Serious about fishing? Scientists can help

The “Reeling in Redfish” seminar starts tonight at USM’s Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach at 6 p.m. Others will follow in August and September at the Gulf Coast Research Lab in Ocean Springs.

For the serious and recreational fisherman, marine scientists and professional fishing guides are teaming up to offer concrete how-tos on where to locate types of fish and what to do to reel in each species.

There will be a total of six two-hour sessions for a fee of $30 each.

Tonight Jill Hendon, research scientist for the Center for Fisheries Research & Development at the lab, will deliver the science and Capt. Sonny Schindler, owner of Shore Thing Charters, will deliver the hands-on techniques and practical tips.

These experts are sharing “no-nonsense facts about what fish eat and when they eat, and explain how time of day, tide state, water temperature, salinity, and moon phase affect the movements and appetites of popular fish species,” the lab said in its promotional material.

The next two:

▪  Fish Fry Fishing: White trout and ground mullet, Aug. 18 at Caylor Auditorium at the lab in Ocean Springs. Presenter is Ben Weldon, marine educator.

▪  Encounter More Flounder: About flounder, Sept. 15, Caylor Auditorium at the lab. Presenters are Sam Clardy, associated director of the Marine Education Center a the lab and Capt. Ronnie Daniels.

After each seminar a local chef will cook the fish being discussed for crowd samples. Seminars are intended for adults. Persons 12 to 17 may attend if accompanied by an adult.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 2:18 PM with the headline "Serious about fishing? Scientists can help."