You can’t fly fish from just any boat. The typical fishing boat’s structures make it hard to cast a fly line without getting your line wrapped around a boat part. So flats boats, with little structure to get in the way, are a good choice for the fly angler. And Mitzi Skiffs are a good choice for a fly fishing flats boat, says Rick Leonard, Sales Manager for Mitzi Skiffs. “Fly fishing requires more room than regular cast fishing,” he said. “You need more foot room and more room to make a cast with those long fly poles.”

Mitzi Skiffs are a great value.

To get more deck room for the angler, the Mitzi line, which ranges from 15 to 17 feet in length, has a very useful feature-the Carolina flair. According to Leonard, the Carolina flair is the industry term for the very wide, flared hull of the boat. This extreme flaring of the hull upward and outward makes the deck much wider than that of a boat with little to no flair. The wide deck at the front of the Mitzi skiff is created by the Carolina flair. And the wider deck gives a fly fisher more room to make his cast. “On a Mitzi, you have plenty of foot room while the boat is still nice and stable,” Leonard said.

The wide bow deck of the Mitzi is uncluttered by storage compartments. Why? “When a fly fisher is stripping off line to increase the length of his cast, the extra line often ends up on the deck,” said Leonard. “If a storage locker is underfoot, the line can get caught on the locker. We want to keep the deck as clean as possible so lines don’t get caught.”

Mitzi Skiffs are a great value.

To further that goal, Mitzi skiffs also have a spring loaded, recessed bow cleat, meaning the cleat is stowed even with the deck, rather than protruding above it. This keeps the cleat from fouling fishing line. The cleat can be raised with a push when it’s needed to tie up.

Fishing the flats that surround most of the Gulf of Mexico requires a different kind of boat. The flats are favorite hunting grounds for redfish and black drum. “These fish will stalk their prey into water so shallow that their fins are above water,” exclaimed Leonard. To get to these fish in the extremely shallow flats, a boat cannot draw too much water. Flats boats are designed specifically to float in these shallow areas. The Mitzi Skiffs only require around six inches of water to float, allowing access to all but the shallowest flat. And once in the flats, stealth is required to keep from spooking the fish. Thus, a push pole platform is standard on each Mitzi. To increase the stealth element, the Mitzi’s hull is designed to prevent slapping noise from waves, which can scare fish.

Mitzi Skiffs are a great value.

These thoughtful design elements are one of the reasons for the Mitzi’s popularity. Another reason is their price-they start at $11,995, and top out around $25,000. That’s much less than a lot of other flats boats. “When I first started comparing flats boats,” said Leonard, “I was helping a friend. He’d heard of Mitzi Skiffs and wanted one. When I saw they were half the price of their competitors, it was a no brainer to get involved.” So in February of 2009, Custom Fiberglass Products, Inc., of which Leonard is a part, bought Mitzi Skiffs from its originator, Tom Mitzlaff.

There are only two Mitzi authorized dealers on the Gulf Coast, Rockport Marine in Rockport, Texas and Gulf Coast Boat Sales, in New Port Richey, Florida. “We have some really great dealers,” said Leonard. “We appreciate dealers that have the same passion for boats as we do. For example, John Harris, from Rockport Marine, the first time I met him, I knew he had the passion. I felt it instantly. Dealers with passion take care of their customers, and we’re fortunately to have great dealers.”

Mitzi Skiffs website

The Mitzi Skiff Boat Company
110 Salem Creek Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27103
Phone: 336 659 6062
Email: info@mitziskiffboats.com

Olive Oil 1 oz
Dry Parsley 4 oz
Dry Basil 4 oz
Dry Oregano 1 oz
Dry Thyme 1 oz
French Dijon Mustard 4 oz
WASI Shrimp 1 lb 16/20 count

Mix all herbs thoroughly in large mixing bowl. Coat shrimp with Dijon mustard. Dredge in herb mix and place in hot skillet with 1 oz of oil. Cook for two minutes per side. Additional if you like it cooked thoroughly. Top with citrus cream 3 oz.

