The new Carnage ™ III series rods are constructed from carbon or an e-glass and carbon blend, for an extremely powerful rod that leaves fsh begging. Yet it’s light enough to keep a fisherman going until the battle is won. Spec’d with high-end components like Fuji ® K-Guides, Sea-Guide ® and Fuji ® reel seats, plus a mix of hypalon/rubber shrink tube handles, the new Carnage III rod promises to be as ruthless as the name implies. PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN ™ .
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Do you love boating? Then you know how fun and relaxing it can be on the open water. But you also know that things can go wrong sometimes, like storms, accidents, theft, or injuries. That’s why boat insurance is so important. Here are some reasons why.
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Over the last few years, a burgeoning fshery has established the Gulf Stream out of Charleston as a big-time billfsh destination. Te ofshore trolling bite has been very good.
Capt. Mike Able keeps close tabs on the fshery. He and his brother, Graham, run Haddrell’s Point Tackle and Supply, a familyowned hunting and fshing store, which has grown to two locations and a fy shop in the Charleston area since their father, Mike Sr., started the business in 1983.
“Charleston has defnitely been put on the map with the billfshing we’ve had the last several years. It’s really been phenomenal,” Able said. “I mean, look at the Carolina Billfsh Classic. In the CBC last year there were outriggers full of sailfsh fags… we’re talking double-digit stuf. And not just the big boats. I mean, the big boats have an advantage, but guys are catching blue marlin from center consoles, too. You know the fsh are really chewing when the center-console guys are hitting fsh like that.”
Te Carolina Billfsh Classic (CBC) is one leg of the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfshing Series. It is held out of Mt. Pleasant each June. Last year, with poor weather
conditions during the one-day shootout, 47 boats released nine blue marlin and 53 sailfsh. Te top boat released four blue marlin. Te second-place boat released seven sailfsh and a blue marlin.
Able said conservation eforts, particularly from the Governor’s Cup, have led to healthier stocks. He also thinks anglers are getting better at fnding and catching billfsh. Te run outside the ledge is still 50 to 55 miles, but these days captains can go straight to potentially productive water. Satellite services make it easy to identify blue water, weed lines, temperature breaks and color changes to make a solid gameplan before leaving the docks. Additionally, technology like Omni Sonar can pinpoint fsh with an efective range of 5,000 feet.
“You could mark a fsh from a half mile away and go over and drop baits,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you can make them bite, but you know they’re in the area.”
Peak season for blue marlin and sailfsh is May and June, but blues will be in the area all summer. Sailfsh can be good into October or November, when wahoo enter the mix heavily. Able said a lot of marlin they catch are 150- to 200-pound “rats,” but they see some 300- to 400-pounders and an occasional 500-pluspound blue marlin. White marlin might also show up in a spread.
One of the perks of trolling out of Charleston in spring is you’ll also likely fll the box with dolphin and blackfin tuna. Capt. Able hung up his charter captain hat a few years back.
By Nick Carter
Now he fun-fshes with pretty remarkable success for billfsh and meat fsh by pulling a mixed spread with dredges, squid chains and circle-hooked ballyhoo from a ’34 Regulator.
Check out Haddrell’s Point Tackle & Supply at HadrellsPoint.com.
Instead of going “bottom fshing” this season, I would focus on going “grouper fshing”… at least for gags while the season lasts. You can go ‘bottom fshing” for the next seven months, but let’s put some gags in the boat while the law allows it! Here are some tips to help you bag some gags.
• Having the right bait is a major part of this puzzle. A pinfsh trap in a productive area for just a few hours and an (otter-proof) foating bait pen at the marina are priceless.
• You must anchor up or use the trolling motor in “spot lock” to properly fsh any piece of good bottom.
• When I frst post up on a good-looking mark on the recorder, I have everyone else on the boat fre down whole frozen squid on a jig. At the same time, I use a sabiki to catch whatever baitfsh are available on the structure. Here’s how it works:
1) Te squid might catch a handful “bottom fsh,” and maybe a grouper or two.
2) Most importantly, it sets a nice chum slick on the bottom that attracts the real predators of the structure directly under
your boat, and they will be ready to eat.
3) Afer four or fve volleys of squid, everyone baits up with a beautiful baseball-in-diameter-sized live bait and sends them back down to the bottom together. Tese baits are too big for most bottom fsh to get their mouths around.
