Sport Fishing Magazine March 2008 issue

[Broadbill-Pro]

Sometimes your best catch comes when least expected, the derailment of a thread has many times lead to good information that would have otherwise remained concealed.

Look back at this thread and the posts from Arthur and Justin, had they not offered their insight I would not have responded to them. You guys sit back and soak up both scientific and hands on experience that is unequaled anywhere and have the balls to criticise?

Now if Mike would just ban Ron and Jim the world would be a happy place

[Tunachaser]

Originally Posted by Broadbill-Pro

Sometimes your best catch comes when least expected, the derailment of a thread has many times lead to good information that would have otherwise remained concealed.

Look back at this thread and the posts from Arthur and Justin, had they not offered their insight I would not have responded to them. You guys sit back and soak up both scientific and hands on experience that is unequaled anywhere and have the balls to criticise?

Now if Mike would just ban Ron and Jim the world would be a happy place

On a serious note, BBP, 38Special & Da Beast all add a lot of knowledge and experience to this forum. I think it's good for all of us to be able to see multiple sides to current issues. I have personally learned a ton from their posts (derailed or otherwise ) AND. . . I happen to think all of the debate and shenanigans are HILARIOUS

[bajakian]

I agree Kris.

[quack quack]

amen

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by tunaman81

This is a ridiculously unsubstantiated attack on buoy fishing with absolutely nothing to back it up. Buoy fishing is a very good option for commercial fishing, as there is almost zero bycatch and undersized fish are released in better shape than they are from rod and reel. Its funny, because on any given night there are many more rec boats out fishing than buoy boats. Plus you have people fishing during the day.
.

First of all it wasn't an attack at all, its was on observation based on experience,
As you sat and typed this last night, I was patroling a mile and a half gear in the water trying to help do my part to feed 300 million people without boats and to help fill the almighty quota.
I agree it is a good option---BUT not in the closed zone killing 47inch pups to try to fill a quota that will never be reached.
Zero bycatch-again experience, from someone who spent more that 1 night out there yanking jugs, its not zero.I wont open that can of worms.
any givin night more rec boats than buoy boats-
again experience, last night, there was at least 5 miles of gear around us, and by the radio chatter by differnt boats and the ones we saw in the ICW, I give it 8-10 miles of gear, not counting south of PE. I counted 1 rec boat which happened to be one of the Tuna guys on here ,chaser,devil,69, I forgot.
Justin dont shoot the mesenger, Im just putting some facts on the table due to experience. I dont hate um, They are great guys and now Gals. but if you were going to sell me a liscense for $500. and told me I had to fish it 4 times a month or loose it, I myself wouldn't buy it. I like it for fun.
Answer me this: I dont know if you were around 5 years ago when it was at its best time in a long while, I remember times you couldn't get 3 lines out before you were tight ,5 , 10 shots in a night, Do you think its as good right now as 5 years ago ? If you say yes Im sorry in advance for saying you must be on crack.
I did hear another good theroie today from an old time buoy guy,There is a research vessel out there towing sonar around, presuming for the liquid gas docks the want to build, he thinks that is whats driving the fish away,he says they are so strong they have been known to kill dolphins.
Justin I can tell you this, I have seen a decline,fisherman blame everything, the moon aint right, winds out of the west, who knows, next Feb the cycle might be right, get cold as hell up north, drive the bait futher south and the swordfish may jump in the boat like flying fish.

Sorry Burt, I couldn't help myself

[Tuna Devil]

I'm confused.

You were pulling Bouy gear last night?

I will wait for your reply.

[CaptKen]

Yes I heard you when switched channels to tell your buddy where they were biting,

Again, They are great bunch of guys and gals, no doubt, I still dont dont believe its the right thing to do stecthing 20 to 30 miles of gear in the nursery, Im sorry nobody will convice me otherwise.
But I dont have a problem helping out with filling the quota, If its not me, It would be someone else,so why not get as much experience as possible ? I like fishing as much as anybody, The fish we killed,if I had been on my boat,no doubt they would have been released. So they way i see it they would have died anyway if it were me or Joe Blow to help feed the 300 million without boats.
I just dont agree, but I like to fish.

[Tuna Devil]

I respect your reply.

The 300 million comment is a little much, don't you think?

As far as Chris being my buddy, we have never met. I like the way he operates. That was the only reason I told him we were on a couple of fish (nothing to write home about, but you already knew that).

I am confused by you because, one day commercial fishing ruined your backyard and next day you are pulling bouys (it is bigger than your backyard, but i think you know that).

In this weird little world of the internet all i can gauge you by is what you type. I am sure you understand my confussion.

[Nick C]

So you were fishing gear last night? I was. And Tuna Devil outfished me and was rod n reel fishing
We were getting 5 or 6 shots a night last year... it seemed to be really good as did the year before. This year does seem a bite off.... no crazy bites.
But ever think it's a just an off year?? The Dolphin fishing isn't great every year. Sailfishing has been slow this year too.... I mean the miami guys are doing alright, but there is nothing up to the north of PE. Does that mean the sailfish are all gone? Maybe it's just an off year.
But thanks for your post. I get a laugh out each one.

[Nick C]

Originally Posted by Tuna Devil

I am sure you understand my confussion.

A bit hypocritical I'd say.

[CaptKen]

My family didn't come to S.Fla on I-95, They came behind an ox cart down dirt roads that took a month and a half, hence the name Florida Cracker,crackin the whip behind the oxen, there was a few commerical fisherman along the way in my bloodline, gillnets,snapper,kingfish. I guess it may be in the blood. I enjoy fishin as much as the next guy weather it be a handline or a pole, I am a hunter, I enjoy the thrill of the hunt,

I just believe that there has to be some kind of control, We have 20-30 today, How many next year at this time ? If you heard all the down notes last night,whats going to happen next year with 40 boats ? Do you think its going to get better ?
BTW we wern't far from your numbers,caught 4 pulled 2 off,released 2

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by Nick C

I get a laugh out each one.

