GAFF Life ::: GAFF Magazine - Coastal Lifestyle, Saltwater Angling & Destinations

Big Bend Spring Fever

Capt. Dave Lear — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:43:00 GMT

Spring season isn’t here just yet, but it’s on the verge, says Capt. Dave Lear (www.captaindavelear.com; 850-320-2001). Water temperatures are on the rise with this week’s warming trend and other signs, like dogwoods and azaleas about to bloom, are lining up as well. The shallowest water with dark bottom will be the quickest to warm to the desirable mid-60 degree levels, and anglers tossing noisy topwater plugs like Chug Bugs, Skitterwalks, Zara Spooks and Hall ‘Em In Rat Dogs will score big trout looking to gorge after a lean winter. Suspending plugs such as Redfins, Catch 2000 and DOA BaitBusters will also fool early season trout, along with DOA shrimp suspended under a clacking cork combo. Use Aqua Dream spoons or spinner baits to probe for redfish along the shoreline and grass points. No word yet on whether the Spanish mackerel and pompano have arrived, but it’s only a matter of days now, not weeks. When the mackerel do show, Gotcha lures, Kastmaster and Sidewinder spoons or small diamond jigs will all work. A small length of wire leader will prevent cutoffs; heavy monofilament up to 40 pounds will trigger more strikes, however, with only the occasional lost prize. Watch for diving birds, nervous bait or surface slicks to spot the action. Trolling on light rigs is another good way to locate the fish. Once you do, kill the motor and drive into casting range to avoid spooking the school. For pompano, 1/4 to 3/8-ounce bucktail jigs in tan, pink and white are effective, along with 3/8-ounce TerrorEyz in gold. Be sure to bounce the jigs along the bottom to mimic sand fleas, the morsel of choice for scrappy pomps.

Marathon, Florida Keys, Fishing Report for 3/8/10

Capt. Jack Carlson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:09:00 GMT

We fished the Maine boys and they put a hurtin on the blackfin tuna and amberjacks. Or should I say the fish put a hurtin on them.

The tunas and aj's we hitting the Shimano butterfly jigs like crazy again at the Marathon Humps.

Thanks for checking out the Two Conchs fishing report with Capt. Jack Carlson.

www.twoconchs.com

Marathon, Florida Keys, Fishing Report for 3/7/10

Capt. Jack Carlson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:07:00 GMT

The blackfin tuna was on fire today at the Marathon Humps. The Shimano Butterfly jigs were the ticket.

We were fishing the Oliver Printing Company and they had triple headers most of the time. We were catching them up to 25 pounds.

The wind was out of the NE at 16kts and calmed down by the ride in, down to 2 foot seas. We will be back out there again tomorrow.

Thanks for checking out the Two Conchs fishing report with Capt. Jack Carlson.

www.twoconchs.com

Marathon, Florida Keys, Fishing Report for 3/6/10

Capt. Jack Carlson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:04:00 GMT

The wind is out of the NE at 18kts and still chilly in the mid 50's.

The grouper bite today is very good. Team Oliver Printing out of Ohio released 5 legal grouper and had kept some snappers, hogfish and mackerel.

We had a good bite off the kite but it got away:(

Seas are running 2-3 and later on we will be looking for Cobia. Hopefully I can get you a picture of some more 50 pounders!! We'll see:)

Thanks for checking out the Two Conchs fishing report with Capt. Jack Carlson.

www.twoconchs.com

52 Pound Cobia Aboard Two Conchs (video)

Capt. Jack Carlson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:02:00 GMT

Watch video of this 52 lbs. cobia caught aboard Two Conchs.

(Please visit the site to view this gallery)

Capt. Jack Carlson <*)))>{

www.twoconchs.com
You can follow us on our Facebook Fan Page:Two Conchs
www.keysseafood.com
www.bigtimetackle.com
www.bigtimeoutfitters.com
www.chhvacationrental.com
www.marathonboatshow.com
www.bigtimetournaments.com

Big Bend, St. George Island, Cape San Blas Fishing Forecast - 3/5/10

Capt. Dave Lear — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:11:00 GMT

If you're planning a family spring break getaway to the Big Bend's premier vacation destinations--St. George Island or Cape San Blas, Florida--don't miss out on some great light-tackle action while you're here. The inshore waters off the island or cape will be teeming with redfish, seatrout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and pompano throughout the spring. And every one of these feisty game fish will gobble down well-placed lures or flies without hesitation. From Apalachicola and St. Joe Bays to the sugar-white sandy beaches, our spring break fishing scene is fast and furious. What's even better, if you book a trip with me, you won't need to buy licenses and you can leave the gear at home. I've got all the top tackle you'll ever need and the local knowledge to put you on fish.

So as soon as you book your beach house or condo, give me a call or drop me a line. The day you spend on our beautiful turquoise waters could be the best day of your whole trip!

Have a great w/e
Capt. Dave

www.captaindavelear.com

Marathon, Florida Keys, Fishing Report for 3/4/10

Capt. Jack Carlson — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:04:00 GMT

The winds have calmed down but the fishing has stayed good on the reefs.

Today we are catching yellowtail, mangrove, mutton snapper, mackerel, hogfish and more. Bethany is doing a great job putting fish in the box!

The wind is out of the East at 10kts and seas are 1-2 feet. Later on today we will hit the deep wrecks and look for sailfish and more mutton snapper.

Update: Well..... we ended the day with a 25 pound Cobia and a 52 pound Cobia!!! Lots of snapper to go with those as well.

Thanks for checking out the Two Conchs fishing report with Capt. Jack Carlson.
www.twoconchs.com

Marathon, Florida Keys, Fishing Report for 3/2/10

Capt. Jack Carlson — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:08:00 GMT

Day in the bay today!! It is blowing 25-30 out of the SSW. I bet it is rough in the Ocean! In the Bay it is only 1-2 foot seas.

We have caught well over 100 fish so far. We are catching some big mangrove snapper, mackerel, jacks and more. We are only keeping a few snappers for dinner.

We are fishing a great group of guys from the SLEDD Company. Rob is way out fishing Randy today:)

We had a great dinner at the new Sunset Grille in Marathon last night. You should check it out!! It is right at the East end of the 7-Mile Bridge. The only thing they overlook is the Ocean!

Thanks for checking out the Two Conchs Fishing report with Capt. Jack Carlson.
www.twoconchs.com

March/April 2010 - Chokoloskee and the Everglades

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:10:00 GMT

January and February are the coldest months here, as is pretty much true everywhere. While the Everglades National Park has, arguably, the best winter fishery in North America, spring is still very much welcomed. The winter produces some excellent fishing, but in comparison to the warmer months, the fish are much smaller. However, March and April are typically the months where we step-up our tackle and come off the lightweight winter gear. The water will still be relatively cool and clear, so sight fishing the shallows is still very good during these months—particularly with a fly.

