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DeSantis Announces Major Water Policy Reforms

Governor Ron DeSantis announces major water policy reforms

A still taken from Spencer Miller's Sweetwater documentary showing dead snook bobbing on the surface of a river. This is the state of Florida now.

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 19-12 (Achieving More Now For Florida's Environment), implementing major reforms to ensure the protection of Florida's environment and water quality.

Click to see the video footage of the announcement here.

“Our water and natural resources are the foundation of our economy and our way of life in Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The protection of water resources is one of the most pressing issues facing our state. That's why today I'm taking immediate action to combat the threats which have devastated our local economies and threatened the health of our communities.”

The order calls for:

– $2.5 Billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources (a $1 Billion increase in spending over the previous four years and the highest level of funding for restoration in Florida's history).

– The Establishment of a Blue-Green Algae Task Force, charged with focusing on expediting progress toward reducing the adverse impacts of blue-green algae blooms now and over the next five years.

– Instruction to the South Florida Water Management District to immediately start the next phase of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project design and ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves the project according to schedule.

– The Creation of the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency charged with organizing and directing integrated scientific research and analysis to ensure that all agency actions are aligned with key environmental priorities.

– The Appointment of a Chief Science Officer to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring and analysis needs to ensure alignment with current and emerging environmental concerns most pressing to Floridians.

Executive Order 19-12: Achieving More Now For Florida's Environment

Section 1: Focus on Rapid Improvement for Water Quality, Quantity and Supply

I hereby direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of Health (DOH) as provided in paragraph J below, and Visit Florida and the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) as provided in paragraph L below, to take the following actions to enhance Florida's water quality and preserve its natural resources:

A. Secure $2.5 billion over the next four years to invest in Everglades restoration and protecting our water resources.

B. Establish a Blue-Green Algae Task Force, charged with focusing on expediting progress toward reducing the adverse impacts of blue-green algae blooms now and over the next five years. This task force should support key funding and restoration initiatives to expedite nutrient reductions in Lake Okeechobee and the downstream estuaries. This task force should identify priority projects for funding that are based on scientific-data and build upon Basin Management Action Plans to provide the largest and most meaningful nutrient reductions in key waterbodies, as well as make recommendations for regulatory changes.

C. Update and secure all restoration plans, within one year, for waterbodies impacting South Florida communities, including Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries. These updates will ensure that the Blue-Green Algae Task Force has the necessary information to provide guidance to DEP on maximizing the investments in water quality improvements.

D. Instruct the South Florida Water Management District to immediately start the next phase of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project design and ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves the project according to schedule.

E. Expedite key Everglades projects including the C-44 reservoir and stormwater treatment area, C-43 reservoir, Tamiami Trail and additional projects necessary to protect our waterways and natural resources.

F. Work with the South Florida Water Management District to add stormwater treatment to the C-43 Reservoir to provide additional treatment and improve the quality of water leaving this important storage component.

G. Expedite projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve management of Lake Okeechobee, including updating the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule and identifying water quality treatment technologies to install near water control structures in Lake Okeechobee.

H. Direct DEP to establish a septic conversion and remediation grant program with a local government match requirement.

I. Instruct all five water management districts to increase transparency and accountability by providing data and information to DEP to support key water quality restoration efforts. Instruct all water management districts to review budgets and prioritize available funding to focus on projects that will help address harmful algae blooms and maximize nutrient reductions.

J. Participate in Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force to provide technical expertise and assistance studying causes

and impacts of red tide. The DOH is also directed to participate in FWC's Task Force to help study air quality and human health impacts of red tide.

K. Continue DEP's red tide emergency grant program to support local governments to clean up their beaches and coastal areas to minimize the impacts of red tide to residents and visitors.

L. Partner with Visit Florida and DEO to identify opportunities within communities and recommend investments in green infrastructure, such as wetland treatment systems, that benefit our natural resources and local economies by increasing recreational and tourism opportunities, while improving water quality.

M. Engage local governments, industry, universities and water management districts to identify and research all viable alternative water supply sources and provide an assessment of funding needs critical to supporting Florida's growing economy. DEP should take all necessary steps to establish recurring funding for an alternative water supply grant program to help communities plan for and implement vital conservation, reuse and other alternative water supply projects.

N. Engage local governments, industry, citizens and other stakeholders through a targeted education and outreach campaign that will focus on the importance of conservation and reuse efforts and encourage Floridians to implement essential conservation and reuse efforts in their homes, businesses and communities throughout Florida.

O. Continue to explore every option to stop Georgia's harmful upstream water use from causing further adverse impacts to the Apalachicola River and Bay.

Section 2: Restructuring to Focus on Accountability, Transparency, and Science to Achieve More Now for Florida's Environment

I hereby direct DEP to implement the following actions to ensure the agency is making sound decisions based on the best available science and providing for accountability and transparency:

A. Create the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency charged with organizing and directing integrated scientific research and analysis to ensure that all agency actions are aligned with key environmental priorities.

B. Appoint a Chief Science Officer to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring and analysis needs to ensure alignment with current and emerging environmental concerns most pressing to Floridians.

C. Take all necessary actions to move the Environmental Crimes Enforcement Unit from FWC to DEP to align resources focused on environmental protection and ensure strong enforcement of Florida's environmental laws.

Section 3: Ensure Florida's Valuable and Vulnerable Coastlines and Natural Resources are Protected

I hereby direct DEP to implement the following actions to protect Florida's coastlines and natural resources:

A. Create the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection to help prepare Florida's coastal communities and habitats for impacts from sea level rise by providing funding, technical assistance and coordination among state, regional and local entities.

B. Take necessary actions to adamantly oppose all off-shore oil and gas activities off every coast in Florida and hydraulic fracturing in Florida.

The post DeSantis Announces Major Water Policy Reforms appeared first on Florida Sportsman.

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DeSantis Announces Major Water Policy Reforms

Governor Ron DeSantis announces major water policy reforms

A still taken from Spencer Miller's Sweetwater documentary showing dead snook bobbing on the surface of a river. This is the state of Florida now.

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 19-12 (Achieving More Now For Florida's Environment), implementing major reforms to ensure the protection of Florida's environment and water quality.

Click to see the video footage of the announcement here.

