Guy Harvey Magazine — Winter 2012

The Art of Ocean Conservation VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7 WINTER 2012 $6.95

Cabo San Lucas Fishing Guide How to catch more than marlin.

Catch & Release Tools Set them free; help them live.

COMPLETE ANGLER:

Sailfish Tactics, Fishing Celebs, Boat Buying Tips

CONTENTS

WINTER 2012

THE OTHER CABO

20

KILLING FOR CONSERVATION

42

30

UNDERWATER SERENGETI

Writer/photographer Ty Sawyer had been diving in Grand

A just-completed, 10-year tracking study is shedding new light on

Cayman dozens of times over the past 30 years before showing up

migration routes and how species overlap in the Pacific.

on the island to spend a little time with Guy. Then, in a single day,

BY LYNN GOYA

the author was transformed from sensible eco-tourist to raging conservation warrior.

BY TY SAWYER

30

48

CATCH & RELEASE SURVIVAL GUIDE

THE OTHER CABO

Proper release techniques can make all the difference in a fish’s

You think Cabo is all big boats and blue marlin? Well, okay, maybe

BY DARYL CARSON

survival. And that can make all the difference for our sport.

that is a lot of Cabo. But it’s far from all the fishing this Mexican jewel has to offer. From striped marlin to roosterfish to bonefish there’s angling aplenty at the southern tip of Baja.

BY CAPT. DAVE LEAR

54

WELDING THE CHAIN Governments around the globe are responding to calls for legislation to protect sharks from over-fishing.

BY CAPT. JOHN McMURRAY

UNDERWATER SERENGETI

42

DEPARTMENTS

10

Lionfish in the Cayman Islands Guy lives, works, and plays in an island nation well

70

Bill Shedd With a strong family legacy in marine conservation,

known for its commitment to conservation. Today, it’s

Bill Shedd has continued his father’s work and

facing down the growing threat of invasive lionfish

made a significant impact on the oceans.

with deadly force.

BY GREG JACOSKI

BY DR. GUY HARVEY

12

Letters to GHM

72

Caution: Tigers Ahead With a million-dollar smile, sand tigers are a favorite of

Reader comments via letters, e-mails, texts, social

divers and aquarium-goers, but little is known about

media, and notes on napkins.

the status of these charismatic sharks.

BY DARYL CARSON

16

Keeping up with the Man A new Guy Harvey Outpost is coming to the Bahamas.

74

Eating the Enemy A new trend in seafood is finding fantastic expression in

Guy feels the love from his fellow artists. And, a (very)

Charleston, South Carolina, where Chef Drew Hedlund

young conservationist makes her mark for sharks.

and his crew are turning lionfish into good eats.

BY SUE CUSHMAN

36

Joe Richard Comb through Richard’s photo archives and you’ll

78

Hooked on Specks Inshore fishing, especially for speckled trout, has

have to wash off the fish scales when you’re done.

become a passion for our editor-in-chief, but no

We take a look through a fisherman’s lens.

fish is likely to rival the first.

BY FRED GARTH

CONTENTS

WINTER 2012

Edited by CAPT. DAVE LEAR

GET READY FOR SAILFISH

58

DOCK BUZZ

Keep it Fun Fish them the right way and tournaments are

64

rewarding all-the-way-around. But when

60

BACKLASH Joan Vernon and Charlie Moore, two of fishing’s legendary players, unwind with CA and talk about go-to baits, great fishing buddies, and the future of

competition trumps ethics, everybody loses.

their favorite pastime.

BY CAPT. DAVE LEAR

BY CA STAFF

Boat Buying, Savvy?

An honest evaluation of three specific issues will help you buy the right boat the first time out.

BY CA STAFF

66

66

GEARHEADS

Get Ready for Sailfish South Florida’s top boat crews reveal their favorite tactics and tackle for getting hooked up with hardfighting sails.

BY STEVE WATERS

The Complete Angler (CA) is our “magazine within the magazine,” dedicated to hard-core fishing enthusiasts delivering access to experts, the latest in fishing gear, and the hottest fishing spots on the planet.

67

www. guyharveymagazine. com

CONTRIBUTOR’S PROFILE

CREDITS TO: PUBLISHER

TY SAWYER The former editorial director of ISLANDS, Sport Diver, and Scuba Diving magazines, Ty Sawyer is a widely published travel writer and photographer. But, for all his adventures, his recent work for GHM brought a completely new experience. “I’d never been big game fishing before,” admits Sawyer, who spent time trolling the waters off Grand Cayman with Guy. “Of course, I’ve always been a Hemingway fan, and Old Man and the Sea is a common theme with Guy’s work, so from a literary standpoint, I was definitely ‘in the moment’. However, words in a book and getting into a battle in the open ocean are miles apart, as is fishing with someone like Guy Harvey versus just hopping on a day boat. But, there I was, a complete novice, with the ‘Man’.

“We trolled, we caught some mahi mahi, but the big catch eluded us. But, never once did Guy make me feel out of place.

And, the zing of a fish on…nothing like it.”

STEVE WATERS Steve Waters is the outdoors writer for the Sun Sentinel newspaper in South Florida, as well as the Orlando Sentinel. He has covered sailfish tournaments and written about the top sailfish captains and anglers in Florida for more than 20 years. He’s even caught a few sailfish with them. Waters also writes about and fishes for offshore species ranging from snapper and grouper to swordfish and dolphin; inshore species such as snook, bonefish, redfish, and tarpon; and freshwater species such as largemouth bass and peacock bass. A certified diver, he has written about his adventures exploring reefs, wrecks, and springs.

Lost Key Publishing Editor-in-Chief Fred Garth Managing Editor Daryl Carson Editor, Complete Angler Capt. Dave Lear Marketing Director John Guidroz Circulation Director Kat Dean VP of Advertising and Marketing Darren Shepherd Director of Sales and Marketing Ashley Bringman Director of Communications Marketing Sue Cushman Outside Sales Representative Dan Wilson Layout and Design Leslie Ward Jenny Lee Internet Gurus Zeekee Interactive Copy Editor Kerrie Allen Contributing Editors Tanya Burnett Kat Dean Dr. Guy Harvey Doug Perrine Danny Thorton Contributors Dr. Karen Burns Alan Goya Lynn Goya Shawn Heinrichs Greg Jacoski John McMurray Allison Nickell Joe Richard Jeff Rottman Ty Sawyer Dr. Mahmood Shivji Shara Teter Steve Theberge

Waters also covers conservation issues ranging from dive flag awareness to the impact of state and federal regulations, such as bag limit reductions and seasonal closures.

GUY HARVEY MAGAZINE, Issue 7, Winter 2012.

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.

Periodicals postage pending at Pensacola, Florida, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER:

WE RECYCLE:

We’re proud that Guy Harvey Magazine is printed on recycled paper. However, using recycled paper is just the

Send address changes to: Guy Harvey Magazine, PO Box 34075, Pensacola, Florida 32507. No part

first step. Finding an environmentally-friendly printer is even more important. That’s why this magazine is printed at Publishers Press in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Publishers Press recycles more than 50 million pounds of paper and paper products each year, which saves 10 million gallons of oil, 35,000 trees, and 14 million gallons of water. Publishers Press also recycles more than 300,000 pounds of aluminum

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

printing plates annually and no hazardous wastes are ever sent to a landfill, but are recycled and reused. The company is currently working

screened companies that offer products and/or

toward certification by the Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership.

services that may interest you.

WELCOME TO A PEOPLE, A PLACE AND AN APPROACH TO LIFE THAT ARE AS UNIQUE AS THEY ARE UNIVERSAL.

VISIT WWW.CAYMANKIND.COM

GRAND CAYMAN CAYMAN BRAC LITTLE CAYMAN A WORLD AWAY. JUST ONE HOUR FROM MIAMI.

GUY TALK

LIONFISH IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS In recent years, the Indo-Pacific lionfish has spread from

the use of Hawaiian slings to assist in capturing and killing

the southeast coast of the USA throughout the Bahamas

these fish. Being a small country with a low population,

and Caribbean as far north as Bermuda and as far south as

but many of whom dive, fish, or both, the culling of lionfish

Venezuela. How this occurred has been a source of great

has become a weekly operation. Many restaurants are now

debate. However, what is undeniable is that lionfish can

offering lionfish on their menus and, fortunately (for diners),

reduce the populations of native fish species very rapidly,

it’s delicious.

particularly by preying upon juveniles and reducing recruitment of all species to the reef habitat.

There are several examples of humans causing the

Several dive companies have one day per week set aside for hunting lionfish, particularly in Little Cayman, the diving crown jewel of these islands. A study on the effectiveness

substantial invasion of a non-native species that thrives

of this culling is being undertaken by the Central Caribbean

extremely well in its new habitat. In short order, this species

Marine Institute, which is based on the north side of Little

explodes in biomass because of the lack of natural predators

Cayman. Following the Wednesday culling dives, researchers

in that new environment and a food source that does not

are measuring the catch per unit effort needed to make

recognize the invader as a predator. But none have had the

a dent in the population and cover the three-mile stretch

dramatic (possibly immeasurable), damaging effect that the

of wall at Bloody Bay to determine how fast new lionfish

lionfish has had on Caribbean and western Atlantic native

colonize the vacated areas. They are also assessing whether

fish populations.

the structure and balance of Bloody Bay’s native fish

In response to the invasion of lionfish around the reefs of the Cayman Islands, where I live, the Department of Environment now offers lionfish culling courses and licenses

population is affected by the continuing, targeted removal of lionfish.

The targeted removal of lionfish has several benefits. First,

GUY HARVEY, PhD is an internationally-acclaimed artist, fisherman, scientist, and world traveler, who devotes much of his time and money toward ocean conservation.

they are good to eat; so in spearing lionfish rather than grouper, snapper,

routinely follow divers and will consume lionfish speared by them. Some divers

or hogfish, this removes some fishing pressure on the more popular reef species

say that Nassau groupers lead them to lionfish a bit like trained hunting dogs.

and will help reduce the mortality of juvenile reef fish caused by the invasive

For decades, the Nassau groupers were traditionally fished heavily by artisanal

lionfish. Second, the removal of significant numbers of larger lionfish means that

fishermen at their spawning sites (locally called “grouper holes”) over the winter

those remaining are unable to prey upon larger individuals of the resident native

full moons. The Marine Conservation Board here has protected these sites since

fish populations.

2003 and has just renewed that protection for another eight years. Good job! The

Perhaps the best way to get people involved is to hold a lionfish culling

Nassau grouper might be the knight in shining armor for reef fish populations. If

tournament. There would be the educational component when you register for

this grouper, along with other large groupers and mutton snappers, can learn to

the event, then the challenge of getting the most, the biggest (or smallest), and

attack and consume lionfish without the aid of divers, then natural controls will

the creation of a tournament atmosphere, all while relieving the reefs of a very

begin to take effect in reducing lionfish biomass. After all, in the western Pacific

dangerous predator.

and Indian Ocean, lionfish populations are maintained at equilibrium by their

In a meeting with the minister of the Department of Environment last week, I learned of the plan to have a specialized task force assigned to culling lionfish

natural predators such as large groupers, jacks, and the white tip reef shark.

While the Cayman Islands have taken a proactive approach to the lionfish

around the Cayman Islands. I agree with this move. The threat to the coral reef

invasion, the same action needs to be taken on a wider scale to encompass

habitat is so great that there needs to be radical action taken. The individual dive

Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. This is a major problem that continues

operators should not have to do the all grunt work on their own. After all, the dive

to spread. However, I believe that since this is a problem created by man and not

business in the Cayman Islands is the focal point of the tourism sector.

natural forces, we stand an excellent chance of setting it right.

Little Cayman also has the largest remaining population of Nassau groupers.

This species, which is a favorite of divers and is the iconic Caribbean reef predator, may now have a new role in reef fish population restoration. Nassau groupers

Fair winds and tight lines.

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A new journal published every issue in GHM. www.guyharveymagazine.com

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Pat’s complete arsenal of flies for the Bahamas flats.

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Shared Passions

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The best all-around flats fly outfit is a 9-weight rod and a top-of-the-line reel.

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33

WHEN OCEAN CONSERVATION GOES VIRAL

BY JOHN GUIDROZ

.com

Recently we shared a story on guyharveymagazine.com about a

over 1,300%. Traffic came pouring in as people wanted to

massive shark massacre at the Malpelo wildlife sanctuary off the

learn more about what happened.

Pacific coast of Columbia. Environmental authorities reported

This kind of exposure is exactly what is needed to bring

as many as 2,000 hammerhead, Galápagos, and silky sharks

attention to critical conservation issues and events that take

may have been slaughtered for their fins. This story fueled many

place daily all over the globe. To date, this story was the most

of our faithful followers to speak out and share their feelings

widely spread feature we have posted online. The staff at

about what happened, which gave the story massive viral

Guy Harvey Magazine is proud of our readers for pushing this

exposure. Within a matter of minutes after posting this story

story and getting the word out to friends, families, and others

on our website and social sharing sites, our web server almost

through social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,

exploded. Over the next few days, our web traffic increased

and others. These networks give us an unprecedented ability to have a voice and raise awareness of timely

Photo: Justin Ebert

conservation issues.

How you can make an impact Post Your Feedback—All of our articles have the ability for people to post their comments and engage with other readers. See guyharveymagazine.com for more.

Share Our Stories—When reading a story online that you feel compelled to share, look to the top right of each article and click on the icon for the social network that you participate in to start spreading the word.

Send Us Stories—Know of something happening that Guy Harvey fans need to hear? Send it our way. E-mail kat@guyharveymagazine.com and we’ll do our best to post it on guyharveymagazine.com.

Southern Rum

Rum Cay becomes home to the second Guy Harvey Outpost Resort.

Rum Cay is a well known out-island destination for fishermen, divers, and all manner of Bahamas-loving

the Bimini Big Game Club last year as a Guy Harvey

refurnishing existing beachfront cottages, and

Outpost. “Rum is the southern gateway in and out

redeveloping the club’s popular Out of the Blue

of the Bahamas, just like Bimini is to the north, so

restaurant. These improvements are scheduled for

this will be a welcome Outpost for any of our

completion by the start of the summer boating

customers spending time further down the island

season. Work will begin in the fall on additional

chain,” says Ellert.

It promises access to world-

island junkies. And, now it’s getting a new Guy

class fishing, diving, and paddle

Harvey Outpost Resort, which opens this spring,

sports. It’s also emerging as a

following renovation and renaming of the already

destination for more extreme

popular Summer Point Marina & Villas.

activities. In December, it hosted

“Every serious angler or diver has the Southern

its second “Jump Boogie,” a

Bahamas on his or her bucket list,” says Mark Ellert,

weeklong skydiving and kite-

president of Guy Harvey Outpost Properties. “Every

surfing event. And, equally

mariner knows it’s where you put in for fuel and shore

important in the Guy Harvey

leave, and with a lack of crowds or development,

universe, Rum Cay provides access

Rum Cay enthusiasts consider it their own private

to some of the richest waters in

island retreat.”

the region.

