Author: BD STAFF

With the start of summer just around the corner, Ken Jones, President of United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC) and International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Historian and Trustee Michael Farrior, announced locations and dates for their IGFA/UPSAC Young Anglers Tournament series. IGFA is making a concentrated effort again this year to introduce “the many opportunities that sportfishing offers to California’s young anglers,” Farrior said. “We welcome kids of all ages — our members and volunteers are making every effort to provide tons of fun for the young anglers during each of our free events this season.” The International…

A fleet of 88 boats cleared Hillsboro Inlet on a mission to conquer the 17th Annual Mercury/SeaVee Pompano Beach Saltwater Slam. More often than not, the teams that have performed the best in the Slam are those that have resisted the temptation to run long distances in search of the winning catch — 2012 would prove to be no different. Lance Irvine and his Young Guns fishing team were one of the teams that resisted that temptation. Fishing between Delray and Boynton Inlet, Florida, his team managed to catch three kingfish between 12 and 19 pounds, a 13.2-pound dorado and…

Anglers fishing in the 37th annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby enjoyed some of the best fishing we’ve seen out of Santa Monica Bay in years. The tournament took place June 9-10, and the timing couldn’t have been better. For the second year in a row, the Halibut Derby has awarded prizes for other species besides halibut and provided a special 20-percent weight credit for any halibut released alive to researchers. The tournament decided to apply the same 20-percent weight credit to calico bass this year to get more anglers to release their fish. Although plenty of anglers signed up…

Buck Everingham who operates the Everingham Bros Bait Co. bait barge in San Diego Bay needs our help. The Navy is rebuilding its fuel facility and will need Everingham to temporarily move his bait receivers to another area in the Bay. Everingham understands the need for the Navy to improve its fuel carrier zone so it can bring in larger ships, and is fine with the move. However, finding a place in the Bay that has enough current and depth for the bait boxes and is out of the way of traffic is posing some issues. “We don’t want to…

Divers planning trips to enjoy the Florida Keys’ living coral barrier reef also can help protect it and give back to the environment by capturing and removing non-native lionfish from Keys waters while vacationing. A partnership forged between the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Reef Environmental Education Foundation and the dive community has created hands-on, focused opportunities for Keys visitors who enjoy the island chain’s natural resources to take action and remove lionfish. The popular aquarium fish is believed to have been introduced to Florida waters during the 1980s. REEF runs workshops educating divers about safe collection and removal techniques,…

6 PICKS ———- Father’s Day is right around the corner, so if you haven’t picked up something for Dad, here are six great gift ideas. If you’re an angler, odds are it was probably your dad or a father figure of some sort that got you into the sport. Why not show Dad (or your husband) a special thanks and get him some new fishing duds, a reel or even a boat. If you don’t think any of these gifts will strike Dad’s fancy, take him out fishing and make some memories. AFTCO Guy Harvey Technical Plaid Fishing Shirt This…

David Anderson’s team on Krazy Salt’s wasted no time showing the 27 teams fishing the Bahamas Billfish Championship’s leg in Marsh Harbour that they were out for victory. On the first day of the tournament, Krazy Salt’s caught and released three blue marlin and a sailfish for an impressive 1,900 points. By contrast, day two was nonproductive for the 70-foot Viking. With the forecast for westerly winds, Krazy Salt’s opted to use day three as their lay day. Krazy Salt’s added another blue marlin and a white marlin on the final day to finish the third leg of the 2012…

A joint study on the continued growth and importance of outdoor recreation to the economies of the Western states and the nation as a whole shows that outdoor recreation is an overlooked economic giant. In 2011 outdoor recreation generated $646 billion in national sales and services, nearly double the size of pharmaceuticals ($331 billion) and motor vehicles/parts ($340 billion). As another comparison, it powers the economy in a manner comparable to the financial services and insurance industry ($780 billion) and outpatient health care ($767 billion). The study also found that in the Western states, outdoor recreation generated $256 billion in…

