A round the Reef
By Michelle Riley
Communications and Public Outreach Coordinator Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
"F
ishing Happens Here!” – a slogan coined by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries this year – is an apt description for Gray’s Reef, and I’m eager to share a few fish stories for the holidays. Gray’s Reef is designated as a national marine sanctuary because of the abundance of marine life and the diversity of species found in the area, which old timers still call “Sapelo Live Bottom.” So far, scientists have identified more than 200 species of fish at the reef, and what a delight it is for anglers to reap a fish bonanza! David Zelski, a long-time recreational fisherman, produces and hosts a TV show called The Excursion. David recently decided to fish at Gray’s Reef and joined up with Captain Brooks Good of Coastal Outdoor Adventures, based out of St. Simons Island. As part of the show, Brooks challenged David to catch several different species of fish, and several fish at one time using a double-hook rig. With storm clouds brewing, David only had about 90 minutes to meet the challenge, but in less than five minutes, he caught his first fish – a big, scary-looking barracuda! Later, David hooked numerous black sea bass. In an impressive demonstration of species diversity, he also caught an amberjack and a spottail pinfish within minutes. David and Brooks chose to release their fish, sometimes using a descending device to help the fish recompress and relieve the effects of barotrauma. However, anglers may keep the fish they catch at Gray’s Reef, as long as the fish meet state and federal requirements regarding size, species, season and amount caught. You can watch David’s show, The Excursion, on YouTube, Vimeo and on the Explore Georgia website. The episode title is “The Coastal Georgia Excursion – episode 208.” Another avid fisherman who recently fished at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is Representative Buddy Carter, the U.S. representative for Georgia’s 1st congressional district, which covers all of coastal Georgia. Congressman Carter visited Gray’s Reef last summer to learn about some of the experiments that help scientists learn about Gray’s Reef and the creatures that live there. During a brief 20-minute break in his meetings with scientists and mariners, the congressman was able to grab a fishing pole and cast a few times, and he immediately caught four black sea bass! Gray’s Reef staffers have placed signs at more than two dozen boat ramps and marinas in Georgia, encouraging anglers to “Fish, Dive, Take Pride” in Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Twothirds of the sanctuary are open to fishing and diving, while onethird is set aside exclusively for research. Anglers may use only a rod and reel or handline and anchoring is prohibited throughout the sanctuary. Some of the fish that most often bite include black sea bass, gray triggerfish, scamp and gag grouper, barracuda, King mackerel and Spanish mackerel. The largest King mackerel ever caught in a Georgia tournament was caught at Gray’s Reef in 2004, and it weighed 75 pounds! We wish everyone a great holiday season. And remember, “Fishing Happens Here!” For more information, email: michelle.riley@noaa.gov
Top: Crew of The Excursion television show with Captain Brooks Good. Photo by Michelle Riley/GRNMS Center: Representative Buddy Carter (right) with NOAA Ship Nancy Foster Chief Engineer Tim Olsen. Photo by Michelle Riley/GRNMS Right: This sign appears at area boat ramps to encourage fishing at Gray's Reef. Photo provided by GRNMS December 2018
Southern Tides Magazine
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