Citrus Cream Sauce

Lemon 1 lemon heat 1 minute in microwave
Lime 1 lime heat 1 minute in microwave
Cream 8 oz
Lemon Zest Zest of the one lemon
Lime Zest Zest of the one lime

Heat skillet and place the juice of the lemon and lime. Allow to bubble till brown and no juice is left. Add cream and reduce in half. (Look at the line of cream from when you start and you will see the reduction on the side of the pan) Add the zest and you are finished. Any fresh herb can be added at this point if you like. Versatile sauce!

Shrimp Tomato Basil Cream

WASI Shrimp 1 lb peeled & deveined 50/60 count
Butter 4 oz
Garlic 4 oz
Flour 4 oz
Tomato Paste 4 oz
Cream 1 QuartCanned
Valarosa Tomatoes 1 Quart
Basil fresh 1 Cup
White Pepper to taste
Salt to taste

Heat butter in sauce pan. Add garlic and lightly brown. Add flour and stir till smooth. Add paste and mix well. Pour in cream, basil and tomatoes and allow to simmer for 10 minutes at a very low boil. Add shrimp and cook additional 10 minutes. Do not allow the tomatoes to sit and burn on the bottom Add salt and pepper to taste and remove from heat.

Amberjack Supreme Sauce

Olive Oil 3oz
Garlic 4 oz
Andouille Sausage 4 oz
WASI Shrimp peeled 4 oz
Crawfish tails 4 oz
Portabella Mushrooms chopped 4 oz
Crushed Red Pepper 2 pinch
Cream 8 oz
Parmesan Cheese grated 4 oz

Heat skillet till hot. Add oil and brown garlic. Add sausage, shrimp, crawfish, portabella and crushed red pepper. Cook till shrimp are pink. Add cream and reduce. Finish with parmesan and top over the grilled fish of your choice.

Aloha Shrimp

Aloha Marinade
Teriyaki 8 oz
Brown Sugar 4 oz
Honey 4 oz
Ginger grated 1 oz
Pineapple Juice 3 oz
Lemon Juice 3 oz

Heat a sauce pan with the teriyaki. Add the ginger and let reduce. Add honey, brown sugar, pineapple and lemon juice. Let cool.

Ingredients:
WASI Shrimp 1 lb 16/20 count
Dole Golden Pineapple 2 Slices ½” thick
Florida Juice Orange 2 slices ½” thick
Rice 2 cups cooked

Grill shrimp on flat grill with aloha sauce Grill pineapple and orangeon separate grill. Place on rice, pineapple, shrimp, orange and sauce. If sauce needs to be thicker add 1 tspn of corn starch to cold water.

Shrimp Bordelaise

WASI Shrimp 1 lb peeled 50/60 count
Olive Oil 3 oz
Garlic 4 oz
White Wine 1 oz
Margarine (melted) 3 oz
Parsley 3 oz
Lump Crabmeat 8 oz
Lemon 1/2 squeezed
Pepper To Taste

Place Shrimp on a flat grill with 1 tspn of oil (skillet must be hot) and cook 2-3 minutes per side (We marinate our shrimp in a light vinaigrette dressing for 1-2 hours before grilling. Just place in refrigerator and use when you are ready). In separate skillet place the remaining oil and add garlic to brown lightly. Deglaze with wine and add margarine, parsley, lump crabmeat and pepper. Toss lightly in pan and squeeze lemon to finish. Place on top of grilled Shrimp for a delicious healthy alternative.

Name of Restaurant: Street Address, City, TX 78414 – Directions, 361-548-6804, website , Menu, Wine List, Happy Hour, Coupons & Discounts, Hours of Operation, Price and Payment

ATMOSPHERE: This cafe is a welcoming oasis on the Peninsula. It even has a fountain outside which cloaks the nearby sounds of El Camino traffic. Next door to a superb indy bookstore, Cafe Borrone is an ideal spot to grab a coffee or a snack to accompany a newly purchased book or imported periodical. Soups and sandwich specials rotate daily. The corn chowder with croutons and big chunks of cheese goes especially well with a freshly toasted mini-baguette. Evenings are often crowded and may require sharing a table with a perfect stranger. Espresso afficionados will appreciate the Illy coffee. Noise levels can vary from peaceful in the late mornings to nearly overwhelming on jazz band nights.

Restaurant Name and location.

