Guy Harvey Magazine — Summer 2014 by Rowland Publishing, Inc.

Skinny Water Rods

Biofuel’s Big Secret (It’s Cheap!)

The Art of Ocean Conservation VOLUME 4, ISSUE 16 SUMMER 2014 $6.95

Inshore Dreams Seek a Slam in the Everglades

COMPLETE ANGLER: Billﬁsh, Roosters & a Queasy 1 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Camera Guy in the Sea of Cortez, Master Guide Rob Fordyce, Conservation vs. Extremism—A Fine Line.

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CONTENTS

SUMMER 2014

A BETTER SUB

BONEFISH, BASEBALL & PAPA

SUNSHINE BIOFUEL We’ve all heard about turning restaurant fryer leftovers

It may be a scant 90 miles from Florida, but Cuba has been a hard

into fuel. Now, one company is making it a reality. This

place for American anglers to visit. As much as we have in common,

stuff is clean, easy to get and it’s saving users—including

there is an equal amount of conflict. Still, there are ways to connect.

a growing number of boat owners—big money.

For the author, they involve baseball, fishing and faith.

BY FRED GARTH

BY CAPT. DAVE LEAR

STALKING THE GRASSLANDS

A BETTER SUB We’re not talking hoagies here, but actual manned vessels

Countless miles of mangroves, skinny water and big fish continue

that will plummet 3,000 feet into the deep. A Washington-

to draw anglers to Florida’s southernmost coast. Improved water

based company is on a mission to make it easier and cheaper

flow and other conservation efforts have helped sustain this natural

for researchers, oil companies, filmmakers, governments—

treasure, but whether fishing them or protecting them, constant

anybody with a desire—to work at extreme depths.

vigilance is the key to success in the Everglades.

BY DARYL CARSON & ERIKA MONTAGUE

BY OZZY DELGADO

6 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

PHOTO PORTFOLIO

DEPARTMENTS

14 16

GUY TALK

Why I Love to Catch Sharks

GUY HARVEY OUTPOST RESORTS

The Hit List

Sharks are great sport, says Dr. Harvey, and essential for

Having trouble planning a salt-soaked getaway? We run

a healthy ocean.

down 10 options, all featuring the GH stamp of approval.

BY DR. GUY HARVEY

BY PAITRA PRIM & DARYL CARSON

WEB

Exclusive Content Online

MEET THE CHEF

All Fired Up

Check out guyharveymagazine.com for a dose of GHM

Chef Barton Seaver’s new cookbook has a whole

anytime. Here are a few of our favorite links.

section dedicated to seafood on the grill. It’s so good we had to make up a new word: smoke-a-licious.

THE BITE

BY GHM STAFF

News, Notes & Gear This brand new section of GHM is dedicated to juicy news, fun stuff and must-know fishing facts. BY GHM STAFF

LAST CAST

Hooked on Snook Freditor joins the Hobie crew for another “writer’s event.” Read with caution. We’re pretty sure he made most of this up.

PHOTO PORTFOLIO

BY FRED GARTH

Guy Harvey Outpost Photo Contest This issue we feature winners from the ongoing Guy Harvey Outpost photo contest. Do your adventures look like this?

On the Cover: Chums by Guy Harvey Redﬁsh and speckled trout are a prize for inshore and near shore anglers.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 7

CONTENTS

SUMMER 2014

Sea of Surprises

DOCK BUZZ

A Fine Line

GEARHEADS

Inshore Arsenal

Recreational anglers are often fighting against each

If you’re stalking inshore species such as redfish, snook

other in the cause of conservation, and this is not good.

and speckled trout, you need just the right rod to cast

To defeat the extremists, anglers must foster solidarity

baits with precision and then set the hook and bring your

and avoid three divisive pitfalls.

prize home.

BY NICK HONACHEFSKY

BY JEFF DENNIS

BACKLASH

Master Guide—Rob Fordyce

FEATURE

Sea of Surprises

Rob Fordyce became a flyfishing addict at the age of 8 and

Just a few feet off the beaches of Cabo, the water is terrifically

started guiding in his teens. Today, he is a recognized expert on

deep. It’s one of the reasons this region is host to everything

the Everglades, catching big tarpon and winning tournaments.

from billfish to roosters to ravenous Humboldt squid. If you go,

BY CA STAFF

be ready to set the hook on just about anything. BY NICK HONACHEFSKY

Complete dedicated Complete Angler Angler (CA) (CA) is is our our “magazine “magazine within within the the magazine,” magazine,” dedicated to delivering access to to experts, thethe latest to hard-core hard-core fi fishing shing enthusiasts enthusiasts & and delivering access experts, in fishing hottest fishingfishing spots spots on theon planet. latest in figear, shingand gearthe and the hottest the planet.

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www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 9

CREDITS TO: PUBLISHER Lost Key Publishing Editor-in-Chief Fred Garth Managing Editor Daryl Carson Editor, Complete Angler Nick Honachefsky Copy Editor Kerrie Allen Art Director & Layout Design Leslie Ward Director of Sales & Marketing Ozzy Delgado Marketing Director John Guidroz Editorial Assistant Paitra Prim Accounting Karen Belser Internet Guru Jenny Lee Contributing Editors Dr. Guy Harvey, Paitra Prim, Danny Thornton Contributors Brian Call, Felipe Correa, Jeff Dennis, Robert Field, G. Gardner, James Gersing, Steve Huskisson, Kristofer Landers, Capt. Dave Lear, Dr. Erika Montague, Matt Schimkus, Lee Smith, Annie Thomson Editorial Advisory Board Dr. Guy Harvey, Chad Henderson, Bill Shedd, Dr. Mahmood Shivji, Steve Stock, Harvey Taulien, David Wilkinson WE RECYCLE:

Whoever coined the phrase “paperless society” probably also

thought we’d be zipping around in flying cars by now. Sadly, we use more paper than ever. That used to be a major problem in the magazine business before recycling and proper forest management. Virgin paper was often associated with clear cutting and devastated landscapes. Thankfully, all of that has completely changed. For example, this magazine is printed mostly on recycled paper. Even the virgin paper comes from more than 12 million acres of sustainable forests where millions of seedling are planted each year. We’re also proud that Guy Harvey Magazine is printed at Quad/Graphics in West Allis, Wisconsin. Quad has been recognized at the state and national levels for its leading environmental programs, winning numerous awards including the Friend of the Environment Award from the Wisconsin Environmental Working Group® (WEWG). Quad/ Graphics also practices the 4 R’s: Redesign, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The company recycles over 560,000 tons of paper per year which spares 9.5 million trees from the blade. It doesn’t look like the world will be paperless anytime soon but we’ve figured out how to minimize and sometimes even eliminate the impact to our forests and environment. Guy Harvey and all of us at GHM are happy about that. GUY HARVEY MAGAZINE, Issue 16, Summer 2014. GHM is published four times per year (quarterly) for $24.95 per year by Lost Key Publishing, LLC, 7166 Sharp Reef Road, Pensacola, Florida 32507. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Guy Harvey Magazine, PO Box 34075, Pensacola, Florida 32507. No part of this magazine can be reproduced without express written permission from Lost Key Publishing. Occasionally, we may make all or part of our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and/or services that may interest you.

10 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

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CONTRIBUTOR’S PROFILE CAPT. DAVE LEAR

There’s a new fish in town.

Captain Dave Lear is an award-winning freelance writer and photographer who has covered marine fisheries for more than two decades, including developing the “Complete Angler” section in GHM. His articles appear regularly in several other national fishing and boating magazines. He also reports on big-game tournaments in the Gulf and Baja, Mexico. His article on Cuba flats fishing in this issue chronicles his second visit to the island. During his first trip in 1990, he fished the Hemingway International Billfish Tournament and interviewed Papa’s captain, Gregorio Fuentes, who was the inspiration for The Old Man and the Sea. Lear is a retired flats guide who now spends his free time exploring Florida’s Big Bend coastal waters in a custom flats skiff or paddling his kayak in search of tarpon, cobia, redfish and sea trout.

DR. ERIKA MONTAGUE Dr. Erika Montague holds a Ph.D. in oceanography from Johns Hopkins University. She currently serves as director of science and technology at OceanGate, Inc., and has more than 15 years of experience conducting research utilizing submersibles, ROVs and deep-sea landers. Dr. Montague worked as a fellow in the engineering division at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) where she managed the development of numerous custom monitoring systems. Prior to MBARI, Dr. Montague was a researcher at Harbor Branch

EAT • DRINK • SHOP

Oceanographic Institution where she supervised the design and maintenance of an autonomous deep-sea observatory, and led cruises to study bioluminescent

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life forms and test underwater technologies. In 2012, she was selected as a member of James Cameron’s DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition, working with the lander and manned submersible teams to maintain and deploy critical scientific instruments.

GUY TALK

WHY I LOVE TO CATCH SHARKS As a lifelong fisherman, I fish for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, I go out for

in the boat and so decided it was safer

the sheer pleasure of being on the water with family and friends. Other times, I

for the crew and the sharks to have

might drag for a nice mahi-mahi for the grill. But more and more, my goal is to

them on a platform that could be raised.

catch sharks for tagging purposes so we can learn more about these vital and

We’d had a successful trip the prior

endangered animals. Fishing for sharks also provides some of the most intense

year, so our spirits were high, even

action you’ll ever experience. And, if getting them on the boat and attaching a tag

though we knew that makos are tough

to their dorsal fin doesn’t get your blood pumping, nothing will!

to hook. In all, we caught only about a

Over the past two years, I’ve traveled to Isla Mujeres off Mexico’s Yucatan

third of all those that ate our baits. Some

Peninsula to catch and tag shortfin mako sharks. The fishing pressure on this

would roll up the cable leader and cut

species in the Atlantic and Caribbean is tremendous. Mako sharks are highly

off the nylon 400# mono. Some would

valued for their meat, and targeted by both commercial and recreational

jump and throw the hook. Others would

fishermen, so the data gathered from these tags educates researchers about their

bite the bonito five or six times, pull

habits so we can create a framework for their survival.

drag but not get hooked. In six days, we

On our trip this past March, we employed two boats and a team of scientists, fishermen, and filmmakers with a goal of attaching 11 satellite tags and documenting the entire event. We were blessed with great weather and led by

GUY HARVEY, PhD

raised 30, had 24 bites and got nine into

is an internationally-acclaimed

tagging position.

artist, fisherman, scientist, and

Some of the best bites came on the

world traveler, who devotes

local expert, Captain Anthony Mendillo, who had attached a ramp and lift to the

teasers close to the boat as the bigger

much of his time and money

stern of his 40-ft. gamefisher, the Keen M. The previous year, we had put the makos

makos skyrocketed on them, flipping

toward ocean conservation.

14 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

over in the air before crashing back into the sea for a mind-blowing second.

The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and Guy Harvey Research Institute

Famed sportfishing photographer Scott Kerrigan rode along with us for four

will continue to deploy tags on mako sharks through 2014. However, these

days hoping to nail that moment…but it always happened so fast and without

technologically advanced tags are very expensive and we need your help.

warning…AIR MAKO!

You can support these efforts by donating to the GHOF Satellite Tag Fund,

A few weeks before we left for Mexico, we learned that JoAnn, a mako we

www.guyharvey.com/donate-today. With your support, researchers can gain

had tagged the year before, was dead. After carrying the tag for 297 days, JoAnn

a better understanding of the migration patterns of these ecologically and

was killed by a commercial longline fishing vessel only 30 miles from where we

economically important sharks.

originally tagged her. The fisherman who caught her said that JoAnn was dead on the line when it was retrieved and the tag was returned to the GHRI. In the short time that she carried her tag, JoAnn provided researchers with valuable data about her migration patterns. In almost nine months, she traveled 6,500 miles around the western Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, utilizing the federal waters of seven different nations, then returning to almost the exact spot where she was tagged. JoAnn’s track illustrates that this fishery cannot be managed by a single country—their management and conservation must be a collaborative, multi-national effort.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 15

CHECK OUT THE LATEST AT .com Betsy the Shark A great white shark nicknamed “Betsy” and tagged for research off Cape Cod was swimming about 63 miles off Boca Grande, Fla.

Guy Harvey Featured in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Coral Reef Conservation Program in

Summer Sailstice Participants in the 14th annual Summer Sailstice can support ocean health while their

partnership with the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative’s series of six PSAs, Guy Harvey shows his support of the Our Florida Reefs Community Planning Process.

sails are hoisted on the weekend of June 21. Together, Summer Sailstice and Sailors for the Sea are challenging sailors to collectively sail a symbolic circumnavigation of the globe.

