Madison's First Sailfish

After a slow day of trolling Saturday (1 release) we decided Sunday was the day to try to get a first sail for Madison (my 6 year old daughter) given the amount of bait we had seen. Live bait fishing for us means switching to spinning reels, Shimano Bait Runner 4500's, and with circle hooks it's a good combination for any angler. The circle hooks have resulted in far fewer fish 'jumping off' so we feel they're very forgiving should the angler not be able to keep the line tight. For Madison we backed the drags off to about 3 lbs.

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Well the fish cooperated. We located several in shallow water, and what started as dirty green started bluing up later in the morning. She got her first, second and third, with one other jumping off. All IGFA legal- all she had to do was pick up the rod and click off the bait runner drag, keep the rod tip low and let the fish come tight. With circle hooks I could run the boat up to the point of putting slack on the line. Perfect combo for anglers learning.

Contributed by T. Wichers

St. Lucie Inlet Dredging to Begin Friday, Feb. 9

Please see information and warnings at www.StLucieInlet.com. Looks like it's finally starting, so PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

For initial dredge set up, see http://www.martin.fl.us/portal/page?_pageid=73,2277445&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL. Click on the file to open it for the drawing. Then continue to check for Daily Updates.

Circle Hook Reminder

Please review the following rule effective Jan. 1, 2007 regarding billfish releases for Club standings:

"ELIGIBLE FISH: All billfish caught from boats REGISTERED with the Stuart Sailfish Club as a member boat or member charter boat and/or by a SSC member at the time the fish is released. Effective 1/1/07, if natural bait (dead or live) is used, only fish caught with a non-offset circle hook are eligible. J hooks are allowed only on all artificial lures."

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If billfish (including swordfish) are caught on J hooks and/or not released, they cannot count toward Club recognition awards. (Except J hooks can be used with artificial lures.)

Progress on Dredge the Manatee Pocket Project

A meeting on Tues. the 30th served to update local business owners and residents on the status and progress on the project which is moving along. What we learned is:

• Submittals are in to the DEP for approval, and all approvals are expected by later this year.


• Once approvals are received, bid requests can be sent out to dredge companies.


• Dredging could begin late Spring, 2008.

Much remains to be done, but right now, it all looks good. This will be a great benefit to all of us who enjoy this wonderful marine area and all the restaurants and businesses we appreciate around the Pocket.

To follow the progress, watch http://www.manateepocketproject.com/