The Angler Video Magazine | July 2021 Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

@CAMTAMagazine

GULF STREAM

Fishing With Kids

MAHI WATCH VIDEO

SUNGLASSES SHOWCASE

PHOTO COURTESY OF SKYLAR JUST INSTAGRAM: @SKYLARJUSTNP

VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 12

F R A N C H I S E

JULY 2021

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

A V A I L A B L E

W O R L D W I D E

CHERRY WINS BACK-TO-BACK AT

THE CLASSIC

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BY C H R

IS BROW

incolnton, N.C. pro Hank Cherry weighed a three-day total of 50 pounds, 15 ounces to eke out a win at the Bassmaster Classic held June 11-13 at Lake Ray Roberts north of Dallas, Texas. He is only the fourth angler in the 51-year history of the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing to win the event in back-to-back years. He earned another of the iconic Classic trophies and his second $300,000 check in 18 months. Cherry’s final day weight of 13 pounds 1 ounce was just enough to edge out secondplace angler Matt Arey, whose three-day total of 49-1 was just one big fish shy of victory. Last year, Cherry rode a monster first-day weight of 29-3 to win the Classic at Guntersville, Ala. This year, his first-day limit of 20-4 was good enough for third heading into day two, when a heat wave moved in and slowed the fishing. On Day 2, Cherry weighed in 17-10. Flipping flooded shoreline brush with a ¾-ounce tungsten weight and a 4/0 flipping hook caught the majority of fish for Cherry. He fished several soft plastics on this setup, including a Berkley Pit Boss, a craw lure and a beaver-style bait. He also caught some fish working a Berkley Stunna jerkbait along rip-rap at the dam. Cherry joins Rick Clunn (1976-77), Kevin VanDam (2010-11) and Jordan Lee (2017-18) as the only back-to-back Classic winners. Visit www.bassmaster.com for complete details.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

YANK 'EM UP! BOTTOM FISHING FOR BIG GROUPER

n this fishing video, Darcizzle Offshore takes you bottom fishing with Capt. Pat Price and Daymaker Charters out of Stuart, Florida.

Using new rigging techniques, they were bottom fishing all day and caught giant almaco jack, amberjack, black grouper, rudderfish, red snapper and more! To see more videos of Darcizzle in action, check out Darcizzle Offshore's channel on YouTube.

Sizzling Hot Deals From Suzuki’s Summer Sales Event Suzuki’s Summer Sales Event is finally here! It’s time to get to your local Suzuki Marine Dealer for a sizzling hot deal on the Ultimate Outboard Motor. You can get Low-Rate Financing on the all new DF140BG with Drive by Wire Technology, or our Flagship DF350. Get all the details at your participating Suzuki Marine Dealer.

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*REPOWER FINANCE is available through Synchrony Retail Finance, as low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new, unregistered Suzuki outboard motors, subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on creditworthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories, or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki outboard motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between from July 1, 2021 through September 1, 2021. †5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY applies to qualifying purchases of Suzuki outboard motors sold and delivered to the retail purchaser, for pleasure (non-commercial) use only, from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. See Suzuki Limited Warranty for additional details. The Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2021 Suzuki Marine, USA, LLC.

Suzuki Marine Receives 2021 Top Product Award

he new-for-2021 DF115BG and DF140BG outboard motors from Suzuki Marine were selected as a 2021 Top Product by Boating Industry Magazine. Suzuki’s DF115BG and DF140BG 4-stroke outboards are the first in their class to offer boat builders and boaters alike all the benefits of factory drive-by-wire technology. Among the many advantages of Suzuki’s proven electronic shift and throttle controls are simplified rigging and installation, silky smooth shifting, instant throttle response, enhanced performance and superior fuel economy. These new additions to the Suzuki outboard lineup also provide an upgraded compression ratio of 10.6:1 for better top speed and quicker acceleration through improved thermal efficiency. Fuel efficiency has also been increased as compared to Suzuki’s existing DF115A and DF140A models. These new outboards also include a 40-amp alternator that delivers improved output and battery charging at low idle speeds. A redesigned cowl incorporates and new air intake structure with improved water separation and a silencer-resonator system to provide a more pleasant boating experience at all engine speeds.

To make routine maintenance easier, Suzuki has made it possible to replace the oil filter simply by removing the upper engine cover. In addition, a new Oil Spill Catcher on the filter mount prevents messes. Lastly, a new easy access Water Detection Fuel Filter helps protect the engine against contaminated fuel. With 20-inch (L) and 25-inch (X) shaft lengths available, a choice of colors and attractive new graphics, these advanced new outboards are an ideal match for a wide range of popular boats including center consoles, flats skiffs, pontoon boats, bass and walleye boats, and more. “We’re honored to receive this recognition from Boating Industry Magazine,” said George “Gus” Blakely, Vice President of Suzuki Marine USA. “Suzuki has a long-standing tradition of making its best outboard motors features and technologies available to the widest possible spectrum of boaters. These latest 115 and 140 horsepower models are perfect examples of this tradition in action. Being named a 2021 Top Product by this publication’s panel of

esteemed journalists supports our belief that listening to boat builders, dealers and customers and engineering what they want is the path to sustained growth and success.” To learn more about Suzuki Marine’s full line of Ultimate Outboard Motors from 2.5 to 350 horsepower, visit www.suzukimarine.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

It’s Bay Scallop Season! W

ith most of the regions for bay scallops opening to harvest this month, Gulf Coast divers are hoping for the weather and clear water that pushes these tasty bivalves shallow and makes them visible. • Fenholloway-Suwannee River Zone: The season opened early, on June 15, for the Fenholloway-Suwannee River Zone, where pre-season scouting trips were already reporting scads of scallops in shallow grass at Steinhatchee. Bag limits for this zone change as the season progresses, so pay attention to the dates. From June 15-30, the per-person limit is 1 gallon whole or 1 cup shucked. The vessel limit is 5 gallons whole or two pints shucked. From July 1-Labor Day, the per-person limit is 2 gallons whole or 1 pint shucked. The vessel limit is 10 gallons whole or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked. • Franklin-NW Taylor County Zone: Open July 1-Sept. 24.

JULY 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

The per-person limit is 2 gallons whole or 1 pint shucked. The vessel limit is 10 gallons whole or ½ gallon (4 pints) shucked. • Levy, Citrus, Hernando County Zone: Open July 1-Sept. 24. The per-person limit is 2 gallons whole or 1 pint shucked. The vessel limit is 10 gallons whole or ½ gallon (4 pints) shucked. • Gulf County Zone: Open Aug. 16-Sept. 24. The perperson limit is 2 gallons whole or 1 pint shucked. The vessel limit is 10 gallons whole or ½ gallon (4 pints) shucked. • Pasco County Zone: Open for a 10-day season beginning the third Friday in July, which is July 16 this year. The per-person limit is 2 gallons whole or 1 pint shucked. The vessel limit is 10 gallons whole or ½ gallon (4 pints) shucked.

PHOTO CO

URTESY OF

M1FISHING

.COM

For more information, including regulations pertaining to boating and diving safely, go to myfwc.com.

WATCH

Tarpon Now CatchAnd-Release in North Carolina E

ffective immediately, tarpon fishing in North Carolina state waters is now catch-and-release only. The new regulation was implemented after an appeal from North Carolina pier operators failed during the legislative review process. North Carolina now joins Florida as Atlantic states with nokeep regulations for the highly migratory species. Florida sells a permit that allows anglers seeking a state or world record to keep one tarpon for that purpose. South Carolina has a limit of one tarpon per person per day with a 77-inch minimum length limit. Georgia allows angler to keep one tarpon per day with a 68-inch minimum length limit. “Protecting this magnificent fish while it spends time in our North Carolina waters is a great move by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Commission Board,” said Capt. Jot Owens, who is a guide and BTT Conservation Captain. “Thank you to everyone who supported this amendment and a special thanks to the commission board members who voted in favor of this ruling.” For more on North Carolina marine fisheries, visit https://deq.nc.gov/about/ divisions/marine-fisheries.

