NEW TELEVISON SEASON KICKS OFF ON NEW YEAR’S DAY!
The new season of George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing will debut
on VERSUS on Saturday, January 1, 2011, at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time).
Our show will then air every Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and on Fridays at 4:00 p.m. For
a complete listing of my new shows and their respective airing dates and times, visit:
www.georgepoveromo.com
The year 2011 will mark our 11th year on national television. One may wonder “what
happened to ESPN2?”, where we aired for ten years. The answer is that ESPN has gotten
out of the outdoors/fish TV business. Effective January 1, 2011, all their fishing shows
will cease airing, save for B.A.S.S. (which the network had owned and, according to what
I’ve heard, had finally sold). All their fishing/outdoors show hosts got the word back
in May that they will be no longer airing on the network. The “official” announcement
from ESPN as to why they dropped their outdoor programming was that they (the
network) wanted to get back to their roots of live-programming of competitive events.
Rumor has it that soccer and pre-NASCAR coverage will now take over the outdoors
time slot. However, since ESPN contracts out the production of some of their outdoor
programming, and then gives the responsibility of selling sponsors to fund these ventures
to their advertising departments, one has to believe that the soft economy and lack of
their getting sponsorships for some of these shows wasn’t the real reason behind their
decision to drop outdoors.
Fortunately for us, we were picked up by the VERSUS network. Beginning this
January, VERSUS will now become the largest national network which airs outdoors
shows. VERSUS is owned by COMCAST. We’re thrilled to be part of the family! Since
June, my crew and I have been traveling long and hard to shoot our new 2011 series, and
we wrapped up our shooting just a few weeks ago. We have some terrific episodes on
tap! I must credit my immediate production team for making our show the success that
it is: Kevin Tierney, Rob “Swede” Greene, Mr. Miller, and Craig Woloshin. Without
them, there’d be no George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing.
As I leave ESPN and join the VERSUS family, I have nothing but good things to say
about my decade-long run on ESPN2. I’ve met and worked with some really wonderful
people there, and the entire experience has made for one incredible dream ride! As a
member of the VERSUS family, I look forward to doing my part with our show to make
sure VERSUS remains the leader in quality outdoors programming.
Please tune in and watch our shows!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS CHRISTMAS
This Sunday afternoon, the day after Christmas, finds us still up in Howey-In-The-
Hills – a quaint little town on the shores of the Harris Chain of Lakes, about 35 miles
northwest of Orlando. The family and I have been here nearly a week, where we spent a
nice, quiet and relaxing Christmas. There’s nothing to report in the way of fishing, as it
has been way too cold to “justify” my getting into thermals and layers to chase after bass.
Sailfish, for sure – but bass? Just a nice, relaxing week! Tonight and Monday evening,
the low temps are predicted to be in the upper 20s, as yet another strong cold front pushes
through. Definitely, no bass fishing on this trip!
Hills – a quaint little town on the shores of the Harris Chain of Lakes, about 35 miles
northwest of Orlando. The family and I have been here nearly a week, where we spent a
nice, quiet and relaxing Christmas. There’s nothing to report in the way of fishing, as it
has been way too cold to “justify” my getting into thermals and layers to chase after bass.
Sailfish, for sure – but bass? Just a nice, relaxing week! Tonight and Monday evening,
the low temps are predicted to be in the upper 20s, as yet another strong cold front pushes
through. Definitely, no bass fishing on this trip!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
CORAL SPRINGS HOLIDAY PARADE
The MARC VI was in the Coral Springs Holiday parade, lit up like a Christmas tree
and carrying a few elves. It was entered under “Garnett Storage” - the boat/RV facility
in Coral Springs that has been the home of the MARC VI for 16 years. Steve Garnett
had asked if I’d let him enter the MARC VI in the parade months ago, to showcase his
business, and I happily agreed.
A huge, special thank you goes to friend Carl Grassi, who – along with the assistance of
his two crew members Vladimir and Danny – spent five hours decorating my boat and
Steve’s vehicle the day prior to the parade. I’d like to say I was instrumental in helping
Carl and his gang decorate the boat, but I’ll admit I was in their way more than I was
an asset. I got the hint when Carl sent me on the road to find an inflatable Santa for the
boat, while they kept on decorating! Carl is the owner of Carl’s Sunoco on Sample Road
in Coral Springs. In addition to being a virtual mechanical genius (he does my auto and
most of my boat work) and a good saltwater angler (he owns a center console and a flats
skiff), he also sells non-Ethanol fuel. You guessed it; this is where I fuel up my boat and
vehicle!
As usual, Sample Road was jammed-pack with spectators, and it took nearly two hours
for all the entries to travel the parade route. We were assigned spot # 42, and there were
at least 20 some floats behind us. Did I mention it was bitter cold in that boat? Despite
the cold, it was an enjoyable night. Plus, there was no boat or tackle to wash afterwards!
Garnett Storage is a well-run storage yard that caters to RVs and boats. It is nestled
between the Coral Springs Police shooting range and the Coral Springs Fire Department
training facility. If that’s not enough heat to keep the place safe, Steve has two live-in
nighttime security people. It is about as safe a storage place as one can get. Rumor also
has it that Steve Garnett will start a fishing club, for all the boaters he has in his yard. I
hear tales about a commercial-grade ice machine coming to the property - where boaters
can load up on shaved ice, a boat wash-down station, fish-cleaning facility, and monthly
meetings. Look for all this to crank up sometime in the new year.
With a little help from Carl’s gang! Left to right – Danny, Carl,
me, and Vladimir. Carl owns Carl’s Sunoco on Sample Road in Coral Springs. He
decorated the MARC VI and the tow vehicle for the parade.
