICS + NEW BOATS + BETTER BOATING
Fishing Season:
February to May.
Peak of the season:
March & April.
MCDCFishing
MarinaCDCFishingClub
4 8 84 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
SAIL ATTACK
INSPIRED BY PRECISION
WHEN BIG MONEY IS ON THE LINE, YOUR LINE SHOULD BE ON AN
ANDROS SPECIAL EDITION REEL AND SCT OFFSHORE ROD.
okumafishingusa.com
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
49
BOATS
+ BETTER BOATING
BY CHRIS WOODWARD
GO LIVE
INSTANT SONAR-CHARTING OPTIONS
CREATE VIVID, ACCURATE FISHING MAPS
When fishing inshore, I
usually keep a watchful eye
on my sounder as well as my
plotters charts. The structure I look for can be a subtle
dip or channel in otherwise
featureless sand.
For many years, I couldnt
depend on electronic charts
to reveal much; shallow
areas are only occasionally
surveyed. Those charts were
more like guidelines.
Then sonar-charting
programs debuted in 2012
so anglers could log depth
recordings from their
regions and upload them
to render customized
and current charts. Now,
at least four electronics
companies or partnerships
50
FEBRUARY 2017
Raymarine/Navionics,
Garmin, Humminbird and
recently Simrad/Navionics
offer instant, live, 1-foot
high-definition bathymetry,
which essentially marries
the sounder to the plotter.
For inshore and offshore
fishing, that means an
instant depth picture of
contours and structure
onthe fly one that stayson
your plotter as an adjustable
transparent overlay.
Say a storm comes
through and moves the
sand around, creating all
new bars and drop-offs?
No problem. And what if an
offshore wreck proves difficult to interpret on sonar?
No problem. The detailed
NAVIONICS
OPTIONS
Live charting originated
in summer 2014 with
Navionics SonarChart Live
in mobile app form and with
Humminbirds AutoChart
Live, initially for ONIX
multifunction displays.
AutoChart Live currently
works as a free feature with
ONIX and Helix 9, 10 and
12 series units.
Part of Navionics
popular Boating app, the
SonarChart Live function originally operated
via Wi-Fi with a Vexilar
SonarPhone T-Box sounder,
and later with Raymarine
Dragonfly Pro and Wi-Fish
units. As of May 2016,
SonarChart Live became
available for all Raymarine
multifunction displays,
from Dragonfly (via the
app) through gS Series.
In
recent
we e k s,
SonarChart Live began
pairing with Simrad GO,
GO xse and NSS evo2 units
as well as Lowrance HDS
Gen3 MFDs via a free software update, which also
includes Navionics Plotter
Sync. (Navionics requires a
$99 annual subscription to
its Freshest Data club and at
least one chart update every
12 months to establish eligibility to use SonarChart Live
on Raymarine, Simrad and
Lowrance units.)
Originally, the sonar
logging was always kind
of in the background. You
couldnt do anything but
contribute it to Navionics
for a chart update, says
Raymarine
marketing
manager Jim McGowan.
From that anonymous
collection to seeing the chart
BOATS
PROPRIETARY
SYSTEMS
Garmin creates its own BlueChart
software for use in its multifunction
displays and chart plotters.
Consequently, it introduced its own live
charting via QuickDraw Contours in
February 2016.
Garmin customers can use
QuickDraw on echoMAP, echoMAP
CHIRP and many GPSMAP units
Simrad recently partnered with Navionics to offer
SonarChart Live on many of its current MFDs, and
on its sister companys Lowrance HDS Gen3 units.
52
FEBRUARY 2017
+ BETTER BOATING
ALWAYS FORWARD
Furuno does not offer a free or low-cost
live-charting option yet. However, if
you purchase a Timezero Personal
Bathymetric Generator ($500) and
Timezero charting software ($1,250),
you can build your own contour charts
on the fly.
