The Angler Video Magazine | March 2021 Issue

On The Hunt For 'Hoos

@CAMTAMagazine

SIGHT FISHING

TRIPLETAIL WATCH VIDEO

SPRING TROUT IN THE SMOKIES PHOTO CREDIT: RYAN NICHOLAS

VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 8

F R A N C H I S E

MARCH 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

T

om Brady made a big purchase when he moved to Tampa for the 2020 NFL season. No, not just a new house, but a $2 million yacht. His custom Wajer 55 is a perfect choice for Tampa Bay area waters. He named her ‘Viva A Vida’ after Gisele Bündchen’s charity.

With a top speed of 38 knots and a range of 450 nautical miles, it can get far offshore in the Gulf of Mexico quickly. But he didn’t need all that horsepower to show his boat off during the Super Bowl Boat Parade on Feb. 10. Following a 31-9 beat-down of the Kansas City Chiefs, Brady, the rest of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quite a few fans took to the water to celebrate.

Brady’s yacht is comfortable and spacious with seating for plenty of guests, whether it’s the sun pads on the bow and aft or the U-shaped couch behind the cockpit. Underneath are two beds for guests, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a full bathroom with a shower, and a master suite. One of the coolest features Tom Brady’s boat has in store is its extendable swim platform that can be raised to also act as a gangway.

PHOTO @RYAN CLAPPER

WHEREVER THEY MAY ROAM

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

hether as an incidental catch, when one screams into a billfish spread, or when highspeed trolling to specifically target them, wahoo are a favorite fish for any angler who has ever been hooked up to one.

They are incredibly fast, sleek and powerful.

The initial blistering 300-yard run is enough to hook anyone. With line pouring off the reel, instinct begs you to stanch the flow. But a wahoo will throw the hook in a heartbeat, and there can be no slack in the line. Just hold on.

The fight is predictable. After that first long run, the fish will most likely turn back to the boat, shaking its head to throw the hook. Then it’s a sprint to pick up line. A little help from the helm might even be in order.

If you do manage to bring it into the boat, the beauty of the fish will amaze you. Perfectly camouflaged in blue water, a wahoo’s silvery belly gives way to a dark blue back with undulating cobalt blue bars falling vertically down its sides. If you can look past that weird toothy beak, it is a gorgeous fish. Photos never do it justice, as the color starts fading as soon as you take them from the water.

What doesn’t fade is the excitement this species brings to the supper table. They are mackerel, but they don’t taste like it. Unlike king mackerel, which look and swim a lot like wahoo, there are no heavy blood lines nor oiliness in a wahoo’s flesh. The meat is snow white, firm and has a mild taste sometimes compared to albacore.

It’s a tremendous sportfish that travels in loose schools and sometimes feeds in packs.

Find one and you’ll likely find several hanging and feeding near blue water structure. They move and feed with the bait, migrating to stay in the water temps they prefer, 70 degrees and higher, but they’ll almost always be found near structure, whether it’s a ledge in the Atlantic or a Gulf oil rig. This might lead one to believe that wahoo might be easier to

pattern than other pelagic species, but they are notoriously unpredictable. They are streaky feeders, and might not eat unless time of day, tides and moon phases align just right. For a long time, this unpredictable nature relegated wahoo to the realm of happy bycatch for anglers seeking other species. It is only recently, relative to the history of sportfishing, that people have developed tactics specifically for wahoo.

From the deep canyons off the northeast U.S. south to the east coast of Florida and throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, they can be found in catchable numbers seasonally. There’s little scientific data, but anecdotal evidence suggests they move with the rest of the pelagics, north in winter and south in summer.

Off the Carolina coast, the activity is best in the warm waters of late summer through early fall, which is also when schools of small tuna show up to winter. Anglers can hope for doubledigit wahoo encounters during the peak season, with fish sometimes weighing more than 60 pounds.

Late winter is the time to catch them off northeast Florida, when they will be feeding on the ledges with a bite that sometimes lasts all the way into April. Expect decent numbers of fish from 35 to 60 pounds, and every year a few fish show up heavier than 80 pounds. Down in South Florida, wahoo can be found on the edge of the Gulf Stream, with peak fishing occurring late spring through summer. During that same time period, anglers in the Keys will be targeting smaller wahoo, averaging 25 pounds, on floating debris.

But arguably the best wahoo fishing in this part of the world is the Bahamas. Here there is a shot at triple-digit fish, and good numbers of fish in the 40-pound range are the norm. Winter is best from the northern Bahamas around the Abacos and farther south, around the San Salvador humps.

In the Gulf, wahoo season is in winter, but

Legendary Capt. Don Combs was a pioneer of high-speed trolling for wahoo. Before his death in 2017, he produced some of the world’s best blue water lures, many of which remain extremely effective today.

winter brings with it foul weather. Early spring is a favorite time of many captains to chase wahoo because the fish are still around and you can actually get to them. They’ll be hunting in packs and following baitfish. There’s a good chance at some 30- to 50-pounders this time of year, and 80- or 90-pound fish are not unheard of in Gulf waters.

So maybe it’s time you, too, started viewing wahoo as more than an incedental catch. There’s somewhere nearby to go chase them pretty much year-round. And if you want to make a big trip of it, there’s always Hawaii or Fiji. We hear the wahoo fishing is pretty good in the Pacific, too.

RING THE COWBELL We’re Serving Up

WAHOO

A

nglers who target wahoo know that wahoo have very specific and unique preferences. Yes, it’s true that from time to time, most offshore anglers will invariably attract a wahoo into their spread, but targeting and actually catching wahoo is not happenchance.

Wahoo are some of the fastest swimmers in the ocean. Anglers know these speedy predators prefer attacking faster-moving baits.

Wahoo are also more attracted to baits pulled beneath the surface rather than right at or above the surface.

With more than 50 wahoo tournament wins, Ballyhood Cowbell lures are specifically designed to attract and catch wahoo… Big Wahoo. They come rigged and ready to fish with stainless steel cable leaders. The sheer weight and design of Ballyhood Cowbells allows you to troll them at fast speeds, from 14 to 23 knots depending on the model. These lures troll beneath the surface and put off a bubble trail that drives big wahoo crazy.

Go ahead. Ring the Cowbell. It’s dinner time!

For more information on Ballyhood Big Game Trolling Lures visit Ballyhood.com or call Darrell Primrose at (714) 545-0196.

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elagic has spent the last two decades developing the best in technical apparel for watermen. Their limited edition Deep Drop Boardshort—Gyotaku perfectly melds form and fashion.

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Plying the depths of comfort, function and style, the Deep Drop Boardshort features side-hand and back-zipper pockets to keep your gear close at hand, plus a hidden plier pocket for easy access to your favorite fisherman’s tool.

Built of an ultra-plush, cotton-based, vintage stretch fabric with 20-inch lopro cut, Deep Drop is complete with our internally integrated TightLines Adjustable Waistband System for the perfect, custom fit while offering our

proprietary stain and water-repellent technologies to withstand the inevitable “fishy” elements of the deep blue.

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When your pockets are loaded up with pliers, your phone or tackle, tighten them up for a secure fit. When you are ready to celebrate the catch and get loose, well then, get loose… tight lines everyone!

PELAGICGEAR.COM THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

MARCH 2021

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

INSHORE STRATEGIES FOR THE

SPRING

Transition 10

MARCH 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

S

pring is around the corner, and a lot of fishermen who hang up their gear for winter can’t wait for the temps to rise. Although the enthusiasm is high to wet a line, spring can be the most difficult season to successfully pattern and to consistently catch inshore fish.

Most fish are still in transition between the deep mud and the shallow sand or grass flats, which keeps them spread out through the bays. Add high winds, cool fronts and the small size of the forage, and you have a tougher puzzle to put together than the other three seasons. Here are a few tips to help you sort though this maze and hopefully land a few more fish this spring.

First and foremost, baitfish are extremely small this time of year, and it is not uncommon to find dozens of small glass minnows in the bellies of trout and redfish in the spring. This makes my first tip obvious, so I won’t waste a lot of space here, but downsize your lure presentation if you can. Obviously, this can impact one’s casting abilities, so rigging small lures in tandem can be a plus and assist in casting distance.

Something else I like to use in the spring is a clear or transparent lure with some glitter, or maybe one with a light translucent color. I choose these because it’s more difficult for the fish to see the lure’s actual size, which gives the appearance that it’s smaller than it actually is. I’ve found this to be a productive alternative

to downsizing. While choosing a typical-size trout and redfish lure for this application, I look for one with subtle movements. I like either a darting-style bait or a paddle lure with a very subtle vibration. Strong, bigvibrating tails have their time, but early spring is not one of them.

One thing I notice about schools of small baitfish is their movement. When displaced, they seldom dart deeper, and most of their movement is side-to-side or upward. Due to this characteristic, I also like a lightweight lure with a slow sink rate. I feel this better imitates spring forage movements and increases strikes.

I like a lure that twitches side to side that doesn’t sink very fast on the pause.

In early spring while the fish are in transition, they will start to congregate on sandy shores with grass. This will be the main cover for the small fry. While employing these techniques and lure choices, concentrate efforts on broken grass flats with potholes and distinct edges.

These areas are best when they are close to deeper water.

I hope you find these tactics helpful and as the weather warms and you enjoy the outdoors, don’t forget to take a kid fishing!

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

MARCH 2021

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REAL. WILD.

LIVING. realwildunicoicounty.com/explore

Unicoi County, Tennessee is home to unparalleled natural beauty just waiting to be explored. Journey down the rapids of the Nolichucky River, or see the world from a new angle atop mountains of the Appalachian Trail.

Get out there and explore, and experience nature in a way that is Uniquely Unicoi.

Cast Away Your Troubles!

If you’ve come to experience a taste of the outdoors… we’ve got a great catch waiting for you.

Unicoi County is teeming with great fishing spots. Our pristine waters boast record catches, and an unmatched variety of fish. From the Nolichucky River to the many streams and creeks in Unicoi County, you’ll find an impressive variety of bountiful fish and stunning scenic backdrops for your angling adventure. From smallmouth and largemouth bass to bluegill, catfish and trout, you’ll get hooked on our fishing opportunities in Unicoi County.

Before you head to the water to fish, be sure to stop by the nearest Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) regional office or a license agent to purchase a fishing license. Your fees go toward fishery management programs that help ensure your future recreational fishing opportunities.

Visit the TWRA for more information on fishing regulations in Tennessee, maps or brochures. Also visit the Cherokee National Forest site for more information about

fishing in the national forest.

Fly fishing guides are available through several outfitters.

Craving Adventure?

You’ve come to the right place…

Rafting the Nolichucky River provides some of the most exhilarating river experiences in the world. Endless in scenic wonder and majesty, any trip on the Noli will be the adventure of a lifetime.

The Nolichucky River’s churning white waters wind through the deepest gorge in the eastern United States.

