Over 100,000 anglers, fans and competitors attended the 2014 Geico Bassmaster Classic at Lake Guntersville, Alabama. From Friday, February 21^st through Sunday, February 23^rd, friends and family watched closely as both professional and amateur anglers competed in a fierce battle to catch the most bass. Spectators launched their boats and gazed from the water in the public access areas, following their favorite anglers as they moved around the lake.

First time Bassmaster Classic winner Randy Howell, from Springville, Alabama, caught an amazing 67 pounds, 8 ounces. Howell positioned himself on the riprap up against a causeway bridge on Spring Creek. He later moved to a grassy area. His gut instinct told him to move there and it paid off. It was his best fishing day ever. He won one of the most coveted trophies in the sport and a $300,000 winner’s check.

“It was the best day I’ve ever had in 21 years of professional bass fishing, a day of a lifetime, “ said Howell.

Randy Howell began fishing early in his childhood. By age 11 he started guiding and fishing tournaments.  At the age of 18, he entered the Bassmaster Tour in the 1992-1993 season. Following the season, Howell had some health challenges that almost killed him but was able to overcome them and continued on with his professional angler career.

In a tight second place, Paul Mueller of Naugatuck, Connecticut, hauled out 66 pounds, 8 ounces.  Mueller demonstrated impressive angler skills as he set his own personal record as well as a new one-day Classic record of a five fish limit weighing in at 32 pounds, 3 ounces. He focused on the main river bars on the backside working the patches of grass.

The 2014 Geico Bassmaster Classic began with 56 competitors and narrowed down to 25 finalists after day two’s weigh-in.  All fish that were caught and brought back to the weigh-ins were transported back to the lake and released at an undisclosed location by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Anglers wait for the announcement of the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic winners

GoPro cameras, a KeepAmericaFishing supporter, added to the excitement as viewers, for the first time, could see more action as if they were on the boat with the pro anglers. The cameras, mounted on the boats, showed the public a first-hand look at how pro anglers caught their fish, what lures they used, where they fished and how they worked their bait.

Randy Howell is one of only two anglers to ever win the Bassmaster Classic in his home state of Alabama.

For warm weather and great fishing, it’s tough to beat a visit to South Florida. Especially in the middle of February, when temperatures here in Washington D.C. were cold enough to freeze the Potomac River (and before you ask, ice fishing here isn’t really an option unless you’re trying to turn it into a Polar Bear Plunge). Especially when you also get to see the latest and greatest in all things to do with recreational boating and fishing on display at the Progressive Miami International Boat Show, this year held February 13-17.

Walking the halls of the Miami Beach Convention Center, as well as exploring the two marinas also associated with the show, really drives home how huge of an economic powerhouse recreational boating and fishing are in this country. According to NMMA, over 100,000 people visited the Miami Boat Show last year, resulting in $63.6 million in expenditures. For a few days in the middle of winter, Miami becomes the epicenter of recreational boating and fishing in this country as people come from all over to explore and potentially buy everything boating-related: from powerboats, sailboats and engines; to cutting-edge marine electronics and accessories; to nautical gifts, services and apparel.

This year, fisheries policy was also a central focus. While this side of recreational fishing and boating may not get folks as revved up as the latest offshore center console boat or touchscreen fish finder, it greatly affects your ability to access and enjoy the nation’s aquatic resources.

For far too long, recreational fishing in our nation’s federal waters (generally 3-200 miles offshore) has been an afterthought among policymakers and fisheries managers, who have been primarily focused on commercial fishing. In a way, this makes sense, as 98 percent of all fish harvest is attributable to commercial fishing, with the remaining two percent caught by anglers. However when you consider that the two sectors create roughly the same number of jobs, despite the significantly lower resource impact by recreational fishermen, it makes a compelling case for devoting greater attention to recreational fisheries management.

Recognizing this longstanding problem, and that there is an opportunity to address it in the upcoming reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary law governing saltwater fisheries management, two industry leaders stepped up to develop solutions and present a vision for managing America’s saltwater recreational fisheries. The report by the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management, chaired by Johnny Morris, Founder of Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, President of Maverick Boats, was unveiled in front of a packed audience moments before the doors opened at the Miami Boat Show.

