Great Days Outdoors - November 2022

Fall Fly Fishing the Smokies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 by Ed Mashburn

Hunting Deer Before, During, and After Cold Fronts/ High Wind Days 12 by David Strickland

Selecting the Best Foul Weather Gear for Fishing 16 by Frank Sargeant

Is Joint Pain Keeping You From Enjoying the Outdoors? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 by Stephanie Mallory Fall Surf Fishing Tactics for Success . . . . . . . 24 by David Thornton

Essential Guns for Every Hunter . . . . . . . . . . 28 by John E. Phillips

How to Catch Hook and Line Catfish in Late Fall and Early Winter 32 by John E. Phillips

Sawtooth Oak versus Chestnut Trees for Wildlife 36 by Stephanie Mallory

Picking The Best Speckled Trout Lures 40 by Frank Sargeant

What to Look For in Fishing Rod Guides 44 by Ed Mashburn

DIY Duck Hunting Away from Home 46 by Nick Williams

Rainbow Trout Pond Requirements 50 by William Kendy

Land Loan Interest Rate Update 55 by Great Days Outdoors Staff Diesel Turbos Issue & Maintenance 56 by David Strickland

Evaluating Hunting Box Blinds 58 by Josh Honeycutt

How to Fish Jerkbaits in Saltwater 62 by Frank Sargeant What Can I Finance w/a Land Improvement Loan 64 by William Kendy

In Every Issue

Best Bets 6 by William Kendy Camphouse Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 by Hank Shaw

New & Cool Gear for Outdoorsmen 68 by William Kendy From the Commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 by Chris Blakenship From the Director 72 by Charles Sykes

Paddle Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 by Ed Mashburn Coastal Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 by Chris Vecsey Pier & Shore 78 by David Thornton

Regional Freshwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 by Ed Mashburn

Prime Feeding Times, Moon, Sun, and Tide Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Pensacola Motorsports Trophy Room . . . . . . . 88 Great Days Kids Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Fishing Tips 93 by William Kendy A Great Day Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 by Jim Mize

Waterfront

Covington County, Alabama,

or farming. Located

AL and 30 minutes north of I-10 and Crestview, FL, enjoy over 1.2 miles of Big Creek frontage, excellent hunting for the abundant deer, turkey, and

west of

along with easy access with ~3,700 feet of paved frontage on County Road 4, ~2,200 feet of paved frontage on Country Cross Road, ~3,700 feet on Old Goolsby Place Road, and ~700 feet on Gaskins Road, providing multiple access

for hunting, logging, farming, or development. Utilities are available on multiple sides of the property, and the diverse timber includes merchantable pine plantations just entering their prime, pre-merchantable pine plantations, mature natural hardwood and pine, and an area recently harvested to prepare for conversion to pasture. There are several large potential fishing lake sites, established food plots throughout, and many scenic home or cabin sites to choose from. Larger feasible divisions will be considered.

BEST BETS FOR NOVEMBER

These are our top targets for hunters and fishermen this month!

BY WILLIAM KENDY

NOVEMBER IS KICK OFF FOR WHITETAIL FIREARM HUNTERS

November heralds the start of Alabama’s firearm deer season. That means approximately 200,000 DEER hunters will start trekking into the woods to bring home the venison. Here are a few tips to help fill your freezer.

Pay attention to and hunt the field edges. Once the season begins and hunting pressure increases, deer will become more cautious about venturing into open fields during daylight and become nocturnal. Watch for slight movements and “flickers”.

Use the wind. Keep a journal of where you saw deer, when, what direction they came from and which way the wind was blowing when you saw them.

Remember that if bucks scent you, you won’t see them.

Know your rifle and how it shoots and make sure the shot angle is right for correct bullet placement.. Take your time and do it right.

A NOVEMBER BUFFET OF SALTWATER

OPPORTUNITIES

November is a cool month, literally and figuratively, for just about all types of saltwater

First off there is world class speckled trout fishing in the Mobile Tensaw River Delta system.

According to veteran guide Bobby Abruscato, anglers should focus on the shallow edges of the five main bays that make up the delta. Drift fishing while casting popping corks with shrimp imitations like Gulp VUDU shrimp are top offerings for these moving trout.

Bull redfish are coming into their own in November and are chasing menhaden, pogies and other small baitfish and can provide exciting angling action.

Onshore fishing, from pier or surf, offers pompano, redfish, whiting, sheepshead and more.

Offshore, vermillion, mangrove snapper and grouper are there for the taking and further out you can target yellowfin tuna and amberjack.

QUACK, QUACK, QUACK FOR NOVEMBER WOOD DUCKS

The Alabama duck season officially opens on November 25 for two days, closes at end of day on the 26 and then comes back on December 3 and lasts until January 31.

For those dyed in the wool duck hunters who are chomping at the bit get at the ducks, In November, a lot of the migratory ducks and geese haven’t made it down the flyway Since the duck hunting season is open, it is ok to pursue “resident” birds, as in wood ducks.

Hunt “Woodies” around streams, creeks, rivers, floodplains, lakes, swamps, and beaver ponds, flooded hardwood timber and even drainage ditches. Use a hen welcome and/or and chuckling call to bring them in, similar to the routine for turkeys.

Wood ducks are dabbling and diving birds and they hang out in food rich shallow water with access to plant matter, small acorns and seeds.

BLUEGILL STOCKING

fall fly fishing in the smokies

BY ED MASHBURN

It’s early fall here in the Smoky Mountains, the leaves are starting to show color and the early morning breeze provides just a touch of the coming cool weather of autumn.

While the world around me is worthy of a long, long look and some deep thinking, my whole attention is focused on a fly line drifting slowly down the clear water run where some massive boulders break up the flow and provide shelter and good holding water for some residents. I’m looking for a sign.

As the fly line flows over the boulders and the leader allows my dry-drop per fly set to drift slowly into the darker, deeper water below the boulders, I see the sign. No doubt about it, the signal is given to me.

The floating dry fly twitches, the leader straightens as the sunken wet fly has been taken, and without any thought on my part, my hand raises the rod, and the line comes very tight and a good fish fights against my pressure in the strong flow.

This is a powerful fish, and on my light fly rod, it is a very good match. I finally got the fish worked to shallower, slower water, and there it is, pink sides, spots and all, about two pounds of wild, stream-born rainbow trout perfection.

This Jackson County trout fishing is fun- a great deal of fun, I promise you.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS (FISH, THAT IS) ARE Jackson County carries the title “North Carolina Trout Capital,” and I have found this title to be well-deserved. There are many wonderful places here where a visiting angler of any skill level can find and catch some great trout.

SMALLER FLOWS

I must confess, I love small stream wade-fishing better than almost any other kind of fishing. I love to get my feet wet when I catch fish and Jack son County is prime wade-fishing country.

If you look at a topo map of the Jackson County region, you’ll see that there are a lot of little blue squiggly lines running all over the map. These blue lines are creeks and smaller flows, and most of them carry trout of various kinds. These creeks in the Jackson County area tend to run to the Tuckaseegee River, a major flow which carries water westward out of the county.

These small blue line creeks can be hard to access in some cases, but once an angler arrives on the creek, the beauty of the surroundings and the hard-fighting trout which live in the smaller flows make up for any discomfort caused by the walk in.

TUCKASEEGEE RIVER

Many Smoky Mountain trout fishing trips begin and end at the Tucka seegee River, which is locally known as the “Tuck” and that’s for good

Even though the streams may be small, some very respectable fish live there and can be caught .

reason. This large, open flow carries a massive load of stocked and native trout. There are rainbows, browns, and brook trout in the Tuck and they are willing to bite.

The Tuck can be floated and it can be waded, and both techniques can produce lots of nice trout.

OCONALUFTEE RIVER

This gorgeous river starts high up in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and flows fast down parallel to US Highway 441 to the town of Chero kee where it is carefully stocked and maintained by the Cherokee tribe and made available for fishing. The Oconaluftee holds some very large trout, especially downstream close to Cherokee. This river is a wonderful place for anglers new to fly fishing to get some casting practice and catch some fine fish.in the trophy waters near the town.

The lower Oconaluftee also is a great place for beginners and folks just starting the fly fishing game.

HOW TO RIG FOR SMOKY MOUNTAIN TROUT

Just about the best advice that can be given to an angler who wants to experience the Smoky Mountain fly fishing for trout is simple- hire a guide!

Fly fishing for trout is a game that requires constant change and modifi cation to match the changing water conditions and feeding patterns of the trout.

A local guide can help a visitor get the right fly rig. In general, any good four or five weight fly rod and matching line will work, but there are specific rigging tricks which the local trout find attractive and these tricks can be revealed by a good guide.

There are a number of local fly shops which can help a visitor connect with

a good guide, but one of the very best fly shops and guide services is the Tuckaseegee Fly Shop. This shop has stores in Bryson City, Waynesville, and the shop I used, in Sylva.

My guide was Matt Rinehardt. Along with young Aiden Carpenter who was finishing up her summer’s work in the Smokies and heading back to school in California, I had a wonderful wading trip on a smaller flow which empties into the Tuckaseegee River some miles downstream.

Matt Rinehardt showed me how to perfect my “slingshot” casting technique to place my flies far up under overhanging limbs and also how to anticipate and set the hook when these lightning-fast stream-born trout decided to strike. It was a prime education I received.

When asked about how a visitor to the Jackson County region should start a fly fishing trip, Matt Rinehardt said that if is a visitor’s first time fishing in the area his guide service provides all of the necessary gear.

“If it’s your first time fishing here, our guide service provides all your gear. If you have your own fly fishing gear, bring it, but allow the guide to help set up the rig,” Rinehardt advised.

“Early spring is good, and October is our busiest month. The fall offers the best of everything. There’s lots of color in the trees, you won’t be sweating, and the trout are happy,” he noted.

WHAT TO DO WHEN NOT FISHING

For those times when visitors to the Jackson County area want to do some thing other than fish, there is a world of things to do.

Hiking around the mountains is fun and all sorts of wildlife can be seen from the well-marked trails. There are a number of festivals held in the area

A good guide can help visitors to the Jackson County region find trout and catch trout

year-round, and of course, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are very close and can be accessed in a very short drive.

The small towns of Sylva and Dillsboro offer some great dining and a number of local excellent breweries to provide some good liquid refreshment.

For visitors who want to stay in some very comfortable and scenic surround ings, the Best Western Motel in Dillsboro is highly recommended. It’s new, it’s well maintained, and the motel sits right on the banks of the Tuckasee gee River. A visitor can step out of the back door and be fly casting in ten steps to the river.

After a great day of fly fishing for trout, it is a fine thing to sit on the balcony of the Best Western and watch the river flow by.

BEST ADVICE FROM A GUIDE

“Be patient and be willing to learn. This fly fishing is all about patience. You won’t be a pro the first time in a creek. Enjoy the fishing- the fish are a bonus- enjoy where you’re at,”Rinehardt, who is a law enforcement officer as well as a first-rate guide and excellent teach, said.

“The biggest mistake visitors make- some anglers are married to one fishing technique. Anglers need to expand their knowledge. Go to a local fly shop and get some good local advice and maybe hire a guide,” Rinehardt said.

Tuckaseegee Fly Shop 828-488-3333

Breedlove- executive director

By IN-A-PICKLE Recipe and image courtesy of www.allrecipes.com

Baked Fresh Rainbow Trout

This rainbow trout recipe is very easy and tasty. It works with farmed or wild trout, takes very little time, and tastes lighter than ocean fish. I buy whole, gutted fish with heads and tails still on from the supermarket. The key is to add water to the dish as instructed in the directions, which keeps the fish from drying out; add hot water as cold water can crack the baking dish. Serve with rice and veggies. It’s light and delicious, but be careful of bones!

Prep: 10 mins • Cook Time: 20 mins • Total: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided

• 2 whole rainbow trout, gutted and cleaned, heads & tails still on

• ¼ teaspoon dried dill weed

• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme

• Salt to taste

• ½ large onion, sliced

• 2 thin slices lemon

• 2 tablespoons hot water

• Ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a

and

on

3.

Place

with a

Jackson County TDA

Contact

Hunting Deer Before, During, and After Cold Fronts/ High Wind Days

BY DAVID STRICKLAND

I used to hunt deer a lot. If anyone ever asked me when I hunted, my standard reply was, “whenever I can.” So I glued vanes, adjusted cams, slung arrows with recurves, compounds, and eventually crossbows while scouting throughout the summer. Then, when muzzleloader season approached, I zeroed my sights and kept my primers dry.

I grew up using a 16 gauge with buckshot because the deer we hunted looked like greyhounds as they raced ahead of my uncle’s hounds. In addition, I used a variety of rifle calibers, beginning with a lever-action .30-30 and finally settling on what has become my favorite, a M-1903 Springfield bolt-action rifle in a .30-06. It’s an old military surplus rifle machined to accept the Pedersen device before the end of WW1.

Eventually I bought an accurate slug gun when Forever Wild bought my old hunting club.

I’ve also used a 3,000 pound per square inch (psi) .357 caliber for Ala bama’s first airgun season, so I guess the only deer hunting technique I haven’t tried is a spear, and at this point, it ain’t going to happen.

AIRBORNE SCENT

After a great deal of research, staff members at Mississippi State University concluded that a whitetail’s ability to detect airborne molecules is 500 to 1,000 times better than a human’s. In addition, scientists say that whitetails can sort six different smells simultaneously because of the thousands of receptors in their elongated nostrils.

We know they can see and hear pretty well, but if you can’t get past their nose, you’ll be lucky to see anything other than the white underside of a deer’s tail as it waves goodbye. That’s why understanding the prevailing wind direction for your hunting location is so important.

HUNTING WITH THE WIND

I’ve harvested my share of venison, but I’ve been fortunate to meet some local hunters that epitomize dedication and determination in their pursuit

of whitetail deer. One is a local physician, Dr. Robert Sheppard, from a nearby small town. He’s a local legend who has been featured in various media over the years and has written an excellent book detailing his years of hunting.

The book “Whitetails: A Researched Based Hunting Model” is the result of decades of accumulated data that he constantly analyzed in his pur suit of a strategy to consistently position himself in a tree with the highest probability of being downwind of a walking deer.

Dr. Sheppard says that it’s foolish for a hunter to sit in a stand if the wind is variable. When the wind’s constantly changing, the hunter’s scent will be blown in all directions and spook most deer that might come close enough for a shot. So he advises that when the wind is variable, it’s bet ter to stay home or scout instead of hunt. However, if there is a constant wind blowing from one direction, he selects a stand site that allows him to hunt from downwind.

According to Sheppard, every 1,000 acres of land may have only one or two outstanding places for tree stands and possibly eight to ten other potentially-good stand sites.

He has developed a formula that tells him which tree location he should hunt each morning.

“I mark on a map the locations of my tree stands and give each stand a number,” Sheppard explained. “Beside each number, I write down the wind conditions I must have to hunt with a favorable wind for that stand.”

He said he begins the mornings before a hunt by listening to the weather report to learn what direction the prevailing wind that day will be. He then checks his tree-stand chart to see which stands he can hunt based on that day’s prevailing wind.

One of his most interesting conclusions from his weather data was that

deer movement seemed to increase with higher wind speeds. So, pick ing a location where one can see rather than hear a deer is vital when hunting with higher wind conditions.

Another of Dr. Sheppard’s primary conclusions from his decades of data is that air temperature is the single most significant indicator of deer movement. The warmer the weather, the less deer travel in the daytime, and conversely, as temperatures drop, daytime deer movement increases.

An important factor he considers for where to hunt is choosing a stand he hasn’t hunted lately. It stands to reason that spending lots of time in the same spot will educate the local deer herd, especially bucks.

COLD FRONTS AND WIND

Understanding the effects of an approaching cold front on Alabama weather can help hunters understand where and when they should be waiting for that buck they hope to harvest. The warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico have been a magnet for vacationers for many years, but they also play a large part in Alabama’s weather.

I spoke with another local legend, meteorologist James Spann, and asked him to explain how an approaching cold front affects the wind direction, speed, and temperature of our state’s weather.

Spann said that as low-pressure approaches, the prevailing winds shift from the South, which pulls warmer, moist air from the Gulf, and the weather becomes unstable.

“This instability sets the stage for increased rain chances and possible thunderstorms,” Spann said. “Also, with good upper air support, there is also an increased chance of severe weather, especially from November

through May. Finally, after the low passes, winds shift, bringing colder, drier air from the North.”

Surface low-pressure systems usually have fronts associated with them and represent the boundary between two air masses that vary in temperature, wind, and moisture. For example, the air is warmer ahead of a cold front and colder behind, so when cooler air advances, it dis places the warm air because of its speed and density. Spann said these converging air currents and rising airflow result in higher dew points and increased humidity as the front approaches.

COLD FRONTS/DEER MOVEMENT

Deer and other wildlife can sense the change in atmospheric pressure caused by an approaching cold front. As the advancing front causes temperatures to rise and the weather to deteriorate, local wildlife usually reacts by reducing their movements.

Conversely, the temperature can drop dramatically after a front passes, and the winds can sometimes remain gusty. However, as the wind sta bilizes, deer will be on the move to their food sources if the front occurs early in the season. However, if it occurs later, during the rut, carry your thermos and plan to stay on your stand all day.

HUNTING AFTER A COLD FRONT

If it’s October 15th or later and James Spann’s forecast includes a pass ing cold front combined with colder air and a Northwest wind, you need to gather your hunting gear and load your backpack.

The first morning after a cold front is the best time to hunt, but the first evening is a close second. By the afternoon, deer will become more active, and the feeding frenzy will begin among acorn flats or food plots. Remember that the deer usually arrive at their feeding sites earlier in

response to colder air, so get to your stand early.

If that cold North wind arrives later in the season when the rut is on, stick with a strategy that includes hunting areas with lots of buck sign, or slip in close to known bedding areas. Rut activity usually increases in response to falling tempera tures, so take full advantage of this time and hunt hard.

CONCLUSION

Hunters invest a lot of time scouting, planting fields, and getting stands and equipment ready before each season. So, maximize your return on those invest ments by understanding how weather affects deer movement and increase the odds that you’ll get to draw your bow or flip your safety and take aim at a good buck this year.

So save one of your best stands for that first cold front that rolls through in Octo ber or November. Then, check the wind direction when that temperature dropsthat might be your best chance to harvest a mature whitetail outside of the rut.

Hunting Deer

BY FRANK SARGEANT

Even in the South, boaters and anglers need good foul weather gear. Consider the advantages:

• Staying dry aboard means you can fish in weather when others stay home.

• You can fish earlier in spring and later in fall—or fish all winter on much of the Gulf Coast, as well as on lakes throughout the southeastern U.S.

• Even with sunshine and warmer temperatures, when fishing takes you into rough water it can get wet and wet can equal cold, unless you’ve got foul weather gear.

• You’ll stay comfortable on that first run at dawn, which can be chilly even in summer.

Matt Florentino, Marketing Director at AFTCO, a company which offers a full line of outdoor clothing, says the bottom line is that foul weather gear designed to keep anglers dry no matter what the weather is likely to make your fishing more comfortable and more fun, as well as more productive.

Having said that there are different levels of gear suited to varying condi tions. The raingear that’s best for you will depend on how, when and where you fish, per Florentino.

WHAT IS “WATER RESISTANT” RAIN GEAR?

Quality rain gear is, oddly, not one hundred percent waterproof like a sheet of rubber or a plastic trash bag. It’s technically “water resistant”, but that doesn’t mean a good suit won’t keep you bone dry.

The reason, Florentino said, is that the good stuff “breathes,” just a bit. That means it lets your sweat out, but doesn’t let rain and spray in.

Construction of these suits requires layered construction.

The outer shell, as you’d expect, is the one that keeps the rain and spray out but it’s very slightly permeable, so that the water vapor created by your body can escape.

Inside that outer shell, there’s at least one other layer. This layer is a water proof breathable membrane. The outer side of this membrane is hydropho bic. That means it repels water if any gets in. The inner side is hydrophilic which means it attracts water.

In a quality rain suit, the fabrics work together to keep weather out while at the same time allowing enough of the sweat and vapor produced by your body to escape so that you don’t feel “clammy” or just slightly damp all day long.

RAIN GEAR RATINGS

Rain gear typically gets two rating numbers, like so: 10K/7K.

“The first number refers to water resistance, the second to breathability,” says Florentino.

Water resistance in this context means the height of water, in millimeters, you could stack on a one inch by one inch section of the fabric before it start ed to seep through. A higher number means the material is more waterproof, but if you fish where rain and spray are usually a moderate issue, you may not want to max this number out because it can make a suit feel “clammy” as well as less flexible and comfortable.

A rating of up to 10K is enough to handle light to average rain for a short amount of time. Ratings between 10K and 15K can handle a moderate amount of rain for much longer, and jackets rated 15K and up are designed to keep out intense rain over a prolonged period.

“Wearing a jacket that’s not quite rated to handle the weather you are in would be a reason your jacket does not seem as waterproof as you’d like,” Florentino said. “It’s usually best to buy for the tougher conditions, even though that may be something that you only deal with now and then.”

BREATHABILITY

The second number of the water-resistance rating indicates how breathable a jacket is. Expressed in grams, it represents how much water vapor can move through one square meter of fabric, from inside to out, in a 24-hour period.

A 10K breathability rating means that 10,000 grams of water vapor will escape in 24 hours.

Breathability of 10K and down is for casual use where you’re not breaking a sweat applying to maybe an auxiliary suit you keep in the truck for rainy days.

Breathability ratings of 10 to 15 K are better for moderate activity, including most fishing trips on powerboats.

Breathability ratings above 15k are more suited for trips where you’ll be using a lot of energy, such as paddling or peddling a kayak, or repeatedly hauling up hundreds of feet of anchor line on an offshore reef fishing trip.

Gear with breathability that’s too low for your activity level, again, can make you feel clammy, but in this case the moisture is coming from the inside and can’t get out fast enough.

FEATURES THAT COUNT

Florentino said that AFTCO makes rain gear at several levels for different applications.

“The Barricade line has three-layer construction, 20K waterproofing and 15K breathability at a competitive price,” Florentino said. (The jacket lists for about $250, the bibs for about $230.)

The jacket also has what the company calls a “SpeedVent” hood, which is designed to prevent ballooning when an angler takes off for a high-speed run down the lake or bay. Elastic hem cinches allow fitting the bottom of the jacket close to your legs, and the “Double Dry” cuffs prevent water from seeping up the arms while casting or handling gear.

