During a recent NC B.A.S.S. Federation Nation annual meeting members of the NC Wildlife Resource Commission reported on the current largemouth bass status in the coastal regions of North Carolina. These areas were hit hard by hurricane Irene in 2011 resulting in massive fish kills. Kevin Dockendorf, Coastal Research Coordinator, provided a detailed presentation that covered post hurricane Isabel (2003) findings, including research data from a massive restocking effort in 2004, with additional detailed information from studies conducted in the years following, continuing through hurricane Irene. To see the slideshow (PDF File) used during the presentation click below.

View Presentation

The 2011 North Carolina General Assembly deferred action on the Coastal Game Fish Bill (HB 353) that would have designated speckled sea trout, red drum, and striped bass as coastal game fish.  Coastal game fish status would mean that these three fish could be taken only with hook and line and could not be sold. These fish are already game fish in inland waters where they occur but when they venture into joint or coastal waters, they are subject to commercial net fishing under liberal rules designed to maximize catch for sale, which has led to overfishing and depleted numbers.  Sport fishermen protested vigorously over the failure to act, which led the General Assembly to set up a special study committee to review the case for coastal game fish status and several other issues related to management of our marine fisheries.
The issues being considered by the Marine Fisheries Study Committee can be found at this link under the Marine Fisheries section.  The main issue about which NC Camo is alerting members is the proposal to create coastal game fish status for red drum, speckled sea trout, and striped bass; but, you may be interested in the others too. The findings and recommendations of the Marine Fisheries Study Committee will be reported to the General Assembly this Spring for action in their Budget Session.
Red drum, speckled sea trout, and striped bass account for only 3% of annual commercial finfish landings in NC by weight and account for only 2% of the dockside value to commercial fishermen.  In 2010, only 250 commercial fishermen had more than $2,000 in landings of these three species, separately or in combination, and less than 30 had landings that equaled or exceeded $10,000.  These figures as collected and presented by the Division of Marine Fisheries show that red drum, speckled sea trout, and striped bass are relatively minor components of the commercial harvest in NC by weight and by value to the commercial fisherman.
Conversely, figures from the Division of Marine Fisheries on the value of recreational fishery for these three species show the annual value to NC’s economy to be over $140,000,000.  This value comes from expenditures of recreational fishermen as they buy fishing equipment and supplies, travel to favorite fishing spots on the coast, and support thousands of small businesses and jobs in the process.  Sales of Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses show that well over 1 million people fish in our coastal waters each year.  Recreational fishing is big business for NC and can be even bigger.  The great thing about this source of growth in our economy is that no capital investment is required and it is truly “green” growth.  All we have to do is protect our fisheries resources and allocate them to their highest and best use for the people of NC.
The first meeting of the Marine Fisheries Study Committee was held on January 5, 2012 and was attended by dozens of recreational and commercial fishermen.  The agenda was mostly introductory for the committee members and no discussion with real substance occurred.  The next meeting is scheduled for February 2, 2011 at 1 pm in the Auditorium of the General Assembly, 116 West Jones Street.  The agenda for this next meeting is designed to give sport and commercial fishermen the opportunity to voice their concerns and ideas to the Marine Fisheries Study Committee on the issue of coastal game fish status for red drum, speckled sea trout, and striped bass and the other topics before the Committee.
NC Camo encourages all recreational fishermen who can to attend and speak in favor of game fish status for speckled sea trout, red drum, and striped bass.  The case for conservation of these three fish via coastal game fish designation is given in the NC Wildlife Federation’s Fall Journal and can be read at this link beginning on page 2.

Interested sportsmen can catch up with the history of the coastal game fish proposal and keep up with new developments on the North Carolina Sportsman Magazine website at this link.  Also, a hot link to the e-mail addresses of every member of the Marine Fisheries Study Committee is included.  Use them to contact the members to let them know you favor game fish status for speckled sea trout, red drum, and striped bass.
Finally, NC Camo has prepared a Take Action message you can send to your elected State Representative and Senator as a part of this alert.  Read it over and if you agree that speckled sea trout, red drum, and striped bass need and deserve coastal game fish status, send it out with a click of your mouse.