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NEWS, NOTES & GEAR Bushwhacked by Whales

whale appeared beneath the boat. The whale charged the dead marlin, clamping it in its jaws, then turned and raced away from the boat. The reel spun uncontrollably, and Nangle began to unsnap the harness. But

Imagine it’s your first big game fishing

the whale surfaced, stopped swimming, and shook the huge marlin in the air like

trip. You’ve just hooked your first

a sardine. Other whales rushed in for the feast, and within seconds, Nangle’s catch

marlin, a whopper. Your adrenaline

was reduced to blood and foam.

is flowing, your heart is racing, and

The sound of gunshots filled the air. Fearing for their safety, the captain

everyone onboard is whooping and

had fired warning shots to frighten the whales away. Though illegal, the tactic

hollering in celebration.

worked, and the whales sank below the surface. Quickly, Nangle hauled in all that

You settle in for the fight. You hope nothing goes wrong. The hook, the line, the reel…the whales? It was a warm January day, and Joe Nangle and his father, Paul, had chartered

remained of his marlin—180 pounds of head and trailing stomach. The scraps were brought aboard, and Llanes drove ahead at medium speed. But like a pack of angry wolves, the whales resurfaced and rushed toward

a local fishing boat, E-Ka-Mo-Na, at Hawaii’s Honokohau Harbor just outside Kona.

the boat. Unwilling to shoot directly at them, Llanes ordered the marlin head and

The skipper, John Llanes, welcomed the two anglers aboard, and within the hour

remains thrown overboard, and then he slammed down the throttles. The boat

was working the usual fishing grounds. The surface was calm, when suddenly, 60

lurched forward, and as the remnants of Nangle’s first marlin faded into the sea,

yards away, a pod of pilot whales surfaced. The whales were feeding, and Llanes

the whales disappeared.

veered to head them off. “Marlin!” he shouted from the bridge. The rod dipped and the engines roared. Joe Nangle leaped into the chair and

Llanes never slowed his course. The fishing was done for the day, but the story is one for the ages. Editor’s Note: This tale is one of dozens in a new book, INCREDIBLE—AND

set the hook on his first marlin—a big one. Her enormous body broke through

TRUE!—FISHING STORIES (Workman, $10.95), compiled by fanatical fisherman and

the surface and soared into the air. She twisted and shook and splashed heavily

journalist Shaun Morey. From the amazing to the ridiculous, these stories have all

on the water. She hurled herself upward again and again, each time landing with

been verified, and cover fishing around the globe. We believe this collection of

great force. The captain and crew shouted their approval, estimating her weight at

short stories would be an excellent addition to the back of any toilet.

more than 700 pounds. The whales, meanwhile, lolled nearby.

www.workman.com

The marlin sounded, and for the next hour, Nangle steadily worked the rod, eager to land the trophy fish. The whales continued to linger, docile and seemingly uninterested in the battle. Then, without warning, they charged. The exhausted marlin made a desperate plunge for the ocean floor. Line spun from the reel at a blistering pace. The whirling spool became too hot to touch. Nangle watched helplessly as the fishing line he had worked so hard to retrieve faded into blue water. Then it was over. The reel quieted and the line stopped. They knew that the marlin had ruptured her air bladder and drowned in the depths. Relieved to still have weight on his line, Nangle began retrieving his catch. Twenty minutes passed. Then, as the silhouette of the marlin began to emerge, so did the whales. Only this time they were closer. Nangle reeled frantically with all his strength until the swivel cleared the water. The deckhand reached out, palmed the leader, and wrapped it around his hand. He had pulled the marlin within gaffing range, when suddenly a huge bull

18 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Author Shaun Morey has collected dozens of outrageous fishing tales.

Lady Angler Crushes World Record for Tarpon on Fly

Dorado Challenge The Dorado Challenge is set to take place on July 12, 2014, in Miami for

On February 8, Heidi Nute knew she had a world-record

the second year in a row. The Challenge is not

fish on the line and she was not about to let it get

only a fun tournament for all anglers, but also

away. Nute was fishing with her husband, Paul Nute,

a great opportunity to show support for local

and Captain Tim Mahaffey in Everglades National Park.

organizations. In its inaugural year in 2013, the

After 16 jumps and 65 minutes, the tarpon was brought

tournament was able to support the Jose Wejebe

alongside the boat. Mahaffey brought the fish in, and in a

Foundation. And this year, they are looking forward

fitting tribute to angling history, used the same gaff that

to benefitting ACE Academy—a non-profit school

had boated all of legendary angler Billy Pate’s record-

that caters to students with intellectual and

setting tarpon and marlin. The Nutes had purchased

developmental disabilities, such cerebral palsy,

Pate’s historic gaff at an auction. “It is just great to have

Autism Spectrum Disorders and other syndromes.

that piece of history used to get this fish,” Heidi Nute said.

Hosted by the prestigious Miami Outboard Club,

Weighing in at 152.8 lbs. on a 16-lb. test fly tippet, Heidi’s

the tournament offers cash prizes of 1st place:

tarpon is the largest IGFA-certified tarpon ever caught on

$2500, 2nd place: $1000 and 3rd place: $500.

fly by a female.

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Not Yet Begun to Fight Marine Colonel Eric Hastings knows about demons. In Vietnam, he flew missions “high above the death and destruction,” but he was acutely aware of the horrific impact of the ordinance he dropped and the realities of war. To cope, he focused on something else he saw from the cockpit of his plane. It was the ribbons of water meandering through the landscape that reminded him of trout streams back home. Each night, he says, he dreamed of flyfishing. When he returned home to Montana in 1969, his solace became fishing. “When I came back from combat, I found I needed relief,” says Hastings. “And the more I went flyfishing, the more I knew I needed more of it. It became an absolute desperate physical and mental need.” Through fishing, Colonel Hastings found what he needed, and he now has a passion for helping a new generation of warriors returning home. His story is told in an Emmy-nominated and critically acclaimed documentary. Directors Sabrina Lee and Shasta Grenier shadow Colonel Hastings as he reaches out to a new generation of traumatized combat veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. He leads five young men (three Marines, a soldier and a Navy SEAL) to the quiet waters of Montana. Hastings knows too well that war is never over for those who fight it, but on the rivers of Montana, with a fly rod in hand, he shares with others the balm that soothed his own wounds. “Flyfishing is a series of opportunities for hope,” he says. Made in U.S.A.

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Colonel Hastings on the river.

SC Anglers asked for Cobia DNA Anglers in South Carolina can help the S.C. Department of Natural Resources during their ongoing research projects by donating cobia for DNA samples. With the DNA samples, researchers will be able to identify hatchery-released cobia and help gather details on the cobia population captured along the state coast. There are multiple freezer and drop-off locations for people to donate fin clips

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and filleted carcasses. If anglers are interested in helping, they are encouraged to request a fin clip collection kit online. Cobia is found in South Carolina coastal waters from April through July. For more information, you can check out www.dnr.sc.gov.

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Hawaiian International Billﬁsh Tournament Kona, Hawaii July 28–August 2, 2014 Teams fish the famous waters off the Kona coast aboard some of the finest sportfishing vessels. Prized and powerful Pacific blue marlin are caught or tagged and released every day. Occasionally, these famous waters produce a grander marlin weighing in at over 1,000 lbs. www.hibtfishing.com

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www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 21

Out-of-Date Regs Punish Gulf Fishermen

issue, anglers generally keep the big fish and toss the little guys back.

Red snapper get bigger while seasons get smaller.

into consideration the combined totals of recreational catches and commercial

If logic were the driving force, then a fishing season would get longer as the

harvests—fish that end up in restaurants and seafood markets. In 2008 and 2009,

fish population grew. This is not the case for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico,

the total allowable pounds of snapper from the Gulf of Mexico was five million.

and anglers are beside themselves with frustration, anger and real concern over

In 2013, that had been increased to 11 million pounds. Of that, recreational

the economic impact of the latest regulations. As red snapper have grown more

fishermen can catch 49% and commercial fishermen catch 51%, or approximately

abundant in the Gulf, the number of days anglers are allowed to fish has been

5.5 million pounds each. Even with those increases, recreational anglers have

reduced. In 2012, the snapper season was 40 days. That dropped to 30 days in 2013

unknowingly exceeded their quota for each of the past several years.

The overall pounds law is a necessary part of the equation because it takes

and the season for 2104 is only 11 days, the shortest season in history.

Ten years ago, it was rare to catch a 15 to 20 lb. snapper. Now it’s

The “bag limit” is not the issue. For several years, there’s been a two fish per

commonplace. If the poundage limits were raised to 15 or 20 million, all of the

person, per day quota that fishermen follow strictly or face the possibility of stiff

hullabaloo would dissipate and fishing seasons could be extended. But that

fines. The real problem is another law that most weekend anglers are completely

seemingly simple solution is bogged down by government bureaucracy in a matrix

unaware of—the total poundage limit. Even if fishermen abide by the two fish per

of complex formulas and algorithms that integrate projected egg production,

person rule, there’s still a high probability that poundage limit will be exceeded

spawning rates and a host of other criteria that regulators use to help set limits.

each year, and that’s mostly because snapper keep getting bigger. In the early

Another catalyst for the 11-day season was a lawsuit filed in early 2014 by a

2000s, the average weight of a snapper was about four pounds. That was up to

group of commercial fishermen. The suit pointed out that the recreational fishing

about 7.5 lbs. in 2013 and expected to exceed 8 lbs. in 2014. To exacerbate the

segment had exceeded their 49% for several consecutive years. This seemed to be

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in response to recreational fishermen pushing for a greater share of the catch limit.

Williamson Popper Pro

But the data supported the commercial fishermen’s claims and, therefore, regulators

New to the Rapala arsenal this year is a topwater lure aimed at

clamped down on weekend anglers and charter boats. When the announcement

landing big tuna, dorado, roosterfish and other saltwater species.

was made, the entire Gulf Coast fishing economy braced for hurricane-like

With proper handling, the Williamson Popper Pro will pop, slash,

devastation. The charter boat fleet is in danger of losing more business than ever.

stall and walk the dog, enticing hard-hitting strikes. It’s built with

Marinas, tackle shops, gas pumps, restaurants, hotels—they all stand to suffer. And

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fact that they are almost too many snapper (some fishermen say they can’t catch anything else), makes an 11-day season very hard to swallow. This is why some states have gone rogue and bucked the system. Alabama and Mississippi are the only Gulf Coast states that have followed federal laws, while Texas, Florida and Louisiana have created their own more lenient seasons. State politicians are now voicing their opinions, recreational fishing groups are fighting back, and there’s a growing contingent that wants the states to set their own fishing seasons without interference from the federal government. As the snapper population continues to grow stronger, so does the fight over how many of the delicious fish we can catch.

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The start of another day at Cuba’s Rio Hatiguanico fish camp. Inset: The Ernest Hemingway bust in Cojimar.

24 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

BY CAPT. DAVE LEAR

A trip to Cuba leads to the Zapata flats and Hemingway’s haunts in Havana. “There señor. Dos bonefish.” Gesturing with his buttonwood push pole, Manolo pointed toward the twisted mangrove shoreline 60 ft. away. Staring into the water, I spotted one, then two glistening, forked tails waving like palm fronds in a stiff breeze as their noses rooted for morsels in the sand below. Minutes into the trip and we already found our quarry. With my heart pounding, I quickly stripped line off the reel and made a couple backcasts before dropping the fuzzy shrimp fly just beyond the tailing fish. They spooked as if I had tossed dynamite. “No problemo, señor. Mucho mas, mucho mas,” Manolo said with a chuckle. As it turned out, the young Cuban guide wasn’t exaggerating. The Bay of Pigs is also the bay of bonefish, and I would soon have plenty of chances for atonement.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 25

Below: Capt. Dave Lear catches his breath after whipping this tarpon with an 8-weight fly rod. Right: One of the many silver ghosts that frequent the crystal-clear Zapata flats.

for in numbers, as we would soon discover. Small groups are everywhere and it’s not unusual to see schools of 100 fish or more. The occasional permit and snook add spice to crystal-clear sight-fishing opportunities on these expansive flats. Between the skiff and wading the hard-packed, white, sandy bottom, I got I had flown into Havana the day before with my long-time friend, Bobby Carter,

into a groove and started landing bonefish consistently. In typical fashion, the

the tournament director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, and Bob

take was subtle and the first run blistering. My biggest was just over 3 lbs., and

Alexander, a professional baseball umpire and frequent Cuba visitor. We had

the day’s tally totaled 15 fish. Carter also landed 15, including a 4-pounder, while

come to the island nation for several reasons. Besides sampling the flats fishing

Alexander, on only his second fishing trip ever and his first attempt with the fly rod,

along the southern Caribbean coast, our itinerary also included following

scored an even dozen. We were all using eight-weight outfits with floating lines

Ernest Hemingway’s trail in Havana and checking out the humanitarian work

and fluorocarbon, knotless leaders. The forage is small shrimp and crabs, so flies

spearheaded by Alexander.

mimicking that bait in pearl, tan or brown patterns get the guides’ seal of approval.

Following breakfast the next morning, we left the quaint Playa Larga resort

While recapping our inaugural day back at the resort, we met Richard Ward

in Las Salinas and drove a few miles before exiting on a narrow gravel road into

and his son, Mike. Ward, a retiree from Wilsill, England, has been fishing Cuba for

Zapata National Park. The bumpy route through the dense forest eventually

more than 20 years. He was averaging two dozen bonefish daily using a crystal

opened up to mangrove-lined lagoons on either side as we neared the coast.

shrimp pattern with rubber legs.

