Tag: Coastal Conservation Association

Tournament Fishing: Texas Style

Everything is bigger in Texas and this includes fishing tournaments. With more than 367 miles of coastline on the Gulf of Mexico and along the famed Laguna Madre with charters running from Galveston to Corpus Christi and all the way south to the Mexican border in San Isabel, Texas can satisfy your need for deep or near-shore saltwater fishing.

One of the largest tournaments, the Texas Star State of Texas Angler’s Rodeo run by the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) lasts a solid three months. This tournament with more than 45,000 participants is unusual in that tagged species of fish are specifically released throughout the coast for the purpose of the tournament. Registered participants have the entire summer to reel in those tagged reds and trout. Successful anglers can reel in their share for more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships. ccatexas.org, startournament.org

Down the coast in Matagorda, the Matagorda Bluewater Challenge is another monster multiple species tournament with boats allowed to leave from several ports. The tournament also includes a small boat (under 25 feet) class. The big action is offshore where winners are decided over the combined weight of multiple and specific species hauled in. This two-day event brings out the Who’s Who of Texas fishing and novices who charter vessels with groups of friends and try their luck at bringing in the largest kingfish, ling, and dolphin. Winning isn’t everything, but two days spent offshore is a perfect recreational investment for men, women, and children.

Not to be outdone and celebrating its 19th anniversary on the legendary Louisiana barrier island of Grand Isle, the Swollfest Fishing Rodeo kicks off June 8-12. Headquartered at the Sand Dollar Marina on the easternmost reach of Grand Isle, this event has exploded from its humble beginnings as a group of eight guys going out fishing one weekend to one of the largest fishing rodeos in Louisiana.

With world-class offshore and inshore fishing throughout the waters of Louisiana, Swollfest was among the early to recognize and adopt the growing trend in spear and kayak fishing and have adopted them as classes alongside the standard fishing rodeo classes. Kayak fishing is ideal in these estuaries of southeast Louisiana with kayaks able to navigate all of the shallow coastal marsh and find those hidden and previously unreachable honey spots.

Located at the edge of Barataria and Caminada Bay and the deep-water oil platforms of the Gulf of Mexico that serve as incredible artificial reef habitats, Grand Isle is known for hosting multiple world-class fishing events. The species of fish from the multiple habitats are far too numerous to list, but there is a definitive reason why southern Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise.”

By Harlen Leslie, Southern Boating Magazine April 2016

The gift of giving

As boaters, we love our waterways in Texas and Louisiana—they’re our stomping grounds. Whether our boats take us to a favorite fishing spot for those big reds or that secluded little beach for an afternoon with family and friends, our lives would never be the same without access to and the freedom found on the water. We may not realize it, but boaters are natural environmentalists. No one wants to anchor off that prized beach and find it covered in trash or discover that a secret fishing hole is devoid of fish. Luckily, boaters are becoming increasingly aware of the many issues that affect the health of their waters, and there are multitudes of ways for them to give back.

Perhaps the easiest method is to simply enroll as a member or “friend” of a nonprofit organization that seeks to restore and preserve favorite waterways and cruising grounds. These organizations’ dedicated teams of volunteers conduct water quality samples, plant marsh grasses, and fishermen assist in conducting fish surveys.

If giant nonprofits receive the most charitable donations, they may also tend to have the highest cost overhead and expenses to cover before your money is brought into direct action. However, throughout the Gulf Coast there are small organizations made up of volunteers—many might be your neighbors or friends at the marina—for whom $50 or $100 would go a long way to help preserve a favorite boating or fishing ground. Here are a few of our trusted organizations, but a simple Google search will help you find a nonprofit group dedicated to your favorite bay, lake or estuary. So log on and make that donation. Better yet, deliver some much-needed cash as you sign up for a few volunteer hours and have another excuse to get out on the water.