Nothing like dredges off the outriggers to light up the night!
Wonder how fast the Coast Guard would respond to a boat this lit
up well offshore at night?!
OK, I’ll give up my “hot spot” that night: It’s on the Lowrance
screen for all to see!
In case you couldn’t figure it out on the map, or see the GPS
numbers, here you go!
The Garnett Elves!
and carrying a few elves. It was entered under “Garnett Storage” - the boat/RV facility
in Coral Springs that has been the home of the MARC VI for 16 years. Steve Garnett
had asked if I’d let him enter the MARC VI in the parade months ago, to showcase his
business, and I happily agreed.
A huge, special thank you goes to friend Carl Grassi, who – along with the assistance of
his two crew members Vladimir and Danny – spent five hours decorating my boat and
Steve’s vehicle the day prior to the parade. I’d like to say I was instrumental in helping
Carl and his gang decorate the boat, but I’ll admit I was in their way more than I was
an asset. I got the hint when Carl sent me on the road to find an inflatable Santa for the
boat, while they kept on decorating! Carl is the owner of Carl’s Sunoco on Sample Road
in Coral Springs. In addition to being a virtual mechanical genius (he does my auto and
most of my boat work) and a good saltwater angler (he owns a center console and a flats
skiff), he also sells non-Ethanol fuel. You guessed it; this is where I fuel up my boat and
vehicle!
As usual, Sample Road was jammed-pack with spectators, and it took nearly two hours
for all the entries to travel the parade route. We were assigned spot # 42, and there were
at least 20 some floats behind us. Did I mention it was bitter cold in that boat? Despite
the cold, it was an enjoyable night. Plus, there was no boat or tackle to wash afterwards!
Garnett Storage is a well-run storage yard that caters to RVs and boats. It is nestled
between the Coral Springs Police shooting range and the Coral Springs Fire Department
training facility. If that’s not enough heat to keep the place safe, Steve has two live-in
nighttime security people. It is about as safe a storage place as one can get. Rumor also
has it that Steve Garnett will start a fishing club, for all the boaters he has in his yard. I
hear tales about a commercial-grade ice machine coming to the property - where boaters
can load up on shaved ice, a boat wash-down station, fish-cleaning facility, and monthly
meetings. Look for all this to crank up sometime in the new year.
With a little help from Carl’s gang! Left to right – Danny, Carl,
me, and Vladimir. Carl owns Carl’s Sunoco on Sample Road in Coral Springs. He
decorated the MARC VI and the tow vehicle for the parade.
Nothing like dredges off the outriggers to light up the night!
Wonder how fast the Coast Guard would respond to a boat this lit
up well offshore at night?!
OK, I’ll give up my “hot spot” that night: It’s on the Lowrance
screen for all to see!
In case you couldn’t figure it out on the map, or see the GPS
numbers, here you go!
The Garnett Elves!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
It's A Wrap!
We wrapped up our final television shoot for our 2011 season this past Monday
(December 6) in Big Pine Key! And we did it in style, catching Cero and king mackerel,
dolphin and a sailfish. We even live-chummed up a bunch of big bonitos, which gave us
some fun on light spin tackle.
Carl Grassi, a friend who also owns Carl’s Sunoco in Coral Springs – where I gas
up the MARC VI with his “non-Ethanol” fuel, was my guest angler. We timed the shoot
and trailed down to Big Pine on Friday afternoon, as the winds from a passing cold front
were beginning to subside. As luck would have it, an Artic Clipper (real strong cold
front!) was on the preceding front’s heels, and projected to pass through the lower Florida
Keys on Sunday evening, bringing 25-knot winds and low temperatures into the 40s.
Talk about a tiny window to squeeze this shoot through!
We were based at Parmer’s Resort, at mile marker 28.5 on Little Torch Key
(www.ParmersResort.com). We kept the MARC VI, and Carl’s boat – which we used as
our camera boat, at one of Parmer’s lagoon docks. This was a very convenient, trailer-
boater friendly place. Best of all, we were just a few minutes from open water.
Bundled up in layers, long pants and jackets, Carl and I set forth to find fish. We
had a nice, ten- to 15-knot northwest wind, with its energy scrubbed off by the land, flats
and patch reefs (we were on the lee of the breeze). Our plan was to troll natural baits,
or drift live baits and also deep jig, based on what we found in the way of any bait, rips,
color changes, temperature breaks, etc.
When we opted to troll, we ran about 16 miles to some good looking structure
which fluctuated between 550 and 600 feet. Once there, the surface water temperature
had risen to 78 degrees (it was 76 degrees on the reefs). We put out a spread of baits
on 30-pound class Penn tackle, and went hunting for fish, or signs that would lead us to
them. We eventually turned the bow toward shore, looking to troll into 200 feet of water.
In 300-feet, we caught a dolphin. There were no followers and we proceeded shallower
after trolling that zone produced nothing additional. In 110 feet of water, we came upon a
significant color change and rip, complete with weeds. We trolled tight up to the rip and
then paralleled it, moving in and off it some 100 feet.
After boating two more dolphin, Carl hooks up with a sail – which ate a small,
plain ballyhoo trolled off the starboard outrigger. A beautiful, acrobatic and lit-up fish, I
billed the sailfish, removed the hook and – after admiring it a few seconds – set it free!
The live-baiting portion brought us our kingfish, Cero mackerel, bonito and a
few sharks. Deep jigging was a bit on the quiet side, as the tactic registered just a single
kingfish.
I won’t describe how the action went or get too much into the technical aspects,
simply because I don’t want to spoil the episode! Look for it in early 2011.
