13 Boston Whaler

Ristori: Louisiana's catch better than ever

Louisiana had hardly recovered from hurricanes Katrina and Rita before being hit with last year’s oil spill, plus this spring’s tornadoes and Mississippi flooding, but the waters are clear, sportfishing is back to its usual high standard and the seafood is as delicious as ever. Though BP has been making up for some of the lost revenue on tourism and charter-fishing business lost to the mistaken perception of continuing problems, those affected are eager to get everything back to normal.

A group of outdoor writers can attest to that after fishing in southeast Louisiana last week. Though the air temperature was even higher than it was at home, it was pleasant on the Gulf of Mexico as we fished with Capt. Mike Scardino on his Hard Times from Sand Dollar Motel and Marina in Grand Isle. Hundreds of oil rigs make the Gulf a sportsman’s paradise as each is an artificial reef providing a home to dozens of species.

Boaters use long metal poles with a U-shape at the end to hook on to the rig structure. Our first stop at a 15-mile rig in 65 feet produced lots of action with big mangrove snappers. Veteran magazine writer Bob McNally of Jacksonville, Fla., also released a 32-inch red drum plus a “puppy” drum in the federal waters where they’re protected, and boated a 15-pound lemonfish (cobia).

Scardino then ran out to a 25-mile rig in 130 feet where the mix was entirely different. We quickly limited on the Gulf’s most desired and tightly regulated food fish, the beautiful red snapper (two per man) averaging 10 pounds.

This fishing was particularly a thrill for Scott Gardner, associate editor of Outdoor Canada magazine, who’d never caught a saltwater fish before and was amazed at their power.

There was a great fish fry that night, in addition to a snapper cerviche prepared by McNally. Our next stop was at Top Water Lodge in Chauvin, La., where we made a long run through the marshes in fast center consoles for a Cocodrie fishing adventure to an area where the guides had great redfishing the previous day.

The bite was a lot tougher during our few hours, but we all caught some reds (red drum) in the 5-to-10-pound class by casting Rex spoons. Though we didn’t have time to also fish for them, speckled trout (spotted weakfish) are the most important species there — and anglers count on coming in with enough to fill a wheelbarrow.

Two Boston Whaler Outrages - Bertram - Trailer and Evinrude 250 ...

We are preparing to relocate and I have decided to sell off my boats to help cover expenses. I will be listing them on ebay this week - Everything is located in West Berlin NJ - 08091 - email sraab928 at verizon.net - I would consider a 16 Whaler - 17 Montauk as part of trade deal.First one - 1973 Boston Whaler 19 Outrage - Extensive three year cap off restoration. New Gelcoat, all hatches recored, new wood, new fuel system, new wiring, new or rechromed hardware, new rubrail, new trailer - Suzuki 140 four stroke, jackplate, led cockpit lights, led underwater lights, power telescoping sternlight. No expense spared. Well over $30k invested. 13 hours since restoration completed (motor has about 30 hours) - Been stored in climate controlled garage. No excuses on this boat. Will be setting reserve on auction at $20k. Second one - 1982 Boston Whaler 25 Outrage Cuddy - This boat is a project in the works. Transom has been professionally redone, hatches have been professional recored. (those two jobs were over $6k) Old fuel tanks are out - New fuel tanks made (over $1k) - Need to be installed. Rub rail off and holes filled - new rubrail (included) needs to be installed. Boat has super console. Aluminum dual axle trailer. Wood is off and partly sanded. Needs to be completed. Boat basically needs to be put back together and finished. Any classic outrage of this era that hasn't has the tanks replaced or hatches recored is probably on borrowed time - this is a costly and time consuming process - all the hard and expensive work on that is done. Just foam in the new tanks and put the floors back down. I will even include new filler hoses.

2008 PowerBoat Guide

Lakeland boating

Cruising Under Power - Pacific Coasts of Mexico and Central America (Deluxe Color Edition)

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