BUC CUP NEWS - 55th Annual Program Issue

TOURNAMENT PROGRAM EDITION

January 25 - 27, 2018

Increased Tournament Cash Prizes!

Get in on the $20,000 being awarded in the Most Points categories.

Video Catch Validation Mandatory See Rules & Regulations on Pages 8-9 Special Donation to The Billfish Foundation

2

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2018

w

elcome to the 55th Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament. We've got some positive changes this go round so pay attention. First, we've bumped up the tournament cash offered for Most Point Live Bait and Most Points Dead Bait from $5000 to $10,000 each! Second, we have responded to your requests to instituted video catch validation. Your responsibilities can be found on the revamped rules and regulations on pages 18 & 19 of this program.

Copies will also be provided to each team at the captains meeting.

Gary Caputi has stepped down as Buc tournament director after a 12year run and Courtney Bowden, the event manager the past four years, assumes the title and responsibilities. We would like to welcome two highly regarded new members to our tournament team and rules committee, Jim McGrath, VP of Grand Slam Tackle, and Mike Samuels, from Viking Service Center. Both have extensive experience fishing and running billfish tournaments and great relationships with many of the teams that fish our event.

In addition to the Captains Meeting and Awards Banquet there will be a free Docktails Happy Hour after fishing on Friday from 5 - 7:30 outside of the Buccaneer Club next to Sailfish Marina sponsored by the new owner in support of the tournament. See you there for drinks and snacks!

Good luck to all and may the seas be calm and the sailfish snapping!

SUBSCRIBE January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

3

4

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

Buccaneer Cup to Honor

I

n 1998 the Recreational Fishing Alliance mounted a political and regulatory assault on the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect juvenile swordfish, marlin and sailfish from the ravages of overfishing by the commercial longline industry. Two years of hard work with politicians and regulators resulted in the development and implementation of the Swordfish Fishery Management Plan. The backbone of the plan was the year-round closure of the Straits of Florida to all longline fishing in addition to time and area closures for other key areas in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. In the ensuing years Western Atlantic stocks of white and blue marlin, sailfish and swordfish have flourished while the number of pelagic longline permits and vessels working off our shores has plummeted. It was a huge success for conservation and recreational fishing.

Recently, the Secretary of Commerce approved an Experimental Fishery Permit that allowed for the limited reintroduction of longlining in the closed areas off Florida with the goal to eventually expand that fishery with more boats and higher catch allowances. Anglers were incensed and a general call to arms was announced. While this was going on The Billfish Foundation's president, Dr. Ellen Peel, was on the case going directly to the University that has been named in the EFP permit as overseeing the project. After phone calls and meetings she convinced the powers that be that reopening the area to longlining was not in the best interests of conservation and that having their name attached to such an ill-conceived plan was not something the university would want on their resume. They acquiesced and the EFP was withdrawn along with the threat of a return to the days of longline vessels working off the coast of Florida .

The Buccaneer Cup, which has always called Florida its home, will honor Ellen Peel and The Billfish Foundation at their 55th Annual Awards Banquet with our special thanks and a donation from the tournament proceeds. We hope you will be there to meet Dr. Peel and thank her personally.

The RFA and TBF have a long history of working together on conservation issues and special guest, Pat Healey of Viking Yachts and chairman of the board of RFA, will make the presentation.

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

5

6

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

7

2018 Fishing Schedule - Rules - Prizes NOTE THAT VIDEO CATCH VALIDATION IS NOW IN EFFECT. BE SURE TO READ THE RULES CAREFULLY. General Information Captain’s Meeting: Thursday, January 25, 2018 Buccaneer Yacht Club, 142 Lake Drive, Singer Island, FL 33404 (Registration/Calcutta Entry 4 to 6 PM) Awards Dinner: Saturday, January 27, 2018 Sailfish Club of Florida, 1338 North Lake Way, Palm Beach, FL 33408 (Free water taxi from Sailfish Marina) Fishing Days - January 26 & 27, 2018. (No Lay Day) Fishing Hours - Lines in 8:00 AM. Lines out 3:30 PM. Boundaries: From 27.30.00 latitude (Ft. Pierce Inlet area) to 26.02.00 latitude (Ft. Lauderdale Inlet area) and no further offshore than 072.50 longitude.

Boats must leave and return through Lake Worth or Jupiter Inlets. You may depart no earlier than 6:30 AM and drop off catch logs and video catch verification to tournament staff at Sailfish Marina or Castaway Marina no later than 5:00 PM. Boats need fish only one day for tournament to be official.

