The Weekend Sportfishermen

Let the (Bird) Hunting Begin

2011-12-23T22:37:00.000-05:00

The waterfowl season has arrived, and it's time to hunt duck and geese! Over the summer, Andrew and I outfitted ourselves with guns and gear, and a few days before Thanksgiving (11/23/11) we joined Dan and Fran Sr. at the farm (see homestead at left) for a day-of-it. Unfortunately, although we hunters were primed to hunt, the weather did not cooperate (it still has not!), being unseasonably warm. What we need is cold: to drive the birds south along the East coast; to raise their metabolisms to stay warm, thereby requiring food to feed their little furnaces; and to set them in motion in search of food, flying here and there across water and fields. Without cold, there are small numbers of waterfowl around, and large numbers of frustrated hunters complaining to one another.

And yet...there was no complaining in our blind. Why? Well, we were outdoors in a beautiful environment on the Eastern shore of Maryland in pristine Chesapeake Bay country; we were spending time with best companions; and anything, indeed, can happen when hunting (and fishing)--you just never know, a slow day can prove bountiful all in the window of a minute. Besides. we were hunting--getting into the routine, breaking in the gear, sighting the shotguns--all in preparation for when it will "turn on" big time, and it will, very soon. With winter comes the cold. Guaranteed. Just a matter of when it arrives. So when, not if, is what we're talking about. And let it be formally noted that we clocked in our time this day, collecting points for having been ready, points that accumulate over time and can be turned in later for kills. See, that's the way it works: every hunter (and fisherman) must invest to reap rewards. Today we sat down at the table and anted up. So, now we're squarely in the game.

The "hedgerow blind" in the upper field--our station for the day. Fran Sr. standing

Getting settled. Farmhouse at upper right

Andrew with decoys set up behind

Dan in his element--happiest man around

12-gauge camo pumps: Andrew's Remington at left, Jim's Benelli at right

Andrew and dove shot--taking what presents

Final operating instructs prior to ride around farm's perimeter

The Blog is Back. Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T11:44:00.001-05:00

After a 9 month break, I am returning to the blog. Since the last posting on March 11, 2011, a lot has happened to report on. Accordingly, across the next few weeks I will go back in time to pick up where I left off, making entries of notable things from the recent past. Beyond just fishing, there are other sportsman related events to report on--specifically, as related to SCUBA diving and hunting. The blog will now serve to cover these activities as well. Although a certain investment of time is involved with maintaining the blog--valuable scarce time that could be directed elsewhere--I discovered during the break that I missed it (tremendously). For one thing, the need to capture photos and details of activities keeps one mentally active and engaged--just makes things richer and more fun. Second, the blog is a great way to permanently record the comings-and-goings of our lives away from the usual chores and aspects of life, and share them with family, friends, and acquaintances. In short, I'm happy to be back to it.

2011 Fishing Season's Goals and Objectives--The Second of Three Components. An Article to Inspire Us Forward

2011-03-19T19:32:00.017-04:00

Funny how ironic life can be: one day you talk about doing something with a fishing partner (specifically, Dan), and what appears the very next day in a fishing magazine--purchased impulsively to kill time on a flight from San Francisco to Dulles--but an article about four guys doing the same thing, except down in the Florida Keys as opposed to North Carolina! Clearly, the article's chance appearance--no doubt about it--is a sign from the Fishing God that our version of the trip is "meant to be," indeed "pre-ordained," if you will. And who would want to go against this God's wishes and risk an eternity in hell--meaning, in this case, an endless chain of fishing trips all ending with the skunk.

Read the article below carefully, Dan, and get your mental wheels in gear. (Note: their trip took place in September 2010; photos at the end of the text.)(Note: a special thank you to Sport Fishing magazine.

2010: A Skiff Odyssey
How four guys in two boats fished the Florida Keys in four days
Jan 20, 2011
By Adrian E. Gray

As I held NOAA chart No. 11450 in my hands last September, I could hardly fathom that the series of pen markings from Miami to Key West and back revealed that we had boated 415 miles in four days' time. I found it even more mind-boggling that we traversed every single mile in two skiffs.

My Cape Canaveral-based friends Derek Redwine, Tyler Shealey, Chris "Bootsy" Wilson and I had cracked open the shell of everyday life to follow our yearning for adventure by circumnavigating — and fishing — the Florida Keys by skiff. We let our instincts and passion to explore lead the way, but we carried paper charts, aerial photos and tide tables, which had helped us choose in advance which locations to fish. We outfitted an 18-foot-8-inch Hell's Bay Neptune and an equally seaworthy Chittum Islamorada 18 as the platforms for our exploreathon.

However, the National Weather Service forecast 15- to 20-knot southeast winds the day before our departure. We wondered: "Should we do it? Is it wise to go?" With "the safety in numbers" philosophy and only 12 hours to spare, we agreed to go for it and meet in Miami at 7 a.m. the next day.

Day One: Key Biscayne to Islamorada

6 a.m.: Derek called me: "Tyler slept in, we're leaving Merritt Island now." Brief silence. "Kiiidding! We are an hour away, passing through Palm Beach."

I towed the second skiff from Fort Lauderdale to Gordon's Bait and Tackle in Miami (305-856-4665), a convenient place to buy bait early in the morning, and then met the others at Crandon Park Marina.

We felt some anxiety about leaving our vehicles and trailers at the ramp for four days, but with 24-hour security at the marina, we decided to take the risk. (Ramp parking costs $12 weekdays; $15 a day for weekends/holidays.)

8:30 a.m.: We spent two hours organizing gear, officially documenting our departure at 10:30. We calculated our plan: Eight hours of available daylight, traveling 85 miles to Islamorada and averaging 30 mph would leave us about three hours of running and five hours of fishing time.

We couldn't account for potential weather delays, but Tyler could pull up the local radar on his iPhone as long as he was near shore. So he became the "Shealey-Weather-Genie."

11 a.m.: We ran to the shoals of Biscayne Bay's Stiltsville and poled past the silhouettes of seven remaining houses. Calm conditions seemed to contradict recent advisories, but we could see towering dark clouds moving our way from Homestead.

With foul weather looming and unproductive slack-low-tide conditions, we pressed south into the Upper Keys. When we veered around Christmas Point into Caesar's Creek, the storms passed behind us and the tide began rising. At the creek's Hurricane and Rubicon flats, we saw permit.

One of Derek's bull's-eye casts to a school of five lay rejected at first, but two fish whisked around to circle the crab again and then beelined it to a nearby channel. "Psyyyyche!" I said, while Derek still held the rod up high, maybe hoping his kamikaze crab might swim after the permit.

We fished for an hour. Tyler caught a bonefish. Derek hooked a scrappy bonnethead shark — his consolation prize.

1 p.m.: Winds picked up to 20 knots from the southeast. Poling the flats from the Ocean Reef Club to Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo became a less-than-electrifying plan of attack. Instead, we stopped randomly along the way and drifted, peppering 3- to 4-foot-deep grass flats with artificial lures. Tube lures out-produced Zara Spooks and spoons on 2- to 3-foot barracudas, but the detonation of each missed topwater strike zeroed out the scorekeeping.

4 p.m.: At Tavernier Key, we detoured to the Gulf side through Tavernier Creek to run the leeward waters to Islamorada. A few miles south of the creek, a communications tower marked the location of Islamorada Fish Company, the perfect place for four anglers jonesing for pints of barley pop and cheeseburgers.

6:30 p.m.: We pulled in at Bud N' Mary's Marina (305-664-2461, www.budnmarys.com) and met with owner Richard Stanczyk. We had reserved a houseboat, but Stanzyck graciously upgraded us to a gorgeous three-bedroom beach cottage, complete with 25 feet of dock for both skiffs.

Day Two: Circumnavigating Key West

5 a.m.: "What do red, yellow and green stand for?" I asked Derek while shaking him awake. "Huh? What's happening? Apples?" he groaned.

"Nope, not apples," I said. "It stands for 40-mile-per-hour winds and rain." The weather outside was howling, and those colors on my iPhone's radar image meant another hour of listening to loud snores.

By 7:30, a heavy caffeine buzz mixed with the background noise from obnoxious TV ads was distressing enough to make a cat swim laps. So we ventured through the storm to the Lorelei (305-664-2692, www.loreleifloridakeys.com) for the outstanding biscuits and sausage gravy.

An hour later, a few sun rays peeked through the clouds. "Gotta love Florida weather," Chris said. "One minute, it looks like the reincarnation of Hurricane Andrew and the next, pure paradise."

9 a.m.: Skimming over liquid glass.

9:30 a.m.: We found a slack-high tide at the Channel Two Bridge. Looking into the clear depths below, Derek waggled his first two fingers in a peace sign — the scuba diver's universal indicator for lobster. "I've always wanted to catch a lobster," Tyler said. Ten minutes later, Tyler had his wish.

10 a.m.: The Long Key State Park flats, with its roving sharks and rays, looked too good to pass. Derek and Chris stood on the casting platforms armed with 8weight fly rods and small toad flies.

Sighting a dozen bonefish in a half-hour gave us heart murmurs, but the fish remained out of range. Derek plucked a jack crevalle off the back of a ray for some excitement.

11:30 a.m.: We interrupted 20 miles of smooth running past Duck and Grassy keys with a refueling stop at Captain Hook's on the south side of Vaca Cut (305-743-2444, www.captainhooks.com).

"You think we can make it to Key West today? It's not even noon, and according to the GPS we're 50 miles from Southernmost Point," Derek said.

"Not before we catch a permit at Pigeon Key," I replied. "Then we can forge ahead."

12:15 p.m.: Call me clairvoyant. Derek poled into a strong current exiting the Gulf side over Pigeon Key Bank. Among the many turquoise pot holes on the edge of the lush flat, a 15-pound permit fell victim to my crab.

2:30 p.m.: Derek and I were on cloud nine. The adrenaline from the catch, added to warmth from the tropical sun, put us in a Key West state of mind. "A two-hour run should put us there around 5 p.m., enough time to get settled before we hit Duval Street," Derek said.

4:30 p.m.: We stopped to pole a broad flats basin between Saddlebunch and Pelican keys. Small lemon sharks chasing mullet wrinkled the calm water around us, but we had no luck fishing the hot, low water.

6 p.m.: Approaching Key West's Southernmost Point from the water differs considerably from walking up to the land marker amid groups of shutter-happy tourists. We could also look back at the 160-mile run from Miami and know that the return trip was more achievable than we'd thought.

Tyler called his friend Bear Holeman, a Key West guide who had generously offered us local intel. He said that fishing had been quiet on the ocean side, and that if permit and tarpon were our game, then we'd better cancel our Duval plans and boogie up to Big Spanish Cay.

We took his advice, and with the help of the GPS, we headed around to Big Pine on the Gulf side. Along the way, Derek called his good friend and noted TV host Jose Wejebe, who lives in Summerland Key, for advice about hotels with waterside dockage. Jose suggested Palmer's Resort in Big Pine (305-872-2157, www.palmersresort.com), but when he unexpectedly offered for us to stay at his house, we jumped at the chance.

Day Three: Summerland Key to Islamorada

8 a.m.: We stopped at Chevron Island Auto & Marine (305-744-9717) on Summerland Key for fuel and to refill our livewells. Across the parking lot, we sampled the biscuits and gravy at the Galley Grill (305-745-3446).

5 p.m.: We fished almost all day from Mayo Cay to Big Spanish Cay and Spanish Bank. Derek pitched quarter-size crabs on spin tackle; Chris tossed a Merkin on his 10-weight fly rod. They intended to hook permit, but passing tarpon made short work of their 30-pound shock leaders.

On the mental fish scale, seeing and hooking outweighed landings, but we apparently were paying dues for the show Mother Nature was about to present.

5:30 p.m.: We floated over white, marly sand off the labyrinthine Content Keys north of Big Pine, Summerland and Sugarloaf keys. The sun was two hours away from kissing the horizon, and the water's surface had morphed to a reflective sheen like liquid mercury.

Although our polarized lenses proved useless looking into the water, we saw the black sickle shape of permit dorsal fins and the fidgety wakes of bonefish. The creatures of the flats had roused as the lunar forces began steering water back to our side of the planet. A one-hour period gave Chris a permit on fly and two bonefish between Tyler and Derek.

6:30 p.m.: On the 40-mile run back to Islamorada, nature bestowed one of the grandest sunsets we'd ever seen. We arrived at Bud N' Mary's in the dark, but were just in time for delicious coconut-crusted grouper sandwiches at Lazy Days Restaurant (305-664-5256, www.lazydayssouth.com) next door.

Day Four: Islamorada to Key Biscayne

6 a.m.: An early exit put us on Islamorada's Gulf flats in greasy, calm conditions. At Lignumvitae Channel, Tyler and Chris caught sight of two permit and a 100pound tarpon working down the edge. After three failed opportunities there and two encounters with stuck-up bonefish on Peterson Key Bank, we ran farther into the Gulf to fish Rabbit Key on Nine Mile Bank.

8:30 a.m.: We had bonefish in mind at Rabbit, but a school of redfish surprised us. Derek unleashed his 6weight fly rod with a rust-colored Borski Slider and had no problem enticing a red. Chris and Tyler also caught two reds on crabs.

10 a.m.: We returned to Islamorada, refueled at Worldwide Sportsman and purchased more bait for the Key Largo to Biscayne Bay leg. By that time, the wind had increased from a light-and-variable puff to a sustained 15knot breeze from the northeast.

1 p.m.: Storm cells brewed over the Everglades. Conscious of safety, we stabbed our bows into a tight, 2foot chop to make good headway through Key Largo's Baker Cut into Buttonwood Sound.

Idling through Grouper and Dunsbury creeks provided some reprieve from the steady wind, but it was short-lived when we entered Blackwater Sound. Along the north shore, the prominent, new 18-Mile Stretch Overpass clearly marked Gilbert's Resort and entrance to Jewfish Creek. We tied up at Gilbert's for a powwow.

"I don't like the look of that," Tyler said pointing north. "The radar tells me those storm cells extend from downtown Miami all the way to Homestead, and they're moving over Biscayne." We made the decision to cover the next 15 miles as fast as we could through Barnes and Card sounds, passing under Card Sound Bridge to reach Broad Creek.

3:30 p.m.: We had avoided the rain, and to the north, Old Rhodes Key blocked the wind from Cutter Bank to some extent. Our vision was best poling into the wind, and it didn't take long to see our first school of bonefish.

Derek closed the last chapter of our angling adventure with a small bonefish. Only a leader length from the skiff, the fish ate a fly at the eastern fringe of Cutter Bank.

5:40 p.m.: The last 25 miles heading home rocked our small skiffs. It was a welcome sight to see our vehicles at the Crandon boat ramp, just as we had left them.

***

What to Bring

Tackle:

- Two 7-foot-6-inch, light-medium spinning rods with 10-pound PowerPro on Shimano Sustain 4000s for pitching light jigs and shrimp.
- For tarpon (up to 60 pounds) and permit, two 7-foot, medium-heavy spinning rods with 15-pound PowerPro on Shimano Sustain 5000s — kept locked and loaded nearby with a live crab dangling in the water.
- Three fly rods — 6-, 8- and 10-weights — with appropriate flies and species-specific leaders.
- Two Shimano Tyrnos 16 conventional reels with 50-pound PowerPro, medium-heavy 6-foot-6-inch Trevala rods for tugging on goliath grouper and larger sharks.
- Short- and long-shank hooks, sizes 2, 1, 1/0 and 2/0 for mangrove snappers, permit, tarpon and bones — plus, 7/0 to 9/0 circle hooks for big baits.
- Monofilament leader from 10- through 100pound. Malin stainless No. 4 wire for barracudas; doubled and twisted for sharks.
- Artificial lures: D.O.A. Shrimp and TerrorEyz, jigs with soft plastics and Gulps!, plugs, spoons and tube lures.

Other helpful gear:

- Besides keeping a GPS on board, print out satellite images from Google Earth (www.google.com/earth). Print the screen images from your computer and use a binder with plastic sleeves to organize the images according to the direction you'll be heading.
- A Wi-Fi-enabled cell phone that can pull up the latest weather radar. Bookmark www.radar.weather.gov into favorites.
- Insect repellent!
- Lightweight clothes that dry fast when washed with hand soap. Long-sleeve shirts, long pants, buff headwear and a hat, as well as SPF 30 sunscreen.

Gasoline needs:

- 18-foot-8-inch skiff powered by 115 hp two-stroke Evinrude EFI
- Total fuel cost = $307.60
- 415 miles/81.2 gallons = 5.1 mpg

- 18-foot skiff powered by 60 hp four-stroke Suzuki
- Total fuel cost = $192.70
- 415 miles/50.5 gallons = 8.2 mpg

Speaking of Lobsters...A Poem About Eating Them

2011-03-11T08:02:00.002-05:00

I subscribe to a daily literary email--The Writer's Almanac, produced by Garrison Keillor--and today's featured poem was about eating lobster. Ironic, given that my last post (immediately below) was about harvesting them. Thought you'd enjoy a little bit of culture today--tapping into the sensitive side of all you big, strong (and emotionally fragile) fishermen.

Lobster
by June Robertson Beisch

On first seeing it, I was repelled
by the idea of eating something so
exotic looking and sinister,

having read Jean Paul Sartre's line
about crustaceans having a dubious
consciousness. But I was in New York, and

the young man I had met there tucked
my napkin under my chin and
handed me a nutcracker for the shell.

I was from Minnesota, raised on
lakes and brook trout. I, too, was
uncooked and formless, like the creatures

who take on the shape of their environment
My first taste was delicious, but the
third was even better and by

that time I was a real New York girl
who wore skinny black dresses and false eyelashes,
able to handle myself with any

crustacean, dubious consciousness or not.

"Lobster" by June Beisch, from Fatherless Woman. © Cape Cod Literary Press, 2004.

Tons of Lobster. Wonder If We'll Ever See Bounty Reflected in Lower Prices?

2011-03-09T07:44:00.006-05:00

At least some fishermen are having a good year--lobster fishermen, it turns out. Well, by my compass, they deserve it, seeing how the Maine lobster fishery is perhaps the only self-policing fishery on the face of the earth. Meaning the lobstermen themselves enforce harvesting limits and will take (often violent) action against those who break the rules--and thereby pose a danger to the economic stability of the larger community. As explained in the NYTimes article below, this past season weather helped a lot as well. So the Fishing Gods, in summary, were good to them. I'm sure these folks also know that good fortune one year often means these same Gods will be predisposed to screw them the next. Moral of the story: enjoy the good times, but don't forget the bad; i.e., leave a few bucks in the bank account.

Ron Francoeur of Kennebunkport, Me., hauled his traps from the ocean on Thursday for the last time until April.

February 26, 2011
After a Record Haul in Maine, Try the Lobster Mac and Cheese

KENNEBUNKPORT, Me. — The dozens of traps that Ron Francoeur pulled from frigid waters here on Thursday held only about 30 lobsters, but maybe it did not matter. Last year’s statewide lobster haul — 93 million pounds, up from 81 million in 2009 — was the largest on record. And Mr. Francoeur allowed that he had shared in the bounty.

“I had a very good year,” he said.

Mr. Francoeur, who has been fishing since the 1980s, would not elaborate; lobstermen are famously secretive about where they fish and what price they get for their catch. But the numbers that the Maine Department of Marine Resources released this month suggested that Mr. Francoeur’s traps and untold others saw extraordinary action last year.

Unusually warm water played a role, said Carl Wilson, the state’s chief lobster biologist. Lobsters molted earlier in the year, which meant that many were big enough to legally catch by early July, a month sooner than usual.

“The planets were aligned for an early molt and really good fishing through the summer and fall,” Mr. Wilson said.

The other, more significant factor — a lobster population boom that has been building for at least 15 years — is harder to explain, he said. The decline of predators, like cod, and the state’s strict conservation rules for lobster are among the most commonly cited reasons.

“For every one that comes to market,” said Dane Somers, executive director of the Maine Lobster Council, “about three go back into the water for conservation. Can you even get your mind around how many we’re talking about?”

Despite the vast supply, prices went up too, a promising turn of events after the global financial crisis forced drastic price declines in 2009. Lobster sold off the boat for as little as $2 a pound that summer, forcing many fishermen, including Mr. Francoeur, out of the business temporarily. Last year, the average price rose to $3.31 a pound, according to the state.

That was well below the high of $4.63 a pound in 2006, but it was enough to keep men like Mr. Francoeur, who had to supplement his income with a trucking job in 2009, on the water.

The 2009 crisis might have had a silver lining, Mr. Somers said. The low prices brought new markets — chain restaurants like Ruby Tuesday and Panera added lobster to their menus — and forced innovation. The lobster council is heavily promoting lobster in China, where, to the vexation of some here, they call it Boston lobster, Mr. Somers said. And a handful of new companies are producing packaged lobster convenience foods, like lobster macaroni and cheese, with the goal of selling them in grocery stores nationwide.

One such company is Calendar Islands Maine Lobsters in Portland, which will introduce its lobster mac and cheese and lobster pizza at the International Boston Seafood Show next month.

“We’re trying to put lobster into markets where it hasn’t been,” said John Jordan, the company president, “in forms where people can just buy it and put it in the oven and have an easy meal.”

Not all of the 4,260 commercial lobstermen estimated to have actively fished in Maine last year caught record amounts. Jason Joyce, an eighth-generation fisherman on Swans Island, described his catch as mediocre, even though Hancock County, where he lives, had the state’s largest haul, 31 million pounds.

“It’s very area specific,” Mr. Joyce said. “You could be within half a mile of someone who is doing three times as good as you are.”

Mr. Francoeur would not reveal where he planted his 800 traps last year but said the farther out people fished, the better they did. Thursday was his last day on the water until April.

In the meantime, he said, he will hit the ski slopes and repair his gear. He is not assuming that his luck will extend through 2011, not least because gas prices are rising again. “You never know,” he said. “It could be the worst we’ve had in years.”

Dan, Your Shirt is Safe and Clean

2011-02-24T18:35:00.003-05:00

This shirt is history. This shirt typifies Dan. This shirt is associated with fishing trips and successful days on the water. This shirt, truly, is irreplaceable. Alas, this shirt is Dan's. And it also somehow wound up in my dirty laundry pile after our last outing. Well, Dan, rest assured, it is now clean and folded, waiting in my closet, for the next trip, and to be donned once again. Waiting...patiently...waiting...ready to go.

Spanish Mackerel: A Springtime Favorite Catch in Hatteras. Recipe to Consider, Look Forward To Trying

2011-02-19T16:36:00.012-05:00

Spring fishing off Hatteras brings with it an opportunity to catch mackerel, both king and spanish varieties. Over the years, we've caught both on the Sea Ya Bea, and taken them home to the dinner table. Mackerel are an oily fish, and too "fishy" for some palettes. Personally, I love them and try to introduce citrus into the equation, usually fresh lemon slices laid on top under the broiler, and then squeezed lemon juice with freshly ground pepper. In today's Wall Street Journal, a professional chef weighs in with a recipe. Skimming the text, it sounded good--and what the heck, we need all the fish recipes we can get, at least to consider. After all, one never knows where new favorites dishes might surface from. Give it a quick read.

Spanish Mackerel With Blood Orange and Anchovy Sauce

The Chef:
Anita Lo

Her Restaurant:
Annisa in Manhattan's West Village

What She's Known For:
Weaving multicultural flavors with classic French themes

Anita Lo, chef and owner of Manhattan restaurant Annisa (which means "women" in Arabic), has a palate that knows no boundaries.

