Author: BD STAFF

Q:Where do you live? A:Greenwich, CT Q:What mediums do you work in and what is your favorite? A:Acrylic paints on canvas, soft graphite lead, HB, 2b, 4b, 6b on drawing paper. I really like to work with basic color acrylic paint and metallic acrylic paint. I am really getting the hang of mixing the different types of acrylic to match every color in the fish I paint. The metallic colors really make the body pop out of the watery backgrounds. Q:What are your other hobbies, and are they related to your artwork? A:My passion is being on the water. I…

Freedom Fighter Outdoors is undertaking the heartfelt mission to give back and say thanks to our service men and women who have sacrificed so much for our continued freedom, often suffering grave injuries in that pursuit. The experience of the outdoors and in their case offshore fishing, has proven to be very healing to those who have been affected by war and conflict. For all the same reasons that you and I like fishing, being on the water erases the rest of the world for a while and the focus is only on the pursuit of fish and the amazing…

For many of our wounded warriors Blue Water Warriors, coming home is the beginning of unforeseen and unimaginable struggles and hardship. With injuries of all types, our military vets have the long road of recovery and rebuilding ahead of them. Its a fact that the many programs involved with getting our vets active in outdoor activities again is a huge asset to their recovery. Blue Water Warriors has just taken this cause to a new level as they have completed construction on a new boat designed to cater to those with injuries. When researching for existing hulls for a suitable…

Operation Sailfish Tournament On December 10th, top billfishing teams will return to Sailfish Marina for the third annual Operation Sailfish tournament. These teams will battle it out Friday, December 12th through Saturday, December 13th for a purse in excess of $500,000. Last year’s rough weather didn’t stop the teams from releasing a total of 369 sailfish! Team Miss Annie came out on top with a total of 17 releases that earned them $165,220! Get Lit followed close behind in second with earnings of near $100,000. It’s not all about the money at Operation Sailfish. This first leg of the Quest…

While you can still fish for rockfish and other groundfish species, the sculpin or California scorpionfish will be closed on Saturday, November 15 at 12:01 AM and will remain closed until the end of the year. The CDFW has projected, based on recent catch estimates, that the overall quota for the scorpionfish will be met before the end of the year. This has prompted the early closure so that the 2014 quota of 117 metric tons is not exceeded. This will apply to both recreational and commercial anglers alike. Any California scorpionfish that are caught should carefully and quickly be…

Furuno Wireless Radar If you thought you had enough apps for your phone, think again. Now you can download a free app for your iPhone or iPad and view and control the functions of your 4kw Furuno radar. The new DRS4W Wireless Radar from Furuno is a first for marine electronics and will give the valuable capabilities of radar to a whole new realm of customers. This new wireless technology allows you to use your radar from anywhere on the boat. Installation is now much simpler because boaters no longer need to run the bulky and stiff signal cable between…

I hope it was at least a “triple dog dare” for this guy to jump in the water and swim through the feeding sharks and climb up on a dead whale. Imagine the smell as he is face down in rotting blubber while climbing on. But then I guess there is no turning back since big tiger and white sharks are feeding around you. See for yourself. Photo Credit: Video capture

BD: Where do you live? Clare Carter: I live in Nottinghill, London, UK BD: What do you do for a living? Clare Carter: I work in sales of legal and financial services. BD: What are your other hobbies? Clare Carter: I love shooting, fly tying, and generally anything outdoors. BD: Who or what got you into fishing? Clare Carter: My dad got me started fishing for trout and then we chased salmon. BD: How long have you been fishing? Clare Carter: We started fishing when I was about five years old. BD: What types of fishing have you done and…

Seeking to expand their early 1977 fishing roots, Phenix Rods began a journey to build a brand that their devoted following had grown to love. They desired to take Phenix custom rods to the next level. In 2006, Phenix expanded current product lines with a much wider range of rod offerings that make use of premium design and components while still preserving our brand’s existing custom quality look and feel. Since then, they have increased the variety of “application specific” models as well as continuing to boost sensitivity and decrease overall rod-weight. Now Phenix has taken it one step further…

