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- 2/27/10 Vail Daily Tred Barta's back on the air
- 9/30/09 Vail Daily Felled by rare diseases
- 5/20/09 Vail Daily Vail Valley's Tred Barta recovering from a stroke
- 5/21/09 outdoorlife.com UPDATE: Tred Barta Suffers Stroke
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Philosophy
Tred's Fishing Philosophy
It’s an unmitigated fact that in big game blue water fishing as well as inshore fishing fosters, egos that are the size of the Grand Canyon. Every group, whether it is ultra-light tackle, heavy tackle, fly fishing, spin fishing, has something to say about the other group, and every group thinks they are the best, their methods are superior and the other group lacks the insight of their particular field.
In today’s emasculating world, where most owners of big boats don’t know how to change a light bulb much less the engine oil and a new breed of younger captains still in their diapers still yet to have paid their dues, it seems that everybody stands for everything. But in my world if you stand for everything, you stand for nothing.
I’m no angel, NO SIR. In the 70’s & 80’s, I was called the butcher of Shinnecock. I raped the canyons with team Makaira killing more than 400 big eye tuna on rod and reel, supposedly more than any recreational angler in history. I was living on Long Island NY, fishing out of the Shinnecock Inlet of Hampton Bays In the late 60’s early 70’s. The giant blue fin tunas were 600-1000 lbs., and the big eyes were the largest recorded in history and all of this was literally in my back yard. I had my share of wiring, angling, and being captain.
I also was no angel in the early days before billfish release; I loved putting the iron to big blue and black marlin and killed plenty of sailfish for the smoker. Later in my fishing career, I got board of heavy tackle fishing and spent a solid 15 years perfecting the techniques of ultra-light tackle, blue marlin and sailfish fishing. Although I’ve held several light tackle blue water records that have now been broken, today my 215 lb. big eye on 20 lb. test is the existing IFGA record after 30 years. My 38 lbs. on 6 lb. tippet dorado IFGA world record still holds at Tropic Star Lodge, my 65 lb. yellow fin tuna on 6 lb. test was one of my greatest accomplishments, it took 5 years, 110 hookups, and of course millions of yards of line left in the ocean.
As our oceans have been depleted, and national marine fisheries have done a pathetic cowardly, corrupt job of enforcing international regulations, bowing to the commercial interests and screwing the recreational fisherman, I no longer kill billfish anymore, although a swordfish is very tempting. Talking about swords, I was in the hay day of surface sword fishing with great captains such as Carl Darenburge, my dear friend, Gary and George Dickson of Hampton Bays.
So what is my philosophy after 4 1/2 decades of inshore and off shore experience? Well my philosophy and my likes and dislikes may be different at times, #1 my philosophy is to run a flawless zero defects fishing operation and it is my humble opinion that ultra-light tackle pushes a crew to the absolute limit. Angler 30%, Deck Crew 30%, Captain 40%, that’s the way I see it. That being said, a 1000 lb. marlin on 130 lb. test or a 700 lb. black marlin on 30-50 lbs. test without question maximizes total crew coordination.
It is my belief that every day you leave the inlet, you start with 100 points, to land a big fish on light tackle or an even bigger fish on bigger tackle requires incredible discipline from all crew members. It requires teamwork, guts, stamina and resources. It also requires an incredible eye for detail and after all the money and time is spent, 1 knot, 1 scratched guide, or one hose clamp on an engine can contribute to the agony of defeat, every time there is one lack of detail, 1 task not done, your percentage goes down and down and down, and when it does, failure comes quick.
When the joy of victory shines down on you, the exhilaration and the sense of fulfillment has brought tears to my eyes and others many times.
Today as a T-4 paraplegic Asia A complete, I’m afraid it looks like I’ll be in a wheel chair for the rest of my life. With the aid of a special harness made by my wife Anni, the best crews in the world, and the knowledge that I have amassed, now I fish 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 lb. for Sailfish, blue marlin and tuna. My favorite is bait and switch, circle hooks, and have been blessed with friendships, Captain Chris Scheeter and Ronnie Hamlin of Casa Vieja Lodge manning the throttles and gears.
I have always hated Land Rover, Orvis, Trendnoids, Nimrod fly fisherman, the green old town canoe with price tags flapping in the wind, but I have a secret to share with you. I now fish with a 2wt and 4wt bamboo fly rod, I fish only 2 and 4 lb. tippet, and my God I love it. It’s also what I can do now that I live in the Colorado Mountains and near gold medal streams.
I also have blood cancer called Waldenstrom’s and I’m at a time in my life where all I want to do is inspire and share my knowledge with those who want it and appreciate it. My days of the flag waving “I’m better than thou” is over. I hope you enjoy and participate in the lively conversations on TREDBARTA.COM. As you know, I bow to no man or to no sponsor. I have opinions on literally everything, some of them not very popular, for example I don’t like Calcutta kill tournaments for blue marlin, and I literally don’t think that God intended for us to bet on dead fish, of course I know this is unpopular.
I have written for Sports Fishing Magazine and Marlin, Big Game Fishing Journal for 30 years of uninterrupted service, I wish you tight lines, I hope our wakes cross on blue water soon. (Simply put- Families who hunt and fish together stay together.)