Indeed, Rum Cay has all the makings of an island

“Conception [Island] is just

paradise. History? Check. It was the second island

10 miles from Rum,” says Dr.

to be visited by Columbus during his voyage in

Guy Harvey, “In addition to the

1492, and home to the wreck of the 101-gun HMS

fantastic diving there, we intend

Conqueror (which sank off Sumner Point in 1861),

to work with the government

now preserved and protected as “the Bahamas

in expanding the coral and

Underwater Museum.”

shark research work of the Guy

Healthy environment? Check. Fifty miles southeast

Harvey Research Institute, which

of Georgtown, Rum Cay boasts only 60 permanent

is a cornerstone of our Outpost

residents. It’s also next door to Conception Island,

program in the Bahamas.”

which is part of the Bahamas National Land and Sea

In converting the Summer

Park sanctuary. Accessibility? Check. The Bahamas

Point property to the Guy

have recently invested in infrastructure upgrades to

Harvey Outpost Club and

the island’s power grid and phone lines and just put

Marina, immediate plans include

in a new 5,000-foot runway for improved air lift.

rebuilding the marina and

Rum Cay, currently in the middle of a Guy Harvey

fuel dock, adding a dive shop,

makeover, is the gateway to the Southern Bahamas.

The Rum Cay project follows the reopening of

marina and beachfront suites, a small spa, and a freshwater pool, complete with terraced patios and pool/beach bar.

“It’s time for our family to take this incredible property to the next level”, says long-time Summer Point owner Bobby Little. “I was raised on Rum, as was my son. With our renovations and the support of the Guy Harvey Outpost brand and management, I expect our property to become a beacon for sustainable tourism in the Southern Bahamas. I can’t think of a better legacy for our family, for the

Dr. Guy Harvey (right)

Bahamas, or for anyone who has come to call us their

with fellow AFC award

island home.”

winner Robert Bateman.

For more information: (800) 737-1007; www.GuyHarveyOutpostRumCay.com

AFC Gives Guy the Big Kiss It’s hard not to love Guy. We all do.

tragically killed by a charging Cape

Now, the esteemed Dr. Harvey has

hiking near his home in Kenya in 2004.

another accolade to add to his

Simon’s son, Guy Combes, was on

crowded mantle. In November, Guy

hand to present Dr. Harvey with

was honored by his fellow artists

the award.

with the prestigious Artists for

Buffalo (wounded by poachers) while

“As the human population

Conservation (AFC) Simon Combes

continues to grow and exploit nature,

Conservation Award in recognition of

this once small genre continues

his wide-reaching conservation efforts,

to become more prominent as

including the recent release of the

we address issues of conservation

award-wining film, This is Your Ocean:

through our art,” said Dr. Harvey while

Sharks, which raises awareness of over-

accepting the honor. “No longer is

fishing, as well as the ongoing work of

‘wildlife art’ considered the red-headed

the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and

stepchild of fine art. We are becoming

the Guy Harvey Research Institute.

a major force in the genre of fine art

AFC, a non-profit organization

and the consuming public now pays

founded in 1997, has members in 30

more attention to our work and our

different countries and is “dedicated

actions than at any time in our history.”

to the celebration and preservation

The award presentation was part

of the natural world.” AFC created the

of a week-long AFC festival gala,

Simon Combes Conservation Award in

held at Grouse Mountain Resort in

2005 to honor Simon Combes, a world-

North Vancouver, which featured

renowned painter, author, instructor,

presentations by artists from around

and dedicated conservationist. He

the world. The fourth annual AFC

served as director of the Kenya chapter

exhibition also showcased the works

of the Rhino Rescue Trust. Combes was

of 109 juried international artists.

Shark Girl

Instead of soaking in extra hours of Disney Channel, eight-year-old Sophi Bromenshenkel has spent the last year and a half pounding the pavement to raise money for shark research. Through a brilliant campaign of lemonade, hot chocolate, and cookie sales (the latter were shaped like sharks), Sophi raised nearly $4,000 to help buy satellite tracking tags for shark research conducted by the University of Miami’s R.J. Dunlap Conservation Program. Take that, Mr. Mouse!

Sophi, AKA: Shark Girl, was Oceana’s 2011 “Ocean Hero” award winner in the junior category, and her

Guy and 8-year-old Sophi finishing a painting

efforts have been noticed by others, including the

to be sold in support of shark research.

man she says is her hero, Dr. Guy Harvey. The two recently joined forces to raise even more money

alone—raised $7,500.

for the shark cause with a few creative strokes of

The funds will again go toward the R.J. Dunlap

featuring Guy, fellow artist Wyland, and diver and underwater photographer Jim Abernathy. The

a brush. The purchased artwork—which Sophi

Conservation Program. Sophi was also able to fly

South Florida premier was held October 13th at

named Free Pass, because a loggerhead turtle in the

from Minnesota to participate in the South Florida

the Bill Cosford Cinema on campus at the

painting shown swimming near the sharks was left

premier of This is Your Ocean: Sharks, a documentary

University of Miami.

GHOF president Steve Stock, left, shows off a beautiful sailfish.

GHOF President Gets New Gig GH fans may not know Steve Stock by name, but they know his work. As president of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Stock is a central part of the ongoing conservation work made possible by the effort and funding that come from the Guy Harvey universe.

In December, Stock was also elected to the board of directors of the Center for Coastal Conservation, a coalition of heavy hitters in the arena of marine conservation. Focused on impacting federal policy, the CCC is currently encouraging the White House to move its National Ocean Policy away from protectionism and toward responsible uses of resources.

Six years ago, Captain Richard Brochu started teaching kids about fishing.

This year, the Academy is bringing its highly-

Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and a gift

praised youth boating program to Riviera Beach,

of $10,000 from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

An experienced charter captain, he got involved

Florida. The program targets third-through-eleventh

Funds from GHOF are ear-marked for the purchase

with at-risk youth after discovering that Florida—

graders and will provide on-the-water instruction

of kayaks, sailboats, snorkeling gear, and other

though considered the Fishing Capital of the World—

in boating safety, swimming, fishing, snorkeling,

necessary equipment.

offered no school-affiliated fishing clubs. Since

and rowing.

forming The Florida Fishing Academy in 2006, he and

“This new equipment and contract from Riviera

Classes are expected to start in January, and the

Beach will allow us to continue to grow and meet

his team of volunteers have impacted the lives of

program is being made possible by a three-year,

the needs of more at-risk children,” says Brochu,

nearly 4,000 kids.

$30,000-a-year contract from the Riviera Beach

whose curriculum incorporates 50% evidence-based

Teaching Through Fishing

life skills along with specific hands-on sessions for on-the-water activities. “No course is less than 10 sessions and we also incorporate an appreciation and understanding of the environment as part of the learning experience.”

For GHOF, supporting the program is part of an effort to not only fund marine research, but to promote programs that stimulate future scientists and new stewards of the marine environment.

“The Florida Fishing Academy is one of the finest community outreach programs in the state and one of our foundation’s favorite educational initiatives,” says Steve Stock, president of GHOF. In addition to grants, sponsorships, and donations, Brochu said the academy raises money to support its programs through fishing charters, evening cruises, kayak tours, snorkeling, and kids camps. The

The Florida Fishing Academy reaches out to Florida’s at-risk youth through fishing, boating, and marine conservation programs.

academy owns a sportfishing vessel and provides fishing charters for up to 12 passengers. For more information: (561) 740-7227; www.floridafishingacademy.com

Cayman Team Takes Tropic Star Tourney Panama’s Tropic Star Lodge kicks off its season each year with an international tournament that draws teams from all over the western hemisphere. Congratulations to Guy and Cayman Island team “Los Bamafos” for taking top honors this fall with 900 points.

In consecutive years, a team from the Cayman Islands has won this prestigious event and will represent the Cayman Islands in the International Tournament of Champions in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, next November. The tournament also provided an opportunity for Guy and award-winning producer George Schellenger to capture some heart-pounding fishing action on film to be used as part of an upcoming documentary on billfish in Panama.

Two members of team Los Bamafos, Andi Marcher and Jason Ward show off two blue marlin release flags next to the Cayman flag.

Lionfish hunts are becoming a regular part of diving in the Cayman Islands in a concerted effort to turn the tide against an invasive species that’s seriously impacting other reef species.

KILLING for CONSER VATION Not all Guy Harvey stories start with war, mayhem, and killing.

This one does. I’m on an underwater pinnacle at about 150 feet and it’s covered with lionfish. And, what I’m doing has been inspired by Guy’s strong conservation and stewardship of the seas. I’m diving in the Caribbean, on Guy’s home island of Grand Cayman. Lionfish are from the Pacific. They don’t belong here. They eat like linemen and breed like their loins are on fire. Every four days a female lionfish can pop out offspring.

Normally, I seek out lionfish—which resemble a bundle of swimming ribbons— and try to capture their singular beauty as a hunter with a camera. Not today.

TEXT & PHOTOS BY TY SAWYER

Today, I’m a killer.

Left to right: The take from the author’s first lionfish hunt gives chefs Keith Griffin and Romeo Mascoe of Cayman’s Guy Harvey Island Grill a new medium for their culinary artwork.

a good photo, instead of, I’m gonna get you sucka!

The Caribbean is under assault by these fish dandies

lionfish dishes in the last month, and, “if there’s any

I perform miserably at the moment of the kill, but

from the Pacific. They may look great in magazines

predator on the planet that could control this [eco-

luckily, the group I’m with is a bunch of seasoned—at

with their striking colors and haughty manner, but

disaster], it’s humans.”

least as seasoned as one could be—lionfish hunters,

here, they’re game changers in the ecosystem. To

And, I’m starting with me as a solution. Inspired

and they all come up with their catch-canisters full

paraphrase Isaac Asimov, the dominant factor in

by Guy, I’m hunting lionfish to cook at a “lionfish-

of these prickly marauders. After the hunt and the

society is change, and we must deal with the world

smackdown” at the Guy Harvey Island Grill on the

decompression stops are complete, we lay out the

not as it is, but as it will be. My trip to Grand Cayman,

waterfront in Georgetown. I’ve gone from a passive

catch on the deck, and Steve Broadbelt, the co-owner

to Guy’s backyard, is about changing the will-be’s

viewer of marine life and leave-no-trace kind of

of Ocean Frontiers on the east end of Grand Cayman,

in life. Guy calls this fish “the greenest of the green

diver to a single-minded blue warrior on a mission

with whom we’ve been diving, looks at “our” haul with

fish to eat.” And, for a man whose life has been

to save the world. Well, maybe not the world, but

satisfaction. “We first started seeing them as juveniles

devoted to many facets of marine life stewardship

here’s my plan: Hunt like a savage, eat like a caveman.

about two years ago,” says Steve,“ and now they’re

and understanding through science and art, his

Fortunately, after the hunt, three chefs await to take

everywhere. So, now we actually have organized

thoughts on the lionfish problem worryingly include

on whatever we catch. I’ve never eaten lionfish. Or

hunts, sanctioned by the Cayman Island Department

the phrase, “an ecological catastrophe.” Guy’s answer

hunted them. In fact, this is my first real foray into

of the Environment. I’d never have thought such a

to the problem? “We’ve got to turn them into a

the world of blue water hunting. And, even as I’m

thing was possible here in Cayman, but these lionfish

viable food product…and quickly.” He tells me that

slowly moving in on my quarry, I’m still thinking,

are really having an impact on the reefs. It could be

his Bimini Big Game Club served up “hundreds” of

it’s just so lovely, and flow-y and wouldn’t that make

quite devastating to our endemic marine life.”

namesake grill reflects his strong convictions

I did. I could not only see, but also feel a subtle

on the natural heritage of the sea. You

pulsing of the flesh. I had no clue that this kind of

definitely won’t find swordfish, orange

fresh-fish-test existed. But, as the filet rested on my

roughy, or other fish from the wrong side of

palm, it moved. Kind of creepy, but good to know

With that, the lionfish were summarily dumped in a

the “Guide to Seafood.” Chef Romeo Mascoe, Chef

the next time I need to show my fresh-fish-prowess.

20-gallon jug and put on ice for delivery to the Guy

Keith Griffith, and Chef Indika Kumare all have their

“From deadly to delicious!” extolls Chef Romeo

Harvey Island Grill.

game faces on. On the menu, in relative order, is

when his plates are complete. In the restaurant are

Lionfish Escovich, Lionfish Tempura, and Lionfish

about 20 hungry locals, including Caymanian food

Smackdown

Ceviche Salad—in this case, using a fish that is

bloggers, some childhood friends of Guy’s, and even

plentiful, which can be a rare state of being in our

a steward from Cayman Airways—all waiting on their

Three island chefs have converged in the kitchen of

oceans and seas. As they get prepped and ready,

first taste of lionfish. Me included. After three courses,

the Guy Harvey Island Grill. The restaurant reflects

removing the venomous spines and filleting the

all great, we sat at the table only missing one thing.

Guy’s sustainable fishing policies and stance as a

lionfish, Chef Romeo remarks just how fresh the fish

Lionfish dessert. And, it occurs to me that the lionfish

staunch conservationist. In fact, as an artist devoted

is, “See, it moves,” he says, holding a filet flat in his

I normally photograph underwater has become a

to conservation, Guy has just received the prestigious

hand. I don’t understand, so he puts the filet in my

statement of conservation in the Caribbean because

2011 Simon Combes Conservation Award. And, his

hand and says, “See? Do you feel it?”

it’s at the end of a spear. It’s strange to think that

DIVE 365 With only about 25 more to go to reach 365 moored dive sites—one for every day of the year—in the three Cayman Islands, there are plenty of new dive options for seasoned Cayman veterans.

The program is called Dive 365 and helps open up new locales to divers while alleviating stress on popular sites.

DIVING THE KITTIWAKE There are more big changes afoot in Grand Cayman. Unlike the lionfish invasion, the sinking of the 251-foot-long USS Kittiwake, just off Seven Mile Beach in only 65-feet of water, gives divers around the world something to celebrate, a new artificial reef. The wreck can be fully penetrated, and although it has only been down since January 2011, it has already begun to attract a variety of marine life, including a large goliath grouper.

of all the work that Guy’s done in his life to inspire and motivate people to conserve, practice good ocean stewardship, and help save endangered species, suddenly, almost out of nowhere, there’s a fish he acknowledges as OK, and even desirable, to try every effort and means to eradicate. But, here it is. Ocean conservation has been turned on its head with the Caribbean lionfish. And this is what makes Guy such a strong voice for the ocean. He has said that as an artist he can “make important statements about the condition and overexploitation of the natural world around us.”

And in the same breath, he recognizes that the over-exploitation of resources, of which humans are remarkably effective, can be the exact, most beneficial, and quite probably the only approach to stemming the eco-disaster of the lionfish in the Caribbean.

Fishing with the Mentor I don’t know why fishermen like to get up before dawn to go fishing. But they do. And Guy Harvey is a true fisherman. It runs through his veins thicker than blood. I meet him at his boat. And, although I’ve known Guy personally for many years, this is the first time I’m going fishing with him. My long association with Guy has always revolved around our shared passion of diving. As a writer and photographer, I’ve traveled the globe for three decades, capturing the essence of the marine environment in words and pictures to tell compelling stories.

