As you head west on the seven mile bridge, a panorama of aquamarine fills your field of vision. It’s quite the welcome to the Lower Keys, the low-key island chain, free of high-rises and hustle and bustle. Preferred past times include diving, birding, and fishing – all of which typically end with a life-changing sunset. The Dolphin Fish Research Program is the world’s largest angler run investigation into the life and migrations of the species, and when it comes to tagging dolphin for this initiative, one captain in the Lower Keys is heads and tails above the rest. Meet Captain Don Gates, who has tagged hundred dolphins over 21 years.

The post Protect the Blue: Faces of Conservation in the Florida Keys – Lower Keys appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Key Largo is the gateway to some of the best fishing destinations and is known as the dive capital of the world. Its low profile makes for the least pressured bonefishing in the Keys. The marshes and saw grass flats are home to redfish and snook. Offshore, amberjack, dolphin and tuna cruise reefs in hundreds of feet of water. However, only 3% of living coral remains in the Florida Keys. A big idea was hatched when marine scientists paired up with special operations veterans to perform conservation missions. Force Blue founder and CEO, Patxi Pastor, talks about the assembly of these vets doing extraordinary work including coral restoration. Through the leadership of NAUI, these vets can receive scientific diver recognition to continue restoring reefs globally. After four decades of marine conservation and education in the Keys, Pastor has seen the effects on the habitat. Force Blue is working to reclaim the reefs and make an impact in the lives of these veterans. Restoring the reefs is going to take consistent collaboration and dedicated fighters, Force Blue has both.

The post Protect the Blue: Faces of Conservation in the Florida Keys – Key Largo appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Diving, snorkeling, boating, and fishing are all daily occurrences in Marathon. Anglers know Marathon for its variety of fishing, both offshore and inshore. Around Marathon’s reefs, life abounds. The reefs in the Florida Keys are under attack amongst rising water temperature and human impact. Cindy Lewis of Keys Marine Lab, a coral recovery center, shares how important these reefs are to all fisheries. Without a vital and vibrant reef that attracts fish, this eco system could become nonexistent. Keys Marine Lab is a hub for marine science, academics and students around the world. Plans for a major expansion are underway after a long 75 year history. This coral comeback will take time but the Keys Marine Lab is an important part of the story.

The post Protect the Blue: Faces of Conservation in the Florida Keys – Marathon appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Key West is a destination that bills itself as close to perfect but far from normal. Its seascape rivals any exotic locale around the world. Key West is the main attraction of the Florida Keys and is home to more than two dozen species, holding a variety of international game fish world records. From blue marlin, to tuna, to red snapper, the fishing is endless offshore. On the flats, you can find the trifecta of tarpon, bonefish, and permit. From spring to summer, many species spawn in the area and are easy to catch. The IGFA has been putting in work to protect the western dry rocks from over-fishing. Bruce Pohlot explains IGFA’s role of closing off the area to conserve and sustain the fishery with the help of other environmentalists. As time goes on, they hope to see more of the species spawn across the east coast of Florida.

The post Protect the Blue: Faces of Conservation in the Florida Keys – Key West appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

You can’t write the history book on fishing without Islamorada. The sport fishing capital of the world is in the birth place of saltwater fly fishing. Islamorada has an abundance of fishing at an arm’s length. The fishery can only sustain itself if fish are caught and released properly. Andy Danylchuk, a scientific advisor at Keep Fish Wet, works towards creating better outcomes for each fish that anglers release. Keep Fish Wet takes it one step further to provide a series of principles and tips that are based on science. The three core principles are: minimize air exposure, eliminate contact with dry and rough surfaces, and reduce handling time. Anglers have the opportunity to put conservation into action each time they plan to release a fish.

The post Protect the Blue: Faces of Conservation in the Florida Keys – Islamorada appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The patent-pending OceanBridge is the perfect companion for any sport fishing vessel’s lighting. The innovative new system takes boat owners and captains deeper into customizable lighting options with universal control of all a boat’s lights from an MFD, smartphone or tablet.

OceanLED set new industry standards for universal light control with the launch of the OceanBridge. The seamless system allows any user to control the entire OceanLED range of lights, as well as third-party lights from a single interface. Even boats installed with only third-party lights can benefit from the OceanBridge, thanks to its open-source connectivity. The result, is a comprehensive system integration solution, suitable for every sport fishing vessel, from the smallest center console to the largest Viking. The OceanBridge is compatible with all MFD units, smartphone and tablets, and is available for just $500.50.

