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INSHORE GUIDE SERVICE Mobile Bay + Mobile Delta + Dauphin Island 3 TIME ALABAMA INSHORE TRAIL CHAMPION MULTIPLE REDFISH TOUR WINS USCG LICENSED 35 EXPERIENCEYEARSCapt. Bobby Abruscato (251) 661-7696 www.ateamfishing.com A-Team Fishing Adventures 8 TOLOCATIONSSERVEYOU EightDIXIESUPPLY.COMMile,AL•Theodore, AL Meridian, MS • Summerdale, Fountain,BAKERMETALWORKS.COMALTroy,AL•Baker,FLFL•Cantonment,FL METAL ROOFING & SIDING | 20 COLORS | 29 & 26 GAUGE | 5 PROFILES YOUR METAL ROOFING HEADQUARTERS 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 3
Choosing the Best Lures for Striped Bass . . . . 56 by Great Days Outdoors Staff
New & Cool Gear for Outdoorsmen 60 by William Kendy
ALABAMA
Tripletail Fishing Explained 3 Ways . . . . . . . . . . 8 by Frank Sargeant
How to Field Dress a Deer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 by Nick Williams
Paddle Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 by Ed Mashburn Coastal Outlook 68 by Chris Vecsey Pier & Shore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 by David Thornton Regional Freshwater 72 by Ed Mashburn
HUNTING IN & THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE CONTENTS
Fall Flounder Fishing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 by Ed Mashburn
Pond Infrastructure, Maintenance and Final Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 by William Kendy
Smallmouth Bass Fishing in the Fall 26 by John E. Phillips
Pensacola Motorsports Trophy Room 80 Great Days Kids Corner 82 Fishing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 by William Kendy A Great Day Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 by Jim Mize
Prime Feeding Times, Moon, Sun, and Tide Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
12 1683026
How to Hunt Wind Edges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 by Josh Honeycutt
Do You Need a Soil Analysis? 20 by Ed Mashburn
Picking the Best Duck Boats 42 by Stephanie Mallory
Best Lever Action Rifles for 2022 52 by William Kendy
4 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Best Bets 6 by William Kendy Camphouse Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 by Hank Shaw
From the Commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 by Chris Blakenship From the Director 64 by Charles Sykes
& FISHING
Wacky Rig Fishing Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . 48 by John E. Phillips
. . . .
How to Set Up a Portable Deer Blind on a Trailer . 22 by David Strickland
Choosing a Virtual Sign In Board 32 by Stephanie Mallory
In Every Issue
This rare find near Florala is ideal for hunting, timber production, or farming. Located 10 minutes west of Florala, 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 other game present, 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 points 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.
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IN-SHORE SPECKLED TROUT
VOLUME 26 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2022
OCTOBER IS A GOOD TIME FOR CRAPPIE
Abruscato said that later in the fall fish shallower areas adjacent to the tidal rivers lining Mobile Bay and the Mississippi Sound. Shallow bays and flats like Grand, Portersville and Heron Bays, shoals by the Dauphin Island Bridge, the inside and outside beach of the island and the flats on the west and east side of Mobile Bay are good. As the weather cools late in the month, make a move to the upper end of the Bay and into the Delta
In October, depending on location, the pros say that crappie will be suspended in 8 to 12 feet of water at the mouth of major creeks and a bit up them to eat shad to fatten up for the winter. Fish stump rows and brush piles where the creeks run into the main channel. Use your electronics,
What are the best baits to fish to cash in on October crappie? At least at Weiss and Neely Henry lakes, veteran fishing guide Lee Pitts has his favorites.
Find acorns and you will find squirrels. White oaks are a favorite, but water oaks, hickory and red oaks are up there. Early morning and late afternoon until dark are the best hunting time but in early fall, squirrels are active all Sittingday.
The nice thing about squirrel hunting is it is basically “no pressure” hunting and you don’t need a bunch of expensive gear to be in the game.
still against a tree in an area with a good acorn crop and multiple squirrel nests long enough so the critters forget about you works as does slowly “still hunting”.
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received by the 15th.
October is a great time to head out into the woods for a bit of squirrel hunting.
DO NOT FORGET ABOUT BUSHYTAILS
“I like Bobby Garland jigs with little stinger tails on them like the Baby Shad, Baby Shad Swim’R or the Slab Slay’R in orange and chartreuse,” Pitts said. “You do not have to move these jigs much to give them action. I want to keep my jigs or minnows in the strike zone as long as possible.”
These are our top targets for hunters and fishermen this month!
BY WILLIAM KENDY
According to Captain Bobby Abruscato from A-Team Fishing in Mobile in October speckled trout start transitioning from the deeper water structure pattern to a shallow water pattern. In early October focus on the deeper pattern, which is structure in the form of rigs, reefs, wrecks and rockpiles in water depths of over eight feet. Live bait fished under a slip cork or tightlined is the top choice.
A scoped.22 rifle is my top choice, but shotguns with 6 or 7 ½ shot work fine. Squirrels can flatten themselves out against a tree and blend in with the bark and limbs and often they peek around the tree trunk, so a scoped .22 helps me spot them.
When fishing structure, always start on the up current side and allow the baits to drift freely across/through the structure. Abruscato said that the fish can be found on both the up and down current side, but by starting on the up current side you will be able to cover both from one stop.
BEST BETS 6 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
BEST BETS FOR OCTOBER
FISH STOCKING
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 7
8 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Photo by Richard Rutland
Tripletail on Boga Grip,
“If there are a lot of floating weeds around, you might do better to hook the shrimp in the tail,” he said. “It comes through the weeds better that way.”
Tripletail ExplainedFishing 3 Ways
“My favorite bait is a large shrimp, fished with no weight and no float, just free-lined,” Rutland explained. “If you get that bait close enough to a tripletail for them to see it, they’ll almost always take it.”
They’re also called blackfish, for obvious reasons, and also buoyfish and eddyfish because of their correlation to sea buoys, floating debris, pilings and docks. Because they’re not fast swimmers, they rely on camouflage and staying close to cover to avoid being eaten and they’re often found by anglers within a few feet of a marker or floating cover.
For those who prefer to use artificials, which is more difficult but definitely possible, shrimp imitations like the DOA Shrimp or the Vudu Shrimp are among the best choices. Scented shrimp like the Fish Bites Fight Club
FISHING 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 9
Oddly enough considering their less-than-graceful profile, they sometimes jump like tarpon when hooked.
“They will go down if you pass too close to them with the outboard running, but if you circle around and come back to that spot on the trolling motor, you’ll usually see them very close to the same spot,” Rutland noted. “Ease in just close enough for a cast and you’ll catch a lot of those fish.”
Tripletail are a fast growing species with relatively short lives, ranging from four to eight years for most. Female tripletail reach sexual maturity at one to two years and approximately 17 – 19 inches in length while male tripletail mature at a smaller size of about 10 inches in total length, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. An 18-incher typically weighs about four Youngpounds.tripletails
Tripletails are ugly in the water but beautiful on the plate, which is why every coastal angler would love to invite a few home to dinner.
Tripletails are found in temperate seas in both the Atlantic and the Pacific, and the current International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record, 42 pounds, 5 ounces, came from the coast of South Africa. Largest reported in U.S. waters was a 40-13 at Fort Pierce, Florida in 1998.
are about the color of sargassum weed, and that’s the reason they’re often found in large drifts of it until they’re about six inches long or so their shape and slow movements plus the coloration are excellent camouflage.
look like a black plastic bag, if you’re seeing the dorsal side of them, or a white plastic bag if you’re seeing the belly, just hanging there and not doing much at all.”
The lighter tackle also allows casting lighter baits, which don’t spook the fish as heavier offerings sometimes do.
Either way, Rutland recommends fishing the shrimp hooked under the horn on the head with a size 1/0 Kahle style big bend hook. He also likes the Owner SSW hook in 2/0 size. He notes that a size eight treble is also highly effective, but is difficult to remove for any fish that are to be released.
Some anglers also catch tripletails by tossing small pinfish, croakers or pilchards near them on similar gear.
Rutland pointed out that on those days when you don’t have shrimp large enough to cast alone, it will be necessary to fish smaller shrimp about 30 inches or so below a popping cork. While this sometimes spooks the fish, if it’s cast uptide and allowed to drift to the fish, it often scores.
BY FRANK SARGEANT
“We always take a look at any markers or floating debris, of course, but I’d say the majority of fish we catch are what I’d call free-swimming, just hanging there in open water and not close to any cover,” Rutland said. “They
The average “tail”, however, is much smaller, typically five to eight pounds to eight pounds although 10, and even 15-pounders are not uncommon. While they seem very lethargic hanging around a buoy, barely moving for minutes at a time, when hooked they’re powerful fighters, and it takes a stout line and some quick boat maneuvers to get them away from cover in many cases.
HOW TO FIND ‘EM
Whether he sees them on markers, crab trap buoys, weedlines or free-swim ming, he says it’s always worthwhile to turn around and make an attempt to catch any tripletail sighted near the surface.
The name comes from the placement of the dorsal and anal fins, which resemble additional tails—three tails rather than one. They more or less resemble giant bluegills, but overall they’re black on the back, fading to grayish white on the belly. When they’re hanging around a weedline, they can vary their color to look almost like the sargassum, a yellowish brown.
Though tripletails can seem dumber than bluegills at times, at other times they can be maddeningly difficult to fool. Captain Richard Rutland, who fish es lower Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound, frequently guides his anglers to a few bonus “tails” during his redfish, trout and flounder charters.
GEARING UP
Most anglers catch tripletails on the gear they’re already using for trout and reds which is a medium-light to medium seven foot spinning rod, 3000-sized reel and 15-pound-test braid with a 20-pound-test fluorocarbon leader about the length of the rod, tied in with a double uniknot.
If larger tripletails are the target and they’re sighted around markers or buoys, heavier gear might be necessary to prevent them from wrapping around the structure and breaking off, but for most the lighter gear does the job.
FLY-RODDING TRIPLETAILS
Tripletail can also be caught by well-placed flies, with shrimp and crab imitations like the Merkin the favorite. The light impact of the flies gives them an advantage over heavier lures, though it takes a quick cast with a minimum of backcasting to avoid spooking the fish in most cases. Most use 9- to 10-weight rods, floating lines and level 25-pound-test leaders to allow them to pull the fish away from markers and buoys.
Rutland is also a fan of quality polarized sunglasses.
CLEANING TIPS
Though tripletails are easy to clean, the depth of the body means that it takes a long blade to make the job efficient—a 10” to 12” blade honed razor sharp is the best bet.
“I’m wearing Bajio’s now, which are the clearest that I’ve found. I like the glass lenses, amber with green mirror, which works best for the green water we have off the beaches here in Alabama. Of course you’ll want a cap to shade the lenses, too,” he pointed out.
In the northern Gulf of Mexico, however, they’re primarily a summertime fish, with action best March through September from Panama City to the Mississippi Delta. The largest tripletails of the year are often caught in July and August, when fish of 15 pounds and up often appear around the markers and buoys. Biologists say this is spawning time for the species, and many of the jumbos are big females.
SPOTTING THE FISH
Theone.Alabama
Bajio makes a number of models specifically for sight fishing, with large side frames to shade the lenses. They recommend blue mirror or gray lenses for spotting fish in clear water, copper, green and rose lenses for more murky water—see details at https://bajiosunglasses.com.
Tripletail on fly. Photo by Rick Grassett
Captain Rick Grassett, who fishes out of Sarasota, Florida, is a master at putting his clients on fish in that area with fly tackle, with most found around the stone crab trap buoys between mid-October and the end of April, as well as into summer. Grassett can be contacted at http://www.snookfin-addict. com.
The fish should be iced immediately when caught, as with all species. Be sure to put ice on top of it, the broad, thick body won’t chill well otherwise.
“The higher you can get above the water, the easier it is to see the fish. I have a tower, but if your boat doesn’t, you can make do by standing on the console or putting an ice chest on the bow and standing up there,” Rutland pointed out.
Again, trap floats are always a good target, but here they’re mostly blue crab traps. The traps are usually laid out in a long line, with buoys a few hundred yards apart, so you can follow a line a long way once you find
Of course a big part of catching tripletails is seeing them, and Rutland has some advice on that, as well.
THE RIGHT TIME
As with most fish, ‘tails can easily be skinned with the scales on if you just leave a “hinge” on the fillet at the tail, flip it over when clear of the ribs and then run the knife flat down the table between skin and meat to do the job.
limit is three tripletails daily over 18 inches long. The Florida limit is two daily over 18 inches long.
Captain Richard Rutland can be contacted at 251-459-5077 or www. http:// coldbloodedfishing.com.
Shrimp or the Berkley GULP! Alive Shrimp are also effective, fished on very light jig-heads or weighted hooks.
It’s easier to see fish between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and also much easier to spot them if you keep the sun behind you.
In south Florida, tripletails are most commonly caught from November through April around the stone crab trap buoys that are everywhere just off the beaches during the cooler months. Best time is during a warm spell in winter with calm seas and high sun.
They can be cooked any way you like—best might be just to baste with salted butter and broil until just done, then serve with lime slices.
Tripletail Fishing Explained 3 Ways New & Used Equipment • Up to 7 Years Financing Depending on Amount www.unitedbank.com *Subject to credit approval For more information contact: Rachel Holland 251.446.6022 - Terri Metts 251.267.3161 John Winters 251.743.3161 - Dawn Hollingsworth 850.675.6066 10 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
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WindHUntingEdges
BY JOSH HONEYCUTT
Hunting with just-off winds that deer use in their favor can actually be more beneficial for you 12 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
HUNTING 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 13
The author arrowed this buck using a wind edge . It was just off enough the buck didn’t smell him . He stopped it about 15 yards before it entered his scent cone . Honeycutt Creative photos
Once you have that information, studying an aerial map, analyzing where the deer moves in daylight (and on which wind directions it does so), and getting a read on the terrain will help determine where the buck is most vulnerable. Where the buck is the most vulnerable is going to be the kill box for that specific deer.
There’s one standout factor that tends to influence both where and when a deer visits certain areas within its core area and home range. It’s the wind. While deer don’t always walk with the wind in their face, they do use it to their advantage more times than not. Knowing when and how this occurs, and how to capitalize on it, goes by several names, including hunting wind edges and just-off winds. But before implementing it, you must learn your target buck.
Regardless of these things, taking the next step and homing in on a specific stand location that is a weakness for the deer and puts the odds in your favor is the final move in the planning phase. Then all you must do is wait until the right time to move in, which leads us to wind edges and just-off winds.
WIND EDGES AND JUST-OFF WINDS
This tactic demands intense (but effective) scouting. There’s two ways to go about taking advantage of it. First, in most cases, you must really get to know a deer to implement this approach. Learning the bedding locations, preferred food sources, watering location,
Whitetails are masters of survival. While it’s unlikely that deer can reason, at least to a very high level, deer are very adept at reacting to their environment and that includes using the elements to their advantage. Of course, there are certain times deer move more than others. First and foremost, deer are crepuscular, meaning they move primarily at dawn and dusk. Weather fronts, rain, snow, reduced hunting pressure, and myriad of other factors can also seemingly impact deer movement.
THE X
I’m blessed to live in an area that’s great for deer hunting. Still, regardless of where you hunt, there’s a common tactical thread that works almost anywhere. It doesn’t have a name, per say. I refer to it as finding the “kill box”, which is a term we’ve heard on countless action and war-related movies. So, what exactly is it? It’s finding a buck’s geographical (or topographical) weakness. It puts the deer at a disadvantage and ultimately (and bluntly), with a well-executed plan on your part, it’s where the deer goes to die.
patterns and behaviors will paint a picture of how the deer uses a property. A combination of post-season scouting, pre- and in-sea son trail camera photos/videos, scouting from afar, and in-the-field sightings while hunting will help produce such information. Mature bucks are generally creatures of habit. This makes the patterning that much easier.
Other times, you can determine where the kill box is without patterning a specific deer. Some properties have obvious spots that practically scream “hot stand location.” Such spots include funnels, pinch-points, saddles, etc. Other obvious terrain types also might feel like high-odds spots. You might even have enough history with a tract of land that you already know how the deer move about the landscape.
Trail cameras have revolutionized the way we scout for white-tailed deer. Being able to scout when you aren’t afield is invaluable. They’ve truly changed deer hunting and done so for the better.
They’ve energized deer hunting and gave it a shot in the arm during a time when hunter numbers are declining.
As for tactics, there are many ways we can utilize cameras. But one of my favorite trail camera tactics is a long-term one. For those of you who have trail camera history with a deer that spans multiple seasons, or if you have a good number of trail camera images of a specific target buck in one season, using a trail camera timeline to pattern a mature buck is super effective. Using this method to profile specific deer is a solid way to learn their tendencies and patterns.
All of this and more is why your best shot to kill a deer is the first time you sit in that stand location. Remember, to see mature deer during day light, one must give that deer the advantage. Furthermore, the first stand to sit in a location is almost always the best. Make it on a wind edge day with a just-off wind and odds increase significantly. And if you properly execute your plan, it might just be the hunt of a lifetime.
The author and his big Kentucky velvet buck Honeycutt Creative photos
Numerous studies show that your odds of killing a mature deer signifi cantly drop each time you hunt a stand. Some have even shown that your chances decrease by half each time. That’s something to heed and It’sremember.alsoimportant to note that bucks are much less likely to uproot and choose a new core area if spooked after the middle of October. So, letting stands sit until late October or early November not only ensures you’re hunting low-pressured rutting bucks, but it also means if you do spook deer or don’t fill a tag on that first sit, your odds will typically decrease at a slower rate for each site thereafter.
Date and time are most important because they show when the deer is moving through there — morning vs. evening, or both. Direction of travel is crucial because the orientation of the deer’s body in the first and last picture in each daylight series will show you where it’s coming from and where it’s going — hinting at its bedding location. Lastly, noting the wind direction is helpful because over time you’ll likely notice that the deer feels most comfortable moving in each area with certain wind directions. And those are the winds you need to hunt that spot on — even if it’s a just-off wind for you. That’s how you see mature bucks during daylight.
As we all know, the first sit in an area is the best opportunity. Pair good conditions with a just-off wind and odds are even better. Still, everything we do applies at least some pressure to deer. And even if we don’t alert deer to our presence while afield, the scent we leave behind can be de tected by whitetails long after we’re gone. They pick up our ground scent when they cross our entry and exit routes. And that equates to pressure.
If you have a specific target buck and a pile of trail camera images, go through them one by one and plot them on an aerial map. Pull each daylight photo and those close to legal shooting light. Then plot the location that photo was taken on an aerial map (paper or digital). Include the date, time, wind direction and direction of travel for each photo. Plot this information for every image you have. Doing this will help paint a picture of where that deer is bedding, feeding, watering, and traveling to get to each of those things. Furthermore, it will tell you with which wind directions it does so. It really opens your eyes once you have all this information mapped out in front of you. It shows you things you didn’t see before — especially if you run multiple trail cameras on a property and get the same deer on multiple cameras in a 24-hour period.
I used this method to help close the gap on the 164-inch velvet Kentucky buck I harvested in 2018. I used a trail camera timeline from the 2017 season, 2018 pre-season, and the first few days of the 2018 season to pull this info together. It proved to be the best decision I made when planning the hunt for this deer, among others. Use this method to dial in on that big buck you’re after this year. It might just be what it takes to tag that big one.
How to Hunt Wind Edges
14 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
THE FIRST SIT
SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY & ECOLOGY
• ½ cup each: chopped onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper
•
• breakfast links made with Hi Mountain Country Maple Breakfast Sausage Seasoning
• teaspoon Hi Mountain Trail Dust Western Style Seasoning
1
• 4-5 large eggs
1. In a large, cast iron skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until done. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, and then chop the sausage into bite-sized pieces. Leave the grease from the sausage in the pan.
2. Add the potatoes to the pan and cook until lightly browned. You may need to add a little olive oil if the sausage was lean. While the potatoes remain in the pan, add the vegetables and cook. Stir occasionally, until peppers are just tender but still a little crisp; about 10 minutes.
3. Add the sausage back into the pan and gently mix the ingredients. Season with Hi Mountain Trail Dust Seasoning. Turn the heat to low.
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 15
• 2 cups thawed hash browns, or 2 cups boiled potatoes that have been diced
IngredientsSkillet
Recipe and image courtesy of Hi Mountain Seasonings https://himtnjerky.com
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Olive oil Instructions
4. Crack the eggs on top of the sausage and vegetable mixture, trying not to break the yolks. Put a lid on the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes for slightly runny yolks. Cook 1 to 2 minutes longer if you like solid egg yolks.
6
Turkey Sausage Breakfast
The flounder population is increasing and the size of flounder is getting bigger . 16 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
“The Fish Bites scented bodies have good action in a five inch length. I use ProCure to scent my jig bodies. Flounder are very sensitive to scent. If they smell the bait, they’ll attack it. They also have a strong lateral line system and they can detect movement in their prey well.”
When asked to provide for anglers the best advice for finding and catching floun der as the year winds down and the water cools, Kiene suggests that anglers pay attention to the tide.
THE BEST TIP FOR FALL FLOUNDER SUCCESS
“For live bait, I use a Carolina rig with a swivel and only six to eight inches of leader. This helps keep the bait on the bottom. Bull minnows can usually be found at bait shops, but for the best live bait, get out the cast net and throw over some three to five inch finger mullet. I tail hook the mullet. This makes them try to swim up off the bottom, and it causes a lot of commotion in the water- draws flounder in to bite,” Kiene advised.
Kiene’s interest is not all study and research- he’s an avid flounder angler himself.
creeks and bayous can be very productive. Good concentrations of flounder can be found around the gas rigs in the Mobile Bay system and in the Mississippi Sound area,” Kiene explained.
Many anglers “study” the fish they prefer to catch, but one angler, Dylan Kiene, really, really studies flounder. Kiene is a PhD graduate student at the University of South Alabama School of Marine and Environmental Science doing his doctoral work on the age, reproduction, and movement of southern flounder. This is some serious science, and using tools such as detailed tagging and recovery, he is finding out things about the flounder which very likely will be of benefit to all anglers who treasure the dark on top, white on the bottom flatfish in our Gulf of Mexico waters.
Based on his research with flounder, Kiene suggests that adding scent or using scented bodies is very important.
“I do a mono to braid setup. I use forty pound leaders. It helps prevent break offs, and I use a ¼ to 3/8 ounce jig head. This heavier jig head helps maintain contact with the bottom,” he pointed out.
Water depth can be crucial in finding the best concentration of flounder.
this moment, I am bouncing a jig and soft plastic body over the bot tom near an old neglected dock when I feel a pressure on my line and the jig just stopped moving. I let the jig sit for a second or two, and when I think the time is right, I set the hook and try to keep the line tight. As the fight begins, I can feel a strong fish which doesn’t want to be moved up off its comfort zone on the bottom.
BY ED MASHBURN
It’s hard to beat a good, live bait for flounder.
When I slide the almost three pound flounder into the landing net, I assure myself that tonight I’ll be eating flounder done right, listening to the football game on the radio, and enjoying the cool of the evening.