Name of Restaurant: Street Address, City, TX 78414 – Directions, 361-548-6804, website , Menu, Wine List, Happy Hour, Coupons & Discounts, Hours of Operation, Price and Payment

ATMOSPHERE: This cafe is a welcoming oasis on the Peninsula. It even has a fountain outside which cloaks the nearby sounds of El Camino traffic. Next door to a superb indy bookstore, Cafe Borrone is an ideal spot to grab a coffee or a snack to accompany a newly purchased book or imported periodical. Soups and sandwich specials rotate daily. The corn chowder with croutons and big chunks of cheese goes especially well with a freshly toasted mini-baguette. Evenings are often crowded and may require sharing a table with a perfect stranger. Espresso afficionados will appreciate the Illy coffee. Noise levels can vary from peaceful in the late mornings to nearly overwhelming on jazz band nights.

Food at restaurant.

FOOD: This cafe is a welcoming oasis on the Peninsula. It even has a fountain outside which cloaks the nearby sounds of El Camino traffic. Next door to a superb indy bookstore, Cafe Borrone is an ideal spot to grab a coffee or a snack to accompany a newly purchased book or imported periodical. Soups and sandwich specials rotate daily. The corn chowder with croutons and big chunks of cheese goes especially well with a freshly toasted mini-baguette. Evenings are often crowded and may require sharing a table with a perfect stranger. Espresso afficionados will appreciate the Illy coffee. Noise levels can vary from peaceful in the late mornings to nearly overwhelming on jazz band nights.

Chef or Owners of Restaurant.

Dessert at Restaurant.

CHEF: This cafe is a welcoming oasis on the Peninsula. It even has a fountain outside which cloaks the nearby sounds of El Camino traffic. Next door to a superb indy bookstore, Cafe Borrone is an ideal spot to grab a coffee or a snack to accompany a newly purchased book or imported periodical. Soups and sandwich specials rotate daily. The corn chowder with croutons and big chunks of cheese goes especially well with a freshly toasted mini-baguette. Evenings are often crowded and may require sharing a table with a perfect stranger. Espresso afficionados will appreciate the Illy coffee. Noise levels can vary from peaceful in the late mornings to nearly overwhelming on jazz band nights.

SPECIAL NOTES: This cafe is a welcoming oasis on the Peninsula. It even has a fountain outside which cloaks the nearby sounds of El Camino traffic. Next door to a superb indy bookstore, Cafe Borrone is an ideal spot to grab a coffee or a snack to accompany a newly purchased book or imported periodical. Soups and sandwich specials rotate daily. The corn chowder with croutons and big chunks of cheese goes especially well with a freshly toasted mini-baguette. Evenings are often crowded and may require sharing a table with a perfect stranger. Espresso afficionados will appreciate the Illy coffee. Noise levels can vary from peaceful in the late mornings to nearly overwhelming on jazz band nights.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS – Scampi’s On the bayfront, so it offers a great sunset view over the water on its balcony. Don’t ever come here without getting the Oyster’s Rockefeller/Scampi’s. They’re addictive. Give the Peanut Butter Shrimp a try, too.

Luxury yacht manufacturing has come to Texas. Calixas Yachts was founded in 2003 by Montie Twining, and is based in Austin, Texas. Wait. Austin? That’s 200 miles from the Gulf coast. How can a luxury yacht manufacturer be 200 miles from the coast? Easy. Can you say internet? Mr. Twining can. He uses his lengthy background in the computer software industry to coordinate a world-wide yacht building team. The Calixas C2, a 105 foot dreamboat, was designed by naval architect Gregory Marshall, working out of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The interior is manufactured by SMI in New Zealand, then shipped to the Premier Shipyard in Taiwan where the hull is built and final construction takes place. Using what he describes as the most advanced 3D engineering and manufacturing techniques in the yacht building industry, Twining has produced a boat where all the parts are computer designed. Interior wood panels are even inscribed with a code to show exactly where they are to be installed. The first C2 was completed in 2007 and has sold. Its price tag was just under $11 million. The second C2 is about half way through construction and is expected to be completed in 2009. “Yacht building is terribly labor intensive,” said Twining. “For a C2, it takes 75 man-years to complete. That’s 75 men working for one year, or one man working for 75 years.”

