The second owner boat market is full of used boats and while buying a one is never easy, recent hurricanes could lead to an increase in vessels for sale that may have sustained severe damage from recent storms. Quite often damaged boats are properly repaired and sold, but sometimes sellers don’t always tell the truth and finding out whether a boat has been hurricane damaged can be difficult.  That difficulty is especially relative if cosmetic repairs have been made.

Here are some tips that could help protect you from inadvertently buying a hurricane damaged vessel.

Get a Survey: The boat looks brand new, but did you know that 12% of all boat damage is a result of a lack of proper maintenance? Do you know how to look ‘under the covers’ so to speak and know if the boat has been properly maintained? The surveyor “you” hire (not the seller or boat dealer) to inspect the boat has the knowledge and expertise to know what is proper and what is not. Therefore having a survey done by a professional and reputable independent surveyor is paramount, especially if you’re looking to invest thousands of hard earned dollars.

Selling Across State Lines: Buyer beware is an old time but true saying and boat seller’s wishing to obscure the boats history only needs to cross state lines to avoid detection. Unlike automobiles some states do not have laws requiring the titles of junked or salvaged boats be recognized as such. And only 36 states even have a requirement that powerboats be titled. Often the absence of a salvage title allows an unscrupulous seller to simply trailer the boat to another state and list it for sale with a dealer. Use caution if the seller unwilling to document where a boat has been berthed or registered for the past few years.

Erroneous Reporting: Although some internet websites allege to provide comprehensive background information on used boats, consumers should be dubious since there is no single clearinghouse for boat information. You could check the records of each boat by calling the boat registration agencies in every state but you must still be aware that, state boat registration records do not include information about accidents or insurance claims.

“As Is Condition” Could Equal Expensive Repairs: Protections afforded consumers by federal warranty laws and state implied warranties are limited when products are sold “as is”. Without a thorough inspection and pre-purchase survey, you may not find any storm-related damages until something major happens and repair efforts reveal the true extent of damage. Most insurance policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and won’t cover the repairs. If you do buy “as is”, consider adding a statement in the sales contract that says the seller has revealed everything they know about the boat’s pre-existing and existing condition and all repaired damages.

Knowing Before You Purchase: For certain buyers purchasing a hurricane damaged vessel may be appealing, provided they have the time, budget and sweat equity needed to facilitate repairs. However, knowing it’s a “hurricane damaged boat” is a must.

Snook (Gulf Coast Size Limit: 28-33 Inches) – Snook season is open and the water temperatures should start cooling down a bit. When that happens, snook fishing ought to brighten up in Tampa Bay. We’ve maintained decent snook action all summer and October should turn out nicely.  Anglers have been catching impressive quantities of fish on both half and three-quarter day trips with most averaging in the 22-27 inch range with several over 30 inches. Our big fish for September was a 39 incher. Artificial lures are a blast for those who enjoy matching wits with a linesider and live bait, free-lined or under a cork will always do the trick.

Redfish - The redfish where booming in September compared to August and this month should be outstanding as well. We’re still catching plenty in the 20 to 30 range with our big fish tipping the measuring stick at 33 inches. When redfish hesitate to take live greenbacks or pinfish, which is seldom, try tossing out a piece of cut bait, i.e. mullet, bluefish, or ladyfish. If redfish are in the area they’ll find it. I like to suspend it under a cork to let the scent travel with the current.

Sea Trout – The Trout bite will continue right into winter so be prepared for some decent October trout action.  Drift any good grass flat, tossing livebait free lined or under a popping cork, or toss around some artificial lures and have a ball catching a mess for dinner.

Mackerel, Sharks, Bluefish, and Cobia - Large schools of mackerel, bluefish, yellowtail jacks and ladyfish are still around the bay chasing bait. As you travel the bay watch for diving birds and you’ve found feeding fish. Set up a drift near the activity and get ready for some fast and furious drag screaming action. I use 60 lb. Seaguar leader and long shank 2/0 hooks. Believe me when I tell you to be prepared to retie and use plenty of hooks.

Be prepared for the occasional cobia or shark to pop up at the worst moment, always have a rig ready to toss a small pinfish to a passing cobia. Cobia normally turn immediately to take a pinfish, we caught two in September one small one 35 inches.

It doesn’t take much chumming to get a shark bite going they seem to be everywhere. We normally catch plenty of smaller fish but our largest last month was somewhere close to 100 lbs.

Mangrove Snapper – these great eating fish are all over the bay and not bashful about eating small greenbacks or shrimp. You must be quick or they’ll clean you hook before you know it. If you feel the bump and do not hook up, reel in because your baits gone. Remember the first part of my report about Amendment 27/14 rule changes… well it applies to all snapper fishing… use circle hooks, have a vent tool and de-hooker.

