Boat U.S. - May 2008 - (Page 29) Water ont Living Bending A Rod FoR ReeFs I’m bobbing in the profit OAR comes from the Gulf of Mexico off Dog annual fishing tournament, Island, FL, waiting for a which in turn keeps growing in grouper to sneak out of popularity, in part due to the the artificial reef below excellent fishing in the region. and snatch my baited “We grew 34% last year, hook when the rod in the from 700 anglers to more holder behind me doubles than 950,” says Michele over. The big fish on the Clarke, chairman of the Big other end has the heavyBend Saltwater Classic. “We weight Penn Power Stick would like to grow past 1,000 bent over hard. Before my this year.” The Classic has fishing partner can even raised more than $450,000 lift the rod from the holder, for OAR since 1989. the line parts with an The two-day tournament audible ping, victim of an is a rodeo format featuring over-tightened drag. multiple species in junior, Our loss will be recreational and masters divianother fisherman’s gain. sions. Several weigh-in staA big fish like that could tions are available across the Photo by Dan Ausley win a lucky angler $1,000 The Big Bend Saltwater Classic, held every Father’s Day weekend, is a great way for region, including one at tourin the 20th annual Big families to spend time together on the water while supporting a good cause. nament headquarters, housed Bend Saltwater Classic, at the Carrabelle Boat Club. shore reefs,” says Miller. held each Father’s Day weekend in Any angler that weighs-in a fish over Pressure Drop often serves as a platCarrabelle, FL, just a quick boat ride across the two days is qualified for the “Weigh a form for the OAR Research Dive Team, St. George Sound from our fishing spot. Fish, Win a Boat” raffle. For the 20th anniwhich scouts and maps the bottom in That spot is no secret, thanks to the versary, Century boats will present the raffle places where OAR planners are considering winner with a 20-foot center console, comhard work of the Organization for Artificial Reefs (OAR), which founded the Big Bend placing a reef. All artificial reefs must be plete with a Yamaha outboard and Magic Saltwater Classic as a fund-raising tourna- permitted either by the state or the Army Tilt trailer. Corps of Engineers, or sometimes both. ment to support its mission of building Junior anglers compete for trophies artificial reefs. OAR publicizes the locations Permits are sponsored and held by a local and gift certificates for a larger variety of of all the artificial reefs it builds to support government entity. OAR does the research fish than in the other divisions. The greater increased fish populations as well as recre- and permitting work on behalf of the spon- variety allows families with smaller boats to ational fishing and diving opportunities on soring body, which is often a waterfront choose to stay in more protected waters special charts sold at local bait and tackle town. The reef my fishing partner and I were and still have fun. anchored on was named after the City of shops. “The junior anglers get to spend time Carrabelle. Captain Kamen Miller frequently with dad for Father’s Day and learn that Once a suitable site has been selected, they can support the environment through takes his fishing and diving charters to OAR must either find or buy materials a variety of OAR-built reefs aboard his nonprofit fishing tournament,” says Clarke. to make up the artificial reefs. Specially 46-foot Newton, Pressure Drop, based in “It’s a great way for a family to spend a designed products such as Reef Balls or Carrabelle. weekend.” concrete pyramids cast in reef friendly “Within 15 miles of East Pass [the — By Michael Vatalaro shapes can be used, as can clean steel or channel between Dog and St. George islands], there are about 14 artificial sites,” stabilized concrete construction rubble. One For more information on the Big Bend of the larger reefs in the area was created Saltwater Classic and fishing and diving says Miller. “A lot of our artificial sites in Carrabelle, FL, check out: from the spans of the old St. George Island are barges or culverts piled up. They are Saltwaterclassic.com mapped out so that a novice diver can get Bridge. These were placed in piles within an Scubadivecharters.com on one corner and swim around them and area one nautical mile long by two-tenths of Carrabelleboatclub.com a nautical mile wide. find their way back to the anchor line. “It turned into an awesome reef,” says “The fish life is phenomenal and is For more information on places to stay OAR Research Dive Team Coordinator Rob the best in the Gulf of Mexico. We chase in Carrabelle, visit: Sandybeachlistings.com grouper, red snapper, amberjack, mangrove Buda. “We had people catching fish on it Mooringsseachange.com before we finished deploying it.” snapper, and sheepshead on the outer Pickettslanding.com The majority of the funding of the nonreefs and trout and redfish on the nearBoatU.S. Magazine May 2008 29 http://Saltwaterclassic.com http://Scubadivecharters.com http://Carrabelleboatclub.com http://Sandybeachlistings.com http://Mooringsseachange.com http://www.Pickettslanding.com
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