Calixas also has plans to built larger yachts, with plans for a C3 (130 feet long) and a C4 (145 feet). The yachts are all designed for serious deepwater travel, something Twining refers to as an expedition boat. They are designed for long voyages and have long, heavy keels for stability, a large bow for handling waves, and low fuel consumption that allows for a range of 3000 miles. The C2 is also hailed as a “green” yacht.

“I certainly wouldn’t say a super yacht is especially green,” said Twining, “but we can build it as responsibly as possible. We use renewable and recycled components when whenever feasible, and we intentionally chose the cleanest burning engines and generator sets we could find. And our gas mileage, 40 gallons per hour, is about one fourth of some of the other similar sized boats. Our hull manufacturing uses a process called vacuum infusion, which emits very few vapors into the atmosphere.”

Additionally, the boat’s waste water is filtered by an industrial water treatment unit before it is discharged. Looking at the C2, you first notice the height of the crow’s nest. It sits nearly 50 feet above the water and houses full helm controls, which provides excellent visibility when docking. Two huge round portholes with a center support beam are found amidships on both port and starboard sides, and serve as natural illumination for the interior, and have also become the trade symbol of Calixas. The yacht has three deck levels, and includes a flying bridge complete with Jacuzzi, bar and barb- que pit. The interior is stunningly beautiful, and features a Skylounge with a sofa and love seat, game table and bar, and an enormous round skylight. The main salon features a large sitting area and a pull down movie screen. The dining salon has doors for privacy and a drop down screen and projector. The master suite has a king bed, desk, settee, Jacuzzi tub, separate his and her wardrobes, and private access to the foredeck veranda. There is a VIP bedroom, and two guest bedrooms and crew’s quarters. The galley is a marvel, complete with gas stove and two ovens, and a double fridge/freezer. The bridge is clean and uncluttered with exceptional views.

The C2 will accommodate eight guests and six crew members. It provides 3000 square feet of luxury, and as you would expect, has all the latest and greatest electronics and navigation gear. It has a davit for lifting its launch, and a stern garage, large enough to house a Mini Cooper.

Twining, a Texan who spent his childhood on the water in Galveston, teamed with Marshall, a friend of 20 years, to come up with the idea for Calixas. Marshall is from California, so the name of the company became a mix of those two states and is pronounced by using the first half of California, Cal-ee, and the second half of Texas, ex-as. Cal-ee-ex-as. Rolls off the tongue with a little practice.

“We’re still a start-up company and will probably be one for the next ten to fifteen years. Yacht producers are not easy start-ups. It takes a lot of capital,” said Twining. One of his goals is to establish a production factory in the U.S. “Other states have luxury yacht manufacturers, and I think Texas needs one,” said Twining with the usual Texas pride.

With his own shop, Twining says they could be manufacturing several boats at once, rather than one at a time as is required now. To that end, Twining has been in talks with Ingleside, Texas, just north of Corpus Christi and on Corpus Christi Bay. Twining and Ingleside are looking for land where Calixas could build a plant. The U. S. Navy has announced closure of the Ingleside Naval Station, and will withdraw operations from Ingleside by 2010.

The loss of jobs in Ingleside is estimated at 7000, which is devestating. Some of the Naval Station land is attractive to Twining. The sites Twining is considering have deep water access and are located along the La Quinta Ship Channel. The Ingleside City Council voted in support of the project, and would consider tax abatements. The project would require an initial investment between $25 million and $50 million, and would create 250-500 jobs with average salaries of $50,000. It would seem to be an ideal fit; a yacht company in need of a plant and skilled labor, and a town who is losing thousands of naval jobs.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

You can’t fly fish from just any boat. The typical fishing boat’s structures make it hard to cast a fly line without getting your line wrapped around a boat part. So flats boats, with little structure to get in the way, are a good choice for the fly angler. And Mitzi Skiffs are a good choice for a fly fishing flats boat, says Rick Leonard, Sales Manager for Mitzi Skiffs. “Fly fishing requires more room than regular cast fishing,” he said. “You need more foot room and more room to make a cast with those long fly poles.”