Coastal Conservation Association-Texas: Dedicated to the restoration of the once highly productive marine fisheries along the Texas Gulf Coast as well as her barrier islands, the CCA-Texas is a devoted division of the larger Coastal Conservation Association, which has been highly successful in their attempts at preserving and growing recreational and commercial fisheries. ccatexas.org

Gulf Restoration Network (Gulf Wide): Covering the health and preservation of the entire Gulf of Mexico, this organization and their efforts came into real prominence immediately following the BP oil spill off the Louisiana coast in 2010. While it’s a medium-sized organization, this group and their army of volunteers are very active throughout the Gulf Coast from the planting of marsh grasses to the restoration of barrier islands and the preservation of fishing grounds. healthygulf.org

Lower Laguna Madre Foundation: Dedicated to preserving the Laguna Madre that stretches nearly the entire southern Gulf Coast of Texas, the organization is a major advocate for preserving the recreational use, habitats and smart economic development along this incredible natural resource. lowerlagunamadrefoundation.com

By Harlen Leslie, Southern Boating Magazine March 2016

“Tie One On” at Prospect Bay

Anglers interested in learning successful techniques and materials used in fly fishing have a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s best fly anglers and tiers at this year’s Lefty Kreh TieFest at the Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville, Maryland. Even if you’re not into fly fishing, you can see the patterns that work effectively for landing fish such as striped bass, perch and trout. The Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland sponsors the event. Among other accomplishments, the nonprofit was instrumental in bringing back the yellow perch population in Chesapeake tributaries. The event is March 7th and activities run from 10AM to 9PM. ccamd.org

Norfolk resident sets world record in a dinghy

A personal achievement became a family achievement for 51-year-old Norfolk, Virginia, resident Robert Suhay when he set the world record for the longest single-handed sail in a dinghy by a male. This past November, Guinness World Records confirmed he had sailed 283.5 nautical miles (326.24 miles) in a journey that ended on July 2nd. In a story published in the Christian Science Monitor, his wife Lisa wrote “While he didn’t set out to do this, this voyage emerged as a father’s route back to a meaningful relationship with his sons—Zoltan, 20, Ian, 19, Avery, 15, and Quin, age 10. And that’s the real feat my husband accomplished.”

Robert began sailing at 5:08AM on Sunday, June 28th in a 14’15” Laser. Eighty-six hours later and far up the Patuxent River, he accepted a tow to Calvert Marina unsure if he had accomplished his goal. Suhay sailed without a chase boat and rough conditions created by Hurricane Arthur forced him to zig-zag across the Chesapeake Bay in order to outrun the storm. Effects of the hurricane knocked out his communications early in the journey and later prompted the U.S.C.G. Mid-Atlantic Division to eventually stop his record attempt short of home. But data from a GPS in his life jacket pocket proved that he had sailed the record distance. A complete and, at times, gripping personal account of his journey is available at robertsuhay.com.

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Gulf Stream Fishing

Captain Ernie Foster will talk about the origins of Gulf Stream sport fishing off the North Carolina Coast during a presentation at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras April 7th. Foster made his first trip to the Gulf Stream in 1951, and his father, the late Captain Ernal Foster, had the first charter boat in North Carolina built specifically for deep-sea fishing. The free presentation will include vintage photographs and vintage fishing tackle along with historically accurate information from a true waterman. For more details, call the museum at (252) 986-2995 or visit ncmaritimemuseums.com.

Back Bay Project

A developer is moving forward with a proposed marina project near Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach. Doug Wilkins applied for the permit for the marina (64 members-only slips) and a boat ramp, which would be located off Sandpiper Road in Sandbridge, near the Baja Restaurant. However, the project faces challenges as biologists and supporters of the refuge believe the marina will be detrimental to the wildlife and vegetation that flourish in the area. The Army Corps of Engineers is currently working on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating, March 2015

New app records your catch and helps manage fish in Maryland.

Oregon Inlet bid process delayed
The bidding process for a 10-year contract to run the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center on North Carolina’s Outer Banks has reached a standstill. Mariners looking to use the Center should find business as usual this year, but that could change next year. The National Park Service granted the current operator a yearlong extension with plans to reevaluate the process. After 40 years of running the marina the board of the Fishing Center had to bid for a 10-year contract to operate the business, which was originally created in the 1960s by local charter boat captains. The Park Service is the owner of the facility within Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the north side of the inlet. The Park Service had extended the solicitation period for its prospectus. After reviewing one bid the service offered a contract, but it has not been signed. The bidding document included a requirement that insurance coverage would have to increase from $300,000 to $6 million. “The contract that they presented has quite a few differences in it than in the past,” said Kenneth Brown, vice president of the Fishing Center’s board. “We are in the process of trying to find a common ground with the Park Service to try to keep Oregon Inlet Fishing Center a viable business.”