Hundreds of wading birds, including brilliant pink flamingos, provided a colorful framework to the blue skies. Our trek ended at the tip of the bay’s western shore. A couple of cinderblock buildings and a rough-hewn wooden dock served as the concession. By design, the emphasis is on conservation and minimal impact. Only six anglers are allowed

“The best fishing trips of my life have been here in Cuba and this is my favorite spot,” he told us. “You get lots of shots at bonefish and the river can hold good numbers of tarpon and snook, too. I come every year and stay for a few weeks at a time. The people are friendly, the guides know their stuff and it’s unspoiled water.” We decided to give Rio Hatiguanico a try for ourselves the next day. The guides

to fish the park per day and only with fly tackle. All fish are released. The bonefish

there use older model aluminum and fiberglass boats powered by Yamaha Enduro

skiffs are 12 ft. long, flat-bottomed and made of fiberglass. Operated without

outboards. The banks of the muddy, brackish river are lined with thick foliage and

motors, the guides pole exclusively and rotate flats so the same areas aren’t under

the depths range up to 20 feet. Conventional tackle is allowed and I jumped a

constant pressure.

20-lb. tarpon on a topwater plug. Carter had a longer tussle with another silver king

Although bonefish nearing double-digits have been landed on the Zapata flats, the average size is 1.5 to 2 lbs. What they lack in girth, however, they make up

26 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

pushing 100 lbs. on a bucktail jig before it broke off. Double-digit snook, mangrove snapper, jacks and barracuda are routinely caught on spin and fly tackle as well.

But the allure of the flats beckoned, so we returned to the bay for our final outing. As Carter and Alexander climbed aboard their skiffs, Manolo was busy hanging a small outboard off the transom of a slightly larger craft. When he fired up the engine and waved me aboard, he said we were heading out into the bay for tarpon and permit. As a guest, who was I to argue? Once we reached the outer islands, Manolo tied a yellow and brown toad pattern to a heavier leader and I was ready. We tucked into a cove and spotted a couple cruising tarpon and a laid-up snook, but none were hungry. Another move to a shoal in open water offered a few shots at rollers, but the whipping wind made casting difficult. Onward to another pocket of clear water and lush turtle grass. A string of juvenile tarpon swung into range and a couple strips of the fly launched a silver rocket five feet into the air before it threw my hook. Tarpon are the same no matter what their nationality! Manolo saved his honey hole for last. After positioning the boat within casting distance of five converging channels, my fly line came tight, but the head shakes were of the jack-variety. A few minutes later, though, and I was into a well-matched tug of war with the target species. After an acrobatic battle lasting 15 minutes, my prize finally surrendered for a quick photo op before resuming its swim. In a few short hours, I saw 100-plus tarpon up to 20 lbs., boated two on the 8-weight and fed/jumped several more. My “outboard” excursion was definitely a success. In my absence, Carter and Alexander had landed a few bonefish on the flats in more challenging conditions. “The clouds, ripples on the water and lack of visibility made it tough to spot the fish until we were right on top of them,” Carter later explained. “But we still managed to find some dumb ones. We also heard you and that outboard whining all the way across the bay this morning,” he added with a laugh. Our last couple of days were spent taking in the sights of historic Top: British angler Richard Ward works a streamer fly for tarpon in the coastal river.

Havana, including the nightly cannon ceremony at the El Morro Castle

Bottom: Bobby Carter casts a tight loop at another tailing bonefish.

overlooking the harbor. And as avid anglers, Carter and I couldn’t pass up

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 27

The Cuba Connection Fifty years and counting is a long, deep freeze. After Fidel Castro assumed power following the Cuban Revolution, the tenuous relationship between the U.S. and the Caribbean nation dissolved completely when diplomatic relations were severed in 1961. The U.S. enacted a crippling economic trade embargo against the communist regime the following year, which still remains in effect. As a result, it was nearly impossible for Americans to travel to Cuba for decades. In the past few years though, restrictions were eased somewhat so scientific, educational and cultural exchanges were allowed and more Americans were permitted to visit the island. This past February [2014], however, the Cuban government announced it would no longer issue U.S. travel visas until a new bank was found to process the fees collected. As this issue of GHM was going to press. the fees situation was still unresolved, but that decision does not apply to humanitarian or religious visas like the one we traveled on (the approval process can take up to two months). Humanitarian efforts are welcomed and the fishing portion of our trip was part of the government-approved itinerary. Our direct charter flight from Miami to Havana and subsequent stay was arranged by Bob Alexander and his ministry, Strategic Sports International (SSI). Alexander has been making these treks for more than a decade with the blessing of the Cuban government. “I first came here because I wanted to umpire baseball at the highest level,” Alexander explained. “ And the national teams definitely play a high-caliber professional game. But the country and its people touched my heart and I’ve been coming back ever since.” Alexander, who was a Major League umpire for several seasons and also helped establish youth programs in Brazil and Israel, used his baseball connection to advance his humanitarian efforts in the island nation. He and his volunteers have taught clinics and grown the number of youth teams. The sport is a national passion and that tie-in has led to more interaction with parents and other adults in the suburbs surrounding Havana. More than 72 house churches have been formed and the annual mission trips—up to five in 2014—have distributed thousands of pairs of glasses, non-prescription drugs, personal hygiene items, clothing and other goods to some of Cuba’s poorest citizens. SSI is currently planning another trip to Cuba in December. The proposed itinerary would include an inshore fishing tournament based on our “research.” In Top: The next Yasiel Puig warms up for a youth league baseball

addition to a few days of light-tackle fishing, participants will help distribute much-

game in the suburbs of Havana. Bottom: Professional umpire Bob

needed supplies, lay the groundwork for new house churches and share their faith

Alexander shares a story with a Cuban youth group. Opposite: The

with locals in the region.

Hemingway memorial and waterfront in Cojimar, where Papa’s beloved sportfishing boat, the Pilar, was moored.

28 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

To learn more about joining this trip or all SSI’s humanitarian work in Cuba, please contact Bob Alexander at 864.303.4431 or email: alexander1960@bellsouth.net.

the opportunity to visit Ernest “Papa” Hemingway’s famous haunts. Hemingway is still revered by the Cuban people, and his Finca Vigía estate in

favorite watering holes, La Bodeguita del Medio (birthplace of the mojito cocktail) and El Floridita (where daiquiris are king). Each stop conjured up thoughts of one

nearby San Francisco del Paula is one of the most popular tourism sites in Cuba.

of the sport’s legendary figures and his big-game exploits 75 years earlier.

The home he shared with third wife, Martha Gellhorn, is carefully preserved with

Silver bullets, diamonds and a cult figure are certainly not your typical

his fishing and hunting trophies, books and clothes on public display. His sport-

combination. But then again, Cuba is not a typical country. It is, as Alexander told

fishing boat, the 38 Wheeler Pilar, has been restored, too. Carter and I also walked

me, “unique and quirky.” It’s also very fishy, friendly and wonderful, which makes

the streets of nearby Cojimar where the boat was once moored and visited his

me count the days until my next chance to go back.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 29

Grass, water and miles of mangroves create a habitat like none other in the Everglades. Photo: NPS, G. Gardner. Below: A manatee cruises along Taylor River, leaving a cloudy trail behind. Photo: NPS. Right: Lane River. Photo: NPS.

the

BY OZZY DELGADO

The Everglades are still an inshore fishing paradise, and we all want to keep it that way. As the sun rises over the Florida Everglades, a thin layer of fog starts to dissipate. Long-legged predators quietly stalk their prey in the tall grass. A raccoon fishes for its breakfast of crayfish. A small flock of rose-colored waterfowl flies overhead, a reminder of the vast flocks of wading birds that once called the Everglades home. A couple of otters roll around in the water nearby, keeping a watchful eye out for alligators, and manatees cruise silently below the surface in Florida Bay. It’s blissful and ideal, at least until the noise of commuters driving to work starts to grow in the background and a tractor engine revs to life as a farmer prepares to harvest his sugarcane. Such is life in the ‘Glades, where wild wetlands collide with the not-so-civilized world.

A gator lounges among the trees in the Everglades National Park. Photo: NPS, G. Gardner.

Some may think of the Everglades as just covering the southernmost tip of Florida—the marshy mix of land, swamp, rivers and bays that stretch between the

fishing, especially on fly, and I knew he would put us on the bite. We headed out of town, first to Florida City to fuel up and then further

Ten Thousand Islands south of Naples to the border of the sprawling suburbia of

west to Flamingo, inside the Everglades National Park. The road leading to

Miami and Homestead. Today, the Everglades National Park covers a major portion

Flamingo slices through what seems to be an ocean of sawgrass and it can feel

of this territory, but it’s still only one-fifth of the traditional Everglades expanse,

monotonous. I asked Rob why we weren’t seeing any animals or birds. The only

which covers 11,000 square miles of slow-moving water. It actually begins farther

thing I was seeing was crows.

north, where the Kissimmee River runs into Lake Okeechobee. From there, water

“Do you see any roadkill?” he replied. Hmmm…not even that.

migrates all the way south to Biscayne Bay, the Ten Thousand Islands and Florida

Rob explained that the Everglades are not what they used to be. It’s still

Bay. It’s the region Marjory Stoneman Douglas famously called a “River of Grass.”

home to a diverse range of wildlife—everything from black bears, panthers, and

My recent Everglades experience began when I met up with legendary Florida

alligators, to wading birds and many species of small mammals, including mice,

guide Rob Fordyce at the tail-end of the Miami Boat Show in February 2014.

rats and weasels, and other unique flora and fauna—the region is not as vibrant

Fishing was on the agenda and I was looking forward to trading time in a crowded

as in years past. Rob also pointed out that the sawgrass has not bloomed in the

convention center for some time on the water. Our escape plan was to head

last three years. Some sawgrass can grow 6 to 10 feet, but reduced soil quality in

southwest, out of the Miami-Dade metropolis, and go deep into the Everglades for

the south where we were has it reaching heights of only four feet. Rob has a deep

a shot at an inshore slam. Fordyce has been fishing the Everglades backwaters for

concern for the health of the Everglades ecosystem and a passion for educating

35 years and doing it professionally for 26. He’s recognized as a master of tarpon

anglers about the need to fight for this unique place.

32 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Graphic: Traditionally, the Everglades includes a massive area of slow-moving water that begins with the Kissimmee River. This has been drastically reduced in the last 100 years by development and farming. Graphic info: NPS. Below: Everglades wildlife is extremely diverse, including birds, gators, small mammals and a growing

Historic Flow

Current Flow

We finally made it to Flamingo and then to the boat ramp. Rob quickly slid his

number of invasive species.

blood pumping, and Flamingo offers some of the best inshore action available for

Hell’s Bay skiff into the water and we were ready to fish Ponce De Leon Bay. I was

snook, trout, redfish and tarpon. It’s even better when the weather is perfect. We

instantly mesmerized by the scenery—stuff out of a storybook—the slash pines,

had sunny skies, a little bit of wind and mild temps. As we polled around, stalking

strangler figs, sawgrass and swamp lilies. I finally turned my attention to Rob and

our prey, I soaked in the scenery and started to feel the Everglades vibe.

realized he was already shifting into stealth mode. The engine was powered off

To say the least, the Everglades is a unique place. Droughts, floods, lightning

and he handed me a rod rigged with an artificial and pointed toward the bow.

strikes, fires, hurricanes—all the varied acts of nature—have helped create and

Rob climbed into the poling platform and, just like that, the hunt began.

maintain an incredible tapestry of land and water. And man’s presence is not new.

“One o’clock, snook…three o’clock, redfish,” said Rob gently. Having spent most

Humans have been living in the southern portion of the Florida peninsula for at

of my fishing career plying the big water for pelagics, I marveled at my guide’s

least 15,000 years, though tribes that lived in the northern part of the state were

ability to find these skinny water fish in such an endless maze of waterways.

forced into the Everglades much more recently—during the Seminole wars in

Our first spot proved full of redfish and snook, all lurking around submerged

the early 19th century. But in the past hundred years, people have been exerting

branches and tree limbs, but our excitement was short lived when we realized

a much more profound effect on the landscape, mostly by digging canals and

these fish had a case of lockjaw. Not to worry, the day was just getting started.

building dams to facilitate water flow, develop agriculture and build homes. The

For those who have never done it, sight fishing shallow water fish really gets your

result? The Everglades have dwindled dramatically in size and what’s left is under

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 33

siege from pollutants, invasive species and the unforeseen effects of changing the

that degraded the aquatic plant remnants in the peat. This process of peat soil

landscape. Still, with all of this, it’s an amazing and wild place.

oxidation continues today, and areas that once contained productive peat soil

With the fish not cooperating, Rob decided to move spots and head over to a nearby oyster bed. No sooner than we arrived, sea trout began to attack our bait with a vengeance. It was non-stop action as we caught and released fish with almost every cast. It was the perfect antidote to a tradeshow hangover.

now have just one-third as much. Finally, population growth has put a squeeze on the Everglades, with developments creeping in from both coasts. With our stomachs full, it was time to get to business. We started bordering the mangrove trees and Rob explained the secret to enticing snook out from their

The action was steady, but we had our sights set on an inshore slam, so it

cover. I was supposed to cast right under the trees and then skip the artificial bait

wasn’t too long before we picked up and moved to Whitewater Bay. Rob said

out of there. It sounded simple enough, but I found the mangroves kept reaching

we needed to wait for the tide to change, so we slid into a quiet, slick-calm

out and grabbing my line. Rob gave me a typical guide chuckle that was a mix of

cove and took time to investigate our box lunches. As we ate, the conversation

patience and pity. After a few minutes, my technique improved and it was time to

turned to turtle grass. What else would two fishing dudes talk about? Rob said

get serious. “Fish on!” I started to wrangle a snook out of the mangrove roots and I

the vast abundance of turtle grass in the Everglades forms critical habitat for an

got one species closer to my slam.

innumerable number of organisms, but that it, too, has diminished in a big way in

After a quick picture and release, it was time to go after tarpon, a fish Rob has

recent years. He even breaks out pictures, which show the changes over time, and

truly mastered through the years. We got to Rob’s tarpon spot, which was a pretty

it was startling.

big area, and all was quiet.

