27 Sept 2007

Government Denies Current Longline Permits for Atlantic Closed Zone Government Chartered Longline Vessel Will Conduct Research

Future Access Still an Issue


The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has denied issuing Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) to 13 pelagic longline vessels to fish within closed zones off the east coast of Florida.

The recreational fishing community expressed strong opposition to the permit application noting that the zones were closed to provide protection for critical habitat for juvenile swordfish, sailfish, blue marlin and white marlin. At the time the agency considered the permits, it was reassessing white marlin under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Longlining in the closed zone would have increased white marlin mortality, as well as that of other species, so it made no sense to approve a “federal action” that would have negatively impacted white marlin. The recreational fishing community applauds the agency for its decision to close the zones in 2000 and now for denying the EFPs.


We're not out of the woods yet...


Even so, the issue is not settled on closed zone access for longline vessels. The agency will conduct research on a chartered longline vessel that will fish within the east coast closed zone. This study, identical in purpose to the purposal put forward in the longline permit application, will assess the effectiveness of recently required circle hooks to reduce bycatch mortality on longline vessels. Agency conducted research will likely employ fewer vessels, possibly only one, with a scientist on board to collect data on bycatch caught with circle hooks. The agency then will evaluate the data and, depending upon results, may issue proposed actions relative to the closed zone.


TBF appreciates the responsiveness of our recreational fishing community to this important issue and asks that you stay in touch with us for future developments.

Join TBF or renew your membership today!


Don't forget you can shop online for your tagging equipment and TBF apparel!


Please visit our website at www.billfish.org.

17 Sept 2007

Fiji forums: if any one wants to know about alternate places to... - TripAdvisor

Fiji forums: if any one wants to know about alternate places to... - TripAdvisor

"Then to the airport to fly to Kadavu. There is the smallest airport in the world there, with a stick for the security!!!

We met our boat man and took an 45min ride to the resort Kadavu has no roads, so i just kept looking at the jungle, wondering if i had pushed my limit of comfort.

After arriving at MATAVA (www.matava.com wonderful website), we just loved the place.

By far, this was the most romantic and best food that we had. No electricity, eating by lantern, snorkeling on the astroble reef, walking to the village, watching the local boys dive...i just can't tell you enough about how i feel i got the FIJIAN experience."

Fiji forums: if any one wants to know about alternate places to... - TripAdvisor

14 Sept 2007

Marlin Expert: Fisherman's Resource Information Guide for Marlin, Information about fishing for Marlin - Pacific Blue Marlin trolling lures

Another well placed article by Adrian this time on the Marlin Expert website...

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Marlin Expert: Fisherman's Resource Information Guide for Marlin, Information about fishing for Marlin - Pacific Blue Marlin trolling lures

What Went Pear Shaped # 1 - Trolling Lures For Pacific Blue Marlin

2.30pm heading away from the Kadavu Seamount 1. Trolling a spread of 4 lures near the Kadavu seamount – A purple Hollowpoint Cabo Killa on the long rigger, and a blue/white/yellow/pink Black Bart Hot Breakfast on the short rigger, both lures with a single 10/0 Stainless steel hook stiff rigged on wire. 19 feet of 400lb wind-on and 9 feet of 300lb Ande leader. Short and long corners were a huge silver / yellow custom MBT Monster and a John Lau Linda, both 12/0 double hook loose shackle rigged at about 45 degrees. (Pakula style)

Marlin Expert: Fisherman's Resource Information Guide for Marlin, Information about fishing for Marlin - Pacific Blue Marlin trolling lures


Cam Sigler Flies Bite Me


The Bite Me crew recently had the pleasure of the company of world renown fly fisherman Cam Sigler Jr aboard looking for some inshore and offshore tropical flyfishing action. His visit coincided with a visit from the IGFA Anglers Digest film crew who were here with Bill Boyce presenting a couple of TV shows from Bite Me. Being wahoo season here in Kadavu, we had little trouble persuading Cam to pit his fly fishing skills against a marauding wahoo pack and put one of his Cam Sigler fly rods through its paces.