Florentino noted that zippers are often a source of leaking on some rain suits exposed to heavy weather, but the Barricade lineup has YKK AquaGuard zippers, which include a heavy polyurethane exterior coating that functions almost like the top of a zipping food bag to lock spray and rain out. They’re also made of composite that won’t corrode in saltwater.

He said the Barricade line is primarily for moderate temperature fishing and boating and typical fishing in weather that’s occasionally rainy.

For those who routinely fish in heavy weather, a step up to the premium Barricade Elite line may be in order. The Elite series has 100% nylon four layer construction to keep you dry and warm, even in the harshest saltwater conditions. It’s rated at 30K waterproofing and 7K breathability, maximizing the ability to keep water out and still allowing some sweat to escape. Wa ter-resistant zipping interior pockets give protection for smartphones, keys and wallet. The jackets are priced at $449, the bibs at $399.

For those who routinely fish in cold, wet weather, from 50 degrees on down, Florentino said that the best bet might be the AFTCO Hydronaut Insulated line. The fabric is two layers of nylon with a 30K waterproof rating, lined with a layer of polyester and a synthetic fill backing that adds lots of insulation

A quality bib keeps your seat and your legs dry as well as providing more dry pockets

without much added weight or bulk. The jacket lists for $269, the bib for $249.

For really cold weather, anglers can also add a lightweight Reaper Fleece Hoody under their rain gear, which can also be worn on its own on days that are cool but dry.

And for wear ashore or when nothing more than a bit of spray is likely the Ripcord Softshell jacket provides both warmth and enough water protection to prevent a soaking, with a 6k waterproof rating and a price of about $120.

SIZING FOR RAIN GEAR

AFTCO notes that their “Large” designation is a good fit for a guy who’s around six feet tall and weighing about 200 pounds. Of course, if you’re planning on a lot of cold-weather use, then buying a bit oversized may make sense to allow for multiple layers of insulating undergarments. They also offer “Big Man” sizes—the 4X is designed to fit anglers to 350 pounds.

CARE TIPS

If you fish saltwater, it’s a good idea to rinse your foul weather gear down with fresh water at the end of every day and hang it up. This not only gets rid of the crusting salt that makes the gear uncomfortable and protects zippers but also will allow it to dry so that you’re not putting on clammy rain gear in the morning.

Occasionally your gear will need a real wash to get rid of fish slime and other stains. Here’s AFTCO’s guide to doing it right:

The primary indicator that your outerwear needs to be cared for will be seen visually on the exterior of the shell. If you notice that your outerwear is no longer “beading up” and has begun soaking up water this is known as “wet ting out”. This is the primary indicator that your outerwear is not performing

A well designed hood keeps your head warm and dry, and that can be half the battle at staying comfortable .

to its full potential and requires care. The simple solution is to treat your outerwear with Nikwax and follow the instructions below:

Step 1 – Prep: Shake well before use. Use undiluted Nikwax Tech Wash and a sponge or soft nylon brush to treat stubborn stains before washing. Follow garment care label instructions.

Step 2 – Machine Wash: Place a maximum of six garments in the washing machine. Using cold water only, after the machine has filled, add: five fluid ouncedoz. / 150 ml for one to three garments, low water level. 8.5 fl oz. / 250 ml for 4-6 garments; medium water level of Nikwax Tech Wash.

Step 3 – Waterproofing: No need to dry garments before waterproofing. Air dry or tumble dry on a low setting.

On a protected work surface lay the clean wet garment flat. Hold Nikwax Spray-on bottle 15 cm/6 inches away from the garment and spray thorough ly.

Wait for two minutes, then remove any surplus product with a damp cloth. Check carefully to ensure no areas have been missed. Air dry for several minutes and the job is done.

DO NOT:

• Bleach – Colors will fade and can damage the DWR waterproof coating.

• Use Fabric Softener – Will clog the pores of technical fabrics and can damage the waterproof coating, minimizing the garments waterproof ing and breathability.

• Iron – The heat may damage the performance of your technical fabric and potentially melt your garment.

• Dry Cleaning – Products used to dry clean could damage the techni cal features of your garment.

That’s it—given a bit of care, your quality foul weather fishing gear should give you years of service.

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When a pastime becomes a passion. Some don’t get it, but we do.

If you’re no longer able to enjoy the sports you love due to joint pain, it may be time for surgery . Image by Stephanie Mallory

Is Joint Pain Keeping You From Enjoying the Outdoors?

BY STEPHANIE MALLORY

Climbing into a treestand. Walking miles through dense underbrush in pursuit of game. Trudging through wetlands in search of waterfowl. Fighting that giant fish on the end of the line. These activities and more provide a great deal of joy for many outdoors enthusiasts, but severe joint disease can make them a thing of the past if not treated correctly.

Many a hunter and angler, especially those who are getting up in age, are having to limit their outdoor activities due to joint pain, but fortunately, for many who suffer, joint replacement surgery can get them back outdoors and active within a matter of weeks.

Dr. Jacob Seales, a joint replacement and revision surgeon in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, who specializes in hip and knee replacements assisted by the Stryker Mako® robotic-arm, said the most common joint disease, osteoarthritis, can have a genetic component and is also a result of the natural wear and tear on joints from aging. Younger people can also suffer from joint issues due to disease or injury.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that approximately one in four adults in America suffer from doctor-diagnosed arthritis and almost 44% of those diagnosed are so physically limited that they can’t fully take part in the activities and hobbies they enjoy.

JOINT DISEASE LIMITATIONS

Seales said the longer you live, the more likely you’ll end up with some degree of osteoarthritis.

When cartilage breaks down and thins out over time, it causes pain and inflammation. Seales said when someone comes in to his office with pain, stiffness, swelling and/or loss of motion in their knee or hip, he does an x-ray or MRI to confirm a diagnosis of joint disease and to see how far it’s progressed.

“If it’s in the early stages and not too severe, we will start off with conservative treatment, like physical therapy, activity modification, and steroid and pill treatment. But arthritis always progresses. There’s no cure or any treatment that will reverse the damage – not even stem cell treatment that you hear so much about. So, it will inevitably get worse. And once that cartilage is gone, then you have bone rubbing on bone, which can cause intense pain,” Seales said.

TIME FOR SURGERY

He said it’s a personal decision as to when someone should seek out joint replacement surgery, but they often start asking about it when the pain gets so bad that they can no longer participate in the activities they love.

Seales performs many joint replacement surgeries on people in their 60s and 70s and on healthy individuals in their 80s and 90s. But he also oper ates on younger patients who may need joint replacement surgery because they suffer from other types of arthritis, injuries and joint disease.

Seales said many patients wait too long to seek surgery out of fear – either of the surgery itself, of the pain and recovery process after the surgery or because they believe the surgery won’t truly help their pain and limitations.

“The truth is, after they’ve received the surgery, so many of my patients tell me they should have done it a long time ago,” he said.

MORE PRECISE SURGERY WITH THE STRYKER MAKO ROBOTIC ARM

Seales says five years ago, he began using the Stryker Mako robotic arm, which enhances precision, decreases pain and improves recovery time.

He said the surgery with the robotic arm only takes approximately 30 minutes.

“Before the surgery, we take a CT scan of the joint and input that info/image into the robotic arm,” Seales said.

The system creates a 3-D virtual model of the joint to help the doctor plan for the surgery. During the surgery, the surgeon can use the robotic arm to prepare the bone, introduce the implant and ensure that it is balanced and fits well.

The surgeon is able to see the pre-surgical plan overlaid on the real-time surgery to use as a guide. The robotic arm’s tracking eyes can adjust for very small movements of the knee if they occur. It precisely prepares the bone according to visual boundaries that protect the essential structure of the knee and removes only the part that’s been affected. The implant is placed, the joint is properly balanced, and the surgeon can make adjustments if needed.

“The robotic arm makes the actual cuts so the alignment is within a half millimeter and a half of a degree of where it’s supposed to be. The robotic arm offers a much more precise way of performing this surgery. It allows me to finetune cuts so I can do less soft-tissue release to make adjustments, which means less need for pain control and a quicker recovery,” Seales said.

Of course, one must understand that the robotic arm is controlled by the surgeon who combines his or her knowledge and judgment with the robot’s precision and control. The robot isn’t performing the surgery, the surgeon is, but with the robot’s help.

During the procedure an arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface is replaced with an orthopedic prosthesis. The most commonly performed joint replace ments are hip and knee, but replacement surgery can be performed on other joints, including the ankle, wrist, shoulder and elbow.

ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

After the surgery, hospital staff will usually get the patient up and moving

The robotic arm offers a much more precise way of performing this surgery . Image by Southern Medical Technologies

around within a few hours, and he or she can often return home that same day. Older, more debilitated patients can usually return home the next day.

“Usually, after around six weeks of recovery, most people are starting to get back to their normal lives and doing the things they enjoyed doing before they suffered from severe joint pain. They’ll have some limits the first couple of months, but after three months, they will enjoy pain-free full range of movement in the replaced joint with no restrictions or long-term issues.”

According to the National Library of Medicine, joint replacements are expected to become much more common over the next 10 years. Overall, total hip and total knee revisions are projected to grow by 137% and 601%, respectively, between 2005 and 2030.

So why suffer in pain and why live the rest of your life unable to participate in the outdoor sports and activities you love, when there’s a solution? If you think you’re suffering from joint disease, and you’re no longer able to climb that stand, or walk that trail to your favorite hunting local, then make an appointment with our local orthopedic surgeon. If joint replacement surgery is right for you, you may find yourself doing all the things you love again before you know it.

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Fall Surf Fishing Tactics for Success

BY DAVID THORNTON

These and many other young Florida pompano, reared at the Claude Peteet Mariculture Center in Gulf Shores, AL are hoped to enhance the wild stocks of pompano along the beaches of Alabama and beyond . Picture from Outdoor Alabama

As our coastal waters cool off and pelagic fish migrate away, Florida pompano become the primary target species

Autumn is likely the most overlooked fishing season along the Emerald Coast, mainly due to other distractions like school, hunting, football, etcetera. Still folks are missing out on some of the best surf fishing of the year during this period even as conditions are changing for the better for several reasons.

In late summer as daylight hours get progressively shorter our days are typically not quite as hot, and often are drier. Various fish species sense the changes and begin making plans for the months ahead when the environ ment will not be as warm, nor food as plentiful. So this provides anglers with a variety of pre-fall opportunities that continue through the succeeding months. That is until the prey items are exhausted or conditions change to the point the fish move on.

By Labor Day beach fishermen may witness more ‘blitzing’ behavior from jacks and even mackerel and redfish as the surfzone fills with more young of the year (YOY) herbivorous fish like herring (LYs), spot croaker, mullet and such. Once these baitfish begin staging in the surf, the fish that prey on them naturally follow.

Any structure (hard or soft) along the beach that holds or attracts these baitfish is a good spot to try for bluefish, jacks and mackerel at some point during the day. This time of year our tides are typically high in the pre-dawn hours, with a falling tide all day until late afternoon or early evening. So the best time to catch fish feeding at these locations is often very early, or very late during daytime hours.

Utilizing the onsite bait source may work, maybe even as well as casting similar looking artificial lures. Spoons of about the same size and shape as the baitfish will get the attention of predatory fish while covering more water, especially if you have to search for them. Medium sized plugs like MirrOdine or Rapala X-Rap may work well too. Even topwater plugs often catch fish in the early-early morning under low light conditions.

Soft plastic minnow imitations (like the Zoom Fluke) on a lead head jig work for a variety of species including redfish, speckled trout and flounder. Bubble rigs cast from the beach can be quite effective for schooling fish that are chasing minnows in the surfzone.

Soon after the the Autumnal Equinox (September 23) cooler, drier continen tal air will periodically move over the region. Our water temperatures drop in a stair step manner as successive fronts usher in progressively cooler air. Once the water cools below 80 degrees most species in the jack family will school up and migrate eastward toward the Big Bend region of Florida and eventually southward along the Florida Peninsula. Many mackerel follow a few weeks behind them, though there may well be some ‘stragglers’ even into early winter if our water temperature remains mild. As these pelagic (from the Greek meaning ‘free roaming’) fish move out of our area, it becomes progressively easier to target the ‘resident’ fish species. These include pompano, bluefish, and the various species of drum native to the region.

Anglers would be most familiar with black and red drum (redfish), the king fish species (Gulf, Southern and Northern) often called “whiting” or “ground mullet”. Also, croaker and spot croaker, flounder and seatrout: Spotted, and the Sand or Silver seatrout commonly called “white trout”. All of these can be caught on artificial lures, but are much more commonly targeted or caught using dead bait, usually shrimp on bottom. As our coastal waters cool off and pelagic fish migrate away, Florida pompano become the primary target

species.

Diet is ultimately what makes this member of the jack family so popular. They primarily eat crustaceans (crabs and shrimp) along with mollusks (clams) and other small invertebrates that live in the surf zone. Thus their flesh is lighter color and firmer texture, and “sweeter” tasting than other jacks which mostly eat smaller finfish. This exclusive diet also makes pompano easier to target for shore bound anglers who land the bulk of them caught each year. Their nutritiously rich diet also helps them grow quickly. Most spawning occurs after the Spring Equinox in mid to late spring, coincident with the spawning and growth of various benthic invertebrates inhabiting the surfzone. They grow quickly, along with their food sources throughout the hot summer and into the cooler fall. Most pompano reach sexual maturity, and harvestable size at or soon after their first birthday. So much for the innocence of youth!

One of the most effective and widespread methods to catch pompano is by use of the double dropper “pompano rigs”. (See GDO mag April 2022 “Must Have Surf Rigs”). These popular and diverse rigs often use small, various colored floats or beads to attract the curious pompano to the bait (and hook). Even the hooks styles vary, as some anglers prefer kahle hooks, while others like circle hooks better. Either way, the code word for effectiveness seems to be “small’. Pompano have a relatively small mouth, from the size of a quarter to maybe a fifty cent piece. So the overall size of the bait “gob” should not exceed that diameter because pompano lack teeth to bite the bait into small pieces. That is when the bait is often nibbled or pulled off the hook. In fact smaller bait morsels like immature mole crabs (“sandfleas”), ghost shrimp, and inch long Coquina clams make up the bulk of their tradi tional diet. So making your bait resemble what pompano are used to eating is a key to success in the fall, as well as throughout the year.

Being successful while surf fishing in the fall often means adjusting to changing conditions as the air and water cool off. The successively stronger cold fronts that bring in cooler air are often preceded by moderate to strong onshore winds for several days. While this may dingy the water, it also affords anglers opportunities to find fish bunched up in feeding locations like the back side of nearshore sand bars. Actually, fish will be feeding just inside the longshore sandbars along the coast as waves dislodge food items and push them into the trough. The fish wait there in relatively calm water for the “wave conveyor current” to bring the food to them. Any of these ‘feeding spots’ within casting distance from shore are “money in the bank” for surf an glers seeking bent rods. Some of these locations continue to attract fish after the front has passed and the waves get progressively smaller. The shallow water sandbars that make even one foot swells break are usually the best spots to catch pompano, whiting and other surf fish between fronts.

THE PRESSURE IS ON.

There can be no doubt pompano popularity has exploded over the past 10 to 15 years. Not only are more people coming to visit and live along the Emerald Coast, but the number of anglers targeting pompano on a regular basis has increased exponentially. So how can this complex fishery, poised precariously on the edge of the Gulf continue to flourish in the face of such increasing fishing pressure? The traditional method is for the coastal states to control the overall harvest with creel limits and both size and number limits differ from state to state and rarely change. Another method is to encourage anglers to practice more catch and release with these (and other) fish. Everyone has different mindsets while fishing, but limiting our catch is way better for the fishery than catching our limits each time we fish!

is vital to the

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A particular

to aid the

has been undertaken by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Marine Resources Division (ADCNR-MRD) at the Claude Peteet Mariculture Center in Gulf Shores. A program has been in place for several years there that has bred, raised and released about 120,000 Florida pompano into Alabama waters hoping to enhance their population. This effort has been backed and funded in no small part by contributions and involvement from Coastal Con servation Association of Alabama. CCA – AL has invested money for tanks, pumps, filters, and such to aid the CPMC in building up their facility to expand their effort. Plus they also breed red drum and flounder at the facility to release into the wild.

CCA Alabama Executive Director Blakeley Ellis mentioned “local money raised here, stays here to help build and support programs like this.” So money from CCA license plates and fundraisers can be used to enhance our natural resources. Also CCA acts as the vehicle to get scientists and anglers together to help achieve those goals.

For instance CCA Alabama teamed with retail store Sam’s in Or ange Beach to provide more prizes from national and local partner sponsors in Sam’s”’Pomp Stomp” tournament. Incentive prizes and random drawings were offered to Alabama pompano anglers who donated their live fish as brood stock to enhance the CPMC program. As a result, 56 live pompano were collected by AL MRD personnel at several locations, on a number of different days. This despite what Chris Vecsey at Sam’s referred to as “some of the worst pompano fishing weather ever.” It is hoped the media expo sure from events like this will spark angler interest in all manners of conserving our great fall fishery into the future!

one

of

Slot-sized redfish are a fall favorite in the surf along the Emerald Coast

Essential Guns for Every Hunter

BY JOSH HONEYCUTT

A logical look at how hunters can fill their gun safes

All hunters need the bare minimums for hunting season. It’s good practice to have what you need and to be prepared for fall, winter, and spring hunting. This requires money and research, though, especially for newer hunters starting from scratch. So, if you can only purchase five to seven guns, what would these be? Here are some essential guns for every hunter. But first, some important pre-purchase considerations. Let’s dive into it.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

There are numerous considerations when choosing the right caliber or gauge. Selecting one that satisfies all or most of the requirements for the specific hunter who will use it is very important. Choosing the wrong caliber or gauge can have numerous negative effects.

First, consider game laws. Not all states allow certain rifles or shotguns during gun season. For example, in Michigan, in the southern third of the state you can hunt deer with a shotgun, muzzleloader or a straight wall cen terfire cartridge such as a .44 magnum or a .45-70, If you hunt the northern part of the state you can use necked centerfire cartridges.In these states, it’s important to select a straight-wall option. In other states, some necked cartridges are on the permitted list, while others aren’t. Again, check your hunting regulations before choosing a caliber.

The type of animal you’ll be hunting is important impacts your cartridge se lection. Some guns are too powerful, or not powerful enough, for the animals you’re after. Find the right fit.

Another consideration is the hunter themselves. Are they small, short, lightweight, young, etc.? If so, they might need a smaller caliber or gauge that kicks less, and that tends to come in smaller profile builds. Too much gun can be a bad thing and can lead to shooters “flinch”and a jerky trigger pull, affecting accuracy.

The third and final factor is terrain. If you hunt in tight areas with short shots, there’s no need for a long-range rifle or shotgun. In contrast, if you hunt in open settings and for game that requires longer shots, a shorter-range gun might not work as well.

As one might expect, selecting the right firearms is a difficult process. But we’re here to make it easier. Here are some great calibers and gauges to choose from.

1. Shotgun: Smooth-Bore 12- or 20-Gauge

A smooth-bore shotgun might be one of the most useful firearms a hunter can purchase. A good 20 or 12-gauge can be used for many things, including small and larger game. Squirrels, rabbits, upland birds, turkeys, and other smaller critters are excellent adventures for these guns. Furthermore, for small game only, such as squirrels, rabbits, upland birds, and turkeys, also consider a .410, 28-, and 16-gauge. In some cases, a 20 or12-gauge slug gun is good for whitetails.

2. Shotgun: Rifled 12- or 20-Gauge

Where legal, those who reside or hunt in whitetail states with a shotgun season should consider one that’s dedicated to deer hunting. In this instance, a rifled slug gun is oftentimes a premiere option. And don’t think a 12-gauge is a must-have. It isn’t. Modern 20-gauge slug guns are very accurate, dependable, and powerful.

3. Muzzleloader: .45 or .50-Caliber

As with shotguns, some states place a heavy emphasis on muzzleloaders. Most states have dedicated seasons, making these a great addition to your gun safe. Most hunters still prefer a .50-caliber, but other options, such as .45, are also becoming more common in the field.

Other Calibers: .42, .44, etc.

4. Rimfire Caliber: .22 Short or .22 Long Most outdoorsmen and women will want a rimfire rifle in their gun safe. Many Americans have a Ruger, Henry or Mossberg, but other brands make quality rimfire guns, too. A shorter-range rimfire, such as a .22 Short, is great for squirrel hunting. A longer-range rimfire, such as a .22 Long or .17 HMR, are good for varmint hunting, and other ground dwelling animals. However, these are generally ill-advised for tree-dwelling animals, such as squirrels, though. These bullets travel fast and far, even for rimfire rifles. While these smaller .22 rimfire cartridges are available, far and away, the large majority of .22 rifles are chambered for the .22 long rifle. With the exception of semi-auto matic action rifles you can shoot all three cartridges out of your .22 rimfire rifle. You can shoot a .22 short or a .22 long out of them but those cartridges make up a very small part of the market.

Other Calibers: .17 HMR, 17. WSM, .22 Mag., etc.

5. Necked Down Rifle Caliber (Smaller): .223 Rem. or .243 Win.

The .223 Rem is more than capable of handling big game on the smaller end, such as coyotes and deer. It doesn’t pack a huge punch, but with the proper shot placement, it will get the job done. Looking for something with a little more power with a happy medium, perhaps consider .223 bullet offerings around the 70-grain threshold. This caliber also produces minimal recoil, which is great for younger and smaller-framed shooters. Plus, with a typical 3,200-fps speed, it scoots downrange. Of course, given the reduced knockdown power, try to avoid heavy bones, such as shoulders. You can also get this caliber in an AR platform, which is attractive to some hunters.

The .243 Win is another great caliber. It’s been around since 1955, but it still holds its own. With around that 85-100-grain weight range, it’s certainly a great option for ethical, reliable field use on whitetails. It’s lightweight and moves about 3,250 fps, making it a relatively flat-shooting gun. Like the .223, this gun is great for deer-sized game, and works for varmints, such as coyotes, too.

Other Calibers: .22-250 Rem, .25-06 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor

6. Necked Down Rifle Caliber (Larger): .30-30, .308 Win. or .300 Win. Mag.

The .30-30 has likely killed more deer than any caliber. Still, we have better options today, one of which is the .308 Win. It’s more than 70 years old, but it gets the job done well. It offers a variety of bullet weights from 110 to 200 grains. It’s medium bullet weight of 150 grains moves at 2,800 fps out of the gate. While it does offer slightly slower muzzle velocity than other large cali bers, it’s a good selection for bigger game and moderate to long ranges with out brutal recoil. It offers good knock-down power and top notch accuracy.