NC Camo Coalition is a project of the NC Wildlife Federation.

Recently 5 out of 6 members of the Fayetteville Bassmasters, currently in Afghanistan, got together for a photo. Left to right are Jim Sheehan, Dave Robison, Kip MC Nemar, Mike Updike and Mark MC Cowan. Not pictured is Eric Lochner. Lochner, MC Nemar, Updike and MC Cowan are members of the 3rd Special Forces Group at FT Bragg. Sheehan, a government contractor, and Robison, a Department of Defense Civilian, are both retired Special Forces members providing support for Special Operations Troops in Afghanistan. The six will be joined by a seventh member of the club, Ron Erb in April.

Let us not forget the individuals, such as these, that provide the freedom that allows us to enjoy the simple things in life, such as outdoor activities including hunting and fishing.

We wish each of these individuals a safe and speedy return home.

March 10^th & 11^th – Oakley Lake Conroe Big Bass Classic – Lake Conroe – Texas

April 14^th & 15^th – Jamie McMurray Big Bass Classic – Lake Norman – North Carolina

April 21^st & 22^nd – Blue Ridge Big Bass Classic – Smith Mountain Lake – Virginia

May 19^th & 20^th – Kevin VanDam Big Bass Classic – Table Rock Lake – Missouri

June 2^nd & 3^rd – Quantum Big Bass Classic – Ft Gibson Lake – Oklahoma

September 15^th & 16^th – Kelly Jordon Big Bass Classic – Lake Sam Rayburn – Texas

September 29^th & 30^th – Jason Williamson Big Bass Classic – Lake Murray – South Carolina

October 13^th & 14^th – Gerald Swindle Big Bass Classic – Lake Guntersville – Alabama

October 20^th & 21^st – Rusty Wallace Big Bass Classic – Douglas Lake – Tennessee

October 27^th & 28^th – Georgia Big Bass Classic – Clarks Hill Lake – Georgia

“We are excited to announce the schedule for the 2012 season,” said Louis Wellen with Oakley Sports Marketing.  “We’ve added some outstanding fisheries to an already strong schedule and 2012 promises to be an incredible year for the tour.” added Wellen.

Information regarding tournament entry fees, payouts and event registration can be found at www.oakleybigbass.com

About Oakley Big Bass Tour: The Oakley Big Bass Tour is the nation’s premier open big bass tournament series designed exclusively for amateur anglers.  We provide anglers of all skill levels an exciting tournament format and event experience on some of the nation’s best bass fisheries.  Established in 2007 our tour is focused on the promotion of bass fishing and bass conservation at the amateur level.

Source: www.keepamericafishing.org

Last November, 43,000 anglers like you helped to defeat an attempt to ban lead in fishing tackle nationwide when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied a petition to ban lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Despite the EPA’s ruling, this issue is not yet fully resolved. The petitioners have filed a law suit against the EPA’s decision and submitted a similar new petition to the agency that could still result in a ban on lead fishing tackle nationwide.

KeepAmericaFishing™ is once again asking anglers to oppose this unjustified petition and to rally behind legislation that will put an end to these unwarranted attacks on recreational fishing once and for all.

The Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act (S. 838/H.R. 1558) will prevent a federal ban on lead in recreational fishing tackle and help to ensure that any future regulations on fishing tackle are established based on scientific fact instead of unjustified petitions.

With anti-fishing organizations trying to stop fishing using whatever means they can, the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act is necessary to protect traditional fishing tackle, as well as ammunition, from unjustified bans that will harm the economy and reduce participation in traditional outdoor sports

Take Action Now!

To prevent the EPA from accepting this unwarranted petition and to assure passage of this important legislation, it’s critical that you send a loud and clear message to the EPA and your Members of Congress requesting their support of this effort.

For more information on why such a ban is unwarranted,visit the KeepAmericaFishing lead fishing tackle issue page.

The Western Region Annual meeting will be held on February 11th at BASS Pro Shops upstairs in the meeting room from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

We will have our meeting at Spring Hill Outfitters in Selma NC at 1:30pm. Should take about 2 hours at most. We will have a special guest, Chad Thomas, Biologist of the Eastern Part of NC. He is going to give us an update on the results of the Hurricanes on all the rivers.

