Category: Fishing

You Have Until May 14 to Think of a Better Way to Recycle Fishing Line, Soft Bait

BoatUS Foundation and Berkley Recast & Recycle Contest seeks new ideas, concepts

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – You’ve likely seen the fishing line recycling bins in many marinas and boatyards, but what really happens after that line is collected? Recycling it into new products is labor-intensive, requiring a series of workers to comb through, sort, clean, remove hooks and weights, and separate out encrusted debris from miles of entangled fishing line. There also aren’t any recycling programs for fishing-related materials like soft baits.

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and Berkley have teamed up with the Recast and Recycle Contest to offer $30,000 in prize money ($15,000 first place, $10,000 second place, and $5,000 third place) for new and innovative ideas that could improve the process, increase the amount of fishing line and soft baits that can be recycled, create new recycled products, or offer a technology breakthrough in the way line is recycled and reused. Read more

Fishing

New Rapala Outerwear Keeps Anglers Dry and Comfortable

Minnetonka, Minnesota – Rain, rain, go away? Nah. Let it rain!

When the sprinkles start, zip into the new Rapala RAIN suit and hit the water without worry of getting wet. Both waterproof and breathable, Rapala RAIN outwear is exceptionally crafted, using premium materials, and is fitted for comfort.

“When your drive to work is a highway of water, you need outerwear you can count on day after day, week after week, year after year,” says Tony Roach, an in-demand fishing guide on Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Lake. “With superior gear, from a legendary name you can trust, you can weather the storm, be it rain, boat spray, wind and – if you’re unlucky enough – even snow.”

Roach is among a cohort of high-profile anglers across the Upper Midwest who will fish comfortably in inclement weather this season outfitted in Rapala RAIN gear, including outdoor-television hosts James Holst, Travis Frank and Kurt Walbeck, from In-Depth Outdoors, Minnesota Bound and Outdoor Bound, respectively. Each is accustomed to hitting the water in unforgiving conditions. Read more

Fishing

Secure Rod Storage Made Simple with Millennium Marine’s Spyderlok Rod Transport Rack

Pearl, MS – Anglers who enjoy taking large groups fishing, or who feel the need of bringing a lot of gear, will immediately see the advantages of the Millennium Marine Spyderlok Rod Transport Rack.

Specifically designed to provide superior protection and accessibility, the Millennium Marine Spyderlok Rod Transport Rack is the perfect way to transport up to eight rods at one time easily and conveniently. The rack keeps everyone’s fishing rigs separated secure and ready for action. In addition, it allows anglers to quickly identify each rod at moment’s notice so they can change lures or techniques without having to re-rig.

Built with Millennium Marine’s patented Spyderlok Technology, the rod rack ensures tight and secure locking angles for damage-free transport. It’s easy to mount and remove when not needed. Made from strong, lightweight anodized aluminum, it will provide many years of reliable service in freshwater and saltwater environments. The rack measures 21-31 inches high by 4.5 inches wide by 6 inches long and weighs just 10 lbs. A 1-year warranty is included. MSRP is $199.99. More information on this, as well as other high-quality Millennium Marine products, can be found at www.millenniummarine.com. Read more

Fishing

Yamaha Boating Academy Video Series Gives New Boaters Basic Tips, Promotes Safety

KENNESAW, Ga.– Yamaha Marine announced today a video series designed to give novice boaters basic tips while emphasizing the importance of safety on the water. Hosted by Yamaha Pro and social media influencer Tyler Anderson, Yamaha’s Boating Academy aims to help educate new boaters on a wide variety of useful topics including boating etiquette, driving 101 and proper boat ramp procedures.

The new Yamaha Boating Academy video series, hosted by Yamaha Pro and social media influencer Tyler Anderson, gives new boaters basic tips and information that will help keep them safe on the water. (Photo: Business Wire)

The new Yamaha Boating Academy video series, hosted by Yamaha Pro and social media influencer Tyler Anderson, gives new boaters basic tips and information that will help keep them safe on the water. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Interest in recreational boating and fishing increased substantially in 2020 as people looked for new ways to enjoy time with family and friends outdoors,” said Dale Barnes, Marketing Division Manager, Yamaha Marine Engine Systems. “As a result, there are many new boaters on the water. Now is the perfect time to provide them with basic tips and safety information that will keep everyone safe during the high season.” Read more

Fishing

Council Report Highlights Hunting License Sales Increases in 2020

(Washington, D.C.) – “License sales were up in 2020 and we’re ready to focus on Retention in 2021,” commented Dr. Steven Leath in response to the recent insights garnered from the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (Council) research into hunting license sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leath, who serves as the Executive Director of the Council, shared the highlights of the study during the 2021 North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference earlier this month.

The Council initiated the study in early 2021 to document the changes in hunting license sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hunting, along with other outdoor activities, became a way throughout 2020 for Americans to get outdoors, connect with nature, and escape daily stresses. Now we have a better understanding of how hunters reacted during the pandemic as well. Study results indicate that license sales increased by approximately 5% nationwide, with growth rates varying by region. A full report is available on the Council’s website.

Working with Southwick Associates, the Council collected monthly resident and nonresident hunting license data from more than 40 state wildlife agencies to quantify and compare 2020 sales trends to 2019. Through this research, the Council and Southwick Associates documented:

• Overall, hunting license sales in 2020 increased by approximately 5% over 2019.