A huge tip of the white visor and “Thank You” goes out to my entire production
team for another great season. They’re the best. On our final shoot was Kevin Tierney,
Rob “Swede” Greene, and “Dynamite” Dave Nyitray. Carl Grassi and I had the easy job:
catching the fish!
Fish-Eye view of Carl Grassi and me trolling off Big Pine Key. Kevin Tierney captured the moment.
Kevin Tierney took this neat underwater shot of a dolphin, during our Big Pine Key shoot.
(December 6) in Big Pine Key! And we did it in style, catching Cero and king mackerel,
dolphin and a sailfish. We even live-chummed up a bunch of big bonitos, which gave us
some fun on light spin tackle.
Carl Grassi, a friend who also owns Carl’s Sunoco in Coral Springs – where I gas
up the MARC VI with his “non-Ethanol” fuel, was my guest angler. We timed the shoot
and trailed down to Big Pine on Friday afternoon, as the winds from a passing cold front
were beginning to subside. As luck would have it, an Artic Clipper (real strong cold
front!) was on the preceding front’s heels, and projected to pass through the lower Florida
Keys on Sunday evening, bringing 25-knot winds and low temperatures into the 40s.
Talk about a tiny window to squeeze this shoot through!
We were based at Parmer’s Resort, at mile marker 28.5 on Little Torch Key
(www.ParmersResort.com). We kept the MARC VI, and Carl’s boat – which we used as
our camera boat, at one of Parmer’s lagoon docks. This was a very convenient, trailer-
boater friendly place. Best of all, we were just a few minutes from open water.
Bundled up in layers, long pants and jackets, Carl and I set forth to find fish. We
had a nice, ten- to 15-knot northwest wind, with its energy scrubbed off by the land, flats
and patch reefs (we were on the lee of the breeze). Our plan was to troll natural baits,
or drift live baits and also deep jig, based on what we found in the way of any bait, rips,
color changes, temperature breaks, etc.
When we opted to troll, we ran about 16 miles to some good looking structure
which fluctuated between 550 and 600 feet. Once there, the surface water temperature
had risen to 78 degrees (it was 76 degrees on the reefs). We put out a spread of baits
on 30-pound class Penn tackle, and went hunting for fish, or signs that would lead us to
them. We eventually turned the bow toward shore, looking to troll into 200 feet of water.
In 300-feet, we caught a dolphin. There were no followers and we proceeded shallower
after trolling that zone produced nothing additional. In 110 feet of water, we came upon a
significant color change and rip, complete with weeds. We trolled tight up to the rip and
then paralleled it, moving in and off it some 100 feet.
After boating two more dolphin, Carl hooks up with a sail – which ate a small,
plain ballyhoo trolled off the starboard outrigger. A beautiful, acrobatic and lit-up fish, I
billed the sailfish, removed the hook and – after admiring it a few seconds – set it free!
The live-baiting portion brought us our kingfish, Cero mackerel, bonito and a
few sharks. Deep jigging was a bit on the quiet side, as the tactic registered just a single
kingfish.
I won’t describe how the action went or get too much into the technical aspects,
simply because I don’t want to spoil the episode! Look for it in early 2011.
A huge tip of the white visor and “Thank You” goes out to my entire production
team for another great season. They’re the best. On our final shoot was Kevin Tierney,
Rob “Swede” Greene, and “Dynamite” Dave Nyitray. Carl Grassi and I had the easy job:
catching the fish!
Fish-Eye view of Carl Grassi and me trolling off Big Pine Key. Kevin Tierney captured the moment.
Kevin Tierney took this neat underwater shot of a dolphin, during our Big Pine Key shoot.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
HIALEAH SPEEDWAY REUNION
As luck would have it, the first ever Hialeah Speedway Reunion was held the
Saturday evening of Thanksgiving weekend, in nearby Celebration, Florida. From
when I was nine- years old and to when I was nearly 19, my grandfather took me to that
track nearly every Saturday night to watch the stock car races. Bobby Brack was the
winningest driver to have ever raced at that speedway, which closed in 2005, and he was
my idol! I’d cheer him on, then say hello to him in the pits after the races. He was larger
than life to me.
After Brack retired from racing, and I had gone on to college, I quit going to the
races. Some years later, I saw him at a fishing tournament. It turned out he loves to
fish. So, he and I had become reunited and he has since been an instrumental part of my
fishing team.
The reunion was a great walk back in time, as some 400 drivers, car owners and
fans were on hand in that hotel ballroom. Most of the top drivers were there. It was also
an “eye-opener”, as I’ve not seen most of these guys since I was a kid, 35 years ago; I
had a “visual” in my mind of what they looked like back then, so you can imagine how
taken I was over how differently they looked that night! Time does indeed march on!
Brack, incidentally, was inducted into the Hialeah Speedway Hall of Fame that evening,
along with 11 others.
Me and Bobby Brack, after his induction into the Hialeah Speedway Hall of Fame
Bobby Brack with yellowfin tuna caught aboard the MARC VI this summer
Brack at Hialeah Speedway in "the day"
1974 - Me and Brack after he won his sixth straight, annual 200-lap South Florida State Championship, at Hialeah Speedway
1970 - Me and Brack after he won the 200-lap South Florida State Championship, at Hialeah Speedway
Saturday evening of Thanksgiving weekend, in nearby Celebration, Florida. From
when I was nine- years old and to when I was nearly 19, my grandfather took me to that
track nearly every Saturday night to watch the stock car races. Bobby Brack was the
winningest driver to have ever raced at that speedway, which closed in 2005, and he was
my idol! I’d cheer him on, then say hello to him in the pits after the races. He was larger
than life to me.
