| Pursuing the great speckled trout
I thought tarpon fishermen were super secretive. And red drum fishermen were tight-lipped. But I believe speckled trout fishermen are the most clandestine. Last week when I went speckled trout fishing on the Eastern Shore, my host said, “No story. We keep this to ourselves." Speckled trout long have been a favorite of anglers who live within the scent of saltwater. I recall the excitement of catching bluefish in the surf of the Outer Banks in the 60s and 70s, but my guide would curse the blues because, as he claimed, they had chased off all the specks. Why are speckled trout held in such high esteem? They are a beautiful fish, with the looks of trout you find in the mountains. They readily strike artificial lures, the Mirrorlure being a traditional favorite.
Northeaster may interrupt good weekend fishing
This weekend's weather outlook predicts another northeaster. But as good as the fishing's been, those anglers wanting to fish backwater should find excellent fishing, especially with the coming cool weather. A low tide arriving at midday will leave anglers with a morning high tide, also excellent for anyone wishing to throw a topwater plug for gator trout. If the surf doesn't get too rough, anglers can expect excellent catches of bull whiting, pompano, summer trout or anything else that cruises our local beaches. The best baits would include fresh shrimp, cut mullet and clam. For those anglers wishing to fish the George Crady Bridge or Fort Clinch pier, the sheepshead fishing has turned on, along with puppy drum, redfish, speckled trout and flounder. Just this past week, Joe Graves of Amelia Island caught a humongous doormat flounder on live shrimp fishing the Nassau River.
FISHING FORECAST
FRESHWATER: Fish the Kissimmee Chain for plenty of bass and bluegills. Bass are near hydrilla, lily pads and reeds. The best time has been in the late afternoon. Fish with small topwater lures, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Fish with plastic worms or crawdads during the middle of the day. Both East and West Lake Toho have been the most productive. If you find schools of small shad, fish near them with most anything and you should catch a few schooling-sized fish. Bluegills are bunched up in canals and near lily pads and docks. Crickets, redworms and doughballs all will produce strikes. Try small popping lures or spinnerbaits for more of a challenge. A few crappie can be caught on drop-offs and near reeds. Use minnows, jigs, small spoons or spinnerbaits.
SALTWATER: Try fishing the flats near the mouth of Patillo Creek in the Indian River for redfish, trout and black drum.
Fishing Forecast: Nov. 22-28
EVEN THOUGH temperatures are forecast to be in the low 70s for most of the day, weather patterns are trying to align properly with the time of year. Let's face it, it's just not supposed to be this warm on Thanksgiving Day. At least this morning will be nice enough for those who take traditional Thanksgiving Day striped bass fishing trips. Then, starting tonight, things are supposed to return to normal for November. The good news is that although temperatures have been unseasonable, the size of striped bass is on the rise. Several fish approaching 40 inches - and a few even bigger - already have been caught. And it's only going to get better as the waters continue to cool and bigger fish migrate south. Anglers need to remember the new rules for this fall.
'We shot down crusader Howard', says al-Qaeda
Today we see the withdrawal of another Christian ally leaving the Americans drowning alone in this swamp," the statement says in Arabic. "This ally is Australia, and despite the few numbers of soldiers that this country has in the Christian Alliance its withdrawal will be considered an achievement and victory to be added to the numerous victories of the Muslim fighters, praise Allah." Read full translation here The statement posted on December 5 last year – 11 days after the federal election – is filled with quotations from the Koran. It frames the conflict in religious terms rather than geo-political with emphasis placed on the crumbling Christian armies: "Hence when the cross and its allied corroborators exercise their muscles while a series of collapses of its allies and their withdrawals around the Americans continue these will be the result of painful blows to the Christians at the hands (of) Muslim fighters." The Jihad and Reform Front is made up of the Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI), the Mujahideen Army and the Group of the Protectors of Sunnah.
Interactive TV-watching has advertisers sitting up
While NanoGaming may conjure images of microscopic robots battling it out on a miniature playing field, what it really means for some advertisers and broadcasters is much bigger. According to consumer research firm Park Associates, 70 per cent of people under the age of 34 surf the Internet while watching TV. And when there's a game on, as many as 50 per cent of sports viewers also use an Internet-connected computer. Called 'two-screeners,' this young, Web-enabled demographic is just the type of consumer that advertisers lust after. Introduce something like NanoGaming, which allows viewers to interact with what they're watching and compete against other viewers for prizes, and you have what is potentially the killer marketing app for reaching this tech-savvy segment, experts say.
Rowers cross shark-infested waters for record
A WELSH university lecturer rowed into the record books last night after an epic 3,000 mile voyage across shark-infested waters. Stuart Kershaw, 27, from Aberystwyth, is among a crew of 14 who set off from the Canary Islands on December 15 to break the Atlantic Ocean-rowing record. Last night they were celebrating after beating the 1992 Transatlantic Rowing Record of 35 days, eight hours and 30 minutes set by French Legionnaires. The rowers landed in Port St Charles, Barbados, at 8.40pm GMT beating the previous record by more than two days. Hours earlier, speaking to the Western Mail via a satellite link on the last leg of the gruelling journey, Mr Kershaw said he was "elated" and looking forward to eating green vegetables again. During their weeks at sea the British and Irish crew of La Mondiale had no more than 90 minutes' sleep at a stretch.
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