With the ever-changing nature of
the sea, live charting makes perfect
sense for saltwater anglers. Youve got
to look at what NOAAs reasons are for
doing soundings: commercial shipping
and boating. Those dont necessarily
overlap with good fishing grounds,
McGowan says, particularly for guys
fishing inshore. NOAA doesnt have a
reason to go in there. This is a way to
get a lot of those places mapped for the
first time ever.
In other words: Live charting is yet
another step toward finally seeing
whats down there, making fishing as
close to predictable as it will ever be.
Destination Honda
For destinations found on a map, or ones that are simply a state of mind, trust a reliable
Honda outboard to get you there. And back. Find out more at marine.honda.com.
2016 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owners manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.
BOATS
FISHING MACHINES + FISH TRIALS + ELECTRONICS + NEW BOATS + BETTER BOATING
has built
ultrafine flats skiffs for the past decade
under the helmsmanship of company
president Chris Peterson. So it was
with some fanfare late last year that
Hells Bay unveiled to the public its first
X-design
catamaran, the 280CC-X, features
aggressive new styling that includes
a graceful sheer line terminating in
a soft tumblehome aft, a swept-back
glass dashboard at the console, and a
surfboard-edge hardtop.
The 280 represents a completely
new computer-assisted design from the
waterline up, says World Cat president
Andrew Brown. The 280CC-X also
offers advanced technology, including
a fully customizable digital dash
(including CZone digital switching),
and a host of functional, comfort and
convenience features.
The cockpit offers twin, lockable
89-gallon fish boxes with diaphragm
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA .............................................................27 ft. 6 in.
Beam .............................................................9 ft. 2 in.
Dry Weight ..............................7,500 lb. (w/ engines)
Draft ..............................................................1 ft. 2 in.
Transom Deadrise ....................................... N/A (cat)
MSRP .................... $233,566 (w/ twin Yamaha F300s)
54
FEBRUARY 2017
www.xtratuf.com
2017 Honeywell International Inc.
BOATS
FISHING MACHINES + FISH TRIALS + ELECTRONICS + NEW BOATS + BETTER BOATING
BY JIM HENDRICKS
FEBRUARY 2017
HOW IT
WORKS
To understand how a gyro
stabilizer works, think of a
bicycle. When not moving,
the bike easily flops from
side to side. Yet when youre
riding it, the spinning
wheels result in a gyroscopic
stabilizing effect to keep it
upright and stable, at least
for the most part.
The same principle is at
work with a product such as a
the SK3. The motorized gyroscope keeps the boat from
rolling, whether at rest or
underway. By design, it has
no effect on pitch (fore and aft
motion) or yaw (lateral movement). Eliminating pitch
JIM HENDRICKS
TRIAL
COMPARISON
221 FISHERMAN
222 FISHERMAN
BAY BOAT
CENTER CONSOLE
252 COASTAL
302 FISHERMAN
WALK AROUND
REEL
IN THE
$AVINGS
SAVINGS
COMING SOON
Since 1955, Wellcraft has stood for innovation, quality and dependability. This
philosophy of ingenuityis found in a vessel designed by fishermen who demand the
best every time they leave the dock.
For years to come, youll capture your entire day with a morning of fishing, a day of
family fun, and a relaxing evening cruise in an American icon. Explore the whole lineup
at wellcraft.com.
Copyright 2016, Rec Boat Holdings, LLC. /TM signifies trademarks of Wellcraft, LLC, its affiliates or suppliers.
WELLCRAFT.COM
BOATS
FISHING MACHINES + FISH TRIALS + ELECTRONICS + NEW BOATS + BETTER BOATING
EASIER TO INSTALL
Tipping the scales at 550 pounds with
lube and coolant, the SK3 weighs
30percent less than the previous iteration. It also features a more versatile
mounting system. While the 3DC
was mounted to the stringers, the new
system bolts to the deck. A pocket cutout
in the sole is still required because a
portion of the new model protrudes
below deck.
Seakeeper offers an optional leaning
post that serves as a housing for the gyro
stabilizer aboard center console boats.
The SK3 measures 26.8 inches long by
27 inches wide by 22.5 inches tall.
