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Well, we passed into the New Year and we’re still here. I’m not sure why that’s no surprise to me, or why there has been so much to do about nothing! Maybe the Mayan’s made a circle too small and ran out of numbers. I guess there’s a shortage of important things for our media to put out there. If there is a point to this, it’s that predicting anything can be iffy at best, especially when the supporting data isn’t so clear, as the Mayan’s didn’t realize.
Having been a fisherman my whole life and a fishing Captain for over 40 years you’d think by now I’d have predicting fish and fishing down to a science. Instead, I’m consistently like the guy in the middle of the calendar, exasperated! Let’s see. For 20 plus years the king mackerel showed in in droves off the Greater Miami area around Christmas time. At that time I was 100% right, for about 19 years. Small Muttons could be counted on appearing sometime in late October, especially after a strong North Easter or tropical storm, and yes, 100% of the time. Obviously, this is not the way it is at this time, not ALWAYS. Fish stocks have been on the decline for years, predictably. Writing columns with fishing predictions nowadays include the words “should”, “could”, “might”, and “hope so”. My age and experience is no advantage in the slightest, except in relating how much things have changed in the fishing world, and it’s not all bad.
The decrease in the abundance of fish has created awareness to the resource that has resulted in changes in fisheries laws. We get it now. Laws and regulations that are created are a bit like predicting, as they are only as good as the supporting data. There are many success stories with fisheries management, and some that are questionable. The point is that there are successes, and that is a good thing for all of us as fishermen.
In this process of diminishing resources, new awareness and increased regulation comes a more informed angler who happens to be my favorite kind of customer. He LOVES to fish, and promote fishing. He enjoys the camaraderie of the sport while sharing wonderful times that become wonderful memories with friends and family. As the old saying goes, a bad day of fishing is way better than a day at work. He also has no issue with releasing fish beyond his needs so they may someday be special for another angler.
While taking many people fishing throughout the year, our goal at the Reward Fleet is to help promote fishing for what it truly is. Come on board with friends, meet new acquaintances and the crew. Enjoy the beauties of the sea. Catch a fish if luck allows, and savor the moments of a great experience!
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Captain Wayne Conn
http://www.fishingmiami.com
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