“Good flounder water varies based on the specific habitat. Fish drop offs in five to ten or even fifteen feet of water. Fishing the first 100 meters of bay feeder
“I’m interested in how fish perceive color. It depends on water clarity. If the water is clear, I like silver-fleck in a clear body. If the water is stained and darker, I like a darker color. Purple is my best color day in and day out, and chartreuse tails can make a big difference for flounder,” he noted.
FISHING 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 17
Along with scent and good motion in a lure, Kiene has found that color can make a difference.
“In general, moving water and structure are important. Structure can be docks, rocks, shells, pilings, even mud banks and ledges in the inshore bay systems. In the Gulf, beach contours can hold flounder. This might be wash-outs and the first reef off the beach. Any change in contour can hold flounder,” Kiene said.
Kiene prefers to use artificial lures for flounder, but he insists on very specific rigging which has proven to be effective at catching the flatfish.
A REAL EXPERT ON FLOUNDER
“The sun doesn’t matter as much because flounder orient their feeding around tides. The upper part of high tide is usually best, and then work the end of high tide and the start of ebb,” he said.
HUNTING
Fall Flounder Fishing Tips
That’s just about perfect for October.
WHERE TO LOOK FOR THEM
WHAT TO THROW AND HOW TO RIG
Here on the Gulf Coast, October means that a few very important things are happening. First, it’s football season and whether we holler “Roll Tide” or “War Eagle” or “Go Jags”, it’s a great time of year. Next, the fall weather is getting more pleasant after the sweltering heat and humidity of summer. And finally, October means that anglers stand a good chance of finding and catching some delicious, hard-fighting flounder.
For some folks, it’s hard to tell which of the three improvements of fall is most However,important.at
Don’t forget to use scented lures!”
We got some excellent information about the fall flounder fishing from Dylan Kiene.
“The positive results started to show themselves the very first year that the team at the hatchery were successful in the spawning of southern flounder. Up until that time, very few if any have spawned south ern flounder in captivity, and many more have tried and failed. So each year they are getting better and better,” he explained.
Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama executive director Blakeley Ellis said that CCA Alabama is proud and excited to see this effort come to life after years of hard work and planning.
Flounder Fishing- Nov GDO . CCA Flounder Hatchery Program Help
When asked about this fall’s flounder fishing, Kiene laughs and says, “October should be great!”
18 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
When asked what is making a difference in the numbers of flounder in our waters, Kiene pointed out that while the Flounder Hatchery Program is doing a great job, flounder reproduction in a hatchery setting is very difficult. “The folks working in the program collect big female flounder from fishing tournaments for hatchery use, and this insures good, natural populations of flounder,” Kiene added.
”Significant support from CCA Alabama will allow the hatchery to expand capacity for the next flounder spawn and make it significantly easier to minimize the disturbance of the fish. The CCA Alabama funds will be used to refurbish tanks to spread out the bloodstock so only a few fish will be handled at a time when spawning is scheduled,” said Kevin Anson, chief biologist for the Marine resources DC.
“Purchasing one of our CCA AL Saltwater fishing license plates renewing or purchasing car tags helps CCA with the fishery improvement programs. $43 of the $50 cost comes directly to CCA Alabama for conservation projects,” Ellis said.
For the attention of flounder anglers, Kiene says, “Right now is probably the best year in the past ten years for flounder.”
“The flounder population right now is close to good. The fishery is doing much better. We’re at one-third of the pop ulations of flounder in the 1970s and 1980s, but the overall management program is working,” Kiene said.
Anyone who seriously fishes for flounder in our Gulf waters can verify that flounder fishing and the numbers of flounder can vary greatly year to year. However, for the past ten years or so, flounder populations and flounder catching has been a tough game. There just have not been as many flounder to be caught as historically were in our waters.
However, actions such as better limits on flounder and spe cial hatchery programs designed to increase the numbers of flounder seem to be making a significant difference.
Everyone can use a little help from time to time, and the flounder who inhabit our Gulf Coast waters are no exception. To help the flounder recover and regain their historic numbers, some dedicated and hard-working folks have been working hard to create a flounder hatchery program at the Claude Poteet Mariculture Center in south Baldwin County to help boost the natural reproduction of the flounder.
Since 2018, CCA Alabama has contributed over $200,000 to the flounder research and the flounder hatchery program.
STATE OF THE SPECIES
“Conservation projects like the hatchery will continue to be an area we plan to support, and we couldn’t do that without our members, volunteers, and corporate sponsors who help support throughout the year,” he noted.
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Ingredients
This a great recipe for a night when you’re feeling lazy - only a few ingredients, nothing to chop, easy cleanup, and very yummy! My husband announced the fish was ‘excellent,’ and he’s not usually one to rave about food.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until the flounder flakes easily with a fork, 25 to 30 minutes.
Cooks Note: The recipe would probably also work fine with tilapia.
BY AHNJY Image and recipe courtesy of www.Allrecipes.com
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Instructions
When a Somebecomespastimeapassion.don ’t get it, but we do. 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 19
• 1 pinch paprika or to taste
Easy, Excellent Baked Flounder
•
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.
Fall Flounder Fishing Tips MEMBER
Prep: 10 mins • Cook: 25 mins • Total: 35 mins
• cooking spray 4 flounder fillets
• 3 tablespoons white wine
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs
• ¼ melted butter
2. Rinse flounder fillets, pat dry, and place on the baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk butter and wine together in a bowl; pour over flounder. Sprinkle each fillet with bread crumbs and then paprika.
20 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
BY ED MASHBURN a Soil Analysis?
For big bucks with big soilstartskey,nutritionracks,isandthatwiththe Do You Need
A very well-known and highly regarded soil testing service is Ward Labo ratories of Kearney, Nebraska. They’ve been doing millions of soil sample tests since 1983.
By using a professional soil testing facility such as Ward Laboratories, landowners who want to improve their soil, their forage growth and their game species production can get reliable information, and their inter pretation of the test results will be done by folks who specialize in soil Gettinginterpretation.goodsoil samples is only half of the testing process. Knowing what the tests indicate and what the numbers mean is crucial, and it’s not always an easy thing to do for landowners who are not very experienced in soil test analysis.
That’s one of the key foundations to start with,” Ward explained.
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 21
bag. And that’s what we send in for the test. The main thing is to get a representation of that area.”
“Being that you guys are in the South, there are more acid soils that have more rainfall. PH is one of those big things that we always want to focus on making sure that your PH is in a range where you get good growth. That’s pretty standard in any package.
In order to get good, accurate results from any soil test, care must be taken to ensure that the samples sent to the lab are really representative of what’s there in the particular soil being tested.
“It’s important to do what’s going to work best when you are going to ad dress the problems that you might find. If you take a sample in the spring and you know you’re going to be planting right away, maybe you can use that data to come back in the fall planting. If I saw in the spring I was lacking a little bit then, for the fall growth I’m going to put on a little extra fertilizer here or there. So I can get a good fall growth,” Ward said.
HOW TO INTERPRET RESULTS
HUNTING Contact Information Ward 800-887-7645www.wardlab.comKearney,LaboratoriesNebraska
“When taking cores, we want to be consistent on how deep you’re going. The nutrients within a soil sample, everything grows up, dies on top, decomposes, carries back into the soil. The richness is always at the surface. So, if you take really shallow samples, you should have high nutrient content. If you take a deep, deep sample, you’re diluting those nutrients,” he added.
A quick “run and dig” sample in a limited location may not give test results that will correct any problems the soil might have. Let’s be honest, good sampling of soil will take some time, and it will take some effort. Good preliminary work can help produce the best test results, best correction recommendations, and best forage growth for future game growth.
“We’d like growers to have a zero to six inch or zero to eight inch soil sample. With this, we can really put some meaning behind those num bers. We can say, ‘Yes, this phosphorus test is low- you want to add some sort of phosphorus fertilizer to make some more healthy growth on that crop,” he advised.
Here’s another fact. Spending money without getting a good evaluation of what improvements the land needs to produce good forage crops so the game animals have the nutrition they need for good health and good growth can be just throwing money away.
“We’re a full service, agricultural testing laboratory. So anything that is involved in ag or small business or homeowner, we try to do some sort of analytical work to help people. It’s soil samples for fertilizer application, or for animals, feed value for the stuff that’s going to the animal,” says Ward President Nick Ward.
“Micronutrients seem like it’s not really important for a food plot grower, but if guys are focused on making sure they get good mineral nutrition to animals they’re looking to harvest, those nutrients are still important. So really, the more comprehensive tests are probably very good” he concluded.Comprehensive,
“Be consistent when you’re going to sample. Let’s say every two years so try to go with that same time period.. So I’m going to sample in the spring to help make decisions to either top dress a summer crop or to make fertilizer plans for a fall crop. It’s probably best to sample in the spring and address soil fertility in the fall,” he explained.
professional soil tests will give a much better picture of what is missing in a specific soil, how to amend the soil, and when and how the amendments should be done.
To properly provide good forage for game animals, solid, science-backed soil evaluation is key to the entire land improvement process. Using a reputable and well-equipped soil testing service may very well be the best money a landowner who wants to maximize game animal growth and health can spend.
Whether a landowner uses core sampling or shovel and bucket sampling, being consistent in process and time of sampling is really very important for good soil evaluation and good recommendations for soil improvement.
“Sampling is one of those things that people need to pay attention to. We’re talking about getting composite samples. So what do we mean by that? Well, say I’ve got an area on my property where I’m growing this crop. It’s an area that might be maybe one or two acres in size. Just taking one little shovel full or spade full of soil or one probe, and the sample isn’t going to be representative of that whole area,” Ward said. “So we want to take at least eight samples, kind of on a low side, maybe a larger area upwards of ten acres, we might want to get upwards of sixteen samples and we mix those together in a clean plastic bucket. From that, we collect about two to three cups of the soil, like a quart-sized Ziploc
It’s a fact- hunting landowners who want to improve their land’s hunting quality and the quality of the game animals which live there can spend a lot of money on fertilizers and other soil improvements.
HOW TO SAMPLE
WHEN TO SAMPLE
22 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
How to Set Up a Portable Deer Blind on a Trailer
BY DAVID STRICKLAND
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 23
several scenarios where a trailer-mounted blind might be a good option. For example, what if you had a new lease with lots of fresh cutovers and limited scouting time before the season began? I believe that this would be the perfect scenario for a portable trailer-mounted setup that you could use as a mobile scouting unit. Though you could test your DIY skills, you might want to check out the variety of offerings from MB Ranch King.
• 12” tires and wheels
These are great options on an established property with fields and access roads when enough scouting and time have elapsed to accurately predict the local whitetail movements.
TYPES OF BLINDS
• Stabilizing jacks
Pop-ups
I called Kevin Kloda and discussed the trailer stand options available through MB Ranch King (MBRK). Kevin works with a family-owned hunting and fishing destination, Bruser Farms, and is also a distributor for a collec tion of premier hunting products produced in Texas by MB Ranch King. Kevin explained that MBRK had developed three models of trailer-mounted blinds in multiple sizes.
Standard (Economy)
This 5’x6’ model is designed for off-road use and has five windows for gun hunters. In addition, optional bow windows are available for this fully carpeted economy model.
Trailer blinds can be quickly moved into position and setup for an afternoon hunt . Picture courtesy of Kevin Kloda
How long one can maintain their ambush position is directly related to several issues involving comfort and confidence.
HUNTING
• Square tube steel structure
MB Ranch King Trailer Blinds
• Carpeted floor, wall, and ceiling
Another newer option is to take a small trailer, build a suitably sized blind, or find a manufactured blind and secure it with welds, straps, or strong bolts. I’ve seen some fair-looking specimens made from wood over the years, but few can compare to some of the modern manufactured trailer
Over time I realized that there are two distinct ways to harvest a deer. One way, and what I consider the most difficult, is to use the wind, sun, and terrain to stalk close enough to one’s target in hopes of getting a good shot. The second and easiest method is to position yourself along a trail or near a feeding/bedding area and wait for your target to come to you.
• 2” Trailer Hitch
I learned that a portable pop-up blind is a great way to conceal movement, but these lightweight options have a few drawbacks. They work okay for fair weather, but their shortcomings become apparent on cold, rainy days.
I’ve had the good fortune of hunting a variety of wild game for over six decades. Much of my early deer hunting involved hounds chasing deer toward standers and gradually evolved into stalk and spot, then to portable tree stands. However, as I introduced my children and, more recently, grandchildren to the outdoors, I realized modern kids move around and talk a lot when trying to sneak through the forest.
Trailer Blinds
• 26 gauge metal exterior
Permanent Stands
• Torsion axle for a smooth ride
Thereblinds.are
• Insect and rodent proof
• Designed for rough roads
• Tool Box
Kevin Kloda (205) bigriglodge.comBruser807-2937Farms
PUBLIC LAND
So, what kind of hunting scenario or hunter could benefit from using a mobile hunting setup?
If a property has established smaller food plots, repositioning a stand downwind from deer entry points is also an easy solution. The blind’s small profile also makes adding brush or limbs for additional camo an easily accomplished option. You can immediately hunt from or leave your blind in position for a few days before your hunt. The locking storm door ensures a dry, pest-free hunting experience.
• Torsion axle
POSITIONING AND SETTING UP A PORTABLE BLIND
Alabama hunters are blessed to have access to around 750,000 acres of state and Federally managed hunting land. Every year many hunters take advantage of this vast acreage to enjoy the outdoors and put meat in their
• 2″ Trailer ball
• Gun rest pads
Insulated Elevated Trailer Blinds
• Delivery and setup
This fully carpeted elevated-model positions the hunter’s eye level at seven feet and comes in two off-road sizes, 4’x6’ and 5’x6’. However, the 6’x6’ model trailer includes 15” wheels and is DOT approved. Bow windows are also an optional feature on these easy-to-tow models.
Aappreciate.bonusfeature of the two-person 6’x6’ elevated economy model is that it can be removed from its trailer and used as a stationary blind by adding the five, ten, or fifteen-foot tower option. The 6’x6’ option also has a DOT-ap proved trailer with 15″ wheels and 5-ply tires, along with window covers for highway towing. The heavy-duty trailer has a diamond-plate steel floor and is rated to carry an additional 500 pounds.
So, if you’re looking for a more mobile hunting option or maybe need another blind for the upcoming season, consider the many choices made in Texas by MB Ranch King.
Elevated Trailer Blind (Economy)
Both off-road economy trailer blind options allow hunters to quickly and safely move their blinds across the roughest terrain and reposition them anywhere on their hunting property. In addition, these blind options afford a degree of comfort and scent control that any gun or bow hunter can
The primary benefit of a portable blind setup is that you can experiment with blind placement throughout the season. For example, early season stand positioning takes advantage of established summer feeding patterns. Then as oaks begin dropping acorns, it’s a simple task to relocate your blind near those trees that show heavy use.
Contact Information
Afreezer.mobile
How to Set Up a Portable Deer Blind on a Trailer
MBRK designs their trailers to be pulled easily by the average UTV or side by side. The standard two-inch hitch ensures a universal fit, and moving these trailers and setting them up is a breeze because of the torsion bar ax
Flexibility is a factor that serves hunters well in their pursuit of fresh veni son. If you have a new property or you’ve had some timber harvested and are not sure exactly how the deer movements on your hunting property will be affected, then using a mobile deer blind might be what you need to help figure out where to position your stands.
These insulated blinds are built onto DOT-approved trailers and come in three sizes. Each model supplies an eight-foot vantage point and a 360-degree field of view. With a choice of 6’x6’, 6’x8’, or roomy 6’x10’ dimensions, each unit can be removed from its trailer and converted into fixed position elevated blinds with the addition of the five, ten, or fifteen-foot tower options.
24 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Handicap Trailer Blind
• Diamond-plate steel floor
MB Ranch King ranchkingblinds.com
• 3 Stabilizing jacks
Each steel-framed blind comes with stabilizers, tie downs, full carpeting with stained-wood trim, and a 10-year camo warranty. There are also several available options for each of these, made in the USA models, which include:
• 12″ Wheels & tires
• Carpeted walls, floors
• ATV-friendly
Also, if your hunting blinds have been in position for a few years, you might need a new strategy to outfox a local trophy. Biologists that study big bucks have repeatedly warned hunters who used permanent stands that those giant bucks adjust their travel patterns to avoid detection from those locations, and periodically relocating your permanent stands can sometimes pay dividends.
les. In other words, anywhere you can go with your ATV, your trailer-mounted blind will follow.
• Side entry via ladder
Kloda mentioned that MBRK also offers a wheelchair-accessible model to allow a disabled friend or family member to enjoy the outdoors in comfort. This insulated model comes with two inches of foam insulation, carpeted floor and shelves, stained wood interior and trim, exterior window shades, lights, bumper, and a 36” storm door.
• Combo gun/bow windows
The benefits of this portable blind setup become evident on a hunting property where you sign a short-term lease. You can purchase a trailer blind, position and relocate it till you’ve found a good spot. At that point, you can remove your stand and erect the 5, 10, or 15-foot tower option, and if you lose your lease or find a better hunting property, you can disassemble your fixed blind and remount it back onto your trailer. Moving, repositioning, and relocating a blind has never been easier when you utilize a suitable trailer blind.
It also includes a five-foot slide-in or fold-up ramp, 15″ wheels & 5-ply tires, fenders, and stabilizing jacks for a solid and stable hunting experience for any hunter with mobility issues.
• Curtains
blind is a legal option on most of Alabama’s public hunting land. I checked with the Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division folks about the legality of using a trailer blind on Forever Wild or the many WMAs. As long as the blind is parked on an approved road, it’s legal for daytime use.
CONCLUSION
FIREARMS • AMMO • MERCHANDISE • SERVICES 25150 Canal Rd Suite C • Orange Beach, AL 251-308-4723 • www.readyarmdefend.com Your Local Gun Store, Orange Beach 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 25
BY JOHN E. PHILLIPS
Spinning tackle, light line, a single hook and live shad minnows are Brad Whitehead’s ingredients for a highly-successful fall smallmouth bass trip at Pickwick Lake .
26 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
FishingBassSmallmouth in the Fall
“Thetemperature.basswill be following the minnows and holding in those same eddy breaks on those bluff walls. Oftentimes the bass will be concentrating right up against the bluffs. So, cast your bait as close to the bluff as you possibly can, and let it fall down right in front of the bluffs. When fishing with live minnows, I’ll use either an 8 to 10 pound test Stren Hi Vis line and a No. 1/0 or a No. 2/0 Eagle Claw Kahle circle hook tied to the end of my line with no weight,” he added.
“I’m fishing the very ends of underwater points of islands in the middle of the lake in water depths 14 - 22 feet deep,” Whitehead reported. “Smallmouths will hold on these points’ ends due to the rocks and stumps there. Another place you’ll find smallmouths is on the underwater Indian mounds in the lake.”
Leatherwood started fishing live shad minnows at the bluffs once he realized that one of the most-effective lures ever on the Pickwick Lake bluffs was a 4-inch Slider worm. He decided if he could catch smallmouths fishing a Slider worm, then why couldn’t he catch more bass fishing live shad minnows? He says, “I try to release all the smallmouths I catch, unless one of my fishing partners catches an 8-pound-plus smallmouth. A fish that size is probably 15-years old or older.”
FISHING
Before Pickwick Lake was backed-up, archeologists discovered Indian mounds and used backhoes to dig trenches through each mound to learn what infor mation was left by the native Americans who’d built these mounds centuries before. Today the smallmouths hold on the sides of these mounds because there are sharp drop-offs from the tops of the mounds down to their bottoms. Also, the smallmouth and the spotted bass will hold in the trenches in the current. As the current brings bait fish over the tops of the trenches, the bass will dart out and attack the bait.
When Pickwick Lake was backed-up, the stumps, logs and other types of current breaks on the lake’s bluffs became very productive. Today minnows will congregate anywhere they can hold out of the current. As Leatherwood fishes down a bluff, he looks for back currents along the bluffs. When current hits, the eddy breaks often create a back current, which means that the water will hit that break and then start flowing upstream instead of downstream
LEARN OTHER SMALLMOUTH BASS TACTICS
Today we know that during the fall and winter, Tennessee River smallmouths gang-up near the dams in the warm water and feed on shad minnows. I fished Pickwick Lake, the lake below Wilson, with guide Brad Whitehead of Muscle Shoals, Ala., and Ronnie Leatherwood of Killen, Ala., to learn their tactics for outstanding fall smallmouth bassing.
In the fall and winter at Pickwick Lake, you can expect to catch 20 to 50 bass, smallmouths, spots and largemouths, in a day, plus other species like white bass, stripers, hybrids, drum and catfish.
“To successfully fish live shad minnows on the bluffs, cast the minnow upcur rent with no lead and close to the bluff, so the minnow will swim down naturally
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 27
Cold and warm fronts move through this region during the fall and winter, with the air temperature often changing from 10 - 20 degrees - warmer or cooler –overnight, making the bass move higher or lower in the water and concentrat
“I pinpoint the current breaks to locate the bait fish,” Whitehead reported. “Sometimes the bass will suspend above or hold on the edge of a current break or concentrate right on the bottom. These underwater current breaks are transition areas where the bass can move from shallow water to deep water.”
You must know how the current affects where the bait holds and pinpoint that place to catch the bait for fall and wintertime smallmouths.
I first became very interested in fall smallmouth fishing, when well-known angler Nolan Shivers of Birmingham, Alabama, and his fishing buddy, Cap Wilover, brought in 20 smallmouth bass, weighing a total of 98 pounds, to be mounted on a stringer at my brother Archie Phillips’ taxidermy shop years ago. Shivers reported that they’d fished with live shad minnows below Wheeler Dam on Wilson Lake on the Tennessee River in swift water.
Ronnie Leatherwood has fished Pickwick Lake for more than four decades and defines himself as a bluff fisherman. During the fall and winter months, you’ll see Leatherwood casting to these numerous bluffs and catching primarily smallmouth bass.
“Once I find those back currents, instead of casting in front of the boat, I cast to the back of the boat where the current turns from coming downstream and flows upstream instead,” Leatherwood pointed out.
Leatherwood explained that in cool weather, smallmouths position themselves, so they can look out into the current and attack bait as it comes by the off-cur rent structure where they’re concentrating.
BET ON THE BLUFFS
“I’ve learned that in the fall, shad minnows migrate up toward the dam as the water temperature drops, and the lake’s zooplankton are less available for the shad minnows,” Leatherwood explained. “These minnows want to move to a place where the water’s warmer, like the water released from the hydro electric plant. The primary route the shad minnows take to reach the dam is along the bluff walls where they’ll feed on the rocks’ algae. These bluffs house outcroppings, small caves and different types of uneven structure that create current breaks where the minnows can rest and feed on the algae. Those rock bluffs hold the heat too from the sun, for a one to two degree change in water
One of the best ways to successfully bass fish Pickwick in the fall, if you only have one day to fish, is to spend the first half of the day surveying or searching for underwater points, ledges, drop-offs and Indian mounds. If you know how to read lake maps and contour lines, you may find the places you want to fisheven before you reach the lake.
FISH PICKWICK’S UNDERWATER POINTS AND INDIAN MOUNDS
“Although smallmouth bass are my targeted species when I’m fishing with live shad minnows in the fall, I also may catch largemouth and spotted bass, chan nel and blue catfish, drum, white bass, saltwater stripers and hybrid striped bass,” Whitehead explained. “Anywhere there’s a current break, a bass should be holding behind it.”
ing on or near various parts of the structure.