With steep mountain slopes and cliffs rising more than 2,000 feet, adventure-seekers will experience the breathtaking scenery along the way. Public boat access is available upstream in Poplar, North Carolina, as well as a take-out at Chestoa Recreation Area. In addition, several local rafting companies provide guided whitewater rafting trips and equipment.

Learn more at realwildunicoicounty.com

T

o celebrate the unofficial start of fishing season, Busch - the beer brewed for the great outdoors - is releasing a limited run of fishing themed cans specifically for Floridians that feature special Freshwater and Saltwater graphics. Whether you’re knee deep in a freshwater stream, strapped into a boat bound for the open sea, or just relaxing on the dock after a hard day’s work, it’s better with a Busch in-hand.

As part of the release, Busch is also giving beer discounts for Florida fishers based on the size of their catches. The Busch fishing packs, available in 18 & 24 packs only, will feature a ruler so that you can measure the size of your catch with ease - the bigger your fish the greater your discount! Fans can scan the QR code above or visit Busch.com/fishingrules1 to redeem their rebate, which is capped at $10.

To reward fishing enthusiasts even further, Busch is also giving away free fishing licenses! Busch will be rewarding 5 lucky fans with a fishing license for life, and 50 fans with a fishing license for a year. All fans need to do is text ‘CATCH’ to 55555 for a chance to win a fishing license.

Fans can learn more about the Busch Florida Fishing Promotion, by following @Buschbeer or by visiting Busch.com/fishingrules1 to see the full rules and regulations.

EXPLORE THE WATER

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TIPS FOR

By CAM Staff

WATCH

VIDEO

COBIA

I

f cobia aren’t already on the move, they’re getting ready to be. Here are a few things to consider as you head to chase that spring migration.

1) Seek Cover: When they’re not on the move, cobia post up, sometimes in schools, around some type of structure. Check the channel markers, buoys, FADs and known wrecks. If they’re not on the surface, they might be deeper. A little chum can be the ticket to bringing them up. If you’re running the beaches, be sure to take a long look around any sort of floating debris.

2) Keep It In Gear: As they migrate up the coast, visible cobia are bombarded by anglers. They’re hungry—and no one ever accused them of being smart—but they can get a little boat shy.

When you spot them cruising, approach at a steady speed and cast as soon as you can assure accuracy in a 3- or 4-foot window ahead of the fish. The farther the boat is from a cruiser, the better your chances are of getting bit. And don’t throw the boat into reverse or take it out of gear. For some reason, the steady growl of a motor doesn’t alarm them, but popping it in and out of gear will put them down in a heartbeat.

3) Keep It All On Deck: When you get a shot, you should be ready with an arsenal of baits and lures ready and waiting. If the fish is visible near the surface, it will let you know pretty quickly if its interested in what you throw. There’s a good chance you’ll get a few shots if you don’t spook the fish by hitting it in the face. Have several rods ready with bucktails and soft-plastics in locally preferred colors. Or, keep a bucket on deck with live baits rigged and ready to pitch. Large shrimp, eels, mullet, pinfish and whole squid are all good choices.

4) Get A Late Start: Cruising cobia are easier to spot when the sun is high and there’s less glare on the water. This is especially true if you’re fishing from a smaller boat with a short tower or no tower at all. By heading out late in the morning, you’ll be covering water when spotting fish is more likely. Also, especially early in the season, cobia move higher in the water column as the sun warms the surface. Obviously, you should wear a good pair of sunglasses and a ball cap to combat the sun’s glare.

5) Consider a Net: A gaffed green cobia will absolutely wreck your boat... and your shins, if you’re not careful.

Even after a grueling fight, a big net is a good place to let cobia expend some of their fury. It also makes it easier to release undersized fish. With a gaff or a net, be ready with the cooler lid or fish box open when you bring the fish over the rail.

Chunk that bad boy in the box, slam the door and sit on it. You’ll need a moment to catch your breath, anyway.

For more information, go to coastalanglermag.com and search cobia.

PHOTO

COURT E

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APT. TO

NY S U M

MERS

SAVOR THE SEASONS inUpcountry South Carolina

Discover majestic waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and spectacular mountain vistas in Upcountry South Carolina.

SAVOR THE SEASONS inUpcountry South Carolina

Discover majestic waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and spectacular mountain vistas in Upcountry South Carolina.

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Upcountry South Carolina

The Best Place to Drop a Fishing Line

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ou don’t need a formal invitation to have fun in Upcountry South Carolina: Come kayak in our crystal blue lakes, hike to our rushing waterfalls, dig into our local cuisine, attend our family-oriented events and festivals, and breathe deep our fresh mountain air any time you want to feel refreshed. But when you hold a valid South Carolina fishing license, it feels like an official ticket to enjoy the great outdoors.

Fishing is an activity that anglers of any age can enjoy and whole families can do together.

Whether sitting on a boat or standing on shore, you can relax into the simple pleasure of holding a rod surrounded by beautiful green mountains and blue water. There’s a jolt of excitement with each pull on your line and you spring into action to reel in your catch. Only minimal equipment is needed and no specific skills are required, so fishing appeals to novices as readily as pros.

Fish are biting year round in the lakes, rivers and streams of Upcountry South Carolina, located in the state’s northwestern corner in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain. Try reeling in a worldclass catch at Devils Fork State Park in Salem, where Lake Jocassee holds state fish records for rainbow trout, brown trout, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and yellow perch. Or try your luck in Lake Hartwell, at Lake Hartwell State Park in Fair Play and Sadlers Creek State Park in Anderson, three-time host of the Bassmaster Classic (2008, 2015 and 2018).

The Chattooga River, ranked as one of the nation’s best wild and scenic rivers, boasts healthy wild trout populations plus is regularly stocked by Oconee County’s Walhalla State Fish Hatchery.

You can fish for brown trout, rainbow trout, redeye

bass, catfish, bluegill, brown brook and bream in the Chattooga River. The Whitewater River above Lower Whitewater Falls is another great option for wild trout fishing. Lake Keowee at KeoweeToxaway State Park in Pickens County swims with largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass as well as crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, catfish, brown trout and rainbow trout.

Pick up everything you need to ensure a great angling experience—including advice—at local fly shops or book a guided fishing trip. Sam Jones of Jocassee Charters knows the best locations on Lake Jocassee to hook trophy trout year round.

Buster Green’s Guide Service reels in stripers, hybrids and largemouth bass on Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee. Chattooga River Fly Shop leads catch-and-release fly fishing trips for trout and redeye bass on the Chattooga and Chauga Rivers.

Of course you can get out on the water even if you don’t plan to fish. Jocassee Lake Tours offers tours of the 9,000-acre Lake Jocassee and of the Jocassee Gorges, which National Geographic ranks as a “Destination of a Lifetime.” Some of the most amazing spots can only be reached by boat.

Several different tours are offered, so you can learn from a naturalist while riding on a pontoon or paddling a kayak through quiet coves and under waterfalls. Some tours boat then hike to remote swimming spots, South Carolina’s highest point, or other surprises. If you prefer to stay on solid ground, some road vehicle tours are available, too.

Prefer to captain your own boat? No problem!

Several rental companies, including Tri-County Boat Rental, operate on Lake Keowee, Lake Jocassee, Lake Hartwell, and other lakes to make it easy to get out on the water. Whether you prefer

kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, water skiing, or tootling around in a pontoon boat, it’s invigorating to navigate clear water while surrounded by great mountain views.

If you’d rather be under the water than on it, go scuba diving in Lake Jocassee—that’s right: You can scuba dive in the mountains! Lake Jocassee is a world-renowned freshwater diving destination that boasts visibility of more than 50 feet at depth on warm clear days. Dive down to see the “wall” created when the side of the mountain was blasted during construction of the dam. You can also swim through a 40-foot wooden sail boat. Lake Jocassee Dive Shop offers lessons if you’re a novice or hope to refine your diving skills.

From fishing to boating, hiking to camping, biking to bird watching and more, the Upcountry’s South Carolina State Parks are a great place to come and play. Dip into the swimming hole at Oconee State Park. Hike past mountain streams to the tops of Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains at Table Rock State Park. Explore the 13,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area at Caesars Head State Park. Scuba, swim or fish at Devils Fork State Park. Or create your own adventure at any of the Upcountry’s 13 state parks, with enough fun to fill a trip of any length.

There’s so much to explore, it’s best to plan to stay awhile. Upcountry South Carolina is packed with a range of comfortable overnight accommodation options. Stay in a rustic mountain cabin, at an upscale bed and breakfast, a lakefront villa, a city hotel in Spartanburg or Greenville, or even a treehouse.

Visit UpcountrySC.com to learn more.

Langland Technical Hoodie A breathable hoodie featuring Gill Fishing’s new and exclusive XPEL water and stain resistance technology, the Langland is perfect for Florida’s fickle late winter and early spring conditions.

New for Spring 2021, the Langland is coated with Gill’s proprietary XPEL treatment that allows it to repel water, blood, mud, and oil. It is also naturally odor resistant, even when put away wet.

Gill has been trusted on the water for more than 40 years, and they’ve delivered yet another dependable piece for hardcore anglers. Whether you’re throwing lures for bass, meat fishing during the tail end of the sheepshead bite, or simply watching the sunset from the dock, the Langland is a must-have to keep you dry, warm, comfortable, and clean.

Gill’s product team is driven by professional anglers, and the Langland was designed specifically to be worn on the water. It features thermal protection, an internal zippered pocket inside the front kangaroo pouch, an adjustable hood, and integrated thumb loops on the cuffs. The Langland is also pill resistant and includes 4-way stretch for a durable, breathable and comfortable fit.

The Langland can be worn as both a mid layer under foul weather gear, as well as an outer layer on sunny days. Another plus: it won’t require deep cleaning after a long day of catching fish, working on the boat, or simply getting left wet in a boat locker for a few days.

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MARCH 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Overton Shirt When the heat of summer arrives, the Overton shirt will keep you dry, cool and clean thanks to its lightweight, breathable fabric that’s treated with Gill Fishing’s exclusive XPEL water and stain resistance technology.

Like the Langland, the Overton is capable of repelling water and any filth you may encounter while fishing. Gill loaded the Overton with smart features for anglers, including dual chest pockets, snag-proof concealed press stud fasteners, a micro-fiber panel to wipe sunglasses, a self-fabric strip to hang sunglasses or a small tool, and roll-up sleeves with a retainer loop and button.

Gill Fishing tests every product they make in their in-house laboratory for storm and sun protection, abrasion and corrosion resistance, and durability through extreme heat, humidity and dozens of wash cycles. Gill guarantees the Overton’s XPEL stain and water resistance for up to 30 washes, and it remains effective for up to 50 washes.

The Overton’s stylish design makes its just as capable off the water, providing anglers a shirt they can wear anywhere. It’s available in two colors: white and blue check.

