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Fishing Post March 2019

Atlanta Saltwater Sportsman’s Club

www.aswsc.org

A Busy Year

by Kerry Browning

An ambi�ous year is planned for the Atlanta Salt Water Sportsman's Club with the new board and Tournament Com-

mi�ee planning 9 tournaments and 8 events already on the social calendar. 2019 kicked off with the annual Atlanta

Boat Show where club members manned our club booth and picked up several new members as we usually do, and

welcome all of you to the club.

The first tournament of the year is already under our belt with the annual trek to West Palm Beach to chase the sail-

fish. Fishing was a li�le slow this year as it occasionally is if the cold fronts don’t develop and push the fish down the

coast. West Palm is s�ll and always is the first and best place to put up a billfish flag if you’ve never caught one. The

fishing is unique running drop lines and release clips off of kites behind or beside the boat. Read up on it if you are

thinking you might go next year. The Sailfish Marina is home to the West Palm Fleet and is a very special place with

great food and beau�ful sunsets over the bay.

The Social Commi�ee has a busy spring planned with the next get together a lunch at O’Shucks In Winder on April 6, a

place for great seafood and more and is operated by club members Mark and Allison Mleczko. And just a week later

the Spring Fling is on Lake Lanier if you just can’t wait to wet a line. It begins with a striper tournament in the morning

and we meet up for lunch at Fish Tales in the Hideaway Marina. See the club web site for info sheets on all the tourna-

ments and events.

The first tournament of the summer fishing season will kick off at Hogan’s Marina in Savannah the second week of

May. The area has a lot of inshore and near shore reefs. There are also Navy Towers in the area that usually hold bait

pods and are natural fish a�ractors. For the ambi�ous, the gulf stream awaits at about 65 to 75 miles off shore. It

doesn’t get fished much and holds all the big pelagic species from Mahi to Marlin.

Sailfish Marina

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A Busy Year continued

This year’s “Family” tournament is back in the Florida Keys. The first week of June we head far south to Cudjoe Key, a

gated resort with plenty of family and kids ac�vi�es and full boat and fishing services. It is just minutes from all kinds of

back country bay and Tarpon fishing. Offshore is not a long run and features sails, mahi and more.

Just a couple of weeks later in June, we will feature the always popular Apalachicola tournament. The quaint li�le fish-

ing town has some great restaurants, an�que shops, and of course the world-famous Apalachicola Oysters. The fishing

offshore is excellent with AJs, Snapper, Grouper, Triggers and Triple tails and all the usual inshore species can be caught

in the numerous bays and rivers in the area.

Another great family trip comes up in July when the club heads down to Orange Beach, Alabama. This one is a li�le

different with the tournament over on Friday. That is so everyone can raB up on Saturday to watch the Blue Angels put

on the Pensacola Air Show and it is quite a show. Co�on Bayou Condos will be the base for the tournament as they

have been for several years now. Good docks, lights, power, and a cleaning sta�on make it a popular place.

Apalachicola River

Co�on Bayou Docks

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And we are trying something a li�le different this year, just around the bend from Apalachicola, we will visit Stein-

hatchee, Florida in the last week of July. This is billed not only as a fishing tournament but a chance to try your hand at

Scalloping. These are the “Bay” scallops and are found out in the grass flats, they are small, but tasty. The area is

known for good grouper and Snapper fishing and all the usual stuff father off shore. Of course, it all depends on what

they are leDng us catch at the �me.

We will forgo a tournament in the month of August in favor of a trip to the Middle Grounds of the Gulf of Mexico on a

big charter boat. The 72’ catamaran will be booked up just for the club and goes out about a hundred miles to what is

usually outstanding bo�om fishing. There are a-number-of rules and �me limits so read the �p sheet closely to be sure

you are up to speed. Many club members have made this trip in the past and there are a lot of good sugges�ons on the

�p sheet to make it a successful trip.

September is white marlin �me in the north Gulf and the club will head back to Panama City Beach for a second year in

a row. The facili�es are superb and even though the area was hammered by Hurricane Michael, it is recovering nicely

and a great �me was had by all the members who made it down last year.

The final tourney of the year is the long drive back to Cajun country and Grand Isle, LA. You will be fishing the oil rigs

out in the gulf. For years the club went to Venice LA and the Cypress Cove Marina. This trip puts you in some of the

same water just all west of the Mississippi and without the long run down the big river to get out the pass. It is a tuna

trip with abundant Blackfins and if we have it �med right a good shot at medium to large Yellowfins. And you will need

to get the hang of swapping Budweiser for bait with the shrimp boats that are also working the area. It is a lot of fun.