To get more deck room for the angler, the Mitzi line, which ranges from 15 to 17 feet in length, has a very useful feature-the Carolina flair. According to Leonard, the Carolina flair is the industry term for the very wide, flared hull of the boat. This extreme flaring of the hull upward and outward makes the deck much wider than that of a boat with little to no flair. The wide deck at the front of the Mitzi skiff is created by the Carolina flair. And the wider deck gives a fly fisher more room to make his cast. “On a Mitzi, you have plenty of foot room while the boat is still nice and stable,” Leonard said.

The wide bow deck of the Mitzi is uncluttered by storage compartments. Why? “When a fly fisher is stripping off line to increase the length of his cast, the extra line often ends up on the deck,” said Leonard. “If a storage locker is underfoot, the line can get caught on the locker. We want to keep the deck as clean as possible so lines don’t get caught.”

To further that goal, Mitzi skiffs also have a spring loaded, recessed bow cleat, meaning the cleat is stowed even with the deck, rather than protruding above it. This keeps the cleat from fouling fishing line. The cleat can be raised with a push when it’s needed to tie up.

Fishing the flats that surround most of the Gulf of Mexico requires a different kind of boat. The flats are favorite hunting grounds for redfish and black drum. “These fish will stalk their prey into water so shallow that their fins are above water,” exclaimed Leonard. To get to these fish in the extremely shallow flats, a boat cannot draw too much water. Flats boats are designed specifically to float in these shallow areas. The Mitzi Skiffs only require around six inches of water to float, allowing access to all but the shallowest flat. And once in the flats, stealth is required to keep from spooking the fish. Thus, a push pole platform is standard on each Mitzi. To increase the stealth element, the Mitzi’s hull is designed to prevent slapping noise from waves, which can scare fish.

These thoughtful design elements are one of the reasons for the Mitzi’s popularity. Another reason is their price-they start at $11,995, and top out around $25,000. That’s much less than a lot of other flats boats. “When I first started comparing flats boats,” said Leonard, “I was helping a friend. He’d heard of Mitzi Skiffs and wanted one. When I saw they were half the price of their competitors, it was a no brainer to get involved.” So in February of 2009, Custom Fiberglass Products, Inc., of which Leonard is a part, bought Mitzi Skiffs from its originator, Tom Mitzlaff.

There are only two Mitzi authorized dealers on the Gulf Coast, Rockport Marine in Rockport, Texas and Gulf Coast Boat Sales, in New Port Richey, Florida. “We have some really great dealers,” said Leonard. “We appreciate dealers that have the same passion for boats as we do. For example, John Harris, from Rockport Marine, the first time I met him, I knew he had the passion. I felt it instantly. Dealers with passion take care of their customers, and we’re fortunately to have great dealers.”

If you’re a REAL flats fishermen, you need a REAL flats fishing boat. And that’s exactly what you’ll get from the fine folks at Hell’s Bay Boatworks. They’re fishermen who make boats that work. And they recognize that different kinds of flats fishermen need different things from their boats.

Says Chris Peterson, owner of Hell’s Bay Boatworks, “The company was started ten years ago because there were no boats that fit the needs for flats fishermen. Flip Pallot, a famous fisherman who’s had several TV fishing shows, came up with a better boat design.”

That’s how Hell’s Bay got its start. All of its boats are technically poling skiffs. In generic terms they’re called ‘flats boats’. But all flats fishermen are not the same; there are different boating needs depending on the local conditions. Hell’s Bay recognizes those different needs and makes boats to accommodate each of them.

Chris compares three of Hell’s Bay’s boats, each one similar in being 18 feet in length and narrow abeam, but each having a different purpose. “The Marquesa,” said Chris, “has more of a V-shaped bottom and handles rough water very well. It is still an excellent poling skiff, but has higher sides to handle waves while crossing the bigger bays. It draws around 7 inches of water.”

“The Professional model has a much flatter bottom which makes for a shallower draft of around 5 inches, but it doesn’t handle waves as well as the Marquesa,” continued Chris. “But the Professional has lower sides, so it isn’t blown by the wind while you’re poling the flats as much as the Marquesa with its higher sides. Everything is a trade-off.”

The Guide model is even more specialized. It is designed to handle more weight in the front of the boat without changing the craft’s attitude in the water. This allows professional guides to get more people fishing from the front of the boat.