“Our water and natural resources are the foundation of our economy and our way of life in Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The protection of water resources is one of the most pressing issues facing our state. That's why today I'm taking immediate action to combat the threats which have devastated our local economies and threatened the health of our communities.”

The order calls for:

– $2.5 Billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources (a $1 Billion increase in spending over the previous four years and the highest level of funding for restoration in Florida's history).

– The Establishment of a Blue-Green Algae Task Force, charged with focusing on expediting progress toward reducing the adverse impacts of blue-green algae blooms now and over the next five years.

– Instruction to the South Florida Water Management District to immediately start the next phase of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project design and ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves the project according to schedule.

– The Creation of the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency charged with organizing and directing integrated scientific research and analysis to ensure that all agency actions are aligned with key environmental priorities.

– The Appointment of a Chief Science Officer to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring and analysis needs to ensure alignment with current and emerging environmental concerns most pressing to Floridians.

Executive Order 19-12: Achieving More Now For Florida's Environment

Section 1: Focus on Rapid Improvement for Water Quality, Quantity and Supply

I hereby direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of Health (DOH) as provided in paragraph J below, and Visit Florida and the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) as provided in paragraph L below, to take the following actions to enhance Florida's water quality and preserve its natural resources:

A. Secure $2.5 billion over the next four years to invest in Everglades restoration and protecting our water resources.

B. Establish a Blue-Green Algae Task Force, charged with focusing on expediting progress toward reducing the adverse impacts of blue-green algae blooms now and over the next five years. This task force should support key funding and restoration initiatives to expedite nutrient reductions in Lake Okeechobee and the downstream estuaries. This task force should identify priority projects for funding that are based on scientific-data and build upon Basin Management Action Plans to provide the largest and most meaningful nutrient reductions in key waterbodies, as well as make recommendations for regulatory changes.

C. Update and secure all restoration plans, within one year, for waterbodies impacting South Florida communities, including Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries. These updates will ensure that the Blue-Green Algae Task Force has the necessary information to provide guidance to DEP on maximizing the investments in water quality improvements.

D. Instruct the South Florida Water Management District to immediately start the next phase of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project design and ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves the project according to schedule.

E. Expedite key Everglades projects including the C-44 reservoir and stormwater treatment area, C-43 reservoir, Tamiami Trail and additional projects necessary to protect our waterways and natural resources.

F. Work with the South Florida Water Management District to add stormwater treatment to the C-43 Reservoir to provide additional treatment and improve the quality of water leaving this important storage component.

G. Expedite projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve management of Lake Okeechobee, including updating the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule and identifying water quality treatment technologies to install near water control structures in Lake Okeechobee.

H. Direct DEP to establish a septic conversion and remediation grant program with a local government match requirement.

I. Instruct all five water management districts to increase transparency and accountability by providing data and information to DEP to support key water quality restoration efforts. Instruct all water management districts to review budgets and prioritize available funding to focus on projects that will help address harmful algae blooms and maximize nutrient reductions.

J. Participate in Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force to provide technical expertise and assistance studying causes

and impacts of red tide. The DOH is also directed to participate in FWC's Task Force to help study air quality and human health impacts of red tide.

K. Continue DEP's red tide emergency grant program to support local governments to clean up their beaches and coastal areas to minimize the impacts of red tide to residents and visitors.

L. Partner with Visit Florida and DEO to identify opportunities within communities and recommend investments in green infrastructure, such as wetland treatment systems, that benefit our natural resources and local economies by increasing recreational and tourism opportunities, while improving water quality.

M. Engage local governments, industry, universities and water management districts to identify and research all viable alternative water supply sources and provide an assessment of funding needs critical to supporting Florida's growing economy. DEP should take all necessary steps to establish recurring funding for an alternative water supply grant program to help communities plan for and implement vital conservation, reuse and other alternative water supply projects.

N. Engage local governments, industry, citizens and other stakeholders through a targeted education and outreach campaign that will focus on the importance of conservation and reuse efforts and encourage Floridians to implement essential conservation and reuse efforts in their homes, businesses and communities throughout Florida.

O. Continue to explore every option to stop Georgia's harmful upstream water use from causing further adverse impacts to the Apalachicola River and Bay.

Section 2: Restructuring to Focus on Accountability, Transparency, and Science to Achieve More Now for Florida's Environment

I hereby direct DEP to implement the following actions to ensure the agency is making sound decisions based on the best available science and providing for accountability and transparency:

A. Create the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency charged with organizing and directing integrated scientific research and analysis to ensure that all agency actions are aligned with key environmental priorities.

B. Appoint a Chief Science Officer to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring and analysis needs to ensure alignment with current and emerging environmental concerns most pressing to Floridians.

C. Take all necessary actions to move the Environmental Crimes Enforcement Unit from FWC to DEP to align resources focused on environmental protection and ensure strong enforcement of Florida's environmental laws.

Section 3: Ensure Florida's Valuable and Vulnerable Coastlines and Natural Resources are Protected

I hereby direct DEP to implement the following actions to protect Florida's coastlines and natural resources:

A. Create the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection to help prepare Florida's coastal communities and habitats for impacts from sea level rise by providing funding, technical assistance and coordination among state, regional and local entities.

B. Take necessary actions to adamantly oppose all off-shore oil and gas activities off every coast in Florida and hydraulic fracturing in Florida.

The post DeSantis Announces Major Water Policy Reforms appeared first on Florida Sportsman.

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How it Passed: The Modern Fish Act

-By Mike Leonard, Vice President of Government Affairs, American Sportfishing Association

As you've hopefully heard by now, the Modern Fish Act recently passed both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and was signed into law by the President. Although first introduced in April 2017, the origins of this bill to improve federal saltwater fisheries management go back much further than that. Most of the bill's provisions were inspired by the Morris-Deal Commission Report, released in 2014. Many of the proposed improvements for federal saltwater fisheries management in the Morris-Deal Report had been debated for some time before then.

All that's to say: it's been a long time coming.

Congress has been operating with a high level of gridlock (look no further than the current government shutdown), and most experts expect things to get worse under a divided Congress for at least the next two years.

For the recreational fishing community to achieve this legislative victory in these challenging political times speaks to the effectiveness of the coalition of organizations working on your behalf, the power of the sportfishing industry when it makes its voice heard and the increasing recognition among political leaders of recreational fishing's importance to the nation.

