The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 32

8 SPORTS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2003 THE TAMPA TRIBUNE TB0.com PRO FOOTBALL OUTDOORS Fish Statistics Show The Success Of Limits 1 Bengals Expect To Sign i Ml -W FRANK SARGEANT Outdoors Columnist fsargeantampabay.rr.com i- A i i NFL scouts and media watch as trainer Edward Garabedian gives Willis McGahee a stretch. McGahee Workout Impressive t's probably about time for anglers to admit the truth. Despite all the grumbling about too many regulations, there's no longer any question that science-based fishery management, as we have had for nearly 20 years in salt water, works wonders on fish populations. And anglers all over the state owe thanks to the scientists and regulators who have kept us from being our own worst enemies by taking too many fish or fish that are too small. The list of examples is long, and growing.

Redfish? Remember when conventional wisdom arid fish camp owners swore that west-coast reds almost never grew past 1 8 inches? In a way, they were right. Most reds didn't evade the combined pressure of gill nets and hooks long enough to reach those lengths. Less than 2 percent escaped to adulthood, scientists learned. But when gill nets went away in 1995 and the recreational limit dropped to one fish longer than 18 inches, we soon discovered that redfish here can get way bigger than 18 inches. The problem these days often is finding one less than 27 inches long, the top edge of the slot.

Trout were a similar story. For decades, the average size on our coast was 12 to 14 inches. Fish longer than 24 inches were almost unheard of here. ButwhentheFWC changed the size minimum to 15 inches and lowered the bag limit to as few as four fish, anglers suddenly discovered that trout can reach impressive sizes in our waters. The average fish caught these days is close to 17 inches, and 20-inchers are common.

Even 24-inchers no longer are rare, and some 28-and 30-inch fish are being reported. (Again, the gill net ban is part of this equation.) Gag grouper? Same tune. When the minimum size was 18 inches, offshore anglers complained that most gags grew to only 173A inches. Again, they were right. Any gag that was 18.0001 inches long went home in a fish box.

But when the minimum went to 20 inches, anglers discovered hundreds of fish 193t inches long. When it was raised to 22 inches a move vociferously protested by many bottom-bouncers the average size rose to 2134. Snook? The thought of releasing a fish longer than 2 feet was absolute anathema to many anglers a decade ago, but today most anglers realize we would have no large snook at all without the 26-to 34-inch slot limit. Spanish mackerel, which FISHING out he just had, it will be high." McGahee tore three ligaments in his left knee in Miami's championship-game loss to Ohio State. He underwent surgery Jan.

5, two days after the game, and there was speculation he never would play again. Although the injury was less severe than first feared, it required full reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. He briefly considered staying at Miami for anoth McGahee er season to nurse the knee back to health. Instead, the 21 -year-old sophomore stuck with his original plan to turn pro, embarking on a rugged rehabilitation program. He gave nearly 100 coaches, scouts, media members, family, friends and former teammates a glimpse of his typical workout Tuesday.

"When they said to come down here and watch him, my first reaction was: 'What could he Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Mike Hei-merdinger said. "He obviously did quite abit." McGahee spent 10 minutes 1 Pick A Tribune staff, wire report CINCINNATI Coach Marvin Lewis insists the Cincinnati Bengals will have the top pick in the NFL draft signed to a contract before the first round begins Saturday. The agent for Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer arrived in Cincinnati on Monday for negotiations. The team and agent David Dunn reportedly were at odds about how to structure a deal. Dunn didn't return phone messages Tuesday.

"We've had very productive discussions," Lewis said. Although they've singled out Palmer for face-to-face discussions, the Bengals are keeping in touch with the agents for quarterback Byron Leftwich and corner-back Terence Newman. David Ware, who represents Newman, talked to the Bengals on Tuesday. He declined to characterize their discussions. The Bengals had the three players in Cincinnati for interviews earlier this month and had preliminary contract talks with all three last week before settling on Palmer, considered the front-runner all along.

If the Bengals reach a roadblock in talks with Palmer, they could turn to one of the others to try to get a quick deal. The Bengals were interested in trading down but haven't found a suitable partner. Lewis, who got the Bengals' job in January, knows the franchise's reputation rests on getting a deal before the draft begins. Last year, the Bengals were mocked during ESPN's broadcast for taking offensive tackle Levi Jones with the 10th overall pick instead of trading down and trying to get him at a lower spot. Lewis is aware of the team's reputation for draft-day ineptitude.

He doesn't want ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman making jokes at the team's expense. "I guess Chris can make jokes about somebody else," Lewis said. "I think we will displace another myth here. That's good. Come September, we'll displace some other ones." Toliver, Cut By Bucs, Returns To Sform TAMPA Wide receiver Antoine "TT" Toliver's transition from the Arena Football League to the NFL was slowed again when the one-tine Tampa Bay Storm standout was released by the Bucs.

Toliver returned to the Storm later in the day, signing a new deal. Toliver, who will play receiverdefensive back for the Storm, is expected to travel to Long Island when Tampa Bay faces the New York Dragons on Sunday. Toliver was signed to the Bucs practice squad last Dec. 4 and was re-signed Jan. 3 in a one-year deal.