“The OceanBridge represents the culmination of over two years development.” Said Daniele Todaro, Managing Director, OceanLED. “Every aspect has been designed with boat owners and captains needs in mind.”

The OceanBridge is a key component of OceanLED’s strategy to expand its product range with new innovations that take the marine lighting experience to new heights. With the continued growth of the underwater lighting industry, the need for sport fishing focused, integrated, open-source solutions is growing. Leveraging its expertise in advanced electronics, OceanLED’s first MFD integration solution incorporates actual insights from real boat owners throughout the development process. The result is a superb multizone lighting controller, that frees users from the confines of other brands’ proprietary technology. A key component of the experience with the marine lighting that boat owners identified as inconvenient and limiting.

The ideal choice for anyone seeking to elevate their setup and experience next-level immersion when using their boats lights, the OceanBridge boasts OceanLEDs patent-pending light-to-movement technology which translates a vessels movements to light color, speed, brightness, and intensity.

The OceanBridge allows complete control of light color, music sync, color fade, color transitions, brightness, and the ability to create up to ten zones and dynamic scenes as standard. Boat owners and captains can tailor their lighting options down to the smallest details, allowing them to make changes based on the time of day, vessel or even set timers.

Every aspect of OceanLEDs powerful yet easy-to-use OceanBridge has been designed with boat owners and captains needs in mind. Its clean, all-in-one form is pleasing to the eye, but has maintained it’s core purpose of longevity and robustness. The OceanBirdges ample connections selection make it an easy addition to any existing system or new build. It even comes with a built-in USB port for easy system updates, ensuring the longevity of each system.

And with a variety of connectivity options including direct power line connectivity, NMEA2000 backbone connectivity, and ethernet connectivity, the versatile OceanBridge offers an easy way to connect to any vessel. Users can also opt to go wireless and connect to smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth to enjoy the systems flexible interface while listening to music streamed or saved on their device.

The post OceanLED’s Revolutionary OceanBridge Multizone Lighting Controller Takes Lighting Control to the Next Level! appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

From their white-quartz sand and sapphire offshore waters to their natural tidal bays and creeks, plus everything from mackerel to marlin, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, might just anchor saltwater-fishing’s short list of well-kept secrets.

In fact, a local captain nearly spilled the beans in October, weighing in a 1,145.6-pound blue marlin—a potential Alabama and Gulf of Mexico world record. The region also hosts multiple offshore tournaments each year, including the $1 million Orange Beach Billfish Classic in May.

Blue marlin can be caught year-round off Alabama, but the prime months run from March to November. “For blues, we do troll traditional lures, but most people are live-baiting with bonitos and small tunas,” says Chris Vecsey, tackle manager at Sam’s, a bait-and-tackle shop in Orange Beach.

Offshore runs for big blues can be long—from 60 to more than 100 miles—but anglers searching for bait schools and structure score memorable catches.

The trips shorten for yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi. During warmer months, the tuna range in as close as 35 miles. Anglers target them by live-baiting, chunking, trolling, jigging, and even casting stickbaits and poppers.  

Wahoo prime time runs March through October, with fish traveling closer to shore—within a few miles—during summer. Vecsey casts for wahoo if he finds them on a floating structure. Once he marks the fish on sonar, he throws a 3-to-4-ounce spoon or lipless plug and lets it sink. He points the rod tip straight at the lure and retrieves it as fast as he can.

As in many Southern regions, mahi-mahi school more from May through October. Anglers search for debris, weed lines, color changes and flotsam, and then troll ballyhoo and daisy chains.

Closer to shore, Alabama waters feature natural hard-bottom structures and plentiful artificial reefs that host red, lane and mangrove snappers, as well as gag, scamp, snowy and yellowedge groupers. Anglers use live baits, such as cigar minnows fished on a Carolina rig and dead bait, as well as vertical jigs. (Laws strictly regulate reef species, so check local rules and seasons to confirm required gear, such as venting tools and descending devices.)

Inshore, beach and nearshore fishing adds a long list of species to the game plan. Early in the year, around Perdido Pass and the gas rigs off Fort Morgan, anglers target sheepshead on fiddler crabs and shrimp, Vecsey says. Speckled trout look for warm spots in the creeks and coastal rivers and can be tempted with live croakers and shrimp.

Redfish remain a hot target any time of year; bull reds can be found off the beaches from fall through mid-February. In backwater areas, smaller redfish take jerkbaits, twitchbaits and live shrimp.

