Sport Fishing Magazine March 2008 issue

[Harry Klauber]

Yes - Randy and Gus owned Gulfstream and I bought the second 36 footer that they built. Since I kept it in the city marina I gave them keys and they used it as a "demo" boat for future sales. It was part of our deal that allowed me to buy it at a very cheap price. We experimented with everything on that boat, and it served my purposes well, but we could never stop it from snap rolling. They even put a keel and rolling chocks on it and it never helped much. The boat had a very fine in the water body and was just a "roller".

Dave was a great guy for sure. I was from Lauderdale and only a "part time" commercial guy so it took me awhile to get closer to the some what closed group up there. I would get nods of the heads when I said hello but never much else as people were protective and a bit jealous as we brought Keys live bait techniques to a fishery where bandits and handlines were the normal gear. Chumming with chunks of the pogies that we gill netted in the river as we did was unheard of and our catches were viewed with much disdain.

In the middle of a great stretch of beautiful winter weather that was accompanied by super king fishing for the commercial fleet I made my inrode with the commercial boys. One of the kingfish high liners was broken down and when I passed his boat on the dock I saw him and a thousand transmission parts all over the place. We struck a conversation and he explained how the mechanic couldn't get to him for days and he desperately had to get back on the water and fish as he was missing 1000+ pound a day fishing. I offered my help and after a moment of raised eyebrow glares he agreed. At the time he had no idea that I was chief engineer aboard a 1000 foot long steamship and could put his transmission together in my sleep. He was on the water fishing in the morning and from my not being able to get a response on the radio to call the fleet into an area where I had located kingfish while targeting bottom fish my radio was suddenly alive with boats calling me offering old numbers for bottom fishing as they were useless to them as they no longer did anything but Kingfish. Thus I became one of the boys and not only was my boat watched when I was not there but when every boat on the dock was broken into mine, and the other commercial boys, were always passed over. I never asked questions - just spread the suds and said "thanks for watching my back"

Taylor Creek is nothing like you rememeber. There are a couple of marinas and a huge dry storage facility. The town is loaded with sport boats and very few commercial boys are left. When you talk about Fort Pierce as a good port vs steaming against the stream I assume you were off loading at 3M in Pompano if not Fort Pierce. I am sure we must have crossed paths at one time or another. Do you remember the Country Girl and the huge catches of wreckfish they made? I can still see them stacked in Dave's freezer from floor to ceiling. It was an odd looking boat with the house aft and an open foredeck.

On a different note I was going to respond to your comments to tunaman (sorry but I am too new to know everyone by name - I'll get there eventually). You made the point that he is having trouble accepting from me and that is the small swordfish in this area are ABNORMAL when found on the bottom in deep water. Of course the larger fish come up at night - no one is arguing that but my contention remains the same that the smaller fish are abnormal to the bottom and in my opinion a smaller number of the larger fish make it to the surface at night than we think and many never leave that deep water. I have only caught 8 daytime fish, or actually been part of catching them as no one really fights them in the true sense of catching, but none have been full of squid like the nightime fish usually are. The bottom fish, in my experience have been filled with finfish, the remanants of finfish such as backbones and the stuff that is more slowly digested, as well as crabs and other indescribable "stuff" but no squid. If they fed up in the water column all night long wouldn't they be still full of squid when I catch one at 9 AM? Since they have "other stuff" in them I can assume they do not selectively expel just the squid during the fight and retain everything else. Do I make sense? The last fish I was part of with Richard Bajakian on his boat was a 423 that was a "Pumpkin". I was surpried at such a big one as I'd never seen a pumpkin much over 150. Has your experience been otherwise? I think we have alot in common. Harry

[Harry Klauber]

Eric - Man oh man - when you fish the world gets small! First of all the 1049 Bluefin was on a lobster boat (35 bruno) that my buddy owned in Chatham on the Cape. I brought rod and reel gear as all they were doing was handlining with codfish guts and sticking with plane assistance. I said we needed to try live bluefish and that's what we caught the fish on. We caught many more that way and am not sure if the Murray boys on the Cookie tried it before us or we did it first.

I'm 63 and do indeed remember you dad Chuck when he mated for Paul. Your memory is better than mine as I could not remember Freddy Byrd only the boat. You are right - Philly's boat was indeed the Harry Glenn! Paul Forsberg splits his time between Montauk and his place in Tarpon Springs where I see him every winter. You know he built a "super cruiser" and runs a couple of boats out of Tarpon for snapper and grouper on the middle grounds. Go to "Viking Fleet" on the web and you can read about it all. His son Steve quit the commercial business after almost single handedly wiping out the wreckfish off the carolinas and now runs dad's boats. His other son Carl is back in the business again and in case you hadn't seen is on TV from time to time in a commercial hawking how to be a real estate investor.

Paul built a 100 foot steel sailboat originally called the Viking Elizabeth named after his second wife. He divorced from Moo (his first wife way back) and then eventually divorced wife #2. In the summers he fishes the sailboat single handed in the canyons for big eyes and yellowfins. In the winters he is down here in Tarpon and it's too late this winter but with a bit of prodding I can get him to make an overnight trip on one of the boats down here next season and we could go with him. It would be a blast for him to talk about old times and the people we all knew.