The development of dams has done much to alter Everglades hydrology—

“Rob, where are the tarpon?”

causing some parts to flood while other parts thirsted for water, especially during

“They’re here,” he replied.

the dry season. Agriculture has affected the Everglades, too. Farmers cultivated

I tell you, I didn’t see a ripple in the water, much less a silver king rolling the

their crops on peat soils, but to allow crops to flourish, they drained the peat soil

surface. But not even five minutes later, the tarpon started to make their presence

via canals. Once exposed to air, soil was gradually oxidized by aerobic bacteria

known. We began casting at fish in the 150 to 200 lbs. range. I cast to one lying

34 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Levees, dikes and dams have been used for decades to make the Everglades suitable for farming and urban development, but those benefits have been balanced by a significant loss of wild habitat. Recent efforts to improve waterflow have been an effective but limited fix. Photo: NPS, R. Cammauf. Middle: Rob Fordyce with a major tarpon. Bottom: Saltwater crocodile. Opposite: Ozzy Delgado and snook caught with master guide Rob Fordyce in the Florida Everglades.

motionless in front of the bow. This time I wasn’t tangled in the trees, and I put it in the target zone. What a beast! I hooked up, but it was short-lived because the hook worked its way out. I didn’t even have a chance to “bow to the king.” We kept at it for about an hour or so, but I kept getting the same results—one pulled hook after another. As the day got late, I had to admit defeat and concede the last round of fishing to the tarpon. Still, it was a great day with tons of action and some very nice fish. Today, the future of the Everglades is uncertain, but from what I have witnessed, development of agriculture, the resulting soil subsidence and the use of agricultural chemicals have had profound impacts on water quality. And man’s solutions to some of the regions problems seem to do as much harm as good. During the day, Rob filled me in on Hydrilla—yes, another grass—but this one is an invasive species. This weed has become a serious threat and is difficult to remove from waterways and estuaries. This dense plant growth traps heat, raises the temperature of surface water and depletes dissolved oxygen, resulting in conditions that negatively impact fish survival— plus, it stops water flow. Mechanical harvesting has been the norm around the estuaries and canals, but these days, there is less of this and a greater reliance on chemical controls. The problem is, as you spray in the canals and borders of the estuaries, these chemicals seep into the water, which causes other problems. If there is good news, it’s that the Everglades are starting to get more attention from researchers, conservation groups, environmentalists and concerned sportsmen. And that might be the biggest battle. It wasn’t until 1947, when Marjory Stoneman Douglas published The Everglades: River of Grass, that more people began to recognize that the Everglades ecosystem was in trouble. Douglas’s work helped set in motion the projects that exist today to restore water flow, fight pollution, and conserve plant and animal life. Perhaps what the Everglades really needs is more people like Douglas and Rob, who are dedicated to creating greater awareness that leads to greater action.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 35

After a grueling, non-stop, 7,500-mile round trip, biofuel-powered adventure between Clearwater, Florida, and Cabo San Lucas—including running the Baja 1000—this 2006 Chevrolet Duramax catches some much needed rest back in Clearwater. Opposite, top: Chris Kelley’s biofuel-powered tour boat entering Ma Tan Zas Inlet near Marineland, Florida. Chris’s eco-tour company is called Ripple Effect Eco Tours. Bottom: Biofuel guru, Michael Lokey, with a tour bus for metal band, Seek Irony, that his company converted to Sunshine Renewable Diesel. It’s running on Sunshine.

Photo: R.Classen - rclassen-foto-stock.com.

Sunshine BioFuel A conservation profile

BY GHM STAFF

You gotta love a guy who uses beer in his analogy to explain green energy. “Basically, if biodiesel is like Michelob Ultra, our diesel is like Sam Adams,” said Michael Lokey. “Ours is thicker.” Lokey is explaining how his company makes clean fuel from used cooking oil, which, oh, by the way, he’s selling for as much as a dollar per gallon less than regular pump diesel. The fuel, called Sunshine Renewable Diesel (SRD), is not only cheaper, but burns 85% cleaner than diesel. “Gone are the days where someone complains that there isn’t a cost effective solution to fuels that cause pollution,” Lokey said. “We have that fuel now, so there really are no more excuses.”

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 37

Michael Lokey puts his finger in the output of the 1st generation Sunshine Renewable Diesel Refinery. Right: Ray Borque’s portable fueling station for his 2006 Dodge Ram 2500HD with Dualfuel Biofuel system.

Lokey jumped into the green energy pond back in 2008 when he started a company called Green My Fleet. They converted cars, trucks and boats from

a partnership with 700 Islands Energy, Ltd., their Bahamian distributor. The company’s website (www.gosunshinebiofuel.com) has some enthusiastic

petroleum-based diesel to biofuels, including biodiesel, made from used

testimonials from boat captains who are using SRD successfully, saving money

vegetable oil. Filling your expensive boat with fuel that was once used to cook

and not polluting our oceans. The most noticeable difference seems to be the

French fries at Burger King sounds sketchy, but Lokey’s company and his newest

smell. Instead of noxious diesel smoke, SRD smells like fried chicken or French fries

business, Sunshine Biofuels, is currently supplying charter boats and commercial

cooking because, well, that’s what it was first used for and it’s a vegetable-based

fishing boats around Florida and the Bahamas with SRD. Right now, the company

fuel. Captains have noticed better productivity and a happier crew around the

can produce 200,000 gallons per month, but Lokey hopes to bump that to

transom. While it may smell good enough to eat, Lokey recommends against it.

500,000 gallons within a year. “We want to be the first green oil company offering

“There are no hazardous materials used to make SRD,” he said, “but it has some

a full line of renewables from motor oil to diesel,” Lokey said.

additives added before we ship to increase storage life, so I wouldn’t drink it.”

Burning recycled fry grease may sound easy, but it’s not as simple as dumpster diving for grease. The fuel has to be refined and diesel engines have to be slightly modified. Because SRD is four times thicker than diesel at room temperature, it

If Sunshine Biofuels has cracked the code and is making fuel that is less expensive, burns clean and doesn’t harm the environment, what’s the catch? “It’s really just a matter of building our supply chains and getting the word

needs to be heated before it’s burned. So a fuel heating system must be installed

out,” he said. “Once people use it they love it. Some even go borderline activist and

on diesel engines. That’s what Green My Fleet has been doing for six years and

have referred new clients to us.”

they’re gaining a lot of satisfied customers. “When you consider the cost savings at the gas pump, then the conversion

One would think that Lokey might be concerned about running out of waste cooking oil. There are a lot of KFCs, Hardee’s and Captain D’s out there but at

gets paid for quickly. It’s between $2,000 and $5,000 to convert an engine,

some point the supply will be all spoken for. But Lokey is a futurist. Otherwise, he

depending on various factors,” said Lokey. “So a commercial boat burning 1,500

wouldn’t be in the green energy business.

gallons per month will recoup those costs in about 90 days because they’re saving

“First of all, there’s a massive amount of waste oil we’re not getting yet,” Lokey

about a buck per gallon. After the conversion is paid for, they’re putting $1,000–

said. “And even if we run out of supply, there are other sources that may be even

$1,500 a month to the bottom line while using a product that doesn’t pollute the

more viable. Algae is looking like it might be a solution and they’ve made huge

environment and it doesn’t have to be pumped from the ground or imported

advances in that technology in the past 12 months. Jatropha is another one. It’s

from overseas. It’s pretty much a no-brainer.”

a plant that grows like a weed in equatorial areas. It grows in the desert, too. It’s

Currently, Sunshine Biofuels is supplying SRD to West Palm Beach, where the

hard to kill and it doesn’t consume a lot of water. Jatropha has grape-like fruit that

company is based, as well as up and down Florida’s east coast from Jacksonville

can be crushed for their oil, like olives, and the oil is already very close to SRD fuel

to Homestead and Clearwater, where Lokey grew up. It’s also available in Nassau,

quality. The leftover seed meal can be used as a cheap protein supplement for

Freeport, the Abaco’s, Spanish Wells, and some out islands in the Exumas through

livestock. So it’s a profitable business in itself.”

38 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

This marine customer was tired of spending $5.50 on diesel in his marina. As an avid sport fisherman, he was fueling 400 gallons in his Caterpillar-powered 40’ Egg Harbor custom every weekend. In addition, he was concerned with the environmental impact of the raw exhaust from diesel he was dumping in the fishery and the smell that at times would invade the transom and salon area with a following wind. Green My Fleet converted the main Cat 3208 diesel engines and Onan generator with three separate dual-fuel (diesel/100% biofuel) systems. Sunshine Renewable Diesel spec fuel was provided and the return on investment was achieved in three months. In addition, the carbon footprint of the vessel was dropped about 60%.

While algae, Jatropha, corn or soybeans may be a fuel of the future, right

“There’s a huge opportunity there,” Lokey said. “Every city has a supply

now, the market is far from saturated. Lokey learned that first-hand when

that is not being utilized and we have the technology to turn a waste product

he took his truck to compete in the grueling Baja 1000 race from Ensenada,

into clean energy.”

Mexico, down the Baja Peninsula to Cabo San Lucas. The plan was to find

As it turns out, it’s not just startups like Sunshine Biofuels that have turned

fuel from various restaurants and do the entire race on cooking oil from

to plants. German company Fuchs, a multi-billion-dollar organization that

local eateries.

employs 3,800 people in 50 countries, makes a plant-based, biodegradable

“When we were in Ensenada, which is a large city, we had a really hard time finding waste cooking oil,” he said. “Most of them just dump their oil in the garbage or pour it on the ground. It’s like pouring money down the drain.” Based on that experience, Lokey’s company is working on a turnkey factory that can locate in any town to churn out SRD.

motor oil and hydraulic fluid as part of their Planto Enviro line. Lokey is hawking their green oils to his customers to create a totally carbon neutral engine. “If you’re burning SRD as your fuel and using the Planto oils and fluids, then your engine is running 100% plant-based. That’s pretty cool. That’s the future.” Let’s hope Lokey is correct.

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Hundreds of lionfish congregate around a WWII Hellcat plane wreck, first discovered by OceanGate near Miami in 2012. Resting in the seafloor below SCUBA depth, this site has become a refuge from divers hunting lionfish. Above: This 3D model of the Cyclops series submersibles includes sonar systems capable of producing 2D and 3D images of wrecks and other targets of interest.

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A BETTER SUB BY DARYL CARSON & ERIKA MONTAGUE

An ocean tech start-up is on a mission to help researchers go deeper for cheaper.

Stockton Rush is an engineer with a keen business sense and a passion for building extreme machines. He’s currently leveraging his talents and business resources to fill a niche in the submarine community for a more affordable manned submersible. The sub he envisions is capable of a wide range of jobs—from oceanographic surveys to oil rig maintenance to filming and sample collection—all at depths down to 3,000 meters, or nearly two miles below the surface. It’s an ambitious project, but Rush has a résumé that suggests he’s pretty comfortable with pushing the envelope. At the age of 19, he became the youngest jet transportrated pilot in the world when he obtained his DC-8 Type/ Captain’s rating, and then worked summers during college flying for Saudi Arabian Airlines. He holds an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering from Princeton and an MBA from Berkeley. In 1984, Rush joined the McDonnell Douglas Corporation as a flight test engineer on the F-15 program and later worked on the Anti-Satellite Missile Program.

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Through Antipode’s large hemispherical dome, researchers observed changes in lionfish distribution from open, sandy-bottom environments down to the deep-water Bill Boyd wreck site shown here.

As for business ventures, Rush has overseen the development of multiple

carbon fiber and is estimated at seven inches thick. The front of the sub will be

successful IP ventures. He recently served on the board of directors for Seattle’s

formed by a massive, four-inch thick glass dome for incredible views, and it will

BlueView Technologies, a manufacturer of small, high-frequency sonar systems.

be rigged with manipulator arms, cameras, and all manner of tools for field work,

He also currently serves as chairman of Remote Control Technology, Inc. (RCT), a

data collection and research.

manufacturer of wireless remote control devices for several Fortune 500 industrial

To make the project a reality, OceanGate is taking a step-by-step approach.

clients, including Exxon, Conoco-Philips and Boeing. There are these and more

Before building their super sub, the company is building a prototype. The Lula

besides, but it’s his 2009 marine technology start-up called OceanGate that is

500 was purchased in 2012 and is undergoing a comprehensive refit. When

pushing the sub project. Founded by Rush and partner Guillermo Söhnlein, the

it’s finished, it will be the Cyclops 500 and serve as a test platform for the final

Washington-based company is already making significant progress.

3,000-meter-capable vessel that is scheduled for launch in 2016.