4) Now, the grouper appear on the scene, curious about all the noise and the good smell. What do they see? Tey see a pinfsh from the marina or whatever came up on the sabiki. I like to fsh these baits on one of my Crab Decoy Jigs, which makes it look like the bait is struggling in the grasp of a hungry crab or squid. A big grouper, and especially a gag grouper, sees this as a Happy Meal. Tey love crabs, squid and baitfsh, and with this rig they think they’re getting it all in one bite.
5) An added bonus is that this is clean tackle, free of excess hardware, that sends the correct signal to grouper and results in bites.
• Te downside to this style of fshing is it will attract sharks. It’s all fun and games until the man in the gray suit shows up. Ten it becomes hard work. Sharks of all kinds are drawn to struggling snapper.
For more info on the jig, tackle and/or bait, check out Tim Barefoot’s YouTube channel and website at barefootcatsandtackle.com.
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The temperatures are heating up here along the Gulf Coast and the fishing sure is showing it. This month we are going to discuss three keys to landing more fish this summer!
I cannot stress the importance enough with being in the right place at the right time! Summertime feeding windows are short and if you miss them, you will be in for a tough day. There will be four primary feeding windows; sunrise, sunset and the beginning of the outgoing and incoming tides. Your sunrise and sunset feeding windows will be the best lasting between 30 minutes to an hour and your tide swing windows will be shorter lasting around 15 minutes or so.
Location, Location, Location!
Picking the right locations for summertime fishing is gold and I’m about to drop some NUGGETS! When the water temperatures creep up mid to high 80s fish, tend to keep their traveling distances significantly lower, therefore they will not venture far from cooler water to find food. There are two areas I focus on when searching for summertime fish. The first is shallow
flats in close proximity to deep ledges. I have caught more trout over 5 pounds following this pattern than I can remember! The second spot I focus on are docks near shallow water flats. These docks provide good shade and cover; fish will feed close to these docks then retreat back in the shadows for cooler water and cover.
SIZE DEFINITELY MATTERS!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s true, SIZE MATTERS and you’re in luck! For summertime fish, smaller is better! When our water temperatures creep up in the high 80s, fish begin to lose their big appetite. To put it into perspective, if you have been outside in the sun all day would you prefer a heavy meal or something a little more on the lighter side? You would probably opt for something a little lighter. These fish are not much different, big bait forces a fishes metabolism to work harder to break it down which causes them to be even more uncomfortable with the already warm water temperatures. The best approach is a finesse presentation such as a HK Custom Tackle Fluke or a 3.5” paddle tail worked slowly on a 1/8oz jig head.
I hope you all find these tips helpful. You can always visit our Youtube channel “Southern Salt Kayak Fishing” where there are over 100 videos that go in depth on everything inshore fishing! You can also subscribe to our Patreon Channel “Southern Salt Kayak Fishing” on Patreon.com. This is a site where we do complete breakdowns on google earth to show you the latest fishing trends around the Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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The need for dependable navigation aids (NAVAIDS) also known as an aids to navigation (ATON) can be traced as far back as the 13th century. The first recorded buoy was located in the Guadalquivir River, this buoy aided mariners approaching Sevilla, Spain. Modern day ATON’s are still as relevant to safe navigation today as they were back then. ATON’s are comprised of buoys, beacons, daybeacons and lighthouses to name a few. Beacons are ATON’s that are permanently fixed to the earth’s surface. They range from lighthouses to small, single-pile structures and may be located on land or water. Lighted beacons are called lights; unlighted beacons are called daybeacons. Beacons display a daymark to make them readily visible and easily identifiable against their surroundings. Buoys are floating ATONS that come in many shapes and sizes. They are moored to the seabed by concrete sinkers with chain or synthetic rope. Red, Green and multicolored (red/green or green/red) beacons, daybeacons and buoys are all part of a system used to outline navigational channels and are known as lateral markers. Lateral markers help designate the safest route to be followed by boaters.
They also define the navigable boundaries of a channel as well as mark junctions for preferred channels. Here in the Gulf Coast Region, we use the lateral marker system known as the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Region “B” system. This system works on the basis of “Red, Right, Returning from sea.” This phrase refers to the fact that when returning from sea, boaters must keep red buoys, beacons or daybeacons on the starboard side of the boat. This of course means that green buoys, beacons and daybeacons will be passed on the port side of the boat. While traveling in any channel boaters should keep to the starboard side of the channel. The second ATON system that passes through our area is the (Intracoastal Waterway System (ICW).