The SK3 requires approximately
36 minutes to spin up to operational
speed and 50 minutes to its maximumrated 8,450 rpm. Once up to speed, it
proved more responsive than the previous system when flipped from off to
on, requiring only about two seconds
to stabilize the roll. The older model
needed about four to five seconds.
Seakeepers new model also proved
more effective in reducing roll in
Seakeeper offers an optional seating/
leaning-post module to house the Seakeeper
3 stabilizer. The gyro unit bolts to the deck,
simplifying installation versus older models.
5 8 85 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
LESS UNNATURAL
Not all of my measurements were
empirical. One was subjective. I wanted
to see how it felt to stand on a stabilized
deck on an otherwise rolling sea. As
boating anglers, many of us have certain
muscle memory resulting in the ability
to balance ourselves by anticipating
wave action and shifting our weight to
compensate for the motion of the deck.
Those who have acquired such a second
nature are said to possess sea legs.
Trouble is, that instinct remains, even
when the rolling motion is virtually nil.
You spy the approaching waves, and
STABILIZING COSTS
At $26,900 retail, the SK3 represents
the most affordable gyro-stabilization
system ever. Its tough to pinpoint
installation cost too many variables from boat to boat. To give you an
idea, however, installation aboard the
Contender 35 ST demo boat required
16 hours of labor, though much of the
requisite wiring and hoses were already
in place from the previous unit.
The way I see it, this system and
those that follow will become common
options, like marine generators and air
conditioning, on new center console
boats. Why not? It will make days offshore far more enjoyable and safe
for those without sea legs and less
painful for those with them.
6HOVKO\ZHKDYHNHSWWKHVWXQQLQJO\EHDXWLIXO
6W$QGUHZV%D\DQGDOOWKLQJV8QLTXHO\3&WRRXUVHOYHV
Like our two full-service public marinas that offer transient docking,
FKDUWHUVKLQJDQGUHQWDOVIRUHYHU\ZDWHUVSRUWLPDJLQDEOH
$OOZLWKLQVWHSVRIUHVWDXUDQWVVKRSSLQJDQGOLYHHQWHUWDLQPHQW
PA N A M A C I T Y
FLORIDA
OUTBOARD
TIMELINE
1909
Ole Evinrude builds the
first commercial model
of a Detachable Row
Boat Motor.
COURTESY EVINRUDE (OPPOSITE, THIS PAGE TOP), COURTESY YAMAHA (LEFT), COURTESY SUZUKI (LOWER RIGHT)
THE
from Portable to Digital
BY CHR IS WOODWA R D
1947
1956
1967
Honda introduces
its GB25 and
GB40 outboards
to the U.S. market.
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
61
Sren Kierkegaard
1975
1979
1980
V-6 outboards.
62
FEBRUARY 2017
Honda debuted
its BF250 the
companys
largest outboard
in 2011.
Hondas current
technologies
include
Three-Way
Cooling and
Variable Valve
Timing and
Lift Electronic
Control (VTEC).
1983
1984
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
63
1987
1996
1998
64
FEBRUARY 2017
A cutaway view of Hondas flagship fourstroke BF250. Multiple sensors send data to
the engines electronic-control module.
2000/2001
2001
2003
OMC/Evinrude
files for bankruptcy,
Bombardier
purchases Evinrude.
Evinrude
launches E-TEC
two-stroke
technology.
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
65
2004
2007
2011
four-stroke 350
hp outboard is
introduced.
66
FEBRUARY 2017
2012
2014
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
67
ADRIAN E. GRAY
DIGGING
DEEP INTO
GULF
YELLOWFIN
68
FEBRUARY 2017
F A L T E R M A N
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
69
STARTING AT THE
SINGLE-STOCK HYPOTHESIS
ICCAT and thereby NOAAs National Marine Fisheries
Service, since the U.S. is a contracting party manages
yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean as a single stock.
Furthermore, the management plan rests on the premise
that production of yellowfin tuna is centered in waters off the
Gulf of Guinea, a known tuna nursery in the eastern Atlantic
adjacent to west-central Africa. The region supports a large
purse-seine fishery that targets small tunas associated with
fish-attracting devices (FADs).