To build a better sub, Rush and company have a plan to combine private

In the meantime, OceanGate has been busy with another part of their plan—

money with modern materials and the best brains in the business. They have

building a client base and an impressive résumé of deepwater work. This serves

partnered with the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Lab and are also

to bring in revenue and to develop and refine the operational procedures that

drawing on the expertise of Boeing engineers and other partners. The new

will be needed for future projects. The equipment for these jobs includes both

machine has already been dubbed the Cyclops 3000—a small submersible capable

robotic vehicles and the Antipodes, a manned sub with a working depth of nearly

of taking a five-man crew down to 10,000 feet . The hull will be made from

1,000 feet. In the past five years, OceanGate has used this technology to discover

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Above, left: OceanGate Inc. CEO, Stockton Rush, examines Cyclops 500’s interior during her refit. Right: OceanGate’s Director of Science & Technology Dr. Erika Montague and NSU faculty member Dr. David Kerstetter prepare to dive in Antipodes during Expedition Lionfish. Below: Antipodes can carry researchers, scientists, media, and experts to various dive sites to observe and document population densities and predation behaviors below diver depth in the lionfish’s environment.

and identify shipwrecks, study artificial reefs, provide mapping services, and give

to bring a wide range of tools to the job—from manipulator arms to imaging

researchers, filmmakers and others a first-hand look at all kinds of deepwater

equipment. It’s a combination that’s proving to be pretty effective, and will only

environments. They’ve conducted some 150 dives around Washington, California,

be improved upon with the Cyclops series vessels. The company believes such

the Gulf of Mexico and Florida’s Atlantic coast.

capabilities will be attractive to a whole range of clients, such as energy giants,

One of the company’s more recent expeditions even put the Antipodes to

university research labs, filmmakers and anyone else with a need to go deep.

work in the fight against lionfish. In 2012, OceanGate partnered with the Miami-Dade Artificial Reef Program to study a series of artificial reefs that were beyond the practical working depths of scuba divers. In the process, researchers noticed the prevalence of lionfish at these more extreme depths. So, in June 2013, the company partnered with a number of other organizations, including the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, to collect data and raise awareness of the lionfish invasion and how it was affecting deepwater environments. Dives conducted over two days on multiple sites allowed researchers to observe lionfish population densities, distribution and behaviors below diver depths. Data collected included HD video recordings and 2D sonar scans. In addition to helping lionfish research, the event was also a chance for OceanGate to demonstrate the benefits of their manned submersible designs for deepwater work. The Antipodes allowed for direct observation by researchers, the freedom and precision of being untethered from a support ship, and the ability

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 43

Sunrise in Stuart, Florida, by Lee Smith.

GUY HARVEY OUTPOST photo contest winners

Above: Islander Lightning by Felipe Correa. Opposite, top: Surfing Sebastian Inlet by Matt Schimkus. Below: Crystal River Manatees by Brian Call.

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Left, Grand Prize Winner: Turtle Time by Kristofer Landers. Top: Blue Heron Waltz by Annie Thomson. Above: Mother Nature’s Mixed Emotions by Steve Huskisson.

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Above: Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary by James Gersing. Right: Kayaking Kingfish by Robert Field.

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Want your photo featured in Guy Harvey Magazine? Here is your chance to share your adventures with Guy Harvey Outpost and Guy Harvey Magazine, by entering the Share Your Adventure photo contest. Upload your photo to www. outpostphotocontest.com or post to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag: #OUTPOSTPICS. It is free to enter and there is no limit on number of entries. You can also vote for your favorite photos on the website. The Share Your Adventure contest celebrates adventure travel and will be awarding weekly and monthly contest prizes, including a chance to be displayed in the Guy Harvey Magazine. Visit Guy Harvey Outpost’s Facebook page for contest updates, special prizes and to see our winners. When submitting photos, please remember that Guy Harvey Outpost, Guy Harvey Magazine and their partners practice sustainable fishing.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 51

THE SNOOKINATOR My Egret 3.5 Wedgetail suddenly ceased to vibrate, lost within a massive swirl. No movement, then a couple of disbelieving head shakes—a sequence that always translates the same: Big fish. I set the hook a second time and all hell broke loose. In knee-deep water, this fish had no choice but to go horizontal. The old snook knew exactly where the nearest line-slicing structure lay—an entire bridge less than 100 yards away. She stopped 20 yards short of the pilings and let me lead her briefly toward open water, just enough to give me hope. Then we headed back to the concrete pilings. With 10-lb. PowerPro Slick braid on my shiny new Okuma Helios reel and an 8-lb. Aqua Dream flats rod, I backed off the drag when she weaved through three pilings. She charged toward the mangroves but the low tide did her in; she went aground before she reached the tree roots. I towed her toward shore, where a fisherman had been watching the whole skirmish with his mouth agape. He snapped a few images, I did a quick measurement (45 inches and change), and sent the St. Lucie River dinosaur back into the murk.

Jerry McBride is a longtime fishing writer/editor who consistently battles with monster trout and snook in Indian River Lagoon.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 53

Miami Outboard Club 1099 MacArthur Causeway Miami, FL 33132

www.mocdoradochallenge.com

Phone: 305-379-3000 305 379 3000 Fax: 305-371-4221 Email: moc1099@bellsouth.net

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 11 SUMMER 2014

Fishing at dusk in Everglades National Park. Photo: NPSphoto, G. Gardner.

A fine line • SeA of SurpriSeS • MASter guide: rob fordyce • Skinny wAter rodS

BY EDITOR NICK HONACHEFSKY

A FINE LINE

Finding the balance between radical and responsible. Fishermen and hunters are the original conservationists and environmentalists,

protected areas (MPAs) that ultimately squash fishing access and push out angling

bar none. Men who represented the best conservation and protectionist

interests in support of protecting the harbor seal or piping plover. They operate

philosophies— from the American Indians and Sir Isaac Walton to Henry

as subversive anti-fishing organizations under the guise of being protectors. Any

David Thoreau and Aldo Leopold—also fished, hunted and harvested their

angler worth his salt wants to protect the environment and fish stocks, lest he lose

way into the hearts of nature, enjoying the primordial pursuit, but always

his love. Just be careful of craftily-worded agendas from environmental NGOs that

understanding the importance of their quarry and the necessary protection

tug at the heartstrings for protection of fisheries but fail to take in consideration

of their environment. Back then, that kind of symbiotic relationship worked

the livelihoods of the community at stake. Establishing MPAs, say, for rockfish

well together. Nowadays, things seem to be getting a little messy. Blurred lines

off the California Coast, while potentially for the good of the environment,

between viewpoints and philosophies of conservation and fishing practices are

many times effectively shuts down businesses that depend on the fishery for a

creating opposing sides in the angling community—maybe rightfully so, maybe

livelihood. It is a fine line to tread when other effective measures could be taken

not. With exploding populations of humanity and more pressure on fish stocks

that protects both the fishery and the businesses that it supports.

and environments to protect, lines seemingly have been drawn in the sand in

The second issue is that of elitism in our sport. Many times, wealth and

terms of how to enact legislation and regulations, many times driving a divide

privilege, or even lack thereof, clouds and jades rational, righteous thought.

among anglers’ overlapping interests, even pitting recreational anglers against

Many wealthy anglers who can afford $5,000 plate dinners and call themselves

each other on what is considered to be “right” or “wrong.” In my opinion, three

fly fishermen or offshore anglers, searching out grander blue marlin and bonefish

issues compromise the recreational angling community’s solidarity: subversive

from the deck of a 70-ft. sport boat scowl, look down upon an angler who works

propaganda, elitism and incomplete science.

at a fast food joint and can barely afford $40 to hop on a four-hour bottom fishing

Subversive propaganda from environmental non-governmental organizations

head boat trip for sea bass. But don’t worry, the bad vibes flow the other direction,

(NGOs) and other conservation-oriented organizations is the first issue. Certain

too. Elitism is born, and then it divides a fishing community when discussing

environmental groups pose as a wolf in sheep’s clothing among the angling

regulations, albeit the poor man will inevitably suffer more as the wealthy will

community, trying to create a cancer from within. While outwardly they recruit

have more political influence. Ignorance of demographics is a huge issue that

anglers and profess to love the sport of angling, inwardly, they slowly adopt

splits a united passion. Invariably though, when the big boys play ball influencing

fewer pro-fishing stances and more regulation of environments, e.g. marine

and discussing potential regulations, it’s the little people who don’t get to bat.

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Sometimes, individual interests are quick to support legislation (e.g. creating

net at a certain time of year when the fish may or may not be running due to

bottom-fishing MPAs) that does not affect their own individual pursuits (e.g.

environmental factors. Too often, such methods determine unforgiving legislation

bonefishing the flats), while forgetting that the angling community is comprised

that has the potential to effectively kill a livelihood for charter boats in a certain

of an eclectic mix of demographics, interests and goals.

region while promoting them gratuitously in another. Ineffectual science pits

The third issue at hand that gets to the crux of the issue damaging

anglers and states against each other. We need continuous monitoring of fish

recreational angling solidarity and support of regulations as a whole is flat-out

stocks and a better understanding of migrations and cyclical attributes. You can’t

bad and incomplete science, and the mostly arbitrary scientific numbers that

close a fishery or apply draconian regulations unless you truly understand what

the regulations are built upon. We need solid, definitive science that determines

is happening in the health of the fishery as a whole. Sensible management and

legislation and regulation, and to date, it is scatterbrained at best. For instance, in

data collection mechanisms are needed to develop sane policies that allow for

2005, the New York Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) data

reasonable catch limits.

showed that only 194 weakfish were harvested for the entire year! By comparison,

The recreational angling community is comprised of an diverse mix of

neighboring state New Jersey’s anglers in 2005 harvested 1,017,378 weakfish! Also

individuals, for sure, and we all want to protect our fish stocks in the best way

for comparison, New York’s weakfish totals were 7,559 in 2004 and 9,234 in 2003.

possible. Unity as anglers and a strong show of solidarity are critical if we

How can those 2005 harvest numbers be possible? I’m not a mathematician, but

are to protect the passion we all love. To do that, we must eliminate elitism

something is dreadfully, absurdly wrong with New York’s data collection.

in the community, understand the agenda of certain extreme environment

A solid mechanism needs be put in place that allows true scientific numbers to come forth. Not numbers based upon one, single trawl net survey, or one gill

organizations, and develop legitimate and truthful scientific methodologies to determine regulations. United we stand, divided we fall.

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www.deepglow.com | (888) 871-3334 www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 57

Master Guide Rob Fordyce BY CA STAFF

South Florida native Rob Fordyce spends nearly 300 days a year on the water guiding and fishing in tournaments. He is a recognized guru of flyfishing, and co-authored Tarpon on Fly with Donald Larmouth. At the tender age of 18, Fordyce won the coveted and prestigious master angler award in the Met Tournament sponsored by the Miami Herald. He was the youngest angler ever to do so in the tournament’s 61-year history. Since then, Fordyce has won or guided others to win countless other saltwater contests. The following interview happened via cell phone while Fordyce was poling his skiff through the Everglades. uncle took me to the Everglades. He handed me a rod with a little spider bug on it. I didn’t even know how to cast, but I just flipped it out into the lily pads and started catching bass. They weren’t big—maybe 12 inches—but ever since, I was just fascinated with flyfishing. I got a hold of the World Fishing Encyclopedia…it must have been written in the ‘50s…and it had a section on tying flies. So, I started tying flies for bass and by age 9 or 10, I learned how to cast. But I just loved flyfishing.

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CA: Who is one of your ﬁshing mentors and how did they inspire you?

CA: How early on did you know you wanted to be a guide?

RF: I’ve been fishing since I was old enough to walk. My

old. I started guiding then, even though I didn’t have a

grandfather used to take me out to fish the reef. That’s what

license. I went to the University of Tennessee on a baseball

he loved to do, but I started flyfishing when I was eight. My

scholarship, and got my license over the summer when I

RF: I think it really struck me when I was 17 or 18 years

was 19. I went back for one more baseball season, but at 20, I started guiding full-time. I’m 44 now and still in the learning curve! The day you think you know everything, you better forget about it and find something else new to do.

CA: What are the best and worst things about being a full-time guide?

CA: The Everglades are jumps. He runs. He does everything an angler could a maze of look-alike want, and he inhabits a place that’s one of the coolest mangrove trees and winding places on the water. waterways. What do experienced ﬁshermen see in these places that others CA: Why do they call you do not? Voodoo Daddy? RF: For one thing, birds. After a while, all the tree lines

RF: (Big laugh) Two reasons, really. First, I’m very

look the same and the mangroves start blending

superstitious when I’m fishing, especially in a

together, but you can become familiar with where

tournament. I wear a lucky hat for tournaments and I

RF: I fish about 280 or 290 days a year. In any job,

the birds are all the time. There will be half a mile of

do everything in a particular order. Although, I don’t

that’s a lot of days to do something, but the things

shoreline with no birds, then you’ll find coves where

have dolls in the boat and stick pins in them! But the

I get to see, fish I get to chase and people I get to

the leaves are painted white with droppings. If the

other reason is my son. When he was little, he used

spend time with…there’s nothing else I’d rather do.

birds are constantly there, the bait is constantly there

to call anything that was really big—a fire truck or a

I’ve become good friends with some of my clients,

and that means fish. The other situation to look for is

train—a “big voodoo” fill-in-the-blank. One day, my

and I get to do what I Iove with people I enjoy. And,

where creeks or rivers empty out and provide water

sponsor delivered a new boat to the house. It was

of course, my office is the most beautiful place in

flow. A lot of that country there’s not a creek or river

much bigger than the little skiff I had been using and

the world.

mouth leading into it. Every time you see that, you

my son called it “Daddy’s big voodoo fishing boat.”

know there’s more water flow and that’s a good thing.

