ISLAMORADA, FL—MARCH 15, 2016— They say the family that fishes together stays together, and for South Florida’s Davis family that tradition also includes supporting the Blazing Mako Tournament & …
By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com [Okeechobee, FL.–] Todd Dupuis–a lifelong hunter from Ontario, Canada–has killed bear, deer, moose …
Bart Swab, University of Florida-certified master naturalist and kayak fishing guide, craves the up-close and personal contact with his quarry. Alternating between paddling and poling his Jackson Kayak …
I am pleased to announce that the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation is participating in a new campaign with The Humane Society of the United States and the Shark-Free Marina Initiative that will raise the …
If you want to dive in the northeastern Bahamas there is really only one man to see, Brendal Stevens. There are other dive operators but Brendal’s Dive Center stands above all the rest and the …
By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com About 160 years ago, slave laborers braved swarms of mosquitoes and hordes of gators and venomous snakes to dig a three-mile-long …
South Bimini, Bahamas – Bimini Sands Resort & Marina on South Bimini in the Bahamas hosted The Woody Foundation’s Lionfish Bash for the fourth year in a row on August 15-17, 2014. The popular family …
By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com Even though the Guy Harvey Outpost Blazing Mako Festival and Fishing Tournament is still four months away, it’s not …
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![](mailto:?subject=The Family Easter Weekend is on at the Big Game Club&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/eco-easter12.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-549" title="Easter at the Bimini Big Game Club" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/eco-easter12.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="751" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/the-family-easter-weekend-is-on-at-the-big-game-club/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=C. Davis Electric Onboard as Presenting Sponsor for Inaugural Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Davis-FamilyTeam.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3810 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Davis-FamilyTeam-300x195.jpg" alt="Davis FamilyTeam" width="300" height="195" /></a>ISLAMORADA, FL—MARCH 15, 2016— They say the family that fishes together stays together, and for South Florida’s Davis family that tradition also includes supporting the Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival—a June event that will combine fishing, conservation, research and marine science scholarships.
<a href="http://www.nova.edu">Nova Southeastern University</a> (NSU) and <a href="http://www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts</a> announced today that Miramar, Florida-based <a href="http://www.cdaviselectric.com">C. Davis Electric</a> has joined the tournament as a Presenting Sponsor, which includes two entries for the offshore tournament division and a shirt sponsorship. In total, a $25,000 commitment.
The goal of the non-profit tournament and festival, scheduled for June 16-19 2016, is to raise $100,000 for marine science scholarships. NSU’s <a href="http://cnso.nova.edu/index.html">Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography</a>, home to the <a href="http://cnso.nova.edu/ghri/index.html">Guy Harvey Research Institute</a> (GHRI), the <a href="http://www.nova.edu/ghoc/">Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center research building</a>, the Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Ecosystem Research and the <a href="http://cnso.nova.edu/save-our-seas/index.html">Save Our Seas Shark Research Centre</a>, will administer scholarship funds donated through the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF).
“C. Davis Electric and the Davis family have been friends of NSU for many years, and this new tournament and festival is yet another way they can combine their love of NSU with their love of fishing and the ocean,” said Richard Dodge, Ph.D., the dean of NSU’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography. “We thank them for coming onboard as the signature sponsor— and for helping NSU students realize their potential by following their dreams.”
Davis Electric co-founder and owner Charles “Ed” Davis Jr. has long supported NSU, and the school’s annual sponsorship of the Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament, which this year was renamed the Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival and moved to Islamorada, known as “The Fishing Capital of the World”.
“We’re out fishing nearly every weekend in the Florida Keys,” said Mike Gagliano, a son-in-law and Davis Electric Executive VP. “As a family we fished Keys tournaments for over 20 years as we have a house and boats down there. Islamorada is a perfect spot for the tournament. This is such a great cause and we’re looking forward to the competition.”
Tournament Director Cliff Jensen said corporate team registration for the offshore division is $5,000 per team (six anglers), with the registration fee for Inshore anglers competing is $2,500 (three anglers). To register for the inshore/offshore division go to <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/blazing-mako/fishing.html">http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/blazing-mako/fishing.html</a>. The tournament will also feature cyber on-the-water release documentation for research using the IGOfish App.
In addition to the not-for-profit fishing tournament, expansive plans also are underway for innovative art exhibits, live music, conservation organization displays and local vendors, all showcased in a 100-tent “Conchservation Village” to be located at the host property, The Islander, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort. Also planned are a series of watersport competitions, (including a paddleboard competition), a Kids Pier Fishing Tournament, fishing seminars and a Rum Village.