Whitehead, Leatherwood and I pulled into the first slough below Wilson Dam on Pickwick Lake where a number of barges were being loaded. That small creek held tons of shad minnows. At first light, the shad were down near the bottom and hard to catch in a cast net. However, as the sun came up, and the top story of the water heated-up, the large schools of shad minnows moved closer to the surface, making them much easier to catch in a cast net. Then we put them in a bait tank.
“I’ll add two handfuls of rock salt to the tank to replace the slime that’s been on the shad that the net’s knocked off when the shad have been caught,” White head said. “That salt helps them stay alive and be more lively longer.”
FIND THE BAIT TO CATCH SMALLMOUTHS
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a piece of cartilage between the minnow’s eyes and its nose. I try to put my hook in front of one eye and into the cartilage, let my hook push through that cartilage and come out the cartilage on the side of the opposite eye. Then I’m not damaging the eyes and have a place for my hook to allow the minnow to swim actively. Too, my minnow doesn’t come off my hook easily,” Leatherwood advised.
“There’ssuccess.
Leatherwood mentions that if the fall water temperature’s 70 degrees or higher, he’s caught and released as many as 50 to 100 bass in a day. But once the water cools-off, and the water level drops, he only may catch 20 or 30 bass in a day, averaging 4-1/2 pounds, with some 6 to 8 pounders.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing in the Fall
John Phillips, the author tries to make a trip several times a year – but always in the fall – to Pickwick Lake to smallmouthscatch like the one pictured here .
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Leatherwood mentions to hold your line up high off the water, once you cast the minnow upcurrent. Then the current won’t take your line and pull the minnow downstream. Instead, the minnow can swim down naturally and make a better presentation to the smallmouths waiting to attack.
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along the side of the bluff where smallmouths are holding,” he advised.
Leatherwood is convinced that where you hook the minnow is critically important to your
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“Bring plenty of hooks. If you’re not getting hung and breaking off when fishing the bluffs, then you’re not fishing where the smallmouths are holding,” he said.
28 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
“The gizzard shad has a round nose, and a threadfin shad has an arrow-shaped nose and an almost yellow-chartreuse tint. I use the water to fill up my bait tank that the smallmouths have been holding in and keep the water temperature the same as where the shad have been swimming,” he explained.
Leatherwood uses two types of shad minnows for smallmouths - threadfin shad and gizzard shad.
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2 largemouth bass 2-4 pound range, fileted
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Contrary to occasional opinion, bass are pretty tasty. Try this blackened recipe the next time you keep a few.
1 teaspoon garlic powder
However, the live shad minnow is still one of the deadliest baits to fish on the Tennessee River in the fall and winter months to catch smallmouths.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing in the Fall
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Whitehead and Leatherwood also mention that you can catch smallmouths also on deep-diving crankbaits like Strike King’s Pro Model 10XD crankbait and others. Or, you may want to fish drop shot rigs and shaky head and Slider worms. Always cast upcurrent, and retrieve your lures with the current. The sizes of crankbaits you’ll need and the sizes of lead head jigs and drop shot weights you use depends on the speed of the current, the depth of the water and the position of the bass in relation to the structure on the day you’re fishing. The color of your baits will depend on the water’s color.
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
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Recipe and image courtesy of Michaels Pendley (author of Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes) and Realtree (https://www.realtree.com/timber-2-tablewild-game-recipes).
I like to use a Lodge cast iron griddle directly on my grill rack, but if you don’t have a griddle, a cast iron skillet will work just fine. A bit of butter melted on the cast iron prevents sticking and adds even more flavor to the finished dish.
Fire up the grill and turn it all the way up. The secret to this dish is red-hot cast iron. The actual cook time will be short, just 5-10 minutes, and there will be some smoke. Go ahead and place a cast iron griddle or skillet on the grill as it Whilepreheats.thegrill and pan heat, mix the blackening seasoning and sprinkle it liberally over both sides of skinless bass
Ingredients
1/2 stick of butter
1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
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Once the grill is to temp, drop the butter onto your cooking surface. It should immediately melt, then bubble, then start turning golden brown. Make sure the entire cooking surface is coated in butter, then carefully drop on the bass. Let the bass sear, undisturbed for 3-4 minutes. Using a long spatula, gently flip the filets to sear the opposite side. 4. Serve with wild rice blend and cole slaw for the perfect summer meal.
Important Information to Know for Fall Smallmouth Bassing
Instructions
1 teaspoon onion powder
Blackened Seasoning Mix
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“One of my favorite places to fish is the transition region from the bluff to gravel,” Leatherwood noted. “The smallmouths will feed on crawfish there. However, in cooler weather and water, the crawfish will go into hibernationmaking shad minnows instead of the crawfish easier for the smallmouths to find, catch and eat.”
Blackened Bass Recipe
Prep: 20 mins • Cook: 3-5 mins • Total: 23-25 mins
BY MICHAELS PENDLEY
1 tablespoon salt
If you are perhaps not-so-good at the process, don’t worry! It is a skill that is best learned hands-on, but thanks to the internet (YouTube in particular) you can access some very good visual aids that help tremendously. I can’t demonstrate the whole process in this article as well as can be done through video media, but what I can do is offer some pointers based on my own experience cleaning deer.
More and more hunters are hunting for the oldest and most primal of reasons. Meat! I’ve watched over the last two decades as hunters and their relationship to venison has changed. When I was a little kid, venison was something dropped off at the processors and masked with added fat, cheese, and heavy spices; or dumped in a crockpot with a can of cream of mushroom soup and a packet of French onion mix. Many diehard hunters would confess frankly to preferring beef, pork, or chicken to venison.
Now, I can peruse my friends’ Facebook feeds during the season and see that we are living in a wild game renaissance. Venison tomahawk steaks grilled medium rare on a charcoal fire and paired with a good
Hunters are finally realizing, saturated in a broader culture that is con cerned with organic foods, sustainable agriculture, and ethical eating, that wild game is the healthiest, most responsible, and tastiest food around. Hunters who have previously been interested in deer are now interested in venison.
How to Field Dress a Deer
Perhaps the wisest souls enjoy the camaraderie more than anything. The real appeal for them is the tailgate lunch with a longtime friend, or the soft crackle of a fireplace back at camp as they plan tomorrow’s endeavor with their family.
Pinot Noir. Venison eye-of-round roast, wrapped in caul fat and sliced thin, served shawarma-style with freshly baked pita bread and hummus. Venison shank ossobuco, gently braised until the meat, marrow, and collagen is all melt-in-your-mouth tender. I’ve even seen venison kidney pie!
But while many enjoy the hunt and the meal, fewer enjoy what comes in between. I killed my 50th deer last year, and I’ve cleaned them all. I’ve also assisted with quite a few. I generally enjoy the process. Quickly, confidently, and skillfully turning a dead carcass into food is a rare skill in our society today, and there’s joy to be found in being good at things other people are not so good at.
30 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
BY NICK WILLIAMS
Hunters hunt for many reasons. For many, the appeal is obvious. There are few feelings like the adrenaline dump that results just after you’ve put an arrow through a nice buck.
Others enjoy the more cerebral act of putting the puzzle together. Scouting the land, placing cameras, picking a stand based on the time of year and weather, and ultimately checkmating your target.
The first and most important tool is a good knife. It doesn’t need to be a big knife, but it does need to be sharp. I have cleaned most of my deer and other wild game with one or the other of the several models of disposable-blade knife manufactured by Havalon and Outdoor Edge. I’ve found this to be the easiest way to always have a very sharp knife available once a deer hits the ground.
Since I do not carry a saw and my knife is delicate, I cannot split the sternum of the deer either. I used to clear the diaphragm away and reach up into the chest cavity to cut the esophagus. The problem with that method is you’re working blind with slippery hands and a sharp knife. I never cut myself badly, but I did nick myself as often as not.
Then, I make a small incision on either side of the deer’s spine, just behind the short ribs. With the deer on its stomach, the guts fall away from the spine and leave the tenderloins readily accessible.
This is all I need to field dress a deer. All of these items live very unob trusively in a little pocket in the top of my pack, ready when needed.
NOW FOR SOME TIPS.
A better way to remove the esophagus occurred to me one day after I had removed the head of a nice wildlife management area (WMA) eight point in order to pack it out and prepare it as a euro mount. Provided that you’re not taking the deer to the taxidermist, you can cut the esophagus just below the jaw, and then once the diaphragm is removed, grab it and PULL. You’ll want both hands, and you will probably need to brace a foot on the carcass. Once you get the hang of it you’ll find it’s quick, easy, and safe.
Basically, I remove the backstraps, neck roast and all four leg quarters from the deer. I usually debone the hams and break the shoulder down into two pieces by severing the ball joint. If I have a long way to walk, I debone them as well.
I’m going to focus mainly on field-dressing, since that seems to be the aspect of cleaning that intimidates the most people. It’s also perhaps the most important step, since no amount of skill in the kitchen can overcome bad field dressing.
Field dressing a deer is not hard with these tips in mind, but my biggest tip is that I rarely field dress one anymore! I shoot most of my deer a half a mile or further from the truck, usually alone and in areas where you cannot get a 4-wheeler or game cart. As a result, I’ve become proficient at the “gutless method” of field dressing deer.
Hopefully with this information, you can start your season better pre pared to convert that big buck or fat doe into tasty, nutritious venison for you and your family. Good luck, and be safe out there!
Let’s start with the necessary gear. There are many tools of varying usefulness marketed to hunters to help with field dressing. I have tried many of them, but have ultimately settled on a very simple “kill kit.” These items live full-time in my deer pack. They don’t cost much, and they take up very little space.
This method leaves the organs and rib meat behind, but it means no messing with guts if you don’t eat them, and it is MUCH easier to get a deer out of the woods this way. The meat can cool very quickly, and when I get home it is already in easily-managed, countertop friendly pieces. You can also fit more deer in a smaller cooler this way if you’re on a long hunt with friends.
You’ll notice I did not list a saw or any other device to split the pelvis. This is because I strongly prefer to cut the anus out of the deer as my first step. It keeps me from having to carry another tool or having to tie off the intestine. If you make your cut far enough from the anus (I go out about an inch) there’s little risk of perforating it and the sphincter muscle should keep everything sealed. I’ve found this to be the quick est, easiest, and cleanest method to free up that end of the guts.
I also like to carry a couple of pairs of nitrile gloves and a small pack of wet wipes. They sell arm-length gloves if you have to reach inside the body cavity of a deer to clean it, but I generally use regular gloves. I have found Tractor Supply to be a good source for arm-length gloves. Wet wipes are handy for post-kill clean up. They are also handy as emergency toilet paper. A gallon Ziploc bag is used to keep the heart, liver, and tenderloins separate and clean. I carry two cheap, white pillowcases for use as game bags. I’ll elaborate on that in a minute.
HUNTING 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 31
Once quartered and deboned, a pillowcase or two serves as game bags and all the meat fits nicely into my pack. I usually do not even carry a cooler, since the meat can go straight home into the bottom of the fridge until I’m ready to freeze or can it.
Some readers may balk at the wasted meat, but in nature there is no such thing as waste! I prefer to leave my gut pile where the deer died. I have often walked by the area where I left it a day or two later to find it either completely gone or broken into pieces and scattered by scavengers. Wolves and other apex predators don’t completely devour a whole deer, and there’s an ecological niche filled by many species that are very thankful for the easy food.
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Virtual sign in boards keep order and ensure hunter safety Image by John Hafner (HuntStand)
Choosing Virtuala Sign In Board
These website or app-based applications allow hunters to reserve their stands or hunting zones through their smartphones. No more driving to a sign-in spot. You can simply reserve your stand when it’s convenient for you. Some of these applications go even further
BY STEPHANIE MALLORY
For many years, this has been an effective way of keeping order and ensuring hunter safety at hunting clubs, leases and private outfits, but this method also comes with some challenges. Hunters often have to drive miles out of their way to sign in, and sometimes they forget to sign out after the hunt, which creates obvious problems.
it usually works is one person, usually a hunt club president or landowner, creates a sign in board by adding locations or zones. That person can then upload a zone map and designate pin loca tions as a visual reference for the other hunters. Those who hunt the club or property can then go in and sign up for a specific hunting location and time.
If you are a member of a hunting club, chances are, you’ve used a sign in board to let other hunt club members know when and where you are hunting on any given day. This usually requires driving to a set place on the property before the hunt, and placing a pin or magnet on a map. Then, when the hunt is over, the hunter returns to remove the marker to let other hunters know the site or stand is now free.
with options that can show you the current conditions, recent deer sightings at the spot you plan to hunt, locations of other hunters and other features that enhance safety, communication and conve
Thenience.way
VIRTUAL SIGN IN BOARD
Toxie Givens said he created Virtual Sign In Board (VSIB) in 2007 after seeing the need while running a 1,600-acre hunting camp. “The club had 16 gates to different roads and we had a traditional peg board sign in at one of the gates. Hunters typically had to drive 877.314.1237
// GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 33
Now, there are “virtual” options for singing in and it’s making the process much easier for hunters and club and outfit managers alike.
There are several different online and app options for sign-in boards. All are easy to use and loaded with features that enhance the hunt and hunter safety.
HUNTING
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over a mile to sign in and then return after the hunt to sign out. It was very inconvenient,” Givens said.
“The prime focus is for hunting, but you can use it to monitor partic ipation of any type of activity on a piece of property, such as fishing, camping or hiking,” Howlett said.
iSPORTSMAN
Tim Kent, HuntStand media rep, says the HuntStand app offers a toolset of hunting, habitat management and land ownership. It is primarily a trusted source for mapping, satellite imagery, property boundaries, public land access, wind and weather information, but it also features a stand reservation system.
34 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
“It’s so convenient and it saves hunters a ton of time because they can do it all from their phone in less than a minute,” Howlett said.
He said the application is simple to use and easily explained by tutorial videos on the website.
HUNTSTAND
from where you were planning to hunt. Driving to the sign-up location robbed you of precious hunting time.” Howlett said.
“You’d have to send a cryptic code to the server to log in a zone or stand. Then smartphones came out and started becoming popular, so I wrote a version of what we see now.”
This was before smart phones became popular so Givens, who’s a software engineer by trade, developed a sign in board using the phone texting application.
He said he wrote VSIB primarily for hunting club use and it’s loaded with features, such as harvest reports, an option to show who’s hunting where, weather, forums, notifications, notices, photos and more.
“Most bases, like a lot of hunt cubs, used manual sign in boards. Some of these bases cover very large pieces of property. To hunt on the base, you’d have to drive to a central location at a wildlife office and sign in. Then you had to drive back to that office and sign out. It was a pain for everyone because sometimes that office was a 30 minute or more drive
Now iSportsman also offers a commercial product called iSportsman ARX for hunting clubs and leases.
“There’s really nothing else I can add to it. I developed it as a web application instead of native IOS or Android so that it will run on all smartphones,” Givens said.
iSportsman not only tracks a hunter’s location and time in the stand, but it also aids in wildlife management thanks to a database that provides pressure charts and other input from its members.
iSportsman is available to use both via its website and app. The hunt club manager simply signs up for the service and then invites the mem bers/guests to join. They can click on the invite and create an account.
HuntStand users can search for available stands/blinds on their group hunt area by date and time. Then, if the stand is available, the user can reserve it under his or her name. That reservation will then be visible to all other members of that hunt area.
Doug Howlett, partner in iSportsman, said iSportsman was first designed to assist the Department of Defense with its wildlife management pro grams on military bases.
Choosing a Virtual Sign In Board 4500 Hwy. 77 • Southside, AL 35907 1-800-IMREADY • www.bucksisland.com Fish’n fun Preorder your Powered by NOW AT ZXR20 ZX150 The virtual sign in boards show you where each hunter is located on the property Image by John Hafner (HuntStand) 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 35
“You can see all that on the base map. You can get a topographical google view or map box aerial photo or hybrid view. You can go in and reserve a specific stand or location for yourself for given dates and times. Say you want to hunt opening day from sunrise until 10:30 a.m., you can reserve in 15-minute increments and another member of the group can reserve that same spot later that afternoon,” Kent said.
Kent said the app also allows a group of hunters to collect and share data with each other to aid in the property’s wildlife management and decisions that need to be made, such as stand placement.
With all of the virtual sign in systems, improved safety is a big benefit. Givens said VSIB sends out a safety alert when a member hasn’t signed out.
Kent said another way these virtual sign in boards, like that one offered by HuntStand, enhance safety is they show you where each hunter is located on the property so you know if another hunter could be hunting
if you see through our reservation tool that Bob is hunting from a treestand that’s in line with yours, you can make sure you don’t shoot in his direction,”Kent said. “The fact that it simply allows you to know who is hunting on the property and who hasn’t signed out by dark is a big help when it comes to safety. Let’s face it, anything can happen. Someone can fall out of stand, get lost, get injured or have a heart attack. This app let’s others know when something’s not right.”
There are a number of virtual sign in board options, and all of them make the process of reserving a stand or hunting location so much easier than physically driving to a sign-in spot before or after the hunt. Hunt club presidents, land owners and managers just need to research each option and determine which features and set up suit the club or outfit the best.
Users can search the HuntStand app for available stands by date and time .
Choosing a Virtual Sign In Board
“Fornearby.example,
Image by HuntStand
Everyhappen.”member
36 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Kent said the app showcases a digital map which puts annotations or marker waypoints on the map to detail the specifics at any given hunting spot, such as if it’s a hang-on stand, ladder stand, box blind, etc.
“The site is set up so that you remain signed in the entire day until 9 p.m. your time zone. If by 9 you haven’t signed out, you get a reminder text from the application. Then, if you don’t sign out by 9:30, admin gets a message and can see where you are and give you a call. There’s also an emergency button feature that will send GPS coordinates in Google Map to the hunter’s point of contact or the admin. It gives you the security you need that someone will be notified should something bad
of your club can see where members are hunting, so if any kind of problems occur, then the other members immediately know where to go to help.
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 37
38 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
While you can have vegetation around your dam it needs to be kept clean and free of trees and woody vegetation whose extensive roots can undermine the dam structure.
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 39
able to manage that vegetation you need to maintain a reasonable slope on both the front and the backside of the dam
FISHING
“We want there to be rooted vegetation growth because that is what anchors the dirt and helps in keeping erosion away but we don’t want trees and heavy wood shrubs there because those are the kind of plants that put down root systems that actually tunnel into the ground and compromise the dam,” Latona explained. “You should commit to cut them periodically, at least once or twice a year.”
“While woody vegetation and the subsequent roots anchor the soil to some extent and help prevent erosion, they can severely tunnel underneath and even into the dam and if a storm knocks down that tree suddenly you have a big hole that most likely will fill with water and possible result in a structural problem,” Latona further explained.
BY WILLIAM KENDY
According to Latona, preventative measures center around erosion control, vegetation control, pest control and just simple responsible property management.
Pond ConsiderationsMaintenanceInfrastructure,andFinal
“You want the sides, top and back of the dam to be free of woody vegetation and have the right slope to be able to use a bush hog or other equipment to keep things cut or, if necessary, you can use Inherbicides.”ordertobe
If you have a pond with a dam and a spillway, if the dam fails then basically you no longer have a pond.
Norman Latona is president of Southeastern Pond Management, which offers services that cover the waterfront of pond development and management. SEPond provides ecosystem analysis, man agement programs, pond construction and maintenance, liming, fertilizing, fish inventory assessment, electroshocking, fish removal processes, stocking of forage and game fish and more.
Regardless of whether you have a “Mature” pond or are in the beginning process of getting your pond up, running and on track, it is critical that you understand there are certain structural, physical and maintenance issues that are of an ongoing nature and need to be always on your “To Do or Pay Attention to” list.
THE STRUCTURAL PHYSICAL PLANT
“What we look at is best practices for things like erosion control, vegetation control, keeping critters away from the water and keeping the shoreline clean and all of it is just common sense,” Latona said.
“If we can get down to sub three feet of water depth, we can eliminate a lot of the shallow areas that attract vegetation that leads to an owner having to spend a lot of time and money battling these weeds for years to come,” Latona said.
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“The pond is obviously going to be the lowest spot and all the water will run to it and that running water will cut its way through the bank. The remedy is to make sure that the banks are properly sloped, seeded, mulched and that there is an established stand of “non-woody” native grasses and vegetation established all the way around the water’s edge,” Latona explained. “Other wise, you can get water channels and cuts that will deteriorate the shorelines and structure of the pond and it can become quite a mess.”
Thevegetation.”bottom line is that from the day a pond is constructed it is headed to
In terms of aquatic vegetation control, it is a minimum depth issue.
If you are constructing a pond, sculpturing the depth is easily done but, if you have an established pond, water depth is a whole different beast.
Believegrowth.
it or not, that simple fact is a case for liming and fertilizing. If the water has a green tint to it, it is not only plankton rich, which is the beginning of the pond food chain, but the green tint hinders weed growth because it inhibits sun from reaching the bottom. Weeds grow out of the bottom of the pond. The less sun hitting the bottom the less weeds you will have. Sounds a bit dumb but it is true and that dovetails into water depth as an inhibitor to weed growth. The deeper the water and the greener it is, the less weeds you are going to have because of the tint and and most likely the more fish.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND CONSIDERATIONS
A pond is a “physical plant” and over time, it will show signs of aging and deterioration. Probably the most common and damaging problems ponds have are shoreline erosion and erosion around dams and spillways.
which is probably a four or five to one ratio resulting in a slope which is gradual and tapered enough to accommodate a tractor or bush hog.
“It is a little bit of both. Rip rap or rocks the size of bowling balls or even larg er can help protect the dam, which normally has straight open water in front of it, from the constant pounding from the wind and water, some of which, on larger lakes, may even come from wakes from boats that can result in the cutting and undermining of the soil and ultimately the dam,” Latona said. “Once established, it’s remarkable what vegetation can do in the way of erosion control.”
Latona said that if the pond is big enough and has significant wave action that can erode the banks it may even be necessary to add rock or “rip-rap” to break up that wave lapping action. The question becomes: is adding rock or riprap an end to itself or is it just a protection until the natural vegetation grows to stabilize the situation?
Pond Infrastructure, Maintenance and Final Considerations 40 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Weeds or any vegetation for that matter need sunlight to grow and the deeper the water the less sunlight penetrates to the bottom to promote that
THE QUESTION OF EROSION
Latona says that the best management practice is to keep the shoreline cut and mowed with attention to the thick and heavy wood vegetation and can cause problems down the road. He also added that if you feel ambitious you can have SEPond “Deepen the Edges” which means they can go out up to about 30 feet, rake some of the silt and sediment that is causing shallow shorelines and, in doing so, can have a big effect in controlling pond
AQUATIC WEEDS
“We’ve got nice equipment such as rubber track skid steers with big cutting heads that can get right up literally to the water and even in the water in some cases, and just clip that stuff down and just make it manicured,” Latona said. “You can walk around and fish and it looks really nice. There is value in that.”
While they may look like cute little furry animals, muskrats, beavers and even otters (specifically otters if you care about your fish population) are problematic.