So, the name just stuck. Now everybody calls me

The negative side of guiding? Occasionally, the weather is terrible. And I take it personally when a guy doesn’t have a good day on the boat. Sometimes you can do everything and it just doesn’t work. That’s fishing! But if we have an unsuccessful day and a guy doesn’t get the fish he was looking for, I don’t like that part.

Voodoo Daddy.

CA: You’re regarded as an expert on tarpon ﬁshing, especially on ﬂy. Why do you chase tarpon? RF: I enjoy fishing for all species. I love going offshore

CA: If you could only use one rod, one bait and one boat launch for the rest of your life, what would they be?

and flying a kite and catching a sailfish and doing lots

CA: You spend a lot of time sneaking up on easily spooked ﬁsh. Where do most anglers fail when trying to be stealthy?

of other things. But, if I was going to die next week, I’d want to chase tarpon on fly with a big rod. When God made tarpon, he made everything a fisherman could want in a fish. He’s big. He’s in shallow water. He

RF: Hmm…that’s tough. I’d have to say, a fly rod and for the launch, the Loralei Bar in Islamorada because you can fish offshore or inshore. And I can’t say anything about a lure. If I told you that, I’d have to kill you.

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RF: For one, people go too fast. When you’re poling a flat looking for fish, even if you have a great light, these fish have a way of not showing up until the last second. And these boats displace water. As you move, a pressure wave goes out from the boat, and the faster you go, the farther away that ring of displacement is felt. Going slow and staying in the center of the boat are very important to minimize this. The other thing is that for bonefish and redfish, often these fish are feeding in a certain direction. You’re better off staying off the fish, and waiting for them to change their angle or waiting until you can work in front of them to present the bait rather than rushing in and just taking the shot that you get.

CA: We hear a lot about protecting the Everglades, but you’ve had a front-row seat to what’s happened in this place over the past three decades. What’s happening? RF: In the last 10 years, I’ve seen a tremendous dropoff in life, especially as far as birds, raccoons, rabbits. At the same time, there has been about a 60–70% die-off of sea grass in Florida Bay. I attribute that to chemicals in the water. Both the state and sugar cane [industry] have done tremendous things to reestablish water flow. However, water management used to dredge all their canals to keep them clear of hydrilla. They did this manually. But in the last 10 years, they’ve been spraying everything with a weed killer that also prevents regeneration of the plant. Everybody points the finger at sugar cane, but it’s done a lot to reestablish water flow and clean up the water. I can’t really point my finger there. I think chemicals being put into the water, both for hydrilla control and also run off from fertilizers and golf courses and everything else, are what’s affecting the Everglades the most. I can’t say strongly enough that it’s a serious issue. We’ve already lost our bonefish. I

Fordyce has been fishing the Everglades with a fly rod since he was eight years old. His knowledge and

think we’re going to lose everything else if we don’t

experience of fishing South Florida, both inshore and offshore, have made him a highly sought-after guide.

do something very soon.

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The latest crop of ﬁshing sticks for skinny water will spoil you rotten. GEARHEADS : BY JEFF DENNIS GHM INSIDER

What’s the first thing that you grab for when loading up the boat to go fishing? Usually, it’s a rod, or two or three or 12. Fishing rods are where the proverbial rubber meets the road for anglers. It’s the tool that allows us to cast toward the fish, set the hook and then wear the animal down during the fight. There is an overwhelming proliferation of rods on the market. Some might say we are spoiled rotten with the variety of rod makers, and the array of rod lengths and strengths available, but the complete angler wouldn’t have it any other way. Most inshore anglers become accustomed to a certain action rod for inshore casting, and while the reel and the

One benefit of having so many rods to choose from in the

fishing line play a role, it’s the rod that gets a grip and a rip

market is that each maker offers a unique balance of all these

each time. Rod action has real value when fighting a fish, too. If

characteristics, or a particular twist on applying the latest

you have too much whip at the tip, then a stout fish might win

materials and technology.

the battle. And too stiff a tip does nothing for the fun of a fight when smaller fish are in play. When sight-fishing, rod selection is crucial both in casting

“We like our rods to be tough, so our 80% graphite blank is both light and rigid,” says Eddie Carman, owner of Biscayne Rod in Miami. “Our Billy Baroo rods are actually named after an old

accuracy and in the retrieval. Some baits need to be worked

customer who always used our rods and then gave us a report

in such a way that only a certain type action will suffice. And

about their toughness.” He adds that they also come in a true

once the bait is taken, the rod becomes an extension of one’s

mono class rating from 4 to 20 pounds.

appendage, allowing the precise application of leverage to

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play the fish like a pro.

Other makers put a special focus on ergonomics. The

Blair Wiggins and his Flats Blue Rod with a nice redfish.

Schluter brothers made some noise by winning the 2013 ICAST

1. Biscayne Legacy

Best of Show Award for the best saltwater rod—LegendXtreme

The Legacy Spinning Rod Series is made with the

Inshore by St. Croix. These blanks are incredibly lightweight and

company’s custom Billy Baroo graphite blank for real-

they come with a new Xtreme-Skin rod grip that becomes slightly

world durability. EVA grips are soft and spongy, and the

tacky when wet, which can help when fish slime is present.

pole can dead-lift the same amount of weight as its

Flats fanatics may appreciate the stealthy thinking behind

rating. Fuji components include the reel seat, butt cap

a new rod from Wright and McGill. The firm has partnered with

and alconite guides.

Blair Wiggins from Addictive Fishing to help design the Flats Blue

MSRP $241

saltwater series.

www.BiscayneRod.com

“My blue camo rods will spook less fish,” says Capt. Wiggins, who chases fish from Texas to Louisiana, all around the sunshine

2. Okuma Shadow Stalker

state and on up into the Carolinas.

The Shadow Stalker rods contain highly sensitive

Regardless of an angler’s preferences, a solid inshore

graphite blank, with EVA grips. ALPS stainless steel,

spinning rod is a big key to consistent success no matter what

double-footed guide frames with ALPS zirconium oxide

species is on the hit list, from redfish to bluefish, jacks or spades,

inserts are smooth and durable. The Fuji reel seat has a

specs or linesiders. Following are 10 top models for inshore

rubberized carbon finish.

action. No matter which one catches your eye, if it’s properly

MSRP $110

applied, it can help you catch more fish.

www.OkumaFishing.com

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3. Crowder E-Micro The new E-Micro Series features a 57-million modulus graphite blank for fine-tuned performance. The Fuji K2 reel seats and ‘KR Concept’ Micro guides also provide super accurate casting. This is one of the latest concept rods tailored to more experienced anglers and tournament fishing. MSRP $250 www.CrowderRods.com

4. St. Croix LegendXtreme The LegendXtreme rods are constructed with highmodulus SCVI graphite blanks and use “Taper Enhancement Technology” for improved action with increased sensitivity. Hardware includes Fuji SK2 split reel seat, and Zero Tangle guides with zirconia rings and titanium frames. MSRP $380 www.StCroixRods.com

5. Shimano Teramar SE The SE designation stands for “southeast” and features Shimano TC4 construction, which balances durability and sensitivity. Fuji alconite guides deliver smooth casts, and the rod has high-quality, Grade A cork handles. MSRP $150 www.Shimano.com

6. G. Loomis Greenwater The Greenwater Series rods use a proprietary fiber blend technology and are rigged with Fuji chrome alconite guides. The distinct green-colored blanks (standard model) are perfect for fishing live bait. MSRP $230 www.Gloomis.com

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7. Daiwa DXI Gulf Coast The DXI Gulf Coast rods use the proven IM-6 graphite blank along with a Fuji reel seat and Minima Zirconia ring guides. Split-design natural cork grip and stainless steel reel clamp provide great saltwater performance. MSRP $89 www.Daiwa.com

8. Penn Legion The Legion rod packs a graphite blank with a unique carbon scale wrap that increases rod strength. Penn uses Fuji Hardloy guides, and anglers can choose between EVA or cork grips. A rubber gimbal minimizes boat abrasion. MSRP $99 www.PennReels.com

9. All Star Team The AST Series rods consist of a multi-modulus 100%

graphite blank, Fuji components and reel seat with top

grade cork handles. The Poppin’ Cork model is ideal for live bait fishing near structure. MSRP $69 www.AllStarRods.com

10. Wright and McGill Flats Blue The Flats Blue rods have S-Curve blank technology with a distinctive blue color that provides stealth for shallow water sight-fishing. A split cork fore grip delivers fingertip sensitivity on strikes. MSRP $129 www.Wright-McGill.com

Right: GHM Insider Jeff Dennis putting his GHM tshirt to good use. Photo: Jeff Dennis.

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S A surfcaster’s paradise, the Sea of Cortez holds the promise of the atavistic roosterfish.

f o a e

S urp

streak of sunlight broke the crystal-clear horizon on the East Cape of the Baja Peninsula, lighting up the Mexican coastline with a warming glow. The scene was utterly placid on the Sea of Cortez—ﬂat, calm seas, salt-laden breezes, gulls lazily gliding above the sandy beaches. It was an awakening of senses on all levels. At the Buena Vista Beach Resort, I was ﬁlming an episode of my television show on the World Fishing Network, Hookin’ Up with Nick and Mariko, and though I had been to Buena Vista before, it was an added treat to experience it with my co-host, Mariko Izumi, as she had never heard the call of the Sea of Cortez before. “This is a hidden part of Mexico,” I told her. “You’re going to see some sights and surprises here that are the best kept secrets around.”

s i r

BY NICK HONACHEFSKY

With steep drops and blue water, the Sea of Cortez delivers a spectacular range of rod-bending action. www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 67

along its skin—truly an amazing sight to behold. “Don’t touch his arms, hombre!” Felipe, the mate, warned me as thousands of knife-bladed, pointed, beak-like graspers lined the Red Devil’s tentacles, and he grabbed the squid by its mantle and placed him in the cooler. I turned around to see Mariko bent over, sweating and swearing as another huge Humboldt was giving her a workout. “Ugh! These squid are a chore to reel in!” she shouted out. Fifteen minutes later, another Humboldt lay on deck, spouting black ink all over the place, including on Mariko’s clothes. Humboldts don’t care if you’re filming a show or not, and a wardrobe change was in store for Mariko. But the end game was two drops, two squid, and we had enough calamari to test out at the dinner table. “C’mon, let’s find some marleen,” said Felipe.

SEAMOUNT PELAGICS

Engines blazing, we pointed the bow to the marlin grounds, just another 400 yds. away and a total of a mere mile and a half off the beach in 6,000 ft. of water. Though the seas were ultra calm, our cameraman Rhett, who gets seasick just looking at water, was bent over the side of the vessel creating a chum slick. Live goggle-eyes were sent out on a five-rod W spread pattern, the baits trolling at a speed of four knots through the blue water. Before the squid ink saturating our clothes had time to dry, a raised bill pierced the shotgun line bait. “Marleen! Marleen!” Felipe shouted. Quickly, Felipe free-lined a goggle-eye to wave enticingly back into the spread, and in an instant, not one, but two more bills came piercing out of the water behind the levee. “Uno! Dos! Tres! Marleen!” counted Felipe, with an incredulous look on his face. Three striped marlin billing our baits in the spread—a triple-header of

RED DEVILS

interest! I couldn’t believe our luck to raise three stripers, but no sooner were

The day started with marlin in mind, but no sooner did we fire up the engines on

again. The thrill of raising a trifecta of striped marlin in the spread was more than

the 35-ft. Care-less to chase pelagics than we changed the plan only a mile from

enough to get my heart pumping. Rhett steeled his stomach up just in time to

the Buena Vista dock in 3,000 ft. of water.

film the marlin billing the baits.

“Calamar aqui!” our captain shouted. Our pelagic game plan changed in an

the bills up and inspecting our baits that they went back down never to be seen

After the marlin madness, minutes passed without a hit, then an hour. Our

instant. The fish finder screen marked red blobs all through the water column—

producer, Craig, started asking me if I had any influence with the fish gods to get

Humboldt squid, aka Red Devils. These incredibly formidable squid have been

them to start snapping, because you simply can’t put a fishing show together

known to attack and take chunks out of men, but are equally intelligent creatures

with no fish on film. I suggested an age-old remedy. “Let’s relax for a bit, grab a

that communicate through a complex system of chromatophoric flashes.

beer and forget about the fish for a little while. Fish know when you don’t care

Without hesitation, Mariko and I unwrapped massive, foot-long squid jigs

anymore.” I reached into the fridge and just as we were kicking back, about to

that looked like they’d be a lot of trouble if you put them in your jeans pocket,

crack open our first Modelo of the morning, the port line snapped. Mariko shot

and dropped them down lower and lower into the water column. Then, at around

out of her seat and quickly beat me to the rod, as a high flyin’, 15-lb. dorado was

the 200 ft. mark, the jig…just…stopped. Squid on! Buckling over, I pumped and

launching itself acrobatically off the stern. “Keep him next to the boat!” I instructed

reeled, crank after crank, until a 60-lb. Humboldt was on deck, switching color

Mariko, with visions of a double-header hookup in mind. I grabbed my spinning

patterns from red to pink to white in all sorts of geometric shapes and patterns

rod rigged with a white, one-ounce bucktail, hooked on a tentacle from one of the

68 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Seasick but dedicated, cameraman Rhett Morita steadies his stomach to film the TV show. Below: Electric-hued dorado fill the icebox, setting up a perfect fish taco dinner. Opposite: Mariko Izumi hoists a Humboldt squid, aka “Red Devil.”