ASA was proud to work with a united set of organizations to support the passage of the Modern Fish Act, including the Center for Sportfishing Policy, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, International Game Fish Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Recreational Fishing Alliance, The Billfish Foundation and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

Working together and advocating with the same message was instrumental to the bill's success. The bill had some expected – and unexpected – detractors along the way but having the core of the recreational fishing community speaking with a unified voice allowed Members of Congress to not have to pick sides within our own community (as has sometimes been the case in the past). They knew the Modern Fish Act had the full backing of the true recreational fishing community.

Helping to make that point crystal clear for Members of Congress was the tremendous response from ASA's members in advocating for the bill. From submitting supportive op-eds, to promoting Keep America Fishing action alerts, to calling or visiting congressional offices, ASA's members stepped up in a big way and were critical to the bill's passage.

It's exciting to see that the sportfishing industry's heightened involvement in government affairs does translate to more legislative and policy victories. Passage of the Modern Fish Act is just one of many government affairs accomplishments in which ASA was proud to engage over the past year. There's no question that the economic and cultural importance of recreational fishing is increasingly being recognized by policymakers.

The Modern Fish Act isn't going to overhaul the federal marine fisheries management system overnight. It'll likely take several fishing seasons before the management and data collection improvements called for in the Act begin to better align fishing regulations with actual fish abundance and harvest, and with what anglers really want out of management.

It's also important to note that not all the changes called for in earlier versions of the Modern Fish Act made it through in the final version. This was the unfortunate reality of needing unanimous approval of the U.S. Senate to clear the bill. Even though it's big to us, in the grand scheme, bills such as the Modern Fish Act rarely receive floor time and therefore can only pass with unanimous approval.

ASA will continue working with Congress, NOAA Fisheries and the Regional Fishery Management Councils to ensure that the provisions of the Modern Fish Act are carried out, and other priorities of the recreational fishing community are advanced.

While we've accomplished a lot, there's still much more work to be done. That said, let's take a few moments to celebrate this win, especially at a time when wins are so hard to come by.

The post How it Passed: The Modern Fish Act appeared first on Fishing Tackle Retailer.

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Boat Review – Belzona 40CC

Belzona Marine took an unconventional approach to the design table while conceiving the layout for their new 40CC. Based on the concept that luxurious interiors sell boats at boat shows but are rarely enjoyed to their fullest potential once you bring the boats to water, the new Belzona 40CC begs the question, “why not bring these amenities out into the open air?” Built for the boater who enjoys the “Total Boating Lifestyle” and views the boat as more than just a vessel to carry you to the fishing or diving location.

The 40CC proves to be the perfect platform to entertain friends and family whether on a sunset or moonlight cruise, dinner or cocktail party at the dock, or relaxing day anchored in a quiet cove with a dozen of your closest friends. A large wraparound forward sofa style seat faces aft to a pair of high backed bucket seats facing forward at the foot of a tandem elevated Sun Lounge with reclining backrests. This seating arrangement invites a large social gathering into the sunlight and fresh air. Should you require a break from the sun's rays a move to the helm area provides additional seating for six around an L-shaped lounge seat facing the helm seat all under cover of an oversized shade top. The helm area may also be enclosed with isinglass curtains and cooled via the cabin air conditioning.

Understanding the need for the capability to overnight occasionally on board, Belzona didn't completely move the party outdoors. The interior cabin features 6 feet 7 inches of headroom and a forward V-berth large enough for a couple to sleep on that also converts to a dining area by the addition of a removable table. A fully enclosed head is also roomy enough to accommodate a separate glass enclosed shower. A small refrigerator and microwave complete the space and easily meet the needs of the occasional overnight stay.

Despite the user friendliness for social engagements, this boat is still extremely capable of wide open sports endeavors as well. A traditional style fishing cockpit is roomy enough and comfortable to work a big game spread behind. Two large fish boxes and a corner transom located live well are standard equipment. The cockpit can be configured with a more serious fishing layout by adding aft facing Mezzanine seating in favor of an open air Galley as well as substituting a 60-gallon transom live well for the rear folding bench seat. Dive fans will appreciate Belzona's trademark sliding cockpit dive door which slides aft on a trolley system track rather than opening inboard or outboard. This clever design not only offers a larger opening for water entry, it also provides an easy passageway for dockside boarding. Belzona Marine has carved out a nice position in the boating market for itself with a very unique design that blends a comfortable boating experience and outdoor sports with its own signature style.

Belzona 40CC specifications

Length: 39 feet 6 inches

Beam: 12 feet

Draft: 2 feet 8 inches

Deadrise: 22 degrees

Weight: 16,900 pounds

Fuel: 500 gallons

Fresh water: 60 gallons

Maximum Horsepower: 1400

Base Price: $745,000.00 (well-appointed)

The post Boat Review – Belzona 40CC appeared first on Florida Sportsman.

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Keeping Tabs on Migratory Sportfish

New York, NY – There has never been a more critical time to learn about the marine fisheries that we rely upon for sport and commerce. Such research faces significant headwinds, as many of the target pelagic species frequently migrate hundreds, if not thousands, of miles during the course of their lives, and public resources to support detailed population studies are limited. Nevertheless, anglers and scientists have forged a unique partnership – Gray FishTag Research – in an effort to gather high-quality data on marine fish population dynamics, migration patterns, growth rates, habitat preferences, and more. 

Seaguar, the originators of fluorocarbon fishing line, is proud to support the efforts of Gray FishTag Research to study and protect sustainable marine fisheries around the world. 

Gray FishTag Research is a non-profit organization, leading an international and fully interactive fish tagging program powered by the world's largest network of fishing professionals, consisting of approximately 10,000 charter boat captains and mates. Tags are deployed on fish that are caught and subsequently released; data are collected when a tagged fish is recaptured, or from pop-off satellite tags that record data electronically and then “pop off” the tagged fish after a predetermined about of time. Fish tagging and recovery data is made available, free of charge, to any interested parties through the Gray FishTag Research website. 

Seaguar sponsors a unique Roosterfish study off the coast of Costa Rica in memory of long-time Seaguar sales manager, John DeVries.