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PARK SMARTER, NOT HARDER. A

s a trailer dolly manufacturer, ParkIt360° regularly receives comments from people asking, “Why don’t you just learn to back up a truck?” While they understand that a trailer dolly is a tool that some people won’t want to use or don’t see a need for, ParkIt360° believes that there are many good reasons to invest in one (even if you’re the best at backing up trailers).That is why they wholeheartedly say, “No, trailer dollies are not just for people who can’t back up a trailer properly.” In fact, those who park their trailers using a dolly might actually be parking smarter.

attempted to steal your trailer from that spot. It wouldn’t work, would it? When you park a trailer or boat using a dolly, you can make your own anti-theft system. If you live in a high-crime area, this is actually a regular usage of trailer dollies. You might be “the guy who didn’t need a trailer dolly,” but you might also end up as “the guy whose camping trip just got cancelled.”

WHY WOULD SOMEONE GET A TRAILER DOLLY, THEN?

As long as you know what you’re doing, backing up a trailer works just fine. But there are things that a trailer dolly can do that a truck simply can’t. 1. Parking with a trailer dolly is easier. Whether you’re the kind of driver who gets out every three seconds to do a full reconnaissance, or an expert backer-upper, parking with a trailer dolly can save you a lot of time and stress. Even veterans of trailer parking can be bested by impossible spots. The video below is a great example of the kind of situation we’re talking about. 2. You can create your own security measures. Think about that impossible parking spot. Now, imagine what would happen if someone

3. Avoid annoying accidents. Almost 20% of accidents are parking related. And, while you might be great at parking, you can’t guarantee that everyone around you (and your trailer) is too. Some people choose to invest in a trailer dolly as a means of getting their trailer off the street and stored safely out of harm’s way.

4. No more arguments with your spotter. When you park your trailer using a trailer dolly, there is no need for yelling and arguing as you try to communicate with your spotter. If you have a trailer, then you can probably recall at least one incident in which someone insisted on helping you back up, even though you assured them that you had everything under control. You’ve probably heard the panicked yells of a spotter who was afraid that you were about to hit something (even though you knew you were fine). Maybe you’ve dealt with someone who repeatedly told you to “keep going” until you heard the unmistakable sound of the trailer hitting your eavestrough. ParkIt360° customers often tell them that the tension and conflict caused by backing up a trailer was no longer an issue once they started using a trailer dolly. That’s because, with a dolly, you don’t need a spotter. Dollies don’t just make parking easier. They also make coming home from a trip easier. Isn’t that something we all want? Trailer dollies make parking better for everyone. It’s time to stop making excuses about why other people might need a trailer dolly but you certainly don’t. There are lots of good reasons to get a trailer dolly aside from your parking skills. All kidding aside, you may not choose to invest in a trailer dolly for yourself, and that’s fine. ParkIt360° just wants to defend the integrity of their customers by saying: park smarter, not harder.

LEARN MORE AT PARKIT360.CA

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

Feds Allow Three Days For Atlantic Red Snapper I

t hardly seems worth the boat ride to catch one red snapper per person, but if you happen to be out bottom fishing in federal waters of the Atlantic and catch one, there are three days this year when you’re allowed to keep it. NOAA Fisheries Service, the federal entity tasked with setting seasons and limits, announced in early June that it will allow recreational harvest of red snapper on July 9, 10 and 11, 2021 in federal waters of the Atlantic (3-200 miles) off the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. This year’s season is a day shorter than last year’s because anglers exceeded the total allowable catch last summer. The bag limit is one per person, per day, with no minimum size limit. Anglers are required to use dehooking tools to minimize damage when un-hooking snapper and grouper

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species. A descending device is also required to be onboard and readily available for use. Hook requirements north of 28º North Latitude, which is a line roughly between Vero Beach and Cape Canaveral, Fla. are for non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks. South of that line, anglers may use any style hook, as long as they are not made of stainless steel. The season for the commercial sector opens July 12 and will remain open until Jan. 1, or until the annual catch limit is met. That occurred in about a month and a half last summer. For more information, visit www.fisheries.noaa.gov.

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Redfin Polarized Jekyll

Seeking a new pair of shades to fit a small face? Stop looking, the Jekyll by Redfin is built specifically for you. This Italian sport frame is built to fit a small face and up to a large head. Side arms will extend effortlessly over the ears for maximum comfort. Housed with heavy duty two way stainless steel hinges. Including, no slip megol rubber nose and ear pieces. Comfort fit with easy under hat ear stems. Experience glass like clarity without the weight with nylon lenses manufactured by Carl Zeiss Vision. The clearest lenses on the planet. Anti Fog, Sweat and Oil coating with Anti Scratch protectant will bead the water right off with your next big catch! The best polarized fishing sunglasses on the planet.

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Bajío Bales Beach

Bales Beach features a wrap-around frame with additional side coverage built into the design. It’s molded with proprietary, bio-based nylon for a lighter, more durable frame. It is available in six different lens colors, all featuring LAPIS polarized lens technology. This technology blocks 95 percent of harmful blue light. All Bajío lenses are also equipped with front and back oleophobic coatings that increase durability and make lens cleaning easier. WATCH This high-performance yet stylish fishing frame VIDEO boasts rubber nose pads, temple tips, side vents and wide temples for optimal coverage from the sun. Paired with the Sailfish lenses, Bales Beach is perfect for fishing in the deep blue.

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Anglers know as well as anyone—the best can always get better. We’ve taken that sentiment to heart with the new Costa Fantail PRO. The slimmed-down brother of the Blackfin PRO also boasts all the newest Costa PRO Series tech: a vented and fully-adjustable nose pad for a customizable fit; sweat channels and eyewire drains designed to help keep your vision clear; side shields and hooding to keep light from leaking in; and stickier Hydrolite and metal keeper slots to keep your frames on your face and the sweat and sun out of your eyes. The Fantail PRO also boasts Costa’s 580 lens tech - a color-enhancing, polarized glass lens that is scratch resistant and lighter + thinner than other polarized glass lenses on the market.

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Built for hardcore anglers, Flying Fisherman’s Drop Back Sunglasses feature a vented frame to maximize airflow and reduce fogging. The lightweight frame also has a soft-touch finish for stylish comfort, recessed nose pads, and co-injected padding on the temples for a non-slip fit, to ensure they stay exactly where there should when the action strikes. Scratch resistant polarized lenses block glare and 100 percent of harmful UV rays, sharpen optics, reduce eye strain and help anglers see below the water’s surface to spot fish and improve navigation. Matte gray frames are available with amber-green mirror or smokeblue mirror AcuTint polarized lenses. Best of all, they offer great value for just $29.95. Flying Fisherman’s AcuTint lens system eliminates reflected glare off the water and other flat surfaces and enhances color contrast, visual sharpness and comfort— adding to the overall outdoors experience for outdoor enthusiasts. Since 1985, Flying Fisherman has been making quality, affordable eyewear, apparel and accessories for anglers world wide.

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One of the newer options in Maui Jim’s wrap collection is the Alenuihaha (pronunced: ah-len-oo-ee-ha-ha). These large bold frames are complemented by Maui Jim’s patented PolarizedPlus2 lens technology to provide longlasting comfort, unmatched protection and outstanding views. The frame is constructed of lightweight and durable nylon, with a saddle bridge featuring embedded rubber nose pads for stability and spring hinges for comfort. There is a wide range of color options for both frames and lenses, and these frames can also support Maui Jim prescription sun lenses. PolarizedPlus2 lenses eliminate 99.9 percent of glare, block 100 percent of harmful UV, and also absorb harmful HEV, while allowing colors to shine with color-enhancing technology that uses natural light. For the best in optical clarity, proprietary SuperThin (ST) Glass lenses are 32 percent thinner and lighter than standard glass, with the best scratch and solvent resistance. These lenses are tough are built to withstand the rigors of saltwater angling.

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Enter The Angler Video Magazine's July Contest!