RoyCummings, Eddie Daniels CHARGERS: A.J. Smith was promoted to general manager 1 1 days after predecessor John Butler died of cancer. "John Butler and I talked shortly after he was diagnosed," team president Dean Spanos said. "We both agreed that if John couldn't be here, his successor was already in place. A.J.

is the perfect man for the job." Butler, 56, died of lymphoma April 11. Lung cancer was diagnosed in July. ROSE BOWL REDESIGN: Plans to redesign the 81-year-old Rose Bowl in hopes of attracting an NFL team were unveiled Tuesday. The project, yet to be approved by the City Council or the NFL, would cost an estimated $500 million. No TOP 10 LINEBACKERS were netted down to a fraction of historic numbers, have come back dramatically under tight regulation.

It's now common to catch 5-pounders where 1 -pound fish were once the norm. Plus, there are so many more fish, they can be caught almost year-round rather than only in the spring and fall. A contrary footnote here: King mackerel, which have been getting protections similar to Spanish, have not responded in kind. We still see nowhere near the numbers that were here before 1980, for reasons not clear. Tarpon never were table fish, but thousands were killed each year in big-money tournaments until the $50 kill tag was put in place in 1989.

Since then, the kill dropped to only about 100 fish ayear, and the average size has increased steadily. The remarkable thing in all this is that these fishery successes have occurred while Florida's fishing population has increased year after year. Added pressure almost always means fewer and smaller fish, but the management efforts of state biologists and regulators have held the line, and in some cases even improved the fisheries. The major benefit of more big fish in the water beyond anglers' enjoyment is that these adults are prime spawners, assuring strong stocks of juvenile fish moving through the ranks. Splitting a finite resource among a seemingly infinite number of new Floridaresi-dents forces us all to give a bit.

But thanks to good management, we still have quality fishing to enjoy. a SEMINARS: Captain Dale Fields presents a free Boca Grande tarponsnook seminar tonight at 6:45 at Bill Currie Ford on North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa. For information call (813) 935-3293. Captains Jon Turner and Greg DeVault present a free tarpon seminar tonight at 7 at Boater's World on State Road 60 in Brandon. Captain Rodney Martin presents a free snook seminar Thursday at 7 p.m.

at Tightlines Tackle, at Sligh and Armenia avenues in Tampa. Call (813) 932-4721. REPORT i "iwiniiin Magi FREE OPEN video Howei Membership 247 Pwps $8AII Day Peeps Theatre S12AII Day Video Arcade Maaa Videos DVOt Noveiities Sun-Ttwn Bm 2am Frl Sat open 24 houre 1202 c. Madison Ave. Downtown oft Clunnelsioa Drive 81 3-307-0506 BOOK Ck VIDEO TOTS PEEP SHOWS NOVELTIES DETOX VIDEO I DVD RENTALS The Associated Press on a training table, getting the knee massaged; rode a stationary bike for another few minutes to loosen it up; and then weighed in at 226 pounds.

McGahee started his weightlifting session by squatting 185 pounds 10 times, then 205 pounds 10 times and finally 225 pounds 10 times. Then, giving his knee a short break, he benched-pressed 225 pounds 26 times finishing the final three backed by chants from ex-teammates. McGahee moved outdoors for the rest of his workout. He did leg lifts, lunges and a step program. Then it was on to the light sprinting.

"I wanted to see if he could run straight ahead," Heimer-dinger said. "You could see he's dragging a little bit, but he's still running straight ahead pretty good." McGahee should keep getting better. And he says the team drafting him will get a franchise player capable of numbers similar to those of last season, when he rushed for 1,686 yards, scored 28 touchdowns and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. "Today absolutely guarantees him as a first-round pick," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. Ira Kaufman VIEW envisioned him as an NFL strong safety, but the Bucs never wavered.

Their reward was a weakside linebacker with Hall of Fame credentials. "Bailey runs faster than anyone at that position I've seen in a long time," said Falcons scouting supervisor Mike Ha-gen. "He's got rare 4.4 football speed. When he leaps to block field goals, the ball hits him in the chest." Right where that Superman insignia would be. HEAIJTT IN THB Bl TT 1U I mil ADMISSION ll.W.H BtJFPKT FREE: FORMER UM BACK A FIRST-ROUNDER? By MARK LONG The Associated Press CORAL GABLES Willis McGahee put on a final show for NFL coaches and scouts Tuesday, lifting weights, catching passes and even running a few mild sprints in hopes of making himself a first-round draft pick.

He got rave reviews. Four days before the NFL draft and 15 weeks removed from reconstructive knee surgery, McGahee did everything asked of him in the weight room and on the practice field. Eight NFL teams, including Bucs GM Rich McKay, got another look at McGahee's progress, and the former Miami Hurricanes running back got a chance to prove he will be able to play and perhaps perform at a high level this season. "He passed with flying colors," Houston Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said. "He did a great job.