Tagged roosterfish are fitted with pop-off satellite tags, and data collected from the tags after popping off the roosterfish yields detailed information about the tagged fish's movements, both horizontal and vertical, during the time that the tag remained attached. Recently, Gray FishTag Research announced the recovery of not one, but two pop-off satellite tags that were deployed during a Seaguar-supported tagging expedition:

The first PSAT tag, on a fish named “Las Gatos”, was deployed on April 28, 2018 and popped-off 58 days later. Not only was data transmitted by the tag after pop-off, but the tag itself was actually recovered, found by a local angler who recognized the importance of his discovery and returned the tag to Gray FishTag Research for more detailed analysis. 

The second PSAT tag, on a fish named “Nicaragua”, was deployed on June 9, 2018 and popped-off 17 days later, off of the southern coast of Nicaragua. This fish traveled an amazing and noteworthy distance of at least 228 miles during the 17 days that the PSAT tag remained attached to the fish. 

Seaguar also supports the work of Gray FishTag Research to enhance our understanding of swordfish movements and population dynamics through a fish tagging and recovery study. Recently, a tagged swordfish that entered the study in late 2017 was recovered, nearly eight months and 500 miles later!

On December 16, 2017 a swordfish was tagged by angler Anthony DiMare while fishing with Captain Nick Stanczyk aboard the Broad Minded charter boat out of Islamorada, Florida. The swordfish was estimated to be 47 inches in length and had an approximate weight of 50 lbs. On August 11, 2018, a full 238 days later, that swordfish was recaptured by NOAA observer McKenzie O'Connor while aboard PLL Vessel Ellen Jean. The recapture location was approximately 475 miles away from the tagging location. The measured length of the recaptured fish was 55 inches, and it now weighed 96 lbs.

Gray FishTag Research is an essential tool for promoting the sustainability of marine game fish and increasing public resource awareness. All fish species in every ocean are being monitored, including billfish, sharks, general offshore and inshore fish species. The program collects information in real-time by providing a direct connection between anglers and the scientific community, in every part of the world.  

Seaguar is proud to continue our support of Gray FishTag Research as it yields unique and invaluable data about our most important marine fisheries. The dedicated anglers who capture, tag, and release fish as part of the study, and the diligent scientists who process, analyze, and report tagged fish data, are the perfect embodiment of Seaguar's motto; just like our lines and leaders, these professionals are Always the Best!

The post Keeping Tabs on Migratory Sportfish appeared first on Fishing Tackle Retailer.

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Boat Review – Jupiter 25 Bay

The post Boat Review – Jupiter 25 Bay appeared first on Florida Sportsman.

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Is Okuma's Tesoro a Reel for the Generations?

The battle began off the coast of Costa Rica-man versus fish, reel versus the elements. For an hour, they were locked in a fight to the death. And as the gaff sunk its way into a 100-pound yellowfin tuna, man earned the win.

Winning fights like this are what saltwater anglers live for. For many, they're the stuff of dreams; but faulty fishing tackle can quickly transform those dreams into nightmares. No angler wants to sleep through visions of lost fish, broken rods, and corroded reels. The engineers at Okuma know this, and they've just released a new version of their Tesoro reel to keep nightmares at bay.

Okuma says the Tesoro is built for generations. They say it's made for fathers to pass down to sons. To see if that's true, we talked to Okuma Director of Product Development John Bretza. Fresh off of a trip to China, FTR lured Bretza out of his Southern California office to see how Tesoro really stacks up.

FTR: Okuma generated a lot of buzz last year with the introduction of Makaira, a nearly bullet proof lever drag reel for offshore anglers. When you were engineering Tesoro, did you go back to the drawing board or borrow pages from the Makaira's spec sheets?

Bretza: We built a very good mouse trap with Makaira. That reel has opened the doors for Okuma in the saltwater market, as far as being known as a top-built reel in the industry. So we took a lot from it, and we took that exact same approach with the Tesoro. We've built a Makaira-level reel in a star drag package.

Just like Makaira, the Tesoro housing is forged from aluminum, then machine cut.  This process allows us to compress more material into one space, giving the reel more structural integrity. The gearing is the major difference that sets the Tesoro apart from all other star drags on the market with its 17-4 grade stainless steel main and pinion gears. This material is extremely hard, which is why most manufacturers won't mess with it.  The hardness causes the cutting tools to wear out at a much higher rate.  For example, a brass gear, which is in most star drag reels, can utilize a gear cutter up to 10-times longer than our 17-4 stainless gears, which represents a much larger investment to manufacturer a reel of this caliber.

FTR: Let's get reel nerdy (pun intended) and talk about corrosion. Fair to say that's the number one enemy of saltwater tackle in general. How have you guys fortified Tesoro against the elements?

Bretza: Saltwater reels and corrosion are always a problem, even if you are using the best materials in the industry. With Tesoro, we tried to think the entire concept of a star drag reel through, from the performance to the power to the corrosion resistance.

To fight corrosion, the left side plate of Tesoro is actually part of the frame. It's one piece, so right off the bat you eliminate corrosion points from screws only on half of the reel. On the right side, one creative solution we found was to actually create a channel that promotes water flow away from the side plate screws. It's a trick we learned from working with our friends at Tiburon Engineering, along with using high-quality stainless steel for the screws.  One final step that we take, which mirrors the Makaira is that all the metal parts get a bath in our CRC or Corrosion X HD process.

Sound complicated? Visualize it with this video:

FTR: At $559.99, Makaira is a serious investment for serious offshore anglers. Where does Tesoro slide into the market?

Bretza: Tesoro comes in three models. We introduced the 10 and 12 last year at ICAST. Those reels have the same footprint, but feature different size spools. They both retail for $319.99. We just introduced a 5 series reel, and it sells for $299.99.

FTR: With that price point in mind, what sort of game are Tesoro buyers targeting in general?

Bretza: People are using Tesoro to troll for king fish and sailfish, using it to catch Mahi or even to bottom fish. No doubt, it opens more doors than Makaira because a star drag reel is so user-friendly.

Being from the West Coast, we optimized this reel for casting. Our saltwater guys are primarily casting live baits 90-percent of the time; and even with jigs you want to get a lot of casting distance. For that reason, many guys gravitate to star drags because the spool is lighter weight.

