By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com Threatened coral reefs off Florida are a bit larger and richer today, thanks to some 200 divers who volunteered for Coralpalooza …
Happy Veterans Day!
11 Nov 20122:51 PM
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![](mailto:?subject=Happy Veterans Day!&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/vetdayblast-crop1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1491" title="Happy Veterans Day!" alt="" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/vetdayblast-crop1.jpg" height="578" width="550" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/happy-veterans-day/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Kuwaiti Kingfish: Adventure & Friendship Aboard an Army Vessel at Sea&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/kuwait-austin-mickey11.jpg"><img class=" wp-image" id="i-1580" alt="Image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/kuwait-austin-mickey11.jpg?w=650" width="527" height="293" /></a>Fishing buddies Mickey Swoyer and Austin Capers, U.S. Army.
<a title="GHO on Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOutpost" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost</a> is all about adventure travel. As the saying goes: The difference between an ordeal and an adventure is “Attitude.” In honor of Patriots’ Day on September 11th we thought we would share a fishing adventure from Austin Capers & his pals on the US Army Vessel Lt. General William Bunker.
Austin grew up on the waters of Jupiter, Florida. Fishing was such an important part of his life he became a commercial fisherman and was fishing right up until he joined the Army in 2004. Six months after finishing training he volunteered for a deployment on the United States Army Vessel Lt. Gen William Bunker at Kuwait Naval Base.
Austin and his ship mates arrived in Kuwait mid-May just in time for summer to crank up. Their mission was to upload battle damaged equipment and transport it to various countries on the Persian Gulf to be fixed or replaced.
On an early mission to Bahrain they found several <a title="Okuma web site" href="http://www.okumafishing.com/" target="_blank">Okuma rods and reels</a> that had been donated by the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) years before. The guys tried to fish them but the line was shot and they had little or no tackle. Austin’s Dad went to pals at Fishing Headquarters in Jupiter to round up some gear. Most of us think of Mom’s baked goods when we think of “Care Packages” from home. Austin’s was full of enough Ande mono to re-spool three rods, heavy mono leaders, a planer and assorted trolling rigs.
Also on board was Mickey Swoyer, a fisherman and “A character”, from the Outer Banks area in North Carolina, who shared Austin’s love for fishing. The Lt General William Bunker is a 274 foot, flat bottom, landing craft with bow and stern ramps for “Roll On – Roll Off” loading. Picture trolling out of a tuna-tower.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/kuwait-lsv4-1.jpg"><img class=" wp-image" id="i-1584" alt="Image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/kuwait-lsv4-1.jpg?w=650" width="527" height="204" /></a>The 'Lt. General William Bunker'
On their down time, the two started trying different combinations of trolling rigs, including a couple of Wahoo rigs Mr. Capers sent. The best working rig ended up being a simple pink skirt with a double rigged 6-0 hook set. “We were amazed how they loved that pink skirt!” Attempts to use the planer at cruising speed proved dangerous. “It flew out of the water like a Polaris missile.”
To hear Austin tell it, “The stern of this vessel sits about 20-30 feet off the water so we had to let a ridiculous amount of line out.” The boat cruised at 9-11 knots which ended up working perfectly. “After we started catching fish our skipper gave us a hand help radio so that every time we hooked up we could yell “Fish ON!!!” into the radio and he would stop the boat. It was awesome! We caught 6 to 10 kings and an assortment of other strange looking sea creatures. We lost a massive one at the pilot door that was much bigger than the one pictured here. It was a huge morale booster for the entire 30 man crew.”
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/kuwait-me-and-mickey1.jpg"><img class=" wp-image" id="i-1589" alt="Image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/kuwait-me-and-mickey1.jpg?w=650" width="527" height="395" /></a>Kuwaiti Kingfish!
Austin went on to spend four more years on active duty including a 15 month deployment to Iraq. Today he is back in Jupiter with his family. Mickey has relocated to Daytona Beach with his family and the guys are hoping for a reunion soon.
Thank you Austin, Mickey and all who serve our country. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/kuwaiti-kingfish-adventure-and-friendship-aboard-an-army-vessel-at-sea/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Winning Photos: It’s a Simple Formula!&body=We are hosting our very first <a title="Contest web site" href="http://www.OutpostPhotoContest.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost Photo Contest</a> and, since I'm not eligible to win, I figured I would pass on a suggestion or two on how you might take home a prize instead! You will note from the pictures below there are some common elements - a great fish, or perhaps a wonderful smile - and certainly a nod to the Outpost's spirit of adventure, discovery and exploration.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/julia-shriver-16-permit-bimini-211.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1622" alt="Image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/julia-shriver-16-permit-bimini-211.jpg?w=650" /></a>
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/935538_10151461806695966_1467169053_n.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1625" alt="Image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/935538_10151461806695966_1467169053_n.jpg?w=650" /></a>
Be advised I am not one of the judges nor are these the rules. But, If you have two of these elements then you are probably in contention, and if you have all three there's a good chance you will catch the eye of the judges. The competition might be tough but anytime a fish and a pretty girl smile at you like that, you're already winning!
Don't wait - start uploading your photos now at the <a title="Contest web site" href="http://www.outpostphotocontest.com" target="_blank">contest web site</a>!
Capt. Ned Stone
Director of Programs, Guy Harvey Outpsot https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/winning-photos-its-a-simple-formula/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject="A Celebration of Life" Memorial for Jose Wejebe Planned for April 15th at IGFA&body=<a href="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/jose.jpg"><img title="Jose Wejebe" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/jose.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="300" /></a>
The following information was excerpted from <a href="http://www.spanishflytv.com/">www.spanishflytv.com</a>:
The fishing community has lost a great angler, icon, and friend. We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of <a title="Jose Wejebe's Facebook Page" href="http://www.facebook.com/JoseWejebe" target="_blank">Jose Wejebe</a>, host of the immensely popular saltwater fishing and fly fishing television show <a title=""Spanish Fly" web site" href="http://www.spanishflytv.com" target="_blank">Spanish Fly</a> on the <a title="Outdoor Channel" href="http://outdoorchannel.com/" target="_blank">Outdoor Channel</a>. Through his show and his adventures he shared a passion for fishing that touched and inspired anglers around the world.
We would like to invite all family and friends to a Celebration of Life in honor of Jose Wejebe, Sunday April 15, 2012 at 1:30 PM at the<a title="IGFA web site" href="http://www.igfa.org" target="_blank"> IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum</a> in Dania Beach, Florida. All those who were touched by Jose are welcome to attend.
Sunday, April 15th
1:30pm - 4:30pm
IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum
300 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach, FL 33004
<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=300+Gulf+Stream+Way,+Dania+Beach,+Broward,+Florida+33004&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&ss" target="_blank">Map</a>
Important Information:
Upon arrival you will be directed to designated areas for family and personal friends of Jose and for fans. Please respect the family's wishes and proceed to the appropriate areas.
Flowers can be sent to the IGFA address above or those who wish to honor the memory of Jose can follow in his footsteps by giving of themselves to those in need, and donate to the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation that will carry on his charitable spirit.
The Outdoor Channel will be airing a special episode of Spanish Fly : A Tribute to Jose Wejebe this weekend. You don't want to miss this powerful and moving tribute to Jose's life and legend. The show will also be available to view here on SpanishFlyTV.com on Monday, April 16th.
Airtimes on The Outdoor Channel :
Friday: April 13 – 12:30pm and 8:30pm
Saturday: April 14 – 11:00am
Sunday: April 15 – 10:00am https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/a-celebration-of-life-memorial-for-jose-wejebe-planned-for-april-15th-at-igfa/){kind=link}
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