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XPEL technology is featured on our Langland Technical Hoodie and Overton Shirt – for further information visit gillfishing.com/xpel

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SLOW DANCING with

By Nick Carter

ripletail are some of the most exciting gamefish that visit inshore waters. Their peculiar tendency to hang near the surface around floating debris makes them perfect for sight fishing, and on top of that they are absolutely delicious.

Capt. Jeremy Davidson is an angler devoted to these oddball fish. His charter service, Southern Salinity, is based out of St. George Island, where he specializes in inshore tripletail on Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

“They start to migrate to shallower water when that water temperature starts rising,” he said “It’s wind and water temperature dependent, but everything starts to move in March or April—the bait, the pelagics, everything.”

Throughout the Gulf of Mexico and up the Atlantic Coast, tripletail move shallower in waves. Davidson said the timing is different by location, but the patterns are similar. First, scads of smaller fish move in from offshore through the passes to find homes on floating debris. The early spring bite is characterized by plentiful opportunities at smaller fish. By May or June, larger 8- to 12-pounders settle in on trap buoys, floating vegetation and tide lines.

Big fish in the 20-pound range arrive in deep summer.

They’re there to feed and procreate, said Davidson, which means they are primed to 24

MARCH 2021

pick up a bait. However, catching tripletail consistently is more difficult than it might appear.

THE SETUP: To spot tripletail, you must train your eyes to look beneath the surface. Fish will stay with a piece of floating cover as long as it harbors the small crabs, shrimp and glass minnows tripletail feed on. Cover could be anything, and Davidson recommends checking out everything floating on the surface. You might spot the fish itself, but the first indication is usually the sub-surface flash of a turning fish.

When Davidson spots fish, he leaves the boat in gear and noses into the current to point the bow at the fish within casting range.

THE CAST: “Do not hit that fish,” Davidson warned. “Pick a spot out past it. I don’t care if it’s the treeline. Just make sure to pitch past that fish.”

Casting past the fish with an underhand pitch allows the angler to retrieve the bait slowly through the strike zone. If the tripletail

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doesn’t take the bait on the initial retrieve, it’s time to flip the bail and allow the tide to carry the bait back past the fish.

“It’s a slow dance,” Davidson said. “Retrieve it slow and easy.”

THE TAKE: Don’t set the hook! Tripletail feed delicately. They ease up and pluck their prey from near the surface. Then, to avoid spooking their next meal, they move away before engulfing it.

“Let that fish roll down or go the other way,” Davidson said.

“Give it 5 or 10 seconds, then lift up and he’s on. Then he turns into a wild man!”

THE FIGHT: The harder you pull on a tripletail, the harder and wilder it fights back. This is important because, along with brute strength, these prehistoric fish have a sharp, line-slicing gill plate. Davidson reiterated his slow dance metaphor, saying you can sometimes lead a fish right to the boat by taking it slow and easy.

up the tail and out the second notch before turning the point back into the bait. This hides the hook and allows the shrimp to swim like a lure.

To make pitching the rig easier, he ties an elongated float, like Boat Monkey’s Cigar Slip Float, between braided 30-lb. main line and a 2- to 3-foot leader of 30-lb. fluorocarbon. More advanced anglers might go bobberless for better control while working the bait. To do this, tie the braid directly to the leader with a double uni knot.

“Square up with him. Keep your rod tip up, and let him run if he wants to dig,” said Davidson “Walk him around the boat. Stay square with him, and pump him in slow and easy.”

THE RIG: Tripletail eat shrimp, pogies and artificials, but Davidson prefers to make a fresh-shrimp lure. He pops the heads off large restaurant-quality shrimp and pinches the flappers off their tails. Then he runs a 2/0 or 3/0 3X Strong VMC circle hook

Capt. Jeremy Davidson owns Southern Salinity, which runs charters on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. www.southernsalinity.com.

I LOVE CATS!

T

BEN MARTIN

hat’s right. I never thought I would hear me say it, but there it is, “I love cats.”

It only takes one ride on a dual-hull vessel to convince anyone the ride is superior to that of a V-hull. If you’ve chosen your dual-hull vessel correctly, you’ll quickly recognize there’s no requirement to endure the constant up and down slamming endured in a V-hull.

Most engineers and propulsion designers will tell you there’s something inherently unstable about a single V-shaped hull with engines mounted in the rear. But when you add a second V-shaped hull to the equation, the entire center of gravity changes. Your vessel no longer has the need to plane. Now, your rear-mounted engines push the boat effortlessly. The vessel no longer requires the bounce to move it forward over the water’s surface.

The balanced float of two hulls also creates additional benefits.

Shallow draft is a big one. Most cats draft less than 2 feet. Our Sea Cat drafts an incredible 14 inches. Now you’ve got an inshore vessel and

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an offshore vessel all in one. That’s a feat that’s very hard to achieve with a mono-hull.

There’s another great benefit to dual-hull vessels: Fuel Economy.

Remember the displacement thing? The design that eliminates a need for the boat to ride on plane?

Well, when your vessel can maintain a balanced float on top of the water, your engines no longer have to fight to bounce your vessel forward. They simply don’t have to work as hard, and it is therefore unquestionably true that two-hull vessels are unrivaled in fuel economy in the marine space.

Now, mono-hull designs have dominated the U.S. market since the 1960s. It’s what we are trained to think boats should be. But innovation has a way of changing things. Before you stubbornly say you hate cats, I challenge you to take a test ride on one. I suspect that you’ll become a cat lover, too.

There might be some rugged individuals out there who really like that constant pounding and the need to burn a lot of fuel. I suppose there are also some people who simply enjoy maintaining two boats, one for inshore and one for off shore. I salute you rugged individuals to whom money means nothing and eight hours of pounding up and down on a vessel is no big deal. But when we go fishing, let’s go on my cat and spare the pounding… I’ll buy the gas.

d T e o Last n g i s e D Wa

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SeaCatBoats.com

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Shallow Water Vibrations

By Patrick Sebile

B

ass anglers use lipless crankbaits in many circumstances and ways. I believe it is not used enough for reds, trout, tarpon and snook. In fact, a lipless crankbait is one of the most effective baits to catch fish in shallow water, and it’s definitively one of those I use often.

And I’m not alone. When Louisiana’s famous Team Broussard was at the very top of their tournament career a few years ago, “Cajun” Phil and Capt. Kevin had many wins including the Redfish Cup and Team of the Year titles. The secret weapon they were hiding from media and competitors alike was a Flatt Shadd 50 snagless.

That small, compact, lipless crankbait puts out vibrations that travel far through the water, catching the predator’s attention as if it was of a much larger bait. The quick, side-to-side motion also creates a lot of flash, adding visual attraction.

When I was the Mepps spinner designer 20 years ago, I worked closely with scientists who had an understanding of the factors that attract predatory fish. The type of vibration and its volume were key. Both with

inline spinners and lipless crankbaits, moving a significant amount of water is essential for creating signals that are much larger than many other types of baits. This is why baits with spinning blades and those that emit vibrations commonly catch large fish, even when the lures are small.

Often, a predatory fish is first alerted to a potential meal by its lateral line, a natural radar. These small baits fool the fish into thinking it is chasing down much larger and more significant prey.

How do you use a lipless crankbait best when you’re on the flats or casting close to the mangroves? If it is deep enough, you can

cast and burn it or slow roll it to offer consistent action and cover lots of water as a search bait. This is the main way I use a lipless bait when targeting tarpon or large channel bass (red drum) in main inlets, estuaries and anywhere there is enough depth and preferably some current.

But for the true, shallow inshore and backcountry fishing, I use them as I would a soft jerkbait rigged on a jig head. I twitchtwitch-pause and yo-yo it. The great thing with a vibrating bait is every time you pull on the rod, you can feel the bait reacting. Action can be constant when fish are aggressive, but

for cold water or finicky fish, don’t hesitate to let the lure pause on the ground for a few seconds here and there. You might be surprised to find the majority of bites happen on the drop, or even when the lure is lying motionless. Fish can be so hungry for it that they swallow it in a snap, resulting more than you can imagine in hook sets deep within the fish’s mouth.

If you haven’t thrown a small lipless crankbait around in the shallows, give it a try.

You might be pleasantly surprised.

Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing. www.sebile.com

A Life Ring for Your Phone!

Phloats saves your device from sinking, should you drop it in the water. The patent pending design ensures that even the heaviest phones stay afloat, making retrieval a breeze.

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WATCH

VIDEO

An Explanation of Waterproof Clothing

N

o fabric used to make comfortable fishing clothing is fully waterproof.

Waterproof is a term used in outdoor clothing to describe the next level past water resistance. Resistance means light rain and splash proof, whereas “waterproof ” means a garment can withstand heavy rain and keep you comfortable.

Unfortunately, there is no breathable fabric that is completely waterproof in the fishing clothing industry. If a rain suit says it is breathable, then it cannot be 100 percent waterproof. Being familiar with the types of fabric and terms for waterproof ratings can help when purchasing your next set of rain gear to ensure you get the best set possible for your needs.

Why would you want a rain suit to be breathable if that makes it less water resistant? Well, think about those rubber slickers on Deadliest Catch. These are 100 percent waterproof, but they are 0 percent breathable. When you start to sweat, there is nowhere for moisture to go. Slickers have their place, but unless it’s extremely cold out, your sweat will soak you before the rain does.

That is why fishing rain jackets are designed the way they are.

Many rain jackets and bibs are made

of nylon shells, treated with a waterproof coating called Durable Water Repellent or DWR. This helps water bead and roll off the fabric. That is the first line of defense.

Inside that outer shell, there is at least one other layer. This layer is a waterproof breathable membrane. The outer side of this membrane is hydrophobic. It repels water.

The inner side is hydrophilic, which means it attracts water. What you get is a piece of clothing that repels water droplets from the outside, but allows for air and water vapor to escape from the inside. Most waterproof clothing has at least these two layers, and some premium jackets will have three layers.

The third layer is a protective inner layer to the membrane. Added protection means longevity and durability of the jacket.

There are different levels of “waterproof ” jackets. This is usually reflected by the price of the suit. Lets dive into these levels and ratings.

Waterproof and Breathability Ratings At AFTCO, waterproof fishing clothing measures waterproof and breathability in millimeters as a K rating. These ratings refer to how much water pressure the fabric can withstand before water penetrates. For

example, a 20K rating means that the fabric, when placed over a 1-inch diameter tube filled with water, can withstand 20,000 mm of pressure before letting the water in.

Breathability is also measured in K ratings. However, this measurement refers to the amount of water that escapes the clothing over a 24-hour period. Therefore, a 10K breathability rating means 10,000 grams of water vapor will escape in 24 hours.

A simple standard is the higher the waterproof rating, the more waterproof it is.