Oneprogram.ofthe
Otters can wipe out your fish population relatively quickly. Muskrats can tun nel and burrow into the dam and create holes and channels that could make your dam collapse and beavers can also burrow into the banks and remove trees that while they may be away from the dam can cause erosion and clog the system. Then there are snakes.
Pond Infrastructure, Maintenance and Final Considerations 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 41
Contact Information
Norman SoutheasternLatonaPond Management
CP: (205)288-1371
nlatona@sepond.com www.sepond.com Office: 888-830-7663
wards silting and getting shallower. It isn’t a bad thing; it is just reality and a matter of time, but you can mitigate that by having a corrective maintenance
things that SEPond has to offer is being able to cut a “swath” around your pond and even go into the water to trim shoreline vegetation which has a dual benefit of reducing cover that attracts nuisance animals such as muskrats and even snakes.
“You can’t eliminate all those animals, but you can certainly mitigate the damage they do and the abundance of them simply by keeping the shoreline area maintained and keeping the dam and the vegetation under control so that it’s just not a free for all,” Latona said.
NUISANCE ANIMALS
The 750 Gladiator is a new 17’ shallow-draft mud boat from War Eagle with an extended duckbill to deflect water and brush . Photo courtesy of War Eagle Boats
Picking the Best Duck Boats
42 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
BY DAVID STRICKLAND
What features are you looking for in a duck boat, and which design will be the best for your hunting style? Do you hunt from your boat in open water or use it to get you and your decoys to your hole and then stash it? Do you hunt with several buddies and a retriever? Will you also be fishing from your rig?
It’s time to invest in your own boat, so you can hunt those hard-to-reach places whenever you want and scratch that itch that can only be satisfied by whistling feathers, darkgray silhouettes, and the smell of burnt gunpowder.
Where the sides of a boat intersect with its bottom is called the chine, and a true flat-bottom is L-shaped and considered a “hard chine.” In addition, some hulls incorpo rate a slight bend or two to form a “step chine.” The true hard-chined flat bottom boat offers maximum side-to-side stability with the shallowest draft. However, some of the newer innovative stepped chines allow tighter turns while remaining stable with a relatively shallow draft.
Again, it comes down to the type of water you run, how far you’ll travel, how much weight you’ll be hauling, and how quickly you need to reach your ultimate destination.
FLAT BOTTOM
LIFESTYLE 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 43
One manufacturer, War Eagle, has also incorporated “winged” transoms to help hard-chined boats overcome their tendency to slide as they navigate shallow stretches.
Jon boats have been around for many years, and before the 1940s, most models were wood or fiberglass. They are
I recently spoke with Jon Page who is sales manager at L&M Marine in Stapleton, Albams which is just down the road from Mobile Bay. We discussed several boats, motors, and accessories available at their facility for the modern duck hunter.
When answered, these questions can help you zero in on the exact size and style of boat with the features you need to safely transport your fellow hunters and a retriever to wherever those ducks are hiding.
HOW MUCH BOAT DO YOU NEED?
Ok. So, you like to hunt ducks. You’ve grown fond of the sport of wing shooting and it’s becoming somewhat of an obsession. Unfortunately, your friend that got you hooked on standing in frozen mud and making sounds like a duck while balancing a shotgun in your hands has, for some reason, abandoned you. As a result, you no longer have a way to travel upriver and back into that nearby swamp to witness the early morning daybreak as it outlines those fast-moving targets circling overhead.
Page described the three basic hull types, some of the innovative chine (the change in angle in the cross-section of a vessel’s hull) modifications that several flat-bottom boats incorporate, and explained how slight hull modifica tions can help a boat glide better through mud and shallow water.
CHINES
These hull designs help cut into the waves better instead of riding over the tops like the typical Jon boats. This bow design makes for a smoother ride in larger rivers and reservoirs where wind and waves can create a choppy ride. However, these boats still float well in relatively shallow waters, which makes them a good choice for longer rides and where larger rivers or reservoirs are your hunting destination.
When discussing duck boat dimensions with Page at L&M, he said their most popular size was a seventeen-footer with a 54” bottom. He explained that it seemed the ideal length and width for the many sloughs and bayous in the vicinity. Navigating a tree-infested swamp requires a smaller profile than one running the larger rivers and bays in the area, and with a suitable motor, they can scoot across mud and grass as quickly as water.
SEMI-V
44 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Some smaller models can be picked up and slid over beaver dams and work well in log-infested streams. In the early days of duck hunting, many outdoorsmen used the same boat for fishing and hunting, and most of those early builders used rivets to secure the bracing and bolted wood to the transoms.
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Picking the Best Duck Boats for Sale
Most duck boats for sale today are made of aluminum, and many also incorporate stronger alloys. Modern welded aluminum versions are known for their strength and shallow draft, and their lighter weight makes them ideal for getting into those hard-to-reach shallow marshy areas. The more stumps and logs that line your waterways, along with how much ice you plan on riding through, will help you choose the correct thickness for your hull.
Your ultimate choice in a hull will depend upon the average water depth, and what sort of speed you anticipate traversing on the way to your hunting destination.
still popular and commercially available in various lengths and widths.
Early models ranged between 8 and 24 feet long and varied from 32 to 60 inches wide. Their simple design usually incorporated an open hull with exposed bracing and a couple of bench seats.
DEEP-V
Longer, wider, heavier boats provide a smoother ride on average, and finding the perfect length and width for your particular use can be somewhat of a challenge.
To compensate for the loss of draft and stability, some owners go for a larger dimensioned boat which helps when transitioning into shallower waters.
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Page explained that outboards are still popular with many duck hunters and serve the boat owner well for fishing and hunting with his rig.
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Running over and through obstacles is an inherent aspect of wintertime
Long-tail motors and newer surface-drive models offer a more efficient form
boating, but how fast you plan on running makes a big difference in your boat’s ability to stand up to abuse. Hitting a stump at 5-10 mph is dramat ically different from a 30 mph impact, so driving speeds and skill also help determine the hull thickness of your ultimate duck boat.
MOTORS
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Ray Hunt Design began developing the “Deep V” boat hull concept in the late 50s and produced several successful prototypes by the early 60s. This innovative design uses more deadrise to form that pronounced V shape. The benefits of this design are apparent on big bodies of freshwater or in the ocean and bays where the sharp hull slices the waves for a softer ride.
LENGTH AND WIDTH
•••••FEATURES:AllsteelconstructionSlidingglasswindowsMaintenance-freeLockingwindowsanddoorsFullstaircase/handrailonmost models • Fully carpeted interior on economy blinds • 2” foam insulation in walls, ceiling, & floor in insulated models • Exterior window and door shades • Octagonal shape • Multiple tower heights and sizes to accommodate any hunter • Trailer blind options • ADA accessible ramp option • Door •BENEFITS:chainNowoodto rot • Windows open and close without catching a glare • Pest proof • Enhanced safety when entering/exiting blind • Controls sound and scent • Helps keep rain off windows and doors for visibility • Increased visibility • Increased mobility for hunting any location • Keeps door from flying open and making unnecessary noise FEEDER FEATURES: • Feeders come with battery and solar panel • Feeders are 52” or shorter • Feeders are on skids • High capacity feeders • Eliminator plate FEEDER BENEFITS: • Ready to use unit just fill and set timer • Fill feeder without climbing, keep both feet on the ground • Easily drag feeder to feed location • Fill feeders less often, less disturbance for wildlife • Hog and raccoon proof feeders! We are the Southeast’s premier source for MB Ranch King high-quality hunting blinds, deer and fish feeders and shooting products - all made in the USA. For more information on MB Ranch King products, contact: Kevin Kloda (205) 807-2937 Mention this add to get a free gift with purchase of any MB Ranch King Product! 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 45
Cables · Transmission Parts · Ring & Pinions, Axles · 4X4 Drive Shafts & Differentials Custom Built Control Cables · Complete 4WD Services · All Types of Parts Specializing in Agricultural Clutches and Drive Shafts Time to Get Your 4x4 Ready for Hunting Season 1159 South Broad St. MOBILE, AL 36603 1-800-239-2191 OUR www.clutchproducts.comLOCATION251-433-3696 DIVISION OF CLUTCH PRODUCTS INC. & POWERTRAIN Picking the Best Duck Boats for Sale The right boat will carry you and all your decoys to where the ducks hide . Photo courtesy of War Eagle Boats 46 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
War Eagle makes it easy when it comes to options. You can purchase a bare-bones open design and fix it up yourself or have your dealer install everything you need for you and your equipment to stay dry and protected.
Fall is right around the corner, so now is a great time to figure out the right boat and motor combination to chase some ducks and catch a few fish..
Today War Eagle offers boats from 14-23’ in length, widths ranging from 3672”, sides from 19-27”, with aluminum in thicknesses from .80 - .125.
T- LOCK SYSTEM
Picking the Best Duck Boats for Sale Contact Information L&M Marine LLC. 34600 Highway 59 Stapleton, Al 251-222-9311Jon251-937-138036578Page War Eagle 870-367-1554wareagle.comBoats 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 47
Most War Eagle boat models use a versatile T-Lock cap rail system. This heavy-duty rail allows you to attach up to 32 company-designed accessories or easily remove them, along with various after-market options.
However, longer runs with more water than mud is where a surface drive motor shines. It has a higher cruising speed and easily plows through weeds and shallower mud.
of shallow-water propulsion.
WAR EAGLE BOATS
The winged transom design that characterizes War Eagle Boats gives them improved lift and maneuverability, which is especially critical when hunting or fishing among flooded cypress timber.
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War Eagle accessories include a holder/shell tray, rod holders, lighting and spotlights, trolling motor brackets, cleats, tie-offs, cargo rails, and handrails. There are also steps or ladders for easy entry and a stable bow fishing platform, spacious enough for two shooters or anglers.
The long-tail might be the best bet if you primarily run shallow water and mud. Its slower speeds and extended reach makes navigating shallow water and grass a routine experience.
Founder Mike Ward and his family launched their newly designed welded aluminum boat in 1992, incorporating a “Winged” transom that the company still uses today. Ward knew that many aluminum boats slid in tight turns because typical flat bottoms have square hulls and sharp corners. So he developed a transom that curved upward and angled in, like wings, to help correct this issue.
This family-owned company based in Monticello, Arkansas, has been mak ing welded aluminum boats for 30 years. As a testament to their hunt-ability, War Eagle is the “Official Aluminum Boat” of Ducks Unlimited.
The versatility of this rail mounting system makes converting your fishing boat into a hard-core duck chaser and back into a crappie/bass rig a breeze - just by adding or removing your rail-mounted gadgets.
KEY FEATURES:
CONCLUSION
AREQUESTCATALOG
War Eagle also offers eight licensed camo patterns from Mossy Oak, Real tree, and Advantage, along with several other paint options.
BY JOHN E. PHILLIPS
Wacky Rig Fishing Fundamentals
Wacky-style worm rigging and fishing spinning tackle has helped Brandon Lester join the $1 Million Bass Fishing Club for anglers who have earned $1-million plus in tournament bassing .
48 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Lester: I like the Mustad TitanX Wacky/Neko Hook.
Editor’s Note: 34-year old Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tennessee, a star on the BASS Elite fishing circuit recently joined the Million Dollar Club, a bass club of professional anglers who have made $1 million or more from tournament wins. Lester, in June, 2022, won at Pickwick Lake – earning $104,000. Lester has had a good year in 2022 and is in 4th place in points for the 2022 Angler-ofthe-Year title at this writing.
Phillips: We know that some anglers use an O-ring and put the hook through that O-ring, instead of placing the hook through the worm like you do to fish traditional wacky style. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using an O-ring on a wacky worm, instead of sticking the hook through the worm?
Phillips: Why do you specifically use the Mustad TitanX Wacky/Neko?
Over many years of fishing, I’ve discovered that the deeper in the mouth the bass has taken the worm, the better your chances are of landing that bass. But the further the bait is taken into the bass’s mouth, the thicker the inside of its jaw is. So, the more a hook penetrates the bass’s mouth, the better your chances are of landing that bass.
Brandon Lester: A wacky rig is when you use a soft-plastic worm and put the hook straight through the middle of the worm with the tip of the hook exposed. This straightforward rig is very easy to fish. It’s a finesse tactic that produces bass very well whether the bass are up shallow or holding in deep water. The wacky rig worm is what I call a ‘bite-getter’. When fishing this style of worming, you’ll get a lot of bass bites.
Phillips: What hook should we use when rigging a worm wacky style?
Phillips: How do you decide when to fish a stick worm, like a Senko worm, or a straight-tail worm like a trick worm?
Anglers have wanted to learn all they can about what a wacky rig is, when Bran don uses it, what lures he fishes with a wacky rig, how he rigs a wacky rig, and why does he fish it on spinning tackle? Here’s what Brandon Lester says.
Lester: I use a size 2/0 hook. I’ve used size 4/0 hooks before when I’m dropshot ting, but for me, a size 2/0 hook is perfect for wacky-rig fishing.
John E. Phillips: What is a wacky rig for catching bass?
Phillips: What size hook do you use?
Lester: Using an O-ring will cause you to lose fewer worms than if you don’t use an O-ring in the middle of the worm. By putting your hook in the O-ring instead of directly into the plastic worm, you may be able to catch eight or 10 bass on one worm. If you put the hook in the worm, and the bass has the worm in its mouth and is fighting, twisting and/or jumping, you may not catch more than two - three bass before you must replace the worm.
Lester: When the wacky worm was first discovered, it was primarily used on soft, plastic-stick- type worms like the Senko worms and other fat worms. These worms were five to six inches long and were thicker than average plastic worms. A Senko worm is a wacky-worm style used primarily when fishing water that’s eight feet deep or less. I also like to fish a Zoom Trick Worm. If I want to beef-up the profile of my worm, I’ll use a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm, which is a seven inch, straight-tail worm.
Lester: I fish that hook because it’s a perfect shape, and the hook’s shank is slightly longer than a standard hook of the same size. The longer shank helps you get deeper hook penetration when the worm’s in the mouth of the bass.
I’ve learned that any time I fish lures differently from other anglers – like with a wacky rig - I get more bites and catch more bass.
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 49
Phillips: What kind of lures do you fish when rigging your bait wacky style?
Phillips: When do you use a fat worm like the Senko rigged wacky style?
Phillips: What rod, reel and line are you using when fishing wacky style?
Lester: The water depth and the fishing structure determine which worm type I’ll use. For instance, when I’m fishing the Senko-style worm, I like to fish it without any weight because it sinks faster than other worms. With a trick worm, I’ll put a Mustad tungsten nail weight in the head of the worm and rig it wacky style. I use this technique when I want the worm to go to the bottom faster, when fishing in deep water.
When I’m fishing on deep ledges, like on the Tennessee River, many of the bass will hold in 15-25 foot deep water. I’ll use a Mustad 1/8-ounce nail weight made of tungsten in the head of the trick worm. When you cast the worm out, the worm falls straight down. Suspended bass will more than likely take it on the fall. If the bass are holding on the bottom, the head of the worm will be resting on the bottom, and the worm’s tail will be sticking straight-up. Once you twitch your rod, the hook in the middle of the worm will give the worm a natural, feeding-type action. This technique is very productive to catch deep-water summer and fall bass that have seen a lot of jigs and crankbaits but may not have seen a finesse worm feeding on the bottom.
For more info on the events or CCA Alabama www.ccaalabama.org251-478-3474
Lester: I’ll fish with a medium-action 6’10” Mustad Instinct Brandon Lester Signature Series spinning rod. I use 10-pound-test Vicious braid - a highly-visible yellow braid - to enable me to see the bass bite on my line. I’ll tie a 10-foot leader of 10-pound-test Vicious fluorocarbon line to the end of the braid. Even when fishing in deep water, I’ll use this same rod, reel and line combination.
Inserting a nail weight gives the worm a completely-different ac tion when rigged wacky style than when you fish the Senko worm rigged wacky style with no weight. When you cast the Senko worm rigged wacky style, it’s weightless. So, it sinks slowly, and both ends of the worm wiggle as it sinks, making it the perfect bait for shallow-water bass fishing.
Lester:style?
Lester: Green pumpkin and plum are good choices, but I always put chartreuse-green dye on the tails of my worms when I’m fishing deep.
Lester: I fish the Senko worm rigged wacky style anytime I’m fishing in water eight feet deep or less. Once the bass move-up in the springtime out of the deep water into the shallow water, I’ll use this style because the fat worm rigged wacky style has a slow, wiggling way of landing right in front of the bass’s face. I like natural colors, like green pumpkin, watermelon and/or bluegill. When the bass are moving in to spawn and are on the bed or in shallow water, and you’re fishing bank structure, then that’s a productive time to fish the Senko worm. Another way I like using a wacky-rigged fat worm is when I’m skipping a worm under a boat dock. I fish shallow docks in the summertime with a fat worm rigged wacky style because the fat worm skips well under docks. That fat worm will skip like you skip a rock across the lake, even if there’s only a small gap between the dock and the water.
Phillips: What color do you like to fish when fishing deep water with a straight-tail worm and a Mustad tungsten nail weight in it?
Wacky Rig Fishing Fundamentals 50 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Phillips: How do you find the bass you’re trying to fish for with a wacky rig?
Phillips: Once you put a Mustad tungsten nail weight in the head of a wacky worm, does it affect the worm’s action when it’s rigged wacky
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Phillips: What electronics are you using?
bass are holding in 1-3-foot-deep water or are bedding, Brandon Lester opts to fish a fat worm like the Senko and rigs it wacky style Contact Information * Lowrance https://www.lowrance.com/lowrance/type/fishfinders *Mustad https://mustad-fishing.com/ * https://zoombait.com/*https://www.baits.com/senko-soft-bait/SenkoZoom 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 51
said. “Hunters’ purchases of hunting equipment also helps corner. Contact Information Wild Turkey Cost-Share Program Florida State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation Florida(NWTF)Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Florida Forest Service
Lester:worm?
Lester: When I’m fishing shallow water like boat docks, blowdowns or any type of visible cover, I don’t have to rely on my electronics to see the fish nearby, as I do when I’m fishing deep. I use my Lowrance electronics in deep water to find schools of bass that often will hold on deep points like underwater islands or deep ledges.
the
Management Area (WMA) Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Managing Wild Turkeys Through Teamwork 42 APRIL 2020 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Green Swamp
Lester: I use the Lowrance HDS LIVE 9 with a 9-inch screen. I have two of these units on the bow of my boat and two on my console. I have the ActiveTarget transducer on the boat’s bow, which lets me see down under my trolling motor and around the boat. When I’m sitting at my console, I have the transducer mounted on the back of my boat, so that I can see both side- and down-imaging.
Wacky Rig Fishing Fundamentals
Phillips: Which wacky-worm tactic consistently has helped you catch the most and biggest bass in tournaments?
money spent on turkey permits, which is part of the licens
Phillips: What’s the biggest bass you’ve caught using a wacky-rigged
son (FFS) Wildlife
Lester: I use both wacky-worm tactics in almost every tournament I fish. One of the reasons more anglers probably aren’t fishing wacky worms is because the bait falls slowly, and the angler must wait until the worm reaches the bottom, requiring patience. But that’s why I fish it sometimes when bass fishing. Patience will pay off with my catching more and bigger bass than making more casts with different lures will.
When
The biggest one that comes to mind is a 9-pound, 4-ounce bass that I caught on the St. Johns River in Florida. I caught that fish on a fat worm rigged wacky style, fishing in less than eight feet of water.
Best Lever Action Rifles for 2022
BY WILLIAM KENDY
52 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
HUNTING
While the lever action rifle is chambered in rimfire calibers and even available as shotguns this article is about centerfire cartridges.
The first lever action I purchased was back in 1978 in Michigan at a Service Merchandise catalog store (which went out of business in 2002 due to the big box stores). The rifle was a Marlin 336 in .30-.30. I agonized over whether to go the .30-.30 route or the .35 Remington, which I had heard was better for hunting in woods and heavy cover and had more knock down power due to the heavier bullet weight. I decided on the .30-.30 since I figured ammo would be easier to get.
I paired the rifle, which had open sights, with a little fixed four power scope with see through mounts and it was a sweet medium range deer hunting package. Living in Michigan the average distance for shooting a whitetail was about 90 yards and it was perfect for hunting timber, and I harvested some deer with it.
As the song goes, “Those were the days my friend…”
I filled out the 4473 form (which was a joke…who in their right mind would admit they were on illegal drugs or a convicted felon if they were trying to buy a firearm? Like duh), didn’t have to do a back ground check and walked out of the store with a new Marlin and a box of 150 grain soft points for about a hundred bucks.
Lever actions are steeped in history. The Henry and Spencer rifles were both introduced in 1860 and the union purchased more than 100,000 Spencer rifles and carbines for troops during the civil war. The cost of a Spencer in 1861 was approximately $40.00 which was a lot of money back then.
The 16 shot .44 Henry rimfire rifle didn’t see as much distribution as the Spencer but was cherished by the union soldiers that could afford them (slightly more expensive than the Spencer at a cost of up to $44.00). The famed confederate cavalry Colonel John Mosby (Mosby’s raiders), when first encountering the Henry in battle called it “That damned Yankee rifle that can be loaded on Sunday and fired all week.” That phrase is still associated with Henry rifles.
Aside from John Wayne and other wild west actors in fiction action and cowboy movies, lever action rifles are legitimately ingrained in the history of the development of the west. The 1873 Winchester rifle was known as the “Gun that won the West’’. Unfortunately, 877.314.1237
// GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 53
While lever actions don’t have the press or glamor of the semi-automatic AR platforms, they are efficient shooting and hunting rifles in their own
WINCHESTER 1894
Plus they are just fun to shoot.
More current center fire lever actions have been traditionally associated with short to medium range hunting encompassing calibers such as .30-30 Winchester, .35 Remington, .44 magnum, .444 Marlin, .45-70, .357 magnum and others. Today, certain lever action models with box magazines, such as the Henry Long Ranger and the Browning BLR are chambered for higher power flat shooting cartridges that were previously in the domain of bolt action, single shot and AR platforms
THE HENRY REPEATING ARMS .30-.30 The Henry .30-30 weighs in at just seven pounds with a 39-inch overall
336
right. They offer the means for quick multiple shots, are a joy to carry, are light and quick handling and with the right model and caliber can be effective long range shooting firearms.
MARLIN
HENRY STEEL LEVER ACTION 30-30 SIDE GATE
Speaking of long-range shooting some lever actions, such as the Brown ing Long Range Rifle (BLR) and the Henry Long Ranger are chambered for high performance calibers. The Browning is available from .22-.250 Remington all the way up to 7mm-.08 Remington. The Henry Long Ranger starts at .223 and has various calibers including .308 up to 6.5 Creedmore.
The offerings for lever action rifles are limited compared to the plethora of bolt action and AR platform rifles. Here is a partial rundown of some of the manufacturers offering lever action firearms. I have limited this to centerfire rifles, although there are lever action rimfire and even shotgun available. I do not have the room to include all lever action manufactur ers but this is a representative list.
some of these rifles ended up in the hands of the Sioux Indians which contributed to the end of days of George Custer and crew at the Little BigHorn. It was originally chambered for .44-40, which was a popular handgun cartridge and allowed users to carry just one caliber of ammu nition. Additional calibers, such as the .38-40 and .32-20 were added to the lineup.