There is no weather committee. The determination to fish is at the discretion of the captain and crew, who assume all liability for their decisions.

Fishing Regulations 8

I.G.F.A. Rules apply except as follows.

Only non-offset circle hooks and maximum manufacturer stated 20-lb. test line may be used.

The length of the leader may not exceed 15 feet. The combined length of the double line and the leader may not exceed 20 feet.

Live or dead baits may be used, but only one type of bait is permitted in the water at any one time.

Chumming of any kind, including with live bait, is prohibited.

No more than six rods are permitted in the water at any time. This includes rods being used to catch bait.

Live Bait: No more than two kites maybe used and artificial or dead bait dredges or teasers are permitted.

Dead Bait: No more than two dredges maybe used and artificial or dead bait surface teasers and daisy chains are permitted.

Live bait teasers are prohibited.

Passing the rod after hookup (hook and hand) is permitted by a non-registered angler to a registered angler only once per fish. The pass must occur as close to immediately after hookup as possible and as soon as the line is tight.

Catch Validation Video catch verification: Every boat must supply video evidence (SD cards) at the end of each fishing day upon check in, along with a tournament issued catch report.

NO VIDEO = NO FISH. The video must match

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

the date/time stamp on the correlating catch sheet for that day.

Video must clearly capture the species of fish during the fight and the release of each fish.

Angler fighting the fish must also be identified on video. Failure to qualify species and release of fish will result in disqualification of fish.

Any question or concern regarding fish verification will be determined by the video/rules committee, alone. Polygraph tests will be distributed to the winning team in the event of a discrepancy.

To qualify for points each release must be called in to the Tournament Committee including the boat number, type of bait and angler's full name, immediately by VHF radio or cell phone and it is acknowledged with an assigned catch number and official time of release. The time, catch number and angler’s full name must be entered for each release on the boat’s catch log. Hookups 15 minutes prior to the end of fishing must be called in for a release after lines out to qualify.

A release is official when the leader is touched by the mate, the leader is wound inside the rod tip or the cork on a live bait rod touches the rod tip.

Your entry into the Buccaneer Cup implies expressed approval that you and all anglers and crew members will submit to a polygraph test if requested by the rules committee. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. A certified polygraph examiner will be on site should such services be required.

Point Structure & Scoring

Boats and anglers must comply with all state and federal fishing regulations and licensing requirements. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. All boats must carry appropriate liability insurance.

All boats must be a minimum of 27 feet LOA. The final determination of a boat’s eligibility will be at the discretion of the Rules Committee.

$20,000 BUC CASH PRIZES $10,000 for most points live bait $10,000 for most points dead bait

Added Entry Levels Overall Categories __ $5000 Most Points Overall (Winner Take All) __ $3000 Most Points Overall (50/30/20 split) __ $3000 Most Points Daily ($1500 per day 60/40 split) __ $1500 Most Billfish Released (60/40 split) Live Bait Categories __ $2000 Most Points Live Bait Daily (60/40 split) __ $2000 Most Points Live Bait Overall (Winner Take All) Dead Bait Categories __ $2000 Most Points Dead Bait Daily (60/40 split) __ $2000 Most Points Dead Bait Overall (Winner Take All) General Categories __ $250 Top Angler (Winner Take All) __ $500 Biggest Meat Fish (Winner Take All)* __ $500 Charity Donation (Most Points - Free Entry

Release points will be awarded as follows: 200 points for sailfish on live bait 300 point for sailfish on dead bait 400 points for marlin on either bait In case of a tie the winners will be determined by earliest release times.

Protests must be submitted to the Rules Committee in writing accompanied by a nonrefundable $500 filing fee no later than 5:00 PM. In all cases the decision of the Rules Committee is final.

January 2018

General Requirements

for 2019) *Kingfish, dolphin, wahoo, tuna & cobia qualify **90% payout - 10% donated to charities All participants, captains and crews in the Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament enter at their own risk. Committee members and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of the tournaments shall be exempt from any liability for loss, damage, negligence, harm or injury to any participant, boat captain, crew member, vessel and/or equipment, which may occur during the tournament.

55th BUCCANEER CUP

9

Lo Que Sea Sweeps the 54th Buc Cup The fishing was a little tough, but the tough got going and took the top spots in 2017.