As part of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts’ signature Bonfire Series fishing tournaments, a fish-themed sculpture is created by a local artist. The artist incorporates a conservation message with a “trash-to-treasure” concept, incorporating recycled material into a sculpture to be set ablaze.
In the case of the Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival, the sculpture will be a mako shark in the image of the NSU mascot. Local artist Pasta Pantaleo will incorporate steel with reclaimed parts to fashion together the mako cage with exposed beams. The cage will then be filled with non-toxic flammable materials to create the tournament’s signature bonfire. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/c-davis-electric-onboard-as-presenting-sponsor-for-inaugural-blazing-mako-tournament-festival/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Wild Hog Heaven Near Lake Okeechobee&body=<img class=" size-medium wp-image-3098 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/485221_359562297425307_134387977_n.jpg?w=300" alt="485221_359562297425307_134387977_n" width="300" height="225" />By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer
scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com
[Okeechobee, FL.--] Todd Dupuis--a lifelong hunter from Ontario, Canada--has killed bear, deer, moose and other game animals for sport and food. But he had never before taken a wild hog, and it was on his bucket list.
Facing a health scare, the safety management consultant decided to take a break a few weeks ago and drive with his wife and four-year-old son Nate to South Florida for a long weekend.
When he got to West Palm Beach, Dupuis learned about a small hunting operation just north of Okeechobee that specializes in wild hogs called <a href="http://www.littlelakelodge.net" target="_blank">Little Lake Lodge</a> and decided to book a trip.
"We see it on the TV shows in Ontario," Dupuis said of hog hunting.
Wild hogs-- also known as wild pigs, wild boars or feral pigs-- are not Florida natives. They are believed to have been introduced to the state by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto as early as 1539. Since they are not designated as a game animal in Florida, they can be hunted year round with no bag or size limits. Wild hogs will eat just about anything, and they are notorious among farmers and ranchers for rooting up pastures and crops to sniff out food. Many landowners pay trappers and hunters to get rid of them.
Dupuis was excited. Gesturing toward his son, he said, "A chance to come somewhere like this.....it's about making memories for him."
Dupuis and Nate boarded a towering, lumbering swamp buggy designed to navigate the 1,100 acres of flooded, muddy pasture that make up the hunting grounds with their guide Troy Salisbury.
Departing the lodge, Salisbury deployed a pig-pointing secret weapon-- a small brown, black and white dog named Pepper. Splashing through puddles, sniffing the air and darting to and fro, Pepper got way ahead of the buggy in her search for swine. But the hunting party heard her excited barking in the distance, and Salisbury sped up.
As they drew closer, Pepper began to howl.
"Hear her howling?" Salisbury said to Dupuis. "She's got him stopped and she's looking right at him. We'll pull up there and I'll holler at her and then say, 'shoot!'"
Sure enough, the buggy rounded a bend in the pasture where Pepper had zeroed in on a stand of thick cabbage palms, wagging her tail and baying.
Suddenly, a black boar about 90 pounds dashed out of the bushes and headed across the field with Pepper in close pursuit. The hog paused when it reached a barbed wire fence and Salisbury called Pepper away. She edged away reluctantly.
"Okay," the guide told Dupuis.
The hunter aimed his rifle and fired, but the shot was high and only grazed the coarse hair on the hog's back. It barreled down the fence line out of range.
Salisbury accelerated the buggy and caught up with the hog, and Dupuis got an easy shot, downing his quarry.
"Yay, daddy!" Nate cheered.
The party headed back to the lodge where Salisbury hoisted the hog up on pulleys and dressed it. Dupuis said he would take the meat to a processor in West Palm Beach to be turned into ham steaks and bacon for the Christmas holidays. The memories, however, would be around long after the meals were gone.
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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.
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Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts.
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wild-hog-heaven-near-lake-okeechobee/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=GHOF and The Humane Society of the U.S. Team Up with Shark-Free Marina Initiative&body=I am pleased to announce that the <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a> is participating in a new campaign with <a title="HSUS web site" href="http://www.humanesociety.org" target="_blank">The Humane Society of the United States</a> and the <a title="SFMI web site" href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/" target="_blank">Shark-Free Marina Initiative</a> that will raise the bar in protecting shark populations in the U.S. and the Bahamas, while also generating awareness of shark conservation on a global scale.