But for all the boat time I’ve logged, this is the first time I’ve gone out to take on big game fish. Clearly, I’m in Guy’s world now. There are about 10 poles of different sizes on the boat, but thankfully, we have a mask and snorkel just in case we want to jump in the water to take a Guy, surrounded by some of his favorite research subjects, at Grand Cayman’s Stingray City in North Sound.

shot of any billfish we catch before we release it. At least I know how to do that. As we head

out, Guy tells me that he “likes to just come out for

If there were pretty girls on the beach to wave to,

We open its stomach, and there are four bonito,

a couple of hours on his own,” because the prime

they’d be able to see us. That’s how close we are to

freshly eaten with the scales and parts still intact.

fishing ground on Cayman is right offshore. It’s easy.

shore, and how close the 25,000-foot-deep Cayman

And, despite that, as Guy marvels, the greedy mahi

“No place like it in the world,” he says. And, if anyone

Trench is to shore. Guy tells me it’s this proximity to

still struck the lure. We catch a few more mahi, but

knows, it’s Guy. He’s just returned from filming his TV

deep water and prey that bring the big gamefish.

after about four hours and no big hits, we head in

show in Panama and, to state the obvious, has fished

We put four lines out and Guy lets me drive the

to see the rays. “That’s fishing,” Guy tells me. Which, I

for billfish literally everywhere in the world. Even

boat. “The last time I was out here,” says Guy, “ I

decide, is why fishermen are such good storytellers.

his kids have fishing records. The walls of his gallery

caught a lovely blue marlin, just around the corner.”

Because you’re on a small boat with your friends and

have pictures of him with giant billfish from birth to

Then he tells me the only time his wife, Gillian,

when you’re not reeling in a fish, you’re telling a story

yesterday. It’s why his art is so intimate—because his

tolerates him being late is if he’s on the water and

of reeling in a fish, or the fish that got away, or the

knowledge of gamefish is extraordinary.

gets a fish on. About 15 minutes into our venture,

small indulgence your wife gives you for fishing. And,

we get a strike. I take the pole and Guy shows me

for Guy, he’s always getting inspiration for his next

planet to be on a boat with Guy. We pass through

the motion to bring in a fish. I lean and pull, lean and

painting. The painting he was finishing while I was on

North Sound, where later we’ll spend time with

pull, and reel in, and on the line is a big mahi mahi.

the island was of the blue marlin he’d recently caught

some southern stingrays. But now we motor through

I’m struck by its extraordinary colors. We decide to

in a weed line off Cayman.

the cut in the reef, and within five minutes, we’re

keep this catch, as Guy filets it right on the boat.

And here I am, the luckiest fisherman on the

paralleling a seaweed line—a favorite place for pelagic hunters.

Stingray City is one of the Caribbean’s most well known and successful eco-tourism attractions, a happy product of local fishermen cleaning their catch at Sandbar.

26 | www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com

The Doctor Is In

Harvey name) has led Guy to do extensive studies on

the artist, scientist, and his beloved subject of study.

the rays of North Sound. He knows most of them by

And, truth be told, we both wanted to visit a place

On the way in from fishing, we stop off at Sandbar,

name, having done behavioral and genetic studies

that neither of us ever grow weary of spending time.

a shallow area of North Sound that was once used

of the rays. Several years ago, I made an over/under

Sandbar is only about three-feet deep. When there

by fishermen for cleaning their catch. The local

image of Guy standing in the water at North Sound,

aren’t any other boats around, the 85 or so rays that

stingrays found this quite a profitable activity and began to gather in some big numbers for a free meal. Today, the rays are fed by the literally thousands of cruise ship passengers who come

Guy [is] one of the world’s true renaissance men — an artist, scientist, writer, TV host, environmentalist and, of course, big game fisherman.

inhabit the area gather up in a school and circle around like a big group of flying carpets. I’ve come to this place dozens of times, and Guy hundreds, but seeing the rays is always much more than a thrill. It’s

here each year for the thrill of seeing, touching, and

holding a ray painting. We came back to see if we

a place on the planet where the term magical is not a

sometimes even getting a “hickey” from the stingrays.

could get an updated image of Guy with the rays he

cliché. The best way to ensure the rays stay in front of

knows so well—sort of a new family portrait of

the camera is to introduce a little bait. And, unlike

Being a marine scientist (the “Dr.” part of the Guy

the frozen squid they’re used to, we bust out some of the baitfish we caught, and the rays get a little

www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com | 27

aggressive, piling up with a hungry urgency all

Old Man and the Sea has informed Guy’s art and

I say. Although it’s hard for me to say the dives I’ve

over Guy—on his head, over his shoulder, between

inspired his fishing soul for several decades.

done haven’t been enjoyable. “You should, man,”

his legs. I try to sneak shots of Guy as his head

Guy, one of the world’s true renaissance men—

he says. He doesn’t say it explicitly, but he’s telling

peeks out from between the mass of rays. He calls

an artist, scientist, writer, TV host, environmentalist,

me, artist-to-artist, that I need to go dive and keep

them by name during our shoot and says that he

and, of course, big game fisherman—has long

the waters and reefs of Cayman alive and fresh in

“needs to do a new population study,” since some

been influenced by the spirit of perseverance,

people’s minds.

of the rays he’s familiar with don’t seem to be

self-reliance, and single-mindedness captured in

around today.

Hemingway’s Old Man. But, even more striking is

morning and, as soon as I click my shutter-release

that this character finds such clear expression in

looking up the wall at Eagle’s Nest, I realize Guy

Studio Time

Guy’s self-effacing way of life. When I left him, he

is right. You can’t conserve, be an adventurer, a

was heading off to Scotland to set his up his son for

steward of the sea, or inspire people unless you see,

Before heading home, Guy and I stop by his studio

university. Here he is, The Man, putting family first.

feel, embrace, and always remind yourself of what

so I can see some of his new work, including the Cayman marlin painting. His studio, in the heart

So, I head out with Sunset Divers the next

you’re trying to protect. I take my photos, make my

One Last Dip

ascent, and realize I’m following in Guy’s footsteps.

of Georgetown, not only showcases his latest works, but also serves as a kind of museum,

Before Guy left on his trip, we talked briefly about

with my images, ready to show the world why the

chronicling Guy’s life in art from childhood,

diving, how much he loves to dive sites like

ocean matters, and hope I can live up to Guy’s

including some fascinating early, and incredibly

Hammerhead Hill and Ghost Mountain, and that I

belief that, “We are living in times when artists can

detailed, drawings. And, as I take it all in, another

should try to get to them before I leave. “I haven’t

make important statements about…the natural

thing becomes clear in the studio…Hemingway’s

had a chance to dive much for pleasure on this trip,”

world around us.”

Yellow tube sponges on the wall at Eagle’s Nest off Grand Cayman.

I’ve come through the secret window of the sea

Big marlin get top billing at Baja’s southern tip, but they aren’t the only game in town.

TEXT & PHOTOS BY CAPT. DAVE LEAR

It’s always been about the fish. Even now, rimmed with lush golf courses, manicured resorts, luxury shopping centers, and nightspots like Cabo Wabo and Squid Roe, Cabo San Lucas is still a fishing town.

In fact, the tip of the Baja peninsula is one of the fishiest places on the planet. And for good reason.

Its unique oceanic conditions anchor one gigantic food chain.

Three major ocean currents sweep by the famous Los Arcos rocks at the peninsula’s craggy terminus. One pushes down from California, another moves north into the Sea of Cortez, and the third brings warm water up from the South Pacific in a southwesterly flow. Prehistoric earthquakes had an impact, too. In places, depths in the Sea of Cortez can plunge to 7,000 feet, just 15 miles from the beach. Yet, within a short run of the Cabo harbor, sizable rock formations like the Gordo and Golden Gate banks rise to within 150 feet of the surface. The

result? A tremendous mixture of nutrient-rich water,

after boating the second-place fish, a 395-pound blue

Sportfishing. With roots dating back to 1995, this

massive schools of bait, and a constant parade of

marlin. The all-time Bisbee record is a 993-pounder

professional Cabo outfitter has a fleet of convertible

hungry predators.

landed in 1994.

and express boats, including several namesake

“Of all the places I’ve fished, Cabo is the most consistent year-round for big marlin,” says Wayne Bisbee, who has been visiting regularly since 1975.

Bob Bisbee started the Black & Blue Marlin Jackpot Tournament in Cabo in 1980, and today, his son

“Of all the places I’ve fished, Cabo is the most consistent year-round for big marlin.”

“Traditionally, summer has been the off season

Cabos. Picante offers full and half-day trips with an

Wayne directs the annual event, which is the richest

because it was too hot,” Bisbee says. “But now, Cabo

sport-fishing contest in the world. Since its humble

is hopping all year long. Actually, it’s a drinking town

beginning, more than $56 million in cash prizes have

with a serious fishing problem,” he added with a

40-pound test line for the stripers,” Shiner says. “The

been awarded to contestants. In October of this

laugh. But big blue and black marlin aren’t the only

majority are caught on live bait with circle hooks.”

year, 100 boats with teams from 12 different nations

game fish roaming these waters. There are plenty of

Greenback mackerel is the preferred bait for stripers,

competed for more than $2.1 million in prize money.

other options for offshore and inshore anglers alike.

with Pacific sailfish, yellowfin tuna, dorado, and

Tiger Spirit, a 72-foot Donzi owned by Ned Wallace of

“Striped marlin are here year-round, and they

Newport Beach, California, took home $1.1 million

average 165 pounds,” says Steve Shiner with Picante

offshore focus.

“We normally use TLD 30 outfits loaded with

wahoo as frequent by-catch.

“The striped marlin get really stacked up on the

Although Cabo is known for marlin fishing, the rest of the food chain is here, too, giving near-shore access to dorado, yellow fin tuna, wahoo, and more.

Roosterfish are a favorite among fly fisherman, who can hunt them from small pangas or along shore. Photo: Baja on the Fly.

banks,” Shiner says. “The fish finders on the boats will light up solid red with bait.

understands the goals of the client.” Cabo Magic offers full and half-day trips and

It’s really amazing how much bait there is. Because of that, the chance of clients

boasts an international clientele from the United States, Canada, England, the

catching their first marlin is absolutely great. And if you fish more than a day, you

Netherlands, Australia, and Japan. Cabo Magic targets everything from marlin to

definitely increase the odds of success.” Pound for pound, the striped marlin is one

roosterfish, depending on client preferences.

of the hardest fighting members of the billfish family.

Most of the year, Cabo’s offshore seas average two-to-four feet, according to

“These fish don’t look at calendars, and they don’t wear watches,” Garcia says.

“But there’s always something biting around here. The dorado are constant. We

Shiner. A wind wave often creates an afternoon chop. Stronger northwest winds

also get good runs of Sierra mackerel, which are fun to catch and good to eat. The

pick up during the winter—sometimes up to 25 knots in the Pacific. The sheltered

flesh is very sweet, comparable to pompano. We have several species of pargo or

Sea of Cortez offers a respite on those occasions, however.

snapper, plus cabrilla or grouper, inshore around the rocks. From inshore to big

Cabo Magic Sportfishing is another one of Cabo’s top charter operations. It books 12 boats ranging in size from 26-foot, single outboard-powered craft,

game, we’ve got it all.”

Roosterfish or pez gallo are the stars of the Baja inshore scene. This member of

up to the Spirit of Two Thousand & Ten, a 120-foot luxury yacht. The crews are

the jack family sports a distinctive comb-like dorsal fin and a voracious appetite.

experienced local fishermen with years of knowledge.

Sardines and mullet schooling along the beaches are its favorite prey. Gary

“Our specialty is making dreams come true,” explains co-owner Lori Garcia. “We ask a lot of questions to make sure the charter booked is appropriate and the crew

Graham, owner of Baja on the Fly, books flyfishing and light-tackle charters in the East Cape area, as well as Los Cabos and Magdalena Bay. East Cape trips are based

at the Hotel Buena Vista Resort, where anglers target roosters from smaller pangas, as well as beachside.

“That’s one of the unique things about East Cape,” Graham says. “You can fish all day in the boat, go back to the resort, and fish until dusk off the beach.

As the sun drops behind the mountains, everything turns on.”

Graham says Baja roosterfish reach 60- and 70-pound class, although the bigger fish are extremely wary. One of Graham’s guides, Capt.

Lance Peterson, has caught a 48.5-pounder taken on 16-pound tippet off the beach. “As they get bigger they get smart, that’s all there is to it,” Graham explains.

Roosterfish can be caught all year, but the prime season is May through October. Graham’s guides specialize in sight-fishing using 10-weight fly outfits.

Flies in natural color patterns are best, with Mona Lisa mullet, seafood deceivers, and the wasabi getting the nod. Anglers who prefer spinning gear also get in on the fun. Robert’s Rangers, a striped bass lure that flutters on the surface, and Rebel Jumping Minnow plugs in bone are top choices for Baja’s powerful roosters.

Other species of jacks, along with pompano, corvina, ladyfish, mutton snapper, and other pargo, plus the occasional yellowtail, are equally common in these waters. Bonefish are thick, although they’re often mistaken for something else and rarely get bigger than 18 inches, Graham says. Still, on fly or light-tackle, the action can be fast and furious. Best of all, sea conditions are conveniently calm.

“The cool thing about fishing the Sea of Cortez is it’s like a river,” Graham says. “You just can’t see the other bank.”

So even though blue and black marlin grab most of the limelight, don’t overlook the other Cabo when you visit. It’s all about the fish. And here in Baja, the bite is always mucho caliente.

Rich waters mean rich fishing, as evidenced (top) by the abundance of flags in the rigging of Cabo’s sportfishing fleet and (below) by payout of nearly $60 million dollars since the annual Black & Blue Marlin Jackpot Tournament began three decades ago.

Cabo Magic Sportfishing

Hotel Buena Vista Resort

With experienced local captains and multiple

Located on the Sea of Cortez on the East Cape, this

options, this professional operation, located in

laid-back, stucco enclave offers a fleet of charter

downtown Cabo San Lucas, caters to all skill and

boats, great fishing in calm waters, and an authentic

experience levels. Eco-tours and luxury yacht cruises

Baja experience. hotelbuenavista.com

are also available for non-anglers. cabomagic.com

Picante Bluewater Sportfishing

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournaments With a three-leg series culminating in the Black &

Featuring a fleet of Cabo sportfishers, Picante has

Blue every October, the richest fishing tournament in

a proven track record for finding—and catching—

the world has awarded more than $56 million in prize

marlin and game fish in local waters. Their offices are

money over its 31-year history. bisbees.com

located in Cabo San Lucas next to the Puerto Paraiso Mall, overlooking the harbor.

