Yeti Camino 35 Carryall

The improved Camino 35 Carryall by Yeti now features deployable dividers and two zippered interior pockets that provide an as-needed option to a single large compartment. Made with the same tough, waterproof material as the Panga Duffel, this redesigned tote allows you to keep your wet gear separate from dry stuff, and it helps organize what you carry more efficiently. $149.99; yeti.com

Salt Life Stealth Trooper Bibs

Waterproof, all-weather Stealth Trooper bibs from Salt Life are built for the long haul with reinforced, welded seams and a double-layered seat and kneepads. Waterproof zip pockets, flap cargo pockets and a heavy-duty Cordura pliers pocket keep essentials handy. Velcro closures at the ankle keep water out, and waist snaps allow an adjusted fit. $126; saltlife.com

Frabill Conservation Ultralight Net

Made for easy, one-handed operation, Frabill’s Conservation Ultralight net features a generous 21-by-24-inch hoop, and a light 48-inch carbon-fiber handle with a molded grip. Its updated Pow’R Lok yoke provides exceptional stability and strength, while the knotless mesh bag with a flat bottom cradles and protects fish for a perfect release. $139.99; frabill.com

Plano Atlas Tackle Pack

Combining the durability of a tackle box with the light weight of a tackle bag, the Plano Atlas Tackle Pack holds four utility boxes, sits on a waterproof HDPE base, and incorporates a patented magnetic Dropzone tool grabber, as well as a bungee-cord rod holder, tool holders, water-resistant phone storage, internal zippered mesh pockets, molded side pockets and comfortable shoulder straps. $199.99; planomolding.com

Rapala Elite Scissors

Armed with a high-performance, lightweight Cerakote coating to protect against abrasion, corrosion and UV rays, Rapala’s Elite scissors feature serrated blades to handle braid, monofilament and fluorocarbon lines. Spring-loaded for one-handed operation, with a sliding lock for storage, the 7-inch Elite scissors also boast an ergonomic handle design and side cutters to clip up to 15-pound wire. $46.99; rapala.com

Costa Tuna Alley

Costa’s popular Tuna Alley frame, now with Pro Series upgrades, includes an updated vent system, adjustable nose pads, and top and side shields. Frames come in three colors—matte black, gray and Wetlands—and are available with Blue Mirror, Gray Silver Mirror, Green Mirror, Copper Silver Mirror, Sunrise Silver Mirror or gray 580G mineral glass lenses. Starting at $257; costadelmar.com

Bajio Roca

Made with a tough, bio-based nylon, Roca Black Matte sunglasses with Blue Mirror polycarbonate lenses from Bajio include an oversize frame for reduced glare and complete coverage against overall light intrusion. Polarized lenses feature LAPIS blue-light-blocking technology that measurably minimizes eye fatigue and strain for longer, more productive days on the water. $199; bajiosunglasses.com

Xtratuf Ankle Deck Boot Eco

The Ankle Deck Boot (ADB) Eco combines the Xtratuf legacy with an innovative plant-based replacement for neoprene. Retaining the familiar design with a nonmarking, slip-resistant outsole, the 100 percent waterproof Eco is built with Yulex, a natural rubber derived from the sap of the Hevea tree, for a boot that is as durable and comfortable as the original ADB. $89.95; xtratuf.com

Pelagic Vaportek Hooded Performance Fishing Shirt

Featuring proprietary water- and stain-repelling technologies, UPF 50-plus sun protection and a UV protective hood, the Vaportek Hooded Performance Fishing Shirt from Pelagic is made of a lightweight and comfortable stretch-flex 100 percent polyester, and keeps you cool with full-length mesh panels for optimal airflow. Available in four colors, now including Black Fish Camo, in sizes S to 3XL. $60; pelagicgear.com

Columbia Skiff Guide Woven Short-Sleeved Shirt

Spend a day on the flats in comfort with the Columbia Skiff Guide woven short-sleeved shirt made from 100 percent recycled polyester. Back vents provide circulation, Omni-Shade technology lends UPF 50 sun protection, and Omni-Shield repellency resists stains. Fishing-friendly details, like a sunglasses cleaning patch and a rod holder, add functionality. $50; columbia.com

AFTCO Rescue Fishing Shorts

Made from fabric developed using regenerated nylon from decommissioned fishing nets and industrial plastics, the Rescue Fishing Shorts from AFTCO offer four-way stretch, UPF 30 sun protection and stain resistance. Key features include a reinforced pliers pocket, an elastic drawstring waist, hand pockets and a zippered back pocket. Available in khaki, Aquifer and charcoal, in sizes 30 to 42. $89; aftco.com

Gill Xpel Tech Hoodie

The Xpel Tech Hoodie from Gill with wicking fabric provides UV 50-plus protection, repels water and oil, and controls odors. Xpel fabric technology remains effective for up to 50 washes. Available in Shadow Camo, Pool Camo, Ice, Twilight, Glacier and white in men’s XS to 4XL, as well as Palm Print, Ice, Pool Blue and white in women’s sizes 4 to 12. $54.95; gillfishing.com

Guy Harvey Performance Raglan Sun Protection Top

Raglan sleeves and moisture-wicking properties keep you comfortable and cool in the Performance Raglan Sun Protection Top from Guy Harvey. It’s made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which conducts scientific research and educational programs to help save our oceans. $45; guyharvey.com

Bluefin Tournament Shorts

Fashioned from lightweight, ultra-soft, durable and quick-drying microfiber fabric, the Tournament shorts from Bluefin offer the comfort of four-way stretch, and are designed for utility with a right-side cargo pocket, pliers pocket, two rear pockets, and adjustable waist straps for the perfect fit. Available in sizes 30 to 40, in khaki and navy. $59; bluefinusa.com

Huck Performance Bucket

Built of tough SpryTech, which outperforms the HDPE used in disposable 5-gallon buckets, the Huck Performance Bucket is nearly indestructible, functional and engineered to stay out of landfills. Vibram performance-rubber feet keep it from sliding on the deck and offer a place for fingers to grab for better handling and control. $119.95; thehuckbucket.com

Smith Coated Knives

Coated knives from Smith’s feature 400 series stainless-steel blades, a corrosion-resistant coating and ergonomic, nonslip TPE handles. Fillet knives in 7- and 9-inch models have flexible tips for precise cutting, and a stout midsection for powering through bone. The 4-inch Baitbreaker includes a serrated top edge. All knives include a breathable sheath with a belt clip. $28.99 to $39.99; smithsproducts.com

Read Next: Essential Gear for a New Boat

Calcutta Tuna/Billfish Bag

Designed to keep large pelagics like tuna, wahoo or billfish chilled and fresh, and to ease the handling and transport of such oversize fish, the Calcutta Tuna/Billfish Bag features three compression straps to hold ice in place. The bag can also be unzipped and used to blanket an entire day’s catch. Reinforced grab handles and sturdy tarpaulin material add durability. $399.99; calcuttaoutdoors.com

The post New Fishing Gear for 2022 appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

Ok, sure. This isn’t our first rodeo on the subject, and because there is a push for more, we will likely cover it again. For all of us who enjoy sport fishing, it’s important. It is about access to common-property resources.

