Possible IGFA World Record? Don’t Forget the Camera!

As the International Game Fish Association representative for Virginia Beach, I have assisted many anglers with their applications for world record fish. These applications are involved, and require a lot of information, measurements, and details. I have also seen several outstanding catches that were not qualified for submission as a world record due to errors, or not following IGFA guidelines.

Although IGFA reps are not required to assist applicants with processing their IGFA applications, I always recommend working with a knowledgeable rep to help answer technical questions and to ensure the application is correct. I field IGFA questions from the community, and communicate with the IGFA staff on a weekly basis. And after completing 11 applications for my own world record catches, and assisting dozens of local anglers with their world record applications, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the IGFA requirements on world record applications.

If an application is incorrect or incomplete, the world record can be disqualified. Fortunately, when I assist anglers with processing their world record fish, the IGFA is aware of my involvement, and communicates with me for clarification of any concerns or mistakes for the applicant.

Case in point:

One recent application for a pending world record was questioned for two reasons. The first reason was due to a typo on the application. Luckily, the IGFA knew I was assisting with the application and notified me. I contacted the IGFA right away, and worked out a way to document the correct information in a manner acceptable for consideration by the IGFA. The angler scrambled to gather the documentation required to resolve the issue, and the application was submitted for approval without any delays.

The second reason the application was questioned is because no one had a camera on the boat when the catch was made, or when the fish was initially weighed. Although the IGFA would like to have a photo of the fish on the water when the catch is made, it is not a requirement. But, photos of the fish hanging on the scales, along with several other required photos must be included with the world record application. I met the angler with my camera, and took pictures of the fish on the scale after the fish had been in the cooler for about 20-minutes after the legal weigh-in. Of course, my photos show a weight on the scale reflecting a few ounces less than the original weight. Although the fish still weighed well within range for a new record, the lack of photos with the original weight on the scale will sacrifice a few ounces of the record’s final IGFA official record weight once it is approved.

So, for successful IGFA applications:

1-Work with an experienced IGFA representative to act an advocate with the IGFA on your behalf.

2-Check, and recheck your application for typos, incomplete information, or errors.

3-Take a camera with you on your fishing trips, and to the weigh-in of possible world record catches.

www.igfa.org

Get out on the water and onjoy the outdoors!

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Rockfish may be out of reach, but Speckled Trout are Close by

16 Jan 2010 Captain David Hester is synonymous with speckled trout. David’s mission is simple, putting folks on trout. I have fished the “ditch” for years, mostly with live bait. I have also thrown Mirrolures in Lynnhaven Inlet with some success. But in general, I am a novice speck angler. Captain David enjoys sharing his passion with others, he runs Fishy Business Fishing Guide Service.

David recently shared some of his techniques at the Tidewater Angler’s club. I’m always interested in learning new techniques, so when David offered to show me some of his casting methods, I was all for it! The plan was to scout for some trout.

After I left Don Lancaster’s show, I headed straight for the ramp. Within minutes, we were casting for specks, “Fishy Business” style! I learned how to work lures all over again, which felt odd at first. But after my first strike, I was a believer.

We picked up David’s buddy, Joe and then proceeded to work the Elizabeth River for trout. And work it we did. We didn’t go far, and we didn’t fish the ditch or the cove, but I was amazed at the variety of areas holding trout. It’s interesting that wherever we went, boats would pull their anchors and follow us, and several took pictures.

We caught around 15 trout, and half a dozen pups. The specks were nice sized, up to around 4.5 pounds. They were beautiful fish. Joe kept three to eat. It was a great day on the water with true pros! I had a great time, and can't wait to go again.

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Anglers Gather to Protest In Washington DC

PRESS RELEASE

Recreational Fishing Alliance

176 B South New York Road, Galloway, NJ 082054

P: 1-888-564-6732 F: 609-404-1968

 FISHERMEN TO MARCH ON WASHINGTON

“UNITED WE FISH” TO ASK FOR CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSE ON FEB. 24

12/16/09 - In a historic show of solidarity, recreational and commercial fishermen will gather together on the steps of the Capitol on February 24, 2010 from noon until 3 p.m. in an organized demonstration against the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the federal fisheries law which was revised in January of 2007. Coordinating the march under the flag of United We Fish, rally organizers are hoping to see a large show of force in defense of coastal communities. “The closures keep coming and it’s good to see the collective fishing communities and industries, both recreational and commercial, calling for scientific based Magnuson reform,” said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). “We are all in this together.” Donofrio cited recent closures of amberjack, black sea bass and red snapper fisheries as examples of what he calls a “broken” federal fisheries law.