Tesoro borrows a lot of castability tricks from the special edition Makaira, including the TSI bearing oil that NASA used on the space shuttles. We put that in the spool bearings, and as far as we know, Okuma is the only manufacturer to include that ultra-slick oil in its reels from the factory. And while you can buy it yourself, it's generally pretty expensive and comes in such large quantities that it doesn't make sense to purchase for the fractional amount you use in fishing reels.

We don't just rely on space age oil to improve castability though. If you look at the spool gearing in Tesoro, you'll actually notice that it's slightly different from most reels on the market today. We devised a new gearing system, which gives better alignment and stabilization of the main gear, pinion gear and drag system that offers more precision alignment with the spool shaft.

FTR: You talk about generational appeal with this reel, almost like it's a future heirloom. Is that accurate?

Bretza: That's the goal. We want to build a reel that's not going to last two or three years, but one that's going to last 10 or 15 years down the road so a father can pass it down to a son. Maybe he'll have to service the drag or a bearing, but the reel itself should last that long even with constant use.

Tech Specs

Tesoro is currently shipping to retailers. For more information visit okumafishingusa.com.

The post Is Okuma's Tesoro a Reel for the Generations? appeared first on Fishing Tackle Retailer.

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Marathon Man on a Mission

Canton, Ill. - Jeff Kolodzinski is a man on a mission - a Marathon Man out to break a record he already holds. On September 11 and 12, 2018, at Giant Goose Ranch in Canton, Illinois, he will attempt to catch more than 2,143 fish on hook and line to break his own world record set in 2011.

But Kolodzinski is not doing it for a spot in the record books. He's doing it to introduce people and families to fishing and to increase awareness and financial support for the Fishing For Life, a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization whose Next GEN program finds mentors for children of families in need. A special focus within the program, serves families of our veterans who have lost loved ones while serving our nation. It's important to me to remember those who have sacrificed for our nation and 9/11 is a day that we can honor those who have given all and shine a light on those still serving.

Not only is Kolodzinski the current world record holder for fish caught in a 24-hour period, but he also represented the United States seven times in international competition at the World Championship of Freshwater Fishing. He currently serves as the Fishing Brand Manager for Johnson Outdoors and is a longtime fishing industry professional with many awards and accolades.

“My true passion has always been to introduce people - especially families - to the sport of fishing,” Kolodzinski explains. “Partnering with Fishing For Life and Giant Goose Ranch is my way of giving back to the sport that's given me so much while bringing awareness to a program that supports our military heroes. We hope to raise money - from inside and outside the fishing industry - to fund the Next GEN program for the many families of military personnel who will benefit from it. Along the way, I think we can show people how great the sport of fishing really is - how it promotes nature, family, camaraderie and fun in the outdoors. It's been a huge part of my life, and I want to share it.”

The “Marathon Man” event will be hosted live online and on Facebook for all 24 hours on the Marathon Man Fishing Facebook page.

“The Facebook platform allows me to engage people from all levels of fishing interest all across the country - in real-time - to inspire them to go fishing by showing them exactly how to do it,” Kolodzinski says. “You don't need a lot of expensive equipment to go fishing - just some basics and the desire to get started. Tune in and we'll show you how!” The event will be broadcast LIVE on Facebook for all 24-hours. https://www.facebook.com/MarathonManFishing/

2,144 fish in a day

Kolodzinski set the record in Minnesota in 2010 - 2,143 fish in 24 hours -can be broken. To set that record, he averaged better than 89 fish per hour; that's 1.48 per minute!

“I think I can average two per minute if conditions are right,” he says. “If I can just be more efficient with handling and unhooking the fish, I think I can get close to 3,000 in 24 hours. Insane, I know!”

For his fishing, Kolodzinski will use a 10-foot pole, 10 feet of fluorocarbon line, a small barbless hook, a small float and live bait. Most of the fish he'll be catching will be panfish - bluegill, crappie, perch and the occasional largemouth bass.

There will be a significant social media push ahead of the event and throughout all 24 hours of the event. As part of the broadcast, Marathon Man will offer hourly product giveaways from supporting sponsors. Current sponsors include St. Croix Rods, Thill Floats, Suffix line, VMC hooks, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, Mr. Crappie Poles, Gerber fishing tools, Gemini apparel, Old Town Canoes & Kayaks, Humminbird Fish Finders, Talon shallow water anchors, Minn Kota trolling motors, and Fishing Tackle Retailer.

Companies and sponsors interested in making a tax-deductible donation or pledge, may sign up by contacting Kolodzinski at Marathonmanfishing@gmail.com or use his GoFundMe page.

About Giant Goose Ranch:

Giant Goose Ranch is an 840-acre ranch near Canton, Illinois, owned and operated by Herman Brothers Lake and Land Management. It consists of the finest lakefront campsites, trails, timber and fishing lakes in the Midwest. It is also the home base for the Herman Brothers, who travel the country consulting for land owners, speaking at various seminars and conferences, developing and building lakefront amenities and organizing missions work teams following natural disasters. Their experiences, work ethics, and desire to serve have created lots of opportunities for helping thousands of families worldwide. For more information, visit giantgooseranch.com.

About Fishing For Life:

Fishing For Life is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization that has numerous programs and events through which it reaches out to youth and families. Each program - large or small - has been carefully designed to be a positive experience, and all are designed not only to introduce us to one another, but to deepen our relationships as well. The Next GEN program is designed to provide intentional, consistent, measurable one-on-one fishing and outdoor-related experiences, and meaningful spiritual guidance for youth from military families and from single-parent households. Youth in the program range in ages from 10-16 years old and are from military and/or single-parent families, with a special emphasis on those who have a parent on active duty, those who have lost a parent due to war, and those who have a parent who has become incapacitated due to their war wounds. For more information, visit fishingforlife.org.

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Big Bend Forecast

Homosassa to Steinhatchee Includes Homosassa, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa Bay, Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach

Aug 31-Sept 2

Going into the month of September makes me happy because the fishing gets very good and archery season opens up on the Nature Coast. Checking up on our family's hunting camp this week, I saw some good game trails and dropping water levels from a wet summer. When I was a kid I remember the ditches on the way to our camp being filled with bream, bass and catfish. As in my youth it holds true now, the mosquitoes are not as bad being so much water. I think mother natures cycles help keep things in check, the many fish in the fresh waters help eat all the mosquitoes that hatch, plus the many insects, like dragon flies.