There is a big push to lock up 30 percent of all US waters and lands. In most cases, this will take away historic access to our resources, with the questionable idea that it will benefit all users and resources alike. At least some of that theory has been proven to be incorrect.

This effort had a start with California’s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) in 1999. The MLPA established a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) to preserve marine resources from intrusive human activities. What is “intrusive” might be in the eye of the beholder. I am not aware of any studies that have shown fish-resource improvement related to the MLPA’s restriction on angler access. The MLPA did, however, close off angler access to many of the usual and productive fishing grounds. 

Then along comes California’s new effort, AB 3030. This was an attempt to get an additional 30 percent of California waters under MPA restrictions. Initially, it did not give credit for existing MPAs. It failed to pass, but fear not. It is unlikely these efforts will simply fade away. There is now a federal effort for a 30-by-30 plan to be implemented through President Biden’s executive order. This a push to place 30 percent of US waters and lands under protection by 2030, but this effort relies on local constituency input. This is much more a bottom-up effort—a positive—but it might be guided by incorrect science.

The recreational fishing industry, as a major constituency, has determined we need to work with federal and local agencies to make sure the correct science is used by those making the decisions. Industry leaders support conservation and sound management of marine resources, and will promote the following concepts:

1. US no-fishing MPAs do not increase fishery productivity.

The science suggests no-fishing MPAs (at times referenced as no-catch MPAs, no-take MPAs or fully protected MPAs) do not produce a meaningful increase in fishery productivity in the US. 

2. Proven US fisheries management does increase overall fishery productivity.

Science-based fisheries management is the key to protecting ocean fishery health. NOAA data on the fisheries’ stock status shows improving US fishery health due to effective fisheries management, which continues to rebuild stocks in our oceans.

3. Recreational anglers support biodiversity and habitat protection.

Recreational anglers understand the need to protect and conserve our fish populations and the habitat they depend on. We support 30-by-30 policies that are not merely aspirational. The policies should recognize existing management protections and work to identify additional conservation through an objective, science-driven, stakeholder-engaged process to determine the appropriate level of management action necessary to meet biodiversity conservation goals. 

As efforts move ahead to craft effective policies, it is important to understand that the sport-fishing industry wants to work with the reasonable environmental community to make sure resources are protected and managed sustainably, and that the 26 percent of our US waters already under MPA status are recognized as part of the 30 percent. 

Major sport-fishing organizations, like the American Sportfishing Association, International Game Fish Association and Coastal Conservation Association, and many local sport-fishing groups will be supporting the effort to move ahead with a 30-by-30 plan that does what it is supposed to do. 

In a report by a number of marine scientists published in Science Direct, we learned: “Marine reserves are a promising tool for fisheries management and conservation of biodiversity, but they are not a panacea for fisheries management problems. Marine reserves, together with other fishery management tools, can help achieve broad fishery and biodiversity objectives, but their use will require careful planning and evaluation.”

So, the sport-fishing industry believes that the best path forward is to work with those who are implementing the executive order to conserve our marine resources and strengthen the resiliency of our coastal and marine habitats to climate change. 

What the sport-fishing industry does not support is “feel good” closures that are not based on sound science. When it comes to MPAs as a whole, some might simply say, “Hell no!” But the time for that as an effective strategy has long passed. 

The post 30×30: A Place at the Table appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

We were catching rockfish one after the other on a deep wreck off Long Beach, California, when I decided to try something different. Instead of the usual strip of squid, I plucked an 8-inch mackerel from the livewell, pinned the hook through its nose, and sent it down. 

Within seconds, I felt an aggressive thump, a welcome sign of a fish inhaling the bait. I reeled down and set the hook, and the fish surged downward, heading for the jagged wreck. The rod tip plunged as the fish jerked me to the rail, and line tore off the reel despite the maximum drag. 

I fought to regain line and wrest the fish from the structure. Eventually, it gave way and, as it ascended to color, the gaping maw, wicked teeth and camouflaged sides confirmed it was a lingcod. After hoisting it aboard with a big net, I weighed it on a spring scale—a 25-pounder.

Pacific Prize

Lingcod grow to over 50 pounds off California, with the state record standing at 56 pounds for a fish caught in 1992 in Northern California. But in Southern California, fish of 25 to 30 pounds prove big enough to earn bragging rights. 

Lings dwell at great depths along the SoCal coast and around the offshore islands. Often it seems the deeper you fish, the more likely you will hook a big one. Recent changes in the California Fish and Game code have opened up new opportunities for big lingcod. While prior regulations restricted bottomfishing to depths inside 360 feet, depth limits have been expanded recently to 600 feet in many areas.

No matter the depth, the key to success lies in fishing bottom structure such as rocky reefs and wrecks. Prime feeding areas on any structure lie along drop-offs amid caves and cuts, where lingcod wait in ambush among anemones, urchins and gorgonian coral, waiting for current to sweep prey to them. Big lings bully their way into the best spots, forcing the smaller fish out. So, to catch the biggest lings, focus on the edges of structure. 

Big Baits

Big baits catch big fish. This proves especially true with lingcod. Anglers catch relatively few fish with the strips of squid used for rockfish. Big, active live baits such as mackerel that broadcast struggle vibrations capture the attention of nearby lingcod. 

Other live baits that work well for big lings include sand dabs—6- to 10-inch-long solelike flatfish that anglers catch with sabiki rigs on deep sandy bottom areas, often adjacent to reefs and wrecks—as well as large Pacific sardines, usually available at live-bait receivers in Ventura, Redondo, Long Beach, Dana Point, San Diego Bay and other ports.

Some anglers also use small rockfish, one of the prime forage species for big lings. To that point, sometimes a ling will latch on to a hooked rockfish and refuse to release as you reel both fish to the surface. These hitchhikers often end up on the deck, victims of fatal gluttony, despite never being hooked.

No matter which bait you fish, pin the hook up though the roof of the mouth and out through the top of the nose to keep the bait lively and prevent the hook from turning into the bait. 

Drift and Drop

Given the depths at which lingcod live, most anglers drift over structure rather than anchor. This requires precision in setting up to put the boat on a productive drift and keep the baits over the structure—which might be a relatively small wreck—as long as possible. A light breeze or current helps because it’s difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to drift effectively in a strong wind. 

The technique calls for motoring to the upwind or up-current side of the reef or wreck while anglers stand ready to drop lines. At the starting point, the captain pulls the boat out of gear and anglers drop their baits to the bottom. It’s then a matter of keeping the baits close to the structure where a big ling can grab them. 

Keep the line as vertical as possible while drifting in order to avoid snags, sense a bite, and minimize avenues of escape for hooked fish. Once the line scopes out more than 20 degrees, reel in and drop the bait again, or set up for another drift.

Recently, a good alternative to drifting employs a bow-mounted trolling motor with GPS and a virtual-anchor feature to maintain position right over structure for lingcod and rockfish. 