Snook (Gulf Coast Size Limit: 28-33 Inches) – The Snook bite has been good through October, however as the water temperatures start dropping look for bite to slow down. You can still catch this wily sometimes unpredictable fish… you just need to look in different places depending on the water temperatures. Snook are not cold hearty and migrate to areas with tolerable water temperatures. As the water temperatures drop their metabolisms slow considerably and they tend to exert only enough energy to catch food. They limit how much energy is used by not chasing bait, so slow down you presentation especially when using artificial lures. When using greenbacks during cool water temperatures I’ll often cut the tail fins off to slow them down. Remember, large shrimp, bridges, docks and deepwater structure results in a decent snook bite.

Redfish - The redfish action should continue into the cooler months and artificial lures are always productive and loads of fun when fished around mangroves, oyster bars and open water grass flats. Topwater’s or soft plastics on light jighead are your best bet. Live greenbacks, dollar-size pinfish, shrimp and cut baits also catch plenty of reds.

Sea Trout – The Trout bite’s been excellent especially on deeper water grass flats and should continue through the winter months. Here again artificial lures work really well especially on those cold morning when you can’t bring yourself to throw the net. But if you’re a die hard live baiter and can’t get greenies buy shrimp from you local bait house… they certainly need some business.

Remember, Steve Love’s original tandem jig… if not, they where excellent trout lures. Here’s the principal rig. Tie a 1/8 or 1/4 ounce jighead on the end of approximately 30 inches of 30 pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader. Then tie another one about 12 inches above the first and add you favorite small jig curly tail to each jighead. Now tie an Old Bayside Paradise Popper to the other end and tie the rig to your line. Toss it out, pop it a couple of times, let it settle and pop it again. How hold on because you’ll probably get a double hook up.

Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Cobia, Sharks, and Bluefish – Schooling fish action will continue until the water temperatures get too cold. Last year the mackerel stayed into December. As you travel the bay watch for diving birds and you’ve found feeding fish. You can set up a drift near the activity or I like to anchor, and hang a couple of chum bags over the side then scatter a few live greenbacks around the boat. Watch the water and when they start striking toss a live greenie… fish on. Tie on some 60 lb. Seaguar leader and long shank 2/0 or 3/0 hook and get ready for some fast and furious drag screaming action. I’m fairly certain we hooked a large king mackerel last week… only got a quick glance as it zoomed past the boat on its last run before spooling our light tackle.

Cobia and sharks will also show so be prepared by having a rig ready to toss a small pinfish to a passing cobia or shark.

Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead – the snapper bite continues and sheepshead should start picking up as the waters begin cooling.

Recent proposals aimed at improving air quality may unconstructively impact many boater owners. It’s been discovered that E-10 gasoline is causing a number of problems to powerboat owners, especially those with older boats.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requiring the use of oxygenated gasoline in an effort to improve air quality and numerous areas around the country are using an additive called Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether or MTBE, however due to its own environmental problems, ethanol is quickly replacing it. Ethanol is a high octane, biodegradable ethyl alcohol produced from renewable resources such as grain or wood. Because ethanol contains 35 percent oxygen by weight, it reduces carbon monoxide tail pipe emissions. Ethanol is blended with low octane fuels to produce a mix that is comparable to other fuels and blends of 10% percent ethyl alcohol and gasoline known as E-10 gas is now commonplace at all gas stations and marina fuel docks across the country.

Ethyl alcohol is a chemical solvent capable of causing damage to the sealants especially those used on older fiberglass fuel tanks resulting in leakage and potential fire hazards. Also because it’s a superb solvent, ethyl alcohol has a cleaning effect on other tanks resulting in the release of fine particles which pass through most fuel filters. These result in clogged fuel injector nozzles, carburetors, fuel system blockages, engine damage, and increased water fuel contamination most commonly known as phase separation.

Ethanol is hydroscopic, meaning it adsorbs water. When added to a water contaminated a fuel tank it combines together to produce a noncombustible layer of liquid that settles to the bottom of the tank. This is common during long storage periods.

Since fuel tanks have little room for expansion keeping it full limits the flow of air in and out of the vent thus reducing the chance of condensation (water) resulting from fluctuating temperatures. Whenever, water enters the E-10 fuel it quickly reacts with the ethanol thereby inviting phase separation. Once tanks are contaminated the only solution is completely draining the tank of fuel and water. This procedure is costly and dangerous and should be le ft to the professionals.

