AS SEEN IN THE May/June 2008 ISSUE
May/June Northern Bahamas Fishing Forecast:
Captain Chris Agardy – Conch Tales Charters

Northern Bahamas: Grand Bahama, The Abacos, The Berry Islands and Bimini.

During the months of May and June, anglers targeting skinny-water haunts will find the bonefishing around Grand Bahama to be fast and furious. At Phil and Mel's Bonefishing Service (877.613.2454) on the east side of Grand Bahama, Captain Phil says the bonefish will be gathering into the largest schools of the year. He reports that there will be plenty of juvenile, more aggressive fish mixed in with the trophy-size bones. As a result, enticing the larger fish to strike will be a bit tougher during the warmer months, and finally, don't be surprised if a permit or mutton snapper decides to crash your bonefish party.

JULY 4th WORLD CUP NEWS

Teams are gearing up around the world to compete in the unique 24th annual World Cup Blue Marlin Championship, (World Cup). Each year on the Fourth Of July top captains, anglers and their teams attempt to catch the largest blue marlin over 500 pounds. One winner takes all. There is no second place in this tournament where anglers from the west coast of Africa to the South Pacific marlin hot spots all compete for top honors and a pile of money. Fishing takes place for 8 hours in the anglers time zone. Last year's winner took home over $343,000. Registration fee is $3000 per team.

Teams can register on line with a credit card at www.bluemarlinworldcup.com. They can also print out the application form and mail it to World Cup, PO Box 4350, Ft Lauderdale, Florida, 33338.

The optional "Big Blue Challenge" is an additional $5000 category for those that wish to enter.

AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2008 ISSUE
May/June Central Bahamas Fishing Forecast:

Central Bahamas: Andros Island, New Providence, Eleuthera, Cat Island and The Exumas.

For those looking to escape the daily grind, Andros is truly an angler's paradise. Rupert Leadon (242.368.5167) runs the Andros Island Bonefish Club near Fresh Creek, and he says that May and June offer visiting anglers extraordinary fishing opportunities. This time of the year, it is possible to catch trophy bonefish and yellowfin tuna within five-miles of each other! The flats around Pretty Creek will hold plenty of hungry bones on the rising tide, not to mention the occasional monster mutton snapper. The Autec Navy buoys are just a short ride away where dolphin and large yellowfin tuna reign supreme. Expect the tuna bite to turn on during the afternoon, but watch out for the severe thunderstorms that routinely pop up.

Early summer also marks the last chance for consistent action on permit and tarpon along the western side of Andros. Rupert and his guides specialize in day trips to the uninhabited side of the island where you will undoubtedly find yourself fishing without another soul in sight.

AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2008 ISSUE
May/June Southern Bahamas Fishing Forecast:
Southern Bahamas: Long Island, San Salvador, Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.

Our friend Docky Smith (800.426.0466) down in Long Island is very serious when it comes to bonefishing. He says that the big bonefish found during the cooler winter months will not be as abundant during the summer, but visiting anglers will still have plenty of shots. Docky says this is his favorite time of year to fish because the weather is so pleasant. He says he will be concentrating his efforts towards the open flats where calm winds allow for long casts to approaching schools.

'Maritime Mobile Service Identity' numbers now available to help boaters in distress

The United States Power Squadrons (USPS) is now an official source for Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) numbers. Now that the Coast Guard is rolling out their Rescue 21 System, you really need to register and get your MMSI to fully utilize the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature that the Coast Guard needs to assist you in an emergency.

USPS also has a seminar entitled "Using VHF and VHF/DSC Marine Radio" that explains how to select and use these new radios and their very advanced features. In the seminar you will be able to observe simulated calls and even take a CD along to practice at home. The seminar also comes with a waterproof "Quick Guide" to help you on the water.

White Marlin Open kicks off August 4 in Ocean City, Maryland
By White Marlin Open

The White Marlin Open, the world's largest billfish tournament, will hold the 35th Annual event August 4-8, 2008 in Ocean City, Maryland. Over 400 boats and 2500 anglers are expected to compete for over $3.2 million in prize money ($3,141,000 purse in 2007). Anglers participating in the White Marlin Open fish for white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dolphin, wahoo and shark, pick 3 out of 5 days. The registration fee is $1050 per boat with NO LIMIT on the number of anglers allowed. Additional skill levels are offered and range from $50 to $5000. A new Daily Meat Fish category has been added for this year's event.

Hook & Tackle Captain's Party helps raise $300,000.00 for the Miami Dolphins Charity Foundation.

Miami Based Hook & Tackle Outfittters sponsored The 12th annual Miami Dolphins Fishing Tournament Captain's Party this year in South Beach. With over 1300 people in attendance including Miami Dolphin players, #1NFL Draft pick Jake Long, Ronnie Brown, Matt Roth, Ricky Williams, John Beck, plus coaches and alumni. The Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland, Head Coach Tony Sporano and Miami Dolphins president Bryan Weidmeier were extremely pleased with the event.

Islamorada to host IGFA Inshore Championship for eighth consecutive year

The International Game Fish Association is to hold its 2008 Inshore World Championship in the Sportfishing Capital of the World -- the tiny village of Islamorada -- for the eighth straight year Sunday through Wednesday, June 29 through July 2.

What Islamorada lacks in land mass it makes up for with near-shore waters teeming with the world's choicest selection of inshore sport fish: bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and redfish.

30 Secret Fishing Tips

From the experts who never tell

The tension backstage was intense during the weigh-in at the 2006 Bassmaster Classic, and it wasn’t because of the number of fish in each contestant’s bag. The nerves had more to do with fear that another bag might be opened: the one holding a personal fail-proof tactic.

“You try to keep stuff as secret as possible,” says Dean Rojas, who finished 12th at last year’s Classic. “Maybe it’s a color that worked in a certain situation or a certain way to cast your lure, anything to give you an edge over the next guy. That’s why you never see the older guys talking.”
Or as Pat McIntire, CEO of fishing tackle manufacturer Pure Fishing, told us, “We talk to anglers so we can create new products, but they won’t give full disclosure in front of each other. Alone, one on one, that’s when the really good stuff comes out.”

So rather than bring groups of anglers to your home, we did the next best thing. We took them aside, one by one, and got their best tips. Try them out the next time you hit the water, and when you start pulling fish in your boat, please do us a favor: Keep the secret to yourself.

Bacardi Billfish
Port Lucaya
March 9,2008 through March 14,2008