Perhaps the best all-round caliber for big game, the .300 Win. Mag. It has a typical bullet weight of around 150 grains, and storms out of the gate at 3,250 fps. It offers incredible long-range accuracy and knock-down efficiency. Use it for virtually all big game animals in North America.

Other Calibers: .270 Win, .280 Rem., 7mm-09 Rem., .30-30 Win, .308 Win., .30-06 SPRG., .300 Win. Mag., etc.

7. Straight Wall Caliber: .350 Legend or .450 Bushmaster

Some states, such as Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, and more, have dedicated straight-wall gun seasons. Hunters in these areas must abide by the rules and carry such as caliber. Historically, the .450 Bushmaster was the preferred

option. While it’s still a great caliber, the .350 Legend is likely the best available choice. This is especially true for smaller-framed shooters, those who don’t want as much recoil, and those who prefer range over power. It boasts a 150-grain bullet (typically) and has a muzzle velocity of 2,300 fps, which is great for a straight-wall caliber shooting out to 225, or maybe even 250 yards, with moderate to significant drop. Plus, it’s quite affordable to purchase ammo for.

Other Calibers: .357 Mag., .375 Win., .44 Mag., .444 Marlin, .45-70 Gov., etc.

All things considered, you don’t need a bunch of guns to go hunting. While we all want to see big gun cabinets full of firearms, it isn’t necessary. As

above, you can minimize your budget and cover most or all seasons

minimal purchases. Now, go and make your hunting season dreams

THE DEER SEASON CHECKLIST

There are certain things deer hunters should do lead ing up to deer season. These are some things to get done:

• Get the right licenses and tags.

• Pack your gear and memorize its location.

• Bore sight the boom stick.

• Dial that scope on in.

• Last-minute trail camera checks.

• Sharpen your processing knives.

• Gather your gear (including hunter orange).

• Pick a good gun hunting spot.

• If it’s the rut, focus on where the does are located, but on the fringe of cover.

• Put safety first.

This catfish was caught on Lake Eufaula using the fall and winter catfishing techniques described .

How to Catch Hook and Line Catfish in Late Fall and Early Winter

BY JOHN E. PHILLIPS

Almost anyone can catch catfish May through October. But few anglers can take both huge catfish and eating-sized ones throughout the fall and winter months, like anglers do on the Tennessee River, below Pickwick Dam. In recent years, finding, hooking, fighting, landing, photographing and releasing monster-sized catfish has become a growing trend in Alabama as well as other southern states.

As one Pickwick Dam angler told me, “My fishing for catfish in the late fall and winter is based on my being convinced that cats must eat some thing every day. I’ve learned where big catfish live through studying their habits. If I put bait up off the bottom that catfish will eat, I can catch them – no matter what the time of year.”

However, catfish take their time biting during the fall and winter months – far longer than they do in the summer. Many times, a big catfish will hit a bait for 10 minutes during these times, before finally taking it in and swallowing it.

Anglers fish in deep holes near the floodgates below Pickwick Dam on the Tennessee River on the borders of Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, as well as downriver. When fishing for big cats, you must use a strong line, like a braided, no-stretch line to feel the catfish on the line, as soon as the fish first bites the bait. Then the fisherman can set the hook quickly. Fishing with only monofilament line, you may not feel the catfish, until it tries to get off the hook.

HOW TO RIG AND FISH FOR WINTERTIME CATFISH

To the main braided line, attach a three-way swivel with 12 to 18 inches of 60-pound-test Berkley’s Trilene Big Game monofilament line as a leader, coming off the second eye of the three-way swivel. This line is known for being super-strong, shock-resistant, extra-tough and abrasion-resistant, as well as having outstanding knot strength – all characteristics needed to catch catfish.

To the end of that line, attach a barrel swivel and tie on another 12 to 18 inches of Big Game line before snelling a No. 2/0 Kahle hook, a hook that’s between a circle and a J hook and developed by Eagle Claw, to the line, leaving four to six inches of line coming-off the first hook. Then a fisherman will snell a second, No. 2/0 Kahle hook to the same line.

This rig is what anglers use to catch eating-size catfish, weighing from two to six pounds each..

For anglers fishing for really-big catfish, they’ll use No. 6/0 or No. 7/0 Kahle hooks. They want two hooks in the big baits they’re fishing. Then, regardless of how a large catfish takes the bait, they’ll have at least one and perhaps two hooks in the fish.

On the bottom eye of the three-way swivel, most Tennessee River anglers use 14 to 20 pound test line to tie-on their leads. They’ll have 2 to 10 feet of leader line going from the eye of the swivel to the lead on the bottom. They determine how long to make the leader based on the depth that their depth finders say the catfish are holding. If the cats are holding 10-feet off the bottom, they’ll use 10 feet of leader to ensure their leads go toward the bottom but keep the bait about 10 feet above the bottom.

If the anglers pinpoint the catfish holding right on the bottom or close to the bottom, they may use only one to two feet of leader to go from the three-way swivel to the baited hook. If there’s a very-light current, catfish often will move 8 to 10 feet up off the bottom to feed. At times, anglers may not catch cats, because they aren’t putting their bait at the depths where the catfish are feeding in the cooler weather.

Anglers also like to fish in the river below Pickwick Dam for catfish in the drop-offs and holes and on the underwater ledges downstream from the hydroelectric plant. To catch big wintertime catfish in Alabama, you first must survey the river bottoms below the dams with your electronics and search for these underwater drop-offs, holes and ledges downriver. Catfish like to hold in these areas, where baitfish congregate, and other food washes into the holes.

Once you locate the holes, you can use your trolling motor to hold your boat steady against the current. Then let your line fall-down to the bottom, and slowly allow the current to move your boat downriver. Next, raise your rod tip, and lift the lead up off the bottom. Controlling the drift of the boat with your trolling motor, you can allow the boat to move back three to six feet before letting your lead down to the bottom again.

Whether you’re fishing for trophy-sized or eating-sized catfish, these techniques will produce fall and winter catfish.

“I want the nose of my boat pointed into the current, and my line running at about a 30-degree angle toward the back of the boat. I’ll start bumping my bait along the bottom above the holes, let the bait drop-down into the holes and then bounce the bait along the bottom out the back side of the hole. Since the catfish are often on top of, in or behind a hole, you want to work that entire stretch of the bottom.” one wintertime catfisherman explained.

Many wintertime anglers have learned that fishing the deeper dropoffs and holes downriver from the dams during the summer and winter months may locate concentrated, often-bigger catfish where depths reach 30 to 40 and even 60 feet.

Slack-water times are also productive for fishing holes in the bottoms in the fronts of spillways that aren’t discharging water. Big cats will hold around dam areas throughout the year. Some of their favorite places to concentrate in tailraces aren’t just in the swift water where the turbines are being discharged, but also in the slack water around the spillway. You need to search for holes in the bottom in front of the spillways and use the same rig there as when bumping the bait in the holes downriver. However, when fishing slack water, use lighter leads – often weighing no more than one or two ounces – and use your trolling motor to move your boat slowly around these holes.

HOW PHIL KING CAUGHT A HUGE WINTERTIME CATFISH

My longtime friend, Phil King of Corinth, Mississippi, had an impressive catch of big wintertime catfish, while fishing the deep holes below the dam at Pickwick in the slack water in front of the spillway gates. King and some friends were slow-trolling big baits in the deep holes. King had a large catfish hit his bait so hard that it jerked him around in his

seat. He had to put both hands on the rod as the drag screamed off the reel.

The big catfish came to the surface, made two figure eights just under the water and began a long, steady run down the river. Then the fish went down and stayed on the bottom for about 10 minutes. When it came up, the fishermen all spotted the big catfish on the surface. Next the catfish dove for the bottom a second time, and another 10-minute tug-of-war occurred.

Most anglers don’t want to muscle large catfish to the surface, until the fish surrender. So, they’ll chase the catfish downriver with their trolling motors. On this day, finally after a 20-minute battle, the 61-pound blue cat rolled-up on its side, after a long and muscle-straining fight King had won.

WHAT TACTICS ANGLERS USE FOR COOL-WEATHER CATFISH

Most of the anglers who fish below Pickwick Dam and other Alabama dams know they’ll discover big cats in the holes downriver, as well as in the tailraces in cooler weather. The catfish anglers who target big catfish:

• don’t go over a hole running their big motors, to keep from scaring the fish into not biting;

• fish through the holes, allowing their baits to drift-back naturally, rather than trying to anchor on or above a hole and fishing vertical ly in it;

• pinpoint the catfish out in front of a hole or behind it, rather than fishing only in the hole;

• will fish all three locations – in front of, behind and through the hole - to have three chances of catching catfish, while anyone fishing in

Your ability to catch a big wintertime catfish like this one will depend on the heavy tackle you use and your knowing where the large catfish roam.

If you’d like to catch eating-sized catfish, like the ones pictured here, use smaller hooks and baits than you’ll fish with to catch monster-sized catfish.

the hole only has a one-in-three chance;

• use their trolling motors to control their drift to move their baits through the hole slower than the current’s moving;

• lift their leads three to four inches off the bottom;

• fish with 60-pound-test, abrasion-resistant monofilament leader line like Berkley’s Big Game line that has the power to move a big catfish, once the hook’s set with the braided main line. The braided no-stretch, small-diameter line as a main line enables an angler to feel the bite of the catfish better and get a faster and harder hookset;

• use an oversized dip net when fishing for big catfish to insure they get the entire fish in the boat;

• fish 10 to 20 holes in a day and often return to those same holes several times during the day; and

• use a wide variety of baits, including cut shad, shad guts, chicken livers, night crawlers and live minnows - letting the catfish tell which bait they prefer on each day.

Whether you’re fishing for trophy-sized or eating-sized catfish, these techniques always have produced fall and winter catfish.

Sources

Berkley Trilene Big Game Line

https://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/trilene-biggame-1285546

Kahle Hooks

Available online and from big box stores and tackle shops

Skillet-Grilled Catfish

The Cajun flavor is great in this skillet-grilled catfish recipe. You can use this recipe with any thick fish fillet, but I suggest catfish or haddock.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup cornmeal

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• 4 catfish fillets (6 to 8 ounces each)

• 1/4 cup butter

• Optional: Lemon wedges and minced fresh parsley

Instructions

1. In a large shallow dish, combine the first 9 ingredients. Add catfish, 1 filet at a time, and turn to coat.

2. Place a large cast-iron skillet on a grill rack over medium-high heat. Melt butter in the skillet; add catfish in batches, if necessary. Grill, covered, until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 5-10 minutes on each side. If desired, serve with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.

BY TRACI WYNNE, DENVER, PENNSYLVANIA Recipe and image courtesy of www.tasteofhome.com

How to Catch Hook and Line Catfish

Sawtooth Oak versUs Chestnut Trees for Wildlife

BY STEPHANIE MALLORY

Many landowners and wildlife managers recognize the important role perennial food plot trees play in attracting and holding deer to your land. When it comes to selecting the right trees to plant, there are several good ones to choose from. Two of the top-producing food plot trees, the Dunstan chestnut and the sawtooth oak, provide nutritional deer-attracting mast crop for many years after they are planted.

Both have many advantages, but one, according to Ian Wallace, co-owner of Chestnut Hill Outdoors, a nursery and tree farm in Alachua, Florida, has some clear advantages over the other. But first, let’s talk about the history and benefits of each species.

HISTORY OF THE SAWTOOTH OAK AND DUNSTAN CHESTNUT

“The sawtooth oak, which is a non-native species that was introduced in the 1800s, has been one of the most widely planted trees for mast sources for food plots for a long time. In fact, even back to the 1980s, they selected sawtooth because of how quickly and how much it produced,” Wallace said.

The sawtooth oak was introduced in the 1820s from East Asia and is native to China, Korea, Japan and the Himalayas. It’s a fast-growing, very adaptable tree and can thrive in a variety of habitats.

The American chestnut once thrived across the U.S., producing heavy crops of highly palatable nuts from year to year. Unfortunately, in the early 1900s, a blight devastated chestnut forests and by 1950, almost all chestnut trees in the country were wiped out. Still, one blight-resistant tree was discovered and, from that tree, the chestnuts were brought back from the brink of extinction.

Named the Dunstan Chestnut, after a man that helped bring it back, this new chestnut is blight-re sistant and highly attractive to wildlife.

SAWTOOTH OAK AND DUNSTAN CHESTNUT PRODUCTION

Wallace said that sawtooth trees typically begin producing acorns at between six to eight years in comparison to some native oaks that can take 15 to 25 before producing their first acorns. Sawtooth reach maturity around 15 to 20 years.

Dunstan chestnuts typically begin producing fruit between three to five years and reach maturity at around 15 years.

“As far as production per year, a single oak tree will end up producing more than a chestnut would

to some degree. But it all depends on time of year, the rainfall and weather conditions, and there can be an ebb and flow of how much a single tree produces during any given year,” Wallace said.

According to Wallace a sawtooth can produce up to 1000 pounds of acorns in a year and a chestnut can produce between 200 to 500 pounds in a year There are many variables to consider.

“The Dunston chestnut, which is a hybrid American Chinese chestnut, proba bly has a lifespan of 100 to 200 years. It’s hard to tell because we hybridized this chestnut in the mid-1900s, so we haven’t really had any die off because of age yet. So, we’re still k watching to see when that starts to happen. A sawtooth oak will typically begin to deteriorate when it reaches around 100 years old, or maybe a bit older, whereas our native oaks, depending on the variety, live to be anywhere between 200 to 400 years old,” Wallace said.

NATIVE VS NON-NATIVE

“The fact that the sawtooth originally came from Asia means there are some drawbacks. Since it produces so much and many acorns, and more frequently than our native oaks, there’s a concern of it being potentially inva sive. You have to look at the impact, region by region. If you start to see a bunch of seedlings popping up around a site that you’ve planted sawtooth in several years prior, that could be a sign that it’s becoming invasive. If there’s no seedlings at all, then well, obviously, it’s not very invasive,” Wallace said.

Wallace explained that sawtooth trees can also perform poorly in certain regions. For example, tropical storms and winds in the South can break sawtooth oaks because of how quickly they grow.

“In their natural habitat, they branch out long and quickly without any weather conditions that would push them down. But since we have frequent tropical winds in the South, they can get broken more frequently, whereas in

some other states, that wouldn’t be the case,” he said.

Wallace noted that the chestnut is a native tree to the United States so it’s hardy in a variety of conditions found throughout the eastern section of the country and extremely attractive to native wildlife.

“There were once millions of acres of chestnuts abundant across the whole eastern hardwood forest, just like oak trees are now. So native wildlife is searching for that nutrient and is used to that nutrient being there, but it just isn’t here as much anymore.”

Wallace said when you introduce a chestnut tree to a piece of property, it’s very natural for wildlife to find it and seek it out.

THE TASTE TEST

When it comes to deer preference, Wallace said chestnuts will win out over acorns every time.

“The biggest thing that separates the palatability is that oaks have a lot more tannic acid or ‘tannins’, while chestnuts don’t. Acorns are eaten by wildlife and are meant to be a part of that food source and are an important part of it. They have really high fats and carbohydrates and some proteins that are good, but the tannins in the oak’s system are trying to keep the animals from eating too many acorns.”

He explained that tannic acid is the tree’s natural deterrent to keep predators from eating its seeds/nuts.

“Tannic acid is actually not the best for foraging animals’ gut. There’s some research that shows that a lot of tannins can disrupt the animal’s biome that’s breaking down all that material. It has biotics that are helping its gut break it down. Those tannins actually kind of kill off some of that biotic

Timeless Design

system in there. So, a lot of tannins aren’t very healthy for foraging animals.”

He explained that, yes, animals will come in and feed on acorns for a while, but then they’re going to move on to something else because their stomachs can’t take that much.

THE WINNER Chestnuts, on the other hand, are highly-palatable to deer, which have thousands more taste buds than humans and are sensitive to bitter-tasting tannins.

“In 2010 or 11, we did some tests with Dr. Deer, James Crowell, in Texas. He set up some acorns and chestnuts, and we watched the deer choose the chestnuts over the acorns every time.”

Chestnuts are chosen by deer over all other nuts because of their taste and nutrition. They are high in carbohydrates (40%) and contain up to 10% high-quality protein. This highly nutrient-rich food source provides critical energy during the rut in the fall. Chestnuts also have no bitter-tasting tannic acid.

“To sum it up, the chestnut is a superior tree to the sawtooth oak because of its consistent production and because it’s such a hardy tree. It’s also fast-growing and gets to the production age three to five years quicker than oaks. It’s just a better tree for a food plot, and will last for many, many years to come, if you take care of it,” Wallace concluded.

In cold weather large trout move into deep holes in rivers and ship channels where they can be caught on weighted lures fished near bottom (Slick Lure)

Picking The Best Speckled Trout Lures

BY FRANK SARGEANT

Catching large spotted sea trout takes both art and science, and even then it’s rarely easy. For the many anglers who avidly pursue the giant “gators” or “yellow-mouths”, there’s always a new trick to learn, a new lure to try, a new spot to fish.

The northern Gulf Coast is a particularly productive area for big sea trout, largely due to the fertile waters resulting from nutrients carried to the coast by the big rivers here. This results in abundant shrimp and baitfish for the big trout to get fat on.

Still, as an old guide once told me, “there’s a whole lot of places where they ain’t”.

FINDING HUGE SEA TROUT Biologists report that lunker spotted seatrout mostly eat baitfish rather than the shrimp preferred by the 12 to 15-inchers, so they’re usually found around schools of finger mullet, pogies, LY’s and other bait in the four to eight inch range. The largest trout will even eat 12 to 14 inch mullet!

So, keeping an eye out for large baitfish can be very helpful.

Jumping mullet—even mullet way too big for trout to eat—often reveal an area where huge trout will be prowling. This will often be in water just a foot or two deep, particularly at dawn and again just before dark. The jumbos also run the trough of the beach, just beyond the first bar and sometimes inside the bar, in the spring months.

When schooling baitfish are not abundant, the big trout seek out pigfish and pinfish on the grass flats. A big, nutritious mouthful seems to be what they’re after, so look for areas where these species abound and you’re likely to be in the big trout zone. You can sometimes spot a pinfish flat by watching for the flash of silver-dollar-sized pins as they feed in water two to four feet deep. Pigfish tend to hang just off the edge of the shallowest flats as well as around docks, piers and other hard structure.

Trout spawn from April to September in the northern Gulf, with the ac tivity most intense around new and full moons. They gather on the edge of deep channels or in sloughs along the beaches, particularly from the Florida and Alabama line westward, and spawn at night. If you’re target ing a giant female trout, hopefully for a photo and release, these fish will be among the easiest to find. Many experts wadefish the surf on days when seas allow, casting parallel to the beach as they go.

Large trout also prowl the mouths of creeks and sloughs like the many feeding into the Mississippi Sound, picking off bait that comes out of the backcountry on falling tides. The strongest bite is often on the three days on either side of a new or full moon. Remember that the big trout

prowl into water barely a foot deep at times, making wade-fishing or a kayak the preferred way to get at them.

Shorelines with old docks or other cover are another attraction in spring when water temperature is from 65 into the low 70’s.

Many of the large fish move into deep water in the heat of summer, set tling around shipwrecks and other structure that will hold bait. Some ex pert charter skippers fishing the big sounds of Mississippi and Louisiana know where sunken boats and oil rig debris concentrate these big fish in summer, but most anglers rarely target big trout in the dead of summer.

In winter, many quality trout move into the rivers and dredged shipping canals along the coast, seeking to avoid the chill of open water. Then it’s a matter of fishing deep and slow to get them.

FOOLING BIG TROUT

Large live baits are among the most dependable attractors for giant trout, with a six inch pigfish or finger mullet being at the top of the list. Catching these baits and keeping them lively is more work than fun, which is why so many anglers prefer to chase trout with artificial lures.

There are plenty of highly effective lures for lunker trout, particularly when they’re in the shallows where topwaters come into play. The Hed don Spook and Rapala Skitter-V are both legendary trout catchers, while for sub-surface action suspending lures like the Mirrolure Mirrodine and the Live Target Scaled Sardine are among the best. Many anglers are also big fans of the larger DOA Shrimp and the DOA Bait Buster.

For a lure that the largest fish can’t seem to resist, many expert trout anglers prefer a fish catching product that’s not widely-known outside the Gulf Coast and that is the Slick Lure, invented by North Florida flats angler Joey Landreneau.

It’s a soft plastic bait that looks sort of like an elongated gum-drop. There’s no fat swimmer tail, no fins, joints or built in flashers, no added scents or flavors.

For whatever reason giant trout love these lures.

“It’s the most productive soft plastic jerkbait I’ve used in over 40 years of trout fishing,” says Captain Bobby Abruscato, well-known Dauphin Island guide. “I have yet to find anything that outfishes it—and I’m not sponsored by the company.”

HOW TO FISH THE SLICK LURE

The Slick Lure has no action of its own so it’s up to the angler to bring it to life and with the right retrieve, it becomes a lunker trout magnet.

First, though, it has to be rigged right.

Joey Landreneau, the originator, advises using only the Owner Beast extra-wide gap (EWG) hook, either unweighted or with 1/8 ounce weight on the shank. The Slick is a “fat” lure, and smaller hooks just don’t punch through it adequately on the hook set.

(Writer’s note: Landreneau is still the chief lure designer but Pure Flats, the company he founded to market Slick Lures, now belongs to Greg Sample, an avid angler headquartered in Atlanta.)

The wide-gap hook design acts as a keel, keeping the lure upright as it’s worked.

It’s critical for the hook to run straight down the middle through the molded-in slot, and not bunching up the lure as it should lie perfectly straight or it won’t work the way it should. The hook should barely peek above the back of the lure and this effectively makes it weedless, but some anglers also like to “skin hook” the point just under the plastic, which makes the lure doubly snag-proof.

HOW TO WORK THE SLICK LURE

Abruscato keeps his rod high and reels slowly and steadily with just an occasional twitch to activate the lure.

Captain Richard Rutland, another famed Mobile Bay guide, says his favorite tactic for working the Slick is to shake the rod tip, whipping it down and then up and then allowing the lure to sink between twitches. This causes the lure to dart erratically sideways before slowly dropping toward bottom, much like a dying baitfish. The trout can’t stand it.

