We are about to fall into September. The ninth month offers a little something for everyone but alas fishing slows down or maybe the anglers slow down in any case this is one of the least productive times of the year on the South Florida scene. Summer is on the wane and footballs fill the air, hunters start checking out their gear and scouting fertile areas. The kiddies go back to the classrooms. As usual Crook & Crook is offering their annual end of season stimulus type sales. Everything seems in a state of flux except our heat which refuses to quit until at least Halloween and as an added bonus we get the suspicious weather systems popping off the coast of Africa as if from a cookie cutter. This has become a popular pastime as we watch them grow and maneuver towards our coast. It’s called watching the cone of disaster. On the upside this month we have Captain Bric’s Miami Swordfish event and our improved Miami Dolphins.
Rumor has it Johnny Morris, marine and TV mogul captured a 1200 pound plus blue fin tuna last month. The international sportsman was fishing in the frigid waters off Nova Scotia. I wonder if he will hang the beast in one of his bass shops.
Cute Sydney Wright sent us this picture of one of her last catches of the summer season before she returns to her little red schoolhouse. The young lady makes her daddy Jeff proud and is a walking advertisement for the efficacy of the Tommy Otto basic fishing class for young ladies and gentlemen.
Promoter and entrepreneur Captain Bart Sherwood [the Don King of fishing] is promoting [you two fight and I’ll hold your coats] a mano y mano lobster contest between Captain Jimmy Lewis and Captain Jimbo Thomas of Thomas Flyer fame [not exactly Frazier and Ali]. Three rounds to decide who is the best bug killer. Captain Bart say’s “this will be the culmination of a thirty five year blood feud “Tuna Bart volunteered Jimmy Vernor’s Fighting Lady as committee boat. He will handle the promotion and Calcutta’s and has volunteered moi for the radioman [unaware that I am a UM alumnus and not a Tennessee grad]. Let’s throw Froggie Cooper into the mix and I will get a bet down. First prize is a trip aboard a famous tuna boat next spring in Cat Cay. So far this event sounds like Sam Spade’s comment in the Maltese Falcon. “This is the thing dreams are made of.” This test of skill as the bard would say will probably be hoisted on its own petard and disappear in the breeze. Duels went out with Aaron Burr.
Captain Joe Gonzalez, arguably the premier light tackle charter captain in the south Florida area, is on extended busman’s holiday fishing in the wilds of British Columbia. Captain Joe has been staying at rustic Inns, catching his limit of Sock Eye, salmon and other species we are not aware of here in the tropics. The last report we had from the captain was he was planning an expedition to a local outfitter to purchase some heavier clothing suitable for late summer Canadian conditions and record frigid cold in his native Magic City on the bay.
Mutiny before the bounty.
Sandra MacMillian’s Sandman, piloted by Captain Neal Orange won the prestigious Boy Scout Tournament in St. Thomas with a dramatic and valiant effort. Captain Neal known as a stickler for preparation had the terminal tackle rigged and the crew in place when he left for the Virgin Islands. Everything was A-Ok ready for lift off. But as about a thousand sages have said, “Life ain’t easy”. For some unknown reason, real or imagined, the two mates brought from Miami jumped ship just before lines in. But not before they sabotaged the Tournament gear. Neal and Sandra quickly responded to the situation. They signed on two local mates and called the Toomey – Dieterle Corporation and secured the services of mercenary gunslinger Captain Cap Hinkley and they were ready for action. This potential disaster turned into blessing as the Sandman went on to catch a total of 3600 points to tie Ronnie Fields Big Oh but bested him on time to pick up all the marbles. Had the original crew remained they would probably not have placed in the event. These guys are found under “L” for losers in the dictionary of life .They must have skulked off undercover of darkness. It was a good thing this tournament was not in the BVI as mutineers are frowned on under the Union Jack. The yard arms on the dock are not for decoration. In spite of this epic drama of good and evil the tournament was a great success with lots of boats catching lots of fish.
Potpourri: International lady angler Joan Vernon [the gal with the ubiquitous groovy sunglasses] is not too happy with our administration in Washington and she and Nelson Fonseca like Marine Fuel Corporation
{Gleaned from Face Book
Captain Peter Bristow, World class marlin fisherman, sent us this picture of a “little one” recently caught and released off Madeira - Jon Jennings on the mend from eye surgery made an appearance at the Boy Scout Tournament in St. Thomas. Definitely on the road to recovery - Our benign Federal Government has come up with some draconian nonsense about boat anchoring which will make Stiltville, the sand bar and Elliot Key to name a few spots impossible to visit by water - Crook & Crook’s honcho Jose Chao made a quick jaunt to Mexico and captured his first stripped marlin.
The big game community lost a true champion with demise of Stewart Campbell recently when he passed on at his home in Texas. Campbell and his captain / friend Bark Garnsey roamed the planet for at least a decade in search of blue marlin. The self made tycoon who was acquainted with mates, anglers, captains and boat yard owners was considered friend by everyone. Mr. Campbell will be missed but not replaced. He belongs in the sport fusing Valhalla with the likes of Carpenter, Jo Jo, Julio Sanchez, Jim Lambert and other class act guys who made big game angling the special sport it is.
That’s it for this month fans.
As usual I end with the quote of the month.
Perky Sydney Wright, the snapper princess, said after catching her limit. “The fish still like Crook and Crook’s shrimp the best.”
Tight Lines,
Dude Perkins