No matter what model, each Hell’s Bay boat is designed to be a top-notch, flat water poling skiff. “Each boat will track through the water silently,” Chris said. “Sound travels through water very quickly and scares fish.” Even waves lapping against the hull make noise. Hell’s Bay’s boats are designed so waves don’t make the lapping sound, which means you can really sneak up on fish.

Each Hell’s Bay boat is custom made and Chris and his team will work with each buyer to design and equip the boat to suit his or her desires. “We will specialize a boat for every fisherman. From the type of console to electronics, we satisfy each customer’s needs”. With that much attention to detail, Hell’s Bay makes a REAL fishing boat.

Hell’s Bay Boatworks, 1520 Chaffee Drive, Titusville, FL 32780, www.hellsbayboatworks.com

Curt Morse grew up in true Huck Finn style, playing on the banks of the Mississippi River in Greenville, Mississippi. And, as did Mark Twain, Curt grew up with boats, something that served both of them well later on in life. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Curt embarked on a 15-year career in the world of retail equestrian products, a business that eventually took him to Ireland for three years.

The lure of the beach eventually got to Curt, and he and his wife Connie moved to Pensacola. This led to a chance encounter that would change Curt’s life and vocation. Curt was spending a leisurely day at Pirate’s Cove, a waterfront bar and restaurant on Arnica Bay in Josephine, Alabama, just across the border from Florida. He saw an interesting boat tied up at the Pirate’s Cove dock, one like he’d never seen before. He walked up, touched it, and “felt the life and energy in the boat.” He was mesmerized.

“It was a Caribiana Sea Skiff,” said Curt. “I met the boat’s owner there who turned out to be the original founder of Caribiana, Lynn Rabren. This was in ’03 or ’04. Lynn was by trade a videographer. He’s done stuff for “60 Minutes” and filmed Bob Dylan before becoming a boat builder. I got to know and respect him. He and I were kindred spirits.”

Then Katrina hit. Curt saw the effect on Lynn. “It floored him. After the storm, he went to New Orleans and filmed the damage and recovery efforts. I think it got to him. Katrina also knocked out the production facility for Caribiana and I talked to Lynn about getting involved. Lynn and his wife Joanne McDonough (who was a T.V. producer) had the artistic vision to design the boat, but the daily production chores weren’t what he liked. I thought I could handle the production side and marketing. We had the classic right brain versus left brain difference. Lynn was a creative, I was more business oriented. So I picked up the reigns from Lynn. I think the boat business had sidetracked him; I believe his true love was videography. After filming the effects of Katrina, he went back to it. Lynn and his wife had the design expertise and had perfected the boat. Now he needed someone else to take the business to the next level. Lynn said that Caribiana was like a kid. He had raised the kid and gotten her through high school, but she needed to go to college. He thought I could get the kid to college. So I started looking into what it would take to get things up and running again. Now we’re building the boats in Pensacola.”

Curt didn’t have any formal education in the boat business, but he’d had plenty of business and marketing experience, which he put to good use making Caribiana a sought after boat. “Boats are a lifestyle. That’s how people see them. The equestrian industry was a lifestyle, too, so I had experience selling a lifestyle. We’ve sold our skiffs from the East coast to the West coast, and to some notable people. A lot of our sales come from our owners’ friends, who see the boat and say, ‘Hey, I want one of those’.”

A Caribiana Sea Skiff is 23’ long and 6 ½’ abeam. Each is custom made. The fiberglass hull is hand laid. She’s rated for 90 h.p. but Curt and others say the craft works fine with a much smaller motor due to the narrow beam of the boat. Curt explained, “The Caribiana is based on a dory design from the Caribbean. You see them all over the Caribbean and there’s a reason they are so popular. They work. They don’t require a lot of engine to push them. They are very efficient. They glide through the water.”

Pricing for a boat with engine starts at around $30,000, but since each boat is custom made, there are lots of extras available. The standard fittings are stainless, but bronze is available as an option. Curt says the bronze turns to a wonderful patina finish that gives the boat an Old World look. And there’s lots of teak. There are options for a teak pedestal for the wheel, a teak rub rail with rope inlay, teak floorboards and a teak breastplate. All woodwork is done locally, too. Decked out in all that teak, the Caribiana is a beauty to behold.

