Fishing Report
The New Year arrived with record snow and cold in most of the contiguous states of our nation. The Pack and the Steelers made it to the big dance. Anarchy ran rampant in the Middle East spreading like a virus. Australia just drying out from severe flooding was hit by a giant cyclone [hurricane] which devastated many famous marinas. The politicians were wondering where the money was going to come from while enacting new costly legislation, much ado was made about high school boys signing letters accepting football scholarships [one in thirty may make the pros]
While all this was going on South Florida was basking in perfect weather and was the fishing capital of the nation, in the middle of the month Florida was the only state without snow [no one checked So Be].
The sailfish tournaments were packed and fishing was super productive, the only dark cloud on the horizon was the new draconian fishing regulations which recently went into effect.
For the good news the huge Miami International Boat Show is right around the corner.
Miami promoter and fishing maven Tony Albello recently went diving and shot a seventeen pound mutton snapper. Big Tony had already shot a bull’s-eye with his Mayor’s Cup sail fish Tournament in Coconut Grove. A packed field of fishing machines caught and released 422 fish. When lines were called in it was the Get Lit owned by sportsman Kit Toomey who won the prize. Captain Quinton Dietrerle, Toomey and crew of Miller. Cooper and Hinkley et al caught 29 fish for 2900 points to take the honors. Terry Claus’ Qualifier took second place with 2000 points [on time] and Scott Robins Weez in the Keys finished third with Ray Rosher at the helm but finished second in the money. The Weez has finished in the money in three out of the last four contests. The Claus family, on the Qualifier, did not participate in the various money categories as they are a throw back to the old days when gentlemen fished for the pure sport of the event. They were ecstatic with their trophy and a job well done Hardway captured the small boat title with 2000 points. They did it the hard way with a small boat. Captain John Emery signed on hired gunslinger Jack Agramonte to fish aboard his state of the art Spencer, Sandpiper, to enhance his tournament chances but alas they finished out of the money. Jack forgot his bullets.
Captain Ray Rosher reports that his Coconut Grove charter boat Miss Britt recently caught and released a three hundred pound plus swordfish on a recent trip. This was a special charter as Italian Massimo Bragna came to South Florida too complete his life long quest. Mr. Bragna needed a swordfish to round out his Royal Lifetime Billfish Slam. Obviously he came to the right place as they caught and released the beast on day one of his odyssey. Italian master angler Massimo is the IGFA representative of the historic Mediterranean nation. Kudos Mr. Bragna, but what do you do for an encore?
Got an E mail from Jake Harpoonum with a pic of a pomfret he caught. The pomfret is an edible fish found in most areas of the planet except the Sahara and Gobi deserts. This fish called brama brama in Asia is also known a blue butterfish. The photo was accompanied by a message from local captain George Liriano who might have guided Jake to the rare catch. I am not sure if Harpoonum caught the trophy or speared it. A man named Harpoonum could sign on with Captain Ahab, when a whale appeared all the tortured captain would have to do is call out his name, “Jake Harpoonum” However they caught it and there is nothing better than a blue butterfish sandwich and a cold glass of beer.
South Florida Captain Ed Kittel and his bride Victoria trekked to Hawaii in search of a spearfish to round out the lady’s IGFA Royal Billfish Slam. Flight attendant [in olde English - stew] Ms. Kittle finally captured her spearfish and became the seventh lady angler to accomplish this feat. After a celebration Captain Ed and the attractive Victoria [now one of seven] said aloha and jetted back to South Florida.
Potpourri :
Captain Bart Sherwood had New Orleans Saint’s tight end Jeremy Shockey fishing on his Sea Boots last week. The rangy athlete caught dolphin in an effort to erase the memory of the ambush in Seattle
- Ageless Joan Vernon celebrated another birthday but she survives them well.
-Promoter Big Tony Albello just completed a half marathon.
-Captain “Q ‘Dieterle’ two boys [one a Nole the other a Gator] are now on the road to cyber success. They have a website from the two schools featuring wall to wall coeds. With all that pulchritude it can’t miss.
Living legend Peter Bristow who ply’s his craft in Madera capturing big blue marlin flew into town to see old friends and make new contacts. The old bush ranger opted to stay on an extra week to attend the IGFA banquet with veteran big game fisherman Captain Barkey Garnsey.
That’s it for this month fans
I usually close with the quote of the month.
Alas the only memorable quote was Ms. Aguilera’s third line of our national anthem. But her appearance and enthusiasm more than made for a small error.
Tight lines and happy Valentines Day
Dude Perkins
