South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 64

IOC Friday, November 24, 2000 SUN-SENTINEL, SOUTH FLORIDA' WATERFRONTS idavs aciietheiio Hunting the perfect present for outdoors enthusiasts has evolved into a highly specialized game OUTDOORS GIFT GUIDE Those who fancy fishing, hunting and other activities on the water and in the woods can be a breeze to shop for because of the vast array of products related to those pursuits. But be aware that gear can be highly specialized, so try to zero in on the person's particular taste. 5" n3 "-5. IS' SNEAKY: Duck brand Camouflage Tape is ideal 1 SUPER SEALANT: Using Multi-Seal makes it possible to drive over a for concealing gear. nail and sustain a puncture without losing air pressure in your tire.

Fishing trends LAKE OKEECHOBEE Bass fishing has been good, with most of the fish coming from the rim canal on plastic worms and crankbaits. The rim canal also was producing good catches of speckled perch and bluegilliThe lake level was 11 .85 feet FRESHWATER EVERGLADES, The best bass fishing in the Everglades has been along Alligator Alley. Flipping plastic crawdads was producing the bigger fish. Fish were still widely scattered on the flats west of the L-67A Canal. Fishing for peacock bass was slow early in the week but picked up Wednesday.

FLORIDA BAY 10,00 0 ISLANDS Trout, which must be released, jacks and ladyfish were in the 1 channels in front of Flamingo. 4 Redfish were on shallow flats. Anglers fishing out of Chokoloskee Island were catching Spanish mackerel offshore. GOLD COAST OFFSHORE Once the wind and seas settle down, anglers should enjoy some excellent sailfishing. Some of the best sailfishing before this week's cold front was in 1 00-200 feet off Boynton Beach and Lake Worth.

A few sailfish were off the steeple. Look for dolphin up to 30 pounds mixed in with the sailfish. Some big wahoo also have been caught Spanish mackerel were biting south of Stuart GOLD COAST PIERS INLETS, Dirty water made for slow fishing at Juno Pier. Lake Worth Pier had bluefish, small sharks and some Spanish mackerel. Deerfield Pier had mackerel, jacks and blue runners.

Pompano Pier had lots of snapper and blue runners. Anglin's Pier in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea had several keeper snook Wednesday night a few mackerel and lots of blue runners. Dania Beach Pier had Spanish mackerel, snapper and some keeper snook. THE KEYS The cold front slowed the bonefishing and kept offshore anglers at the dock. As temperatures rise and the wind and avid fisherman Gary Shiebler, We've tried to capture the fun and magicofoneofourcountry'smost treasured succeeded with a collection of -songs, some light-hearted, some mournful, about everything from bass and bluegill to bonefish and blue marlin.

Favorites include Bad to the Bonefish, about an angler who becomes addicted to bonefishing, and Why's Everybody Getting Bit Except which is self-explanatory. The CD costs jL $15.99. Toorder, visit www.dorados.com. For cassettes, calll-888-550-MAHI. Camotape Duct tape is an essential item for -anyone who spends time outdoors, Whereas the standard gray tape will patch tents and secure fishing reels to fishing rods, Manco, gave hunters the option of RealtreeX- TRA camouflage tape.

Now they have two more options, as Manco has added to its Duck brand Camouflage Tape by offering Realtree Hardwoods and Advantage Timber patterns. Ideal for fixing duck boats and treestands as well as forconcealing flashlights and coolers, the new tapes are available in 20-yard rolls ($4.99) and 3-yard 'i flatpacks ($1.89) at Wal-Mart stores. For more information, call 1-800-321-0253 or visit the Web site at www.duckproducts.com. Virtual hunting Two new PC hunting simulation games from Cabela's bring the great outdoors indoors. Cabela's Big Game Hunter 4 and Cabela's Grand Slam Hunting: North American 29 offer the virtual hunt ofalifetime.

Cabela's Big Game Hunter 4 provides players with the opportunity to hunt in locales 'y ranging from the forests of Michigan to the foothills of Pennsylvania to the Labrador tundra. Players have a choice of 21 firearms and bows, including rifles, shotguns, handguns and muzzleloaders. They also can choose from more than 70 hunting calls, decoys, rangefinders and cover scents, as they stalk nine game species bear, elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, pronghom antelope, caribou I and bighorn sheep. Cabela'sGrandSlamHunting: NorftAmericon29isatnie-to-life 'V simulation that features eight unique 3D environments in which players hunt the 29 animals that constitute Safari Club International's North American Grand Slam. Throughout the hunts, players encounter animals that react realistically to sound, scent and weather such as rain, wind, snow, lightning and fog, which also af fects one's hunting strategies.