The FURY, Accurate’s first single drag reels, have undergone a new, fresh look for the 2014/2015 Holidays. The new Silver with Gold highlights reels are shipping and the response from anglers everywhere has been super positive. The FURY was developed as our introductory reel to the Accurate reel line for fishermen that are looking for a more affordable price point. These little beauties feature all the same built in qualities as there big brothers, made of 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum which are light weight and strong, Stainless Steel gears, and a anodized finish for superior corrosion resistance, ABEC bearings, and…

FishDope is your competitive edge. There are many readily available sources in today’s technology driven world to help all fishermen, from first time anglers to commercial captains, locate and catch fish more efficiently. Advanced satellite imagery, weather forecasts, on the water updates and popular fishing blogs are all useful tools for inshore and offshore fishermen. These tools allow fishermen to plan ahead and predict what conditions and fishing will be like before they ever leave the marina. Many sites offer 1 or 2 of these necessary tools but there is only one site that incorporates all of them: FishDope. For…

Being fishermen themselves, the team at AFTCO understands the beating the sun gives anglers while pursuing their passion for fishing. The original Fish Ninja became one of the most popular performance clothing items in AFTCO’s versatile arsenal. The Fish Ninja 2 is simply improving on the original design to take it to a new level of awesome. The Fish Ninja 2 shirt blocks 98% of the harmful UV rays of the sun and covers angler’s arms, neck and face, but the hi-tech AFLITE fabric is breathable and lightweight to keep you cool as well as covered. Until now, these two…

The Blacktip Deluxe Offshore Tackle Bag is designed to keep all of your tackle and gear organized which translates to more fish. This bag is loaded with zipper pockets to hold all your gear. Durable, heavy-duty black matte polyurethane construction. The top compartment features adjustable dividers and it features a detachable shoulder strap and three utility boxes. Visit West Marine stores or online to check out this great gift for the fishermen in your family. This bag has an MSRP of 149.99, but you can take 10% off for Cyber Monday if you act today! Store Finder

The Okuma Andros was the first reel designed and manufactured to maximize the experience when fishing small-diameter, high-strength braided lines. Andros delivers construction elements and drag output to land larger fish on smaller, more agile gear than ever before thought possible. For 2015, the Andros platform has received numerous upgrades and welcomes all-new larger sizes including the A-12IIa, A-12SIIa and A-16IIa. At Okuma Fishing Tackle we deliver more than just fishing gear. We deliver the motivation to hit the water, the energy to maintain focus and the excitement that injects every cast with high expectations. The advanced materials, dynamic design…

Seaguar Premiere Fluorocarbon Fluorocarbon leader material is one of those things that no one likes to buy, but you can’t live without it. When it comes to tying knots and fighting abrasion, you want to use a fluoro you can trust such as Seaguar’s Fluoro Premier. All fluoro is less visible underwater than mono, so it’s crucial when fishing for leader-shy species. According to Seaguar, the Premier has 42 percent more knot strength than its other brands of fluoro. The Premier also features a smaller diameter for its strength than its leading competitors. The Premier comes in sizes from 12-…

Mustad’s new 24-inch Waterproof Boat Bag will keep your important gear dry. This new waterproof duffel bag is practical for your needs on the boat. The bag is made from durable, waterproof PVC and is designed with a hard-box style bottom for the ultimate protection of your gear. The reflective “hook flash” logo comes alive when shined at night. This bag measures 24” x 12” x 12” and is roomy enough for all the things you need to keep dry. Visit Mustad to learn more or get one in time for the Holidays at Tackle Direct for only $25.99.

