Partner News
News from Fellow Anglers
(Click Image To Enlarge) XFish is a motororized sup great for shallow water exploring and fishing.
A Great Fishing Idea
Thanks to Art Link owner of Rigid Boats, XFish and Frigid Rigid Coolers, we are able to offer a remarkable sweepstakes giveaway prize to members and donors this year. Or if you can't wait to buy an XFish of your own, Art will offer a special discount to SGF members.
The XFish micro skiff is twelve long feet, double hulled for stability, yet still easy to paddle, pole or power.It comes with a 2.5 hp gas motor and an inset removable Frigid Rigid 54 Qt marine cooler.
Amenities include a padded swivel seat, Tackle tray, 2 rod holders, non-skid deck, stainless hand rail. It weighs 100 lbs dry and comes with a trailer donated by Tropic Trailers of Ft. Myers. Check out how easily the boat handles in the video below.
Get tickets for the drawing when you begin or renew your membership or simply donate to Snook & Gamefish Foundation. One ticket is issued for every $15 donated, and 4 tickets for every $50, unless deferred. Drawing will take place in March, 2014, and the winner need not be present. Winner must be at least 18 years of age.
14 May 2013
(Click Image To Enlarge) Coming May 18, 2013 sponsored by Blue Points MarinaMay 18th, 2013 Bluepoints Marina
$2,500 Biggest Fish
Grouper-Dolphin-Wahoo-Kingfish-Cobia
Captains Party May 17th @ Fishlips 6-9pm
Guaranteed Payouts No Minimum # of Boats
Must Register at Captains Party
Please check out the tournament at http://www.cfoatournament.com/
always log your whole catch at AnglerAction.org
07 May 2013
Limited Edition Print - Click on image to place your order.
JJ Grey's newest release. click to listen while you get your print.
This River, new release by JJ Grey, (SGF Board member)
Thanks for supporting the Snook & Gamefish Foundation!
More JJ Music and Reviews - click here
| 03 May 2013
JJ Grey, who has been a SGF board member since 2011, recently released This River, another brilliant collection of
This River delivers a solid punch of Florida Soul. Order the CD here. stories through song that continues the evolution of his brand of Florida soul.
Well known to a global pack of rabid and loyal fans, JJ has been considered an old soul kind of writer who generates music that settles somewhere between joyous passion and reckless abandon.
When compared to his earlier works, This River manages to come off as more refined in the sense that there is a more cohesive feel throughout the album and as always the band is so incredibly tight. At the same time, you feel the energy that threatens to bust each song out at the seams – all of which leads to live shows that are unparalleled in the industry.
See video, reviews, get a personal copy of This River limited edition SGF print, read on
| 01 April 2013
SGF Partner Boat Outfitters wins NMMA Innovation Award
Boat Outfitters, the retail division of Teak
Isle Manufacturing received the NMMA 
The NMMA Innovation Award was well deserved for our partners at Boat Outfitters. Great job!Innovation Award for their new
Pickup Truck Fishing Rod Rack.
Every year the NMMA Innovation Awards are presented to manufacturers and suppliers who bring to market new and innovative products for the boating industry. These awards are presented at the International Boat Builders' Exposition and Conference (IBEX) and at the Miami International Boat Show.
The lockable Pick-Up Truck Fishing Rod Rack is currently designed for Ford F150 pickup trucks, with additional pick-up truck models in development.| 03 March 2013
The SGF staff and volunteer crew come into contact with a lot of new products throughout the year. Between our booths at Fishing Expos, boat shows, and even club meetings, we get to see a lot of cool new stuff. Here's a couple that caught our eye.
Alexis Trotter with her giant Tampa Bay tarpon. She hooked, played, landed and released this fish. Photo credit: Ron Taylor
Where Credit is Due: SGF Recognizes FWRI Biologist Alexis Trotter.
