Captain Keith Reporting in...The Reds are Ready!

Monday, March 15th, 2010 fishing report...Venice, LA ----- Too many fish to count, we kept 20 keepers and after that it was all catch and release. Average weight was 8 to 12lbs with a few Big Girls mixed in and a dozen nice trout. Big fish for the past couple of days was 24 to 30lbs...five or six. We really never fished the outside beaches where the bigger fish are. We fished the inside bays and marsh but lots of action. For a group of Russians from Washington DC it was perfect! Captain Keith.

Well friends, Bull Season is open and it just gets better as the months progress into summer. Slots available but weeks are filling fast. Watch for my Bull Reds article in Sportsmans News next month.

***GROUP FORMING...PRIME OCT 2010 DATES BOOKED***

The Belle of the Amazon

Join us this October as we explore the tributaries of the Rio Negro. AFE is pleased to offer our clients an experience unlike any other in the Amazon. Aboard our luxury yacht, The Belle of the Amazon you can comfortably explore this awesome fishery and enchanting part of the world. You will experience the fishing adventure of a lifetime and return home with a new knowledge and appreciation of the Amazon region.

The yacht's amenities include fine dining, individual air conditioning controls for each room, room service, satellite phone and laundry service. The yacht features 8 double rooms with offset bunk beds and private baths.

The custom-designed bass boats are equipped with marine radios and GPS units. Aboard the BELLE AMAZON, you don't have to forego comfort and luxury to experience the legendary explosive strikes and tackle busting power of the Amazon's native Peacock Bass.
We have reserved the Belle of the Amazon again this year for the following prime dates:

***OCTOBER 8th - 17th, 2010***

The group will total 16 anglers and presently there are eight (8) places available. Give me a call soon for all the details if you are interested in joining this "hosted" trip.

I look forward to joining you on the Rio Negro for an expedition into the interior reaches and the Lost Lagoons of the Amazon watershed of northern Brazil.

FEATURE
from the Outdoor Wire:

Industry Snapshot:
Southwick Associates has announced the brands and products anglers preferred most in 2009. This list has been compiled from the 34,185 internet-based surveys completed by anglers.

In 2009, top brands included:

• Top rod brand: Shakespeare Ugly Stik (16.4% of all purchases)
• Top reel brand: Shimano (23.0% of all purchases)
• Top rod and reel combo brand: Shakespeare (25.7% of all purchases)
• Top fishing line producer: Pure Fishing's Berkley line (Trilene, Fireline, Big Game, Vanish) (42.6% of all purchases)
• Top hard bait brand: Rapala (30.6% of all purchases)
• Top soft bait brand: Zoom (16.8% of all purchases)
• Top spinner bait brand: Strike King (16.6% of all purchases)
• Top hook brand: Eagle Claw (34.5% of all purchases)
• Top sinker brand: Bullet Weight (19.0% of all purchases)
• Top fly rod brand: Sage (16.7% of all purchases)
• Top fly reels brand: Orvis (11.1% of all purchases)
• Top fly combo brand: St. Croix (18.0% of all purchases)
• Top fly line brand: Scientific Angler (28.8% of all purchases)
• Top fly brand: Orvis and Cabelas tied (11.0% of all purchases, each)
• Top fly leader brand: Rio (28.4% of all purchases)
• Top fly tying material brand: White River (60.5% of all purchases)
• Top fish finder or sonar brand: Humminbird (42.9% of all purchases)
• Top tackle box brand: Plano (55.8% of all purchases)
• Top landing net brand: Frabill (20.2% of all purchases)
• Top fishing knife brand: Rapala (22.6% of all purchases)

* 48% of all fishing tackle purchases involve terminal tackle (hooks, sinkers, swivels, etc.)

* Largemouth bass remain the number one targeted species of freshwater fish, with nearly 60% of fishing activity targeting largemouth bass.

* Saltwater anglers were more varied, with 25% of trips targeting any fish that bites, followed by striped bass (23%), flounder (21%), red drum (20%) and seatrout (20%). Please note these refer to species targeted on trips and not the number of fish actually caught.