The Michigan native says her family obsessed over food when she was growing up. Her mother, a Chinese doctor, prepared multi-course Malaysian feasts and her stepfather, an American with New England roots, was a master of German cookery. She also had nannies who cooked delicious Polish food.

Though Ms. Lo's dishes are rooted in classical French technique (she studied at Paris's École Ritz-Escoffier), she plays with a range of global flavors. When creating a dish, Ms. Lo says she likes to take "an ingredient outside its context," be it Chinese, Japanese or French, and push it in a new direction. For example, on Annisa's winter menu, Chinese soup dumplings are filled with foie gras and roasted rack of lamb is served with South African elements such as tamarind chutney and a gussied up version of bobotie, a national South African ground meat and egg casserole. In her forthcoming cookbook, "Cooking Without Borders: Flavors for the New American Kitchen," Ms. Lo will share other recipes that blur geographical and cultural lines.

For her second of four Slow Food Fast contributions, Ms. Lo shares a winter recipe for broiled Spanish mackerel with a blood orange anchovy sauce. Spanish mackerel, she says, is a fish that's ideal in cold months because it gets fattier in winter, making its meat richer and all the more delicious. It's an oily fish that works well with the balance of citrus. Fat, she stresses, needs acid. At Annisa, Ms. Lo serves Spanish mackerel raw and thinly sliced with oranges, shaved raw broccoli rapini and a confited mustard seed oil.

Here, she has created a more approachable recipe that calls for broiled fillets served with a quick pan sauce. Broiling, she says, is a simple technique that "makes the skin nice and bubbly and crispy."

However easy this elegant dish may be, Ms. Lo advises home chefs to make sure they don't overcook the fish and that the broiler is good and hot before cooking.

This meal is brighter and lighter than most cold-weather indulgences. Ms. Lo balances the oily mackerel with a sauce made of blood oranges, which are also in season at the moment. More than just a visual flourish, the orange sections are worth the busy work they require—they add acidity and elegance to the final dish. The anchovy, which dissolves into the olive oil, lends the sauce depth and earthiness Though simplified for home cooks, this dish bears Ms. Lo's sophisticated mark.

Broiled Spanish Mackerel with Orange and Anchovy

FRESHEST FISH: Mackerel tends to be more oily—and succulent—in the winter months.

4 five-ounce fillets Spanish mackerel, skin on
6 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 clove garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
Zest of ½ a lemon, grated
Zest of ½ an orange, grated
Pinch of red pepper flakes
4 anchovy fillets, rinsed, patted dry and finely sliced
½ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon butter
2 blood oranges, sectioned
Lemon, for seasoning
Snipped chives (optional)

What to Do:

1. Heat a broiler on high. Brush both sides of mackerel with 3 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

2. Place mackerel, skin side up, on the top oven rack. Cook until skin is blistered and the fish is almost cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a warm plate.

3. Place a medium sauté pan over high heat. Add olive oil, shallot, garlic, zests, pepper flakes and anchovies to the pan. Cook until sizzling.

4. Add orange juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for 3 minutes, or until thickened.

5. Turn off heat and swirl in butter. Gently stir in the orange sections. Season the pan sauce with salt, pepper and a squirt of lemon juice.

6. Divide sauce among 4 plates. Top with mackerel fillets and garnish with chives if desired.

10 Tons of Striper Poaching in One Week. This Time in Chesapeake Bay. Sunken Gill Nets Used

2011-02-12T15:19:00.001-05:00

Last week the Washington Post carried a story that confirms--yet again--the enormous amount of poaching that occurs and endangers the existence of already-depleted fish stocks. This time we return (surprise, surprise) to striper poaching in the northern Chesapeake Bay, at the southern tip of Kent Island, in the shallows near Bloody Point Bar Lighthouse. The thieves employed submerged gill nets, which are approved for taking strippers, but only when properly tended, used on defined dates, and in compliance with catch limits. In this case, however, the poachers caught 20,000 pounds against a daily legal quota of 300 pounds--stealing the equivalent of 66 days of legal netting from their fellow watermen. In reaction, state officials were so stunned by the size of the illegal catch that they immediately closed down the gill net fishery, which was projected to stay open through the end of February. Just to give you a sense of the magnitude of the heist, an icebreaker with a huge winch had to be called in to retrieve the illegal net from the water.

And we wonder why spring-time striper fishing in the Chesapeake Flats is dead--obviously, because fewer and fewer fish survive a treacherous passage from the ocean to their native spawning grounds, having to make it through a gauntlet of legal and illegal fishermen numbered in the thousands. In contrast to quotas set by fisheries officials, the actual number of stripers killed each year is at least 2x the official limit. When will the fishing community wake up to the scale of poaching and its devastation on the wildlife and sportfishing community? When will ethical fishermen wake up and smoke out the bandits? Personally, I think people are actually getting sick of this type of crime, and things will turn against these bums. Hope I'm directionally right--for the fish.

See below for two articles on the poaching incidents, as well as a variety of photographs.

Map of the area: Annapolis at left, Chesapeake Bay bridge in green, Kent Island at right, Bloody Point Bar at the very southern tip of Kent Island

Bloody Point Bar Lighthouse today, erected in 1882

Police discover 10 tons of illegally caught rockfish in Chesapeake Bay
By Darryl Fears
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 4, 2011

Ten tons of rockfish were caught this week in the Chesapeake Bay, where the legal limit is 300 pounds a day.

It was a staggeringly high illegal fish kill in a short period of time, and on Friday Maryland officials announced aggressive steps to stop it.

Step 1: Shut down the February season for rockfish fishing with lethal gill nets.

Step 2: Offer a $7,000 reward to anyone who can help put the poachers in jail.

Step 3: Tightly enforce the quota system for fish catches.

"We seized over 20,000 pounds. That means these poachers are stealing 66 days of work from watermen," said Tom O'Connell, fisheries service director at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

State police who patrol the bay and its tributaries announced Tuesday the discovery of a poacher's gill net containing three tons of rockfish near Bloody Point Lighthouse, between Queen Anne's and Talbot counties. The largest catch uncovered by a lone patrol in at least 25 years was so big that an icebreaker was called in to haul it.

But Wednesday and Thursday, police in boats came upon more sunken gill nets, also in the vicinity of the isolated lighthouse, with illegal catches totaling seven tons. Under law, gill nets must be monitored by fishermen and must flow with the tide rather than be anchored.

Rockfish, also known as striped bass, and blue crabs have virtually disappeared in the past before being restored.

The clam population is currently low.

"The people of Maryland have invested far too much time, effort and money into restoring striped bass, our state fish," said Secretary of Natural Resources John R. Griffin.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the department's Catch-a-Poacher Hotline at 800-635-6124.

Illegal Striped Bass Seizure Spurs Shut Down of February Gill Net Season. DNR, stakeholders offer reward for information leading to rockfish poachers' arrest

Annapolis, Md. (February 4, 2011) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has shut down the February striped bass gill net season after Natural Resources Police (NRP) confiscated more than 10 tons of illegally caught striped bass in two days. NRP seized the 20,016 pounds of rockfish from four illegally anchored gill nets found near Bloody Point Light, south of Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay.

“Wanton illegal behavior cannot, will not be tolerated,” said Secretary John Griffin. “The people of Maryland have invested far too much time, effort and money into restoring striped bass, our State fish. These poachers are stealing from every Maryland citizen... including from our honest, hardworking watermen who follow the law. I particularly want to commend our dedicated Natural Resources Police officers, many of whom staked out the sites overnight, during terrible weather conditions."

Maryland’s commercial striped bass fishery is managed on a quota system, in cooperation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; the commercial gill net quota for February is 354,318 pounds. When the illegally harvested striped bass confiscated by the NRP were deducted from the quota, DNR was forced to immediately shut down the fishery. The fishery will remain closed until DNR can determine the extent of illegal nets out on the Bay and the amount of striped bass caught in those nets.

“Watermen are allowed to catch about 300 pounds of rockfish per day. We seized 20,000 pounds. That means these poachers are stealing 66 days of work from honest watermen,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell.

The State, along with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), The Maryland Watermen’s Association, the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association and the Maryland Charter Boat Association, is offering a reward of more than $7,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons responsible for setting these anchored gill nets in the vicinity of Bloody Point Light. Funding for the reward will come from dedicated funding as well as contributions from these stakeholder groups, who are publicly denouncing these crimes.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that illegal fishing that steals the resource from all Marylanders will not be tolerated,” said CCA Maryland Executive Director Tony Friedrich. “We look forward to working with the Department and other stakeholders to insure that the penalties for these types of crimes are strengthened and those responsible are held fully accountable.”

“The Maryland Watermen’s Association is here to protect the honest fisherman,” said Association President Larry Simns. “We’d like to do anything in our power to catch the person responsible for this and we’d hope they’d lose their license.”

“The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association is extremely disheartened and outraged over the events of the past several days,” said Executive Director Dave Smith. “This type of flagrant disregard for the law and our vital resource must end. The MSSA is working with the Department and other stakeholder groups to put in place deterrents and meaningful consequences for these types of crimes.”

The NRP found the first anchored gill net on Monday, January 31 at 2 p.m., the day before the February striped bass gill net season opened. Officers began a surveillance detail and after 17 hours without activity officers pulled up the net, which was full of rockfish. Officers continued pulling the net and offloading the fish until 9 p.m., when 6,121 pounds of fish were taken out of the 900 yards of illegal anchored gill net; 400 pounds were given to state biologists for use in an expanded gender sampling survey, and 5,721 pounds were sold.

Officers located another net at about 9 p.m. near the first net and began to pull it up immediately. NRP continued to load the net and fish into patrol boats throughout the night. While loading the second net, officers found two additional nets. The NRP worked until 5 p.m. Wednesday evening, landing an additional 13,895 pounds of illegally caught fish.

Officers also recovered 2,100 yards of anchored gill net from the Choptank River on Sunday, January 30, and 100 yards of anchored gill net from the mouth of the Chester River on Thursday. These nets had a few fish that were released alive.

Information on this crime may be called into the Natural Resources Police Catch-a-Poacher Hotline at 800-635-6124. Callers may remain anonymous.

Net and dead stripers on deck of the icebreaker

Poached fish from additional gill nets in patrol boats

NOAA Rules and the South Atlantic--What Area Are They Referring To?

2011-02-11T15:04:00.001-05:00

Recently we have been inundated with new rules eminating from NOAA regarding restrictions on fishing in southern Atlantic Ocean waters. Which begs the question: what precise geographic area are they referring to? I've tried to provide a concrete answer below. Note that the governing fisheries management body for waters off Hatteras is the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. They write the detailed rules for waters under their management...that we in turn must comply with. First, a map of the area for you to refer to as I point things out.

Items of interest:

- The border between Virginia and North Carolina, extending 200 miles eastward to the edge of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), constitutes the northern boundary of the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC). North of this line, the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) sets the rules.

- The border of the EEZ defines the entire eastern boundary of the SAFMC area.

- The southern boundary resides southwest of Key West, the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council (GMFMC) setting rules for the Gulf of Mexico proper.

Here is the offical language for the SAFMC boundaries.

- The northern boundary begins at the seaward boundary between the States of Virginia and North Carolina (36 degress, 31 minutes, 00.8 seconds North latitude) and proceeds due east to the point of intersection with the outward boundary of the EEZ as specified in the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

- The southern boundary coincides with the line of demarcation between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, which begins at the intersection of the outer boundary of the EEZ, as specified in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, at 83 degress, 00 minutes West latitude, and proceeds northward along that meridian to 24 degrees, 35 minutes North latitude (near the Dry Tortugas Islands), thence eastward along that parallel, through Rebecca Shoal and the Quicksand Shoal, to the Marquesas Keys, and then through the Florida Keys to the mainland at the eastern end of Florida Bay, the line so running that the narrow waters within the Dry Tortugas Islands, the Marquesas Keys and the Florida Keys, and between the Florida Keys and the mainland, are within the Gulf of Mexico.

Wind Farms Off East Coast--Here They Come

2011-02-09T08:34:00.003-05:00

Yesterday's NYTimes contained a very short piece announcing further steps towards the buildout of wind farms off the coast of eastern seaboard states--specifically, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. When we were still a homeowner in Bethany a few years back, there were ongoing reports and rumors of a windfarm being placed right off the boardwalk--the Washington Post even did a story that included an artist's depiction of what it would look like from a beachgoer's perspective, the top 15% of the towers clearly visible to the naked eye. Hey, such is progress; maybe the underwater structures will attract fish (assuming the area isn't closed to boat traffic)?

National Briefing | SOUTH
Virginia: Four Ocean Sites Identified for Wind Farms
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 7, 2011Twitter

Officials have identified four swaths of ocean along the East Coast as ripe for wind farm development, and leases could be issued this year, the Department of the Interior said Monday. The Department of Energy also said it intended to spend more than $50 million over the next five years to speed development of the farms. The Interior Department said the four sites are off Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. Those states will receive expedited environmental reviews for the projects, which are expected to create thousands of jobs. Each site is off major tourist destinations. But Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the wind farms would be 10 to 20 miles offshore, far enough not to ruin views for beachgoers.

Thousands of Dead Stripers Off Bodie Island. Differing Explanations: Poachers, Too-Heavy Nets, "High-Grading?"

2011-02-04T16:58:00.009-05:00

A flurry of articles/commentary (print/web) and photographs were circulating yesterday about the discovery of thousands of abandoned stripers off the North Carolina coast in the vicinity of Oregon Inlet and Bodie Island. Some blamed it on poachers (most likely: commercial fishermen stretching/breaking the law). Others the misfortune of a commercial fishing trawler that, having caught so many fish that their engorged net couldn't be lifted from the water, was forced to open it and release the catch (doubtful). Still others pointed to the illegal practice of "high-grading," or throwing away smaller fish in favor of keeping larger fish caught later on (the best explanation by me). Most of the sportfishermen involved--either those fishing that day who witnessed it, or those who posted comments second-hand on the web--were angered by the waste and prolific killing. Conversely, commercial fishing-friendly parties blamed current regulations, which place a commercial limit of 50 fish per day, regardless of weight, which indeed would encourage high-grading.

The first of two articles provided below gives the details. Notably, the second indicates that fisheries officials plan to change the regulations, switching out the 50-fish limit for one based on total pounds, in this case 2,000 pounds per trip. I agree, seems the better way to go.

One of the killing fields

Dead fish "stretching on for miles"

A suspected trawler (note surrounding sportfishermen)

A close-up of the trawler in question

Poachers toss thousands of fish, CG cites striped bass poachers
Updated: Thursday, 20 Jan 2011, 8:34 AM EST
Published : Wednesday, 19 Jan 2011, 11:15 AM EST

Elizabeth McDougall
KITTY HAWK, N.C. (WAVY) - WAVY.com has received numerous e-mails in regard to a major commercial trawler discard off the coast of North Carolina this past weekend. Several people have reported that trawlers fishing off the coast of the Outer Banks were caught tossing thousands of dead, or near dead, rock fish overboard. A YouTube video and several pictures emailed to WAVY.com show the fish floating everywhere.

A concerned fisherman told WAVY.com, "Commercial netters are dredging thousands of striped bass off the Outer Banks, and throwing back thousands of fish in the quest to fill their quotas with the largest fish possible. Miles of dead, floating striped bass are the result. Classic example of poorly designed fishing laws creating waste in a vulnerable and valuable fishery."

According to the Coast Guard , several fishing vessels were cited in violation of federal law, including one vessel in possession of 58 illegally caught Atlantic striped bass. The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Beluga, while on patrol, detected and intercepted the illegal poachers Friday.

Coast Guard officials say the economic pressures being felt nationwide and water temperatures have driven the striped bass population farther off shore into warmer waters, setting the stage for a situation that may entice fishermen to break the law.

Another concerned fisherman told WAVY.com there were several boats in the area Tuesday culling through the fish and said many of them still had life left in them.

In an online forum called " The Hull Truth ," many have expressed outrage and call the discard sickening.

Fishing for striped bass is permitted within state waters, but catching or possessing striped bass in the Exclusive Economic Zone , which begins three nautical miles from shore, is a violation of federal regulations, according to the Coast Guard.

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is investigating the massive discard.

Nancy Fish with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries told WAVY.com, "Both commercial and recreational fisheries have had issues with discards of striped bass in the past. However, this is the first time in several years that striped bass have migrated this close to the shore."

Fish said the commercial striped bass trawl fishery is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. on Thursday and the division will evaluate the effort and landings in this fishery to determine if quota remains and if the fishery should reopen. The division will also consider if alternative management measures could be used to prevent future discarded dead fish.

Coast Guard officials say federal authorities are taking legal action to ensure the longevity of the striped bass population and maintain a level playing field for all fishermen.

Boaters should be aware that the Coast Guard, as well as others, will continue to aggressively enforce laws and regulations concerning Atlantic striped bass.

WAVY.com
Law to change for catching striped bass. Proclamation to be released on Friday
Updated: Friday, 21 Jan 2011, 6:08 AM EST
Published : Thursday, 20 Jan 2011, 5:30 PM EST

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WAVY) - Officials in North Carolina said they plan to change the law for catching striped bass after thousands of dead fish were released into the water over the weekend.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will replace the current 50-fish-per-day commercial trip limit, which has been in place for 15 years, with a 2,000-pound-per-day limit to avoid the need for fishermen to throw back dead fish.

On Saturday, an overloaded fishing net prompted fishermen on a commercial trawler to release thousands of striped bass they caught off of Bodie Island, officials with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

After towing through a school of striped bass, fishermen on the commercial trawler Jamie Lynn found the net was so full it was too heavy to bring on the boat. In order to retrieve the net, the fishermen had to open it and release the fish, the boat captain said.

The division is still investigating the incident but has been unable to confirm reports that commercial trawl fishermen were high-grading, or discarding a previously-caught, legal-sized fish in order to keep a larger fish within the daily possession limit.

Commercial fishermen will also be allowed to transfer trip limits to other fishing vessels that hold a striped bass ocean fishing permit for the commercial trawl fishery, but the transfers must be made in the ocean.

The new regulations will be implemented by a proclamation to be released Friday.
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will review these actions at its February 11 meeting in Pine Knoll Shores.

Hatteras Summer 2011 All Set

2011-02-02T21:09:00.004-05:00

Just a quick note: Spoke with Dan today and he relayed that they (Dan, Dina, Emma, Jake) have rented their house in Hatteras Village for first week of August 2011. They are on same street as last year. The Field's have changed residence, now closer to Teach's and only two blocks from the Os. So good to go; we're all set.

To commemorate the "lock-in," here's a picture of the crew from last summer--all tanned and relaxed and loose and easy. Cheers!

Snow on Hatteras Island Today. Ferry Service Shut Down

2011-01-22T17:46:00.005-05:00

By Jim Field

Dan and I were going to fish today out of Hatteras Inlet. The weather precluded a trip. (I also have to work all this weekend, which would have torpedoed things anyway). Turns out Hatteras got hit with a rather good snow storm--enough to suspend ferry service. Weather tomorrow forecasted for low 40s with sun. Please, may Spring come soon. Here's the story from the Outer Banks Voice:

Heavy snow shuts down Hatteras-Ocracoke ferries
Rob Morris | January 22, 2011
Heavy snow has forced the suspension of ferry service from Hatteras Island.

A coastal storm is causing poor visibility and icing on docks, the state Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division said in a statement.

Temporarily suspended were the Hatteras-Ocracoke, Ocracoke-Cedar Island, Ocracoke-Swan Quarter and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach routes.

About an inch of snow was covering N.C. 12 in Salvo, causing several accidents, Dare County reported. The county also said that the Washington Baum Bridge between Nags Head and Manteo and U.S. 264 in Manns Harbor were icy and hazardous

While heavy snow was reported on Hatteras Island, only a few showers and flurries have hit northern beaches.

A winter storm warning is in effect until 10 p.m. Hatteras Island is expected to get 2 to 3 inches of snow before the storm moves away Saturday night.

Farther north, the forecast calls for cloudy and cold weather before things clear out overnight.

Blustery winds will be from the north with temperatures in the mid-30s this afternoon and dropping into the 20s tonight.

After a sunny Sunday, rain is a possibility through at least Wednesday.

On the Hunt in Winter: For Geese, Not Fish. Good Times in the Pit. Some Notable Firsts

2011-01-21T20:09:00.001-05:00

By Jim Field

A few Saturday's ago (January 8), Andrew and I traveled to Dan's neck of the woods to hunt for Canadian geese and duck. For years Dan has talked about "The Farm" on Maryland's eastern shore, located about 15 minutes away from Dan's homestead in Bear, DE. Dan, Fran Sr., and a handful of hunting pals--including Jon Kitchen--lease The Farm, a 250+ acre rural tract, from a local land owner. Each year Dan has extended an open invitation to me to hunt--something I've never taken him up on before. However, with Andrew now 14 years and wanting to hunt (i.e., shoot weapons), an open weekend presented an opportunity, and north we drove.

Departing Alexandria at 4:00 am Saturday morning, we proceeded up 95N in snow squalls through Baltimore, across the Susquehanna River, and into DE to Dan's house. Once there, we donned camouflage hunting attire--courtesy of Dan's extra inventory--and hopped in his truck for the brief drive to The Farm. On the way, the scenery was quiet and beautiful: open cornfields, tree-lined boundaries, a dusting of newly-fallen snow. The country.

Having now seen The Farm, I can attest to its beauty and attractiveness to hunters. Rolling fields, trees, all spread out, with a large creek constituting the entire southwest border. Dan and group have built two blinds on the creek, and a single firing pit in the center of a large cornfield, with stalks remaining. This morning we were manning the pit: Jon, son Austin, and Tim Mazol (also a Sea Ya Bea veteran) were on station in one of the blinds on the creek. We would also be joined in the pit by Travis, who I had never met before, and who turned out to be a great guy and outdoorsman, fun and knowledgeable at the same time--and an expert goose caller.

From the truck Dan shuttled Andrew, me, and the gear to the pit using his new 4-wheel toy (sorry, piece of essential equipment). We found the 30+ decoys snow-covered, and so spent time brush-cleaning and re-arranging the artificial flock (positioned face-first into the wind). Dan then instructed Andrew in firing a 12-gauge shotgun--the first time he would do this, or, to be more explicit, fire any gun above a 22 calibre. Dan set an empty cardboard coffee cup on a cornstalk at 20 paces and showed him how to site down the barrel. Andrew fired once: a hit. He fired twice: a second hit. That was that: ready to go.

We next entered the pit--perhaps 15 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, and took our positions. Tied bundles of corn stalks were positioned overhead to serve as a roof, through which we would emerge--like jack-in-the-boxes--to fire at unsuspecting geese, assuming we could entice them into our field ad directly in front of us, within range.

As it turned out, the early snow had grounded the geese; when they started to fly, the activity centered in the field next to ours; it appeared that this would not be our day. That said, Travis worked the call constantly and we ended up attracting a small grouping, perhaps 10-15 birds. Dan, Andrew, and Travis stood up, got their bearings, choose their birds and fired. We got four, one of which was scored by Andrew.

By noon we were done and packing things up. It was one of the best mornings I'll ever have. Hunting with my son. His first experience with a bird gun, and exposure to the sport and the men who practice and carry on this way of living. Come on, does it get better?

As usual, Dan was a great host. Showing me, once again, something very special, passed down through families and friends, in the great outdoors. Andrew absolutely loved it--everything about it: the gear, the weapons, the surroundings, the companions, the pit conversation, and the kill. He wants to come back and "get really into it." We'll have to make this happen.