Most experts fish the Slick on braid or fluorocarbon rather than monofila ment. The mono stretches too much for effective hook setting. Those who fish braid typically use several feet of fluorocarbon leader in 12- to 20-pound-test tied in with a uniknot. The fluoro is stiff enough to prevent the lure from tangling itself in the braid as it works. Tie it on with a loop knot to allow it to work correctly.

Strikes can be anything from a light tap to an attack that almost takes the rod out of your hands. In either case, drop the rod tip, take up slack and make a super-powerful hook set, like you’re setting the hook while bass fishing with a Texas-rig worm. Otherwise, the big hook may not jerk through the lure to stick the fish.

ALABAMA’S SEA TROUT TAGGING PROGRAM

CCA Alabama, the University of South Alabama Department of Marine Sciences and the Dauphin Island Sealab are cooperating on a study of seatrout and redfish to assist in management of both species. The pro gram enlists CCA members to tag trout and redfish and rewards anglers who file a report after a tagged fish is recaptured.

Many of the most successful taggers like Captain Richard Rutland are fishing guides who are on the water almost daily, and who handle thousands of trout and redfish each year.

One of the things the study has revealed so far is that sea trout are always on the move. You may catch them in the same spots this spring as last, but in between they’ve been roaming a wide variety of inshore and bay locations.

The Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama provides funds for the materials and operation of the program.

Big trout are spooky, so a silent approach via wading is a great way to sneak into range (Slick Lure)

Anglers who are members of CCA are automatically eligible to take part in the Tag Alabama program, and there’s a training session, either in person or online-, to demonstrate how fish can be safely tagged, how to keep and maintain data from the fish and how to submit it so the infor mation can be entered into the program’s data base. There are annual contests for anglers who have tagged the most fish and categories and rewards for professional guides and for non- professional anglers.

All active CCA members who fish in Alabama’s coastal waters are eligible to become taggers. Orientation sessions take place throughout the year, and after attending the seminar, participants are ready to start tagging. Once they complete an orientation session, they receive a free tagging kit that includes 25 redfish tags, 25 speckled trout tags and a tag applicator.

The CCA raises funds to cover the costs of the program through fundraising banquets, donations, and through their saltwater fishing CCA Alabama license plate sales. Forty-two dollars of the $50 cost of the plates goes back to CCA Alabama to help them with their conser vation projects including the TAG Alabama program. The plates can be personalized. Learn more at info@ccaalabama.org and at http://tags. usouthal.edu.

Contact Information

Captain Richard Rutland Cold Blooded Fishing http://coldbloodedfishing.com (251) 459-5077

CCA Alabama www.info@ccaalabama.org http://tags.usouthal.edu.

Bobby Abruscato A-Team Fishing Adventures www.ateamfishing.com (251) 661-7696

“Many hunters and NWTF members are heavily involved in raising funds for the wild turkey and its habitat by participating in NWTF hunting heritage banquets, whereby a portion of those funds raised goes into the cost-share program,” Nichol son said. “Hunters’ purchases of hunting equipment also helps support wildlife conservation through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, which brings federal grant funding to state wildlife management agencies such as the FWC.”

Through this combined effort from the NWTF, FWC, FFS and Florida turkey hunters, the wild turkey population is healthy and flourishing in Florida. And, if you’re a turkey hunter, then you must be getting excited because spring turkey season and the youth turkey hunt weekends are just around the corner.

Contact Information

Wild Turkey Cost-Share Program

Florida State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Florida Forest Service (FFS)

The Slick Lure is highly effective fished on marsh edges, particularly where creeks feed in on falling tides (Slick Lure)

the money spent on turkey permits, which is part of the licens ing requirement to hunt turkeys in Florida, goes into that fund.

Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

What to Look for in Fishing Rod Guides

BY ED MASHBURN

Line guide wraps need to be flat, even with no overlaps. This wrap will be evened out before it is epoxy sealed for final use.

If you’re of a certain age, you will remember an old automobile tire advertisement which featured the line ”Where the Rubber Meets the Road”. This old ad stressed the point that good tires made for a better and safer ride for our cars.

To paraphrase that old tire ad, it might be said that fishing rod line guides are where “the line meets the rod.” Just as good tires are safer and more secure for car operators, good line guides are better at protecting fishing line and getting fish back to the angler.

Whether an angler is a rod builder or a rod buyer, those line guides are of crucial importance to the effectiveness of all fishing rods, and the line guides need some attention to ensure long service and good results.

MATERIALS- WHAT MAKES UP THE GUIDE

When we take time to think about it, rod guides take a lot of abuse. There’s the constant pressure of the line working through the guides, and when a big fish is hooked, the guides absorb a lot of the weight which the fish presents.

Rod guides need to be made of strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant stuff, especially those rods used for saltwater fishing.

It is possible to find “no name” guides which can give good service for a long time. These unadvertised and unnamed guides can be found online and from various rod building suppliers. However, some real junky line guides made of weak, wimpy materials can also be found, and it is very hard for a buyer or builder to be able to tell what kind of guides are on a rod which carries no branding

However, there are some brands and names which have come to rep resent good quality line guides at a good price. When it comes to line guides which have a long time reputation for good service and quality build, it’s hard to beat Fuji guides.

According to Jim Ising, marketing director and technical consultant for Angler’s Resource that known brands offer more value in their product selections.

“Many brands of components will get the job done, but the better known the brand, the more likely you will find value in the selections offered,” Ising said. “Top quality polished or stainless frames with SIC rings from Fuji are made in the same molds and built identically to less costly stainless frames with economical aluminum oxide rings. The value of top quality manufacturing is built into every component.”

WRAPPING- ATTACHMENT TO ROD BLANK

Even if a rod builder uses the best line guides possible, if the guides are not applied to the rod blank properly with great attention to detail, the rod will not give good service.

Wrapping rod guides is a skill developed over a lot of time and requires a lot of practice. Good guide wrapping requires choosing the right thickness of thread, the right thread material, and very smooth laying down of the line itself on the feet of the guide. Smooth wraps don’t just happen. They are achieved with effort and close attention in ensuring a smooth, non-overlapping uniform wrap which will hold the line guide securely to the blank and give many years of good service.

“Threads do not overlap and there are no gaps in the wrap. Wraps are short to reduce weight overall. The epoxy finish is smooth and level with no ‘football’ shapes or places where thread shows through. The finish should be high-gloss with no runs or drips,” Ising explained.

CONSTRUCTION- HOW THE GUIDE IS MADE

How a set of guides is actually put together is a point for rod builders in particular to be on constant awareness. Any time small, precisely machined parts are involved, there is a fair chance that some errors in construction can emerge.

For instance, a set of rod guides I purchased for a fly rod build appeared at first to be fine. However, once the guides were examined closely it was clear that the feet of some of the guides were uneven and did not fit down on the rod blank. Some of the larger guides of this set did not have the feet machined down to a tapering topside, which made wrapping the guides impossible. This set of guides was returned for exchange which delayed the rod build quite some time.

For anglers who buy their rods factory made, line guide construction should not be a major concern, However, guides can get bent and even crushed in shipment and display on store shelves, so anglers purchasing a new rod from any store should closely examine each rod guide to make sure that the guides are in good shape. This is particu larly important for line guides with ceramic rings. These ceramic rings do reduce friction and can increase casting distance, but when those ceramic rings get cracked, they can be very hard on the fishing line.

“Guides look very similar but a close examination will reveal substantial differences in ‘fit and finish’,” Ising noted. “Look for poorly polished surfaces which contribute to early corrosion and any gaps that appear in the epoxy used to secure the ring to the frame. Feet should be level to ensure a ‘flat’ contact with the blank and frame legs should be square. Check for sharp edges on the feet that can actually gouge the blank and lead to early rod failure.

RECOMMENDED LINE GUIDE BRANDS “Most

will agree that Fuji brand guides are the number one choice of builders worldwide. Part of the reason is the attention to detail and overall quality, but it also has a lot to do with the fact Fuji is the only company driving innovation in the component industry. Every major advancement in guide technology has come from Fuji for almost 50 years. That builds a lot of trust in the marketplace.” Ising said.

Guns, decoys, waders…duck gear takes up space in your vehicle quickly! The author prefers to stay in motels on the road to avoid having to pack additional bulky gear

DIY Duck Hunting Away from Home

BY NICK WILLIAMS

Traveling can open up some great opportunities for duck hunters who live in less-than-great areas, but it can be daunting to st rike off for parts unknown. I’ve managed to put several successful trips under my belt over the years, and today I’m going to give some pointers for the first-timer.

The most important thing to do is find a friend to go with you. Having a trusted buddy go with you makes the experience more fun. It also makes it much easier. Gas, food, and lodging are all more bearable expenses when split between friends. A second hand to assist with packing in, setting, and pulling decoys makes the job much less taxing. And in the event of trouble far from home, whether on the road or in the swamp, a companion can prove invaluable.

In this case the buddy must be dependable, and they must be easy-going. Dependable, because nothing is worse than planning a trip for several months only to have them back out at the last minute or forget to bring the agreed-upon gear. Easy-going, because some thing WILL go wrong on your trip, and it will most likely go wrong af ter you’re exhausted from a long drive and a day of slogging around in a swamp. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a tent, motel room, or truck cab with a whiner or door-slammer.

Having assembled a suitable hunting party, the first thing you should all do is sit at a table with a computer and lay plans. There are a lot of places to duck hunt. Too many. Your job is to start crossing them off the list.

First establish your maximum acceptable travel distance. Are you willing to fly? If you’re driving, how far are you willing to g o? 5 hours? 10?

This pairs with the question of how long you can afford to take off work. A 10-hour drive to hunt an area for a week is much different than a 10-hour drive to hunt for a weekend. The more time you can spend in an area the better. The less time you have to spend, the more important the next phase of planning becomes.

Once that’s done it’s time to identify potential hunting properties within your acceptable travel area. WMA properties are the most visible when you start researching online, but it’s worth mentioning that there is a lot of public land that isn’t managed under the WMA tag. I have had good hunts on National Forests, Corps of Engineers land, and Forever Wild Properties.

Once you have a list of properties, it’s time to narrow the options down even further. I prefer to do this by harvest report numbers. I’m interested mostly in the “number of birds harvested per hunter- day” in an area. If the information isn’t published online, the next recourse

is to call or email the relevant officials. I’ve had several conver sations with Alabama’s Migratory Game Bird Coordinator, Seth Maddox, as well as WMA biologists, in order to get a feel for the hunting quality of several pieces of property. Everybody I’ve spoken to has been helpful. I prefer to have published, hard numbers, but speaking with the guys responsible for the property is oftentimes the best quality information you can get.

What you DON’T want to do is rely on social media or web forum information. It doesn’t matter where you are looking at hunting, when you consult these sources, you will find these two people posting, usually together:

“The hunting sucks! It isn’t what it used to be. All these out-of-staters (or kids) have ruined it. The state doesn’t know what they’re doing to manage it.”

“Hunting is great! Here’s pics of all the limits me and my buddies killed! If you can’t kill birds here, you need to hang it up”

Sound familiar? More importantly, does it sound helpful?

By comparing harvest reports and talking with qualified, knowledge able officials, you should be able to objectively identify a relatively small number of better-than-average properties, that are within a reasonable distance from you, where you know that effort invested should pay out in heavy bird straps. But we’re not done yet!

You’ll want to consider a few more details before you pack your bags. A big one is, “Where will I stay?”

When I was younger, tougher, and broker, I spent a lot of nights in the back of a ’96 GMC Suburban. I’ve spent one night on a concr ete picnic table, and one sleeping in my waders on the bank of the creek I planned to hunt once shooting light showed up!

As I’ve gotten a bit older and a lot smarter, I prefer a motel if there is one nearby. After a long day of scouting and hunting, there are few more appealing ways to spend a dollar than on a room with a thermostat, hot water, and a real bed. Aside from the comfort factor, staying at a motel means the camping gear can stay at home, leaving more room for hunting gear. If there’s a motel there’s usually a diner nearby, which means you can have a hot meal at least once a day without having to have brought cooking gear, cook, and clean up for yourself.

That said, I have comfortably and cheaply spent many nights tent camping on an RV campsite. These sites cost more, but usually have water and power at the site as well as access to a bathhouse

and sometimes a coin-operated laundromat. An inexpensive electric heater can make a tent mighty cozy, especially after you’ve just had a hot shower. I also can’t deny that there’s a certain romance to a tent and campfire that you just don’t get at Motel 6.

Another big question is, “Can I access this property?” If you don’t have a boat, then there are going to be some prime areas that are simply off limits to you. Even a kayak can open up options.

Some properties I have hunted don’t allow trucks on the road sys tems, only ATVs. If you’re forced to hunt such an area on foot, that can drastically reduce the acreage available to you to hunt.

With that said, there are plenty of areas that can be accessed with nothing but a pair of hip boots. You may have to look harder to find them and work harder once you get out there, but it’s doable.

When all the planning is done and it’s finally time to pack, I have a few suggestions based on my personal experience.

Less is more. It can be tempting to bring every piece of waterfowl gear you own “just in case.” Fight that urge! Success on a new piece of property often hinges on your ability to stay mobile and adjust rap idly as you acquire new information, and too much gear can make that difficult. I would say to pack no more than a dozen decoys per party member. Bring motion decoys if you have them. I am a big fan of a jerk rig because it packs small, weighs nothing, and can make lots of ripples. They really help to give a small spread more pulling power. I also am a fan of Wonder Duck decoys, which provide both the spinning-wing strobe effect and ripples on the water.

Bring a good pair of binoculars. If I’m not hunting or sleeping on

a trip, I’m scouting. Especially if it’s your first time on a piece of property, time spent riding around glassing areas after the morning flight has settled down can be the difference between going home empty-handed or with a cooler full of duck breasts.

Bring a spare gun if possible. You can get by without decoys, calls, or even waders, but it’s really hard to shoot birds if something goes wrong with your gun.

Finally, bring a first aid kit and any medications you may need. I personally am always sure to bring something to help with my allergies since they reliably flare up whenever I spend the night in a strange place. I also bring meds to settle a rough stomach. Washing down greasy-spoon dishes with a pot of black coffee can lead to… interesting things.

Hopefully this article gives you enough information to make you feel more comfortable hunting outside of your usual stomping grounds. There’s a learning curve, but an out-of-state duck hunt can be surprisingly inexpensive and a whole lot of fun. The first trip is the hardest to plan, so go ahead and get that one under your belt this season!

Contact Information:

Show

for Alabama’s

in

Alabama.

Decoys www.wonderduck.com

Rainbow Trout Pond Requirements

BY WILLIAM KENDY

Traditionally, in southeastern ponds and lakes the large mouth bass reigns king followed by crappie and bream. While that is still overwhelmingly true, in the past dozen or so years, believe it or not, the rainbow trout is gaining ground.

It sounds nonsensical because rainbow trout are cold water fish and won’t survive in the warm waters in the south, with a few exceptions such as Sipsey Fork. Still, even though they won’t live year-round, there is increased interest in stocking them in ponds not only for sport but for good eating.

“We’ve been stocking rainbow trout for the better part of a dozen years but every year it gets bigger and bigger as more and more folks find out about it,” said Norman Latona, founder and president of Southeastern Pond.

SE Pond Management offers a full range of pond related services for pond development and management. It pro vides pond owners with ecosystem analysis, management programs, pond construction and maintenance, liming, fertilizing, fish inventory assessment, electroshocking, fish removal processes, stocking of forage and game fish and more.

Latona said that the requests for stocking trout are divided into the “small” and “large” categories. Small rainbows run from about ¾ of a pound up to 1 14 pounds. For “large” rainbow trout, he means fish upwards of five, six or even seven pounds. Still the majority of the time customers request smaller fish. Stocking in the southeast typically occurs in the middle part of November when the weather turns brisk.

“Since we charge by the pound you get a little more bang for your buck by stocking smaller fish simply because you have more of them to catch,” Latona pointed out. “As our water temperatures start to dip down into the 60’s that is when we start the stocking efforts and you can grow and catch these fish all winter even into March and April depending on your location.”

“These fish are conditioned to grow in ponds and to eat pellets from a very young age and you can use the same feeders that you feed your bream with. Some of our customers add a little richer ration, what we call ‘trout chow’ which is higher in protein and enhances fish growth,” Latona added. “It isn’t unusual at all to see trout that we stocked in November that weighed a pound and by late winter or early spring to weigh two or more pounds.”

“Rainbow trout are the ‘Bass of the Winter’ and they really open up a whole new opportunity to fish your pond during the cold weather,” he added. “They are very active, fight like crazy and are typically fairly easy to catch, especially with feeders that bring them into a specific area routinely. Of course, let’s not forget that rainbow trout are fantastic to eat.”

The question becomes if these trout are conditioned and trained to eat pellets what can you catch them on and what baits should you use?

Latona explained that these trout are very aggressive

anything that hits the surface is fair game and fishing for them actually makes them more aggressive.

“We have folks that fly fish for them and others who catch them on little jigs, spinner baits, small crank baits, even on rattle traps and worms,” Latona pointed out. “They will eat shad and bluegills but they don’t tax the forage base terribly and they put on quite a show if you catch them on a fly rod or a lightweight spinning outfit, in the six-pound class.”

Since trout don’t have hard spines and are long and bullet shaped, they become the perfect forage for bigger bass that can fit them in their mouths. So, what size rainbows and how many should you stock to ensure that they will grow instead of becoming a bunch of bass dinners?

Latona said that he has found that as long as the trout are in the “small” category which is ¾ to 1 ¼ pounds and in the 10–14-inch range they are pretty “predator proof” and have a good chance of surviving and growing until warm water causes their demise. Of course, there are no worries about the three-to-eight-pound rainbows being eaten by bass.

How expensive is it to stock rainbow trout?

There are a couple of variables in this equation

The cost of stocking smaller rainbows is relatively close to the cost of stocking the larger ones simply because it is pretty much based on the same “food market cost” cost per pound as you would pay for a processed trout. The larger fish, which come out of the brood stock inventory, may be a little cheaper per pound.

“For the larger fish there is not as much of a food market for them and as they get older they are not as efficient and are being cycled out of the brood stock pen and replaced with younger fish so we may be able to get them for a little less per pound, ”Latona said.

When it comes to the actual price, the fact of the matter is that trout are in the food arena and the costs are going to reflect that based on the ups or downs of the market and the supply chain which is currently rather volatile. Accord ing to Latona the “smalls” will cost between seven and nine dollars a pound.

“To be quite honest it is a fluctuating market like everything else today and everything is up and it is going to cost just about the same as if you buy them processed and ready to cook but the only difference is we get them alive from the growers who either processing them or sending them out to processors,” Latona said.

When it comes to either stocking small or large trout really is a matter of what the pond owner has in mind for the fishing activity.

“The cost is essentially the same in terms of per pound but obviously if you stock smaller fish then you get five one-pound trout for one five-pound fish and that increases the opportunity to catch them, so most of the folks opt for the smaller fish and maybe stock a few of the larges,” he said. “We have some customers that have stocked eight- and nine-pound trout and we have one customer caught one that weighed close to 11 pounds.”

“Catching a three- or four-pound trout in Alabama is pretty rare,’ Latona noted. “They grow pretty rapidly, especially if you feed them the 50% plus protein food.

The cost per pound needs to be balanced with the pond owners’ goals. If he wants to have great fishing for guests or family during the holidays or the cold weather season, he may want to go with the smaller trout with more fish to catch. If he is into big trout, then he may opt for reduction in numbers of fish in order to catch a trophy.

Stocking Rate

Latona explained that SE Pond stocks rainbows at different rates simply because they are not trying to “in perpetuity” populate the pond because of the increase in water temperature in the late spring which means the fish you stock in November will either be caught or will die when the water gets unsustainable for them.

The stocking rates in part depends on the size of the lake.

“We’ve found anywhere from 10-15 pounds per acres on the larger lakes, that are 20-30 acres in size and on smaller lakes we try to stock them with a little higher rate, simply because it is affordable so on a smaller lake, say a five-acre pond, we will stock them up to even 30 pounds to the acre,” Latona said. “At that rate the pond will have 150 pounds of trout stocked with the majority of them weighing about a pound and that is quite a few fish.”

The bottom line for stocking rainbow trout is that it is pretty much a seasonal deal and “put and take” scenario with knowledge that this specific fishery will be gone by May and June. The cool thing is that it provides wonderful fun fishing in the winter months when the warmwater fish are not as active and also some delicious eating.

Contact Information

Norman Latona

Southeastern Pond Management CP: (205)288-1371 nlatona@sepond.com www.sepond.com Office: 888-830-7663

Inshore and Offshore

Farmers

Buck, Buck, Moose

This is not your father’s venison cookbook . Buck, Buck,

The Book

Buck, Buck,

Japanese Teriyaki Meatballs

Easy meatballs glazed with a homemade teriyaki sauce, dusted with sesame seeds. Stick a toothpick in each meatball and you have a great party appetizer.

Prep:

• 2 pounds finely ground venison

• 3 tablespoons minced green onions

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon salt

tablespoons minced fresh ginger

eggs

tablespoons sake

1/2 cup mirin

tablespoon sugar

•

1/2 cup soy sauce

teaspoons potato or corn starch

Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

1. Mix all the meatball ingredients together in a bowl. Mix all the sauce ingredients in another bowl.

Form meatballs anywhere from the size of a walnut to the size of a golf ball. For best results, set the meatballs on a baking sheet and put it into the fridge for an hour to firm up. But you can cook the meatballs straight away if you’d like.

3. Cook the meatballs. You can deep fry them at 360°F for about 5 minutes, or you can poach them in simmering water for about the same amount of time (they’re ready when they float); or you can bake the meatballs at 400°F for about 20 minutes.

4. Glaze the meatballs. Whisk the sauce together so the starch doesn’t stick to the bottom of the bowl, and pour it into a large sauté pan. Bring it to a boil and add the cooked meatballs. Roll them around in the hot sauce to glaze for 30 seconds or so. Move the meatballs to a serving plate and sprinkle sesame seeds over them. Serve hot as an appetizer or with rice.

By Hank Shaw Photo by Holly Heyser • (www.honest-food.net)

Land Loan Interest Rate Update

BY GREAT DAYS OUTDOORS

First South Farm Credit (FSFC) has been financing rural land since 1916. Since it was founded over 100 years ago, FSFC now has grown to over 40 branches with 9,000 members and serves the “Deep South” in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

As an affiliate of the national Farm Credit System, a network of bor rower-owned lending institutions, First South Farm Credit specializes in providing credit for farming operations that include crops, livestock, land, and timber. FSFC is also chartered to help with financing lifestyle farms, rural home sites or rural land tracts for enjoyment or investment purposes.

