Much Thanks to Brett Burford of Fishbites and Barry Croneberger of BsFishingCharters for providing a great presentation, samples and guidance with beach fishing techniques ot our Beach Outing this past weekend.Pictures from the event are below. Volunteers from Nassau Sport Fishing Association Pitch-In to participate in a clean up at Kraft Athletic Club. Thank you to everyone that gave their time Saturday morning from 9-12 for this event. We made a huge difference in a short time. .If you have a catch you are proud of just send your pictures and the particulars to Info@nsfafish.net June, July and August Socials with Lawrence Piper, Karl Mrozek and Dave Bratz. Plus the members of NSFA celebrate our Sponsors from the 2023 Kingfish Tournament
Shrimp Festival Thank You to everyone that Volunteered for the 2023 Shrimp Festival. Once again it was a tremendous success. ___ Surf Fishing Contest Many thanks to all who turned out for the 2023 Spring surf fishing outing. Special thanks to Mitch Fields for organizing this great event and to John Burns for filming, editing, and posting the video. If you would like to watch the video, follow the link here to John's YouTube site. Watch your email and the event page for our next contest. ___ Leading the charge on handling bull redfish Everyone likes catching big fish. They put up a great fight, come with serious bragging rights, look super cool in a profile pic and, if harvested, they can feed lots of friends and family. Bull redfish are just one example of a popular saltwater species that have anglers chasing “the big one” for their next fish tale. While there is no doubt that monster reds have rightfully earned their place in the big leagues, any redfish angler worth their salt will tell you
Right Whales Help us get the word out about how anglers can avoid right whale collisions. As you may know, last year, there was a collision between a boat operating in a tournament and a mother and calf right whale off the coast of St. Augustine. The boat involved in the collision was luckily close enough to shore to beach itself, allowing crew and passengers to leave the boat safely. The calf in the incident died and the mother was severely injured. The boat was a total loss. We are hoping the information in this attached flier might help anglers and boaters avoid similar scenarios. We already have had out first right whale sighting off Florida this year. Can you please share this with your tournament participants or anywhere you feel is appropriate? Also, if you are having an upcoming meeting and would like FWC staff there, we can work on scheduling something. If you need anything more from us on our end, my contact information is below. Thanks. Amanda Nalley Public Information Specialist Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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| "Taking the Bait" Wins the 2023 Kingfish tournament with a 47.7 lb. Kingfish. On August 12, NSFA hosted the 40th annual Fernandina Beach Kingfish Tournament and Fishing Rodeo with over $52,000 in cash and prizes paid out. We had a great turnout of competitors with 110 captains and their crews competing for the kingfish prize. This year, NSFA eliminated the small boat division and implemented a 3 mile from the beach eastern boundary so that all kingfish competitors had an equal opportunity to find the prize fish. With the beginning of the fall mullet run, the kingfish were on the beach and 50 teams were able to take advantage, bringing fish to the scales. Congratulations to our winning team on Tak’n The Bait captained by Justin Hammons with a 47.7# fish. NSFA also had 24 crews competing in the rodeo tournament targeting Redfish, Sea Trout, Flounder, and Sheepshead. Despite the high temperatures of the day and the corresponding high water temperatures, our competitors were able to coax some fine catches with 2 teams weighing in the local Slam of Redfish, Trout, and Flounder on the same day. Not an easy feat on such a warm day. Congratulations to our winning captains:
