Ron Champion Wins Hobie Bass Open
Kentucky Dam Village, Kentucky Lake | June 5, 2016
By: Hobie Fishing
Ron Champion won his way onto Team North America for this year’s Hobie® Fishing World Championship, holding off a fierce charge by Matthew Scotch at the Hobie Bass Open on Kentucky Lake.
Champion won on the strength of his Day-1, 57.25-inch 3-bass tally. On Day-2, figuring he needed a trophy to take the win, he gambled precious fishing time and drove two hours south to the quieter waters of New Johnsonville, where the shad were spawning.
“I caught three fish pretty quickly on topwater,” he recalled, and then things slowed down. He went back to fishing deep with a Grande Bass 4.75-inch Rattlesnake in blue fleck on a shaky head. “I said this is my last cast. I’ve got to go, then I hooked into a 16.75-inch upgrade.” He ended the day with 51.50 inches of bass, which proved to be just enough. Champion won $3,500, but it was the all expenses paid trip to the Hobie Fishing Worlds that was his goal. “Representing Hobie and your country at the Worlds, how do you get better than that?” he said.
Meanwhile off Moors Landing about 30 minutes south of tournament headquarters at Kentucky Dam Village, Matthew Scotch and last year’s third place winner Jay Wallen were dueling it out for second place and their own spot on Team North America. They traded fish for fish, and just when it seemed Wallen had the advantage, Scotch scored a fat 19.75-inch fish, sealing the deal and nearly catching Champion. His two-day total of 108.25-inches was just half an inch shy of tying for first. Jay Wallen complied 106.25-inches for a two day total and finished third for the second consecutive year.
The Hobie Bass Open is a Catch-Photo-Release event. The sixth annual Hobie® Fishing World Championship (HFW8) will take place in Lafourche Parrish, Louisiana from December 4-10, 2016. Over fifty anglers from around the global will be fishing the legendary Leeville marsh area for an inshore slam consisting of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Best of luck to out American team.
FWC to Consider Recommendations for Florida Bear Hunt
June 10, 2016
By: FWC Tammy Sapp
After receiving extensive input from the general public and stakeholders, FWC staff today released four options that Commissioners will consider on how to best move forward with controlling Florida’s growing bear population, which is estimated to have swelled across Florida over the last ten years. The four options range from holding a bear hunt with the identical framework as last year to no bear hunting in Florida at all. The staff recommendation is for a more conservative and accountable hunt beginning in 2016.
Option 1 – 2016 Bear Hunt with Identical Framework as 2015.
This option would prescribe a bear hunt in 2016 with identical framework to the hunt held in 2015, but with updated hunt objectives.
Option 2 – More Conservative Bear Hunt Utilizing Input Received from the Public and Stakeholders.
Over the course of the last year and a half, FWC has used various tools and methods to answer questions and receive input from the public on the FWC comprehensive bear management program. This limited hunt option would allow FWC to hold an even more conservative bear hunt in 2016 utilizing the data and information collected including the latest bear population science. This option also puts more restrictions on hunters who choose to participate. New restrictions would include: reducing the area open to hunting to correspond with the areas of the state where human-bear conflicts are most prevalent; the prohibition of taking a bear with any other bear present, including cubs; further restrictions on hunting near game feeding stations; limiting the number of permits; increase enforcement measures requiring hunters to tag bears immediately; and limiting the number of hunters in each area of the state, or Bear Management Unit.
Option 3 – Postpone Bear Hunting in Florida.
Option 3 would be to postpone any bear hunt by creating a zero hunt objective, but the Commission could consider a 2017 bear hunt at a later date. This would give the FWC more time to work with stakeholders, local communities and the public to better develop the important role hunting plays in Florida’s comprehensive bear management program.
Option 4 – No Bear Hunting in Florida.
Option 4 would be for the Commission to repeal bear hunting rules and not allow bear hunting in Florida in future years.
The Commission will consider all these options, as well as staff recommendations for the June 22nd meeting in Eastpoint, FL. The public can provide input on all the options at FWC’s Bear website at www.MyFWC.com/Bear.