The groups organized through United We Fish are hoping to prove to legislators just how many American anglers and business owners are truly being impacted by the overly restrictive management requirements created by MSA based on non scientific arbitrary deadlines.

According to Bob Zales of the Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF), the timespecific deadlines mandated by MSA coupled with flawed data collection methods are forcing anglers off the water. “We fully support real science based management and the conservation of our marine resources while also being able to sustain recreational and commercial fishing activities, providing locally caught seafood, sustaining small family businesses, and supporting our coastal communities.”

This effort is being coordinated by many organizations and individuals including but not limited to the RFA, CCGF, United Boatmen of New York, United Boatmen of New Jersey, New York Sportfishing Federation, Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association and the Fishing Rights Alliance. “Some people have asked ‘why, it’s winter’,” said Donofrio who said he’s gotten the required permits and expects a large crowd in DC on February 24th, regardless of weather. “We can’t let seasons stop the momentum, and if we wait any longer none of us will be fishing. Many members of Congress will be standing shoulder to shoulder with us,” Donofrio said.

Nils Stolpe, a consultant to the commercial fishing industry and columnist for SavingSeafood.org said that over the past three decades since the original Magnuson Act was established, fishermen have been gradually phased out of the fisheries management process, regardless of sector. “The scientists have been put in charge, and as the list of closures and restrictions up above painfully demonstrates, the Act has been turned into a weapon that is now being used against fishermen and fishing communities.”

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) first introduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008 in the 110th Congress to provide "limited flexibility" for federal fisheries management. More than 100 fishing groups and industry members from around the country pledged their support for the legislation and the bill’s 19 bipartisan coastal cosponsors, but the bill languished during the volatile economic climate in advance of the presidential elections in November of 2008.

Realizing that fisheries closures would continue without congressional intervention, in March of this year, Rep. Pallone and fellow Representatives John Adler (D-NJ), Henry Brown, Jr. (R-SC), Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), Barney Frank (D-MA), Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Michael Michaud (D-ME), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) and John Tierney (D-MA), reintroduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (HR 1584). Twenty-five co-sponsors have since pledged support including Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Allen Boyd (D-FL), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Peter King (R-NY), Rob Wittman (RVA), Jo Bonner (R-AL), John Mica (R-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Clifford Stearns (R-FL), Donna Christensen (D-VI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Ander Crenshaw (R-FL).

Following a letter-writing campaign by the RFA-NY and members of the New York Sportfishing Federation, senior Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York announced his Senate version of the bill (S.1255). Currently, the Senate bill to correct the flaws in MSA has no cosponsors, which is something United We Fish organizers are hoping will change in February. “New York’s Senator Schumer is as concerned about his fishing constituents as he is about the fish, just as Congressmen Pallone, Frank, Jones, LoBiondo, Kennedy, Adler and others in the

House of Representatives are,” said Stolpe. “Hence they have formed the nucleus of a growing movement in Congress that, in spite of the editorial opinion of the New York Times and the expenditure of many millions of dollars by the Pew Charitable Trusts, is aimed at preserving recreational and commercial fishing, the lifestyles of millions of fishermen, and the tens of thousands of businesses and hundreds of fishing communities that they support,” Stolpe added. Organizers from within the recreational fishing sector are hoping to get commitment from all user groups and across varied state and regional boundaries. “This is much bigger than any one state issue or individual grievance,” said RFA’s Managing Director Jim Hutchinson, Jr.

“Whether it’s our restrictive fluke fishery in New York, the arbitrary closure of state waters for our anglers in California, or the shutdown of red snapper and amberjack down south, our community has been divided by preservationist tactics for too long. It’s time to unite the clans in defense of our coastal heritage and traditions,” Hutchinson said. “We need to let Congress and NOAA know that we are the collective voice of the recreational fishing community and the collective voice does not accept the current broken management system which wreaks such havoc on all of us and our businesses,” said Donofrio, adding “The goal on February 24th will be to get all of our congressional friends to attend.” “At this point Senator Schumer and his Congressional colleagues in the House deserve the thanks and the support of every one of us who fishes, whether for fun or profit,” said Stolpe.

