Category: Uncategorized

By Jody Steele

The month of April has arrived and it is a busy one for Rod and Gun Club members!

Keep ‘Em Wet!

A reminder to all anglers to “Keep ‘Em Wet”. As we enjoy all the great fishing here, it is important that if you do not plan to eat your fish, it should be kept in the water when unhooking and taking photographs.  Steps made to minimize air exposure, protect scales by avoiding dry surfaces such as hands and boat bottoms, and limiting handling time are all significant steps needed to save your fish. Some species such as sailfish, tarpon, bonefish and permit must stay wet in order to survive after being released.  Our efforts to follow these practices are “conservation in action” for the future of our fishing community.

All Craft Fishing Tournament (NEW)

The first annual All-Craft Tournament has now started, being held March 31^st-April 14^th. This is a two angler/team fishing competition that is a new event sponsored by the Rod & Gun Club. Participants are required to pick two fishing days within the two-week window. Points will be scored for each of the two days. Winners will be determined by OVERALL points scored. All fish in the weight scoring categories are to be weighed at the MarineMax tackle shop on the fishing day in which they were caught between 3:00-4:00 p.m. Each team is responsible for turning in their fully completed score sheets no later than 4:30 p.m. In the event of a scoring tie, the tie breaker will be the team who scored the amount first.  A bi-weekly update of team scoring will be sent by group email during the tournament period, along with a scoring board in the MarineMax tackle shop.

Registration for this tournament has now closed. So now it is time for all teams to choose their two days! Winning teams of first, second, and third place will be notified on April 15th. Prizes will be awarded along with trophies to winners. IF INTERESTED, LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

MORE for Your Fishing Fun:

Seal Team Ocean Reef Fishing Tournament – April 19^th
More information on this exciting event coming soon!

Fish of the Month
Tuna and swordfish are the Fish of the Month for April. Weigh-in must be at the MarineMax tackle shop from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to be eligible for a $50 gift certificate and bragging rights. Both of these fish are treated separately, so there are really two opportunities to win in April.

Card Sound Shooting Sports Range
A reminder to members that reservations to use the Range MUST be made ahead of time online at rodandgun.org. Go to the website at rodandgun.org and then the Range section. Hit the “Book Now” button to fill out the form. The Range is usually open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Share Your Sporting Pictures
Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com to be featured in the Ocean Reef Press and on the Rod & Gun Club website. Visit rodandgun.org and click on “Photo Gallery” to view.

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By Jody Steele

The Season for the Rod and Gun Club Members is continuing in to April with some outstanding events. Check these out and add to your calendar!

All Craft Fishing Tournament (NEW)

The first annual All-Craft Tournament will be held March 31^st-April 14^th. This is a two angler/team fishing competition with no charge registration to all current Rod & Gun Club members.

Participants are required to pick two fishing days within the two-week window. Points will be scored for each of the two days. Winners will be determined by OVERALL points scored. All fish in the weight scoring categories are to be weighed at the MarineMax tackle shop between 3 and 4 p.m. on the fishing day in which they were caught. Each team is responsible for turning in their fully completed score sheets no later than 4:30 p.m. In the event of a scoring tie, the tie breaker will be the team who scored the amount first. A bi-weekly update of team scoring will be sent by group email during the tournament period, along with a scoring board in the MarineMax tackle shop.

Registration for this great NEW tournament must be submitted no later than Monday, March 29^th. All forms, including entry forms and rules can be picked up at MarineMax tackle shop or downloaded from the rodandgun.org website. Winning teams of first, second, and third place will be notified on April 15th. Prizes will be awarded along with trophies to winners.

MORE for Your Fishing Fun:

Seal Team Ocean Reef Fishing Tournament – Monday, April 19^th
More information on this exciting event coming soon!

Fish of the Month
Snapper (all legal species) are the Fish of the Month. Weigh in at MarineMax tackle shop from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and be eligible for a $50 gift certificate and bragging rights.