Cabo Riviera

picantesportfishing.com

Now in the advanced stages of development, this

Baja on the Fly

marina and golf resort community, located about

The region’s oldest and most experienced fly and

waterfront homesites with dockage, a shopping

light-tackle outfitter. If roosterfish or other inshore

center, nature preserve, and more than two miles of

adversaries are on your bucket list, give them a call.

beach on the Sea of Cortez when it opens in 2012.

bajafly.com

caboriviera.com.mx

45 minutes north of the Los Cabos airport, will offer

Aerial view of an unknown wreck, west of the Marquesas Keys, Florida.

Joe Richard A Photo Portfolio

Right: Predators below scatter a school of mullet off the Texas coast while a pelican swoops in for an easy meal. Below: Trolling past a Louisiana “floater” platform in mile-deep water. Low pressure in the Gulf coincided with a June billfish tournament out of Biloxi.

An expert cast-netter on a charter boat out of Islamorada, Florida. Left: This barracuda was lurking in the shallows west of Key West.

A kingfish flies high off the coat of Miami, taking with it an expensive goggle-eye live bait.

A trio of oyster-catchers.

A Texas redfish fights back.

This extremely rare daytime arribada (synchronized nesting) of Pacific olive ridley turtles occurred on a Costa Rican beach in the 1950s. It was captured by the photographer’s father (also Joe Richard), who was a researcher at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School for three decades. Today, this area is part of Santa Rosa National Park, but the turtles are far fewer in number.

BY LYNN GOYA PHOTOS BY ALAN GOYA

Captain Fred Benko peers at the ocean from his hilltop home in Santa Barbara, California. Much like Dr. Seuss, who famously watched and wrote about gray whales from his home in the hills of La Jolla, Benko is looking for tell-tale white plumes that signify a whale cruising below. Once a commercial fisherman in the area, he gradually abandoned fishing for whale watching as he saw cetaceans return en mass to the channel. His 75-foot tour boat, the Condor Express, is a state-of-the-art whale watching boat in what may be the world’s richest whale watching area. Of the 10,000 blue whales thought to exist worldwide, about 2,000 migrate annually to the waters around the Channel Islands. It wasn’t always so.

Going for rockfish out of Santa Barbara, California, means tapping into a vast, but tightly connected, ecosystem.

Fifty years ago, Benko says, the blue whale was an

Tracking Top Predators

Station in Pacific Grove, California. The team was

extremely uncommon visitor to Southern California

As part of the largest “biologging” study on marine

brainstorming how to use new electronic technology

waters; it was rare to see more than one during the

life migration ever undertaken, Census of Marine Life

Barbara Block of Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine

entire summer. By 1992, he was confident enough that

Tagging of Pacific Predators (TOPP) collaborators from

Station had innovated to tag bluefin. She had tagged

he could spot a whale or two that he began to take

80 nations tracked 23 species of large Pacific Ocean

over 1,000 in the Atlantic, but this time they wanted

guests onto his fishing boat two days per week to view

predators for over a decade, including: Mola mola, a

to do something more. What if they collaborated with

the increasing numbers of whales in the area. Within a few years, he was conducting tours full-time, and built the special, whale-friendly boat that he uses today.

Benko says that summer whale watching continues to get better each year with regular sightings of blue, humpback, fin, and other whales,

The Channel Islands are part of a massive interspecies annual migration pathway that scientists compare to a watery Serengeti.

with hundreds of dolphins on the side. Although the reason for increased sightings is not fully understood,

2,200-pound oceanic sunfish; albacore, yellowfin, and

researchers from around the world to tag multiple

some credit a reduction in noise pollution from

Pacific bluefin tuna—the largest and fastest fish in the

species of sea life in order to provide an in-depth look

offshore oil and gas exploration. What is significant,

water; thresher, blue, mako, salmon, and white sharks;

at species’ migratory patterns and behavior through

is that this increase is further evidence of a robust

humpback, fin, blue, and sperm whales; loggerhead

time and space?

ecosystem capable of supporting the largest species

and leatherback turtles; northern elephant seals and

on the planet.

California sea lions; Humboldt squid; sooty shearwater

time approach,” Dr. Randy Kochevar, marine biologist

that breed in New Zealand and migrate 40,000 miles

principal investigator from Stanford University, said in

marine ecosystem is home to 300,000 dolphins, along

per year between Japan, Alaska, and California and

a phone interview, “and ask broader questions about

with 27 other species of cetaceans, seabird colonies,

back; Laysan albatross—one of the largest of all flying

how does an ecosystem work; where are key habitats;

pinniped rookeries, seals, sea lions, and more. While

birds, with a wingspread greater than 6-feet, and the

where are the ‘fertile valleys’, the ‘watering holes’ within

this isn’t news, it is news that this fertile underwater

black-footed albatross.

the Pacific Basin. The Atlantic had been studied a lot,

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

causeway is also a critical “hotspot” within a major, newly discovered, migratory path.

The project began with a group of 50 people in a room at Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine

“We wanted to get beyond the one-species-at-a-

but the Pacific was really wide open.”

The team hoped that by tracking such a diverse

Scientists were startled to see two key migratory paths emerge as they laid down data points for each tagged animal as they tracked it over time.

The map reveals interspecies’ attraction to key ecosystems rich in food and natural resources.

Source: Dr. Randy Kochevar, Stanford University.

group of animals simultaneously, they would be able to gain new insights into how various species of wildlife live together in the open ocean.

Rich Discovery Deployments of 4,306 electronic tags over a decade yielded 1,791 individual animal tracks from 23 species.

This mass of data is still being analyzed, but it reveals overlapping patterns for marine wildlife migrations and habitats and shows that ocean life is not evenly scattered throughout the seas. Instead, species appear to follow distinct pathways. Two “hotspots” run perpendicular to each other. The California Current stretches south along the U.S. West Coast, while the North Pacific Transition Zone flows east/west where Alaska’s cold, subarctic water abuts the subtropical waters of Hawaii. The Channel Islands are part of a massive interspecies annual migration pathway that scientists compare to a watery Serengeti.

“These are the oceanic areas where food is most abundant…these areas are the savanna grasslands of the sea,” Block said. “Knowing where and when species overlap is valuable information for efforts to manage and protect critical species and ecosystems.”

The data gathered wasn’t just about migratory paths. For the first time, scientists could observe how often a particular animal dove, how far it dove, how long it stayed at certain depths, and how diving affected its own blood and temperature.

“When elephant seals are swimming through the ocean, they dive 50 to 60 times per day to depths of 500 to 600 meters,” explains Kochevar. “Every dive, the tag takes measurements of the temperature with the depth so we are creating a profile of the water column. We get similar profiles from tags on tuna.

(When someone harvests a tuna, he could get a $1,000 reward for returning the tag.) Essentially, we have a fleet of animal oceanographers going to really cool

Whales, like this humpback (above), and dolphins (below) have been increasingly visible in the Channel Islands in recent years.

Understanding the big picture of how species integrate and migrate along the Pacific coast is critical to maintaining healthy fisheries.

places where things are happening, not just swirling around in an eddy.”

Virtually all of the tags, varying from $1,500 to more than $8,000, included a sensor for depth and temperature; many had sensors for light to help locate the animal when satellite connections were not possible.

Because of the detailed data, TOPP team members were able to link north/ south seasonal migration of tunas, sharks, and blue whales along the southern U.S. coast with seasonal changes in water temperature and chlorophyll concentrations.

(High chlorophyll levels indicate a high level of plankton in the water, which in turn correlates to concentrations of fish that are a food source for larger predators.) The correlation is so strong that, now that scientists are aware of the pattern, they can predict a species’ location using satellite observations of temperature and chlorophyll changes. “This is fundamental to the concept of ecosystem-based management,” says Dr. Costa.

The data also revealed that animals and species are extremely loyal to favorite spots, with scientists often tagging the same animal at almost the same location where it was first tagged. Individuals exhibit an uncanny ability to hone into favorite feeding spots, even if the particular animal is too young to have visited the location previously.

“How or why a young bluefin tuna less than two years of age wakes up in the light of the Sea of Japan and decides to swim to Baja remains completely unknown,” says Dr. Block. “Once they get here, tagging data indicate they reside for years, taking advantage of the rich forage off North American coastlines.”

Fishermen have used those predictable patterns for years. With the increased efficiency of modern fishing methods, this predictability of migratory habits has huge implications, making the need for sound management practices all the more pressing.

Fishermen have used those predictable patterns for years, but this new research is allowing a better understanding of migration and feeding behaviors. It’s painting a clearer picture of the state of the Pacific and will shed light on the best way forward for developing more effective management practices.

The unique scope of the TOPP project data will help fishery managers by detailing where predators are concentrated in the North Pacific and which environmental parameters can be used to predict their occurrence. Both are invaluable in accurately assessing stock conditions while formulating fishing policies. The new data should also aid the recovery of endangered blue whales and other cetacean populations, since electronic tracking data can be used to identify high-use areas where risks such as ship strikes can be minimized. In a similar way, improved understanding of the distribution of leatherback sea turtles and North Pacific albatrosses in relation to pelagic fisheries can lead to smarter policies that help reduce bycatch.

“We have a really rich ecosystem off the coast of North America,” says Kochevar.

And, he notes, “This is intact, from the apex predators down to the plants. That is important.”

It’s important, because there’s the implication that with good management practices, all the pieces are in place for the entire ecosystem to thrive for long into the future.

This is not about you. It’s about the fish.

And how you can master the art of catch and release.

BY DARYL CARSON

T

hey call it the Lazarus video. It’s black-and-white footage of

plenty of fishermen have witnessed. But the Lazarus video, along with a growing

a rockfish caught off the Pacific coast and swollen up like a

body of research, shows the effectiveness of properly treating barotrauma. It also

helium balloon. The fish is seen lying in a cage and then floating

shows that fishermen can, and dare we say should, do more to up the chances of

lifelessly to the top once the cage is lowered in the water. But

survival for fish they catch and then release.

then, as the basket descends, the resurrection begins. The

Yes, catch-and-release fishing has been a mantra of marine conservation for a

fish’s bugged-out eyes settle back into their sockets and the distended stomach

long time. In the U.S., it’s been officially advocated in different areas since at least

retreats back down its gullet. By the time the cage door opens at 70 feet, the fish

the 1950s. But catch-and-release fishing is evolving beyond the practical necessity

swims out and heads back down to the reef where it was caught.

of putting undersized fish back into the water and into more of an ethos for sport

This amazing footage (see it at dfw.state.or.us/MRP/research) is of a yelloweye

fishermen. The cause of conservation often has just as much influence on an

rockfish surviving barotrauma, a condition caused by the rapid expansion of

angler’s decision-making process as the desire to hunt for food or the quest for a

gasses experienced as a fish is quickly reeled up from depth. If this happened to

trophy. For many sportsmen, catch and release is a normal mode of operation.

a diver, we’d call it a catastrophic case of the bends. If handled properly in fish,

How important is catch and release? Well, releasing fish, whether mandated or

it can cause nothing more than a temporary impression of a blimp. Or maybe a

not, is so prevalent that fishery managers use survival rates of released fish as part

bug-eyed version of Rodney Dangerfield. If not handled properly, and a fish in this

of their calculations of fish stocks. Not only do they calculate how many fish are

condition is just chucked back in the water, it becomes a buoy, stuck at the surface

caught, but they give us credit for throwing some back.

to either die of its wounds or become an easy meal for a predator. It’s a scenario

“In 2010, 211 million fish were released by marine recreational anglers,” says

Just like catching a fish, successfully releasing a fish so that it lives to fight another day takes proper tools and technique. Photo: Richard Gibson.

Left: Handling fish with a tool like the BogaGrip prevents removing its slimy, protective coating, a defense against infections. Photo: Dave Lear. Right: Venting fish swollen from barotrauma is required by law in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo: Dr. Karen Burns.

Andrew Loftus, a natural resources consultant based in Maryland, and organizer of

Council, and widely regarded as an expert on fish barotrauma. “Each region of the

the 2011 FishSmart workshop, which focused on catch and release issues. “Some

country has unique challenges. Not all environments are the same, and not all

of these fish survive; others do not. If there is a 10% average release mortality, 21.1

species are the same.” As an example, Burns notes that the effects of barotrauma

million fish die; if there is an average 20% mortality, 42.2 million die. So, increasing

can vary widely by species and water depth. Venting, or using a hypodermic

the survival of these fish by even a small percentage through better release

needle or other appropriate tool to pierce a fish’s body cavity behind the pectoral

practices and techniques will save millions of fish each year.”

fin and release highly expanded gasses, is currently one of the most widely

Loftus also points out that the more highly regulated a species becomes, i.e., red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, the more fish are released, and the greater

accepted procedures for dealing with barotrauma. But, it’s not foolproof.

“Not all swim bladders are created equal,” she says, “Some are thick, others thin,

impact release mortality can have on fish stocks and future management

some have lots of blood vessels, others are large or small. Swim bladders are part

decisions. The clear implication is that if fishermen can help keep released fish

of a fish’s adaptation to its life history or how it makes its living. Since some fish

alive, we help increase the odds of improving fish stocks in the future.

live in the water column and others on the bottom, their swim bladders reflect

The issue of release mortality continues to gain traction among both the regulatory and research communities. Gulf fishermen know that in 2008, federal

their lifestyle. The bottom line is we need to know more.”

And, there’s more to the story than just dealing with barotrauma. Burns says

law began to mandate the use of dehooking devices and also required that any

that other factors can be even more critical for a fish than being blown up like a

fish recognized as suffering from barotrauma (like the Lazarus fish) must have its

blimp. For instance, predation by dolphins is a significant issue in the northern

swim bladder vented so it can more easily swim back to depth. And, while there

Gulf of Mexico. On two research trips off Panama City, Florida, Burns’ team

hasn’t been time to find out how effective the new law has been in the Gulf,

confirmed 3 to 7 percent of released fish were eaten by opportunistic dolphins,

researchers have continued to study the issue and are finding out that several key

with another 20% chased below the surface and likely to have been eaten.

factors play into how likely a released fish is to survive.

In March of last year, the first ever FishSmart workshop was held in Atlanta,

Another critical issue for released fish, especially reef fish, can be thermal shock.

Burns and others have documented that pulling fish up above the thermocline

sponsored by NOAA Fisheries. It brought together a who’s-who list of fishery

(think bottom fishing in the Gulf during the summer) can be quite traumatic,

management experts with the recreational fishing community and focused their

especially if a fish spends a significant amount of time at the surface or on deck.

considerable cranial capacity on the issue of lowering release mortality rates.

In fact, many researchers agree that one of the most effective things fishermen

The goal was to gather what information existed on the topic, identify where the

can do to help a released fish survive is simply to reduce its deck time. Some

gaps are, and then help further develop a set of best practices to recommend to

studies have even documented that past a given point, each additional minute

recreational fishermen (check out a full rundown on the proceedings at

a fish spends out of the water correlates to an exponential rise in mortality. The

fishsmart.org). This year, the work is continuing with regional workshops.

recommendation to fishermen is to have a plan in place before the fish gets to

“The regional workshops are going to be a great thing,” says Dr. Karen Burns, ecosystem management specialist for the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management

the surface and then do what needs to be done quickly, especially if that involves taking measurements or posing for photos.