We headed out to one of the many spots where the wahoo like to pack up and withing an hour had found a large pack of some 40 fish ranging in size from 30lbs to 90lbs. Our first run through produced multiple hook-ups on lures and ballyhoo skip baits giving the anglers and film crew a healthy warm-up before the main event. We then got set for the fly attempt with just two lures out off the left rigger and corner and Cam standing ready in the right corner ready to cast a large silver flasher fly. When the two lures were duly mauled, the boat was put in neutral and Cam cast. On his first strip back to the transom a nice wahoo of about 35lbs charged in, porpoised clean into the air and came down hard on the fly. The fly rod loaded up, fly reel screamed and Cam was into his first Kadavu wahoo on fly. Judging from the grin on his face, I think it was an enjoyable experience !

If you want to see all the action, check out the IGFA Anglers Digest website for a download of the show or see the show on the Sportsman's Channel in the USA or Wild TV in Canada.
It was great fun to have you aboard Cam and Joe and I look forward to many more action packed visits.

Next time, I recommend you try one of our big GTs on fly. Then you will REALLY know what its like to be hopelessly out-gunned on a fly rod!

See the streaming video on IGFA Anglers Digest website

13 Sept 2007

Reduce overfishing, says Greenpeace - Fiji Times Online

Reduce overfishing, says Greenpeace

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Update: 10.44am

ENVIRONMENTAL group Greenpeace has accused Pacific nations of continuing to treat tuna stocks as limitless and says the level of fishing in the region has to be cut back.

Greenpeace Oceans Team Leader Nilesh Goundar who is attending this year's Tuna Forum in Papua New Guinea, says the industry still considers Pacific ocean tuna stocks as a lucrative all-you-can-take region.

He says the level of catch must be set to a sustainable precautionary level and the Pacific region must resist the push to fish more.

He says over-fishing will lead to an unsustainable harvest with huge socio-economic and environmental costs as has happened elsewhere in the world, reports Radio Australia.

Greenpeace says it will push for 50 percent less fishing across Pacific tuna fisheries at the Tuna commission meeting in December.

Reduce overfishing, says Greenpeace - Fiji Times Online
Copyright © 2004 - 2007, Fiji Times Limited.

12 Sept 2007

Results of The 27th IGFC Tournament, 2007

In Association with Riviera Yachts Fiji and Shimano

Pacific Harbour 16th – 18th August, 2007.

Highest Scoring Team

Kania

Riviera One

Force Line

Highest Scoring Male Angler

Max Oyagawa - Kania

David Fiu - Kania

Phillip Tombs – Play Station

Higest Scoring Lady

Phyllis Williams – Bill Fever

Highest Scoring Junior

Matthew Cook – Riviera One

Tag & Release –

Max Oyagawa - Kania

David Fiu - Kania

Phillip Tombs - Playstation

Heaviest Fish

Adrian Henington – Turaga Levu

Heaviest Wahoo

Phyllis Williams – Bill Fever

Heaviest Tuna

Matthew Cook – Riviera One

Heaviest MahiMahi

Anil Kumar – Riviera One

Heaviest Walu

Bruce Southwick - Kania

Hard Luck Prize

Ryan Irvine – Wai Tadra (Down Under)

Best Dressed Team

Turaga Levu


International Game Fishing Club Fiji

Best Fiji Fishing Lodge Resort - Matava Resort, Kadavu, Fiji - IGFA Readers Digest

MATAVA RESORT KADAVU, FIJI

GETTIN’ FISHY IN FIJI

By Bill Boyce



To anyone who has traveled the world in search of fine fishing locations, an un-deniable fact we keep contending with at so many of these destinations is .. Paradise Lost.. Paradise Lost… Paradise Lost. For we have all been to places we dreamed could never exist, and once there, had the most insane adventure, vying to return as soon as humanly possible. But when we did make that much anticipated pilgrimage back to paradise.. It was indeed .. Lost.

Typically due to over development, to people who for one reason or another just don’t seem to belong there. You know the scenario, we fishy type people in our shorts, and industry related T-shirts, keep getting replaced by the dreaded “suit and tie on the beach” look. Or worse yet, the bald guy clad in Bermuda shorts, with white sox, black polished wing tips, and a big obnoxious woven hat with MEXICO sewed across the front of it. Tell tale signs that your “secret spot” is a little less a secret, and more likely the hottest new time share condo destination.

Well, I just returned from a filming expedition of a new travel / fishing series called IGFA Angler’s Digest TV on the remote Fijian island of Kadavu.

From the moment my Top Siders touched the ground, I knew I had found a special place.

A place sooooo different from any other I had ever been.
One which gave me the immediate imminent feeling that I will soon be truly experiencing…

Paradise Found…!!!