Based out of Rice Lake Wisconsin Henry manufactures lever action rifles, single shot rifles and shotguns, bolt action rifles for the youth market, the AR-7 Survival Rifle and even lever action handguns. They have a lot of different models and grades in various calibers.
HENRY REPEATING ARMS
BROWNING LIGHTWEIGHTBLR`81
HENRY LONG RANGER
54 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
One of the past disadvantages of lever actions is that they couldn’t use a pointed cartridge with a tube fed magazine as there is a risk of igniting a cartridge which limited the effective shooting range, until Hornady changed the game. They came out with their pointed LEVERevolution® FTX® and MonoFlex® bullets in .30-.30, (also .308 and .45-70) with a 140 and 160 grain offering. These are safe to use in tube magazine lever actions and they deliver higher ballistic coefficients and flatter trajectory for increased down range performance without any appreciable increase in recoil. Check with a firearm retailer to make sure your lever action is capable of using this ammunition.
Best Lever Action Rifles for 2022
Capt. Richard Rutland 251.459.5077 richard.rutland@yahoo.comwww.coldbloodedfishing.comrichard.rutland@yahoo.comwww.coldbloodedfishing.com Speckled Trout Tripletail Redfish Flounder USCG Licen d & InsuredDauphin Island Alabama CAPT. RICHARD Capt. Richard Rutland 251.459.5077 richard.rutland@yahoo.comwww.coldbloodedfishing.com Speckled Trout Tripletail Redfish Flounder USCG Licen d & InsuredDauphin Island Alabama Inshore and Offshore Fishing Charters USCG Licensed & Insured Dauphin Island, AL Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @coldbloodedfishing Inshore and Offshore Fishing Charters USCG Licensed & Insured Capt. Richard Rutland 251.459.5077 Speckled Trout Tripletail Redfish Flounder Capt. Richard Rutland Inshore Fishing Guide Service 251.459.5077 richard.rutland@yahoo.comwww.coldbloodedfishing.com Capt. Richard Rutland Inshore Fishing Guide Service 251.459.5077 richard.rutland@yahoo.com www.coldbloodedfishing.com Speckled Trout Tripletail Redfish Flounder USCG License d & InsuredDauphin Island Alabama CAPT. RICHARD251.459.5077RUTLAND Capt. Richard 251.459.5077 richard.rutland@yahoo.comwww.coldbloodedfishing.com Speckled Trout Tripletail Redfish Flounder USCG License d & InsuredDauphin Island Alabama
BROWNING BLR LIGHTWEIGHT `81
In addition, Uberti offers a full line of replica firearms and Rossi offers a lever action in .44 magnum, .45 Colt, .357 and .454 Casull.
The Browning BLR features a four-position folding hammer, a detachable box magazine, gloss finish on the cut checkered walnut straight grip stock and forearm, a polished 20-22 inch (depending on the caliber) blued barrel, adjustable rear sights and an aluminum with an overall weight of approximately 6.5 pounds. It sports a rack pinion lever action, integrated lever and trigger and is available in nine calibers starting at .223 up to .30-06.
The “Best in Class” Long Ranger is available in .223/5.56 NATO, .243, 308 calibers and 6.5 Creedmoor.
MARLIN
Ranger incorporates the traditional lever action operation updated with a geared action and weighs in at seven pounds. It has a machined chrome steel bolt with a six-lug rotary head that ensures a con sistent strong lock-up encased in a lightweight aerospace alloy receiver that is drilled and tapped for optics. It comes with or without open sights
USCG Licensed & Insured Island,
www.Henryusa.com www.marlinfirerms.com www.rossiusa.comwww.uberti-usa.comwww.browning.comwww.winchesterguns.com
WINCHESTER 1894
I’m taking the paragraph below directly from the Winchester/Browning website (Browning owns Winchester) as it is an excellent synopsis of this iconic lever action rifle. The Winchester 1894 was the first rifle to sell more than a million units.
“No greater names have ever been linked together more solidly than Win chester® and the Model 1894. Early on in 1862, Oliver Fisher Winchester began Winchester Repeating Arms Company and followed with a series of fine rifles like the 1866, 1873 and 1876. Then John M. Browning came along with numerous other designs which became legendary Win
This basic rifle is available in different models in various calibers including .30-30, .45-70, .44 magnum, .357 magnum and .45 colt.
When the Marlin 336 was introduced, it offered side ejection, and gave shooters and hunters the option of mounting a scope on the receiver without having it forward on the barrel because of top ejection or to the side. It is a great handling rifle that is available in .30-.30 Winchester or the heavier bullet brush busting .35 Remington in either 20- or 24-inch barrels. Unfortunately, due to some changes in the firearms industry, Marlin was acquired by Ruger and the 336 is not currently in production but there are rifles available in the marketplace.
Follow us on Facebook and @coldbloodedfishing Dauphin
The model 94 comes with a 20-inch button rifled barrel, smooth walnut stocks richly blue steel receiver and hardware, a round locking bolt, quick lever throw and a smooth action. It is light at only 6.4 pounds and the.30.30 models have a six round tubular magazine with open sights.
Inshore and Offshore ALIsland, AL
Capt. Richard Rutland
Best Lever Action Rifles for 2022
length and its 20-inch round barrel provides enough open side radius for effect close to medium range shots. It features a drilled and tapped receiver for optics options, a side ejection and a five shot tube magazine that can be loaded from the front or the side gate. The checkered stock and forearm are American walnut, and the rifle sports a rear buckhorn sight and a diamond front sight.
There are not a lot of lever action rifles in the marketplace that are cham bered for high performance cartridges. One of them is the Henry Long
HENRY LONG RANGER
TheRanger.Long
What Marlin is producing in limited quantities is the model 1895 SLB and the model 1895 Trapper both in .45-70, which is a real thumper for game animals. The 1895 Trapper is based on the same platform as the 1895 SBL except it has a 16-inch barrel versus a 19.1-inch barrel on the SBL. They both have a threaded barrel with a match-polished factory installed thread protector to allow a muzzle brake or other barrel accessories. The 1895 trapper sports adjustable Skinner Sights™ receiver-mounted peep sight system while the SBL has a ghost ring rear sight and tritium fiber optic, high visibility day/night front sight and an updated Picatinny rail for optics. There are other differences, but both the rifles are of a similar construction.
251.459.5077 richard.rutland@yahoo.com www.coldbloodedfishing.com Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @coldbloodedfishing
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 55
chesters, like the Single Shot 1885, Model 86 and the Model 92 among others. Then, in 1893 he presented to Winchester a model that was a perfect match for the new 30-30 smokeless cartridge, ushering in a new era in firearms development.
It comes with a steel bodied flush fit four to five round magazine (depend ing on the caliber). A 20 inch (22 inch for 6.5 Creedmoor) round and blued free-floated sporter barrel is supported by a two-piece oil-finished Ameri can Walnut stock with precision laser cut checking, sling swivel studs and a black rubber recoil pad.
At closing you make a one-time Alabama Ag Credit stock purchase and that stock ownership entitles you to share in the co-op profits, lowering your loan’s total interest cost. When your loan is paid off, the cost of the stock is refunded to you.
Alabama Ag Credit Land Finance Rates
At AAC, the terms of a land and rural residential loan, such as interest rate and down payment, depend on the applicant’s unique underwriting factors and a number of components, including credit, financials, loanto-value, the type of property, the length of term, the market conditions and other factors.
AAC has terms up to 30 years with rates between 5.00% to 7.50% depending on the fixed rate period.
One of Alabama Ag Credits popular financial products is their 20-year fixed rate loan with a 15% down payment. For rural homesites, the standard is a 15 year loan with 15% down.
Alabama Ag Credit doesn’t sell its loans on the secondary market like a lot of other financial institutions. When you have a 20-year loan with Alabama Ag Credit, it owns your loan for 20 years and that loan stays with them.
Land Financing Interest Rates
As part of the farm credit system one of AAC’s missions is to service rural Alabama and provide financing for people who want to buy acreage, be it 20 acres for a homestead or more acreage. While it specializes in financing rural and farm land they can finance a residence as long as it is outside of city limits and meets other Farm Credit System require ments.
BY GREAT DAYS OUTDOORS STAFF
In other words, when you borrow from Alabama Ag Credit, you become a stockholder and part owner in the cooperative, entitling you to a portion of the earnings (patronage) when the association does well financially The more you borrow, the bigger your share of earnings.
One of the things that differentiates Alabama Ag Credit is that they have a complete sheath of services which makes life easier for the customer and ensures a shorter buying and closing process. For example, one of those benefits that AAC offers is that it has its own appraisal department, which results in a shorter turn-around time for the whole transaction and is also is headquartered in Montgomery and has nine offices across the state.
Alabama Ag Credit is affiliated with the over 100-year-old nationwide Farm Credit System and is a stockholder owned cooperative. That means that when someone obtains a loan with Alabama Ag Credit they become a stockholder of the association and a portion of those earnings is returned to them through the AGC patronage program, as determined by their board of directors.
Alabamaeconomical.AgCredit
(5/10/22)
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2. While the oven is heating, cook the bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven (it needs to be able to fit the shank) over medium-low heat until it’s crispy. Remove, chop and set aside.
Austrian Braised Venison Shanks with Sauerkraut No venison shanks? Do this with pork shanks, even smoked pork shanks -- but if you do, skip the bacon and use lard or butter instead. Osso bucco cuts from beef or veal would work, too. Prep: 1 hour • Cook: 3 hours •Total: 4 hours Ingredients • 1 large elk shank, or up to 4 venison shanks • 2 tablespoons squash seed oil or sunflower oil • 1 tablespoon caraway seeds • 1 teaspoon garlic powder, or 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic • Salt • 4 slices bacon • 1 medium onion, chopped • 2 cups sauerkraut, drained • 1 1/2 cups coarsely shredded potato • 1 bay leaf • 1 teaspoon dried thyme • 1 teaspoon caraway • 1 12- to 16-ounce bottle hefeweizen beer • 1 cup stock (any kind) • Black pepper and chopped chives for garnish Instructions 1. Massage the venison shanks with the squash seed oil, then with
the caraway, garlic and enough salt to season the meat well. At the very least set this on the counter for 1 hour to come to room temperature, but the seasonings penetrate better if you leave this covered in the fridge overnight. Regardless, when you are ready to cook the shank, preheat the oven to a full 475°F and let the shank come to room temperature while the oven heats. Set the shank or shanks on a rack in a roasting pan and blast them in the oven until nicely browned, about 15 minutes. Remove and set aside for now.
3. Add the onion to the pot and saute in the bacon fat over mediumhigh heat until it begins to brown on the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the sauerkraut and shredded potato and mix well. Saute this for a minute or two, then pour in the beer and stock. Mix in the reserved bacon, the bay leaf, thyme, caraway and a healthy pinch of salt. Bring this to a simmer.
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4. When the venison is ready -- out of the hot oven -- nestle the shanks into the pot, cover it and cook until done. You can do this in two ways: On the stovetop over low heat, or in a 300°F oven. Either way it should take about 3 hours, or a little longer if you are dealing with an old deer. You can serve this in one of two ways: As a centerpiece, where everyone pulls off pieces of shank at the table, or you can strip the meat from the bones and serve it on top of a bed of kraut. Don’t forget the marrow in the bones! Scoop it out with a spoon and stir it into the kraut for extra flavor. Add black pepper and chives right before you serve.
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3. Bring the sugo to a simmer and let it cook gently, with no lid and slightly bubbling away, as long as you can stand it, about 4 to 8 hours. While this is simmering, grind the breast meat through a meat grinder using a fine die. If you don’t have a grinder, you can either hand chop the meat or pulse it in a food processor. Keep this in the fridge as the sugo cooks.
• Cheese for grating
• 12 juniper berries, crushed
5. Mix the strained stuff in with the free-flowing liquid. Get a large, wide pan like a big frying pan and add the butter. Heat it over medium-high heat, and add the ground meat. Stir well and add a little salt. You want to break up the meat as much as possible and brown it well.
• 12 black peppercorns, crushed
• A little olive oil
8. When the pasta is ready, put it in the big bowl and add a ladle of sugo. Toss to combine. Give everyone some pasta, top with some more sauce and grate some cheese over it.
• 2 cups red wine
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
Instructions
• 1 star anise (optional)
Sugo di Piccione: Squab, Dove or Pigeon Ragù
Ingredients
• 6 whole cloves or 1/2 teaspoon ground
• 4 to 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
7. Get your pasta water ready by bringing a large pot of salty water to a boil. Start boiling your pasta. As it cooks, add salt, black pepper and vinegar to the sugo to taste. Get a big bowl ready.
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
4. As the sugo cooks, mush everything in the pot down every so often. Then, when you are ready, pour the contents of the pot through a chinois, colander or other strainer with large holes that have been set into a large bowl. Wipe out the stockpot and return the free-flowing sauce to that pot. Use a ladle and mash the meat, vegetables, etc. in the colander to remove as much liquid and good stuff as you can. You want the resulting “cake” in the colander to be dryish, as in no liquid dripping from it. Toss that or feed it to the cats.
the carcasses well and coat them with a little oil. Roast the carcasses in an oven at 400F until they are well browned, about an hour.
• 1 handful dried porcini mushrooms (optional)
• 1 pound pasta, homemade or dried
• 2 quarts wild game or beef stock
Prep: 30 mins • Cook: 6 hours •Total: 6 hours 30 mins
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
1. Cut off the breast meat from all the birds and set aside. Salt
2. Put the roasted carcasses along with everything in the ingredient list up to the butter into a large stockpot. Add another quart of water. Pour one more quart of water into the roasting pan you just used and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits in that pan. Pour this into the stockpot, too.
• Salt
• 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
• 12 allspice berries, crushed
• 3 bay leaves
• black pepper to taste
• 12 to 20 whole doves or pigeons, or 4 dark-meat grouse
• sherry or red wine vinegar to taste
This is a really easy dish to make, but you do need the bay leaves and fresh sage, and Spanish smoked paprika is important to this dish. Many good supermarkets offer it, and you can also buy it online. If you can’t find smoked paprika, regular sweet paprika is OK. Figure on 2 doves per person for a light lunch or an appetizer, or 3 to 6 for a main course. If you don’t have access to doves, squab is a great alternative. You could also do this with teal ducks.
6. When it’s well browned and broken up, pour in the sugo and stir well. Bring this to a boil and reduce it to meat sauce consistency. If you can stand it, the sugo will be better if you let this process take an hour or so. But you can boil it down faster if you want.
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
BY WILLIAM KENDY
Suggested Retail Price: $24.95 www burrpaw com
This jacket has a water resistant sealed front zip w/internal storm flap, Cinch-lock hood adjustment, Integrated hood visor, articulated wrist cuffs with Velcro adjustment along with zippered and sealed hand pockets. It is made out of 100% PU/Polyester and is packable for quick access. Its 4-way stretch allows full movement and zero restriction, and it is water and stain repellent. Available in two colors
Suggested Retail Price: $140.00
The Burr Paw Sticker Remover has a puncture-resistant interior that protects your hands and fingers from painful stickers. Those burrs and stickers, big and small, can easily be removed from clothing and odd-shaped surfaces with a simple sweeping motion of the hand even from high-knap wool and fleece surfaces. The non-abrasive material won’t harm delicate fabrics and “One size fits all” and is right or left hand compatible.
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60 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Rhino Blinds’ R180 See Through Blind
NEW & Cool gear
The GSI Outdoors tough Glacier Perc coffee percolator features heavy-gauge 18/8 stainless steel construction and incorporates a heat-resistant silicone handle that stays cool to the touch for safe and secure pouring along with a hinged lid. This threepiece percolator includes an inner basket with cover, a Perc/View clear knob to see how things are going. Available in 3 to 12 cup sizes.
Suggested Retail Price: $34.95 and up www .GSIoutdoors .com
Burr Paw Sticker Remover
Pelagic Chubasco Rain Jacket
The Rhino 180 includes two walls of see-through mesh that prevents game from seeing inside the blind, while allowing occupants to clearly see out. It sports silentslide easily adjustable windows with mesh coverings, has brush-in straps around the top and bottom allowing it to blend in, reinforced stress points with triple stretched corners and can hold up to three people with easy setup/take down.
Suggested Retail Price: $214.00
The Fiskiner backpack incorporates a secure hide-away zipped pocket for a beverage, an open bottom neoprene side pocket designed as a rod holder and a built-in plier holder. It offers front slip products, organizing pockets and a key chain clip along with a main compartment that can store up to 2 – 3600 size tackle trays and includes an interior slip pocket for additional gear.
Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 Available on Amazon and online
Fiskiner Pro Fishing Backpack
Rock River Arms New All Terrain Hunter
LIVETARGET Ultimate Frog Lure
Suggested Retail Price: $17.99 www .livetargetlures .com
The ATH is a mid-length rifle with an 18-inch cryogenically treated stainless steel barrel and is chambered in .223 WYLDE which accommodates both 5.56 and .223 Remington hunting ammunition with a 1:8 twist rate. The barrel mates to a forged A4 upper receiver. The full-length rail system offers room for optics and the M-LOK® compatible handguard ensures ample mounting positions for accessories along with a Two-Stage Ultra Match varmint trigger.
Suggested Retail Price: $91-$120 www .rockyboots .com
Suggested Retail Price: $64.99
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Warthog V-Sharp Xtreme Edge Knife Sharpener
When motionless, the LIVETARGET ULTIMATE FROG sits like a living frog at rest, with its eyes just above the surface, its body tipped down at a 45-degree angle, and its legs contracted beneath its body. When twitched or pulled, its body dips beneath the surface as its legs hinge at the hips and knees, extending to full length in perfect unison – just like a living frog swimming for its life through open water.
Suggested Retail Price: $149.00 www .mountainviewproductsllc .com
The light (8.6 ounces) and vibration free Altra-1 quiver mounts to the top hole of your riser and keeps your sight and rest area free from extra accessories and clutter. It offers extreme adjustability with 1.5” horizontal and up to 9.5” of vertical, allowing you to customize the fit and feel of your quiver, which allows for tight-to-riser mounting resulting in a zero-balance issue.
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After a long day afield, relax with the Dry-Strike, a comfortable easy-on, easy-off slip-on rubber boot that keeps feet dry with an ultra-slip resistant outsole that provides stability in wet conditions. It has an EnergyBed XLX Footbed, a waterproof upper with Neoprene Bootie Construction in various colors and a Mossy Oak® Elements camo option. Available in seveninch height and a 16-inch boot in brown and green styles.
Rocky Dry-Strike Slip on boot
NEW & COOL GEAR FOR OUTDOORSMEN
Altra Quivers from Mountain View Products
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Suggested Retail Price: $1,425.00
The V-Sharp XE (Xtreme Edge) is a lightweight (8 ounce) adjustable, freehand, precision knife sharpener that keeps your knife at a consistent angle every time. It uses two high quality, 325 grit natural diamond honing rods that sharpen the blade on both sides simultaneously. It is completely waterproof and the “Snap-in Rods” make for quick angle & grit changes (17°, 20°, 25°, 30°).
“A huge economic driver in this area that we simply can’t do without is hunting and fishing,” Governor Ivey said. “Here in Alabama, hunting and fishing has a $3 billion, that’s with a B, economic impact and supports more than 25,000 jobs. In the Black Belt alone, it produces more than $1.4 billion in economic impact and pumps in a whopping $28 million to the state’s education budget. Y’all, that’s big.”
As Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), I want to express my deep appreciation for Governor Kay Ivey’s support of our department and the abundant outdoor recreation opportunities in our great state.
fishing to the area where she grew up.
Earlier this year, I joined Governor Ivey at an event in the Alabama Black Belt, where she emphasized the importance of hunting and
Governor Ivey Great Supporter of Alabama’s Outdoors
Governor Kay Ivey and Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship present Linda Powell with the 2022 Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt Grand Champion trophy (Photo by Billy Pope)
As I have said before, the Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt is a great event, not only to promote
Governor Ivey has been steadfast in her promotion of hunting and fishing, boat ramps, and property acquisition for hunting and public access, and she has overseen the distribution of more than $1 billion in funding for Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act (GOMESA) projects and Deepwater Horizon mitigation efforts on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
The Governor loves to point out the recreational benefits of so many activities in our great outdoors and the economic impact those activities have on Alabama.
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At Governor Ivey’s insistence, the Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt, which had not been held since 2015, was revived, and it was a resounding success. The Governor’s Hunt brought corporate CEOs, corporate presidents, outdoor and entertainment celebrities, media representatives and sponsors to the state to hunt turkeys and enjoy Alabama’s wonderful Southern hospitality.
BY CHRIS BLANKENSHIP Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Alabama is blessed with ADCNR’s 21 beautiful State Parks, as well as our 40 Wildlife Management Areas that support public hunting. We offer 23 state fishing lakes, which provide great opportunities to fish but also provide some subsistence with bass, catfish and bream in these rural areas. We manage 285,000 acres of Forever Wild property around the state, 99% of which is open to the public for hunting.
Since she came into office in 2017, Governor Ivey has overseen the continued efforts to rebound from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 and to improve Alabama’s resilience. Since 2011, Alabama has invested more than $925 million in 158 projects ranging from habitat preservation to oyster reef restoration to infrastructure projects.
A $4 million grant will be used for the Baldwin County Magnolia River Watershed Constructed Wetlands and Regional Detention – Kelly Pit Mitigation Site. An existing borrow pit will be transformed into a wetland to improve water quality and reduce flooding in the Magnolia River and Weeks Bay watersheds.
Earlier this year, Governor Ivey announced that $41 million in GOMESA funds — revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases — will be used for 17 projects that will benefit the outdoors and environment on the Alabama Gulf Coast. These projects focus on water quality, land acquisitions, recreational access improvements, research and sewer infrastructure. With the Governor’s approval, ADCNR administers the distribution of the funds.
The University of South Alabama (USA) Healthy Ocean Initiative will receive $2,018,880 for USA’s new School of Marine and Environmental Sciences,
The expansion of Bayfront Park in the City of Daphne will receive a grant of $4 million, and the City of Foley will get $2.5 million for expansion and enhancements at Graham Creek Nature Preserve. The City of Fairhope will receive almost $1 million for the North Triangle Nature Park.
which will educate and train the next generation of environmental and marine scientists.
As you can see, Governor Ivey has been a champion of Alabama’s great outdoors, and she continues to work to ensure Alabamians can hunt, fish and breathe the fresh air in a safe environment.
With a $2,254,500 grant from ADCNR, Mobile County was able to purchase Cedar Point Pier on the northwest end of the Dauphin Island Bridge as well as expand Bayfront Park near Coden and continue the Dauphin Island Causeway restoration project.
Environmental projects include the Mobile County Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Wastewater Facilities for Southeastern Mobile County at $1,612,500, the Bayou La Batre Utilities Board Sewer, North System Improvements at $1,629,477, the Daphne Utilities Board Windscape Lift Station Force Main Extension at D’Olive Creek at $607,500, the City of Loxley Corn Creek Tributary Restoration at $250,000, and ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) Coastal Area Litter Traps at $1 million.
hunting and fishing in Alabama, but also to recruit industry to our state. People who are not familiar with Alabama have no idea of its tremendous beauty and outdoors diversity. We have majestic mountains to the north and our white sand beaches and sparkling waters of the Gulf to the south, with tens of thousands of acres of forest and waterways in between.
