Fishing for Wahoo & Dolphin Presented by Tom Putnam [email protected]

Hosted by Bob Fowler [email protected] (850) 708-1317

marinemax.com treasureislandmarina.net halfhitch.com 1 Dolphin •Family Coryphaenidae, DOLPHINS Coryphaena hippurus

Description: bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body tapers sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides; anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical; head of females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending from anus to tail.

Where found: OFFSHORE in warm waters.

Size: common to 30 pounds.

*Florida Record: 77 lbs, 12 oz. *World Record: 87 lbs. Costa Rica

Remarks: one of the fastest-growing fish, thought to live no more than 5 years; swimming speed is estimated at 50 knots; spawns in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year; young found in sargassum weed; feeds on flying fish and squid.

•Legal Limit = none in Gulf Waters •Bag Limit = 10 Not to exceed 60 per vessel 2 Wahoo Family: SCOMBRIDAE Wahoo Acauthocybium solanderi

Description: body slender; elongate jaws form a pointed beak; dark bluish above, with about 30 dark wavy bars; whitish below 1st dorsal fin long and low, with 21 to 27 spines; no gill rakers.

Where found: offshore Gulfstream; bluewater

Size: to 83 inches and 183 lbs.

*Florida Record: 136 lbs *World Record: 158.8 lb Baja, California, Mexico / 139 Marathon

Remarks: an important game fish, renowned for its tremendous runs and shifts of direction; usually not in schools; caught with trolling bait and artificial lures on flatlines

Legal Limit = None Bag Limit = 2 per day

3 Blackfin Tuna Family Scombridae also called Bermuda tuna, Blackfinned Albacore Blackfin Tuna Thunnus atlanticus

Description: The pectoral fins reach to somewhere between the twelfth dorsal spine and the origin of the second dorsal fin but they never extend beyond the second dorsal fin as in the albacore. There is a total of 19-25 (usually 21-23) gill rakers on the first arch (15-19 are on the lower limb), which is fewer than in any other species of Thunnus. The finlets are uniformly dark, without a touch of the bright lemon yellow usually present in those of other tunas. Light bars alternate with light spots on the lower flanks.

Where found: OFFSHORE of all Florida coasts

Size: common 10 to 50 lbs.

*Florida Record: 45.8 lb *World Record: 45.8 lb Key West, FL

Remarks: May strike a surface bait in spectacular, greyhounding fashion, but seldom jumps after being hooked. Wild fight is characterized by several sizzling runs, usually at or near the surface. One of the fastest of all game fish.

Legal Limit = none Bag Limit = none

4 Yellowfin Tuna Yellowfin Tuna Megalops atlanticus

Description: Distinguishing the Yellowfin Tuna from the Blackfin or Bigeye is sometimes difficult as many visual features are similar. Finlets of the Yellowfin are yellow, trimmed in black and gold stripe along side. Light underside always shows spots and/or wavy lines. Second dorsal and anal fins of very large individuals are elongated and lunate--a feature not found on any other Tuna

Where found: OFFSHORE of all Florida coasts

Size: common 10 to 50 lbs.

*Florida Record: 230 lbs. *World Record: 388 Reuvillagigedo Islands

Remarks: May strike a surface bait in spectacular, greyhounding fashion, but seldom jumps after being hooked. Wild fight is characterized by several sizzling runs, usually at or near the surface. One of the fastest of all game fish.

Legal Limit = 27” fork length + Highly migratory species permit Bag Limit = 3 per person

5 Tuna

• World Record – Blackfin 45.5 lb Key West, FL – Bluefin 1,496 lb Nova Scotia Canada – Skip Jack 45 lb Baja – Yellowfin 388 Reuvillagigedo Islands – Little Bonita 35 Algeria

6 Swordfish

Family Xiphiidae, SWORDFISHES - Xiphias gladius

Description: color of back variable, black, grayish blue, brown, metallic purple, or bronze; sides dusky; underbelly dirty white; long, flat, sword-like upper jaw; lacks scales, teeth, and pelvic fins; single keel on each side of body in front of tail; first dorsal fin high, rigid and short; large eyes.

Where found: OFFSHORE species worldwide in temperate & tropic waters; known to frequent depths of 400 to 500 fathoms; also has been seen basking at the surface.

Size: once averaged 200 lbs but overharvest has reduced size of commercially caught swordfish to average of 48”.

*Florida Record: 612 lbs., 12 oz. Key Largo *World Record: 1182 lbs. MarronIquique, Chile.

Remarks: large swordfish are all females, males seldom exceeding 200 lbs; except when spawning, females believed to prefer water cooler than that favored by males; feeds on squid, octopus, and pelagic fishes of all kinds.