The Morris-Deal Commission’s report is the product of an extensive process over the past year involving a wide range of experts and other stakeholders. Through the course of its discussions and deliberations, the commission established a vision for saltwater recreational fishing and identified steps to set the foundation for a management system that addresses the needs of anglers and industry and produces the full range of economic, social and conservation benefits provided by saltwater recreational fishing.

The Morris-Deal Commission’s report identifies six key recommendations:

1. Establishing a national policy for recreational fishing
2. Adopting a revised approach to saltwater recreational fisheries management
3. Allocating marine fisheries for the greatest benefit to the nation
4. Creating reasonable latitude in stock rebuilding timelines
5. Codifying a process for cooperative management
6. Managing for the forage base

The release of this report is timely, as both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are exploring reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. However, most D.C. insiders expect this process to drag out over the course of next year and possibly beyond.

Past reauthorizations of the Magnuson-Stevens Act have focused on ending overfishing, rebuilding depleted fish stocks and setting in place a management system that effectively regulates commercial fishing. In large part, it has been successful in meeting those goals. Now is the time to amend the law in a way that sets in place a management system that meets the needs of the nation’s 11 million saltwater anglers.

While all of this may sound a little policy-wonky, the goal is simple: ensuring you have plenty of opportunities in the future to spend time on the water, in pursuit of fish and making memories with family and friends. After all, we need to make sure all those cool products at the Miami Boat Show are put to good use!

Happy 2014. I hope your new year is filled with many successful, fun fishing trips with family and friends. First, I want to thank both advocates and members of KeepAmericaFising™. There are many opportunities to make recreational fishing better and many challenges to maintaining our heritage. When anglers have a united voice and speak up through forums like KeepAmericaFishing we can accomplish more.

Our form of government is based on participation and it is important for policy makers that determine your fishing future at the local, state and federal level to hear from anglers. If you’ve taken action on issues through KeepAmericaFishing, thanks for stepping up and speaking out. You helped make a difference in 2013 on a number of important issues.

Making changes in policy about fish and recreational fishing takes time and patience as the wheels of government move slowly through the byzantine process of deliberation at the state and federal level. While state government tends to be faster it can be tedious and wear down the participants as well. So be patient and persistent on the issues you care about. Change only occurs after effort and patience. We’ll take most of the work out of it for you by concisely stating the issue and providing you a template message to policy makers. After all you, through your license fees and the excise tax you pay on sportfishing equipment, pay for fishery conservation in this nation and you should protect that investment.

KeepAmericaFishing Represents the American Angler

KeepAmericaFishing is more than a website with over a million supporters. It is an advocacy effort that strives to represent the American angler and maintaining recreational fishing access. This means publishing and maintaining the website, researching the issues and providing anglers an efficient way to communicate with decision makers across the government landscape. We have lobbyists for Congress and in states where there are important issues. This takes money. So we encourage you to be an annual member of KeepAmericaFishing –it’s only $20 – and from time to time we offer you discount deals on items anglers want and need. Supporting KeepAmericaFishing helps support one of your favorite pastimes – fishing.

At KeepAmericaFishing, we strive to have a website that is informative and gives anglers across the Nation an opportunity to understand the major issues facing the fishery resource and anglers today; along with the opportunity to speak out on those issues to policy makers. We want to hear from you about what you want to see on the site – more fishing news, more issues or tips and tricks about fishing. Let us know at info@keepamericafishing.org.

Forecasting 2014: Looking Forward and Moving Ahead

It’s a new year but will it really be “new” when it comes to how Congress and the federal government operate in 2014? Let’s speculate, but there is a qualifier like stocks and mutual funds, history is not an indicator of future performance. Here is a look forward and a suggestion about moving ahead from the American Sportfishing Association.

There is hope for 2014. Congress has completed its appropriations work and is now contemplating major bills it had put aside to deal with budget issues. As this is being written the one threat that hangs over us all in early 2014 is the possibility of another debt ceiling battle. Despite that threat there is hope.

