- November 23, 2024
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The conditions for fishing have not been favorable as of late. But isn’t that typical for the month of March? Cold fronts and wind will have you watching fishing shows on TV rather than being out on the water. I do find that it gives me time to replace damaged or rusted hooks on my lures, clean up tackle boxes, re-spool reels and tie some new flies, but I’d still rather be on the water.
With my boat being laid up most of the week due to gel-coat repairs, I have no firsthand report this week. However, I did talk with Capt. Kent Gibbens, who told me he was on the Tomoka River between cold fronts and saw some tarpon in the 15-pound range that were busting bait. He caught a couple of 3-pound trout around the U.S. 1 bridge using a paddle tail jig.
I also have a few news items that will interest fishermen and boaters.
First, the World Fishing Network is running a contest for the Ultimate Fishing Town. This is an opportunity for one town in both the United States and Canada to win a $25,000 community donation to be used toward fishing-related causes, along with an awareness and tourism boost with a special feature produced and aired on WFN.
To place your vote, go to www.UltimateFishingTown.com. Voting will go until 11:59 p.m. Mountain time, April 15. I’m voting for Flagler Beach, and I hope you will, too.
With the poor data collection in the world of Fisheries Management, Congressional members are hearing more and more from local constituents that something must be done to mirror what we are experiencing on the water. A letter signed by Sen. Marco Rubio, along with senators from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and North Carolina, was sent to the U.S. Government Accountability Office to request a review of how the Department of Commerce conducts fish stock assessments in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic. Stay tuned.
For the boaters out there who might deal with Parker Boats, in Daytona, you might like to know that both of their dealerships — the other being in Orlando — have been sold after 85 years of serving the boating community. They were bought by Marine Max, the nation’s largest recreational boat and yacht retailer. They have 55 locations.
They will now have exclusive distribution for the Sea Ray product line for the entire state of Florida, as well as additional distribution territory for Boston Whaler, Grady White and Sea Hunt boats, along with other brands.
Brunswick Corp. has also announced that it will consolidate its yacht and motor yacht production at the Palm Coast plant, thus suspending production at the Merritt Island plant.