As a rural lender, First South Farm Credit basically lends money to peo ple for pretty much anything that they want to do “in the dirt”. That could be row cropping, growing timber, raising livestock or farming for wildlife. It doesn’t stop there.

FSFC can assist a property holder in enhancing the value of the land. That includes things such as improving timber stands, clear-cutting, clearing roads, planting green fields, building ponds and planting trees and shrubs to improve green areas and cover for deer and turkey. It even encompasses lending money for controlled burns and planting of grasses and grain crops for things such as quail development and assisting in constructing access roads.

“First South Farm Credit can make construction loans and, if needed, can turn those loans into long-term loans. Some landowners are building secondary homes, hunting cabins or lodges, and others want to put their primary residences on 20 to 30 acres” says Taylor Hart, the branch manager of First South Farm Credit in Opelika, AL. “Perhaps that person wants to sit on his or her back porch and look at a pond and we make loans for pond construction as well.”

“First South can make loans for anything a landowner wants to do to develop his property or its habitat or the amount of wildlife there. If

you’re playing in the dirt, we want to be in there with you, as long as you’re improving the value of the dirt, which is the collateral of the loan,” Hart said.

But wait, it gets better.

In addition to its extensive experience in agricultural and land financing, one thing that sets First South Farm Credit apart from other lenders is that they are a cooperative.

When you borrow money from FSFC, you become a member and that means you own part of the business. That ownership entitles you to share in the profits through their Patronage Refund Payment Program.

In other words, First South Farm Credit gives its customers, who are actually owners, money back. While it can’t guarantee payments back to you or the exact rate of return, as long as it remains profitable and well capitalized, FSFC is committed to sharing its profits and has made patronage payments for the past 26 consecutive years.

Land loan rates have experienced a slight increase over the past few months As of October 10, 2022, short term loan rates are hanging in the 7’s and longer term rates are now in the mid/high 7’s, with some touching 8% . Loan Interest Rates are dependent on First South’s cost of funds, an individual’s credit rating, terms of the loan, collateral value, and other deciding factors

In addition to financing land, FSFC can finance your land improve ments, new and used tractors, and other equipment that is used to maintain and enhance your rural property .

First South Farm Credit has sixteen (16) locations in Alabama . You can call 1-800-955-1722 or visit their website at FirstSouthLand .com to find the location nearest you – and to start the conversation about financing your land.

Diesel TurbO Issues and Maintenance

BY DAVID STRICKLAND

Diesel pickup trucks are a common site in the driveways and garages of many people who love fishing, hunting and otherwise connecting with the outdoors.

Their towing ability and torque generally exceed regular gas engines, and that’s what makes them so popular with folks that pull boats and tractors. Their increased torque and towing capacity are primarily due to turbochargers that increase an engine’s efficiency and horsepower by delivering more air to the cylinders during the intake cycle.

So, how do turbochargers accomplish this power boost while increasing fuel efficiency? By forcing more air into an engine’s cylinder, turbos supply more oxygen for each cylinder while also creating turbulence in the fuel mixture for better combustion. Thus, a turbocharger produces a boost in power and torque while burning cleaner with the potential to use less fuel.

A HISTORY OF TURBOCHARGERS

Although some engine builders began experimenting with increasing airflow for diesel engines in the late 1800s, it wasn’t until 1905 that turbochargers became a reality. Although Swiss engineer Alfred Buchi received a patent for an exhaust-driven compressor that forced more air into a diesel engine, it took him

20 years of tinkering before he could produce a reliable working model.

It was about 1925 when Buchi attached the first successful exhaust-gas turbocharging system to an engine and achieved a power increase of about 40 percent. These early units were referred to as turbosuperchargers because all forced-induction devices were known as superchargers back then.

Coupled with advances in metal and bearing technology, these early devices were initially attached to large marine diesel engines. However, experiments with aircraft engines led to the successful incorporation of turbos on several airplanes before the end of World War 2.

With improved designs and better alloys, turbochargers became more compact and reliable, leading to their use on smaller, higher-speed engines. However, even though a few trucks were built with turbos, it was not until 1954 that Volvo introduced the first production vehicles with turbocharged diesel engines.

Shortly afterward, tractors and construction equipment began incorporating tur bos into their engine designs. Companies like Caterpillar, Cummings, and Detroit quickly realized that increased air intake increased fuel efficiency and power.

This turbo was added to this older Diesel engine by a local mechanic .

The newly developing Interstate system in the 1950s spurred renewed interest by many major engine builders, and within a couple of decades, most began offering a turbo option for their semi-trucks. Unfortunately, many drivers came to view those early options as less reliable with only minimal fuel savings. However, the oil crisis of 1973 led to still more advances, and by the 1980s, emission con cerns cemented the widespread acceptance and nearly universal use of turbos on most all large trucks.

PASSENGER TRUCKS

Dodge was the first U.S. automaker to offer pickup trucks with a turbocharged diesel engine in 1989 when it introduced the 5.9 Cummings. Ford and Chevrolet soon began offering models in their lineup, and today, every major manufacturer offers a variety of diesel options for their light and heavy-duty trucks.

TRACTORS

The 1935 McCormick-Deering/ WD40 was the first diesel farm tractor with wheels, and the 1962 Allis-Chalmers D19 tractor was the first production farm tractor with a factory-installed turbocharger. Shortly afterward, International Har vester, John Deere, and Massey Ferguson began turbocharging their engines. As a result, almost every modern diesel tractor includes a turbo.

FISHING BOATS

For several decades larger ocean-going fishing boats have used a turbocharged diesel engine to power them through salt and brackish water. However, in the past decade, there have been several innovative turbocharged engines that have also joined the outboard market. With higher torque and lower operating rpm, these new motors offer several significant advantages and range from 50 to 300 hp.

TURBOCHARGER CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Since turbochargers seem to be attached to almost every engine that burns diesel fuel, it might be a good idea to figure out if they need any maintenance or special care.

Estimates indicate that 90% of turbocharger failures result from ingesting a foreign object or poor maintenance. Any trash or debris that makes its way into a turbo intake will damage, if not destroy, a turbocharger. Faithfully cleaning/ changing your air filter and engine oil according to the manufacturer’s instruc tions is the best way to prevent such a disaster.

Clean filters can also prevent the loss of air pressure, which can create a vacuum at the turbocharger’s compressor oil seals, and if the pressure drop continues over time, it can affect those seals and cause a leak. Likewise, maintaining clean engine oil is vital to the life of both engine and turbo since they share the same oil.

Another good turbo tip is to let your engine idle for a minute or so after it’s run hard. This enables the turbocharger to slow down and cool off. Seasoned drivers who practice this often neglected procedure know that it can pay dividends over the life of the equipment.

TEST-CALIBRATION

I talked to Ted Raby at Test-Calibration and asked him to explain the inner workings of a turbo and how to maintain and check for any signs of problems that could lead to premature failure.

Raby said that Test-Calibration has been in business for almost 50 years and is a complete sales and service company for diesel fuel injectors, turbochargers, and more. They sell new Original Equipment Manufacturer (O.E.M.) factory turbochargers, stock remanufactured exchange turbochargers, and also rebuild and calibrate diesel fuel injection pumps and injectors to new O.E.M. factory specs.

Raby said that a single shaft connects two finned units. One sits inside a hous

ing that vents the exhaust flow, and the other fins are inside the intake and act as a compressor to force air into each cylinder on the intake stroke. He said their bearings ride on a thin layer of oil, and maintaining clean oil and air are the keys to a turbo’s longevity.

“Turbochargers, theoretically, should last the life of an engine,” Raby said. “Because the turbo uses the engine’s oil for lubrication, an owner should check their engine oil regularly because it’s the lifeblood of any turbo.”

Raby noted that periodically inspecting and changing your engine air filter and using the correct engine oil, and replacing it according to the prescribed sched ule is the best turbo maintenance. He said that as long as an engine doesn’t de velop any internal issues that might contaminate the oil and the correct viscosity and change intervals are adhered to, it should not have any problems.

Raby discussed a few of the indicators that something might be going on with an engine’s turbo.

“If you notice excess exhaust smoke, experience reduced engine power, or an increase in fuel consumption, it might be time to take a close look at your turbo for any signs of excessive play in the shaft,” Raby explained.

Raby said the technicians at Test Calibration have the latest equipment and expertise to quickly diagnose any issues a customer might have with any of their turbo-powered diesel engines.

CONCLUSION

The widespread use of Diesel engines in trucks, tractors, inboards, and, more recently, outboards has been made possible by bolting turbochargers onto these engines. As a result, it has played a strategic role in decreasing engine size and weight while increasing its power-to-weight ratio.

If you follow the maintenance recommendations in your owner’s manual, you can expect years of good service from almost any turbocharged diesel, no matter where it’s mounted. But, if you suddenly see more exhaust gas in your rearview mirror, or notice a loss of power, give Ted Raby a call at Test Calibration for a quick diagnosis, and if you are within driving distance to Mobile, stop by and let them take a look.

They service most of Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and parts of Louisiana, and can offer you tons of professional advice about your best options if you ever have an issue with your turbo Diesel engine.

Hunting Box Blinds

BY JOSH HONEYCUTT

Some hunters really love hunting from an elevated box blind. It can be overwhelming when trying to select the right one for you.

Today, there are many hunting box blind manufacturers, and most of them make good products for deer hunting. Some check more boxes than others and, there are a lot of boxes. According to hunting box blind expert Chris Blood with Texas Hunter Products, there are numerous specifications and factors that go along with purchasing a quality hunting box blind. Understanding what these are can help you select the right blin d for your hunting efforts. Here are 15 of those.

1. Floor Plan

The floor plan of a blind is a very important purchase consideration. There are smaller blinds and larger blinds. Blind floor plans also come in differ ent shapes, such as circular, square, or rectangular.

“The first thing is the floor plan,” Blood said. “Who’s going to be hunting? Are there other hunters? Are you hunting by yourself? This is one of the biggest factors.”

A blind design that doesn’t suit your needs won’t be as fulfilling or proba bly as successful.

2. Shooting Width

The shooting width is another important factor. Larger is almost always better.

“You need to be comfortable and be able to turn and shoot in multiple directions,” Blood explained. “Being able to maneuver in the blind is important for getting your rifle, crossbow, or in the bigger floor plans, compounds. We design those for pulling a bow. We have elongated win dows for bowhunters. We also make regular rifle windows. And we make combinations.”

The 4x4 is great for individual hunters. You can turn, move, and shoot in any direction without getting up. With two or more hunters, the larger blinds, such as the five by seven foot models are good for two hunters. The four by eight is ideal for even more bodies.

3. Standing Height

The height is something else to consider. Most Texas Hunter Products blinds have six feet three inches of standing room, so these are spacious. This allows you to stand, stretch, shoot, and otherwise move about.

4. Door, Window, and Wall Design

The window configuration is very important. It needs to be in sync with the weapon you plan to use most of the time. For example, gun hunters prefer horizontal windows. Bowhunters need vertical ones. Hunters who use a variety of weapons require a combination of these.

While it might seem irrelevant, how you open window blinds also factors in. Some windows only slide up. Other blinds, including the Wrangler mod els, have flip-open blind windows, and you can clean them on bo th sides.

Texas Hunter Blinds even have full carpeting. This is great for decreasing emanated noise, but it’s more than that. “It’s not just a sound dampener,” Blood said. “It’s also added warmth. That’s a big deal.”

5. Concealment

Your chosen hunting box blind should do what it’s supposed to — keep

you hidden. Concealment is a box that must be checked. That includes windows that are just big enough, but not too big. It also means a design that allows minimal sunlight into the blind.

6. Blind Spots

While a good blind is meant to keep you concealed, you can have too much of a good thing.

“One of the biggest things about our win dow system is we have very limited blind spots,” Blood said. “In fact, our Trophy blinds have just two inch corner posts, offering very good visibility.”

7. Platform Height

For those hunting from an elevated posi tion, the height is a significant aspect of the selection.

“The height of the blind and where are you going to put it needs to be consid ered,” Blood said. “If you are going to be in brush then you will want to be situated higher to look over that brush.”

Choose a platform height that places you at the desired distance from the ground. Ensure there is a blind and platform height combo that falls within your select ed parameters.

8. Ventilation

If hunting a lot under warmer conditions, proper ventilation is crucial. Sure, this allows more scent to escape, but it’s a small price to pay for increased comfort. It’ll help you sweat less and produce less scent, anyway.

9. Weight

Some box blinds are heavier than others. Being aware of this is crucial, especially if you don’t have the means or manpower to place it in position. Determine whether you have the heavy equipment neces sary to safely elevate the blind onto the platform, or the manpower to get it there, or not.

10. Maneuverability

Those who want to move their hunting blinds around a lot should select a blind that’s more maneuverable. This might mean getting one that is compatible with a trailer, or that simply moves easier.

11. Extras

Good blinds also offer comforts and con veniences. A shooter shelf can provide extra spacing for gear. A silent swivel gun rest can help stabilize your firearm

Vertical windows are essential for compound bowhunters Photo courtesy of Texas Hunter Products

A

Photo courtesy of Texas Hunter Products

during the shot. Cupholders, universal mounts that work for phones, cameras, etc., are added benefits, too. Other features can provide increased value as well.

12. Security

Protecting your hard-earned dollars is a crucial aspect of any purchase. Hunting box blinds are no different. Fortunately, these blinds can also be secured thanks to lockable doors. That helps keep out unwanted hunters and pests.

13. Longevity

Material is a critical component of the longevity equation. Subpar materials lead to lesser offerings that won’t last as long.

“You want something that’s going to last a long time,” Blood explained. “We started making blinds in 1954 and we still have blinds out there many years later. Our blinds were originally made from plywood. About 20 years ago, we switched to a product called starboard. It’s a marine-grade polymer that’s made to be in the water and sun all the time. They even use it for decks on boats. It’s a lifetime product.

“We also make a line of blinds called the Wrangler continued. “That’s our five by seven foot blind. We also make that in a four by eight. Those blinds are made from aluminum. They won’t rust. It’s an all-weather material.”

Look to all parts of the blind for quality, and not just the base and shell.

“Our roofs are all made from galvanized steel,” Blood noted. “They

won’t rust, and there’s no seam. Plus, all our corner posts are aluminum, so the blind itself is made from material that’s a lifetime product.”

Paint protection is another thing to analyze. This is especially true for steel products. That can be the difference in the longevity of a blind, especially its platform.

“Our towers are made from steel,” Blood said. “They’re powder coated like outdoor furniture.”

14. Warranty

On a similar note, the warranty is almost always a good tell on how well made a product is. While not always true, generally, longer war ranties can insinuate better quality. This is something to remember when researching hunting box blind options for sale.

15. Cost

Finally, look at the price tag. In an age of inflation, it’s more difficult to determine what’s a good buy, and what isn’t. Still, analyze the product, its ability to satisfy your requirements, and the dollar amount it takes to bring it home to the farm. If the cost fits the value, it might just be time to make that purchase.

Obviously, selecting a hunting box blind is a major undertaking, but you’re preparing for it. It’s time to go find the right one. “Texas Hunter blinds are designed to ship anywhere and are available nationwide through a network of dealers,” Blood concluded.

Regardless of the specific hunting box blind you purchase, remem ber to get one that fits your needs. Do that, and you’re well on your way to many enjoyable sits at the farm.

Get

Photo courtesy of Texas Hunter Products

How to Fish Jerkbaits in Saltwater

BY FRANK SARGEANT

(Berkley)

Most redfish and trout anglers are well aware of the fish-catching success of various soft plastic jerkbaits including killers like the Slick Lure, but not as many of us make use of the hard-bodied jerkbaits that are so successful for bass anglers in freshwater.

That’s probably an oversight, because the variety of realistic shapes, colors and actions adds a whole new set of weapons to the inshore arsenal. Modern molding techniques in hard plastics make it possible to closely mimic the shapes, colors and even the mirror-like flash of baitfish, something that soft plastics just can’t manage so far.

The hard plastics also come with a wide selection of flotation levels, from those that float with the back exposed to those that sink steadily to as much as 10’ depths. Some are “count-down” designs that sink at a predetermined pace, and some are designed to dive only when jerked or retrieved.

The hard plastic lures are also much more durable than most soft plastics, with standing the bites of bluefish and other toothy critters of the flats that like to nip the tails off soft lures, as well as the attacks of the occasional bluefish or mackerel that might be prowling inshore. A hard jerkbait will eliminate the problem and catch the trout and reds that are there.

Last but not least, the “lips” molded into the nose of these baits add a frantic wiggle that can really turn fish on, not only in the classic pause-and-go jerkbait retrieve but also in steady cranking or even in trolling.

The design of the lips adds a whole new element to how the lure will run. Small lips mounted at a shallow angle keep the lure near the surface, while larger ones at deeper angles send them deeper. The shape and size of the lip also affect the darting motion when the lure is jerked, allowing a wide range of action choices.

The right shallow-running jerkbaits can also be fished in water scarcely knee deep. For whatever reason, both trout and reds tend to run with or follow schools of adult mullet. The mullet are too big for the gamefish to eat in most cases, but it may be that their grubbing in the bottom as they feed disturbs crabs and small fish, which they do eat. In any case, a school of jumping mullet is often key to a big fish or two.

NEW LURES FROM PURE FISHING

Steve Woolf, Saltwater Category Manager at PURE Fishing, says many coastal anglers could definitely increase their catch by including some hard plastic jerkbaits in the mix, and of course his favorites are several new offerings from Berkley.

“When the fish are keyed in on a particular type of baitfish, our new hard jerkbaits provide a more realistic profile and action to turn on fish that sometimes ignore the soft plastics,” Woolf said. “And with several trebles instead of a single wide gap hook, the hookup percentages are considerably better.”

He notes the streamlined design and built-in weights also allow extremely long casts with some hard jerkbaits, another plus when fish are spooky on the flats.

Woolf said two new lures from the labs at Berkley are proving particularly success ful for reds and trout this summer.

“The Cutter 90 has proven really successful in test trips on the flats,” Woolf said. “It’s a slow-sinking, suspending lure that really cuts and darts on a hard twitch.”

He said the Cutter design is a good imitation of a variety of slim-bodied baitfish like mullet and cigar minnows.

The saltwater Juke is another design originally aimed at bass, but that has been tweaked for saltwater use. It’s available in 3 to 5 inch sizes and weights of 3/8 to 11/16 ounces. It’s a flat-sided lure that looks much like a scaled sardine or threadfin.

Both lures get the saltwater upgrades Berkley gives all its lures for coastal fishing: stainless-steel hardware and ultra-sharp 3X Anti-Rust Fusion19™ hooks for

long-lasting durability.

Woolf and other anglers tested the lures on a recent trip to the legendary saltwater marshes of Venice, Louisiana, and found the redfish absolutely loved them.

“They really crushed these lures, and the extra-strong saltwater hooks held even the 20-pounders,” Woolf said.

SELECTING HARD JERKBAITS

Hard jerkbaits have different levels of flotation, ranging from those that just barely float and are just a step away from surface lures to those that sink so slowly they’re termed “suspending” and others that sink pretty steadily until the retrieve begins.

The choice of which jerkbait to tie on in a given situation is based on water depth, clarity and current, as well as just simply what the fish want on a given day, Woolf advised. The baitfish you see in an area will also be a guide. If you “match the hatch” you could be likely to score.

Heavier lures generally sink faster, but that’s not always the case. Some have enough air inside them to slow the rate of descent or stop it all together, while others have BB’s or lead weights added. The BB’s add a sound attraction as well as rolling to the tail of the bait on casting, making it travel tail-first rather than sideways and reducing resistance and increasing casting distance.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT LURE FOR THE WATER

“The size of the bill and the pitch or angle will control how deep a jerkbait goes. The Cutter 90, for example, has a shallow pitch on the bill so it stays shallow. It’s a good lure for the shallowest grass flats or around oyster bars because it doesn’t go deep, and if it does snag you can often shake it loose because it floats at rest.”

By choosing the right jerkbait, you can work anywhere from one to five feet deep in shore, Woolf said. (Of course, anywhere there’s a lot of floating grass, hard jerkbaits are not the answer since the trebles will constantly be fouled, so you’re a lot better off with a soft plastic that can be rigged weedless on a single hook.)

“Jerkbaits are a good go-to after the morning topwater bite ends with the sun getting up higher and the water gets warmer,” Woolf said. “Move out to the edge of the flats and go to that jerkbait to fish those runouts and edges where the fish will wait for bait, especially if there’s a falling tide pulling the shrimp and crabs and baitfish off the flat.”

“They can also be useful for simple cast-and-retrieve for going down a length of pilings or riprap. And again, since they float, they will come out of a lot of snags where a sinking lure won’t,” he added.

OFFSHORE USES

Woolf said the larger sizes of both lures work well for offshore species.

“Anytime you’re off the beach or on a reef, it’s smart to keep one of these lures on medium-heavy spinning gear. That way if a cobia comes swimming by, you’re ready to flip it out in front of him. Just let it rest until the fish is about 10 feet away, then start jerking and reeling and the fish will do the rest.”

According to Wolff mahi also readily attack the lures.

“If you get a dolphin on while trolling, crank it up close to the boat and leave it in the water. There will often be several others following it, and if you flick out a jerkbait and snatch it a couple of times, you’re hooked up,” he said.

RIGGING UP FOR JERKBAIT FISHING

All Jerkbaits work best when attached to your leader with a non slip loop knot, which gives the bait more action and will not slip so no need to re tie unless there is visible damage to the leader.

That’s it—tie on a hard jerkbait and go catch ‘em up!

What Can I Finance with a Land Improvement Loan

BY WILLIAM KENDY

As a landowner you most likely have plans on how you would like to see it developed. Maybe you just purchased a few acres to build that country homestead. Maybe you bought a larger parcel with hopes of doing some farming, timber harvesting, building a pine-straw business, a hunting camp or simply a country retreat. You may have plans to construct a pond or even build that “barndominium” or dream home.

Whatever your objectives are you will most likely have to invest in some improvements to make the property conform to your needs and meet its potential. That may take the form of road construction to have access to the far reaches or even road improvement. Existing structures like bridges may need to be brought up to speed. You may want to do some clear cutting to create crop fields or food plots or some thinning and selective harvesting of timber and then replanting the removed trees. It could be the stringing of utility lines or even building a fishing pond.

So many options and opportunities and unless you have deep pockets chances are you will have to turn to a financial institution to make those

property owner dreams a reality.

First South Farm Credit is one such institution .