THREE CLUES TO

Mahi Mahi By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

ahi fishing can be tricky in some places and times of year. They congregate under floating material adrift in the current, leaving them with no fixed address within an area of greatly variable depths. If you are fortunate enough to be able to target dolphinfish along the Gulf Stream this summer, you are in the right place at the right time. You shouldn’t have much trouble filling your cooler and even maxing out on the generous daily bag limit of this species. Head out to target mahi with a full tank of fuel.

Assume you will have to run far and wide to find them, but hope to get lucky along the way. Recruit everyone on board to remain on the look out for the three telltale mahi hangouts: weeds, birds and floaters. Weeds can be productive whether they are formed tightly in a line, or even a tight patch. Birds can be a great sign of actively feeding fish at the surface, but they can also just be birds being birds. Learn to read them properly to avoid wasting time. A group of circling

birds or diving birds is what you want to look for, and the more the better. Sometimes, a bird that’s on fish will flicker in the sun, reflecting the sunlight in a sporadic pattern as it moves its body to stay on top of something it has spotted under the surface. Circling frigate birds are always a good sign. If you see one even attempt a dive, start trolling immediately. Floaters can be anything floating in the water, from debris to sea turtles. When you find floaters in open water, it doesn’t take long to feel out if it is productive or not. If you happen to see all three of these

goldmines come together, with birds diving around debris sucked to a weedline, troll the ever loving shi…mano out of it. When trolling for mahi, you won’t need to run more than four lines. Troll two small lures long, ideally on the outriggers, to draw in smaller dolphin. Troll one medium lure or ballyhoo at mid-length, and one large lure close. Dolphinfish have the mentality of a toddler. When you reel one to the boat, leave the fish in the water, put your rod in the rod holder, and cast out behind the hooked fish. The school should have followed your mahi to the boat, and with their mahi-see, mahi-do mentality, they’ll all want to partake in snack time. Continue hooking mahi and leave them

in the water until you run out of available rods to cast. Start by putting one fish in the boat, but don’t take the second out of the water until the first rod has gone back out and hooked another fish. Try switching from live bait to chunk bait to keep them eating. If they don’t slam a bait as soon as it hits the water, try twitching the bait.

Even a completely healthy and well-presented live bait sometimes isn’t as enticing as one that’s getting yanked away from them. Mahi will eat nearly anything, especially if you know how to taunt them properly. One of the biggest challenges in catching them is trolling through weeds. Weeds that cling to your lures is a pain to manage on the deck,

while constantly clearing lines, and you also miss a lot of opportunities to catch fish. All lures catch weeds, the determining factor is whether they shed those weeds. Deep diving lures that never breach the surface are not your friend in this situation. Lightweight, squid-skirted lures do an excellent job of popping out of the water when bogged down with weeds. Most times, they clear themselves of weeds. Blue Magic Charters makes their own 3D-printed lures designed to troll in weeds. Visit them in Marathon, Fla., and ask us about their DR. BUBBLES lures. Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Blue Magic Charters in Marathon, Fla. Contact her at (504) 920-6342 and visit CaptainQuinlyn.com.

RHODAN: TOTAL GAME CHANGER FOR GROUPER

Tim Barefoot

here was a time when only a select few would consistently come home with grouper, and not just “bottom fish.” There were several reasons for this. First and foremost, not everyone wanted to learn and spend the energy it took to learn to anchor. Anchoring accurately is an art form not mastered by all, but when mastered, it is the gateway to consistently catching grouper. Rhodan trolling motors, with their GPS Anchor systems, have made it so anyone can have a shot at catching grouper and not just all the other species down on the bottom. It’s one thing to have a trolling motor with “Spot Lock” that will hold position in a small bay boat, but Rhodan made the tool for serious offshore boats to sit on the same place without using the anchor. Partner this Rhodan with

JULY 2021

a couple 36 volt lithium deep-cycle batteries, like Dakota, Ionic or Lithium Pros on a battery switch, and you have the tools it takes to score. Rhodan is just one aspect of what it takes to go grouper fishing, and not just “bottom fishing.” The way I set the dinner table for a grouper on every ledge is to have everyone on the boat sending down whole squid on the first five or six drops. I don’t care what they’re catching during this “chumming exercise,” because chumming is exactly what we’re doing. We’re getting one spot on the bottom chummed up with little pieces of squid swirling around. The smell and sound of an ongoing feeding frenzy draws in the top of the food chain in no time at all. This is the point when we start to grouper fish. Yes, I’ve caught a lot of grouper on the

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whole squid, also, but this part of the routine is strictly to get the party started. Once it’s going, we drop live baits that none of the grunts, pinkies or sea bass can fit in their mouths. The smaller fish just hang out looking at these bigger baits and hoping for scraps. This is when grouper see four or five live baits on the bottom attached to Squid or Crab Decoy Jigs. To them, it’s a no-brainer. The sight of a grass grunt, pinfish or sailor’s choice struggling against the weight of the jig is more than a grouper can understand. They are hardwired to eat these fish that eat their eggs. The live bait and Decoy Jig combo gets the bite because a struggling bait is a “gimme.” Also, while you’ve got those grouper lines on the bottom, don’t forget to send a light out near the surface. Bait it with a live or frozen bait to catch pelagics like kingfish, dolphin, wahoo or tuna that happen to be swimming past. What does this all have to do with the Rhodan? Well, Rhodan’s powerful and precise GPS anchoring eliminates drift without all the aggravation and hard work of anchoring. Let Rhodan change your game by allowing you to concentrate on the fish while it keeps the boat in place! See more from Capt. Tim Barefoot, of Barefoot Cats and Tackle, at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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STRIPES ARE BLITZING OFF MASSACHUSETTS

ack Murphy, of Lucky Jacks Fishing, said the season for striped bass started with a bang and is progressing well off the coast of New England. “There have been and will be larger striped bass on pogie schools in Buzzards Bay,” he said. “The similar schools of striped bass will soon be harassing offshore pogie schools, and the resident striped bass will be moving into their nearshore haunts chasing mackerel and smashing lobsters.” The offshore bite is where many of the monster 40-plus-pound stripers are caught each year. In low-light conditions, pods of big fish harass big schools of pogie found 5 to 10 miles offshore of Massachusetts, both north and south of Cape Cod. If you want to get in on the action, you need to make plans now. Check out Lucky Jacks Fishing at www.luckyjacksfishing.com.

TIPS FROM A PRO 30

COVERING WATER WITH A BLADED JIG

TYLER WOOLCOTT

s you approach a new lake or even one you have been to a thousand times, it’s always a good idea to throw a confidence bait you know will get bites. The bladed jig, aka chatterbait, is my confidence bait. It is extremely versatile and can be thrown around any type of cover. It allows you to cover a vast amount of water and locate bass that might take days to find with other tactics. The market is flooded with different brands, sizes and colors of the bladed jig. I have experimented and found the Z-Man Jackhammer is the best performing bladed jig out there. In a variety of colors and sizes, they run perfectly out of the package every time. To me, it’s worth the expensive price tag. Let’s talk about matching the chatterbait to natural forage. Depending on the time of year and what kind of bait the bass are feeding on, there is a color to match the hatch. If shad is the prevalent forage, I stick to a white or a baitfishcolor like pearl and silver with a silver blade. If its bluegill, you can get by with a green pumpkin or anything with some yellow and orange mixed in with a darker blade color. Sometimes water color can

JULY 2021

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play a factor in color choice, as well. If the water is very dirty, use a color that will stick out so fish can see it coming by. Something like a white and chartreuse with a white blade, for baitfish imitation, or even a bright orange with a black blade, for crawfish imitation, can do the trick. Sizes and weights are important, as well. Ranging from ¼ oz. up to 1.25 oz., the depth you are fishing should decide what you tie on. I typically start with a 3/8- or a ½-oz. jig, which allows me to cover water depths from 1 to 10 feet, depending on the retrieve. If I find some deeper cover, I will go a little heavier. Attaching a trailer enhances the allure of a bladed jig. I try and match the color of the trailer to the color of the skirt. The type of trailer can be more complicated. When fish are aggressive, I use a swimbait-style trailer with a boot tail like the 13 Fishing Pleasure shad. When they want something more subtle, I use a twin-tail trailer like the 13 Fishing The Jerk. When throwing a bladed jig, it’s important to have the correct gear. I use a 13 Fishing Omen Black Chatt-R-Crank rod paired with a 13 Fishing Concept A 6:8:1 reel. I spool up with 17-lb. Seaguar Abrazx line. This set up is perfect for the job! All across the country, I rely on a chatterbait any time of year to put fish in the boat. Next time you hit the lake, tie on a chatterbait to cover some water. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.