After Brack retired from racing, and I had gone on to college, I quit going to the
races. Some years later, I saw him at a fishing tournament. It turned out he loves to
fish. So, he and I had become reunited and he has since been an instrumental part of my
fishing team.
The reunion was a great walk back in time, as some 400 drivers, car owners and
fans were on hand in that hotel ballroom. Most of the top drivers were there. It was also
an “eye-opener”, as I’ve not seen most of these guys since I was a kid, 35 years ago; I
had a “visual” in my mind of what they looked like back then, so you can imagine how
taken I was over how differently they looked that night! Time does indeed march on!
Brack, incidentally, was inducted into the Hialeah Speedway Hall of Fame that evening,
along with 11 others.
Me and Bobby Brack, after his induction into the Hialeah Speedway Hall of Fame
Bobby Brack with yellowfin tuna caught aboard the MARC VI this summer
Brack at Hialeah Speedway in "the day"
1974 - Me and Brack after he won his sixth straight, annual 200-lap South Florida State Championship, at Hialeah Speedway
1970 - Me and Brack after he won the 200-lap South Florida State Championship, at Hialeah Speedway
A HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS THANKSGIVING
The entire family spent the week of Thanksgiving in the lake country of Central
Florida, more specifically – Howey-In-The-Hills on Little Lake Harris, about 35-miles
northwest of Orlando. I love it up here, as the scenery is so different than what I’m used
to with my coastal fishing. This is lake country, and bass fishing is HUGE here!
Of course, every time I’m here, I chase after some bass. The biggest challenge is
trying to figure out where they’re at, either along or in the vegetation lining the shore, or
along drop offs and deep structure. I’m not a freshwater angler, so I think “seatrout” and
fish accordingly. I caught 27 bass on this trip, with the largest weighing four-pounds.
Florida, more specifically – Howey-In-The-Hills on Little Lake Harris, about 35-miles
northwest of Orlando. I love it up here, as the scenery is so different than what I’m used
to with my coastal fishing. This is lake country, and bass fishing is HUGE here!
Of course, every time I’m here, I chase after some bass. The biggest challenge is
trying to figure out where they’re at, either along or in the vegetation lining the shore, or
along drop offs and deep structure. I’m not a freshwater angler, so I think “seatrout” and
fish accordingly. I caught 27 bass on this trip, with the largest weighing four-pounds.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Keys Day Job!
It seems as of late, I can’t stay away from the Florida Keys! Due to a
Mako brochure shoot in Fort Lauderdale, I had to cut last week’s Islamorada
TV shoot short by one day. So, to obtain the “spine takes” we needed
to complete that show, I drove to Islamorada for the day on Tuesday,
November 16, and met up with producer Kevin Tierney.
A “spine take” refers to those tight face images that fly in during a fishing
show, where people reflect back on a catch and other highlights during the
trip. We needed to “spine take” two episodes: our recent Islamorada shoot,
and also our July trip to Ocean City, Maryland. On hand today were Greg
Poland and John Oughton, my guest anglers in both shows, respectively.
First on the hot seat was Poland, followed by me. After the
Islamorada “spine takes” were logged, Oughton did his on Ocean City, and I
followed with my take. While all went smoothly, I have to admit that it was
painful to be landlocked, with such gorgeous weather and light winds!
We began shooting at 9:30 a.m., and wrapped up at 2:00 p.m. Figuring we
needed to reward ourselves for working so hard, Kevin and I enjoyed a late
lunch at World Wide Sportsman’s Islamorada Fish Company. And what did
we eat? Why, blackened dolphin fish sandwiches, of course!
I got back on the road around 3:30 p.m. and pulled into my driveway at
5:30 p.m.
We’ve one more trip to the Florida Keys before 2010 draws to a close.
Friend Carl Grassi and I will fish the MARC VI off Big Pine Key shortly
after Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
THE MAKO SHOOT
Mako introduced a new, redesigned and reengineered 284 center console model at
November’s Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, and the company hired Michael Fuller
Photography to shoot stills and videos of a pair of new 284s on November 11 and 12.
Being a long-time Mako owner (since 1977), and having owned their 284s since they
came out with the model in 2005, I am honored to serve as Mako’s spokesperson for this
boat.
For this two-day shoot, I found myself behind the wheel of a tricked-out, red-hulled 284,
powered by twin 250hp Mercury Verado outboards. Mako’s John Bower rode shotgun,
and we also had one of Mike Fuller’s crew to fill out the boat. We were based at Ft.
Lauderdale’s Pier 66.
We gathered at the boats at 5:00 a.m. Thursday, and proceeded to the inlet, where we’d
wait for the helicopter carrying the production crew. At the slightest hint of dawn, in
comes the helicopter, and we take off running in four- to six-foot seas, to obtain early
morning offshore stills/video. We had a 15- to 20-knot northeast wind. After running
north and south for what seemed like well over an hour, the helicopter flew back to shoot
the second 284. John Bower and I regrouped for the trolling portion of the shoot, and
soon found ourselves being shot/filmed on the troll. We got back to Pier 66 around 10:30
a.m. We would regroup at 2:00 p.m. for the afternoon boat-to-boat shooting sessions.
The wind that afternoon was out of the northeast at every bit of 20-knots, and seas
were running five- to seven-feet. We spent the rest of afternoon (until the sun dropped)
offshore.
The next day was spent primarily shooting video footage of John Bower and me talking
about the new improvements and features designed into the boat. Afterwards, it was
some more boat-to-boat photography, until the sun dropped out.
In short, the new Mako 284 now features a “no wood” (cored-foam/fiberglass) structural
system, redesigned 50-gallon live well fed by dual pumps, channeled fish box lids,
larger cockpit drains, redesigned console with a lot of internal room and easy-access to
electronics and other critical rigging components, low-maintenance and electronically
operated trim tabs, LED nav lights, and impeccable fiberglass and finish work. The hull
comes in between 400- and 600-pounds lighter than the previous 284, a difference which
I readily felt when running this boat.