Costa’s polarized sunglasses offer the gift of sight for him or her this holiday. Check out the latest models of these premium performance glasses. Hamlin Few anglers have caught more giant fish than Captain Ron Hamlin. He’s released more than 27,000 billfish in his career. The innovative Hamlin created pitch techniques and pledged to using circle hooks only, revolutionizing the sport. These performance sunglasses designed in his honor feature integral hinges and co-molded Hydrolite™ frames for a lightweight, but durable fit. FEATURES Comfortable extra-large fit. Integral hinge. Heavy-duty TR 90 nylon frame. Includes hard case. 100% UV light blockage for…

Among avid anglers going back more than 20 years, the Shimano Curado has become the standard baitcasting reel to use for nearly any bass fishing technique – along with other freshwater and inshore saltwater action. As new Shimano technology immerged, the Curado reels evolved with those new features. Anglers now get the most from Shimano with the next Curado reels, the new Curado I series, now available in five models – the Curado CU200PG, CU200, CU200HG, and left-hand retrieve CU201 and 201HG. By offering multiple gear ratios in the reels – the 200PG has a slower 5.5:1 gear ratio, the…

Cousins XF Inshore The new XF Inshore Rod Series from Cousins Tackle includes more than 30 trigger-style casting and conventional models, all American-made with lightweight graphite blanks and components specially engineered for inshore saltwater fishing techniques. Among the specially tuned models are new Inshore Plastic Rods, Fast-Action Long Inshore Plastic & Bait Rods, Medium Fast Taper Long Inshore Plastic & Bait Rods, Fast-Action Long Inshore Bait & Jig Rods and Special Taper Light Inshore Rods. All XF Series rods feature refined actions developed to help hardcore inshore anglers make perfect bait and lure presentations to calico bass, bay bass, white…

The PENN Fathom lever drag 2-speed series of reels are compact but loaded with big features. Featuring a full metal body, stainless steel main and pinion gear, Dura-Drag washers, and a double dog ratchet anti- reverse, you will find there is no better reel in this price range. The Fathom LD2 comes in five sizes from the 15LD2 to the 60LD2, so no matter what you’re chasing, there is a Penn Fathom LD2 for you. These two-speed models feature the Quick ShiftTM system for quick and easy changes with gear ratios ranging from 6.1-to-1 (retrieving 31 inches per crank) on…

About half of the halibut caught by Alaska anglers are released, due either to regulation or fisherman preference. A small percentage of released halibut succumb to injury or stress. Anglers can reduce the mortality of these fish by following a few simple practices, including: Treat halibut gently Minimize handling Unhook the fish in the water if possible Once aboard, cradle protect the spine, internal organs, then slip head-first back into the sea Check out the video below to see first hand these simple techniques to treat halibut gently to ensure their survival. Go to SeaGrant Alaska for more information or…

This cool underwater video of a school of goliath grouper that have laid claim to the wreck of the M/V Castor off Boynton Beach, Florida. Video courtesy of Lee and Phil Burghard of Wild Shutter Imaging, and they capture some incredible scenes of the bait surrounding the giant goliath grouper. The goliath grouper have been protected for many years, but populations now are staggering and many believe that it is time for some form of limited harvest. Many believe that the goliaths are wiping out populations of fish on inshore structures as they become so prevalent. They are certainly good…

A quick but no-less amazing video of several blue marlin bouncing off the boat during a hot bite while offshore fishing out of Los Suenos, Costa Rica. The video came from the Wire We Here Fishing team and shows two close calls from jumping marlin. While it is amazing to watch at home, it is very dangerous stuff in real life. Mad Marlin Fishing | Los Suenos, Costa Rica from WIRE WE HERE Fishing on Vimeo.

As befitting the World’s Richest Fishing Tournament, the Bisbee’s Black & Blue, presented by IGY Marinas, did hand out a whopping $2 million dollars in cash prizes at the awards celebration Saturday night. But the real winners are a local orphanage for boys, as well as the citizens of Los Cabos. After Hurricane Odile slammed ashore last month and caused widespread damage, 125 teams heeded the call to fish anyway and came to town to help jump-start the vital economic recovery. “In all honesty, up until a couple of weeks ago I thought we were going to rally whoever was…