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JULY 2021

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KEEP AN EYE ON THE HOOK WATCH

VIDEO

By Patrick Sebile

ccidents happen while fishing. A treble hook impaling your hand while you’re trying to remove the lure from a thrashing ladyfish is one common example. If you fish long enough, you are bound to be hooked at one time or another. With limbs or digits, getting hooked is a relatively minor incident. A hook in the eyeball is a life-changing event. I have had several close encounters when lures came way too close to my face. It has convinced me to be cautious. It has taught me to hold the rod at an angle so the lure won’t fly back at me if it suddenly pops free from a fish’s mouth or a snag. But while I can control my own actions, I can’t predict the actions of others in the boat. Several potentially dangerous moments remain fresh in my memory, and they keep me aware of what is going on around me. It also reminds me to wear glasses for more than just the reduction of glare. One of these chilling experiences happened a few months ago when my good friend Alessandro came from Italy to visit me in Florida. We went out early to a spot where snook and small tarpon had been biting topwater baits before the sun rose. I coached him to retrieve his Sebile Splasher with the rod tip close to the surface, and to set the hook sideways to keep the lure from flying at us on a missed hook set. It’s easy to coach, but when a tarpon rolls on your bait, the blood boils and coaching flies out the window. Alessandro reared back with a tremendous hook set, and that Splasher with its two big treble hooks flew straight at me, just a few inches from my eyes. On another occasion, I was trolling inlets on the west coast of Africa. Because of the area we were fishing, the lures were close to the boat. We were pulling a big shad crankbait just 20 feet behind the boat. I spotted a drifting branch and knew the big crankbait was about to snag it. I told my client not to set the hook when the tip bent, but he grabbed that rod and gave it a powerful jerk. That 5-inch-long lure flew at my head with so much force that four of the six treble hooks embedded deeply into my hand. I was lucky I had time to get my hand in front of my face. It was bad, but at least they didn’t get my eyes. We were 10 hours from the nearest hospital. These anecdotes are examples of why I always wear glasses on the water. Good reinforced, impact-resistant polarized glasses—such as the Rhinolens line from Flying Fisherman—shield your eyes from hooks as well as the sun. Even in super low-light conditions, I wear bright yellow polycarbonate shades made for shooters. We only have two eyes, and I will not trust the protection of mine to cheap glasses. Safety first, my friends… in fishing and loving! Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing (www.sebile.com). THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

GILLZ AMERICANA COLLECTION: INDEPENDENCE WITHOUT COMPROMISE

n the water, independence and freedom are unlimited. Before heading out on the water this Independence Day, make sure you are prepared for the elements by taking inventory of your gear. Not just a statement, but a declaration of your rugged independent spirit, the Men’s long sleeve “Americana” series of shirts are the ultimate expression of freedom. On the boat or at the bar dockside, these shirts are up to the task. Our proprietary, chemical-free GillzTec® fabric provides 30% better cooling than other shirts. But we didn’t stop there. The revolutionary cross-breeze ventilation system brings another blast of cooling air, making these the coolest shirts you’ll ever own! Featuring incredible stretch that effortlessly moves as you move, these are must-have shirts for any serious angler. This Independence Day, make a bold declaration while saluting America and the heroes who fought valiantly for our freedom.

Check out the website: gillz-gear.com 36

JULY 2021

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Summer Tail’ers IN THE GRASS By CAM Special Correspondent Tobin Strickland

WATCH

t’s summertime, and shallow-water fishing for reds is kicking off this month. It will last through mid October on the Atlantic Coast, and to mid February along the Gulf Coast. Before you “see” your first tailing redfish, you really feel like everyone is just making this up. You see nothing during an eight our shallow-water expedition, and others come back speaking of tails “… like a used car lot, flags everywhere,” as Capt. Chuck Uzzle of Orange, Texas would say. But why aren’t you seeing this? There are several factors involved in seeing tailing redfish, redfish swimming in shallow water; they are not easy to see. If you are fishing shallow seagrass, marsh or even flooded spartina marsh in areas where redfish roam and you’re doing it during a season when shrimp are abundant in those areas, then there are tailing redfish there. Let’s take a look at what you should be looking for with your eyes. Both Capt. Steve Soule of Galveston, Texas

and Chuck McKinney of Portland, Texas say you should be looking for the horizontal line of the redfish’s back. Everything in the marsh and on seagrass flats tends to be either vertical or irregular shaped. Grass is vertical, potholes are irregular, even oyster reef edges are irregular. See a redfish cruising the flats, and the first thing you will notice is the horizontal line of it’s back. A good pair of Costa 580g lenses is what you want for this. The only difference between a cruiser and a tailer is that the tailer is probably nose down into the mud and a little bit of his tail is sticking out of the water. You’ll probably only see a little dark triangle at the end of the horizontal line of the redfish’s back. You typically won’t see the big blue tail and black dot rising out of the water waving at you like a little red flag back and forth. So begin to look for the horizontal line, the small triangle, and the glow of coppery orange. This should help you to see what’s been in front of you all along.

VIDEO

Let’s talk about something else here that’s also a problem for most people. These environments are very grassy, and throwing an open-throated jig head during summer low tides is asking for trouble. Might as well go ahead and throw the lunch salad on a hook, because that’s all that fish is going to see. You have to throw something weedless that you can cast accurately, no matter the wind, something that can get the fish’s attention with action or accuracy, and sinks naturally so they can’t pass up such an easy meal. The troutsupport.com lure solves many of the frustrations sight casters have to put up with. Both reds and speckled trout love it. It casts far and accurately, walks the dog, wobbles like a big slow spoon, but is buoyant enough to sink slowly right in the fish’s face. Tobin created TroutSupport.com to help anglers develop their abilities by learning what to look for on the water.

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FISHING THE SURF With Kids

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

hen the surf is on, it can be some of the best and easiest fishing around. For those in the know, we keep a keen eye on the beachfront, and when the conditions are right, we make sure not to miss it! As the father of two young boys, I have to be creative, but I’ve found a way to get them in on the action. A canvasslined tube made for towing behind a boat is a great and secure option that allows me to take them along. They get to float the beachfront when conditions are flat. We like to call it ice cream conditions. Green incoming tides rising with the sun, paired with a calm surf are my favorite conditions. May and June routinely provide the best odds of landing larger trout, with Independence Day marking the arrival of masses of school-size fish. Although I prefer to throw hardware, live bait is the way to go when I take the boys. It keeps them hooked up with nonstop action. For my boys, live finfish is best for targeting larger trout and small sharks, while live shrimp provides fast action on a larger variety of fish. I prefer throwing topwaters and slow-sinking hard baits with rattles. I cast these lures out and let the hard baits sink for a few seconds. Most of them have a relatively slow sink rate, so I give them a little time to get lower in the water column. A series of fast twitches followed by a pause usually draws the attention of fish. Many solid trout have fallen for

the old faithful ¾ to 1-ounce silver spoon. The presentation is as simple as it gets. Cast and reel. This inexpensive lure is an attention getter for sure, and it casts like a bullet. I like to start my day before the sun’s rays illuminate the horizon. Stand on the sand and toss topwaters or suspending baits parallel and as close to the sand as they can effectively be worked. I’ve caught many trout pushing 7 pounds along with large flounder and snook using this approach. As the blanket of darkness no longer conceals my presence, I gradually angle my casts towards the open Gulf. I broaden my search area and structure type until I find where the fish are feeding, never overlooking the shallow water where I began the day. As the sun climbs, the trout typically find comfort in the guts, chasing mullet, shrimp, shad and other baitfish. When this occurs, I still vary my cast from parallel to offshore, covering the deep guts and not overlooking the structure, which is the bar. As you would do while fishing the bay, don’t overlook the drop off. Casting along it can produce great catches. Enjoy your time at the beach, and share this great fishing experience with kids. They will thank you for it! Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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JULY 2021