1916 was an interesting year for the USA. We were on the brink of declaring war on Germany. General “Black Jack” Pershing was off in Mexico chasing Mexican activist Pancho Villa, Woodrow Wilson became U.S. President and First South Farm Credit Was founded.

Today First South specializes in offering financial services for the rural community, covering farming operations including crops, livestock, assistance in financing rural home construction and a broad range of rural property improvements. It has grown to encompass 40 branches with 9,000 members meeting the financial needs of rural customers in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

To get the inside track on how First South Farm Credit can assist land owners who want to improve their property I interviewed Taylor Hart, the

manager of the FSFC office in Opelika, Al.

“If you are playing or working in the dirt, we want to be in there with you as long as you are improving the value of that dirt, which is the collateral for the loan,” Hart said. “Whether it be roads, barns, ponds, timber man agement as in thinning or clear cutting, controlled burns, or establishing wildlife habitat. We also finance the construction of homes and even barndominiums.”

Hart explained that each land improvement application is unique and is evaluated on an individual basis. Based on the circumstances, terms and rates may vary. Still, a basic rule of thumb is that First South Farm Credit, depending on the project and the specifics, can typically finance for up to 30 years and loan up to 85% of the value.

“We can either use a cash contribution or, if you own the property free and clear, we can use the land as collateral in lieu of down payment for the loan,” Hart said. “It really all depends on the nature, scope and intricacies of the project.”

According to Hart, typically, the shorter the term of the loan, the lower the interest rate is going to be. With big ticket items the longer term may be more attractive in order to keep the payments a bit more manageable. On the smaller loans, shorter terms allow for a quicker pay off. There is also no prepayment penalty with this type of improvement loan.

WHAT CAN FSFC FINANCE FOR LAND IMPROVEMENT LOANS?

Road Construction and Repair

“’The road, trail, or even small bridge construction, or repair, may increase the value of the property by allowing easier access, increasing the utility of the parcel and expanding the opportunity to take advantage of the rec reational opportunities,” Hart pointed out. “If you have a piece of property with no internal road system the only way to move around the property is on foot. Opening up some roadways is an opportunity for increased access which adds value to a property.

Timber Management and Property Clearing

If you own an appreciable amount of timber you may want to use it as a long-term renewable revenue stream and harvest that wood either on a specific section basis or by selective cutting. If you go forward on a clear-cutting basis, you can turn that timber harvested acreage into agri cultural land, food plots, or replant seedlings.

In addition, regardless if it is clear cut or selectively harvest your timber, that “staging area” or loading ramps where trees were loaded onto log trucks once everything is cleared out are perfect spots for wildlife food plots.

Pond Construction

First South can also finance the building of ponds.

“The general thought is that any type of water feature increases the value of a property whether it is for fishing, duck hunting, or irrigation of crops. Water has a way of relaxing people. We typically look at the cost as well as the value that will be added by the water feature,” Hart said.

Collateral Improvement

When I use the term “collateral” I am referring to things of value on a tract of land. It may be pine straw harvest, replanting of seedling trees when you selectively harvest trees, clear cut to open up areas for agriculture or foot plots, controlled burns or even creating fire lanes.

“In terms of pine straw harvest, typically you have to have long leaf pine and the implementation and management of the operation increases the value of the property because you have developed a stream of income,” Hart pointed out.

“Replanting isn’t going to visually enhance the property and it will be based on a long-term investment basis which is most likely going to be a 30-year program. It can add value to a property and, depending on the specifics, we can provide financing,” Taylor said.

“Conducting controlled burns which gets rid of the underbrush and puts carbon back in the soil benefits tree growth and wildlife habitat and we can support that effort,” Hart explained. “Most of our control burn people have access to government programs to enhance and improve timber stands.”

Home Construction

Regardless of whether you want a “brick and mortar” home or a “barndo minium” First South Farm Credit can help. Depending on the individual profile and the amount of equity in the property FSFC can typically loan up to 85% of the value with terms to be decided based on the credit worthi ness of the borrower.

The pandemic that we have gone through has made it more desirable to live in rural areas away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

Standard Financing Terms

15% down (down payment can take the form of cash or the actual owned “free and clear” property We will typically take the whole tract unless the land owner wants to survey out a smaller portion. This usually comes with a cost the land owner does not want to incur.

Peppered Dove Breasts

Everything in this recipe should be at your local supermarket, except for the doves, which you will have to hunt. The only “weird” ingredient is green peppercorns, but I see them in little jars near the capers a lot..

You will want freshly ground black pepper, however, because pepper is the dominant flavor in this dove breast recipe. It is peppered dove, after all — and I am not making a shotgun reference here, although it would be a good dad joke…

This need not simply be a dove breast recipe: This exact same technique works with any small bird breast: quail, ptarmigan, grouse, chukar, Hungarian partridge, snipe, woodcock and rails. Even teal and ruddy duck breasts would work well.

Prep: 20 mins • Cook: 15 mins •Total: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 pound dove breasts, from about 16 birds

• salt

• 4 tablespoons butter, divided

• 1 shallot, minced

• 1/3 cup brandy, or sherry or Madeira or Marsala

• 1/2 cup low sodium stock, or glace de viande

• 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper

• 1 or 2 tablespoons green peppercorns

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Salt the dove breasts well and keep them in the fridge until the last minute. Heat up 3 tablespoons of the butter in the pan over medium-high heat.

2. When it’s hot, sear the dove breasts for 2 minutes, only on one side. Move them to a plate to rest while you make the sauce.

3. Add the minced shallot to the pan and sauté until soft and slightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the brandy and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits. Let this boil for 1 minute.

4. Pour in the stock, black pepper and green peppercorns, and boil it all furiously until cooked down by half, about 2 minutes.

5. Return the dove breasts, uncooked sides down, to the pan and swirl in the cream. As soon as the cream starts bubbling, drop the heat to low. Swirl it all to combine. Add the final tablespoon of butter to the center of the pan and swirl until it melts and combines with the sauce. Serve with bread or potatoes.

Winemaker’s Duck with Grapes

This is a very simple recipe that I do with fat wild ducks. You can use domesticated ducks equally well. Don’t do this with a skinny wild duck, as the meat will dry out too much. And yes, it must be done with a plucked duck. Substitute pearl onions for shallots if you want. Always eat this with good bread.

Prep: 20 mins • Cook: 2 hours •Total: 2 hours 20 mins

Ingredients

• 2 whole small wild ducks, or 1 large wild duck, or a domestic

• Salt

• 1 pound red grapes, on the stems

• 12 to 15 shallots or pearl onions

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 bunch fresh thyme, on the stems

• 1 cup duck or chicken stock

• 1 cup red wine

Instructions

1. Salt the ducks well, inside and out. Preheat the oven to 400F. Pour the stock and red wine into the bottom of a heavy, lidded pot such as a Dutch oven. Add the 2 bay leaves. Arrange the shallots, grapes and thyme in the pot, then nestle the ducks on top. Cover the pot and roast in the oven for 90 minutes.

2. Uncover the pot and let everything cook down. This will also crisp the skin of the ducks. This can take anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes, depending on how fat your birds were. Keep an eye on it.

3. Slice the ducks in half lengthwise, and serve everyone a half duck with some of the shallots and grapes, along with lots of sauce.

NEW & Cool gear

BY WILLIAM KENDY

Stay Hidden and Comfy Warm

For those cold days in the deer stand or duck blind stay cozy warm with the Kodiak battery powered heating blanket. This 72” x 60” blanket is powered by a rechargeable battery pack that provides the additional benefit of being able to charge small electronics with its dual USB ports and includes a car charger. It is water resistant and available in slate grey and Mossy Oak Break-Country.

Suggested Retail Price: $599.99

.Lifegivingwarmth .com

Troll this Fall with Confidence

The Epoch 12V 100Ah Lithium trolling battery features a durable IP67 rated construction and internal heating ensures optimal performance in harsh environments. All of our marine batteries utilize LiFePO4 chemistry for maximum stability, faster charging, reduced weight, constant voltage, increased cycle life, and maintenancefree usage. It offers a built-in Smart Battery Management System (BMS), over charge and discharge protection, over current and short circuit protection and more.

Suggested Retail Price: $699.00

epochbatteries

No Grid Survival Projects

Whether you are a survivalist and live off the grid, own a camp or other recreational property it doesn’t hurt to know how to take care of yourself and, at the same time, do some neat stuff to enhance your outdoor experience and even better yet, do it on the cheap. This book offers 70 projects with step by step instructions, sketches, photos, materials list and access to instructional videos.

Suggested Retail Price: $37.00

nogridsurvivalprojects com

The New CZ-USA 600 Alpha Rifle

The 600 Alpha delivers sub-MOA accuracy at a budget-friendly price. It sports a fiber-reinforced stock with a parallel comb, a vertical grip and serrated soft-touch inserts. The 18–24-inch cold hammer-forged semi-heavy contour barrel is threaded and suppressor-ready. It has a fast-handling and cycling 60° bolt throw, silent 2-position safety, a detachable magazine, aluminum receiver, adjustable trigger and is available in nine cartridge chamberings.

Suggested Retail Price: $749.00

Fire-N-The-Hole Introduces SLANG BLADE

Mechanical Broadhead

The Slang Blade 1x4 mechanical broadhead offers a firing mechanism that guarantees to open every time, the largest cutting radius than any other broadhead and field point accuracy. The blades are basically four small knives. The 1x4 spins through the air closed and the cut-on-contact blades fully open within the first inch of engagement with the animal and will be open at four inches.

Suggested Retail Price: $39.97

.firenthehole .com

The Mystery Ranch TREEHOUSE Whitetail Series

Backpacks

Available in both a 20 and 38 liter size, these backpacks are made from water-resistant, hyperquiet fabrics with fuzzy polyester laminate backed with Nylon 210 fabric which dampens sound, resists water while offering easy access. Both feature a lid with a deep shelf on its interior for quick and easy access and are available in wood and MYSTERY RANCH’s DPM Canopy camouflage.

Suggested Retail Price: $229 - $299 www .mysteryranch .com

Reaper Tactical Sweatshirt

When it gets cold it is time to call out the big guns and that means the AFTCO Reaper Tactical Sweatshirt. Perfect for cold weather angling the Reaper is now available in tactical camo which makes it on target for hunting. Constructed of 100% bonded polyester fleece and Block Tapey™ pocket closures for silent opening on your front pouch pocket and incorporates a hood shock cord cinch stopper, integrated vented face mask.

Suggested Retail Price: $89.00 www .aftco .com

River2Sea Rover

The Rover turns the leisurely weekend dog walk into a sprint through the park. Instead of the gliding action anglers are accustomed to, Rover’s choppy, side–to–side slashing will draw vicious strikes.

Rover’s face features an exaggerated cupping that spits more aggressively than other baits of this genre and creates a unique action. Available in two sizes (3/8 and 11/16 ounces) and different patterns

Suggested Retail Price: $12.59 $13.64 www .river2seausa .com

Biolite 330 No-Bounce Rechargeable HeadLamp

Whether you are hunting, fishing or camping a good reliable headlamp can be invaluable. The 330 offers a proprietary 3D SlimFlit construction with a front profile of only 9mm (1/4 ounce) and weighing just 69 grams (2.4 ounces) and sits flush on your forehead. Moisture-wicking fabric keeps you cool and dry. The maximum output is 330 lumens, it has a red night vision mode and is rechargeable.

Suggested Retail Price: $59.99

bioliteenergy com

Vortex Diamondback HD 2000 Laser Rangefinder

This Vortex rangefinder starts with an HD optical system and adds XR™ lens coatings so you can be sure of incredible resolution, color fidelity, edge-to-edge sharpness, and light transmission. The red OLED reading is easy to see, so you won’t have to strain or guess at the yardage being displayed. The unit is waterproof and shockproof, has a 7x magnification, two ranging modes and other extras.

Suggested Retail Price: $499.99 www .vortexoptics .com

Deer Hunting a Big Deal in Alabama

More than 228,000 hunters pursued white-tailed deer during the 2021-2022 season .

Photo by David Rainer

BY CHRIS BLANKENSHIP

It would be a significant understatement if I said hunting white-tailed deer in Alabama is a big deal.

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) hunter survey, more than 228,000 hunters took part in Alabama’s liberal deer season during 2021-2022, spending more than 4.9 million days in our state’s great outdoors pursuing our top big-game species.

Those hunters used the mandatory Game Check program to report the harvest of 186,468 deer with 100,273 antlered deer and 86,195 unantlered deer reported. The vast majority were taken on private land, but deer harvests were also reported on wildlife management areas (WMAs), Forever Wild property, special opportunity areas (SOAs), state parks, physically disabled hunting areas on public land and federal land.

Game Check is a vitally important tool used by WFF biologists and administrators to examine data each year to assess the effectiveness of the deer management program. Game Check not only lets the WFF team determine the total number of deer taken, it also provides much better understanding of how the state’s deer harvest is distributed across the state and throughout the season.

Thankfully, hunters are realizing the benefits of the data gathered and are becoming more comfortable with Game Check, which is evident by the increased participation.

Game Check data provides the dates of harvest, counties where harvested, private or public land and the antler point count. This data is indispensable when WFF analyzes the timing and length of the various types of deer seasons (archery, muzzleloader, either-sex, etc.) on the deer harvest, not only statewide but on a county and regional basis.

Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

County data with dates of harvest allows WFF officials to adjust the season dates for each zone so hunters can be in the woods during peak rutting activity.

If you use the Outdoor AL app on your smartphone, it takes only a minute or two to input the data needed on your deer harvest. You can go to www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/game-check-and-harvestrecord-information to download the app or report your harvest online through the link provided. If those aren’t options, WFF has reactivated the toll-free Game Check phone number, 1-800-888-7690, and it is much improved over the previous system. Hunters who use this method will talk to a live person at the call center that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When hunters call the 800 number, they will first hear a recorded message prompting them to have their information ready before speaking to an operator. Callers must have their Conservation ID or ADCNR hunting license number to begin the reporting process with the live operator, who will input the data from the harvest.

With this data, WFF can be proactive in its management strategies to benefit Alabama’s abundant deer populations and its many deer hunters. WFF is better able to understand the desires of the state’s deer hunters, the status of the deer herd, changes to the length and timing of Alabama’s deer season, bag limits, and other aspects of deer hunting in Alabama.

Unfortunately, as hard as we worked to prevent it, chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected during the 2021-2022 season in Lauderdale County in the northwest corner of the state. The good news is that only two cases have been confirmed from the 966 deer sampled in Lauderdale and Colbert counties during the 2021-2022 season.

When the first case was confirmed, ADCNR enacted a new regulation for Lauderdale and Colbert counties, as outlined in Alabama’s CWD Surveillance and Response Plan. All of Lauderdale and Colbert counties are designated as a CWD Management Zone (CMZ). The area west of U.S. Highway 43 in Lauderdale County to the Mississippi and Tennessee state lines and south to the Tennessee River is designated as a High Risk Zone (HRZ). The remainder of Lauderdale County and all of Colbert County are designated as a Buffer Zone (BZ).

Hunters are required to submit samples for CWD testing from all deer harvested within the area west of U.S. Highway 43 in Lauderdale County HRZ and the area of Lauderdale County east of U.S. Highway 43 and all of Colbert County BZ at DCNR mobile sampling locations or drop-off sampling freezer locations on scheduled dates announced by press release and posted to www.outdooralabama.com/cwd/latest-cwdinformation.

All deer harvested on Lauderdale WMA, Freedom Hills WMA, Riverton CHA, and Seven-Mile Island WMA must be submitted for sampling at the WMA Check Station, or drop-off sampling freezer locations, or a scheduled DCNR mobile sampling location.

Hunters throughout the state are encouraged to submit deer heads for testing at numerous drop-off locations. Go to www.outdooralabama.com/ cwd/cwd-sampling for an interactive map of the freezer locations. ADCNR also suspended the use of supplemental wildlife feeding and baiting privileges within the CMZ, which is all of Colbert and Lauderdale counties. The suspension of supplemental feeding will not apply to bird feeders within 100 feet of a building or occupied dwelling or feed inside an active feral hog trap. Supplemental feeding and baiting privileges will still be allowed outside of the CMZ.

Visit www.outdooralabama.com/CWD-In-Alabama and go to the bottom

FROM THE

of the page to download a copy of the 35-page Alabama Chronic Wasting Disease Strategic Surveillance and Response Plan.

CWD is a contagious neurological disease of white-tailed deer and other deer species. CWD belongs to a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). The disease is caused by a mutated protein called a prion. CWD is always fatal for white-tailed deer.

The natural progression of the disease geographically is very slow. The transport of infected animals can increase the spread, which is why ADCNR has prohibited the importation and transport of whole carcasses and other parts from the family Cervidae (white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, fallow deer, red deer, sika deer, caribou, reindeer, etc.) into Alabama from any other state, territory, or province unless all meat has been deboned and skull plates and hides have been completely cleaned of all brain and spinal cord tissue.

Hunters are allowed to transport meat from the family Cervidae that has been completely deboned; cleaned skull plates with attached antlers, if no visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; unattached antlers or sheds; raw capes, if no visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; upper canine teeth, if no root structure or other soft tissue is present; and finished taxidermy products or tanned hides.

We at ADCNR are working diligently to try to contain the spread of CWD, and we don’t want Alabama hunters to overreact. As WFF Director Chuck Sykes has expressed, there is no need to panic.

Follow the rules and regulations and have a great, successful deer season in Alabama’s beautiful outdoors.

The Gopher Tortoise Consolidation Project

BY CHARLES “CHUCK” SYKES Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF)

The longleaf pine ecosystem is one of the world’s most imperiled forest types, with less than one percent of old-growth longleaf pine forests remaining. Many rare amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal species are found only in this forest type, especially those that burrow in loose soils, such as the gopher tortoise.

The gopher tortoise is considered a keystone species of longleaf pine ecosystems, with more than 300 different species relying on these tortoises and their burrows for survival. Habitat management for gopher tortoise consists of an open canopy longleaf pine system with prescribed burning occurring every two years across different seasons to mimic the natural fires that once occurred in

the region. Currently in Alabama the gopher tortoise is federally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in only Choctaw, Mobile, and Washington counties. However, due to heavy loss of habitat throughout their entire range, the gopher tortoise is currently petitioned for listing under the ESA as threatened throughout the eastern portion of their range, which includes the southern half of Alabama south of Highway 80 and Interstate 85, all the way to the coast.

In Alabama, most sites occupied by gopher tortoises have adults, but recent research at Auburn University has shown those sites lack the needed density of tortoises to be viable. Lack of frequent prescribed fire

The gopher tortoise burrow is a vital component of a healthy longleaf pine ecosystem .

across the landscape is a significant reason Alabama has developed small pockets of tortoises scattered across large areas. These animals will likely become locally extirpated without management assistance.

One site where the tortoises are not sufficiently concentrated for viability is Geneva Wildlife Management Area (WMA). In 2014, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) purchased Geneva WMA. At that time, the only adequate gopher tortoise habitat was within food plots and along roadways because of the dense pine forests surrounding the area. Since the purchase, WFF has done extensive work to restore and improve habitat on Geneva WMA: thinning pine stands, applying prescribed fire to open the canopy, and promoting growth of forbs and grasses that provide valuable foraging for tortoises and other wildlife. With this intensive management, tortoises were able to move back into the forested areas on the Geneva WMA, but they remained scattered throughout the area in small, isolated patches and not at the density needed to maintain a viable population.

Researchers from Auburn University believed the simplest solution to maximize viability of remnant tortoise populations, such as those found on Geneva WMA, was to consolidate these heavily dispersed tortoises to high-quality habitat that could continue to be intensively managed. By bringing tortoises together, they hoped the tortoises would continue to interact with one another, eventually increasing the populations and becoming viable.

In response to the ongoing problems of insufficient tortoise density and populations not growing due to lack of reproduction, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and WFF initiated an Endangered Species Conservation Fund Project (Section 6) in 2021 in cooperation with Dr. Jeff Goessling at Eckerd College. The primary objective of this project has been to increase gopher tortoise density on Geneva WMA by creating a viable population that can grow and persist into the future.

Starting in the summer of 2021, all adult tortoises found on Geneva WMA were relocated into a consolidation pen that was created within high-quality open pine habitat that is now managed with prescribed fire. Through penning tortoises on the WMA, managers can focus intensive land management efforts around these animals and facilitate the social interactions that are necessary for the population to persist. Prescribed fire is used in this area to control hardwood understory and promote early successional habitat with abundant forbs, grasses, and legumes that serve as high-quality forage and cover for gopher tortoises and other game and nongame species.

Along with relocating adult tortoises, researchers collected tortoise eggs from adult nests during the summers of 2020 (as part of another project) and 2021 and took them to Dr. Goessling’s lab at Eckerd College. Hatchling tortoises have extremely high mortality rates, so the hope was to raise the young tortoises for their first years of life and release them back to Geneva WMA to increase their survival chances. The Birmingham Zoo also assisted in raising some of the young tortoises.

These young tortoises grew at a rapid pace compared to those hatched in the wild. Tortoises raised for two years in captivity were almost the same size as 10-year-old tortoises in the wild. Last month, those young one and two year old tortoises were brought back to Geneva WMA to be released into the wild to increase the population in the area. With their increased size, the young tortoises will have a higher chance of surviving to adulthood than they would if they had hatched in the wild.

Both the adult tortoises that were relocated and the juveniles that were released will be monitored long-term to evaluate their social interactions, spacial movements, and site fidelity (their tendency to remain at the release locations). The hope is that, once the pens are removed, the tortoises will remain in close proximity to one another and eventually begin to reproduce to increase the population size at Geneva WMA.

If the consolidation approach is successful in creating a viable population from a once remnant and low-density tortoise population within this habitat, then WFF, conservation partners, and industrial partners will be able to use this method as a tool on similar sites in Alabama and across the species’ range to increase the number of viable tortoise populations. With this proactive approach of creating viable populations of gopher tortoise across their range, we hope to show that gopher tortoises do not need to be federally listed, while also taking some of the regulatory burden off private landowners. Using Geneva WMA as a demonstration site will allow partners to see how management of industrial land can create viable populations for gopher tortoise, while managing for a whole suite of species, both game and nongame.

Many people believe the old saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it too” applies to game and nongame species management when nothing could be further from the truth. Intensive management for gopher tortoises makes more quality habitat available for game species such as turkey, quail, and deer. The open-pine habitat that is created for the gopher tortoise is also beneficial for all wildlife found on the property. WFF is fulfilling its mission by providing great hunting opportunities as well as a sanctuary for imperiled species such as the gopher tortoise on the Geneva WMA. Enjoy eating your cake!