The ICW was part of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1909, Congress called for the creation of a continuous waterway, inland from Boston, Massachusetts to Rio Grande, Texas. To differentiate IALA Region “B” markers from the ICW system a yellow triangle is placed at the top of red markers and a yellow square/rectangle is placed at the top of green markers. Once you understand the basics of how it works, navigating on the ICW is actually pretty straight forward.
Traveling south from Boston red beacons, daybeacons or buoys with a yellow triangle are kept to the starboard side, while green beacons, day beacons and buoys with a yellow square/rectangle are kept to the port side. Another way to grasp the ICW is to remember that green markers will always be on the side of “open water” and red markers will always be on the side of “land”.
So, during your next adventure on the water, please keep in mind, buoys, beacons and daybeacons have been around for over 800 years and provide the same information they did back then. They are a critical part of safe navigation for helping prevent collisions. Learn your ATON’s folks and remember, red, right, returning isn’t always right.
Captain Jack R. Sanzalone is a 30-year Navy submarine veteran and licensed USCG Master and USCG Assessor with 43 years of experience. He is the owner of The Captain School Gulf Shores, Alabama . You can contact Captain Jack at: jack@ boattutors.com or by visiting his website at www.boattutors.com
With 15 Locations Across the Southeast There is a Mastry Suzuki RePower Center Near You. In the Greater Mobile, Alabama area - Saunders Yachtworks is your certified Mastry Suzuki RePower Center
With 15 Locations Across the Southeast There is a Mastry Suzuki RePower Center Near You. In the Greater Mobile, Alabama area - Saunders Yachtworks is your certified Mastry Suzuki RePower Center
With 15 Locations Across the Southeast There is a Mastry Suzuki RePower Center Near You. In the Greater Mobile, Alabama area - Saunders Yachtworks is your certified Mastry Suzuki RePower Center
Saunders Yachtworks
Saunders Yachtworks
Saunders Yachtworks
605 Waterway East Boulevard 36542 | Gulf Shores, Alabama
605 Waterway East Boulevard 36542 | Gulf Shores, Alabama Yachtworks
Ph. (251) 981-3700
Ph. (251) 981-3700
(251) 981-3700
● Fax (251) 981-3919
● Fax (251) 981-3919
Fax (251) 981-3919
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• www.saundersyacht.com
www.saundersyacht.com
www.saundersyacht.com
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When Considering A Repower, Consider These Factors:
When Considering A Repower, Consider These Factors:
Saunders Yachtworks, with experienced technicians on location and in the field, our team at Saunders Yachtworks can assist with outboard repowers, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repairs. We also offer bow-to-stern service on a variety of other vessel operating systems. As an added bonus, you can visit Saunders by water and take advantage of our convenient on-site 165-ton Travelift!
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• Saunders Yachtworks has decades of repower experience providing proper rigging, controls, propeller matching and in water testing
• Saunders Yachtworks has decades of repower experience providing proper rigging, controls, propeller matching and in water testing
• Saunders Yachtworks has decades of repower experience providing proper rigging, controls, propeller matching and in water testing
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When you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from an authorized Mastry RePower Center you qualify to become a member of the Mastry Suzuki Owner’s Edge. Owners receive an identification card that provides them with important information about their Suzuki outboard motor as well as a passport to additional benefits during ownership. Members enjoy a detailed engine maintenance schedule, Mastry Suzuki RePower Trade Program and special pricing from Mastry Suzuki Partners.
When you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from an authorized Mastry RePower Center you qualify to become a member of the Mastry Suzuki Owner’s Edge. Owners receive an identification card that provides them with important information about their Suzuki outboard motor as well as a passport to additional benefits during ownership. Members enjoy a detailed engine maintenance schedule, Mastry Suzuki RePower Trade Program and special pricing from Mastry Suzuki Partners.
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To catch red snapper in the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coasts, here are some specific tips:
Timing and Season: Red snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico is highly regulated and typically occurs during specific seasons. Stay updated on the current season dates and any restrictions set by both the state and federal regulations.
Locate Fishing Spots: Red snapper tend to congregate around natural or artificial reefs, wrecks, and other structures. Obtain fishing charts or maps that mark known fishing spots, or consider hiring a local guide like Captain James McCanless of Aquiline Custom Charters who knows the area so very well.
Equipment and Tackle: Use medium-heavy to heavy spinning or baitcasting rods and reels that can handle the strength of red snapper. Spool your reel with a strong braided or monofilament line with a test strength
February
September 9/28-9/29
of 30-50 pounds. Use a strong leader, such as fluorocarbon, to prevent break-offs from the snapper’s sharp teeth.
