"Fish Daytona" TV Show

Fishing memories

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 22:05:00 +0000

I remember when I got the first taste for fishing. As a very young boy I had bugged my Mother for a very long time to take me fishing. So one day she finally loaded me up in the car and took me down to the dock at Ponce Inlet where she rented me a fishing pole. As a front was quickly approaching my Mother encouraged me to come inside and I kept saying no to her. I sat out there in the pouring rain until I finally caught my first fish, it was a large channel catfish, which I can still clearly see! I can still hear my Mother congratulating me! Since that day I have felt salt water running through my veins and the passion for fishing became an integral part of who I am.

From my first job on the "Sea Love" as the second mate, to being the first mate on the "Super Critter" I became more passionate for the sport. I achieved my 100 ton Master's Captain's Licence and this lead me to Captaining my own fishing team in tournaments all over North East Florida. I have had countless memories that I have shared with many friends and family. My own first catches, to being there when others have experienced theirs. Which leads me to the real subject of this story.

The government believes that our natural resources (fishstock) in our oceans are being depleted at an alarming rate. I would agree that in the 80's the size and stock of the fish was going down. Then regulations were introduced for size and quota limits and also some closure of certain species throughout the year. Since the regulations have been in place, year after year, our fishing conditions have greatly improved to where we are seeing numbers in fish caught today that were only fish tales from yester years.

Some of you are unaware of what exactly is happening currently to the ban of certain species. Originally they said they were trying to protect the red snapper, which also to them, included 73 other species that will be closed for 35 years. The ban is in effect from Melbourne, Florida, up into Georgia waters from 94ft to 240ft. This encompasses 5900 square miles not to be fished! We believe the scientific data is not correct. Anybody who has fished off our coast of Daytona Beach can testify to this being incorrect. Red Snapper fishing has been the best I have ever experienced in my lifetime and this also goes to speak for many of the 73 banned species.

I urge you to educate yourselves on this subject and to become invloved with the organizations that are trying to repeal these laws. Write your local congressman, local senator and governor and let them know we fish and we vote.

Can you imagine our next generation not being able to catch fish offshore and having to live through our memories of them? Let's not allow this to become a reality!

Sincerely,

Capt. David McGaha

Fishing for Cobia

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:44:00 +0000

Coming in March chasing cobia in near-shore waters

spring time cobia

Well Frosty has decided to release his cold grip on Florida after his long winter. Spring is finally here. A wonderful time of the year to take the family fishing, so wipe the dust off of the boat and check your reel drags. Cobia pound for pound are one of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean, so if you don't check your drags they will check them for you. There are a few things to know when Cobia fishing. The most important thing is locating these bulldogs of the ocean.

I like to use the 65 rule? What is the 65 rule? I was told many years ago by my old boat captain, use 65 degrees water temperature and 65 feet of water when looking for free swimming Cobia or Manta Rays. So now we have found them, how do we catch them? There are a couple different ways, use jigs or live bait. There are so many jigs and top water lures to use, the best thing to do is ask your local bait shop what has been the best for your area. Live bait, my favorite, not only is it the preferred bait that Cobia like to eat but there is nothing like seeing a Cobia peel off a Manta ray like a fighter plane protecting a bomber in those old WWII films. Cobia are being caught on the reefs and wrecks. When fishing on the bottom it is best to cover all of the water column using a combination of live bait and jigs.. Now, break out one of those weighted jigs and start working it. I am sure you will find something that will keep you busy and satisfied. Good luck and may the fishing gods be kind to you. If you have any questions, feel free to write back and ask about upcoming shows, ldeas, comments and/or critiques.

Captain David Mcgaha

Red Snapper Management

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:35:00 +0000

Red Snapper Management

by Capt. David McGaha

Often referred to simply as the Magnuson- Stevens Act, the Magnuson-Stevens fishery Conservation and Management first enacted in 1976 and amended in 1996, is the primary law governing marine fisheries management in United States federal waters.

Most notably,the Magnuson-stevens Act aided in the development of the domestic fishing industry by phasing out foreign fishing. To manage the fisheries and promote conservation, the Act created eight regional fishery management councils. The 1996 amendments focused on rebuilding overfished fisheries protecting essential fish habitat and reducing by catch.

President George W. Bush, through his Ocean Action Plan, made reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act a top priority. The President called for a hard deadline to improve and update the data and science by January 2009 end overfishing by 2010, increased use of marketbased management tools, creation of a national saltwater angler registry, and an emphasis on ecosystem approaches to management. NMFS/SAFMC failed to meet the 2009 date to repair and update the science, but has moved forward on the 2010 date to end overfishing.

This sounds good, but pending closure of the South Atlantics red snapper fishery by the SAMFC has met strong opposition from thousands of recreational anglers and groups representing them.Terry Winn, president of Central Florida Offshore anglers says, The SAMFC needs to stop doing what they`re doing and go back to read the Magnuson-Stevens Act. They should look at the science and the economical effects before they make their next move. Over the years we have gone from being able to keep 10 red snapper 12 inches long, to only 2 red snapper 20 inches long. this change in regulation has gone a long ways to help the red snapper fishery

Area fishermen`s contention that the fishery is healthy, growing and that 2009 was the best red snapper fishing year in memory. So in close I would like to hear what you think about the closure or what you are doing to to get the closure overturned .

Captain David McGaha

Upcoming Topics for Fish Daytona BLOG 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:59:00 +0000

Bait Shop Chat

Learn from the experts. What kind of bait do you use and for what?

Talk with the Captain

Ask questions to show Hosts/Captains, or talk with other member Captains.

Recipes

Got a great recipe? Don't know how to prepare that fish you spend hours bringing in?

Show/Segment Ideas

Got ideas about the show? Talk back and forth with producers, ask questions, offer comments and even criticism... (we can't promise we will be nice but we WILL help your fishing around Daytona be more fun!)

On Location

Hot spots and area locations around Florida.

Pre Season Diving Tips

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:21:00 +0000

Its that time of the year sportmans season is upon us again. So that means everyone is dusting off their dive gear. Just a little reminder it is always best to have your regulator's checked befor going diving. A few other good rules to follow check your gear twice before going overboard, always dive with a buddy, leave someone on the boat that knows how to operate the vessel and the V.H.F. radio and brush up on your dive tables.

Good luck to everyone may you have great visibility and your limit in Lobster....

by Captain David McGaha