Legal Limit = 47” lower jaw to tail fork length, 29” cleithrum to keel length, or 33 lbs. dressed weight Bag Limit = 1 per harvester or 3 per vessel (whichever is less)

7 Where are We Going to Fish

8 License Required

• Permits 888- USA-TUNA – Highly migratory permit – Required for all Tuna (except Blackfin), Marlin, Swordfish and some sharks – Not Required for Wahoo or Dolphin

9 IGFA Rules J Hook • Tournaments Circle Hook Rule – Circle hooks required in all tournaments Circle Hook • Why Circle Hooks

– More hooks up in jaw Circle hook – Greater survival possibility definition: Generally round – Less gut hooked fish in shape & point 900 to hook • Rig most bait with circle hooks shank • Bridal rig the most popular

10 Spinning vs. Conventional

Best for casting Best leverage Poor leverage, limited drag Best drag, poor casting

11 2 Speed vs. 1 Speed vs. High Efficiency Gearing

High efficiency gearing allows for best of both worlds – easy cranking like low speed & fast 2 Speed reels give extra retrieval like high speed leverage in low gear high speed to pick up line fast when approaching fish

12 Rod Harnesses & Belts

Shoulder harnesses are Kidney easiest to use but put harnesses extra pressure on lowers shoulders & lower back pressure to hips & thighs where more strength exist

Both allows the angler to release rod to relax hands

13 Curved vs. Straight Butt

Less Lift

Vertical Lift

Curved butts increase lift when fighting fish who sound (goes deep) however, for surface fights low angle reduces rod bent and benefits.

14 Rod Guides Roller vs. Standard vs. Ceramic Guides • Roller greater for high speed drag stripping if working – requires maintenance • Ceramic – easy to use, dissipates heat – many types – very little or impossible to grove – Silicone Carbide/Zoronico • Standard – least favorite, wears easy, builds up heat that harms line

15 Leader

• Wind-ons • IGFA Rules • Double line – Max 30’ leader • Fluorocarbon – Max 30’ double line • Line Color – Combined leader • Super Braid double line max 40’

Max 30’ Max 30’ Double Line Leader

40’

16 Top Shot

• Fill reel ¾ with Dacron/Super Braid – finish off with mono • Best of all worlds – Stretch when fish strikes but when there is lots of line out low stretch & with super braid low water drag but still stretches like shock cord to keep line tight when fish jumps or runs

17 Drag Settings High • Full spool max fighting drag 30% of line test max total drag 33% of line test • When line spool diameter is ½ drag is twice amount as line goes out smaller diameter drag increase • Use max drag when fish is close to the boat to help control the fish.

18 Super Braid vs. Mono Braid Mono •Zero Stretch •Reasonable priced •Small Diameter •Able to stretch •No memory •Multiple colors •Can not color, coat •Has memory only not able to die •Pricey •Very durable

19 Leaders •Mono – low visibility has stretch, easy to bite off by teethy fish •Single strand stainless steel wire – Small diameter – Stiff – very visible – Able to twist, no knots, no sleeves teethy fish resistant •Stainless Steel Cable – Stiff – more strands the more flexible – very visible – Requires sleeves – teethy fish resistant

20 Fluorocarbon

• Great Leader – High abrasion resistance – Stiffer – Larger Diameter – Same density as water – Carbon fleck stops light transmittal – Has UV inhibitors – last longer in sun – Very slick, passes through guides easily

21 Baits

• Ballyhoo • Mullet • Spanish Mackerel • Blue Runner • Flying Fish • Small Dolphin • Small Bonita

22 Vertical Jigging

• Around Oil Rigs • Jigging for Tuna around rigs work well

23 Natural vs. Artificial

• Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works better at slower speed & fish will strike bait multiple times • Once bait fish are located prefer slower speeds with natural baits

24 Lures

25 How to Size a Hook

• Hook gap should be same or greater diameter as lure head. • The bottom of the hook should hang just past the end of the skirt.