Till next tide,
Captain Tred Barta
Simply put- Families who hunt and fish together stay together.
It’s an unmitigated fact that in big game blue water fishing as well as inshore fishing fosters, egos that are the size of the Grand Canyon. Every group, whether it is ultra-light tackle, heavy tackle, fly fishing, spin fishing, has something to say about the other group, and every group thinks they are the best, their methods are superior and the other group lacks the insight of their particular field.
In today’s emasculating world, where most owners of big boats don’t know how to change a light bulb much less the engine oil and a new breed of younger captains still in their diapers still yet to have paid their dues, it seems that everybody stands for everything. But in my world if you stand for everything, you stand for nothing.
I’m no angel, NO SIR. In the 70’s & 80’s, I was called the butcher of Shinnecock. I raped the canyons with team Makaira killing more than 400 big eye tuna on rod and reel, supposedly more than any recreational angler in history. I was living on Long Island NY, fishing out of the Shinnecock Inlet of Hampton Bays In the late 60’s early 70’s. The giant blue fin tunas were 600-1000 lbs., and the big eyes were the largest recorded in history and all of this was literally in my back yard. I had my share of wiring, angling, and being captain.
I also was no angel in the early days before billfish release; I loved putting the iron to big blue and black marlin and killed plenty of sailfish for the smoker. Later in my fishing career, I got board of heavy tackle fishing and spent a solid 15 years perfecting the techniques of ultra-light tackle, blue marlin and sailfish fishing. Although I’ve held several light tackle blue water records that have now been broken, today my 215 lb. big eye on 20 lb. test is the existing IFGA record after 30 years. My 38 lbs. on 6 lb. tippet dorado IFGA world record still holds at Tropic Star Lodge, my 65 lb. yellow fin tuna on 6 lb. test was one of my greatest accomplishments, it took 5 years, 110 hookups, and of course millions of yards of line left in the ocean.As our oceans have been depleted, and national marine fisheries have done a pathetic cowardly, corrupt job of enforcing international regulations, bowing to the commercial interests and screwing the recreational fisherman, I no longer kill billfish anymore, although a swordfish is very tempting. Talking about swords, I was in the hay day of surface sword fishing with great captains such as Carl Darenburge, my dear friend, Gary and George Dickson of Hampton Bays.So what is my philosophy after 4 1/2 decades of inshore and off shore experience? Well my philosophy and my likes and dislikes may be different at times, #1 my philosophy is to run a flawless zero defects fishing operation and it is my humble opinion that ultra-light tackle pushes a crew to the absolute limit. Angler 30%, Deck Crew 30%, Captain 40%, that’s the way I see it. That being said, a 1000 lb. marlin on 130 lb. test or a 700 lb. black marlin on 30-50 lbs. test without question maximizes total crew coordination.
It is my belief that every day you leave the inlet, you start with 100 points, to land a big fish on light tackle or an even bigger fish on bigger tackle requires incredible discipline from all crew members. It requires teamwork, guts, stamina and resources. It also requires an incredible eye for detail and after all the money and time is spent, 1 knot, 1 scratched guide, or one hose clamp on an engine can contribute to the agony of defeat, every time there is one lack of detail, 1 task not done, your percentage goes down and down and down, and when it does, failure comes quick.
When the joy of victory shines down on you, the exhilaration and the sense of fulfillment has brought tears to my eyes and others many times.
Today as a T-4 paraplegic Asia A complete, I’m afraid it looks like I’ll be in a wheel chair for the rest of my life. With the aid of a special harness made by my wife Anni, the best crews in the world, and the knowledge that I have amassed, now I fish 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 lb. for Sailfish, blue marlin and tuna. My favorite is bait and switch, circle hooks, and have been blessed with friendships, Captain Chris Scheeter and Ronnie Hamlin of Casa Vieja Lodge manning the throttles and gears.
I have always hated Land Rover, Orvis, Trendnoids, Nimrod fly fisherman, the green old town canoe with price tags flapping in the wind, but I have a secret to share with you. I now fish with a 2wt and 4wt bamboo fly rod, I fish only 2 and 4 lb. tippet, and my God I love it. It’s also what I can do now that I live in the Colorado Mountains and near gold medal streams.
I also have blood cancer called Waldenstrom’s and I’m at a time in my life where all I want to do is inspire and share my knowledge with those who want it and appreciate it. My days of the flag waving “I’m better than thou” is over. I hope you enjoy and participate in the lively conversations on TREDBARTA.COM. As you know, I bow to no man or to no sponsor. I have opinions on literally everything, some of them not very popular, for example I don’t like Calcutta kill tournaments for blue marlin, and I literally don’t think that God intended for us to bet on dead fish, of course I know this is unpopular.
I have written for Sports Fishing Magazine and Marlin, Big Game Fishing Journal for 30 years of uninterrupted service, I wish you tight lines, I hope our wakes cross on blue water soon. (Simply put- Families who hunt and fish together stay together.)
Till next tide,
Captain Tred Barta
Simply put- Families who hunt and fish together stay together.
