Category: Fishing

Mexican Poachers Interdicted by USCG Off Texas Coast

South Texas Coast Guard crews pursue and interdict a Mexican fishing vessel, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015 off the Coast of South Padre Island, Texas. U.S. Coast Guard photos.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard interdicted one Mexican fishing vessel, Friday, after observing the vessel’s crewmembers poaching in U.S. waters.

At approximately 12:00 p.m., while on a routine patrol, an Air Station Corpus Christi aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter spotted a lancha north of the United States – Mexico maritime border and offshore of South Padre Island. When sighted by the helicopter the lancha fled. The helicopter crew then notified the Sector Corpus Christi Command Center and commenced pursuit of the lancha.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi Command diverted a crew aboard a Station South Padre Island 33-foot law enforcement boat to interdict the lancha. The Dolphin helicopter aircrew vectored in the law enforcement boat as the lancha fled toward the border. After a more than 30-minute pursuit, the lancha crew was stopped 10 miles into Mexico’s Exclusive Economic Zone. There were no injuries or damage to either the lancha or the pursuit boat after the pursuit in 4-5 foot seas. The four Mexican nationals aboard admitted to fishing illegally in U.S. waters and had 12 red snapper, 2 nurse sharks and 1 grouper totaling 150 pounds aboard their lancha. Read more

Fishing, Poachers

Congressional Leaders Introduce New Sportsmen’s Act in 114th Congress

Sportfishing industry is optimistic about chances for passage

Alexandria, VA – The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) applauds the introduction of the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015, which includes numerous legislative measures beneficial to anglers and hunters across the nation. Sponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 contains provisions that will benefit our nation’s sportsmen and women by providing increased access to our public lands and waters, improving fish and wildlife management and protecting the use of traditional fishing tackle.

“This bipartisan package contains many important provisions that are largely non-controversial and that will advance fisheries conservation and recreational fishing access for the benefit of the nation’s 60 million anglers,” said American Sportfishing President and CEO Mike Nussman. “Recreational fishing supports 828,000 jobs and contributes $115 billion to the economy annually. This monumental legislative package will greatly enhance recreational fishing’s social, economic and conservation benefits to the nation.” Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Revolution 700 Casting Reel Released

Bass Pro Shops Revolution Levelwind Round Baitcast Reel

Revolution 7000 Casting Reel; big fish beware, there’s a revolution coming

Whether you’re chasing the mighty muskellunge, battling bruiser blue cats, or subduing supertanker stripers, the Revolution 7000 casting reel has what it takes to make them surrender. This reel, designed and built for taking on heavyweights, features a super high capacity, double-anodized aluminum spool that accommodates heavy line, whether it’s monofilament or braid. The Revolution 7000 holds 270 yards of 20-pound monofilament or 235 yards of 80-pound braid, which is plenty to go toe-to-toe with the toughest, longest running fighters out there.

Plus, a precision carbon fiber drag system with an easily adjustable drag star puts you in control from hookup to landing. The 4-bearing system with Power Lock™ instant anti-reverse provides smooth, reliable performance whether you are casting lures or hauling in the big one. A counter balanced power handle with soft-touch grip ensures a secure, balanced feel no matter the conditions. The 4-pin centrifugal braking system and aluminum post-style line guide ensures maximum casting distance while helping to prevent backlashes. Read more

Fishing

“Devil’s Blanket” May be One Reason for Recent Ice Rescues

CLEVELAND — Rescues in Saginaw Bay, Michigan, Sunday evening and Lake Erie Monday morning are the latest in an alarmingly high number of Great Lakes ice rescues since Saturday, prompting a Coast Guard reminder of the risk of venturing out onto the ice and of the importance of taking appropriate safety precautions.

Throughout the weekend the Coast Guard, good Samaritans and the Bay County, Michigan Fire Department rescued eight and assisted six people across the lakes, an unusually high number attributed in part to a milder winter and environmental conditions like “the devil’s blanket.”