So, wearing a 30K jacket in light rain is a little overkill, although not as much of an issue as wearing a 5K rain jacket in a torrential downpour. Wearing a jacket not rated to handle the weather you are in might be why your jacket does not seem as waterproof as you would like it.

Another reason a jacket may not keep water out is because the DWR coating has worn off, allowing water through the outer shell. A tell-tale sign of this is water no longer beading on your jacket. This requires you to retreat outerwear with DWR coating. Once your jacket has been retreated, it should bead water droplets again.

For more information, visit aftco.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

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Monster

Gulf Warsaw

By CAM Staff

Caught I

n January, a group of anglers filming for the online show BlacktipH Fishing launched on a chilly day from the west coast of Florida on a 3-year-old mission to land a giant warsaw grouper on camera. After a four-hour run out of Fort Myers, it took just five minutes on the initial drop for them to hook into a 300-pounder. Hand-cranking that fish from deeper than 400 feet of water was a grueling feat of fishing and an epic culmination to their quest.

It was a third deep-water attempt for BlacktipH host Joshua Jorgenson and Capt. Jason Boyll. Like goliath grouper, warsaw grouper grow huge. The all-tackle world record warsaw weighed more than 436 pounds. Unlike goliaths, which frequent nearshore structure, large warsaws prefer extreme depths. Deep-water structure and a peak bite in winter combine to make truly huge warsaw grouper very difficult to catch.

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During their first warsaw trip in 2019, Jorgenson, Boyll and NFL tight end Trey Burton didn’t get a bite during a full day of fishing 100 miles out of Sarasota, Fla. They dropped in depths below 1,000 feet to spring holes on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

In January of 2020, Jorgenson and Boyll tried again. This time they left the docks at 2 a.m. to travel 150 nautical miles offshore.

“After hours of fishing, we finally got a bite,” Jorgenson wrote. “The fish was hooked, and I started cranking the handle. I brought the fish up around 150 feet from the bottom.

Jason and I both thought it was a smaller fish. Then, all of a sudden, this fish got angry and started peeling the line off the reel. It was literally unstoppable! Seconds later, this massive fish swam into some bottom structure and snapped the line.”

Losing that fish haunted Jorgenson until this year, on Jan. 22, when he, Boyll and Gord Daniher took Daniher’s 42-foot boat 140 miles off Fort Myers to a legendary structure known as Pulley Ridge. Pulley Ridge is a 60-mile-long reef system that is well known to Gulf anglers. They dropped banded rudderfish as bait in water deeper than 400 feet.

“Within five minutes of fishing, Jason got a bite on his reel,” Jorgenson wrote. “He started reeling and the line got very tight! A giant warsaw had taken the bait! Jason started cranking as hard as possible to prevent the monster from breaking us off on the bottom.

After an incredibly intense 10-minute battle, Jason managed to bring the fish 150 feet off the bottom before being completely exhausted!”

At that point, Jorgenson took the reel and cranked the fish to the surface. The total fight time lasted 15 to 20 minutes, and the whole crew was needed to bring the fish into the boat.

Back at the docks, it took a tractor to pull the fish out of the boat and weigh it. The scale read 294 pounds, which means the fish’s live weight was likely heavier than 300 pounds.

Jorgenson said the grouper was longer than 7 feet in total length.

Check out BlacktipH at blacktiph.com.

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

MARCH 2021

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MAXIMIZE Your Time On The Water

Fish Mapping from SiriusXM gives you 8 dedicated fishing features plus all SiriusXM Marine weather information directly on your boat’s display, relative to your boat’s location.

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Learn more at siriusxm.com/fishmapping OFFER DETAILS: Activate a new subscription to SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping and receive your first month free (a $99.99 savings), plus get free activation (an additional $25 savings), for a combined savings of $124.99. Add SiriusXM Select radio package at the discount rate of $11.99/mo. Fees and taxes apply. A credit card is required on this offer. You must cancel during your free month to avoid being charged. At the beginning of your second month service will automatically renew thereafter every month and you will be charged at the then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. Please see our Customer Agreement at siriusxm.com for complete terms and how to cancel, which includes calling us at 1-800-985-9200. All fees, content, and features are subject to change.

This offer may not be combined with any other trial offers and may be modified or terminated at any time. Subscription and hardware sold separately. $100 Rebate from SiriusXM available through Dec 31, 2021 with hardware and subscription purchase, see Rebate Offer Details at siriusxm.com/fishmapping. © 2021 Sirius XM Radio Inc. SiriusXM and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its respective subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

SEA EAGLE FISHSUP FS126 F

ishing from an SUP will never be the same. The super-stable inflatable Sea Eagle FishSUP FS126 is built for serious SUP anglers.

Heavy-duty .90 drop-stitch material covers top, bottom and sides for superior protection against punctures. The thick 90inch x 18-inch camo EVA pad protects, while providing a comfortable, non-slip foot bed.

The SUP is a full 12 feet 6 inches long and 40 inches wide, making standing stable and secure.

Multiple D-rings and an elastic cord keep gear in place and easily accessible. A Sea Eagle Swivel Seat Fish Rig can be attached to the D-rings to provide an elevated view into the water. A large D-ring aft is for a leash. Two small ones tie down a battery box for your electric motor or other gear.

This SUP includes a motor mount for up to a 55-pound-thrust electric motor, which can be removed quickly for good, old-fashioned man-power with an SUP paddle or kayak paddle.

Getting to that secluded fishing spot will be easier than ever. The hunter green bottom and sides blend into the surroundings, and the grey top stays cool on the hottest days.

This is a really cool and super stable SUP. Reeling in the big one will be a breeze on the wide platform. The 24-inch measuring tape running down the center of the EVA comes in handy for sticking to regulations. Sea Eagle also included their nifty paddle pocket, which will keep your paddle secure and out of the way when not in use.

The most economical way to get on the water and to the big fish is with the Sea Eagle

FishSUP FS126. Packages start at just $999, with free ground shipping.

If you’re looking for an extremely economical SUP for fishing that’s stable enough for even a novice to easily stand on, with lots of gear space and the ability to motorize, then the Sea Eagle FishSUP is for you.

It inflates in minutes, packs down to almost nothing and is ready to go whenever and wherever.

SEAEAGLE.COM

DON’T MISS THE BOAT!

A

lot has changed on Key West since Ernest Hemingway fished, wrote and boozed there for much of the 1930s, but much remains the same. The fishing is still fantastic and the nightlife has only gotten bigger and better.

This, the southernmost point of the continental United States, is home to more fishing world records than any other place in the world. It is surrounded by the kind of flats, grass shallows and mangrove islands that backcountry anglers dream of. Its reefs and wrecks are home to fantastic snapper and grouper fishing. And the Florida Straits, dubbed “the Great Blue River” by Hemingway himself, is a 90-mile-wide trough of deep water that offers some of the best billfishing in North America.

Does running down “showers” of ballyhoo pushed up by sailfish sound fun to you? Key West offers some of the best sailfish action in the world, with an abundance that produces numerous releases during a day during the prime seasons.

And the blue marlin fishing is pretty good, too.

Marlin are known to roam where the shelf drops off into the Florida Straits about 20 miles south of Key West. There’s plenty for the blue water sportfisherman to get into, including the revival of the nighttime swordfish bite.

But billfish are not the only game in this quintessential fishing town. Wahoo, blackfin tuna, dolphin and king mackerel are some of the most sought after species offshore. And those who prefer to fish on the bottom will find grouper and snapper, as well as cobia and amberjack, which also inhabit the reefs.

The flats and backcountry fishing are also world class. Many anglers travel to Key West just for the backcountry tarpon trips and the desire to hold on for dear life as a silver king rips line off the spool. Bonefish and permit are a draw as

well. And species like jack crevalle, trout, mangrove snapper, ladyfish, redfish, Spanish mackerel, sharks and bluefish keep anglers entertained in the backcountry.

Of course no trip to Key West would be complete without a look into the history and characters of the island and a trip to Duval Street. The cultural mish-mash has created a vibrant community in this town. The eating and drinking establishments are top-notch, and the nightlife can be downright outrageous. Just don’t have so much fun that you miss the boat the next morning.

No angling library would be complete without stories of battles won and lost in The Keys. From marlin and tuna to wahoo, grouper and kingfish, our waters are teeming with the most eulogized game fish in the world. Moral of the story? Time to come down and write your own epic tale. fla-keys.com 1.800.fla.keys For the latest protocols on health & safety in The Florida Keys, please visit our website.

IGFA Tweaks Electric Reel Rules

WATCH

W

ith the skyrocketing popularity of daytime swordfishing and following on the heels of some spectacularly large swordfish caught in the last few years, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has tweaked its rules on electric reels. Effective immediately, anglers will be allowed limited use of power-driven reels and remain eligible for IGFA records.

According to an IGFA press release, new language in its rules clarify accepted and non-accepted uses of electric reels. New rules do not allow for fighting fish with the aid electric reels. Of note is a requirement that power accessories must be removable and may not be attached to a reel during deployment of baits or at any time during fishing, except to retrieve baits all the way to the boat.

This function is almost necessary in daytime swordfishing, which requires anglers to commonly drop and retrieve baits deeper, sometimes much deeper than 1,000 feet.

The old and new language read as follows: IGFA International Angling Rules: Section E. Reel PREVIOUS RULE: 2. Power-driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels, and any device that gives the angler an unfair advantage in fighting the fish.

NEW RULE: 2. Power- driven reels are acceptable under the following situation and configuration. a) Reels that have power accessories (e.g., electric drill attachments,

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VIDEO motors or other power accessories specifically designed for a reel) that can be physically removed from the reel may be used strictly for the purpose of retrieving a deployed bait or lure at depth all the way to the boat. b) Power accessories may only be used to retrieve a bait or lure completely to the boat and are not permitted for adjusting the position of a bait or lure in the water column. Once a power accessory is attached to the reel, the bait or lure may no longer be legally used to catch a fish and the bait or lure must be retrieved all the way to the boat for manual redeployment before it may be legally used to hook or catch a fish. Power accessories may not be attached to the reel during the deployment of a bait or lure. c) Power accessories must be physically removed from the reel before the act of hooking and/or fighting a fish. Any fish that strikes a bait or lure being fished with a reel with power accessories still attached— whether or not under electric operation—will not be eligible for record consideration. d) Electric reels that do not have removable electronic components that allow them to be completely manually driven are prohibited.

“Changes to the IGFA’s International Angling Rules are always something we handle with the utmost care,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “This rule in particular has been a point of contention for years, and we are pleased to announce this new language that we strongly feel adapts IGFA rules to the technology of our time, while not jeopardizing the core principles of IGFA ethics.”

For more information, see igfa.org.

CATCH MORE CR

S

pringtime is crappie time. When water temps begin to climb, the crappie schools move shallow to stage on structure before the spawn. It’s the time of year when loading coolers for a fish fry can be quick and easy. But the thing with crappie is you’re either catching them or you’re not. With that in mind, veteran crappie angler Dan Saknini offered some tips to consistently catch slab crappie.