Terminal Tackle

Fishing in current-swept depths from 150 to 600 feet requires a terminal rig that accommodates a heavy sinker to present the bait close to the bottom. One of the best is the dropper-loop rig. Start with the reel spooled with 65-pound-test braid, then add a 10-foot top shot of 30- to 40-pound fluorocarbon. 

Create an 8-inch loop with a spider hitch about 3 feet from the bitter end of the top shot. Girth-hitch a hook matched to the size of the bait to this loop—I like Owner Aki Twist hooks in 4/0 to 6/0. Use a spider hitch to create a 3-inch loop at the bottom of the top shot, and girth-hitch a 6- to 20-ounce torpedo sinker, depending on the depth and drift speed.

Some anglers add a second loop 18 to 24 inches above the first loop when fishing for rockfish. For lingcod, one hook and one bait prove less cumbersome. Also, two hooked lings on the same rod tend to wrestle the hooks out of each other’s mouths during the fight. 

Quick Victory

Around structure, lings possess home-field advantage. With an initial burst of acceleration, a ling can power into the rocks or wreck. You will often feel the ling attack the bait with a pronounced thump, and then nothing. The fish might not be going anywhere, instead choosing to settle back into its lair to enjoy its meal. At this stage, reel down and swing hard to set the hook, then apply maximum pressure with a tight drag. This is when the ling will unleash its fury, so pull with all your might and gain line until the ling is well above the structure.

Power Play

This technique calls for a stout 8-foot rod. Conventional reels with high-retrieve ratios work well and pack enough braid to fish the recently opened deeper waters. Once a big ling is clear of the structure, the battle is in your favor. Settle into a slow grind, maintaining steady pressure. Usually, lings willingly rise from the depths. Resist the urge to pump the fish because this might trigger head shakes that dislodge the hook. Play it right and the ling should glide peacefully to the net.

With extended depth regulations and new bottomfishing opportunities open to anglers, now is the right time to venture off the SoCal coast to fish deep structure with live bait and take your shot at a big ling. 

Read Next: Fishing for Lingcod with Large Saltwater Swimbaits

Lingcod Dropper Rig

A dropper-loop rig lets you fish a live bait near the bottom while minimizing snagging on the rocks or wreck. The double-line loop to the hook offers protection against toothy lings biting through the leader and provides additional abrasion resistance against jagged structure where lings dwell. Use a quality fluorocarbon leader with high abrasion resistance. 

SWS Planner

• What: Lingcod from 25 to 40 pounds
• Where: Deep structure areas off the Southern California coast and offshore islands
• When: March through December (season closed in January and February)
• Who: Anglers with reliable craft from 20 feet up. If you want to learn more about catching lings, book a trip with one of these top charter captains:

Capt. Jimmy Decker

Fishing with Decker

949-280-4597

facebook.com/fishingwithdecker

Capt. Benny Florentino

Coastal Charters

310-779-0397

fishcoastalcharters.com

Capt. Gerry Mahieu

All Harbors Charter

949-279-6013

catchmorebass.com

SWS Tackle Box

• Rods: 8-foot medium-heavy action, such as a Calstar Grafighter 800M, Seeker 270-8H, Penn Bluewater Carnage 800M or equivalent
• Reels: Conventional, such as an Okuma Tesoro 10S or Shimano Torium 20
• Line: 65-pound braid with 10 feet of 30- to 40-pound-test fluoro top shot
• Terminal Rig: 8- to 10-inch dropper loop formed by a spider hitch with a 4/0 or 6/0 Owner Aki Twist hook. 6- to 20-ounce torpedo sinker on the tag end, 30 inches below the dropper loop
• Bait: Live baits such as Pacific mackerel, jack mackerel, sardines or sand dabs

The post Fish Deep for Southern California Lingcod appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

Every year, tarpon trickle into the Florida Keys backcountry with the first warming trends. Sometimes the fish show up as early as the end of January, well before the weather starts to settle in March, and a number of anglers head down to the Keys to tangle with those winter and early-spring silver kings, knowing a cold front could immediately shut down the bite.

In addition to warming waters, Capt. Rick Stanczyk of Islamorada says the annual run of silver mullet draws in the tarpon. “When mullet get going, so do the tarpon,” Stanczyk says. “Usually, it all starts in March and goes into April, sometimes May,” he adds. “That’s when we catch many of our larger fish, the bigger migrating females in the 80- to 120-pound range.” 

Locating Fish

Finding tarpon can be as easy as looking for fish crashing into schools of mullet or rolling on the surface. If Stanczyk doesn’t see tarpon on the surface as he runs in the backcountry, he studies his side-scan fish finder to pinpoint fish or spots where they might show up later in the tide cycle.

Various basins on the Gulf side of the lower Keys are popular with anglers trying to connect with early arrivals, and so are areas like Nine Mile Bank and Sprigger Bank, north of Marathon, where outgoing tides sweep small fish and crustaceans through breaks in the banks (known as passes), and tarpon wait for an easy meal. So, when Stanczyk locates a dip in an area with hard bottom or a bend in a channel in any of the remote spots he fishes, he marks it on his machine.

One of the advantages of fishing the backcountry instead of the various popular Overseas Highway bridges that connect the Keys is the scarcity of boats. “In late winter and early spring, there are other boats in the backcountry, but they’re spread out—for miles sometimes—so you don’t feel crowded,” explains Stanczyk, who usually does eight-hour trips starting at 6 or 7 a.m. because it gives him time to run to different areas, some 30 or 40 miles from Islamorada. 

Capt. Grif Helwig of Key West has a well-known tarpon hotspot, Key West Harbor, right in his backyard. But like Stanczyk, he likes to get away from the crowds and does it by running 25 miles west to the Marquesas or northeast into the shallow Gulf waters around Summerland and Big Pine keys. Helwig specializes in fly-fishing, but also arms anglers with soft-plastic lures and plugs. 

Tuned Tactics

A major attraction of targeting tarpon in the Keys backcountry is the opportunity to sight-fish in shallow water. Capt. Greg Poland of Islamorada stealthily poles his skiff across the flats to   afford his anglers the thrilling experience of seeing a 100-pound fish eat their offering in 3 feet of water. 

When he’s not guiding fly anglers, he often resorts to live-baiting to better the odds. The trick, Poland says, is to give incoming fish about a 10-foot lead. “You don’t want to cast too close and spook the tarpon, or cast so far away that the fish doesn’t see the bait. When a tarpon eats, you simply need to reel until the fish starts taking drag to set the circle hook.”

Stanczyk prefers to anchor when he sees tarpon rolling or blowing up schools of mullet. He puts his boat in front of the fish and drifts back live baits. “We usually fish mullet, as lively as possible, especially during the bait run,” he says, adding that pinfish are also effective on pleasant spring days.

He’ll fish a spot for 20 to 30 minutes. If he doesn’t get any bites, he’ll move. But sometimes he never leaves. On his best day, Stanczyk’s anglers caught 16 tarpon at one spot.