Look for a great mangrove snapper bite over the many rocks and structures in our nearshore areas. Free lined live shrimp on a chartreuse 1/8th-ounce jighead is the best way to target them. The nearshore rocks will also start to get better with keeper sized gag grouper hitting shallow running plugs and live pinfish. Seatrout will be congregating in the many rock grass forests growing on the hard bottom. These areas are easy to spot on low tide because the thick grass will float on the surface. On a high outgoing or incoming tide, target these rock grass flats with popping corks and jigs or weedless jerk baits. Redfish will start to form schools on the outer keys with the incoming tide.

Scalloping is as good as it's going to get. The meat is big and crowds will be limited to this Labor Day weekend. High incoming tide will be early morning and late evening this weekend.

Capt. William Toney | (352) 422-4141 | captwilliamtoney@bontheweb.net | www.homosassainshorefishing.com

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Tackle and the Red Tide

Countless fish and marine mammals, including tarpon, snook, trout, goliath grouper, dolphin, turtles, snapper and at least one whale shark have all fallen victim to a toxic algae bloom darkening the Gulf of Mexico-a red tide. During peak travel season for much of the Gulf Coast, beaches in seven counties in southwest Florida are littered with the putrid, rotting carcasses of marine life killed by lethal concentrations of algae.

The event, ongoing since the beginning of summer, has caused Florida Gov. Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency, and placed a burden on the region's fishing community.

“It's brutal,” says Whitney Jones, owner at Whitney's Tackle Box on Sanibel Island, Florida. “Everything you can imagine is floating up dead and it has been for weeks. It's devastating.”

Coming off of his best business month to date in July of 2018, Jones began receiving orders placed at this year's ICAST show just days after the red tide started to wreak havoc on his fishing grounds. Now, the 15-year tackle industry veteran says he's got shelves full of products on an island without anglers.

“It has affected the whole island. People have cancelled reservations at a lot of the hotels. Some of them are only 10 or 15 percent occupied. That's where a lot of my business comes from. This island is just like a ghost town. The impact is dramatic, and everyone is looking at each other asking, 'When is something ever going to be done?'”

Red tide can cause respiratory problems in humans, as well as skin conditions. Food poisoning is also a danger to people who consume mollusks harvested under a red tide; but to aquatic life, the algae is lethal.

Gov. Scott has promised $1.5 million in financial assistance in the wake of this year's event, most of which is earmarked for clean-up efforts.

Who's to blame?

Locals are blaming the Florida sugar industry. Subsidized by hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars, Florida's sugar industry offers a large target for outdoorsmen and environmentalists in the Sunshine State. Some 400,000 acres of Florida real estate are occupied by the industry around the shores of Lake Okeechobee, on the borders of the Everglades.

That acreage includes some of what used to be marshland-responsible for naturally filtering water before it meets the sea- that has been drained and converted into farmland for Big Sugar, resulting in the diversion of nutrient-rich waters from Lake Okeechoboee into the state's coastal areas with little filtration. Combined with agricultural runoff from cattle farms in the northern part of the state, and  mixed with the naturally occurring red tides offshore, it's a recipe for catastrophe.

“This issue went viral on social media for the past several weeks, and a lot of misinformation was spread,” says Captains for Clean Water, “Mainly, the connections between red tide and the discharges. Red tide is naturally occurring. The blooms form 10-40 miles offshore. But when the blooms are blown inshore, they are able to use nutrients from the discharges and other pollution. That's what we're seeing now.”

A long term solution

Captains for Clean Water is among a group of activist organizations leading the charge to stem the red tide  and reduce the amplifying runoff from Lake Okeechobee in the future. Among those, the Coastal Conversation Association

“We have a solution on the table right now sitting in Congress waiting for a vote.” Captains for Clean Water expressed in a statement. “The EAA Reservoir and the Central Everglades Project will provide roughly a 50 percent reduction in Lake Okeechobee discharges. It took two years of tireless dedication to get this project to where it's at now, and it's imperative that we channel all of our energy to get this project authorized and funded.”

In April, more than 150 outdoor companies banded together to urge Congress to authorize the EAA Reservoir. Meanwhile, the Sugar Policy Modernization Act, which would ban sugar subsidies from the government, sits in The House of Representatives under review. As of its last action, 70 members of Congress had signed on to support the act-none from the state of Florida.

At Whitney's Tackle Box, Jones  says the solution cannot come quick enough. “There's nobody here,” Jones adds. “So, our charters have come to a 99-percent drop-off. We don't even know what's in the future. That's the scary thing. What's going to happen next year or the year after? Let's not forget, the whole industry is all in it together. We all buy together. It's not just me. You know how many tackle stores are down in southwest Florida who buy millions in inventory from Shimano, Penn, Daiwa, and every company you can imagine? Everyone is going to feel the effect here.”

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High Speed Trolling Tips

Tim Altman hoists a chunky wahoo hooked trolling off Jacksonville.

Tim Altman, captain of the Jacksonville based Saltwater Challenge, lives to troll at 20 knots. His trolling weights weigh 6 pounds. His lures weigh 4 pounds. Giant wahoo are his target, and he's very good at his game.

Tim targets wahoo all year, but December through April is his favorite season. “Let it get so cold that all the water inshore of the 28 fathom ledge is below 70 degrees and the big ledge that marks the start of the continental shelf will be magic,” said Tim. “Let the temp reach 70 degrees on the beach and they are apt to be anywhere.” “I let technology tell me where to fish by using Roffs Fishing Satellite Charts, and if I need to split the day up, I'll let the solunar tables tell me when,” he added.

Keep in mind that trolling at 20 knots for 8 hours covers an incred- ible 160 miles. Tim reiterates the importance of laying out your day. “I've actually kept records of what time the wahoo are apt to bite at particular spots. There's nothing like a school of blue runners to get me to hang around a spot. Outside of obvious bait on the surface, we move from proven bottom structure to more bottom structure. It's beeliner fishermen that make the best new crew members for me. Find me a big school of beeliners in 70-degree water and I'll show you a fat wahoo.”

C&H Mr. Big, typical high-speed lure.