1) Know The Cycles: The comfort zone for crappie is 35 feet and shallower, said Saknini. They hold on deep brush during the coldest and hottest times of year, but in milder weather they move shallower in search of optimal water temperatures.

“This time of year, the crappie are fattening up for the spawn,” he said. “Their comfort zone for the spawn is when water temperatures rise into the mid-50s, preferably closer to 60.”

As the spawn begins, fish stage up on structure.

Then they’ll move extremely shallow in waves to seek out spawning areas on the banks and backs of creeks. The females move in, lay eggs and move back out. The males stay shallow to guard the beds.

Through the stages of the spawn, Saknini targets brush in 15 feet or shallower. With the spawning season lasting about a month, these could be pre-spawn fish or post-spawn fish that have moved back out.

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RAPPIE

Saknini shoots jigs in and around docks in the 10- to 15-foot range. Many lake homeowners discard Christmas trees off their docks. These are the docks you need to find.

2) Locate Structure: Regardless of the season, black crappie school up on some type of structure. They change depths, and move off structure momentarily to feed, so catching them consistently means knowing the locations of brushpiles at all different depths.

Saknini said good electronics and prospecting are key to being a good crappie angler. If you fish a lake that allows it, you can build your own honey holes.

“I probably sink 50 or 60 brushpiles a year,” Saknini said. “Then I go back and fish them.

There might be fish there, or there might not, but I always have another one to go to.”

3) Ditch the Minnows: Fishing a minnow under a bobber is traditional, and it can be effective.

However, Saknini said fishing jigs is a far more efficient.

“Once you get used to jig fishing, it’s always more productive,” he said. “If you’re fishing a minnow, it’s either under a bobber or on a downline, and it’s stationary. With a jig, you’re moving and covering water.”

Crappie are lazy and won’t chase a bait more than a few feet, Saknini said. There could be fish all over a piece of structure, but you wouldn’t know it if your minnow is just a foot out of the strike zone. With a jig, you can cover water vertically and horizontally for a better chance of passing through that zone.

PHOTOS BY NICK CARTER

Dan Saknini is a member of Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. Check them out at www.laniercrappieanglers.net.

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Visit Cherokee County

One can never get lost here visitcherokeecountync.com

Goods & Gear for the Modern Angler & Outdoorsman Inspired by Art, Music & Culture. crookedcreekholler.com

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BIG

WATCH

VIDEO

BROWN

BASS of Lake Erie

By Nick Carter

L

ake Erie boasts some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the world. And over the nearly 10,000 square miles of surface area on this massive lake, the Eastern Basin offers some of the best habitat for bronzebacks.

The Eastern Basin is the deepest part of the lake and is separated by a ridge that runs north to south from Long Point in Ontario, Canada to Erie, Pennsylvania. Buffalo New York sits on the eastern shore at the mouth of the Niagara River.

Anglers visiting Niagara Falls would be foolish not to set aside a day for fishing the irregular near-shore topography that makes the Eastern Basin such a good fishery. Biologists see incredible growth rates from smallmouth in this area, and 5- to 7-pound fish are a regular occurrence.

Kayla Culp, a teacher from Ridgeway, Ontario, has spent years patterning smallies on the Canadian side of the lake. In the Canadian waters of Erie, bass season is closed in spring to protect bedding fish. This is not the case for U.S. waters, where anglers take advantage of pre-spawn migrations as early as April. When the fish move up onto sand flats and chunk rock and into the bays and major tributaries in early spring, it is a time for bumping the bottom in 15 to 20 feet of water with spoons, tube jigs or blades. It can be a grind to find fish, but anglers who set up over a school will find plenty of action and potential for giant smallmouth bass.

Lakewide, bed fishing is generally frowned upon. When the Canadian season opens in late June, smallmouth are typically feeding aggressively during their post-spawn transition to deeper water. Culp said early summer is a fun time to fish the lake. Smallies will be on the weed edges, and they are susceptible to run-and-gun tactics or trolling with fastmoving lures like jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

Location is everything when fish are spread out over so much water.

Some enjoy drift fishing to find fish. Culp said to trust your fishfinder and cruise, looking for rock-to-sand transitions. This is especially important as fish move deeper. In summer, big smallies will hang around structure or transitions just off the bottom. The depth can go from 10 to 15 feet in

early summer out to 30 feet as the water warms.

This summer bite is Culp’s favorite of the year. She enjoys drop shotting soft plastics and tubes into schooled-up fish. When it’s on, 30 fish or more from 2 to 5 pounds and larger are a definite possibility. A natural approach is best in Erie’s clear waters. Dark colors like green and brown make up the majority of Culp’s soft-plastic arsenal.

This makes sense. It fits the color scheme of the round goby. These little bottom dwellers invaded the lake in the mid 1990s, and smallies developed a taste for them. Biologists have estimated that gobies account for up to 75 percent of an Erie smallmouth’s diet. The goby invasion is widely credited for accelerated growth rates of smallmouth in the lake.

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45

FLORIDIAN MARCH

F

lorida is home to one of the most incredibly diverse fisheries on the planet, and every change in season brings entirely new fishing opportunities to our doorstep. With long summers and short winters, temperature changes in autumn and spring bring the most dramatic shifts to our fisheries.

Changes are unpredictable this time of year, and the month of March can be absolutely incredible or a total bust. It only takes a few degrees of water temperature rise to bring on full-on spring fishing.

This is a wonderful time of year to be an avid fisherman. The delicate and seemingly minuscule weather changes are extremely impactful to the mysterious behavior of fish. We are on the precipice of the next fishing season, but it is based on many factors, none of which are your calendar.

Florida is an annoyingly perfect place to be a boater and angler. It may seem like there are always too many boats out there competing for the bite, but, unlike places like Louisiana, where the fishing spots are marked by giant oil rigs, every venture is an opportunity to find a new honey-hole.

One of the super-secret offshore coordinates found by the company I work for has been reliably fascinating throughout the year, or even throughout a week. This fishing spot is a unique little ecosystem. The bottom finder is usually marked up like a child’s crayon drawing, yet the species landed can vary greatly from day to day, or season to season.

I was fishing this location recently and we caught 53 lane snapper in a few hours. We returned a few days later, and the bottom finder looked the same. We expected to catch lane snapper again, yet it was all mangroves. Then, all of a sudden the screen showed no fish. It was completely blank. This was just as interesting as any other change that had happened there. The fish would reappear on the screen, and disappear, and the bites and lack thereof, followed instantly. All of this happened back and forth within two to five minute intervals. Everyone on board began watching the screen to know when to expect a bite, and then we saw what we had all surmised. Big marks appeared on the screen zipping along solo. There were predatory fish down there.

Luckily, we were able to land these predators visiting our honey-hole, and confirm that they were not just sharks. They were giant bull redfish, one of which came up double hooked. Likely not residents of this area, they had stopped by for a snack on their springtime journey through our area.

This time of year is unpredictable, and I would never dare claim to understand all the mysterious behaviors of fish, so I will refrain from giving a fishing report. I will, however, say it is a great time of year to be surprised.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon fishes with Reel Lucky Fishing Charters out of St Petersburg, Fla. Give them a call at (504) 929-6342 and check out Capt. Haddon’s social media @CaptainQuinlyn.

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

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FREEDIVER SPEARS WORLD RECORD SNAPPER

F

reediver Stephanie Schuldt broke a world record in late November when she speared a 19.3-pound (8.8 kg) dog snapper in the Bahamas.

At a depth of 45 feet, Schuldt stuck the big snapper with 9-foot Headhunter Nomad roller polespear while wreck diving off Nassau.

The fish qualified her for the International Underwater Spearfishing Association’s women’s world record for the species in the sling/polespear division. It also outweighed the men’s record of 19.1 pounds, which was

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caught by Jon-Michael Degidio off Grand Cay in 2016.

“At the end of my breath hold I saw the dog snapper swimming in and out of the wreckage,” wrote Schuldt in a description of the event.

“I came back up to the surface and told my boyfriend, Matt, ‘There is a world record dog snapper down there.’ I took some time to get a good breathe-up, dropped back down into the wreck and got a solid holding shot on the fish. It fought for a bit on the way up, but I was able to clear it from the wreck and get it to the

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

surface. Once at the surface, it tried to bite me and tangled up my float line, but I was able to grab it by the gills and swim it back to my boat.”

Even on a rod and reel, Schuldt’s fish would have been impressive. The IGFA alltackle world record weighed 24 pounds. It was caught back in 1994 by Capt. Wayne Barder off Abaco.

Check Stephanie Schuldt’s adventures at www.saillaviecharters.com.

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UNDER THE SEA 52

SPEARFISHING APPAREL

T

SHERI DAYE

Some hunters believe it allows them to be stealthier by blending into the reef, and some just want to look cool. Ladies, if you’re looking for “skins” for the summer in attractive patterns, check out Slipins. You might not blend into the reef, but you will look amazing!

2) GLOVES: There are more sizes, thicknesses and features now. I’ve been diving in water so cold that I lost feeling in my hands and couldn’t feel the trigger. I should have sprung for a thicker pair of gloves when I traveled to California.

With the popularity of polespearing, there’s a need for gloves that make it easy to hold a loaded polespear, so the grip is made of nitrile or latex while the rest of the gloves (back of hand and wrists) are a dynema/Kevlar composition. The allKevlar gloves are useful for handling fish or lobsters. It’s not uncommon to get cut by gill rakers when dispatching bigger fish. Wearing solid gloves will give you confidence when handling fish. Check out Neritic and Akona, among others.

3) BOOTIES: With the advent of long fins for spearfishing, it’s become more important for the fin-pocket/bootie combination to form a good fit. An illfitting fin will greatly reduce efficiency in the water. As with gloves, there’s a greater variety of choices, and it’s important to try them on with the foot pocket you plan to wear.

Next time you go spearfishing, make sure you are dressed for success!

he popularity of spearfishing in the U.S. has grown significantly, and it has spawned product innovation and improvements—not only with spearguns, but with associated dive apparel. Believe it or not, how you dress can play an important part of the hunt. Here are some examples: 1) WETSUITS: It’s important for a hunter to be comfortable in the water.

If you are cold and shivering, if your suit is rubbing the back of your legs, if it feels too tight in the chest—you will not perform as effectively. In this regard, new wetsuits with open-cell technology and newer materials have been a godsend. They are softer, stretchier and thinner, yet they keep you warmer than the old materials. A good wetsuit should feel like a second skin and should not let water in anywhere. The following brands are available at your local dive shop: Yazbeck, Mares, Riffe, Omer, Cressi and more.

Most spearfishing wetsuit brands now have both a men’s and women’s cut, resulting in a better fit. The new stretchy materials are forgiving enough to fit most bodies. Still not happy with the fit?

