| Report by Rick Gaffney New Midway World Record Certified In April of this year, Melissa Botha bagged one of Midwayıs near shore ulua on a fly rod, becoming the first woman to take a giant trevally on 16 pound tippet, and the second woman to land an IGFA world record trevally on fly rod at Midway. Melissaıs catch was submitted to the International Game Fish Association and was recently certified at 14 pounds 6 ounces. Midway Tag Recaptures Continue to be of Interest August and September produced some interesting long-distance tuna recaptures, including two ahi (yellowfin tuna) that had been tagged near Midway Atoll which were reported to David Itanoıs Hawaii Tuna Tagging program from Japanese longline vessels fishing well to the west of the International Date Line. The first was recaptured within Japanıs Exclusive Economic Zone (200 mile limit) east of Kagoshima, approximately 2745 miles west of Midway, 11 months after it had been freed from one of Midwayıs 38ı Bertram sportfishers. The second yellowfin was also recaptured far to the west approximately 1800 miles WNW of Midway after 10 months of freedom. Winter Shorefishery For three years, Midwayıs fishing season has effectively been terminated at the end of October, when the two Bertrams and the three center console sport fishers were pulled from the water for annual maintenance, to protect them from winter storms, and because offshore fishing access is irregular at best, when the North Pacific turns nasty in the winter. However, this winter an experimental shore fishing program will be maintained, with knowledgeable guides available to lead anglers who would like to pursue the moıi, papio, omilu, butaguchi, kahala, ulua and other fish that can be caught from Midwayıs docks, jetties, seawalls, piers and beaches. If you really want to visit Midway to fish, the winter months can be a great time to visit, especially if you arenıt put-off by an occasional rain squall, some cooler weather conditions, and occasional brisk winds or if you can only get away during the winter months. |