T

he 54th Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tour- venue organized in record time. Her superb direction nament was held January 19 to 21, 2017 and and tireless work on behalf of the Buccaneer Cup have while fishing was slow overall, the event was a helped make it one of the best organized and classiest resounding success. Twenty-six of Florida’s top teams billfish tournaments on the coast. Just ask any of the gathered to teams that battle it participated out to benthis year. The efit the number of Recreaboats registertional ing showed a Fishing marked inAlliance crease over with Tony 2016 and the Huercaptains ta’s Lo meeting was Que a friendly afSea taking fair that inthe lion’s cluded a reshare of view of the the rules by tourawards, nament directhe covettor Gary Caed Buccaputi and the neer Cup assignment of Top Boat observers by trophy and Courtney Bowden, tournament director, presents To- Greg Moore a check ny Huerta and the team of the Lo Que Sea with their from the Inworth over Buccaneer Cups and a check for $93,560! ternational Game Fish $93,000!

Tournament The Captains Meeting was switched from the Buccaneer Restaurant to the Sailfish Marina two weeks be- Observers, followed by snacks and an open bar in the fore the event, but Courtney Bowden, the tournament main restaurant. event manager did a spectacular job of getting the new Day One fishing began with the velvet voice of Cap10

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

Results from the 54th Annual Buccaneer Cup (continued) tain Penthouse Paulie Pietraska emanating from the Barry Weshnak’s 55’ Viking Miss Annie, with Randy official radio room high atop the Jupiter Beach Resort Yates at the helm, started a run from behind racking and Spa announcing , “Lines In.” Fourteen minutes up four releases on top of the single they had on Day later Matt Mitrow on the Bac In Five radioed in the One. Tony Huerta’s Lo Que Sea trolled up two fish to first release of the day and it was game on with the add to the two from the day before, Southern fish playing hard to find and even harder to entice to Run tacked on three more releases on live bait hit. By day’s end the Southern Run, the beautiful 41 and Reel Easy put two on the board. Releases on day Bahama of Richard Robinson with Captain Skip Dana two totaled just 20 sailfish for the field when Pentat the helm, was leading the field with three releases house Paulie called lines out and the last fish of the followed closely by Buc Cup newcomer Martin tournament was recorded by Frank Napurano on Truex’s Clamaholic, with noted fishing writer and the Miss Annie, which proved a fateful catch indeed. captain Karl The scoring Anderson was accomleading this plished using novice team Reel Time into second Apps, which place. Old was linked to No. 7 was the official rathird dio room comand Weez in puter scoring the Keys was team and upfourth, foldated minutelowed by-minute so

by Krazy teams could Salts, Lo Que follow along Sea, Fa La on lead changMe and Reel es throughout Captivatthe fishing ing with most days. At tourpositions prenament’s end cariously the results separated on were matched time rather The Southern Run made good on teamwork and a against the than by boat’s catch little luck to take home the well-earned second points. logs, while the

place spoils last year.

With so few releases racked up on Day One it was obvious that the tournament was wide open and anyone who landed on a pod of hungry sailfish on Day Two had a chance at winning it all. With hopes of better fishing on everyone’s minds Saturday dawned clear and with just enough wind to make it a little easier for live bait fishermen to keep their kites flying. Unfortunately, the fishing was slow and getting slower with a flurry of activity late in the afternoon, As lines out was looming at 3:30 PM January 2018

IGFTO observers made sure everything was on the up and up and our polygraph team stood by should any discrepancies arise.

The top finishing boats were Lo Que Sea taking first, Southern Run in second with Miss Annie coming from behind to squeak into third and secure several Calcutta categories. In addition to the first place loving cup Tony and crew received a set of gorgeous, high-tech custom sailfish rods by RH Custom Rods of

55th BUCCANEER CUP

11

Results from the 54th Annual Buccaneer Cup (continued) cup was awarded to Captain Kevin Paul, who skippered the Lo Que Sea to victory.

The awards banquet was held at the Sailfish Club of Florida with free water taxi service provided by the tournament from Sailfish Marina. It was a great time with fantastic food, a multi-hour open bar, a silent auction of delightful tackle, boat equipment, baskets of cheer and art.