Snook The freeze of 2010 will remain in the memories of snook anglers for years to come. Here in the Park, we were told this was the hardest cold snap since 1927. Like the rest of the state, the snook here took a beating with a massive January fish kill. As such, the harvest season will not open again until September 1st.
Most of the bigger fish will still be offshore until the water warms. So, expect more of the big she-snook in April than in March. The largest fish are usually sight fished in the shallows with fly or very light spinning tackle. Stealth, stealth, stealth!

Redfish are still plentiful, being more tolerant to the cold, although not in the numbers that you will find in the fall. Redfish prefer something stinky, as they seem to have more “nose” than “eyes.” With fewer snook around, expect a lot more trout.

Tarpon Simply put, March and April are primetime! Book early! The tarpon youngsters move out of the “corn” so we can finally get to them. The big fish lie up in the shallows but eagerly wake up for well-placed bait. Schools of fish move along the coast and in the backcountry—you’ll find them where you expect them. It’s Poon Time!

Permit move back in massive schools. They are big, dumb and hungry. The best fish for me! Believe it or not, a pink Borski slider fly stripped as fast as you can works well, but not as good as a live crab.

Speckled trout are still here in numbers. A rising tide with jigs and Clouser minnows works. Catch all you can stand.

Cobia The migration is on! The cobia are here and will stay until mid-June. The fish start off big but seem to get smaller as time goes on.

Black drum schools are still in the backcountry. Finding them is the key. Once you find them they’ll likely be in the same place for a while. Fish slow. When you think you are fishing slow enough, slow it up more! However, by summer, kiss them goodbye. Count on lots of small fish on the outside.

Snappers Plenty. Live shrimp under the mangroves.

Gag grouper While not known as a grouper fishery, they are here until the water really begins to warm at the end of April. Moving water, big baits and patience. Find one and you’ll have a spot for two months (if you aren’t too greedy). Rattle-traps work great.

Sheepshead Still on every oyster bar.

Action fish Jacks, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Catch them until you are tired—once you locate them

Call us to Plan Your Next Adventure!

Capt. Charles Wright
www.ChokoloskeeCharters.com
www.EvergladesKayakFishing.com
239-695-9107

March/April 2010 - Port Canaveral and Indian River Lagoon

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:07:00 GMT

With the long hard winter behind us, anglers on Florida’s Space Coast eagerly embrace the returning summer heat, warming water temperatures and the return of pelagic species to the east Florida waters. Many tropical and sub-tropical species of fish migrated south or to deeper waters during the winter, and as the days grow longer and the waters warms, they return to or migrate back through our rich coastal waters.  Ten days of freezing weather in January served a cruel blow to many of our inshore species of fish and wildlife, but several species like redfish and black drum suffered very little impact. On the flats, redfish and black drum will provide the majority of the action for light tackle spin and fly anglers. A large number of breeder-size sea trout and snook were trapped in shallow water and expired during the extended freeze, so if you target sea trout or snook, please practice catch and release to give the fishery a chance to rebound. Additionally, as the water warms up, jack crevalle, ladyfish, snook, and tarpon will begin to show up. Currently, the Port Canaveral Locks and the power plants in Port Saint John are loaded with jacks and ladyfish.

Offshore in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, spring marks the beginning of the fishing season for many blue water anglers with the commencement of the spring dolphin run. In mid to late March and April, significant numbers of migrating dolphin begin to return or pass through our region, with some of the largest bulls caught all year arriving first. These larger fish are soon followed by concentrated schools, which begin to thin out near the end of May. As we move in closer along the near-shore reefs and wrecks in 60 to 90 feet of water, kingfish numbers will increase and cobia are still commonplace.  Along the beach, pods of baitfish, Atlantic menhaden (pogies), threadfin herring (greenies), and bay anchovies (glass minnows), move in close shadowed by ocean predators. It is not uncommon to find schools of large jack crevalle and redfish, blacktip sharks, cobia, and tarpon within these bait pods creating a mixed bag of angling opportunity. To locate bait pods, simply look for diving birds, flipping and jumping bait, and busting fish.

When fishing in Florida this spring, please practice conservation and good ethics and enjoy your time on the water.

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn

March/April 2010 - Biscayne Bay, The Keys and Everglades

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:53:00 GMT

As the cold fronts continue with the winds coming from all directions, even sometimes in the same day, I find myself waiting for the right times to take my anglers out to fish. Of course, some are here on vacation and are restricted as to when they can go, but my local anglers are on stand-by for some of the best fishing they have ever seen. Watch the weather patterns develop, and you will see a cold front diminish to a two- or three-day warming trend until the next front approaches. These are the golden days for the flats fisherman. The warming days just before a new cold front moves in will be the most active days for the fish. As the barometer drops the bite will be on, all you have to do is be there.

I have had the chance to fish out in the backcountry during this type of scenario and some of the days we have been having are astounding. How about 28 redfish and 18 snook? All but 10 fish were sighted and cast to, with the result being a fish to the boat. Over and over that day we were amazed to see the flaring of a redfish’s gills and snook pounding surface baits as they inhaled our baits. We fished the northern creek mouths and points and never once went more than 15 minutes without seeing fish. But, beware of the shallow water in these areas; my Maverick Mirage HPX-V was dragging butt for most of the day in six inches of water with myself and one angler aboard.

There have been lots of fish on the outside wrecks as well. Making the trip out ten to fifteen miles from the Shark River or Sandy Key has been a gamble. The choice must be made on the right day to make the trip or the ride back can be very uncomfortable even in a twenty-plus-foot hull, but the trip is worth it. Large snapper, grouper, black drum, tripletail, cobia and a host of other species await you. Just use your best judgment and of course, the weather reports, and you will have plenty of work to do at the cleaning table upon your return.