Fishing Red Drum in Backwaters and Bayous

BY ED MASHBURN Photos by Ed Mashburn

For kayak anglers and also powerboat anglers, fall is one of the best times of the entire fish year to find and catch some great redfish. One of the best places to find reds in the fall is up smaller bayous and feeder creeks which empty into large bays.

And even though kayaks are perfect for this kind of small water fishing, larger powerboats are suitable for exploring the small waters where fall redfish go.

Many great small bayous can be accessed by slowly running along big bayous and bays and looking for those indentations and mouths of the smaller waters that feed into the bigger

waters. A kayak can boldly go in the smallest bayous, but larger power boats will need to exercise caution when going small. Most bayous, even the smallest ones will carry enough water in the main channel to safely float a fishing boat, but there will be bars and oyster reefs to deal with.

Small bayou fishing for reds is not always easy, but it is almost always productive.

WHERE TO LOOK

We got some advice from a long-time Gulf coast fishing guide, Captain Yano Serra who guides the Mobile Bay waters and is an expert on fishing the smaller bayous which feed into

Kayaks are perfect craft for small bayou and creek redfish.

On the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, there are literally miles of smaller bayous and creeks which hold redfish in fall. However, not all bayous are good ones for fall reds.

“Any bayou with deep holes has potential. A little structure- oyster shells, stumps, grass- anything that holds bait is good,” Serra said.

“Look for bends in the bayou. Typically, the bends will have deeper water than the straight runs. The water might go from three feet deep in the straight areas to five feet deep or deeper in the bends.”

“The key to catching small bayou redfish in fall is simple- find the fish. Just being in a bayou doesn’t mean much. Keep working the water to find them. In the fall, they’ll be schooled up. Look for grass bedsthat’s where the reds will be. After it gets cooler in the late fall, look for deep holes,” Serra added.

WHAT KIND OF WATER

Small bayou anglers need to keep in mind that the redfish don’t get locked into a particular kind of water conditions during the early parts of fall. They locate to different place as the water changes.

Serra tells us, “If it’s still hot, reds will be up on flats in the bayous. They’ll be close to the banks and grass. That’s where the shrimp and finger mullet will be,” Serra explained

“We will get some good clean water in fall. It will be semi-clear if we get a north wind, it really helps clear the bayou water up,” Yano noted.

And a very important point for all small water anglers looking for redfish in fall, “In incoming or outgoing tides with good water movement, reds will hold on ledges where the moving water will bring baitfish and other good things to eat,” Serra said.

During good water movement times, anglers should cast the bait up on the ledge and then gently move the offering to the edge of the ledge where the current can drop it over the lip of the ledge. You’ll want to be alert as the bait or lure falls over the edge. That’s when things usually happen.

WHAT KIND OF BAIT

Regardless of what live bait a redfish chaser in the bayous in fall uses, there are few things that need to be kept in mind. Although redfish are generally not shy about eating a good live bait, as the fall moves along, they tend to get a little less eager to take a bait aggressively.

“I use a split shot on my line in fall- just enough to sink the bait to the bottom. I let the line go slack- not tight. I don’t want the reds to feel me. They’ll spit the bait if they feel pressure. They’re not as active in fall,” Serra said.

He continues, “They’ll hold the bait before they eat it. If they feel pressure, they’ll drop it. I look for line twitches and then let them run. At that point, I’ll stick them”

As far as the bait to use, Serra feels that what’s in the water naturally is the best choice

“Reds like white shrimp in fall, along with finger mullet, crabs and just about anything that’s there,” he pointed out.

A favored bait for reds is chunks of mullet. A piece of fresh mullet about the size of a fifty-cent piece is deadly. Smaller bait stealers will nibble on the mullet, but they can’t get it off the hook as they do shrimp. When the reds smell that mullet being nibbled away, they can’t resist coming up to eat it themselves.

For those anglers who prefer artificial lures, fall red fishing is a good time to keep things very simple. It’s very hard to beat a GULP or other scented grub body on a quarter ounce jig head. Work this jig along the bottom, particularly along drop offs and ledges for some good redfish action. When fishing jigs in the smaller bayous, pay attention to what can be felt on the bottom as the jig is slowly moved along. If the sharp and rough feel which indicates oyster shells is detected, that’s a good area to spend some time working. Reds in small waters love to concentrate on oyster shell bottom, and a jig worked slowly over the shell bottom can be deadly on fall reds.

As a very welcome bonus when fishing for reds in fall, it is very common to encounter some good keeper-size flounder in the smaller bayous. Flounder love to sneak up behind a scented jig and take it down.

Contact Information

Captain Yano Serra Specktacklelure.com 251-610-0462

Gulf Coast Fishing Outlook

BY CHRIS VECSEY

Throughout our region, November means football and fishing. The patterns will change often with passing fronts, but time on the water and paying attention to the details will keep you on the bite.

MISSISSIPPI

Colder water temperatures will stack gamefish deeper within the bayous and rivers along the MS coast. November fronts can lead to less than ideal conditions, but luckily, there’s usually somewhere to hide from the wind.

Sheepshead will be a popular target this month! Camden Baxter with a nice, shorebased convict!!

Speckled trout, redfish, flounder and a few other bonus species will push into these backwaters as forage like shrimp and menhaden flushes out. A falling tide is usually best.

For sure-fire action, try freelining or floating live menhaden, finger mullet or shrimp. Both Kahle and circle hooks will work on these baits and hook sizes should match the size of the live baits being used.

Artificials will help locate fish by covering ground quickly. Twitchbaits and jerkbaits are

Photo courtesy Drew Giles

popular for this due to their versatility. Soft plastic swimbaits and split-tail “fluke” style baits also work very well. Jighead sizes for these plastics will vary depending on depth and current.

Sheepshead will become a hard-sought target through the month. These notorious bait-stealers will set up on most inshore structures this time of year, with jetties, rip-rap and piers being prime spots.

The best baits for sheepshead will be fiddler crabs and both live and dead shrimp. Baits can be fished on both drop-shot style rigs and Carolina rigs. Sheepshead have very light bites, so rods with fast to extra-fast tips do best.

Mississippi sound will still be a reliable place to run and target bull redfish as they gorge on large schools of bait. When the fish can’t be found on the surface, they can be taken by trolling large spoons behind planers and with deep diving plugs like the Mann’s Stretch 25 or the Rapala X Rap 30.

ALABAMA

November is a prime month for fishing bull redfish off the beaches and around prominent structures like Dixie bar at the mouth of Mobile Bay.

Dixie bar reds will be taken a few different ways. Many will drift or anchor and fish live baits like croakers and menhaden, or cut menhaden and mullet.

Others will troll spoons and diving plugs on the channel side and “open side” of the bar, watching the depth finder for schools of reds and bait. Best trolling speeds are three to four miles per hour and at depths of 12-25 feet.

The most exciting way to fish for these bulls is by running and gunning, finding frenzied fish on the surface and casting light tackle and fly gear into the fray. In this scenario, practically any baitfish imitation will work, but bucktails and spoons are a safe bet and cast far.

Inshore, it’s time to work the coastal rivers for speckled trout, redfish and flounder. Soft plastic paddle and curl-tail grubs do a lot of the work, but twitchbaits like the Mirrolure MR17 and MR18 and the Yo Zuri Inshore Twitch work very well.

A falling tide is generally best when working these rivers and river mouths. Covering water and continuous movement helps locate fish Retrieve speeds should be slow.

One of the biggest draws throughout the month will be sheepshead. The bait-stealing, convict fish will be in abundance around the inlets, nearshore gas/oil platforms and on rock jetties. Live fiddler crabs, shrimp and hermit crabs are generally the best baits.

Further offshore, the tuna bite will be in full swing around gas/oil platforms. Water temperatures and other factors can fluctuate wildly through the colder months. Subscribe to a satellite imagery service like Hilton’s Realtime-Navigator to monitor water conditions. When weather windows open, you won’t want to go offshore blindly.

FLORIDA PANHANDLE

Pensacola Bay will be alive with anglers targeting bull redfish in open water, then hitting bridges and small reefs inshore for sheepshead.

As with Alabama waters, running and gunning for reds can bring exciting action. While running, look for birds and whitewater frenzies beneath them. Bucktail jigs, spoons and large curl-tail grubs are top

picks for bay redfish.

Sheepshead will become a major target from now until march. Fiddler crabs are top baits and can be fished around the numerous bridges throughout the ICW and Escambia and Pensacola bay. Sheepies will be tight to structures and require a focused feel to detect their soft bites.

Further offshore, November can be a very pleasant time to bottom fish for vermilion snapper, scamp, tilefish, etc. Natural bottom structures in depths of 160 + feet is the key to filling the fish box and avoiding the out-of-season red snapper. Live baits like cigar minnows, finger mullet and pinfish are top baits, but higher quality frozen squid and northern mackerel also do well.

Wahoo are still a possibility. Trolling the edge of the 50 and 100 fathom lines with lipless plugs like the Yo Zuri Bonito or large jetheads and ballyhoo/lure combos can produce if the ideal water conditions are present. Look for water temperatures from 72 and above.

Another prime bluewater option will be swordfish. Broadbills will be available and reliable for anglers watching for calm weather windows. The run is long, but worth the effort. Focus on depths of 1200-1500 feet and use whole squid, eels or bonito strips for bait. Rig these baits to handle the abuse of a sword strike.

Contact Information

Glass

Hilton’s Realtime-navigator www.hiltonsoffshore.com

Pier & Shore Fishing Outlook

Surf anglers can expect the bite on pompano, whiting and redfish to “Clean Up” even as the days get shorter this month .

November brings several notable changes for shorebound fishers along the Emerald Coast. A succession of cold fronts should usher in increasingly cooler air which historically chills the shallow coastal waters from the middle to lower 70s. That is still marginally acceptable to most for wading, but would not feel comfortable for long term without waders.

during the days following a frontal passage, while the winds are from the north and the waves tiny.

BY DAVID THORNTON Photos by David Thornton

The time of lowest tides shifts from morning to midday as the tide tables transition to more of a winter type pattern after the NEAP tide periods on the 5th and 18th of November. This situation often makes for favorable conditions to “slurp ghost shrimp to use as bait later in the morning. Especially

Once the winds swing back to the east and south, increasing ahead of the next front, the Gulf beaches become just too rough to gather ghost shrimp. In a pinch, anglers may find some ghost shrimp along the shallow sandy south shores of the back bays, sounds and lagoons then.

Rising tides (and higher water levels) in the early evening hours may lend to a “late daylight bite” during periods with more contrasting tidal range (November 6th through 17th and 20th through 30th).

Pompano are a popular target species for November surf anglers

Speaking of early evening – late daylight, the infamous time change Sunday November 6 will be pushing the clock an hour back, giving us less afternoon time to fish. Still, surf anglers can expect the bite on pompano, whiting and redfish to clean up, even as the days get shorter this month.

Less by-catch makes it more profitable for from-shore fishermen to find their target species (pompano, whiting and redfish) in and around “holes” just off the beach. The inshore edges of sandbars with a nice sharp four to six feet change in water depth are especially good spots to set your bait. That is where fish patrol back and forth, looking for food items dislodged by the crashing waves on the sandbar. Those prey items are swept to the waiting fish by the current pushing toward shore. On moderately rough days (two to three foot waves), just about any rip current should hold feeding fish at some point during the day. Try various distances and directions from your casting position to determine the preferred feeding location of the fish. There may still be some bycatch of bluefish, catfish, rays and such, but overall the bite should be progressively “cleaner” toward the end of the month. Also, keep in mind that flounder is closed the whole month of November in both Florida and Alabama, but open in Mississippi.

Most surf anglers are content to use the now famous “shrimp & Fishbites” combo on a locally produced double drop pompano rig (see GDO mag April 2022 “MUST HAVE SURF FISHING GEAR”). Much of the time these setups will catch a variety of fish. Often the rigs are fished “over the bar” (longshore sandbar) more than 200 feet from shore. That requires a longer, heavier class rod and reel (20 pound class or more) that utilizes heavier weights (three ounces or more) to reach distances required to find feeding fish. Some anglers may even wade out a ways into the water to cast their rigs farther out before walking back to shore and placing the rod in a secure sand spike to wait for a bite.

Pompano rigs can also be cast out “medium’”distances from shore (20 to 60 yards) with less weight required (one half up to three ounces). So medium light to medium heavy class tackle can be used (8 to 20 pound line on seven to eight foot rods) to reach fish in this middle range.

Keep in mind that between fronts when the water gets really calm, clear and flat, a stealthier (lighter) approach may be more to the liking of the fish. All these fish feed heavily on ghost shrimp during periods of rough water. As the Gulf calms down, food quickly become more difficult for fish to find and they also become more wary in clearer water so smaller baits like a ghost shrimp, or just a piece of shrimp often garner more bites. A “Carolina rig” or “Fishfinder rig”, without any floats or even beads, on a 10 pound test fluorocarbon leader with a number four kahle hook is an ideal setup in these conditions. Light or even ultralight tackle (eight pound to four pound class seven to eight foot rods) with minimal terminal gear and line, on a sensitive rod may be just the ticket for more hookups.

Occasionally fish much larger than intended, like black drum and “bull” redfish may find your bait, since they rarely turn down these tasty morsels. The saying goes “Well, you eat peanuts, don’t you?”. At that point you find yourself “under gunned’ in an epic battle. But with patience and enough line capacity, that big beast can be worn down and landed. In this cooler water, even after a prolonged battle, these oversized fish are still viable candidates for catch, photograph and release.

Meanwhile, Gulf pier anglers from Gulf Shores eastward to Panama City Beach can still find a smorgasbord of locally raised fish to bend their rods. Whiting and pompano are targets close to shore, and sight

casting to schools of each are commonplace whenever the water gets clear enough between fronts. While these can be caught on shrimptipped jigs, live or fresh dead shrimp gets the nod from most fishermen. Having said that, it is hard to beat ghost shrimp, either live, fresh dead or frozen. While fishing along the Alabama coast, fisherman Tom Tatum has taken to vacuum sealing his excess ghost shrimp for later use, often with good results. Just be careful with previously frozen ghost shrimp which tend to be even easier to cast off the hook. Products like Miracle Thread or Magic Thread are very effective in keeping these “soft” baits secured to the hook. Just cut a six to eight inch piece, tie a double half hitch through the eye of the hook, and wrap each end around the bait and shank to secure them together. Fish don’t seem to care if it is there, and it will degrade quickly if lost underwater.

In November, there is still a chance of a king mackerel being around while the water temperatures are in the low 70s. Sunny days when there are schools of live baitfish near the pier are often fruitful. Many years in the past, kings have been caught through the Thanksgiving weekend. Also, schools of Little Tunny (bonita) are not uncommon around the Panhandle piers this month. Try medium plugs, spoons or jigs for these fast swimming mini tunas. Years when the water turns cooler than average (below 70) usually provide opportunities for sheepshead around the beach piers and jetties at the bay passes. Live shrimp or ghost shrimp on a small hook with medium heavy (12 to 20 pound class) tackle is a good set up.

Even with cooler temperatures, more distractions and fewer fish species to target, November gives plenty of opportunities to shorebound anglers enjoying their great days outdoors!

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REGIONAL FRESHWATER

Fishing Outlook

BY ED MASHBURN Photos by Ed Mashburn

FLORIDA WATERS

LAKE TALQUIN

Jeff DuBree of Whippoorwill Lodge on Lake Talquin hears daily fishing reports from anglers, and he has fished the lake for many years. He said crappie will be really biting well. Anglers should try trolling double jig rigs trolling over stump fields and other underwater structure. Mouths of creeks will be good locations to find the feeding slabs.

Crappie anglers on Talquin ought to start their search with 1/16 ounce jigs in chartreuse and bubblegum colors which are usually very good here. If the water is stained or dark from recent rain runoff, darker colors will work better.

Bass anglers will find November bass at Talquin to be moving in and out of shallows according to weather and sun conditions, and fishing drop offs and points will be good. It’s hard to beat plastic works and other soft plastics at this time.

Catfish angers will still find some good fishing in November and live bait will be best for the cats.

Anglers can find all needed gear and good advice at Whippoorwill Outpost on Lake Talquin.

WAKULLA RIVER

Rob Baker guides anglers on the magical spring-fed waters of the

Forgotten Coast of Florida, and he operates Wilderness Way Kayak Shop and T-N-T Kayak Rentals on the Wakulla River. Baker gave us a glowing report for November fishing on the Wakulla.

“Things will be cooling down in November, and there will be much less traffic on the river and the water will be clearing with the diminished rain. Fishing should be even better then,” Baker said.

Bass will be staging on the weed lines where the open channels and the weeds come together, and small Rapala crankbaits worked down the weed lines can be very effective.

For fly rod anglers, small poppers worked around weed edges and along the shorelines can produce some great panfish, and anglers with the fly rod should not be surprised when sizable bass roll up on the poppers.

ALABAMA WATERS

MILLER’S FERRY

Joe Dunn from Dunn’s Sports, spends many hours fishing Miller’s Ferry and he advised us that if we don’t get too much cold weather, the bass will remain in their fall feeding patterns well into November, and this means anglers can find some actively feeding bass that should be “catchable.”

Bass anglers should look up in the major sloughs where the bass will

As the weather cools, crappie anglers will search out deeper crappie schools

be chasing shad and feeding up for the upcoming winter and cooler weather. If the weather doesn’t get very cold, the bass will be preparing for very early spawns at Miller’s Ferry, so anglers can take advantage of the fall fishing.

Bass anglers can work secondary points of big creeks and the main riv er channels. Small crank baits, spinner baits, and chatter-baits worked around woody cover on big creek points.

November should be very good for crappie fishing on Miller’s Ferry.

”Anglers should work the main river channels of the lake, and they’ll be deep- from 15 to 30 feet depending on the water temperatures,” Dunn said.

Crappie will be feeding heavily as the water cools, and this is a good time of year to try bottom bouncing for the slabs with jigs and live minnows.

MOBILE DELTA

“Although every year is different, November is probably the month that has the least amount of anglers and traffic, but it’s one of the most productive months for fishing,” said long-time angler and guide Captain Wayne Miller.

By the end of the month, we’re basically out of tropical weather danger and the conditions are usually very stable.

According to Miller, the biggest fishing variable in November is the location of the white shrimp. They may be up in the Delta still, or they may have moved out to the bay. If the shrimp are still up in the Delta, it’s a free for all for bass and other fish that feed on the shrimp. Bass will start to pull up in the creeks, but before they leave the main rivers and feeding zones, they’ll be feeding heavily on the white shrimp.

Bass anglers should think about smaller lures at this time. Since the white shrimp, the young crabs, and other bait fish are all small at this time, lures should match the size. Spinnerbaits in white and white with chartreuse in ¼ oz. sizes are good, and Miller specifically recommends Bandit Crankbaits in the 1,000 to 2,000 series for search baits. These lures run about two to three feet deep, and anglers can cover a lot of water with them to locate active fish.

WEISS LAKE

“Bass fishing at Weiss in November is great because you can catch bass both spots and largemouth, just about anywhere and anyway you want. There’s a good top water bite and the underwater humps and gravel bars are becoming much more visible as the water gets lower. Look for shallow docks with cover like brush, logs, and blow-down trees that will often hold good fish,” said Captain Lee Pitts, a veteran guide, angler and tournament contestant who fishes Weiss Lake with his clients almost every day.

Smaller crank baits, soft-body jigs, and spinner baits are good baits for fall fishing on Weiss in November.

”Crappie fishing at Weiss should be very good in November. Most of the crappie are moving on creek ledges and deeper river banks. Look for isolated brush piles and especially stumps on the creek channels.” Pitts said.

Crappie anglers should try a vertical approach by dropping a double jig rig with a ½ ounce bank sinker on the end of the line.

White bass will be schooling in the afternoons, and anglers can have a lot of fun casting shad pattern top water lures to the busting whites.

SIPSEY FORK

Anglers in the Deep South don’t have many cold-water fishing spots, but Sipsey Fork is the best place for rainbow trout in a very special location.

Randy Jackson of Riverside Trout Shop tells us that as the weather in November cools, there will be lots of midge hatches and a few blue-wing olives will start to emerge, and the trout will feed heavily on all of these bugs. At the start of November, there will still be a few terrestrial bugs hanging around and falling into the waters below, so anglers can have good results with hoppers and ants.

Anglers who use spinning gear for the trout can have very good luck by using the same flies that fly anglers use, but by fishing them under a bubble cork and swivel which gives enough weight for long distance casting. Trout Magnet lures in pink, black, and olive colors can be very good in November. Dark colored single-hook Roostertail spinners will work, too.

Sipsey Fork is stocked every month, so anglers can count on good numbers of hungry, catch-able trout waiting in the cold, clear waters of Sipsey Fork.

WILSON/PICKWICK LAKES

“If air temperatures stay average or above normal, November can be as good as it gets on the Tennessee River. Shad schools will still be hovering near the surface in shallow water early in the month. This can make for some great topwater or shallow running crankbait bass action,” said long time guide and Tennessee River angler Brian Barton.

Bass will be holding on points and main lake shorelines in 5-15 feet of water. For trophy fish try drifting the tailrace below the dams with live shad.

“My clients have caught more 6 pound plus smallmouth in November than any other fall month,” Barton said.

Catfish should be widely available in Wilson Lake. Locate deep shad schools over channel ledges, old river lock structure, or the many sub merged islands in 40 to 75 feet of water and the big cats will be close by. Big chunks of skipjack herring and gizzard shad heads will be the baits of choice. For eating size cats it’s easy pickings. Locate fish on your sonar, and drop small pieces of cut bait, chicken liver, or shrimp down to them and have fun. Catches of 50 to 75 eating size fish are common on both lakes in November.

If we get heavy fall rains and strong currents below the dams, the striper bite can be great. Simply drift with the current while casting large swimbaits or large live gizzard shad in the current seams. This bite is always best early in the morning and late evening even during the cold weather months

LAKE EUFAULA

“Bass fishing will get better as the weather cools off. Bass will be on all kinds of cover. The lily pads will be dying down with the cool weather, but the bass will still hold on the underwater stems and stalks of the pads. There’s a good early morning top water bite in November, and the bite lasts longer and the bass will be more active than they were a few weeks before. Deeper water fishing will be good all day long near brush piles,” advised guide, Captain Sam Williams from Hawks Fishing Guide Service.