Humboldts we kept, and dropped a cast right near Mariko’s fighting dorado. The result was inevitable. Bam! I was tied fast to another 15-pounder and, together, we bested both dorado. Mariko and I had visions of fresh fish tacos for lunch. Craig was pleased we got the shot. Rhett was just happy we were going back to the dock.

SURF EXPEDITION

Back at the lunch table, Mariko and I discussed the possibility of landing some serious caliber fish with our feet planted in the sand. The decision was made and we rented ATVs for a full-fledged surf-fishing adventure. We headed out through the cactus-lined arroyo pits along the vast, vacant Los Cerritos beachfront. A three-hour ride culminated at Lighthouse Point, a serene setting we hoped would produce some big action. Our ATVs were stacked with an arsenal of 13-ft., heavyduty surf rods that can launch a lure out nearly a quarter mile and handle a 70-lb., juiced-up jack from the sands. It was time to go to work. I loaded a rod with a 3-oz. Robert’s Ranger jig, whipping out casts to the reef edge, splashing and crashing the lure along the surface. A monster boil erupted behind my jig, accompanied by black, waving, foot-long roosterfish fins poking out of the water. My knees nearly buckled at the sight, but after one more swipe at my jig, he was gone—my

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 69

Sea of Cortez 411 What:

Roosterfish, blue marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, dolphin, bonito, red snapper (huachinango), cabrilla, wahoo and yellowfin tuna.

When: Where:

Year-round; peak season April through October.

Buena Vista Beach Resort is situated an hour’s

ride north of the Los Cabos airport on the East Cape, along the Sea of Cortez, far enough from the hustle and bustle of the Cabo San Lucas circus. Buena Vista runs a shuttle service from the airport, and a variety of inshore and offshore guides is available at the lodge. Don’t forget to bring your passport. 800-752-3555; www.hotelbuenavista.com.

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The surf fishing mule used to access sections of uninhabited coastline along the Sea of Cortez. Opposite, left: Once tenderized, Humboldt squid are fine fare when fried and dipped in marinara sauce. Top: Juvenile roosterfish eagerly chase down surface poppers in the crashing waves. Middle: Houndsfish harass topwater plugs in the Baja surf. Bottom: The Hookin’ Up with Nick and Mariko film crew trekking across the Baja coastline.

dreams lost to the whims of a wary roosterfish. Again and again, casts were made,

pesto, and onions, accompanied by a dinner plate of tender calamari and spicy

some of which were followed by long, slender-looking shadows, and one of which

marinara sauce. Best of all, it was served under a crystal-clear night sky that

finally committed to my lure. After a seven-minute battle, a 4-ft. houndsfish lay

unveiled the surreal, white painted streaks of the sparkling Milky Way.

next to me on the sands, and I took great caution in releasing the primordial

LAST LICKS

snake-like creature. We decided to make a move and pushed full throttle along the Los Cerritos

A fishing story never ends at the prior evening’s celebratory meal. There is always

sands, 45 minutes north, to an inlet comprised of jetty rocks—a roosterfish

the promise of the next morning. On our final day at Buena Vista Beach Resort, I

playground. There are times when you fish that your hands literally shake in

woke up at 6 a.m., determined to squeeze in a bit more fishing before the 9 a.m.

anticipation, your body too wired to function properly. This was one of those

shuttle departure—without cameras and crew. This sojourn was purely for fun

times, as I hoped to catch a roosterfish from the surf for the first time in my life. As I

and to fuel the addiction that runs through my veins. In the pre-dawn hours, I set

launched my first cast over the rock-strewn surf, what followed was unlike any surf

out on a local panga to slow-troll baits for an hour along the Sea of Cortez sands

fishing I’ve ever experienced. One cast after another, the jig was being harassed by

right in front of the lodge. Why not? As the sun rose, cockscomb fins knifed out

hordes of small roosters, sometimes three to four at a time. In a half-hour’s span, I

of the water and my adrenaline was pumping. The first hooked sardine I sent

landed five roosters to 10 lbs. Another 15 knocked the lures clean out of the water,

back drew a swirl, a crash, a hookup. That process repeated itself time and time

the spirited roosters shaking the hooks out with wild, aerial action.

again. Nearly a dozen roosters to 20 lbs. were brought boat-side in an hour’s time.

The smile on my face was as wide as the sprawling sunset over the Sierra de La Laguna mountain range. My crew had more than enough footage now to put a show together and we were all in a congratulatory mood that the job was done right. Mariko and I pointed the ATVs back to the lodge, racing the impending darkness. The dinner table was adorned with dorado fillets, draped with hummus,

Seeing the clock read 8:55, I jumped off the panga and ran, all smiles, to catch the awaiting shuttle. “Good thing you made it. We were gonna leave you,” said a smiling Mariko. “I got no problem with that, see ya later,” I retorted, knowing full well that fishing never stops in the Sea of Surprises.

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 71

GUY HARVEY OUTPOST RESORTS

THE HIT LIST OF GHO RESORTS BY PAITRA PRIM & DARYL CARSON

Guy Harvey Outpost resorts and lodges give die-hard anglers, divers and ocean nuts a resort experience that allows them to enjoy the water in a responsible way. From the easily accessible resort at St. Pete Beach to the secluded island of Little Cayman, each Outpost sets its foundation on conservation and offers guests an authentic and salty adventure. These destinations offer something unique, too—mostly world-class fishing and diving along with proven outfitters. Depending on the locale, guests can cast flies to wary bonefish, troll for blue water species or freedive with dolphins. New Outposts are being added all the time, but this issue we round up the current list of ten exotic locations.

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BIMINI SANDS

SOUTHERN CROSS CLUB

Considered the birthplace of the International Game Fish Association, Bimini

With its tropical seclusion, miles of shallow flats, and deep ocean canyons just

remains a nirvana for big-game sportfishing. Attracted to the variety of bait

offshore, Little Cayman is the sportfishing destination of choice in the Cayman

washing past Bimini in the Gulfstream, blue marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin are

Islands.

easily found.

BASICS: With very little commercial development on Little Cayman,

South Bimini

Little Cayman

BASICS: A series of villas surrounding a beautiful deep-sea marina, Bimini

this is a true getaway experience. The Southern Cross Club has 14 beachfront

Sands is the perfect home away from home.

bungalows with adventure waiting at your doorstep.

WHAT WE LIKE: Neal Watson’s Undersea Adventure is guaranteed

WHAT WE LIKE: From dining accommodations to diving

to give you a diving experience you won’t forget. And Bimini Sands is the only

adventures, the staff is attentive and dedicated to helping you get the most out of

marina in Bimini to carry the internationally recognized Blue Flag designation for

your stay. The Club is also committed to sustainable tourism, and its owner, Peter

environmental stewardship.

Hillenbrand, is chairman of the Central Caribbean Marine Research Institute.

GUY HARVEY OUTPOST RESORTS 1. 2. 6.

7. 8.

3. 4.

1. Tradewinds 2. Old Bahama Bay 3. Green Turtle Club 4. Black Fly Lodge 5. Islamorada Islander 6. Bimini Sands 7. Hotel Playa Media Luna Isla Mujeres 8. Southern Cross Club 9. Fort Young 10. Iguana Crossing 9. 10.

GREEN TURTLE CLUB Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

Green Turtle Cay’s powder white sand beaches make this the perfect snorkeling destination. The flats around the Cays are plentiful with bonefish for flyfishermen and spin casters looking for a challenge.

BASICS: Offering a variety of rooms, waterfront townhouses and villas, the Green Turtle Club has the perfect accommodations for a couple, family or group.

WHAT WE LIKE: Ocean Beach and Bita Bay Beach are just minutes from the Green Turtle Club and are great for snorkeling, as beautiful reefs lie in all directions. You can spend a day snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Sea of Abaco or explore the many Atlantic Ocean reefs, just a short distance offshore.

OLD BAHAMA BAY RESORT West End, Grand Bahama

Internationally acclaimed dive operator Stuart Cove and his team of professionals offer the ultimate scuba experience, a thrilling day of diving at Tiger Beach.

BASICS: With its postcard-perfect beach, harborfront villas, and a top-of-class, full-service marina, Old Bahama Bay is unrivaled in out-island comfort and convenience.

WHAT WE LIKE:

In addition to some of the most incredible

bonefishing only a mile from the resort, this resort offers the Tiger Beach Shark Excursion, a truly unique way to interact with amazing predators. The western end of Grand Bahama Island also offers virgin reefs with incredible diving. If you’d rather stay away from the sharks, snorkeling with wild dolphins on the Little Bahama Bank or diving the 1930s-era Sugar Wreck and the Mt. Olympus pinnacle are also a buzz.

FORT YOUNG HOTEL Roseau, Dominica

This is an ecosystem that is equally unique in its natural diversity, all-around adventure and spectacular diving. With seven potentially active volcanoes, Dominica is the largest and most mountainous of the Leeward Islands. Mostly covered by rainforest, it’s also home to the world’s second largest hot spring, Boiling Lake.

BASICS: The luxurious Fort Young Hotel’s cliffside location gives guests the ultimate view of the “Nature Island,” Dominica. Seventy-one guestrooms and suites offer full amenities and comforts. Accommodations include rooms tucked into the original building of the Fort, and a variety of oceanfront rooms and suites.

WHAT WE LIKE: Dominica rises out of very deep water, and offers an outstanding variety of big game opportunities and breathtaking experiences of every kind—from encounters with sperm whales and dolphins, to swimming through the bubbles of underwater volcanic fissures. All of this comes with practically unlimited visibility. It’s the dive capital of the Eastern Caribbean.

IGUANA CROSSING HOTEL Isabela, Galapagos Islands

Isabela is the best place to see whales in the Galapagos Islands—home of the world’s most active volcanic areas and amazing wildlife.

BASICS: The Iguana Crossing Hotel offers an exclusive escape as it has only 14 guestrooms, all with jaw-dropping, oceanfront views.

WHAT WE LIKE: Sixteen species of whales have been identified in the area, including humpbacks, sperms, sei, minkes and orcas. Also, Isabela is home to more wild tortoises than all the other islands, and the only island presenting more than one subspecies of Galapagos tortoise.

BLACKFLY LODGE

Schooner Bay, Abaco, Bahamas Flyfishing entrepreneur, artist, conservationist and passionate angler, Vaughn Cochran turned a superlative flyfishing destination into an exceptional flyfishing vacation experience.

BASICS: The lodge offers only eight guestrooms, each opening onto a wrap-around balcony with waterfront views, giving visitors a more intimate stay.

WHAT WE LIKE: Founded on the principles of sustainable design and living, Schooner Bay recreates the authentic Bahamian waterfront community. Fly and flats fishing are at the top of any must-do list. Explore the southern region of Great Abaco’s virgin fishery for superb flats action. With six distinct zones, anglers of every skill level will be confident of success.

HOTEL PLAYA MEDIA LUNA Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Isla Mujeres is considered sacred to many anglers and divers, as year-round you can find some of the world’s best fishing and mind-blowing big animal encounters in crystal clear water.

BASICS: Hotel Playa Media Luna is a small, casual and relaxed boutique hotel that sits on a secluded, crescent-shaped beach at the northeast corner of the island.

WHAT WE LIKE: The sailfish and striped marlin attract serious sportfishing boats from around the Gulf of Mexico and anglers from around the world. Also, Isla offers more than 20 dive sites, and between June and September, there is the annual whale shark migration that no scuba enthusiast should miss.

76 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

ISLAMORADA, ISLANDER RESORT Islamorada, Florida

Islamorada is known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World” with its legendary fishing fleet and variety of gamefish. This Florida Keys gem is one of the angling world’s most talked about fishing destinations.

BASICS: The Islamorada Outpost features two waterfront resorts and offers you the choice of sunrise or sunset views. There’s a pristine private beach, two oceanfront swimming pools, a hot tub, volleyball court and a lighted, 200-foot fishing pier.

WHAT WE LIKE: Islamorada is in the heart of all the Keys have to offer, with equal access to offshore and inshore fishing action. You can bring your own boat or charter a trip, and after a long day on the water, you can hit Guy’s Beachside Bar & Grill to recover from it all.

GUY HARVEY OUTPOST, A TRADEWINDS ISLAND RESORT St. Pete Beach, Florida

This is a rockin’ family-friendly resort even your kids will love with lots of beach-based fun and access to some of Florida’s best inshore fishing.

BASICS: Several room configurations are available—from standard hotel to suites— along with multiple restaurants and awesome watersports facilities that include the JetLev Flight Center.

THINGS WE LIKE: Access to thousands of experienced charter operations and the inside scoop from resort staff on local conditions and fishing trends. It’s also an easy to drive to the Tampa/St. Pete metro area for access to concerts and sporting events.