The retention of undersize tuna by these purse seiners
has long been a matter of contention among ICCAT nations,
and the U.S. has lobbied for decades to force compliance with
ICCAT minimum-size limits of 27 inches, fork length. TransAtlantic movements of yellowfin tuna have been documented
by previous conventional-tag-recapture studies. Similarly,
one-year-old bluefin tuna were documented crossing the
Pacific Ocean in just a matter of months.
Still, is the health and future of the fishery in the Gulf of
Mexico really dependent on what comes across the Atlantic?
The answer might be in the tuna-rich Gulf waters off Louisiana.
FEBRUARY 2017
More yellowfin
tuna are landed by
recreational anglers
from Louisiana
ports than any
other Gulf Coast
state. Researchers
set out to learn
more about the
tunas spawning
sites, biology and
life history.
ELECTRONIC TAGGING
Conventional dart or spaghetti tags have been used for
decades and are great tools for studying the movement
71
72
FEBRUARY 2017
Whats unique
about Louisianas
fishery? Id say
almost everything.
THE RESULTS
Whats the preliminary result? Almost 9,000 days of data
across all tracked yellowfin tuna show that none have left the
Gulf of Mexico.
Were also seeing a high level of connectivity between
fishing methods and locations, which hasnt been previously
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
73
FEBRUARY 2017
PLUGGING
CARIBBEAN
ISLANDS
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY JULIEN LAJOURNADE
A moment of
well-earned
jubilation for the
author, with a black
grouper of bragging
size on any gear,
but more so after it
attacked a popper
on the surface.
76
FEBRUARY 2017
Try Sight-Casting
Lures Inshore and
Around Shallow
Reefs Flat-Out
Fun for an Awesome
Array of Game Fish
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
77
lobe-trotting anglers who love to throw lures and sight-fish for a great variety of
saltwater game fish associate that fishery mostly with Indo-Pacific reefs. Thats
where they can expect to hook up with bad boys of the reefs such as giant trevally,
red bass (the aggressive snapper Lutjanus bohar), dogtooth tuna, coral trout,
potato grouper, barracuda you name it. Those who dont venture so far from
the United States can head to the eastern Pacific off Central America to cast for
nearshore hooligans such as cubera snapper and roosterfish.
Using top-shelf spinning gear, anglers
fishing these Pacific destinations cast expensive lures in the hopes of provoking toothy
critters, looking in particular for unforgettable,
explosive surface action.
Ive been there (to many Pacific and Indian
oceans locations) and done that, but Ive been
elsewhere and done it also notably around the
islands and reefs of the eastern tropical Atlantic.
True, the primary draw for many sport fishermen
visiting the Caribbean from the United States is
fishing blue water and flats. But large areas of deep
flats, channels, and reefs of rock or coral reefs,
found between shore and deeper drop-offs arent
78
FEBRUARY 2017
T H E CAR IB B E A N ISL A N D S
Bahamas
Turks &
Caicos Islands
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Virgin
Islands (GB)
St.Martin
Cayman Islands
Haiti
Anguilla
Saint Barthlemy
Virgin
Puerto
Rico Islands (US) St. Kitts
& Nevis
Jamaica
Montserrat
Barbados
Grenada
Trinidad & Tobago
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
79
80
FEBRUARY 2017
TACKLE TIPS
LUR ES
by the variety of fish I caught while blindcasting lures around shallow reefs (and even in
Around shallower reefs, for just about any predator that swims, no lure beats a
sinking stickbait. These plugs cast long distances and swim with an underwater
walk-the-dog motion, typically just a bit below the surface. For lighter duty, 4to 5-inch sinking Sebile Stick Shadds, Shimano Orcas and the like will turn on
everything from yellowtail snapper to big tarpon. Floating stickbaits might be
less effective overall but are more fun. Besides the classic red-and-white Zara
Super Spook, there are many other options, including floating models of the Stick
Shadd and Orca, as well as the Rapala X-Rap Walk.