<a href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-181" title="SFMI Logo" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/sfmilogo.jpg?w=280" alt="" width="196" height="210" /></a>
The <a title="Mission of the SFMI " href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/about/about-us" target="_blank">goal of this campaign</a> is to significantly increase the number of resorts and marinas that are designated "shark-free", which means they actively prohibit any sharks from being landed at their docks. In support of this program, the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina</a>, has been officially declared a "Shark-Free Marina".
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/biminibiggameclub"><img class="size-medium wp-image-183" title="The Cleaning Station at the Bimini Big Game Club's "Shark-Free Marina"" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/cleaning-station-shark-free.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>The Bimini Big Game Club's cleaning station proudly displays the "Shark-Free Marina" sign
To learn more about this program, read the <a title="SFMI press release" href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/news/sfmi-news/602-october-campaign" target="_blank">SFMI press release</a> and then visit the <a title="SFMI web site" href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/" target="_blank">SFMI web site</a> to learn how you can help sign up new "shark-free" resorts and marinas.
Cheers!
<a title="SFMI Press Release" href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/news/sfmi-news/602-october-campaign" target="_blank">SFMI Press Release</a>
<a title="SFMI Advisors" href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/about/board" target="_blank">List of SFMI Advisors</a>
<a title="Celebrity Endorsements" href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/about/board/celebrity-endorsements" target="_blank">List of Celebrity Endorsements</a>
<a title="SFMI web site" href="http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/" target="_blank">SFMI web site</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/ghof-and-the-humane-society-of-the-u-s-team-up-with-shark-free-marina-initiative/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Brendal’s Dive Center, A Guy Harvey Outfitter & Green Turtle Cay’s Reef Sharks&body=If you want to dive in the northeastern Bahamas there is really only one man to see, Brendal Stevens. There are other dive operators but <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/adventures/diving.html">Brendal's Dive Center</a> stands above all the rest and the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/green-turtle-cay-abacos/overview.html">Green Turtle Club </a>gets you right on top of some of the best and most exciting dives including a variety of big animals.<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/123.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2157 size-large" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/123.jpg?w=660" alt="123" width="660" height="489" /></a>If you want to get certified to SCUBA dive Brendal can teach you from square one or handle your check out dives for PADI, NAUI, SSI or SDI. In 2006 the Bahamian Ministry of Tourism awarded Brendal with it's Cacique Award for Sustainable Tourism. This is the Bahamian "Oscar!" If you are ready for some big animals Brendal can put you with the "Silver King" tarpon, giant grouper, the island's name sake Green Turtles or those camera hogs with the big grins, Sharks! Nurse sharks are seen on many of Brendal's dives. If you want to see the "Sexy Stars" of the show, the Caribbean Reef Sharks then one of his Shark Observation Dives is the way to go. Shark Week may be coming to a close but our big animal "Stars" are available year round. Don't miss the show, call the Outpost Reservations Desk to find out more at (800) 513-5257. <a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/brendals-dec-5-2011-839.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-2158" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/brendals-dec-5-2011-839.jpg?w=660" alt="Photo: Brendal's Dive Center & Water Sports, Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas" width="660" height="495" /></a>Photo: Brendal's Dive Center & Water Sports, Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/brendals-dive-center-a-guy-harvey-outfitter-green-turtle-cays-reef-sharks/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Bimini Sands’ Annual Woody Foundation Lionfish Bash Removes 276 Invasive Lionfish&body=South Bimini, Bahamas – <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/bimini-bahamas/bimini-sands-bimini.html">Bimini Sands Resort & Marina </a>on South Bimini in the Bahamas hosted <a href="http://www.woodyfoundation.org/event/4th-annual-lionfish-bash/">The Woody Foundation’s </a>Lionfish Bash for the fourth year in a row on August 15-17, 2014. The popular family spearfishing event led to the removal of 276 lionfish – a non-native, invasive species that is threatening native fish stocks in the Bahamas and Florida – from the waters around Bimini.
<img src="http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/uploads/15/biggestlionfishRickRodriguez_lores.jpg" alt="biggestlionfishRickRodriguez_lores.jpg" width="400" height="543" border="1" />Rick Rodriguez, Winner of the Largest Lionfish Trophy, 36.5 oz.