A Busy Year continued

Oil Rig off Grand Isle

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The first week of January, a group of 12 mostly club members, made

the trek from the ATL to beau�ful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in search of

200+ class tuna. Those a�ending were Ben Lazar, John Roche, Keith

Mozena, Richard Vose, Jeff Harvey, Jus�n Graham, plus addi�onal

friends and family. The 3.5 day offshore trip allowed them to fly in, take

the 10 minute taxi ride to the boat, step on the boat and

fish for 3.5 days, then return back to the airport, never having to incur

the cost of a hotel. The boat crew even filets the fish, vacuum seals and

freezes the catch for the return trip home.

The boat is the 65’ Cons�tu�on with Captain Keith at the helm. Captain

Keith has been a fixture in the Pacific tuna scene for as long as we can

remember. This par�cular trip featured some tough weather the first

night and day on the 50-70 mile ride out into the Pacific. However, the

rest of the trip was blessed with fair seas and sunny skies. The Cons�tu-

�on crew provides great service, great food, and a good �me.

The team caught six good-sized yellowfin tuna, one right at 200 lbs. and

the other at 175 lbs. In addi�on to the tuna, two thresher sharks were

caught, the biggest one about 200 lbs. Both sharks were harvested as

they are excellent table fare. Addi�onally, the group caught a couple of

dorado (mahi), one of those close to 30 lb., plus one red snapper and

one cubera snapper. Although previous trips yielded bigger catches, the

group had a terrific �me.

If you have not made a mul�-day offshore trip like this one to chase big

yellowfin tuna, you should include it in your bucket list. The season runs

from October to April. Trips in previous years have produced sailfish,

HUGE yellowfin tuna, a hooked marlin, and a host of bo�om fish.

For more informa�on about fishing with Captain Keith in Puerta Val-

larta, reach out to Ben Lazar, Richard Vose or Keith Mozena. All three

know this fishery and the Cons�tu�on boat well.

Puerto Vallarta Tuna Time 2019

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The 2019 West Palm Beach Sailfish Classic was held February 7-9 at Sailfish Marina in West Palm Beach, FL.

The captain’s mee�ng was held on Wednesday February 6 with dinner prepared by club members. Three

boats, Where to Next?, BoKat, and Knot Online par�cipated. Where to Next? and Knot Online wet the lines

early on Wednesday in search of wahoo, but to no avail.

Bo Dunn reported that the seas were warm this year and that likely contributed to the tournament tally of

only four sailfish caught. But weather was good, overall. Three to four foot seas un�l Saturday when a few

five footers showed up.

Titus Watkins jumped out to a big lead in the Junior Angler category for 2019 by catching two sails on Where

to Next? Laura Lazar, officially a crewmember on BoKat, fished a day on Where to Next? and caught two

blackfin tuna.

These were turned into sushi and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

2019 West Palm Beach Sailfish Classic by Jim Tatum

Bo Dunn, Ben Lazar, Bill Hesketh

Titus and Richard Watkins

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A benefit of the warmer water was the Mahi bite. It was very good. Every boat caught Mahi each day. These

were not weighed, but reliable sources es�mate some to be over 20 pounds. Some of the larger mahi were

caught by Jus�n Graham (Knot Online), Ben Lazar (BoKat), and Bo Dunn (BoKat). Both sailfish that BoKat

caught were boated at the same �me, a double hookup. A good �me was had by all.

The sailfish tournament began in 1987 and is the longest-running tournament in the club.

2019 West Palm Beach Sailfish Classic continued

Bo Dunn: Bo Kat, 2nd Place Sailfish Marina

Justin Graham

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What do you get at the ASWSC Swap Meet? A bunch

of guys and gals who love to fish, rummage through

fishing gear, eat chili and enjoy each others’ compa-

ny. It was a success again this year thanks to all who

contributed chili and those whose efforts brought it

together, especially Rick and Stephanie Mar�n. Their

place is a fantas�c venue and they put on a great

event. Quite a few folks arrived Friday night and

stayed un�l Sunday morning in Richard Vose’s motor

home.

Lots of used equipment was bought and sold, a cou-

ple of new members joined in and we had a great

Chili cookoff with seven entries. Ma� Bowen won

the cook-off winning the nice Chili Pot trophy, and

Chuck Alford brought up the rear, coming in last place

and winning the Toilet Bowl trophy.

