vseasport
Nomad
Posts: 322
Registered: 2-28-2009
Location: Buena Vista, BCS
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Speaking out
The Sea of Cortez is one of the most prolific and magnificent bodies of water on our planet. The crew at Jen Wren Sportfishing does not take the
resource for granted and we do what we can to protect it.
I can remember not all that many years ago when boats would kill almost every billfish caught just to hang for photos. Nobody seemed concerned about
the resource at that time and billfish were stacked up on the beach like cord wood. Sport boat operators have come a long way from those days and
most of us understand and respect the fact that billfish are not an endless resource. Regardless of the loose laws, we understand our moral
obligation to protect them.
Last year we implemented the policy of using only circle hooks. We also tend to use heavier tackle to shorten battles with the intention of not
stressing fish to their demise. In spite of our efforts upon occasion a fish gets tail wrapped or hooked wrong and dies. When the odd fish goes
upside down I am not all that sad about it. I know we did everything we could to keep it alive. It is a casualty of the sport. The positive side is
the fish will not go to waste. It will not only feed our boat crews but also our diesel mechanic, maid, gardner and others in our local community
without opportunity to get fresh fish. Most of the time even the carcass is wanted by someone to make soup.
If an angler fishing with us wants to take a billfish, depending on their motive, most of the time it is OK with me. If it is just for a photo and
not for the table we will try to talk them into letting it go. If it is because they like to eat marlin there is no law against taking them and I'm
not the judge or jury. Personally I enjoy smoked marlin very much and find it better eating then tuna or most other fish we catch. This year I
didn't get the opportunity to smoke any, feeling it was more important to let our employees and their families take the few fish that didn't survive.
Over the last couple of years I have gotten a lot of riff from several tree hugging readers whom have seen my photos of happy and excited anglers
displaying a billfish on our boat. I understand the possibility of damage and the risk of hurting the fish. It is not something we often practice
and we always try to get the fish back in the water as quickly as possible. We watch them swim away and I believe they all have a much higher chance
of survival than laying on our swim-step.
Looking back at 2012 we fished over 200 days. I have made 42 weekly reports with about 400 photos. Fifteen of those photos are with billfish in our
c-ckpit. I estimate that to be about 6 or 7% of the billfish we hooked this year. If we can compromise with an angler that wants to kill a fish for
a photo and see how much it weighs by getting a good photo of the fish in our c-ckpit and then letting it swim away why the grief? The angler has
done their part and so have we. It just seems to me that some of the "green" people are over the edge.
Maybe I'm just crankie because winter is setting in and we are not out fishing.
Our goal is memories of a life time for our guests. Here are a few from 2012
The best source for the latest East Cape fishing conditions "like"
www.facebook.com/JenWrenSportfishing
Mark Rayor
teamjenwren.com
markrayor.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/JenWrenSportfishing
US cell 310 308 5841
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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Yep,,fisher folk's care the most !!
GOOD ON YOU MATE!! oops,,,caps..be avised Osprey is gonna tear into you gringo for fishing round here !!! no worries ...I tell it this way..(to
guests)....for so many cars going down hwy X so many folks will die !! we will try and keep improving the roads,,cars,,systems and medical..but the
fact of the matter,,we have to have death..if not...we all will perish !!.....K&T..
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baja09
Newbie
Posts: 24
Registered: 11-24-2011
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Release Billfish
......Good going to Mark and Crew!..........keep up the good work....
A+P......... PILOT........Baja Sur Lover
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3288
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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You and your crew run a class act Mark, keep up the good work.....
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Marc, there is no circle hook school in Palmas Bay but in good times there were almost 450 boats here fishing for fun and money. The hooks are/were a
great invention and I applaud your use of them for billfish and more.
Eventually sport fishermen and Mexican captains and marineros will all know how to set them, use them and will get used to teaching novice clients
that fairly new technique. I hope the EVENTUALLY will be soon because I'm sure tired of seeing all the high fives in this bay when a billfish swallows
a big J hook and they cut the line to release >>> "good job boys, that hook will rust out in 24 hours".
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