I almost PIZZ my pants evertime I hear the story about how you frooooooze

up like a deer in the headlights when you were the man on the poon when a

200 lber was at boat side, and you just watched him swim off as the poor

guy wasted another hour to get him back boatside again.

[Nick C]

Originally Posted by CaptKen

I almost PIZZ my pants evertime I hear the story about how you frooooooze

up like a deer in the headlights when you were the man on the poon when a

200 lber was at boat side, and you just watched him swim off as the poor

guy wasted another hour to get him back boatside again.

Do tell that story.... haven't heard it yet.

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by Tuna Devil

I respect your reply.

The 300 million comment is a little much, don't you think?

Best Catch: When I look at a Commercial Fishing Vessel I see 300 million Americans and you only see the Crew

I stole that line from the Pro.

[Nick C]

Originally Posted by CaptKen

I stole that line from the Pro.

Ok that was funny

[CaptKen]

Ask your buoy partner, He tells it best, the way he told it it stuck so bad I almost Pizzed myself typin it.

[CaptKen]

nite nite Nicolas

[tunaman81]

Originally Posted by CaptKen

First of all it wasn't an attack at all, its was on observation based on experience,
As you sat and typed this last night, I was patroling a mile and a half gear in the water trying to help do my part to feed 300 million people without boats and to help fill the almighty quota.

I wouldn't consider it "a mile and a half of gear" as the buoys are not strung together. That is akin to calling the recreational fleet "50 square miles of gear" off South Florida on any given calm night (especially the weekends).
All in all, glad you got out fishing.

Originally Posted by CaptKen

I agree it is a good option---BUT not in the closed zone killing 47inch pups to try to fill a quota that will never be reached.

Now, I remember Professor O saying something about throwing stones...
Anyway, if truly believe this hypocritical statement, then you must be against recreational fishing in the closed zone. If you are that set on this remaining a closed zone, then outllaw all fishing for swordfish. Recreational anglers are pounding the fish day and night, and currently have a generous bag limit, and the fleet is incresing by the day. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they should close the are to recs at all (I love swordfishing), but that is along the same line of thought.

Originally Posted by CaptKen

Zero bycatch-again experience, from someone who spent more that 1 night out there yanking jugs, its not zero.

And from someone who has also spent more than one night out there, it has near zero bycatch. Apart from a few sharks, and a rare oilfish or tuna, it seems a majority of fish caught by buoys (as well as recs) are swordfish. With the exception of harpooning, I do not think that there is a method of commercial fishing with less bycatch.

Originally Posted by CaptKen

I wont open that can of worms.

No use. Save them and we'll go bass fishing.

Originally Posted by CaptKen

I like it for fun.

I can understand that completely.

Originally Posted by CaptKen

Answer me this: I dont know if you were around 5 years ago when it was at its best time in a long while, I remember times you couldn't get 3 lines out before you were tight ,5 , 10 shots in a night, Do you think its as good right now as 5 years ago ? If you say yes Im sorry in advance for saying you must be on crack.

I was just starting out swordfishing about 5 years ago. Some nights we had were great, others not so much. However, I also think the past two fall seasons have been great as well. However, I don't agree with blaming any apparent "poor fishing" with buoy gear.

Here is another thought to consider. The number of people recreationally fishing for swordfish from Daytona to Key West has increased unbelievably in the past few years. I remember there were quite a few people fishing 5 years ago, but not near as many as there are now. The rec fleet greatly outnumbers the buoy guys.

Another point is that I remember there being much more bait (tinkers and such) out on the grounds a few years ago. This may have more to do with it then the fishing pressure. If there is not much bait holding in the area, I can guarantee the swordfish will not stick around, regardless of the season (Professor O's sat tag data pointed to fish moving to the Bahamas in the summer.)

Originally Posted by CaptKen

Justin I can tell you this, I have seen a decline,fisherman blame everything, the moon aint right, winds out of the west, who knows, next Feb the cycle might be right, get cold as hell up north, drive the bait futher south and the swordfish may jump in the boat like flying fish.

Sorry Burt, I couldn't help myself

This is definately true. Anything to explain slow fishing.

[Broadbill-Pro]

Originally Posted by tunaman81

And from someone who has also spent more than one night out there, it has near zero bycatch. Apart from a few sharks, and a rare oilfish or tuna, it seems a majority of fish caught by buoys (as well as recs) are swordfish. With the exception of harpooning, I do not think that there is a method of commercial fishing with less bycatch.

I certainly would hope you considered undersize swordfish a bycatch?

Now tell me the number is near zero. The number more than likely exceeds that of fish harvested.

How many are released with hook tears, ripped jaws or bleeding. Survivers? I think not.

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by Broadbill-Pro

I certainly would hope you considered undersize swordfish a bycatch?

Now tell me the number is near zero. The number more than likely exceeds that of fish harvested.

How many are released with hook tears, ripped jaws or bleeding. Survivers? I think not.

I couldn't have said it better myself


Reporting live on the facts,take it or leave it, Its not about casting stones Juston Is about real time experiences, time spent as BBP would say,some want to believe the magazines they read, and some come to places like this for real time NON sugar coated experiences, Im done,
Im off to plug those Day drop numbers in my GPS that was in Fla Sportsman, I cant wait to get there .lol