New Speed Zones for 2009

Per Ed Killer's article in the Stuart News, there will be some new speed restrictions in our area. Click on article to read. Be careful out there!

SSC Trip to the Seminole Inn

30 people traveled via 5 boats and 3 cars to Indiantown to the Seminole Inn yesterday for brunch. And, a great trip it was, too with fine dining, cool weather and little/no rain. Most boats left around 8:00 AM to go through the lock together at 9:00 and arrived at the Indiantown Marina at 11:00. The great people at the Inn shuttled us back & forth. Boaters arrived back in the Pocket by 4:15 PM.

Participants included: Gene Detmer, Bill Whippen, Dave & Debbie Newman, Bob & Fern Hoover, Dennis, Oksana, and Anthony Fano, Scott & Marissa with their little one, Fritz & Mary Jo Grell, Billy Black & Karen, Butch & Jan Bayley, Sue McVeigh, Susan Neary, Dave & Jodi Mills, Art & Pat Cox, Karl & Pat Salo, Vance & Nancy Strausberg, and Judy & Charlie Evans.

Special recognition went to Art & Pat Cox who were celebrating their 46th anniversary.

An album of pictures provided by Fritz & Mary Jo is located in Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures from our home page.

2008 Light Tackle Tournament

20 Boats fished this year's tournament through some great fishing conditions and some nasty conditions that developed by the end of the week. Fishing had been good, but as the winds moved around and a front came through, fish ducked down and fishermen took a beating.

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However to those on the Hotty Toddy, conditions were just right, as they came away with top honors.

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Thanks to all who worked to make this another great tournament and to our great sponsors.

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See the Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures from our Home Page for activities of the week. Also, see the details from our Real Time Tournament Results of all releases by day, boat, and angler.

Another Good Day at the Sailfish Capital of the World

(Click on image to enlarge)

I had the opportunity to take a couple of young freshwater fishermen (Brandon and Ryan Keen) this week to the “big lake”. We hooked double header Sailfish early in the day to start them off right, (tagged one and released the other) and finished the day with some nice quality Mahi.

(Contributed by Bob Ertle)

Jake Ertle's Snowy

(Click on images to enlarge)

The Sailfishing was a bit off Saturday, so we took the opportunity to try a little bottom fishing. Since we have just one electric reel Jake decided to rig his bottom gear and fish “the man’s way”!! It paid off instantly with a nice 9 lb snowy in 320 feet of water. He followed it up with a 7 lb snowy 10 minutes later. Dad managed to catch 3 more smaller fish to limit the snowys. Then inshore Jake came up with a nice 5 lb Scamp and several big 3-4 lb sea bass. The boy was on fire.

I’m looking forward to get back to the Sails but I’m sure we will have some discussions/negotiations about bottom fishing again.

Contributed by Bob Ertle

Mutt March Saturday Raises Money for Humane Society

Hundreds of Treasure Coast residents and nearly 500 dogs gathered at Halpatiokee Park for the 6th annual Howl-o-ween Mutt March. Dogs of all kinds & sizes were dressed in some very creative costumes competing for a pat on the head or a doggie cookie.

This year's event raised $65,000 for the Humane Society, breaking last year's record of $48,000.

Of special interest, Frank Valente, Executive Director of the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, called Stuart Sailfish Club member and Jr. Angler Madison Wichers to the microphone and recognized her for collecting $323.00 in donations.

"$300.00 will spay or neuter 15 animals on the Animobile as well as provide a vet exam and medicine for a foster animal," says Madison.

Great job Madison!

October General Meeting

More than 75 people attended our General Meeting this evening at Finest Kind. It was rumored that some weren't sure they were coming until they learned that Brooklyn Joe's Pizzeria was providing the food; salad, ziti, and garlic knots. Fabulous! (Thanks, Joe & Linda.)

Guest speaker Spencer Marchani, Factory rep for Shimano, introduced some very exciting new rods & reels from Shimano. Then, he surprised us by drawing tickets and giving away over $1,000.00 worth of new rods and reels that he had been showing. (Club director Roy Lemieux was one of the lucky recipients of a fine reel, which he donated back to the Club for use as a raffle item or prize at one of our tournaments. Thank you, Roy, for your generosity.)

As a matter of business, Andy Kubiak led the voting where all members selected SSC officers & directors for 2009. They will be inducted into office at our Annual Dinner on November 8.

Dave Powell introduced and welcomed guests and several people signed up as new Club members. Welcome to our new members, glad to have you with us.

If you missed this evening, you missed an excellent meeting (and the weather was perfect!). We look forward to seeing all of you at the Members Tournament on Nov.1 and at our Annual Dinner on Nov. 8.