Dan begins instruction with Andrew

The young man takes it all in

Ready, aim, fire....for the first time

In the pit--Andrew peers upward

Travis and his caller

Andrew and Dan discussing Greek philosophers

Andrew and his first goose

Retrieving kills from the field

Student, instructor, morning's bag, pit

The two Fields

The essential piece of hunting gear--how cool!

(Thanks Dan--great time, man)

Buddy Davis, Boatbuilder and Pioneer, Dies at 62 Years

2011-01-21T16:14:00.006-05:00

By Jim Field

A new fishing friend sent this notice to me. Thought that everyone who loves sportfishing--and the beautiful craft that ply the waters as an integral part of the pursuit--would want to know the news.

Kill Devil Hills Forum
Forums and message boards for Kill Devil Hills, NC.

A Part of Outer Banks Tradition Passes Away
by Kip Tabb on January 17, 2011

Buddy Davis died last night at age 62. With him, a small piece of Outer Banks tradition passed away as well.

Buddy built boats. He, of course, was successful at other things—raised two children and two stepchildren, at one time probably had 200 people employed—but ultimately he will be remembered for that one thing he did as well anyone else in the world. He built boats.

Boatbuilding on the Outer Banks has a long history, from the simple skiffs and fishing boats that plied the inland waters of the North Carolina sounds to the Carolina flare sport fishing boats that have come to define the look of the Outer Banks fishing fleet. With their sharp keel and flared hull, these are boats created for the strong currents of Oregon Inlet and rolling seas of the Gulf Stream. And it was with this design that Buddy made his name.

He started building his first boats in 1973, but by that time he already had a full career on the water. At 13 he was a mate on fishing boats, and he spent a number of years working for Omie Tillet and Warren O’Neal—the godfathers of the Carolina design.

Buddy Davis 28' center console design.
At first, Buddy crafted his boats from the same materials and in the same way that his mentors had, but over time he began to look for new materials and new ways to do things. “He was always trying to do it better,” Barbara Davis, his former wife says. “At first they were wooden hulls. Then he started using fiberglass. His designs were a collaboration with (marine architect) Donald Blount.”

“He was using modern technology to make those traditional designs better,” she adds.

Over the years, Buddy Davis Boatworks took a number of different forms—as an independent company, a partnership, subsidiary and ultimately his designs became a part of a New Jersey boatbuilding company. Davis-designed boats are no longer built on the Outer Banks.

Buddy Davis 48' Express.
Yet it is not for the boats that he will be remembered, although Buddy Davis creations carry a grace, beauty and craftsmanship rare in today’s world, for our physical constructs leave an impermanent mark. It is in the building upon tradition and legacy that our story has meaning, and it is in that tale that the meaning of Buddy Davis’ life will be found.

Buddy, You have crossed the bar for the last time ol friend. God bless the family and especially Barbara, His most devoted companion and wife.

Washington State: Alderbrook, Bremerton, Puget Sound, Seattle, Pike Place Fish Market. Part II

2010-12-26T22:00:00.001-05:00

By Jim Field

After departing the ferry (see post immediately below, Part I), I drove to Pike Place Market to eat lunch at a favorite place and walk through the long line of vendor/product stalls--which include the famous fish stalls. If you've never been to this market, you MUST go--it's one of the most remarkable places on earth, particularly if you like to look at and eat seafood. But first things first: I was famished and headed straight for the Market Grill, a hole-in-the-wall joint, right off the main walkway, where I visit/eat every time I travel to Seattle, no exceptions. What this place offers is uncomplicated: grilled wild salmon, halibut, shrimp, or chicken, presented as a platter or sandwich; clam chowder; and a beverage of choice. I typically order the chowder, a salmon platter, which comes with rice, diced tomatoes, and garlic bread, and then a side order of the grilled halibut. Given that the fish is fresh, one can imagine how good their food is--simply delicious. After eating a ton, I walked to the fish stalls and photographed the incredible variety of fish, shellfish, and other goodies from the sea that are offered--at prices about half of what we pay on the East Coast. Notably, other vendors sell exquisite fruits, vegetables, flowers, and then a vast assortment of other beautiful things, such as local honey, carved wooden objectives, jewelry, pottery, knitted clothing, etc. If only this place was right down my street...

One of my favorite places to eat, anywhere

The owner and chef (never seen anyone else grilling in 10+ years)

Part of my lunch order: the grilled wild salmon platter

Alaskan wild sockeye salmon and halibut fillets

Dungeness crabs lined up all in a row

Next up: king crab legs

Whole Alaskan halibut in ice chips

Wild salmon waiting patiently for a buyer

A view of the meat

Smoked salmon of every type, also jerky (I sampled a lot of this)

Fruit and vegetables...as far as one can see

Unbelievably beautiful (and edible) chili ornaments

You can't imagine the abundance of gorgeous flowers

Flowers, and more flowers...

Washington State: Alderbrook, Bremerton, Puget Sound, Seattle, Pike Place Fish Market. Part I

2010-12-25T15:20:00.000-05:00

By Jim Field

In early November (11-12 to be exact) I traveled to Washington State to work with the Providence Healthcare System and, specifically, give a presentation on health care reform to the boards of directors of a half-dozen of their hospitals located mostly in the southern half of the state. The retreat was held at the Alderbrook Resort and Spa--a beautiful and somewhat isolated place located on a southern branch of the Hood Canal, southwest of Seattle and across Puget Sound. My flight landed at SEATAC around 9:00 pm and I drove about 2 hours in the dark to reach Alderbrook. Once I had traveled to within one hour of the resort, I passed only two cars the rest of the way--so we're talking boonies. About 11:00 am the next day, having finished with my duties, I decided to take the scenic route back to Seattle, given that I was taking the Red Eye home, which didn't depart until 10:30 pm that evening.

My plan was to drive to Bremerton, WA and then board a ferry for Seattle for a ride across Puget Sound. I wanted to see Bremerton--having never been there before--because it is a major homeport for Pacific Coast submarines, and being a former boat sailor, I am always on the lookout to gaze at these machines and see what the various naval bases looks like. The surrounding country is spectacular: pine forests, blue water, and snow-topped mountains. (The photo at top shows a Trident-class nuclear fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) transiting somewhere in Puget Sound.) Driving around the base on the way to the ferry, I was able to spot a few submarines along the pier, only their small black sails barely visible.

One section of Alderbrook Resort, with early morning rain and fog

Map showing Puget Sound's labyrinth of water, islands, channels

My timing was perfect: the ferry to Seattle loaded and departed only minutes after I had arrived and purchased my ticket. The sun appeared and burned the fog away, and a beautiful yet chilly day emerged. The ferry transit to Seattle took about an hour. The passage through a series of relatively narrow channels was absolutely beautiful--again, the 360 degree view of wilderness, water, mountains, etc.

Incredibly, we rounded one point of land, and there, off in the distance, appeared the Seattle skyline, looking every bit like the Emerald City. We tied up at the downtown piers, right next to the pier where we moored back in 1977, when I visited Seattle as a crew member on the USS Blueback (SS-581).

Departing the ferry, I drove up the hill to visit Pike Place Market, the subject of my next posting.

Onboard the ferry Kitsap

Bremerton US Naval Base and shipyard

Transiting down a channel in Puget Sound

Simply stunning scenery in every direction

A sister ferry headed to Bremerton

A first glimpse of downtown Seattle in the far distance

An impressive skyline perched right on the water

Red Snapper Fishing Banned Off North Carolina--An Extention of Restrictions

2010-12-22T11:21:00.004-05:00

By Jim Field

NOAA recently issued an extended ban on red snapper fishing off of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the Atlantic coast of Florida. Next time we bottom fish in Hatteras, we need to ensure we can identify reds from the other snapper species we routinely encounter. Don't want to get in trouble with The Law.

Here's the announcement:

Southeast--NOAA Extends Fishing Ban for South Atlantic Red Snapper; Area Closure to Prevent Snapper Bycatch Temporarily Delayed

In order to protect the red snapper population in the South Atlantic, NOAA Fisheries Service will extend the ban of commercial and recreational fishing for the red snapper in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic coast of Florida. This prohibition takes effect December 3, replacing a temporary fishing prohibition due to expire December 5. The final rule authorizing the action recently filed in the Federal Register.

The final rule also includes an area closure off southern Georgia and northeastern Florida, which would prohibit commercial and recreational fishing for snappers, groupers, and some other bottomfish species to reduce bycatch of red snapper. However, this area closure will be delayed until June 1 to allow time to consider the results of a new scientific assessment that the red snapper population may be in better condition than was previously estimated. (The assessment was completed after the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council submitted its request for NOAA’s Fisheries Service to implement the final rule. By delaying the area closure, the agency is providing additional time for the council to review the new scientific assessment and reconsider the area closure.)

The final rule also requires fishermen to use non-stainless steel circle hooks, which can reduce hook-related injuries, when fishing for snapper-grouper species with natural bait in federal waters north of the 28 degrees north latitude. The circle hook requirement becomes effective March 3. For more information, please see Fishery Bulletin.

Striper Fact Sheet--Things We Should All Know

2010-12-21T17:09:00.006-05:00

By Jim Field

I have been doing a bit of research on stripers for an ongoing project; thought I'd share the fact sheet I put together. What points of learning, you might ask, did I find particularly interesting? Well, the fact that the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are the primary spawning and nursery area for 70-90% of the Atlantic coast stocks. That the largest striped bass ever caught was a 125 pound female landed on the North Carolina coast in 1891. That the largest Maryland record fish was 67 pounds, 8 ounces. And the oldest fish ever caught was 31 years of age. Hope you benefit from reading the other bits of information.

Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
aka Rockfish, Rock, Striper

•Striped bass is a silvery fish that gets its name from the seven or eight dark, continuous stripes along the side of its body.
•Striped bass can grow as long as 60 inches.
•The largest recorded striped bass was a 125 pound female caught on the North Carolina coast in 1891.
•The current Maryland Chesapeake Bay record striped bass is 67 lbs., 8 oz.
•The oldest ever recorded was 31 years of age.

Distribution
•On the Atlantic coast, striped bass range from St. Lawrence River, Canada to St. Johns River, Florida, although they are most prevalent from Maine to North Carolina.
•Striped bass tend to move north to nearshore waters of the New England coast during the summer, and south to the North Carolina/Virginia Capes during the winter.
•The east coast migratory population is composed of three major stocks - Hudson, Chesapeake, and Roanoke.
•The Chesapeake stock:
o The striped bass stock within Chesapeake Bay is composed of pre-migratory fish, primarily ages 10 and younger, and coastal migratory striped bass range in age from age 2 to more than age 30.
o Mature resident and migratory striped bass move into tidal freshwater in early spring to spawn.
o After spawning, migratory fish return to the coast.
o Most spend the summer and early fall months in middle New England near-shore waters.
o During the late fall and early winter, coastal striped bass migrate south to winter off the North Carolina/Virginia Capes.

Food Preference
•Larvae feed on zooplankton.
•Juveniles take in small shrimps and other crustaceans, annelid worms, and insects.
•Adults feed on a wide variety of fishes, crustaceans, squids, mussels, and worms.
•Feeding ceases shortly before spawning.

Spawning
•Female striped bass can mature as early as age 4; however, it takes several years (age 8 or older) for spawning females to reach full productivity.
•Males can mature as early as age 2.
•Once a mature female deposits her eggs, they are fertilized by milt ejected from a mature male.
•Spawning is triggered by an increase in water temperature and generally occurs in April, May and early June in Chesapeake Bay.
•The fertilized eggs drift downstream with currents and eventually hatch into larvae within 2 to 3 days.
•The larvae begin feeding on microscopic animals during their downstream journey.
•After their arrival in the nursery areas, located in tidal reaches of the spawning rivers, they mature into juveniles.
•They usually remain in Chesapeake Bay for two to five years, and then migrate to the Atlantic Ocean.
•With warming water temperatures in the spring, mature fish start their spawning runs in freshwater rivers and streams to complete their life cycle.
•Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are the primary spawning and nursery area for 70-90% of the Atlantic coast stocks of striped bass.
•Other important spawning areas include the Hudson River in New York and rivers along the North Carolina coast.

Other Facts
•Striped bass (Rock Fish) is Maryland's official state fish.
•This is Maryland's most important commercial and recreational fish species.
•The Atlantic striped bass management program has enjoyed successes like no other. In a little more than 15 years, the resource has rebuilt from a historic low of about 20 million pounds to an historic high of 160 million pounds.
•Striped bass were so plentiful at one time, they were used to fertilize fields.

Bluefin Tuna Retention Limits--Updated Regulations for 2011

2010-12-20T15:32:00.006-05:00

By Jim Field

NOAA has issued catch quotas for bluefin tuna going into 2011. I've reproduced the official news release below, but the two key point of learning are as follows:

1) For commercial fishermen, using the General or Charter/Headboat category licenses, from January 1 to January 31, 2011, the allowable limit is 2 large medium or giant tuna per vessel, per day trip. This is reduced from the current number of 3 through January 31, 2010.

2) For recreational fishermen, using the Angling category license, the current limit of 1 fish, measuring 27 to less than 73 inches, remains in effect.

Here's the notice:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adjusts the General category daily Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit to two large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip effective January 1 through January 31, 2011. The default daily retention limit that otherwise would take effect for this category on January 1, 2011 is one BFT.

NMFS takes this action after consideration ofthe regulatory determination criteria at § 63S.27(a)(8) regarding inseason adjustments. Through December 31, 2010, the current retention limit of three large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip remains in effect.

The General category daily retention limit applies to vessels permitted in the Atlantic tunas General category and the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Head boat category while fishing commercially. This limit is effective for all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, which is designated spawning grounds for BFT and where NMFS does not allow targeted BFT fishing.

Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, the daily retention limit applies upon landing. For example, whether a vessel fishing under the General category limit takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day, the daily limit of two fish may not be exceeded upon landing.

NMFS reminds BFT anglers that the default Angling category retention limit of one school, large school, or small medium BFT (measuring 27 to less than 73 inches) will apply effective January 1,2011, and remain in effect, unless and until changed. The Angling category daily retention limit applies to vessels permitted in the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category while fishing recreational.

Oceanic Glossary: Dolphin

2010-12-20T08:04:00.009-05:00

Dolphin: marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin, varying in size from 4 ft/90 lb (Maui's Dolphin) up to 30 ft/10 tons (the Orca or Killer Whale). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacean order. Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals and their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them popular in human culture. The word dolphin is used in a few different ways. It can mean:

- Any member of the family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins)
- Any member of the families Delphinidae and Platanistoidea (oceanic and river dolphins)
- Any member of the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales; these include the above families and some others)
- Used casually as a synonym for Bottlenose Dolphin, the most common and familiar species of dolphin.

Orcas and some closely related species belong to the Delphinidae family and therefore qualify as dolphins, even though they are called whales in common language. A group of dolphins is called a "school" or a "pod". Male dolphins are called "bulls", females "cows" and young dolphins are called "calves"

The following creatures comprise the Family Delphinidae, or oceanic dolphins:

(Note: genus is defined as (1) a category of related organisms usually including several species (2) a class or kind with common attributes.)

- Genus Delphinus
Long-Beaked Common Dolphin
Short-Beaked Common Dolphin

- Genus Tursiops
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

- Genus Lissodelphis
Northern Rightwhale Dolphin
Southern Rightwhale Dolphin

- Genus Sotalia Tucuxi
Costero

- Genus Sousa
Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphin
Chinese White Dolphin (the Chinese variant)
Atlantic Humpbacked Dolphin

- Genus Stenella
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
Clymene Dolphin
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Spinner Dolphin
Striped Dolphin

- Genus Steno
Rough-Toothed Dolphin

- Genus Cephalorhynchus
Chilean Dolphin
Commerson's Dolphin
Heaviside's Dolphin
Hector's Dolphin

- Genus Grampus
Risso's Dolphin

- Genus Lagenodelphis
Fraser's Dolphin

- Genus Lagenorhynchus
Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin
Dusky Dolphin
Hourglass Dolphin
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Peale's Dolphin
White-Beaked Dolphin

- Genus Orcaella
Australian Snubfin Dolphin
Irrawaddy Dolphin

- Genus Peponocephala
Melon-headed Whale

- Genus Orcinus
Killer Whale (Orca)

- Genus Feresa
Pygmy Killer Whale

- Genus Pseudorca
False Killer Whale

- Genus Globicephala
Long-finned Pilot Whale
Short-finned Pilot Whale

Common dolphin

Spotted dolphin

Bottlenose dolphin

Killer whales (Orcas)

Blackfin Tuna--The Way It's Meant to be Served

2010-12-16T15:55:00.004-05:00

By Jim Field

My good friend and work colleague, Paul Matsui, is a specialist in tuna consumption and sushi/sashimi in general. When I bring home tuna I routinely send some Paul's way, and I know he has enjoyed eating his way through the species--big eye, yellowfin, bluefin, and now blackfin. (Note: big eye was definitely his favorite.) Here's the picture Paul sent me of his table presentation with our latest blackfin catch front-and-center.

Epic Tuna Trip: Jigging for Blackfins on the 230 Rocks. Only Possible in Hatteras

2010-12-12T09:19:00.019-05:00

By Jim Field

This past Friday, December 10, we had one of those rare days fishing that is guaranteed to remain vivid in each of our memories for the remainder of our (cognitive) lives. Setting out from home for the long road trip to Hatteras Village; casting off lines at the pier; transiting to the chosen fishing grounds; putting first baits in the water--one has no idea what's going to happen on that particular day. The way it works is that you place a bet to get in the game--carve out time and devote some money to the venture--but with no idea of the expected payout or the odds for or against. Some days the fishing God has no mercy, and relegates the crew to the skunk or slim pickings. On other days--oh thank his Esteemed Holiness!--the fishing God looks kindly on a select group of lowly subjects and grands them a day of unlimited happiness and glory. Importantly, the fishing God requires all subjects (except really, really good charter Captains) to put in many, many days of unrewarded fishing in return for a single day in the sunshine. And let me tell you--on days when you've been handed the "black spot," it's a bleak, miserable, dreary existence. (Note: even a bad day of fishing, of course, is better than a good day in the office, but you get the point.) Conversely, when you're finally handed a "golden pass" on an outing, it's absolutely grand, and fishing becomes elevated to an unmatchable experience to cherish and take with you forever. And we had just this kind of special day on the water, as shown by the photos below.

We departed Teach's marina, after fueling the boat, at around 7:00 am, and set course, once clear of the inlet, for the 200 (Loran) line. The plan was to troll for tuna--blackfin and/or yellowfin and/or bluefin--heading NE up the 50-100 fathom lines. The forecast called for 2-4 foot seas and we encountered every bit of this. On the transit out (about 17 miles), we heard/monitored radio traffic from two boats already fishing in the same location: the Big Tahuna (Captain Scott)and Native Son (Captain DM). We learned that they were on the tuna and up around the 230 Rocks. Upon arrival at the 200 line, we shut down and trolled North without any bites. Closing the other two boats, we observed that they were vertical jigging--and in fact had not even deployed their outriggers. We shifted strategies, came off the troll, and committed to the vertical jig. Within an hour we landed 4 nice blackfins. So a good day already without too much work.

Credit here goes to Dan, once again, for finding the fish--his particular specialty. He figured out how to locate pods of tuna on the fishfinder, and drove the boat on top of them, backing the boat down while we plunged our lures into the water, placing them at various depths where we identified the fish to be on the scanner.

In this Phase 1 of fishing this day on the 230 Rocks, the seas were a page from National Geographic--birds working everywhere, porpoises circling, tunas shoaling, mackeral doing 360 degree flips out of the water. The water depth was between 280-295feet; the water color went from deep blue to green; and incredibly, the water temperature was 63 degrees--by our experience, what we presumed was far too cold to find tuna in. (Big point of learning for us.) After some time, a large rain front blew through after we had the 4 tuna onboard and, with its passage, the sea became a virtual desert--nothing around. Literally, everything disappeared. Being the persistent lads that we are, we kept searching a 2x2 mile area, and by 12:00 pm we had located the blackfins again.

In Phase II, gray clouds gave way to sun, the air warmed up so that we stripped down to shirts alone, and the water was covered with fish oil slicks in every direction. We then proceeded to catch another 12 tuna, bringing our total to 16. Had we more time, we could have caught double the number--it was limitless fishing: no restrictions on blackfins, lots of them, and perfect fishing conditions.

We picked up around 2:45 pm and motored home, pulling into the slip with a comfortable cushion on dusk. As the sun worked its way closer to the horizon, the air temperature dropped steadily. Nothing like cleaning boats in cold weather! We then packed the vehicles and drove home, arriving safely around 1:00 am.

The general consensus--at least between Dan and I--is that this was perhaps one of the best tuna trips we've taken together, vertical jigging being a fantastic fishing method and experience, far superior to trolling and chunking, given that its all up to the fisherman in question in bringing the fish onboard: dropping the lure, one's jigging technique to attract the fish, and then ability to bring it alongside.

We may never duplicate the day that we had. Then again, we've lived it and put it in the bank. So we now get to formally "check off" on our list of fishing to-do's jigging for blackfins on the 230 Rocks. Notably, we had first learned about the Big Tahuna doing this 3 winters ago--and we were energized and mesmerized by the idea of doing it and mastering it ourselves. Well, consider it done.

Sunrise, Friday morning, Teach's Lair Marina

Fueling up the Sea Ya Bea, breaking out the gear

Dan on the hunt--locating pods of blackfin tuna

Bob works on a rig, framed by Mother Nature

Bob and a beautiful blackfin

Captain Jim contributes to the cause

Results of large shark eating blackfin we were reeling alongside the boat. Chomp!

Dan hoists one of his many catches

Jon takes a breather from the action

Dan shows off the packed coffin cooler

The results of the day displayed on the pier

Jim and Dan and a beautiful setting

Doing surgery on a blackfin

Divide the lot by four, please

Potential World Record Yellowfin Tuna Landed in San Diego

2010-12-07T15:26:00.008-05:00

By Jim Field

Here's an interesting piece that appeared today on the Marlin Magazine website. Must be an incredible experience to be trolling a sardine using a Penn 30 and 9/0 hook (shown at left) and attach oneself to such a monster--and then actually bring it onboard. Surely not good to eat, but an excellent trophy. Here's the story:

Angler Mike Livingston brought a 405.2-pound yellowfin tuna to the dock Monday [December 6] in San Diego that could qualify as a new world record. The existing record-holder is a 388-pounder caught in Mexico in 1977. The fish was caught west of Magdalena Bay aboard the long-range charter Vagabond on November 30 and cheers went up as it was weighed on Point Loma Sportfishing's certified scales almost a week later. Livingston was fishing with Capt. Mike Lackey.

"I got him on a sardine," Livinsgtson told Bill Roecker of Fishingvideos.com, "and a 9/0 Owner Super Mutu hook. I used 100-pound Soft Steel Ultra line and 100-pound Power Pro Spectra on my Penn 30 reel, which was a gift from a buddy and was blueprinted by Cal Sheets. I custom-wrapped the rod myself, It's a five and a half-footer, a no-name. After all those years, since 1974, I've been out fishing on many boats, and I get this one on a no-name rod! My best one before was about a 100-pounder."