“My ice rescue crews spend more time on the frozen Saginaw Bay than anyone, and every one of us has learned that ice conditions are unpredictable,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Terry W. Lathrop, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Saginaw, home of the National Ice Rescue School. “One thing we can say with certainty is that the ice will almost never be as thick as it was last year, so don’t go out expecting 30 inches of ice.” Read more

Fishing

Coast Guard Seizes 3 Miles of Illegal Long Line Set by Mexican Fishermen

Coast Guard crews seized approximately 3 miles of long line fishing gear, Jan. 30, 2014, about 35 miles off the coast of South Texas. U.S Coast Guard photos.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Coast Guard crews seized a total of approximately 3 miles of long line fishing gear set by multiple Mexican fishermen operating illegally in U.S. waters Jan. 30.

Last night, Coast Guard Cutter Amberjack sighted multiple vessels moving at a high rate of speed southwards the maritime border. Unable to interdict the vessels, Amberjack returned to the vicinity of initial sighting, where crewmembers removed 700 yards of long line gear late last night and recovered an additional 4,400 yards this morning. The majority of the gear was found approximately 35 miles off the coast of South Texas.

Each mile of long line has scores of baited hooks and is capable of catching hundreds of fish per mile set. The seized lines contained 175 red snapper, 16 sharks, 3 stingrays and several other reef fish. Approximately 170 of these fish were found alive and released at sea. Read more

Fishing, Poachers

Outdoor News, Inc., looks at Fishing Kayaks for 2015

(Plymouth, Minn.) – Outdoor News, Inc., publisher of locally written fishing and hunting outdoor newspapers in seven Great Lake states, profiles one of the fastest growing facets of open-water fishing in its latest editions: fishing kayaks.

The feature was written by award winning Outdoor News contributor and avid kayak angler, Tim Lesmeister. His expertise in the area of accessories and functionality gives Outdoor News readers an overview in issues from Jan. 23 to March 6, 2015.

“One of the appealing aspects of using a kayak for fishing is the portability,” Lesmeister said. The Outdoor News feature includes length and weight of models from a sampling of manufacturers including Hobie, Jackson, and Old Town. Lesmeister’s piece also showcases models designed for standup fishing or for anglers looking to enter the sport inexpensively. Read more

Fishing

Get hooked on fun, camaraderie of ice fishing

Fishing is a year-round activity and when the thermometer plunges below freezing in Michigan, most anglers have little choice but to hit the hard water. Ice fishing becomes the go-to activity until spring.

young boy ice fishing holds up his yellow perchFor beginning anglers, ice fishing offers one significant advantage: access. Boat-less anglers, who otherwise are limited to shorelines or fishing piers much of the year, can often access entire lakes. That inspires some anglers to proclaim that ice-fishing season is their favorite time of year.

Fortunately, ice fishing can be relatively simple. All that’s needed to start is a way to make a hole in the ice (an auger or spud), a way to clear the slush from it (an inexpensive scoop), and rudimentary equipment.

So how do you get started? Read more

Fishing

MFA Introduces New Illuminator Mossy Oak® Camo Flashlight for Outdoor Enthusiasts

TOLEDO, OH – Mark Feldstein & Associates Inc. (MFA), a product development company and importer of unique giftware, housewares and electronics, recently introduced the Illuminator Camo Flashlight with licensed Mossy Oak® camouflage patterns designed for outdoor sports and recreation.

The Illuminator is a battery-free/bulb-free flashlight that generates ultra-bright light anywhere with the wind up of a built-in handle. One minute of winding provides up to one hour of continuous light. The special exterior of the Illuminator Camo Flashlight features the popular Mossy Oak Break-Up® and Break-Up® Pink camouflage patterns, making it an ideal safety accessory and gift item for hunters, campers and anglers. Read more

Fishing, Hunting
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