2008 Golf Scramble

32 serious golfers (or maybe 10 serious ones and 22 of the rest of us) came out to Miles Grant Country Club for some great golf fun and a super lunch. Susan McAllister, Director of Golf and her staff along with Cat & Darin in the Club house were fine hosts.

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It was rumored that Bob Anderson and Neville Edwards were driving the beer cart. They were seen prior to tee off. However, to this observer & the 3 others in our foursome, we can only conclude that they drove off into the woods & consumed the refreshments, as we never saw them on the course.

Many thanks to Ryan Cahill and Mary Jo Grell for their organization and Betty Olliges for capturing pictures that can be viewed in Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures from our website Home page.

Award winners were as follows:

Nearest to the Pin - Tom Whittington

Low Gross - Cliff Zackey, Ryan Cahill, Edna Wadas, Johanna Daoust

Low Net 1st Place - Tom Wichers, Dan Patrick, Pete DeMarsh, Skibo

Low Net 2nd Place - Sean Stinger, Ann Vance, Dave Powell, Connie Hays

Low Net 3rd Place - Jim Dragseth, Dave Mills, David Newland, Helen Pooley

Other players included Bill Kimball, Jan Bayley, Todd White, Sharon Russell, Rich Dickerson, Betty Olliges, Sue McVey, Butch Bayley, Fritz Grell, Mary Jo Grell, Nellie Geis, Rich and Jill Creech with two of their guests.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN!

2008 (31st Annual) Junior Angler Tournament

(Click on pictures to enlarge, click on Ed Killer's article to read)

More than 150 young anglers braved the 4-6 foot seas to bring home the bacon....er fish! Going into Wednesday, there appeared to be 250, but after reviewing the Saturday forecasts on Friday night, many chose to wait for calmer weather.

At any rate, several nice fish cooperated, a half dozen sailfish were released, pizza, wings, bar-b-que consumed, and raffle items & door prizes were abundant. Skill stations provided the opportunity for kids to learn fly casting, cast netting, and gaffing. The Port Salerno Fire Station brought their truck & ambulance for kids to tour, and many other treats kept kids busy.

This year, the Stuart Sunrise Rotary Club combined forces with SSC to help make this event a success.

To see an album of nearly 300 pictures of Friday night and Saturday's activities, go back to our website, http://www.stuartsailfishclub.com/ and click on "Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures". You'll be able to open an album and slide show.

A BIG THANK YOU to all our generous sponsors and hard working volunteers who helped make this all happen.

Good Fishing Day on the Mistress

(Click on images to enlarge)

Captain Steve Chaszar, and anglers Arthur Cox, Collin Holmes, and Eddy Bennett ventured 110 degrees out the inlet to 90-130 feet of water this morning on the Mistress. After finding and teasing six sails (or maybe the sails did the teasing), two became interested enough in what they were doing to get hooked up. Result, two releases. Congrats, guys!

MCAC 2nd Annual Tournament

Saturday marked the 2nd annual tournament raising funds for Martin County reefs. 37 boats fished and the weather held off until weigh-in.

The Stuart Sailfish Club heavily supports this effort with many Club members volunteering time and effort.

For more details, see http://www.mcacreeffund.org/. For an album of pictures, see Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures on our Home Page.

Good Fishing Day Today on the Prime Time

Good day today.

Sailfish were around again, managed to catch one and then this wahoo swam
into the spread. It chased a flat lined greenie to the transom, then turned
off and piled on a rigger bait. Van came tight immediately- our only chance
given we were fishing 40lb leader on the spinning rods today.

One hour later Ian and Sky both stuck gaffs in the fish, which weighed 54.5
lbs.

(Contributed by Tom Wichers)

Great Bahama Fishing on Carolina Blues

(Click on pictures to enlarge.)

we just returned from the fishing trip of a lifetime on the carolina blues. it was a "boys" trip that included my son, my brother, and the captain billy black.

we flew into walkers cay on the 20th of june, and returned july 3rd. we fished the entire length of the abacos, with overnite stays at green turtle yacht club and conch inn at marsh harbor. we caught many blackfin tuna to 25 pounds, wahoo to 30 pounds, and numerous barracudas along the way.

we decided to fish all the way to san salvador. we left marsh harbor on the 25th and navigated to harbor island, where we got covered up in blackfin tunas, big 50 pound plus bull dolphins, and flocks of birds.

after spending the nite at valentines marina, we fished by palmetto point on our way to little san sal. we caught some very nice dolphin to 30 pounds along the way. the following day we fished the tartar bank and over-nited at hawks nest marina at cat island. on saturday the 28th we hooked three blue marlin, all over 300, and released one that was 500 plus.

we spent the next night in san salvador marina, and tipped a few at the rolling rock bar and restaurant.we ran into several boats from the area, including the bum runner, twenty, litagator, layla, alican, and several others.