The FishSmart gurus will continue to tackle the

managers in the southeast wondering if the Gulf

at which point swim bladder gas expansion, thermal

issues of barotrauma, predation, and thermal shock,

of Mexico’s venting requirement may need to be

shock, and other factors begin to take a greater toll.”

but as they do, many recognize there may still be

updated to allow for recompression when applicable.

an even more significant challenge to successful

And, this is where the issue of practical

While the work on barotrauma and other catch and release issues continues, the big picture for

catch-and-release fishing—coming up with a list of

implementation comes back into play, because

fishermen remains rosy. There are plenty of things

recommended practices that is reasonable enough

getting a fish back down to depth takes significantly

we can do that are proven to significantly boost the

for fishermen to use effectively and willingly. Perhaps

more time than simply venting it. Burns puts it

chances that a released fish will live long enough to

no issue illustrates this better than the two primary

this way: “If you’re on a private boat or a six-pack,

grow, reproduce, or be caught again another day.

methods currently used for dealing with barotrauma.

recompression can be highly effective. On a head-

And even a small change in the percentage of fish

While venting the swim bladder is the established

boat, with 40 anglers, there’s just too much volume

that survive can make a big contribution toward

method, recompression, or sending a fish back down

and the fish are likely to be out of the water too long,

healthy fish stocks.

to depth before release, is gaining attention.

Organizers say this is one of the most interesting things to come out of the FishSmart workshop.

gloves, or wet towels to avoid

Alena Pribyl, a recent PhD grad from Oregon State

removing the slime layer from

University and a workshop participant, has done

their body.

research in this area and says recompression is the use of any type of device to help a fish get back down

Revive and Release

in the water column.

as quickly as possible and determine whether

“Basically, we’re talking about weights,” says Pribyl.

Release fish

you need a release tool (dehookers, venting tools,

“The simplest device is a barbless, weighted hook, but

Pull a fish from the water and it can show

recompression tools) to improve their chance of

you can also use something like an inverted milk crate

you more moves than John Travolta in

survival. Also, revive fish as needed by allowing

or a basket with a trap door. There are also devices

tight pants. To get it back in the water

water to flow over the gills.

you can buy from tackle shops,” she says, referring to

safely, you’ll need a few moves of your

descender devices with release clips that are used

own. Here’s our primer on a successful

Beat Barotrauma Bulging eyes and

with a rod and reel.

release technique.

distended stomachs are a sure sign of barotrauma.

Whatever the method, Pribyl says recompression

When not required by law to use venting tools,

in rockfish can be incredibly effective, citing several

Plan Ahead Have a game plan for

recompression is generally the best method,

studies conducted along the West Coast, including

releasing fish before you ever head out, making

and fish should be returned to the depth from

a recent study by the Alaska Department of Fish and

sure you have the tools you’ll need. If you’re

which they were caught (or as close as possible).

Game that involved an extensive rockfish tagging

catching fish you can’t—or don’t want—to keep,

If venting is necessary, DO NOT PUNCTURE THE

project looking at 17-day survival after barotrauma.

plan on moving to a different area, changing

STOMACH PROTRUDING OUT OF THE MOUTH, but

“Sam [Hochhalter] found 98% survival success in

depth, or using different bait.

vent the swim bladder behind the pectoral fin.

device compared to only 22% for surface-released

Gear Up Use tackle suited to the size of

You can find more online at fishsmart.org

yelloweye rockfish.”

fish you are trying to catch. Consider using “weak

and flseagrant.org.

yelloweye rockfish recompressed with a descending

These kinds of survival rates are (forgive us) eye-

hooks” that break if you catch fish too big. Employ

popping, especially when accepted release mortality

circle hooks where required and learn the proper

rates for the same species range from 22 to 56

techniques for using them.

is caught. Of course, researchers already know that

Land the Fish Don’t play fish to

different species respond differently to recompression

exhaustion, but land them as quickly as possible.

just as they respond differently to venting, but there

If you can, leave fish in the water rather than

seems to be a trend that shows recompression is

bringing them on board. If you must handle them,

more effective overall. If that’s the case, it has fishery

use knotless, rubberized landing nets, rubberized

Photo: Steve Theberge.

percent, depending on the depth at which the fish

From billfish to panfish, the right tools can make all the difference in keeping your catch alive.

AFTCO Tailer

Team Marine Venting Tools

ARC Sportsman Dehooker

aircraft cable that slips over the fish’s tail and

Available in multiple sizes, we like the Pro

The ARC dehookers come in a range of sizes, but this

cinches down with a quick, upward pull of

Series PV-1. The retractable needle makes

16-inch stainless steel model is ideal for medium

the handle. The four-foot-long anodized

this tool easy to store, and its unique tip is

size fish typical to inshore fishing and many reefs. It’s

aluminum handle is tapered for easier

designed to vent fish with a minimum of

recommended for hook sizes 2/0 to 9/0. The T-handle

This unique gaff trades the traditional hook for a wide loop of springy, stainless steel

handling and a swivel built into the cable

tissue damage. The aluminum body and

design is simple to use and allows fish to remain in

helps keep control of fish that roll and

stainless steel parts also make it just the

the water while being released, even when a hook

twist. The cable itself is plastic-coated to

thing for caustic saltwater environments.

is embedded deep in the throat. $19;

$35; teammarineusa.us

dehooker4arc.com

Van Staal 7-inch Pliers

Sportsman’s Release Knife

If you can hang onto to a pair of Van Staal pliers, you

Everyone knows it’s a bad idea to wave

should never have to buy another pair. The titanium

a pointed blade around on a crowded,

body is lightweight, ultra corrosion resistant and

rolling boat deck. But it still happens.

practically indestructible. The blunt-nose design is

Instead, grab a Sportman’s Release

perfect for fast work around frisky fish and we like the

Knife. Its twin, inward-facing blades are

spring-loaded line cutter with replaceable tungsten

encased in a nearly indestructible polymer

parts. $360; vanstaal.com

handle and shrouded in a hooked end that

further help protect the fish. $100; aftco.com

Pelagic End Game Gloves

makes it easy to slice through the heaviest mono. Get one for your wire man and make

Armored with Kevlar, Pelagic’s fish mitts are just the

everybody happy. Get a few more, make them

thing for going mano-a-mano with several hundred

standard equipment for everyone on your deck, and

pounds of thrashing fish flesh. These gloves protect

make fishing the blue water just a little safer. $20;

from line cuts during the battle and from the fish

releaseknife.com

itself during landing or releasing. Closed fingertips give maximum protection, and a Velcro closure ensures a snug fit. $40; PelagicGear.com

These products and more can be found online at the following: basspro.com meltontackle.com cabelas.com tackledirect.com academy.com sportsauthority.com

RokLees One of a growing number of descender devices specifically for releasing reef fish at depth, the RokLees combines a weight and spring-loaded grip that attaches to the fish’s jaw. Rubber tabs on the grip help protect the fish. Once lowered to the bottom, a simple jerk of the line opens the device and the fish swims free. $40; ecoleeser.com

BogaGrip The original fish-lip gripper, this is just the thing when you have to pull a fish out of

Accurate 6-inch Offshore Piranha Pliers

the water. Its unique design keeps

BLACKTIP Catch & Release Recompression Tool

your hands from wiping off the

Excellent for smaller hands, these

Named West Marine’s 2011 Green

fish’s slimy, protective coating

trimmed down, 6-inch pliers are

Product of the Year, the BLACKTIP’s

and the built-in scale gives

built with aircraft aluminum frames

spring-loaded jaws safely grip a fish’s

an instant reading for your

and special inserts at the jaws for

mouth so it can be lowered to the

logbook or the record books.

ultra durability. Cuts everything

bottom. Once the weight (supplied

A stainless body and durable

from mono to single and multi-

by the fisherman) touches down, the

construction make it great

strand wire, as well as all braided

fish is released. Made from anodized

for saltwater use. Available in

line sizes. Cutters and jaws can

aluminum with brass swivels and

three sizes, the largest handles

both be replaced. $135;

pins for saltwater use. $49.99;

fish up to 60 lbs. $125-$250;

accuratefishing.com

westmarine.com

eastabogatackle.com

WELDING THE CHAIN Shark Finning Update: A multi-nation assault on finning and longlining gives sharks a boost.

BY CAPT. JOHN McMURRAY Campaign efforts led by marine conservation groups

benefit not only declining shark populations, but also the ocean ecosystems

and scientists, and supported by a large constituency of

they help keep in balance and the economies they support.

stakeholders including anglers, divers, and even surfers,

The following synopses of recent shark conservation victories reflect major

have helped convince officials in a growing number of

advances in the worldwide battle to protect sharks. The movement is growing,

governments of the wisdom in protecting healthy shark

but sharks are swimming against a tide of decades of slaughter, mounting

populations. Vast shark sanctuaries are springing up

enforcement issues, and increasing demand as the Asian middle class grows.

around the globe. Meanwhile, as the barbaric practice of

The clock is ticking for shark species everywhere and there are ways for you to

shark finning is exposed, and awareness and mass revulsion

help, such as telling your government officials to protect sharks, and joining

amplify public outcry, governments are also banning the practice of hacking off a shark’s fins and tossing the mortally wounded fish overboard to die of blood loss and suffocation—all for an Asian soup delicacy.

This is good news, because of the shark species assessed by

groups such as Shark Savers (www.sharksavers.org) and Shark Defenders (www.sharkdefenders.com). You can also support critical shark research initiatives by supporting the Guy Harvey Research Institute (www.nova.edu/ocean/ghri/) and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

scientists for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 30 percent are threatened with extinction.

Sharks grow slowly, maturate late, and produce few offspring. These traits make them exceptionally vulnerable to overfishing and they are very slow to recover from a decline. Research has consistently shown that shark species are critical to marine ecosystems. Yet, they remain the world’s most hunted apex predators.

The Bahamas In July of last year, the Agriculture and Fisheries minister for The Bahamas signed a law to ban all commercial shark fishing in the archipelago nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a 243,244-square-mile area. The law also prohibits the import and export of any shark products.

It was the result of a successful year-long campaign involving collaboration between the Pew Environment Group (PEG) and the Bahamas National Trust (BNT),

Thanks to the efforts of a few conservation groups, the tide appears to be

which produced public service announcements, a petition signed by more than

changing. Sharks are beginning to receive long needed protections that should

5,000 Bahamians, and coordinated outreach trips by Pierre-Yves Cousteau (son of

SHA R BYK CON THE SE RVA NUM BETRION More than 400 S species of sharks swim in our oceans, with an evolutionary history that can be traced to before the age of the dinosaurs.

A United Nations study found that fin imports to Hong Kong and Taiwan alone rose 214 percent from 1985 to 1999.

Up to 73 million sharks are killed every year, primarily to support the global shark fin industry, valued for the Asian delicacy of shark fin soup.

Jacques Cousteau), scientist and artist Guy Harvey,

whole and brought to port intact, essentially making

Palau

and Sherman’s Lagoon cartoonist Jim Toomey to

fishing for the shark fin trade unprofitable, since the

Thanks to years of work by island activists and

support shark protections. The Guy Harvey Ocean

carcasses take up too much room in the holds of

more recent engagement by the Pew Global Shark

Foundation strongly supported the initiative and

commercial fishing vessels.

Conservation Campaign, Palau President Johnson

Dr. Guy Harvey met personally with Bahamian

Toribiong created the world’s first shark sanctuary,

government officials to help educate them on this

Honduras

an area the size of France—237,000 square miles—in

important issue.

President Porfirio Lobo Sosa signed a permanent

September 2009.

For anglers and conservationists concerned about

moratorium on commercial fishing for sharks at a

billfish as well as tunas and sea turtles, this is great

June event hosted by the Pew Environment Group

United States and Territories

news. Pressure from the Chinese government and

on the island of Roatan, the country’s top diving

The Shark Conservation Act of 2010 prohibits

their fishing interests to open shark-fishing

destination. The law is the fulfillment of a joint

any boat from carrying shark fins without the

operations posed the greatest of threats to the long-

declaration that Honduras announced last year with

corresponding number and weight of carcasses,

standing ban on longlining gear in the Bahamas EEZ.

Palau. The measure protects sharks across 92,665

and all sharks must be brought to port with their

Longlining is the leading cause of decline among

square miles of Honduras’ exclusive economic

fins attached. Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the

billfish species, not to mention a major issue for

zone, which encompasses both its Pacific and

Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Marshall

endangered and threatened sea turtles.

Caribbean coasts.

Islands all prohibited the possession, sale, or

Chile

Maldives

with a similar ban. Oregon has passed restrictive laws.

Chile’s Chamber of Deputies and Senate resoundingly

The Maldives created a shark sanctuary in March 2010,

In November, Florida protected tiger sharks and three

passed a bill this past summer to ban shark finning

covering 35,000 square miles of the Indian Ocean, or

species of hammerhead sharks. The state protected

and it was signed into law by Chile’s president in

roughly the size of Portugal. In doing so, it became

lemon sharks from harvest in 2010.

August. It leaves Venezuela alone among Latin

the second nation to establish blanket protection for

American nations in not restricting the practice. The

sharks, including a total ban on shark product exports.

distribution of shark fins. California is moving forward

Chilean legislation requires that all sharks be taken

Check guyharveymagazine.com for more shark updates.

www. guyharveymagazine. com

3

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2012

BUYING A BOAT • RIG FOR SAILS • CHARLIE MOORE & JOAN VERNON • KEEP IT FUN

BY CAPT. DAVE LEAR

Keep It Fun Hello. My name is Dave and I’m a tournament addict. I’ve been suffering from this

gorgeous bronze marlin sculpture for first place and bragging rights for the

disease for 25 years. I’ve tried to quit, I really have. But, it’s no use. I absolutely love

next 12 months.

fishing saltwater tournaments. I’m a full-blown, weigh-scale junkie.

It all started innocently enough. I convinced my nephew we could win big in the

Of course, we had to return to defend our title. As Team Dark Horsemen, we wore polo shirts with the logo of a cub reporter holding a bent rod, sitting on a

local Optimist tourney. We caught some hefty Spanish mackerel and sheepshead.

squatting jackass. Yeah, we were bad. We were going to catch fish and take names,

But, when they didn’t place, my competitive nature took over. I was hooked.

all right. As fate would have it, our game plan and execution didn’t quite match.

The experimentation continued beyond rodeos. Wide-open king mackerel marathons, an inshore extravaganza using supplied lures, and even a contest with simply two flies were the next challenges. I managed to take home some hardware, but my appetite still wasn’t sated. I had to have more.

So, I moved up to the hard stuff—big game. I notched the rod with my first blue marlin in the Big Rock. I chased sailfish up and down the Yucatan. One summer, I even gaffed the winning dolphin during the Pensacola International. It thumped my calf so hard with its tail I had a bruise for a month. Served me right for not getting in on the calcutta.

My ultimate moment of glory came in the Caribbean, however. It was there, during the

We scored a big smelly skunk for our cockiness. But we sure had fun. And that’s the name of the tournament game. It’s got to be fun. Otherwise, what’s the point?