No worries; there are several affordable custom wetsuit manufacturers who will tailor one to your measurements. Try A good wetsuit, like these from Oceanos or Elios.

Yazbeck and Mares, provide for more Another recent development is the comfortable and efficient hunts. wide variety of camouflage patterns.

MARCH 2021

THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

Sheri Daye is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @sheri.daye.

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Yamaha's New 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E The Most Capable and Versatile Center Console Boats in Their Class

N

ew for 2021 is the exciting 25-foot Yamaha 252 FSH Sport and 255 FSH Sport E center console boats that are the most capable and versatile boats in their class.

These larger models of Yamaha’s popular FSH Series are designed with the size, power, and fuel range for serious offshore adventures.

The 252 FSH Sport features twin, Yamaha 1.8L High Output engines. These normally-aspirated engines are powerful, reliable, and virtually maintenance-free. Acceleration is instant, bow rise is minimal, and more deck space is available for fishing and fun.

For buyers who want the most performance available, and the premium features that come with Yamaha's E-Series drive-by-wire features, the 255 FSH Sport E gets twin 1.8L supercharged Yamaha SVHO® marine engines for a combined 500-horsepower.

Zero to 30 mph acceleration is a blistering five seconds with a top speed of 55 mph. In addition, the 255 FSH Sport E feature push-button start, dual throttle lever syncing, and more.

Both models come with 111-gallon fuel tanks, the highest capacity fuel tanks Yamaha offers in a jet boat.

Paired with Yamaha's fuelefficient engines, there is plenty

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Under the water line is an all-new deep-V hull design that responds immediately to steering input at all speeds and comes on plane instantly.

The bow seating area is wide and long, providing ample space for taller passengers to stretch out. And of course, there is plenty of storage available under the hinged bow seats, stainless steel beverage holders in all the right places, and an expansive anchor and bow ladder locker for easy access.

Moving into the spacious cockpit interior, there is a transparent live well located portside and a large storage pod topped with padded marine mat adjacent on the starboard side.

There is a comfortable bench seat in the front of the center console that lifts up to reveal an extra deep, large storage area that can also serve as a changing room or a head compartment thanks to the curtain enclosure that is standard on all models.

Both models are fitted with finished fiberglass hard tops with LED lighting and integrated audio speakers. Completing the tower are five rocket launcher rod holders mounted to the T-Top frame, and there

are eight additional rod holders located under the port and starboard gunnels.

The helm is thoughtfully designed with a glass windshield, stainless steel sports steering wheel, locking glove box, and 12-inch Simrad® marine electronics.

Also included is Yamaha's Connext® 3.0 helm control system with a 7-inch touchscreen that controls the entertainment and vital system functions of the boat, a mobile phone holder, and USB/AUX ports.

Behind the helm is beam width bench seating, a starboard side live bait well, and a low walkthrough transom for easy access to Yamaha's signature stern lounge area. This is the place to be when hanging out at your favorite cove, and a great open access place to cast from.

Completing the stern area are stainless steel beverage holders, high-quality padded flooring, a stainless-steel tow eye, and a telescopic reboarding ladder. They also feature underwater lights.

From bow to stern, there is nothing cookiecutter about Yamaha's new 25-foot center console boats. From their striking good looks to industryfirst innovations, Yamaha's 252/255 FSH Series models let you do it all on the water, in style and with peace of mind.

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NEW ENGLAND AWAITS

BLITZING

BASS

By Nick Carter

PHOTOS BY SEAN MAIORANO PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.SEANMAIORANOPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Y

ou can almost feel the excitement building on the coast of New England. Winter is ebbing, and soon warming water conditions will spark the migration of striped bass up the Atlantic coast. Jack Murphy will be waiting when they arrive.

Murphy and his partner, Jack Loveday, co-founded Lucky Jacks Fishing in Marblehead, Massachusetts. For them, April begins the busy striper season off Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

As you read this, striped bass are spawning in tributaries of Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay and the Hudson River. When water temperatures rise into the 50s, these fish push north with huge schools of menhaden to feed ravenous postspawn appetites.

Murphy said the first fish collect on the south side of Cape Cod in Buzzards Bay. Timing is dependent on weather and water temperatures, so Lucky Jacks spends spring studying winds and water temps to try and intercept the first waves of migrating fish. They normally show up in the second or third week of April.

“When river herring (alewife) push into the rivers to spawn, the first waves of stripes will be right on their tails,” Murphy said. “They’re looking for that warm water, and they’re looking for that constant bait source.

That’s what the rivers provide.”

Action is fast in tidal rivers like the Weweantic on the north side of Buzzards Bay. Murphy walks the dog with topwater baits like a 7-inch Lil’ Doc to draw explosive strikes from good numbers of stripers in the rivers. They’ll also eat soft-plastic eel or herring imitations like those made by Hogy, and although these river fish aren’t the monsters Murphy pursues later in the season, there aren’t many anglers who’d turn their nose up to consistent topwater activity from fish up to 20 inches.

As the season progresses, the bite moves to the mouths of the rivers, where stripers ambush herring moving out. This is where some of the bigger fish come into play, and they also can be taken on topwater.

By mid-May, Murphy said he’ll be chasing the classic New England bass blitzes, when schoolie-sized fish ball up bait and crash the surface. At this point, fish will have spread up around Cape Cod or through the Cape Cod Canal into Massachusetts Bay. Action can be intense for fish in the 2- to 10-pound range.

“You can go out early in the morning any day and find blitzing schoolies,” Murphy said. “You can catch 30 or 40 fish in just a couple hours.”

By the first part of June, anglers in search of big fish will head 5 to 10 miles offshore to find big pogy (menhaden) schools. This is a short-lived first-light bite.

“When you come on one of these schools that’s getting harassed, you’re in for a heck of a day.” Murphy said. “We’ve had a few days when our smallest fish were 37 pounds, and 40- to 50-pound fish are very possible.”

Check out Lucky Jacks Fishing at www.luckyjacksfishing.com.

Bahamas Customs Goes Electronic W

ith a new online system for customs declarations, boaters entering The Bahamas can expect a more streamlined process for clearing Customs at the various ports of entry to The Bahamas.

The Bahamas Customs & Excise Department recently launched its electronic submission portal for cruising permit applications on the Click2Clear platform. The Cruising Permit Module is expected to dramatically improve the Customs processing time for boaters. Boaters can now complete and submit declaration forms and make payment in advance of arrival.

“This is another great milestone achieved by the Customs Department, which has been leading the way with the modernization of Government services. The new cruising module on the Click2Clear platform provides a seamless and cashless collection process for Cruising permit fees with online applications and payments by credit card,” said Minister Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Finance.

“This is all a part of our digital transformation agenda. It addresses a longstanding pain point for boaters who have been clamoring for a

WATCH

VIDEO

fully digital process. It also minimizes the opportunity for revenue leakage,” said Minister Thompson.

The Customs Department met with key stakeholders in the boating and tourism sectors, including the Association of Bahamas Marinas, representatives from the Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board, the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association, and Ministry of Tourism. These stakeholders will be key partners with Customs to educate the boating community about the new platform.

“The Ministry of Tourism applauds the implementation of the Click2Clear Cruising Permit Module by the Customs Department.

We are looking forward to the new system helping us to enhance the boating experience and grow the boating traffic in The Bahamas,” said Dionisio D'Aguilar, Minister of Tourism and Aviation.

Comptroller of Customs Dr. Geannine Moss said: “The Department of Customs is

committed to embracing modern technology to fulfill its mandate in an efficient and innovative manner. We are pushing aggressively and have had tremendous success rolling out the Click2Clear platform. The Cruising Permit Module is the latest advancement we are happy to bring to the market, and there is more to come.”

To supplement the work being done by the Customs Department, the Ministry of Finance is also working with other government agencies, including the Port Department and Fisheries, along with private sector service providers to develop additional payment and licensing solutions. These will similarly cover fees associated with the boating and fishing industry, including yacht charter fees.

The delivery of other payment and licensing solutions by authorized digital solution providers in the private sector is soon to be announced.

To get started, register with The Bahamas Customs & Excise Department at www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs and see videos on the process on their YouTube channel.

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PARKIT360̊ ELECTRIC TRAILER DOLLIES Lose the Headache and Make Parking Your Trailers Easier Than Ever!

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ave the parking headaches—one-shot your boat into position every time with one of Parkit360's Electric Trailer Dollies. With a wide range of weight capacities available, easily move any ball mounted, fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer up to 15,000 lbs.

Parkit360’s Force ISC™ and Transformer models are compatible with almost every trailer right out of the box thanks to their ballmounted Stablelock technology. Just freewheel the dolly to the trailer, connect it to the hitch, and use the forward/reverse thumb toggle switch on the handle to steer your trailer into place. Unlike a driver that relies on mirrors and backup cameras, the user faces the trailer, giving them complete visibility and control while parking. They can see exactly where the trailer is at all times and steer within inches of an obstacle if needed.

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Directions From Murphy take Hwy 64 East towards Hayesville 4.5 miles.

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Turn left onto John Mason road and stay left at fork at Overlook Brasstown sign.

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE 3

STAY LOW FOR

SPRING TROUT IN THE SMOKIES

G

uide Ian Rutter is fired up about spring in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ample rains and a mild winter bode well for the wild trout that inhabit more than 800 miles of trout streams in the park.

This time of year, fish are perking up to feed on an abundance of aquatic insects.

But there’s another reason the Smokies are inviting to anglers in spring. The summertime crowds, with their campers and inner tubes, haven’t yet invaded the larger rivers.

Ian and his wife, Charity, run R&R Fly Fishing out of Townsend, Tennessee. They have guided anglers in the park for a quarter century and live a stone’s throw from Little River, one of the largest and most popular streams in the Smokies.

From high-elevation brook trout rills to roadside rivers, they fish it all, but Ian said it’s wise to stick to the larger flows in lower elevations this time of year. In March, and even into April, it’s likely there will still be snow on the ground up in the hills. Trout

By TAM Staff

thrive in cold water, but their metabolisms slow, and they feed less readily in icy temperatures. Also, the bugs they feed on are mostly dormant at higher altitudes, which can make things slow for fly fishing.

Meanwhile, down in the valleys, larger rivers like Little River, Deep Creek and the Oconaluftee will be waking up. In afternoons, even on cold days, fish should be looking to the surface for hatches of mayflies like Quill Gordons, blue-winged olives and blue quills.

Throw in a few early brown stoneflies, and

you’ll see why the Smokies are known for great dry fly fishing.

“Oftentimes you’ll have some combination of those bugs all at the same time,” Ian said. “They’re not too particular.

And even the one’s that are particular aren’t as particular as some folks think they are.”

Being sneaky is more important than fly selection, Ian said. Trout in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are wild, streamborn and extremely wary of predators. So wading very carefully and making short

accurate casts are important to success.