sunday the 29th we started fishing at 10:30 am. by 3:30 we were back at the marina with two blue marlin release flags flying. my brother rory had caught and released a 300 pounder, and my son glen richard had released a smaller fish of about 180 pounds.

we fueled up the carolina blues, and were ready for the return trip, back the way we had come. we had another really nice fish on right outside of hawk's nest pass, but it slipped off.

the return trip included the same action and species, so i won't bore you with the details. it was the trip of a lifetime. great fishing moments were shared with friends and family, with memories that we will treasure forever. we went 3 for 7 on blue marlin, and had more fish than we could possibly eat each day.

the carolina blues was awesome, and she awaits the next adventure at great harbor in the berry islands. here are a few pictures of our trip that you can share with the members. until then... glen snow

http://www.fishcarolinablues.com/

(Contributed by Glen Snow)

2008 Small Boat Tournament Results

Thanks to all our very generous sponsors, a lot of work on the parts of many of our Club Members, 27 Captains & boats, and many great anglers, this was one of the best. Sailfish were all around (in June???), 11 were released, many were missed. Meat fish were scattered & few, bonita were everywhere.

Thanks to everyone for your participation. See an album of 150 pictures on Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures.

Results:

ADULT DIVISION

Sailfish

1st Place - Lucky Duck

2nd Place - Hedge Fun

3rd Place - Magoo

Dolphin

1st Place - Fast Eddie

2nd Place - Blue Moon

3rd Place - Money Shot

Kingfish

1st Place - Blue Moon

2nd Place - Fast Eddie

3rd Place - Boy-N-Sea

JUNIOR DIVISION

Sailfish

1st Place - Chase Frano

Dolphin

1st Place - Sean Ashley on Nemo's God Speed

2nd Place - Van Wichers on License To Chill

Kingfish

1st Place - Sky Wichers on License To Chill

TOP BOAT

Magoo

62 LB Dolphin - Nice Catch on Last Mango Yesterday

Attached photo of 62 lb bull dolphin caught on Last Mango Friday, June 6, 2008. Patric Evans of Waipio, Hawaii, an airline pilot for Sky West Airlines, fought the fish for two hours plus before 'yours truely' sunk the gaff into him. Fortunately for me, the fish was as tired as we were from the fight and put up little struggle at that point. This makes four (4) dolphin over 45 lbs that we have caught this spring/early summer.

(Contributed by Tris Colket)

Fish are Out There

Mike Jones of Vero Beach landed this 47# bull dolphin May 31 NE of Ft. Pierce inlet in 80 feet of water on "Last Mango Charters". Good job, Mike!

(Contributed by Tris Colket)

May New Members

Please join us in welcoming new members for the month of May:

Rick & Trish Leisner
Mike & Betty Moon
Joe & Ellen Smith

We look forward to having you in the Stuart Sailfish Club.

Martin County Artificial Reefs

Dale Davenport has recommended a great web site for divers, fishermen, or just anyone wanting to see "what's down there". Go to http://www.martinreefs.com/. Thanks, Dale, for pointing us to this.

Bahamas Fishing Requlations

Pattie Toler, writing for Southern Boating in February, says the following:

"Under the new regulations, which refer to fish that may be aboard a vessel at any given time, the new bag limits are: 18 pelagic fish (dolphin, wahoo, kingfish, or tuna); 10 lobsters; 60 pounds or 20 demersal fish (grouper, snapper, etc.); and 6 conchs. The fish may be cleaned and filleted as long as the catch limits are followed. Inspectors will use their discretion in regards to what constitutes being 'just over the limit.' When leaving the Bahamas, any one person is allowed to take 6 pelagic fish, 6 lobsters, and 20 pounds of demersal fish."

2008 Lady Anglers Tournament

Calm seas and beautiful weather brought out 34 boats and 74 lady anglers for another very successful tournament. The Stuart Sailfish Club is pleased to support Pink Tie and M.I.S.S. in this tournament, only many wishing that more fish shared in the enthusiasm.

Many thanks to all our terrific sponsors who make this happen!

Pictures can be found in the Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures. ( http://picasaweb.google.com/StuartSailfishClub )

Tournament results are as follows:

Catagory Angler Boat Weight

Wahoo:

1st Place Betty Moon Stashovich 33.3 lbs.
2nd Place Debbie LaFlamme Aratsass 20.0 lbs.

Dolphin:

1st Place Tasha Bouse Aratass 30.2 lbs.
2nd Place Jessie Rehe Bone Shaker 8.7 lbs.
3rd Place Jody Fogel Challenge 5.6 lbs.

Kingfish

1st Place Tamra Tatro Daddy’s Girl too 20.0 lbs.
2nd Place Trina Aldrich Daddy’s Girl Too 17.5 lbs.
3rd Place Lori Barger Bone Shaker 9.7 lbs.