Grundens USA, makers of some of the toughest foul-weather and commercial fishing gear on the market, just launched its new-for-2012 “Grundens Everyday” line of products, offering casual apparel, luggage and other accessories developed specifically for anglers and professional mariners. The line includes “off-hours” apparel items such as hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts, sweatpants, ball caps and knitted headwear featuring a variety of fishing-related artwork and sayings. With logo artwork including crab, fish, tuna, lobster and scallops, there is something in the Grundens Everyday line for just about every fisherman. The company even came out with a line of coffee cups and travel…

The introduction of a large package of pro-sportsmen legislation in the Senate as an amendment to the Farm Bill has the sportfishing industry applauding. Introduced by co-chairs of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), the Sportsmans Heritage Act of 2012 addresses several key issues that are impacting the sportfishing industry and anglers. The package features two bills that recently passed the House of Representatives as a part of the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act, including legislation that prevents a federal ban of lead fishing tackle and ammunition. The Sportsmen’s Act of 2012 features several other provisions…

All guys sweat in certain places they don’t want to admit to. If you end up with a little puddle down under when you’re fishing in the hot sun all day, you know exactly what we’re talking about. But, thanks to the advancements in high-tech fabrics, you don’t have to sweat it out. When you wear the right gear, such as Salt Life’s Marlin Strike Boardshorts, you can spend the day in comfort, no matter how hot the weather — or the fishing — gets. Salt Life really celebrates the active waterman’s lifestyle. The company makes a huge product line…

If you’re looking for a good-sized reel to cover a lot of bases, you can’t go wrong with a 50. They’re great for jigging up big fish off the bottom, kite fishing, tossing baits from a long-range boat or trolling up game fish. The latest 50 to come from PENN, the Squall 50LD, falls right in line with that versatility, but this reel is much lighter than most of the other 50s on the market. The Squall 50 LD features graphite side plates to remove some weight, making it one of the lightest reels in its class. But this “lightweight”…

Black Sea Bass Poacher Spearfishing Scott Andrew Carlton, 30, of Corona Del Mar was spearfishing at Salt Creek Beach at Dana Point in Orange County, California, on the night of June 1st at approximately 7:30 p.m. when he speared a state-protected giant sea bass, commonly called black sea bass. A concerned citizen took a photo of the man and his catch, then notified a nearby CHP officer. The CHP detained Carlton, and notified Department of Fish and Game dispatch. Warden Justin Sandvig arrived and cited Carlton, who claimed ignorance of the law. Take of giant sea bass is a misdemeanor.…

If you’re looking for a boat that is small enough to trailer around with ease, yet offers enough space to sleep a couple of guys, check out the 22-foot Cortez from Davidson Boats. The Cortez feels much larger than 22 feet. Its big deck, comfortable seating, pilothouse, fish holds and smooth ride give it a big boat feel in a small boat package. The Cortez comes in Half-Tower, Half-Cabin and Pilothouse configurations. So, you can pick the model that makes the most sense for the fishing and boating you like to do. And, Davidson works with their customers and will…

Anyone who fishes in a tropical climate can tell you that a long-sleeve, lightweight collared shirt keeps you cool and protected from the sun on those long days. While these shirts are certainly functional, they don’t necessarily make the fashion statement some anglers are searching for. Well, the folks at AFTCO have changed all of that with the new Guy Harvey Plaid Technical Fishing Shirt. Made out of a soft and super-light fabric, these shirts feature a relaxed plaid pattern that makes them look much sharper than your typical fishing shirt. The mesh side panels found along the side seams…

When you grow up near the ocean as Lauren Palko did, you can’t help but take up fishing. For this lady angler, however, fishing is more than just a hobby, it’s a way of life. Q: So where do you do most of your fishing these days? A:Well, I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and I currently live close by in Pompano Beach. I work at an animal hospital and for fun I enjoy fishing, free-diving, spearfishing, paddleboarding, traveling, hanging out with my dog Bru, and watching the Miami Heat. Q: So you’ve always spent a lot…