• Congress is on the verge of completing work on the first water resource project bill in years. It will have some benefits for anglers, but most importantly it may be a sign that Congress can approach bipartisan progress.
• The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act will get reintroduced in the Senate and hopefully the House.
• There is also the Senate’s Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2014, that contains many of the measures from the 2012 bill in the 112th Congress. This will be a real litmus test of Congress to work together on a measure that means much to fish and wildlife resources and to anglers and hunters.
• In February at the Miami Boat Show the American Sportfishing Association and other fishery groups will reveal a concept plan for better saltwater fishery management and better recreational angler access. Work on this effort has been ongoing for the past year. Hopefully Congress will take the recommendations of the report and use it for a meaningful reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation Act.
• The backbone of fishery management in the states, the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, should be reauthorized this year.

Outside of the Realm of the Congress there are Signs of Progress

• After thousands of comments by KeepAmericaFishing members, and others, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its watershed assessment for the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska stating that the mine would cause irreparable damage to rivers and fisheries. The next step is for the EPA to use its authority under the Clean Water Act to withdraw the waters and wetlands of the Bristol Bay watershed from future consideration as disposal sites for dredge and fill activity associated with mining operations. This will protect this world-class salmon and trout fishery.
• One of the great freshwater fishing locations in the southeast is Lake Okeechobee in Florida and progress will hopefully be made on the longtime challenge to maintain flows in a way that sustains the lake and doesn’t damage the saltwater estuaries on both coasts of Florida into which the lake flows. KeepAmericaFishing will be in those discussions.
• Better access for anglers through the locks and dams on the nation’s river systems should occur in 2014 as budgets are settled and a reliable locking schedule process is determined.
• Through talks between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the fisheries community there should be resolution on the fate of the National Fish Hatchery System. Through most of 2013 there were rumors of massive hatchery system closures and then after thousands of comments in opposition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated it would establish a dialog with stakeholders. KeepAmericaFishing looks forward to that dialog and will keep our members informed.

State Issues and the Significant Challenges to Watch

• Aquatic invasive species – It is important to have common sense programs that minimize aquatic invasive species that do damage to our established fisheries and recreational opportunities.
• The native fish movement – There is a movement to attempt to eradicate fish that some deem to be nonnative. This nation has great fisheries established over a century ago that provide significant recreational fishing opportunity, billions of dollars to state economics and support tens of thousands of jobs. Lest you believe this doesn’t impact your fishing here is a sample list of some species targeted in some areas for elimination: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, northern pike, brown trout and rainbow trout. Pay attention to this movement because it is gaining momentum and it is dividing anglers.
• In 2013 Maine raised the question of banning soft baits. Watch this issue carefully in your state because it will arise in other New England states as well as other regions. KeepAmericaFishing played a key role in stopping the legislation in 2013 as thousands of anglers in Maine and other states expressed their concern about this issue.

How Can We Achieve Success in the Realm of Fishing in 2014?

It’s a pretty simple formula: determination, persistence, a unified message on issues and the sportfishing community speaking out. That is what KeepAmericaFishing provides. We are governed by a democracy and letting members of Congress and state legislators know what you support and what you oppose is an essential part of democracy. Do your part – speak up and know the issues.

Catch-up on important angler issues at KeepAmericaFishing.

January launches the outdoor sports show season for fishing’s enthusiasts

It is January again and where I am in Virginia – as in most of the country – the thermometer is just beginning to drop. Much of the nation just underwent record freezing temperatures. And we are doing what? Kicking off the annual outdoor enthusiasts’ sport show season which feeds our fishing fantasies of the season to come.
I grew up fishing with family and friends but joining the fishing industry and learning outdoor sport shows opened up a new world for me. Last year was a great learning experience where I helped to set up our KeepAmericaFishing™ booth and launch our events and promotions at 10 different shows ranging from ICAST, the world’s largest fishing trade show, to the perennially popular Bassmaster Classic.

What many show attendees don’t see is the great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes to produce a first-class sport show. It’s my pleasure to work with the teams that produce some of the most popular sport shows in the U.S. – the ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition Shows on the East Coast and the West Coast’s decades-long destination shows, Fred Hall Shows…The Ultimate Outdoor Experience.. These dedicated people work all year long to ensure each year’s show is better than the year before.
As a show production novice, I was particularly amazed at how one can transform a vacant concrete slab into a little city of fishing fun complete with cooking demonstrations, lakes (well, enough water to paddle kayaks in anyway), shelters for ice fishing, boats to tour, cars to win and pro anglers demonstrating technique in a giant tank full of fish. And that only scratches the surface of what you can see at these shows.