The 40 minute skiff ride from the small air strip that services Kadavu was an adventure unto itself. Passing thru stunningly clear waters where the pristine virgin coral reefs pass just a few feet under the flat bottomed hull.

Read the rest of this article at:

Best Fiji Fishing Lodge Resort - Matava Resort, Kadavu, Fiji - Black Marlin, Barred Spanish Mackerel,Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Roosterfish, Wahoo - Bite Me Fishing Charters

The Fishing Blog from the Lifestyle directory of Resources For Attorneys

It's amazing where Adrian's articles end up... This is latest one we found:

The Fishing Blog from the Lifestyle directory of Resources For Attorneys is a collection on posts, articles and editorials about the joys, trials and tribulations of fishing.

Attorneys, more than most people lead very demanding stressful lives.

Fishing, if done properly, can help alleviate stress. This blog has been set up in order to assist attorneys and other interested parties in obtaining the most joy and benefit from fishing

http://lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com/fishing/index.php?d=02&m=08&y=07&category=19

9 Sept 2007

Inshore Salt Water Fishing

Inshore Salt Water Fishing by Creative Publishing international Facts and information about the history and distribution of over 40 inshore species.

7 Sept 2007

Traveler Reviews - Loved it - we'll be back - TripAdvisor

Kadavu Island: Matava - The Astrolabe Hideaway - Traveler Reviews - Loved it - we'll be back - TripAdvisor

"We spent a week at Matava in November 06 and it was everything we anticipated and more. I'm not a diver but my partner is and he did some brilliant dives, seeing mantas and sharks and a myriad of other wonderful things. The highlight for us was walking to the local village and swimming under the waterfall with the local children. So magical, we did it twice! We also snorkelled, walked to the top of the Island, checked out the beautiful organic gardens and spent a lot of time lying around, relaxing totally. The food & hospitality was great and we loved sharing our meals and experiences with the other guests. This is not the place to go if you want fancy pools and bars, but if you want to get away from the 'regular' resorts and off the beaten track a little, then this is it."

Kadavu Island: Matava - The Astrolabe Hideaway - Traveler Reviews - Loved it - we'll be back - TripAdvisor

5 Sept 2007

California Coastal Commission Requests Denial of Longline Permit

On Friday, August 10 the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to oppose issuance of an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to use longline gear off the U.S. West Coast. The finding that the issuance of such a permit is not consistent with California's Coastal Zone Management Plan places increased pressure on the Washington Headquarters of the National Marine Fisheries Service to deny the permit application, which was approved by the federal Pacific Fishery Management Council earlier this year.

TBF joined a coalition of environmental, sportfishing and small scale commercial fishing organizations to voice opposition to the permit at the Commission's meeting.

TBF has been leading the fight against any development of a longline fishery off the West Coast since 2000.

3 Sept 2007

Ken Schultz's Field Guide to Saltwater Fish

The definitive field guide to North American saltwater fish–from the absolute authority on sportfishing.

Before you head out to the open seas, listen up: Your tackle box is not complete without Ken Schultz’s Field Guide to Saltwater Fish! Written by one of the foremost experts in sportfishing, this colorful reference provides anglers and fish enthusiasts of all levels an easy-to-use, indispensable guide to help you identify and learn about the most common species found off the North American coastlines–from albacore to yellowtail.

Based on the award-winning reference book Ken Schultz’s Fishing Encyclopedia, this handy field guide compresses the essence of its bestselling predecessor into a more manageable, compact size. Arranged alphabetically by species, each entry covers the identification, size/age, distribution, habitat, life history/behavior, and feeding habits of each fish. This fully illustrated, full-color guide makes it easy to identify what’s at the end of your line. You’ll learn how to distinguish an Atlantic mackerel from a Spanish mackerel, for instance; why you might mistake a cobia for a shark or a remora; how the red grouper’s saddle spot will help you tell it apart from a Nassau grouper; and so much more.

Written for the 16 million people who enjoy saltwater fishing, Ken Schultz’s Field Guide to Saltwater Fish features:
  • 227 of the most common saltwater fish
  • Large, full-color illustrations to help you identify your catch
  • Approachable organization in a compact, take-along size
  • A comprehensive glossary that explains the terms used in the species profiles
  • Overview and anatomy sections written in layman’s terms
Ken Schultz’s Field Guide to Saltwater Fish is a must-have for any fan of America’s favorite pastime: fishing!