GovernorProgram.Iveyhas
Among the GOMESA projects announced this year is the Billy Goat Hole Boat Ramp replacement project on Dauphin Island with a grant of $1,313,400. The ramp is one of the busiest on the coast with more than 100,000 boat launchings per year.
The 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, considered the public gateway to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, will receive $253,275 for improvements to the facility that serves as an outdoor recreation space and meeting location for community groups, local governments and area businesses.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER
“These projects, collectively, are transforming the environment and economy of Coastal Alabama in ways that we couldn’t have imagined only a few short years ago,” Governor Ivey said.
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The 2022 Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt raised a record amount of money for the Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources Foundation, which supports scholarships at Auburn University and the University of Alabama. It also funds ADCNR programs that promote hunting and fishing, like Hunters Helping the Hungry; Becoming an Outdoors-Woman; Go Fish, Alabama; youth dove hunts; youth duck hunts; and the Adult Mentored Hunting
The Dauphin Island Aloe Bay Living Shoreline, Habitat Protection and Public Access Amenities project will receive $2,211,700.
An $8.5 million grant for the Cypress Point land acquisition by the City of Spanish Fort will link Bay Minette Creek with the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. The City of Mobile will receive $8 million for Riverfront Park enhancements called Reconnect with the River.
also played an integral role in providing public land and waters for hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, birding, and more.
Bringing people to Alabama the beautiful to spend a couple of days hunting as they visit with the people in our state has been very successful at drawing some of their companies to Alabama or having them expand operations here.
BY CHARLES “CHUCK” SYKES Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF)
Changes for the Upcoming Deer Season
With the immediate need to obtain as many samples as possible, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) removed the daily and season bag limits within the CMZ. All deer harvested within the HRZ had to be sampled for CWD testing, and hunters who harvested deer within the BZ were encouraged to have their deer sampled and tested as well. Despite what the social media conspiracy theorists were saying,
most hunters understood what we needed and they responded extremely well. Since January 7, WFF has tested 848 samples for CWD from deer within the CMZ (348 from HRZ, 500 from BZ). Of those samples, only one other deer, an adult buck, tested positive for CWD. That’s the best-case scenario as far as I’m concerned. Going into this deer season, only two CWD-positive deer have been found in the
The presence of Chronic Wasting Disease in Lauderdale County prompted a few changes for the upcoming deer season .
Thankfully,CMZ.
As most of you know by now, Alabama became the 28th CWD-positive state on January 6, 2022. In accordance with our CWD Strategic Surveillance and Response Plan, the first order of business was to establish a CWD Management Zone (CMZ) around the CWD positive in Lauderdale county. The CMZ comprises a Buffer Zone (BZ) and a High-Risk Zone (HRZ).
we had no intention of destroying the deer herd or deer hunting within the CMZ. The liberalized bag limits in the CMZ were in effect to make it as easy as possible for hunters to harvest as many deer as they wanted to fill their freezers, while also providing WFF as many samples for CWD testing as possible from deer killed within the
64 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
on the property where the deer was harvested. While not ideal, this is a better option for disposal than potentially introducing the CWD prions into new Practicesareas.which
2. Baiting and supplemental feeding of wildlife will be suspended within the CMZ. The only exceptions are:
Considering the apparent low prevalence of CWD in the CMZ, WFF decided the best approach for the 2022-23 season was to not recommend any earthshattering changes. At the March 5 meeting of the Conservation Advisory Board (CAB), the following recommendations were approved:
unnecessarily congregate deer have the potential to increase CWD transmission. For that reason, the current feeding ban in the CMZ is likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future. The ban should be a wake-up call for deer managers in the CMZ who have relied on feeding as a crutch to compensate for poor deer herd and habitat management practices in the past. Now is a great time to rethink future plans for managing deer and their habitat inside and outside of the CMZ. A key step for many may be reducing deer numbers to levels that the existing habitat can support in the absence of supplemental feeding. Another important step to consider is implementing additional habitat management practices. Properly implementing practices to improve habitat quality, such as timber harvests and prescribed fire, can greatly increase year-round habitat quality for deer and other wildlife but require more planning and effort than pouring feed out of a bag.
WE SERVICE ALL SAFESOFBRANDSGUNBUT... WE HOLLONSELLPROUDLYONLYGUNSAFES (251) 479-5264 457 Dauphin Island Parkway “At the Loop” Mobile, AL 36606 WE SERVICE ALL SAFESOFBRANDSGUNBUT... WE HOLLONSELLPROUDLYONLYGUNSAFES (251) 479-5264 457 Dauphin Island Parkway “At the Loop” Mobile, AL 36606 WE SERVICE ALL SAFESOFBRANDSGUNBUT... WE HOLLONSELLPROUDLYONLYGUNSAFES (251) 479-5264 457 Dauphin Island Parkway “At the Loop” Mobile, AL 36606 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 65
b. feed solely placed inside an active hog trap
Deer hunters are the key to WFF’s continued CWD surveillance efforts. Obtaining samples for CWD testing from hunter harvested deer is the most efficient approach for getting enough samples to meet surveillance goals from all counties. While only two deer have tested positive for CWD so far, WFF knows it is extremely unlikely they were the only two deer with CWD in the area. Continued sampling of deer from within the CMZ will provide a clearer picture of not only the current prevalence of CWD among the local population, but also the distribution of the disease within the CMZ. Sampling of deer outside the CMZ is essential for early detection of the disease in new areas.
4. Mandatory testing of harvested deer in the HRZ and BZ will take place during certain time periods. However, it is strongly recommended that all deer harvested within the CMZ be submitted for CWD testing. Dates and locations of sample collection stations and dropoff freezer locations can be found at www.outdooralabama.com/CWD-info.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Moving forward, WFF’s CWD management goals are to keep the number of diseased deer in the CMZ to a minimum, keep CWD from spreading into other areas of the state, and reduce disease rates in the CMZ where possible. For this to happen, hunters in the CMZ, as well as hunters in other regions of Alabama, must remain involved and informed. Most importantly, deer hunters must keep hunting
1. The entire CMZ will fall within the boundaries of Zone A for season dates and bag limits.
state and both were in the same area of Lauderdale County.
a. seed or grain used solely for normal agricultural, forest management, or wildlife food plot production purposes
CWD is not going away, but deer hunters can help slow the spread of the disease among the deer population in Lauderdale County, as well as into other areas of Alabama, by continuing to hunt. Harvesting enough deer to reduce deer densities in areas known to have CWD, such as Lauderdale County, can help slow the spread of CWD within the local deer herd. Hunters within the CMZ should consider taking an extra deer or two this coming season and submitting them for testing.
Research suggests CWD can be passed from infected deer to healthy deer through contact with feces, urine, or saliva as well as contact with CWDinfected carcasses or contaminated soil. Complying with current regulations restricting the movement of deer carcasses and high risk parts (e.g., whole heads, brain and spinal cord tissues, large bones, etc.) from the HRZ and CMZ can help prevent the introduction of CWD into new areas.
Proper disposal of hides, bones, and other remains from a processed deer is also important in the battle to slow the spread of the disease. For hunters in the CMZ who process their own deer, it is recommended that the remains be buried at least two feet deep on the property where it was killed. While burial does not completely eliminate the risk of spreading CWD, it does greatly reduce the likelihood of other deer coming in contact with the prions that cause CWD. If burying is not an option, the remains can be left aboveground
3. Whole deer or body parts cannot be transported outside of the CMZ unless completely deboned.
One final thing everyone can do to help WFF’s CWD management efforts is to report sick or dead deer. Adult deer exhibiting symptoms that may be related to CWD are the highest priority animals for testing. In other states, the first deer to test positive in many new areas has been one showing symptoms of neurological distress. Some of these symptoms can include a lack of wariness, wandering aimlessly/walking in circles, a drooping head, difficulty standing, severe emaciation, and excessive drooling. Sick deer can be reported at www.outdooralabama.com/ReportSickDeer or by calling the closest WFF District Office.
c. feed for attracting birds and squirrels with common bird and squirrel feeders within 100 feet of a residence or occupied dwelling.
Be sure to check in at www.outdooralabama.com/cwd/cwd-alabama to stay up to date on CWD in Alabama.
Starting youngsters in fishing kayaks is a big step toward good life skills and self-reliance and done properly this big step requires some Timthought.Perkins,
“Do research. Look online and in person for different kayaks that work best for each kid. The worst thing to do is just get the cheapest kayak. You want your kid to be safe and comfortable in the kayak. This extends to getting the best PFD for a young angler. Bad, ill-fitting PFDs make young anglers uncomfortable,” Perkins advised..
Fishing Kayaks for Kids
When it comes to physical ability and readiness for a kayak, it can be difficult to know when a particular kid is strong enough and balanced enough to be safe in a kayak. However, if the kid is able to ride a bicycle on her or his own, that kiddo is probably capable of handling a fishing kayak.
My wife and I started our kids in paddle craft with us many years ago when they were quite small. Some of our best times were spent floating and fishing and talking about important things. As the kids got older, they moved into their own kayaks, and this was a big step toward their independence and safe operation of boats on the water.
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GETTING STARTED
Exactly when to put a kid in a kayak and let him or her go off alone is a point of concern. Each youngster is different, and some kids are ready to go on their own in a kayak sooner than others. It can be a tough call.
OLD ENOUGH TO RIDE A BIKE?
Photos by Ed Mashburn
SELECTION OF KAYAKS FOR KIDS
“My wife and I would set the boys up on a Wilderness Systems Commander kayak with the boys in front of us. We would cast and fish over them and around them. The boys soon wanted to fish too, so we took two-liter bottles and put a line on it. The boys would throw their ”lures” out and “reel” them in. We’d talk to the boys the whole time and it was an excellent opportunity to interact with both boys. Before long, the boys were telling us where the fish were and where we should cast.”
It doesn’t take long for kids to become proficient in their kayaks .
Buying a kayak specifically for a smaller, younger, less experienced angler can be a very challenging operation. Just because the angler is smaller, that doesn’t mean just any small, cheap, perhaps not so well-made kayak will work well.
veteran kayak tournament angler, coach, and parent said that he started his twin boys at age two.
BY ED MASHBURN
FISHING GEAR- KEEP IT SIMPLE!
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“Simplicity would be my second word of advice when picking out a kayak and gear for a kid getting into kayak fishing. A cluttered kayak isn’t going to do anything but cause problems for our young anglers,” Chappell said. “If you’ve ever taken a kid fishing, you know that 90% of the time spent is on backlashes, getting their lure out of trees and ‘fishing’ including dropping tackle out of the kayak. The best thing to do when introducing a kid to kayak fishing would be to put them in a
stocked pond with a Zebco 33, some red worms, and let them figure it out. The key to it all is keeping the kid from being discouraged.”
FIRST AND LAST
In most places, children are required to have a personal flotation device (PFD) on at all times they are on the water. If this is not a law in a particular place- it should be. When the kiddo goes on the water in a kayak, that PFD should be on.
This means, of course, that selection of a comfortable, properly fitting, and non-constraining PFD is crucial for younger kayak anglers. Again, the worst thing for a parent or other adult getting a youngster started in kayak fishing can do would be to run out and buy the first PFD that looks like it might work. The kid needs to try the PFD on, move in it, and see if it binds or pinches or is just too bulky. This may take some time to get a good fit, but it’s time well spent.
A single fishing rod and reel setup and a small floating tackle box with a limited number of lures and other gear is best for youngsters.
My kids never paddle their kayaks without a PFD that’s rated for their size and weight with a whistle attached to it. I also never allow my kids on the water in low light conditions, especially high boat traffic rivers and lakes. A high vis bright colored kayak is definitely something I look for when picking a boat for a youngster. As long as you always make safety a priority when on the water, the only thing you’ll ever have to worry about is the people that don’t make safety their priority,” Chappell said.
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“The ten-foot Pescador Perception kayak is ideal for kids. It’s a perfect starter kayak, and it will work well for kids for many years- as adults, too,” he added.
“Here at Buck’s Island we carry a few different kayaks I wouldn’t hesitate to put my ten-year-old in,” said Jeff Chappell of Buck’s Island Marine. “The Hobie Passport 10.5 would be my number one pick in a pedal drive. It’s 10’5” long, 34 “wide and only 75 pounds rigged. My Number One pick for paddle kayaks would be the Jackson Staxx. It’s 10’8” long, 33 inches wide, and only weighs 64 pounds.”
Basically, it comes down to this when picking a kayak for kids: You don’t need top of the line, super expensive kayaks, but you do want a solid, easy to paddle or pedal kayak that is not so heavy as to be more than a kid can handle.
For any beginning kayak angler, loading the boat and the angler down with gear is a bad idea. Too much stuff to keep up with complicates a beginner’s efforts, and generally leads to frustration and lost gear.
Gulf Coast Fishing Outlook
It’s “Red throughoutOctober”ourarea! Milo Howell with an overslot!!
The Chandeleurs in particular will be a multispecies angler’s hot-spot. Bull redfish, speckled trout, sharks, jacks, bluefish and many more will be on the table.
Photo courtesy Miles Howell
Fish slightly larger profile lures like the Texas Customs DD, Slick Lure and other mullet/ menhaden imitating lures. Of course, the live option of baitfish will work with the addition of croakers and live shrimp. These larger baits and lures will help ward off smaller bycatch like ladyfish and small bluefish.
MISSISSIPPI
This might be the best time of the year to fish the inshore waters of MS, from the skinniest of marshes to the barrier islands and Chandeleurs.
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It’s transition time again. October brings our first “true” cold fronts and the changing of the seasons brings heavy changes in the fishing. Falling water temperatures mean heavy movements with various species of forage. The result is consistent action both inshore and offshore.
BY CHRIS VECSEY
FLORIDA PANHANDLE
Fish these lures/baits along grass edges and drop-offs in 5-6ft of water. Live baits can be freelined or on weighted Carolina rigs near the bottom. Good current movement is critical, whether incoming or outgoing.
Open water redfishing is generally a “run-n-gun” thing, looking for birds and feeding fish and racing to the frenzies of fish on the surface. This is usually a lure-slinging game, with spoons, large plastic curltails and bucktail jigs being the most popular. These gulf-run fish can also be caught using live baits of croakers and menhaden or dead baits like cut mullet.Manyareas will produce, but hardly any come close to the consistency around Dixie Bar at the mouth of Mobile Bay. Reds will be the primary target here, but big jacks, sharks and a few other surprises will join the mix.
HavingNovember.different
another extremely effective technique for wahoo. Large hardtails (blue runner) and small bonito are great baits. A two or even three hook setup is best as wahoo generally short strike these baits,
It’s “Red October” in Alabama. Redfish will be abundant in all sizes, from the tiniest creeks to the open waters off of the beaches.
The tuna bite is generally very good at the rigs this time of year. These longer runs mean keeping a close eye on the weather, but it’s worth the haul out. Following the water temps, temperature breaks and altimetry is crucial to success on tuna. Subscribing to a satellite imaging service like Hilton’s Realtime-Navigator is very helpful and will keep anglers from making blind runs.
www.hiltonsoffshore.com
ALABAMA
Alongwell.the
Plenty of bluewater variety will be found at the Okaloosa County Fish Aggrivating devices (FADS). These fish aggregators will be safe bets for anglers wanting to tangle with billfish, mahi, wahoo and tunas. If planning a day for the FADs, it’s smart to bring all the gear and be prepared to fish many different techniques. Chunking, live baiting. Jigging, trolling, etc. With many species to be found around the FADs, anglers will need to be ready to switch it up when one angle of attack doesn’t produce.
Taking the time to catch quality live baits like cigar minnows, threadfin herring and others is very important for a successful day of bottom fishing. Sometimes this task can take an hour or more but it’s very well worth it.
Tripletail will still be abundant and near floating debris, channel markers and crab trap buoys. A live shrimp suspended beneath a slip float is still preferred but they will take lures like the Vudu Shrimp, Matrix Shad and others.
The best depths will vary by species but for scamp and other groupers, it’s best to stay on the deeper side of 200ft.
FISHING OUTLOOK
beachfront, pompano action will pick up along with whiting, slot redfish, black drum and the occasional sheepshead. Target washouts and deeper troughs along the beach. The typical two-hook “pompano rig” will get the job done with all surf species. Small pieces of peeled shrimp, sand fleas and ghost shrimp are top baits. Fish bites are a great backup to keep in the tackle box as an alternative.
White Marlin and other billfish will still be roaming areas like the Nipple, Elbow and Squiggles. Pulling a mixed spread of teasers and lures/baits is best. Look for water temperature breaks and color changes as well as well as the obvious surface signs like bait schools or freejumping billfish.
Flounder will be present throughout the inshore waters through the month. Live bull minnows fished near structures like piers, jetties and bulkheads will be best. Covering water with soft plastic curltails and paddletails is also effective and great for locating fish when they aren’t stacked up.
In the bayous and river mouths, speckled trout, slot reds and flounder will be staged and ready as shrimp start to move out of the creeks and marsh. Look for areas where shrimp are “hopping” out of the water. A good falling tide will get these baits moving and fire the bite up.
Contact Information
Inshore, grass flats and piers throughout Santa Rosa Sound will be good areas to sight fish redfish and speckled trout. Freelined shrimp and finger mullet are good live baits. Many artificials will work well but staying weedless is critical in many of the more productive areas.
The cooler air definitely makes for a more pleasant day while bottom fishing and October is a great month to hit deeper spots for scamp and other prized bottom species.
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Inshore, redfish will be thick around the river mouths like Dog, Fish and Bon Secour rivers. Good current is everything and the first couple hours of the falling tide are generally best. Current plus structure like piers, sharp drop-offs, and current-swept points will lead to success with reds. Live shrimp, bull minnows and finger mullet are top live baits. For artificials; gold spoons, plastic paddletails and “fluke” style lures work
East winds can make it harder for long runs offshore, but when weather allows, October is a great month to head out for wahoo. These speedsters will be lined up along the 50 and 100 fathom lines as well as gas/oil platforms in 250-600 feet. Troll ballyhoo/lure combinations and diving plugs like the Rapala X Rap or Nomad DTX. Live baiting is
bait options is important for success on pomps. Fresh/ live sand fleas and peeled shrimp is best. Location means everything in surf fishing and it’s best to target areas with good outflowing rip currents (washouts) and deeper troughs. Other variances in the bars that funnel fish into smaller areas will also produce.
As water temps dip into the mid 70s, the mackerel bite nearshore will pick up. Large numbers of Spanish and king mackerel will roam open waters and stage around nearshore rigs and reefs. Finding bait schools leads to action with these mackerel. Catching them can be simple and generally these fish will be taken trolling with both lures and bait/ lure combinations, drifting live baits around structures and by casting spoons and other shiny lures once they are located.
A lot of things will pick up this month, but it’ll start in the surf with big numbers of pompano. The prized surf species will really fire up as the water temps fall back into the upper 70s and continue to bite well into
Just offshore, big king mackerel and the occasional wahoo will reside on natural bottom areas from 70ft and beyond. Bump trolling live baits is very productive, but covering water by trolling at higher speeds will also take both species. Finding areas loaded with bait is the first step though. Kings and wahoo will not be far from areas holding bait.
Hilton’s Realtime-navigator
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Pier & Shore Fishing Outlook
BY DAVID THORNTON
on phytoplankton before that food source disappears in the coming chill. They also look for protection there, from schools of pelagic jacks and mackerel, preparing for their annual southward migration. Resident species like bluefish, red drum, speckled trout and flounder join in the carnage as they ‘fatten up’ for their upcoming season of scarcity.
Sans tropical interference, October provides some of the best fishing of the year
Photos by David Thornton
FROM SUMMER TO FALL Change never comes easily, and the transition of seasons this month is a good example of that. Early October often has summer-like conditions that may be tropical or dry but fall imposes itself by the end of the month with a succession of cold fronts which puts a chill in the air, and drops the ambient Gulf water temperature through the upper 70s.
This along with the obvious shorter length of daylight hours signals fish species to prepare for what lies ahead. Menhaden and mullet stage at the mouths of coastal rivers, creeks and canals before heading out into the Gulf for the winter. Young-of-the-year herring (called “LYs), and (“finger”) mullet swarm in the surfzone feeding
All of this activity provides a myriad of options for shorebound anglers, as sans tropical interference, October provides some of the best fishing of the year. Schools of slot-size redfish and speckled trout along with flounder, wait to ambush baitfish along sandbar drop offs and in the beach troughs. They are also fond of orienting around “hard” structures like piers
10 years ago John Patterson retired and moved to the coast to catch mackerel
As the wind increases and veers to southerly through the days prior to the arrival of a cold front, the Gulf gets rougher. Waves and currents increase to the point of shutting down fishing in most locations along the open Gulf beach as the seas build and the water gets dingier. Mackerel, trout and other sight feeding fish become more difficult to find unless you can locate a spot well protected from these elements. Meanwhile, fish that feed more by scent like redfish or pompano, or by vibration like flounder and bluefish, may congregate in sheltered spots where they may actually be easier to catch from shore.
Jacks (blue runner, ladyfish and juvenile jack crevalle) and bluefish are the most common bycatch species to fishing for spanish mackerel. Though less desirable as food fish they are quite edible (especially when bled upon landing), and every bit as much fun to catch. They strike a variety of lures, with small jigs and Bubble Rigs being the most popular and least expensive. That is unless you can catch your live bait on site. The small LYs often stay close to the piers and can be caught in numbers with 3/8 inch castnet, Ribbon rig, small sabiki rig or just plain (#10) gold hooks. A five gallon bucket with an aerator will keep several dozen baits alive for hours. And often all of them will be eaten by gamefish in a short period of time.
With all these venues and angling options, October is one of our best fishing months of the year along the Emerald Coast. So keep praying for good weather and good fishing as you enjoy these great days outdoors!
Shark and dolphin predation on pier hooked mackerel has become a very widespread problem over the past ten years as populations of the medium-sized coastal sharks like Blacktip, Spinner and Sandbar sharks have exploded. About all the angler can do is either try to yank his fish away from the shark or open the bail and hope the fish can outrun the determined predator. Either way it makes for some spectacular action, though it greatly decreases the sporting aspect of catching the fast running mackerel on light tackle.
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The upside for the last week of October is the tide should be rising through the late afternoons providing surf casters deeper water near shore as dark approaches. This subtle yet significant change heralds an important shift in the tactical approach for surf fishermen focusing on pompano. Outgoing, or falling tides are often the best time to target “bull” redfish at the passes with heavy class surf fishing gear. Fort Morgan Point in Alabama, and Fort Pickens Point in Florida are especially noted for having a strong bull red fishery at this time.
Timing, location and presentation are the keys to success each day as conditions change almost constantly this month. The wind direction and speed is a determining factor that should guide pier and surf fishermen toward what species and methods to concentrate on at any point in time.
and jetties while awaiting a passing meal or seeking refuge from predatory sharks and dolphins.