Early tarpon are also willing fly takers, if you make the right presentation. Andy Mill of Boca Raton, Florida, who has won the three most prestigious tarpon fly tournaments in the Keys, says success depends on reading the fish and how it’s swimming. “You just have to understand the tarpon’s body language. Whether it’s moving fast or slow and easy, you must keep the fish’s pace with the fly.” 

If a fish is deep and facing into the current, Mill recommends casting short of the fish and letting the fly sink so when the tarpon encounters it, it’s right in front of its face. In that situation, casting directly to the fish -usually ends with the fly drifting over the tarpon as it swims by. “The key is to let the fish see the fly,” says Mill, who likes flies tied on sharp 1/0 hooks that quickly penetrate a tarpon’s hard mouth, made with materials like marabou or rabbit strip, which pulsate enticingly in the water.

Gearing Up

Given the likelihood of catching tarpon of 100 or more pounds, Stanczyk uses heavy spinning outfits spooled with nearly 300 yards of 50-pound braided line so his anglers can quickly bring in and release the fish. He adds 20 feet of 60-pound monofilament to the braid, attaches a swivel, and ties on a 6- to 8-foot leader of 100-pound mono, or 60- to 80-pound fluorocarbon if the water is clear. He affixes a foam float to the swivel and pins a live mullet on a 5/0 to 8/0 J hook, depending on bait size.

Poland opts for lighter tackle when live-baiting on the shallows. His setup is simple: spinning gear, 15-pound braided line, 4 feet of 60-pound fluorocarbon leader, and a 4/0 circle hook. His preferred baits are small blue crabs, pilchards or pinfish suspended below a cork. 

When not fly-fishing, Helwig uses medium-action spinning gear with 40-pound line and a 10-inch Hogy Eel on a circle hook, or a Bomber Wind-Cheater plug with the lip cut off and both trebles swapped for single hooks. 

Mill gears up for big tarpon by using fly reels made for billfish and 650 yards of braided line for backing. The large-diameter reels let him gain line faster, especially advantageous when closing the gap on a running fish and when a tarpon is close to the boat and coming up.

Read Next: Four Places in Florida to Catch Tarpon Year-Round

Taming Tarpon

When they hook a big tarpon, many anglers immediately apply pressure. That can be a mistake, Stanczyk claims. “In the beginning, you don’t want to pull real hard and use a lot of force because the fish is also using a lot of force, so something’s probably going to break or the hook’s going to pull,” he says. “I tell my anglers to keep a light drag at first, and just reel enough to keep the line tight. After five or 10 minutes, once the fish settles and isn’t running and jumping, it’s time to tighten the drag and put more pressure on,” Stanczyk says.

When a tarpon eats a fly, Mill waits until he feels the weight of the fish, then strip-strikes to drive the hook home. 

He then concentrates on clearing the portion of fly line coiled on the casting deck before applying the maximum pressure his tippet will take to tire the fish quickly. Mill stays alert throughout the fight, ready to point the rod at the fish while also extending his arm when the tarpon jumps to prevent it from landing on a taut leader and breaking off.

Whatever tackle you use, if a tarpon gets away, don’t get down. In the Keys, you’re bound to get more shots. 

SWS Planner: Preseason Keys Tarpon

• What: Early tarpon
• When: Tarpon begin showing up in the Keys during warming periods in late winter and early spring, becoming more consistent in March and April, and plentiful from May through early July
• Where: Flamingo, Nine Mile and Sprigger banks, lower Keys basins, and other tranquil backcountry areas
• Who: The following Keys guides are tarpon experts in tune with the fish’s movements:

Key Largo

Capt. George Clark Jr.
rodeocharters.com
305-522-2638

Islamorada

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
islamoradatarpon.com
305-747-6903

Capt. Greg Poland
gregpoland.com
305-393-3327

Key West

Capt. Grif Helwig
endlesssummerfishingcharters.com
904-699-2315

Early-Tarpon Weaponry

The post Get a Jump on Tarpon Fishing in the Keys appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

The times they are a-changin’—again. Back in the 1920s, New Jersey was not known as a striped bass haven, but rather the channel bass (red drum or redfish) capital of the East Coast. Apparently, redfish were more commonplace in the Garden State than stripers a century ago. And for the past 10 years, the Northeast has again seen an increase in reds in local waters, only now they’re bringing along a host of warm-water friends.

That’s right, reports indicate sheepshead, speckled trout, cobia, and both Spanish and king mackerel are also migrating farther north, reaching Northeast waters en masse. Here’s a look at their cyclical patterns, and when and how to target them successfully. 

Comeback Cobia

While cobia have not exactly been a dependable catch off New Jersey shores, there is a size and bag limit for them, and the current state record of 90 pounds, 8 ounces was caught in 2019 at McCrie Shoal off Cape May. Capt. Al Crudele of Bayhound Charters has seen cobia in Jersey waters for a long time. “I remember catching them in the ’80s, but they seem to be resurging now, probably due to global warming and its effect on ocean temps, or perhaps it’s a cyclical phase,” the fishing guide says.  

Cobia migrate to the area when water temps reach 70 degrees or higher, usually showing up in June as they glide in with mako sharks along the 30-fathom line. Crudele believes they stick to the buoys and follow sea turtles offshore to start. “Then the pods move inshore to within 5 miles of the coast in July. In August, they reach the 2FB and 5FB areas, even patrolling the 20-fathom-line-area lobster pots, sometimes coming as close as 1 mile from shore, hanging around the Sea Isle Buoy.” 

Cobia are known to gravitate toward the same floating structures. If you find some along a certain pot line or a specific buoy, they are likely to show up there again next year. “But you have to get them to come off the pots to inspect what’s going on around your boat; otherwise, you’ll need to spot them in open water and stealthily creep up on them,” Crudele says. “I send out a live bunker or eel if they’re cautious, and figure-eight a bucktail tipped with a slender rubber bait if they appear curious boatside.”

Herding Sheepshead

Sheepshead Bay off Brooklyn, New York, was named as such for a reason. Sheepshead historically populated the Northeast waters. “If you just look at the 1920s catch reports from Cape May County, New Jersey, they’re all about red drum and sheepshead,” says Capt. Dan Schafer of Insomniac Guide Service. “I’ve been catching sheeps for the past 13 years now as they seem to be coming back to their historical northern home range. I think their return is directly related to habitat restoration and the improvement of oyster beds.” 

Schafer claims prime time is from May into October, when water temps range from 58 to 75 degrees. “In May, when the water gets to 57 degrees, sheepshead migrate into our backwaters. A few years ago, we saw mostly 6- to 13-pound fish, but now we’re also seeing 3- to 8-pounders, and even more fish in the 1- to 3-pound range, so they may be breeding and repopulating the area.” He adds that finding juveniles in the conch traps in January is becoming more common. “I think sheepshead follow the black drum spawn in the May moons.” Schafer has also found sheepshead on nearshore wrecks and inlet areas, to the point where they are replacing tautog in the backwater spots. 

