THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505070196
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
Bob Eakes, who operates the Red Drum tackle shop at Buxton-on-Hatteras, N.C., has devised a technique for releasing giant bluefin tuna which apparently leaves the fish in exceptionally good shape.
It's a technique he will share at a national conference, opening Monday in Virginia Beach, that will take perhaps the best look yet at what effect catch-and-release fishing has on fish.
In fishing circles, this is what is known as a ``hot item.''
Some fishermen are convinced that all released fish survive, even small gray trout pulled from 80 feet of water.
Others are concerned that a huge percentage of released fish do not make it, that if they don't die immediately, they will soon.
It's a question of utmost importance to fishery managers, now that so many saltwater species are being regulated, including creel limits and minimum sizes.
So some of the nation's top marine scientists, fishery officials, fishing-magazine editors and just plain fishermen, like Eakes, are meeting here through Wednesday to talk about what they have learned from studies, experimentation and experience.
Known as the ``Release Mortality Conference,'' the program is being staged by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, a coalition of states, and the Sea Grant Marine Advisory programs from several East Coast states.
Scientific papers from researchers from Rhode Island to Texas are expected.
The conference is at the Sheraton Oceanfront, 36th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Registration runs from $90 for the entire session to as little as $15 for Wednesday's finale. There will be no charge for ``drop-ins.''
Eakes' appearance is slated for Tuesday afternoon, according to conference official Jon Lucy of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at Gloucester Point.
``We scheduled this one for about 4:30 in the afternoon to give people a chance to drop in and listen to some very interesting information from a guy who has been there, done that,'' Lucy said.
``Bob will be on the program with Al Anderson, a charter skipper from Point Judith, R.I. They've done a lot of experimenting, tagging hundreds and hundreds of giant bluefin tuna, from 200 to 1,000 pounds.''
Get details by calling the hotel at 425-9000 or 1-800-521-5635.
GETTING BIGGER: Virginia's largest private fishing tournament, the Reedville Bluefish Derby, just got bigger.
Roger Wilkins, chairman for the 500-boat contest, has announced that striped bass also will be eligible for awards, with daily prizes and $2,500 for the angler with the contest's heaviest rockfish.
Wilkins said the rockfish was added this year because the striper season will be open for the June 8-10 event and because Chesapeake Bay bluefish numbers have been slowly declining for several years.
Still, the emphasis will be on choppers, with $10,000 for the heaviest blue and a bonus of $50,000 and a new pickup for anyone breaking the Virginia record of 25 pounds, 4 ounces.
While there are still quite a few openings in the field, limited to 500 boats, Wilkins said enough entries had been received to guarantee the prize money.
The tournament will be headquartered at Buzzard's Point Marina. Applications and additional information are available from Wilkins at: Jett's Hardware, Rt. 1, Box 230, Reedville, Va. 22539, telephone 1-804-453-5325.
BASS CLASSIC: It looks as though David Dudley is in and Rick Morris and Woo Daves are out of the field for the 1995 Bassmaster Classic, the top event on the professional bass-fishing circuit.
Morris, who lives in Virginia Beach, and Daves of Spring Grove needed strong showings in the recent Virginia Eastern Invitational tournament on Kerr Reservoir near South Hill to qualify.
But Morris finished 46th in the field of 306, Daves 72nd. Morris is trying for his first Classic appearance. Daves has competed in 13, finishing second in 1988.
Dudley, who lives in Lynchburg, was a strong third at South Hill behind winner Tom Burns and Mark Hardin. Dudley won $19,000 and practically assured himself his first Classic berth.
The Classic, worth up to $1 million to the winner, is at High Rock Lake near Greensboro in August.
The field is limited to 40 contestants, including the leading 25 from the Bassmaster Top 100 circuit, five each from the Eastern Invitational and Central Invitational circuits, and five grass-roots fishermen from the Wrangler Anglers program.
Morris and Daves will have a final shot at the Classic May 17-20 in the Bassmaster Top 100 on the Mississippi River at Moline, Ill.
SHORT CASTS: David Arris of Virginia Beach has bagged an 18-pound, 6-ounce turkey with an 11-inch beard in Henry County. In Sussex County, Lenny Ransdell of Virginia Beach killed a 17-6 gobbler with a 9 1/2-inch beard. . . . David and Jeff Wolff of Virginia Beach released four bonefish to 11 pounds on a recent trip to the Florida Keys. They fished out of Bud 'N Mary's Marina at Islamorada. . . . John A. Holmes High School of Edenton, N.C., won the overall title in the North Carolina Hunter Education Shooting Tournament. Doug Layton of Holmes took individual awards with high overall at 753x800 and high archery at 199x200. . . . Dr. Michael Orbach, a researcher at Duke University, has resigned from the board of the Division of Marine Fisheries after a fishery-research project submitted by him and Dr. Jeffrey Wilson was approved. Orbach said there was no conflict of interest but that his role as a researcher was of ``greater potential benefit to North Carolina fisheries'' than his role as commissioner. No replacement has been named. . . . Back Bay National Wildlife refuge in Virginia Beach has opened its interior dyke to such activities as wildlife and wetlands observation, birdwatching, nature photography and foot and bicycle access to adjoining False Cape State Park. Details: 721-2412. by CNB