RIDE THE BULL KAYAK TOURNEY IS AUG. 27-28

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illed as the world’s largest kayak tournament, Ride the Bull returns to Bridgeside Marina in Grand Isle, Louisiana Aug. 27-28. The event regularly draws more than 700 kayak anglers along with spectators who partake in great food and a great time, while hoping to enjoy some Cajun sleigh rides. Tournament Director Rad Trascher said the feedback he’s been getting ahead of this year’s event leads him to believe it might be the largest tournament in the event’s 11 year history. Ride the Bull is a redfish tournament conducted by CCA Louisiana. Participants are allowed to keep only one redfish longer than 27 inches. Competitors may weigh and release an unlimited number of redfish, and there is a half-pound penalty for fish not released alive. Prizes have not yet been announced, but in the past they have included top-of-the-line kayaks and kayaking gear. For more information on Ride the Bull 11, visit ccalouisiana.com.

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JULY 2021

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PHOTO BY FRED BARR/READYZEAL.COM

Night Fishing IN JULY By Jay Striker

WATCH

uly brings some of the most challenging conditions of the year to catch bass. The conditions are harsh on the fish as well as on the angler. However, catching fish in the middle of July is not impossible. My recommendation for filling livewells is not to change location, but to change the time you fish. Night fishing is a great option. Bass in summer seek water with higher oxygen levels. They find this in areas where current is present. Fish shut down almost entirely to conserve energy during the day, unfortunately, this is when tournaments tend to occur and when fishing is at its most challenging. However, at night, especially a few hours after sundown, catching fish is much better. During the heat of the day, fish find thick cover and stay there until evening, when it’s

VIDEO

time to move up in the water column to feed. If you find current, you will find bass in July. The current provides fresh oxygen and cooler water. It also provides a conveyer belt of food that bass take advantage of without having to expend much energy. Finding these areas and fishing them at night can pay big dividends. I’ve found the best bite often occurs after the sun has been down for a couple hours. The fish have had time to adjust to night vision and settle into their nocturnal feeding routine. Bass are in search mode and use the backdrop of the night sky to look up for easy meals. Fish use the night as a strategic advantage to ambush prey. One key element to this is the moon phase. The moon allows fish to see the silhouette of their prey. It gives them the best chance to eat. I like to night fish three days before the

full moon. I’ve found that bass stalk surface baits under these conditions, and throwing topwater lures can get those nighttime giants to bite. I like to use a ¼-ounce black Fish Head Primal Buzzbait at night. It produces results when the bass are using the moonlight to find the bait. You can catch fish during the day in summer, however, fishing at night allows you to catch fish that were not biting during daylight hours. When fishing at night, remember to get an idea of what the fish are doing, look for locations that have cover and current, and know the best times to fish. If you do these things, it can make for some really great summer fishing trips. Keep up with Jay Striker on Instagram and Facebook at Jay.Striker.52.

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JULY 2021

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WATCH

VIDEO

Panhandle Tripletail S

ummertime is tripletail time along Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Each summer, these two species invade inshore fisheries in numbers. They stick around for a while and add spice and size to fisheries normally known for redfish and seatrout. The Forgotten Coast is a stretch of the Florida Panhandle from roughly St. Marks on Apalachee Bay to Mexico Beach, southeast of Panama City. It’s about 130 miles of sparsely developed coastline that features an embarrassment of riches when it comes to inshore fishing. There are also great nearshore

By CAM Staff

and offshore options, but the system of bays and barrier islands in this stretch of Gulf Coast is an inshore-angler’s playground. Tripletail started showing up in the bays in May this year, and they should stick around through the summer. With their large, rounded anal and dorsal fins, these odd-looking and great-tasting fish have a peculiar habit of hanging near the surface around any sort of floating cover. This makes them a ton of fun to target, as they can be sight fished around crab

trap buoys, channel markers, drifting weed mats or really anything floating in the water. Shrimp and baitfish are attracted to cover, and tripletail post up like another piece of rubbish to let food come to them. They can be spotted free-swimming, too, which is why it’s smart to take a closer look at anything floating in the bays. They range in size from 2 pounds to nearly 30 pounds on the Forgotten Coast. They’ll hit live baits, artificials and even flies. For information on lodging and fishing on the Forgotten Coast, visit floridasforgottencoast.com.

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JULY 2021

FOR YOUR

TROLLING LURES

By Darrell Primrose, Ballyhood Lures

“M

atch the hatch” is an old adage fishermen have used for ages. It comes from freshwater fly fishing, in which anglers seek to match, with an artificial fly, the insect life hatching off the water to fool feeding trout. The same concept applies across the fishing world. Offshore, this can mean taking the time to examine the stomach contents of the first fish you catch to see what it was feeding on. Cut that fish open and check the length and size of the current forage as well as its color. Then use that information to choose your lures accordingly. I get to talk to anglers worldwide on a daily basis. I ask them all, “What colors are most prevalent?” What I’ve learned from them goes into our Ballyhood trolling lures, and the best color combinations change from location to location. On the West Coast, where anchovies, sardines, mackerel and squid are the most prolific forage species, the most popular trolling lure colors are used in our Mexican flag, which is green/yellow/red/white. Black/purple is another color scheme proven to produce in a trolling

JULY 2021

spread. Squid turn purple, and that could be a reason it is such a successful color. Zuchini is also a very popular color used on the West Coast. It’s a green/orange/yellow lure. Now, taking a look at the northeast—in the Atlantic off New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey—they catch more tuna than most places in the world. Their top must-use colors are solid green, green/yellow and black/purple. In Florida, the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands, the No. 1 color is light blue. Colors known as Bally Blue and Flying Fish Blue are quite productive. I’ll assume you caught the

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baitfish reference in those color names. Pink/ white and black/red also see a lot of time in the water, but anglers in these southern waters very rarely use anything green. Their water is very clear, which I think has something to do with it. In the Northeast, as on the West Coast of the U.S., the water is fairly dark. When you start to get farther south in the Pacific around Cabo San Lucas and down to Cancun, the colors used tend to lean toward the same choices as those used in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The southern Pacific has the same type of clear water as they enjoy off south Florida. I can tell you the most overlooked color on the southern West Coast is pink or pink/white, at the same time pink/white is the No. 1 color for albacore off Oregon and Washington. Another guideline to color choices is to use dark colors on dark days and bright colors on bright days. Now some of this information has to do with matching the hatch, some of it is based on water clarity, but all off it is gathered from on-thewater experience and reflects what produces fish the best. Color is an absolutely critical factor in choosing which lures to include in a spread. For information on Ballyhood Lures, visit www.ballyhood.com.

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Recreation, culture and history abound in the Western North Carolina county of Madison. Madison County is located 15 miles north of Asheville on the North Carolina/Tennessee border in the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia. There are many attractions in our 452 square mile area, of which 73 percent is forest. Nearly one fourth is public land managed by the US Forest Service.

Tourism Development Authority 54

JULY 2021

Madison County Visitors Center 56 South Main, Mars Hill, NC 28754 • (828) 680-9031

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www.visitmadisoncounty.com

USE LIVE BAITS FOR

BIG SEATROUT O

WATCH

VIDEO

By Joe Balog

ne of the most prolific inshore species available to anglers on any coast, spotted seatrout come in two varieties: eaters and gators. Eater trout—those measuring in the 15-inch range—are extremely popular, due to their affinity to gather in big schools and chase down lures. Gator trout, however, are a whole different ballgame. Targeting big trout requires a different approach. Most resources suggest moderatesized artificial lures, like imitation shrimp, for seatrout of any size. Yet, on numerous occasions, I’ve had big gators run down and attempt to swallow smaller trout while I’ve reeled them in. As seatrout grow larger, their diets shift from small crustaceans to almost exclusively fish—the bigger the better. Live baits are my preference for targeting big fish. Mullet are a favorite, as are pinfish and croakers. With big baits in the livewell, it’s time to find gator water. While it’s common to find schools of smaller trout in deeper channels adjacent to shallow flats, trophy trout spend more time around subtle depressions and breaks. If you’re catching large numbers of eaters, a change of areas is usually required to find gators. Most of my fishing is done in super-skinny water in heavily pressured areas with tough fish. Fishing these small, shallow areas requires stealth and patience. For big trout, I move into an area as quietly as possible, put the Talon down, and wait.