In 2010, SGF put together Angler Action Program, in order to track the catch and release of post freeze snook by anglers. We worked directly with FWRI Biologist Alexis Trotter and with her able direction designed the questionnaire still in use today for both the iAngler smart phone app and the Angler Action trip record. Angler Action has become the most active self-reporting record of gamefish catch, harvest and release data on the Web.
Based on Trotter's many hours of work at that time and her subsequent assistance in continuing to refine the program, anglers have been able to successfully amass needed data using the AAP. That data was put to use by Dr. Bob Muller in his recent stock assessment of snook.
When SGF asked Dr. Muller "What would you like to receive from anglers to make stock assessments even better in the future? " his reply was simple:
"Your Angler Action site currently is collecting the type of information we need, i.e. date, time, location, number of anglers...and the sizes of all fish caught, not just the harvested fish."
SGF would like to point out the assistance of FWRI's Alexis Trotter to all and to recognize her contribution to the success of the Angler Action Program. With her help we were able to actualize this pioneering effort. To her credit and with her early assistance AAP has grown and is now on the threshold of becoming a prototype for recreational angler data gathering nationally .
Respectfully, Rick Roberts and the SGF Team [log trip here] [learn more about]
Trolling Motor Gear Holder
Keep all the essentials close at hand with a trolling motor gear holder by Boat Outfitters (click photo to view more)
The unit clamps onto the shaft just below the head of the trolling motor and remains securely clamped to the trolling motor shaft even when retracted and stored. Size options are available to fit all standard shaft diameters. Not sure what size you need? Boat Outfitters has a handy measuring tool as well as a reference list of common trolling motor shaft sizes.
You can also upgrade the unit to add a hanging bag great for soft plastics. Keep your line in the water and your drinks from being kicked over. Have a convenient place to set your rod while your rig up or remove your catch. After using it for a couple of trips you’ll wonder what you did without it.
The trolling motor gear holder is available at www.boatoutfitters.com and is currently on sale for only $34.99!
cap
cap
Captain Mike Conner
Mean Tide Media, publishers of Fly & Light Tackle Angler magazine, released its premier issue in November of this year and it is now available for download on iPads and the iPad Mini in the Apple App Store.
IPad owners can download the app page for free, and then check out a free content sample, and buy either a single issue for $3.99 or subscribe for $13.99 for six issues.
This digital app magazine will deliver not only vital fishing information, but fishing's vivid sights and sounds, and a hands-on, interactive feel that tablet owners obviously prefer.
(Click Image To Enlarge)Angler Action loggers like Arthur Richardson, above, will find their snook data doing double duty in the upcoming UF study. Arthur measured this Myakka River beauty at 39.5".
Angler Action to partner in new science and policy initiative.
University of Florida, Professor Kai Lorenzen provided the following information: Anglers who fish Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor are encouraged to participate in a new study.
Logging your fishing trips in AnglerAction.org will help build needed data.
Anglers may be asked to participate in additional surveys about your fishing activities. More info will be added continually to the web page noted at the end of this report.
) First Fishing Memories continue to shape us - musician JJ Grey shares his. Limited Release! [click here to order]
SGF announces the release of Visions of True Florida: First Memories, a series of original artwork representing a collaborative project between official SGF artist Joe Suroviec and some of Florida’s most important contemporary celebrities.
Everyone who loves to fish, hunt, or just enjoy the outdoors has had some kind of influence early in their lives. It might be the guidance of a family member, or simply a powerful personal experience that refocused their vision of how the world works.
Joe Suroviec has agreed to take on the task of helping our select group of Floridians share their first influences with the world. The series will include five celebs, and each print will be an original limited release, hand signed by the artist.
Quality Custom Fabrication - Boat Outfitters is 'Ready to Help' and able to deliver your project. Putting Your Ideas Into Action
Have you ever been fishing and had a great idea - something cool you could add to your boat and tackle arsenal that would make everything work better? What if you could easily commission the creation of that item with expert fabricators who have an engineer's appreciation of quality and function?