The goal of the Buccaneer Cup is to Long time friends of the Buccaneer Cup and frequent win- benefit the Recreaners, Barry Weshnak and the team of the Miss Annie were tional Fishing Alliin the money again last year. Watch out for these folks, they ance (www.joinrfa.org) win...a lot! and that was accomplished indeed with a check to the organization for over $70,000 New Jersey, which he said couldn’t have come along thanks to our anglers and the generous support of a at a better time as he was planning to purchase new host of great sponsors including MTU Diesel, Florida ones for the boat after the tournament.

Detroit Diesel Allison, Johnson & Towers, Viking The top angler trophies went to Taylor Beckworth on Yachts, HMY Yacht Sales, Yamaha Outboards, Jupithe Fa La Me in first, Tony Huerta on the Lo Que ter Beach Spa & Resort, Contender Boats, American Sea in second and Wallace Higenbothem, also on Custom Yachts, Interlux, Seakeeper, Garmin, Jarrett the Lo Que Sea taking third. Candy Steiding on Bay Boat Works, Cummins Marine Power, American the Reel Candy was Top Lady Angler and just out of Venture Boats, Bahama Boats, Christi Insurance, the running for an overall top angler position on time. American Fishing Wire/Hi-Seas, Release Marine, ViThe Buccaneer Cup Tournament Cash award for the king Service Center, Reel Time Apps, Sailfish Marina, Most Points on Live Bait ($5000) went to Southern Outrigger Marine Products and Bausch American Run and the Most Points on Dead Bait ($5000) went Towers. We look forward to seeing all our teams and to Lo Que Sea, which pocketed over $93,000 in total more next year for the prestigious 55th Buccaneer Cup purse for their win. The InTheBite Top Captain loving where we can make sportfishing history again.

12

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

13

14

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

15

16

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

17

This Buccaneer is Blessed

with a Host of Great Sponsors & Loyal Volunteers

By Gary Caputi

I

t never fails to amaze us just how many great companies have shown their support for the Buccaneer Cup over the years and 2018 is no different. The number of companies that return year in and year out is astounding and new companies joining them seem to keep popping up. Some of those companies have had a long relationship with the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the beneficiary of the lion's share of the proceeds from the Buc, others have had a long relationship with the tournament itself.

One company that I would like to single out is American Custom Yachts of Stuart, Florida. Since I started working with the Buc over twelve years ago ACY has been a corporate sponsor of the event. I remember the first time I approached Dominick LaCombe, president and CEO of the company, at his office overlooking the yard where the company builds yachts and provides an amazing array of yacht services for vessels of all makes 18

and model. He told me ACY had been involved with the Buccaneer for decades and that he wouldn't miss it. Dom is a great guy, a joy to talk with and a man of his word. ACY has been a sponsor ever since that meeting and Dom works hard to get time to fish it. One year it was aboard the 90' Patriot and I had the opportunity to spend a day on the water with him and his team.

It was the largest sportfisher to fish the tournament to date, but has since been eclipsed by Frank Rodriques' 92 Viking. We had a great time, the kites were flying and the sailfish were snapping. He told me he likes seeing the proceeds from the tournament go to the RFA as he is aware of the work the organization does for saltwater anglers and the industry and knows it benefits his business.

Early on in my tenure MTU became a sponsor along with their top east coast distributors, Johnson & Towers and Florida Detroit Diesel Allison, and in a big way. For a couple years they were top

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

dog on the sponsor list, but the relationship was interrupted during tough economic times and was slow to reignite. But with the introduction of their massively powerful Series 2000 engines and the dramatic increase in larger sportfishing yachts require that kind of horsepower they returned as the top dog three years ago and became the official sponsor of the Awards Dinner at the Sailfish Club of Florida. The Buc and RFA lost a great friend and vocal supporter with the passing of Bob Shomo of J&T We miss him more than words can express. But we are lucky to have Bob Shomo, Jr. at the company and he is becoming every bit the supporter his father was before him.

And lets not forget some of the newcomers to the Buccaneer Cup in recent years. Joining Contender Boats, a long time sponsor, is Yamaha Outboards, the power behind the companies domination of the center console market. This is Yamaha's third Buc Cup. Seakeeper, one of the most innovative companies to come on the scene in the last two decades, has stepped up into a Platinum Sponsor role this year and will have their demo boat at the dock in Sailfish Marina for anyone who has not experienced the difference a Seakeeper can make in their fishing and boating experiences. Their demo team with also be fishing alongside other contestants so keep your eyes out for the boat that doesn't rock and roll catching all the sailfish.

