Save our waters from being saved

By: Denny O¹Hern

Ignoring the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation Management Act and two National Research Council reviews in the past decade, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) continues to generate and use fatally-flawed recreational data to close healthy fisheries. These unwarranted closures will cost tens of thousands of

jobs and tens of billions of dollars in economic impact (Red Snapper,Red Grouper, Gag Grouper, Striped Bass, and Greater Amberjack).

NMFS ignores the loss of jobs and the negative economic and social impacts, in defiance of National Standard 8. NMFS also ignores the people who actually fish, unless those people agree with NMFS.Ignoring or minimizing non-NMFS scientists that disagree with NMFS is a specialty of the current administrators.Fishing is our heritage and our right; a thread that runs through our communities. We also have a right sound management of our resources.

Sound management does not include closure of healthy resources based on fatally flawed data. Defiance of the law and Congress seem to be regular occurrences at the NMFS. Congress must bring its defiant employees under control. We need relief from the job loss and economic adversity caused by draconian acts of defiance.

Legislators have the opportunity to right a wrong and save jobs.That seems better than writing a check to create jobs. You can preserve your right to fish with the help of your congressmen. They will listen to you if you speak up.

Learn how at

www.joinFRA.org.

When Florida¹s four million saltwater anglers speak out, our right to fish will be preserved.

A STAFF REPORT

It’s time to think warm thoughts and help Spring out a little. By now everyone is tired of battling those winter winds and heavy seas. There’s light at the end of the tunnel and April is going shorten the trip.

The offshore bottom fishing did start heating up last month, a sure sign that the change is coming although it’s a little late. Extended-range trips are producing nice, mixed bags of gags, reds, scamps, snappers and just enough big “rustys” (giant gag grouper) to keep the excitement level up on every drop. Monster live baits are the key to the bigger fish but frozen sardines and Boston mackerels have been working great for anything under 20-pounds. If you’re looking for a challenge, large (three to eight ounce) flair-hair jigs have been producing some nice grouper as well. Best bet is to start looking 80-feet and out.

If it’s scamp you’re after, live cigar minnows and small grunts or pins fished several cranks off the bottom attract the largest of these tasty groupers. While utilizing a lighter leader could provoke more scamp bites, it might not be wise to lighten up your leader too much – Unless you don’t mind getting popped off by a monster black that was waiting and watching for just the right, tasty little morsel to come dangling over his head. Catching scamps is cool, but getting freight-trained in front of your buddies and shutting off the bite is very un-cool.

Snapper fishing is pretty good south and deep but it’s still might be a little early for the big mangos to move on to the pothole bottom areas. If you’re looking for mangos, springs and big ledges are your best bet.

And while you’re there, you might as well pick a fight with some amberjacks. Most springs and wrecks are holding jacks right now. Light sinkers, long leaders and large, bouncy, live baits (blue runners, pinfish, grunts, etc.) will keep the rods bent all day. Diamond, slab and big bucktail jigs will do in a pinch, especially if you find some hungry amberjacks bunched near the surface. A large surface-chugging lure worked in the same situation can also have explosive results.

The blackfin tuna thing is hit or miss for now but keep our eyes open. Keep an eye out for the shrimpers to start showing. Be sure to grab some sardines when you see them as it could a short run.

Keep an eye on the loop current. It’s about time for it to send sailfish, wahoo, tuna and dolphin our way. Good luck and stay safe.

A STAFF REPORT

Well, by now it¹s no secret that our local snook population took a big hit this past Winter. A continued closed season was put into effect by the powers that be. Now many snook fanatics are left feeling some what empty. It just might be for the greater good to lay off the old linesider for a season, and let procreation play out uninterrupted. This will undoubtably put extreme pressure on redfish making them more spooky than they already are.

So when your frustration level hits a high this Spring ­ Think trout! Historically one of the most targeted species on the Gulf Coast, the speckled trout is an easy Spring favorite. Trout offer every angler of every ability a chance to get in on the action. From tossing flies to soaking a live bait, the possibilities for success are typically great.

Most grass flats-trout are not particularly boat-shy. Unlike the local reds and snook, they¹re not prone to run and hide at the first hint of incoming traffic. It’s just plain fun-fishing without all the hoop-la that can go along with the purist-style of shallow water angling.

Any number of artificial baits, from noisy topwaters to bottom hopping jigs or jerkbaits, can be used to locate areas holding trout.First-timers should try a live shrimp under a popping cork (Popping corks are available at any bait shop and are recognizable by the cupped top of the cork.) Look for water depths of two to six feet with a heavy cover of turtle grass on the bottom. (Turtle grass is that wide-bladed grass that covers so much of our flats in the Bay area.) This is prime territory for trout to lay in ambush for an easy meal.

Rig your bait about two feet below the cork and give her a toss down-wind as you drift. Let the bait settle for a few seconds, wind in the slack, and, with a sideways motion, give it a sharp, short yank with your rod. When performed properly, your cork should produce a loud “popping” sound. Let the bait settle for a few seconds and repeat.

When the cork goes down, DON’T set the hook. Instead, reel down as quickly as you can and raise the rod tip to bring your catch “tight”. Now gently and firmly play your fish to the boat. Remember that trout have very soft mouths and pulling too hard will result in a thrown hook.When you run out of shrimp or are ready to step it up a knotch,replace the live shrimp with an 1/8th or 1/4-ounce jig.

For the best return on your entertainment dollar, try a topwater plug — very arguably the best trout bait going. The MirrOlure Top Pup and similar ³walking² baits are some of my favorites. Those folks able to rub their belly and pat their head at the same time will have a field day tossing these guys around and ³walkin’ the dog². This is a great way to cover territory and locate schools of fish.

Just like with the popping cork, don¹t set the hook on the strike. Trout will often smack at the bait and miss. Just reel down and feel for fish. If there¹s nothing, just keep “walkin². They may strike several times, sometimes knocking your plug clear of the water before finding the hook. A jerk too soon results in the dreaded “jerk on both ends”.

Another tremendous bait is the jig. Made to dredge the depths, it puts the bait in the fish’s face. Let these baits settle to or near the bottom and give them a sharp “jig” upwards. Try to feel for the pick-up as the bait falls. Avoid slack line that would allow your fish to “spit” the hook. Again, DON’T set the hook. Just reel down and raise your rod tip. (Remember the ³jerk on both ends?²)

For the fly rodders, try poppers, flashy streamers and weighted shrimp patterns. Wade fishing as you fan-cast allows more time to cover an area thoroughly. You often have to strip-in line double-fast from a drifting boat just to keep the slack out. Some type of sea anchor will help slow your drift and is a real plus on windy days for any style of blind casting.

Colors can often make a big difference with trout. Choice colors can vary from day to day. When fishing with your fearless crew, try a “spread” of color selections to see what works best. For trout,bright stuff seems to do the trick. Chartreuse and hot pink are good bets from the get-go but don’t overlook the root beer or motor oil.