Card Sound Shooting Sports Range
Members MUST make reservations ahead of time online at rodandgun.org. Go to the website at rodandgun.org and then the Range section. Hit the “Book Now” button to fill out the form. The Range is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Share Your Sporting Pictures
Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com to be featured in the Ocean Reef Press and on the Rod & Gun Club website. Visit rodandgun.org and click on “Photo Gallery” to view.

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By Jody Steele 

ESP Presentation

Rod and Gun Club members learned more about Electronic Shooting Protection from Jack Homa, President of ESP and enjoyed an early evening social time at Town Hall Waterside last week. Some purchased the custom fitted ear devices to be utilized at the Card Sound Range. For more information – visit the ESP Website – https://www.espamerica.com/ .

All Craft Tournament (NEW)

The first annual All-Craft Tournament will be held March 31-April 14. This is a two angler/team fishing competition with no-charge registration to all current Rod & Gun Club members. Participants are required to pick two fishing days within the two-week window. Points will be scored for each of the two days. Winners will be determined by OVERALL points scored. All fish in the weight scoring categories are to be weighed at the MarineMax tackle shop on the fishing day in which they were caught between 3 and 4 p.m. Each team is responsible for turning in their fully completed score sheets no later than 4:30 p.m. Registration for this great NEW tournament must be submitted no later than Monday, March 29. All forms, including entry forms and rules can be picked up at MarineMax tackle shop or downloaded from the rodandgun.org website – Click HERE for more information and forms. Winning teams will be notified on April 15th. 

More for Your Fishing Calendar

ORC Sailfish Classic Fishing Tournament – March 25-27

This is an Ocean Reef Club sponsored event with a welcome reception and awards presentation. Go to rodandgun.org calendar for a schedule of events, rules, and to register for this outstanding tournament – Click HERE. 

Seal Team Ocean Reef Fishing Tournament – April 19 – Click HERE for more infomation.

Fish of the Month

Snapper (all legal species) are the Fish of the Month. Weigh in at MarineMax tackle shop from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and be eligible for a $50 gift certificate and bragging rights. 

Card Sound Shooting Sports Range

Members MUST make reservations ahead of time online at rodandgun.org. Go to the website at rodandgun.org and then the Range section. Hit the “Book Now” button to fill out the form. The Range is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com to be featured in the Ocean Reef Press and on the Rod & Gun Club website. Visit rodandgun.org and click “Photo Gallery” to check it out!

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By Jody Steele and Wendy Brainard

Strong Showing at the Jimmy Johnson Quest for the Ring 2021
With over 800 sailfish released in two days, this year was record breaking! Rod and Gun Club women anglers earned three spots in their division. Men anglers were also big winners.
                        Catch and Release Category: Triple Threat (6^th Place) with 18 releases, Bar South (8^th Place) with 17 releases.
                        Master Angler Division: Sandra Fish (6^th Place) on Sandrita with 7 releases, Carl Lindner (9^th Place) on Seraphim with 6 releases and 7^th place Top Male Angler.
                        Top Female Anglers: Sandra Fish (2^nd Place) with 7 releases, Vanessa Lindner (6^th Place) on Tar Baby with 2 releases, and Wendy Brainard (9^th Place) on Sandrita.                  

Congratulations to all of the Rod and Gun anglers!

All Craft Tournament (NEW)
The first annual All-Craft Tournament will be held March 31^st-April 14^th. This is a two angler/team fishing competition with no charge registration to all current Rod & Gun Club members. Participants are required to pick two fishing days within the two-week window. Points will be scored for each of the two days. Winners will be determined by OVERALL points scored. All fish in the weight scoring categories are to be weighed at the MarineMax tackle shop on the fishing day in which they were caught. Registration for this great NEW tournament must be submitted no later than Monday, March 29^th. All forms can be picked up at MarineMax tackle shop or downloaded from the rodandgun.org website.