Gear Check

I have just started using the Odyssey Batteries on both my Maverick and the Bluewater 25 and what a relief. No longer am I worrying about the bait wells, Hummingbird GPS and the VHF Radio being on all day and hoping the E-Tec’s will start. No longer am I uneasy about drifting for hours for swordfish with deck lights and the Hydro glow Fish Light on along with everything else. Fishing on wrecks and being at anchor for three or four hours without starting the engine used to worry me, but not any longer. Check out the very best battery on the market at: www.odysseybatteries.com

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Captain Dave Sutton is sponsored by Evinrude, Bluewater Boats, Sea-Power, Costa Eyewear, Power-Pro lines, Odyssey Batteries, SOL Sunscreen, Calusa Nets, Hydro-Glow Fishing Lights, Rapala, Frogg-Toggs, High Rollers, Lipper Tool, Pro-Fish, Hummingbird Electronics, LOOP Fly Reels, Fetha-Styx Fly Rods and is the Florida Ambassador to Lewmar Ltd. He fishes Biscayne Bay, the Upper Keys and the Everglades National Park. Captain Dave fishes a Maverick Mirage HPX-V, and a new 2009 Bluewater. He is on the Quantum Pro-Team, and on the Pro-Staff of, Power-Pole, Stiffy Push Poles and many others. The skipper would like to hear your fishing stories and reports for inclusion on his website and print, or to book a trip, call him at 305-248-6126 or e-mail him at djsutton@bellsouth.net.
On the web … www.ontheflatschearters.com

March/April 2010 - Ft. Myers

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:38:00 GMT

Twenty-ten couldn’t have greeted us sportsman any better. As fisherman we’ve had some of the most fantastic fishing of our lives. This isn’t just coming from a young guide of only 11 years here in Sanibel, but also from some of the most notable and legendary fisherman in our area.

The last 12 months have seen a heavenly supply of bait pour through our area. Everything from shiners to ballyhoo to pinfish and shrimp are making our bays as healthy as we’ve ever seen. All of the baitfish food is producing some extremely healthy fish populations. Throughout all of Pine Island Sound and Estero Bay, giant sea trout have been swimming in thick numbers. Sea trout can be caught on nearly every flat that has diving birds and 3-5 feet of turtle grass. These fish are full of roe, which is evident by there gigantic bellies. Our closed trout seasons have really benefited our trout populations overall and proved to be a real success story.

On recent charters, Capt. Lacey has also been whacking nice oversize snook by fishing deeper water in the Caloosahatchee River on the harder outgoing tides. With water temps creeping above 65 degrees, these fish will continue to bite throughout the harsh winter we are having in southwest Florida. If our wintertime fishery is any indication as to what’s to come this spring, hang on for some seriously killer flats fishing this year!

Venturing offshore, our fishing just can’t get any better… can it? This year has really been sweet for us here at Rushcharters. With the addition of our federal fisheries permits we have been able to take our clients out to some of the more untouched spots past 9 miles. These areas have been just overloaded with giant mangrove snapper up to 8 pounds. These fish have been gorging on the plentiful bait supplies, and getting fat as butterballs.

The most notable fish this month has got to be the gag grouper. The gags are really growing in numbers this year—numbers unseen by even the old-timers around here. Most any ledge in 25 to 45 feet of water has just been covered up with fat gag and red grouper. Dropping a pinfish down with an ounce of lead has been lights out. One thing I like to do while dropping down a pinfish is to stop it occasionally on the way down. Cobia love to hang above the structure and this gives them time to take the bait before it hits the bottom, crawling with hungry groupers.

On the way to and from our numbers, stopping to throw plugs at the many schools of bonita and big king mackerel has been a ball. We use the Yo-Zuri Sashimi Bull SW in the sardine color and it has been awesome seeing these powerful fish bust it on the surface. From big kingfish to giant groupers, book a trip with us and get ready to get whipped!

Tight lines and good times,

Capt Chris & Capt. Lacey Rush
WWW.RUSHCHARTERS.COM
Visit us on the web for online charter reservations!
239-482-0193 Office
239-980-1436 Lacey
239-229-5388 Chris

March/April 2010 - Tampa Bay Area

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:32:00 GMT

Well, spring is upon us and fishing in the west central is as good as it gets. Cold fronts really start to become less frequent and weak. Longer days help heat up the cold waters on the backcountry and flats, and the fish just seem to be sick of winter. This time of year they come out of their cold-weather haunts making up for lost meals during the winter and eating everything in sight!

One species that is great in the wintertime and continues to be a fun target through early summer is trout. Trout are one of the easiest fish to catch, not to mention, great table fair. There are some basic techniques that will put a fish in the boat on every cast. One is a popping cork with a shrimp or soft plastic of your choice. The trick is to simply pop the cork every few seconds. The popping sound is something a trout just has to investigate and you can use this technique with both live and artificial bait. While the water is still very clear, I like to downsize my leader to 20-pounds to reduce its visibility. I also like to go with ultra-light braided line. My preferred line is 4-pound Fins Smooth Cast.

Another species, which is by far the most targeted this time of year, is snook! This is my favorite species to target, especially in the spring. Live bait (Greenbacks) is the trick, as these fish have been in hibernation for a couple of months and they haven’t eaten much. The trick to figuring out when they will make their way out of the rivers, from under the docks and all of their other winter homes is water temperature. Sixty-eight degrees is my favorite number. This will be the ticket to a successful snook trip. Twenty-five-pound Ohero Fluorocarbon leader, matched with a 1/0 Daiichi bleeding circle hook, will give you the edge when targeting these linesiders. IMPORTANT REMINDER: SNOOK SEASON IS SHUT DOWN THIS YEAR UNTIL SEPTEMBER due to the freeze earlier this year. We still have plenty of healthy snook in the west central area and catch and release is fine—just handle all fish with care so their numbers will rebound and there will be plenty for our kids to catch!

Redfish are another species that really take off towards the later part of spring. Mid April we start to see big schools of up to 400 fish milling around the shallow flats in search of crabs, shrimp, and other types of bait. One of my favorite baits for redfish is cut pinfish or greenbacks. Free lined or with just a split-shot, makes a great rig. Again, like with trout, I like to use 20 or even 15-pound fluorocarbon leader, as these fish are very spooky. When targeting redfish you need to have a good, quiet trolling motor, or even a push pole, as most schools will be spooked from the slightest sound. Master all mentioned above and you will enjoy some great inshore fishing.

There are plenty of other species to target in the area. We have big schools of mackerel and grouper stacked up on the ledges in the Gulf of Mexico. Tarpon are also making their journey up the coast along with many others. The only way to catch them is to get out on the water.

See you out there—tight lines!

Capt. Jason Prieto

March/April 2010 - Boca Grande Pass

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:27:00 GMT

Many angling opportunities arise as spring migration patterns are in full swing. I must declare, with so many species available, it’s hard to stay off of the water, even on my few days off. Techniques like topwater, subsurface and live bait will all produce exciting battles of epic stature this month.