Oregon Inlet Charter. I Missed the Boat: A "Black Moment" for Me. For the Guys: White Marlin

2010-11-18T08:57:00.001-05:00

By Jim Field

On Saturday, September 25, a group of fishing buddies chartered the Salt Weapon out of Pirate's Cove Marina in Manteo, NC to fish the waters Northeast of Oregon Inlet. Their targeted catch (and release): white marlin. I was signed up to go, but on the preceding Thursday was informed that I had to cover a hospital board retreat for a sick work colleague--here's the rub, the hospital being in Northern California and the retreat being held on that Saturday. Upon learning I would miss the trip, I freely admit going into a mental tailspin--heck, I had only waited months to do this. In fact, the whole idea of our group of boat owners/seasoned fishermen taking this trip was to observe what the pros do and learn from them, so as to ratchet up our own techniques. At a minimum, we'd find out by first hand observation that we're brilliant and have the benchmarking to prove it. But it wasn't to be--at least for me.

However, Dan and Wawa Bob--as in Bob Ficoturo, Captain of Freespool out of Indian River, DE--and the rest of the group apparently has a great trip, successful in the pursuit of white marlin and useful tips on fishing/boat handling techniques. The weather wasn't calm and increased across the day, and while it didn't present a challenge for Salt Weapon, it nevertheless impacted their ride, even in this size of boat.

Bob, it must be noted, generously covered my portion of the charter fee. Including tip, this would have to come to around $400, I presume. While recognizing his goodwill, I intend to compensate Bob for my full share when I see him next. (Good fishermen don't make upstanding guys pay for their calendar misfortunes.) But thanks anyway, Bob. Truly appreciated.

Pictures and details below.

A Salt Weapon
CAPT. DENNIS ENDEE has over 20 years of offshore fishing experience, fishing NC waters the past 15 years and winter fishing in Mexico. He takes you where the Big Fish are! A SALT WEAPON is a 54’ PAUL MANN Custom Carolina Sportsfisher AS FEATURED ON ESPN AND OLN (now versus). Total remodel in 2007. Boat equipped for comfort cruising at 30 knots and a true all weather fishing machine!

Dan with the stick (perhaps dealing with equipment malfunction?)

Beautiful shot of "fish on"

All but the tail out of the water. A majestic animal--truly

Bluefin Tuna Painting Sets New Auction Record

2010-11-13T09:10:00.005-05:00

“Bluefin at Ballyhoo – 1979” by Stanley Meltzoff, oil on panel (24”x34”).

By Jim Field
I came across this article on the internet and read it with interest. I love paintings related to the ocean--typically, by my experience, depictions of ships from the age of sail and of the ocean itself, more often than not large swells on the open sea, rough water, or waves crashing on a rocky shore.

I myself have started to collect oil paintings of pelagic fish by a native artist of Hatteras Island, something I'll write about later on.

Today's painting of bluefin tuna is, indeed, gorgeous. The artist, Stanley Meltzoff, unknown to 99.99999999% of Americans, is nevertheless respected and famous in his own small world of collectors. Here's how the auction played out--the market assigning a value of $32,000 to his bluefin tuna depiction.

(Take note: if I had big bucks, I would have placed the winning bid--no doubt about it.)

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming, USA, October 4, 2010 --- Four exquisite game fish paintings by premier artist Stanley Meltzoff (1917-2006) all set unexpected records at the recent Jackson Hole Art Auction.

Most noteworthy was "Bluefin at Ballyhoo--1979," a picture done by Meltzoff in 1979 that sold for nearly $32,000. This figure was almost ten times the pre-sale estimate and reflects a surging interest in this artist’s extraordinary work. Another Meltzoff painting titled "White Marlin--1986" sold for more than $21,000, or four times the pre-sale estimate. These results were especially noteworthy in that the annual Jackson Hole auction is primarily a vehicle for western art and rarely deals in other genres.

Meltzoff was the first and remains indisputably the finest saltwater game fish painter of all time. Born in New York, his early career included a classical education in the arts followed by four years as a correspondent for The Stars and Stripes army newspaper during WWII. Upon returning stateside in 1945, he taught at the prestigious Pratt Institute before establishing himself as a leading commercial artist and illustrator.

Beginning with a commission from Sports Illustrated in 1960, he turned to painting game fish almost exclusively during the latter part of his career, ultimately completing more than 350 canvasses. Today Meltzoff originals hang in museums and private collections around the world. Widely honored throughout his life, Meltzoff’s death in 2006 stilled a brush that will never be equaled.

In 2009, a book on Meltzoff’s life and work was published by Silverfish Press, and a few of his originally signed and numbered lithographs still remain available. For more information, visit www.silverfishpress.com.

Sunset at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center

2010-11-03T21:44:00.003-04:00

By Jim Field

On my way North from Hatteras Village on Monday, I stopped by Oregon Inlet to take some pictures of the charters at sunset. Very peaceful. Very quiet. Very deserted. Very beautiful. Certainly a different world from the one I inhabit every day. Would like to hang out here on the Sea Ya Bea, with fishing buds, for a spell trolling and jigging offshore.

The Gulf Stream. Stunning Sea Surface Temperature Depiction

2010-11-02T17:47:00.006-04:00

By Jim Field

I pulled this stunning sea surface temperature (SST) chart from an internet site of Atlantic Ocean currents. It highlights the warm Gulf Stream in blood red, flowing Northeast tight alongside the North Carolina coast and curling, serpent-like, into the central North Atlantic. It's a fascinating graphic, bringing to the fore the power and majesty of this deep blue highway carrying neutrients and pelagic fish across our part of the globe. It also makes obvious why Hatteras Island is the mecca of sportfishing on the Eastern seaboard--the warm waters and trophy fish located just a brief transit from shore. Alternatively, more Northern states--Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey--are set back a ways from this beautiful water and its bounty, making deep sea fishing all that more difficult.

The scientific langauge accompanying the chart is reproduced below:

I. SST Images
Data used to construct these images is measured from a satellite instrument known as a radiometer. The instrument measures the amount of radiation emitted from the surface of the ocean which is directly related to the surface temperature. Each temperature is then assigned a different color and an image of SST is produced.

The data used to construct the image was obtained with an AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) sensor carried on a NOAA satellite. On this image, and all SST images in the Gulf Stream Tutorial, purple and blue represent the coldest temperatures (between 0-15 °C) and orange and red represent the warmest temperatures (between 22-32 °C). The Gulf Stream is easily visible on these images as the warmest water on the image.

Flounder Gigging--Dan Johnson Lands a Behemoth. Watch an Instructional Video

2010-11-02T10:12:00.006-04:00

By Jim Field
I traveled down to Hatteras this past Monday to perform maintenance on the boat. Specifically: placed a new canvas cover on the tuna tower's instrument panel (fit like a glove) and bolted new transom cushions in the cockpit. Also ran the generator, main engines, and navigational equipment. It was a windy (20-25 knots steady) and sunny day, so tee shirt and blue jeans. Dan Johnson (of Midgett Realty) stopped by to show me some properties. He shared with me that he had been out flounder gigging that morning--around 2:00 am--and they had caught a box of large fish. The chosen spot was in the Sound, right behind the sand island visible from Teach's Marina--so a 5 minute boat ride from the Sea Ya Bea's slip. He used an underwater light source on a pole and a gig, or 3-pronged (trident) spear on a second pole. His largest specimen, shown below, weighed in at 13.1 pounds and measured 13 inches long. Note the size of its mouth--Dan said his foot could easy slip inside. Again, he had as many as he wished to take (i.e., his limit). Simply one of the benefits of living in Hatteras.

Dan in the dark morning hours with his largest flounder

Same fish indoors, with one of his twin daughters

To view an instructional video on flounder gigging, click here.

Wire Rig for Catching Wahoo. Photos for Jon. Example Courtesy of Peter Wann

2010-10-06T21:25:00.006-04:00

By Jim Field

This summer Peter Wann (photo at left on the Sea Ya Bea off Hatteras) loaned me a wahoo rig from his tackle box so that I could reverse-engineer (i.e., copy) it. Sad to say, but up to this point in time (5 years deep sea fishing), I couldn't claim knowledge of how to build a genuine wire rig, and thus didn't have one onboard for routine use in catching wahoo--unquestionably my favorite pelagic fish to eat. So while on vacation, I spent an afternoon preparing four rigs for the Sea Ya Bea, one of which was immediately--and successfully--deployed in landing a wahoo on a trip with Dan. Note to readers: mission accomplished!

Peter has mated on a number of charter boats out of Hatteras Village, and he knows his stuff; accordingly, his rig is "tried and true" and should be treated with the appropriate respect due gear known to work and get the job done. As the photos below demonstrate, the rig is simple yet elegant--100% functionality with no frills attached. Jon: hope it brings you good luck too, my friend.

Materials:
- #7 forged steel J hook (may prefer stainless)
- #9 or #10 wire, 30-50 foot section (depends upon desired length of leader)
- lead egg weight of choice
- bally rigging wire or spring
- skirt of choice (black/red for wahoo typically preferred)

Steps: (refer to photos below)
(1) pass bitter end of wire through eye of hook and double back
(2) make haywire twist approximately 2-3 inches in length, as determined by desired span between eye of hook and wire rigging post for passing through bally's beak
(3) slide egg weight onto other end of wire and down over haywire twist to point of desired distance from hook's eye
(4) make 3-4 tight circular twists with wire
(5) position wire to point "north" relative to J hook
(6) clip off wire end to create rigging post of desired length
(7) slide rigging spring down other end of wire, tapered cone pointing away from hook
(8) or attach rigging wire through eye of egg weight with twist
(9) slide skirt down wire in correct trolling direction
(10) make haywire twist in bitter end of leader

Steve Wann (Peter's dad) with 20 pound wahoo caught on photographed rig, last week of July 2010, on the Sea Ya Bea, inside the Rockpile, Hatteras

Dan with wahoo caught on copied rig made by Jim, first week of August 2010, on the Sea Ya Bea, southwest of Rockpile, Hatteras

Oceanic Glossary: Pelagic

2010-10-05T21:59:00.006-04:00

Pelagic: (1) Pertaining to the part of the open sea or ocean comprising the water column, i.e., all of the sea other than that near the coast or the ocean floor (2) Any water in the sea that is not close to the bottom or near to the shore is in the pelagic zone. The word pelagic comes from the Greek πέλαγος or pélagos, which means "open sea." The pelagic zone can be thought of in terms of an imaginary cylinder or water column that goes from the surface of the sea almost to the bottom (3) Pelagic fish live in the water column of coastal, ocean and lake waters, but not on the bottom of the sea or the lake. They can be contrasted with demersal fish, which do live on or near the bottom, and reef fish which are associated with coral reefs.

Wave Heights Increasing Over Time. A New Book Looks at Giant Waves

2010-10-04T20:32:00.007-04:00

By Jim Field

A new book on giant waves is stocked and waiting on the shelf of a bookstore near you. It reports on the phenomenon of giant waves, aggregating stories and information about their existence--as it turns out, the little hard information that exists on these monsters, despite common knowledge among seamen of their power and peril. Notably, the book offers data showing that wave heights are increasing over time--a stunning 25% from 1960 to 1990--with many scientists expecting this trend to continue in the future given global warming and its impact on sea and weather patterns.

What does this mean for us--the weekend sportfishermen? Well, maybe that we should really enjoy and, indeed, even savor (like a good wine), those infrequent days when the sea is calm and there's little current--particularly when we're hoping, and actually able, to bottom fish. Seems like we're headed for fewer of these special days ahead.

Here's a passage from the book review that appeared in the NYTimes this past Sunday.

THE WAVE
In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean
By Susan Casey
Illustrated. 326 pp. Doubleday

She [author Casey] pushes the scientists on the big question: Will global warming lead to stormier oceans and bigger waves? With varying degrees of hesitation — because the data is not in to confirm a long-term trend, not because they are global - warming deniers — the answer is a resounding yes. (Though, as one attendee pointed out, “you’re not going to be able to prove it until it’s too late.”)

Scientists do know, however, that average wave heights rose by more than 25 percent between the 1960s and the 1990s, and insurance records document a 10 percent surge in maritime disasters in recent years. From 1990 to 1998 alone 126 vessels were lost, along with more than 600 lives.

The future most likely portends meaner hurricanes, freakier waves, higher ocean levels and dramatic geologic events that will create devastating tsunamis. Given that 60 percent of the world’s population lives within 30 miles of a coastline, wave science is suddenly vital science, and the experts are keenly aware that there are levees, oil rigs, shorelines, ships and millions of lives at stake.

First Day of Fall: Break Out the Jeans, Rubber Boots, and Sweatshirts

2010-09-23T13:38:00.004-04:00

By Jim Field

Today is the first day of fall, technically referred to as the autumnal equinox, where the sun is directly above the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal. The autumnal equinox occurred early this morning at 3:09 UTC, Coordinated Universal Time. But here in the U.S., the equinox occurred last night, at 11:09 on the East Coast. From this point in time, the sun will move south, distancing itself from the northern hemisphere and causing temperatures to turn colder. We call this winter. In reality, of course, the sun remains static, with the earth tilting on its axis (referred to as "inclination"). Eventually the sun moves north again, giving us hope for the summer ahead.

The good news for today, of course, is that fishing in the fall is excellent. So bring it on!

Day Trip to Ocracoke Island: Just Another Day in Summer Paradise. No Running Aground This Year

2010-09-19T11:46:00.039-04:00

By Jim Field

One highlight of our summer stay in Hatteras Village was a day trip we took to Ocracoke Island, which is the next barrier island south of Hatteras Island and only accessible by ferry or personal watercraft. Our destination was Ocracoke Village, the only gathering of humans on this 16-mile ribbon of land, the remaining real estate preserved by the National Park Service as deserted beach and, on the Pamlico Sound side, pristine wet lands. Ocracoke Village, in turn, is located on the southern-most point of land, and organized around a circular harbor called Silver Lake, which offers a beautiful, protected oasis from wind and seas (see photo at left). It is this piece of geography that Blackbeard was known to inhabit.

Approaching Ocracoke from the ocean, one must navigate a rather lengthy, curvy, meandering, channel of extreme beauty, the juxtaposition of sky, white beach, and blue water being exquisite. The seaward shoal and shifting sands make things tricky for the occasional visitor. Once a good way up the channel, and approaching the breakwater, the signage can be especially tricky. Last summer, coming to Ocracoke for the first time--with Fran Jr., Christine, Meghan, and Jack Okoniewski--we put the bow of the Sea Ya Bea into the mud, requiring us to enter waist deep water and push her free, get back onboard and back her down our track, and follow the directions of an irate but ultimately helpful harbormaster. This year I recognized and followed the transitional markers and we entered the breakwater into Silver Lake without a problem. We tied up at the city peer and prepared ourselves for the short walk to lunch on the waterfront at the Jolly Roger (where we ate last year).

The boat's passenger list and landing party that day included:

- Diane, Ollie, Andrew, and Captain Jim Field
- Dina, Emma, Jake, Dan, and Fran Sr. Okoniewski, and
- Steve and Dylan Ebner

Lunch was as expected: lots of chatter, lots of food, hot air beneath fans, and looking out at a million dollar view of birds, boats, and harbor activity. On the way back to the boat, we stopped in at a few shops (e.g., bird decoys) and indulged in ice cream. By the time we cast lines from the pier, a stiff Southeast wind had arisen. The passage out to Ocracoke Inlet threw increasing spray on the bow, eventually forcing everyone back aft. The Inlet channel by this time was in a tempest, throwing considerable spray on cabin windows, the current requiring careful maneuvering to maintain the buoy line. The transit back to Hatteras Inlet was bumpy, causing a few folks (e.g., Diane) some discomfort, although everyone managed to "keep it together" until embraced by the calmer waters inside Hatteras Inlet.

Overall, we had a great day and adventure--for many, visiting Ocracoke Island for the first time. Next year, the plan is to visit Portsmouth Island, next in the chain of barrier islands south of Ocracoke.

Come aboard next year if you can. Can't wait!

Captain Jim (aka Dad) and Ollie at the helm

Dina and Diane chatting on the transit over, enjoying the calm seas

Fran Sr. and Emma kicking back, talking hair

Steve takes in the sun and watches the water

Surveying the inlet from the tuna tower, left to right, Dan, Jake, Andrew, Dylan

Motoring up the channel and approaching breakwater into Silver Lake

Passing abeam of Ocracoke Lighthouse

Through the breakwater, maneuvering in Silver Lake toward pier

Ferry terminal and peer, passed to port with our slip just to right

The Sea Ya Bea tied up at the community pier with Ocracoke Lighthouse in background

Dan strikes a pose and gets ready for walk into town and lunch

Speaking of lunch, here's the spot: Jolly Roger's on Silver Lake

The food is served and the group digs in, with Dan singing a pirate song

Diane listens while "working" on her meal

View from the table: pelicans on the pilings--love these majestic birds!

And to the left, a newly-arrived shrimper offloads its catch

Headed back to Hatteras, Dan in cockpit taking in last view of Silver Lake

Manning the tower for return transit--Andrew and Dylan

Ocracoke Island Lighthouse--Basic History and Facts to Know

2010-09-19T09:52:00.006-04:00

By Jim Field
This summer, while on vacation in Hatteras Village, the Fields, Ebners, and Okoniewskis took a day trip to Ocracoke Island on the Sea Ya Bea. The next blog posting will cover this outing. This morning I thought it appropriate, thematically and as a preface of sorts, to put together a short profile of Ocracoke's lighthouse, given its special history and prominence in the visual landscape of surf, sand, and sky that constitute this island barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound.

I found the content below on www.carolinalights.com. I've also supplemented the narrative with information from other lighthouse-oriented sources.

Quick Facts
- The existing Ocracoke Lighthouse was built in 1823
- It's the oldest North Carolina lighthouse still in continuous service
- It's the second oldest lighthouse in the U.S. in continuous service, Boston Light on Little Brewster Island was the first lighthouse built in the United States in 1716
- It be believed that an Indian village once existed at the site of the lighthouse
- It cost $11,359 to build

History
Ocracoke Island is a sixteen (16) mile long barrier island, located off North Carolina’s Outer Banks, made famous by Blackbeard the Pirate, who used Ocracoke Island as a hideout. In 1715, an act was passed to establish Ocracoke Island as a port to help improve trade and navigation around the coast. By 1730, more people began arriving on the Island, and with this increase in population, colonists decided they needed a lighthouse to help vessels maneuver the inlet.

There was debate about building the proposed lighthouse on Ocracoke Island itself, or on nearby Shell Castle Island, which at the time was located in Ocracoke Inlet. In the late 1700s, the North Carolina General Assembly passed an act to build Ocracoke Lighthouse, although construction was delayed when, in 1790, the federal government took control of all navigational aids away from state governments. Eventually, in 1798, Shell Castle Island Lighthouse was built, notably by the same man who constructed the first Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Shell Island Castle Lighthouse
Built: 1798
Type: Pyramid-shaped wooden tower covered with shingles, on a stone foundation.
Height: 64 feet
Status: Destroyed 1818
Lens: One large lamp with four wicks
History: Shell Castle Island lighthouse was made useless by shifting sandbars and channels, but it remained in operation until destroyed by lightning in August 1818. It was replaced by a lightship for a few years until Ocracoke Lighthouse was built in 1823. The builder of this lighthouse was Henry Dearborn, who also built the first Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

By the 1820s, Ocracoke Island had become a major shipping port. It was logical to once again consider putting a lighthouse on the island. Two acres near Silver Lake Harbor were purchased from Jacob Gaskill for $50. The lighthouse was approved for construction in 1822 and was built and lit by 1823. The new lighthouse only cost $11,359 to build, including a three-room keeper’s quarters.

The lighthouse structure stands 65 feet tall, and rises 75 feet above sea level. It was made of brick and plaster. At its base, the walls are five feet thick. It was originally equipped with a 3rd-order Fresnel lens, which was replaced with a 4th-order lens in 1854. The current lighting apparatus has 8,000 candlepower and can be seen from fourteen miles out to sea. In 1946, Ocracoke Lighthouse was automated and its keeper since 1926, “Cap’n” Joe Burrus, ended his time-in-service. He was a keeper for 45 years and also served at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and on Diamond Shoals Lightship.

In 1989, some minor repairs were made and painting was done. For safety reasons, the old wooden steps have been replaced with metal ones. The four windows from the lighthouse were removed an almost destroyed, but have since been restored by the Ocracoke Preservation Society. The U.S. Coast Guard owns and oversees the lighthouse, since it's a navigational aid, but the National Park Service maintains the lighthouse, grounds and keeper’s quarters.

The Process Begins for Designating Bluefin Tuna an "Endangered Species." At Least in the U.S., That Is

2010-09-16T17:59:00.004-04:00

By Jim Field

NOAA promulgated this notice today on bluefin tuna (see below). It says, in a nutshell, that NOAA has acknowledged that it was petitioned by an interest group (the Center for Biological Diversity) to officially declare the bluefin tuna endangered, which would presumably place it off limits for all types of fishing for the forseeable future. The purpose of the notice below--working through the double-speak--is to announce that preliminary evidence supports a closer look, which they now intend to take via a formal study group to be created and chartered.

Is this the beginning of the end of bluefin tuna fishing along the U.S. coast for a long time to come, and, alternatively, the end of the beginning phase of building governmental and public support for saving thse creatures? Let's damn well hope so!

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species News
NOAA Fisheries is initiating a status review for the Atlantic bluefin tuna in response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity to list the fish as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

NOAA Fisheries has reviewed the information submitted by the Center with the listing petition along with commercial and recreational fisheries data, publications and results of studies, and has determined that the petitioned action may be warranted.

This 90-day finding that a petition under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to list a species contains "substantial information" that the petitioned action may be warranted; it is not a listing for Atlantic bluefin tuna. The finding is the first step in a prescribed process for responding to every petition filed with NOAA Fisheries to list a species under the ESA. An affirmative 90-day finding is required if the petition presents sufficient information to meet criteria specified in the Act.

NOAA Fisheries asks for documented information for use in the status review, such as descriptions of current or past distribution, abundance, population condition and structure, and details on any ongoing conservation efforts. The agency is also accepting the names of recognized experts who could serve as peer reviewers for the final status review report on Atlantic bluefin tuna.

A full explanation of information sought can be found in the Federal Register. A determination on whether a listing is warranted is due in May 2011, a year after the date of the petition, upon completion of a comprehensive status review.

Go to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/bluefintuna.htm for a copy of the Federal Register Notice, Center for Biological Diversity petition, information on the ESA petition and listing process, and links to more information on current management of Atlantic bluefin tuna.

White Marlin Bite Moves to Oregon Inlet--It's Hot! 70 Releases in Two Days! Scaly Minnows Targeted. Here Are Some Photos

2010-09-15T17:32:00.009-04:00

By Jim Field

Well, we've all heard about how "white hot" the white marlin bite has been along the East Coast, and particularly off of Ocean City, Maryland--the WHITE MARLIN CAPITAL of America! (Should we need reminding.) Well, it's now moved South into our waters, suggesting we may get a piece of it next weekend, when we head down to the Outer Banks.

The white marlin frenzy is a wonderful development, making one feel good about the possibility of the stock rebuilding its strength, going against the tide--affecting almost every other species--of a gradual death spiral towards extinction. Is the white marlin population really back? Who knows? Maybe the recent blitz confirms this, maybe not. But at least we can smile about the activity with some hope for better days ahead for this noble fish.

Which takes me to a perpetual sore point: yes, the activity is hot....but guess who's not in the game? Answer: us. Why is it that we are largely observers, as opposed to major protagonists? Sure, we're sometimes the lucky ones getting salty and wet, but most oftentimes not. Will this ever change? Alas, likely not.