The address is 773 Seafood House Rd, Selma, NC 27576. Easiest thing to remember is take Exit 101 off Interstate 95. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks Chuck

P.S. I think he is giving all NCBFN members a 10% discount if they attend.

Actions by the Environmental Protection Agency to set emission standards for power plants to reduce mercury and other toxic pollutants will result in healthier lakes, streams and fish.

EPA estimates that “the new safeguards will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths and 4,700 heart attacks a year. The standards will also help America’s children grow up healthier – preventing 130,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms and about 6,300 fewer cases of acute bronchitis among children each year.”
Mercury and other power plant emissions damage our environment. These compounds pollute our nation’s lakes and streams poisoning fish and the people and animals that rely on them for food. Other power plant emissions such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) can react in the atmosphere to form a haze of fine particle pollution and smog that reduces visibility in our nation’s scenic vistas and treasured national parks, and damages sensitive natural ecosystems.

The final Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) will significantly reduce power plant mercury emissions. The equipment used to comply with MATS will also reduce emissions of SO2 and directly emitted fine particle pollution.

Emissions of SO2 from power plants can react in the environment to form weak acids that fall to earth as rain, fog, snow, or dry particles. They can cause lakes and streams to become acidic and unsuitable for many fish, damage forests, and cause deterioration of cars, buildings, and historical monuments. Sulfur deposition may also increase the rate of mercury methylation and the impact of mercury poisoning on fish and wildlife.

Once mercury from the air reaches water, microorganisms can change it into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish. As larger fish eat many smaller fish, mercury concentrations increase in their body tissues. Mercury contamination affects populations of numerous fish species – trout, bass, salmon and others. Waterfowl and mammals that eat fish, including loons and otters, and songbirds, bats, and amphibians that feed on insects can be exposed to high levels of mercury. Birds and animals suffering from mercury exposure behave differently and have less reproductive success. Over time, these new emission standards will help reduce the levels of mercury in fish.

Sportsmen and women played a major role in calling for these changes in the way we treat the environment. Clean air and water are the basis for the quality of life we enjoy and strive to preserve for our descendants.

Thank you for your support.

NC Camo Coalition is a project of the NC Wildlife Federation.

Happy Holidays

By: Frank Sargeant, B.A.S.S. Times

Dec 14, 2011

FOND DU LAC, Wis. — Understand upfront that proponents of E-15 gasoline, containing up to 15 percent ethanol, are not pitching the fuel as suitable for marine engines. In fact, it is a violation of federal law to use it for that purpose.

But E-15 is probably coming soon to a pump near you. Suppose you have a brain infarction and fill your boat with the stuff, which is just the push of a button away.

Not a good thing, based on tests concluded in June by Mercury Marine for the U.S. Department of Energy. Two of three outboards run on E-15 in Merc’s standard 300-hour, full-throttle endurance test failed to complete the run and showed severe internal damage, according to David Hilbert, thermodynamic development engineer for Mercury.

A 300-horsepower Verado experienced three damaged exhaust valves near the end of the E-15 run. Hilbert said the damage likely was caused by operating temperatures considerably higher than those recorded in a similar engine run in the same test on ethanol-free gasoline.

And a 200-horse 2.5 EFI 2-stroke in the test had to be shut down after 256 hours because of bearing failure. Hilbert said more testing would be required to determine if ethanol in the fuel caused a reduction in effective lubrication and brought on the failure, but an identical engine run on standard gasoline had no similar issues throughout the 300-hour run.

Martin Peters at Yamaha agreed that E-15 must not be used in any of the company’s outboards, but he reiterates that E-10 is fine for all late-model motors.

“Accidental one-time use of E-15 will not void your Yamaha warranty,” said Peters. “But for sure, it’s not a fuel you would ever put in your boat on purpose.”

Bottom line is that, while E-10 is acceptable as a fuel for all modern outboards, E-15 is not.