Snook are by far my favorite species to target. After a long, colder than normal winter, these fish have been feeding like it’s their last meal. Pick your tides and lean toward fast moving water to find the best snook feeding situation. Live bait is not required this time of year when stalking snook, allowing maximum usage of artificial lures. My go-to artificial bait for a myriad of species is Bomber’s Saltwater Grade Badonk-A-Donk topwater lure. The lure is perfect considering it comes in three sizes from 3.5 to 4.5 inches, enabling anglers to “match the hatch” with their particular situation. The rugged design and quality finish will attract and withstand the most aggressive saltwater predators.

Keep your eyes open for big mature redfish. The local passes are home to plenty of big red drum in search of food and action, mainly in deeper water during the spring months. You will also find redfish in the 16- to 32-inch category schooling throughout our shallow water flats. Artificials like Bomber’s Saltwater Grade Redfish Flasher or Extreme Popping Cork rigged with soft plastics are deadly. As we approach the hot summer months, your odds early and late in the day are best with this species. Pay special attention to mangrove-lined shorelines, especially as the day warms and fish seek shade, food and cooler water.

Tarpon season is right around the corner here in the “Tarpon Capital of the World.” By the time you get the next issue of GAFF, things will be popping with upwards of 100,000 migrating tarpon in our backyard of Boca Grande Pass. Guides from all over the state, as well as angling clients from around the world, descend on our fishery to get the unique opportunity to hook and release the giant Silver King. Myself, I can’t wait for these amazing fish to arrive. Soon I’ll be starting my mornings off jig fishing Boca Grande Pass, having lunch with clients, and then heading out to the beaches for world-class sight fishing opportunities on the Gulf of Mexico. WOW!

I am fortunate to live and fish in one of the best fishing “holes” in the world. I invite you to visit and experience what “Old Florida” is all about. Englewood is every vacationer’s dream, offering wonderful beaches, great atmosphere and a slow pace to relax with family and friends. For anglers, nothing beats a great day on the water with a professional fishing guide that will put you on the fish, clean your catch, and then send you and the family home with memories of a lifetime—along with fresh fish for the grill!

Let’s go fishing… and don’t forget to bring the kids!

Capt. Chris O’Neill

March/April 2010 - Panama City to Pensacola

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:22:00 GMT

This is truly the finest time of year for any Floridian who has spent time outdoors. The sun is starting to shine warmly on our faces as we watch the bays and passes come alive with activity. The turkeys are gobbling down in the swamps and the gulls are calling as they are nimbly diving on schools of baitfish, in a stark contrast to their neighbor the pelican who lumbers through the air and crashes onto his breakfast. To a seasoned angler, scenes such as this are filled with the ambrosia of prospect, and while the novice can sense the excitement in the air, he perhaps may not be fully aware at how much opportunity lay at his feet.

The passes are a good place to start around this time of year. Fishing the jetties and areas adjacent can be very productive on all the newly awakening species. Surf fishing with cut shrimp or sand fleas is the sure fire way to pick up some pompano. The time-tested technique of a two-hook rig with a pyramid weight is a simple way to nail this fine table fare. Don’t be surprised to pick up an occasional redfish or Spanish mackerel in the process.

Throwing a Gotcha from the jetties with a little bit of steel tippet will bring Spanish and bluefish in by the droves. Just watch for diving birds and let your lures fly. I like to use light tackle, but be wary not to go too light, as even the smallest of Spanish and blues make for a good fight with long hard runs.

Reds and trout will be congregating amongst the grass flats this time of year in great numbers. Live shrimp, baitfish, and various artificial lures will make for a fun outing. The specks will be coming right off their spawn and should be especially ravenous. Be wary when wading to not attach your catch to yourself too securely, as all too often bull sharks and the like will attempt to make your catch, their catch. I would advise separating yourself as quickly as possible from your catch if this situation were to arise. You can catch more fish any day, but new appendages are typically in short supply.

Offshore, grouper and snapper are closed, but amberjacks are not and will more than likely be willing to appease anyone’s bottom fishing fix, while inshore along the beaches, the kings and cobia will be cruising the bars. Troll live baits for kings slowly, and keep a rod with a jig or a fin bait handy. Keeping an ever-ready eye out for cobia will pay off with enough effort. Even if you don’t see a fish, but perhaps some flotsam, make a cast. All too often have I seen very large fish hide under very small objects. Sunfish and rays also harbor cobia, so be vigilant and you’ll more than likely have a good story to tell and perhaps some bragging rights to go with it!

Keep in mind that as the temperatures increase, so does the traffic on the water. For every one of you out there trying to be safe there is another bonehead being selfish and probably dangerous. Keep an eye out for this clown, and don’t let his good time spill over into your good time, and you both have a bad time. Good luck and tight lines!

Capt. Si Nelson

(850) 865-0453

March/April 2010 - Big Bend and the Forgotten Coast

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:15:00 GMT

It’s an epidemic as spring fever hits the Big Bend/Forgotten Coast the next couple of months. Now that Old Man Winter has finally loosened his icy grip, anglers are taking to the water in droves, even if that means skipping school or calling in sick to work. Fishing is just that good.

For starters, trout and redfish, our bread-and-butter gamesters, are settling back into their usual haunts. School-sized trout will be taking up station on the region’s expansive grass flats. Returning pinfish, finger mullet and shrimp are the enticement as the trout try to bulk up after the lean winter. These same baits suspended under a popping or clacking cork will draw plenty of strikes. DOA standard shrimp, jig tails with grubs or topwater plugs are equally effective. Concentrate efforts on sandy potholes, depressions or drop-offs. A temperature gauge is helpful to locate warmer water early, but once it reaches 70 degrees, it’s game on.

As is always the case, the bigger trout will be loners, often holding in water depths of less than three feet. Structure such as oyster bars, rocks or the kelp-like grass that grows around rocky bottom serve as ambush points for “gator” trout. These trophies prefer sizable meals, so large baits such as the Rapala Skitterwalk, MirrOlure Top Dogs or the Hall ‘Em In wooden plugs will attract attention. Keep in mind, however, that big trout are breeding females so it’s best to let them go after a quick photo. If you want some for dinner, stick with the smaller males that are under 20 inches in size.

The large schools of redfish that are common during the winter months will be breaking apart by now. That doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of reds around. Singles, pairs and small groups will be fanning out all along the coast. If I’m focusing on reds I’ll be casting around creek mouths, grass points and oyster bars with an Aqua Dream spoon. Pink is always a good spring color, with chartreuse, silver and gold backup options. When spoon-feeding reds, work the lure slowly so it wobbles just off the bottom.