His go-to rig is a 1-ounce Bottom Sweeper jig tipped with Asian or fiddler crab, half a green crab or a sand flea. “I pick a bridge piling and drop the crab down about 3 feet. If it doesn’t get hit in a minute, I drop it another 3 feet and so on until it hits bottom, then repeat the process. After a few unsuccessful drops, I try another piling.” 

Mackerel Matters

Jim Louro of Vicky Lynn Sportfishing has been ripping Spanish and king mackerel in Jersey for the past three summers. “They’re hot during July and August, but start showing up in June and last through September, when -water temps hover between 68 and 78 degrees,” he says. “I scan for mackerel jumping and other visuals, like surface activity or terns diving on small baitfish. And since schools of Spanish move fast, I’ll constantly move around.” 

Spanish macks are suckers for shiny metals such as the Savage Gear Glass Minnow, Deadly Dick No. 4 or Williamson Gomoku 30g jig. Morning hours, from sunrise to around 10 a.m., offer the best shot at hooking up as the macks feed aggressively on schools of rainfish and bay anchovies. “I bump out to the Manasquan Ridge in 40 to 60 feet of water to find a lot of Spanish and a few kings. But many times I just stay right in front of the Manasquan and Shark River inlets on the outgoing tides as the mackerel stage there and feed on bait schools pouring out.” 

Last year, Louro started finding some king mackerel close to shore, jigging up 5- to 8-pounders at the Manasquan Ridge in 15 to 40 feet of water. Many  tuna anglers reported hooking into 10- to 15-pound kings offshore as well. 

Reds and Specks

Tattered sepia-toned photographs hanging on the walls of New Jersey dockside bars detail thousands of red drum spilled along the dock planks. As recently as the 1930s, reds were so prominent in Jersey that they were considered a nuisance. 

Both redfish and their cousin, the speckled trout, are finding their way back into South Jersey, mainly south of Barnegat Inlet down to Cape May. “We start hearing about redfish and speckled trout in the surf and nearshore in May,” says Jeff Dilks of Hand’s Bait and Tackle in Cape May. “But most of the reports come during the mullet run, from mid-September to mid-November, when waters are in the 56- to 65-degree range.” 

Mullet rigs account for the bulk of the redfish, while pink Zoom soft-plastics rigged on 1/4- to 3/8-ounce leadheads tend to fool more speckled trout. 

“Specks seem to hit at Hereford Inlet and off the Cape May jetties,” says Dilks. “Redfish hotspots are in 40 feet of water at McCrie Shoal or along Poverty Beach. A few years back, there were hundreds of 20- to 40-pounders caught off Poverty on mullet and Bomber plugs.” And last December, plenty of reds were caught in the Jersey surf, in 56-degree water, on bunker chunks and swimming plugs. 

Whether due to warming oceans, habitat restoration, a cyclical phase or a combination of many factors, more and more historically southern species are migrating up to the Northeast. 

Brush up on your tactics and, aside from the usual suspects, your catches the next decade could include a number of gamefish that until recently were considered exotic in New Jersey and New York waters.

SWS Planner

• What: Sheepshead, cobia, Spanish and king mackerel, redfish and speckled trout
• Where: New Jersey and New York waters
• When: May through September
• Who: These Northeast charter captains target a variety of inshore and nearshore species, and can shorten your learning curve:

Sea Isle City, New Jersey 

Capt. Al Crudele

Bayhound Charters 

609-602-2662

Stone Harbor, New Jersey

Capt. Dan Schafer

Insomniac Guide Service

609-780-5124

insomniacguide.com

Staten Island, New York

Capt. Frank Crescitelli

917-468-4817

finchaser.com

The post Southern Gamefish Move North With Climate Change appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

The science tells us striper stocks are in trouble, but you’d be hard-pressed to believe it if you spend your time fishing the estuaries surrounding New York Bight. They say that Chesapeake Bay contributes the most recruits to the coastwide population, but I think the Hudson River provides a more consistent spawning environment, which equals more consistent spawning success from year to year, something the Chesapeake lacks. The result is anglers reap the benefits of what many believe is the best striper fishing anywhere on the planet. 

Striper pros agree, including Chuck “Tyman” Manny, who has probably caught and released more bass over 50 pounds than anyone alive. “I still take my boat south for big stripers in the winter,” Manny says. “I spend the rest of the year fishing from a slip in Highlands, New Jersey, because there’s no reason to go anywhere else. The striper fishing is that good in spring, summer and fall.”

I have fished striped bass from northern New Jersey for over 40 years, but I consulted my friend and co-director of the Manhattan Cup Striped Bass Tournament, Capt. Frank Crescitelli of Fin Chaser Charters, to explore this special area. Crescitelli grew up on Staten Island and has fished here all his life. He knows every nook and cranny the area has to offer and the techniques that produce consistently, so his insights are invaluable. 

“This area offers the best spring striper fishing imaginable,” he says. “Most years, bass are active by mid-March, and the shallows are the best place to begin hunting. Look at a chart of the Raritan/Sandy Hook complex and you’ll find thousands of acres of flats with a mean low water of 3 feet. The dark-bottom flats warm up quickly on sunny days, and a couple of degrees difference brings bass out of the ship channels to feed. Nearby Jamaica Bay is another shallow estuary where bass begin foraging early. It’s a fly-rodders dream spot in the spring.” 

In addition to the bay flats, tidal rivers and creeks become bass magnets in the spring. The Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers provide reliable early-season action, and it only gets better as the weather and water warm. The last few years, the Raritan River has been another early hotspot, although it comes into its own a little later, with April and May being prime time. We had days there last spring when we caught dozens of stripers up to 25 pounds on small plugs and plastics on a single tide; just watch out for the busy railroad bridge at the mouth that only offers sporadic openings. 

A typical spring season evolves with the earliest bass usually caught by shore anglers using sandworms or clams. Boat fishermen are close behind, and clam chumming on bay flats produces solid catches of school bass. Just be sure to use circle hooks with any natural bait—it’s the law. By early April, bass prowl the shallow shorelines of the aforementioned rivers, and the sod banks and deep holes of Jamaica Bay. 

“I’m a light-tackle and fly guy,” Crescitelli says, “so I don’t troll and only rarely use bait, mostly live bunker. I stick with places like Jamaica Bay, and the islands and the structure along the Staten Island shoreline, where spinning and fly tackle produce a lot of fish, some surprisingly large. 

“My favorite flies are a marabou Clouser in chartreuse or blue-and-white when the fishing is tough, and large bunker flies tied with artificial wig hair when large baitfish are present. For spinning, wide-body swimming plugs, like my Guides Secret Bunker Boy, and surface plugs, like my Poppa Pencil, are very productive when fished around structure and bunker pods out in the bay. A freshwater plug called Megadog, a huge surface slider introduced to me when I guided professional largemouth bass angler Oliver Ngy this past spring, proved deadly in his hands, and for me during the remainder of the year.”