But thinking about this for a moment...about our "station" in life as husbands, dads, and working stiffs...maybe it's not all bad...maybe the need to get "more in the game"...which we'll never fulfill...is actually good, in that it's a goal we can cling to, one that will never get stale, that gives us a reason to always come back, to want more, to never give up, to always find our way back to our boats. We're always hungry, see, so there's always hope we'll wade in deeper, some day...some day. HEY! Maybe we hit it big next weekend, when we head down to Oregon Inlet on Saturday, and then down to Hatteras Village on Sunday (if all goes according to plan).

You never know: We could be in the thick-of-it with the whites. Anything can happen! That's why we love it.

Here's the soundbite from a writer at Marlin Magazine, which posted the story and photos on its website. Thank you sirs for the content.

Charlie Levine
Marlin Magazine Staff Writer
September 10, 2010

The white marlin bite that exploded off of Ocean City, Maryland, in late August and early September has moved south and the boats out of Oregon Inlet are now putting up huge numbers.

Capt. Arch Bracher on the Pelican caught 70 whites in three days. With the fishing so good, the crew on the 70-foot Spencer Makara decided to take a quick break from the action and jump overboard with a camera. Capt. Billy Gerlach sent us these photos from his iPhone which show the white marlin on the hunt.

The bait that the marlin are feeding on are very small, 2- to 3-inch minnows. "They're these really little, really scaly minnows almost like a sardine," Gerlach says. "When we were in the water it was just raining scales."

Thanks for sharing these photos Billy, and make sure to read the article we're preparing for the November issue about this epic bite.

Top Fishing Ports in U.S.--Can You Guess Which Two Are the Busiest?

2010-09-13T13:58:00.008-04:00

By Jim Field
The answer is New Bedford, Massachusetts--based on the monetary value of fish handled--and Dutch Harbor, Alaska--based on bulk amount of fish handled. Personally, I am surprised by New Bedford: I have envisioned it as depressed area full of unemployed commercial fishermen in the wake of the gradual collapse of the cod industry. On the other hand, Dutch Harbor is no surprise to those of us who have religiously followed the Deadliest Catch TV series. My first pick, however, would have been Seattle or some other Washington State port.

Here's the FishNews announcement published by NOAA's Fisheries Service. Note the statistic on domestic commercial fish/seafood harvested in 2009: 7.9 billion ponds! Wow! Beneath the photos I've posted the Top Ten List, which surpisingly includes Cape May NJ (#5) and Hampton Roads VA(#6).

FishNews
A NOAA Fisheries report finds the port of New Bedford, Mass., the top spot for value of landings for the tenth year in a row. For the 21st consecutive year, Dutch Harbor, Alaska was the country's top port for the total amount of fish landed. Nationwide, the total domestic commercial landings for 2009 were 7.9 billion pounds, valued at $3.9 billion. This is a decrease from 2008, when the volume reached 8.3 billion pounds, with a value of $4.4 billion. Accounting for most of the decrease was a decline in landings of both pollock and Pacific whiting.

The report on the nation's ports is part of Fisheries of the United States 2009, a detailed statistical report on the nation's commercial and recreational fishing, landings, import, export, per capita fish consumption and consumer expenditures for fish products.

Aerial view of Dutch Harbor--pretty spectacular

A view of New Bedford docks

2009 Commercial Fishery Landings by Port Ranked by Dollars
First figure: millions of pounds
Second figure: millions of dollars
1 New Bedford, MA 170.0 249.2
2 Dutch Harbor-Unalaska, AK 506.3 159.7
3 Kodiak, AK 282.9 103.8
4 Naknek-King Salmon, AK 119.4 76.1
5 Cape May-Wildwood, NJ 63.9 73.4
6 Hampton Roads Area, VA 18.0 68.1
7 Empire-Venice, LA 411.8 67.1
8 Honolulu, HI 22.3 59.4
9 Sitka, AK 78.4 51.3
10 Dulac-Chauvin, LA 42.4 50.9

Something About Bull Sharks--They Keep You on Edge. Two Just Caught in Potomac River. Feed Them a Politician?

2010-09-07T15:36:00.012-04:00

By Jim Field

I admire and love sharks and believe that they should not be killed--many species are endangered and only mako is really edible. Sure, people will, and do, eat anything, but I'm talking about what tastes good to a normal palette--and it's not shark meat barring this one species. So if you can't eat it, why kill it, other than for the perverse joy of killing for killing sake? Go kill insects instead.

Now, having said all this, I will admit to being unnerved by sharks (perfectly normal given their fierceness), and among all shark types, I find the bull shark to be particularly worrisome. For one thing, they are notably aggressive and will attack anything--so rank them right up there with tigers and great whites. Second, they are found in both salt and brine--meaning they will come way up into rivers, where sharks aren't supposed to be. So when we find them there, and because they're so "mean" (or rather, so "natural," i.e., doing what they're programed to do), it tends to grab out attention and direct our imaginations to entertaining all types of horrid possibilities.

Well....this exact incident recently occurred twice in the Potomac River, which we locals tend to think of as such a gentle body water--slow moving, history-laden, the ancient highway of colonial commerce, and so on, habitat for small fish, crabs, and an occasional turtle. Overlay onto this image a sizable dorsal fin cutting horizontally and silently through the water, and swimmers, kiyakers, and small boat owners are left to deal with a hole new set of possibilities next time out on the lazy water. Betcha that fewer hands and feet hang down over the sides.

Here's the coverage from the Washington Post.

(Accompanying photo)
The bull shark shark was caught in Cornfield Harbor and measured 8-foot-1-inch, the marina said. (Courtesy of Buzz's Marina)

Cue the 'Jaws' theme: Fishermen are catching 8-foot sharks in the Potomac River

By J. Freedom du Lac
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 3, 2010; 12:07 AM

Willy Dean was on the Potomac River in a 22-foot skiff Tuesday morning when he realized there was something both abnormal and enormous in his net. It was a deadly 8-foot-1 bull shark, a 300-pound-plus killer that had likely been feasting on cownose rays at Cornfield Harbor, just off the shores of Point Lookout State Park.

Buh bump. Buh bump. Buh bump buhbump buhbump. . . .

"When I first seen it, it was like 'Jaws' -- we need a bigger boat!" Dean said Thursday. "I'm not kidding you. It looked huge. I didn't know how we were gonna get it out. It's my first shark. I've been fishing here a little over 30 years, and it's the first time I've even seen one."

But it wasn't even the only one caught on the river during what has apparently become Shark Week on the Potomac. Thomas Crowder, a commercial fisherman from St. Mary's County, said he and his crew were cutting a net near Tall Timbers on Wednesday when an even bigger bull shark was trapped. "He couldn't swim and breathe, and he drowned," Crowder said. "We kept saying for years that we wanted to catch a shark. . . . And Willy gets one, and then all of the sudden we get one. What are the odds? It's just bizarre."

Crowder measured the shark (8 feet, 3 inches), took a few photos, then dumped it back into the river, its stomach split open to keep it from floating.

Bull sharks -- among the world's most dangerous fish, at least for humans, ranking right up there with great whites and tiger sharks -- are unique in that they can tolerate fresh river water.

But they're almost never spotted in the Potomac or elsewhere around St. Mary's. Ken Kaumeyer, curator of estuarine biology at the Calvert Marine Museum, thinks the last one was in 1973, "when two of them showed up in a town down here in the lower Patuxent."

Kaumeyer was more than a little shocked when he and another biologist went out with Dean on a routine ray-collecting trip and wound up netting a Carcharhinus leucas where the Potomac spills into the Chesapeake Bay.

"Well, that was different," Kaumeyer said, having perfected the science of the understatement. "I've been working on the bay for almost 40 years, and you get these odd things -- like when the whale came by this summer. Uh, what's a humpback whale doing here? You never know what you're going to find," he said.

"The sharks are in the bay. They feed on rays and probably crabs, and they have the ability to migrate into fresher water. But you very, very rarely see them down here."

Dean, a commercial pound-net fisherman from Scotland, Md., spent more than two hours trying to wrestle the somewhat controversial catch onto his boat. "It was a real fight," he said. The shark died soon after being pulled out of the water, but not before Dean's black Lab got a good look at it.

"The hair was standing up on her back; she didn't know what to think of it, either," Dean said Thursday on his cellphone, while fueling up his boat. "She walked up to that shark, sniffed it and yapped at it. We had to keep her back so she didn't get bit."

The shark -- photographed at the marina for posterity (and proof) -- is now in Dean's walk-in freezer, right there with all his bait fish. "We had four, five people bring him in there, whole," he said. "I took a stick and propped open his jaws so people can see how vicious he is."

This weekend, Dean figures he'll fillet the fish, which he named Jody for reasons he will not explain. He plans to get the head mounted. The rest of the rare river catch? It's what's for dinner.

"We're gonna steak him up and try him. Some people say shark is good to eat. We'll see."

Little Tunny, or False Albacore: A Fact Sheet. Getting to Know Our Catch. A New Prized Game Fish! (?) Some Good North Carolina Data

2010-08-27T14:54:00.005-04:00

By Jim Field

I am still way too ignorant about the fish types in the Atlantic Ocean--without talking about fish species across the globe. This is sheer laziness. You would think that having caught a fish, one would take time to read about it--get to know it--for a variety of reasons. First, to know how to definitively identify it next time round. Second, to learn what its presence may mean about the immediate ocean environment you're in, e.g., what other fish may or may not "hang" with it, and the conditions that attract it. Finally, to simply honor the fish and appreciate it for what it is--honor it by acknowledging it and its inherent beauty and role in the ecosystem. But alas, I don't do this, and therefore am, by inference, an indifferent fisherman, which I don't want to be: I want to be knowledgeable! So from here forward I pledge to write posts about what we have and will catch in the future. I will be curious. I will learn. I will investigate. Promise.

Which takes us to today's post. I was refining this blog's "Fish Caught/Released on the Sea Ya Bea" list (see right-hand column all the way down), and I didn't know where to place the false albacore. So I looked it up. Here's what I dug up.

From Wikipedia
The Little Tunny is the most common tuna in the Atlantic. It is found in warm temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Occurring in large schools, and weighing up to 35 pounds, it is the smallest member of the tuna Scombridae family. Commonly called "false albacore" or "albie", it resembles the Atlantic bonito, skipjack tuna and species of mackerel. It is best identified by the dark spots appearing between its pectoral and ventral fins and "worm-like" markings on its back. Originally thought of as a trash fish because its food value is so poor it is considered inedible, it is now sought after as a sport fish due to its line stripping 40 mph runs when hooked. Commercially, the fish is used as bait for sharks and marlin.

From www.flyfishinsalt.com
Fish Facts: False Albacore
For whatever reason, false albacore are among the most misidentified fish in the ocean. Also commonly called little tunny, they are frequently mistaken for bonito, albacore, tinker mackerel or other small tunas. No matter what you call them, the stamina these fish display can prove downright brutal. It has been said that it's not the size of the dog in the fight that counts, it's the size of the fight in the dog. Nothing could better describe the albie.

False albacore have risen from the ignoble status of trash fish to that of prized game fish within a few short years, and now draw anglers from around the world to test their tackle. One thing is for sure: The increase in notoriety has nothing to do with the albie's popularity as a food fish - they are far from palatable, by most accounts. The draw comes from the fight, and perhaps the fun of targeting them primarily by sight fishing.

"If albies are around and feeding, you know it," says Capt. Paul Dixon, a guide who splits his time between Montauk and Harker's Island, North Carolina. "Just watch for birds, or you'll see and hear them shredding bait on the surface," he says. Ideal fishing conditions usually include water temperatures in the 60s and plenty of bait with moving water. Albacore enthusiast Tom Earnhardt suggests letting the fish come to you once you find them. "The fish move pretty fast, and you can put them down if you 'run and gun' it. Ease around a school at idle and try not to vary the pitch of the motor too much," he suggests.

Earnhardt and Dixon agree that the fly should be cast into the bait and kept there as long as possible to increase the odds of hooking up. "There is no need for long casts and a fast two-hand retrieve if the fish are crashing on bait," says Earnhardt. "Those types of retrieves work best when you know the fish are there, but they are staying down or only coming up occasionally." They also agree that tides can prove important for false albacore. Although the fish don't seem as fussy about moving water as striped bass can be, most anglers prefer to find some kind of current, whether the tide is falling or rising.

When the fish don't show themselves, anglers resort to chumming or following behind the shrimp trawlers. "In the Keys, that's standard procedure for finding them," says Jeffrey Cardenas, a well-known Key West guide and fly shop owner. "On the Atlantic side they tend to be the redheaded stepchild while we fish for blackfin tuna. On either side, though, we have to chum them up or fish behind the shrimpers to find them. In fact it's rare that we come across a surface school like they do up north."

Albies tend to be fairly seasonal because they are migratory, following the bait and the temperature of the water. But Earnhardt believes that North Carolina has a resident population of larger albies that spends most of the cooler months in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and then comes inshore when the bait arrives. "I refer to the smaller 8- to 10-pounders as 'Yankee fish' - the ones that come down from up north," he says. This theory would explain why North Carolina fish tend to be caught year round and are among the largest to be found.

The albie season usually begins with the first real cold front of the season. In New England, that can come in September, while in North Carolina October is the more likely month. In the Keys it might not occur until November.

In North Carolina, the best fishing occurs in October and November, usually peaking about the first week of November. Although all inlets along the Outer Banks have good false albacore populations, Earnhardt recommends Beaufort for consistently finding fish. All the inlets concentrate baitfish coming out of North Carolina's sounds - Pamlico, Albemarle and Core - much like funnels. When the tides start changing and the rips build, the bait begins to congregate and the albies show up.

Most hard-core albie fishermen prefer to use small flies. "I think the ideal size is a fly tied on a No. 2 hook, but sometimes, especially early in the season, I'll tie flies as small as No. 8s or even No. 10s," says Earnhardt. "Generally the flies are small, an inch to an inch and a half long, and tied very sparse." He recommends flies tied with tan or rust-colored materials with some flash, especially when the bay anchovies show up off North Carolina. If he were limited to three fly styles, Earnhardt would recommend Surf Candy, Clousers and Coneheads, but he is quick to add the Crease Fly, especially when fishing behind shrimpers. Both Earnhardt and Dixon suggest that the most important thing is to match the hatch in size and color. If fishing in a chum slick or behind a shrimp trawl, pattern and size don't matter as much. "It seems like they'll hit anything under those conditions," says Cardenas.

For gear, Dixon and Earnhardt strongly recommend intermediate lines, which allow the angler to come tight to the fly more quickly than with sinking lines and give him more control casting than floating ones. Reels with good drags are crucial and a 9-weight is minimal, especially later in the season. Albies tend not to be too line shy, so long leaders are not usually necessary. Earnhardt recommends 9-footers with between 12- and 16-pound tippets.

Lastly, both New England and North Carolina offer excellent opportunities to wade-fish for albies. "Just look for the drop-offs and the bait. Places like Buoy #4 at Cape Lookout are great for wading," says Earnhardt. In addition, several local shops offer ferry service for wade anglers for a small fee.

A nice artist representation. Best identified by black "squigley" lines on back that have rainbow-like hue

Trip to the Rockpile and Back: A Half Day of Good Fishing. Another Species Caught

2010-08-26T20:06:00.000-04:00

By Jim Field

During our Hatteras vacation, on Saturday, August 7 to be exact, the last day of Dan's vacation in Hatteras, Dan and I headed out for a morning of fishing, the requirement being that we make it back to the dock (i.e., our families) by noon. We met at the boat at 6:00 am, and made the decision that Andrew should stay in bed, and not accompany us, because the seas were likely to be rough. The Diamond Shoals buoy was reporting (realtime) 4 foot seas at 4 seconds apart, which does not suggest an easy day. Conversely, the forecast for the day was far rosier, promising 2-4 foot waves 11 seconds apart--a walk in the park. Given this discordance, we chose the careful route to not expose Andrew to the real possibility of a difficult half day. (Alas, for Andrew, many more fishing days ahead for this young man.)

After throwing off the ropes and transiting to Hatteras Inlet, we encountered huge incoming swells, one of which brought most of the Sea Ya Bea out of the water. Along with other charter boats navigating the channel, we reduced speed in order to more easily accommodate the large, closely-grouped swells. Upon clearing the channel buoys, we set course for a point SW of the Rockpile, 20 miles distant, and set engine RPMs to make roughly 19 knots SOG. Notably--and fortunately--Dan went below into the cabin to better secure things and found that 3 pound lead weights had been jettisoned from their container when we "caught air," and were rolling around freely--like miniature loose cannons--to wreak havoc on the woodwork. Caught in time, we found no damage done.

The conditions got better as the morning progressed: the skies going from dark gray to patches of blue sky, the seas flattening out. Winds diminished to 10-15 knots. We shut down near the Rockpile and deployed our baits. Over the course of a few hours--on what turned out to be a relatively slow bite for everyone else--we caught a "very nice" wahoo, had another wahoo bite off perhaps 5 yards beyond the transom, 2 sizable mahi-mahis, and released a barracuda--the first one landed on the Sea Ya Bea (add it to the list). Dan and I were both surprised by the barracuda's canine-like teeth--sizable individual choppers spaced apart from one another.

Reluctantly, we curtailed fishing operations in the middle of a beautiful day in waters with all the right conditions: dark blue color, 82-85 degree temperature, with bait being marked all over the place. In fact, we had come across a weed line that went on for as long as we could see from the tuna tower, which we could have followed and surely harvested mahi all afternoon long. That said, we secured fishing operations and moored around 1:00 pm, with Dan hurrying home to wife and kids, thus successfully pulling off a memorable day of fishing combined with family time on their last full day in the Village. Pretty sweet.

Dan and the wahoo: great photo on a memorable day, with fantastic eating to follow

Profile of a beautiful and menacing barracuda

The teeth on these beasts (not our photo)

Pigs at the Trough--Over Fishing for the Hell of It. Cynical Tournament Held by "Rude and Witty" Jersey Fishermen Shines Light on the Problem

2010-08-25T19:11:00.007-04:00

By Jim Field

A while back (August 14) the NYTimes editorial staff wrote a short piece about a website called "Gargagefish.com," which you can go to by clicking here. (It's really funny, you have to look at it. Go to bottom of this post for a picture from their site that they refer to as the inspiration behind their idea.) The editorial, copied below, summarizes the setup well, so I won't replicate what's been said.

Except....that the word is getting out about over-fishing by everyone: commercial fisherman, charter boats, and private recreational fisherman--each on their own missions to maximize their catch to the detriment of the oceans and common interests. Also, there's shared conversation about the "fish of the month" phenomenon, whereby certain species appear on restaurant menus only to soon disappear after they're harvested into oblivion. Hopefully, people are beginning to listen. As for me (a do-gooder), I have stopped eating fish in restaurants: the stuff is typically old and frozen; they cook it poorly; and the fish being served is endangered (e.g., strippers, sea bass). So I opt for steak/pork/chicken instead--heck, we've got an unlimited supply of this stuff. Crazy, crazy practices going on in the fishing world.

Dan and I were joking, last time out on the blue together, that sea robin someday soon will soon show up on menus. Could be sooner than we think!

Editorial Notebook
The Ugliest Catch
By LAWRENCE DOWNES

The second annual Garbagefish.com fishing tournament is over. Carmen, Joe and Rocco are the first-place winners, respectively, in the three divisions: sea robin, dogfish and skate.

For the unfamiliar: A sea robin is a rusty-colored fish with a skull-helmet of a head, bulging eyeballs, a maw like a wide-mouth jar, winglike fins and whiskery appendages that it uses to prowl the bottom, where it snaps up baited hooks, earning a very short visit to the boat or dock. The visit is short because fishermen take one look and throw it back. A dogfish looks like a toy rubber shark, and is about as appetizing. A skate is a smallish ray. While its wings are good sautéed in brown butter, cleaning and skinning are a chore, and catching one is generally not a prideful moment.

Garbagefish.com, run by some rude and witty New Jersey fishermen, is dedicated to the proposition that all edible fish are created equal — that the way to salvage the dignity of catching sea robins and not striped bass is to pretend you meant to do that. And then to cook, not trash, your catch: Sea robin, ugly up front, is tasty in back, where it’s all meaty, tender tail. Skate you know about. Dogfish, properly prepared, doesn’t have to be disgusting: it’s the fish in fish and chips.

The site also claims to promote ecological balance, arguing that it’s good to catch more of the unregulated uglies, to keep them from scarfing up too many babies of sexier species. “The day they place limits on sea robin,” it says, “is the day you are catching a hell of a lot more fluke.”

More likely, the day they place limits on sea robin is the day they, too, have finally begun the slide to oblivion.

The problem no Web site can solve is the voracity of the oceans’ top predator. Go to fishing bulletin boards and blogs and you will see them, the guys who boast of massacring the stripers and the bluefish and the cod and maxing out their limits on every trip. Or go on one of the party boats that trail a slick of cigarette butts and leave no legal-size fluke behind. Add poachers to the mix, and saltwater recreational fishing can seem like an orgy of waste and depredation.

The worst fate, for a fish, is to be loved or feared — a tuna or a shark. Until humans manage their appetites, the happiest way for other species to be is to be left alone on the bottom, ugly and unloved.

Finally, this picture from their site supposedly gave them the idea for their tournament. I assume they got tired of getting skunked while fishing for "attractive" fish, and so they shifted their focus to less popular, but more abundant "ugly" species.

Andrew in the Surf at Hatteras. What a Way to Spend the Day!

2010-08-24T07:40:00.008-04:00

By Jim Field

Well, we're back from summer vacation--three weeks--at Hatteras and catching up at work and home life and getting ready for another school year; and thinking back to time at the beach; and looking forward already to next year when we can do it again. The Hatteras water quality--clear and warm--and surf action--great waves over sand bar--are outstanding and boarding is a favorite thing to do for the kids (Dan included). Here are some photos Diane took of Andrew at play, taken with her Blackberry while standing knee-deep in the water. Pretty cool.

Sand, Sea, and Sky. A Photographic Chronicle of a Day at the Beach

2010-08-10T20:46:00.005-04:00

By Jim Field

Sitting on the beach, I was struck by a trio of colors: brown beach, green water, and blue sky, appearing to the eye in that order, as if stacked one on top of the other, from closest to furthest away. I wanted to photograph the pallet to preserve it in my memory, should I ever want to describe the scenes in writing. Aren't they beautiful?

Hurricane Isabel Channel--A Nice View of It...and How Significant the Breach Was

2010-08-10T19:28:00.005-04:00

By Jim Field

We've always been mesmerized by photographs of the damage caused by Hurricane Isabel in 2003 to Hatteras Village. In stores and restaurants in Hatteras, one is likely to see a framed personal photograph taken of Isabel in full force--oftentimes showing 5-plus feet of white-capped seawater making its way down main street (Route 12 South). Apparently, three large ocean waves swept across the Village, leaving considerable damage in their wake. Across the sand dunes separating Hatteras Village from Frisco to the North, the ocean breached the dunes and highway completely to create a "channel" that cut off the Village from civilization for a week. The photograph below successfully conveys the size and scope of the ocean's intrusion. The photo is taken looking Southwest, with Frisco off-camera to the right and Hatteras Village straight ahead.

Rainbow at Sea. Just A Piece of One. Always a Beautiful, Unexpected Sight

2010-08-02T21:58:00.003-04:00

By Jim Field

Around dinner time tonight a rainbow appeared on the horizon outside our windows. Today we saw the weather change multiple times at sea, starting with clouds in the early morning, then clearing for most of the day, then returning back to gray and white clouds around sunset. The photos fail to capture the intensity of the colors, looking washed out, when to the eye the red and green hues were vivid.