If you were at ICAST this year, you might have noticed the IAngler App on an Ipad encased in what could be the center console or map table of your boat, inset with Tilt Out Tackle Boxes, Rod holder - Boga grip holder, and a locking acrylic cover etched with the SGF logo. Cool Stuff, manufactured courtesy of Boat Outfitters.
Also at ICAST, the center console of the Gause Built 17 foot sweepstakes skiff was sporting another ingenious Boat Outfitters product. The Sea Sucker Tackle Box vacuum mounts to any boat surface. At ICAST, the box mounted neatly to the steering column of our sweepstakes skiff - then it was easy to remove, clean, and transport. (see more uses for Sea Suckers here)
West Marine is getting ready to do it again! In Ft. Meyers, FL, at the intersection of College Parkway and U.S. 41,-Tamiami Trail, the biggest West Marine store in Southwest Florida is coming to life.
A weekend of special events is planned for the Grand Opening on Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 22, 2012.
You are invited to attend the "Cruising for a Cause" Kick off in support of the Snook & Gamefish Foundation, July 19, with The Deadliest Catch's Edgar Hansen on site!
This video shows what goes into preparing a new West Marine Flagship store. (filmed last December in Ft. Lauderdale). We look forward to seeing you In July!.
Get tickets for the July 19th "Cruising for a Cause" evening (includes food, beverages, live music and super savings on merchandise and silent auction items). Click Here, DONATE - CASTING FOR A CAUSE.(Please donate $10 per person)
| 04 November 2011
(Click Image To Enlarge) Bid on this custom casting rod by Jack Phillips' , available now in the SGF Silent Auction (click here for details)
Expert Rod Crafter, Jack Phillips invites you to a Saturday morning Rod Crafter's Club
The next meeting of the newly-formed club will be May 5th. Plan to enjoy coffee and donuts at 9am ("scrumptious Saturday"), courtesy of Mosquito Creek Outdoors. Sharpen your rod crafting skills and pool your knowledge with other builders. Novices are welcome and will receive plenty of help getting started in the craft.
I’m not going to tell you that you should join facebook just
so you can “like” the Snook and Gamefish Foundation page (called
Eric Gates, a vital SGF volunteer, has been posting his photos and fishing tips on the SGF facebook page. just the Snook
Foundation on fb).
Then again…
When this whole social media kick took hold of America, many of us resisted the trend. Today it is hard to resist, even for the stalwarts who held out from getting a cell phone until 2009.
Be honest: Can you even imagine walking out your door in the morning without your cell phone? OK, maybe not for a fishing trip. But you get the point. Once upon a time a cell phone was considered unnecessary, an accessory for wanna-be trend chasers. Now it seems that most cars won't even start unless the driver is blabbing on a cell phone.
But the wave of technology is not all bad. Today facebook allows us to share a multitude of important news stories as well as member adventures, making it a very worthwhile part of the well informed angler's web experience.
| 15 June 2011
West Marine announced the award of a Marine Conservation Grant to the Snook Foundation at the North Palm Beach Charity Night and Grand Opening of their new Flagship Store. SF members Bill and Missy Clutter, attending the event as volunteers, were among the first to hear the good news. (see more event photos, and 'what Missy won', below).
In honor of World Oceans Day, West Marine (Nasdaq:WMAR), the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, announced the recipients of their annual Marine Conservation Grants program. Grants for a total amount of $30,000 are being awarded to non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. who are working to “improve and protect marine habitat,” which is part of West Marine’s mission. This year’s grant recipients are located in Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland and California.
