Tagged amberjack

Continued from page 8 with conventional tags. These simple, plastic-coated objects are applied externally and resemble colorful streamers. Some greater amberjack will have one conventional tag, while others will have two (“double-tagged”). This strategy will help scientists determine how often greater amberjack shed their conventional tags.

One side of the conventional tags contains the tag number (“AJ” followed by five digits) and instructions to clip the tag for a $250 reward. The other side contains a phone number and reprinted tag number. The conventional tags will be placed on each fish’s back beneath its second dorsal fin.

The success of the conventional tagging study depends on participation from fishermen of all sectors. Upon catching a conventionally tagged greater amberjack, fishermen should call the phone number printed on the tag(s) to report the recapture to team. In addition to the tag number(s), fishermen will be asked to provide other information, including the fishing sector, date the fish was caught, fish’s length and weight, and latitude and longitude where the fish was caught. Each tagged greater amberjack, regardless if it has one or two tags, will carry a reward of $250.

The physical tag must be mailed in to claim the reward, so fishermen should clip off and save the tag(s), even if they plan to release the fish. If a fish is double-tagged, fishermen will need to clip, report and return both tags to receive the reward.

Landing a big trout

Continued from page 1 chicken of the C color pattern.

“It’s got a lot of action,” she said “It seems to attract more trout than the larger tails. “The chicken of the C colors are black and gray with a chartreuse tail. I’ll rig them on 1/8-ounce screwlock jig heads. They are silver with red eyes. Another good color option is red with a white tail.”

When Chatham hooked up with the 28-inch trout, she was fishing grass and sand pockets.

“I saw a bait fish jump at the edge of the grass, made a quick cast and she was there,” she said.

Getting that big trout to the net became quite a challenge.

“She was swimming around me in circles,” Chatham said. “I finally got her in the net just as the lure fell out of her mouth. We made a few quick photos and let her go.”