On most waters, find the shad and use a lure which matches in size and colorthe fish will respond.

Anglers wanting some topwater action on Eufaula in November can use a soft plastic frog or fluke over thick cover. Try to create some commo tion with the lure to attract the attention of the bass.

November bream can be quite good on Eufaula. They will be deeper on the flats, and they will continue to move deeper as the water cools. Use red worms for some very hot shellcracker action.

Crappie will hold over drop-offs, and if an angler can find brush piles or other cover near the drop-off some very hot crappie fishing can happen.

Of course, catfish are always good at Eufaula, and anglers can use jugs or rod and reel to find great catfish action.

LAKE GUNTERSVILLE

Over on Lake Guntersville Captain Jake Davis Mid-South Bass Guide Service has fished the lake for many years, and he pointed out that on Guntersville in the late fall, what the weather is doing makes all the difference for anglers.

”During the first part of the month, we’ll still be working on the frog bite, especially in the middle of the day. The bite will be better at that time rather than early or late. We’ll use jerk baits and swim baits as the big grass mats die down. Anglers will need to slow down their presenta tions regardless of what kind of lure is being used,” Davis explained.

Important Contact Information

Captain Brian Barton Brianbartonoutdoors.com 256-412-0969

Captain Jake Davis Mid-South Bass Guide Service www.midsouthbassguide.com 615-613-2382

Joe Dunn Dunn’s Sports 334-636-0850 33358 Highway 43 Thomasville, AL

Rob Baker

Wilderness Way Kayak Shop 850-877-7200 3152 Shadeville Road Crawfordville, Fl 32327

Captain Lee Pitts Leepittsoutdoors.com 256-390-4145

Captain Sam Williams Hawks Fishing Guide Service hawksfishingguideservice.com 334-355-5057

Whippoorwill Lodge Jeff DuBree 850-875-2605 fishtalquin@gmail.com

Randy Jackson Riverside Fly Shop 17027 Hwy 69 N Jasper, Al 256-287-9582 riversideflyshop.com

Captain Wayne Miller Mobile-Tensaw Delta Guide Service 251-455-7404 millewa12000@yahoo.com

Finding the schools of shad is crucial in November at Guntersville in No vember. The bass will be following the shad at this time. The crappie will be following schools of smaller shad, and the middle to lower parts of the lake will be best for finding crappie. visit us at

AM / 1.06 10:55 PM / 1.01 09:55 PM / 1.09 09:11 PM / 1.27 09:04 PM / 1.50 09:24 PM / 1.72 10:00 PM / 1.90 10:45 PM / 2.02 11:35 PM / 2.08 12:26 AM / 2.05 01:18 AM / 1.94 02:06 AM / 1.73 02:47 AM / 1.44

04:40 PM / -0.01 05:13 PM / 0.18 05:22 PM / 0.43 03:58 AM / 1.10

PM / 0.69 06:55 AM / 0.78 03:56 PM / 0.85

AM / 0.47

AM / 0.21 08:24 AM / 0.03 09:04 AM / -0.08 09:50 AM / -0.13 10:47 AM / -0.14

AM / -0.15

PM / -0.15 01:42 PM / -0.13 02:17 PM / -0.07 02:41 PM / 0.03

/ 0.20

PM / 0.39

/ 0.59

/ 0.46

/ 0.18

/ -0.07

/ -0.27

/ -0.41

/ -0.52

/ -0.58

-0.59

/ -0.51

/ -0.35

-0.10

/ 1.54

/ 1.12

/ 0.82

/ 0.85

/ 0.86

PM / 0.69

PM / 1.00

PM / 1.20 08:49 PM / 1.37 09:15 PM / 1.48 09:47 PM / 1.53 10:23 PM / 1.53

PM / 1.50

PM / 1.45

AM / 1.38 01:20 AM / 1.29 02:00 AM / 1.17 02:31 AM / 1.01 11:10 PM / 0.82 09:34 PM / 0.79 08:42 PM / 0.86 08:15 PM / 1.00 08:13 PM / 1.17 08:31 PM / 1.34 09:03 PM / 1.48 09:44 PM / 1.57 10:32 PM / 1.60 11:25 PM / 1.58

12:21 AM / 1.49 01:15 AM / 1.33 02:02 AM / 1.11

04:07 PM / -0.04 04:48 PM / 0.12 04:57 PM / 0.34 02:43 AM / 0.80 03:53 PM / 0.55 05:54 AM / 0.56 02:44 PM / 0.67 06:02 AM / 0.31 06:43 AM / 0.10 07:22 AM / -0.05 08:03 AM / -0.13 08:51 AM / -0.16 09:53 AM / -0.16 11:02 AM / -0.14 12:01 PM / -0.13 12:47 PM / -0.10 01:19 PM / -0.04 01:38 PM / 0.04 01:42 PM / 0.16 01:31 PM / 0.29 01:00 PM / 0.42 05:44 AM / 0.31 06:01 AM / 0.07 06:37 AM / -0.15 07:25 AM / -0.33 08:25 AM / -0.45 09:39 AM / -0.53 10:54 AM / -0.56 11:57 AM / -0.55 12:47 PM / -0.47 01:25 PM / -0.31 01:37 PM / -0.09

05:15 AM / 1.93 06:10 AM /

07:01 AM / 1.40 01:57 AM / 1.03 08:02 AM / 1.06 12:56 AM / 1.07 02:00 PM / 0.86 11:58 PM / 1.25 10:23 PM / 1.50 10:35 PM / 1.71 11:01 PM / 1.84 11:33 PM / 1.91 12:09 AM / 1.91 12:50 AM / 1.88 01:34 AM / 1.81 02:20 AM / 1.73 03:06 AM / 1.61 03:46 AM / 1.46 04:17 AM / 1.26 12:56 AM / 1.03 11:20 PM / 0.98 10:28 PM / 1.07 10:01 PM / 1.25 09:59 PM / 1.47 10:17 PM / 1.68 10:49 PM / 1.84 11:30 PM / 1.96 12:18 AM / 2.00 01:11 AM / 1.97 02:07 AM / 1.86 03:01 AM / 1.67 03:48 AM / 1.39

05:39 PM / -0.05 06:20 PM / 0.16 06:29 PM / 0.43 04:15 AM / 1.00 05:25 PM / 0.69 07:26 AM / 0.70 04:16 PM / 0.84 07:34 AM / 0.38 08:15 AM / 0.12 08:54 AM / -0.06 09:35 AM / -0.16 10:23 AM / -0.20 11:25 AM / -0.20 12:34 PM / -0.18 01:33 PM / -0.16 02:19 PM / -0.12 02:51 PM / -0.05 03:10 PM / 0.05 03:14 PM / 0.20 03:03 PM / 0.36 02:32 PM / 0.53 07:16 AM / 0.39 07:33 AM / 0.09 08:09 AM / -0.19 08:57 AM / -0.41 09:57 AM / -0.56 11:11 AM / -0.66 12:26 PM / -0.71 01:29 PM / -0.69 02:19 PM / -0.59 02:57 PM / -0.39 03:09 PM / -0.11

Perdido Pass

02:23 AM / 1.01 03:21 AM / 0.86 07:14 AM / 0.70 08:27 AM / 0.60 09:07 PM / 0.57 09:25 AM / 0.48 09:26 PM / 0.71 08:47 PM / 0.83 08:54 PM / 0.92 08:19 PM / 1.00 08:38 PM / 1.06 09:07 PM / 1.09 09:42 PM / 1.08 10:23 PM / 1.05 11:07 PM / 1.00 11:54 PM / 0.93

12:45 AM / 0.85 01:39 AM / 0.74 02:19 AM / 0.60 07:35 PM / 0.50 02:00 AM / 0.45 07:30 AM / 0.48 07:48 PM / 0.62 08:31 AM / 0.41 08:04 PM / 0.75 07:54 PM / 0.90 07:42 PM / 1.07 08:10 PM / 1.21 08:47 PM / 1.30 09:30 PM / 1.32 10:20 PM / 1.28 11:11 PM / 1.19 12:00 AM / 1.05 12:44 AM / 0.86

02:40 PM / -0.15 03:16 PM / -0.02 03:38 PM / 0.14 03:42 PM / 0.30 05:47 AM / 0.29 01:21 PM / 0.37 05:04 AM / 0.12 05:32 AM / -0.01 06:03 AM / -0.09 06:40 AM / -0.12 07:43 AM / -0.11 10:00 AM / -0.11 11:02 AM / -0.10 11:58 AM / -0.09 12:44 PM / -0.06 01:16 PM / -0.01 01:19 PM / 0.07 01:26 PM / 0.17 11:31 AM / 0.26 11:24 PM / 0.41 05:17 AM / 0.40 11:34 AM / 0.32 04:59 AM / 0.25 10:53 AM / 0.35 04:48 AM / 0.06 05:16 AM / -0.11 05:50 AM / -0.24 06:36 AM / -0.31 07:53 AM / -0.34 09:30 AM / -0.35 10:37 AM / -0.33 11:33 AM / -0.25 12:11 PM / -0.13 12:32 PM / 0.02

02:38

/ 1.95

1.76

1.52

/ 1.28

/ 1.15

/ 1.09

/ 1.29

PM / 1.46

/ 1.62 07:16 PM / 1.73

PM / 1.78 08:30 PM / 1.78 09:12 PM / 1.75 09:57 PM / 1.70 10:45 PM / 1.65

PM / 1.58

AM / 1.49 01:19 AM / 1.37 02:21 AM / 1.21 07:53 PM / 1.06 04:10 AM / 1.01 06:59 PM / 1.17 08:38 AM / 0.88 06:29 PM / 1.33 06:15 PM / 1.52 06:28 PM / 1.71 06:59 PM / 1.88 07:40 PM / 1.99 08:27 PM / 2.04 09:18 PM / 2.02 10:11 PM / 1.92 11:02 PM / 1.75 11:49 PM / 1.52

01:45 PM / 0.13 02:23 PM / 0.34 02:09 PM / 0.59 01:30 PM / 0.78

01:44 AM / 0.85 01:21 PM / 0.90 02:15 AM / 0.61 03:30 AM / 0.38 04:36 AM / 0.18 05:35 AM / 0.05 06:36 AM / -0.03 07:44 AM / -0.05 08:50 AM / -0.03 09:48 AM / 0.02 10:35 AM / 0.09 11:12 AM / 0.20 11:38 AM / 0.32 11:50 AM / 0.47 11:46 AM / 0.62 12:10 AM / 0.96 11:33 AM / 0.75 01:43 AM / 0.72 11:10 AM / 0.84 02:45 AM / 0.45 03:41 AM / 0.17 04:42 AM / -0.08 05:54 AM / -0.28 07:15 AM / -0.40 08:30 AM / -0.45 09:36 AM / -0.42 10:34 AM / -0.30 11:21 AM / -0.10 11:44 AM / 0.16

1.83

AM / 1.63 06:06 AM / 1.37

AM / 1.14

09:35 PM / 1.03 09:55 AM / 0.93 09:27 PM / 1.22 08:21 PM / 1.41 08:10 PM / 1.58 08:22 PM / 1.69 08:51 PM / 1.76 09:29 PM / 1.77 10:12 PM / 1.75

PM / 1.71

PM / 1.64

AM / 1.54

AM / 1.41

AM / 1.23 02:46 AM / 1.01 08:11 PM / 0.89 06:39 AM / 0.76 07:48 PM / 1.00 07:32 PM / 1.17 07:20 PM / 1.36 07:36 PM / 1.56 08:10 PM / 1.73 08:55 PM / 1.84 09:47 PM / 1.89 10:44 PM / 1.87 11:40 PM / 1.78

12:32 AM / 1.59 01:16 AM / 1.33

02:44 PM / -0.01

03:24 PM / 0.17 03:38 PM / 0.41

03:12 PM / 0.66

03:39 AM / 0.71 02:22 PM / 0.83 04:14 AM / 0.46 05:27 AM / 0.25 06:30 AM / 0.09 07:26 AM / -0.01 08:18 AM / -0.07

09:07 AM / -0.09 09:54 AM / -0.09 10:39 AM / -0.07 11:20 AM / -0.03 11:54 AM / 0.03 12:19 PM / 0.12 12:36 PM / 0.24 12:44 PM / 0.39

01:59 AM / 0.74 12:25 PM / 0.54 03:26 AM / 0.48 04:24 AM / 0.21 05:21 AM / -0.04 06:23 AM / -0.26

07:29 AM / -0.43 08:34 AM / -0.55 09:34 AM / -0.61

10:30 AM / -0.60

/ -0.50

-0.33

-0.08

Pascagoula

03:21 PM / 0.15 04:09 PM / 0.41 04:42 PM / 0.74 04:43 PM / 1.09

PM / 2.13 09:25 PM / 2.38 10:07 PM / 2.56 10:54 PM / 2.65 11:45 PM / 2.63 12:38 AM / 2.48 01:31 AM / 2.21 02:21 AM / 1.85

05:07 AM / 1.15 03:22 PM / 1.37 05:26 AM / 0.80 06:24 AM / 0.51 07:14

0.29

0.16 08:45

0.08 09:32

0.06

0.07

0.10

PM / 0.16

0.24 01:39 PM / 0.36 02:04 PM / 0.53

PM / 0.74 03:32 AM / 1.18 01:42 PM / 0.95 04:25 AM / 0.83 05:10 AM / 0.47 05:58 AM / 0.12

1.79

1.75

1.69

1.61

1.48

1.29

1.05

0.86

0.86

0.96

1.20

1.47

1.72

1.93

2.08

2.14

2.11

1.99

AM / 1.80 01:33 AM / 1.52

02:49 PM / -0.13 03:54 PM / 0.08 04:29 PM / 0.34 04:22 PM / 0.62 05:06 AM / 0.58 02:57 PM / 0.81 04:51 AM / 0.30 05:33 AM / 0.09 06:13 AM / -0.06 06:49 AM / -0.15 07:25 AM / -0.18 08:07 AM / -0.16 09:06 AM / -0.11 10:28 AM / -0.06 11:17 AM / 0.00 11:46 AM / 0.08 12:04 PM / 0.19 12:26 PM / 0.32 12:51 PM / 0.49 01:03 AM / 0.71 01:14 PM / 0.67 03:19 AM / 0.44 04:16 AM / 0.14 05:05 AM / -0.14 06:00 AM / -0.36 07:01 AM / -0.51 08:05 AM / -0.58 09:18 AM / -0.57 10:29 AM / -0.50 11:23 AM / -0.35 12:05 PM / -0.12 12:28 PM / 0.16

Justin Jordan with a beautiful sunset and red snapper

Clifton Davis is holding a whole lot of bull

Kerri Marsh got it done in Mississippi. Her first bow buck and first velvet buck.

KID'S CORNER TROPHY ROOM

Connor Rider got his first buck when he was 6 years old.

Wendy and Cody Godwin Briggs Townley placed 2nd in the longest fish category for the small fry division at the Kids Win fishing tournament.

Hunter Travis with his respectable largemouth

Buck

Masen Perdue, 14, of Franklin County killed this 13 pointer

Marshall Shields, Jr. with his 28 inch speckled trout caught in Port St. Joe, FL

Drew McKinney hoisting

November Fishing Tips

BY WILLIAM KENDY

In November we are finally out of the blazing heat and the air is crisp and a great time to go out on the water pursuing bass. Still, pursuing bass in November requires some changes in tactics. To get the inside scoop on how to be successful catching November bass I reached out to Brian Senn, host of the Alabama Freshwa ter Fishing Report.

“Because of the drop in air temperature, the water has cooled off and the fish have moved up. You may still be able to catch a few large mouth on ledges in the middle of the day but for the most part you will have better success by hammering any grass lines that may still exist and fishing around structure like boat docks,” Senn said.

Senn pointed out that the topwater bite should be on fire in November. One of his favorite lures is a Zara Spook but other stickbaits like the

Senn advised that whichever stickbait you use, you will be more successful if you fish it with a “walking the dog” presentation, where you make continuous four to six inch ‘twitches” in your retrieve which allows the lure to dart side to side.

Next in line for effective lures are swim jigs and chatterbaits. Senn advised that they be fished fast with a high ratio reel, a medium heavy to heavy rod in the 40-60 pound level and “burn them”. As far as chatterbaits lure he is partial to the Z-Man JackHammer

He also added that if you have a hankering to catch some big “bronzebacks” that November is the perfect time to cash in on the smallmouth activity in northern Alabama on Lake Pickwick and Lake Wilson.

Rapala Skitterwalk and River2Sea Rover are at the top of the list.

How to Hunt with an Old Guy

even more critical. The key is not to cover a certain trail or be downwind when a big buck walks in. The most important part of locating a stand for an old guy is to put it out of the wind and where the sun shines. Deer are just a bonus.

2022 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP:

BY JIM MIZE

After many years of hunting with older gentlemen, some of it must have rubbed off on me. Not that I’ve become a gentleman, but I’ve at least become older. Perhaps the experience has given me insight into how to hunt with an old guy.

For starters, assume that all his moving parts hurt. When I was younger, I tended to push myself to discover my limits, getting a few dings along the way. I’m a little like my old hunting truck where every dent tells a story. I have a few dents.

Now, instead of pushing my limits, I try to stay inside them.

If the drive to the hunt is long and takes place early or late, expect the old guy’s primary contribution to the conversation to be his snoring. I find that many stages of the hunt lend themselves to a good nap.

Besides, if you get the old guy to start telling stories, they will be ones you’ve heard at least ten times already. The only difference will be that with each telling, the bird dogs get a little better, the bass a little bigger, and the snow a bit deeper. All these become more true if he is the only witness.

Food plays an important role in hunting with old guys. They tend to eat better than they cook though, so they may frequently wake up suddenly, point to a diner or barbecue joint and have you pull over while they exclaim, “I ate here twenty years ago and it was pretty tasty.”

One good thing about hunting with an old guy is that it doesn’t take him long to get ready since he has stripped down his assemblage of gear to the bare essentials. His most important piece of hunting equipment is his coffee thermos followed close behind by his gun. An old guy can’t shoot if he’s not awake.

In general, a thermos, a gun, some shells, and something to sit on will get an old guy through most any hunt. He’s not likely to shoot anyway, having already limited out in his memories.

When it comes to deer hunting, I have developed preferences in blinds. Years ago, I used to walk as far through rough terrain as I could to set up a blind or stand. When I got there, I didn’t spook any deer so I concluded they were all someplace else, most likely closer to the truck. Now, I build all my stands close to the truck in case I have to drag my own deer. On a cold day, deer stand placement becomes

I’ve also noticed that the older I get, the lower my deer stand is. In fact, I generally set mine at a height where my feet rest comfortably on the ground. There’s no danger of getting hurt falling out of the stand this way and my harness keeps me upright in case I nod off.

Dove hunting is a different matter. To an old guy, the best stand on a dove field is the one with the most shade. He may not see as many doves and will likely shoot less, but his shoulder won’t bother him so much that night when he gets home. Also, you should loan him a retriever.

For an old guy, the best dove retriever has two legs and works for snacks. The really good ones also pick up empty shells.

It’s always good to put a kid on the dove stand with an old guy. They will amuse each other and both will pick up some wisdom in the process. Old guys are full of stories to tell and wisdom to impart while kids are receptacles filled with questions.

You might be surprised how much a youngster can learn from hunting with an old guy. Once you get home, however, you may need to brainwash the youngsters.

In a duck blind, old guys are good partners for a number of reasons. Their calls are practiced, their equipment vintage, and they are usually the last to shoot.

Partly, old guys wait to shoot to be sure about duck identification. Not that they don’t know what ducks look like, it’s just that they can’t see that far.

And if you ever take an old guy rabbit hunting, never let him volunteer to go down in a gully full of briars to kick out a rabbit. He may want to go, but you’re probably going to have to go down into the briars and pull him out. Since you’re going anyway, you might as well save him the trip.

Another good thing about hunting with old guys is that they don’t mind cleaning game especially if it’s theirs. Over the years, they have learned to respect that part of the hunt and know it adds something to the meal once the game’s on the table.

So any chance you get, take an old guy hunting and follow these tips. They may not be helpful with the old guy you know, but they’re a pretty good guide if you take me.

JIM MIZE has found old guys make the best hunting partners But then again, he may be biased You can find his award-winning books of humor and nostalgia for outdoorsmen at www acreektricklesthroughit com

1. Publication Title: Great Days Outdoors. 2. Publication Number: 017-228. 3. Filing Date: 10/10/22 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly. 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 12. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $34.00. 7. Com plete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General business offices of Publisher: PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor. Publisher: Joseph Baya, PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. Editor: Joseph Baya, PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459, Managing Editor: Bill Kendy, PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 10. Owner: Joseph Baya, PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459; Butch Thierry, 4510 Dresden Drive Theodore, Alabama 36582. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. Has not changed during the preceding 12 months. 13. Publication Title: Great Days Out doors. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Be low: October 2022. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: (Figures are average no. Copies each issue during preceding 12 month/actual number of Copies of single issue published nearest to filing date). 15a. Total Number of Copies 2764/3048. 15b1.) Paid/ Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions: 980/970. 15b2.) Paid In-County Subscriptions: 729/722. 15b 3.) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales: 206/277. 15b4.) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 0/0. 15c). Total Paid and/or requested Circulation: 1915/1969. 15d.). Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, complimentary, and other free): 15d 1.) Outside County 41/47. 15d 2.) In-County: 0/0. 15d 3.) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 0/0. 15d 4.) Free Distri bution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): 189/200. 15e.) Total Free Distribution 231/247. 15f). Total Distribution 2146/2216. 15g.) Copies Not Distributed: 619/832. 15h.) Total: 2764/3048. 15i.) Percent Paid and/ or Requested Circulation: 89.3%/88.9%. 16.) Electronic Copy Circulation 16a.) Paid Electronic Copies 0/0 16b.) Total Paid and Print Copies 1915/1969. 16c.) Total Print Distri bution plus Paid Electronic 2146/2216. 16d.) Percentage Paid (Total Print Distribution plus Paid Electronic) 89.3%/88.9%. 17) Publication of Statement of Ownership will appear in the November 2022 Issue of this publication. 18.) I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete: Joseph Baya, Publisher.

In Mobile Bay, we give oysters the royal treatment.

Did you know oysters fight erosion and filter water, helping marine life to thrive? Plus, they live in castles!

Alabama Power teamed up with The Nature Conservancy to build concrete habitats called “oyster castles” to help preserve the natural resources that make Alabama a great place to live. Even if you’re an oyster.

AlabamaPower.com/Environment