High-speed wahoo fishing requires specialized gear. The goal is to keep your baits well below the surface at 20 knots. That requires either braid or Monel wire line. It also requires the best in swivels, crimps, chafing loops and other connections. Tim fishes 130-pound braid to a weight of 36 to 96 ounces. It's also important to put wire on each end of the weights as wahoo will often chomp on the weight. Next comes a 30-foot leader of 300-pound mono to a big, straight-running lure (usually a steel head), with a 900-pound cable between his two hook setup. The goal is for your 80-pound bent butt setup not to have a weak point that can't stand the violent collision of wahoo and 20-knot lure.

Asking Tim why he thought he caught more wahoo at 20 knots brought a chuckle. “We don't catch more wahoo. We just avoid more amberjack, barracuda and other fish. We have had the occasional big mahi strike at 20 knots but's rare. Listen, if you pull mullet or ballyhoo over the places we fish, you'll stay hooked up till you're out of leaders. Just don't look for many giant wahoo among your catch.”

Tim says his crew does better than most when it comes to the end game. “Getting bites is the easy part. Getting the hooks to stay in a wahoo's mouth after he hits it at 20 knots is the hard part. First off, don't slow down too much. Figure his mouth is torn, and you have to keep the hook from falling out. That means you have to keep him coming steadily, and always under pressure.” FS

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Reel Time Florida Sportsman – Watered Down

Without clean waters and estuaries that surround the state of Florida, it wouldn't possess the thriving tourism and fishing industries it relies on today. Join Capt. George Gozdz as he dilutes the dirty waters from Okeechobee to show us a clearer picture ofwhat is happening around us.

For more episodes visit: http://www.floridasportsman.com/rtfs/

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Navico Names New Manager for Canada

Egersund, Norway – Navico – the world's largest manufacturer of marine electronics and parent company to the Lowrance®, Simrad® and B&G® brands – announced today the appointment of Steve Rae to the position of Country Manager for Canada. Based in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Rae will be responsible for sales, service and support for the company's three marine electronics brands. In addition, he will oversee a new Edmonton-based Navico service center that will open its doors on May 30.

“Under Steve's guidance, our new Edmonton service center will offer in-country support, in both English and French, for our Canadian partners and consumers,” said Leif Ottosson, Navico CEO. “Steve's experience coupled with a physical service location will also allow Navico to better address the challenges of cross-border logistical issues and provide tailored and timely solutions to this important market.”

Rae has been involved with Navico brands since 1988, managing Canadian sales and service for Lowrance. In 2008, he joined distributor CMC Electronics serving as “Navico Canada” and then returned to a full-time position with Navico as a territory manager in 2010.

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How Okuma Epixor XT Evolved for 2018

Fifteen years ago, a lightweight spinning reel with a silky smooth drag started taking the inshore fishing community by storm. At $48, the affordable reel became a go-to for intermediate fishermen dipping their toes into performance reels. Its name was Epixor, and 15 years later, the little reel that could is celebrating an anniversary with an all-new redesign.

The new Okuma Epixor XT spinning reels are the next generation of that long-standing family of spinning reels. “With the popularity of the Epixor family of reels over the years, we decided to introduce the current generation as the strongest, most durable yet,” says Okuma Product Development Manager John Bretza.  “Its lightweight design and great cosmetics, combined with the strength and durability of the C-40X process, make this a reel we are proud to feature in the Okuma lineup.”

Today's anglers want lightweight reels they can cast all day, and strength and durability to turn and stop even the feistiest of fish. The Epixor XT reels utilize advanced technologies to create both exceptional feel and rock-solid durability whether they're hooked up with a bass, snook, sea trout or redfish.

See it in action:

Over the years, the Epixor lineup developed a strong following from freshwater lakes in the midwest to salty flats in the Florida keys. That following meant Okuma had a wide variety of feedback to build on, and they leveraged anglers from across the U.S. during Epixor XT's design process. In other words, the Epixor XT spinning reels were designed with the latest technology and insight from leading fishermen around the country.

Epixor XT features graphite side plates and rotor, and Okuma's C-40X long-strand carbon fiber construction on its TCA-Torsion Control Armor frame design. Another key technology in the Epixor XT reels is the slow oscillation system. Okuma says this slower oscillation system gives an exceptional line lay upon retrieve, and it's optimized for use with braided line.

The Epixor XT spinning reel brings its technology to three key sizes. A 20, 30 and 40 size reel. The three sizes all contain eight total stainless steel bearings and-depending on reel size-between 11-19lbs of drag out of its multi-disc, Japanese oiled felt drag washers.

Learn the selling points:

The key features on the Epixor XT spinning reels include the Torsion Control Armor, which increases strength and reduces frame twist. The slow oscillation system and cyclonic flow rotor keep your line laying even and dry.  The Epixor XT also has a metal handle design as well as a machined aluminum 2-tone anodized spool with LCS lip to reduce wind knots.

Fifteen years after rocking the market at under $50, the new Epixor XT spinning reels still carry an affordable price point-just $69.99, with a one-year warranty.

For more info on Epixor XT, contact Okuma or dial up your distributor of choice.

The post How Okuma Epixor XT Evolved for 2018 appeared first on Fishing Tackle Retailer.

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Best Fishing Rods for Inshore Variety

Gear

What Characteristics Make an Inshore Rod the Right Choice for Multiple Situations and Species?

A roundup of fishing rods that offer the greatest versatility for inshore anglers.

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Shark Dragging Men Charged with Animal Cruelty

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office comes through with some satisfying justice.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced charges of felony animal cruelty against Michael Wenzel, 21, Spencer Heintz, 23, and Robert Lee Benac, 28.(Left to right)

Months ago, a sickening video was cycling around social media circles all over Florida and throughout the fishing community. It pictured a shark, tail-roped, being tossed around in the wake of a boat moving at a high rate of speed. The suspects in question can be seen watching, smiling and laughing at the horrific event. “Look, it's already almost dead,” says one man pointing and laughing at the shark. The graphic footage is difficult to watch.

Warning: This video contains graphic content. Viewer discretion advised.

It was not long before the FWC was repeatedly tagged and contacted. This launched a four month investigation into the footage. Plenty of other atrocities committed by these men arose via social media. The most notable of which was from Michael Wenzel, who dubbed himself “FWC's Most Wanted.” Most of the incriminating photos were from his own instagram account, where he posed with endangered species like goliath grouper, the spotted eagle ray, a great white pelican and more. He could even be seen pouring beer down a goliath groupers mouth. One of the more unsettling images shows Wenzel holding what looks to be a dead/dying dog, with the caption “Found this dog floating down the river,” followed by a disturbing hashtag, “#sharkbait.”