For heavier duty, such as for cubera, bigger grouper and AJs, you need big
lures of the sort designed with giant trevally in mind up to 10 inches or more,
weighing 150 to 250 grams (8-plus ounces). These lobster-eaters dont come to
the surface for a little appetizer they want a big meal!
Work big lures slowly. Thats one key for success with cubera and big grouper:
Using sinking stickbaits, employ a slow retrieve with many pauses lasting a couple
of seconds. Similarly, with big poppers, retrieve with strong jerks and stop every
10 yards or so. Be on guard, because vicious attacks often happen when the lure
sits motionless. With sinking stickbaits, orange or purple are preferable, as are a
white belly and flanks and a blue or pink back. Ive found that with poppers, color
has little importance, but with floating stickbaits, nothing beats white.
SHO CK L EA D ER
Forget wire leaders; 2 feet of fluorocarbon or hard mono is better. You might
lose a few lures to the teeth of barracuda or king mackerel if youre unlucky, but
youll have plenty of bites, and it will be easier to control fish boat-side. Connect
braid to the leader with an FG knot. When fishing 30-pound line, I use 50-pound
fluoro and check it after every fish or strike. With heavy tackle, using 100-pound
braid, for cuberas, dont go under 150- or even 200-pound-test for leader. A loop
knot is the best option to attach a lure, but you can also tie the leader to a swivel,
then use a split ring to make the connection. Crimped sleeves offer an alternative
with such heavy mono, though not a lot of anglers use them. (But in any case, I
like to carry a big Hi-Seas crimping plier because it will cut through a large hook,
and it adds a measure of safety when fishing remote areas.)
HO O KS
With most smaller plugs out of the package, the standard treble hooks will last
about two seconds if you hook even a 10-pound snapper on 30-pound line. Plan to
replace the hooks (and split rings) from the get-go with strong hardware. Similarly,
FEBRUARY 2017
2
6
Nine Examples
of Fishing
Resorts/Charters
That Extend
Offseason
Bargain Rates
BY DOUG OLA NDER
1
9
84
FEBRUARY 2017
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
85
casaviejalodge.com
Iztapa, Guatemala
THE OPERATION: Casa Vieja is
a premier lodge with nine boats
taking anglers out to experience the famed Pacific sailfish
86
FEBRUARY 2017
Guatemala
Big Pacific
sailfish, thanks
to their sheer
numbers, are the
primary draw
bringing anglers
to Guatemala.
COURTESY CASA VIEJA LODGE (TOP), PAT FORD (BOTTOM), COURTESY CINDY CLOCK / SEWARD.COM (OPPOSITE, TOP),
COURTESY CRACKERJACK CHARTERS (OPPOSITE, BOTTOM LEFT), COURTESY CROCODILE BAY RESORT (OPPOSITE, BOTTOM RIGHT)
nytime is a good time to plan a fishing vacation, but now in the dead of
winter many anglers are likely to find additional motivation.
Anytime is a good time to go on a fishing vacation, but some times are
better than others, with various factors in play in the timing decision. For a
lot of us, among those factors are costs costs within our budget to embark
on a big adventure for the year, or perhaps costs that allow us to squeeze in
a second trip somewhere.
crackerjackcharters.com
Seward, Alaska
THE
OPERATION: Crackerjack
Charters has been a mainstay of
Seward sport fishing for many
years, with a 31-foot Farallon (for
up to six anglers) and a 43-foot
aluminum boat, custom-built for
these waters (for up to 14 anglers).
Trips range from half-day salmon
fishing in Resurrection Bay
to multiday outings in remote
waters of the Gulf of Alaska. The
silver (coho) salmon, for which
Seward is particularly known,
are popular targets in July and
August. But big halibut, lingcod
and rockfish can be caught most
of the time.
THE DEAL: May, early June and
September discounted day
rate of $250 per person (available by calling and booking with
Crackerjack directly), which is
$100 off the peak-season day rate
of $350.