While large menhaden appear in the rivers as early as March, which is when we start to see eagles and ospreys picking them off the surface, the bass don’t usually show an interest until the water temperature rises above 50 degrees. Bunker chunks fished on the bottom work first, then live bunker as the water temps push into the mid-50s. When the switch flips, it’s lights-out fishing, with more big bass coming into the area from offshore every day to feed and stage before making their spawning run up the Hudson. 

Not only will live-lining bunker catch them, large paddle tails such as Tsunami Swim Shads in 7- and 9-inch models, casting Mojos, a variety of large swimming plugs, pencils and sliders all produce. Another freshwater crossover that showed up last year is the 8-inch Ben Parker Magnum Spoon, a flutter spoon that is deadly around bunker schools when fished using a simple lift-and-drop technique. 

Read Next: How to Catch Trophy Striped Bass

The big bass flood into the bays through May, and then start to break off to head up the Hudson to spawn. Anglers get a second shot at them when they head back downriver and out into the ocean to begin their second migration of the year, this time northbound, leaving a large contingent of small and midsize resident stripers that never seem to leave the confines of New York Harbor and the surrounding waters. 

By late May, schools of spawned-out Chesapeake bass migrate into this area on their way north, and the abundance of bait in the bays and nearby ocean waters usually draws and holds them for a while. This gives anglers another shot at catching big fish, and it all repeats itself in the fall as the two stocks make their southward migration. 

New York Bight sees more striped bass during the spring months than anywhere else on the coast. It is undeniably striper central. 

SWS Tackle Box

Spinning Outfit

• Rod: Tsunami TSSPJS-701H 7-foot jig action or equivalent
• Reel: Penn Spinfisher VI 3500 Series or equivalent
• Line: 20-pound braid 
• Leader: 30-pound fluorocarbon leader
• Terminal: Tactical Angler 50-pound Power Clip for quick changes

Fly Outfit

• Rod: 9-foot, 8-weight, such as Sage X Series
• Reel: Sage Spectrum Max or equivalent
• Line: Rio Striper fast-sink or equivalent
• Terminal: 40-pound butt section and 20-pound tippet for a total of 5 feet

SWS Planner

• What: Striped bass, from schoolies to slobs
• When: Springtime, March through May
• Who: Boating anglers equipped with spin, plug or fly tackle

Covering the Options

Numerous artificials, including spoons, plugs and soft-plastics, imitate the behavior of the baitfish stripers seek.

The post Striped Bass Fishing in New York Harbor appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

It’s hard to imagine running to and from the fishing grounds at night or in a fog without radar, especially as waterways become increasingly crowded with boats and ships, as well as obstacles such as offshore wind farms, aquaculture operations and more. 

Radar is so important nowadays that I wouldn’t go fishing without it, no matter what the visibility. And the latest crop of solid-state marine radars reinforces that conviction. 

Not only do the newest systems offer higher definition and more information when it comes to target returns, they are easier to use and interpret. On top of that, radar scanners are more compact and streamlined, making them suitable for boats as small as 20 feet. Let’s look at some of the cool features you’ll find on the latest marine radars, including both dome and open-array systems.

Compact Style

For decades, the appearance of open-array radar scanners barely changed. But now, at least one company has introduced a more compact, stylish and aerodynamic design. The open arrays of Raymarine’s new Cyclone solid-state radar series reflect fresh—some might say radical—aesthetics. Reminiscent of an aircraft wing, the relatively thin scanner is more aerodynamic, allowing it to start and run at boat and wind speeds up to 100 knots. 

Designed to fit onto a wider range of vessels, the new scanners—available in 3-, 4- and 6-foot arrays—are only 13.2 inches tall and weigh 51 pounds. Profiles are so low, these scanners spin beneath the arrays of many conventional radars. To enhance the sleek appearance, Raymarine also created a waterproof cable gland within the scanner’s pedestal to conceal electrical connections by running them down into the mounting surface.  

Not to be outdone in style, Garmin introduced two color options for its new GMR Fantom 18x and 24x solid-state radars. The exteriors are now available in either black or white to complement the color scheme of your boat. 

Doppler Developments

Doppler technology continues to proliferate as more new solid-state radars become available. You now find Doppler features—in one form or another—in radars from every major electronics brand. Furuno provides one example: the compact DRS2DNXT 19-inch radome, which comes with the same features and modes as the larger 24-inch NXT dome, including Furuno’s NXT solid-state Doppler technology, known as Target Analyzer. 

With Target Analyzer, stationary or slow-moving echo returns, such as land masses or boats approaching your vessel at a velocity of less than 3 knots, appear green. Target returns shift to red when an object approaches your vessel at a speed of 3 knots or faster, independent of your own speed, thereby alerting the captain to possible collision situations. 

Garmin’s Fantom 18x and 24x solid-state dome radar series represents another example of Doppler application, which the company calls MotionScope. This feature highlights targets moving toward you in one color, such as red, so you can navigate around them. It also paints targets moving away in another color, such as green. 

The Doppler mode in the Raymarine Cyclone series displays in a three-color palette, one color each to indicate targets traveling toward you, away from you and stationary. 

High Resolution

Newer solid-state radars offer improved target resolution. For instance, Raymarine’s Cyclone series combines advanced dielectric radar technology with post-processing to remove sea and rain clutter, and replicate chartlike images on the radar screen.

Furuno’s DRS2DNXT incorporates RezBoost to better define onscreen targets. This capability is critical with a smaller dome that emits a wider beam width than an open-array radar. As a result, dome radars tend to display distant targets as elongated echoes. But Furuno’s RezBoost feature sharpens the target returns, achieving the equivalent resolution of a larger antenna array. 

Today’s new radars can also pick up echo returns at an amazingly broad spectrum of distances. Garmin’s Fantom 18x and 24x dome systems detect targets from 20 feet to 48 nautical miles out, and do so in fog and rain.

Bird Mode

Perhaps no other radar feature is more appreciated by anglers than bird mode, and for this reason more and more radars, even dome systems, incorporate it, including Furuno’s DRS2DNXT. The bird mode in this system automatically adjusts gain and clutter to better detect flocks or even individual birds feeding on baitfish beyond visual range. 

The Raymarine Cyclone also offers an enhanced bird mode for locating flocks of feeding seabirds and the fish under them. A press of the bird-mode function key optimizes gain to see birds at a distance, usually in blue or green. 

Dual-Ranger

Simultaneous dual-range capabilities are increasingly common in radar systems. The Garmin 18x and 24x domes both offer this feature, giving you the ability to see targets both near and far at the same time. You can also overlay one or both radar ranges on a chart plotter, eliminating the need to toggle between chart and radar views. 

The RangeFusion technology in the Raymarine Cyclone goes a step further. As with Garmin’s dual-range feature, you can view short and long ranges (up to 96 miles) on a split screen. Or you can merge short- and long-range pulses into a single high-clarity radar screen that requires only one pane to view yet optimizes the radar returns for ranges.