Dan's New Boston Whaler. In Hatteras Water for the First Time

2010-08-02T21:13:00.010-04:00

By Jim Field

Dan, Dina, Emma, and Jake Okoniewski arrived in Hatteras Village yesterday, Sunday. We had dinner together--burgers and Mako shark on the grill--to kick off the week together. Today, Monday, was a beautiful day on the beach: winds from the East 10-15 knots and a fairly rough surf, but the water was a beautiful light green and the beach experience was excellent, the breeze keeping things cool.

Later in the afternoon we put Dan's Boston Whaler in the water at Teach's. We took it for a spin, first heading out toward the inlet--scouting out the flounder and spanish mackeral fishing spots--and then turning around, entering Oden's breakwater, and driving the full length of the canal, exiting on the Eastern end and coming back around the wetlands. Andrew and Jake occupied the bow and rode out the waves, chatting together. We tied up the Whaler in the slip next to the Sea Ya Bea. Plan is to take the Whaler out at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow and hit the flounder or drive north through the Sound to fish for gray trout. Should be fun.

On the trailer preparing to back it down

Whaler with charter boats in background

Bringing the boys onboard

On the bow, the boys (Jake left, Andrew right) keeping watch

Passing the Albatross III in the channel outside Oden's

The setup: Dan's Whaler next to the Sea Ya Bea

The Gambler: Charter Boat Dedicated to Marlin Fishing. Among the Best on Hatteras Island

2010-07-30T14:16:00.013-04:00

By Jim Field

During our last fishing trip this past Wednesday (post to follow), we were trolling in the vicinity of the Rockpile, in the company of a few other charter boats. One of these, Steve Wann pointed out to me, was the red-hulled Gambler, a highly respected charter boat that always seems to be in the money in big fishing tournaments. According to Steve, the Gambler is largely dedicated to catching marlin--that it's thing--and has quite a reputation on the docks. What's more, the boat itself is a converted lobsterboat, with lines characterized by a working house upfront and a longer cockpit that starts amidships.

Today I stopped by to see the Gambler upclose in its slip in Hatteras Harbor marina. Pictures as provided below. Most striking about the boat is its simplicity--nothing fancy and not a lot of gear showing. In the cockpit, just a fighting chair and two plastic chairs. On the bridge, a single narrow captain's chair, two teaser reels, and minimal electronics. You can clearly see its lobsterboat origins undergirding its current configuration as a Hatteras charter. Just goes to show: you don't need fancy to catch fish, you need knowledge, experience, and of course, a healthy dash of good luck. Everyone knows luck plays its part in fishing.

Finally, below the photos is an article from a local paper on the Gambler and its top-prize win in the Hatteras Village Offshore Open Fishing Tournament this past May.

Tucked between two larger Carolina boats

Her business card

Simplicity on the bridge

Lobsterboat in disguise--note the cabin windows/doors of the working house and elongated cockpit

Gambler takes top prize money in Hatteras Village Offshore Open
By IRENE NOLAN

The Hatteras charter boat Gambler, captained by Steve Garrett, took the top prize money in the 16th annual Hatteras Village Offshore Open Fishing Tournament. Fishing days were from Wednesday, May 12, through Saturday, May 15.

On the last day of fishing, Gambler boated and brought to the dock just before noon the largest blue marlin, a 530-pounder caught by angler Wayne Wray.

That gave the boat $29,750 for the largest blue marlin, $4,284 for third place in the Level 1 billfish competition and $4,624 in the Level 2 billfish competition.

Taking first place in the Level 1 and 2 billfish division was Waste Knot, which released two blue marlin and won total prize money of $22,270. Second place in those levels went to Qualifier with one white marlin and one blue marlin release for total prize money of $13,362.

Thirty-six boats fished in this year’s tournament, the first event in the North Carolina Governor’s Cup.

That is down from 47 boats last year and 51 boats in 2008.

On registration night, Tuesday, May 11, captains and anglers were speculating about why the number of boats in the tournament fell below the past few years.

The consensus was that it was a result of the economy and the fact that offshore fishing has not been at its best this spring because of unusually cold water offshore.

In fact, no tuna were caught in the meatfish division of the tournament, said the tournament chairperson, Beth Rooks.

Steve Garrett, the winning captain, said he was fishing 38 to 45 miles offshore to get to the Gulf Stream and good fishing conditions. Normally, he said, those conditions are about 25 to 30 miles offshore.

Garrett was fishing with a group of anglers from Roanoke, Va., and two mates – Dita Young and Darrin Callahan.

The captain said the Roanoke group usually charters his boat for the Big Rock Tournament, which is next month in Morehead City. The group that usually charters the Gambler for the Hatteras village tournament decided not to come this year, so Garrett called his Roanoke clients, who were only too happy to come to Hatteras for the tournament.

Other winners in the tournament were:

Gamefish division. Dolphin. First place of $4,080 to Impulse for a 39-pound fish. Second place of $2,720 for a 32.6-pound fish.

Gamefish division. Wahoo. First place of $4,080 to Release for a 39.7-pound fish and second place prize of $2,720 to Sea Toy for a fish weighing 34.4 pounds.

The entrants in the daily meatfish division split $13,175 in prize money. They were Impulse, Frequent Flyer, Sea Toy, and Brothers’ Pride.

The winners for daily marlin release points won a total of $14,450. They were Release on Wednesday with one blue marlin, Annie C on Thursday with one blue marlin, Wired Up on Friday with one white marlin, and Qualifier on Saturday with a blue marlin.

In all, anglers caught six white marlin, 13 blue marlin, and two sailfish. All but three of the blue marlin were released.

The tournament proceeds benefit Hatteras village non-profits and civic organizations.

Flora at the Beach. Shots Taken While Walking the Dogs Through the Dunes

2010-07-30T11:34:00.009-04:00

By Jim Field

Well, we're already 5 days into our beach vacation and getting into a routine that is one of the comforting aspects of being at the beach: wake up early, read in bed, go back to sleep, breakfast, read the papers, then perhaps visit a tackle shop, chores on the boat, lunch, off to the beach for the afternoon, then cocktails by 6, then dinner, followed by a movie. Got to love it.

Part of the routine is taking our dogs--Tucker and Penny--for many walks. It's a blast for them, offering a whole new set of sights and smells and objects to discover and explore. And mark. We walk down a road at first and then return on the beach, making our way through the dunes. I took some photos of the beach flora; I found many dune plants to be beautiful in their simplicity, their color, their delicacy despite surviving in a pretty harsh climate--wind, salt, sun. Note the palms: we're in North Carolina but with tropical foliage mixed in. Pretty cool.

Dune grass--the best indicator of wind speed and direction

A vine trumpet flower similar to a petunia

A palm-like plant with vertical flower tower similar to foxglove

A prickly little cactus--don't step on me!

Flower similar to a Black-eyed Susan (may be one)

Pretty, delicate, yellow flowers

Amberjack Confusion. Trying to Sort It Out for Our Fishing Records. My Call: I Think We've Caught Both Sub-Species

2010-07-21T19:02:00.012-04:00

By Jim Field

We have by now caught our share of amberjacks--a.k.a. reef donkeys--on the verticle jig. I believe we have boated Lesser both Amberjacks and Greater Amberjacks--thus achieving the amberjack Grand Slam (just made this up). In this post I have amassed some information to support my hypothesis. The key, I believe, is found in looking closely at the dorsal fins. The Greater Amberjack clearly has a verticle fin with a straight edge on the traling side. The Lesser Amberjack, I am thinking, has a "notched" trailing edge on the dorsal fin. Hopefully you agree with this call, Jon.

Amberjack Type 1: Lesser Amberjack, Seriola fasciata

- Biological description: The lesser amberjack occurs in the Eastern and Western Atlantic Oceans. In the Atlantic, it is found from Massachusetts to Brazil. This is a benthopelagic species, primarily found in depths of 55-130 m (180-427 ft). Maximum reported size is 68 cm (27 in) FL. It feeds on squids and fishes.

Amberjack Type 2: Greater Amberjack, Seriola dumerili

- Physical description: The coloration of the greater amberjack is characterized by a dark stripe on the head which extends from the origin of the first dorsal gin through the eye. The back is blue or olivaceous, and the sides and belly are silvery-white. Occationally there is an amber or pinkish cast to the body. Juveniles have have five or six dark verticle bars along the sides.

- Biological description: Greater amberjack are found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In the western Atlantic, they are distributed from Nova Scotia to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, where they concentrate around reefs, rock outcrops and wrecks. Greater amberjack that are at least 5 years of age, or 33.5 inches long, spawn from March through July. They may reach a size of 6 feet, and weigh nearly 200 pounds. Voracious predators, greater amberjacks eat mostly crab, squid and other fishes found on reefs. They are often found in small groups and are friendly to divers.

Jon with an amberjack caught a few years ago. I believe this is a smaller Greater Amberjack. Note the dorsal fin and silver coloration

An amberjack caught by Jon on May 17, 2010. Note how different the dorsal fin is, with the notch on the reverse side. I believe this is either a Lesser Amberjack, or, something else entirely

Jon holding the Lesser Amberjack, which appears in this picture angle to be even smaller then when splayed out on the coffin cooler

An unknown fisherman with a smaller Greater Amberjack--note the dorsal fin and silver coloration

An unknown fisherman with a large Greater Amberjack

Drowning--How to Spot Someone in Trouble, What to Do to Help. A Primer from USCG Rescue Swimmer

2010-07-16T08:21:00.004-04:00

By Jim Field

I came across the article copied below in a health care blog that I follow--it's being circulated widely given that it's summertime and we're all around the water a lot more than other times of the year. I thought readers of this blog would benefit from seeing it as well, given that we make an effort to be on the water (albeit not in the water) as much as possible in all seasons and conditions. The author is a former USCG rescue swimmer, and has contributed to magazines we read (e.g., SaltWater Sportsman). The photo at left was included to make the point that people drowning do not look like this--a representation often depicted in films and on TV, etc. Let me suggest we all spend 5 minutes to read it--in the off-chance that the knowledge and "heads up" may contribute to saving someone's life.

This Article Was Written By Mario Vittone
Mario Vittone has nineteen years of combined military service in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. His writing on maritime safety has appeared in Yachting, SaltWater Sportsman, On-Scene, Lifelines, and Reader's Digest magazine. He has lectured extensively on topics ranging from leadership to sea survival and immersion hypothermia. He is a marine safety specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard.

The new captain jumped from the cockpit, fully dressed, and sprinted through the water. A former lifeguard, he kept his eyes on his victim as he headed straight for the owners who were swimming between their anchored sportfisher and the beach. “I think he thinks you’re drowning,” the husband said to his wife. They had been splashing each other and she had screamed but now they were just standing, neck-deep on the sand bar. “We’re fine, what is he doing?” she asked, a little annoyed. “We’re fine!” the husband yelled, waving him off, but this captain kept swimming hard. ”Move!” he barked as he sprinted between the stunned owners. Directly behind them, not ten feet away, their nine-year-old daughter was drowning. Safely above the surface in the arms of the captain, she burst into tears, “Daddy!”

How did this captain know, from fifty feet away, what the father couldn’t recognize from just ten? Drowning is not the violent, splashing, call for help that most people expect. The captain was trained to recognize drowning by experts and years of experience. The father, on the other hand, had learned what drowning looks like by watching television. If you spend time on or near the water (hint: that’s all of us) then you should make sure that you and your crew knows what to look for whenever people enter the water. Until she cried a tearful, “Daddy,” she hadn’t made a sound. As a former Coast Guard rescue swimmer, I wasn’t surprised at all by this story. Drowning is almost always a deceptively quiet event. The waving, splashing, and yelling that dramatic conditioning (television) prepares us to look for, is rarely seen in real life.

The Instinctive Drowning Response – so named by Francesco A. Pia, Ph.D., is what people do to avoid actual or perceived suffocation in the water. And it does not look like most people expect. There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening (source: CDC). Drowning does not look like drowning – Dr. Pia, in an article in the Coast Guard’s On Scene Magazine, described the instinctive drowning response like this:

- Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs. Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.

- Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.

- Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.

- From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.

(Source: On Scene Magazine: Fall 2006)

This doesn’t mean that a person that is yelling for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble – they are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the instinctive drowning response, aquatic distress doesn’t last long – but unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw rings, etc.

Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are in the water:

-Head low in the water, mouth at water level
-Head tilted back with mouth open
-Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
-Eyes closed
-Hair over forehead or eyes
-Not using legs – vertical
-Hyperventilating or gasping
-Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
-Trying to roll over on the back
-Ladder climb, rarely out of the water.

So if a crew member falls overboard and looks O.K. – don’t be too sure. Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they don’t look like they’re drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking up at the deck. One way to be sure? Ask them: “Are you alright?” If they can answer at all – they probably are. If they return a blank stare – you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them. And parents: children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why.

Marlin Magazine--Blog and Photo Gallery of Wanchese Custom Boats Under Construction. Perhaps In Another Life

2010-07-15T13:48:00.010-04:00

By Jim Field

Marlin Magazine On-Line today sent me a blast email notice of a feature they just placed on their website having to do with new construction of sportfishing boats in Wanchese, NC. Of course, we drive by Wanchase on our way to Hatteras Village, and we passed right by the boatworks all winter when we took the Sea Ya Bea from Pirate's Cove marina out to (and through) Oregon Inlet enroute to tuna fishing. Because we revere this locale on Planet Earth for its fishing heritage, and we revere the boats--rather, the unbelievable fishing machines, the works of art, that they build here--I thought it would be nice to "borrow" this material for our blog.

Thus, below please enjoy the blog entry posted by Dave Ferrell, one of the mag's staff writers, and photos from his accompanying gallery. Cool stuff.

Monday, July 12, 2010
Wanchese Boatbuilder Tour

It's no secret that Wanchese, North Carolina, hosts one of, if not the largest, concentration of custom boatbuilders on the planet. (South Florida might be a close second, or even first, but who's counting?) These custom builders, and the men who taught them, continue to shape the style and performance of sport-fishing boats the world over. This is the birthplace of many of the innovations that make our sport and its boats safer, more efficient and more fun! From the old-time boat captains and builders like Warren O'Neal, Billy Baum and Omie Tillett, a new breed of Spencers, Manns, Howells and Baylisses have sprung on the scene to make something great even better - the Carolina sport-fisher.

This past week I was lucky to swing by a few of the shops in the Wanchese area with one of the world's best wireman and Outer Banks native, Capt. Charles Perry. Everyone up there knows Perry and more importantly likes and respects him, so there's no better fellow to hang out with while visiting the Outer Banks. (I stayed with Perry and his lovely wife, Jessica, and I have to say it was one of my most pleasant trips away from home. Thanks for all your hospitality and conversation!)

I was pleasantly surprised by the activity and the number of boats I saw under construction, and although the area has been hit pretty hard by the recent recession, most of the fellows I talked to had a project under way and one or two coming down the pike. There were exceptions, however, and some of the bigger names in custom building are out of the game or have reduced their operations considerably. So if you're in the market for a fine Carolina-built boat, you can still find plenty of top-notch builders ready to go to work for you.

I started off my tour at Ritchie Howell's shop, and although he had two boats in the shed, Howell was staying on top of his fishing game as well by working a Bermuda tournament. His boys let me look around the place, however, and I got some pics of the boats. (You'll find a gallery of photos from the trip in our newsletter and online.)

Ricky Scarborough had a 70-some-odd-footer that barely fit in his shed, but it sure was a gorgeous-looking boat. Its low profile and clean lines are going to make it look much smaller than its true size once it's splashed sometime later this year. It' very pretty, and the cockpit is huge!

During my visit with Paul Mann, I probably learned more about what makes a boat ride right in my 10 minutes with him than I've had in my entire career here at Marlin. After a brief tour of his expansive shop, he sat me down in front of a white board and showed me exactly how he (and Mann says, Paul Spencer) designs one of the best-riding hulls on the market. It's always good when you hear one boatbuilder tell you good things about one of his competitors.

After I left Mann's place, I jumped into the whirlwind of activity over at John Bayliss' shop. Bayliss has two monster-size boats well under way, both 80-footers, and one getting ready for delivery later this month. The place is hopping like the ground is on fire!

Freedom Boatworks is staying busy with a cool little 37-footer that it plans to finish this year, and since I've always been partial to the smaller boats, I can't wait to see how it handles when completed.

Take a look at the pics in the gallery and get fired up to start your own build - these fellows can't wait to get you out on the water in your very own Carolina-built sport-fisher.

Mega Restaurant Chains on Guard Against Over-Fishing: A Questionable Claim. More Goes Unsaid Than Disclosed

2010-07-14T13:46:00.011-04:00

By Jim Field

There was an interesting story in the Wall Street Journal this past Monday, July 12, about the supposed practice of major restaurant chains--specifically, McDonald's Corp, Long John Silver's parent Yum Brands, and Red Lobster parent Darden Restaurants--to only buy fish from sustainable fisheries. To the extent this is true, I applaud the firms and their progressive supply chain practices. That said, I fully agree with the Greenpeace representative quoted in the story, who retorted: "The state of global fisheries is such..." that big chains "...don't have a sustainable source. They've just found a less bad source." In other words, things have already tanked, and keeping the world's population supplied with McFish Sandwiches is only going to make things worse over time. What I found especially interesting about the article was the companies' secrecy over which exact fish species they use for their sandwiches, and their contracting and purchasing practices. Implications: first, as a consumer, if the fish is white, you'll be eating it, regardless of its pedigree; and second, they will buy whatever they can get their hands on, and only worry about sustainability to the extent that it doesn't impact revenues. If they were serious about fishery sustainability, how about considering the idea of removing fish from their menus for perhaps a decade so as to let stocks recover. Would anyone miss this food item? Short answer: no. Just go for the chicken fillet instead.

Note: A big cheer for the Capital Grille chain--also owned by Darden--which pulled Chilean Sea Bass from its menu a few years ago because it couldn't find a reputable supplier. Now that is stepping up to the plate and doing the right thing.

Restaurants Mobilize to Save Fisheries
As Global Consumption Soars, Big Buyers Join Growing Effort Toward Eco-Friendly Practices Meant to Sustain Species

By PAUL ZIOBRO

The world's rising appetite for seafood is on a collision course with its wild fisheries, leaving restaurant companies and other big buyers caught in the middle.

Amid reports the world's oceans are in danger of being emptied of some fish, companies such as McDonald's Corp., Long John Silver's owner Yum Brands Inc. and Red Lobster parent Darden Restaurants Inc. have embraced the growing movement toward more eco-friendly seafood-buying practices.

Enforcement of federal fisheries conservation laws has helped the haddock, above, recover from declines.

They are working with scientists and nonprofit groups to ensure the fish they buy is sustainable, meaning caught in a way that doesn't damage the ability of the species to reproduce.

"We know if we go raping and pillaging it today, there's nothing left for tomorrow," says Ken Conrad, the owner of the chain of 10 Libby Hill seafood restaurants in North Carolina and Virginia and chairman of the National Fisheries Institute, a seafood-industry trade group.

Some experts say their efforts are coming none too soon.

A recent United Nations study predicts that unless something changes, nearly all commercial fisheries will be producing less than 10% of their onetime potential by the middle of this century. Already, almost 30% of the world's fish stocks fall into that category.

Production by wild fisheries has remained fairly steady over the past decade, totaling about 90 million metric tons per year, says the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization. But annual seafood demand will rise to at least 150 million metric tons by 2030, it adds.

While some fishing-industry groups agree that they need to change the industry's standards, they think smarter fishing can keep fisheries from becoming depleted.

"We know where weaknesses are and a tremendous amount is being done to address those challenges," says Gavin Gibbons, spokesman for the National Fisheries Institute, a seafood industry trade group. "The idea that vast fisheries broadly are headed to wholesale collapse contains a healthy dose of hyperbole and doesn't recognize much of the work being done."

Population growth and the public's growing appetite for seafood are only part of the problem. Mismanagement of fisheries and illegal fishing also have hurt some wild fisheries.

One glaring need for reform came from North Atlantic cod, the only fish McDonald's used in its Filet-o-Fish sandwich until the late 1980s. Newfoundland cod-fishing grounds became so overfished that the fishery shut down in the early 1990s. Fish suppliers and harvesters "destroyed the whole fishing area," says Gary Johnson, senior director of McDonald's global supply chain. McDonald's now uses five different whitefish species in the sandwich.

McDonald's, which buys 50,000 metric tons of whitefish a year, now judges fisheries on three factors: how closely they are monitored to ensure that, for example, fishing boats don't cheat on their quotas; whether enough fish are left to allow the stock to rebound each season; and the toll taken on the environment from the fishing methods being used. McDonald's says the vast majority of its fish now comes from sources that meet sustainability guidelines, such as those given by the Marine Stewardship Council.

In 2007, McDonald's stopped using Eastern Baltic cod because it was skeptical that the number of fish being caught was being recorded correctly. This year, after suppliers improved their reporting standards, McDonald's once again began buying Eastern Baltic cod, underscoring how large buyers can force change in practices.

McDonald's wouldn't disclose how much the tighter monitoring and pickier buying has added to its costs.

Not all of the large chains can expect their buying habits to trigger change, though. Red Lobster parent Darden, which buys 100 million pounds of seafood annually, decided shortly after it bought the Capital Grille chain in 2007 to take Chilean sea bass off the chain's menu because it couldn't find a supplier that used suitably sustainable fishing methods.

"We swallowed hard about taking it off [the menu], but we're such a small player that we would not be able to have an influence," says Bill Herzig, senior vice president of purchasing and supply-chain innovation. The company has only been able to persuade a few suppliers, including one Thai shrimp farm, to adopt sustainable practices.

Some species, such as haddock and Atlantic sea scallops have recovered from previous declines, after the U.S. government began enforcing parts of federal fisheries conservation legislation in the 1990s, says Ray Hilborn, a professor of aquatic and fishery sciences at the University of Washington.

As wild fisheries are unlikely to be able to meet the world's growing seafood demands, aquaculture—or raising seafood in enclosed, controlled environments—is one way to make up the shortfall.

But aquaculture has its own set of challenges. Farm-raised fish need more pesticides and antibiotics in captivity, and some fish, like salmon, have to be fed dye additives to give their flesh the orange hue consumers expect. Meanwhile farm-raised fish can have an indirect effect on their wild cousins because they consume feed that comes from the sea, which depletes the wild supply.

Darden works with the nonprofit Global Aquaculture Alliance on global standards for sustainable aquaculture. Darden also is pioneering new practices, including incorporating more grains into the diets of captive fish to reduce their reliance on seafood-based feed.

Greenpeace says that while restaurants and other large seafood buyers have become more mindful of the environmental impacts of their purchases, some are still looking too narrowly at sustainability.

For instance, large-scale harvesting of the Alaskan pollock, one of the fish McDonald's uses, affects the food supply of Steller sea lions and fur seals, says John Hocevar, Greenpeace's ocean-campaigns director. He encourages the large chains to invest in new methods of aquaculture that don't upset the environment.

McDonald's says it buys only Alaskan pollock that comes from sources certified by third parties as sustainable.

"The state of global fisheries is such," Mr. Hocevar says, that the big chains "don't have a sustainable source. They've just found a less bad source."

Team Kitchen Brings Home the Meat. Mad Dash into Deep Pays Off. "Not Wasting Ballies" Excuse for Trip

2010-07-12T12:31:00.010-04:00

By Jim Field

Crew member Jon Kitchen and son Austin went offshore on Sunday and returned with a bluefin tuna in the box. Nice going Team Kitchen! Coincidentally, Dan, Fran (Jr.) and son Jack were in Dan's Boston Whaler in Indian River Marina and we happened upon Jon and Austin on their way out to the inlet, and we exchanged notes and "flight plans." Our party planned to catch flounder a few football fields away in Indian River bay; Jon and Austin in their Regulator, christened Finology, were planning to drive 40 miles to troll for tuna--and anything else that might come their way. Jon claimed that he had some ballies that he didn't want to go to waste--clearly looking for any excuse to get out on the water.