The United We Fish rally is set for 2/24/10 at noon at the Capitol. For details as they become

available, sign up for the RFA’s email newsletter on the homepage at www.joinrfa.org.

######

The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. RFA’s Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation’s saltwater fisheries.

For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA

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Fish trends and cycles

Something to ponder:

Just like most things in nature, the saltwater fishery patterns, migrations, and tendencies vary under the influence of Mother Nature. And although we try to predict and explain the trends and cycles within the fish world, they are often just that…guesses. The 2009 fishing year was no different, accented with peaks and valleys, routine and change.

What drives these trends? Most is speculation, but the main culprits are usually related to weather and climate. Precipitation levels, barometric pressure, wind patterns and direction, weather fronts, cloud cover, storms, hurricanes, nor’easters, El Niño and La Niña, and of course global warming. The fishing in 2010 is already beginning with a twist of colder water temperatures and North Westerly winds. These forces will certainly affect the fishing in local waters.

Other examples of factors that can influence our fisheries are: bait availability, pollution, bacteria counts, algae blooms, water oxygen levels, plankton levels, fish borne diseases, fishing pressure, and management issues. Many of these factors influence the water temperatures, tides, currents, clarity, and salinity, and Gulf Stream variations, which in turn influence the organisms which live in or depend on the sea. As you can see, this big circle is all-encompassing and complex. This is most certainly why we as anglers are more comfortable trying to either “blame” or credit our fishing successes and failures on factors we can easily understand, such as “the fish aren’t here”, or “not holding our mouths right.”

 The only thing predictable in the world of fishing, is that we call it “fishing”, and not “catching” for a reason. Besides, unraveling of the mysteries of fishing is part of the challenge of the sport.

Get out on the water, and enjoy the outdoors!

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Fishing New Year's Resolutions?

Well, everyone is doing them. New Year’s resolutions. So how about pledges for the 2010 fishing season? Here are a few of my ideas to enhance this year's fishing experience.

Be safe. Get out on the water, and enjoy the outdoors. And HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Never go fishing alone in a boat

Take a child fishing or teach a child to fish

Volunteer for a charity fishing tournament or event

Take a parent or elder fishing

Take a veteran fishing

Keep up with maintenance on motors and reels

Replace all old fishing line

Check for expired safety equipment

Keep up with expiation of all permits and changes in regulations

Target one new species you have never caught before

Fish at least one fishing tournament

Join an angler’s club

Sharpen your casting skills

Join the International Game Fish Association

Consider investing in an epirb

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Pending IGFA World Record Rockfish on the Fly

IGFA Representative Announcement

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Deck the Halls with Big Rockfish

The Rockfish are getting bigger just in time for the Holidays!

Although the Holiday season always brings good tidings and cheer, this year it also brings big rockfish. The cold weather snap is just in time to jump-start the super-sized stripers for the Holidays. Fishing offers a great activity for family and visiting guests, and with 40 to 50 pounders becoming more active, anglers have visions of rockfish dancing on their lines!

Most of the larger fish are either coming from drifting live eels along the deep channels off the Eastern Shore, or dipping eels along the high rise section of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The Eastern Shore drifting scene has not really taken off yet. Most fish are ranging between 20 and 30-pounds, but Mark at Chris’ Bait and Tackle reports that he weighed in nearly two dozen big fish in one evening, with a few fish pushing to over 50-pounds. The best action is happening off Plantation Light, near buoys 18 and 36A, and off Fisherman’s Island. This fishery should continue to improve as the water temperatures continue to drop.

Anglers fishing with live eels along the high rise span of the Bay Bridge Tunnel are finding good action with the big rockfish. Many fish over forty pounds are keeping high rise anglers content.

But if eels are not your speed, decent hauls of striped bass are also coming from the 4A buoy area and off Sandbridge, where trollers are already claiming nice fish pushing up to about 40-pounds. Captain Mike Standing, skipper of the Waterman out of The Virginia Beach Fishing Center, reports that his crew caught a limit of nice fish while trolling lures along ocean front waters this week. On a more recent trip, Mike and Captain Skip Feller showed fishing celebrity Roland Martin how to catch lower Bay rockfish, with plenty of nice fish taken on eels, casting lures, and on the troll.

