Title: Tune In
By Jim Baugh
Reporting from the Flybridge

We are proud to announce our new broadcasting schedule for 2004. Jim Baugh Outdoors will begin airing on Comcast Sports Net (CSN) Saturday mornings at 11:30 am. The show will air twice each week from the first of April threw the end of June 2004. We will also continue to air on WTKR ch. 3 our hometown station in the VA Beach and Hampton Roads area. Jim Baugh Outdoors will also air a special block of commercial free programming on Hampton VA city cable ch. 47 starting late second quarter. JBO and will also be seen on both the Dish Network and Direct TV threw out second quarter. All new 2004 programming will be also available on our year-end double DVD set in June, and many of our programs can be streamed on our web site 24\7.
We were wrapping up shooting in February shooting an interview with Hampton CVB representative Mary Fugere who filled us in on all the new things that have been happening in our home base of Hampton Virginia. One of the things she mentioned that I had not been aware of was the new addition to the Air and Space Center. Well, the things Mary was talking about sounded so exciting, my camera man Sean Finnegan and myself quickly ran over to the Virginia Air and Space Center to check out the new exhibits. WOW!!! Did we have a blast. There are several new flight simulators that you just have to check out. A huge DC9 airplane (donated by Airtran) is now an exhibit that also has a flight simulator. There were many new attractions to see. Sean and I spent several hours videotaping (and playing) with the new exhibits. So, next time you are in Hampton, don't forget to revisit the Virginia Air and Space Center, a must see visit for the entire family.

March is a busy month for all of us at JBO. This is the last month we have time to prepare for our new broadcast starting in April. Editing is going on non-stop, and the programs this year are looking great. We have a lot of variety in our programming, and it looks like we will just be able to get the new 225 Suzuki four strokes installed and performance test posted in time for our new broadcast season. These new engines were on display at the Virginia Beach boat show and they received a lot of attention. I am excited about seeing how they push the Pursuit. My guess on low cruise would be 3000RPM near 30 mph burning about 12 gallons an hour. Top end, my guess is 50 knots, burning 19 gallons an hour. For fishing in the Bay and offshore, a cruising speed of 30 to 40 knots is ideal. We will post the results hopefully in the April issue.

Speaking of boat shows, I have enjoyed reading many threads on the Internet about the many boats being offered at a lot of the boat shows. I check into Tidalfish.com when I can to get the latest scoop on what everyone thinks about the boats shows. Always entertaining reading. I have been going to boat shows since I was about four years old. There is just something fun about a boat show, I always enjoy them. Usually there are enough vendors there to where you can always pick up some great tips on just about anything relating to boats. The Virginia Beach show had some great vendors who are from our Hampton area, we saw Bluewater Yacht Sales, KWC Electronics, Johnson Boating Center, Sunset Boating Center, and many others. It is great when you can meet and talk with everyone on your "Gee I got to call that place" list all in one day at one location. If you would like some good information about purchasing a new or used boat, just log on to www.jimbaughoutdoors.com

March is a good time for giant blue Catfishing on the James River. Fishing the channel ledges with some cut bait is a sure way to put big cats in the boat quickly. The best success we have had Catfishing has always been from March-May with the cooler water temps. Fresh bait does make a difference, and setting out a small chum bag off the side of the boat is not a bad idea either. Large Catfish can be caught from Richmond all the way down the lower James. We have always caught our own bait using cast nets, I like an 8 footer, although a 6 will do the job nicely. Remember when throwing a cast net the weight of the net needs to be heavy enough to compensate for the current flow. When it comes to Big Blue Catfish, please do release them for another day. Giant cats can be good table fare, however they are a precious resource that we would like to have forever. So please practice catch and release with the big cats.
What is happening in Hampton in March that you do not want to miss besides Tog fishing? March 15 there is a St. Patrick's Celtic Ceilidh held on the corner of King and Queensway. For more info contact 757 727-1540. There is also a lot going on at the American Theatre in March. The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music will be held on Tuesday March 9th at 7:30. For more info and a calendar of events log on to www.theamericantheatre.com. While you are in Hampton, do not forget the new Virginia Air and Space exhibits, fantastic stuff!!

Publisher of the Sportsman's Magazine Sheri Carneal has ask me to appear at Greentop Sporting goods later in March for a fish picture promotion. Readers can send in their fish pics, and the winning pic gets to go fishing with us and be featured on our programs. For more information and dates of the Greentop event, check for ads in this months issue of the Sportsman's. I hope to see everyone there and look forward to checking out a lot of good catch photos.
Tight Lines,

Jim Baugh
www.jimbaughoutdoors.com

Sponsored by:
Suzuki Marine, Hampton CVB, Sunset Boating Center, the Radisson Hotel Hampton, Boaters World,Marine Fabricators, Berkley Big Game Fishing Line, Sea Search, Customs House Marina, KWC electronics