Pierfishing along the Gulf front is primarily keying on Spanish mackerel, though there are a lot of bycatch fish and many alternative species too. This is also the best time of year for “keeper size” Mangrove snapper before they move into deeper water. The competition for food is high when fish are packed into tight schools, and that makes them easier to catch. Bull minnows, finger mullet, small LYs and small live shrimp are great baits to catch these tasty, scrappy members of the snapper family on medium heavy tackle. Be aware of specific regulations on Mangroves, as they are different in each state.
Most participants in the mackerel fishery target the larger fish three pounds and up, often referred to as “ax handles”. Likely because the base of the tail is about the diameter of an ax handle. Anyway they are a blast on light tackle and can be caught on a variety of lures, but they are suckers for a small live bait like an LY.
NO PEER FOR FALL PIER FISHING
FISHING
The Florida Panhandle piers may also have small cigar minnows (scad) and hardtails (blue runner) that the mackerel readily feed on too. Occasional king mackerel may show up, as well as “bonita” (Little tunny), and a host of other species like bluefish, ladyfish, jack crevalle and redfish. In fact most fish that swim in the Gulf will eat these hapless three inch baitfish. So lures
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that resemble them like silver spoons, jigs and small plugs are ideal for a variety of species. Just be sure to add a few inches of light wire, or heavy monofilament to help prevent being cut off by those razor sharp teeth. Also, competing members of the school often closely follow a hooked fish and will snap at anything moving, like a swivel or large knot leaving a bubble trail. This is the cause of a lot of “Cut offs” when mackerel fishing with light tackle.
After the front passes, the brisk north wind knocks the waves down allowing the water to settle through the succeeding tide changes. Generally the water clears a bit more each day once the surf subsides. Often allowing a period of relatively clear water along the beaches before the next approaching front kicks up the cycle again. This is when pompano and especially “whiting” (Gulf and Northern kingfish) typically school up and feed close to shore. The first part of the month gives us early morning high tides which usually bodes well to get surf feeding fish closer to shore. But after the October 22-23 NEAP tide (a tide just after the first or third quarters of the moon when there is least difference between high and low water) period we change to a more winter type tidal pattern. That means the high tide will occur around midnight, resulting in falling water levels all morning. Usually this moves the fish in the surf zone farther from shore, even out of the shallow beach troughs and beyond the sandbar and reach of surf fishers.
Captain Pamela Martin Wells, a long-time Florida guide, advised anglers that bass fishing in October is dependent upon the weather.
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WEISS LAKE
Cat fishing will continue to be very good in October.
LAKE TALQUIN
If the weather is still hot in October, flipping jigs and punching through the hydrilla can be quite effective.
“October is a great time for fishing on Weiss. Bass, crappie- everything is biting. Lake Weiss water is being drawn down to winter level in October, and this can make lots of good fishing places easier to find that have been hidden all summer,” says Captain Lee Pitts, a life-long Weiss guide and tournament angler “Flats, humps, and other solid stuff are exposed in winter lake levels. Shad will get up in the backs of creeks, and the bass will find them and devour them,”
BY ED MASHBURN
Topwater frogs and swim baits worked over shallow points and up creeks will be effective.
REGIONAL FRESHWATER
FLORIDA WATERS
The Lake Talquin bass start to move into shallow water and feed up for winter.
ALABAMA WATERS
SEMINOLE LAKE
Photos by Ed Mashburn
The topwater bass bite will be determined by the weather again. If it’s hot, then early and late will be the bet. If the weather and water has started to cool, the topwater bite can be fantastic all day long.
Hybrid bass will still be schooling, and anglers often get into the hard-pulling hybrids when they are searching for largemouths.
By October, crappie anglers can find plenty of slabs starting their fall patterns
Jeff DuBree of Whippoorwill Lodge on Lake Talquin fishes the lake often and he gets reports from anglers and he told us that as the fall weather cools, the fishing will improve. The long hot summer is coming to an end, and the fish are starting to move.
“ At times the frog bite can be incredible,” Wells said. “The Spro Frog and various spinner baits and crankbaits can work very well in both shad and bream patterns.”
Some really big bream can be caught at Seminole in October if anglers work the edges of weed beds for the bream that are roaming around looking for food. Try live bait as in worms and crickets or small jigs.
The bream bite will start to wind down as the bigger bream move into the main lake. Try worms and crickets on the bottom in eight to ten feet of water.
In October, DuBree said that crappie fishing gets exciting again. The big slabs start feeding in the main lake, and anglers can have good results trolling jigs of fishing live minnows over brush piles and old timber.
Fishing Outlook
Randy Jackson who owns Riverside Fly Shop and guides trips on Sipsey Fork said that at the end of October, the last mayfly hatches of the year, mostly little yellow quill, will occur, and these flies are pretty small, so fly anglers will want to concentrate on smaller imitations.
us that the weather determines what insect action will be going when anglers arrive at the river. Insect hatches so far this year have been sporadic because of the hot weather.
Experienced Delta guide Captain Wayne Miller from the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Guide Service said that October, is by far the best month of the year for fishing the lower Delta.
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LAKE EUFAULA
Mid-South Bass Guide Service Captain Jake Davis advises anglers to use top water frogs such as the Pro Z Baits frog in Scooby-Doo color pattern to catch some good bass. Punching through the thick weeds with a Missile Baits D-Bomb will also work well.
A good idea for anglers at Lake Guntersville in October who want to find some truly great bass action is to find the thickest mats of weeds possible and work dark colored frogs over the weeds.
Crappie anglers should explore deep docks and bridge pilings on the main lake. In October, the schooled up crappie can be found at various depths, depending on the shad. Find the shad and the crappie will be close by. Williams recommends crappie anglers try open water trolling for October crappie at Eufaula, and multiple rod set ups will work best.
“If there is one month out of the year I wish I could fish everyday, it’s October. This month is absolutely the best time to catch both trophy catfish and a cooler full of eating size fish. It’s also without a doubt the best time to catch big numbers of smallmouth bass,” Barton said.
FISHING OUTLOOK
Captain Sam Williams from Hawks Fishing Guide Service has fished Eufau la for decades advised catfish chasers to look at creek channels and main lake drop offs for good catfish action. Cut shad always works well here, and fishing with jugs can be a very effective way to fill an ice chest with cats.
Crappie will start to get more active in October as they school up looking for smaller shad running in big schools in open water. Toward the end of the month, crappie will start moving into the creeks as the weed mats start to break up.
JacksonFork.reminded
“There’s a tremendous influx of bait- mostly shrimp- in October. They will go well up into the middle Delta. It’s a phenomenal time to bass fish in the lower Delta. Any lures that mimic shrimp will work,” he said.
Let’s start with trophy catfish. Wilson Lake is the lake of choice. Fish the north side of the lake from Six Mile Creek to Wilson Dam. Concentrate your efforts in 50 to 75 feet of water in the open flats and along the river channel ledge. Troll big chunks of fresh cut skipjack 2-5 feet off the bottom at .3 to .5 mph. For big flatheads try dropping live bream or shad straight down along the deep straight wall bluffs. This will produce best early and late in the day or at night.
”Look for bait over channel ledges, humps, and bluff lines where cats will be hanging out. Cats can be as shallow as 10 feet in the upper sections of the lake to over 90 feet near the dam,” Barton added.
If the mid-day is warm and sunny, anglers will want to fish ledges and brush piles in deeper water out in the main body of the lake.
The Delta bass will be up on flats, out in the main rivers, up creeks. Wherev er the shrimp go, the bass will be there.
Find the solid structure and the bass will be there. Solid wood underwater stuff is the key. When wind moves bait over flats, look for rocks and rock piles where the bait will be gathered.
LAKE GUNTERSVILLE
Topwater lures in silver with orange or chartreuse accents work very well.
MOBILE DELTA
Trout at Alabama’s only year-round trout fishery are still being stocked on the regular schedule, so there will be fish ready to bite for anglers.
Caddis fly hatches will start, and there are always mixed midge hatches going on.
WILSON LAKE
Stripers and hybrids will be schooling up both above and below Guntersville dam.
At this time, bass get so used to feeding on shrimp, so they are feeding on top. Small poppers, small buzz baits will work well.
Weiss October crappie should be very good. Jigs and minnows will both be good. Look for shad and the crappie will be close.
“Anglers cannot fish too shallow. Stumps are good places to work, and sometimes bass in October will be feeding in less than a foot of water,” Pitts said. “Spinner baits can be good. Cast the spinner past the stump and retrieve it as close to structure as possible. The bass will hit as the spinner passes the stump.”
Anglers who use spinning gear will have good luck on the Sipsey Fork throwing small single-hook Roostertails on four pound test line.
For eating size cats there is not a bad location. Drifting the tailraces below both dams will produce plenty of catfish. Use catalpa worms or small threadfin shad for best results. For those who prefer to stay away from the dams, fish 25-40 feet of water along the bluffs and clay lined banks in the mid lake region.
Miller said that we should start seeing cooler weather and cooler water tem peratures moving from the lower 80s to the lower 70s as the month moves along. Miller recommend that bass anglers should find great fishing if they target the lower Delta. This is the time the Causeway waters are at their best.
“October can be the best month of the whole year for trophy catfish on Wilson Lake,” advised Captain Brian Barton, a trophy catfish specialist Anglers should look for catfish food if they want to find catfish. Shad will school up in large bait balls in open water. The catfish will suspend under the bait balls.
The tailrace of both Wilson and Wheeler Dams will be loaded up with smallmouth bass and every other kind of fish gorging themselves on the young shad that gather there. Drifting live bait is always your best option when available.
Some great catfish will be caught in October at Guntersville by anglers who fish creek channels and main lake drop offs.
Trout anglers will need to keep in mind that nymph fishing is always good on Sipsey
SIPSEY FORK
Randy Jackson 256-287-9582 Riverside Fly Shop 17027 Hwy 69N Jasper, Al Riversideflyshop.com
should try the upper parts of the lake- Hog Island and Town Creek flats and on the lower portion- which is best for bigger cats- around Shoal Creek and the deep water bluff ledges.
the
Captain Wayne Miller Mobile-Tensaw Delta Guide 251-455-7404Service
In October, the cats will tend to be very aggressive on the feed, and by trolling slowly at .5 to .7 mph, cat hunters can cover a lot of water to find the best feeding fish.
Regional Freshwater Fishing Outlook
Captain Brian Brianbartonoutdoors.comBarton
Captain Sam Williams Hawks Fishing Guide Service Hawksfishingguideservice.com
Dunn advised bass anglers to look in the major sloughs as water temps cool as October moves along. Shad will go up creeks and sloughs, and the bass will follow. visit us at www.pureflats.com turn on when days start to shorten and water cools
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WhippoorwillJeff334-365-5057DuBreeSportsman’s Lodge Lake 850-726-0153Talquin
MILLER’S FERRY
the
Anglersrig.
Mid-SouthCaptain256-412-0969JakeDavisBassGuide 256-390-4145leepittsoutdoors.comCaptainThomasville,33356334-636-0850Dunn’sJoewww.pamartinwells.com229-254-6863Bainbridge,Captain615-613-2382www.midsouthbassguide.comServicePamelaMartinWellsGeorgiaDunnSportsHighway43AlabamaLeePitts
Important Contact Information
backcolorsAllinstock! Big bass
Brianbartonoutdoors@aol.com
Fall crappie fishing on Miller’s Ferry can be very good if anglers spend some time searching to find where the fish are concentrated.
Joe Dunn of Dunn’s Sports in Thomasville fishes Miller’s Ferry a great deal and he hears plenty of fishing reports from area anglers and he told us that anglers will want to spend some time looking in the main body of the lake. Crappie will be found by bottom bouncing both live minnows and jigs. Use a 1 oz sinker at the end of the line. Tie a hook or jig a foot or so above the sinker, and let the rig to the bottom. Lift and drop this rig off the bottom. Crappie may be as deep as 18 feet or deeper.
Barton advises anglers going after the big cats to try a B’n M’ Silver Cat series rod paired with a Abu 6500 C3 reel. Braided line is preferred for this heavy duty fish. A 7/0 to 10/0 Daiichi circle hook completes the trophy cat
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MOON & FEED TIMES Date Day This chart is specifically designed for fishing times in the Mobile/Tensaw Delta & other tidally influenced waters of South Alabama. PRIME FEEDING TIMES Mobile / Tensaw Delta October 2022 31302928272625242322212019181716151413121110987654321 MonSunSatFriThuWedTueMonSunSatFriThuWedTueMonSunSatFriThuWedTueMonSunSatFriThuWedTueMonSunSat ★★ ★ ★★ ★★ ★ ★ ★★ ★★ ★ ★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★★ ★ ★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★ 76 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM
02:03 PM / 0.17 03:41 PM / 0.11 04:59 PM / 0.07 06:00 PM / 0.09 06:47 PM / 0.19 07:21 PM / 0.36 07:31 PM / 0.59 05:00 AM / 0.82 06:39 PM / 0.81 06:43 AM / 0.62 05:44 PM / 0.96
31302928272625242322212019181716151413121098765432111 ALABAMA TIDE CHARTS FLEXIBLE — The entire lineup of 4.2-liter V6 four strokes—from the F225 and F250 up to the mighty F300—is now available with either mechanical or digital controls, for ease of repower LIGHTER — At 562 pounds (digital) and 551 pounds (mechanical), they’re up to 73 pounds lighter than other four strokes in their class FASTER — Up to 19 percent faster than other 300-hp competitors, planing offshore boats with ease* SMARTER — Up to 17 percent better fuel economy, at cruise RPM, than comparable outboards* *Testing conducted by Yamaha at Yamaha’s test facility on a Grady-White® 257 Advance/300 hp, with each boat rigged for maximum performance. REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. © 2017 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. 1-800-88-YAMAHA BIG-BLOCK DIGITAL & MECHANICAL RIGGING MEET 116 E. I-65 Service Road N. Mobile, AL 36607 Phone: www.bluewateryachtsales.net251-476-2699 POWER Yamaha’s award-winning 4.2-liter V6 four strokes set the standard for offshore performance. Not only do they feature class-leading 4.2-liter displacement, but they’re also: Learn more about the powerful performance of our 4.2-liter V6 Offshore F300, F250 and F225 at YamahaOutboards.com/V6offshore. t t t t GIVE US A CALL OR STOP BY TODAY TO GET A QUOTE ON REPOWERING YOUR BOAT Fort Morgan SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM
01:18 AM / 0.89
11:02 PM / 1.17
12:34 AM / 1.72 01:30 AM / 1.72 02:30 AM / 1.66
Perdido Pass
01:18 AM / 1.63 02:06 AM / 1.59 02:58 AM / 1.53 03:50 AM / 1.45 04:41 AM / 1.35 05:35 AM / 1.22 07:00 AM / 1.06 12:18 AM / 0.92 10:05 AM / 0.92 11:21 PM / 0.97 12:48 PM / 0.84 10:47 PM / 1.09 10:35 PM / 1.26 10:45 PM / 1.43 11:10 PM / 1.57 11:47 PM / 1.67
01:25 PM / -0.17 02:30 PM / -0.23 03:39 PM / -0.24 04:46 PM / -0.20 05:30 PM / -0.12 05:55 PM / 0.01 05:57 PM / 0.17
02:12 AM / 0.30 05:54 PM / 0.34 05:45 AM / 0.23 03:21 PM / 0.42 06:27 AM / 0.12 06:59 AM / 0.05 07:26 AM / 0.02 11:09 AM / -0.01 12:33 PM / -0.04 01:33 PM / -0.06 02:25 PM / -0.06 03:21 PM / -0.04 04:23 PM / -0.01 05:12 PM / 0.03 05:45 PM / 0.12 05:42 PM / 0.23 01:04 AM / 0.34 04:01 PM / 0.36 02:40 AM / 0.26 02:22 PM / 0.39 05:24 AM / 0.15 01:39 PM / 0.40 06:04 AM / 0.01 06:42 AM / -0.10 07:36 AM / -0.16 10:26 AM / -0.22 11:47 AM / -0.26 01:00 PM / -0.27 01:56 PM / -0.24
01:54 AM / 1.74 02:49 AM / 1.78 03:49 AM / 1.76 04:53 AM / 1.70 06:03 AM / 1.58 07:40 AM / 1.42 10:00 AM / 1.25
01:54 AM / 1.74 02:49 AM / 1.78 03:49 AM / 1.76 04:53 AM / 1.70 06:03 AM / 1.58 07:40 AM / 1.42 10:00 AM / 1.25 01:18 AM / 0.89 12:02 PM / 1.10 12:13 AM / 0.98 02:33 PM / 1.00 11:02 PM / 1.17 11:02 PM / 1.38 11:26 PM / 1.53 11:58 PM / 1.61
07:47 AM / 0.42 08:39 AM / 0.28 09:28 AM / 0.19 10:24 AM / 0.16 11:44 AM / 0.17 01:19 PM / 0.19 02:36 PM / 0.20 03:39 PM / 0.21 04:29 PM / 0.24 05:05 PM / 0.30 05:24 PM / 0.39 05:26 PM / 0.52 05:01 AM / 0.83 05:07 PM / 0.67
12:02 PM / 1.10 12:13 AM / 0.98 02:33 PM / 1.00
31302928272625242322212019181716151413121098765432111
06:20 AM / 0.62 04:27 PM / 0.81 07:08 AM / 0.40 07:52 AM / 0.20 08:39 AM / 0.04 09:39 AM / -0.07 11:09 AM / -0.12 12:52 PM / -0.16 02:09 PM / -0.17 03:13 PM / -0.14
12:35 AM / 1.64 01:18 AM / 1.63 02:06 AM / 1.59 02:58 AM / 1.53 03:50 AM / 1.45 04:41 AM / 1.35 05:35 AM / 1.22 07:00 AM / 1.06 12:18 AM / 0.92 10:05 AM / 0.92 11:21 PM / 0.97 12:48 PM / 0.84 10:47 PM / 1.09 10:35 PM / 1.26 10:45 PM / 1.43 11:10 PM / 1.57 11:47 PM / 1.67
12:35 AM / 1.64
10987654321111213141516171819202122232425262728293031 Fort Morgan SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM
03:35 PM / 0.22 05:13 PM / 0.14 06:31 PM / 0.09 07:32 PM / 0.11 08:19 PM / 0.23 08:53 PM / 0.45 09:03 PM / 0.74 06:32 AM / 1.02 08:11 PM / 1.02 08:15 AM / 0.77 07:16 PM / 1.20 09:19 AM / 0.53 10:11 AM / 0.35 11:00 AM / 0.24 11:56 AM / 0.20 01:16 PM / 0.22 02:51 PM / 0.24 04:08 PM / 0.25 05:11 PM / 0.27 06:01 PM / 0.30 06:37 PM / 0.37 06:56 PM / 0.49 06:58 PM / 0.66 06:33 AM / 1.04 06:39 PM / 0.84 07:52 AM / 0.77 05:59 PM / 1.01 08:40 AM / 0.50 09:24 AM / 0.24 10:11 AM / 0.05 11:11 AM / -0.08 12:41 PM / -0.15 02:24 PM / -0.20 03:41 PM / -0.21 04:45 PM / -0.17
12:40 AM / 0.96 01:36 AM / 0.91 02:41 AM / 0.86 03:36 AM / 0.79 07:48 AM / 0.71 08:42 AM / 0.69 09:35 PM / 0.42 09:31 AM / 0.62 09:53 PM / 0.52 10:28 AM / 0.54 10:01 PM / 0.63 11:37 AM / 0.44 09:03 PM / 0.79 09:25 PM / 0.96 09:57 PM / 1.09 10:38 PM / 1.18 11:27 PM / 1.22
07:47 AM / 0.42 08:39 AM / 0.28 09:28 AM / 0.19 10:24 AM / 0.16 11:44 AM / 0.17 01:19 PM / 0.19 02:36 PM / 0.20 03:39 PM / 0.21 04:29 PM / 0.24 05:05 PM / 0.30 05:24 PM / 0.39 05:26 PM / 0.52 05:01 AM / 0.83 05:07 PM / 0.67 06:20 AM / 0.62 04:27 PM / 0.81 07:08 AM / 0.40 07:52 AM / 0.20 08:39 AM / 0.04 09:39 AM / -0.07 11:09 AM / -0.12 12:52 PM / -0.16 02:09 PM / -0.17 03:13 PM / -0.14
12:42 AM / 1.09 01:43 AM / 1.10 02:52 AM / 1.08 03:54 AM / 1.02 07:27 AM / 0.94 08:31 AM / 0.89 09:24 AM / 0.80 10:14 PM / 0.41 10:19 AM / 0.67 10:36 PM / 0.54 11:22 AM / 0.53 10:57 PM / 0.66 09:44 PM / 0.78 10:03 PM /0.89 10:34 PM / 0.97 11:11 PM / 0.99 11:53 PM / 0.99
02:03 PM / 0.17 03:41 PM / 0.11 04:59 PM / 0.07 06:00 PM / 0.09 06:47 PM / 0.19 07:21 PM / 0.36 07:31 PM / 0.59 05:00 AM / 0.82 06:39 PM / 0.81 06:43 AM / 0.62 05:44 PM / 0.96
11:02 PM / 1.38 11:26 PM / 1.53 11:58 PM / 1.61
12:34 AM / 1.72 01:30 AM / 1.72 02:30 AM / 1.66
SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM
03:40 AM / 2.17 04:35 AM / 2.22 05:35 AM / 2.20 06:39 AM / 2.12 07:49 AM / 1.97 09:26 AM / 1.77 11:46 AM / 1.56 03:04 AM / 1.12 01:48 PM / 1.37 01:59 AM / 1.23 04:19 PM / 1.25 12:48 AM / 1.47 12:48 AM / 1.72 01:12 AM / 1.91 01:44 AM / 2.02 02:21 AM / 2.05 03:04 AM / 2.04 03:52 AM / 1.98 04:44 AM / 1.91 05:36 AM / 1.81 06:27 AM / 1.69 07:21 AM / 1.52 08:46 AM / 1.32 02:04 AM / 1.15 11:51 AM / 1.15 01:07 AM / 1.21 02:34 PM / 1.06 12:33 AM / 1.37 12:21 AM / 1.57 12:31 AM / 1.78 12:56 AM / 1.96 01:33 AM / 2.09 02:20 AM / 2.15 03:16 AM / 2.15 04:16 AM / 2.07