Another thing about trout in the Smokies is they grow slowly. Fishing is less about catching big fish and more about the overall experience.

“I like to say, ‘your results may vary,’” said Ian when asked about angler expectations.

“We do catch some 16-inchers, but the important thing to remember is it’s a wild trout fishery. There aren’t any stocked trout that were put in last week at 14 inches. A 16-incher might be 10 years old. It’s survived

every type of predator out there, so it’s supersmart and difficult to catch.”

A proficient angler can expect to catch good numbers of brightly colored 8- to 10inch wild trout. Any angler can expect to wade through some of the most gorgeous mountain trout water in the East.

For information on fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, contact R&R Fly Fishing through their website at www.randrflyfishing.com.

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GREAT STREAMS—AND SPIRITS—AWAIT IN

HENDERSONVILLE, NC

I

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.

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

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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THESE CRANKBAITS WON KVD

A MILLION BUCK$

By Alan McGuckin, Dynamic Sponsorships

I

f you were smoking chicken wings on the grill next to Kevin VanDam, you can bet he’d do everything in his power to make sure his tasted better than yours. But he’d also fetch you a cold beverage of your choice.

Yup, the Team Toyota pro is an awesome blend of fierce competitor and humble class.

Bass anglers need no introduction to the man sometimes known as KVD. He’s a living legend, one of the all-time greats of the basstournament scene, with $6 million in career tournament winnings. So, when asked how much of that career total he’s won on just three colors of Strike King’s Red Eye Shad—at first, with humility he hesitated to say—but then stated it was for sure a million bucks—and was gracious enough to share a first-hand look into his tackle box.

“Lipless crankbaits are fish catchers yearround, but late winter and really early spring, when water temps are 45 to 55 is the ideal time to throw them. And if I had to pick three colors I’ve had the most success on, it would be Delta Craw, Chartreuse Perch and Gold Sexy Shad,” said VanDam, bass fishing’s all-time leading money winner.

DELTA CRAW “Most people know red is a great color during the early pre-spawn, and I love it

clearer, like it was when I won the 2010 Classic on Lay Lake in late February throwing it in the back of a creek around stumps where gizzard shad were present,” said VanDam.

anytime I’m around vegetation – especially in Texas,” he said.

CHARTREUSE PERCH “This is my stained water special. I’ve had great luck with it at places like Kentucky Lake, Wheeler and Guntersville along the Tennessee River,” he said. “You don’t need aquatic vegetation for this one to shine. It’s great when you’ve got off-colored water around gravel bars, secondary points, or when the back of creeks get a little dirty after a springtime rain.”

GOLD SEXY SHAD “Sort of the opposite of Chartreuse Perch being awesome in heavily stained water, Gold Sexy Shad is my favorite when the water is

MAKE IT SHIMMY, AND USE GREAT HOOKS VanDam said the magic of the Red Eye Shad is that it ‘shimmies’ from side to side as it falls on slack line, hence the reason he rips and yo-yos it during the retrieve, versus simply winding it straight in. He also emphasized the importance of his proven rod, reel, line, hook system when casting a lipless crankbait.

“I use a 7-foot medium action composite rod with plenty of flex in the tip so cold water bass have plenty of chances to suck it in, and you’re not going to tear the hooks free once they eat it,” he explained. His reel of choice is a 6.2:1 Lew’s KVD baitcaster spooled with 17-pound fluorocarbon, and he can’t emphasize enough how critical it is to change hooks to Mustad KVD TripleGrip #2 trebles.

“If you look in my tackle box, you’ll notice I’ve taken time to replace the hooks on every single Red Eye Shad in there,” VanDam said in much the same way he speaks of smoking perfect chicken wings.

For more, follow GuckFishing on Instagram.

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RAFT

HIKE

FISH

BIKE

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ANDREWS ANGLERS ANDREWS, NORTH CAROLINA

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Our knowledgable Guides are patient and helpful to the beginner and to the most experienced angler.

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WHAT’S ON THE MENU FOR...

By Karl Ekberg

Spring On The Water

M

arch brings the transitional time on the waters here at Chattooga River Fly Shop.

February brought us rain, snow, and temperatures in the 60’s, who can complain about that. The warming trend and early spring rains now upon us, we see the water temperatures start to raise.

Warmer southerly breezes make daily excursions to the river refreshing, but also remember, we may see below freezing temperatures in March, with a little snow still possible, but that would a rarity.

Warmer water temperatures will equal the first emergence of the caddis and mayfly season.

We have seen Early Winter Black Stoneflies, BluWinged Olives, and Midges throughout the winter, but the hatches of the spring will be much more prolific. In typical form, this emergence starts off slowly, with the first of the Quill Gordon’s and Black Caddis. Although on some days these bugs are in what seem to be swarms all around the river, no fish are rising. This is common to see early in the spring, with water temperatures still in the low 40’s; fish are slow to start rising for the dry flies/adults on top water. Truly, fishing the nymph patterns, soft hackles, and wet flies will produce more fish. Fish will move out of the depths of the river bottoms, and into riffle and shallower water areas for feeding, as the water warms. Start the day with a tandem rig with a nymph and wet fly or soft hackle, prior to hatches happening. Fish the riffles into runs of the rivers, or shallow rocky swift moving waters into the calmer slower depths. The fish will hold in these calmer waters just off the riffle areas awaiting emerging nymphs, and caddis.

As the fish start to rise on top, have ready your dry fly selection. A longer leader, slight upstream cast, mend, and a nice drag free drift toward rising fish will be essential. Refusals on the fly being drifted can be frustrating, make sure to have all bugs that are hatching and a size or two of each. If the fish are just dimpling the top of the water, the fish are eating emergers or adults that have sunk back under the surface, so fish a wet fly or even a dry fly just by itself just under the water’s surface on the “swing”, to the area that the rings are on the water. Do not let frustration set in; one of our guides can take you out on a full or half day trip, and show you the entomology (bugs), the where’s and why’s of how to fly fish on the river, and break this all down very simply.

We are all looking forward to a wonderful spring season, let us all remember to “Leave No Trace”, and please have respect for all, keep a social distance, and stay safe.

Karl and Karen Ekberg are co-owners of Chattooga River Fly Shop, located at 6832-A Highlands Hwy, Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Give them a call at (864) 638-2806 and visit their website at www. chattoogariverflyshop.com.

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STINGER HOOK MADE EASY

O

ver the last few months, I’ve shared some techniques in these pages that people seem to be trying with some success. When you think about it, incorporating squid into your offshore spreads really is a nobrainer when you can find and purchase good whole squid.

One of the best ways to rig those squid, and ballyhoo for that matter, is with a Chin Weight coupled with a “stiff-rig” stinger hook assembly.

Recently, I’ve received quite a few calls and e-mails from folks all over the country asking for a simpler way to achieve the end result of a stiff-rig stinger hook.

I had to go to the barn, have a few cocktails and dig deep, but here it is: The simple way to keep a stinger hook in a rigid “stiff ” position without snelling it or making a cat’s paw connection. If the terminology is throwing you off at this point, stay tuned, this actually is a very simple solution that anyone can achieve with a limited amount of materials and know how.

The key to this rig is inexpensive heatshrink tubing over a standard crimped-wire connection. Granted, you might only get a bite or two out of this rig before teeth shred

High Seas 1.0 crimp and the American Fishing Wire 175# (7x7) or 49 strand cable.

Step two: Make a second crimp at 90 Tim Barefoot degrees to the first crimp. This is a (small) diameter in the cable to fit over a 7/0 or 11/0 the heat-shrink tubing and it’s Chin Weight (as shown in photo). no longer rigid. However, it’s Step Three: Slide a ¾-inch length section so easy to make this rig that you can churn out dozens in different lengths for different sized of heat-shrink tubing over the crimped baits and keep them at the ready. Cut your cable to the correct length and make a few crimps… that’s all there is to it.

Step One: Make a standard crimped connection using the

connection of the hook and heat with a lighter in the vertical position. That’s it!

Now, if you’re a visual learner like I am, go watch the video I made on the process.

See it once, and it will be like a light bulb going off in your head. It really is that easy.

WITH COUPON CODE

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THE ANGLER VIDEO MAGAZINE

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nglers pursuing reef fish in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will now be required to have a descending device or venting tool on board, rigged and ready for use. The new regulation has been in the works since 2019, and Congress signed it into law in January. It applies to recreational anglers, including charter boats, as well as hook-and-line commercial fishermen.

Led through Congress by a bipartisan

PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY MCGUIRE/SHOW ME THE FISH CHARTERS

DESCENDING DEVICES REQUIRED IN GULF

group of lawmakers, the DESCEND Act was also supported by a coalition of fishing and conservation groups, including the International Game Fish Association and the American Sportfishing Association. The primary targets for conservation are economically and recreationally important Gulf red snapper, which are particularly susceptible to barotrauma because of the depth at which they are caught.

With strict regulations and short seasons,

red snapper and other reef species must often be returned to the water after being caught. Many of these released fish never make it back to the bottom. The rapid change in pressure from being brought to the surface from depth causes a condition called barotrauma. Barotrauma is a buildup of gas pressure in the fish’s body, which makes it difficult or impossible for them to swim back down. Consequently, countless fish returned to the water can die at the surface or fall victim to opportunistic predators.

“Considering that a significant percentage of recreational fish are caught and released alive, the use of descending gear will increase the number of fish that survive to be caught again at a larger size or later when in-season,” said Ted Venker, conservation director for Coastal Conservation Association. “This conservationminded law is an important piece of our overall efforts to reduce all sources of discard and bycatch mortality, and ensure marine resources are healthy now and in the future.”

A descending device is a weighted hook, lip clamp or box that will hold the fish while it is lowered to a sufficient depth to recover from the effects of barotrauma and be released. A venting tool is a sharpened, hollow device capable of penetrating the abdomen of a fish to release the excess gas pressure in the body cavity when a fish is retrieved from depth.

The Florida Wildlife Resources Commission warns: “Descending devices and venting tools should only be used when fish show one or more signs of barotrauma and cannot swim back down on their own. It is essential to work quickly when using these tools and return the fish to the water as soon as possible. Anglers should choose the device and method they are most comfortable with and that best fits the situation.”

For more information, visit myfwc.com.

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YOUR

AWAITS

By Rex Hannon

I

f you’re looking for a fishing adventure that’s just a short flight away, where the fishery is as good as any on the planet, and you won’t have to mortgage your home to afford it, don’t overlook Mexico and Belize.

Flights to Cancun are available from almost every airport, and if you shop around, very inexpensive flights can be found. Once you get there, accommodations are very reasonably priced, and meals are cheaper than here in The States.

I have fished the “Mayan Riveria” from Cozumel to Tulum, with results that are pretty awesome.