March also marks the return of pelagics to Northwest Florida, with pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel leading the way. Look for tasty pompano around sandy areas like the West Flats and gulfside of the barrier islands. Shiny bullet jigs dressed with pink, yellow, white or chartreuse nylon skirts get mistaken for sand fleas. But pompano will also eat fresh peeled shrimp, bucktail jigs or shrimp imitations. A medium-light-action spinning outfit provides ample sport for these scrappy fighters.

Roving packs of bluefish will bend plenty of rods this time of year, too. If you get into them (the area’s many nearshore shoals are great places to look), use the opportunity to clean out your tackle box, since blues are never too persnickety as long as the lure is moving. Topwater plugs like ChugBugs in chrome variations work well, along with metals such as Kastmasters, Clarkes or Gotchas. If you’re stingy with your tackle, crimp on a six-inch trace of wire leader. Otherwise, 40-pound monofilament leaders will generate more strikes.

The same rules apply to Spanish mackerel. You’ll lose a few with mono leaders, but you’ll catch a lot more. One of my favorite mackerel rigs is a 3/8-ounce diamond jig. It looks just like the glass minnows Spanish love to gobble and it casts a country mile. Another old Cracker trick is a McDonald’s soda straw cut at an angle and slid over a 3/0 straight-shank hook. When the mackerel and blues are thick, it can be non-stop action, which is a perfect scenario for junior anglers who tend to get bored easily.

If this still isn’t enough, cobia will be back again by April. We don’t get the epic runs like our neighbors do in the Panhandle, but we do enjoy a bountiful stock nonetheless. Look for brown bombers around channel markers and pilings. Bucktail jigs up to 1 1/2-ounces are my favorite offerings for ling. Live pinfish or finger mullet are also good choices. And if you can find them, a live eel is seldom refused.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy one of the best times to be on the water. You definitely won’t regret it.

Capt. Dave Lear

www.captaindavelear.com

March/April 2010 - Upper Keys and Flamingo

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:12:00 GMT

The entire state of Florida has experienced quite the cold shock this past winter. The extended period of cold water killed lots of snook and bonefish, and drove the remaining species to take refuge in deeper water. Once the water started to warm up after the cold shock, fishing became excellent again. It was a different fishery, mainly involving fishing deeper water rather than shallow flats. As spring approaches, we will begin to see many changes in this fishery.

Bonefish in the Upper Keys should return to their shallow water haunts as March settles in and the water warms. This is another time of year to catch a big bonefish, as they will come back on the flats very hungry from a cold winter. For the fly fisherman, the typical crab flies will always work while those who prefer to use spinning gear can have great success throwing a big shrimp or tipped skimmer jig. This is a great time of year to throw a shrimp, as there will still be large winter shrimp available. Remember to always keep a crab or two in the livewell in case a permit decides to show. Permit fishing in March can be legendary in Key West, but the ocean side of Key Largo will get a good push of permit in deeper water as well. A well placed half-dollar-size crab or merkin fly will be devoured by the alien-like creatures.

As we get into mid April, there will be a good chance of migratory tarpon showing up on the ocean side. This is the time when most dedicated fly fisherman are driven to the edge of insanity waiting for the first good strings of tarpon to come through. Be armed with the venerable green tarpon toad and be ready with your 12wt or 11wt fly rod. Don’t overlook the backcountry, as this may be the first place tarpon will show.

Redfish will start to return to the flats in great numbers as the water temperatures continue to warm. On calmer days, target shallower water and look for signs such as wakes, pushes, and tails. Redfish in Flamingo seem to tail better whenever the wind is down. On windier days, target flats with potholes and try to either sight fish the fish laying in the sandy holes or blind cast the holes with gold spoons, topwaters, and DOA jerkbaits. Some of the biggest redfish of Flamingo can be caught on the flats this time of year. Snook fishing has taken a hit in Florida Bay, but there will always be a better chance of catching one as the water warms. Be sure to handle any snook caught with care and return them to the water promptly to avoid stressing the fish any further. Remember, snook season will remain closed until September, or until further notice. I have a feeling snook season may remain closed for the rest of the year. Keep an eye out for the current rules and regulations. If you stay tuned, I will give an update on my next fishing forecast or on www.saltyshores.com.

This is big fish time in Flamingo and many big seatrout will invade both shallow and deeper grass flats. The best way to fish for seatrout is to blind cast potholes or grassy edges on deeper flats in 2 to 4 feet of water using topwater plugs during low light and morning hours, while switching out to a DOA Deadly Combo with a 3-inch Glow Shrimp when the sun is shining or when it is windy. The DOA Deadly Combo is a fantastic fish locating setup that excels at catching snook, redfish, tarpon, and seatrout.

Cherish every moment you spend on the water. See you all out there.

Capt. Honson Lau

March/April 2010 - Palm Bay, Sebastian, Vero Beach

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:55:00 GMT

The stench of rotting fish has finally faded as the Indian River Lagoon licks its wounds and begins to recover. After Florida’s most devastating freeze since 1989, fish stocks may take years to recover. But, as soon as the temperatures warmed and the winds switched and came in from the south, the redfish and trout bite turned right back on.

Both inshore and offshore tournament fishermen will have a plethora of events to chose from this season with an extra surprise in one of the series. Capt Jeff Brauer of the Florida Flats Fishing Association has announced that the series can now be fished as a “Team Event” or as a “Single” angler as in the past. Capt Brauer stated, “The series participants asked for it and we were able to provide it to them.” For more information, go to: www.myflfa.com

Here’s the skinny!!!

Trout/Redfish: Many anglers have reported large schools of slot-sized reds all up and down the Space and Treasure Coasts. Since the freeze and the loss of so many baitfish, these species have been ravenous for any live or artificial baits thrown at them.

Snook: Slot-size snook will begin to move back into Port Canaveral, Sebastian Inlet and the Fort Pierce Turning Basin. LEAVE THEM ALONE! The moratorium will continue until Sept 01, 2010 and there’s no reason to even target this species until the state can determine just what damage has been done.

Surf: Can you say “Surf Grand Slams”? Whiting, pompano, Spanish mackerel and bluefish will move up and down the beaches all day.

Offshore: Those black fins seen moving up and down the coast are not sharks but manta rays heading for the Keys. Under those rays are schools of cobia migrating right along with them. Prior to breaking up and hitting the deeper ledges and wrecks, the “cobes” will inhale any large topwater popping plug or jig tipped with a live eel. Bottom fishing for many species of grouper and snapper will remain closed until the foreseeable future.

