Fishing Captain Releases his 25,000th Billfish

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Think catching one marlin or sailfish is a big deal? How about being with someone who has caught and released 25,000? Sportfishing Capt. Ron Hamlin completed the feat in April 2008.

Hamlin, a veteran sportfishing captain, was recently named the top-tagging captain in the Pacific by the Billfish Foundation for an unprecedented 10^th year in a row. He works out of the Pacific Fins Resort in Guatemala on the charter boat Captain Hook and has been instrumental in training other captains at the resort who are nearly as prolific as Mr. Hamlin.

Hamlin credits the incredible Guatemalan fishery as one of the keys to his success. “Let me put it this way,” Hamlin explains. “It took me 35 years to catch 3,000. The last 22,000 I’ve caught during my 14 years in Guatemala.” Averaging as many as 2,500 billfish a year (2,809 in 2006), Hamlin says, “You can’t do this anywhere but Guatemala.” And Hamlin should know. He’s fished all over the world, including Florida, Venezuela and St. Thomas.

Hamlin was also instrumental in introducing circle hooks to billfishing as part of the catch and release movement. Circle hooks rarely end up killing billfish, so they can be released for future generations.

In fact, Hamlin was recognized by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association as one the Year 2000’s Seven Heroes of the Environment. Other recipients that year included Al Gore for global warming. He is one of fishing’s most honored conservationists, having been recognized by both the Billfish Foundation and IGFA.

Capt. Hamlin, now 64 years old, fishes almost every day out of the Pacific Fins Resort on Guatemalan’s Pacific Coast. He has fished with thousands of guests, many of who return year after year.

“The fishery is just so amazing down here, and it’s really easy for people to get here,” says Hamlin. “Many people think it’s going to be roughing it, but we have one of the very latest sportfishing fleets in the world, and certainly in Central America. It’s only a two-hour flight from Miami or Houston. We pick up our guests at the airport with an English-speaking guide and take them on a modern, four-lane highway to a beautiful, all-inclusive resort. It’s not exactly roughing it.”

Capt. Hamlin hopes to fish until he catches 30,000 or more billfish. “I am taking a few more days off here and there than in the past,” Hamlin goes on to say. “But I still enjoy it. My friends tell me I have half a fish brain,” Hamlin says, laughing.

About Pacific Fins Resort:

Pacific Fins Resort is located along the Pacific Coast just 50 miles from Guatemala City. It is considered one of the best fishing resorts in Central America. For more information on Capt. Ron Hamlin, log into www.PacificFins.com.

Sperry Top-Sider® Joins Sportfishing Trade Association

Nautical lifestyle brand expands its efforts on conservation in water-related sports. Lexington, Mass. (PRWEB) May 22, 2008 -- Sperry Top-Sider’s®continued support of and expanding presence into the fishing market has led the brand to become a member of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the sportfishing industry’s trade assocation, in 2008. "Joining the ASA demonstrates Sperry Top-Sider’s continued support of anglers as well as the environment in which the sport takes place," said Karen Pitts, vice president, marketing, Sperry Top-Sider. "Our membership has allowed us to expand our reach into the fishing community by promoting the conservation values of the avid sportsmen we outfit, as well as support fishing’s recreational and competitve culture by sponsoring fishing tournaments and tours." "On behalf of our Board of Directors, members and staff, we welcome Sperry Top-Sider to ASA," said association President and CEO Mike Nussman. "We thank them for their commitment to the sportfishing industry and look forward to their active involmvent and continued support." ASA unites members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, outdoor journalists and federal land and water management agencies to protect and promote sportfishing. In addition to supporting ASA through its membership, Sperry Top-Sider is the corporate partner of Oceana, an international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans. For more information, visit www.oceana.org. For more information about ASA, visit www.asafishing.org; for more information on Sperry Top-Sider’s other partnerships visit the Sponsorhips page at www.sperrytopsider.com. About Sperry Top-Sider Since 1935, Sperry Top-Sider has been the leading brand of footwear for those who love the water. From its introduction of the world’s first siped rubber outsole for non-marking traction, to advanced technical fabrication to combat the elements, Sperry Top-Sider remains the vanguard of high-performance amphibious footwear and apparel. Available around the globe in fine independent, marine, outdoor and department stores, Sperry Top-Sider is the official footwear of the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas, US SAILING, National Safe Boating Council and Team Seven Sailing. Based in historic Lexington, Massachusetts, Sperry Top-Sider supports a wide-range of water-related activities through its many sponsorships, including ACURA Key West, National Safe Boating Council and Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas. Sperry Top-Sider is a division of the Stride Rite Corporation, a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE:PSS). For more information, please visit www.sperrytopsider.com. About the American Sportfishing Association The American Sportfishing Association(ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also represents the interests of America’s 40 million anglers who generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people. # # #
Sperry Top-Sider® Joins Sportfishing Trade Association

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Do Not Delay Opportunity

Proverb tells, doesn't delay opportunity, because once opportunity comes will not be repeatable returned. As the saying is that is experience befalling me Saturday evening yesterday ( May 03, 2008). One weeks before all, friends plans going fishing trip to area Indihiang, or near by area Cihaurbeuti at Sunday. Saturday evening before, I plan buys fishing rod bait in booth near by house, but because the evening downwards torrential rains, so that plan buys fishing rod bait nearing night, after rain alleviates. When at that time came, sudden I get sms (short message) from neighbor, that at 18.30 there are invitation of other neighbor thanksgiving. I think by then can still buy fishing rod bait after at 19.00, as of return from the thanksgiving. But, my estimate slip. When me and the neighbors came to man house which will perform [a] the thanksgiving, over there the event has not been started. New event started at 20.30 and having at 21.30. Thereby time had rather lateness, so that equipment shop of fishing rod have been closing. Around at 22.00, I am with the neighbors go to Ciawi, around 45 minutes journey. At 24.00 has just returned to town Tasikmalaya. When returning to house, wife and child of I am medium look-on film Harry Potter, and I also follows look-on so at 01.30. Then sleeped. The morrow I oversleep around at 07.00. So plan buys fishing rod bait when at dawn, returns to cancellation. Though event of going fish's starting at 07.00. So my liver weighing cancel event to go fish's, because miscalculation of time. When the news submitted to friends, heard disappointed them. Yes, like that, often opportunity came for once.*** del.icio.us Tags: fishing,fishing trip,fish oil

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