What’s more, I had most of the areas I fished entirely to myself. I am a fly fisherman, and I spent days wading turtle grass flats for species like tarpon, bonefish, snook, a variety of snapper species, pompano and even the elusive Permit.

I recently returned from a trip when the weather was marginal, at best, with high winds and rough seas. Still, I was able to produce several different species, along with

some world-class triggerfish.

These odd-looking warriors can be found hanging out on shallow coral reefs, and they are a ton of fun on the fly.

I also spent a day fly fishing with my friend Will Robins, who owns and operates Fly Fish Costa Maya, in Chetumal, Mexico, near the Belize Border.

In one morning, we hooked and broke off four trophy-sized triggers and had legitimate shots at three permit in the 10- to 15-pound range. If you know how difficult permit are to catch on the fly, you’ll understand that just having a few opportunities to cast to them is exciting. The highlight of the trip was a triggerfish we landed that would have been a monster anywhere.

If Belize has been on your bucket list, the waters of Ambergris Caye are as good as their reputation. I’ve fished the caye several times with personal friend, Hilian Martinez. Most consider this man among the best in the country. Belize is also very easy to travel to, and reasonably priced.

With a little homework, the waters of the Yucatan Peninsula and the waters of Belize can also produce good numbers for those who desire DIY fishing, without a guide.

These are just a few examples of opportunities that await just a few hours away in a place that’s as beautiful as it is productive. A world-class fishery awaits, and it’s a lot closer and more attainable that you ever thought possible.

SUZUKI LAUNCHES NEW DF115BG/DF140BG 4-CYLINDER OUTBOARDS

S

uzuki Marine is recognized worldwide for making advanced technology and features available to boaters of all types— not just those who run the largest, highesthorsepower outboards. This tradition continues with Suzuki’s newfor-2021 DF115BG and DF140BG four-stroke outboards, the first in their class to offer all the advantages of driveby-wire technology.

By bringing its proven drive-bywire technology to its 115HP and 140HP in-line four-cylinder models, Suzuki provides simplified rigging for a wide range of boat builders, along with silky smooth shifting, instant throttle response, enhanced performance and superior fuel efficiency.

Enhancements to Suzuki’s new DF115BG/ DF140BG go far beyond the integration of drive-by-wire technology. An upgraded compression ratio of 10.6:1 helps these new 2.0-liter displacement outboards achieve better

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top speed and acceleration by improving thermal efficiency. Fuel efficiency has also been increased as compared to Suzuki’s existing DF115/DF140A models. Tests

demonstrate as much as 5 to 7 percent better fuel efficiency for the DF140BG across mid-range to high-end cruising speeds. The new DF115BG has demonstrated up to 5 to 6 percent better fuel efficiency at cruising speed.

This engine also features a sporty, streamlined

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exterior design that looks great on center consoles, flats skiffs, pontoon boats, walleye rigs, bass boats and more. With 20-inch (L) and 25-inch (X) shaft lengths available, the new DF115BG/DF140BG outboards are an ideal power choice for a wide range of fresh and saltwater boats.

The redesigned cowl also incorporates a new air intake structure with improved water separation and a silencer–resonator system to attenuate engine sounds and provide a pleasant boating experience at all engine speeds/RPM. To make routine maintenance easier, Suzuki made it possible to replace the oil filter simply by removing the upper engine cover. A new Oil Spill Catcher surrounding the oil filter mount allows for changing the filter without making a mess. Suzuki also added an easy access Water Detection Fuel Filter to help protect the engine against contaminated fuel.

To learn more about the new DF115BG and DF140BG models — or Suzuki’s line of 4-stroke outboard motors ranging from 2.5 to 350 horsepower, —visit www.suzukimarine.com.

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Instant Savings applies to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/21 and 06/30/21. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions.

Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and 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 04/01/21 and 06/30/21. “Gimme Six”, 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 Motor of America, Inc.

Fiberglass Center Consoles and Pilothouses Embrace

E-Z ANCHORING

By E-Z Anchor President Aaron Knopp

L

ooking through Facebook and reminiscing on traveling for boatshow season, one conversation starter I remember most fondly is, “That’s too big for my rope locker.” In spite of American fiberglass OEMs like Sea Chaser and Sea Pro factory-installing the Rebel EZ-4 on specific series, there’s still a popular myth that drum anchor winches are built predominantly for aluminum boats.

One too many boaters have told me this when they stopped at our

company’s booth during the 2020 season, and while we’re officially homebound due to the pandemic, we’re as busy as ever answering questions and informing customers about our product. We want to help them achieve the best anchoring results for them. From newbies who have recently embraced boating, to long-time hobbyists who have extra time to add new features on their boats, there is usually an anchoring solution, whether it’s a Patriot direct drive unit or a Rebel free-fall unit.

“You can click the ‘Products’ tab on the website and select the winch that interests you,” Sara Hitchins, E-Z Anchor Puller’s office and trade show manager said. “Select the unit you’d like to view and the link to the dimensional drawings are on the product page. One way to measure is to make a cardboard cutout at home to measure against your boat.”

If you’re one of the new boaters looking for a new fiberglass model or researching that windlass upgrade on your family boat, these center consoles from customers and builders prove that a drum winch looks sexy on center consoles, too!

SEA PRO: Sea Pro Boats introduced the world to their 320 Deep V Center Console at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, joining Carolina Skiff to become another American fiberglass OEM to factory-install E-Z Anchor Puller’s Rebel EZ-4 free-fall unit, adapting the innovative technology one year after Georgia-based OEM Carolina Skiff began installing .

SEA CHASER: “I liked it so much I installed a Patriot on my own personal boat,” Ed Johnston, engineer at Carolina Skiff told us when we saw him at the Miami International Boat Show. The 35’ Sea Chaser also uses the free-fall Rebel EZ-4 and hides it in the rope locker.

PARKER: “I know this is an old post, but I love my EZ on my 2820,” one writer on Classicparker.com posted to a company thread, “I have 600’ of dyneema, 75 of nylon and 50’ of chain. With lots of extra room still.” Live2fish posted several pictures depicting the Rebel EZ-4 unit resting on a bow pulpit.

ARIMA: Mark Fitch was an avid poster of his installation process on ArimaOwners.com, documenting his journey with various “beer breaks” in between. Mark’s 1987 Arima Sea Pacer was sized for the Patriot EZ-1, a smaller complete 316 stainless steel unit. He still tags #ezanchorpuller in his fishing posts.

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2’x2’ 9/19/20 7:34 AM

STURGEON SEASON LASTS JUST TWO HOURS T WATCH

VIDEO

here should be a betting pool for just how quickly the Black Lake, Michigan sturgeon season will end each year. In 2020, the season lasted just six hours. This year, the scheduled Feb. 6-10 season was shut down after two hours of fishing when the harvest limit was met.

Imagine getting all geared up to go spear fishing through a hole in the ice for these big prehistoric fish. The season opens at 8 a.m. Then, at 10 a.m., your hopes are dashed when Michigan DNR knocks on the door of your ice shanty. Apparently, that’s the way Black Lake sturgeon season goes for a vast majority of anglers. More than 500 anglers registered to jockey for a harvest quota of just six fish this year.

It’s a credit to Michigan DNR that they even hold the event at the 10,000-acre lake, which is connected to Lake Huron by the Black and Cheboygan rivers. Rehabilitation of the lake sturgeon population in the watershed is an ongoing effort, and this limited harvest creates excitement around the effort. There are reports of anglers who have fished the season for decades without getting a single sturgeon.

The six fish caught ranged from 50 to 63 inches and 25 to 61 pounds. Three of the fish had been tagged before during studies of the spawning run up the Black River.

A 61-inch-long female, estimated to be about 20 years old, was tagged during the 2006 spawning run. Male sturgeon have a lifespan of about 55 years. Females can live longer than 100 years.

For more information, go to Michigan.gov/Fishing.

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HAVALON TALON:

By CAM Staff

CUTTING EDGE INNOVATION

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ny surgeon or taxidermist will tell you the best tool for cutting flesh is a scalpel. And 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 top-selling knife companies in the country and the leader in the hunting industry.

“We have always felt—that a sharp blade does not need to be used with any excessive force,” said Havalon Marketing Director Ryan Cull. “This is still a core belief of our company, but we know there is a segment of consumers that want to have sturdier blades.”

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 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.

“So long as users don’t pry on the blades with extreme force or damage them in some other unforeseeable way, they should be able to go years without buying replacements,” said Cull.

“The versatility of the blade styles along with the strength and sharpness of the blades make the Talon one of the most innovative products to come out in the industry in years.”

To see all the features of the Talon and all of Havalon’s other scalpel-sharp knives, visit www.havalon.com.

FLY FISHING 90

WADE FISHING ESSENTIALS

W

ade fishing is one of the most rewarding ways to target shallow-water fish like bonefish or redfish. However, there is more to wade fishing than just walking on a white sand flat or beach and casting to fish. To make the wade fishing experience more enjoyable, here are a few tips to help you make longer casts, protect your feet, blend into your environment, stay safe and catch more fish!

STRIPPING BASKET There is nothing more frustrating than fishing from the beach and having your fly line wrap and tangle around your legs and feet especially after you have made a perfect cast to a school of stripers, a corbina or surf perch.

The simplest way to solve this problem is to invest in a stripping basket. Made from a variety of materials and available in many styles, a stripping basket will assist you in managing your line. Removing your concern for loose line will allow you more time to concentrate on improving your casting and distance.

A stripping basket is not limited to

MARCH 2021

beach fishing, either. More and more anglers are also accepting the value of the stripping basket on boats. A taller free-standing cousin to the wearable basket allows you to keep your line off the deck and avoid its

many potential hang-ups including boat cleats, shoe laces, coolers and the other obstructions on a boat’s deck.

WADING FOOTWEAR There are hundreds of different types of practical shoes for fishing. Select a shoe with high ankle support, a firm and solid

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toe and stiff arch support. Since you’ll be wading in a variety of bottom conditions from soft mud, soft sand, hard sand and even reefs or oyster beds, it’s a good idea to get a shoe that has a thick sole to prevent punctures.

BLEND IN Blend into your environment. Match your clothes to your surroundings. If you are fishing the beach, wear neutral colors like tan, light green or even brown. When fishing the flats, a light blue shirt, and stonecolored shirts or pants are your best choice. Also don’t overlook camouflage outfits when stalking spooky fish in shallow water. There are plenty of camo patterns on today’s market, and aside from looking good, wearing camouflage allows you to blend into the environment.

DON’T GET LOST One of the worst fishing nightmares is becoming lost or disoriented on the ocean, on the flats or in a marsh’s maze. A hand-held GPS can prevent this terrifying situation. Also, if you find an outstanding area where the fishing is red-hot, you can mark it in your GPS and return to the exact spot whenever you choose. Most GPS units contain moon phase and tidal information, which are keys to successful saltwater fly fishing.

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