Episode 127: Tim Choate - Sport Fishing Visionary

Mill House Podcast

Mill House

Wilderness, Sports, Leisure, Education, Hobbies

5 • 973 Ratings

🗓️ 4 December 2024

⏱️ 80 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Tim Choate is a pioneering force in Billfish Conservation and one of the most influential figures in the world of sport fishing. Growing up in Islamorada, Florida, Tim was introduced to the world of blue-water fishing by his close friend, Bucky Stark. His passion for marlin fishing quickly became an obsession, leading him to set numerous records that left the sport stunned. In 1995, his boat Magic caught an astonishing 2,140 billfish in a single year. Choate's fishing adventures took him to the Great Barrier Reef, where he spent five years honing his skills. In 1982, alongside Captain Peter Wright, he helped land the season's largest black marlin, weighing an impressive 1,212 pounds. While Tim’s early career was defined by record-breaking catches and an insatiable drive to land the biggest fish, his passion eventually shifted toward conservation. Witnessing the detrimental impact of commercial fishing on marlin and sailfish populations, Tim became a key advocate for their protection. His efforts culminated in the passing of the Billfish Conservation Act of 2012, which banned the commercial sale of marlin and sailfish in the continental U.S. In addition to his legislative work, Tim co-founded the Billfish Foundation, an organization dedicated to highlighting the economic and ecological value of recreational sport fishing over commercial harvesting. He was also an early advocate for circle hooks, pushing for their use long before scientific studies proved their effectiveness in reducing fish mortality from gut-hooking. Tim’s contributions to the sport and conservation were recognized with numerous honors, including: 2012: Frank Johnson Trophy for Personal Achievement in Advancement of Big Game Sport Fishing, awarded by Guy Harvey Outpost. 2013: IGFA Conservation Award. 2016: Inducted into the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Hall of Fame. Tim Choate’s legacy is one of unmatched dedication to the preservation of billfish and the broader marine environment, and his impact continues to be felt by anglers and conservationists alike.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Whether on the boat, on the river, or in the woods, Yeti products are by our side.
0:08.0	There are many innovative first-class companies in the outdoor market today, but none more so than Yeti.
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1:09.0	or a liquor store near you.
1:24.7	We broke everything, we broke lines, we broke hooks, we broke rods, we broke our minds, we broke marriages, we broke the whole thing.
1:29.1	We came up with the idea of going out that night and chasing girls, and whoever had the
1:33.7	biggest pair of panties went to pot.
1:35.9	I knocked another arrow and he turned around the other way and I shot him going through
1:39.7	the other way, so I double lunged them both ways.
	...

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