Of course Viking Yachts and their Florida East Coast dealer, Jupiter Beach Spa HMY Yacht and Resort is a Sales, have been reliable supporter stalwart supand major sponporters of the sor along with RFA and the their parent comBuc for decades pany Ocean Propand for the past The Buccaneer Cups go on display prior to the Captain's Meeting at our host erties, Ltd. The two years have resort, on the facility, Sailfish Marina. We couldn't do it without our sponsors. been the official beach in Jupiter, sponsor of the Captains Meeting and party at Florida, is also the residence for our radio room Sailfish Marina. No better friends and allies exist and team. They keep tabs on everyone's catches than Pat Healey and Steve Moynihan. from the penthouse so be sure you're on the stick Joining our tournament committee formally this calling in your releases and last minute hookups. year is Mike Samuels, head of customer relations at Viking Service Center and Jim McGrath, VP of Grand Slam Tackle, who between them know pretty much everyone in the tournament fishing community on a first name basis and who bring with them a wealth of knowledge about tournament management. Together with tournament director Courtney Bowden the event should continue to grow in stature and participation.

January 2018

There are just too many sponsors to comment on all of them, but you can check out the who's who of the marine and tackle industry that support the Buccaneer Cup on the following pages. Please recognize them for their generous participation and when you're looking for products and services, be sure to do us a solid and turn to them first.

55th BUCCANEER CUP

19

55th BUCCANEER CUP It would be impossible to put on the Buccaneer Cup without cere thanks for all they do to make this tournament possible

20

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

CORPORATE SPONSORS the support of our many loyal sponsors. We extend our sinfor our benefactors, contestants and the Buc Cup legacy.

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

21

22

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

The Buccaneer Cup highly recommends

S

ituated along 1,000 feet of secluded Atlantic shoreline, Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa is an award-winning retreat that embodies barefoot elegance. Here, every guest is greeted with the gracious hospitality and exceptional resort amenities that has distinguished us as one of the top-ranked Palm Beach resorts in the Florida area.

cluded 1,000-foot beach or choose from an enticing selection of family-friendly activities from basketball and tennis to movie nights at our oceanfront pool and Sea Turtle Walks with the local experts at Loggerhead Marine Life Center. You will also discover a full calendar of exclusive resort events and a dynamic range of activities including our onsite sport courts and state-of-the-art Fitness Center. Guests seeking a relaxing beachfront escape will also enjoy our inviting hammocks, fire pits with ultra-lounge seating and the soothing spa and salon services from The Spa at Jupiter Beach Resort.

Warm colors and island-inspired furnishings fill our 168 guest rooms and suites while fresh, beachside diningoffers the perfect introduction to the understated elegance of our oceanfront surroundings.

And with a coveted address just minutes from numerous Palm Beach golf courses, upscale shopping To experience the ultimate in luxury accommodaand entertainment destinations, we offer the perfect tions, the Buccaneer Cup highly recommends you setting to experience the beauty and culture of stay with our sponsor and radio room host, the JuSouth Florida. piter Beach Spa and Resort. Participants and their families please call 800-228-8810 and request the At Jupiter Beach Resort, we invite our guests to creBuccaneer Cup rate OR book on line ate their ideal South Florida vacation with the help www.jupiterbeachresort.com. and use Group Code of our dedicated staff. Lounge on the resort’s se- – BUCCUP0120.

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

23

KEEP UP WITH THE COMPETITION WITH THE REEL TIME SCORING APP Know where you stand at all times. Download the free REEL TIME live scoring app to your smart phone, tablet or computer.

T

watch the tournament: iPhone, Android and Web apps.

he Buc Cup is again offering FREE Reel Time Scoring Apps to contestants and anyone else who wants to keep up with the action as it happens in this year’s tournament.

Reel Time Apps are easy to use with an intuitive design that allows every user to easily navigate the available information and options.

To download the REEL TIME Scoring App for the Buccaneer Cup go to the App Store on your phone and enter Buccaneer Cup 2016 in the search window.

When it comes up download and install the app.

The download is free.

The service goes live Monday, January 19 listing the boats entered.

Real time scoring is in effect on the two fishing days, January 22nd and 23rd.

App users can favorite a boat to receive push notifications in real time when a boat releases a fish. Participants and fans can view and send pictures from the app. If you or someone on the boat takes great photos you may send them to the tournament director to be included in the app. Whether you are on the go or at your desk, there are 3 ways to

24

For desktop web coverage or to learn more about how the phone apps work go to www.reeltimeapps.com

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

25

26

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

27

Buccaneer Cup is a Sanctioned

InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup Tournament

I

nTheBite’s Captain of the Year is the only award in the marine industry that honors the professional tournament boat captain.