Game features include an interactive target range and the opportunity to post and compare high scores at Cost for 1 -the CDs is about $20 each. if You can hear Steve Waters on Newsradio 610 every Saturday at 6:22 and 8:22 am. his involvement and leadership in a number of industry organizations, including the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Dunn has been a member of NMRA for 28 years and served as its president from 1 986-88. BASS PRO GROWS: Bass Pro Shops, which has an Outdoor World store in Dania Beach, has announced that three new retail stores are scheduled to open in 2001. Those stores will be in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, near Washington, D.C; lawrenceville, ija, near and St.

Charles, Mo, near St, Louis. The new stores will bring the number of Outdoor World stores to 1 4. It's a busy time of year for outdoors lovers. Cooler temperatures have people hiking, bird-watching and camping. Hunters are out chasing deer, hogs and ducks.

Offshore anglers are pursuing sailfish, while surf fishermen target bluefish, mackerel and pompano, and freshwater anglers go after bass and speckled perch. 1 Now is also a busy time for those searching for the perfect outdoors gift. Fortunately, manufacturers make things easy, because they're always comingup withnewand improved products that help make the outdoor STEVE WATERS 'On Outdoors experience more rewarding and enjoyable. Some things to keep in mind as you shop: Gear is much more specialized, so make sure you know exactlywhattypeoffishingor camping the people on your gift list like to do. Fishing rods might all look pretty much the same, but there's a big difference between a flipping stick and a plug rod.

Likewise, you don't want to buy a three-burner propane stove for a backcountry hiker. And you can't go wrong with the basics: anti-fog drops for dive masks, a box of steel shot shells for a duck hunter (make sure you know the gauge of your hunter's shotgun), a battery charger for a boater. 4 As for the new stuff here's a sampling of what you'll find in stores, online and in catalogs: A perfect fit One of the biggest obstacles to gettingyoungstersandwomeninto hunting is a heavy, too-big shotgun. If those novice hunters are lucky, they might be given a shotgun that had its stock cut in an effort to make it fit. Trouble is, the gun likely will be unbalanced and unwieldy, which does not promote accurate shooting.

After a few frustrating outings, those novice hunters will move on to another sport. Ithaca Gun has solved the problem with its new youth shotgun. Created just in time forthe holidays, the Ithaca 37 Ultra Featherlight Youth pump shotgun is based on Ithaca's classic Model 37 action, with bottom shell ejection and the ability to be used by either right-or left-handed shooters. The bottom-eject action also keeps dirt and debris out of the critical areas of function better than side-eject models. The youth gun is lightweight, thanks to a receiver machined from a solid block of aircraft grade aluminum, which keeps the weight below five pounds.

The gun features a 22-inch barrel with interchangeable choke tubes, a vent rib and a black walnut stock and forend. For the location of Ithaca dealers, MET TOURNAMENT: The 66th Metropolitan South Florida Fishing Tournament (MET) tucks off with the one-day, all-release Mini-MET on Dec. 2. The regular MET is Dec 9-May 13. Changes in the MET Include no weight categories for billfish and tarpon, only release awards.

For information, caH Suian Bakar at 305-569-0066 or send e-mail to RIGHT ON TARGET: Cabela's virtual hunting games, left, bring the thrill of stalking game indoors; the Dorados' new CD, right, sets the fun and magic of fishing to music with clever tunes; and Ithaca's youth shotgun, below, js light in weight and sized for a youngster. build-up by distributing the heat throughout the, tire. The sealants come in 32-ounce bottles. Recommended dosage is one bottle per axle for trailers and SUVs used primarily on-road and one bottle per tire for ATVs and SUVs used primarily off-road. For more information, visit the Web site atwww.mufti-seal.com.

Goodgiftware There are hokey outdoors gifts, and then there are really neat outdoor gifts. Rivers Edge makes some of the neatest we've seen. Rather than a hat or a T-shirt that says, "I'd rather be fishing," treat your angler, or yourself, to a fish-tail handle coffee mug, a chromed dolphin bottle opener or a fish magnet to hold the photo of the one that didn't get away on the refrigerator door. One of the nicest products is a brass fish bones wind chime the chimes look like the fish's backbone. Fish oven mitts come in a NOTEBOOK of Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual fund-raising banquet and auction at 630 p.m.

Dec 4 at the Florida Grand Opera, 221 SW 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-868-1335. FLY FISHING WEEKEND: Saltwater Fly fishing magazine and the International Game Fish Association will hold the inaugural Saltwater Fly Fishing Weekend at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Museum in Dania Beach Dec 2-3 from 10 a.m-4 p.m. The free event will feature fly-fishing clinics, fly-tying demonstrations and fly-casting lessons. Call 954-922-4212.

FISHING CLINIC A bass-fishing clinic for ODDS AND ENDS: Decorative and gimmicky items make good stocking stuffers. Some of the better ones include chimes that look like the fish's backbone; fish oven mitts that are designed so that your thumb slips into the fish's pectoral fin; colorful fish windsocks; and holiday light sets shaped like antique lures. variety of species and are cleverly designed so that your thumb slips into the fish's pectoral fin. Then there are the colorful windsocks, which come in bass, blue martin and dolphin models. Special for the holidays are 10-piece decorative light sets that feature trout, bass or antique fishing lures.