Billfish Category:

1st Place Brook Bullock Magoo 8:00 AM
2nd Place Jody Robinson Challenge

3rd Place Mary Jo Grell Alii Kai

Outstanding Angler

Brook Bullock Magoo 1 sail 9 lb. king

Polly Whippen Award
Brook Bullock Magoo 1 sail

Top Boat
Daddy’sGirl Too 1st & 2nd King

2008 JUNIOR LAT RESULTS

Dolphin
1st Place Kaitlynn Orlandi Fast Eddie 18.8 lbs.

Kingfish
1st Place Donnella Aldrich Daddy’s Girl Too 30.0 lbs.

Fishing is Picking UP

Saturday & Sunday turned out some pretty good fishing. The Kingsbury with Capt. Dewitt Davenport and anglers Russ Nesbit and Paul Rumul fished the corner, released a nice Blue (two others self-released), and brought back dolphin.

Nearer home, Jorge Ryes and Steven Hovaldt fished out the inlet with Capt. Steve Chaszer and brought back this 48# dolphin and a wahoo. (Check the fishing report on St. Lucie Inlet.com for details http://www.stlucieinlet.com/ )

2007/2008 Ed Rossi Scholarships Awarded

(Pictured are Holly Bubla receiving award and congratulations from Betty Olliges of the Stuart Sailfish Club and Kelly Knoth with Andy Kubiak.)

Congratulations to Hollis Bubla (South Fork HS), Mitchell White (Jensen Beach HS), and Kelly Knoth (Martin County HS) as this year’s recipients of the Stuart Sailfish Club’s Ed Rossi Scholarships. (Learn more about the Ed Rossi Scholarships on our website: http://www.stuartsailfishclub.com/about_rossi.php.)

Hollis (Holly) plans to major in Marine Sciences at the University of Miami this fall to become a Marine Biologist. Kelly also plans to become a Marine Biologist and she has been accepted at both FSU and Florida Gulf Coast University. Mitchell hopes to attend U of F, Columbia, or Duke to become an Environmental lawyer or politician.

Best in going forward to each of them.

Dredge the Manatee Pocket...YES!

As the County Commissioners met today to hash out budgets for the coming year, they voted unanimously this afternoon to move forward with dredging the Pocket, and including it in their funding. This was important to us, as all levels of government are feeling the crunch on available funds with changes in property values as well as State induced tax cuts.

Commissioners Michael DiTerlizzi and Susan Valliere spoke out very strongly in favor of the need to get on with the dredging for the benefit of Port Salerno, Stuart, and Martin County. Susan committed $225,000 of funds for her District as it borders a portion of the Pocket. Doug Smith and Lee Weberman also strongly supported the effort. Sarah raised concerns, but in the end, didn't try to block the project.

The project team reported that over $12,000,000 have been committed from many state, federal, and environmental organizations to get this project done.

Attending the meetings this morning and this afternoon from the Club were Arthur Cox, Betsey Riley, and yours truly. Arthur and Betsey were also representing local businesses around the Pocket as well as were some of the other business owners.

Where the Fish Are

On 4/20/08 we ran offshore east/northeast of Stuart and caught fish about 35 nautical miles from the inlet on the Pursuit 3070 LONG STORY. Anglers were Brook Bullock, 8 year old Baylor Bullock, Mark Bullock and Mary Jo Grell. Baylor and the ladies teamed up on the two dolphin we caught. We missed one blue that we had three bites from but caught one about two hours later. Mark caught the blue.

(Contributed by Fritz Grell)

Fishing Report off Grand Cay

Hey David,

We have fished twice at Grand Cay this month, and we have had great success. I fished April 4th and 5th with captain Billy Black and my brother in law, Ronnie Griffiths.

The first day we caught two nice dolphin to 30 pounds, and a nice yellowfin tuna, say about 6 pounds. The next day we caught and released a blue that Billy guessed at 275, and then a pair of wahoo in the 20 pound class. All told we caught dolphin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, a slew of barracudas, and a blue marlin on a two day trip. Billy called this a WALKER"S SLAM.

Today we just got back from another two day trip. The action was somewhat slower, however my son, Glen Richard Snow, caught his biggest ever wahoo at 78 pounds. He caught it on a black and purple islander lure with a strip bait on the wire line in about 250 feet of water right off Grand Cay. I have included a couple of pictures for you to post on the Stuart Sailfish Club's website. He is standing with his friend Greg Hall of Hobe Sound in the color picture. Please make a mention of these fishing trips. Rosie is still trying to recover from the hurricanes of 2004, and he can use the P.R. Thanks Glen Snow

(Contributed by Glen Snow)