Since 2003, the Captain of the Year was selected from a diverse pool of nominees—professional captains who had multiple first place tournament victories in top big game tournaments during the annual season. Like the Heisman Trophy, each year a group of nominated captains are voted upon by the past Captains of the Year in order to determine the winner. As a result the Captain of the Year title has become a prestigious award in sportfishing and is globally recognized as big game sportfishing continues to break down geographic barriers.

28

The InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup is now be presented to the top captains in five different divisions: the United States East Coast, the United States Gulf Coast, Florida, Hawaii and International Divisions, which will include the Caribbean, the Pacific and elsewhere. All five will be named InTheBite Captains of the Year.

“It’s time we continue to evolve and grow with the award and pave the way for the next surge of top professional captains with a broader geographical reach,” says InTheBite publisher Dale Wills. “In order to do this with clear and objective standards, we have created a point system which we feel will truly embrace the professional captains who are at the top of the sport each season and ultimately increase tournament participation as more

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

Captain Kevin "KP" Paul of the Lo Que Sea took home the InTheBite Top Captain Cup at the awards dinner for the 54th Buccaneer Cup last year.

captains try to accumulate points to win.”

won the event in grand style and was credited with 500 points toward the final CapInTheBite has established a list of the top tain of the Year standings billfish tournaments in the world—these are known as “Sanctioned InTheBite Cap- Everyone can keep up with the Captain of tain of the Year Cup” events. The Bucca- the Year standings by going to neer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament is www.inthebite.com and clicking on the one of those events and as such InTheBite appropriate tab. In the meantime everysponsors and presents a special “Top Cap- one at the Buccaneer Cup and the competain Cup” to the skipper of the first place tition teams who fish it are looking forboat each year. Last year the recipient was ward to seeing who will win the Top CapCapt. John Millroy of the Kathy Jo, which tain Cup this year.

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

29

30

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

C

ourtesy of Maxel there will be a set of four, beautiful OMS10 Sailfish Special reels with matching Nao technology Gold rods in our silent auction. These are the hottest new sailfish reels on the market and here's why.

Custom designed for live and dead bait trolling, Kite fishing, or drift-bait techniques where high speed retrieves, effortless low inertia dropbacks and ultra-smooth light line drags are needed, the Maxel Ocean Max Specialty (OMS) reels are perfect for smoker kings, cobia, sailfish, striped or white marlin fishing.

The precision graduated drags are designed for use with monofilament lines and have positive stop-pin Strike and Full drag maximums targeted for lines of 15 to 25 pound test. The click detent drag Preset won’t drift while fishing or fighting once it is set and the reel can easily match drag range to line test. The high tech carbon fiber drag delivers a wide range, smooth performance curve even when wet.

As with all Maxel reels, this New OMS10 Specialty model is precision machined from rigid, one piece tempered aluminum billets with cold-forged aluminum spools to stand up to monofilament stretch. The high speed, 5.8:1 gear ratio assures fast line recovery through super precise, heat treated stainless steel gears. Six super precise German made, shielded stainless steel ball bearings are strategically located for the best of smoothness and power transfer. The all stainless steel spool click mechanisms will stand up to even the longest runoffs.

All Maxel OceanMax Specialty reels are covered by a Five Year Limited Warranty.

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

31

32

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

33

Meet The Buc's Featured Artist

Savio Mizzi

34

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

I

n the world of marine artists, Savio Mizzi could be considered a newcomer, but in the world of fine arts he has been a creative force for over 40 years. A native of the island of Gozo, Malta, it is his love affair with the Montauk surf and the fishing there that precipitated his move to sketch and paint scenes of fish and fishermen. His work is strikingly beautiful, refreshing and totally unique. His images borrow from a strong dose of surrealism and the free-thinking manner in which he approaches painting.

We loves it and we think you will, too!

We met Savio Mizzi after he contacted the RFA concerned over fisheries issues . He is passionate about the sport and recently created several artworks for us that will be available on tee shirts at www.joinrfa.org. The new Buccaneer Cup logo was also created by Savio. Over the next few pages you can read a review and see more of his truly amazing artworks.