Dive Report: Spiny lobster season will end on March 31, 2010. Divers who want to get their last dives in before the season ends should plan of diving deep for the keepers. Don’t forget the spear guns! The reefs will be covered up with breeder grouper and snapper. And don’t forget your safety stops.

Tournaments: I again will have the honor to chair for the 7th annual South Brevard Ducks Unlimited “Band the Slam” Inshore Flats Classic on Friday, April 30 – Saturday, May 01, 2010. Squid Lips Overwater Grill in Sebastian, Florida, will again host this year’s tournament. The mandatory captain’s meeting will take place out on the docks starting at 6:30 PM on Friday night.

On Saturday morning, there will be a “gentlemen’s start” on the water with lines overboard one hour before sunrise. Scales will open from Noon to 3:00 PM. Awards ceremony at 4:00 PM. Prizes include: cash, firearms, fishing equipment, limited edition prints and sculptures. Door prizes, raffles and auctions will also be conducted at both the captain’s meeting and the awards ceremony. Both parties are open to the public and you do not need to fish the tournament to participate in the auctions and raffles.

“See you on the boat or in the blind!”

Capt Jeff “The Commodore” Kraynik

March/April 2010 - Apalachicola, Dog Island and Ocklockonee Bay

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:43:00 GMT

Well, for March and April, I only have to write half of a forecast-because, since February 1st every fish I target is closed by the National Marine Fisheries Service until April 1st. So, March's plan is to talk to all of you about getting active in protecting our right to simply go fishing and bring home a moderate catch to enjoy with our families. April's forecast will cover more of my fishing strategy, since I haven't been on the water for months.

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act was enacted in 1976 and amended in 1996. Its purpose in 1976 was to aide the domestic fishing industry by phasing out foreign fishing, which is a good thing. The 1996 amendments focused on rebuilding over-fished fisheries, reducing bycatch and protecting fish habitat. This is also a good thing. In my opinion, things start down the wrong path when former President George W. Bush, through his Ocean Action Plan, made reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act a top priority by calling for a hard deadline to end over fishing, increase use of market-based management tools, and the creation of a national saltwater angler registry. In 2006 another round of amendments included more emphasis on data collection through dock side intercepts, and analysis of vessel trip report data collected from charter vessels, along with many other additions too numerous to discuss here.

Where I find a tremendous flaw in the whole management process, which has lead to a horrific effect on Florida's fishing industry, is that all data seems to be based on what has been caught, instead of what stocks are actually in the water. Meaning, as the feds note increased catches, their interpretation is that the fishery is being over fished. As a charter Captain, this same data tells me the population is healthy and abundant.

I think to end the further devastation of Florida's fishing industry, the data collection process needs to be completely overhauled, so there is an equal balance between catch data and actual estimates on stock numbers based on extensive research at sea, focusing on what is swimming, not what is on ice.

In April--since red snapper are so over fished--you will need to polish up on the careful handling and release of red snapper to reduce the number of dead floating snapper, as you will be catching more and bigger red snapper than ever before. The biggest challenge you face is trying to get your bait past the thousands of snapper to present it to the grouper beneath. I will try anchoring and dropping on smaller ledges and rock piles starting in depths of 35 to 40 feet. I have found if the snapper are a nuisance and getting your bait through them isn't working, just relax and catch the snapper and do your best not to kill any of the rare fish when you release them, and after thirty minutes or an hour, the snapper bite should slow and grouper should start getting a shot at your bait.

Another great way to get past the snapper is to troll Stretch 30s. Come prepared with many colors. I like rigs using 80-pound braid in the reel, and 4 feet of 100-pound mono leader. Try speeds ranging from 4 knots up to 7 knots. Remember, keep your eye on the bottom machine-I have located numerous super spots while trolling. If I am unsuccessful in the 30- to 40-foot depths, I will move on to 50 and 60 feet where trolling is still effective if you're using braids. You will need to let out more line than what you would in 40 feet. Again, my strategy will be to work smaller ledges and rock piles, avoiding large structures, as I always find more snapper on the larger structures.

On February 24, 2010 from noon till 3 PM, recreational and commercial fisherman will unite at the Nation's capitol to demonstrate against the unintended impacts of the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act. These two groups of fishermen have always been polar opposites, but for the first time have come together to stop the devastation of an industry and conserve the right of our citizens to fish. I encourage all that can, to attend and fight to save saltwater fishing in Florida.

Please write your congressman and demand better data collection. Fight for your right to enjoy fishing our waters.

Capt. Bill Giddens
U.S.C.G. Master
Dog Island Charters, Inc.
Lanark Village, FL
(850) 933-1149

March/April 2010 - Marathon and Middle Keys Offshore

GAFF Mag Issue Mar-Apr 2010 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:35:00 GMT

March and April are a great time of the year in Marathon, Florida Keys. The angling options are unlimited with cobia, mutton snapper, blackfin tuna, sailfish, wahoo, permit, dolphin, kingfish, tarpon and more!

The flats come alive with permit and tarpon. I would like to welcome the Marathon Inshore "Flats Series" Tournament. Their first of 3 tournaments is the Permit Division on March 12th and 13th. With over $6,000 up for grabs in this two-day event, and a limit of only 35 boats entering, your chances of taking home some money is very good. The entry fee is only $475 per boat. To learn more, check out www.bigtimetournaments.com. The permit will start to stack up on the ocean wrecks, too.

This is also when the tarpon start filling into the bridges throughout the Middle Keys. Live blue crabs, mullet and pinfish are the bait of choice. Hooking up on one of these 100-pound fish and working them through the bridge pylons can be some of the most exciting fishing you'll ever experience! If you want to test your skills while having a chance to win over $6,000 in a bridge tarpon tournament, block out April 15th and 16th for the Marathon Inshore "Bridge Tarpon" Tournament. The entry fees start at $475 for your team and more information can be found at www.bigtimetournaments.com

Offshore fishing heats up with a big push of large dolphin, tuna, wahoo, and more cruising through-especially towards the end of April. You can come down to Marathon and enjoy a great week, starting off with the Marathon Boat Show, April 24th and 25th, which is free to the public. Visit www.marathonboatshow.com for more information. Fish the "Calcutta" Pre-Fish Tournament on April 29th sponsored by Calcutta Baits. Entry fee is only $150/boat. This tournament will help you locate where the big dolphin are coming through and prepare you for the Marathon Offshore Bull and Cow Dolphin Tournament that falls on April 30th and May 1st 2010. This is the largest dolphin tournament in the Middle Keys and there is over $25,000 up for grabs! If you can only fish one tournament, this is it, with so many ways to win $$$$$$! For more information please check out www.marathonoffshoretournament.com

Need a place to stay during you visit or during a fishing tournament here in Marathon? Check out HYPERLINK "http://www.boatmansflorida.com/"www.boatmansflorida.com

Tight lines,

Capt. Jack Carlson <*)))>{
www.twoconchs.com

Whole Pompano Pleasure

GAFF Mag Issue Jan-Feb 2010 — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:49:00 GMT

by Capt. Pete Rapps

(Please visit the site to view this gallery)

Pompano is my absolute favorite local fish. The meat tends to have its own buttery/creamy flavor and texture. I like to serve the fish whole (with the head and internal organs removed of course). A typical whole dressed pompano is around ¾ lb, so I usually count on one pompano per person. I like this recipe because it is so basic and simple, and fresh.