Prices are reasonable: $4 for magnets, $5 for fish can holders and trailer hitch covers, $8 for the bottle opener, $10 for the oven mitts, $13 for the coffee cup, 17 for the windsocks and $20 for the wind chime and light sets. The items are available at area tackle stores and mega-stores. Easy listening Alove of music and fishing are evident in the new CD Papa Was A Fishin' Man by the Dorados. Produced and recorded in Nashville by an assortment of session players, the 15-song CD is a mix of country, blues, rock and folk music. According to Dorados co-founder beginner and advanced anglers will be held Tuesday from 7-9 pm at Constitution Park, 2841 W.

Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach. Call 95480-4494. DUNN HONORED: Jim Dunn, president of JB Dunn Co. of Deerfield Beach, was recently honored with the Mel Barr Award for his contributions to the marine industry.

The award is named for the founder and first president of the National Marine Representatives Association and voted on by the NMRA membership. Dunn started in the marine industry in 1 963 as a sales representative. In 1972, he founded his own sales representative firm. Well-known for i uwnuwru j.ijih w. 1 i Papa Vfas A L-rishinU'an pi drops, fishing should be good for sailfish, kingfish and blackfin tuna.

Yellowtail snapper were biting on the reefs. INTERNET EDITION Steve Waters' recent stories, fishing reports, outdoors calendar, coastal marine forecasts and current radar can be found on the Web at www.sun-Mntinal.com sportsoutdoors. CALENDAR 1 SATURDAY: 3 'FveraladM Silhouette Club 11KAA, flJIk-J U-IV Target Range, 9S4-389-2005. 1 SATURDAY: SATURDAY: Eartv-bd special onf-m nature hike, 7 J0 National WiM Wuoe. Bring binoculars and fieW guide Meet at Mar Trail.

Call 561-732-3684. SATURDAY: Mangrove adventure hike, all ages, 1 1 aj. Anne Ho Nature Center, West Lake Park, HrJyvmod. Can 954-926-2480. presents a display of tverglarJes photos and often insighB into her techniques, 2 pm, Lonahatcht Natonrf Wildlrfe Refuge visitorcenter audrtonum.

Call 51 -732-3684. -SUNDAY: Southern Pro Bass Team Trail tournament, hiergladesHolidayPark.Cal 954-587-2746. SUNDAY: Sea kayak instnirtionAour for dulM kayak paddle class using sit-orHop ocean kayaks. An instructor will teach basic paddle strokes and participants vnH take a short tour on the mangrove md Cost $6.25, preregKtrjoon reguiredCaM 954-926-2480. MONDAY-WEDNESDAY: Seventh annual Oorge BusriOieecJ Lodge Bonefish Tournament, htamorada.

WEDNESDAY: tarty-bird special one-mile nature htke, 7 JO a.rrt, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Brtrqbinrxiilarsarcl field guioe. Meet at Marsh TraiCaU 561-732-3664. 3(9 call 1-888-9 ITHACAor visit the Web site at www Jthacagunxom. Flat avoidance Few outdoors experiences are worse than getting a flat tire on your vehicle or your boat trailer. Even if you have a functional spare, it's often a hassle to remove the flat tire jacking up a trailer is no fun especially if you're traveling off-road.

Multi-Seal makes three preventative tire sealants designed for outdoors enthusiasts. The 4x4 Formula is formulated for sport utility vehicles that travel on-road and off-road. Another sealant is for trailer tires and one is for ATV tires. When put in the tires, Multi-Seal reduces or prevents punctures, pressure loss, heat build-up and tire imbalance, all of which can cause flat tires. Say you drive over a nail.

Multi-Seal instantly surrounds the nail to prevent pressure loss. If you remove the nail, a permanent seal is created. Multi-Seal prevents heat keyfishindspringcom. FISHING TOURNAMENT: The inaugural Jackson Metropolitan Fishing Tournament and Bay Cruise will be Dec 2 at the Sealine Marina in Miami Proceeds will benefit the UMJackson Memorial Medical Center. Boat entry fee, for up to four anglers per boat, is $350.

Individual entry fee is $200, and all individuals will fish on a charter boat. Cost of the cruise aboard a luxury yacht in Biscayne Bay is $100, which includes lunch and an open bar. First place pays $2,500. Second and third place win vacations. Call 305-585-7260.

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vm Bi Ian Soil FMliimla II tut Rated For nootni Rows Etil Incredibry Stable1 $399 PIT iii5jr 0 7HP $795 Rated For 5 HP WT HCKT CVMMK IUHUT Vm nmrKMTBMWK nvfirMm ntt joHHsm isurir tarn mwimmm tnmiF mm JON, RASSJpjDALTKAYAK AND PONTOON PENN REELS SPORTIF GUY HARVEY EVERYTHING NAUTICAL.