As Team Dark Horsemen, we wore polo shirts with the logo of a cub reporter holding a bent rod, sitting on a squatting jackass. Yeah, we were bad...

We scored a big smelly skunk for our cockiness.

International Billfish Tournament in San Juan, that

Okay. Truthfully, that’s not just a rhetorical question. The answer is money. Cold, hard cash. Only a handful of tournaments award trophies instead of checks. The IBT and the West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s Silver Sailfish Derby top that list. The Derby celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2012 while the IBT is 59. Both are long-time conservation leaders, by the way.

The majority of tournaments dole out cash or big-ticket prizes and the amounts can be staggering. As in

my teammates and I made history. Representing the sportfishing press, Mike

thousands, even millions of dollars for a single fish. Not that there’s anything

Micciche and I scored four blues and a white marlin to put us in contention. On

wrong with that. It’s part of the game. To win requires skill and luck. Think of it as

the last afternoon, Edison Irvine put us over the top by adding another blue. It was

another form of organized gambling, only the pull is on the line instead of the slot

the first time the IBT had been won solely on release points. We each took home a

machine handle.

But, when money is involved, the temptation to cheat is too much for some. Besides transgressions like not having the proper licenses, allowing someone else to touch the rod, or counting a Jacksonville rather than Palm Beach release, serious shenanigans do occur.

Like stuffing a fish with lead sinkers. Or weighing one caught days earlier. Or trimming the tail of an oversized redfish. I’ve known anglers to use spotter planes or hire another boat to live chum and draw the fish into their spread. Regardless the scheme, it violates the rules of fair play and sportsmanship.

Tournament officials thwart cheating with digital proof of catches, on-board observers, protest rules, even polygraph tests of the winners. Fraud still continues, though, and that’s too bad. It gives my sport a black eye. If cheaters would spend half as much time honing their angling skills as they do trying to win illegally, they’d earn plenty of prizes—the right way. And have a lot more fun doing it, too.

Tips for a Stress-free Tournament Experience 1. Concentrate on established events with an anti-cheating protocol.

2. Fish with a team of family or friends.

3. Book the best boat/crew possible.

4. Research local reports and conditions beforehand.

5. Be prepared with the right tackle, bait, etc.

6. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose.

7. Compete hard, but practice good sportsmanship.

8. Relax and have fun!

Large or small, fishing boats are often required to do much more than help land a prized catch. Many buyers will be shopping for a multi-tasker that can cruise, entertain, or provide family recreation.

BY CA STAFF

BOAT SHOPPING. SAVVY? Do your homework to avoid the sting of buyer’s remorse and get the right boat the first time out.

There’s good reason why the two happiest days in a boater’s life are when he buys a boat and then when he sells it. Boats, especially fishing models, can be costly, time-consuming, and a royal pain in the posterior. But they are also a treasured vehicle for lifetime memories, epic battles, and special pride.

Which is why the moment that boat is sold, the serious angler is already shopping for the next one.

Of course, even if we’re already in a happy boat-

inshore rigs or offshore mega machines, it’s

owner relationship, our eyes and mind will always

important to consider more than just raw fishing

wander. We plan, scheme, configure, and reconfigure

power before signing the dotted line. If you’re

the layout of the perfect fishing platform and we

about to tie the knot with a new boat, there are at

covet the brand new fishing machine our neighbor

least three major factors to evaluate: usage, price,

just bought. Whether your taste runs to versatile

and maintenance.

Defining Use “When considering a boat purchase, ask yourself the who, what, when, where, and why, as if you’re writing a news article,” suggests Eric Cashion, director of marketing for Cabo and Hatteras Yachts. Although Cashion deals with big, offshore boats, his approach stirs up important questions for any buyer.

Who will be running the boat? Some men (and they’re not the only ones who buy boats) might think of their craft as the perfect escape pod for getting with their buds to hunt, gather, drink beer, and be manly. While this scenario fits many buyers, the truth is, wives and significant others usually play a major role in a such a significant purchase. In this case, male buyers need to consider whether or not she’s comfortable handling the boat, say, for example when he’s slipped and fallen overboard while trying to pull in the anchor. Or maybe she’ll be using the boat when he’s out of town or stuck at work. If so, make sure both parties agree on what features are most important. Which brings up question number two.

What’s the main usage? Is this a pure fishing rig or does it also need to pull kids on tubes? Generally, a boat 24-feet-long or longer puts out too much wake for pulling skiers, not to mention limited maneuverability in tight spots. If this is just a raw fishing machine, then the choices are almost endless, from a 16-foot flats boat to a 60-foot offshore mega-fisher. That’s when you have to face the next question.

Where will you do the majority of your boating? Perhaps you dream of running to the Bahamas every weekend with your buddies; but unless you’re getting a large enough boat for overnight trips, you’ll most likely fish within a day’s run of the launch. A little dose of reality is critical in choosing a boat that will translate into more time on the water.

Finally, why are you buying? Is it for family recreation? Is it only for fishing? If so, what kind of fishing? Are you looking for a booze cruiser for entertaining at the yacht club? Are you just getting your feet wet in the market? Each of these points calls for some concerted soul searching about your fishing and boating lifestyle before cutting the check.

Understanding Cost It doesn’t take a CPA to tell you that buying a new boat is a big investment.

Perhaps we should be more clear. It’s a big expense. If done right, it can be an “investment,” but few people make money when they sell a boat. If you buy a “classic” or a fixer-upper, and have the expertise and a garage full of tools, you may be able to turn a profit when you sell your boat. However, the vast majority of us buy boats that we can use right out of the chute, and prices can range wildly.

Initial cost is important, but it’s not everything. Quality, durability, and resale value should also be considered.

“You shouldn’t focus solely on the initial cost,” warns Alan Lang, national sales manager for Scout Boats, who recommends prospective buyers take

into account operating costs and resale values versus the initial purchase price when comparing different brands. “Some might be cheaper up front, but when other considerations like fuel efficiency, performance, and warranty are added, it typically saves money over the life of ownership by spending a little more on a top brand.” And, if you anticipate selling the boat in the future, then popularity of a given make or model and the ease of finding another buyer should be considered as well.

“The best buys are often end-of-the-model-year closeouts with promotional pricing or deals with

Boat maintenance should not be an afterthought. Make

pre-paired boat, engine, and trailer packages, often

warranties and service plans part of your product research.

offered at boat shows,” adds Lang. “Typically, the breakout cost of an outboard engine is 40 percent of the overall package.”

There can also be a temptation to buy less boat

and enjoying your purchase for a multitude of

of work is typically $75 to $100 an hour, so don’t get

fishing seasons. The good news is that maintenance

caught off-guard by maintenance costs. The second

than you need. When it comes to balancing price

associated with a new boat purchase should be

issue is that of warranties. Reading the fine print in

with fishing capability and family-friendly features,

relatively painless, especially as technology and boat

your warranty agreement will let you know if any

there is often a temptation for budget-minded

design continue to evolve.

work done outside the dealer’s service department

buyers to make the wrong compromises. This can

“The overall quality, performance, and efficiency

will void any protection you’ve already purchased.

happen by choosing a smaller power plant in the

of today’s boats has been greatly improved,” says

name of fuel savings (it’s really more about how you

Cashion of the Cabo and Hatteras brands. “You really

in tip-top shape should be aware of the options

drive anyway) or by simply getting a smaller boat

do get a good bang for your buck. Plus, there are a

they have available. It’s worth the time to compare

because of initial cost.

lot of extra benefits, including extended service and

warranty and service plans with the same detail as

warranty programs now available.”

other basic boat features. Find out what’s covered

“You’re better off stretching the budget a bit to get

Owners who employ others to keep their boat

a little bigger boat initially,” says Wally Bell, president

Indeed, warranties and service programs are a

and what’s not. Find out who can perform service

of Sundance Boats in Blackshear, Georgia. Sundance

significant part of any purchase. Whether included in

in your area and when they’re available. Seek out

specializes in skiffs and mid-size fishing boats and Bell

the price or bought as an add-on, the value of these

recommendations and reviews on local service

knows all about buyers faced with tough decisions.

agreements should be weighed before making a

departments and find out their track record for

final decision to buy. This applies equally to owners

customer care.

“That extra foot or two is important and will fit your family better over the years,” he says, noting that

with the mechanical aptitude to grab a wrench and

Finally, recognize the importance of basic care

looking at long-term use rather than just immediate

go to work, and to those who prefer to let a service

for your boat and have a plan to get it done. This

needs is a smart idea. “The current trend is to keep a

department handle everything. But both types need

includes storage options. Covered or open? In-water

boat seven to nine years. With today’s materials and

to do their homework.

or out? Weigh the cost against the long-term effects

construction techniques, that’s a realistic expectation.”

Do-it-yourself types need to know what they’re

of exposure to UV rays and saltwater. After that, a

Keeping it Right

getting into. First, is the basic issue of changing

bubble bath after every trip is a must, especially in

technology. While it may be one thing to change

saltwater. Waxing when needed, spraying electrical

If the first commandment of boat buying is “it’s

a fuel filter or the gear oil on outboards, today’s

connections with an anti-corrosion compound,

an investment,” then the second is “boats require

fuel-injected engines require computer diagnostics.

keeping the bilge clean—it all adds up to fewer

maintenance.” Understanding what level of care your

Sometimes, it’s not even a question of ability, but

problems, higher resale values, and more fishing. And

craft requires before you buy it is critical to protecting

just access to tools. The going labor rate for this kind

that’s what it’s all about.

Joan Vernon As a long-time champion of marine conservation, Joan Vernon has excelled in several roles. She is the past chairwoman of The Billfish Foundation and was one of the founding directors of the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament. She is also the founder of the Presidential Challenge tournament series that is dedicated to the conservation of billfish and inshore game fish in the Americas. In 2010, she was named a Hero of Conservation by Field & Stream.

Owner of Sporting Traditions, an international sportfishing travel agency, Vernon is also a skilled, lighttackle angler and tournament winner.

Charlie Moore Emmy-award-winning television personality and comedian Charlie Moore is host of the No Offense outdoors show on NBC Sports/Versus. Over the last 15 years, this outspoken Boston native has hosted numerous sports and entertainment celebrities on his shows, including basketball Hall of Famer John Havlicek, NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe, Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, and rock musicians Ted Nugent and Lynard Skynyrd.

CA unwinds with veteran anglers Joan Vernon and Charlie Moore to talk baits, big battles, and the future of fishing.

What’s the toughest fish you ever caught and why?

What is your biggest like or dislike about fishing tournaments?

JV: I would have to say the toughest fish I have

so we tried to catch live bait, which we did in small numbers. I was fishing 6/8-pound test line and tippet, all artificials and fly. The captain didn’t have a clue what he was doing. It was very rough and rainy. We

caught was a swordfish on 12-pound test, estimated at

JV: It brings out the best and the worst in an

had to rig our own tackle, handle all the rods, handle

100 pounds. I was fishing off the coast of Malindi, Kenya,

angler and captain! I like fishing tournaments

the fish at release, and believe me, it was miserable.

at night using live bonito as bait. It was the beginning

for the friendships and fun times. I dislike fishing

of the rainy season and debris was pouring out of the

tournaments when the competition overtakes

CM: Everything is a challenge! Everyone gets up

rivers into the ocean. There was a large tree stump

the friendship.

early to fish and I get up late! Everywhere I fish is

floating in the area where our captain wanted to slow

a challenge, but I would have to say that fishing in

troll. He commanded his crew to retrieve the stump and

CM: I am a very competitive person and, therefore,

Panama provided the most challenges. It was a long

tie it off the stern of the boat. Thus, during the battle

enjoy the competition. I dislike how tournaments

trip to get to Panama, an effort to get to the location

with the sword, not only did I have to negotiate fighting

have a tendency to take the fun out of the sport.

where we would be fishing, and not to mention

a nice, strong fish on light tackle but also had to work

Fishing is a hobby for most, not a job. When you take

being in a foreign country and dealing with those

around the branches of the tree stump.

a competitive nature combined with money, it tends

issues. I know that these are things that have nothing

to remove the fun.

to do with fishing, and in the end, it is worth it, but it

CM: It is difficult to know what is meant by toughest.

is nothing like hitting the local lake and doing what

Toughest location, toughest bites, etc. But I would

you are accustomed to doing.

say that the most difficult fish I ever caught was a shark, mostly due to the length of time required to reel him in. I have caught many, many blue sharks off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard and it can take 1½ to 2

If you only had one lure or fly to use the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

What is the biggest issue facing fisheries?

JV: A blue and white Islander lure would do me just

JV: Declining fish populations is the biggest challenge

fine offshore, and a plain, white bucktail jig inshore!

we have facing us today. This applies to inshore

Need I say more?

and offshore fishing. Bad management and lack of

hours to reel them in.

Who is your favorite fishing partner?

necessary science must be addressed on a worldwide CM: I hope never to be put in this situation! It is like

basis in order to maintain what we have today.

JV: Offshore fishing can be challenging at best,

saying “pick your favorite meal” and that is all you

and having someone to share the boat with often

will be able to eat for the rest of your life. But, if I had

CM: I believe that the lack of knowledge that people

eases the pain of slow fishing as well as helping

to choose, I would say the Lunker City Spanky. It is a

have regarding the sport fishing industry is the

in a total frenzy of a hot bite. Bill Easum from Port

very versatile bait and I can use it to catch fish at all

biggest issue. People do not understand fishing

Aransas, Texas, has shared the cockpit with me on

times of the year.

and hunting at all, and having the authorities close

many occasions. We have had some great times and

down fisheries is harmful to the sport. Sportfishing

exciting fishing together. We both enjoy light-tackle fishing and the work that goes into landing a billfish under light-tackle conditions.

generates a lot of revenue on many levels, and when

Where is the most challenging place you ever fished?

CM: Although it may be legal to have a fishing partner in Massachusetts now (LOL), I don’t prefer to

JV: Fishing the Pacific coast of Colombia was a true

call anyone a fishing partner. Doing TV is a lot of fun,

challenge. We fished at a friend’s small, private lodge

but it’s still a job and a lot of work, so when I have

up near the Panama border. Our boat was a

the opportunity to fish with my wife and/or my kids, I

converted drug boat—a center console outboard

would say that they are the best and my favorites.

with very high freeboards. We didn’t have any bait,

it is managed properly, it is a positive thing.

GEARHEADS :

Get Ready for Sailfish TEXT & PHOTOS BY STEVE WATERS

When it comes to catching sailfish,

Capt. Skip Dana of Pop A Top uses 20-pound Sufix monofilament line and 40-pound Sufix fluorocarbon leaders. Peter Miller and his teammates on Kitt

top tournament teams don’t take

Toomey’s Get Lit, a three-time winner of the World Sailfish Championship, use 40- or 50-pound fluorocarbon leaders. But their main lines are either 17-

chances. At least not when it

or 18-pound monofilament. Miller said the lighter line flies better when used with fishing kites.

comes to their equipment.