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MEET THE CHEF

ALL FIRED UP BY GHM STAFF

Chef Barton Seaver loves seafood, but he sees it from a unique perspective. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, a transformative trip to Morocco landed him in the seaside village of Essaouira, where survival is directly linked to the oceans. His time spent with the locals taught him generations-old ﬁshing methods and shaped his belief that, at its root, sustainability is both an ecological and a humanitarian issue. As an executive chef, Seaver opened seven restaurants and gained numerous awards and acclaim for his food and for the environmentally conscious businesses he ran. Highlights of his culinary career include three times being named a Rising Culinary Star, twice earned Best New Restaurant awards, and in 2009 Seaver was honored by Esquire magazine as Chef of the Year. His restaurant Hook was named by Bon Appétit magazine as one of the top 10 eco-friendly restaurants in America. His passion for serving sustainable foods led him to be named a Seafood Champion by the Seafood

Chef Barton Seaver | Author, Where There’s Smoke

Choices Alliance, a Legend & Leader in ocean conservation by Blue Vision, and was recognized by the Blue

used this position to explore the connection between

Smoky Catﬁsh and Trinity Black-Eyed Pea Salad

healthy humans and a healthy planet. Today, he travels the

Serves 4

Ocean Institute for his efforts on behalf of our blue planet. Barton left the restaurant industry to pursue his interests in sustainable food systems and accepted a fellowship with the Explorer Program at the National Geographic Society. For the past several years, he has

globe and works with all sectors of communities, business,

15 oz. can

and governments to pursue meaningful change that sustains both human interests and environmental resiliency.

under cold running water 1

For at-home cooks, Seaver has authored two books that marry great flavors with smart and sustainable foods. His first book, For Cod & Country, showcases seasonal

details meat, seafood and vegetable recipes for the grill. (Recipes included here are all from this collection.)

78 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

Red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips

3 stalks 1T

seafood, vibrant spices and farm-fresh produce. His second cookbook, Where There’s Smoke, was released last year and

Black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

Celery, thinly sliced White balsamic vinegar OR good quality white wine vinegar

2T 1 lbs.

Extra virgin olive oil U.S. catfish fillets, soaked in fish brine and juice of ½ orange or lemon

fennel seeds, cloves, ginger, clam juice, a pinch of salt and the saffron to the wine; bring to a low simmer. Holding the lobster over a tray to collect the juice, separate the tail from the head. Crack the shell and remove all meat. Reserve the meat and shells separately. Using the back of a knife, crack the claws and knuckles. Tear off the legs and put them with the other shell pieces. Scrape out the inside of the head of the lobster, saving the thin sheets of meat lying just under the shell but discarding the other Kosher salt

2 lbs.

Leaves from 4 springs fresh mint, torn 50

Fish Brine 2C

Warm water

Kosher salt

Sugar

Mix ingredients and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Submerge fillets (weigh down with a plate

1 lb

½C 1

if needed) for about 20 minutes.

Mussels, scrubbed and debearded

contents. Also, discard the tomalley and coral roe if

(discard any that won’t close)

it’s present. Chop all the meat into bite-size pieces

Littleneck clams, scrubbed thoroughly

and place them in a covered dish in the fridge. Add

(discard any with broken shells or that

the shells and any collected juice to the wine in the

won’t close)

pot and simmer for 20 minutes; strain the broth and

Fish fillets (striped bass, bluefish or

discard the solids. Remove the pot from the stove

amberjack, cut into 1-in. pieces)

and add the mussels, clams and fish pieces. Toss to

Lemony Aioli

distribute evenly.

Baguette Kosher salt

Place the whole pot on the grill, directly over the coals of a medium-heat fire. Add alder, apple or cherry wood chunks to the coals. Cover the grill and

To make the salad, mix the black-eyed peas with the

Lemony Aioli

pepper strips, onion, celery, vinegar and olive oil in a

medium bowl. Season to taste with salt and sprinkle

with the mint leaves. Toss and let sit at least 15 minutes for the flavors to combine.

1 clove

Grill the catfish fillets using indirect, medium heat. Add a handful of wood chunks, preferably hickory or mesquite. Cover the grill and cook for 12-15 minutes. The fish is done when it flakes under

contents of the pot. Add the reserved lobster chunks

Lemon, peel removed in strips,

and cover the grill. Cook until the clams are almost all

then juiced

open, about another 10 minutes.

Garlic, grated on a microplane, or finely minced

8 sprigs Fresh tarragon leaves, chopped 2C

let cook for 10–15 minutes, then carefully stir the

Egg yolk

Ladle out portions into bowls, discarding any mussels or clams that haven’t opened. Top each serving with a big dollop of the aioli. Serve with torn

Canola oil

pieces of baguette to sop up the broth. Use a big

Kosher salt

bowl to collect the empty shells.

gentle pressure and has an amber, smoky hue. Serve

In a medium bowl, mix the egg yolk, lemon

catfish hot off the grill on a bed of the salad.

juice, garlic, tarragon and pinch of salt. Whisk to combine, then add the canola oil in a slow,

Smoky Fish Stew Serves 4–6 2C 1 – 1.5 lb. 2t 2

this slowly and the sauce will thicken as you add the oil until it is a smooth mayonnaise.

Dry white wine Lobster

In a large, flameproof stew pot, bring the

Fennel seeds

wine to a boil. Add the lobster, cover and

Cloves

bring back to a boil. Cook one minute more,

1 dime-size Knob fresh ginger, thinly sliced 8 oz. Clam juice Pinch

steady stream, whisking the entire time. Do

Saffron (about 10 threads, optional)

then remove the lobster, reserving the wine in the pot. Cool the lobster until it is comfortable to handle. Meanwhile, add the

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 79

LAST CAST

HOOKED ON SNOOK About a year ago, I was invited to the annual Hobie Kayak

however, one Dairy Queen, which apparently received

writer’s event. Surprisingly, they asked me back this year.

some sort of Royal Elf exemption. Other than that, most

You’d think that sneaking habañera peppers into the host’s

of the stores, bars and eateries are quaint little pastel

burrito last year would have landed me on the blacklist. But

mom-and-pops that decorate Sanibel’s main road called

apparently, my sub-par fishing skills were enough to green

Periwinkle Way. While quite adorable, Periwinkle has

light me. Either that or my affiliation with Dr. Guy Harvey.

a 30-mph limit with no passing zones and I, of course,

I’m not sure.

got stuck behind a speed limit Nazi, who I was tempted

Whatever the reason, I’d gotten the email informing me that every fishing editor worth a damn would be

to pass—mostly because I can almost run that fast. Eventually, the two-lane becomes Sanibel-Captiva Road

landing in Captiva Island, Florida, for three days of yak fishing, mixed intermittently with eating and drinking happy things. I quickly répondez-vous-ed and

FRED GARTH

packed my fly rod for

For the past 25 years, Fred D.

hunky snook and

Garth’s articles have appeared in

hungry trout.

numerous books, magazines and

Fishing writers and

newspapers around the world.

photographers are a

Read his blog at:

fun and funny group

GuyHarveyMagazine.com.

to hang around. Lots of

and it twists and winds

The seat is so comfortable that I sold my couch and now I watch ESPN from a Hobie folding chair facing a 60” ﬂat screen in my living room. I even got a matching one for my wife.

killer beach views and by jaw-dropping, megahomes. The scenery and laid-back pace of driving began to calm my nerves and I noticed my blood pressure falling to a simmer. Maybe they planned it that way. Like most barrier islands in the Sunshine State, Sanibel and

sarcasm, acerbic wit and jovial banter. But on the water, it’s

Captiva are long and skinny with lots of good backwater,

pretty much game on. You get a lot of “how’d ya do’s?” and

grass beds and mangroves for a friendly fishing

“what’d ya catch?” from your fellow journo-geeks. The good

competition. When the winds are right, you can stalk

news—despite some nasty wind and an unfavorable full

the Gulf beaches for tarpon, big snook, pompano, reds

moon—is that most of us caught snook, trout, redfish and

and their slimy brethren. Unfortunately, it was blowing

a few of Florida’s most shameful gamefish, the butt-ugly

like snot so we tucked into the mangroves around J.N.

sailfin catfish.

“Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. At 6,400 acres,

Captiva’s reputation as a luxury beach fairyland is

Ding is one of the largest mangrove wilderness areas in

right on target. Just west of Ft. Myers and north of Naples

the country. With lots of no-motor zones, the place is a

on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the islands of Sanibel and Captiva

kayaker’s paradise, which I guess is why Hobie picked this

were actually invented by elves who had powers to

place, because those guys are really smart.

grow mystical trees and repel chain restaurants. There is,

80 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

through lush foliage, past

Top: Florida Sportsman Editor Jeff Weakly hoists a snook. Middle and bottom: Local fishing guru J.D. Donahue knows where the snook are.

The Gear News flash: fishing from a kayak is no longer a news flash. It’s just fishing. And, we happen to be in kayaks. Mack Daddy kayaks, that is. If you’ve never seen Hobie yaks in action, there are a million YouTube videos, magazine profiles, blogs, websites, Twitters, Facebooks, dribbles, tumblers and whatever other social blather a 20-year-old future billionaire just invented. Point is, there’s no lack of data out there. But there’s also no substitute for actually stumbling into one of these machines and fishing. And, they are machines. The pedal/paddle drive system alone is a feat (no pun there) of engineering. The seat is so comfortable that I sold my couch and now I watch ESPN from a Hobie folding chair facing a 60” flat screen in my living room. I even got a matching one for my wife. She’s soooo happy now. The rudder steering is pinpoint accurate, even though you have to get a bit of speed up before it responds. I think that’s called physics. Even after numerous beers, you can stand up and the yak remains rock solid. You will probably fall overboard, but the boat will be fine. Side note: many “waterproof” cases for iPhones are unreliable. For the extremely uncoordinated, there’s even a leaning bar that pops up easily and requires an IQ of less than 100 to assemble. A nagging challenge with kayak fishing has always been anchoring, especially in high winds. Anchors are unwieldy, pole stakes don’t hold well on hard bottom and the whole process can get a guy all twisted up. Luckily, the brainiacs at Power Pole have created a micro power pole for kayaks. Ingenious! I fished a 14-ft. Pro Angler equipped with the 8.5-ft. pole and was instantly tickled. A remote, about the size of your car’s clicker, hangs around your neck for lightning-speed deployment. I did my best to break the device, but it kept working flawlessly anyway and allowed me to stop on a dime, stand up and fish away. Another problem solved. As a company, Hobie grew up on surfboards and the iconic Hobie Cat sailboat. But they’ve also been making kayaks since 1986. That original sit-ontop yak is vastly different from the extraordinary yaks of today that are suited for jungle combat, which I did many times in the Ding Darling mangroves pulling out topwater lures I’d thrown too far and trying to avoiding pelican poop. I was using topwater lures because I followed J.D. Donahue—a local fishing guru with a Big Lebowski charm—who had nailed the snook on topwaters the day before and bragged about it over beers that night. My master plan worked perfectly, and I caught a 24” and a 22” snook on a Heddon Spook Jr. topwater before 10am by doing pretty much exactly what J.D. was doing. Well, as best I could. Later on, I snagged a few trout and chased a couple of reds, but by noon, the water was chalked up from all the wind. Catching quickly became fishing.

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Another “Team J.D.” tagalong was Jeff Weakley, a cool dude, and editor of Florida Sportsman. Turns out Jeff grew up fishing near Gulf Shores, Alabama, where I spent my youth getting into trouble, so we swapped lies about that. I

deadhead coming out of a Colorado bake shop. In fact, when I looked around, everyone was grinning. After three days of fishing like our lives depended on it, the event was

smartphone-photo’d some nice fish he landed and we ended the day paddling

officially christened a success. The friendship, the food and the location were

back to Hobie headquarters, a palatial beach mansion, or what I dubbed the “Yak

perfect. Leaving our hosts, Ingrid Niehaus, the queen of logistics, and Keeton Eoff,

House.” I’ve already contacted MTV about the reality show rights.

the official grill master, meat burner and marketing guy at Hobie, felt a little like

Officially named Captiva Crest, the Yak House was dripping in high-tech

going home after visiting the family during Thanksgiving. I shed a little tear and

appliances, lovely travertine bathrooms, tile floors, exotic hardwoods and fine art

marveled at how a group of such eclectic personalities could cohabitate without

scattered throughout. There were seven or eight bedrooms—I lost count. Even

killing each other.

with all of the cush, most of our crew was focused on two things: the Keurig coffee

Like the previous year, two of our roommates, Morgan Promnitz and Jerry

maker and our fishing gear. Of course, the hot tub came in handy after Jeff and I

McBride, seemed to catch the most fish. Morgan is Hobie’s fishing product

pumped pedals for six hours and my muscles turned into cream cheese. But that’s

manager and a guy with a perpetual smile and a helping hand. It’s a tough life

what I love about kayak fishing. It ranks up there with snow skiing as the world’s

to be forced to fish all over the world, but Morgan pulls it off with style and reels

most fun exercise. You can burn some calories, tour some mangroves, cruise the

‘em in steadily. Jerry McBride has been a fishing journalist for many years, and

flats, take in the scenery, chase a manatee or two and still catch some fish. Even

I’ve determined that either he has supernatural fishing talents or he’s learned the

if the fish aren’t biting, the experience can still be mind blowing. On the second

secret honey holes of those fishing elves. As for me, I’m already getting ready for

afternoon, after dinking around with the fly rod for a couple of hours, Jeff just

next year and have advised Hobie to design a hot tub yak for instant muscle relief

plugged in his earbuds, turned up some “Sweet Home Alabama” and paddled

at the push of a button.

through the mangroves shooting killer wildlife images. He was smiling like a

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