It was the beauty that hooked Sid Klein, Clearwater, Florida’s police chief. Chief Klein went to the boat show in Pensacola in 2001 to see the Caribiana. He took a demo ride in Pensacola Bay. “I was impressed. The bay was really rolling and we didn’t get wet,” he said. “I loved the way it rode. And I fell in love with its looks. I wanted to buy it on the spot, but talked myself down. Then I got out to the car with my wife and she said, ‘You know you want it, why not go ahead and buy it?’ So I walked back in and bought it on the spot. It’s hull number 39, and I named it the ‘Lady Lo’ after my deceased wife.”

The Chief uses the Caribiana every chance he gets. “I take it out fishing, out in the bay island hopping. And it’s great for picnics. It has a fold down picnic table that folds right out from the center console. You can have dinner just like eating at your table.”

Powering Chief Klein’s skiff is a 50 h.p. Honda. “It sips gas,” he said. “And it gets me anywhere I want to go at 25-30 knots.” One of the things he enjoys about the boat is the attention. “Every time you launch it, it turns heads. Someone always comes up to me and says, ‘That’s the most beautiful boat I’ve ever seen.’”

The affection Chief Klein has for his Caribiana Sea Skiff is shared by most other owners. The Chief declares, “It’s the last boat I’ll ever own.” That’s a good thing and a bad thing for Curt Morse. Why? Lack of repeat sales. That’s the price you pay when you build something beautiful that lasts.

Curt Morse, owner, PO Box 2128, Pensacola, FL 32513, Telephone:  (850) 287-4546, Toll-Free:  (888) 203-4883, Fax: (866) 876-6445, Website: www.caribiana.com, e-mail: info@caribiana.com

Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)

TPWD ©
Other Names
Redfish, Rat Red, Bull Red, Or Just “Red”
Description
The most distinguishing mark on the red drum is one large black spot on the upper part of the tail base. Having multiple spots is not uncommon for this fish but having no spots is extremely rare. The color of red drum ranges from a deep blackish, coppery color to nearly silver. The most common color is reddish-bronze. Red drum is a fast growing fish reaching approximately 11 inches and one pound in its first year, 17-22 inches and 3 1/2 pounds in two years, and 22-24 inches and 6-8 pounds in three years. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds.

Life History
For the first three years of their lives red drum live in the bays or in the surf zone near passes. Evidence from tag returns show that they remain in the same area and generally move less than 3 miles from where they were tagged. As they mature, they move from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico where they remain the rest of their lives, except for infrequent visits to the bays. Although there is little evidence of seasonal migrations, anglers find concentrations of red drum in rivers and tidal creeks during the winter. Daily movement from the shallows to deeper waters is influenced by tides and water temperatures. During the fall, especially during stormy weather, large adult red drum move to the gulf beaches, possibly for spawning, where they can be caught from piers and by surf anglers. This is known as the “bull redfish run.”

Young red drum feed on small crabs, shrimp, and marine worms. As they grow older, they feed on larger crabs, shrimp, small fish, and sometimes their cousins, the Atlantic croaker. They generally are bottom feeders but will feed in the water column when the opportunity arises. A phenomenon called “tailing” occurs when the red drum feed in shallow water with their head down in the grass and the tail exposed to the air. Predators include humans, birds, larger fish, and turtles.

Between the third and fourth year, the red drum reaches sexual maturity. Spawning season is from mid-August through mid-October in Gulf waters, near the mouths of passes and shorelines. Eggs incubate for 24 hours. Larvae are carried into tidal bays by the current. They move to quiet, shallow water with grassy or muddy bottoms to feed on detritus (dead or decomposing plant and animal matter). The oldest recorded red drum was 37 years old!

During spawning, red drum males attract females by producing a drum-like noise by vibrating a muscle in their swim bladder. They sometimes swim in water so shallow that their backs are exposed.

Red drum are related to black drum, spotted seatrout, weakfish, mullets and croakers, most of which also make drumming sounds. Scientists believe that the black spot near their tail helps fool predators into attacking the red drum’s tail instead of their head, allowing the red drum to escape.