I asked Jon for notes on his trip:

- End point of transit: SE corner of the 19 Fathom Lump
- Tackle: zucchini spreader bar
- Water temp: 76.2 degrees
- Sea state: 6-8 foot swells 15-18 seconds apart (we could not see out of the holes from the deck of my boat)
- Gaff technique: perfect gaff stick.... one gill plate and the back of the head... gaff and bled in one step
- Master mind: Austin engineered the spread and cleared the rod to let dad catch a tuna
- Speed over ground: 25-28 knots back to the barn ... huge swells but we ran up and down at any speed... no bumps

Summary: just all in a day's work (entertainment) for Team Kitchen.

Jim's Blackberry captures Finology departing the marina

Jon with trophy off of Indian River Inlet (new bridge in background)

Jon and Finology firmly aground in a parking lot

Teach's Lair at Sunset--Just a Pretty Picture. Weather Foiled Us this Weekend

2010-07-12T08:32:00.007-04:00

By Jim Field

Dan and I planned to fish this past weekend but the weather didn't cooperate. (Something new, huh?) So I went South alone and worked on the boat, knocking a few key things off the punch list. Had a very productive day. Went to Teach's for dinner about 8:00 pm and snapped this photo (with Blackberry) walking to the restaurant. Shows lineup of charter boats at right, looking out through the marina's breakwater into Pamlico Sound. Eating alone, I started with a pound of steamed shrimp (with Old Bay seasoning) and had blackened tuna entre--some of the best-prepared tuna I've ever eaten. Washed everything down with three draft beers. Returned to Sea Ya Bea and crashed. Woke up next morning and by 5:15 am headed North to Indian River Marina in DE to meet up with Dan and Fran. Rained all the way North and into DE. Met up with Dan--by this time it was noon--and went to his boat, cracked some beers, and caught up with each other. Jon and son Austin showed up with a binder of his recent fishing photos. Then Fran showed up; had a few more beers; and we eventually worked our way to lunch at the new marina facility. Great day despite being blown out for fishing. Good to see everyone.

Billfish Aboard the Sea Ya Bea--Great Trip with Ebners--Hopes for Summer Fishing Season Ahead

2010-07-07T22:55:00.000-04:00

By Jim Field

On the weekend of June 17-19, the Sea Ya Bea and the Fields--Captain Jim and Andrew--had a special treat attributable to two developments. First, we had the opportunity to fish with the Ebners, Dylan and dad Steve. Dylan has been Andrew's long-time friend, among his closest of pals; Diane and I love Dylan--he's a great kid, easy going and with a good sense of humor. Steve is a high school teacher and lacrosse and football coach at Andrew's school, and we've known Steve over the years in his "dad of Dylan" capacity. Turns out, however, in inviting Dylan to Hatteras and talking with Steve about details of the trip, Steve became more-and-more interested in coming along himself, recognizing Hatteras to be a special place. Steve's family harks from and still lives on Martha's Vineyard, and he grew up fishing around the island with buddies and relatives--still has an uncle in the oyster business. Steve loves to fish. We love to fish. So Steve rearranged his calendar and then there were four. The best part for the Fields is that we finally had a chance to spend dedicated time with Steve--uncloned from Dylan--and become acquainted with him--something we really enjoyed!

Part II of the special treat has to do with the fishing itself--but more on this later. (Hint: billfish onboard.)

We departed Alexandria Friday afternoon and had an uneventful ride to Hatteras. Sunlight departed when we crossed onto Hatteras Island at Oregon Inlet, which meant Steve would have to wait until the return ride home to see the barrier island topography and sights (he was really excited to scope the place out). We checked into rooms at the Breakwater Inn and ate breakfast at Sonny's, shoving off from the pier at around 7:30 am. The forecast called for 10-15 knot winds from the NE and 2-4 foot seas. We set course for the 280 Rocks with the intention of trolling, and later on in the day, when conditions were expected to settle down, shifting to bottom fishing on the Rockpile. The water temperature was immediately warm out of the inlet, climbing to 76 degrees on the transit. We entered the Gulf Stream and its beautiful blue water without a noticeable temperature break, the gauge steadily rising to 82 degrees. We found ourselves in the company of perhaps 6-8charter boats; they were further east in the deep water hunting for billfish. There was a real possibility of catching tuna--they were in our spot only a few days before--so we concentrated on them. However, silence on the VHF radio suggested little was being caught, which turned out to largely characterize the day for all the boats. In addition, weather conditions turned out to be rougher than we hoped, the wind definitely notching up to 15-20 knots and the seas rising to 3-4 feet, 4-5 seconds apart--so not easy conditions to work with.

We were probably on the troll for 4-5 hours with nothing to show for our work. We had 3-4 knockdowns--something was stripping the ballies cleaning off our hooks. We ran into random weed and so stayed busy managing the baits.

Then, all of a sudden, the lovely sound of line peeling off a reel came to our ears. Steve, being our guest, took the rod and joined the fight. The fish had hit the shotgun rig--the blue/white Ilander way back. I looked aft and saw a fish leap hugely out of the water--I assumed we had a mahi. Steve worked the fish to the transom and to our utter surprise, we had caught a sailfish, an absolutely beautiful creature to see. We brought him to the port side, I grabbed the leader and positioned the fish at the waterline, grabbed its bill, and with a pliers removed the hook from its bill. A clean catch and release was executed. Once on its own, the fish remained stationary a foot below the water, and then kicked in its jets and darted out of site. (In my concern to release the fish safely, we didn't take the time to get a photo. Sorry Steve!).

Buoyed by our good fortune, we set course SSW for the Rockpile (10 miles distant) with the intent to troll our way there. About an hour later, we ran into mahi-mahis and eventually caught five. Steve landed a large, beautiful bull (see below). Dylan worked on two, and Andrew brought in his first personal start-to-finish mahi. Steve had never seen mahis in the water before--their neon-electric blue, yellow, and green colors. Each time we hooked one up and reeled it to the boat, others would gather and follow it to the boat. A really cool experience. Turns out nearly every boat landed/released a sail, with only one standout boat going 4 for 4.

Eventually, around 4:00 pm, we arrived at the Rockpile and attempted to bottomfish, which proved unmanageable given the current and steepness of the waves. We picked up and headed in, and managed to snap a 50 rod (first time) on a piling while backing into the slip. By the time we cleaned the boat and fish, it was past 9:00 pm, the witching hour when EVERY restaurant shuts down in the Village. We had planned to sleep on the boat, but being hot, dirty, and salty from a day on the water, we elected instead to find rooms, landing the last available units at each of two establishments. Hitting rock bottom, we trolled for food at the Red & White grocery and took our treats to our respective rooms. (How could we miss the restaurant payoff--good seafood, cold beer, etc.--for hard work safely accomplished!) The next morning we hit Sonny's again, and as per tradition, climbed Cape Hatteras lighthouse on the trip North. We also doubled-down on history and stopped at the Wright Brothers site in Kill Devils Hills.

For me, the trip was a huge success. We had gone out and caught fish. We landed a billfish and released it safely. We got Steve, Andrew, and Dylan their first mahis. We had returned safely. The four of us--dads and sons--spent time together doing something few people get to do--experiencing a day on the ocean surrounded by mother nature in all its beauty, dealing with its many challenges. Lastly, I got to know Steve, who is welcome to come along any time down to Hatteras. He's a great companion, a true guy's guy. Heck, he loves to fish; we love to fish. Say no more.

The adventurers moments before departing Alexandria
(left to right: Dylan Ebner, Steve Ebner, Captain Jim, Andrew Field)

Selecting a movie to watch--are we there yet?

The boys at the helm. Next lesson for Andrew: steering by the compass rose. Dylan holding VHF mike, preparing to hassle surrounding Captains

The sailfish as it appeared on the shotgun (i.e., way-back) blue/white Ilander lure
(Not my photo)

Tribute to the Atlantic sailfish--a spectacular creature.

Steve with his 19 pound bull mahi-mahi. This is a really nice fish!

Andrew and his first personal mahi catch. Congratulations!

Andrew and Dylan atop the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. Diamond Shoals between them stretching to horizon.

Dan Lands a Shark--Mako of Some Size. Promise of Kabobs for This Weekend in Hatteras

2010-07-06T07:46:00.006-04:00

By Jim Field

This past July 4 weekend, Dan and his Dad, Fran Sr., headed out to the Sausages off of Delaware/Maryland and found themselves among the sharks. They hooked their first Mako and brought it onboard--subdued by a gun shot in the head. As shown in the photo, it weighed in at 125 pounds and measured 64 inches long. They brought it back and had it "prepared" at Hook'em & Cook'em tackle shop (Bert's place) at Indian River Marina, DE. Their bait of choice: bluefish fillet; on the way out, they trolled up seven bluefish--being the ever-resourceful fishermen that they are. While on the hunt, they also caught and released another Mako of approximately the same size, as well as two brown sharks and a blue shark. Water temperature was is the low 70's. Nice trip.

Mako shark onboard--photo courtesy of Dan's Blackberry

Paying Our Dues--A Disappointing Day on the Water. Actually, Days on the Water for Some

2010-06-27T21:46:00.001-04:00

By Jim Field

Some days the Fishing God giveth, and other days go the other way. Back in the middle of May, Jon and Tim took Jon's Regulator down the Outer Banks and launched from Oregon Inlet, the plan being to troll--indeed catch--tuna migrating North. The weather was fine and they were right in the hunt with the charters, but no luck was had. Apparently, one day they were North of the tuna, the next day too far South.

On Monday, May 17, Dan and I headed South to Hatteras and asked Jon and Tim if they wanted to accompanying us to Hatteras Village to fish on the Sea Ya Bea. Jon at first declined, being bummed about the two-day skunk and in the mode to put his boat up for sale--totally in jest but understandable. Tim, on the other hand, reminded Jon that they were on holiday, they had set the day aside, so why not go. Jon came around. The next day the four of us headed out to bottomfish in the Stream.

The weather was great and the sea perfect. We fully expected to be (highly) successful. But again, the fish would not cooperate. We caught a half-dozen bottom fish and Dan and Jon had success on the vertical jig. Unexpectedly, Jon brought up a small cod--didn't know they came this far south. We saw some interesting storm clouds, including what looked like a water spout in-the-making, althought one never came to fruition.

Jon's catch on the jig is highlighted today--a Lesser Amberjack. I've included details below and have entered the species in our official catch list.

By the way, we have yet to have a stellar day bottomfishing this year--like we had multiple times in 2008 and 2009. What's going on? We've simply got to turn this around!

Lesser Amberjack

Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Seriola fasciata

Description: olive green or brownish black and silver sides; dark band (variably present) extends upward from eye; juveniles have split or wavy bars on sides; proportionately larger eye and deeper body than greater amberjack.

Similar Fish: other Seriola.

Where found: nearshore and offshore, apparently living deeper than other Seriola (commonly 180 - 410 feet deep).

Size: usually under 10 pounds.

Remarks: smallest of the amberjacks; believed to spawn OFFSHORE; adults eat fish and squid.

Jon's catch using the vertical jigging technique
(He released the fish)

The unexpected cod

The upside-down anvil storm cloud that looked threatening but wasn't

Bluefin Tuna One-Step from Endangered Species Status--Let's Do It!!

2010-06-27T20:14:00.001-04:00

By Jim Field

Now we have a petition, in the wake of the oil spill debacle, by an environmental group requesting the U.S. government to declare the bluefin tuna an endangered species and afford it protections that come with this designation. The organization gets an "A" for effort although nothing will happen--even if things go in the bluefin's favor--for many years given complex and cumbersome legal processes. But perhaps it's a start that will attract attention and build momentum for fish conservation. The NYTimes article below, announcing the legal filing, is very informative in that it casts light on unknown spawning practices, the upshot being that no one knows if the oil will kill fish eggs of all kinds--tuna, sailfish, marlin, etc. So we won't actually know for many years the toll the oil might take on fish stocks. One negative leading indicator: the spill occurred in spring--the same time fish spawn in the Gulf. Let's hope the bluefin and other species are not hardwired to lay their eggs in the same place year after year, but are able to move on to water they know/sense to be clean and desirable.

For the record, I favor a total shutdown of bluefin tuna fishing globally for two decades to allow the species to recovery--and indeed survive. Let mankind eat tofu and chicken. And we need to tell Japan to back off or we close our market to their products. Time to play hardball with them, and other short-sighted nations.

Photographs accompanying the article:

Pierside with a newly-landed bluefin tuna

A newly-hatched bluefin tuna

Endangered-Species Status Is Sought for Bluefin Tuna
By ANDREW W. LEHREN and JUSTIN GILLIS

Fearing that the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will deal a severe blow to the bluefin tuna, an environmental group is demanding that the government declare the fish an endangered species, setting off extensive new protections under federal law.

Scientists agree that the Deepwater Horizon spill poses at least some risk to the bluefin, one of the most majestic — and valuable — fishes in the sea. Its numbers already severely depleted from record levels, the bluefin is also the subject of a global controversy regarding overfishing.

The bluefin is not the only fish that spawns in the gulf, and while it is often a focus of attention, researchers are worried about the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on many other species.

In fact, scientists say, it is virtually certain that billions of fish eggs and larvae have died in the spill, which came at the worst possible time of the year. Spawning season for many fish in the gulf begins in April and runs into the summer. The drilling rig exploded on April 20, and the spill has since covered thousands of square miles with patches of oil.

Both the Bush and Obama administrations tried to win greater international protection for the bluefin, but their efforts were derailed by opposition from countries like Japan, where a single large bluefin can sell in the sashimi market for hundreds of thousands of dollars. (The tuna fish sold in cans comes from more abundant types of tuna, not from bluefin.)

The bluefin uses the Gulf of Mexico as a prime spawning ground, and the gulf is such a critical habitat for the animal that fishing for it there was banned in the 1980s. But after spawning in the spring and summer, many tuna spend the rest of the year roaming the Atlantic, where they are hunted by a global fishing fleet.

The environmental advocacy group, the Center for Biological Diversity, in Tucson, filed the request under the Endangered Species Act in late May. If the petition is granted, a process that could take years, the endangered listing would require that federal agencies conduct exhaustive analysis before taking any action, like granting drilling permits, that would pose additional risk to the fish.

Beyond tuna, other animals at apparent risk of harm include the whale shark, the largest fish in the ocean, and a group known as billfish, the foundation of a large recreational fishery in the Gulf of Mexico and the western Atlantic. The billfish that could be affected include the fastest fish in the ocean, the sailfish, as well as blue marlin and swordfish.

“This is a much bigger problem than people are making out,” said Barbara Block, a Stanford researcher who is among the world’s leading experts on the bluefin tuna. “The concern for wildlife is not just along the coast; it is also at sea. We’re putting oil right into the bluewater environment.”

Some of the science documenting the risks that oil drilling poses to spawning fish was paid for by none other than the Minerals Management Service, the federal agency responsible for leasing offshore tracts for oil development.

Yet the results appear to have had little impact on the way the agency carried out its business. For instance, it never adopted seasonal limitations on drilling in the gulf that might have reduced the risk of oil spills during spawning season. It also dismissed the dangers that drilling posed to deep-water fish as “negligible.”

President Obama has acknowledged the agency’s failings. Its director, S. Elizabeth Birnbaum, resigned, and a reorganization of the agency’s functions is under way (last week, it was renamed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement).

The agency responded to inquiries by saying that in light of the Deepwater Horizon spill, its policies — including those for fisheries — were under review.

Given that a single female fish can produce tens of millions of eggs, scientists say that many billions of them would have been in the water on April 20. The vast majority of those would never survive to adulthood even in normal times; now bathed in oil, fewer will make it.

“It’s obvious that any egg or larvae encountering oil will die,” said Molly Lutcavage, director of a research center on large fish and turtles at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Less clear is whether fish would have continued to lay eggs near the spill after it began. Most fish can smell, and researchers hope that at least some species would have avoided spawning in oil. However, fish that can be readily spotted from the air, like whale sharks, have been seen in recent weeks in the vicinity of the spill.

“The question is, does everything shut down if there’s oil there, or do they just go ahead and spawn anyway?” said Eric Hoffmayer, a researcher at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Many important fish in the region, like yellowfin tuna, are able to spawn across broad areas of the gulf, and that means significant numbers of such fish should have hatched this year far from the oil spill.

But other species, including bluefin tuna, apparently have a strong instinct to spawn in a specific part of the ocean. Scientists fear that instinct might overcome the presence of oil in the water, causing the fish to spawn in areas where their offspring would be likely to die. One of the spawning areas in the gulf favored by bluefin is in the vicinity of the spill, Dr. Block said.

The risks the spill poses to fish of all kinds have provoked deep alarm among commercial and sport fishing groups. At least a half-dozen major billfishing tournaments scheduled for June and July have been canceled, and tourists who would normally take deep-sea fishing trips this time of year are avoiding the gulf. The American Sportfishing Association estimated that business owners were losing millions of dollars in a recreational fishing industry worth more than $3.5 billion a year in the gulf.

“It’s having a horrific impact on the marine and fishing industry,” said Dan Jacobs, tournament director for an offshore fishing championship. “The big question is, how long is it going to last?”

Given that it takes some big fish years to reach spawning age, the death of larvae and juvenile fish could have consequences that might not show up for a long time.

“The oil spill could be the last straw with these very vulnerable species,” said Ellen Peel, president of the Billfish Foundation, a nonprofit group that supports recreational offshore fishing.

Will the Oil Slick Come to Hatteras? Supercomputer Model Suggests Odds "Very Likely"

2010-06-25T10:53:00.014-04:00

By Jim Field

Well, the million dollar question we're all wondering about is whether the oil slick will travel around the tip of Florida and head North up the Atlantic coastline. How devastating would that be? Answer: very devastating. Earlier this month, on June 4, the WSJournal published an article about the results from supercomputer studies performed by Los Alamos government scientists suggests that the odds of this nightmare happening are "very likely." Wow. More specifically, they are saying there's a "high degree of certainty" that oil will enter the Atlantic within the next six months. What really caught my eye is their expectation that if the oil does indeed enter the "powerful" Gulf Stream, it will move North at a rate of 100 miles a day. [Note: if you want to see a very cool video of the predictive computer model in motion, go to the bottom of this post and click on the word "here".]

The map accompanying the article below

Model Suggests Slick Could Zoom Up East Coast
By ROBERT LEE HOTZ
June 4, 2010

New supercomputer studies suggest it is "very likely" ocean currents will carry oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico around the tip of Florida and thousands of miles up the U.S. East Coast this summer, researchers announced Thursday.

"It is truly a simulation, not a prediction," said Terry Wallace, principal associate director for science, technology and engineering at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, which collaborated on the project. "But it shows that when you inject something into the Gulf, it is likely to have much larger consequences."

So far the oil has been confined by strong eddies, but that is almost certainly a temporary respite, say oceanographers.

Researchers from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., and the Los Alamos laboratory used a $100 million computer model of the world's ocean-circulation patterns to assess how currents could sweep the oil out of the Gulf.

The simulations show a strong Loop Current almost inevitably will pull the oil into the powerful Gulf Stream. It would then travel up the Atlantic coast at a speed of about 100 miles a day.
"From these simulations we can say with a high degree of certainty that it is very likely sometime in the next six months that oil from this spill will get into the Atlantic," said oceanographer Synte Peacock of the NCAR, who is running the project. "We can say that when it happens, it will be fast, much faster than anything we have seen so far," she said.

Authorities were already tracking an oil slick a bit more than five miles off the coast of Pensacola, Fla., Thursday. Some branches of the spill could start hitting beaches in the western Florida Panhandle on Friday and Saturday, according to the latest projections by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Coast Guard said on its website that it had received several reports of an oily substance and tar balls along the Florida Keys. Samples have been sent to a laboratory for testing.

To make their longer-term calculations, Dr. Peacock and her colleagues studied six different oil-spill scenarios.

They injected the electronic equivalent of a dye tracer into the currents of a detailed global ocean-circulation model. To analyze its movements, the oceanographers had divided the seas into tens of millions of interacting segments of computer code.

The simulation takes into account factors such as wind speed, current patterns, temperatures and past weather patterns.

Each simulation took 24 hours to complete, running on several of the world's fastest supercomputers at the New Mexico Computer Applications Center and the Oak Ridge National laboratory.

So far, the studies haven't been reviewed by independent scientists or published.

The simulations aren't precise enough to make predictions about when and where oil might make landfall. The researchers said they couldn't predict the actual behavior of the oil spill because the physics governing the interactions between oil and water are too complicated to model accurately. The injection of dispersants to break up the oil spill also complicates the behavior of the oil in ways that no one can predict.

"In terms of the oil spill," Dr. Peacock said, "this model gives you a big-picture response, not the fine details."

If you want to see a live video of the model click here

Catching Fish, Identifying Species--A Commitment to Do a Better Job. The Banded Rudderfish

2010-06-24T18:31:00.012-04:00

By Jim Field
The Crew has not done a very good job of identifying and recording the fish we catch. The "major" fish types we keep, clean, and eat, and we know these fish well. However, we catch a variety of other fish that we don't keep--that aren't known to taste good and/or are small--and we tend to throw them back without stopping to identify exactly what we've brought (temporarily) onboard. Worse still, we've been known to catch and consume many different types of bottom fish in large quantities where we've been too lazy to do the research to find out exactly what they are (subsequent posts will reveal this). Shame on us for being intellectually lazy. Our grade school science teachers would be unimpressed.

Today marks a new era on the Sea Ya Bea of meticulous recording keeping regarding our catch. Promise.

Looking at this blog, the bottom-most text in the right-hand column is a listing of all fish caught on the boat. It is grossly imprecise as it stands (trust me). I will clean it up over the summer--doing the necessary research on the web and in reference books to accurately record our fishing history.

Let's start today with the addition of a new fish on the list--the Banded Rudderfish. For now I will list it under a "jack" header--probably an incorrect family grouping. Over time we'll get more scientific with names, individual species, families, etc.

Here are the basic facts on the Banded Rudderfish: (I admit: the initial Latin words and scientific terms are Greek to me)

BANDED RUDDERFISH
Seriola zonata Family Carangidae
JACKS AND POMPANOS

Description: fish less than 11 inches long have dark band from eye to first dorsal fin and six prominent bars on body; larger fish are bluish, greenish, or brown; soft dorsal base about twice the length of the anal fin; tail-lobe white tipped.
Similar fish: other Seriola.
Where found: nearshore and offshore over hard bottom, generally in shallower water than other amberjacks; young associated with weed lines or floating debris and may follow sharks and other large fish.
Size: usually less than 10 pounds.
Remarks: adults feed on fish and shrimp; spawns

Dan with the catch. Caught while bottom fishing and vertical jigging at 280 Rocks in approximately 200 feet of water. Dan thinks fish doubles as short rifle.

Hard Ball Tournament Rules--Our Friend Peter Wann Takes a Heavy Hit. Routine Lie Detector Tests? Yup, the Ultimate Buzz Kill

2010-06-24T15:36:00.017-04:00

[Caption: Boat co-owner Duncan A. Thomasson is dwarfed by his catch, which was 50 pounds heavier than past winners. (Chris Miller/daily News Via Associated Press)]

By Jim Field

This is simply an incredible--in fact, unbelievable story. Let me state right upfront that I think the Citation crew will win their appeal. They have to. Defaulting on a $1 million prize based on an unrelated technicality is scandalous. Full stop. Let's hope that fairness (and sanity) prevails.