Chesapeake Catch is a new online app that acts as a personal log to record your catch, post photos and help managers keep track of the Chesapeake Bay’s most popular fish—rockfish (striped bass), redfish (red drum), speckled trout, croaker, yellow perch, and shad. Chesapeake Catch is a local affiliate of Angler Action, which pioneered the system for collecting data from anglers to inform fishery management. The national project first launched in Florida with an app and website for recreational anglers to log data about snook catches. The data helped managers at the Florida Wildlife Commission to advance snook recovery in the state.

Chesapeake Catch is led by Bay area anglers to gather data so that natural resources personnel can make informed fisheries management decisions and policies, and it puts fishermen in touch with other local anglers to chat and to learn. “Anglers have a huge investment in good fisheries management, because we want more fish to catch for years to come,” said Ed Liccione, former chairman of the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland. “Chesapeake Catch helps us track what we’re catching and connect with other anglers but also makes our catch count in decisions about conservation and management.”

Bill Goldsborough, Director of Fisheries, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, added, “Good data makes for good management, and both make for better fishing. We can all have a voice in better fisheries management with Chesapeake Catch, and I encourage all anglers who care about the future of fishing in Maryland to download the app.” Fishing guides, recreational fishing bloggers and other anglers involved in organizations such as the Maryland Sportsman Foundation, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Environmental Defense Fund, and Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association participated in the working group behind Chesapeake Catch. Download it in iTunes or the Google Play store. chesapeakecatch.com

By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating February 2015

Give the Gift of Restoration this Season

For the cruiser in your life there are endless options for gift giving this holiday season from that new handheld GPS unit to a subscription to their favorite boating magazine. But what better stocking stuffer than a member subscription or “friend” of a non-profit organization that specifically restores and preserves their favorite waterways and cruising grounds?

While the giant non-profits tend to receive the most charitable donations, they also tend to have the highest cost overhead and expenses to cover before your money is brought into direct action. However, throughout the Gulf Coast there are small organizations made up of volunteers—many of whom might be your neighbors or friends at the marina—where $50 or $100 would go a long way to directly and specifically help preserve a favorite boating or fishing location. A few trusted organizations are listed below, but a simple online search will help you find a non-profit group dedicated to your favorite bay, lake or estuary.

Gulf Restoration Network (Gulf Coast): Covering the health and preservation of the entire Gulf of Mexico, this organization and their efforts came into real prominence immediately following the BP oil spill off the Louisiana coast in 2010. While a medium-sized organization, this group and their army of volunteers is very active throughout the Gulf Coast from the planting of marsh grasses to the restoration of barrier islands and fishing grounds. healthygulf.org

Friends of West End (Louisiana): Created in the 1830s, West End is a massive and historical recreational boating and park complex in New Orleans. Situated on Lake Pontchartrain, West End is home to 100+ acres of historic parks and marinas, and the Friends of West End organization raises funds for restoration projects as well as building a large wetlands park that will aid in the downstream health of the fisheries throughout the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. friendsofwestend.org

Coastal Conservation Association (CCA-Mississippi): Dedicated to the restoration of the once highly productive marine fisheries along the Mississippi Coast and the barrier islands, the CCA-Mississippi is a dedicated division of the larger Coastal Conservation Association which has been highly successful in their attempts to preserve recreational and commercial fisheries. Donations to the CCA-Mississippi stay within the state. ccamississippi.org

Dauphin Island Restoration Task Force (Alabama): Dauphin Island—Alabama’s incredibly beautiful lone barrier island—plays a crucial role in the estuarine environments for Mobile Bay and the Mississippi Sound that helps support the entire recreational and commercial seafood industries for the Northern Gulf Coast. The task force is devoted to restoring the shoreline of this treasure that is rapidly eroding into the Gulf. dauphinislandrestoration.org

Friends of St. Joseph’s Bay (Florida): Very few waters are as pristine as St. Joseph’s Bay in Florida. Located on the Forgotten Coast on the far eastern panhandle of the state, this spectacular bay is home to crystal clear waters that support everything from scallops to seahorses and needs more human advocates to help it remain this way. stjosephbaypreserves.org

By Troy Gilbert, Southern Boating December 2014

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