Look for a brand-new MARC VI in February or early March 2011, just in time for our
new fishing season!
At speed off Fort Lauderdale in the newly re-enginered Mako 284.
On the troll of Fort Lauderdale in the new Mako 284.
November’s Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, and the company hired Michael Fuller
Photography to shoot stills and videos of a pair of new 284s on November 11 and 12.
Being a long-time Mako owner (since 1977), and having owned their 284s since they
came out with the model in 2005, I am honored to serve as Mako’s spokesperson for this
boat.
For this two-day shoot, I found myself behind the wheel of a tricked-out, red-hulled 284,
powered by twin 250hp Mercury Verado outboards. Mako’s John Bower rode shotgun,
and we also had one of Mike Fuller’s crew to fill out the boat. We were based at Ft.
Lauderdale’s Pier 66.
We gathered at the boats at 5:00 a.m. Thursday, and proceeded to the inlet, where we’d
wait for the helicopter carrying the production crew. At the slightest hint of dawn, in
comes the helicopter, and we take off running in four- to six-foot seas, to obtain early
morning offshore stills/video. We had a 15- to 20-knot northeast wind. After running
north and south for what seemed like well over an hour, the helicopter flew back to shoot
the second 284. John Bower and I regrouped for the trolling portion of the shoot, and
soon found ourselves being shot/filmed on the troll. We got back to Pier 66 around 10:30
a.m. We would regroup at 2:00 p.m. for the afternoon boat-to-boat shooting sessions.
The wind that afternoon was out of the northeast at every bit of 20-knots, and seas
were running five- to seven-feet. We spent the rest of afternoon (until the sun dropped)
offshore.
The next day was spent primarily shooting video footage of John Bower and me talking
about the new improvements and features designed into the boat. Afterwards, it was
some more boat-to-boat photography, until the sun dropped out.
In short, the new Mako 284 now features a “no wood” (cored-foam/fiberglass) structural
system, redesigned 50-gallon live well fed by dual pumps, channeled fish box lids,
larger cockpit drains, redesigned console with a lot of internal room and easy-access to
electronics and other critical rigging components, low-maintenance and electronically
operated trim tabs, LED nav lights, and impeccable fiberglass and finish work. The hull
comes in between 400- and 600-pounds lighter than the previous 284, a difference which
I readily felt when running this boat.
Look for a brand-new MARC VI in February or early March 2011, just in time for our
new fishing season!
At speed off Fort Lauderdale in the newly re-enginered Mako 284.
On the troll of Fort Lauderdale in the new Mako 284.
KEYS AGAIN
KEYS AGAIN!
Trailered the MARC VI back down to the Keys last Monday (Nov. 8), this time to
Islamorada, to fish/shoot an episode with friend Greg Poland. Production crew included
Kevin Tierney, Carl Grassi, and Mr. Miller. We launched my boat and the camera boat
at a private ramp by Poland’s home, and docked them at World Wide Sportsman. We
stayed at Cheeca Lodge, and even got in a dinner at Ziggy’s and Mad Dog’s!
Fishing was good, but not fast. We had to really work at it, but we scored mutton
snapper, grouper, and Cero mackerel. Looking to revisit a kind of fishing I thoroughly
enjoyed in the Keys during my early 20s, we spent one afternoon catching ocean-run
barracuda on tube lures and 8-pound class spin tackle! What a blast! I was always
impressed by the fight a barracuda gives when it is matched on ultra-light tackle, and
these fish – up to 15-pounds – were no exception.
We spent two days on the water, and had to pull the boat after our second day, and
trailer it back to Broward County. I had to be at Ft. Lauderdale’s Pier 66 at 5:00 a.m. the
following morning, for a catalogue/brochure shoot for Mako Marine. I dropped my boat
off at its home in Coral Springs (Garnett Storage) at 8:30 that evening, and then went
home for a well deserved shower, quick dinner and few hours of sleep!
Trailered the MARC VI back down to the Keys last Monday (Nov. 8), this time to
Islamorada, to fish/shoot an episode with friend Greg Poland. Production crew included
Kevin Tierney, Carl Grassi, and Mr. Miller. We launched my boat and the camera boat
at a private ramp by Poland’s home, and docked them at World Wide Sportsman. We
stayed at Cheeca Lodge, and even got in a dinner at Ziggy’s and Mad Dog’s!
Fishing was good, but not fast. We had to really work at it, but we scored mutton
snapper, grouper, and Cero mackerel. Looking to revisit a kind of fishing I thoroughly
enjoyed in the Keys during my early 20s, we spent one afternoon catching ocean-run
barracuda on tube lures and 8-pound class spin tackle! What a blast! I was always
impressed by the fight a barracuda gives when it is matched on ultra-light tackle, and
these fish – up to 15-pounds – were no exception.
We spent two days on the water, and had to pull the boat after our second day, and
trailer it back to Broward County. I had to be at Ft. Lauderdale’s Pier 66 at 5:00 a.m. the
following morning, for a catalogue/brochure shoot for Mako Marine. I dropped my boat
off at its home in Coral Springs (Garnett Storage) at 8:30 that evening, and then went
home for a well deserved shower, quick dinner and few hours of sleep!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Blazing Snappers!
BLAZING SNAPPERS!
Trailered the MARC VI down to Marathon in the Florida Keys last Monday, to fish the
offshore reefs for yellowtail snapper and the patch reefs for mangrove snapper. We were
shooting an episode for my 2011 TV season, with local captain Jimmy Gagliardini as my
guest.