Bait Selection: Red snapper are voracious predators and can be enticed by a variety of baits. Use live or dead bait like squid, shrimp, cigar minnows, or small baitfish such as pinfish, pogies, or croakers. Some anglers have success with artificial baits like jigs or soft plastic lures that mimic baitfish.
Fishing Techniques: Consider using a knocker rig or a Carolina rig to present your bait effectively. These rigs allow your bait to drift naturally and reach the desired depth. You can also try vertical jigging or slow trolling techniques to entice the snapper. Experiment with different retrieval speeds and depths until you find what works best.
Patience and Persistence: Red snapper fishing can sometimes require patience, as they may not always be feeding actively. Stay alert for any signs of bites, including rod tip movement, line tension, or changes in weight. If you’re not getting bites in one location, be prepared to move around and try different spots until you find the fish.
Follow Regulations: Ensure you are aware of the current regulations for red snapper fishing, including size limits and bag limits. Stay informed about any changes in the rules and adhere to them to protect the fishery and ensure its sustainability.
Remember to always prioritize safety on the water, wear appropriate safety gear, and be aware of weather conditions. Fishing with an experienced local angler or charter boat can provide valuable guidance and increase your chances of success. Enjoy your red snapper fishing adventure on the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coasts!
Lemon caper sauce is a perfect way to dress up your summer snapper catch. The bright, acidic sauce compliments sweet, flaky snapper beautifully. You can serve this with any pasta or vegetables you have on hand. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS:
1 16oz Snapper filet, 1/2 inch thick
October
McCormick Garlic, Onion, Black Pepper, and Sea Salt all purpose seasoning blend
Jar of capers
1 stick unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tsp zest from your juiced lemons
2 lemons, halved for charring on the Blackstone Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
HERE IS WHAT YOU DO:
Season your Snapper filet with kosher salt and a generous coating of the McCormick seasoning.
Place filet on Blackstone or skillet heated to medium-high heat. Cook for 3-4 mins per side, until internal temperature registers 145 degrees.
During the last minute of cooking, place lemons halved side down and cook til charred.
Place fish and lemons on serving platter, tent with foil to keep fish warm while preparing sauce.
Melt butter in small skillet over low heat
Whisk lemon juice and half the jar of capers into melted butter. Whisk well to emulsify sauce properly.
Add zest and garlic to emulsified sauce and continue cooking and whisking for 30-45 seconds.
Add chopped parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper, remove from heat.
Pour sauce, except 2-4 tablespoons, over fish
*We put the reserved sauce back over low heat and used it to coat cellentani as a side dish.
Serve fish with any pasta or polenta you have in your pantry alongside summer veg from the Blackstone or skillet.
Food by: Burger Box Food Truck
The fight for an unforgettable catch begins here, where 100,000 square miles of deep blue waters play home to speedy blue marlin and wahoo, massive tuna and brawny mahi mahi. Deep sea fishing in The Out Islands is a battle of wits, a test of perseverance, and a chance to prove your angler’s instinct. See what could be waiting on the other side of your line.
is true for human visitors, too. Te summertime fshing in Alaska can be astoundingly good.
Imagine awe-inspiring natural landscapes cascading into a sea teeming with marine life. I’ve lived and fshed in Fiji, Te Bahamas, Hawaii and Florida. Tey are all spectacular, but there’s nothing like an Alaskan summer.
My own journey to Alaska began as a young man when I dreamed of one day fshing there. Like most young adults, I strived to get good grades and work jobs to pay bills and tuition. I took the mainstream approach of university studies. Shortly afer graduation, I obtained a position with a fnancial frm. I loved the work; I hated the monotony of a nine-to-fve work life. Afer a year and a half, I called it quits and fed to Alaska with no contacts or the faintest idea of what it would be like. It’s now been 12 years, and I still call Alaska home for the summer fshing season.
I operate Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters. My fshing partner, Jake Smith, and I consider ourselves lucky for the opportunity to provide topfight experiences for clients every day.
Te prime fshing season in Ketchikan is May through September, and we provide customized charters for any group, regardless of age or experience. You can expect to catch halibut, salmon, rockfsh, cod and even Dungeness crab. We ofer full-day and multi-day packages, with daily catches aggregating over hundreds of pounds. In addition, we ofer cruise ship charters for salmon and halibut to ft each visitor’s port times. With pick-up and drop-of from downtown ports, it’s the best way to fsh during an Alaskan cruise.