It appears the best defense for boaters is to keep your fuel tank clean of water and use adequate fuel filters and additives. There are fuel additives to help prevent phase separation and fuel gelling, thus helping to eliminate ethanol-related fuel problems. Most have an enzyme fuel additive that helps prevent phase separation by de-ionizing the fuel or neutralizing the electrical charges between water molecules. The de-ionization process breaks the electric bond of the water molecules preventing them from forming into large clusters or drops that settle to the bottom of the fuel tank. I use a Racor brand water separating fuel filter and fuel additives.

This new ruling became effective on June 1 2008 and was implemented to end over-fishing in the Gulf’s red snapper fishery and reduce release mortality in reef fish. Florida also approved these measures to maintain consistency with the federal management plan.

In addition to other rules which will reduce the red snapper allowable catch both commercial fishers and recreational anglers targeting reef fish species, which includes all snappers, groupers, sea bass, amberjacks, gray triggerfish, hogfish, red porgy and golden tilefish in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida state waters to adhere to the new rulings.

The new rules require all commercial fishers and recreational anglers to have and use venting tools, de-hooking devices and non-stainless circle hooks when using natural baits either alive or dead.

Venting Tools – It’s unlikely you will catch fish requiring the use of a vent tool while inshore fishing. However the amendment states you must have a vent tool when fishing for Federal and State waters for any reef species. However, fish caught at depths over 50 feet and quickly brought to the surface by hook and line normally suffer from gas expansion in their swim bladder. This rapid pressure expansion is often enough to push the fish’s stomach out of its mouth. This pressure exerts considerable stress on internal organs resulting in serious injuries, if not quickly deflated. Fish released in this inflated condition it cannot return to comfortable depths and often floats away, consumed by other predators or dying from exposure.

All venting tools must be designed to inflict minimal damage to the fish, while allowing trapped gases to be released from the expanded swim bladder. This device must be a sharpened hollow instrument like a 16 gauge needle/hypodermic syringe w/plunger removed or 16 gauge needle fixed to a wooden handle. When venting the tool should be inserted 1 to 2 inches behind the pectoral fin at a 45 degree angle. It should only be inserted deep enough to help deflate the fish.

Anglers are using various devices including hypodermic needles. Angler and general public safety should be the number one concern when purchasing, using and discarding these devices. I recently found a company located in Tampa, Florida, named Team Marine USA. In my opinion they have taken venting and de-hooking to a new level with angler safety and fish welfare their foremost concern. They produce the safest and fish friendliest tool manufactured anywhere and it comes with a “lifetime warranty”.

Hypodermic syringes w/o plungers, non-locking needle devices, and needles in a wooden dowel in my estimation are not angler safe and the most dangerous to use. Why?

1. For starters hypodermic syringes where never designed for multiple use to prevent serious injury and infections. They are also bio-hazard devices and must be properly disposed at bio-hazard facilities… never put in the trash or thrown overboard to wash ashore.

2. Ever thy putting the needle cover back on in pitching or rolling sea you will probably get stuck?

3. The flimsy covers never stay on when stored in your tackle bag. The last thing you need is dirty needle with water born bacteria sticking out.

4. If you ever get stopped by Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard or local law enforcement and they find a syringe onboard. It will probably take some convincing to explain why you have drug paraphernalia in your possession.

De-hooking Tools – De-hooking devices or de-hookers are designed to safely remove a hook without it re-engaging the fish. They also prevent removal of the fish’s protective slime usually disturbed when handling fish during release. You can find in stores selling fishing supplies or you can also find them online at TeamMarineUSA.com. They must be blunted with rounded edges, and suitable for the size hook you are removing. Here are a few tips on how to use a de-hooker:

1. Use common sense, if you cannot see the hook its best left in the fish. Simply leave the fish in the water and cut the line as close to the hook as possible.

2. In most instances, especially with circle hooks, the hook is in the outer edges of the fish’s mouth. Grab the leader and place it into the up-ward facing “U” of the de-hooker and slide it into the hooks throat. Now holding the leader taught and below the fish, lift on the hook with a quick snap and the fish is released without touching it.

Non-Stainless Circle Hooks – Although inshore snapper seldom reach the size of offshore varieties you must still adhere to this particular change while in inshore waters, like Tampa Bay. The new amendment prohibits using anything other than circle hooks when using any form of natural bait. The only difference between Federal and Florida state waters is the type of circle hook. In Federal waters, beyond nine miles, any form of non-stainless circle hook is permitted. However, within Florida’s waters all non-stainless circle hooks must be classified as in-line and not off-set.

Circle hooks are designed so that the point is turned at right angles to the shank forming a circular shape. The main advantage is that fish are seldom deep-hooked and studies show that circle hooks normally hook in the outer parts of the mouth rather than the throat or gut. And by not using stainless steel, the hook usually deteriorates over time. However, studies also suggest that a deeply hooked fish’s survival rate increases if you simply cut the line as close as possible leaving the hook.