Fishing kites are standard on virtually every tournament boat in South Florida. Kites allow fishing lines to be deployed away from the boat and keep

“To catch numbers of sailfish, you need a very good crew and you need

baits splashing on the surface where they attract attention. The standard

tackle that’s going to hold up well,” says Capt. John Louie Dudas, who

setup is to fly two kites with three lines on each. Split shots are attached to

has won countless sailfish tournaments in South Florida and the Florida

the outside corners of each kite to make them fly apart from each other so

Keys. “You have to have a total package between the boat and crew and

the lines cover more water.

your equipment.”

That’s not just rods and reels, but also everything from circle hooks and leaders to rocket launchers and baitwells.

Most boats have several different kites to cover a variety of wind conditions. Get Lit uses green SFE Ultimate kites for winds up to about 20 knots. For stronger winds, Get Lit uses Bob Lewis kites. So does Wound Up. “If the wind’s changing a lot, we’ll use the all-in-one kites,” Dudas said. “It

LINES and KITES Most tournament-proven teams do things the same way, but there are slight

all depends. We have 20 kites on the boat that’ll fly a little bit different.”

When the wind is light, just about every boat uses balloons filled with

variations in their fishing styles and equipment. As Dudas notes, he sticks

helium to get their fishing kites airborne. Wound Up and Get Lit both carry two

with things that have worked for him over the past 30 years.

large helium tanks. After the balloons are inflated, they are taped to the fishing

For example, while most sailfish teams use fluorocarbon leaders, Dudas and his crew on Wound Up use pink Ande monofilament for the leaders they tie to their 20-pound Ande or Momoi monofilament main lines.

“It seems like it’s soft and strong and real easy to tie, and we haven’t had any problems with it at all,” said Dudas, who uses 50-pound leaders

kites using floss. Get Lit uses electrical tape. Wound Up uses masking tape.

The fishing kites are sent aloft with electric reels, which allow the kites to be brought in quickly and baits to be deployed quickly when the sailfish are biting.

Get Lit uses Kristal reels spooled with 80-pound braided line.

Kite clips are staggered on the kite line to separate the fishing lines. Many boats

when the sailfish are biting really good, and drops to 40-pound when the

use swivels to keep the clips in place, but Get Lit uses floss to separate the clips.

fish are finicky.

Miller said the floss is a lot easier on your hands as you bring in the kite line.

Instead of attaching the fishing line to a kite clip,

The most popular circle hook size is 7/0, but some

“They hold a lot of line, the people can get the line

the line has a ring on it that attaches to the clip,

boats use 6/0 for smaller baits and some will use an

tight very quickly, and the drags are super smooth,”

which prevents chafing of the line. Wound Up uses

8/0 for a really big bait. Wound Up uses VMC hooks,

said Dudas of the Accurates. “The rods are light,

ceramic rings, but Get Lit uses stainless steel rings

while Get Lit prefers Mustads.

the grips are positioned so they’re easy to pick up,

because, Miller said, ceramic rings can break.

Styrofoam floats are placed on the lines to make

The baits are bridled to the hooks with rubber

and the 7-foot length for kite fishing seems a little

bands. A rigging needle is used to run the band

easier in a big boat. I know a lot of people like to use

the lines easier to see. Under the float is a lead egg

through the bait’s back, then the band is twisted a

shorter rods when they’re fishing in a smaller boat.”

sinker, which keeps the fishing line straight up and

couple of times around the bend of the hook.

down, or close to it.

“The heavier the wind, the heavier the lead,” said

“With circle hooks, you have almost a 100 percent

Spinning outfits are used for flat lines (Miller said sometimes they’ll attach a rubber core sinker to the

hookup rate,” Dana said.

line) and for casting baits to sailfish that can be seen

on Versus. “The key is to keep the bait in the water

RODS & REELS

spooled with 400 yards of 20-pound line. Wound Up

looking as natural as possible.”

Almost all boats use conventional outfits for their

uses Fin Nor reels with 20- and 16-pound line and a

kite fishing and they all have their favorites.

variety of leaders. The rods are color-coded with tape

Miller, who is the host of the Bass2Billfish TV show

The leader is attached to the main line with a small ball-bearing swivel. The maximum leader length for

just under the surface. Get Lit uses Penn 950SS reels

Pop A Top uses Avet reels. Get Lit has Penn

by the mates based on the leader strength.

tournaments is 15 feet, but Miller noted that some

International 16VS reels on custom 7½-foot rods that

“When they grab a rod, they’re not worried

tournaments require boats to turn in their leaders, so

have a roller guide for the first guide and a roller tip.

about what pound test the leader is,” Dudas said.

Get Lit uses leaders that are 14 feet, 6 inches to allow

Wound Up, a 57 Spencer, uses high-retrieve Accurate

“If they’ve cast a number of times to a fish and

for stretch caused by a hard-fighting sailfish.

655 reels with custom, 7-foot Leeward rods.

don’t get a bite, they’ll try something different.

Rings used to attach kite clips prevent chafing of the line.

Sometimes if we’re chasing after a fish, we’ll even go down to a 20-pound test leader to try to get the bite.”

On big boats like Wound Up and Get Lit, the kite rods are fished from a rocket launcher. Wound Up has a Bluewater rocket launcher that holds six rods and can turn, which allows the baits to be positioned where Dudas wants them.

Miller said Get Lit has a custom, double-wide rocket launcher with six rodholders angled forward in front, and five straight up and down in back. Miller said if someone is fighting a fish, the other kite rods can be placed in the second row of rod-holders to keep them out of the angler’s way.

BAITS & LIVEWELLS Bigeye scad, more commonly known as goggle-eyes, are by far the most popular sailfish bait. They are strong swimmers and can be used in all types of sea conditions, but are especially good when seas are rough.

Threadfin herring, sardines, pilchards, ballyhoo, blue runners, tinker mackerel, and even small bonitos also will catch sailfish. Most boats bring a selection of baits just in case the fish are particular, as well as to match the fishing conditions.

Wound Up takes along 60 goggle-eyes on tournament days and at least that many smaller baits such as herring, sardines, and pilchards.

“If it’s going to be really calm, we’re going to be using a lot of smaller baits,” Dudas said. “If it’s going to be really rough and you’re going to have a lot more wind, you’re going to want bigger baits.”

Left: Constant success requires both proper techniques and top-rated gear.

Above: Organization and teamwork are the keys to successful sailfishing, especially with multiple hook-ups. Top South Florida teams often use kites to keep live baits splashing on the surface to attract the fast-moving game fish.

Photo: Richard Gibson.

Although conventional reels are the tackle of choice for kite baits, big spinning reels with a large line capacity are favorites for flat line applications.

You also want to match your baits to the size of the sailfish. Dana noted that when small sailfish of 5-to-15 pounds are plentiful, sardines are ideal for them.

Typically, Dana fishes goggle-eyes on the far kite lines because they stay in the water better. Herring might be on the middle kite lines or short lines, and sardines will be on the short lines.

The livelier your baits, the better, so top teams are particular about their baitwells. Get Lit has three wells: one on each side of the cockpit and one in

to the backup pump so the baits remain frisky.

Each well has about the same amount of baits. A key feature of Wound Up’s wells is their large glass tops, which allow the crew to keep an eye on the baits and get them out of the well with a bait net more easily.

“You don’t want to be in there just dipping baits out, because the more you’re just dipping and dipping and dipping, you’re just beating your baits up,” says Dudas.

Suffice it to say that rigging for sails is a meticulous process, and that each

the floor. Miller said you want one bait per gallon, so a 60-gallon baitwell

component, from the angler all the way to the bait, plays a critical role in

should never have more than 60 baits.

achieving consistent success.

“A lot of times, people will overload their wells and their baits will suffer,” Miller said.

Wound Up has a baitwell on each side of the cockpit and each well has two pumps just in case one of the pumps malfunctions. One baitwell pump is running while the boat is fishing. If a pump goes down, the hose is switched

A lot of times, people will overload their wells and their baits will suffer.

HEROES IN CONSERVATION

WARRIOR CLASS—BILL SHEDD

BY GREG JACOSKI

The driving force behind the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation is a group of passionate professionals that turn conservation science into real-world success stories. Some call them the Board of Directors. We like to think of them as conservation’s gladiators. (Part 2 of an ongoing series.)

When most people think of Guy Harvey, the first image that comes to mind is the

then, the group has released more than 300,000 juvenile white seabass into

iconic Guy Harvey T-shirt featuring a brightly colored game fish depicted in vivid

embayments and near-shore coastal areas in Southern California.

detail. The guy behind the Guy T-shirts is AFTCO President and CEO Bill Shedd,

This is one of the few stocking programs dedicated toward assessing the

who has served on the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Board of Directors since its

biological and economic impacts of its releases, and it is the only program

inception in 2008, though Shedd’s commitment to marine conservation extends

of its kind on the West Coast of North America. The hatchery is now capable

far beyond that.

of producing more than 350,000 juvenile white seabass annually and has

AFTCO has a 50-plus year history of manufacturing some of the best fishing tackle and apparel on the market, but it was only after the Shedd family bought

significantly helped replenish this formerly depleted stock.

Beyond the work with the seabass hatchery, Shedd has contributed thousands

the company in 1973 that they have become just as well known for their

of hours of leadership within the sportfishing community, including efforts such

conservation efforts. Shedd’s father, Milt, co-founded SeaWorld, Inc., in 1964 and

as gillnet and longline bans and progress toward creating a Rigs-to-Reefs program

was a pioneer in the marine conservation field as he started the Hubbs-SeaWorld

in California. Shedd was highly involved in helping to eliminate California’s

Research Institute, a major research entity that the Shedds still support today.

experimental shark longline fishery and for blocking the development of a

Milt Shedd instilled this passion for conservation in his son early in life and Bill has

swordfish and tuna longline fishery.

since made it a life-long pursuit.

Shedd is a co-founder of the United Anglers of Southern California, a volunteer

Shedd and AFTCO have been involved with Guy Harvey since 1999, originally becoming the manufacturer of woven shirts and eventually becoming the

driven, non-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of fishery resources

licensee for all Guy Harvey apparel, including the T-shirts. The Guy Harvey brand

through management, conservation, and education in order to maximize angling

name has flourished under Shedd’s direction of the clothing line and that has

opportunities and pass the sport of fishing onto future generations. One of the

resulted in even bigger contributions to the marine conservation field.

biggest conservation efforts of UASC is the California white seabass hatchery

AFTCO has become the biggest contributor to the Guy Harvey Ocean

program. This experimental program involved the release of more than 2,000

Foundation and the Guy Harvey Research Institute, not only providing funds, but

juvenile white seabass in Mission Bay, California, in October of 1986. Since

also directing the research initiatives of the groups. AFTCO was also the biggest

Top left: Bill Shedd at the helm. Bottom left: Milt (left) and Bill Shedd with a large halibut. Right: Shedd with an impressive white sea bass he caught from his kayak near his home in Laguna Beach, California.

supporter of the GHOF’s ‘Save Our Gulf’ program, which raised $500,000 for Gulf of Mexico fisheries research and restoration following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Beyond their business relationship, Shedd and Guy Harvey share a unique, personal relationship that has led them on a number of fishing and diving adventures all around the world.

Shedd accompanied Harvey on his trip to Tropic Star Lodge in Panama and assisted in catching the 1200 lb. black marlin that has become one of Guy’s most iconic photographs and the cover of his Panama Paradise book.

Of course, the possibly record-setting fish was tagged and released.

GUY HARVEY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

CAUTION: SAND TIGERS AHEAD

BY DR. MAHMOOD SHIVJI & DARYL CARSON

U.S. Fishery managers have taken a conservative approach to protecting sand tigers, but there is little information to know what measures are needed.

Aside from the gaping maw of a great white, perhaps no set of shark dentures

have characteristics similar to other sharks that can make population recovery

is as striking as those of a sand tiger. Yes, the serrated smile of a white shark is

a very slow process. It takes females a long nine to ten years to reach sexual

impressive, with its uniform rows of triangular teeth, but the sand tiger is equally

maturity, although males are somewhat faster at six to seven years. After that,

so. Although, instead of being uniform and precise, its mouth bulges with a

reproduction appears to be only every other year or even every three years. And,

tangled mess of spikes jutting out in all directions. Even though it’s a look that

when sand tigers do reproduce, the result is a measly two offspring at a time, one

conveys a capacity to rip flesh, oddly, these sharks appear to mostly swallow their

in each uterus. It all adds up to what researchers call “very low rebound potential,”

prey whole.

from fishing-caused mortality.

And it’s this gnarly appearance, along with an interestingly docile demeanor, that have made sand tigers something of a rock star among shark species. They’re a favorite encounter among divers, especially around wrecks of the mid-Atlantic coast. And their tolerance for captivity has made them a staple attraction of marine aquariums around the world, where thousands of school children each year are mesmerized with the shark’s snaggly-toothed appearance. But for all the sand tiger’s popularity, there is still little information about their abundance in the oceans and what needs to be done to protect them in many parts of their range. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List lists this species as “Vulnerable” on a global scale, meaning that the best available information indicates is it facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. In some areas, this species is IUCN Red Listed as “Critically Endangered.” The population status of the sand tiger in U.S. waters remains uncertain.

Studies done to date have been fairly limited in scope. In U.S. waters, sand tigers inhabit the coastal Atlantic from Maine to Florida and also frequent the northern Gulf of Mexico. Although sometimes caught by recreational anglers, most of the known fishing pressure comes from commercial longline and gillnet operations where sand tigers are taken as bycatch. In terms of biology, sand tigers

Source: Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center

A sand tiger on the wreck of the Papoose, off North Carolina.

Photo: Doug Perrine / SeaPics.com.

(One note here: Sand tigers, while fairly docile in respect to humans, are quite savage with each other, and of all places, in the womb. If multiple embryos form

Tagging sand tigers in Delaware Bay. Photo: Shara Teter, GHRI.

three sharks did not. They were all young females.

This was quite unexpected. Instead of moving south, these females swam east

in the uterus, one embryo will eat the others. In other shark species, an embryo

off the continental shelf, which is raising a range of questions that need to be

might eat other unfertilized eggs, but in this case, the alpha-embryo shark eats its

answered for better management of this species. Is this difference typical migratory

developing siblings prior to birth. Only sand tiger sharks are known to show this

behavior of the sexes? Do older females show the same eastwards migratory

grizzly type of intrauterine cannibalism—another juicy tidbit to tell the school kids.)

pattern? If so, why are the sexes separating? Why are the young females going east

What all of this means from a conservation perspective is that sand tiger populations are in the precarious position of being one of the shark species

as the coastal waters cool and how long do they remain in offshore waters?