Here's a quick background and summary:

- The protagonist, Peter Wann, is a local Alexandria young man who graduated from my kids' school: St. Stephens & St. Agnes School

- Peter is the brother of Ollie's best friend, Maddie Wann

- Peter came down to the Sea Ya Bea last Friday to introduce himself to me. We had just pulled in from our day on the water (Steve and Dylan Ebner, Andrew and I; post on the trip to come), and he dropped by to chat. We talked about the tournament and what he planned to do in Hatteras across the summer. The night before I talked to his dad, Steve, about potentially asking Peter to join the Sea Ya Bea on days when he isn't mating on the Citation. My impression of Peter: nice guy who is seriously learning the trade.

Well, here's what Peter's been dealing with since we saw him. Poor guy. That said, we're backing Peter 100%. The tournament ruling is ridiculous. Hope they see the light.

Fishing license dispute costs Virginia team $1 million prize in Outer Banks Big Rock Blue Marlin contest

By Annie Gowen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 24, 2010; B01

After a two-hour struggle with the gigantic fish off North Carolina's Outer Banks, Alexandria resident Peter Wann pulled with all his strength and the creature emerged from the ocean depths.

He and his four sport fishing teammates could finally see what they had been struggling against -- an 883-pound blue marlin spanning 137 inches, the biggest fish any of them had ever seen.

"My eyes were wide," Wann said of the June 14 catch. "Once it got up, everybody started freaking out, saying, 'Holy smokes!' Everybody was so excited."

But as the exhausted and elated teammates steamed back to shore -- certain that their catch would win the grand prize of nearly $1 million in the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament -- they began checking to make sure the paperwork was in order. Wann's heart sank when he read the rule book. He thought the entire boat was licensed to compete. Turns out, all individuals had to have a valid state fishing license. Even Wann, the hired first mate.

His mind raced. He had a license at one time, hadn't he? Heart in his throat, he logged onto the state's Web site as soon as the boat was in wireless range.

Then big, bad news: His license had long expired.

"I looked at it, and I was like, [expletive]," recalled Wann, 22, a George Washington University senior who is studying mechanical engineering.

Wann renewed it wirelessly and hoped for the best. That was at 5:51 p.m. The team had reeled in the fish at 3:16 p.m.

Eight days, two lie detector tests, and hours of scrutiny and agonizing deliberation later, tournament officials made their decision. They would not be awarding the prize to Wann and his teammates from the boat Citation.

Wann had gone to North Carolina for a sunny summer of participating in the sport he loves. And his failure to renew a simple $30 fishing license cost his bosses and teammates nearly $1 million.

"I've had better weeks," sighed Michael A. Topp, a Richmond defense contractor, retired Army colonel and co-owner of the boat.

Topp would not discuss the incident in detail because the team is appealing the decision. But he said: "It has nothing to do with the money. It's about our reputation. We did not cheat. We are honorable men."

Competitive sport fishermen from around the country flock to Morehead City, N.C., each June to compete in the annual Big Rock tournament, chasing marlin that have migrated to the warm waters of the coast to feed off abundant tuna and dolphins drawn to smaller fish hiding in the rocky bottoms.

When Topp, Wann and the other euphoric members of the Citation crew -- including the boat's hired captain, Eric Holmes, and its co-owners, Shawn Kooyman of Chester, Va., and Duncan A. Thomasson of Richmond -- arrived back onshore the day of the big catch, the week-long tournament still had several days to go.

Confident that no other competitor would come close, they imagined divvying up the money.

It was clear that they probably would win, said Richard Crowe, an Atlantic Beach, N.C., resident who serves on the tournament board. The fish was 50 pounds heavier than any other first-prize winner in the tournament's 52-year-history. The closest runner-up this year was a 528-pounder.

As the Saturday awards banquet neared, tournament officials began administering lie detector tests to its top money winners. They say they typically give such tests to verify whether the contestants obeyed fishing times, locations and other regulations. The results for Holmes and Wann raised concern, Crowe said. Tournament officials began an inquiry.

Crowe said that the board is "very confident" in its decision to disqualify the Citation's big fish, citing a "substantial violation in tournament rules." The top prize money went instead to the Carnivore for its 528-pound catch; they otherwise would have won $217,000.

"For the integrity of the Tournament, Big Rock has no choice but to enforce the rules and disqualify the fish," the tournament board said in a statement when it announced its decision.

"Rules are the rules, and you can't break 'em a little bit," Crowe said.

Wann calls what happened an "immature mistake." He said he and Holmes should have acknowledged their concern to contest officials straight away. But he also said the owners and the captain -- who were paying him $500 a week before taxes -- never told him that he needed a valid fishing license to be part of the team.

"I feel bad," he said. "I feel like a part of it was my fault. . . . I'm not the one who bought the boat and had a successful business life. I'm in college."

Waiter--"What is this Fish?" Truth in Fish Advertising. Today's Subject: Chilean Sea Bass

2010-06-23T15:44:00.019-04:00

By Jim Field

Hopping in and out of restaurants on our fishing trips, the Crew oftentimes encounters menus with strange fish listed as entrees, names we've never heard of before. Half in jest, we wonder where these fish have come from--what explains their only recent appearance in restaurants. Are they new discoveries on the planet, placed now before us in a special cream sauce for the betterment of mankind? No chance. The real story, nine out of ten times, is the old "bait and switch," an ancient marketing ploy where one thing is promised but another delivered.

In the fishing realm today, bait and switch takes two forms. First, an existing unattractive name for a species is replaced with something sounding more mainstream or yummy. Second, the purveyor claims the fish to be "x" but in fact it turns out to be "y". An example of the latter is grouper in Florida: a NYTimes investigative article earlier this year uncovered that grouper is substituted about 80% of the time with something else in the Florida restaurants they sampled. The former use of bait and switch is the subject of today's post--where a name-change takes place. Today's subject: Chilean sea bass. Which I've always imagined to look like a striped bass, or large-mouth bass--you know, the bass we fish for locally. But...I would be wrong.

An article in today's NYTimes peripherally mentioned Chilean sea bass in reporting on fishing in the Ross Sea in Antarctica. Turns out the real name for Chilean sea bass--a mainstay in U.S. restaurants for some time now--is "Ross Sea toothfish," the first word also substituted using Antarctic or Patagonia. Seems this fish stock too is under pressure from overfishing, and of course, poaching.

Unfortunately, menu fish often go extinct in culinary and ecological terms, i.e., they show up for a period of time on menus only to disappear when the targeted fish stock is ravaged--we refer to this as the "fish-of-the-month" phenomenon. Woe the fish that's tasty--it's headed for catastrophe. So went the fate of the orange ruffy (whatever fish that really was) and others like it.

Here are some photographs and facts re our beloved Chilean sea bass--impostor that it is.

The toothfish in all its glory--an artistic photographic image

Its home on the globe: the Ross Sea in Antarctica
(Hey, not Chile!)

Standing on the Ross Sea

The real fish--a huge brute

Caught by long-line technique and gaffed aboard (machinery-assisted)

A poacher as caught by New Zealand air patrol

From a New Zealand dispatch accompanying the photograph of vessel:

An RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] patrol carrying out surveillance against illegal fishing in the Ross Sea yesterday saw the Triton-1 120 nautical miles within the area managed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

The RNZAF crew interrogated the vessel and reported the sighting, Mr Barker said.

“The vessel is flagged to Sierra Leone but appears to be operated by a Spanish company."

“Its detection is of very great concern. New Zealand is committed to combating illegal unreported and unregulated fishing in the Southern Ocean."

“These vessels have wreaked havoc on the valuable toothfish stocks in the Southern Ocean and have also caused considerable environmental damage, including to Antarctic seabirds over the years."

“New Zealand will be reporting the sighting to CCAMLR headquarters in Hobart urgently so all the Commission’s 25 members are made aware of the vessel’s activities,” Mr Barker said.

Response action includes the banning of trade in fish from the vessel and refusing access to members’ ports for the vessel.

The surveillance mission was undertaken through Operation Mawsoni, which is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to support CCAMLR.

Mr Barker paid tribute to the RNZAF crew who detected the vessel on the 10-hour flight.

“Our long range maritime patrol capability is second to none and New Zealanders should be proud of their efforts,” Mr Barker said.

No whaling ships were detected on the patrol. The Japanese fleet is believed to be closer to Africa than New Zealand this summer.

Damn Japanese; posts on them to follow.

Gulf Oil Spill Debacle--Impact on Fish and Wildlife--Brief Overview--Bluefin Tuna Again in Peril

2010-06-22T09:01:00.009-04:00

By Jim Field

The NYTimes provided an overview (below) of risk to Gulf fish and wildlife. Informative and sad. For Atlantic coast fisherman (i.e., us), the threat to fish larvae is perhaps the largest worry, in that already-depressed bluefin tuna stocks may be dealt a lethal blow in the Western Atlantic, matching the devastation already accomplished in the Eastern Atlantic. When will people wake up to this gigantic and global man-made disaster--specifically, collapsing fish stocks--that is one component of this oil disaster, but 100-times its importance for the world's eco-system?

Impact on Sea Life

- Brown pelicans and other seabirds often dive into the oil because the slick makes the water look calmer. If they are coated in oil, they will be unable to regulate their temperatures, leading to hyperthermia.

- Plankton, tiny immobile organisms at the base of the food chain, can be killed by chemically dispersed oil.

- All four species of sea turtles in the gulf are threatened or endangered. Some have already washed up ashore, and with numbers already low, it would be harder to rebuild the population.

- Dolphins, which often follow boats to play, have been following response crews, getting near the slicks.

- Shrimp and other shellfish are more vulnerable to oil and chemical dispersants because they are stationary, while some adult fin fish populations may be mobile.

- Fish larvae are most at risk. Bluefin tuna, now spawning near the spill, are of particular concern. The Gulf of Mexico is one of only two nurseries in the world for bluefin tuna.

- Sperm whales, which spend most of their time diving for prey, may come up in the slick as they reach the surface to breathe.

1899 Hatteras Hurricane San Ciriaco--Talk About Hard Times! Makes All Others Look Mild. "Cattle, Sheep, Hogs and Chickens Were Drowned..."

2010-06-22T08:01:00.000-04:00

By Jim Field

Returning to Alexandria from our Hatteras fishing trip on Saturday, we stopped by to climb the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. In the gift shop I purchased a National Park Service guidebook to the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras village, which was beautifully restored a decade ago and now serves as the town's visitor information center. The building is located right downtown, with the Red and White grocery on its left and Captain DM's family home on its right.

The building was erected in 1902 to replace an original structure--a small one-story framed structure. The Federal Government purchased the land for $110.35 and the cost to erect the new station was $5,194.

In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant established a national weather service, to be headquartered in Washington DC. The plan was to establish weather observation sites across the country that would send weather data to HQ by telegraph three times each day, which HQ staff would use to compile a national weather map and local forecasts. The first coastal observation station in North Carolina was placed in Wilmington in 1871. Hatteras Village was assigned the next NC station in 1874. The data collected consisted of the following:

- Temperature and its 24 hour change
- Relative humidity
- Wind velocity
- Pressure of the wind (pounds per square foot)
- Barometric pressure
- Amount of clouds
- State of the weather

The weather observers lived in the station with his family--a situation akin to that of lighthouse keepers. The Hatteras observer S.L. Dosher (more from him later) wrote of his existence:

"The lonely life one is forced to lead...here and the...continuous round of duty one must perform in keeping up the work alone, where there are none of the diverting pleasures of civilization to break the dull, soporific monotony of the situation, prove after a time to be a strain that depresses even the most optimistic nature, and a physical and an intellectual menace that even the most robust constitution and the strongest mentality can not long withstand."

In reading through the guidebook this morning in bed (Father's Day), I came across a letter that Weather Observer Dosher had written to headquarters about a hurricane that just passed through Hatteras Village a few days earlier. No more than a few paragraphs in, the reader quickly recognizes that this eye-witness account is a remarkable document--no other way to describe it--and I decided that I simply had to post an entry about it. What Dosher describes to his boss is really hard to imagine--the utter devastation that occurred to Hatteras Village and its inhabitants, and his personal travails in dealing with it as both a government official and local himself.

Before re-creating Dosher's letter, however, I decided to do some background research to see if I could find some details about the hurricane in question. Turns out, using the simple keyword "Hurricane 1899," it popped right up on Wikipedia. The hurricane was named "San Ciriaco," and it was a real killer that still holds some records today. From Wikipedia:

1899 Hurricane San Ciriaco, also known as the 1899 Puerto Rico Hurricane, was the longest-lived Atlantic hurricane and the eleventh deadliest tropical cyclone in the [Carribean] basin. It was an intense and long-lived Atlantic Cape Verde-type hurricane which crossed Puerto Rico over the two day period August 8 to August 9, 1899. Many deaths occurred as a result, due to flooding. The cyclone kept tropical storm strength or higher for 28 days, which makes it the longest duration Atlantic hurricane on record and the second-longest anywhere in the world (behind Hurricane John in 1994).

After it passed Puerto Rico, it brushed northern Dominican Republic as a Category 3 hurricane, but passed north enough to not cause major damage. It passed through the Bahamas, retaining its strength as it moved slowly northward. After drifting northeastward, the hurricane turned northwestward, hitting the Outer Banks on August 17. It drifted northeastward over the state, re-emerging into the Atlantic on the 19th.

Estimates of storm-related fatalities range from 3,100 to 3,400, with millions of dollars in crop damage in Puerto Rico. North Carolina had considerable tobacco and corn damage from the longevity of the strong winds and rain.

Also, with an Accumulated cyclone energy of 73.57, it has the highest ACE of any Atlantic hurricane in history. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan became the second Atlantic hurricane to surpass an ACE value of 70, but did not surpass the San Ciriaco hurricane.

Interestingly, Wikipedia also provided a graphic representation of the hurricane's track, which is shown below. Sadly for those in Hatteras, the storm seemed to go out of its way, pausing and making a special westerly detour to ensure it flattened the island and village.

Here, now, is the full letter sent by Weather Observer Dosher to his Chief in Washington, DC, two days after the storm departed.

Note: although a bit long, it's definitely worth a read; it starts out slow and then becomes riveting and unimaginable. From our vantage point of 2010, it's hard to put oneself into the scenario described. But try to imagine what fell on these people, and what it would feel like--the sights and sounds--if James Cameron made it into a 3D IMAX movie! People would be traumatized.

Hatteras Devastated by Hurricane

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Weather Bureau
Office of the Observer

Subject: Hurricane
Station: Hatteras, North Carolina
Date: August 21, 1899

Chief of the Weather Bureau,
Washington, DC

Sir:

I have the honor to make the following report of the severe hurricane which swept over this section on the 16th, 17th, and 18th instantly.

The wind began blowing a gale from the east on the morning of the 16th, varying in velocity from 35 to 50 miles an hour...During the early morning of the 17th the wind increased to a hurricane and at about 4 a.m. it was blowing at a rate of 70 miles, at 10 a.m. it had increased to 84 miles and at 1 p.m. is was blowing at a velocity of 93 miles with occasional extreme velocities of 120 miles to 140 per hour. The record of wind from about 1 p.m. was lost, but it is estimated that the wind blew even with greater force from about 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and it is believed that between these hours the wind reached a regular velocity of at least 100 miles per hour...

At about 7:30 p.m. on the 17th there was a very decided lull in the force of the wind and at 8.m. it had fallen out until only a gentle breeze was blowing. This lull did not last more than a half hour, however, before the wind veered to the east and then switched south-east and began blowing at a velocity estimated from 60 to 70 miles per hour which continued until well into the morning of the 18th. During the morning of the 18th the wind veered to the south and continued to blow a gale, with heavy rain squalls, all day, decreasing somewhat in the late evening and going into southwest. This day may be said to be the end of the hurricane, although the weather continued squally on the 19th, but without any winds of very high velocity.

This hurricane was, without question, the most severe storm that has ever passed over this section within the memory of any person now living, and there are people here who can remember back for a period of over 75 years. I have made careful inquiry among the old inhabitants here, and they all agree, with one accord, that no storm like this has ever visited the island...

The scene here on the 17th was wild and terrifying in the extreme. By 8 a.m. on that date the entire island was covered with water blown in from the sound, and by 1 a.m. all the land was covered to a depth of from 3 to ten feet. The tide swept over the island at a fearful rate carrying everything movable before it. There were not more than four houses on the island in which the tide did not rise to a depth from one t four feet, and at least half of the people had to abandon their homes and property to the mercy of the wind and tide and seek the safety of their own lives with those who were fortunate enough to live on higher land.

Language is inadequate to express the conditions which prevailed all day on the 17th. The howling wind, the rushing and roaring tide and the awful sea which swept over the beach and thundered like a thousand pieces of artillery made a picture which was at once appalling and terrible and the like of which Dante's Inferno could scarcely equal.

The frightened people were grouped sometimes 40 or 50 in one house, and at times one house would have to be abandoned and they would all have to wade almost beyond their depth in order to reach another. All day this gale, tide, and sea continued with a fury and persistent energy that knew no abatement, and the strain on the minds of every one was something so frightful and dejecting that it cannot be expressed.

In many houses families were huddled together in the upper portion of the building with the water several feet deep in the lower portion, not knowing what minute the house would either be blown down or swept away by the tide...

Cattle, sheep, hogs and chickens were drowned by the hundreds before the very eyes of the owners, who were powerless to render any assistance on account of the rushing tide. The fright of these poor animals was terrible to see, and their cries of horror when being surrounded by the water were pitiful in the extreme.

The damage done to this place by the hurricane is, at this time difficult to estimate...but is believed that the total loss to Hatteras alone will amount to from $15,0000 to $20,000. The fishing business here is the principal industry from which is derived the revenue upon which the great majority live, and it may be said that this industry has for the present time been swept away entirely out of existence...

A great majority of the houses on the island were badly damaged, and 5 or 6 are so badly wrecked as to be unfit for habitation and that many families are without homes, living wherever they can best find a home. The Southern Methodist church building was completely wrecked...All the bridges and footways over the creeks and small streams were swept away...The roadways are piled from three to ten feet high with wreckage...

The telegraph and telephone lines are both down...It is reported that several vessels are stranded north of [Big Kinnakeet Life Saving Station]...

A large steamship foundered about a mile off Hatteras beach..and is thought all onboard were drowned...

The Diamond Shoals Light Ship which was stationed off Hatteras, broke loose from her mooring on the morning of the 17th and was carried southward by the gale...This vessel will probably prove a total loss...

(Photograph of beached Light Ship 69)

The damage to the instruments and property of the Bureau here was considerable...The office building was flooded with water to the depth of about 18 inches, and the rain beat in at the roof and windows until the entire building was a mass of water...

I live about a mile from the office building and when I went home at 8 a.m. I had to wade in water which was about waist deep. I waited until about 10:30 a.m., thinking the storm would lull, but it did not do so, and at this time I started for the office...I got about one-third of the distance and found the water about breast height, when I had to stop in a neighbor's house and rest, the strain of pushing through the water and storm having nearly exhausted my strength. I rested there until about noon when I started again and after going a short distance further I found the water up to my shoulders...I had to give it up again and take refuge in another neighbor's house where I had to remain until about 8 p.m. when the tide fell so that I could reach the office...

I started to the office against the advise of those who were better acquainted with the condition of the roads than I, and continued on my way until I saw that the attempt was rash and fool-hardy and that I was certain to reach low places where I would be swept off my feet and drowned...There has never been any such tide as the one mentioned here.

...The rainfall...was as heavy as I have ever seen. It fell in a perfect torrent and at times was so thick and in such blinding sheets that it was impossible to see across a roadway 20 feet wide.

...Everything went before the fury of the gale. No lives were lost at Hatteras, although many narrow escapes occurred, several families being washed from their homes in the tide and storm. At Ocracoke and Portsmouth, 16 and 20 miles south of this station the storm is reported about the same as Hatteras, with a corresponding damage to property. Reliable details from these places however, being lacking. A pleasure boat at Ocracoke with a party of men from Washington, DC, was lost and a portion of the party were drowned.

There has been no communication with this place by wire or mail since the storm, and it is not known when there will be. It is therefore requested that so much of this report as may be of interest to the public be given to the Associated Press for publication in the newspaper.

Very respectfully,

S.L. Dosher

Observer, Weather Bureau

And there you have it, all in a day's work for faithful Dosher.

Hemingway's Pilar--Early Custom Sportfishing Boat. Series of Posts

2010-06-16T18:10:00.007-04:00

By Jim Field

As readers of this blog will know, Ernest Hemingway, a pioneering deep sea sportfisherman, is a particular hero of mine, and I have committed to writing occasional posts on his fishing endeavors, a few of which already reside in the library. Today's post kicks off a planned series on his custom fishing boat, which he christened the Pilar--the name of his leading heroine in For Whom the Bell Tolls, his novel of the Spanish Civil War.

The Pilar now rests permanently on terra firma on the grounds of his home in Cuba, the Finca Vigia, which the Castro government preserves as a museum. Being an impoverished nation, both the home and boat are in a terrible state of decay, reportedly undergoing a $1 million renovation (not really big money).

As an introduction to our subject, below I've copied text on the Pilar from a website dedicated to Key West history (www.explorekeywesthistory.com). On posts to follow, I'll try to elaborate on its design, specs, machinery, and so on.
Should be interesting research. (Note: I am not sure all of the facts offered below are accurate. We'll see which ones stand up over time.)

The (borrowed) text:

Returning to Key West from an African safari in 1934, Ernest Hemingway stopped off in New York to take a few meetings. At one with the editor of Esquire, Arnold Gingrich, Hemingway was given a $3300 advance for some short stories. He promptly took himself out to Coney Island to the Wheeler Shipyard and used the cash as down payment on a customized yacht.

Wheeler was known and rewarded for producing exceptional hand-crafted wooden boats. It had begun producing a pleasure yacht called the Playmate in 1920 and been very successful (the model would be produced until 1939.) Hemingway's modifications to the 38-foot version he ordered included a live fish well and a wooden roller spanning the transom to aid in hauling fish aboard. He also requested extra large fuel tanks (diesel) so he could stay at sea for longer periods of time. The boat had two motors? a 75hp for traveling and a 40hp for trolling. And he requested a flying bridge. The photo on the opening page shows Hemingway atop that flying bridge as the Pilar pulls out of Havana harbor.

The finished yacht cost $7500 and was brought to Key West and christened the Pilar. (Not only the name of the heroine in For Whom the Bell Tolls, Pilar is also the nickname for then-wife Pauline.) Through Key West friend and hardware store owner, Charles Thompson, Hemingway gained permission to dock her at the Navy Yard (the Navy was barely using it at the time.) This put the ship at dock only a few blocks from Hemingway's home on Whitehead Street. The photo at the top of this page is of Hemingway and Carlos Gutierrez on the bridge of the Pilar in Key West, 1934. Photo courtesy of JFK Library.

In 1940, when Ernest and Pauline divorced and he subsequently married Martha Gelhorn (whom he'd met at Sloppy Joe's,) they relocated to Cuba and built Finca Vigia (Lookout Farm)? the home on a hilltop overlooking Havana. Pilar was docked at Cojimar.

Pilar in Havana Harbor with EH, at left, on flying bridge

EH and long-time mate Carlos Gutierrez in wheelhouse; love custom of fishing in starched white cotton shirt and pants

Contemporary photo of Pilar, now protected from ravages of direct weather