We (myself and production team members Rob “Swede” Greene and Carl Grassi) stayed
at the new Holiday Inn Express in Marathon, whereas Kevin Tierney stayed at his
Ramrod Key home (he was always the unsociable type!). The MARC VI was tied up to
the new docks behind the hotel.
On Tuesday, our first fishing day, the wind was blowing 15- to 20-knots from the East.
We picked up Jimmy and headed offshore. We dropped anchor in 80-feet of water, only
to discover the wind was opposing the current. To compensate - so our baits would drift
back within the chum slick - we re-secured the anchor line to the boat’s mid-ship cleat.
All was well. We dispatched four blocks of Captain Mark’s Pure Sardine chum in a large
mesh hoop, and hung it overboard. The yellowtails came up, in large, golden/yellow
balls. Just how many ‘tails were here was revealed on the Lowrance Structure Scan,
which showed literally hundreds and hundreds of them 20- to 35-feet off to starboard of
the MARC VI, and running the length of the boat!
Using No. 6 hooks baited with pieces of shrimp, 12-pound test fluorocarbon leaders
and Penn Conquer and Battle spinning reels spooled with 15-pound test Sufix Superior
monofilament, we free-lined our baits - along with a handful of a chum supplement made
from oats, thawed chum and sea water. This supplement creates a “cloud” around the
baits, exciting the ‘tails while making our leaders less noticeable.
The bite was off the charts, as Jimmy and I bailed large yellowtail – several cracking five
pounds. After catching many more fish the traditional way, we began live-chumming
with pilchards, to get the big ones feeding at the surface with the intensity of jack
Crevalles. And we did exactly that! Seizing a fabulous opportunity to catch these fish on
artificials, we’d toss out a serving of live pilchards and proceeded to cast Rattlin’ Rapalas
at the feeding blitzes. And catch them we did! The lures yielded our five heaviest
yellowtail, two of which were over five-pounds!
The next day (Wednesday), with an East wind at 20-knots, we anchored over a patch
reef in 25-feet of water, and put out one block of Captain Mark’s Pure Sardine Chum.
Here, we used spinning outfits rigged with 30-pound test fluorocarbon leaders and boxing
glove-style jigs. We’d impale a live pilchard onto the jig (under the lower jaw and out
the upper) and cast into the chum slick. As soon as the jig hit bottom, we’d hook up with
a fat mangrove snapper. After we bailed several big mangroves on the jig/pilchard rig,
I wanted to try live-chumming these fish and catching them on lures. Talk about wild
action! We had the big mangroves busting at the surface, where they eagerly ate the
Rapala lures! In fact, our biggest mangrove snapper – one in the seven pound class, was
caught on a lure!
Later that afternoon, after an incredible snapper bite and with a big thunderstorm
closing in on us, we headed back to shore and put the MARC VI on its Float-On trailer.
Thursday morning, in between rain showers, we shot our conversation pieces. We ate
lunch shortly after noon, and headed back for home in northern Broward County.
Being far down on the island-chain, Marathon doesn’t have the fishing pressure like the
upper Keys, and the reefs here are alive with big snapper. Just wait until you see this
episode!
Production team members “Swede” Greene (left) and Carl Grassi share a light
moment alongside the MARC VI, the afternoon before the shoot.
The long boat dock behind the new Holiday Inn Express in Marathon, and the close-
to-being-finished Tiki Bar. This place will be a fisherman’s paradise!
Jimmy Gagliardini with a lure-caught yellowtail.
What they were eating – Rattlin’ Rapalas.
Some of the big fellas!
Jimmy and I show off the four largest, lure-caught yellowtails.
My monster mangrove snapper, caught on a lure!
Jimmy removing the hooks from a mangrove. Look at how thick this fish is.
Jimmy with a mangrove taken on a live pilchard.
Our four largest, lure-caught mangroves.
Trailered the MARC VI down to Marathon in the Florida Keys last Monday, to fish the
offshore reefs for yellowtail snapper and the patch reefs for mangrove snapper. We were
shooting an episode for my 2011 TV season, with local captain Jimmy Gagliardini as my
guest.
We (myself and production team members Rob “Swede” Greene and Carl Grassi) stayed
at the new Holiday Inn Express in Marathon, whereas Kevin Tierney stayed at his
Ramrod Key home (he was always the unsociable type!). The MARC VI was tied up to
the new docks behind the hotel.
On Tuesday, our first fishing day, the wind was blowing 15- to 20-knots from the East.
We picked up Jimmy and headed offshore. We dropped anchor in 80-feet of water, only
to discover the wind was opposing the current. To compensate - so our baits would drift
back within the chum slick - we re-secured the anchor line to the boat’s mid-ship cleat.
All was well. We dispatched four blocks of Captain Mark’s Pure Sardine chum in a large
mesh hoop, and hung it overboard. The yellowtails came up, in large, golden/yellow
balls. Just how many ‘tails were here was revealed on the Lowrance Structure Scan,
which showed literally hundreds and hundreds of them 20- to 35-feet off to starboard of
the MARC VI, and running the length of the boat!
Using No. 6 hooks baited with pieces of shrimp, 12-pound test fluorocarbon leaders
and Penn Conquer and Battle spinning reels spooled with 15-pound test Sufix Superior
monofilament, we free-lined our baits - along with a handful of a chum supplement made
from oats, thawed chum and sea water. This supplement creates a “cloud” around the
baits, exciting the ‘tails while making our leaders less noticeable.