In addition to the cash and prizes, A Torium 40PG Reel donated by Renn Works Outdoor, a 2 night stay at Omni Hotel, with valet parking and breakfast donated by Omni Hotes and Resorts and 4 gift cards to Southern Coast Seafood donated by Lewis Joseph were all raffled off after the awards. A rod and reel combo, donated by Amelia Bait and Tackle was awarded for the redfish with the most spots and a Torium Reel and Star rod combo donated by Jax Drains and Resellers Reef was awarded for the kingfish closest to the Mystery Weight of 17.7 lbs. Captain Chris Eason of Max Effort won the $1,000 traveler award for the biggest kingfish staying in a preferred hotel. Many thanks to our event sponsors and partners, The city of Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island Tourist Development, and the Southern Kingfish Association. We would also like to thank all our generous sponsors, particularly our platinum sponsors, NEFL Sales and Budwiser, the Fernandina Beach NewsLeader, Key West Ocean Outboard Marine, Ameris Bank, and Dave Turner Plumbing. Because of them, NSFA is able to continue our tradition of giving back by funding and awarding the NSFA Merit Scholarships and contributing to other charitable organizations supporting the youth of Nassau County. Please visit our 2023 Sponsors on our Sponsor Page. We would like to also thank all of the Nassau Sport Fishing Association's tireless Volunteers that endured the crazy heat this year to make this tournament happen. Thanks to SolarisFoto for photographing our entire tournament and to Coastal Media Marketing for providing our social media support. We would also like to thank our MC Rick Ryals for another great year. Thank you to the Hampton Inn Downtown, the Marriott Courtyard, and the Residence Inn by Marriott for being our preferred hotels and providing our tournament guests with discounted accommodations. Thanks to Reel Thirsty Ice for being the official Ice vendor of the NSFA Kingfish Tournament. And, so many others. Thanks to everyone involved. And One More, Thanks to all of the Anglers that fished our tournament this year and we hope to see everyone next year. The official results along with tournament photos are posted on our website and on our Nassau Sport Fishing Association Facebook page. There are some nice fish in the backwaters of Amelia Island. Sign up now for the 40th annual DIY: Build a Jig To Tie a Better Dropper Rig Courtesy Reckon I'll Improving On An Already Good ThingThe concept of a board to tie double-dropper rigs is not novel…I’ve seen several iterations, all with there own flare. My motivation for my take on the dropper-rig board can be seen in the picture below:  A functional, albeit, “rough” dropper rig board
What I Want In a Dropper Rig BoardAs you can see, my original board is made of MDF and tacks. It’s given to bending the tacks, snagging your clothing or skin and difficult to store and transport. My ideal board needs to provide the following: Ease Of TransportI need a board that can be easily and compactly stashed in the car for our long road trips to Florida. No bent nails and puncture wounds! VersatilityDepending on the conditions, I experiment with different leader lengths and loop lengths. I want a board that can vary sizes of leaders produced. Reinventing the Dropper Loop BoardIt wasn’t until I articulated my ideas around this project to my wife that I got the inspiration needed. I was originally planning a concept using rare earth magnets and dowels when I remembered the mind teaser puzzles I played with while waiting for food at the Cracker Barrel.  Inspiration from the Cracker Barrel
The final design of this board is based on the game that uses golf tees to change the configuration of the puzzle. It will support dropper loops for the following loop and lead lengths:
Materials Needed
Step 1: Scribe A Line Lengthwise
Scribe a line across the bottom of the board (I used the width of a yard stick). This will serve as the first reference point for your measurements. Step 2: Scribe a Perpendicular Line at the Midpoint
Find the midpoint of your horizontal line and scribe another perpendicular line. This will be your second point of reference. Step 3: Measure Your First “Triangle”
The pegs of the board will be placed as equilateral triangles. The technique I’m going to demonstrate will prevent you from having to dust off your memory of the Pythagorean Theorem. Just remember that the length of 1 side of your equilateral triangle will equal the length of your dropper loop. Since we are going to support from 2″ – 6″ dropper loops, you will measure half the distance of your dropper loop. The picture above is me measuring for the 3″ dropper loop (I decided to add 2″ support later) so that is why the digital calipers read: 1.5″ (half of 3″). Tip: Use Digital Calipers Step 4: Mark the Remaining Triangle Bases
Using your calipers, continue to mark the remaining measurements for each dropper loop size. Again, the picture above doesn’t show the 2″ loop marks, but the measurements would be the following respectively: 1″, 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″, 3″….if you make the same marks on both sides of the midpoint, you will have loops of 2″, 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″. Step 5: Mark the Remaining Triangle Bases