Boats are still finding an endless supply of school-sized stripers along all the lower Bay bridges and tunnels. Captain Steve Wray, skipper of the Ocean Pearl, reports that his crew caught dozens of schoolies while casting from around the 1^st island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to the southern small boat channel.

Happy Holidays, and enjoy the outdoors!

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Stay Warm While Fishing in Cold Weather

Virginia can get downright frigid in winter. But some of the best fishing happens during the coldest months of the year. How do I keep warm and still enjoy the bite when it’s freezing? Layering and new technology.

Keeping warm on the water is tough, especially on a fishing boat with nothing to block the elements. The old time-tested stand-by of using layers of clothing is still one of the best ways to keep the cold out and the warmth in. This is an excellent method, and also allows more movement and flexibility to maneuver on the boat and fish. I stay away from heavy, bulky suits which can be warm, but can severely limit maneuverability.

The second factor I rely on to keep warm is incorporating the latest materials into my layering and outer wear. The materials and technology used in outdoor wear have really advanced in the last few years.

My first layer consists of a close fitting base layer or thermal underwear. These layers are usually stretch-type material, designed to wick away moisture and insulate. One of the most popular brands is Under Armour ColdGear leggings and base tops. On my feet, I start with a moisture-wicking pair of thin sock liners.

For the mid layer, fleece, wool, polyester and other synthetic blends are mainstay fabrics for these clothes. I use a sweat shirt, fleece pullover, t-shirt, fleece vest, or an insulated top. For bottoms, I add a pair of sweat pants or fleece pants. On my feet, I slide on a pair of warm wool or thermal blend socks.

The next layer is usually a light fleece jacket, or similar light jacket if it’s really cold.

The outer layer protects from wind and rain, while still providing warmth. For my outer layer, I usually add a pair of lightweight water/wind resistant bibs or coveralls. For the top, I don a lightweight, but heavy-duty foul weather or water/wind resistant coat. My favorite brands are Aqua Skinz and Grunden’s. A good pair of thermal insulated, water-resistant boots is also a must.

As for gloves, I usually take three pairs. A thick, insulated pair of winter gloves for the ride, and a thinner set such as motorcycle gloves to use while fishing when I don’t need use my fingers to tie knots. For times when I need to use my fingers while fishing, fingerless gloves work well. Keep a few chemical hand warming packs handy to put in your pockets to help defrost your fingers.

A wool cap, covered by the hood on your jacket will help keep your head warm.

Keep warm, and enjoy the outdoors!

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BIG Rockfish are tempted by eels

The big striped bass, the really big ones…meaning in excess of 50-pounds, are expected to show in the lower Chesapeake Bay any day now. This year’s big striper entrance is a bit behind, same as most other species debuts for this year. Usually we see the first of the 50-pound class rockfish show towards the middle of November. The water temperatures are cooling a little slower than last season.

But anglers are impatiently standing by with “baited” breath. And when the first big girls hit the deck, not an eel in town will be safe. Folks will gather dozens of slimy eels from local tackle shops, and flock to the Eastern Shore side of the Bay. Eels will tempt big rockfish as they are dunked along the pilings of the High Rise section the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel during the night hours. But the largest fish will come from boats floating eels under large bobbers along the shoals and deep channel paralleling the Eastern Shore. This fishery should last well into December. So, bait up and dunk an eel for big rock!

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Virginia Bluefish

Capt Skip Feller and Dr. Julie Ball with Chopper Bluefish.

Considering they eat most anything in the ocean, chopper bluefish are not difficult to target. Chunking near an offshore wreck is the most popular method, but trolling lures, drifting baits and jigging are also effective methods. The fish will appear on your bottom machine as a thick school of large marks. A chunk of fresh cut bait such as albacore works best on a fish finder rig with an 8/0 bait hook. Thirty pound test monofilament line works fine, but bluefish have razor-sharp teeth and often bite through a monofilament leader. A wire leader is helpful, but can make bluefish leader shy.

Suspend your about 2 to 10 feet off the bottom, set in the rod holder and wait. Once the rod bends, and the drag screams, grab the rod and set the hook. Hook-up ratios average about 4-to-one in the fish’s favor, but bluefish are greedy and will come back for seconds. In Virginia, you can keep 10 bluefish per person. A Virginia State Citation is awarded for fish weighing at least 16-pounds, or released at 36-inches or longer.

Try it smoked, you’ll be glad you did!

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