One of the comments below the dog post stated “Yeah he was dead sadly. But Michael didn't let the meat go to waste.”

When pressed about why it to so long to charge three individuals who were clearly guilty of being serial animal abusers, the FWC responded, “Investigations that result in charges take time. Our investigators went through more than 60,000 pages of evidence acquired from search warrants, conducted numerous interviews and put in countless hours of research during the course of this investigation. Four elements of the crime that were determined by FWC investigators include:

1. We determined that the shark was alive at the time it was being dragged. 2. We determined that the suspects intentionally dragged the shark until it was dead. 3. The fact that the shark is not a domesticated animal does not factor into the determination of whether or not the violation occurred. 4. The protracted and cruel nature of the act of dragging the shark behind the vessel at high speed for an extended period caused repeated infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering on the animal.”

“As we've said since this video and other images came to light, these actions have no place in Florida, where we treasure and conserve our natural resources for everyone,” said Commission Chairman Bo Rivard. “We appreciate the patience and support of the public as our law enforcement investigators worked with the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office to identify a number of serious violations that will be brought to the courts for adjudication. It is our hope these charges will send a clear message to others that this kind of behavior involving our fish and wildlife will not be tolerated.”

“The State Attorney's Office is committed to holding these men accountable for having engaged in such senseless and unjustifiable animal cruelty.” said Andrew H. Warren, State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit.

The case even got the attection of Florida Gov. Rick Scott. “I was outraged by the sickening video of a shark being horribly abused earlier this year,” Scott tweeted, “and I am proud of the hard work of (FWC) law enforcement during this investigation.”

During the course of the investigation, FWC officers confirmed numerous criminal violations, resulting in felony and misdemeanor charges. Investigators conducted exhaustive research into the suspects' social media activity, conducted numerous interviews and spoke with a number of subject matter experts on sharks.

The public can help by reporting suspected violations to the FWC. To make a report, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), online or text Tip@MyFWC.com.

“Wenzel has a history of pushing boundaries.”

The suspects and their charges are as follows:

Michael Wenzel (DOB 06/07/1996) of Palmetto, Florida • Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony). • One misdemeanor count of Illegal Method of Take – Shark (Second-degree misdemeanor).

Robert Lee Benac (DOB 04/2/1989) of Bradenton, Florida • Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony). • One misdemeanor count of Illegal Method of Take – Shark (Second-degree misdemeanor).

Spencer Heintz (DOB 10/14/1994) of Palmetto, Florida • Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony).

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Rigging Live Baits

Methods for rigging live baits.

Throat-hooked pilchard, good for light current and steering bait toward deeper water.

Where do I hook this bait?

It's a good question, and from an expert livebait captain you might get 10 different answers on 10 different days. The biggest factor to consider is the conditions.

If you're bottom fishing, for example, hook placement should be different on anchor than if you're drifting in heavy current. It will also vary depending on what you are trying to catch. A Miami mutton snapper that sees a hundred chicken rigs a day probably won't be fooled by a chicken rig with a live sardine or cigar minnow hooked through the lips on a 3-foot leader.

For catching the wariest bottom fish, a knocker rig where the sinker slides all the way to the hook is often your best bet. The knocker rig only performs well if the hook is placed near the tail of the baitfish. Think about it. The bait is going to naturally pull away from the pressure of being hooked. If you can drop any species of baitfish with your sinker sliding all the way to the hook, you may indeed be using the most natural presentation of all. It will, however, only be successful if your live bait is frisky enough to pull the leader through the water while the sinker lies motionless on the bottom. Hook that same bait through the lips and he'll stay jammed up against the sinker in a very unnatural way.

Lip-hooked pinfish for heavy current.

The knocker rig is ineffective while drifting or anchored in a heavy current. When dealing with a drift, or a heavy current, you're far better to work with your sinker a few feet away from your bait, and having your bait hooked through the lips or eyes makes him lay the most natural in the current.

Bring your game up in the water column and there are other considerations. Is your bait the kind that generally belongs on the bottom, like a grunt or pinfish, or is it a surface dweller like a mullet or sardine? Are you hovering over a piece of structure you want the bait to draw predators off of, or are you slow-trolling a general area? Anytime you're either moving the bait through the water, or the current is stronger than the bait, you'll have to decide between hooking your bait through the lips, the nostrils, or through the shoulder just behind the head.

Hooking a bait through the shoulder while on the slow troll gets it deeper, but it puts a lot of stress on the bait if you go any faster than a bump troll (idle speed, in and out of gear). Blue runners and threadfins do better with a shoulder hook than menhaden or sardines. Live mullet are fantastic baits, but their heads may be so fat that a 3/0 to 5/0 livebait style hook will not go through the nostrils or eye sockets. A larger hook (5/0 or 6/0) pinned through the upper or lower lip will keep a mullet alive for a few miles.

Nostril bridle rig, for aggressive kite fishing.

Bridling the baitfish is another option. This is especially popular among sailfish tournament crews. One easy bridle method is to pull a small rubber band through the bait with a rigging needle and then twist the hook into the two loops protruding from the bait. This is very effective for rigging baits through the middle of the bait's back, just below the dorsal, for kite fishing. Some of the stress of being held at the surface and occasionally flying through the air is absorbed by the rigging band.

If you're anchored over a wreck or natural bottom structure you've got a few choices depending on your quarry. For kings or mahi, chances are you'll want your bait to lay naturally in the current. That can be accomplished best by rigging a cigar minnow or sardine through the lips or nostrils, just as you were trolling him. If you're bottom fishing on the drift, it can be deadly effective to hook your bait just behind the anal fin. As long as he's drifting at the same rate you are he can really scoot sideto-side hooked that way.

Dorsal hooked herring for kite-fishing.

If you're anchored and trying to get a bait to swim down to bring up the cobia or amberjack, a grunt or pinfish hooked ahead of the dorsal should get the job done. If you feel him swim halfway down and screech to a halt, get ready! FS

First Published Florida Sportsman Magazine August 2017

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