FWB Sailfish Club News

Mac McPeak pulled in a twenty-seven pound black grouper last week. The big fish was a career record for Mac who was fishing aboard the Aquaholic with Glen Best and Jimmy and Bess Jones.

The anglers were fishing the southwest edge and found the fish to be hungry and ready to bite. The crew boated six black groupers that day.

Winter fishing can produce some nice grouper when the weather permits. On a recent trip Robert Mitchell limited out on grouper and amberjack.

Top Sports Angler
Bess Jones

Top Boat Captain
Jimmy Jones

Top Small Boat Captain
Jason Marquardt

Tag and Release
Bess Jones (1st)
Jason Marquardt (2nd)
Bill Wargo (3rd)

Light Tackle
Jerry Abrams

Top Junior Angler
Andrew Wagner

Top Small Fry Angler
Jacob Roberson

Blue Marlin
Robert Mitchell (1st)
Bess Jones (2nd)

White Marlin
Jason Marquardt (1st)
Larry Bush (2nd)

Sailfish
Andrew Wagner (1st)

Yellow Fin Tuna
Andy Block (1st)

Wahoo
Ty Pennington (1st)
Glynn Moore (2nd)

Dolphin
Glen Best (1st)
Jacob Roberson (2nd)

Tarpon
Jerry Abrams (1st)
Doug Reed (2nd)

Cobia
Ty Pennington (1st)
Jamie Smith (2nd)

Black Fin Tuna
Jason Marquardt (1st)
Bruce Aplin (2nd)

Grouper
Jimmy Jones (1st)
Chris Wagner (2nd)

Red Snapper
Glen Best (1st)
Jimmy Jones (2nd)

King Mackerel
Doug Reed (1st)
James Roberson, Sr (2nd)

Amberjack
Bess Jones (1st)
Robert Mitchell (2nd)

Red Fish
Andy Block (1st)
Andrew Wagner (2nd)

Sea Trout
Jack Blair (1st)
Jerry Abrams (2nd)

Jack Cravalle
None

Broken Oar Award
James Roberson, Sr and Jim Roberson

Get your rods ready and check those lines. Jason Marquardt has a full slate of fun inter-club tournaments scheduled. These fun-aments are always a great way to add a little competition to fishing.
March 24 Cobia Warmup
Ap 21-22 Cobia Trip to PC
May 12 Bottom Fishing
June 9 Offshore Warmup
July 14 King Mac/Tarpon
Aug 11 Tarpon Trip
Sept 8 Offshore Tournament

"Save the Bay" Meeting

All club members are invited and encouraged to attend a "Save the Bay" symposium at 6:30, February 15th at the FWB Yacht Club. On hand will be guest speakers from the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, the Okaloosa County Sea Grant Agency, Pump Out USA, and the Emerald Coast chapter of the CCA. The discussions will cover a broad range of fishing and environmental issues. "I hope that we can get many Sailfish Club members there to listen to the guest speakers," stated CCA president, Jim Roberson. " The main theme will be ‘What Each and Every One of Us Can Do to Make a Difference.’"

Members are in for a treat this year as several club members have agreed to share their expertise in a series of tech nights. These fellows are experienced anglers and will no doubt have much knowledge to share. Tech Nights are scheduled as follows:

Plans are in the works for a tech night in April on bottom fishing and a tech night on flats fishing. If you would like to improve your technique and increase your catch, be sure to attend these informative meetings.

If you have a request for a tech night topic or would like to conduct one, please contact Buddy Smith.

A hearty welcome is extended to new members: Robin Harrell Bob Kolmetz, Bill Lott, Dean Preston and Mark Redmon.

We’re glad to have you with us.

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News Flash:
FL Sportsman Show Mar 16
at FWB Fairground

In an unprecedented decision, the NMFS closed the De Soto Canyon to pelagic long line fishing. The closure took effect on November 1, 2000 and covers most of the offshore area that our club fishes. The closure includes the Squiggles, DeSoto Canyon, the Elbow, and the Steps. We should see a rebound of fish in the area soon. According to Jim Roberson, president of the local CCA, the coordinates of the closure are 86 degrees W to 88 degrees W in between 30 degrees N to 28 degrees N. It also extends further south to 28 degrees N to 26 degrees N in between 86 degrees W to 84 degrees W. Two years ago, several club members took a bus trip to Panama City in order to urge the NMFS to enact more effective management legislation. Club members can be proud of their participation in bringing about this important closure. However, we must remain ever vigilant. Report violations to Alan Coker at 850-729-8628 or Fax 729-8632. Please note the vessel’s name and the coordinates.

Last fall, the club established an award in memory of the late Dick Dutton. Dick was a tireless member of the club and one who contributed much to make the club what it is today. The award will be presented each year to one member who exhibits the following criteria:

1. Long devoted service to the Club
2. Exceptional performance of duties as a director or member
3. Exceptional effort to promote the conservation of game fish
4. Outstanding service contributions to fellow members by enhancing the camaraderie and Club experience
5. Overall Club supporter above and beyond expected contributions of members

The Board of Directors will select a recipient annually. The award will be presented at the annual awards banquet. This award is a fitting tribute to Dick Dutton and is the most prestigious award that the club gives.

Bert Bookout Receives Prestigious Dick Dutton Memorial Award

The first recipient of the club’s newly established Dick Dutton Memorial Award is Burt Bookout.
Burt fulfills all the criteria for the award. He has been a member since the mid seventies and has always been active in club activities. He has served as President, Vice President, Secretary, Director, Commodore, and Tournament Director during his membership. A proponent of tag and release of billfish, Burt always espouses conservation of our game fish. He has encouraged club social activities and annually hosts at least one cookout. He is an avid supporter of the club and has helped to make the clubhouse a better place for our socializing. He was a co-contributor of the new furniture in the clubhouse.

The award was presented by Mrs. Jean Dutton at the November 18th awards banquet. Burt was very regretful that he was unable to attend the banquet due to a prior commitment. He asked Jimmy Jones to read his letter of acceptance. In his letter, Burt thanked the members for choosing him. He stated that he felt both honored and humbled by the choice.

He thanked other club members for their contributions and stated that he was truly honored to receive an award that was given in memory of Dick.

Jean Dutton thanked the club for remembering and honoring Dick by presenting an award in his name. She added, "I’m sure Dick would be pleased that the club members held him in such high esteem. He would also be pleased that Burt Bookout was the first recipient, since Burt has made so many and varied contributions to the club throughout the years."

Congratulations, Burt, for a well-deserved award.

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Editors Note:
Let’s clean up the roster. Please check the web site and let us know if any of your vital statistics need to be changed.

If any club member would like to write an article for the newsletter, or has a good fish story, and/or photos, just let me know. We publish these newsletters quarterly and are always eager for new ideas and material.

‘Til next time, Tight lines and bent rods, Jimmy