More for Your Fishing Calendar
Sailfish Classic-March 25-27th
Seal Team Ocean Reef Fishing Tournament – April 19^th

Fish of the Month
Snapper (all legal species) are the Fish of the Month. Weigh in at MarineMax tackle shop from 7:00 AM-5:00 PM and be eligible for a $50 gift certificate and bragging rights.

Card Sound Shooting Sports Range
Members MUST make reservations ahead of time online at rodandgun.org. Go to the website at rodandgun.org and then the Range section. Hit the “Book Now” button to fill out the form. The Range is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Share Your Sporting Pictures
Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com. Check out this weeks action!

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By Jody Steele

What a catch!

Check out the pictures of the ORC RECORD swordfish caught on February 25^th aboard Mo Cuisle at 391 lbs.  Congratulations to Bud Copeland, Wade Copeland, Guy Lipscomb and Tre Still.  It took a three-hour fight to land this enormous fish. Special thanks to John Weiland for providing his digital scale and doing the official weigh-in late in the day.

For Your Fishing Calendar
Sailfish Classic – March 25-27^th
All Craft Tournament (NEW) – March 31^st-April 14^th 
Seal Team Ocean Reef Fishing Tournament – April 19^th

Card Sound Shooting Sports Range

Members MUST make reservations ahead of time online at rodandgun.org. Go to the website at rodandgun.org and then the Range section. Hit the “Book Now” button to fill out the form. The Range is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Join the Club

Membership in the Rod and Gun Club is easy. Go online to the website and scroll down to the “membership” section at the bottom. Fill out the form and submit. In no time you will be eligible to use the Card Sound Shooting Sports Range along with invitations to special events, fishing, and shooting trips. All members also receive discounts at MarineMax and Orvis.

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com. Check out this weeks shots.

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By Jody Steele

Looking ahead and looking back, the Rod & Gun Club continues to enhance the lives of its members.

A Bit of History

In the late 90’s, Tom Davidson, Bill Willson, Rick Howard and Jack Curlettwere on a trip to Deep Water Cay with about 15 other Ocean Reef Club Members when they conceived the idea of the Rod & Gun Club. The plans took shape fairly quickly with goals to organize other fishing trips and tournaments, oversee the Reef Cup, hold learning seminars, and engage in conservation activities. Tom Davidson shares that social events were also part of the planning.  Amazingly, a couple of hundred signed up for this “new” club and was kicked off with a fish fry that immediately sold out in one day!  The group hired Chico Fernandez as the fishing professional to give lessons, go on trips, and advise all interested in fishing. Tom Davidson was the first chairman, then Bill Willson, Rick Howard, Jack Curlett, Joel Shephard, Jack Salisbury, Ken Reda, Nelson Sims, and now Tom Davidson, Jr.  The Club now stands strong with over 600 members. Kudos to the original four for their foresight and enthusiasm in forming the largest Club within the Club at Ocean Reef.

Reminder of Upcoming Event

The Rod & Gun Club has scheduled a “members only” demonstration of the ESP (Electronic Shooter Protection) system that provides excellent hearing protection. This event will be held on Tuesday, March 9^th at 5:00 -6:00 PM at Waterside with snacks and refreshments served.  The owner of ESP will be in attendance and will provide an exclusive discount for Rod & Gun Club members. More information regarding this presentation is on the rodandgun.org events calendar.

Fishing Dates to Note
Sailfish Classic – March 25-27^th
All Craft Tournament (NEW) – March 31^st-April 14^th 
Seal Team Ocean Reef Fishing Tournament – April 19^th

More details will be published later.

Card Sound Shooting Sports Range

Members must make reservations ahead of time online at rodandgun.org. Go to the website and the Range section. Then hit the “Book Now” button to fill out the form. The Range is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com. Check out a recent adventure below.

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By Jody Steele

The Rod & Gun Club at Ocean Reef has a terrific website with a complete menu of information. You can find details regarding the history of the Rod & Gun Club, check out the events calendar, reserve a time at the Shooting Range, find out how to join the Rod & Gun Club online, and enjoy the photo gallery of sports pictures. This is all available on rodandgun.org.