31302928272625242322212019181716151413121098765432111 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 77
12:21 AM / 1.20 01:19 AM / 1.12
Mobile River
12:24 AM / 0.97 01:27 AM / 0.98 02:36 AM / 0.96
SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM
12:09 PM / 0.18 01:17 PM / 0.10 02:19 PM / 0.08 03:17 PM / 0.15 04:10 PM / 0.29 04:52 PM / 0.51 03:45 PM / 0.74 01:49 AM / 0.86 03:18 PM / 0.91 03:13 AM / 0.71 03:12 PM / 1.00 04:27 AM / 0.56 05:38 AM / 0.43 06:52 AM / 0.33 08:22 AM / 0.27 10:17 AM / 0.24 11:31 AM / 0.24 12:30 PM / 0.26 01:19 PM / 0.31 01:58 PM / 0.39 02:26 PM / 0.49 02:41 PM / 0.61 02:41 PM / 0.75 01:07 AM / 1.03 02:31 PM / 0.88 02:30 AM / 0.88 02:21 PM / 0.99 03:37 AM / 0.68 02:07 PM / 1.06 04:40 AM / 0.48 05:46 AM / 0.29 07:06 AM / 0.14 09:08 AM / 0.02 10:41 AM / -0.06 11:51 AM / -0.07 12:52 PM / -0.01
Destin East Pass SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM
0.45 09:08
31302928262524232221201918171615141312109876543211127 FLORIDA TIDE CHARTS 78 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
31302928262524232221201918171615141312109876543211127
Pensacola Bay SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM 02:02 PM / 0.05 03:34 PM / -0.04 04:46 PM / -0.09 05:42 PM / -0.08 06:25 PM / 0.04 06:54 PM / 0.25 07:04 PM / 0.54 06:39 PM / 0.83 06:36 AM / 0.67 05:02 PM / 1.02 08:02
05:01
0.27 10:06
0.14 02:56
0.13 01:42
31302928262524232221201918171615141312109876543211127 Panama
12:21 AM / 0.90 01:06 AM / 0.89 02:00 AM / 0.87 03:02 AM / 0.84 04:08 AM / 0.82 05:14 AM / 0.78 06:20 AM / 0.73 07:36 AM / 0.65 01:11 AM / 0.48 09:11 AM / 0.56 11:05 PM / 0.50 11:18 AM / 0.47 10:20 PM / 0.59 10:08 PM / 0.70 10:19 PM / 0.80 10:47 PM / 0.89 11:30 PM / 0.94
06:02 AM / 0.22 04:28 PM / 0.34 07:28 AM / 0.15 08:34 AM / 0.09 09:32 AM / 0.05 10:34 AM / 0.04 11:46 AM / 0.04 01:08 PM / 0.05 02:22 PM / 0.04 03:19 PM / 0.04 03:59 PM / 0.04 04:27 PM / 0.06 04:43 PM / 0.10 04:49 PM / 0.15 03:02 AM / 0.32 04:37 PM / 0.22 05:14 AM / 0.24 03:52 PM / 0.28 06:20 AM / 0.15 07:15 AM / 0.07 08:13 AM / 0.01 09:20 AM / -0.03 10:43 AM / -0.06 12:15 PM / -0.08 01:38 PM / -0.09 02:44 PM / -0.09
0.16 11:08
01:28 PM / 0.02 03:00 PM / -0.01 04:12 PM / -0.03 05:08 PM / -0.03 05:51 PM / 0.01 06:20 PM / 0.08 06:30 PM / 0.18 03:03 AM / 0.29 06:05 PM / 0.28
12:59 PM / 0.21 02:22 PM / 0.12 03:27 PM / 0.08 04:20 PM / 0.11 05:04 PM / 0.24 05:39 PM / 0.45 05:48 PM / 0.71 03:12 AM / 0.92 05:14 PM / 0.96 04:55 AM / 0.75 04:25 PM / 1.12 06:16 AM / 0.59 07:34 AM / 0.46 08:50 AM / 0.36 10:02 AM / 0.30 11:10 AM / 0.28 12:20 PM / 0.28 01:29 PM / 0.28 02:28 PM / 0.30 03:11 PM / 0.34 03:35 PM / 0.41 03:45 PM / 0.52 03:50 PM / 0.65 02:55 AM / 0.96 03:51 PM / 0.80 04:22 AM / 0.78 03:25 PM / 0.94 05:31 AM / 0.58 06:38 AM / 0.38 07:50 AM / 0.21 09:07 AM / 0.06 10:23 AM / -0.06 11:36 AM / -0.14 12:45 PM / -0.16 01:49 PM / -0.12
05:48
02:09 AM / 1.92 03:18 AM / 1.97 04:40 AM / 1.99 06:06 AM / 1.98 07:30 AM / 1.91 08:48 AM / 1.76 10:06 AM / 1.54 11:36 AM / 1.28 11:58 PM / 1.05 01:54 PM / 1.06 11:27 PM / 1.32 11:30 PM / 1.57 11:50 PM / 1.74 12:18 AM / 1.82 12:54 AM / 1.84 01:39 AM / 1.81 02:33 AM / 1.77 03:35 AM / 1.72 04:41 AM / 1.67 05:47 AM / 1.60 06:53 AM / 1.48 08:09 AM / 1.32 09:44 AM / 1.14 11:38 PM / 1.02 11:51 AM / 0.97 10:53 PM / 1.20 10:41 PM / 1.42 10:52 PM / 1.64 11:20 PM / 1.81 12:03 AM / 1.93 12:57 AM / 1.99 02:00 AM / 2.00 03:09 AM / 1.95
04:26
11:17 PM / 0.85 11:45 PM / 0.89
06:54
0.13 12:20
12:59 AM / 2.00 01:53 AM / 2.05 02:57 AM / 2.04 04:18 AM / 1.98 06:20 AM / 1.89 07:59 AM / 1.77 09:21 AM / 1.60 11:18 PM / 1.01 10:44 AM / 1.41 10:59 PM / 1.17 12:20 PM / 1.22 10:47 PM / 1.36 10:09 PM / 1.57 10:24 PM / 1.73 10:58 PM / 1.84 11:38 PM / 1.88 12:22 AM / 1.88 01:10 AM / 1.84 02:02 AM / 1.78 02:59 AM / 1.69 04:08 AM / 1.59 05:51 AM / 1.47 07:50 AM / 1.35 10:31 PM / 1.04 09:18 AM / 1.21 10:09 PM / 1.14 10:54 AM / 1.08 09:51 PM / 1.28 09:27 PM / 1.47 09:40 PM / 1.67 10:13 PM / 1.83 10:56 PM / 1.96 11:46 PM / 2.03 12:41 AM / 2.04 01:38 AM / 1.9731302928262524232221201918171615141312109876543211127AM / AM / AM / AM / PM / PM / PM / 0.13 PM / PM / 0.12 PM / PM / 0.29 PM / 0.46 PM / 0.66 AM / 0.73 PM / 0.85 AM / 0.47 07:49 AM / 0.22 08:47 AM / 0.03 09:54 AM / -0.10 11:17 AM / -0.18 12:49 PM / -0.24 02:12 PM / -0.28 03:18 PM / -0.28
0.12 04:33
05:23
SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM
01:36 AM / 0.94 02:45 AM / 0.97 04:07 AM / 0.98 05:33 AM / 0.97 06:57 AM / 0.94 08:15 AM / 0.86 09:33 AM / 0.76 01:45 AM / 0.43 11:03 AM / 0.63 11:25 PM / 0.51 01:21 PM / 0.52 10:54 PM / 0.65 10:57 PM / 0.77
03:53
0.18 05:17
Navarre Beach
05:11
12:37 AM / 2.08 01:50 AM / 2.08 03:13 AM / 2.02 04:46 AM / 1.92 06:40 AM / 1.77 08:32 AM / 1.60 10:40 PM / 1.00 10:02 AM / 1.42 10:24 PM / 1.12 11:27 AM / 1.22 08:15 PM / 1.30 08:38 PM / 1.52 09:15 PM / 1.67 09:54 PM / 1.76 10:37 PM / 1.80 11:24 PM / 1.79 12:18 AM / 1.76 01:20 AM / 1.71 02:29 AM / 1.66 03:41 AM / 1.61 04:55 AM / 1.54 06:16 AM / 1.45 10:08 PM / 1.09 08:03 AM / 1.33 09:24 PM / 1.18 09:55 AM / 1.21 08:45 PM / 1.32 11:40 AM / 1.12 08:14 PM / 1.52 08:24 PM / 1.73 08:54 PM / 1.91 09:34 PM / 2.06 10:22 PM / 2.13 11:16 PM / 2.14 12:16 AM / 2.08 City
01:34 AM / 1.80 02:26 AM / 1.87 03:18 AM / 1.86
04:23 AM / 1.76 05:53 AM / 1.61 07:22 AM / 1.43 10:06 AM / 1.25
07:26 AM / 0.98 08:44 AM / 0.77 09:53 AM / 0.62 10:56 AM / 0.52 11:59 AM / 0.47 01:03 PM / 0.46 02:04 PM / 0.47 03:01 PM / 0.50 03:51 PM / 0.57 04:33 PM / 0.67 05:04 PM / 0.83 05:21 PM / 1.02 05:15 PM / 1.25
04:31 AM / 1.41 06:03 AM / 1.29
01:32 PM / 0.25 02:44 PM / 0.14 03:49 PM / 0.11 04:48 PM / 0.18 05:40 PM / 0.37 06:24 PM / 0.66 06:52 PM / 1.01 06:45 PM / 1.37 05:46 AM / 1.21 05:08 PM / 1.64
01:48 AM / 1.65 02:37 AM / 1.60 03:27 AM / 1.52
12:21 AM / 2.53 12:55 AM / 2.61 AM / 2.62 02:19 AM / 2.58 03:12 AM / 2.51 04:15 AM / 2.40 05:29 AM / 2.28 06:55 AM / 2.13 08:28 AM / 1.97 10:06 AM / 1.79 11:42 PM / 1.51 12:04 PM / 1.61 10:52 PM / 1.72 10:45 PM / 2.00 10:59 PM / 2.28 11:28 PM / 2.54 12:06 AM / 2.75 12:51 AM / 2.87 01:44 AM / 2.90 02:42 AM / 2.81
07:30 AM / 1.16 11:24 PM / 0.72 10:28 AM / 1.05 10:50 PM / 0.80 12:09 PM / 0.96
09:20 PM / 1.02 09:40 PM / 1.28 10:06 PM / 1.52 10:36 PM / 1.74 11:14 PM / 1.90
11:37 AM / 1.08
05:16 AM / 0.42 05:13 PM / 0.85 06:19 AM / 0.24 07:20 AM / 0.10 08:16 AM / 0.01 09:10 AM / -0.03 10:17 AM / -0.03 11:52 AM / -0.00
12:55 PM / 0.04 02:13 PM / 0.09 03:51 PM / 0.13 04:34 PM / 0.19 04:59 PM / 0.30 05:07 PM / 0.45 02:59 AM / 0.68 04:37 PM / 0.62 04:29 AM / 0.47 04:44 PM / 0.79 05:30 AM / 0.24 06:28 AM / 0.01 07:30 AM / -0.18 08:35 AM / -0.32 09:51 AM / -0.39 11:25 AM / -0.42 12:34 PM / -0.39 01:37 PM / -0.29
11:58 PM / 1.67
Share highlights from your great days outdoors with us! info@GreatDaysOutdoors.com 151413121098765432111 6:39 AM 6:39 AM 6:40 AM 6:41 AM 6:41 AM 6:42 AM 6:43 AM 6:43 AM 6:44 AM 6:45 AM 6:46 AM 6:46 AM 6:47 AM 6:48 AM 6:49 AM 6:29 PM 6:28 PM 6:27 PM 6:25 PM 6:24 PM 6:23 PM 6:21 PM 6:20 PM 6:19 PM 6:18 PM 6:17 PM 6:15 PM 6:14 PM 6:13 PM 6:12 PM 31302928272625242322212019181716 6:49 AM 6:50 AM 6:51 AM 6:52 AM 6:52 AM 6:53 AM 6:54 AM 6:55 AM 6:55 AM 6:56 AM 6:57 AM 6:58 AM 6:59 AM 7:00 AM 7:00 AM 7:01 AM 6:11 PM 6:09 PM 6:08 PM 6:07 PM 6:06 PM 6:05 PM 6:04 PM 6:03 PM 6:02 PM 6:01 PM 6:00 PM 5:59 PM 5:58 PM 5:57 PM 5:56 PM 5:55 PM October 2022 Sunrise / Sunset MISSISSIPPI TIDE CHARTS 3766 Airport geico.com/mobile-alBoulevard| Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko® image © 1999-2022. © 2022WhetherGEICO you’re looking to spend time on the water or dry land, GEICO could help you save with boat, motorcycle and RV insurance. We could also help bundle your auto coverage and renters insurance through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.Your GEICO Local Agent could help you save on more than just car insurance! Savings as local as your fishing captain. 3766 Airport Blvd Mobile geico.com/mobile-davis251-445-005336608 Biloxi Bay 02:06 AM / 2.71 03:03 AM / 2.81 04:11 AM / 2.83 05:31 AM / 2.76 07:01 AM / 2.63 08:35 AM / 2.43 10:08 AM / 2.19 11:47 AM / 1.93 12:01 AM / 1.52 02:07 PM / 1.69 11:19 PM / 1.84 11:26 PM / 2.14 11:50 PM / 2.38
11:17 PM / 1.61
SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM 31302928272625242322212019181716151413121098765432111 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // September 2022 79
12:05 AM / 1.98 01:07 AM / 1.99 02:06 AM / 1.92
09:49 PM / 1.06
Pascagoula
01:41 AM / 0.68
01:34
SuSuSuSuSuSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSMTWThFSM 31302928272625242322212019181716151413121098765432111
04:48 AM / 1.29 04:30 PM / 1.46 06:15 AM / 1.02 07:25 AM / 0.74 08:31 AM / 0.47 09:39 AM / 0.25 10:50 AM / 0.07 12:03 PM / -0.04 01:15 PM / -0.07 02:22 PM / -0.01
04:38 PM / -0.23 05:24 PM / -0.09 05:58 PM / 0.14 06:20 PM / 0.41 03:58 AM / 0.63 05:33 PM / 0.68
01:56 PM / -0.30 03:31 PM / -0.29
12:35 PM / -0.26
11:31 PM / 0.79 02:02 PM / 0.96
10:14 PM / 1.31
10:44 PM / 1.50
12:52 AM / 1.67
Sea-Doo.com ©2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. Carefully read the operator’s guide and safety instructions. Observe applicable laws and regulations. Always wear appropriate protective clothing, including a personal flotation device and wetsuit bottoms. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. See your authorized BRP dealer fo details. You didn’t see it coming. Neither did the fish. Discover yours at our dealership Introducing the all-new FISH PRO™ The world’s first personal watercraft designed for fishing will bring you closer to the action for an experience like never before. 618 N New Warrington Rd. Pensacola, FL 32506 (850)456-6655MotorsportsPensacola TROPHY ROOM Pensacola Motorsports When Submitting Trophy Room photos, be sure to include as much information as possible about the person and the trophy. Final Decision is made by the editorial Staff of Great Days Outdoors Magazine. Submitting a photo does not guarantee it will be published. GET FEATURED IN OUR ISSUES OF GREAT DAYS OUTDOORS WHEN YOU GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT POST: To Facebook @GreatDaysOutdoors EMAIL: info@GreatDaysOutdoors.com [ OR ] IT'S EASY TO ENTER Photo of the Month! Simply share your great day outdoors with us! Jason Domangue with two slab crappieWendy Yarbrough used a modern sporting rifle to take down this fine buck. 80 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Elliot Lawrence and his 13 pt buck
Trevor Rushing with an eating size flounder
Chris Smith has his hand full of a beautiful snapper
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Noah Bryars with dinner...or a wall mount
This largemouth brought Jed DeFee to is knees Harper Newburn, with a Mobile County, Alabama Cowhorn spike.
KID'S CORNER TROPHY ROOM
Ryker Ingram, a 3-year-old angler with his bluegill which won the Alabama Black Belt Adventures photo contest!
Brayden Willis 14 yrs old with a gobbler almost his size...kind of.
Give us your best shot! Send your submission to info@greatdaysoutdoors.com. Submitting a photo does not guarantee that it will be published. We cannot give any guarantees on when a photo will be published. Please include: child's full name, age, mailing address, and any details. We need to know when, where, size (weight, points, etc.), shot or caught with what and any other meaningful information, like first time, etc.. CONTRIBUTIONS WITHOUT THIS INFO WON’T BE PUBLISHED.
Tenley Lambert with her trophy crappie
Elijah and his pet cat(fish).
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To get his take on what to keep in mind when you are fishing a tournament, we spoke with Captain and fishing guide Patric Garmeson from Ugly Fishing. Garmeson guides around the en tire Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound areas and is a regular participant in fishing tournaments.
Successful Tournament Fishing
“Another great feature of Fishing Chaos is the ability to look at previous year’s results and let the past results help predict the future of what a weigh-in finish could look like. Also, have a high quality fish scale to weigh your fish as you catch them to cull so you don’t unnecessarily harvest fish,” Garmeson concluded.
“With Fishing Chaos you can keep up with the leaderboard which allows you to understand the trends of a tournament sometimes as early as the first couple of hours of weigh in,” Garmeson explained. “For example, if there is a big heavy speckled trout weighed in early on the first day then it probably is going to be a really competi tive category and make it more difficult to place a fish.”
Garmeson points out that one of the great things about fishing summertime “rodeos’ is that they offer multiple categories and species. Some of which are not regularly targeted species but are commonly caught.
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“Rodeos are an open format and, in some cases, offer additional master angler, top male and top female adult categories. Some have a junior ver sion and also a team classification,” Garmeson said. “In most cases anyone 15 years and under is eligible to participate in a junior tournament. Since some of the tournaments allow juniors to fish both the open and the junior tournament, my son Cooper and I make a pretty good team.”
There are some standard practices that apply for tournament anglers such as scouting the area using online maps, covering as much water as possible to establish its productivity and find areas that hold the type of fish you are targeting.
Contact Information
Garmeson emphasized that because of that open format it really makes fishing fun and the field is wide open to diversify the catch. He also shared an “insider tip” on how to utilize the weigh-in and leader board to target the species and get a foot up.
BY WILLIAM KENDY
“However, there are usually categories that people are not entering fish or the weights are really light and when I see those I will develop a plan to attack those fish,” he added.
“At this time of the year for these tournaments I am an opportunistic fisherman and I don’t usu ally hone in on the popular gamefish like redfish or speckled trout. I prefer to target dang near anything that swims,” Garmeson explained.
Captain Patric 251-747-1554UglyFishing.comGarmeson
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These blinds divert all your scents straight up into the trees through a small chimney. You can tell your blind is working by the scarcity of birds and squirrels overhead. Another approach is to disperse scent by getting your stand up off the ground, the higher the better. It does make you wonder if all those guys in fire towers are really foresters.
In summary, odors are something we have to deal with and scents seem to do the trick. Still, you have to wonder about a buck fooled by scents. Basically, in his moment of truth, he discovers somebody lied.
To deal with food odors, hunters have turned to special chewing gums that camouflage their breath. This gum is available sugar-free so that it not only prevents cavities, but greens your teeth while you chew. According to the reviews, the least popular flavor is doe pee.
For myself, when it comes to scents I like to cover all the bases. So I use an attractor, a cover scent, and a food scent. Unfortunately, it seems like the deer want to come in, can’t find me, and just go away hungry.
Let’s start by taking a minute to consider how deer smell. Actually, some worse than others.
A more advanced technique involves stand placement. Ideally, you want to be downwind of the deer and upwind of hunters wearing buck lure.
As hunters combat odor tipping off their presence, they have developed a number of ways to deal with the smells they give off. For instance, some of them bathe.
Perhaps the most common approach to dealing with human odor is with commercial deer scents. Every hunter seems to have a different strategy with scents. Mine is to avoid the ones that smell bad.
Just kidding. But consider this; a deer’s sense of smell is one hundred times better than a human’s sense of smell. Think about that the next time you sprinkle skunk scent in the woods. Even if you’re not successful on the hunt, you’re at least getting some measure of revenge.
Scents come in many varieties and each has a different purpose. Some are designed to make a buck get mad. With a sense of smell 100 times better than a human’s, having hunters sprinkling this stuff all over his territory probably riles a buck plenty.
These suits work because the fabric is laced with carbon, which also happens to be the basic component of all life forms. So, theoretically, if you sit in a stand long enough your suit could evolve into a higher life form, such as a sports coat or pajamas. Some hunters store their clothes outside to avoid picking up human odors. If worn previously with other scents, most members of the household will endorse this strategy.
There must be exceptions to odorsensitive deer, such as those with allergies. Think about it. If they have sinus trouble, they can’t smell. And they live amongst ragweed and leaf mold. Maybe these are the ones getting shot.
Sometimes shortcuts take longer. And all they had to show for hurrying was a hole in the passenger-side floor.
Weather can also affect a deer’s sense of smell. For instance, deer have trouble picking up a hunter’s scent in heavy rain, at least partly because we’re usually in the truck with the doors closed and the windows rolled up.
BY JIM MIZE
Still, you would think with that level of sensitivity, deer would get tired of always being downwind. Maybe that’s what they are talking about when they grunt. It could be their way of asking other deer, “Was that you?”
Scientists have shown that even your choice of foods can influence your scent. Apparently, garlic and onions will tip off deer of your presence, even though it does help your buddies find you in the dark.
I’ve always wondered how they collect this stuff. Without even knowing the details, I’m sure of two things. One, somebody has a job worse than mine. Two, getting this stuff prepackaged is well worth $12.95 a bottle.
JIM MIZE is still looking for a scent that doesn’t get him thrown out of restaurants . You can find his books of award-winning humor on Amazon or purchase autographed copies at www . acreektricklesthoughit .com .
The history of deer scents is rich and colorful, mainly because for a long time, hunters have stunk and when it comes to deer, stinking matters. Hunters must therefore understand how deer smell and how we shouldn’t.
Other hunters try to hide their scents by using suits that absorb these odors. On a hot day, you can hear their pockets softly gagging.
Cover scents attempt to overpower the various smells a hunter generates. Some hunters have to use a lot. In fact, deer are often intimidated by what smells like a two hundred pound skunk.
Just for the Smell of It
Practically every deer hunter uses scents like these. This means that the week before deer season opens, Walmart probably handles more animal waste than the San Diego Zoo.
Some even hunt from scent-free blinds.
Each of these scents has its own advantage. For instance, one benefit of using doe pee is that when nature calls, it smells like you already answered.
A GREAT DAY OUTDOORS
Some scents are designed to smell like a deer’s favorite food. These work mostly on deer with the munchies.
86 September 2022 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Making the trip in your skivvies, the sprint from the house to the clothes shed can be exhilarating on a cold fall morning. You might want to unscrew the motiondetector lights if you have neighbors close by who object to streakers in the wee hours. Trust me on this one.
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OUTDOORALABAMA.COM/CWD FOR LATEST INFORMATION ON CWD AND ZONE LOCATION, VISIT Search OUTDOOR AL on your app store! All hunters are required to report their deer harvest using Game Check, which will help the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources effectively manage wildlife for generations. GAME CHECK IS MANDATORY FOR EVERY DEER HUNTER Check your harvest at OutdoorAlabama.com/GameCheck or by using the official ADCNR mobile app Outdoor AL n MANDATORY CWD SAMPLING OF HUNTER HARVESTED DEER ON SPECIFIED DAYS WITHIN CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE MANAGEMENT ZONE (CMZ) n NO TRANSPORT OF WHOLE DEER OR DEER (CERVID) BODY PARTS OUTSIDE OF CMZ OR IMPORTED FROM OTHER STATES UNLESS COMPLETELY DEBONED n NO BAITING OR SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING OF WILDLIFE IN THE CMZ KNOW REGULATIONTHEFORTHECHRONICWASTINGDISEASE(CWD)MANAGEMENTZONE