“We are proud to support recreational boating and fishing groups and marine environmental groups who are working together for abundant and healthy fisheries,” said Randy Repass, Chairman of the Board and Founder of West Marine. “The work of these organizations will benefit recreational fishing, sustainable commercial fishing and help to develop a healthy fish resource and sustainable use of the resource.”
| 17 May 2011
(Click Image To Enlarge) Snook Reel Collector's Item: #1 Abel Fly Reel - Snook Edition inspired by James Prosek
A limited edition 2011 Abel 7/8N large arbor fly reel in a design inspired by artist and conservationist James Prosek is the latest collectors item to be offered to investors in Fly Fishing. The limited edition Snook Reels will benefit the Florida-based Snook & Gamefish Foundation, announced Don R. Swanson, president of the tackle manufacturer.
One hundred of the individually hand painted, anodized and laser engraved snook design reels will be produced. Reels will be accompanied by a signed and numbered 11x14-inch gicleè print of a snook by Prosek. The print number will correspond to the reel number.
Reel number one and gicleè print number one have been donated to the Snook & Gamefish Foundation by Abel for the organization’s fundraising auction which is now online and will culminate in the June 8th, "Casting for a Cause" Charity night at West Marine.
Fly-fishermen and collectors can now bid on this item Click Here
The American-made Abel Super 7/8N is machined from cold finished 6061-T651 aerospace grade aluminum. Reels are then precision machined (not die cast) on C.N.C. lathes and mills. The reel holds a 7-weight line with 225 yards of 20-pound backing or an 8-weight line and 200 yards of backing. It weighs 6.8 ounces.
| 13 May 2011
Thursday, May 12 and the following weekend was a great time at West Marine St Pete's new flagship store in the Tyrone Mall where anglers and boaters celebrated 'Casting for a Cause," to raise money and awareness of area conservation groups and charities, and the opening of a new flagship store in St. Petersburg. Captains Jason Stock and Mark Gore talked with anglers about great Tampa Bay fishing and the new Angler Action program.
Capt. Don Dingman of Hook the Future was on board.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 01 March 2011
Capt. Ron Presley and wife Karen receive top Outdoor Book award from SEOPA.Fishing Book Lands Top Award
The South Eastern Outdoor Press Association recently recognized Snook Foundation member, Capt. Ron Presley, for Excellence in Craft, with the top award in their Outdoor Book category. Secrets from Florida's Master Anglers (available on this website) was chosen for the top spot by outdoor writers in fourteen southeastern states.
With books from all areas of outdoor endeavor in the competition, it is significant that a fishing book came out on top.
Ron Presley said of the award, “There is no honor as significant as one that comes from your peers. I am very proud of the book and humbled by this award.”The book is a collection of privileged interviews from 20 professional fishing guides in Florida. The book covers about every aspect of fishing. Subjects like selecting equipment, using artificial baits, fighting fish and conservation. Many more topics are covered in an effort to make the reader a better angler and a better steward of the resource.
| 10 February 2011
SF Chairman Brett Fitzgerald Nominated
Snook Foundation chairman Brett Fitzgerald has been nominated for Sport Fishing Magazine's Making a Difference Awards. The program will honor five individuals from among the public nominations received.
The valuable contributions people make to our sport too often get little recognition. Sport Fishing wants to change that by focusing a national spotlight on individuals who have made a positive difference to saltwater recreational fishing - the sport, the resource, the industry
Here is the write up on Snook Foundation's beloved chairman Brett Fizgerald, and [where to vote for him]. If you have some time to explore the pages, you'll find plenty to be proud of! The contributions of the Sport Fishing community are numerous and far-reaching. It's evident that we are united in love of our sport and in a committment to conserve and protect our treasured resources.
| 16 December 2010
West Marine top brass including Jim Bandy (blue shirt) of the Snook Foundation, at ribbon cutting in Sarasota.Embarrassing Fish Tank explosion reveals corporate character
"Snook Foundation: You guys are just plain lucky!," commented Barry Kelly, Vice President in charge of Port Supply, the wholesale division of West Marine, with a twinkle in his eye.