All the directors of college scouting are sitting back and saying: 'Where do you place this guy on your With the work- BOSS BAILEY Continued From Page 1 win a game or two as an NFL rookie, he blocked three field goals. If Bailey doesn't crack the top 10 Saturday, blame injury concerns. He was a track standout at Charlton County High, in southeastern Georgia, but missed most of his prep senior season with a torn ACL Those two major knee injuries haven't slowed Bailey. "We haven't had a race in a while, but I used to win," said Champ, who has been timed in 4.3 for the 40. "Now, you never know.

He reminds me of Derrick Brooks, except Boss is faster. But he plays and knows the game the same way Derrick does." Bailey has heard some talk he could be shifted to safety in the pros. He's far more interested in playing outside linebacker, adding 10 pounds without sacrificing speed. "He's got rare athletic ability for the position," said Ravens director of player personnel Phil Savage. "He almost has defensive-back-type skills in a linebacker's body." Any team that wants to move Bailey into the secondary has a fight on its hands.

"Definitely linebacker," he said of his NFL plans. "I'm a linebacker first. But I've got the ability to cover receivers. If anybody wants me to go out there one-on-one, I definitely can do that. I love a challenge." Baltimore likely will have a shot at Bailey with the 10th pick.

If the Ravens pass, Bailey could be tabbed by the Rams (No. 12) or Jets (No. 13). He'd love to play with Newly Remodeled New Staff! New Attitude! feMuMHA Dawn Taylor XXX FILM STAR Winner FW I inwrir MikIi I 2002 7W Name Pos. College Ht.

Wt. Boss Bailey OLB Georgia 6-3 233 The next Derrick Brooks? EJ. Henderson I LB Maryland 6-1 245 Hard hitter; reads plays well Bradie James ILB LSU 6-2 242 Savvy player saddled with average speed Terry Pierce ILB Kansas State 6-1 251 Strongest LB in the draft MikeNattiel OLB Florida 5-11. 228 Has the speed to drop into coverage Gerald Hayes ILB Pittsburgh 6-1 240 Slightly undersized, but productive Kawika Mitchell ILB South Florida 6-1 253 High intensity and loves the game Shawn Price OLB N.C. State il 230 Nice burst off the edge Lance Briggs ILB Arizona 6-1 244 Two-time defensive MVP for Wildcats AngeloCrowell ILB Virginia 6-1 237 Good skills but lacks pro size Freshwater WHATS HOT: Want to catch a lot of bass? Fish the West Wall area of Lake Okeechobee.

There is more Kissimmee grass, more lily pads, more hydrilla and more cattails than you could fish. High numbers of bass are being taken, along with bluegill, shellcracker and some specks. WHATS NOT: Live shiners always will catch bigger bass overall. However, now is not the best time to use shiners for high numbers of bass. Artificial lures will take more numbers up to 5 to 7 pounds than the slowly fished live shiners.

Remember live shiners for larger bass, artificial lures for more numbers. Saltwater WHATS HOT: Kingfish steaks. With the abundance of kingfish, try this easy delight Steak the fish cross body. Cover the steak with lemon juice. Top with melted butter, coarse ground pepper and paprika.

Broil. That's hot! WHATS NOT: Silver trout are scarce. Bluefish are scarce. Mangrove snapper are moving offshore. They will get bigger and are best caught at night Tarpon are here, but not yet feeding well along the beaches.

All in due time. Jim Lee The fishing report appears every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. An expanded version appears in Friday's Tribune. BUCS' ON THE DRAFTS LINEBACKERS: "This is probably an average year for linebackers. It's not a real, real deep position and there's not a ton of them that will go exceptionally high." Ruston Webster, director of college scouting Champ, but the Redskins gave up that 13th pick for signing wide receiver Laveranues Coles.

"I think I benefited from being Champ's brother," Bailey said. "It's just a good name, and the scouts know Champ's a great guy, a stand-up guy and a great player. I'm sure they're thinking that it runs in the blood and I'll be the same way for them." Brooks also was considered undersized when he left Florida State in 1995. Some scouts JESSIE JAMES IS BACK! XXX FILM Sttfi CIERRA IS NOW HERCI Alu: Aleuts, Una, Lvlonl. Haylaf, Adriana, Shannon, Ashley lyw (ir HIS Spa SI IMIrfO awSi BEST OF THE BAY 2002 I MILE WEST OF DALE MABRY 4345 Kennedy 282-9698 mi'liiTI 4010W.CwuuSl Nfuiw Swum Open 24 Ha Winner Best Shop 2002 AranTENTfm AOUT ENIERIAMMf NT AwAUDS mw.t lu.l A ABBY HEIDI ft JLNNA ft ASHLYN ophistiCats li i i in i mill I 2001 ft 2002 Niqht Move) Bl Lingerie Shop MocWs 3804 N.

A Slnt Tnmpo, Ft One bkx ol Kim ad Mdjy a MARSALLA ft KIANNA ft MADISON ft DANIELLE ft SAVANNAH.