John Muir, the famous naturalist, wrote that you should never go to Alaska as a young man because you’ll never be satisfed with any other place as long as you live. From frst-hand experience, I believe this to be true.
Alaska still holds riches beyond one’s wildest dreams. Hundreds of millions of salmon food into their native streams and rivers to spawn each year. Giant barn-door halibut scour the deep seas. Humpback whales migrate thousands of miles to feast on Alaska’s annual summer bounty. Eagles, bears and other wildlife abound and celebrate summer, when it’s a feast for all. Tis
Imagine riding to the richest Alaskan fshing grounds with humpback whales breaching on the horizon. Eagles soar overhead and swoop to pluck salmon from the sea. Te fshing is insane, with massive halibut and lightsout salmon fshing. It’s sensory overload in a good way, and an experience that should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list.
If planning a fshing trip in Alaska seems daunting, know that modernday Alaska is accessible to all. Tere’s no need for foat planes or dog sleds. Ketchikan is a two-hour plain ride from Seattle in a commercial airliner that touches down in a modern airport. From there, everything is at your fngertips.
Check out Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters at ketchikanfshingtrips.com. Contact them (907) 617-4717 or e-mail ketchikanfshingtrips@gmail.com.
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Dodging busy boat ramps, launching from dirt roads, exploring small creeks and hidden pockets to sight fsh big fsh in skinny water… these are the reasons Skye Burkhardt prefers to fsh from a kayak. On her home waters of Florida’s storied Mosquito Lagoon, snook, tarpon and redfsh are favorite targets, and stalking into casting range with artifcial lures is as close to big-game hunting as fshing gets.
By CAM StafSkye guides kayak-fshing trips through Yellow Dawg Bait & Tackle in Ormond Beach, Fla. She said she feels most at home and closest to nature in a kayak and enjoys teaching anglers as much as she does putting people on fsh.
With that in mind, she said most folks have questions about gear. Here are some things to think about when outftting yourself to kayak fsh:
KAYAK: “Do as much research as possible. Read reviews, compare brands and gather knowledge of the features and specs before making a purchase,” she said. “Watch YouTube videos, read reviews for insight from other anglers who fsh and paddle similar waters and target the same species the same way you do.”
Wide, short kayaks are more stable and maneuver better in tight spaces. Tese are advantages for standing to fsh and weaving through tight backwaters. On the other hand, paddling across a bay against wind and current is easier in a long, narrow kayak, which is faster and tracks better.
Consider the waters you’ll fsh. Buy the boat that best suits your needs.
PROPULSION: Peddle-drive boats are awesome, especially for covering lots of water and having your hands free to fsh. Tey’re also more expensive and less capable in extremely skinny water. Most have retractable rudders or propellers for zero additional draf, but this can clutter the deck. You’ll want to carry a paddle with you, anyway, both for maneuvering in the shallows and for redundancy.
Paddle-powered kayaks are simpler and generally less expensive, but you’ll
need stamina and arm strength to cover water. A traditional paddle-powered boat is likely better on shallow fats and backwaters, and it’s worth investing in a decent paddle.
ANCHORS: A stake-out pole is handy for stealthy anchoring in shallow water. If you’re fshing deeper, a lightweight anchor with folding fukes to dig into the sand is another good option. Either way, you’ll want something to keep your boat in place when you pull up on a school of fsh.
SAFETY: Tis list will vary depending on where you’re fshing, but here are some items to consider: a PFD—the infatable ones are more comfortable to wear; a knife attached to you to cut free from entanglement; Signaling devices such as lights, beacons, mirrors and whistles; a frst-aid kit will keep you on the water in the event of minor injuries.
Book a kayak adventure with Skye Burkhardt at yellowdawg fshing.com. Enter to win a free guided trip and a kayak fshing package at coastalanglermag.com. Follow Skye on social @brassyangler87.
This has been my theme for the year, and I can’t stress enough how important it is to be aware of your surroundings. Years ago, when I was in my early 20s, a good friend of mine told me about a guide his friends had fshed with. He said this guide could see fsh where everyone else only sees water.
Naturally, I had to experience this for myself. A few buddies and I booked a trip with Capt. Blaine and witnessed this phenomenon for
ourselves. We were drifing in an open area near a river mouth in 10 feet of water. Te captain yelled, “there they are!” and hurriedly encouraged us to reel in our lines before heading full throttle toward the middle of the bay. We all looked at each other, “What did he see?” We still didn’t see anything, no disturbed water, no bait jumping, no diving birds. Ten he said, “Cast over there!” and we all three hooked up on big redfsh before our sof plastics reached the bottom.