As the water warms, Spanish mackerel and pompano school along the beaches and in the inlets. Cast sand fleas, peeled shrimp, ghost shrimp or Fishbites to the pompano; the mackerel eat just about anything.

Spring also ushers in migrating cobia, and the first king mackerel appear nearshore. Kingfish linger through the summer; captains bump-troll live baits or troll spoons and diving plugs.

May signals mayhem. “May is phenomenal on everything,” Vecsey says. “The trout are coming on to spawn on the full moon, and then bigger trout move onto the beachfront and barrier islands to the west.”

Flounder fishing hits its stride with paddletail or curlytail plastics and bull minnows taking good-size fish on the beachfront and in river mouths. Redfish school over the grass flats. Use a gold spoon or a wakebait to search for them, and then try topwater plugs, soft plastics or live baits.

In June, 80-to-90-pound tarpon migrate along the beaches, transitioning later to the bays. Popular baits include live alewives or Atlantic bumpers, but Vecsey likes sight-fishing them with plastic swimbaits or on fly tackle.

Falling water temperatures move bait along the beaches, sparking redfish frenzies within a mile of shore. Bull reds form massive schools at the surface that erupt into whitewater as the fish chase bait. Anglers sight-cast with large swimbaits, spoons or bucktails.

To enjoy Alabama’s multi-seasonal bounty, visitors can trailer their own boats; the region features numerous marinas and boat ramps. Non-boaters will find more than 100 charter operators in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

If you plan to keep some of your fish, check out the dozen or more seafood restaurants willing to cook your catch, such as Luna’s Eat & Drink or Mikee’s Seafood Restaurant.

If you’re traveling with family or planning a lay day to explore onshore, try one of the signature golf courses, experience a kangaroo or sloth encounter at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, or study beach construction techniques at Sand Castle University. The region also boasts a Civil War-era fort, a water park, and a state park with paved biking trails.

To celebrate the end of an adventurous day, take in a sunset on The Wharf’s Ferris Wheel, one of the largest in the Southeast. At only $8 per person, that’s another well-kept secret.

The post Alabama’s Hush-Hush Hotspot appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

In this informative video aboard a Jupiter 34 center-console at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with staff editor Jim Hendricks, you’ll learn about the advanced engineering, innovation features and practical advantages of Cox Marine’s 300 hp diesel outboard motors. Product expert Chuck Gould of Ring Power, a key US distributor for Cox Marine, explains how and why the 4.4-liter CXO300 diesel V-8 delivers impressive torque, powerful performance, and exceptional fuel efficiency, while also eliminating the noise, smell and smoke traditionally associated with diesel engines.

The post 2023 Cox Marine Diesel Outboards appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Marine starting batteries have a singular, but all-important job — to reliably crank over your engine whenever you turn the key or press the start button. As that moment could be the start of a long-awaited holiday weekend, or in response to severe weather or medical emergency, it’s vital that your starting battery is up to the task.

Here are the top traits of a marine starting battery.

Battery Types

There are three primary types of marine starting batteries, Flooded, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) and Gel. Flooded electrolyte batteries are cost-effective, but can rapidly discharge if not kept fully charged or an unsealed battery’s cells topped with distilled water. They also need to be housed in vented compartments, kept upright to avoid possible spills and are more susceptible to long-term damage from vibration caused by waves and wakes. In contrast, AGM batteries contain electrolyte within spongy fiberglass mat; gel batteries use silica to convert their electrolyte into a jelly-like state. Though notably more expensive, both are far more durable and low-maintenance. Sealed designs require no watering, prevent spills and splashing and better withstand the jarring of rough water.

As to charging, flooded and gel batteries are more susceptible to heat, resulting in longer charging times. Gel batteries in fact can be rendered useless from too much heat during faster charging. The design of AGM batteries allows them to be charged up to five-times faster than a flooded battery, but keep in mind both AGM and gel batteries require temperature-sensing, voltage-regulated chargers to avoid damage.

Ready For Their Role

Starting batteries need to produce a large amount of electrical energy for a relatively short period of time. Tasking a starting battery with powering onboard electronics — from lighting and bilge pump to that booming sound system during a long afternoon partying at sandbar or cove — may not only shorten its lifespan, but possibly drain the battery’s power and leave you unexpectedly stranded. Best to leave those other power draws to a separate “deep-cycle” battery that, while maybe not as potent, is designed to deliver steadier power over a much longer period of time.