Habitat
Red drums prefer shallow waters (1-4 feet deep) along the edges of bays with submerged vegetation such as seagrasses. They are found over all bottom types but they seem to prefer areas with submerged vegetation and soft mud. These fish are also commonly found around oyster reefs. Breaks in continuity of shorelines such as coves, points, jetties, old pier pilings, and guts attract them. They prefer soft mud along jetties, pier pilings and jetties. They are often found in water so shallow that their backs are exposed while swimming. During cold spells large numbers of red drum can be found in tidal creeks and rivers. They can live in fresh water and have been found many miles upriver.

Distribution
Red drum range from Massachusetts to Key West, Florida, and along the Gulf Coast to Tupxan, Mexico.
How To Catch
One attractive characteristics of this fish is its willingness to take most kinds of bait, both natural and artificial. The best natural baits are live shrimp, small finger mullet, Atlantic croaker, and small live blue crabs. Live shrimp are fished under a popping cork or “free shrimped” using a small weight and letting the shrimp swim freely. Live fish are best on the bottom using a slip-sinker type rig where the fish can swim freely. The bait fish are hooked through the lips or through the top of the back behind the dorsal fin. Small blue crab are fished on bottom and are hooked through one of the swimming legs at the rear of the crab.

Stalking the shallow grass flats for red drum is the ultimate challenge for the wade anglers. Artificial baits such as 1/2 and 1/4 ounce shallow-running gold, copper, or silver spoons are favorites. A weedless spoon is used in areas of heavy submerged or floating vegetation.

Fish-shaped plugs, both floating and shallow-running, are effective over the grass flats. Shrimplike plastic worms and jigs are good and both are fished under corks or bounced along the bottom.

The surf provides excellent red drum fishing. The best artificial baits are the heavier spoons and slow sinking fish shaped plugs. Plastic worms are also effective bounced along the bottom.

Saltwater flyfishing for red drum is increasing in popularity. Flyfishers sight-cast small surface popping plugs, baitfish type streamers or shrimp and crab imitation flies to “cruising” or “tailing” red drum. Rod lengths range from 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 feet casting weight forward, floating line from six to nine weight. Leader lengths can be from seven to 9 feet with a tippet strength from eight to 15 pounds. Once hooked, a red drum on flyfishing tackle is a worthy, exciting adversary.

“Bull” reds are best caught with natural bait. Fresh cut mullet, larger live mullet (6-8 inches long) and blue crab are the best baits. Both single and double-drop bottom rigs are good. A heavy grabbing sinker is needed to keep baits stationary on the surf bottom.

Tackle varies according to angler preference. Surf and pier fishers for “bull” reds prefer rods more than 10 feet in length and stiff enough to handle a heavy terminal tackle. Reels should be large enough to handle several hundred yards of 25-40 pound test line and reels should have a good drag system.

For smaller fish (less than 10 pounds), the best rod to use should be 6 1/2 to 8 feet long, has a medium action, and has a two-handed grip to help the anglers in long distance casting. Reels should be able to hold at least 100 yards of line. Line strength will vary depending on what type of habitat is being fished. Heavier line (17-25 pounds) is needed when fishing around oyster shell, rocks, or pilings. Lighter line (8-15 pounds) is favored when fishing the grass flats. Leaders are optional, depending on line weight and where the fishing occurs.

Anglers must remember that there are bag and possession limits and minimum-maximum size limits on red drum. Be sure to be familiar with the regulations each year when fishing on the Texas Gulf coast.
Other
The red drum is a popular game fish in coastal waters from Massachusetts to Mexico. Red drum is considered a great sport fish because it will hit on most kinds of bait. The Texas record for a red drum catch was 59.5 pounds (23 kg); however, a red drum weighing 94 pounds (42.69 kg) was caught along the North Carolina coast.

Red Drum
Sciaenops ocellatus

Other Common Names
Redfish, Channel bass

Seasonal Availability

J F M A M J J A S O N D
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Size Range Available
4 to 6 lbs.

Product Forms Available
Whole, Drawn, Filleted

Where Most Available Locally
Central coastal Louisiana

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Notes of Interest
Commercial harvest of wild red drum was halted Louisiana waters in 1988, and Federal waters are currently closed to all harvest, both commercial and recreational. Limited production of farm-raised red drum has occurred since then as reflected in the availability chart above. Louisiana seafood dealers also process and market imported red drum, both fresh and frozen