THE UPSIDES: Unlike during peak
season, space on short notice is
often available. Halibut enthusiasts often find some of the years
best fishing during this offseason.
The run to the fishing grounds is
often shorter now than during
peak season. Finally, Seward
is far less crowded than midJune through August, making
it much easier to find reservations for accommodations
and restaurants.
Seward, Alaska
THE DOWNSIDES:
The weather is
certainly more unpredictable in
May and, particularly, September.
Along with beautiful days are
likely to be windy, rough days.
Fishing for silver salmon (which
arent much around in June) and
lingcod (closed through June)
isnt available until July.
NOTE: Crackerjack Charters
closes from October through midApril. May is a good month to
take advantage of a Crackerjack
Charters fishing/hotel combo;
during June, you can take part in
the annual Seward Halibut Derby.
crocodilebay.com
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
THE
OPERATION: A fishing
operation and a whole lot more,
Crocodile Bay bills itself as a
premier sport-fishing and ecotour resort. Located near the
bottom of the Osa Peninsula in
the southern part of the country,
its particularly known for roosterfish, sailfish and blue marlin,
plus yellowfin tuna, among other
species. The lodge is located on
44 acres of manicured rainforest
jungle. For fishing nearshore and
offshore, Crocodile Bay offers
a fleet of 33- and 35-foot tower
express boats and 24- and 25-foot
center console Boston Whalers.
THE
Left: Behemoth
halibut, like this
2016 Seward
Halibut Derby
winner, caught
by Crackerjack
Charters Capt.
Francisca Barnett,
are prime
offseason
targets.
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
87
Above right:
OK, it is pretty
steamy in the
Keys during
late-summer
days, but by
going after dark,
anglers find
the conditions
perfect and big
tarpon at their
most active.
THE
OPERATION:
Situated
roughly halfway down the
Florida Keys, this large, luxury
resort is a gateway to fishing reefs
and blue water on the Atlantic
or, to the west, vast Florida Bays
skinny waters. But it offers much
more in terms of water-related
and other activities. Guests can
choose from a variety of rooms,
88
FEBRUARY 2017
THE OPERATION:
One of the
best-known charter operations
that fishes the fabulous Isla
Mujeres sailfishery, Keen M
boasts a fleet of three boats
a 41-foot convertible flybridge
and a 36- and 34-foot express.
Capt. Anthony Mendillo is widely
recognized as an authority on
this fishery, and specializes in
bluewater fly-fishing.
THE DEAL: March 16 through
August 15 up to $250 off the
peak-season rate on Keen M.
So during spring and summer,
a full day of sailfishing for up
to four anglers is $1,200 total;
thats versus $1,300 to $1,450,
depending on exact timing, the
rest of the year. Also, only in
June, July and August, Keen M
offers a five-hour trip for $750.
THE UPSIDES: Summer offers
some of the years nicest weather
and seas to be offshore. Things
are less crowded around Cancun,
and hotel rates are lower.
THE DOWNSIDES: Mainly that
while sailfishing can still be quite
productive, its definitely slower
than in the winter. On the other
hand, this is a perfect time for
some great reef-fishing action
and variety.
NOTE: Summer is also the time
to book a trip to snorkel with
the whale sharks (or do a full
day, with half-fishing and halfsnorkeling). Thats when these
waters are home to one of the
greatest concentrations of whale
ADRIAN E. GRAY (TOP), COURTESY HAWKS CAY RESORT (BOTTOM), COURTESY BEACH-ON-MAP.COM (OPPOSITE, TOP LEFT),
LEON WERDINGER / ALAMY (OPPOSITE, TOP RIGHT), COURTESY NO BOUNDARIES OMAN (OPPOSITE, BOTTOM)
hawkscay.com
Duck Key (near Islamorada), Florida
keen-m.com
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
NLQJVKHUFKDUWHUVFR
Sitka, Alaska
THE OPERATION:
This luxury
fishing lodge sits atop a hill in
Sitka, with balconies offering
sweeping views of Sitka Sound.