The bite was off the charts, as Jimmy and I bailed large yellowtail – several cracking five
pounds. After catching many more fish the traditional way, we began live-chumming
with pilchards, to get the big ones feeding at the surface with the intensity of jack
Crevalles. And we did exactly that! Seizing a fabulous opportunity to catch these fish on
artificials, we’d toss out a serving of live pilchards and proceeded to cast Rattlin’ Rapalas
at the feeding blitzes. And catch them we did! The lures yielded our five heaviest
yellowtail, two of which were over five-pounds!
The next day (Wednesday), with an East wind at 20-knots, we anchored over a patch
reef in 25-feet of water, and put out one block of Captain Mark’s Pure Sardine Chum.
Here, we used spinning outfits rigged with 30-pound test fluorocarbon leaders and boxing
glove-style jigs. We’d impale a live pilchard onto the jig (under the lower jaw and out
the upper) and cast into the chum slick. As soon as the jig hit bottom, we’d hook up with
a fat mangrove snapper. After we bailed several big mangroves on the jig/pilchard rig,
I wanted to try live-chumming these fish and catching them on lures. Talk about wild
action! We had the big mangroves busting at the surface, where they eagerly ate the
Rapala lures! In fact, our biggest mangrove snapper – one in the seven pound class, was
caught on a lure!
Later that afternoon, after an incredible snapper bite and with a big thunderstorm
closing in on us, we headed back to shore and put the MARC VI on its Float-On trailer.
Thursday morning, in between rain showers, we shot our conversation pieces. We ate
lunch shortly after noon, and headed back for home in northern Broward County.
Being far down on the island-chain, Marathon doesn’t have the fishing pressure like the
upper Keys, and the reefs here are alive with big snapper. Just wait until you see this
episode!
Production team members “Swede” Greene (left) and Carl Grassi share a light
moment alongside the MARC VI, the afternoon before the shoot.
The long boat dock behind the new Holiday Inn Express in Marathon, and the close-
to-being-finished Tiki Bar. This place will be a fisherman’s paradise!
Jimmy Gagliardini with a lure-caught yellowtail.
What they were eating – Rattlin’ Rapalas.
Some of the big fellas!
Jimmy and I show off the four largest, lure-caught yellowtails.
My monster mangrove snapper, caught on a lure!
Jimmy removing the hooks from a mangrove. Look at how thick this fish is.
Jimmy with a mangrove taken on a live pilchard.
Our four largest, lure-caught mangroves.
Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Friday was my first day at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show. I parked near the Bahia Mar, since I had to pick up my credentials, but really needed to be at the Convention Center that morning. Would you believe $ 30.00 to park?! I’m in the wrong business.
After I got my exhibitor’s badge, I took a cab to the Convention Center, and got inside an hour before the show opened. I met up with John Bower at the Mako booth, and we chatted on the rigging and layout of my new 284 Mako, which should be ready to go in February. John is a long-time Mako guy, who has been very instrumental in the quality control, layout and rigging of my boats for more years than we both care to remember. He’s an integral part of Mako’s success, and a heck of a nice guy too.
Between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., I signed and gave out Mako hats at the Mako booth,
which I did again on Saturday and Sunday. Met plenty of neat people and a lot of old
friends, and the three days basically blew by! Took a couple quick strolls through the Bahia Mar side, after leaving the Mako booth. Mako had their newly redesigned 284 center console on display.
Did Halloween Sunday night, by just keeping an eye on my 14-year old daughter and her friends.
Set to trailer the MARC VI down to Marathon in the Keys on Monday morning, where
we’ll fish and shoot an episode Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
After I got my exhibitor’s badge, I took a cab to the Convention Center, and got inside an hour before the show opened. I met up with John Bower at the Mako booth, and we chatted on the rigging and layout of my new 284 Mako, which should be ready to go in February. John is a long-time Mako guy, who has been very instrumental in the quality control, layout and rigging of my boats for more years than we both care to remember. He’s an integral part of Mako’s success, and a heck of a nice guy too.
Between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., I signed and gave out Mako hats at the Mako booth,
which I did again on Saturday and Sunday. Met plenty of neat people and a lot of old
friends, and the three days basically blew by! Took a couple quick strolls through the Bahia Mar side, after leaving the Mako booth. Mako had their newly redesigned 284 center console on display.
Did Halloween Sunday night, by just keeping an eye on my 14-year old daughter and her friends.
Set to trailer the MARC VI down to Marathon in the Keys on Monday morning, where
we’ll fish and shoot an episode Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
In The News
Martin Armstrong, Correspondent
Published: 07:49 p.m., Saturday, October 23, 2010
George Poveromo, host of George Poveromo's World of Saltwater Fishing, spent a few days last week fishing Long Island Sound for an upcoming show.
I got this message from him on Wednesday. "Hey Martin! LIS was on fire today out of New Haven! The weather was perfect. Could not have asked for anything nicer. This was the first time I had ever fished for blackfish, and scored my first ones today. What an impressive fish! They pull like mad. I was amazed at the runs they can muster when first hooked. We caught them on a reef a couple miles out of the Branford River. Tom Migdalski caught the biggest blackfish, one of around seven or eight pounds. All on crabs. When the tide got going, we went jigging on the same reef for bluefish. They were around in good numbers, mostly small. But Tom nailed one around 16 pounds. We got them on diamond jigs and Williamson Flutter Jigs."
Then on Thursday George sent me this missive. "Superb day today for us (me and Tom Migdalski), as we limited out on blackfish in one hour out of New Haven, with the biggest blackfish weighing in at 11 pounds - on the Boga Grip! I'm proud to say that I caught that fish -- which is by far my largest blackfish (though I only began fishing for blackfish 48 hours ago!). For what it's worth, the big fish ate half an Asian crab, and I caught it on a Penn International 975 Baitcasting reel, filled with 30-pound test Sufix Performance Braid. That fish fought me as hard as a 10-pound mutton snapper would have back home off South Florida. I'm impressed with these blackfish! If they grew as large as 30 and 40-pounds, I doubt they could be landed! The neat thing about this trip, is that I brought up my Inshore Mako - a Mako 2201, named the Shallow-Water MARC. What a thrill to be driving and fishing from your own boat in "foreign" waters!"