As things settle down, it’s important to assess the area. Flooded oyster bars or currentswept mangroves are always worth a shot, but don’t overlook inconspicuous spots. If an area is relatively shallow, with one washout or depression that’s just a foot deeper than everything else, that spot can be key, especially at low tide. Before the first cast is made, it’s important to select proper tackle. Line and hook size should be greater than what’s considered routine. With a mainline of 20-pound braid, I attach a long leader of 25-pound test fluorocarbon. It’s my only hope against razor-sharp oyster bars. I tie on a 5/0 to 7/0 VMC circle hook that’s super strong. A small float helps keep track of a hardswimming mullet. It’s important to lob baits delicately toward

the target. However, once a fish is hooked, any delicacy is tossed aside, as big inshore fish don’t play nice. Here, the proper rod becomes key to the equation. I like St. Croix’s Mojo Inshore rods for gator trout hunting. These rods are workhorses, covered in a double layer of finishing cure and backed by a five-year warranty. But durability doesn’t come at the sacrifice of quality. Mojo Inshore models are built from SCII graphite and contain hardcore components. Longer models aid in casting, hooksets and moving big fish away from cover; the 7’6” medium-heavy is perfect. Once your trophy trout is boat-side, be sure to handle it carefully. Summertime water temperatures leave these fish compromised after a fight. Giant spotted trout are rare and always females; to release them in a healthy state ensures a future for us all.

TIPS FOR DIALING IN

RIVER-RUN BASS By Nick Carter

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARNER REID

triped bass don’t stay in the same place long. Huge spring runs up the Atlantic Coast and into freshwater rivers to spawn is natural behavior for stripers. Even fish trapped by dams in inland reservoir systems retain a strong urge to move. Across the east, wherever reservoir striped bass exist, the movement begins as a spring spawning run. Fish push out of the lakes and as far up creeks and rivers as they can go. This spring run is followed by a larger summer migration, when stripers pile into the rivers seeking more comfortable water conditions. Here are a few tips from the pros for dialing in river-run stripers. • Make Shots Count: “Fish good water, and fish it well,” said Bill Stranahan. Stranahan guides with Southeastern Anglers, and the striper run on Tennessee’s Hiwassee River is a summertime staple. Fishing the Hiwassee run is like deer hunting. You’re fishing hard for a few bites from monster fish that get up into the 40-pound range. “Look for good structure, whether its wood, shoals or rock faces,” Stranahan said. “When you’re on that good structure, don’t rush it. You can spook ’em with a bad throw, so take your time and make good shots.” Whether you’re throwing streamers with a fly rod or swimbaits with conventional gear, Stranahan warned against locking into the big bait, big fish theory. “We all know stripers will chase down big 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-inch

JULY 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

skipjack and gizzard shad, but don’t forget your smaller baits,” he said. “A lot of their forage base is 4 inches or less. There’s a time and a place for fishing small stuff.” • Fish it All: Rob “Mustache” Smith, of The Fish Hawk in Atlanta, has guided the Chattahoochee River striper run for two decades or more. He knows all the hotspots where there are always fish. He also knows those spots get a ton of pressure. Smith said to slow down and fish all the likely structure instead of rushing to areas where you’ve caught fish before. “If you’re on the river, fish everything,” he said. “Those fish are constantly moving, and you’d be surprised at the fish you’re passing when you’re rushing to get to that one little area. Fish it all, and fish it like you expect a fish on every cast.” • Move Some Water: “When they’re in the river, those fish are laid up in ambush,” said Garner Reid, who made his name guiding fly fishers to big Georgia stripers on the Etowah River. “You’re drawing reaction strikes, and what triggers them is a fly that looks like it’s wounded or fleeing.” Reid said it’s easy to get sloppy with the retrieve when you’re blind casting all day. He reminds anglers that it takes an aggressive presentation to move some water, cause a little commotion and trigger a striped bass’s predatory instinct. “Use the current and the swing to enhance your strip,” he said. “Make that fly hunt for you.” Visit Southeastern Anglers at www.southeasternanglers.com. See The Fish Hawk website at thefishhawk.com. Call Garner Reid at (770) 866-0301.

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JULY 2021

A FISHERMAN’S HAVEN One of the nine lakes in East Tennessee created by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Cherokee Lake offers an array of water activities f rom boating and fishing, kayaking, and canoeing to swimming and paddle boating. Cherokee’s 400 miles of shoreline are dotted with a variety of public access areas, county and municipal parks, commercial boat docks, campgrounds, a state wildlife management area, and Panther Creek State Park. A favorite of anglers, Cherokee plays host to multiple national and regional fishing tournaments each year and consistently lands in the Top 20 on BASSMASTER’s list of the Best Fishing Lakes in the Southeast. With gorgeous views of Cherokee as well as the Cumberland Mountains, Panther Creek State Park is Tennessee’s third most-visited state park. There you will find a large boat

launch area, 30 miles of hiking trails, 15 miles of mountain biking trails, a visitor center and gift shop, and50 camp sites with electric hook-ups, grills, picnic tables and fire rings. There’s a large swimming pool, tennis courts, horse trails, and several large pavilions perfect for family reunions and other events. Panther Creek also boasts one of the most challenging 18-hole disc golf courses in E. Tennessee. There are multiple boat sales and service businesses located near Cherokee Lake as well as long-and short-term campgrounds, resorts, and restaurants. A five-minute drive f rom the lake will take you to historic downtown Morristown where you’ll find the unique elevated sidewalk system along Main St. where you’ll experience an array of distinctive shopping opportunities, restaurants, and a craft brewery. For more information about Cherokee Lake, Panther Creek State Park, or Morristown, visit www.visitmorristowntn.com

Trout Fishing Through History By Nick Carter

In Wilson Creek, North Carolina

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For nearly two centuries a timber operation and the communities that grew around it thrived in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain. Mortimer was the largest settlement on Wilson Creek. It was home to the Ritter Lumber Mill Company sawmill as well as a small textile mill. The ruins of Mortimer lie near what is now a stretch of prime trout water. The story of Mortimer is one of nature

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hile rock hopping and prospecting with dry flies for brightly colored brown trout, it’s easy to imagine the upper end of Wilson Creek as it was more than 250 years ago. But the forest is younger than it was when Native Americans likely pulled native brook trout from the creek. Logging began in the 1750s, when pioneers settled this remote area of western North Carolina’s Caldwell County.

reclaiming itself. Beginning in 1916, and probably exacerbated by the clearance of the land, a series of fires and floods twice destroyed the narrow-gauge railroad used to haul out timber. A final massive flood in 1940 swept away both the sawmill and the textile mill, and without industry the surviving residents abandoned their homes. Since that time, a good portion of Wilson Creek’s more than 23-mile corridor from its headwaters on Grandfather Mountain down to its confluence with Johns River has regenerated to a mostly wild state. In 2000, the stream was designated a National Wild and Scenic River, which provides special ecological protections. Trout anglers should delight in the transformation. On its upper end, Wilson Creek plummets cold and clear as a small to medium sized stream through a steep wooded valley on Pisgah Game Lands. There is access by foot to miles of creek that offer anglers one waterfall and plunge pool after the next. Small but bright stream-born brown trout dominate the fishery. In this stretch it is managed under catch-and-release, artificial-only regulations. Downstream, after flowing through roughly 4-miles of private property, Wilson

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BUCSKTET LI

Creek emerges again to the public as a larger flow. The mouth of Lost Cove Creek is the upper boundary of delayed harvest waters. October into June

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each year, this beautiful 3-mile stretch is managed under catch-and-release, single-hook, artificial-only regulations. The state stocks it heavily. And for anglers who’d like to keep some trout for the table, Wilson Creek is open under regular hatchery supported trout regulations for another 5 miles down to the remains of an old lowhead dam near the Adako community. This section is big water. It is punctuated by a gorgeous rock gorge. Wilson Creek falls from North Carolina’s high country around the towns of Boone, Blowing Rock and Linville. Fishing it would make for a good day trip or weekend adventure from Winston-Salem, Asheville or any of the towns on this eastern edge of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

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For GPS coordinates to access points and detailed maps of North Carolina and Georgia’s best trout water, check out “Flyfishers Guide to North Carolina & Georgia,” available at fly shops, on Amazon, and signed copies are available from the author by e-mailing nsc8957@gmail.com.