Guest rooms are generous and
include full kitchens, though the
lodge prides itself on its gourmet
meals. Anglers fish from 26- to
30-foot Alaska-style cruisers,
with enclosed, heated cabins.
THE DEAL: The middle two weeks
of May and approximately the
first half of September $300
off per person on three-day,
four-night trips. So during
these months, an angler would
pay $2,295 versus $2,595, June
through August.
THE UPSIDES: May is typically
peak time for king salmon, and
regulations often allow for moregenerous daily limits at this time
versus later on. September is
prime time for big silver salmon.
Both months are great for halibut,
lingcod and rockfish and both
months allow skippers to fish for
halibut anywhere (Sitka Sound
is closed to halibut fishing June
through August).
THE DOWNSIDES: One of the
few drawbacks is simply that you
wont get the variety of salmon
during these months because
Even if huge
giant trevally,
like that below,
are fewer in
number off
Oman during the
winter months,
theyre still
around along
with a host of
other game
fish not always
available.
Sitka, Alaska
noboundariesoman.com
Salalah, Oman
THE
OPERATION:
Offering
what he calls the total Omani
fishing experience, Ed Nicholas
SPORTFISHINGMAG.COM
89
tropicstar.com
Pias Bay, Panama
THE OPERATION:
One of the
worlds pre-eminent fishing
resorts, legendary Tropic Star, on
the southernmost Panama coast,
can be reached only by boat or
plane. Located at the edge of the
Darien jungle, the lodge offers
19 deluxe rooms. It boasts a fleet
of 13 classic 31 Bertram sportfishers equipped with top-notch
tackle. While the coast off Pias
Bay is home to all the eastern
Pacifics game fishes, these waters
are particularly known for their
variety of billfishes. Besides large
Pacific sailfish, three species of
marlin are commonly caught:
stripes, blues and blacks, often
over famed Zane Grey Reef. More
than 300 IGFA world records
have come from Tropic Star/
Pias Bay.
THE DEAL: April, May and June
take approximately 20 percent
off standard brochure rates.
So, for example, based on two
people, a three-day, four-night
trip during this time would run
$3,060 per person versus $3,800
90
FEBRUARY 2017
zancudolodge.com
Playa Zancudo, Costa Rica
THE OPERATION: Billing itself
as a boutique fishing lodge, the
Zancudo Lodge relies on fast,
nimble center consoles, including
two state-of-the-art Contender
32s for fishing both nearshore
and offshore. The lodge, located
just above the Panama border,
sits at the edge of a black-sand
beach near a remote jungle
village. Besides fishing, visitors
can surf, paddleboard, hike or
zip-line the jungle, and more.
Zancudo boasts of being rated
among the top 25 hotels in Costa
Rica by TripAdvisor.
THE DEAL: June through August
a four-day trip is charged at
the rate for a three-day trip,
which amounts to a break of
about 13 percent. So a four-day
trip for two will cost $3,495 per
person versus the peak-season
rate for the same trip of $3,995
per person.
THE UPSIDES: This can be
prime time for big schools of
yellowfin, and not just footballs,
but triple-digit fish. Blue marlin
move in, and some days offshore
during this time have produced
double-digit marlin raised or
released. Pressure is down now
in nearshore fishing areas also.
THE DOWNSIDES: Yes, it is rainier
during this period. However, that
rain tends to take the form of lateafternoon scattered showers,
often back at the resort after a
day of fishing.
NOTE: The Zancudo Lodge is
closed September and October,
when rain throughout the day
is most likely (though fishing
remains outstanding).
ADRIAN E. GRAY (TOP), COURTESY ZANCUDO LODGE (CENTER), COURTESY TROPIC STAR LODGE (BOTTOM)
Trophy
roosterfish
(right) are a
coveted prize
for Zancudoarea nearshore
anglers, who
find less
competition
for the game
fish during the
uncrowded
spring months.
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9 4 49 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
Fishing the legendary waters off Pias Bay, Panama is a bucket list adventure for all anglers. Fulll your shing
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