Spin Cycle

An increasing number of radars offer user-selectable high-speed rotation. Both the new Garmin dome radars and Raymarine Cyclone series let you advance the rotation speed of the scanner up to 60 rpm. 

Why is this important? The higher the rotation speed, the faster the refresh rate on the display, and that helps detect moving targets more quickly, such as boats approaching at high speeds. This gives you more time to avoid the threat.

Today’s radar systems offer greater safety and bird-finding capabilities than ever before. And with radar becoming more compact, there is no reason to head seaward without it. 

Read Next: Mounting Boat Electronics With Limited Space

New Electronics

Apollo Series amplifiers from Fusion Entertainment use digital signal processing to enhance audio clarity. They are available in one-, two-, four-, six- and eight-channel models. With 150 watts of RMS power per channel, the compact amps are easy to install and set up with a wireless Fusion-Link connection. With the Fusion-Link app, you can tune the amplifiers from a mobile device. $179.99 to $949.99; fusionentertainment.com

The Glomex Automatic Gain Control DVB-T2 TV amplifier automatically selects the best signal and adjusts gain to provide optimal onboard TV viewing, whether connected to a dockside cable or using over-the-air reception. It runs on 12/24V DC with a maximum draw of 100 mA, and features dock and vessel antenna inputs, and TV/TV and TV/FM radio output coax ports. It comes standard with Glomex TV antennas. $99; glomex.us

Dometic Marine updated its Pro-Trim turn-signal-style electric trim control with a sleeker design. Popular on bay boats and flats skiffs, Pro-Trim offers fingertip control of trim and jack-plate adjustments while keeping both hands on the wheel. It fits SeaStar hydraulic and cable steering helms, and is available in single- and dual-function.
$62.66 for PT1000 single control, $120 for PT2000 dual control; marinepartssource.com

The post The Latest Developments in Marine Radar appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

Surely, they’ll devour live baits drifted or trolled slowly, along with a variety of lures and baits pulled between 6 and 10 knots. In fact, I caught my two largest wahoo—143.3 and 113.2 pounds—on lures towed around 10 knots.

However, for running up numbers, wahoo will react far more aggressively to lures pulled between 10 and 15 knots, where their competitiveness often supersedes hunger. They’re also partial to subsurface over skipping baits.

Curved Butts and Big Reels 

Bent-butt trolling rods keep fishing lines more parallel with the ocean surface versus traditional upright ones. The dramatic reduction in the fishing line’s angle of entry enables lures to track more efficiently and maintain depth, particularly at faster speeds. Furthermore, line wear is minimized around the lead rod guide, a big consideration with heavy weights, lures and aggressive trolling speeds. 

Large reels with exceptional drags withstand the rigors of high-speed trolling, though a wahoo isn’t capable of dumping anywhere near 1,000 yards of heavy braid. Suitable reels should be more about durability, dialing in lure presentations and muscling in fish.

Not Your Grandfather’s Gear

Harry Vernon III is a honed wahoo angler and proprietor of Captain Harry’s Fishing Supply in Miami. Vernon (and myself, admittedly) dates back to pulling cumbersome stainless and Monel wire outfits for wahoo. However, these setups were—and continue to be—a ringing dinner bell for wahoo; old-timers believe the humming from the wire attracts fish. What’s more, these outfits double for grouper trolling and even deep-dropping.

According to Vernon, over 95 percent of the wahoo outfits he sets up carry braided line. Why?  

“Many in the new generation of offshore anglers are clueless as to the benefits of wire line and how to fish it. Period. They want simplicity and outfits that are easier to handle; something less complicated but that still catches fish. Plus, I truly believe they think those big reels look cool sporting various colors of braid.”

Monte Carlo Vs. Corvette? 

Sleek, responsive, lightweight and easy to handle, wahoo outfits with braided line have indeed taken over, especially among monster-wahoo seekers throughout the far eastern reaches of the Bahamas. 

“Without a doubt, these setups catch fish, and they’re much easier to handle, especially with doubles and triples on,” Vernon says. “The technical advantage is that braid cuts through the water so easily. That’s a biggie. You can also step up the strength of line without drastically increasing diameter. And like wire, there’s no stretch; hookups should be solid.

“I prefer 100-pound braid. It slices through the water with ease, holds up to wear better than a lighter line, and you can spool a ton of it onto a reel. As a tackle-shop owner, I love that last part!”

However, Vernon did score one more point for the granddads: “Do realize that these braid setups are exclusively for wahoo trolling? Unlike wire lines, they’re not the greatest for grouper trolling; I can’t begin to tell you how many outfits I respool from customers trolling for grouper with them. The braid is frayed and beat up from being dragged across the reefs.”

Simple, Efficient Trolling Tips

Ease of trolling comes with a braid outfit, and for the grandfathers out there, they pair well with wire-line outfits if you decide to use both setups. 

“Use a 32-ounce trolling sinker on the flat lines, regardless of braid or wire,” Vernon says. “On these, I like larger, lighter-style lures between 12 and 15 inches. I don’t like heavy lures; wahoo tend to shake them free. 

“Position these about 100 feet back. The next pair of rods should be fished about 200, maybe 300 feet back at most, towing 24-ounce weights and smaller lures, like Ilanders and rocket heads. I don’t believe it makes a difference if the lures track even with each other or are staggered.” 

Vernon’s rigging, strategy and tactics are straightforward.

Tie a short Bimini twist in the braid, then tie that double line to a 300-pound-test snap swivel. Add the trolling sinker and 30 to 50 feet of 300- to 400-pound mono shock leader, followed by a snap swivel and the main leader and lure. 

For the main leader, 480-pound cable is the most popular, but some anglers scale down to 270-pound cable with smaller lures. 

Once the spread is in position, ramp up to between 10 and 15 knots, and focus on drop-offs, tide changes, wrecks and tight bottom contours all between 80- and 400-foot depths, at least off South Florida and throughout the Bahamas. Always hold to broad zigzag patterns—never turn sharply.

Endgames

Maintain a straight heading and trolling speed when a rod goes off. An autopilot is an excellent aid here. By maintaining speed, baits remain in play for other wahoo. 

Slow the boat after a minute or so, keeping that forward heading and enough momentum to keep tight to the fish. With doubles and triples, some fancy work may be required to keep them apart, like putting the heat on the fish closest to the boat or one nearing another fish, while pausing the reeling on that other fish. Once the threat is over, keep on cranking. 

“My favorite part is gaffing the wahoo,” Vernon says. “Reel the trolling sinker to the rod tip, hand-line the shock leader, and stick the fish!” 

Read Next: Pro Tactics for Wahoo

Modern Wahoo Rig

Components: Penn 50 International; bent-butt rod rated for 50- to 80-pound line; 100-pound-test braid; 60- to 100-pound mono backing; electrical tape; 300-pound snap swivels.

1. Wrap several inches of electrical tape around the spool arbor. This provides bedding for the arbor knot to cinch tightly, preventing it from spinning under pressure. 