List of ingredients:

1 whole dressed pompano per person
Olive oil
Captain Rapps Naples Steak Quake Seasoning
Lemon slices
Aluminum foil
1 good-looking helper (important!)

At the cleaning station, remove the head and dress the pompano. Wash it thoroughly with cold water, being sure to get up inside the body cavity with a knife so you can score and wash out the dark spinal cord area.

Light your grill on medium-high, or pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees.

In the kitchen, tear sheets of aluminum foil about twice the length of each pompano. On top of the aluminum, take your knife and score the sides of the pompano with diagonal cuts to the bone (about 4 cuts in each direction on each side).

Now call over your good-looking helper. Bend the pompano slightly so the slits you made open up a little. Have your helper drizzle olive oil and Captain Rapps Naples Steak Quake Seasoning onto the pompano as you are bending the slits open. Do this on both sides and rub it with your hand so the olive oil and seasoning gets pushed into the slits.

Now put a lemon slice (not a wedge) on each side of the pompano and wrap it up in the aluminum foil.

Grill for about 10 to 12 minutes per side, or bake for about 40 minutes. Fish is done when the meat flakes with a fork. Be careful not to overcook, as the fish will dry out easily.

When serving, use your fork and knife to remove the small sections of skin. Then be sure to remove the dark brown meat that runs horizontally with the body. This is the fish’s bloodline and you never want to eat this in any fish!

Now use your Captain Rapps Naples Steak Quake Seasoning to taste, and eat the meat right to the bones, then flip it over and start on the other side. Enjoy!

Guy Harvey's Conservation Corner: The Manta Ray

GAFF Mag Issue Jan-Feb 2010 — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:28:00 GMT

I was 400 miles west of Grand Cayman, on the continental shelf just to the east of Isla Mujeres, Mexico looking for bait balls of sardines with sailfish feeding on them, while shooting an episode of my TV show "Portraits from the Deep." Frigate birds circling over the bait will normally announce the presence of sailfish, but just 100 yards ahead of the boat, I spotted a frothy commotion. Big splashes and the tips of large fins broke the surface sending up volumes of white water. It looked like a sea monster was about to erupt from the surface as we quickly motored on over to see what was happening.

It seemed that two large manta rays were chasing an even bigger manta ray. What an opportunity to get some unique footage. I jumped in the water, camera in hand and finned hard toward the group of animals that were doing circles in front of me, tearing up the surface in their frantic efforts to keep up the chase. You could almost hear the tires squealing underwater! They moved away rapidly just as I got closer for the shot, but then the large female turned directly at me, and with great beats of her 20-foot wings, she came head-on at knots and swept just a foot beneath me, as I sucked in my stomach to make room for her passing. The two males in ardent pursuit also went by below me. I swiveled to continue the sequence and then she angled her left wing down and dived like a fighter jet and went out of sight, with the two suitors in hot pursuit. It was two 14-foot males trying to entice a 20-foot female to mate, but she was having nothing to do with them!

Wow! What an encounter! I was so lucky they had popped up right in front of the boat, stayed there for a couple of minutes, just long enough to get the sequence, and then they were gone about their business.

In the past I have had many encounters with large manta rays, in remote locations such as Cocos Island, in the Galapagos, and many times off Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama while out fishing. But nothing compared to the excitement of this encounter. While out fishing in these locations I would always take my snorkeling gear in case we encountered a manta, whale shark or whales, in the open ocean.

In the Atlantic Ocean manta rays are found in areas with a high concentration of plankton, such as in the western Caribbean off the coast of Mexico and Belize, and in the southern Caribbean off Venezuela, in the same areas frequented by whale sharks. Because the Cayman Islands are located in an oceanic "desert" or an area of low productivity, we do not often encounter manta rays here. However, they pass by in their migrations, and have been spotted by divers sometimes for several consecutive days before moving on. While doing my research work for my PhD, I encountered many large mantas in Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, a very productive body of water that also has a large sardine and anchovy population.

Manta rays are different from all other pelagic rays in that they have two large fleshy lobes, called cephalic limbs on their head, that look like horns, hence the other name given to them, "Devil Ray." These are actually paddle-like in shape and while the ray is feeding with its large terminal mouth wide open they help guide food into the open mouth while swimming forward, often at great speed. In Mexico and Coats Rica, I have seen them attack schools of balled up sardines with rapid lunges and great determination.
As with the whale shark, the mouth is terminal, not under-slung beneath the snout as seen in all other species. They breathe as water is forced over their gills in their forward motion, and do not pump water over their gills or use their spiracles in respiration, as do the benthic species of rays.

When swimming along these horns are rolled up neatly for streamlining. Their coloration is generally dark brown or black on the upper surface, white on the lower surface, with a number of irregular black blotches. Sometimes there is more black than white on the underside. There may be areas of white streaks on the upper side, and sometimes the tips of their magnificent wings have white. Each animal is distinct and different. The smaller related species, the Devil Ray has a brown or even tan upper surface. Their tails are thin but generally quite long

A set of gill rakers on their gill bars catches all the microscopic organisms in the same way as for other large plankton feeders, such as whale sharks and basking sharks.
Manta rays are known to jump a great deal, and often the first encounter is seeing a manta going high into the air, often spinning a number of times, before crashing back on the surface. This can be repeated several times, often in association with other mantas. In addition, under water they can appear to show off or play in front of a diver by doing acrobatic loops, often backwards, many times. In some spots in Hawaii, divers put powerful lights underwater on the reef, and mantas congregate to feed on the plankton and small crustaceans attracted to the light in dense clouds.

Little is known about growth rates and their life history. Some attempts to tag them with satellite tags took place in the western Pacific where individuals regularly inhabit certain reefs, such as seen in Yap and Palau. Opportunities for study have come about recently because of their ability to survive in captivity in large aquaria such as at the Georgia Aquarium, and at Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas. Mantas are reported up to 25 feet across, weighing three tons. They probably reach maturity at a large size, and are long-lived animals as are all the other large cartilaginous fishes, the sharks and rays. They give birth to fully formed miniatures of themselves that weigh up to 30 pounds.