Foreign waters? Geez!
Poveromo's show moves to VERSUS beginning in January 2011. ESPN will be officially out of the fishing/outdoors TV business beginning January 1, 2011 -- save for B.A.S.S. His popular show got picked up by VERSUS the day after ESPN made that announcement.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
T-Shirt Giveaway Winner!
Congratulations to the winner of the t-shirt drawing:
Chuck, e-mail me your t-shirt size and your address to georgepoveromo@gmail.com!
_____________________________________________________________________
DOWN TIME (for now!)
Got home around 2:00 p.m. Friday, after flying from Hartford, CT, to Baltimore, then changing planes in Baltimore and flying to Fort Lauderdale. Was up since 2:45 a.m., as we were set to leave the hotel at 3:30a.m. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip up north. A huge thank you to Kevin Tierney and Steve (Mr. Miller) Miller – who are among the very best fishing videographers in the business - not so much for their talents (which I really appreciate), but for always putting up with my stubbornness to keep fishing all day long – even when they have more than enough fishing footage in the can for a great episode.
Now, a nice, relaxing weekend in store! Took the girls out for dinner on Friday night, and then just got back - per tradition - from the local Starbucks with my eldest daughter Lindsay and her husband (Aaron) -- guess who gets stuck picking up that tab every Saturday!
Keeping a very close eye on the weather for the Keys next week, as I’m thinking seriously about trailering down my Mako 284 and fishing around Big Pine Key – if the winds appear as if they’ll break and that storm just west of Cuba will keep away. I’d get back up here by Thursday night, and be ready to spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. And most of that time (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) will be spent in the Mako booth, signing and giving out Mako hats.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
It's A Wrap!
It's a Wrap!
Getting ready for some sleep, as we need to leave New Haven at 3:30 a.m. for Hartford, to check in our gear and catch a 6:00 a.m. flight to Baltimore and then onto Ft. Lauderdale. Should touch down at noon.
Awesome trip, and the most unbelievable weather window - two sensational, flat-calm, chilly days, and loads of hungry blackfish and bluefish. Then, today, a front pushed in and ramped up the winds. Glad today was the "on land" day.
I'll gladly fish up here again!
Homeward bound!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
New Haven Wrap Up
I got the "knack" of this blackfishing down - here's my 11-pounder!
I can get used to this Connecticut fishing! Blackfish are all over this place, as we limited out very quickly by mid-morning (we didn't start until 9:30 a.m.). Not only did I get in the "groove" with what it takes to catch these fish, I scored an 11-pound blackfish. According to Tom Migdalski, my fishing partner for this trip, this was the biggest blackfish he has seen in his fishing efforts in two years. This fish nearly rocked me up twice, and even when I had it ten feet or so off the rocks, it still made several strong runs. I'd equate this fight to hooking and catching a 10 pound mutton snapper on 12-pound test line, but with the grouper tendencies of trying to run you straight into the rocks. I keep saying this, but gunning for blackfish is precision fishing. You need to precisely anchor right on a piece of prominent structure, and drop your bait into any holes or drops on that reef. Then, after acquiring the knack of hooking these fish, you have to get them out of the rocks. I'll tip my white visor to these fish, as I underestimated them. Plus, once you have them for dinner - WOW! What a fun and challenging fish. If Connecticut would guarantee me weather and fishing like we had the past two days, I would move here. But they can't!!! So, I'm going back home to hurricane country!
Our fishing here is done. My boat is on the trailer, and ready to go back to South Florida. We'll do our "on land" TV stuff tomorrow and enjoy the area, then fly home early Friday morning.
I can't say enough good things about the fishing folks in Connecticut or their fishing! I thoroughly enjoyed them both!
Big blackfish bite off New Haven, CT, with blackfish as heavy as 11-pounds!
RELIEF! - My 11-pound blackfish in net after a determined fight to hole me up in the rocks off New Haven, Connecticut!
The Shallow-Water MARC goes back on the Float-On trailer for its tow back to South Florida.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Blackfish
Me and my first blackfish!
Could not have asked for a nicer day, with calm winds and a high of around 57 degrees. The blackfish bite was awesome, with lots of action. Very similar to our grouper fishing off South Florida and the Bahamas, but on a smaller scale. Scored my first blackfish, and must admit I was impressed with the head of steam they get and effort they put forth to rock you up! A couple did just that! Very strong fish. When the tide picked up, we went jigging for bluefish, and caught a bunch of them Big bluefish of the day went to Tom, with a 16-pounder. Lots of action on the bottom and jigging.
Perfect cap for the day was back at Indian Neck Yacht Club, where Bill Manzi cooked up our blackfish. I have to admit that after eating blackfish for the first time, I now understand completely why this fish is held in such high regard among Mid-Atlantic and Northeast anglers! As ugly as it might be, it fights like heck and its firm, white meat is out of this world! Without a doubt, it will top the fish sandwich at McDonalds!
Tomorrow, more super weather. We'll be back on the blackfish and then jigging up more bluefish.
Have to hand it to CT anglers - when the fish are in the Sound, you keep mighty busy catching them What a treat.
Tom Migdalski with one of several blackfish caught off New Haven, CT.
Impressive blackfish bite off New Haven!
Bill Manzi at the Indian Neck Yacht Club cooking up freshly caught blackfish!
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