26 Sleeves Barrel vs. Compression

• Best to tie all mono under 80lb • 80lb-125lb can tie or crimp • 150lb & up best to crimp • Remember when crimping use a mono sleeve & compression style crimper 27 Tie vs. Crimp • Best to tie all mono under 80lb • 80lb-125lb can tie or crimp • 150lb & up best to crimp • Remember when crimping use a mono sleeve & compression style crimper • Barrell sleeve Mono sleeve

• When a Barrell sleeve is crimped only limited contact with the surface of mono. Mono sleeves compress all around mono for more contact and holding power. 8/11/2012 28 Twisting Single Strand Wire

29 Popular Knots

Bimini Twist Loop to Loop

Offshore Swivel Knot

30 Preserve Your Catch

• Be Sure to be able to Ice well • Fish Bags allow for easy storage of a large fish • Summer heat will spoil fish fast • Make sure you are able to ice your catch well • Many boats fish boxes are not well insulated

31 What to look for

• Weed Lines – fish the clear side • Floating Objects • Bait will gather around even the smallest objects

32 What to Look For

• Fish tend to not travel through abrupt temperature changes – they will move along the change • Water Temperature Change – watch temperature guage • Color Change will help show where temperature change exist • Temperature changes can be found along tide lines and tide rips

33 Gathering of Birds

• Great way to help find bait. • Fish will circle bait forcing the bait school to the surface for easy pray for birds.

34 Finding Bait

• Keep Fish Finder to Look for Bait • Bait will not always be on the surface • Fish finder is an easy way to spot bait schools

35 Sample Analysis • Satellite Reports - roffs.com

36 Bait Placement • Lure and bait placement should be on the front of the boat wake. • Allows lures to stay on the surface to catch air. • Also allows fish to strike without head coming out of the water.

37 Swordfish Night

• Hydro Glow light fish in to bring bait fish around the boat • Fish in 150-250 fathoms • Night Fish 50’-100’ down • Daytime-drift fish on bottom • Swordfish – Most daylight hours on bottom – Night hours on surface

38 Pointed Nose Lures

• Best for higher speed 8-15 mph moves very little • Least water resistant • Less side to side movement • Less bubble effects

39 Blunt Nose Heavy

• Blunt nose lures for slower speeds 5-9 mph – Tend to move less – Leaves a visible bubble trail

40 How to Hook a Fish • Drop Back using an outrigger clip • Fish strikes clip then releases line creates drop back like bait has been killed • Wait for fish to pick up bait and give time to get entire bait in his mouth. • Reel line tight as fast as possible • When line is tight JERK very hard to set hook • If line doesn’t become tight free spool in hopes fish will return.

41 Use of Birds

Helps keep lures/baits on the surface

Use best on longest lines

42 Use Live Bait • Bridal Rig – Popular with live bait allows bait to swim free – fish have to swallow bait head first because of baits fins – Has become popular way to rig baits with circle hooks

43 Ballyhoo

• 3-9’ leader. #7-12 single strand wire • Bally very popular at mid speed, 5-9 mph • Easy to rig and more durable than other baits like cigar minnows.

44 High Speed Trolling • Great for Wahoo • What Speed – 10-14mph • Wire vs. Super Braid – Wire helps sink bait to reach fish otherwise missed monol (single strand) old way multi-strand more popular now but difficult to use. Small wire fibers, breaks & dangerous. Planers don’t work well speed produces to much water drag & stress on tackle. – Super Braid – same small diameter as wire but extra weight is needed to get lures/bait down – Easier to work with – lighter and more fun to use

45 High Speed Trolling Leads

Allows anglers to fish at high speeds 10-14 mph & 16-48 oz. get bait 10’ – 30’ down

46 Chumming vs. Chunking

• Chunking (cut pieces of bait) – Popular for night time tuna fishing

47 Kites

• Becoming very popular for sport fishing for Tuna • Using a kite allows your bait to remain at a greater distance from the boat & keeps bait on the surface of the water

48 Future Classes

• July 14th – Kayak Fishing, Scalloping & Water Activities • August 11th – Surf Fishing • September 8th – King Mackerel Fishing • October 13th – Flounder and Fall Bay Fishing • November 10th – Hands on Rigging

49 MEETINGS

Next Meeting Schedule June 18 - 22, 2012 Gulf Of Mexico Fishery Hilton Management Council Meeting 2225 N. Lois Ave. Schedule Tampa, FL 33607 2203 N Lois Avenue, Suite 1100 Tampa, Florida 33607 USA Toll Free: 888-833-1844 August 20 - 24, 2012 Email: [email protected] Astor Crowne Plaza gulfcouncil.org 739 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70130

50 MEETINGS

Florida Fish and Wildlife Next Meeting: Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building 620 S. Meridian St. June 27-28, 2012 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 West Palm (850) 488-4676

Saltwater Regulations myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/

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8/11/2012 52 Fishing Newsletter

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53 How to Measure

• Fish regulated by fork length are measured from the tip of the jaw or tip of the snout with closed mouth to the center of the fork in the tail.

• Fork Length Species Include: Amberjacks, Bluefish, Rudderfish, King Mackerel, Hog Fish, Spanish, Mackerel, Dolphin, Permit, Cobia, Pompano, Mullet, African Pompano

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