Should you require a singular solution, look for modern “hybrid” designs that promise enough deep-cycle reserve power to power onboard electronics while retaining their potent starting power. Examples include Odyssey’s Extreme and Performance series, which can deliver twice the power and last up to three-times longer than conventional lead-acid alternatives. Odyssey accomplishes this feat in part by using 99-percent-pure lead plates that are extremely thin, allowing them to be densely packed and offer maximum plate surface area.

Sufficient Cranking Amps

A starting battery’s power is measured in cranking amps (CA), the amount of electrical current a fully charged battery can discharge over a 30-second period in normal (above-freezing) conditions. Find your engine’s required cranking amps in the owner’s manual or ask your dealer. Keep in mind, when it comes to starting batteries bigger doesn’t always mean better. Technically, there’s no need to buy a battery rated for more cranking amps than your engine requires.

Marine-Specific Design And Construction

Insist on batteries that are designed for marine use. In addition to the abuse from jarring waves and wakes, the marine environment is notoriously harsh. Look for materials like brass or brass-plating on terminals to provide secure cable connections that will remain free from corrosion. Odyssey’s robust intercell connections are cast to the plates and bonded to resist vibration and eliminate internal sparking. Compressed Absorbed Glass Mat plate separators also provide extreme vibration resistance and prevent spills, allowing batteries to even be installed on their side.

Most Valuable Player

A marine starting battery is literally the key to a safe, fun-filled day on the water. Choose a quality battery that matches your needs — and is built for the unique demands of the marine environment — and you’ll enjoy not only the day but many stress-free seasons to come.

The post The Top Traits Of A Marine Starting Battery appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Flat-bottom boats like Carolina Skiff’s 19 SWS deliver a legacy of inshore stability with an ultrashallow draft and plenty of deck space to fish multiple anglers. The simplicity of these skiffs and their affordability make them great family boats or even sensible sidekicks to an offshore ride.

Measuring 19 feet, 3 inches long, the 19 SWS features broad fore and aft casting platforms that would fish at least four. And because it draws only 4 inches of water, it can fish flats on a rapidly falling tide with little concern.

A standard jack plate helps you ease out of mere puddles, and pops you back on plane efficiently.

If you prefer live-baiting to casting plugs or flies, the 25-gallon aft livewell and the smaller well beneath the forward console seat hold plenty of shrimp or finfish and allow you to separate more delicate baits. Removable plush fishing seats fore and aft create all-day comfort.

On those days when you need gear for multiple fishing options, the 19 SWS delivers molded bow storage with overboard drains, a molded-in anchor locker and battery storage area, six flush-mount stainless rod holders, a cargo storage bag and a 70-quart removable marine cooler.

At the helm, the 19 SWS features a tilt steering wheel, switches and analog gauges. Mount a small electronics multifunction display in the helm face or atop the console. Stand or sit at the stainless-frame helm seat with an adjustable back.

Additional standard features for the SWS include a quick-disconnect windshield, a 12V trolling-motor plug, a fuel-water separator, a bilge pump, an aerator pump, a lockable access door, and a pop-out service hatch.

Structurally, this skiff is rock solid. The hull is built with a fiberglass grid system and a high-density fiber-core foam transom. Nestled onto that, the molded-fiberglass deck liner adds a finished look. The gravity-fed drain and non-skid deck and floor surfaces keep you dry and steady.

The 19 SWS weighs 2,192 pounds and features a 7-foot-5-inch beam with 19-inch-high gunwales—an average height for most bay boat-style models. It is rated for eight passengers, provides 25 gallons of fuel capacity and can carry up to a 140 hp engine; Carolina Skiff offers you your choice of outboard brands.

Standard controls include a binnacle control shifter, a Teleflex shifter control cable, a stainless-steel tilt helm and a Teleflex no-feedback premium steering cable, or you can option up to SeaStar hydraulic steering with a tilt helm.

Further personalize your skiff with options such as a 12V/24V trolling-motor panel with trim/tilt, a maxi air recirculation system, a raw-water washdown system, and a selection of hull colors, including bisque, black, electric blue and seafoam green. Shade options include a Bimini top, a canvas T-top or a fiberglass T-top in a variety of colors.

Carolina Skiff completes the package with National Marine Manufacturers Association certification and a 10-year hull warranty. Building a quality boat at a great price has always been the company’s goal. So it’s easy to see why Carolina Skiff remains the No. 1 outboard-powered fiberglass-boat brand in North America.

The post Focused on Fishing Shallow and Flat appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.