If you have not attended a traditional outdoor sports show where fishing is featured, I highly recommend it as a great way for you and your family to drive away cabin fever. In addition to hundreds of exhibitors selling the latest and greatest tackle, gear and accessories, the shows have many opportunities for you to get advice from notable pro anglers and outdoor TV personalities. These family-friendly shows feature something for every member of the family.

To make it easy to find a show near you, I’ve created a Pinterest map (see below) of some of our favorites. Keep an eye out for KeepAmericaFishing’s promotions at your nearest sport show or be sure to check back here on KeepAmericaFishing.org for this spring’s exciting promotions like a chance to win a fishing trip for two to Costa Rica!

Check out our map to find some of our favorite fishing and sport shows near you and be sure to join our community on Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/keepamericafish/2014-fishing-shows/

by Mike Leonard, Ocean Resource Policy Director, American Sportfishing Association
December 11, 2013

Much like the troll dolls of my youth, over the last couple of decades the Marine Protected Area (MPA) fad has swept through the environmental community, which views closing areas of the ocean to fishing as the solution to the oceans “crisis.” As a result, all across the country anglers have faced an increasing number of MPA proposals. Of particular concern is a subset of MPAs called marine reserves in which all human activities, including fishing, are banned.

Far too often these proposals are based more on ideology and emotion than science. Anglers are punished for problems that either don’t exist (e.g., the misconception that fisheries are in crisis) or for which they aren’t responsible (e.g., water quality, climate change, etc.).

This brings me to Biscayne National Park, and the process that has transpired over the last several years to revise the park’s General Management Plan, which will guide overall park operations for the next twenty years or so. Located adjacent to Miami, Fla., Biscayne National Park is the largest marine park in the National Park system and one of the country’s largest urban recreational fishing areas.

In 2011, the National Park Service released a draft General Management Plan, which included a 10,000 acre marine reserve that would cover much of the park’s most popular and productive reef tract. In addition to being concerned over the direct lost of fishing access that would result, anglers were strongly opposed to the terrible precedent that this proposal would set, particularly in “the fishing capital of the world.”

While it is generally recognized that the health of the fisheries resources in Biscayne National Park needs to be improved, this can be accomplished in a reasonable and balanced manner using traditional fisheries management tools. That position is shared by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which jointly manages the park’s fisheries resources. Nevertheless, the National Park Service attempted to bypass the input and expertise of the FWC and numerous stakeholders by leaping to the most restrictive management approach possible – a marine reserve.

Facing this ominous possibility, several recreational fishing and boating organizations spearheaded an effort to bring national attention to the Biscayne National Park issue and prompt a reexamination of the marine reserve proposal. Due to our collective efforts, which included numerous meetings with Department of Interior and National Park Service officials, a Congressional oversight hearing, and letter writing campaigns, the National Park Service agreed to take a step back and sit down with the FWC to discuss other ways to move forward.

Biscayne National Park officials were very enamored with the marine reserve concept, and it took over a year of negotiations with the FWC for them to agree to take it off the table.

In place of the marine reserve, the new preferred plan, released in November, instead proposes a 14,585 acre “special recreation zone” in which fishing would be allowed year round under an annual permit system.

There are numerous important details pertaining to the special recreation zone that still must be worked through, including whether the total number of permits to be issued is sufficient to meet demand; whether temporary permits will be allowed; whether the permit system will include a “use it or lose it” requirement; and whether additional mooring buoys will be installed to meet public demand and mitigate user conflicts. However, the fact that the permit system will be operated entirely by the FWC – not the National Park Service – should provide some comfort.

The new management plan is currently in a public comment period during which these and other issues will hopefully be worked through. But it’s important that anglers not lose sight of the big picture. Our community was faced with the very real possibility of losing prime fishing access at Biscayne National Park, likely forever. Instead, we’re now looking at a much more reasonable approach in which public access – albeit limited public access – will continue to be allowed.

I’ve heard from some who are worried about the possible precedent that a limited access permit system in Biscayne National Park might set, with this concept potentially spreading to other areas and limiting access. However, I’d argue that we should be looking at the flipside of that concern over precedent. We now have an example where a no-fishing zone was staring us in the face, but instead managers found a way to move beyond ideology and non-science based reasoning and instead come up with a plan that will continue allowing recreational fishing access to public waters.