Win a New Boat! Zach on Prom Night, Roosterfishing in Costa Rica, Free Ads and More…
It’s time for the RISAA show! That can only mean the long awaited launch of season 2016 and also that our star writer, Zach Harvey, is more nervous than a deb on prom night about how the folks that really matter to him receive his article this month. While always insightful, often brilliant, Zach really sweats this issue as he knows all of you will be there at the show to give him feedback. Be gentle with him. While it’s not exactly his first time, he really cares about this issue because he cares about all of you. He cares so much that his article is so late that you may get a chance to actually read it before we do as it may have to go directly to the printer in Pennsylvania!
But for Mike and me, the RISAA show is all about seeing our friends, learning about the best in new gear, and figuring out how NOT to spend the mortgage money in Providence next weekend!
RISAA’s New England Fishing Show is truly kid-in-a-candy-shop time. As guys selling everything from plugs to charters to boats will tell you, this is a buying show. As Publishers, we are often sent gear to evaluate. We really appreciate that as we can all be creatures of habit, sticking with old favorites, unless given the unavoidable chance to try something cool and new. But the RISAA show makes us break out the cash in earnest!
Speaking of cool and new, check out Tom Schlichter’s review of Under Armour’s new threads, the high-tech CoolSwitch Line. This new line, especially designed for anglers to keep us cool and protected from the sun, feels amazing. Utilizing a ceramic print on the inside of the clothing causes it to perform in the opposite way to their hunting gear by drawing heat away from the body. It also offers UPF 30+ protection. Both Mike and Tom got the new gear so far ahead of the public that Under Armour’s PR folks couldn’t even release approved pictures! This is your first peek at the new gear. If you want to see it for yourself stop by our booth at RISAA where Mike will be sporting it for the show!
We just wish we had the Under Armour gear last month to demo it in Costa Rica – the pictures would have been more exciting. We hit the West Coast of Costa Rica in search of a bucket list fish – the roosterfish. We spent some time up north in Guanacaste and then headed south to the Los Suenos area. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the Golfo de Papagayo and the Southern Beaches do it now. It’s inexpensive compared to FL and indescribably beautiful. Whatever the brochures say, the beaches aren’t much in this area, but the fishing is spectacular. Mike hooked and landed a spectacular roosterfish. If you’ve never caught one it looks like a cross between a sail fish and a tuna, painted with stripes. The dorsal fin almost resembles feathers more than a solid fin. It gave Mike a great fight and topped off a wonderful morning of fishing. Perhaps this is why Captain Kelly Smith heads to this area in winter …
We were lucky enough to spend a half day fishing with the crew of El Jefe, a beautiful Out Islander 40 that tamed the 6 foot seas. The crew – Neils, Oliver and Mark on the bridge – were top notch and worked their hearts out to track, tempt and hook a beauty after days of getting skunked with high winds and rough seas. Check out the pictures and story.
But sunny Costa Rica is behind us and it’s back to reality. Despite the polar vortex and record cold temps as I write this, it’s time to get ready for season 2016 – so check out Word on the Bite for the newest and coolest in gear, as well as a timely feature on getting your boat ready by our friends at RI Brewer Yacht Yards.
March is also the month we introduce our special advertising incentives for season 2016. Last year Zach Harvey’s weekly fishing reports were a smash success, generating thousands of visits to our websites coastalanglermag.com/rhodeisland and coastalanglermag.com/longisland. Lots of opportunity for generating leads and business for our advertisers who would like to use this digital platform in addition to their print schedule.
Six time (April – September) advertisers will receive free banner advertising for the whole season on our website, on Zach’s weekly fishing reports page which starts in the spring. This is the page folks download and take with them, the page avid anglers can’t do without. These banners are usually $100 a pop so it is a great deal! Call us with any questions or for a proposal today! This offer is limited to the first 10 advertisers who sign up so don’t miss it!
Coastal Angler is also rolling out its newest contest to WIN A NEW BOAT! Details to follow, but the contest starts March 1 so stop by the booth to enter! And don’t miss this show – RISAA is dedicated to the protection, promotion and preservation of recreational fishing. Led by the legendary Steve Medeiros, RISAA puts on one of the country’s best fishing shows showcasing all that Rhode Island and the region have to offer. Join the thousands of anglers, dozens of exhibitors with the newest gear, and a great roster of speakers and presenters, sharing years of experience, for a great time for all – and maybe win a new boat! See you at the Show!
Tight lines,
Mike and Lisa Danforth