The Lionfish Bash is an annual event created to raise awareness about lionfish as well as to benefit The Woody Foundation, a Miami-based non-profit organization that raises funds to aid in the recovery of persons with spinal injuries. Foundation Board Member James “Woody” Beckham, whose severe spinal injury during a college rugby game in 2011 launched The Woody Foundation, attended the Lionfish Bash in person as he has done every year, inspiring all the participants.
The results of the 4th Annual Lionfish Bash:
Largest Lionfish: Rick Rodriguez, shown above, (36.5 oz.)
Smallest Lionfish: Cody Gunthner (0.061 oz.)
Top Junior Angler: Trace Colson (18.5 oz.)
Most Lionfish Caught, 1st Place: Team Spears & Beers (80)
Most Lionfish Caught, 2nd Place: Team Extra Expense (70).
The fun weekend event included a Captain’s Meeting at the Square Grouper tiki bar, a full day of spearfishing in the spectacular waters around Bimini, and an Awards Banquet at the resort’s waterfront Bimini Twist Restaurant. Most Lionfish Bash participants brought their own boats to the event, but <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/bimini-bahamas/bimini-sands-dive.html">Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center’s </a>40-foot dive boat, the Dive God, took out a group who did not have their own vessels.
“The Lionfish Bash is one of the most fun and rewarding events we host each year,” said Bimini Sands President and CEO Frank Cooney. “We enjoy seeing Woody Beckham, his family and fellow board members from The Woody Foundation, and watching the fun as the Lionfish Bash participants helped to rid our beautiful coral reefs of these invasive fish.”
“Thanks again to the Cooney Family for hosting The Lionfish Bash,” said Woody Beckham. “Everyone thoroughly enjoys this unique adventure to Bimini. I can’t wait ’til next year’s event!” --- Louisa Beckett, Bahamas Weekly, Aug 26, 2014 https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/bimini-sands-annual-woody-foundation-lionfish-bash-removes-276-invasive-lionfish/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Taking the Back Country in the Blazing Mako&body=<img class=" size-medium wp-image-3389 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/black.jpg?w=300" alt="Black" width="300" height="222" />By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer
scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com
Even though the Guy Harvey Outpost <a href="http://www.blazingmako.com" target="_blank">Blazing Mako Festival and Fishing Tournament</a> is still four months away, it's not too early to sign up your team or start plotting a strategy for claiming $10,000 in prize money-- particularly if you enter the inshore division.
The tournament date of June 18 falls squarely during the peak of the inshore fishing season in and around the Florida Keys and two days before the full moon. Catching, measuring, photographing and releasing the eligible back country species of permit, bonefish, tarpon, snook, redfish and the funfish category of shark, ladyfish, jack and trout for points, cash, and bragging rights won't be as challenging as during other seasons of the year.
Anglers will be allowed to enter a maximum of five fish in each category using live bait, artificial lures, or fly tackle. More points will be awarded for lures and fly rod.
"This is a great time of year to catch all these species," said seven-year veteran Keys light-tackle guide captain Richard Black, who fishes from a 17-foot, 8-inch Hells Bay Professional skiff.
Black said his strategy would be to locate small tarpon first thing in the morning in Florida Bay-- likely near Snake Bight-- and fish with fly rod (if the angler were capable), or with small Mir-O-Lure plugs or light jigs. Snook and redfish tend to inhabit the same territory at that time of year and likely would bite the same offerings.
Once you've racked up enough points for those three species, Black says step two would be to blind-cast a jig or plug for ladyfish. You could enter the larger ones in the funfish category and keep a few to hang off the skiff while anchored to attract lemon sharks to within fly-casting range.
"In a good spot with good current, you could catch five sharks on fly pretty quick," Black said.
Then if you are lucky enough to have sufficient sunlight in mid- to late afternoon, the guide said, you could look for bonefish in Florida Bay or on the ocean side of the Upper Keys. Bonefish almost never turn down fresh shrimp, and they also are likely to bite small jigs and shrimp-patterned flies.
"I know some anglers I'd lead off with fly and switch to bait," Black added. "You have to fish the conditions. If conditions are crappy and you have to cover more water, you would use a spinning rod."
Black believes it will take 1,500 to 2,000 points to score a top-three finish.
Even if you don't accumulate nearly that score, it will be more than fun to try and then you get to celebrate at the awards party at the Islander-- a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort in Islamorada.
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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.
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Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/taking-the-back-country-in-the-blazing-mako-2/){kind=link}
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