New State Record for Shoal Bass
June 10, 2016
By: Amber Nabors, FWC
Jimmy Ray Tice from Cottondale, FL caught a 5.2 pound shoal bass on the Apalachicola River in Gadsden County on May 27, 2016. He beat the previous certified state record by more than 5 ounces.
Tice’s shoal bass is the fourth certified state record since March 2015. The certified weight of 5.2 pounds broke the previous record of 4.85 pounds set by Stewart Mayeaux in September 2015. FWC biologist Andy Strickland met Tice to get an official certified weight and measurements, and to have the application notarized. The official measurements were 21.33 inches in total length with a girth of 14.05 inches. By collecting the fish’s otoliths, ear stones, the fish was determined to be seven years old.
The most abundant population of shoal bass in Florida exists in the Chipola River between the towns of Marianna (Jackson County) and Altha (Calhoun County). Under the new bass regulations taking effect on July 1, 2016, the shoal bass will have a protected conservation area from Peacock Bridge to Johnny Boy Landing on the Chipola River. Under the new regulations, Suwannee, shoal, Choctaw, and spotted bass, fish under 12-inches must be release immediately. For more information on the new bass regulations, visit www.MyFWC.com/fishing.
Florida Barracuda Regulations Up For Comment
June 2016
FWC will present the Draft Rule for barracuda to the FWC Commission at the Commission meeting held on June 22-23 in Apalachicola, FL. The barracuda regulations will be addressed on Thursday, June 23. If the Draft Rule is accepted by the Commissioners, the Final Rule will be voted on at the FWC Commission meeting in St. Petersburg on November 16-17.
The current regulations are: two barracuda per person per day, with a six fish vessel limit. There is no size limit.
The proposed Draft Regulation would add: A slot limit of 15” to 36” where barracuda within the slot may be harvested. There would be an allowance of one barracuda over 36” per vessel per day.
Public comment to the proposed changes can be submitted to the FWC Director of Marine Fisheries Management via the website www.MyFWC.com.
Edible Six-Pack Rings Produced to Protect Marine Life
June 2016
A local Florida craft beer company and a New York based ad agency have teamed up to create a biodegradable six pack ring for beer and other canned drinks that is also edible for marine life. Saltwater Brewery of Delray Beach, Florida and We Believers from NYC claim the edible six pack rings are made with the byproducts of the beer making process including barley and wheat and the rings are comparable in strength and efficiency to the plastic rings the industry uses today. It is wildly accepted that discarded plastic rings create an environmental hazard to marine wildlife including sea turtles, fish, and marine birds. By replacing plastic rings with 100% biodegradable and compostable materials, thousands of sea creatures could be saved each year.
Saltwater Brewery, www.SaltwaterBrewery.com, was founded in December of 2013 by a team of native Floridians. Using only pure ingredients, each style of handcrafted beer and corresponding name is inspired by the ocean. Twelve different styles are available in their tasting room and six primary beers can now be found locally including Screamin’ Reels IPA and Sea Cow Milk Stout. Saltwater Brewery craft beers are distributed in Highlands, Glades, Hendry and Okeechobee counties by J.J. Taylor Distributing out of Tampa, FL.
Under Pressure Sports – GS Outdoors
Newly opened in Highlands County.
July 1, 2016
Under Pressure Sports and GS Outdoors have united to give a one stop shopping experience for all your outdoor adventures. You will be able to schedule your dive certifications, pick up bait and tackle, or purchase your archery supplies for the next hunting season. Also available are weekly dive trips and guided bass fishing either by bass boat or kayak. If you don’t want to fish, then come in and rent a kayak for the day. There are plenty of other services available for you when you visit Under Pressure and GS Outdoors including: pro staff on site; rod and reel repairs; and a full selection of paintball equipment for all your paintball adventures. If you can’t come to us we will bring paintball to you. Schedule a party or special paintball event and have access to 80 acres to hone your tactical skills. So call or visit this new premier outdoor business in Highlands County. Just ask for Ford, Cary or Rob and we will gladly assist you in your next outdoor adventure.
Located at 5621 U.S. Hwy 27 N. Sebring, FL 33870 or call 863-402-2100. Open Monday thru Saturday 6:am to 6:pm
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