Note that the tests involved fresh fuel used immediately. They did not take into account the issues ethanol causes when it sits for weeks or months in a fuel tank and absorbs condensed water. Nor did they consider the accumulation of dissolved solids that might clog a fuel system.

In fact, the best gasoline for your outboard has no ethanol, and some states still allow service stations to stock straight gasoline. In Alabama, for example, gas stations advertising ethanol-free gasoline generate long lines of bass anglers on weekends.

Floridais considering a rule that would allow service stations to sell gasoline without ethanol, thus letting market demand control the amount of ethanol drivers choose to use. The state’s Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee recently voted 10-1 to approve SB 238,which would end the ethanol requirement that has been in place since 2008.

Ethanol alternative

Jeff Wasil, engineering tech expert at Evinrude/BRP, said the company has been involved in recent tests of butanol, a biofuel created from fermentation similar to ethanol, but with fewer issues in outboard engines.

“Butanol is much less likely to create phase separation with water in fuel tanks, and it’s not nearly as likely to dissolve varnish and other sediment in tanks and lines,” said Wasil. “Plus, it can be transported by pipeline, just like petroleum fuels, so the cost of getting it to a blending facility will be lower. Ethanol causes corrosion issues in most pipelines.”

Wasil said butanol can be used in higher concentrations (up to 16.1 percent) in gasoline mixes while delivering the same performance as 10 percent ethanol fuels.

“It’s still more expensive to make than ethanol, but improvements in technology are bringing prices down, and several ethanol plants are being converted to butanol,” he said. “We’re likely to see more of this product in the future.”

Story By: Bob Bauer

October 29, 2011 High Rock Lake, NC

Changing weather and a cold front greeted the 42 junior anglers for the 2011 NCBFN State Championships. The first Nor’easter of the season blew through High Rock Lake the morning of the tournament. Heavy rains drenched the competitors as they arrived at Tamarac Marina for the launch of this year’s event. Even as the rain subsided just in time for blast off the wind and 37 degree temperatures made the early morning boat ride a bone chilling experience. Cold front conditions and high winds made for some challenging conditions for the anglers. Like always when you put the best anglers in the state together a few will unlock the combination. In the 11-14 age group Chris Carnes of York, SC repeated as State champion with 3 fish that weighed 5 pounds even. Chris showed enormous patients as he worked his Truesouth Shakey Heads down wind swept banks to scratch out the winning weight on a day when only 2 anglers from the younger division caught keepers. Chris defended his championship this year and proved why he is a force to be reckoned with at this age group. Chris commented after the tournament. “The tough conditions he faced at Barren River in Kentucky taught him to stay focused and persevere in tough conditions. Chris would like to thank his mom and dad for getting him involved with fishing and John Martin of Truesouth Custom Lures for all the support he has given this Year. “

In the 15-18 division Carson Orellana of Mooresville, NC almost doubled the weight of his nearest competitor. Carson hauled in 4 bass that weighed 11 pounds 11 ounces from the wind churned High Rock waters. Carson worked windy banks with a variety of Truesouth Spinnerbaits and a Chatterbait. Carson also claimed the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Award with his 4 pound 15 ounce largemouth. Carson went on to say “I would like to give a big thanks to my mom and dad for supporting my fishing and Jason Shapiro for taking me under his wing and teaching me everything I know. Also Scott Beattie and Doug Easton for taking me out and getting me on the water. Carson will also fish the Southern Opens as a non-boater this year. “Congratulations to Carson and Chris we will be rooting for them in Florida at the Southern Division Championships in the spring.

Bob Bauer the North Carolina Youth Director said “I want to thank all of our sponsors and especially the boat captains. On a day when most fishermen would have stayed home, they volunteered to captain these boats for anglers they had not met before. This shows what great dedication our Federation Nation anglers have to the future of our sport. Congratulations to Carson and Chris and thanks to: Denali Rods, Truesouth Custom Lures, Bass Pro Shops, Koyote Bait and Tackle, River Valley Crankbaits, Captain Gary’s Marine Care Products, Deep Creek Lures, Skeeter, Triton, Berkley, Lowrance, Yamaha and Mercury.