HAVALON TALON:

CUTTING EDGE INNOVATION A ny surgeon or taxidermist will tell you the best tool for cutting flesh is a scalpel. That’s where knife-maker Havalon got its start. Their parent company, Havel’s, is a medical device company that supplies scalpels for surgical use. When the idea arose to bring the same incredibly sharp blades to the outdoors, it gave tools to outdoorsmen that are more precise than any hunting or fillet knife ever invented. The first Havalon Piranta was a blade modeled after an autopsy scalpel that folded into a sturdy handle. It offered all sorts of outdoorsmen the benefits of an ultra-sharp scalpel blade in the form of a pocketknife. But the blade itself was not built to handle the rigors of everyday use. That’s when Havalon began tinkering to find the best combination of sharpness and strength. The resulting innovation has made Havalon one of the topselling knife companies in the country and the leader in the hunting industry. The need for a sturdier blade that retains Havalon-level sharpness launched the Talon project. Designers set out to create a knife handle that accommodates an entire collection of different ultra-sharp blade styles. With a 3-inch serrated blade, a 3-inch gut hook combo

By CAM Staff

blade and fillet blades of 5, 7 and 9 inches, it is the only knife you’ll ever need at the cutting board or skinning pole. This all-in-one precision cutting tool was three years in the making. Designing a handle mechanism to swap out blades quickly and easily was achieved with the ingeniously simple push-button Quik Change II system. Finding the sweet spot between scalpel sharp and durable was the next step, and the blades also needed to be tailored to their particular uses. Through more tinkering and testing, Havalon landed on AUS-8 steel—the gold standard—which offers the best combination of edge retention and strength. Thickness and shapes of the different blades were custom designed. Fillet knives require flexibility; gut hooks do not. Each blade type was carefully considered and rigorously tested to achieve optimal performance for its intended use. The

final result is a single knife kit that outperforms a whole cutlery set of traditional knives. Extreme sharpness is something Havalon users have come to expect with blades intended for replacement when they lose their edge. Talon blades are different. They are scalpel sharp, yet they are strong enough to be resharpened. To see all the features of the Talon and all of Havalon’s other scalpel-sharp knives, visit www.havalon.com.

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ARKANSAS ANGLER CATCHES RARE GOLDEN BASS

strange golden-colored largemouth bass caught in late May from Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas left the angler scratching his head. “I had two thoughts when I caught it,” said angler Josh Rogers about the fish. “The mid-lake area on down is uncharacteristically muddy now, and I know that bass get light-colored when they are in the mud. But when I looked at the mouth and gills, I wondered if he was sick. My buddy I was fishing with said, ‘Surely it’s not something he’s eating that would turn him that color.’” They took photos, figuring someone could explain the golden tint, and returned the bass to the water. “I didn’t think anything about it for an hour and a half of fishing. Then I started sending pictures to friends and putting it on Instagram and Facebook, and from the reaction of everybody, I started thinking, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have thrown it back.’ I was surprised it caused such a reaction from people.” Rogers’ catch, in Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologist Jon Stein’s words, was akin to hitting the Powerball, only without the cash payout. “Josh needs to buy a lottery ticket, because he caught one fish in a million.” Stein says the gold-colored largemouth bass was a genetic anomaly. “The

unusual bass has what is known as xanthochromism, which is the loss of darker pigment with the pigmentation replaced with yellow. This is very rare and does occur naturally.” Rogers said, “I’d never heard of one like this before seeing one.” Although he caught-and-released this rarity, he said he is having a replica made through the photographs. For more from Arkansas DNR, see www.agfc.com. THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

GREAT STREAMS—AND SPIRITS—AWAIT IN

HENDERSONVILLE, NC

f you’re an angler who enjoys following up a day on mountain trout streams with a refreshing craft beverage or two, cast your attention to the Blue Ridge mountain town of Hendersonville. This North Carolina town, about 22 miles south of Asheville, offers miles of stocked trout waters, as well as the popular Hendersonville Cheers! Trail. The two resources make it possible to spend the day catching three types of trout – rainbow, brown and brook – while spending an evening exploring three types of craft beverages – beer, wine and hard cider. First, the fishing part. North Mills River is the prime trout stream in the Hendersonville area. The river’s 4-mile section of delayed harvest waters receives an annual infusion of 11,000 trout from N.C. Wildlife. Spring is a great time to fly fish the delayed harvest waters of North Mills River because no trout have been harvested since Sept. 30. Another hot spot for trout fishing is just across the Henderson County line toward Brevard. The Davidson River offers miles of public trout waters that receive annual stockings of 16,500 fish. Other lesser-known fishing spots near Hendersonville include three streams on the eastern side of Henderson County, about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown. Rocky Broad River has a 1.2-mile stretch of hatchery support waters, while Cane Creek, near the Fletcher community, has 1.5mile stretch of hatchery supported waters.

JULY 2021

For those who really want a unique experience, Little River in DuPont State Recreational Forest provides a scenic setting for trout fishing. Delayed harvest waters flow through undisturbed mountains and over several notable waterfalls. Those waterfalls were immortalized on Hollywood’s silver screen in The Last of the Mohicans, as well as the backdrop for the exploits of Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie. When the fishing is done, the Cheers! Trail awaits. The trail is one of North Carolina’s best, featuring 16 craft producers offering a variety of

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experiences. Beer fans love Sierra Nevada’s tasting room, which is one of the largest on the East Coast and features an expansive patio and outdoor amphitheater, while Bold Rock Hard Cider has emerged as a national leader in the hard cider industry and regularly hosts live music (indoors and outdoors), along with cidery tours and a food truck. Several craft producers on the trail create small-batch beverages prized for their quality and originality. Three breweries – Southern Appalachian, Triskelion and Guidon – are within a few blocks of each other in the Depot District, while Sanctuary Brewing Co. is only a few blocks away on Main Street. Three wineries produce highquality wines from European varietals. The newest – Point Lookout Vineyards – is located atop a 3,000-foot mountain with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards is on farmland that’s been in the family for more than nine generations. And two miles from Saint Paul, Burntshirt Vineyards offers tastings in its renovated farmhouse overlooking rolling hills of vines. For complete Hendersonville information and lodging details, call 800-828-4244 or visit www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org.

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KILO OFFSHORE N

ot only did Ronnie Waddell catch this big grouper; he also found a kilo of cocaine floating 25 miles offshore Sebastian Inlet, Florida, while fishing on the Reef Affliction fishing team boat. Upstanding citizen that Ronnie is, he turned in the kilo to the Indian River County Sheriff 's Department upon his return—but, of course, kept the grouper!

