COBIA

Daily Bag Limit is 1 per day or 6 per vessel, whichever is less

Minimum size is 33″ Fork Length (FL)

Cobia is a favorite sport fish for many shoreline and off-shore anglers because it is one of the few species that are found throughout Florida’s marine environment. Like many of the pelagic species, Cobia are highly mobile but are also attracted to buoys, channel markers and other floating objects where they feed on fish, crabs, shrimp and squid. Cobia prefer water temps above 68 degrees and migrate to the south in October to avoid cold water temperatures in the northern parts of the state. Anglers often target them visually around buoys, over grass flats and along sandy beaches. This visual targeting, and the subsequent chase, often results in “spooked” Cobia that can be difficult to catch. While hungry and “un-spooked” Cobia will take almost anything, live eels, pinfish or blue runners have proven to be irresistible to even the most finicky Cobia. A wide range of tackle can be used depending on the location and bait. Spinnin or bait-casting tackle with 15 to 30lb test is commonly used.

As our species of the month. All anglers and captains will receive double points toward our annual contest for the Captain and Anglers of the Year award. Our wristband that must be in photos with the fish submittal are Yellow.

Our July club meeting will have Gary Lachman , Blue Devil Fishing, discussing topics on high speed, bump, and regular trolling.

Gary will covering all aspects of trolling. High speed trolling for wahoo from Boynton Inlet  down to Boca Raton. Bump trolling with live bait for King Mackerel and trolling ballyhoo for Dolphin. Gary and crew will discuss methods, tackle, technique, location identification, planers, and when it is best to switch it up to get more fish in the boat.

The meeting is scheduled on July 17th from 7pm-9pm. We will discuss upcoming events, and Gary will take the floor afterwards.

The Sands Harbor will be providing servers for drinks and food. We will be having our club raffle, shortly after Gary has concluded the seminar.

BIMINI TWIST-OAPB BIMINI BOUND 2017

Captain Scott Mcilvaine, Bob Brown, Cathy Clauss, Gina Cicale-Ceccolini, Diana Olson Potter, and Linda Brown created this fun video of them during out 1st annual OAPB Bimini Bound trip. Too bad you all did not take a dip with those Bull Sharks! That would have been an interesting story! Thanks Bob Brown

Bonita-July Species of the Month

Bonita is the OAPB's July Species of the Month. Members will receive double points on the Leaderboard for each Bonita submitted on the Fish Submittal toward the Captain and Angler of the Year award. The Captain and Angler will be traveling to Quepos, Costa Rica to fish with JP Fishing Charters.

Bonita, also called Atlantic Little Tunny, False Albacore and Little Tuna is a pelagic, schooling and migratory species.

It is most easily distinguished from similar species by its markings. It has a scattering of dark spots resembling fingerprints between the pectoral and ventral fins that are not present on any related Atlantic species. It also has wavy, “worm like” markings on the back. These markings are above the lateral line within a well marked border, and never extend farther forward than about the middle of the first dorsal fin. 

Fishing methods include trolling or casting from boats using small whole baits, strip baits, or small lures such as spoons, plugs, jigs, and feathers.

https://www.igfa.org/species/264-tunny-little.aspx?CommonName=264-tunny-little.aspx

Pompano Beach, FL to Bimini, Bahamas

The OAPB Bimini Bound was a great success. Members Shawn and Eric Kaszubinski put together a short, and sweet clip of the trip. We will be updating our Facebook, and website with photos and stories! More to come!!

KULA Coolers has come out with their new product. A 2.5 gallon cooler that has a built in tap. All the same great features as the KULA 5 Cooler, and now you can throw in some Hop, Skip, and Go Naked juice into the party. Expect to see this product all over our events, as well as, the original KULA 5 Cooler.

Click on the video, password is :

kula

Chris Thomas is leading the contest with 5,086 points, which was kicked up by submitting the Species of the Month (triggerfish) and the rest of his catch this weekend (Species=double points) 438 points. Mark Reuwer is pulling up second with 1,994 points.

LEADERBOARD

Triggerfish

Triggerfish inhabit hard bottom ledges and artificial reefs in water depths that exceed 80 feet. Because they prefer the same type of habitat, they are almost always found in association with red snapper. Triggerfish feed primarily on benthic invertebrates including crabs, sea urchins, shrimp, sand dollars and mollusks. Recreational anglers commonly catch triggers on squid or cut bait but they are also harvested by spear fishing. Triggerfish are notorious bait stealers and often frustrate anglers targeting larger snapper and grouper. Because triggerfish have a hard, bony mouth, it is very important to use a small, very sharp hook. Light to medium bottom fishing equipment with 20 to 50 pound test line is sufficient for triggerfish which average 2 to 4 pounds.

Triggerfish is our June species of the month fish. The FWC regulation limit is ten per angler. Measurements must be minimum 12″ Fork Length. The cap per fish submittal is 3 per month. The additional point value for a species of the month submittal is double points per fish. Remember, the June wristband (Black)must be in the photo for the submittal to be accepted. Good Luck!!