Adult mantas have few natural predators, such as large sharks and orcas, but humans kill most. Some are caught in gill nets or harpooned for food as seen on the Pacific coast of Mexico and the Orient, and many are taken as by-catch on long lines set for tunas and swordfish. Oh yes, a manta will eat a bait on a line. I caught and released a couple in Costa Rica while live baiting for black marlin. I have cut off and set free many mantas hooked on long lines in the eastern Pacific. Many mantas are caught in purse seines set on flotsam in the yellowfin tuna and big-eye tuna fishery in the tropical eastern Pacific.

As with most large oceanic animals, manta rays are overexploited wherever they occur. However, their popularity in certain islands frequented by divers are their saving grace in such accessible locations. Given the choice of seeing a huge manta glide by on 20-foot wings or see it cut up in pieces on an oriental dock, I think most people would choose the former. It is our collective responsibility to conserve the marine environment and protect the biodiversity of our planet.

Good fishing, safe diving.
Guy Harvey PhD.
www.guyharvey.com

Eye to Eye with the Great White

Raikus — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:16:00 GMT

By Capt. Ron Gauthier

On the list of creatures that scare people the most, sharks are right up there at the top for a lot of us. If you have ever gone swimming or capsized a small boat in coastal waters-off Florida or practically anywhere else-you know what I mean. Sharks are on your mind. This is especially true since Steven Spielberg's movie "Jaws" came out in 1975, based on the novel of the same name by Peter Benchley. The star of the show was a great white, the embodiment of everything that frightens us about sharks: huge size, awesome power, cunning, speed, and a gigantic mouth full of razor-sharp, serrated teeth.

Great whites are the largest predatory fish on earth. Specimens of over 20 feet and 5,000 pounds have been recorded, though the average length is a mere 15 feet-barely big enough to swallow you whole. Great whites can sense tiny amounts of blood in the ocean from over three miles away, and they have the capability of detecting minuscule electromagnetic fields generated by animals. They are so sensitive that they can perceive one billionth of a volt. Mainly, they prey on seals, small toothed whales, sea lions, turtles, dolphins, porpoises, and carrion. They have been clocked at 15 mile per hour. You may have seen film or video footage of great whites impressively breaching the sea in the process of taking an unsuspecting seal or waterfowl. Most studies tell us today that they don't find certain animals particularly satisfying, such as goats and humans. They taste but don't necessarily swallow. Humans, on the other hand, are their biggest predator (a fact they cannot comprehend, of course) and that has put them on the endangered species list. The only natural predator that they appear to fear is the Orca, or killer whale. It is reported that after an Orca attack, the population of great whites will completely leave the local area for a while. I don't blame them.

Knowing all this, still, I found myself heading to Southern California with friends to join the crew of the vessel Searcher on a diving trip designed to bring me eye to eye with the great white. We arrived in San Diego in early September, surprised to find the weather a cool 50 degrees. Coming from Florida, I was picturing something a tad warmer, but the day was beautiful and we met the Captain and crew on the docks with anticipation and excitement-after all, we would soon be swimming with the most awesome sharks in the world. Once we had loaded our gear on board and the crew had packed the ship with the supplies necessary for 25 people out at sea for six days, we continued our journey to Isla Guadalupe (Mexico), a small island over 200 miles to the south off the coast of Baja California. The weather report looked good as we left the harbor dominated by the huge naval base, passing aircraft carriers and many other impressive military ships, even a nuclear sub. Beyond the quieter waters near shore, we steamed south on a course for Guadalupe Island, keeping a keen eye out for whales along the way, since we were reminded that there were several types of whales that migrate along the Pacific Coast. They're big, but they're hard to find. No whales.

At last we arrived at Guadalupe, and the crew dropped anchor about 200 feet deep and a few hundred feet from the beach. We immediately spotted several types of seals covering the few beaches between the rocky outcrops. You see a lot of seals on the beach but they don't swim around the boat. After leaving their feeding grounds they hug the bottom to avoid attack, only to surface on the beach one at a time-a grim reminder that nature's own were smart enough not to get into the water with the great whites except out of necessity. Humans, well, we're a different breed, I guess.

One of the techniques that makes diving with great whites so exhilarating is cage diving, the use of a form of underwater fortification that lets the diver get very close to these giant and potentially violent creatures. As it happened, the cages were dropped into the sea and fastened to the back of the boat by the crew while another crew member made the so-called "burley," a mixture of tuna, water, and other fish. Once the water around the ship was chummed, it did not take long before one of the crew yelled, " Shark!" Scott, a member of the crew, went over the rules and broke the group into teams before anybody actually got into the water. About this time, the adrenalin was flying through our blood as we watched a couple monster white sharks swimming around the cages and waited for our turn to enter the water.

When the first team of divers got out, you could see nothing but amazement and awe in their eyes! Then their mouths started going nonstop-just running on like machine guns about the experience of being so close to these incredible creatures as they tore at the bait and rubbed and jostled the cages and how their power transferred to the water around them. They just hoped and prayed that the camera shots they took would somehow capture those moments as they felt them.

Watching and listening, I had trouble holding my water. Then... it was my turn. What a rush. I dropped into the sea and within seconds came eye to eye with my first great white. His eyes were pure black. The colors of his torpedo-like body were extraordinary: deep dark blue with that characteristic white underside that adds camouflage to help in hunting prey. But mostly, I remember those eyes.

After the first day of diving the crew pulled out the dropper cage. The plan now was to lower each diver down 30 feet and allow this courageous devil to sit on top of the cage with Scott stationed behind him, watching his back. If the sharks got too aggressive or started to sneak up on the cage, Scott would tap you on the back and you would drop into the cage. Well, that proved to be really an amazing time-what an adrenalin rush! There you were, surrounded by great white sharks, the water beautiful at 70 degrees, crystal clear with visibility stretching to over 100 feet. Oh, yes, we got some great pictures and video!
_______________________________________
For those interested, this trip was taken through Great White Adventures; their website is www.Dive@greatwhiteadventures.com

Greg with a Big Cuda That We Just Caught (video)

Capt. Jack Carlson — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:22:00 GMT

Check out this huge Cuda that Greg just caught.

Zvi and Penti Land a Double Header Mutton Snapper (video)

Capt. Jack Carlson — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:20:00 GMT

Zvi and Penti Land a Double Header Mutton Snapper