Key to the discovery of this previously unknown behavior is that the

least able to handle even modest fishing mortality. This fact has led to a cautious

researchers were able to get the satellite tags to stay on and continuously record

management approach by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, which made

the movements of sharks for three to four months, an uncommon feat in the

sand tigers a prohibited species in 1997 and then in 2004 placed it on a list to be

satellite tag tracking business where the tags often pull out of the animal just days

considered for further protection under the Endangered Species Act. In an effort

or weeks after the shark is set free.

to help fishery managers determine the best course of action, GHRI graduate

And, what about the males? The thinner-skinned sex buzzed off to warmer

student Shara Teter has been partnering with the research teams of Dr. Dewayne

climates, going nearly directly south after leaving Delaware Bay in the late

Fox of Delaware State University and Dr. Brad Wetherbee of the University of

summer and early fall. Their detailed tracks show them staying on or close to the

Rhode Island to better understand the overall biology of this species, including its

continental shelf during a four-month migration (see track map). Interestingly,

migration patterns and precisely how it uses the water column.

the males seem to take a migration break once in North Carolina locales, where

In one study, the scientific team has been employing special satellite tracking

they just mill around for a while. (Perhaps they hang out on the wrecks, hoping for

tags donated by Microwave Telemetry to elucidate details of the movements

a scuba diver encounter they can use later to impress the females—It was huge,

of the sharks from aggregation sites in Delaware Bay, where sand tigers

blowing bubbles, and swimming right at me!)

congregate by the hundreds each spring and summer before moving out as

Lots of questions still remain to be answered. How far south do the males

water temperatures drop later in the year. The long-held assumption has been

typically go? What drives them south–food, warmer water, sex? When and how

that these animals move south toward the Carolinas and Florida. However, this

do they make their return migrations north to Delaware Bay and surrounding

assumption has been arrived at indirectly from fishery data and landing reports.

environs? How much overlap is there between habitat use by these sharks

To directly verify this behavior and obtain more details of the migrations of

and commercial fishing efforts where they run the risk of becoming bycatch?

individual animals, the GHRI and partners placed satellite tags on eight males

As the GHRI and its partners continue their research, this knowledge will help

and three females, over the course of the summer. While the majority of the

tremendously to improve fisheries management and conservation efforts for this

sharks followed the suspected pattern of moving south at the end of the season,

ecologically vulnerable shark.

MEET THE CHEF

EATING THE ENEMY

BY SUE CUSHMAN

PHOTOS BY ALLISON NICKELL

Fleet Landing is a trendy, waterfront restaurant known for its seafood, chic décor, and stunning views. It has been recognized by the likes of Food & Wine Magazine, and caters to a casual crowd with a discerning palate. Chef Drew Hedlund turns out southern seafood in a style that somehow manages to be both classic and hip, and has caught the attention of Charleston, South Carolina, foodies. Lately, the buzz has been increasing because of one unusual item on the menu…lionfish.

Hedlund, a graduate of Johnson and Wales, is originally from Naples, Florida, and has a passion for sustainable seafood. He is proactive about sourcing and serving sustainable products, and Fleet Landing is a platinum partner in the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative. Keen to conservation issues, Hedlund was receptive when Sous Chef Brian Barber first suggested putting lionfish on the menu.

The emerging poster child for invasive species, lionfish are native to the tropical Pacific, but are currently enjoying a population explosion in the Caribbean and warmer waters of the Atlantic. They are largely indiscriminate and voracious predators, and, thanks to their large, venomous spines, have few natural enemies.

Chef Drew Hedlund & Sous Chef Brian Barber, Fleet Landing. subtle tartness and sweetness of the cabbage.

The final dish was lionfish served with a basil

The result has been a growing impact on native species. In desperation, scuba divers have begun to spear

and sun-dried tomato polenta cake, with grilled

lionfish, and in the last few years, chefs have discovered their flesh is mild, firm, and delectable.

asparagus and charred tomato and kalamata olive

Each time Fleet Landing has put lionfish on the menu they have sold out, with patrons e-mailing and calling

vinaigrette. The fish was still the star of the show

asking for more. Barber, who has done extensive research on lionfish, has also been speaking with officials

as these bold flavors with the aged balsamic and

from NOAA and contacting fishermen as far away as Mexico to source the fish for the restaurant. On

vinaigrette were poured over the fish.

a recent visit, I was fortunate enough to sample this bothersome predator in a variety of preparations. Each was divine.

The flesh itself is mild and white with a wonderfully moist texture similar to grouper, with the sweetness that

Until recently, Hedlund and Barber primarily received lionfish from lobster fishermen in the Florida Keys, who found it as by-catch in their traps. Now, the

reminds me of snapper. In Fleet’s Ruby Red Grapefruit Lionfish Ceviche, it was stellar. Unlike some of the other

chefs are encouraging local dive shops—from South

species used for ceviche preparations, the lionfish remains firm and intact after several hours of marinating in

Carolina all the way to Cancun, Mexico—to target

the sweet juices of the citrus.

the lionfish, and as a result, the restaurant is getting

Also on the menu was Yukon Gold Potato Encrusted Lionfish, served with braised purple cabbage and local heirloom tomatoes with a pan au jus. The lionfish was very mild and succulent and perfectly paired with the

a more steady supply. Suffice it to say, Charleston’s foodies couldn’t be happier.

Ruby Red Grapefruit Lionfish Ceviche

Pan Seared Lionfish with Sundried Tomato and Basil Polenta Cake and Tuscan Vinaigrette

1

Lionfish filet, medium diced

4

Ruby red grapefruits, juiced

2

Oranges, juiced

7 oz.

4

Limes, juiced

Polenta cake

3

Lemons, juiced

2 cups

Dried polenta

4T

Simple syrup

1 qt

Boiling water

½

Red pepper, small diced

1 cup

Chicken stock

¼ bunch

Cilantro, chopped fine

Lionfish filet

½ bunch Rough chopped basil

1

Ruby red grapefruit, segmented

½ cup

Julienned sun-dried tomatoes

1

Orange, segmented

½ cup

Grated asiago cheese

½ cup

Grated parmesan

Preparation Juice all fruit, making sure to strain out the seeds

Preparation

and pulp and put them to the side. Next, dice

Salt and pepper filet and pan sear in olive oil on each

the lionfish filet, peppers, and cilantro. Add diced

side for 2 minutes. Set it to the side.

ingredients into the juice, as well as the simple syrup.

Bring the water and stock to a boil. Add in the

Stir and let chill. Let stand about 3 hours or until all

polenta and stir until it becomes thickened, then add

fish has turned white. Add fruit segments and serve

remaining ingredients. Spread out on a sheet pan

in a chilled glass.

and place in the refrigerator. When it cools, cut in

Lionfish ceviche

Pan seared lionfish

Potato encrusted lionfish

¼-inch triangles. Slide triangle cakes into hot oil to

for 20 seconds to bring up to temp and add a few

of the fish). Remove from pan and place on top of

just warm up and until you get a nice, golden brown

grill marks.

braised cabbage. Add the heirloom tomatoes to the

crust on entire cake.

Charred Tomato Tuscan Vinaigrette 12

Roma tomatoes, halved and roasted

already hot sauté pan, deglaze with white wine, and

Yukon Gold Potato Encrusted Lionfish

serve alongside of the fish with the au jus.

Braised Purple Cabbage

4 stems Basil leaves julienne

Served with Braised Purple Cabbage, Local Heirloom

2 heads

Purple cabbage

10

Kalamata olives, halved and pitted

Cherry Tomatoes and Pan Au Jus

½ cup

Apple cider vinegar

1 tsp

Truffle Oil

6 oz

1 cup

Water

¼ cup

Aged balsamic vinegar

1 Yukon Gold potato, peeled and thinly sliced

4T

Sugar

1 sm. pkg. Mixed heirloom tomatoes

1 tsp

Salt

Set oven at 350 degrees. Spread tomatoes out on

Lionfish filet

a baking pan and drizzle with oil, salt, and pepper;

Preparation

2 tsp

White pepper

roast for about 20-25 minutes or until the skins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Salt and pepper the

½

Red onion, thinly sliced

turn dark and then remove from oven. Next, mix

lionfish filet and then shingle sliced potatoes to cover

¼ cup

Chicken stock

all ingredients together and chill. Serve at room

the entire filet. Next, pan sear potatoes in a sauté

Preparation

temperature.

pan just long enough to get a crust to form, about

Core and thinly slice the purple cabbage and red

Grilled asparagus

45 seconds to 1 minute. Flip the fish over and place

onion. Add all ingredients to a pot, cover, and turn on

Blanch in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes and

in the preheated oven to finish cooking (this should

medium heat. Cook until tender.

submerge into an ice bath to cool. Place on a hot grill

take roughly 7-8 minutes, depending on the size

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LAST CAST

HOOKED ON SPECKS The biggest speckled trout I’ve ever caught was the very

before sunrise and pull the shrimp net for some live bait.

first speckled trout I caught. And since that fateful morning,

Then we’d go to a deep hole under a bridge that was said

I have become a trout-fishing fool. I have caught more

to hold big trout.

than I can count, just not one quite as big as my first kiss

I was spending the weekend visiting my elderly mother,

with the beautiful and majestic speckled sea trout. I guess

who could still fry up a mean filet and tell a good joke. It’s

I can chalk that first monster, yellow-mouthed trout up to

amazing she still had a sense of humor, considering she’d

beginner’s luck. Or maybe it was fate.

lived through the depression, World War II, and six sons—

My journey into the trout and redfish fishing circus, or what I call “backwater fishing,” began later in life. As I kid, I grew up fishing in the Gulf of Mexico for king mackerel,

all of whom had a wild streak as wide as I-95. Except for me, of course.

She’d been in and out of the hospital for several months

amberjack, wahoo, you know, big, bad, blue-water fish that

and we had almost lost her two weeks earlier. Thankfully,

my mama could fry. I knew about speckled trout, but we

she’d escaped the sterile halls of the hospital and was back

thought real fishing meant braving the wind and waves

home in her own bed without a bunch of doctors prodding

FRED GARTH

of the Gulf, not tooling around on calm water, watching

and poking at her. That lifted her spirits, and I knew some

For the past 25 years, Fred D.

sunsets and listening to the soft blow of a dolphin patrol.

fresh fish would boost her up another few notches.

Garth’s articles have appeared in

As I grew older, the pounding boat rides across choppy

As my buddy and I stumbled around in the kitchen at

numerous books, magazines, and

Gulf waves began to wear on my knees and my back.

4 a.m. trying to make coffee and get to the boat before

newspapers around the world.

Running offshore and getting drenched to the bone in

sun up, mama stood in the doorway in her faded blue

His most recent novel, A Good Day

a 20-foot center console became more of a special

nightgown and said, “Remember, a fish is like a man,

to Live, is available online and in

occasion than an every weekend gig.

select bookstores.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a partner

www.AGoodDayToLive.com

in a few private artificial reefs, and I still like going for fresh snapper, grouper, and their brethren. But, the seas have to be calm and the boat has to be big. Yes, age has weathered my youthful bravado.

About the time I hit 40, the idea of fishing the back bays, bayous,

the one with its mouth open

“It’s okay man,” I assured him.

“I’ll catch a bigger one next time and mount that one.”

gets caught.”

We looked up just in time to see her smiling and turn to disappear back into her bedroom. Then she hollered, “If you catch it, I’ll cook it.”

The live bait plan worked out well, except we pulled in more jellyfish than shrimp. Not the benign little jellyfish globules

and rivers for speckled trout and redfish began to have a

that kids throw at each other, but the full-on, red-striped

pleasant ring to it. And one of my crazy fishing buddies had

jellyfish with three-foot-long tentacles. As we picked the

a plan for losing our trout virginity. We’d get up an hour

shrimp out of the jellyfish soup, they jumped and jerked

and splattered sting juice in our faces and eyes. The

about old friends and old times, and we gorged

of that night, my mother passed on to the other

whole thing was a bit traumatic, especially so early

ourselves on fresh fish, hushpuppies, cheese grits,

world. Her time had come and the Good Lord took

in the morning, but we managed to bag a couple

and greens—a true Southern meal that somehow

her home. Even in my grief, I thought about that

dozen nice shrimp.

tastes best when your mother cooks it.

fish, and I was pleased that she had feasted on the

We found what we’d been told was the deep

I have great memories of that night, not just

biggest speckled trout I’ve ever caught.

honey hole and I grabbed the biggest shrimp I could

because of the trout, but my mother’s sense of

find and tossed him in. In less than a minute I was

humor. She asked my buddy what he was doing for

I’ve turned into a hard core speck fisherman. I have

fighting a monster. He spun out a bunch of line and

work and he joked that he was going back to school

the fly rods, the bait casters, the top water lures, the

I tightened the drag ever so slightly. I worked him to

to be a brain surgeon.

mid-water lures, the spinning rods, three kayaks, and

the boat and he ran again and again. I didn’t want to

“Well you’ll have plenty of work around this

That was almost 15 years ago and, as I mentioned,

a flats boat for the backwater. Since that fateful day

try and hoss him in and break the line, so Mr. Trout

family,” she laughed. Then she scrunched her face

with the jellyfish shrimp, I’ve caught hundreds of

and I engaged in a delicate battle. By the time I got

in a confused kind of way. “You know, speaking of

specks and reds. But the absolute truth is—and this

him in the boat my buddy was freaking out.

surgeons, the doctor told me they might have to

hounds me every time I go—I have never caught a

He grabbed the net and scooped up a beast.

replace part of my heart with a pig’s valve.” Her mind

bigger trout than on that first day. Maybe I never will.

“Damn, that’s a wall hanger,” he yelled. “I mean,

had gone a little foggy in recent months and

But I won’t stop trying. Maybe I’ll be 82 and it’ll be

I could tell she was having trouble understanding

my last meal. That would be a good way to go.

that sucker is huge. You gotta mount him.”

I was not as impressed. I figured that was the status quo. “Really?” I said. “I thought we’d just get mama to cook him.”

“No, man, we can’t eat that fish. You gotta mount it.”

the concept.

“Well what did you tell him?”

I asked.

“I told him as long as I don’t have to wallow in the mud every

It was my first trout. I was ignorant.

day, I’m okay with it.” Then she

“Nah, mama won’t let me mount this. She wants

laughed hard.

some fresh fish.”

The big fish had given her a

“But, but…no, it’s not right.”

big lift, and she was happy. We

“It’s okay, man,” I assured him. “I’ll catch a bigger

talked for another hour or so, had

one next time and mount that one.”

another glass of wine, and called

What a fool I was.

it a night. I tucked her into bed,

The trout measured 29.5 inches and weighed nine

kissed her, and told her we had

pounds. It’s no state record, but my buddy was right, it was a wall hanger. We ended up catching a few more nice fish but none as big as the first one. My buddy was flabbergasted that I still planned to eat it.

As I suspected, a watermelon smile spread across

plenty more fish for breakfast.

“Fish and eggs,” she said.

“Sounds great. Good night, honey.”

As I cleaned up the kitchen and wrapped aluminum foil around

my 82-year-old mother’s face when she saw that fish.

the trout carcass, I counted my

She had a bounce in her step because it reminded

blessings. I had good friends to

her of the old days when daddy was alive and would

fish with, a mother who could still

bring home fresh fish to cook. And that was often.

cook and get around on her own,

That evening, I got some charcoal going and she

and plenty of great fishing at my

baked that sucker on the grill. We had a fabulous

doorstep. Life was good.

dinner—we laughed until we cried, we told stories

Sometime in the cool stillness

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