Paul's dream was always the sailboat and trolling the canyons in the summers. He is by far one of the very best fishermen I have ever met in all aspects of the business. Some years ago he was having a new boat built by Duckworth in Tarpon Springs and the boatyard boys were talking about how the lottery had gotten really big with no one winning for weeks and weeks. Over afternoon beers the bunch decided to buy some tickets and wouldn't you know it they were the only winners that week. He got a bunch of millions from that and does well with his pleasure fleet. He was trying to sell the Block Island Ferry but I don't know if he was successful with that or not.

Okay - so we have caught up a bit - now lets figure out how to meet. My kids are older than you so aside from all of this we might have little else in common. If it's a fishing trip then lets think about one. I have another 2 Bahamas trips to run next month but after March 17 I am wide open. I am in South Miami so Lake Worth is about an hour and 15 minutes for me. Do you fish with any of the guys on the forum. Maybe we could get together that way? I am assuming that you are the "young one" in the picture as that looks like a tail roped Montauk shark hanging behind you. I'm guessing that would be your dad with you. Correct? Harry

Okay so now

[quack quack]

Yep I am in touch with Paul from time to time.He came and saw my dad just before he died.Steve F is my brother Mike's best friend.Paul's other son Paul aka frosty is selling RE on tv like you said.Moo lives in Pt.St Lucie I think and in Montauk in the summers.I remember when Paul started building the steel sailboat across the street.My brother Chuck and I have talked about doing a Viking trip out of Tarpon springs for a long time.Paul and Steven have said they would try and both come down to go with us.I have fished with Richard B as well and I am sure he would host another trip for us just to hear the old war stories.The pic in my avatar is a sword hanging up at Tuma's dock.My dad would have been 67 now.So he was a bit older then you.I asked my mom and She said you sounded familiar and would probably know your face.

[Broadbill-Pro]

Justin,

I understand your points. I am not bashing buoys at all, a year or 2 ago I may not have understood why the buoy sector has access to an area that is considered essential to stock rebuilding while others are excluded.

Since then I have learned a lot more about the way NMFS works and the challenges they face to create fair rules. I stoodup in Washington a few months ago and asked an entire room full of HMS staff and Scienists how circle hooks for buoy and rod/reel could have been overlooked, the answer is that there is no data available in those specific fisheries to impose such a rule. Now we may think that is crazy, but that is how the political process works. So we can jump up and down with a big sign that reads "common sense should be applied", but that does not enable the rule makers to step on a single foot without science to back them up.

My comments regarding bottom fishing for swords are not based on my PLL experience. I do have a bit of deep dropping experience as well, I assume you know that since you posted a few tournament fish I caught back in September and there is a bit of evidence since then to back up my opinions.

Swordfish do mingle, but generally within the same size range. For all we know the bottom could be the "Chippendales" club for hefty females. I have no problem casting a few lures towards the bar to see if there is any takers.

[Harry Klauber]

When you talk to Paul next time just mention my name. He will probably tell you "he is unforgettable". I'm sure between the two of us we could get him to do a trip with us out of Tarpon. As far as Steven is concerned he was too young for me to ever get to know if even born when I left NY could have been and just been very young. There was also a sister that wasn't well. No one talks and I never asked but do you know what happened with her?

I was unaware that you fished with Richard before. that would be a great trip!

[Harry Klauber]

I want to go to "that" Chippendales!!

[PURPLE FEVER]

Its nice to see how many posts that this thread generated. Not only did it ignite the old bouy debate albiet unintentionaly it even generated old home week

But back to the initial post. I drafted my letter to the editor of Sport Fishing and hope to get the final version to them next week. I hope they print it!

I invite others to write as well.It may refresh your memories to look up the old posts by SYXX. You will see how helpful he was.

[quack quack]

Paul's daughter was Patty.I have not heard about her in awhile.Last I knew she was doing well.Steven is about 45 or so I think.

[Broadbill-Pro]

Burt you get credit for developing the fasted moving post I think I have witnessed. Subjects are all over the place, but it has been an informative thread throughout.

[quack quack]

Yeah Vinny who ever thought any one on this site would ever agree with you about anything.

[Tuna Devil]

Has anyone fished the bottom consistently at night? I have not. It would be interesting to know the results if someone has.

It also sounds like it could help answer some of the questions brought up in this thread.

[DIRTYFOOT2]

Super good point Dave. Watch out you may have just started the next trend .

[swordstalker]

Originally Posted by Tuna Devil

Has anyone fished the bottom consistently at night? I have not. It would be interesting to know the results if someone has.

It also sounds like it could help answer some of the questions brought up in this thread.

I think Uncle Buck and Emijess have tried it at night... Bill??

[Nick C]

Yea they have done it at night a couple times as have I on a slow night with little current.... no dice. But then again I haven't done shit in the day time either.