The next step is to mark the top of the triangle. Simply set the full length of desired loop and measure from one of the corresponding mark on the baseline to the scribed line. The picture above shows the completion of the 3″ triangle. Step 6: Complete Remaining Triangles
Complete Step 5 for each remaining triangle. Step 7: Measure Distance for Fixed Post Points
From the 6″ marking on the baseline, measure out 1.5″ to mark the location for a post post. Repeat on the left-side of the baseline as well. This location will be universally as an anchor point for all dropper loop sizes. Step 8: Measure Termination Point Distance for 2″ Dropper Loop
I’ve already done the math to get the leader lengths described in the introduction. Holding a speed square to the board, measure 4.5″ between the fixed post point you marked in Step 7 flush with the speed square. This point marks the termination point to always have 10″ of line between each loop, the sinker, or the end attached to your main line. This is known, because the right-leader length is the distance from the left baseline point of the triangle and the termination point you just calculated. If you measure yourself, you will find 5.5in from the left-side to the fixed post point… you then need a point that is 4.5″ away to makeup the 10″. Step 9: Measure the 3″ and 4″ and 5″ termination points
The 3″ and 4″ points can be measured by measuring .5″ back towards the baseline from the 2″ point you marked in Step 8. The 5″ point, since the leader for the 5″ loop will be 12″, can be measured .5″ from the 2″ mark in Step 7, going away from the baseline. Again, this can be easily confirmed by measuring from the left-side of the triangle in question to the termination point. Once complete you will have a straight line of termination points. 
Step 10: Mark the 6″ Loop Termination Point
Since the 6″ loop will have a 14″ leader, measure 1.5″ from the 5″ termination point you marked in Step 9. Step 11: Set Angle for Left-side Termination Points
Rather than use a 45 degree angle, offset the speed square on the left-side to give yourself more room to place the spool of line. The marks in the picture above were my original marks, but I opted to offest a bit and scribe a line. Step 11: Set Angle for Left-side Termination Points
Repeat the process from Steps 8 – 10 for the left-side of the board. Step 12: Set Angle for Left-side Termination Points
Using a 11/64″ drill bit, drill out each hole on the board marked. Tip: Go for the Tighter Fit Step 13: Drill a Hole for the Spool
Location doesn’t have to be precise, but drill a hole toward the top left of the board to hole the spool of line. Step 14: Round Off the Board Edges
Smooth the edges using a 1/4″ roundover bit. Step 15: Bisect End of Board
Find the center of the board edge and make a mark. This will be used to build a place to store the parts of the board when not in use. Step 16: Measure Holes on Both Sides of Midpoint Mark
Measure 8 marks (9 if you drill the center mark). Step 17: Drill Out Holes
Drill a small pilot hole for each mark and slowly step up to a 3/16″ bit being careful drill straight down (we want the extra room on these holes so the larger bit is needed). Tip: Use A Standup Drill Press Step 18: Burn Key onto Back of Board
With all those holes, I figured a key was in order. I came up with a unique mark for each combination and burned it into the back for reference. Tip: Write In Pencil First Step 19: Transfer Key Symbols to the Board
Use the symbols in the key to mark the holes to use with the preferred dropper loop size. Step 20: Add a Finish
Stain (I used Golden Oak) and seal with 3 coats of polyurethane. The Finished Product Full Board Setup for a 4″ Dropper Rig Full Key Burned Into the Back Tees Secured for Travel
How To Use ItStep 1: Install the Spool Anchor the Spool with A Tee
Step 2: Install the Line Holder
Step 3: Install the Fixed Posts
Step 4: Setup Triangle for the Desired Size
Step 5: Tie a Figure Eight Knot (Used for Sinker Attachment)
Step 6: Wrap Around the Jig and Anchor at Knot Wrap Pattern Wedge the figure-8 knot between the gaskets
Step 7: Twist Base of Triangle Six Times
Step 8: Remove Line From Top of Triangle and Push Through Center of Twist
Step 9: Return Line to Post and Tighten By Pulling Out
Step 10: Re-thread Jig and Anchore at Loop from Step 9
Step 11: Tie Another Loop Using Steps 7 – 9Step 12: Cut Line at Left-side Termination Point
Step 13: Tie A Perfection Loop for Attaching to Main Line
Watch the video to see how to use the board you have just made to see how to tie your new dropper rigs. |
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