THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WEST PALM BEACH FISHING CLUB 25 Years of Taking Kids Fishing ne by one they filed over the hesitation in their step, like kids you boarding plank and onto the sometimes see at the fair sheepishly Odeck of the 'Living on Island moving in line as they await their first Time' drift boat, like ants marching roller coaster ride...excited to be there, with purpose to a predetermined but not quite sure what to expect. destination where they would soon be Once safely on board, energized chat- rewarded. Most were eager to climb ter is soon interrupted by the abrupt on board and position themselves next sound of a big diesel engine roaring to to a lucky rod. Some walked with an life. With eyes wide open, obvious sense of some grab their buddies, some clutch the railing, while others belt out Well over a decade ago Capt. startled screams that George LaBonte gave a fishing semi- are quickly followed by nar introducing many club members to a big smile and laugh- the then new technique of high-speed ter. The anticipation trolling for wahoo. George has done of heading offshore, some it again, at the June club meeting the for the very first time, will talented charter fishing captain from soon be replaced by another Jupiter, along with Capt. Joe Dob- Kids Fishing Day adventure, a bins, revealed an innovative approach scenario that has been repeated to luring wahoo to the boat. They use over and over again for the past 25 a customized flasher. LaBonte readily years in Palm Beach County. To admits that the use of reflective flash- date well over 11,000 kids have ers is far from a new concept in fishing. enjoyed this annual program. Flashers have been used for a great The West Palm Beach many years in various parts of the Fishing Club first start- world by spearfishermen and anglers ed its annual Kids alike. What LaBonte and Dobbins Fishing Day program have done is taken the concept and in 1988. That year refined it for bluewater drift fishing. a group of foster kids Their flasher rig hangs vertically in were treated to a half- the water column and is about 20 feet day trip aboard the 'Miss long. Depending on conditions like Blue Heron' out of Riv- wind and tide the rig can be dropped iera Beach. Fran- lower into continued on Page 33 ces Doucet and Genie Lance served up donuts A Year In Review... to the kids as the • The 75th Silver Sailfish Derby boat idled out. “Initially it was • KDW Classic Sets Records just a fishing trip • Member News with very little • New Club Records & Fishing instruction. We soon discovered that Contest Standings if we didn’t want to see • Club Outings those donuts a second time • Angling Adventures around, future trips would have to be shorter than four hours. & Much More! 2012 • VOL 78, NO. 1 continued on Page 41 IGHT LINE events calendar november 1 T S start of club's annual Winter october 3 Fishing Contest competition Board of Directors: Inshore Meeting, 7:00 pm Pete Schulz, Chairman “Lure Fishing Techniques for Chester Brewer november 7 Inshore & Nearshore Gamefish” Inshore Meeting, 7:00 pm Capt. Barry Brimacomb Patrick Sebile “Fall Fishing for Gator Trout, Robert Callaway sebileusa.com Donn Colee Snook, Mackerel & Pompano” C.N. “Butch” Farrell Capt. Mark Dravo october 17 - 21 y-bnormalcharters.com Dr. Thomas P. Floyd Boca Grande Outing John Jolley Gasparillia Island. Join fellow club Sandra Kaupe SEE the BBQ members on our annual visit to this flyer or visit the Daniel Kleiser club website for details! Robert Oglesby beautiful west coast destination. For november 17 Suzanne Ross more info call outing coordinator Annual Awards, BBQ & Auction John Taylor Joella Callaway @ (561) 832-6780 at FOP Lodge #50, WPB Bud Tyska 5:30 pm - 9 pm William Watson A memorable 2011 Boca Grande David Webb Outing bounty! november 28 Robert L. Weigt Offshore Meeting, 7:00 pm “Live Bait: Practical Tips for Staff: Catching, Keeping & Rigging Some of South Florida's Most President Thomas L. Twyford, Jr. Popular Baits” Capt. Ray Rosher Operations Manager Miss Britt Charters Joella S. Callaway october 24 Offshore Meeting, 7:00 pm december 5 “Fishing Chokoloskee: Targeting Inshore Meeting, 7:00 pm Redfish, Trout, Snook & Tarpon” “Fishing (& enjoying life) on Capt. Mike Merritt the Indian River Lagoon” everglade-angler.com Capt. Rodney Smith Coastal Angler Magazine october 31 final day of club's annual Summer december 26 West Palm Beach Fishing Club no meeting due to P.O. Box 468 Fishing Contest competition West Palm Beach, FL 33402 Holiday Break Telephone: (561) 832-6780 Fax: (561) 832-2137 Websites: www.westpalmbeachfishingclub.org www.kdwclassic.com Find us on Facebook Copyright 2012 West Palm Beach Fishing Club. All rights reserved. 