The summer boating season is heating up, but are you ready to handle an engine breakdown, grounding or dead battery? Just in case, BoatUS is now offering a free Towing App for your smart phone available at BoatUS.com/towing/app. With the app, you’ll be able to summon assistance from the largest on-the-water towing fleet in the world. “We’ve got your back,” said BoatUS Vice President of Towing Services Jerry Cardarelli. “If you do have a problem on the water, we are there to assist 24 hours a day with over 600 TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist response vessels across the country ready…

All you need is a hook and line to have some fun at the inaugural Louisiana Saltwater Series Youth Fishing Festival scheduled for Saturday, June 9. The free fishing tournament will be hosted at Elmer’s Island from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anglers aged 16 and younger are invited to experience the chance to catch a trophy fish, as well as many other activities. This day of fishing and fun will include casting lessons, cast netting, minnow races and fish tagging. Participants will be provided with a free lunch, t-shirt and lots of fishing goodies. Plus, the first 50 registrants…

The future of Washington’s chum salmon in the Lewis River Basin may depend on 105,000 juvenile fish released into the east fork by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The chum fry, each about two inches long, are part of a coordinated effort to restore a salmon species that once returned to the Columbia River by the millions, but are now at risk of extinction. Fishery managers expect that about 500 of the juvenile fish will return to the East Fork Lewis River as adults over the next three to five years. Currently, the entire Lewis River system…

The final school bell has rung … and moms and dads everywhere are scrambling to figure out how to keep the kids active and entertained for the next several months. But parents, take heart — the Youth and Family in the Outdoors (YO!) program, sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), may have just the ticket to get your kids off the computer and out the door this summer and enjoy some fishing in California. “It’s amazing how many outdoor opportunities are available to kids in every corner of the state,” said DFG Director Charlton H. Bonham.…

More than 1,500 commercial fishermen, sport fishermen, subsistence harvesters, Alaskan residents, families and other halibut stakeholders are calling for action to reduce the needless waste of halibut as bycatch. The diverse signatories include many who hail from coastal communities such as Anchor Point, Sitka, Kodiak, Seward, Gustavus, Ketchikan and Juneau. All of them signed onto a letter submitted to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (the Council) this week asking the Council to take final action to reduce halibut bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska groundfish fishery. The fishermen and others who depend on Alaska’s halibut for their livelihoods, economy…

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recently made map and GPS coordinates available online for nearly 550 fishing hot spots across the state. Anglers can access the map and download GPS coordinates from the Where to Fish section on the Commission’s website. Users can import waypoints (longitude/latitude) using a text file, an Excel file or a GPX (GPS Exchange Format) file. They can also use the map to find the approximate locations and types of fish attractors found in each body of water. Anglers using smartphones, tablets or other mobile devices can access the map using the Commission’s new mobile…

Louisiana Youth Tournament On Saturday, May 26, more than 30 young anglers converged at Myrtle Grove Marina to take part in the first annual Louisiana Saltwater Series Youth Tournament. All fish in the tournament were tagged and released in the name of science, and it gave these young anglers the opportunity to become a part of the ongoing Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Cooperative Sport Fish Tagging Program. Recreational anglers are increasingly conscious of the need to conserve the fish they love to pursue. More and more tournaments are adopting an all-release format, including the Louisiana Saltwater Series, which…

The Marina Del Rey Anglers are hosting a free fishing seminar to teach anglers the best way to use their Shimano rods and reels. The seminar will take place on May 31st at the Los Angeles Public Library. The seminar is free of charge and will take place between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Marina Del Rey Anglers is hosting the seminar in conjunction with Shimano Technical Fishing Systems and PowerPro braided line. The idea is to help anglers improve their skills and knowledge of the latest Shimano gear. There will also be instruction on knots and general tackle skills.…