JULY 2017
Incorporating
I N F O R M E D F I S H E R M E N • P R O F I TA B L E F I S H E R I E S • S U S TA I N A B L E F I S H
Haulin’ fast
Alaska gillnetter packs a punch with water jets
GEORGES GIANTS
Chasing bluefin in a 36-footer www.nationalfisherman.com
HERRING TALES
Beaver Nelson’s take on Togiak
CONTENTS
JULY 2017
Incorporating
COVER: The Highlander, a 47-foot combination sternpicker and longliner, is the latest boat to be launched at Bay Welding Services in Homer, Alaska.
NATIONAL FISHERMAN • JULY 2017 • VOL. 98, NO. 3
Bay Welding Services photo
26
Features/ Boats&Gear
20
N • PROF I TA B
LE FISHER IE
S • S U S TA INA
BLE FISH
Haulin’ fast
Alaska gillnette a punch with r packs water jets
www.nationalfi
sherman.com
GEORGES
GIANTS
HERRING
TALES
Chasing bluefi in a 36-foo n ter Beaver Nelso n’s take on Togiak
On Deck 6 Plea deal doesn’t go far enough in the case of New Bedford fishing mogul Carlos Rafael.
The keys to running a profitable small-boat tuna operation.
9
22
Our House
This West Coast fishwife has a bone to pick with, well, pretty much everyone.
Busy Beaver
How Beaver Nelson arrived at Alaska’s Togiak sac roe fishery.
26
Jetting off
D FISHER ME
Dock Talk
Bluefin bucks
Cover
INFORME
20
The latest boat from Bay Welding Services is no stranger to speed.
6
30
Find your finder
Our guide to the latest innovations in fishfinder tech.
34
9
2 Editor’s Log 4 Fishing Back When 5 Mail Buoy/Sam Rauch 8 Northern Lights 10 Washington Lookout 11 Consequences 12 Around the Coasts 16 Crew Shot of the Month 18 Market Reports
Last Set Hooking grouper off the coast of Florida p. 48
Around the Yards
Maine yard adjusts proven mold; Gillnetter goes for stainless steel; Southern clammer gets going
READER SERVICES Classified
38
Advertiser’s Index
Product Roundup
40 43
Table of Contents page 20: Corky Decker photo page 26: Bay Welding Services photo page 30: Simrad Fisheries photo
New helm chair lineup will keep you comfortable; small boat anchor offers easy adjustments
30 National Fisherman (ISSN 0027-9250), July 2017, Vol. 98, No. 3, is published monthly by Diversified Business Communications, 121 Free St., P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112-7438. Subscription prices: 1 year - U.S. $22.95; 2 years U.S. $43; 3 years U.S. $62. These rates apply for U.S. subscriptions only. Add $10 for Canada addresses. Outside U.S./Canada add $25 (airmail delivery). All orders must be in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. All other countries, including Canada and Mexico, please add $10 postage per year. For subscription information only, call: 1 (800) 959-5073. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, Maine, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes only to Subscription Service Department, P.O. Box 15116, North Hollywood, CA 91615. Canada Post International Publications Mail product (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 40028984, National Fisherman. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept. or DPGM, 4960-2 Walker Rd., Windsor, ON N9A 6J3. READERS: All editorial correspondence should be mailed to: National Fisherman, P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112-7438.