InTheBite Magazine

Written By Jack Vitek Few figures have reshaped the competitive big-game fishing landscape quite like Jamie Bunn. Over three decades, he has helped define South Florida’s modern tournament culture — not simply by running events, but by building experiences that anglers trust. What started as a small tackle-shop experiment has evolved into Bluewater Movements, a platform that now spans meat-fish classics, elite sailfish competition, and a growing push into international marlin territory.

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For Capt. Nick Durham, a bandit didn’t steal, but rather sealed the deal on his lure-making prowess. It was 2007, the Sydney Game Fishing Club’s Sydney Easter Classic Tournament was underway, and Durham was mating on Capt. Glenn Wright’s 32-foot sportsfisher, Tantrum. “It was super rough. Big ground swell with wind on top. A lot of boats turned back, but we kept going,” says Durham.

Mustad, the world’s leading manufacturer of fish hooks and terminal tackle, will debut DeltaPoint™, its newest hook-point technology, at the 2026 ICAST New Product Showcase, taking place July 14–17 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. ​ DeltaPoint™ is a precision-forged, triangular point structure engineered for knife-edge penetration through a two-step ground tip. An integrated rib runs from barb to point, reinforcing strength without adding weight.

Editor’s Note: Merritt Boatworks continues to evolve its legendary custom sportfishing lineup with the introduction of the all-new 77 Merritt. Here’s an overview of the builder’s latest flagship and the design philosophy behind it. July 2026: From the storied builder of custom sportfish boats comes an all-new 77 footer loaded with features and performance. As they have with the 58’s, 72’s, 80’s and 86 foot models, the new 77 is a fully molded, advanced composite construction boat.

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Every boat owner knows that storage space is valuable. The more organized your gear is, the easier it is to find what you need when the action starts. Capt. Karl Anderson of the Saranita, a 77′ Merritt, relies on Sidio Crates to keep equipment neatly organized beneath the salon couch. Instead of using common retail storage bins for loose gear sliding around or piling up in lockers, the crates create dedicated storage that’s easy to access and simple to rearrange as needed.

The little jobs never stop on a sportfishing boat. Whether you’re trimming lure skirts, tying leaders, rigging tackle, or working on small parts, chances are you’re using whatever flat surface is available. That’s exactly where unnecessary scratches and wear begin. Captain Karl Anderson of the 77′ Merritt Saranita keeps a self-healing cutting mat within reach for just about every project.

For anglers looking to experience some of the best fishing in the Florida Keys, Stock Island Marina offers an ideal starting point. Located just minutes from Key West, the marina provides convenient access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, allowing captains to spend less time running offshore and more time fishing.

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