• Resident license sales were up 5.4%.

• Nonresident license sales increased by 1.6%. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Michigan DNR reminds UP anglers to remove ice shanties from bodies of water

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers to remove ice shanties from Upper Peninsula bodies of water by midnight Wednesday, March 31.

The deadline for removing ice shanties from Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters was March 15. All other bodies of water in the Upper Peninsula must have ice shanties removed by midnight Wednesday, March 31.

Shanty owners whose structures fall through the ice are subject to penalties of up to 30 days in jail, fines up to $500, or both. If a shanty is removed by a government agency, the court can require the owner to reimburse that agency for up to three times the cost of removal.

Daily use of ice shanties is permitted anywhere in Michigan if ice conditions permit and if the shanties are removed from the ice at the end of each day. Read more

Fishing

Michigan DNR walleye egg collection on Muskegon River starts Thursday

Muskegon River anglers should be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel collecting walleye eggs below Croton Dam this spring. Electrofishing boats will be on the water this week, starting Thursday, March 25, and work should conclude by April 16. People who want to avoid the walleye collection activities should fish downstream.

The DNR asks the public to use caution when fishing near the electrofishing boats. Anyone wading nearby when boats approach will be asked to exit the water to ensure everyone’s safety.

To maintain effective social distancing and allow fisheries staff to safely, efficiently collect eggs, the DNR also asks people not to gather at egg collection sites.

“The annual Muskegon River egg take is a critical operation for statewide walleye management,” said Jim Dexter, DNR Fisheries Division chief. “We’re planning to collect about 32 million walleye eggs during this effort.”

That collective egg take will result in fry (fish that have just hatched) for transfer to rearing ponds and direct fry plants throughout the Lower Peninsula. Walleye fry transferred to ponds will be raised to fingerling size (approximately 1.5 to 2.5 inches) and stocked in late spring or early summer in lakes and rivers throughout the state. Read more

Fishing

New Boat Engine Cutoff Switch Law Goes Into Effect April 1

Applies to boats less than 26 feet operating on plane or above displacement speed

SPRINGFIELD, Va. – There are new engine cutoff device wear requirements for recreational boat operators as part of the January 1, 2021, passage of National Defense Authorization Act that included a U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization. These devices, commonly referred to as engine cutoff switches (ECOS), are designed to prevent a boat-strike injury if an operator is accidentally ejected overboard while underway.

Engine cutoff devices can be located at the helm of the boat or on the tiller or body of an outboard engine and typically connect a boat’s operator to the cutoff switch with a lanyard. Some ECOS devices eliminate the lanyard and rely on wireless proximity devices to shut down an engine if the operator goes overboard.

Effective April 1, 2021, the new law requires a vessel operator to use either a helm or outboard lanyard or wireless ECOS on certain vessels less than 26 feet when traveling on plane or above displacement speed. These vessels include (1) boats that have a functioning engine cutoff device installed at the helm or on an outboard engine or have wireless ECOS, or (2) boats manufactured beginning January 2020. The Coast Guard increased the number of boats required to have ECOS installed after this date in an effort to reduce boating accidents and fatalities. Read more

Fishing

Michigan: Invasive zebra mussels found in aquarium moss products

Alert employee’s report launches nationwide response

When an observant employee at a Petco store in Seattle, Wash. reported finding invasive zebra mussels in moss balls sold as aquarium plants, it set off a rapid response across the U.S.

March 3, aquatic invasive species coordinators across the country received notification from the U.S. Geological Survey about the concerning report made to the agency’s Nonindigenous Aquatic Species online reporting system.

Within 24 hours, aquatic invasive species program staff from several states confirmed finding zebra mussels in supplies of moss balls distributed as Mini Marimo Moss Balls (SKU 5292944) and Marimo Moss Balls (SKU 5164031) at local Petco and PetSmart stores.

Marimo moss is a form of algae from Northern Europe and Asia, and marimo moss balls are a popular aquarium plant used to generate oxygen and remove nitrates from tanks.

While the corporate stores were working to quarantine stock in compliance with an order from Petco headquarters, inspectors began finding contaminated stock on the shelves of independent stores and in store aquarium systems. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division confirmed that infested moss balls have been found in several stores throughout the state.

As the effort to track down infested stock continues, reports indicate that other brands including Betta Buddies and Shrimp Buddies products also may contain the invasive mussels.

Consumers should note that potentially infested products have been sold online as well as through retail outlets. It is not clear how long these products have been on the market or what other brands may be infested. Read more

Fishing

NSSF: How Industry Benefits from Firearm and Ammunition Excise Tax Payments

NSSF Announces How Industry Benefits from Firearm and Ammunition Excise Tax Payments

With support from an AFWA grant, new study reveals

long-term value to industry and firearm owners alike

NEWTOWN, Conn. – Each year firearm and ammunition manufacturers pay millions of dollars in excise taxes into the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program that result in long-term benefits to industry, target shooters and hunters. A new study, announced by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, reveals how these payments—some $792 million in 2020 alone—provide not only bedrock funding for enjoyment of the shooting sports but also a major return on investment for industry.

With support from a grant awarded by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) Multistate Conservation Grant program, a new report titled “Benefits & ROI of Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Funds” highlights for industry leaders the financial returns their businesses receive from investing in the WSFR program. Read more

Fishing
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