And here's some food for thought... Last night while I was bait fishing 270' I was marking decent schools of gogs and tinks... only caught 6 tinks and 20 gogs, but what I did see was something very big chasing bait(pretty sure it was tinkers) on top. A lot of commotion... maybe some slashing.... The more I thinbk about it, the more I think it was a swordy. Thoughts?

[snooknreds2]

Originally Posted by Nick C

And here's some food for thought... Last night while I was bait fishing 270' I was marking decent schools of gogs and tinks... only caught 6 tinks and 20 gogs, but what I did see was something very big chasing bait(pretty sure it was tinkers) on top. A lot of commotion... maybe some slashing.... The more I thinbk about it, the more I think it was a swordy. Thoughts?

I went day fishing (inside not for swords) and we saw two "sharks" on the surface. But we never got close enough to really distinguish what they were but they were big!!!!
Tuna chaser will say they were sharks but I am not sure what they were...more food for thought

[Tunachaser]

Originally Posted by snooknreds2

I went day fishing (inside not for swords) and we saw two "sharks" on the surface. But we never got close enough to really distinguish what they were but they were big!!!!
Tuna chaser will say they were sharks but I am not sure what they were...more food for thought

Definitely sharks (150-175# class fish). I saw them both well enough to see that they were not Swords, unfortunately. However, I do think that Swords are going to follow the easy/most abundant meal source, regardless of water depth. Just my .02

[tunaman81]

Originally Posted by Nick C

And here's some food for thought... Last night while I was bait fishing 270' I was marking decent schools of gogs and tinks... only caught 6 tinks and 20 gogs, but what I did see was something very big chasing bait(pretty sure it was tinkers) on top. A lot of commotion... maybe some slashing.... The more I thinbk about it, the more I think it was a swordy. Thoughts?

It may very well have been a swordfish. When they are on the prowl actively hunting at night, they are going to go where ever they can find food. I have no doubt they would jump all over schools of tinkers and gogs, and would definately chase bait into 270 feet.

[Broadbill-Pro]

Harry,

My Uncle (Triple M) bought 3 or 4 x 57' boats from Gus and a few other friends did also. Do you remember the whale tail they installed on a few 57's? I can't believe that thing did not break off. I was going to buy a 23' from them to play around with, but for whatever reason never did.

We spent a lot of time swatting bugs off our necks at Taylor Creek in the 80's. Your posts comfort me in knowing I am not the only dinosaur on this forum. I was in my 20's back then and had a glow for catching all I could. Today it's about watching others catch fish, but at the same time knowing I can still out-smart a few.

[quack quack]

Originally Posted by Broadbill-Pro

Harry,

We spent a lot of time swatting bugs off our necks at Taylor Creek in the 80's. Your posts comfort me in knowing I am not the only dinosaur on this forum. I was in my 20's back then and had a glow for catching all I could. Today it's about watching others catch fish, but at the same time knowing I can still out-smart a few.

While I may be a little younger and much better looking I feel the same way Vinny.

[Harry Klauber]

Be glad you didn't buy that 23 from Gus and Randy. My buddy David Luke (treasure hunter - Lived on Delaware Ave opposite the school) bought one and no amount of trim tabs or engine trim could stop the boat from porpoising. It was horrible and would even bury it's bow in a small following sea.

Our boat had it's rolling problems. They did all they could with adding a full keel and rolling chocks but they could never solve the problem. Commercial fishing was a secondary thing for me as I spent 6 months a year at sea as chief engineer on my ship. When you needed 50% of your earned income to come from fishing in order to qualify for a restricted species permit the boat was sold and taken to the Bahamas. Now I just fish up there recreationally either trailering my own boat up or fishing with friends that live close by.

I think I want to write to Sportfishing Magazine - I have written to them before and they have published my letters. I think with your experience you can direct me as to what we are all trying to say which is I believe that the success of the early stages of the daytime electric reel fishery cannot be a prediction that we are going to wipe out the fish. I think strong emphasis needs to be placed on the fact that it just isn't as easy as the articles have all made it seem.

I am going to re-read everything in this month's issue, make some notes, and see what I can put together. It's not going to be scientific - just my opinion. I am willling to throw it out to the forum and would gladly accept input so maybe we can "as a group" agree on the content and send it from "Swordfish Central". In that manner it won't seem as if just one guy is cry babying.

I'm glad I can bring back memories of good years for you. I am 63 so if I am doing the math correctly you should be in your 40's now? Is that correct? In your 20's in the 80's would put you in your 40's now. I clearly remember all of the 3M boats that I would see at D&D but as I said I just knew the crews by sight and for a change of taste would trade bottom fish for light sticks and some swordfish that might come off a fish that had been "shark bit" and couldn't be sold.

We might not always want to say everything to each other via the open forum so as I have posted for others - you can e-mail me at klafish1@aol.com

You might want to tell me what a jerk I am for getting my facts all messed up and at least I won't get embarrased in the light of day. Harry

PS - I have seen everyone refer to you as Vinnie - correct?