LIFE IS A BEACH 74

IN THE WEEDS

By Richard L. Matteson

argassum is a brown seaweed with berry-like bladders that at times covers the beaches and is washed into the lagoon around the inlets. Recent fishing at the beach has proven difficult because of the large mats of sargassum. Piles of sargassum are dumped on the beach at high tide and those same piles are pulled back into the ocean with the next high tide. The good thing is baitfish like to hang around sargassum—it protects them from predator fish. Sometimes the fishing is better with sargassum in the water. Conventional crocodile silver spoons with treble hooks do not work at all; they get hung up and you drag seaweed in on every cast. All your conventional crankbaits with treble hooks won’t work either. What to do? You simply have to fish lures with single hooks and use weedless spoons. The Johnson 3-inch weedless spoon is a regular bass and redfish lure. If you want to spice it up, use a pork rind or plastic trailer. This is a deadly lure for any saltwater fish. I like gold, but silver works too. Yo-Zuri makes crankbaits with a single hook, and you can also take off the front hook and put a weedless hook on the back of any crankbait. This might affect the action and takes some tinkering, but it keeps you from catching so many weeds. My favorite lure is a DOA 3/16-ounce jig with a 4-inch shad tail. Surprisingly, unless you fish it deep or hit a large mat of seaweeds, the jigs do not get hung up much. I just caught a nice snook in the weeds this week by popping the jig off the bottom. Sure, you’ll get hung up sometimes, but the jigs can be fished near the surface and usually come up clean. Try a topwater. Now is the time for great topwater action. Most of the time you can maneuver your topwater lures around the weed masses. If it’s bad, just take off the front treble hook and replace the

JULY 2021

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back hook with a single hook. You can use a weedless hook, but it’s usually not necessary. You won’t have many weed problems with topwater, anyway. I like Skitter Walks in trout color and gold Zara Spooks. Lots of Sargassum on the beach? No problem. Switch to weedless or single hooks and catch the big ones feeding on the bait in the weeds. Richard L. Matteson Jr., of the Stuart Rod and Reel Club, is a regular contributor to Coastal Angler Magazine. Call him at (336) 414-3440.

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JULY 2021

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WATCH

ANGLER JIGS UP GEORGIA RECORD

VIDEO

local angler broke the state record for African pompano off the Georgia coast in mid-March. Richard Bjorneby, of Darien, Ga., caught a 40-pound, 0.48-ounce fish that replaced the existing record of 37 pounds, 1.28 ounces. The previous record had stood for less than two years. “It feels strange. I never expected to hold a state record,” the 26-year-old angler told Georgia DNR personnel after he was notified of the certification of his new record. “I’ve been fishing as long as I can remember, but I never thought I’d hold a record.” Bjorneby was fishing with Capt. Johnny Wildes aboard Anchored Up near Navy Tower R4, a structure about 60 nautical miles east of Cumberland Island, Ga. He was working a diamond jig in about 120 feet of water when the big fish put a bend in his 6-foot, 6-inch Shimano Talavera rod. He was rigged up with 85-pound braid and a 3-foot, 60-pound mono leader on a swivel. The IGFA all-tackle world record for African pompano weighed 50 pounds, 8-ounces. It was caught out of Daytona Beach, Fla. by Tom Sargent in 1990. To see all of Georgia’s saltwater fishing records, as well as information on how to submit a catch, visit CoastalGaDNR.org/RecreationalFishing.

Get The

Blues By Carlos Hidalgo

— B. B. King WATCH

’m pretty sure B. B. King was not a fly fisherman. Had he been, I’d like to think that, like his guitar Lucille, his fly rods would have been named after women. His delicate 3-weight, small stream rod might have been called Celeste. His 12-weight tarpon stick… Beulah, or maybe Gertrude. I hope you don’t have the blues. But if you are a trout angler, I do hope you have some blue flies in your boxes. You will be hard pressed to see any blue trout flies in the bins of your local fly shop or in many fly pattern books. This is understandable, since so many trout anglers are strict “match the hatch” believers and trout do not feed on any blue prey items. Despite this, blue flies are very effective. Here are a few you should consider. John Barr ties a blue version of his very effective Copper John nymph. Just replace blue copper wire for regular copper wire in the fly’s abdomen. A few years ago, Atlanta guide Dave Johnson requested that his friend Scott Abernathy design a blue nymph for his clients. Abernathy said the fly, which became known as the Blue Assassin, is based on the Rainbow Warrior nymph but with a really bright touch of blue. He speculated that its effectiveness might be because blue is the most visible color in deep water, as scientific studies have shown. This nymph is an extremely hot fly for Georgia trout. Pennsylvania angler Charles Meck included two blue dry flies and one blue egg in his book, “Fishing Tandem Flies.” Meck wrote that he began tying blue flies because of studies that showed that blue and purple flies “are the last to disappear as the fly sinks deeper in the water column.” The Blueberry is an egg pattern Meck ties with a brass bead and white or cream Glo Bug yarn, which is dyed with Rit evening blue dye. Meck swears 78

“Everyday, everyday, everyday, everyday I have the blues”

JULY 2021

Blue Assassin Scott Abernathy

(available at The Fish Hawk in Atlanta, Ga.)

Hook – Tiemco 2457, size 14 -20 Thread – blue Bead – silver (tungsten or brass) Tail – light gray Antron (originally, Scott used pheasant tail fibers) Abdomen – pearl Lateral Scale Thorax – hot purple SLF dubbing by his two dry flies, the Patriot and the WhiteWinged Bluebird. Although uncommon, blue is a very effective color for trout attractor flies. Give them a try.

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VIDEO

White-Winged Bluebird

Charles Meck Hook – dry fly, size 12 – 14 Thread – 6/0 medium blue Tail – blue hackle fibers (Meck uses white hackle dyed Rit evening blue) Body – smolt-blue Krystal Flash, with red thread mid-rib Hackle – blue Wings – white calf tail To tie the Patriot, substitute brown for the tail and hackle, everything else stays the same. Contact Carlos at cah6620@gmail.com to submit patterns for consideration or to order his book “South Florida’s Peacock Bass.”

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JULY 2021

SALTWATER FLY FISHING 80

TARPON TIME: THE TWO HANDED STRIP

t’s tarpon time! Many of you will be headed to tarpon waters this summer looking to hook one of ocean’s greatest gamefish on the fly. When you go, consider altering your fly retrieval technique from the standard onehand strip to the two-handed stip. If you do, you might be surprised at how effective a two-hand strip can be at catching this great gamefish. There are some saltwater fish that react to a fly that is stripped as fast as possible. Tuna, barracuda, roosterfish, amberjack and yellowtail are all good examples. These guys prefer a fly that moves like an Indianapolis racecar. If the fly isn’t imitating a fleeing baitfish, and suddenly stops, this group of gamers will turn and swim away. The two-handed strip is also a wonderful technique for feeding a wellpresented fly to a tarpon. But there is a difference. The two-handed strip is slightly different for tarpon than it is for offshore and nearshore species. Where offshore fish like tuna want the fly to burn through the water without pause, a tarpon often wants to see the fly move through the water at a slower pace while still keeping the fly’s JULY 2021

continual motion. An advantage of the two hand strip technique is the angler has total control of

WATCH

VIDEO

the fly’s pace through the water, making it possible for the angler to speed up or slow down the fly depending on the reaction of the tarpon to the fly. For example, if a tarpon reacts aggressively toward the fly, the angler might speed up the retrieve to initiate a strike. If the tarpon’s reaction is less aggressive, almost passive, the angler

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can manipulate the fly’s speed and try to turn on the tarpon’s “light switch” to instigate a strike. Another advantage to using the twohand retrieve is that the rod is placed under the arm rather than in the hands, making it almost impossible to lift the rod tip on a strike. This combats the urge of freshwater converts to set the hook by lifting the rod, a big no-no in tarpon fishing. With the rod under and arm, the only way to hook the fish is with a solid strip-strike. For a successful two-handed strip do the following: • After the fly has been cast, place the rod under the arm (right or left). • Point the rod tip down, keeping the tip on the water at all times. • Begin the strip by pulling the fly line with your hand at the first stripping guide. Repeat this with the other hand. • There should be a continual motion, changing hands with each strip. • Vary the speed of the fly as you strip it through the water. • Strip the fly all the way to the boat and repeat. If you feel a strike, give your line a solid strip-strike. Use the two-handed strip, and I guarantee you will never go back to the one-hand strip again. Good luck on the tarpon grounds this season!

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