2. A Penn International 50 holds about 1,800 yards of 100-pound braid. Either fill the reel with the braided line, or start with a couple hundred feet of 60- to 100-pound mono, followed by 1,200 yards of 100-pound braid, joined to the backing with a uni-to-uni or loop-to-loop connection.

3. Fill the reel with 100-pound braid, wound on under pressure, and finish with a Bimini twist.

4. Tie the double line to a 300-pound swivel, then snap it to a 16- to 32-ounce trolling sinker. Crimp or snap 30 to 50 feet of 300- to 400-pound mono shock leader to the other end of the sinker. Add a snap swivel to attach the main leader and lure. 

5. For the main leader, 480-pound cable is most popular, but some anglers scale down to 270-pound cable with smaller lures. Single-strand wire with a haywire loop also works as a main leader and helps when rigging ballyhoo. 

The post How to Fish for Wahoo appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

Overview

Parker has been building boats since the 1960s. Based in North Carolina, the company knows a thing or two about big water and what it takes to build rugged boats that handle whatever the wind and seas have in store. The 2200 CC, the latest model, reveals its distinct Carolina roots.

Fishability

The bow, where the covering boards meet provides a high vantage point for a crewmember to spot and cast-net bait.

Just aft, twin compartments to port and starboard provide seating and dry storage. Both are insulated to serve as fish boxes. A pedestal table fills the gap between the seats, forming a sun pad or casting deck.

The 36-inch-wide center console leaves room to port and starboard for crew to pass freely. An aluminum leaning post provides seating for two at the helm, but Parker offers an upgraded version featuring flip-up bolsters and a fiberglass module that incorporates tackle storage, a 33-gallon livewell and a pair of rod holders.

Rod storage includes four flush-mount holders on the covering boards, with ample space to add more rod holders. Dual transom doors make it a cinch to take a dip or boat gaffed fish on each side of the boat.

Amenities

The hardtop keeps the skipper and a companion in the shade. It’s part of an optional package that includes LED lighting, an overhead electronics box for additional mounting space, port and starboard grab rails integrated into the hardtop frame for added safety, and a full-height, three-sided windshield that enhances protection from the elements at the helm.

A pair of removable jump seats accommodate two crew astern, and they hide dual transom doors located in opposite aft corners for access to twin swim platforms to port and starboard.

Handling & Running

The Yamaha F250 on our test boat proved an excellent match for the 2200 CC, with power and acceleration on the straightaways, and nimble response during turns and avoidance maneuvers.

The V-design hull performed admirably in the hostile 3- to 4-foot chop we encountered outside Hillsboro Inlet during our test. It effortlessly sliced through the waves without the normally expected thuds and jolts. And despite a north wind blowing at nearly 20 mph, the tall bow, substantial flare and down-sloping sheer line, which provides a substantial 27.5 inches of freeboard amidships, kept spray at bay no matter our heading.

Performance

Takeoffs were quick and with minimal bow rise. We jumped on plane in a fraction over 6 seconds, and went from zero to 30 mph in 9.4 seconds. At 3,500 rpm it achieved its top fuel efficiency, cruising at 28 mph while burning a modest 9.3 gph. And at wide-open throttle, the 2200 CC came a hair short of 49 mph.

The Parker excels in a chop, cruising easily at 30 mph in 4-foot seas with a Yamaha F250.

Test Conditions

• Location: Pompano Beach, Florida
• Weather: Sunny, 70 degrees
• Sea State: Choppy Wind: N, 17 mph Test Load: Two adults,75 gallons of fuel

Specifications

Parker Boats – parkerboats.com

The post Parker 2200 CC Fishability Test appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

Overview

Pursuit has a knack for building boats that offer high performance, terrific looks, and a layout that manages to include a wealth of comforts and angling amenities while leaving plenty of room to move about, mingle and fish. Pursuit’s latest model, the S 358, is yet another example.

Fishability

We hopped aboard the S 358 in Fort Pierce, Florida, and right away confirmed this family friendly Sport series model has plenty of seating and space for entertaining and overnighting, in addition to everything serious anglers need for a successful day on the water

Rod storage includes a dozen stainless, flush-mount holders (four on the transom and eight on the covering boards), and padded horizontal racks below both gunwales.

There’s also a tackle center with storage drawers and removable Plano boxes, a 32-gallon lighted recirculating livewell with aquarium-­style window, plus twin 27-gallon fish boxes with discharge pumps. Strategically placed outlets and mounting plates for downriggers, and a transom door further enhance offshore-fishing capabilities. Options include a Seakeeper 2 gyrostabilizer, 5.0 kW Fischer Panda diesel generator, 18- or 20-foot outriggers, hardtop rocket launcher, Mediterranean-style bow shade, aft curtain, three-sided enclosure, spotlight, FLIR Night Vision Thermal Camera Package, underwater lights and more.

Amenities

Seating starts upfront with wraparound seats and table. There’s a forward-console lounger and triple captain’s chairs at the helm. A table complements the mezzanine seating, and a transom bench folds away when it’s time to fish. A vented fiberglass hardtop incorporates overhead mounting, and glass windshield. The dash accommodates dual 16-inch MFDs among other essentials. Portholes and skylights supply ventilation and light to the, air-conditioned cabin, which features a settee that converts to a berth, and a head ­compartment with storage, vanity, pullout shower, and porcelain toilet. The cockpit features a full summer kitchen.

Handling & Running

With the S 358’s variable-deadrise hull with reverse chine, a pair of Yamaha 425 XTOs provide all the push it needs to perform at its best. The 35-footer proved stable and agile during a range of maneuvers, including tight turns at varying speeds. All the while, the smooth ride ensured everyone stayed comfortable and dry, even while taking on sizable wakes from passing vessels.

At the end of the day, the latest addition to Pursuit’s popular Sport series got our thumbs-up in performance, ­fishability and comfort. Back at the marina, the 3 hp bow ­thruster with joystick control, standard on the S 358, made docking in a tight spot quick and easy.

Performance

Lenco trim tabs, platform extensions abaft the transom, boarding ladder, JL audio system, anchor locker with windlass, through-stem anchor roller and stainless plow ­anchor, raw- and freshwater washdowns, hot and cold cockpit shower, and LED lighting are among the many noteworthy features.

The list of options is also extensive, and includes a Seakeeper 2 gyrostabilizer, 5.0 kW Fischer Panda diesel generator, 18- or 20-foot outriggers, hardtop rocket launcher, Mediterranean-style bow shade, aft curtain, three-sided enclosure, spotlight, FLIR Night Vision Thermal Camera Package, underwater lights and more.

With crew of seven, our test boat went from zero to 30 mph in 15.2 seconds, and averaged a maximum sustained speed of 49 mph at full throttle.

Performance

Test Conditions

• Weather: Sunny, 88 degrees
• Location: Fort Pierce, Florida
• Wind: SE 13 mph Sea State: 1- to 2-foot chop Test Load: Seven adults, 257 gallons of fuel

Specifications

Pursuit Boats – pursuitboats.com

The post Pursuit S 358 Fishability Test appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.