Not only did we have the Chili, side dishes and des-

serts, but Rick also provided a huge Low Country

Crawdad Boil that was cooked to perfec�on. About

6:00 PM Saturday evening Rick had a really good

country musician come in and put on a show, the fes-

�vi�es con�nued un�l the wee hours.

The club sends out a big Thanks to the Mar�ns for

hos�ng this event, if you missed it you really need to

plan on being there next year.

2019 Swap Meet

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BOY Scoreboard

BOAT WPB SAVANNAH FL

KEYS

APALACH ORANGE

BEACH

PCB STEIHATCHEE GRAND

ISLE

TOTAL

Where to Next? 20 20

BoKat 15 15

Angler of the Year - Men’s Division

Bo Bill Dunn Hesketh

ANGLER POINTS

1st Place Bo Dunn 50

2nd Place Bill Hesketh 50

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Angler of the Year - Ladies Division

Angler of the Year - Junior Division

ANGLER POINTS

1st Place Titus Watkins 100

2nd Place

3rd Place

ANGLER POINTS

1st Place — —

2nd Place — —

3rd Place — —

Titus Watkins

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Frank NicoleD was a long term member and club president in 2011. Frank regularly invited new members

onboard as crew and personally provided a write-up of a club member for each newsle�er during his term as

president. With a residence in Des�n and a taste for big tuna, Frank con�nues to fish, and apparently with

success. These fish were caught off the coast of Louisiana.

Past ASWSC President Still Reeling ‘em In

Frank at LeB, 174 lb tuna took 1 hour 20

minutes , and a li�le help, to reel in

Frank NicoleD, 150 lb tuna

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Bahamas Update

provided by Greg Purinton via Keith Mozena

Old Bahama Bay Marina, West End Closed

For info purposes for anyone headed to or coming from the Abacos thru the West End:

The Old Bahama Bay Marina is closed and going thru ownership issues and has roped off the slips.

There is a wall in front of the immigra�on office that holds 2 to 3 boats that is on a first come first

serve

basis.

We came in thru Indian Passage West bound yesterday and overheard on the radio several boats

wan�ng to come in and the response was “you can come in and check in, but there are no slips availa-

ble for the overnight.” It was rough outside and people weren’t happy.

We made a reserva�on at Blue Marlin Cove Marina which is 4 miles southwest of Old Bahama Bay.

This worked out fine for us leaving the Bahamas. If you are entering, it would be a different issue—

you need to check in at Old Bahama Bay and then move to Blue Marlin Cove Marina (No immigra�on

at Blue Marlin). Blue Marlin was not cheap ($159 for 43’ trawler including elect charge, etc.) but a

pleasant stop with restaurant.

Old Bahama Bay Marina Blue Marlin Cove Marina

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Atlanta Saltwater

Sportsman’s Club 2018 Officers

Valerie Christopher

2018 Officers Chuck Alford, President chuckalford@comcast.net Doug Hutwagner, Vice-President dladlama@aol.com Andy Durden, Treasurer andydurdeniii@gmail.com Valerie Christopher, Secretary tuckin20@yahoo.com Ward Lang, Tournament Chair ward.lang3@gmail.com

Chuck Alford Andy Durden

Ward Lang

Doug Hutwagner

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Supporters and Sponsors

(Support Our Vendors - They Support Us!)

www.nutsandboltsfishing.com

www.halfhitch.com

www.baymarineboats.com

www.galatiyachts.com

www.jmtackle.com

www.baycitylodge.com

www.topdogawards.com

www.samsbaitandtackle.com

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Supporters and Sponsors

(Support Our Vendors - They Support Us!)

Professional Marine Electronics Specialists

5% Discount to All ASWSC Members

770-906-7331 www.avcmarine.com

April 6, 2019 Get Together at O’Shucks in Winder

April 13, 2019 Spring Fling on Lake Lanier

May 4, 2019 Cinco de Mayo Picnic on Lake Lanier

May 8 - 11, 2019 Savannah, GA Tournament

June 2 - 8, 2019 Florida Keys Tournament

June 19 - 22, 2019 Apalachicola Tournament

Atlanta Saltwater

Sportsman’s Club UPCOMING CLUB ACTIVITIES

NOTE: Club Calendar is subject to change. Keep up to date with club ac-tivities, tournaments, and events on the club’s official website:

www.aswsc.org

www.gamakatsu.com

www.spro.com

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