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

35

In one painting, a fish, shimmering and looming larger than life in the foreground, eyes the hook that snagged it. In another, the shadowy silhouette of an angler perched on a rock casts a line against a sky of purple, yellow and orange.

rooted in design and line drawing and in the course of his career he has made posters, book covers and advertisements for such publishing houses as Bantam Books, Dell Books, Time magazine and Newsday.

In the White Room exhibition held two years ago, staged near his home on Long Island, he was In Savio Mizzi’s exhibitions of mixed-media paint- pared with fisherman and underwater photographer Mike Laptew’s images in a unique blend of ings, a panoply of hues, layers, and animal and human forms, create unusual marine worlds sug- photographs and paintings. Mizzi selected paintgestive of something from a dream. But the East ings inspired by Long Island Sound and the fish Hampton artist insists his works spring from noth- that live in it and the deeper waters offshore— things that remind him of his native Gozo, an ising more profound than his desire to paint as land in the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterramuch as he can. nean where he grew up.

“To me there is no meaning,” Mizzi said. “You Although he still works on commissioned illustrapaint and you draw because it’s in your blood.” tions, he has concentrated more heavily on paintThe artist estimated he has created upwards of ing in recent years. When looking for subjects he 600 works since moving to New York City in 1974 said he looked around and asked himself, “What to study advertising illustration. His paintings are is there to paint?” In his search for subjects, he

36

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

37

realized that “we live at the tip of Long Island,” he said. “A lot of people fish; a lot of people like fish.”

And with that his more recent subjects are fish and fishing related.

Mizzi is an avid fisherman himself. Like painting and drawing, it’s in his blood, he suggested.

Painting a landscape without anything in it “is just boring. I like to add stuff that doesn’t exist,” he said, acknowledging that he gets bored very easily. “I always like to put elements that you can’t, a lot of times, make sense of; it’s beautiful.”

He first sketches out an idea of what he wants— he sees it beforehand in his mind’s eye, he said— “I fish first,” he said, “everything else comes after.” and then blends in new forms, sometimes paintHe is especially passionate about fishing for ing layer upon layer until he’s satisfied. He emstriped bass from the surf and boats. “Striped bass ploys different combinations of charcoal, oil, is a uniquely American fish,” he said with great acrylic, watercolor, pencil, or pastel to make it admiration. “It is only found naturally on the East work.

Coast of the United States and is deserving of great conservation efforts.” But his piscatorial pur- “The morphing of the figure with other things, it suits aren’t limited to stripers and his interests does something to me,” he said. with rod and reel range far and wide.

Mizzi believes the human spirit transcends all For reference, he draws on photographs, his im- forms, becoming absorbed into the sea creatures mediate environment, and his imagination. He in so many of his paintings. In other works, hufollows what he calls a “surrealist style,” citing man figures seem to shape shift, changing into such inspirations as Salvador Dalí. animals or trees.

38

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

The artist was born with dyslexia and a form of attention deficit disorder, and painting helps bring to life what’s in his head. He struggled to summon the words to describe this process, finally musing that if he could express it, perhaps he wouldn’t need to paint. He also stressed that he sees the same process at work in his illustrations, paintings and architecture—he designed his craftsman-style home after moving to the East End in 1990.

“When it comes to illustration and fine art, in reality, there is no difference,” Mizzi said, maintaining that Renaissance artists Raphael and Michelangelo were accomplished illustrators at their core. “The best artists, as far as I’m concerned, anywhere, were illustrators and, became fine artists,” Mizzi said.

His favorite illustrator is the late Bob Peak, famous for designing such posters as those for the “Star Trek” franchise. Mizzi said Peak’s skill was truly unique, and although he never got to meet the artist in person, he owns the TV Guide cover art Peak created for a television production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

Mizzi has also captured such pop culture icons as The Joker (as played by Heath Ledger) and Bob Marley, turning his artistic attention to anything he finds “cool.” He noted that over the years his style has become looser and more direct.

“When you paint, what the heck, you’re painting,” he said. “You’re doing beautiful things.

Savio Mizzi's exclusive RFA shirts are available at www.joinrfa.org

40

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018

January 2018

55th BUCCANEER CUP

41

Hummingbird etched on copper

22x30 Framed original sailfish etched on solid copper.

55TH BUCCANEER CUP FIRST PLACE BOAT WINS A SET OF FOUR RH CUSTOM SAILFISH RODS

42

55th BUCCANEER CUP

January 2018