Save the Date

The Rod & Gun Club has scheduled a “members only” demonstration of the ESP (Electronic Shooter Protection) system that provides excellent hearing protection. This event will be held on Tuesday, March 9^th from 5:00-6:00 PM at Town Hall Waterside with refreshments served.  The owner of ESP will be in attendance and will provide an exclusive discount for Rod & Gun Club members. More information regarding this presentation are on the rodandgun.org events calendar. Or click HERE.

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com.

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By Jody Steele

Save the Date

The Rod & Gun Club is pleased to announce an upcoming “members only” demonstration of the ESP (Electronic Shooter Protection) system that provides excellent hearing protection. This event will be held on Tuesday, March 9 from 5-6 p.m. at Town Hall Waterside with refreshments served. The owner of ESP will be in attendance and will provide an exclusive discount for Rod & Gun Club members. Check rodandgun.org for more information.

The Range

The Range has been a busy destination the last few weeks. We appreciate that Rod & Gun members have been doing the online reservations through the rodandgun.org website. This booking process is really helping to keep The Range less crowded and more enjoyable for all.

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com.

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By Jody Steele

The Reef Cup

Congratulations to all Reef Cup anglers! Special kudos to the top three award winners: “Business”-Mike Rich, “Sandrita-Kevin Fish, and “OHHH Boy”-Mike Waite, all Rod & Gun Club members.

Save the Date

The Rod & Gun Club is pleased to announce an upcoming “members only” demonstration of the ESP (Electronic Shooter Protection) system that provides excellent hearing protection. The event will be held on March 9^th; more details will be shared soon regarding time and location. The owner of ESP will be in attendance and will provide an exclusive discount for Rod & Gun Club members.

The Fish of the Month

There are two choices for the fish of the month for February: the common snook and the tuna. Florida is very proud of the snook as it is found mostly in the southern waters of the State. It is an aggressive fish that is simply delicious. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission lists varied restrictions on where to catch snook, the particular season, and strict size requirements. Slot limit is not less than 28” or more than 32-33” depending on your location. The daily bag limit is one per harvester per day.  As far as the tuna, anglers must check both State and Federal regulations carefully in regard to permits and limit. Good places to get more information is at myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater or on the Fish Rules App. Remember to take your fish to MarineMax Tackle Shop for a weigh-in to be eligible for a $50 Gift Certificate and well-earned fame.

The Range

Thanks again to all members that have been doing the online reservations through the rodandgun.org website. This booking process is really helping to keep the Range less crowded and more enjoyable for all. The Twister Game continues to be popular spot as seen in the accompanying photo.

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Email your sporting pictures to jodysteele@gmail.com.

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By Jody Steele

The Fish of the Month

There are two species out there waiting for you in the month of January-Kingfish and Wahoo. Take your fish to MarineMax tackle shop for a weigh-in to be eligible for a $50 Gift Certificate and angling bragging rights.

Ocean Reef Sailfish Championship

The Ocean Reef Sailfish Championship includes a series of tournaments. The next is later this month with the Reef Cup Invitational Sailfish Tournament scheduled for Thursday, January 28^th to Saturday, January 30^th.  Mark your calendars for this traditional Ocean Reef event where if you are not on the water, you can celebrate with the annual viewing of anglers returning to the Reef every afternoon.

The Card Sound Shooting Sports Range is now requiring booking online by going to rodandgun.org and filling out the form that asks for your email address, name, mobile phone number, ORC Account number, the number in your group, shooting experience level, date, and time. After hitting “submit” you will receive a copy of your responses by email. Booking or canceling should be done with no less than an hour notice. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an experienced shooter unless taking scheduled lessons with an instructor. The minimum shooting age at The Range is 8 years old. The Range is open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM.  Members should arrive at the Range by 2:15 PM. Rod and Gun Club Members must accompany their guests.

Share Your Sporting Pictures
Check out the fabulous fishing pictures and congratulations to these anglers! Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com.

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