Thursday, March 12, 2009
Catches of a lifetime are an every-season affair for angler Julie Ball
Bill Cochran
Recent columns
To earn Expert Status in the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament you must catch six or more different species of trophy fish, which is a daunting task for most anglers. Last season, Dr. Julie Ball, a Coast Guard dentist who lives in Virginia Beach, made it appear easy with catches of 15 species, five more than her nearest rival.
She also became the only angler to reach Master Angler VI status. To qualify, she earned 25 citations for a minimum of five different species every year the past six years.
Add to that, she registered four world record catches with the International Game Fish Association last year and received one of the highest honors the association bestows on a woman angler.
Dr. Ball already is well into the 2009 fishing season. I asked her the following questions:
Q. What were the 15 species you earned citations for last season during your quest for Virginia Expert Saltwater Angler status?
A. Speckled trout, black sea bass, grey triggerfish, blueline tilefish, tautog, flounder, red drum, black drum, cobia, bluefin tuna, sheepshead, amberjack, shark and bluefish.
Q. Which one proved to be most difficult to catch?
A. For some reason, it was the triggerfish. I found plenty of big fish all year, but I didn’t catch the biggest one until near the end of the year.
Q. Is becoming an Expert Angler something you plan for or does it just happen?
A. Both. I mostly target trophy-sized fish, so by default the Expert and Master Angler status follows.
Q. Do you plan to go after the Expert Angler award again this season; in fact, have you already started?
A. Yes, Expert Angler, which is six different citation fish in a year’s time, is a simple goal to achieve each year. In fact, I have already caught enough citation fish in 2009 to earn Expert Angler for this year. I was actually the first woman in the state to earn Expert Angler status when it began in 1996. I have achieved Expert Angler status every year since then, in other words, 12 times.
Julie Ball with citation red drum.
Q. Do you anticipate that the tough economy is going to cut into your fishing and the fishing of others this season?
A. I don’t think the economy will affect my fishing nearly as much as the soaring gas prices did last year. I feel this is probably the same for others. I do have a few other events in my life that will impact my fishing time, but hopefully not much.
Q. Is there one particular species you’ve targeted but been unable to make a citation catch?
A. Out of all the species available, there are only two fish which have eluded my earning a state citation, pompano and Spanish mackerel.
Q. How do you decide what to target?
A. I usually go with the intel available. Fish are very predictable; they have similar patterns every year. I just plan my fishing around the bites.
Q. Do you plan to go after any new species this season?
A. I normally like to target a new species each year. At this point in my angling endeavors, I have caught most every species available in the area, so I will probably target more challenging species or more world records.
Q. How did you evolve into a trophy angler?
A. I was so passionate about fishing that I joined a local angling club to learn all I could about the local fishery. While there, I met folks who became mentors and I also developed a supportive fishing network. Having support and teamwork was the key. I learned quickly, and I enjoyed challenging myself, routinely setting self-inspired goals for myself. I began winning local tournaments, and catching bigger and bigger fish. I also began earning international angling awards and catching World Record fish. This, along with writing fishing articles and giving fishing seminars, I drew attention from the media and the public.
Q. Your hook-ups last year included 4 world records. Of all your catches, what is the most satisfying to you?
A. I have experienced many amazing catches, and I now have ten IGFA world records under my belt. But I must say that I think the 15-pound, 10-ounce tautog I caught on 8-pound test line in 2007 was the most rewarding. I love targeting togs anyway, and when this brute popped to the surface on 8-pound line I was pleasant surprise. I knew it was quite an accomplishment, and the record should hold for awhile.
Q. How many days out of the year do your fish?
A. Contrary to what most believe, I have a full-time career, so I mostly fish only on the weekends, just like other weekend warriors. My philosophy is to fish smarter, not harder. So I go when the fish are there, and then move on to the next goal. This means I average about 48 to 60 days a year on the water.
Q. What advice do you have for someone who aspires to become an Expert Angler?
A. I always suggest joining one of the many local angling clubs, and developing a network. That’s most of the battle. Doing it alone is very difficult.
Q. Do you have a Web site where people can keep up with your angling adventures?
A. Yes, www.drjball.com.
YOUR COMMENTS: xtrails@earthlink.net