2 West Palm Beach Fishing Club club news TD's Affinity Membership Restored Mounts Go Back Up Can Help Our Foundation Earlier this year, a crew of West Palm Beach Fish- ing Club members including The Fishing Nelson Schad, Barry Bri- Club began a macomb, Eric Davison, win-win bank- Travis Stubblefield and ing relationship with TD Bank sev- Mike Ivancevic gathered eral years ago. TD Bank has been to re-hang a restored trophy an outstanding community partner blue marlin mount on the for the Fishing Club; advertising in outside of our historic club- Tight Lines and being one of our major house at Fifth Street and cash sponsors of the KDW Classic. A North Flagler Drive. The unique aspect of our relationship is mount was totally refurbished by our friends at King Sailfish Mounts in Ft. the TD Bank Affinity Membership Lauderdale. The 16.5 foot long fish is a replica of a 980 pound, 8 ounce marlin Program. that once was the Florida state record. The Here’s how the program works: mount was donated to the Fishing Club by TD Bank will make an annual contri- well known lure maker Bob Schneider bution based upon a percentage of the in 1997. The fish hung outside his tackle average balances for all participating shop on Blue Heron Blvd. for many years. members once we have a minimum of Since its arrival at the Fishing Club the 50 households coded to our organiza- behemoth tion. When our organization receives marlin a contribution, it will be given to the mount had Fishing Club’s charitable affiliate, the weathered Palm Beach County Fishing Founda- two hurricanes. It was definitely showing its tion and will be used to support our age when it was sent to King Sailfish Mounts for youth outreach programs. Check- a total makeover. King did an outstanding job ing, savings, money market, CDs making our big fish look new again! They also and retirement accounts are all in- restored a smaller blue marlin and bluefin tuna cluded. And, there is no limit to the mount, which hang inside the clubhouse. Spe- amount of our potential contribution! cial thanks to King Sailfish Mounts and our Here’s how you can help: Make skilled volunteers for getting the fish back on TD Bank your bank. Visit any TD display at the Fishing Club! Bank location near you to open an account and let the TD representa- Bryant is Club’s #1 Recruiter tive know that you want your account linked to the West Palm Beach Fishing It's official...WPBFC memberLeonard Bryant of Lake Worth recruited the Club Affinity Program (code:A1223 ). most new members to the club last year. Bryant, a professional photographer, Plus, TD Bank will give you $25 to sponsored a total of seven new members in 2011 earning a free membership open your new account! That’s it…TD for himself. During the spring and summertime tournament season last year Bank will take care of the rest. If you Bryant took it upon himself to actively promote the Fishing Club by word of already have a TD Bank account, just mouth at some of the events he was photographing. “It’s an easy sell once visit your local TD Bank location, and people understand the value of being a Fishing Club member,” said Bryant tell any Customer Service Representa- who has been a club member for over 26 years. Several years ago the Fishing tive that you would like your account Club initiated a member rewards campaign called, “Sign Up Three & Yours is linked to our Affinity Membership Free”, where current club members can earn a free membership by sponsor- Program. ing three or more new members (of an equivalent membership level) during (The contribution amount earned is based the course of the calendar year. For example, an adult member who sponsors upon the average total deposits of those af- three new adult members will have their WPBFC membership renewed when filiated accounts and federal law requires it comes due, a $75 value. So far this year, members Ronnie Appleton, Don that all account information is kept strictly Dewoody & Chris Perry are leading the pack in new member recruitment. confidential. It will not be shared with anyone, Talking up the Fishing Club has never been so rewarding! including other members of our organization.) Tight Lines Bulletin - 2012: A Year In Review 3 81888 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL 33036 OceanSIR.com Florida Keys Private Estate $12,900,000 Magnificent private estate located in the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World” in the Florida Keys, also world renowned for it’s fabulous snorkeling, diving and water sports. The award winning design and unrivaled craftsmanship are evident in all 11,674 square feet of air conditioned living space.