Lucky, and honored, is what we felt months before when Snook Foundation was chosen as one of seven charities to participate in the "Casting for a Cause" Charity night, a huge event to be celebrated at the Flagship store opening in Sarasota.
| 19 October 2010
Recognizing Achievements and Awards, Announcing Winners
Recognized for his achievements as Director of the Year by the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals, Rick Roberts (holding plaque) enjoys a moment with Atlantic Regional Director, Mike and Melissa Readling and Marketing Director Stuart Pavlik. Tom Twyford of Palm Beach Fishing Club also received an award as Volunteer of the Year.
Overall and unguided bait winners Doug Hanks (2nd from left) and Troy Pruitt (4th from left) accept Clyde Butcher photo award with, from left, Turner Hanks, RedSnook Chairman Wayne Meland, and Conservancy of Southwest Florida CEO Andrew McElwaine.
Fishing as the Snook Foundation team in the Annual RedSnook Benefit Tournament for the Conservancy of SW Florida, Troy Pruitt and Doug Hanks won the Unguided Bait Division. They caught the largest combo of red and snook and also landed the largest redfish, a 40 incher. Largest snook was caught by Alex Cabada, 39 inches (Capt. Vince Hemingway, guide)
Read more about it at http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/oct/02/fishing-pruitt-and-hanks-turn-back-clock-redsnook/
StingRay Tackle Photo Contest Winners for September are Liam Oliver DeLaney(Junior Division) and James Ferigno (Adult Division)
| 30 September 2010
Tri-Hull design allows you to get in shallower water and gives you more stability
And the winner is....
Marilee Elias of Lady Lake, FL
Marilee got her tickets to win at Mosquito Creek Outdoors Outback shop in Apopka, where the boat has occasionally been displayed over the last few months. She was visiting with her son in California when she received the call Wednesday afternoon and learned that the Diablo Kayak is waiting for her to pick up at Mosquito Creek. Marilee has been a Snook Foundation supporter for more than a year, and loves to shop at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, (where the Adventure Begins...) . Thanks to all who donated and took a chance to win this great new fishing kayak! Please let Diablo know how you feel about their generous support of the Snook Foundation and their innovative boat design.
More about the Diablo below
| 27 September 2010
As snook fishermen, we all recognize the importance of the inshore shallow water habitats – we fish for snook there, we catch bait in them and we boat past them on our way to our favorite fishing holes. Seagrass meadows are being devastated all throughout the State of Florida from several factors – one of the most prevalent is boat propeller scars.
| 27 August 2010
JJ Grey's "Georgia Warhorse" is bound to be a hit
Snook Foundation Board Member, JJ Grey's new release is a #1 Amazon best seller this week.
JJ Grey has been around the swamp – er, block – a few times, and has demonstrated that he ain’t afraid to get his shoes dirty.
All too often, an actor or musician gets behind a cause to draw attention to him or herself, or create a contrived sense of concern. For Grey, the Snook Foundation is simply something that he thinks is right, so he does it.
“The Snook Foundation is kind of like a good music jam fest. You won’t hear just blues, or only jazz – it’s a wide range of music. Well, snook use a wide range of habitat. You can’t protect ‘snook habitat’ by protecting only mangroves, or only oyster bars. To me, they represent all habitats.”
More Articles...
- Fishing with Bottom Contour Information
- CleanUp and Community Days with West Marine
- And the Winner is....
- 2010 Funament Fishing RECAP
- Patagonia Fishing Shirts
- Latest lure tech: odors and pheromones
- Clean boats without environmental impacts? YES!
- Sportsman's Best - SNOOK - Released
- Citizen-Anglers Honored at Oktoberfest Weekend
- Lochloosa is on My Mind
- Line & Lure
- Deadly on Anything
- Navionics - An easy way to help preserve Florida's fragile seagrass beds
- Stand Up and see what you're missing
- Snook Foundation Welcomes Richard Powers - Florida Outdoor Artist
- New from Seaguar - Premier Leader
- Shallowfish opens New Gallery
- OK, What's the Slot Limit on This Puppy?
- IRL Oyster Reef Restoration