What he saw were mud boils. Understanding and learning how to interpret these is something that took me a long time to master in deep water. Tese schools of reds were feeding 10 feet below the surface, and they were stirring up the bottom. As the silt rose to the surface, it gave away their location.
Fishing mud boils on shallow fats is a little easier to master because of the water depth. If you are fortunate to see a small boil and cast to it, the fsh will still be in the immediate area. While fshing mud boils in deep open bays, the boil is typically larger by the time it reaches the surface, and you need to determine which direction the fsh are moving. In this scenario, you could easily cast behind the school and not get a bite. Understanding the wind and tide and assessing the shape of the boil are all critical skills to master. A quality pair of polarized sunglasses is also a must.
Many lures can be deployed under these conditions, and I feel sof plastics are the most efective. Having a lure that can efortlessly bounce on the bottom will produce more strikes because that is where the fsh is feeding, hence the mud boil created by that activity.
Go to my YouTube channel or check out this month’s Te Angler Video Magazine for a video of me fshing mud boils on a shallow fat. Te video will show this situation and greatly complement the article. As always, take a kid fshing and begin to teach them how to read the water.
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures® and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
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The year is 2024, and technology is getting better and better. Whether it be the retail tech business or the fshing industry, there are tools now available that a few years ago we would have never thought were even possible. One of those technologies is forward-facing sonar (FFS). Tere’s a lot of debate about FFS in the fshing these days, but there’s no denying it’s an amazing tool when used correctly.
I have been using this technology since its earliest stages, and catching fsh while looking at my screens has become one of my favorite ways to fsh. It is extremely cool to watch a fsh eat your lure in real time, and it can also teach you a tremendous amount about what is happening under the water. Not only do I use this tech to fnd and catch fsh, I use it to pinpoint bait and areas with life, fnd sweet spots and diferentiations in an area, and eliminate dead water much faster ever before.
Figuring out how to use this new technology can be a little frustrating at frst if you don’t quite understand what’s going on. Spending time on the water, doing as much research as possible or getting someone experienced to teach you are the best ways to get an upper
hand. Fishing lakes where catching fsh isn’t very hard in general helped
me tremendously with deciphering what I saw using FFS. Smallmouth fshing in the north country was a big helper, as these fsh are aggressive and you get many opportunities to present baits and dial in your skills.
Another thing that helps you understand the picture on your screen is objects that are visible above the water. Point your transducer at a bridge, dock, tree or grass, and picture in your head what should be under the water while also watching your screen. Tis will help beginners dial in settings and get a better understanding of what is displayed. It takes time, patience and dedication to learn, but don’t get frustrated and try to have fun with it.
Tere are varied opinions on forwardfacing sonar and its place in the fshing industry, but it isn’t going away, it will only get better! Some of the coolest things I’ve witnessed and some of my best fshing days were due to the electronics on my boat.
Spending the time to learn how to use FFS is well worth the efort. Te technology is dominating pretty much every tournament right now, and it absolutely revolutionized the way I break down a body of water.
Tere are many resources out there to help you in your learning process and people like me who are always willing to answer questions. Don’t be afraid to reach out, tight lines!
Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfshing.com.
It’s well known that some of the best kingfsh fshing starts with a livewell full of frisky baits. Unfortunately, catching them can eat up much of your fshing time. Afer that, it can be hours of bump trolling waiting for a fsh to hit. Fortunately, for those who just want to head out for a couple hours of fun and blistering runs, it can be accomplished with artifcials. Besides getting you straight to the fshing, you can cover a lot more ground by pulling hardware, and it is not nearly as tedious.
Like using live bait, wire leader is crucial. Kingfsh have razor sharp teeth that will go through even stout mono with little efort. I prefer single-strand wire and usually opt for at least #7 (80-lb.). Single strand tends to kink afer just one fsh, but that’s not always a problem when pulling big plugs, as they will pull the wire straight. Also, watch your split rings. Tey can weaken the loop where it attaches to the lure, so be sure to constantly inspect your connections. I like to cover many diferent depths in the water column when trolling. I
start with a shallow runner like the Nomad 190 AT that runs 3 to 5 feet deep, which I set way back. I also like the Nomad Madmacs that run just slightly deeper. I run it 30 to 50 feet in front of my shallow long-bait to facilitate turning. Ten I like to go deeper with a DTX Minnow 165. I run that close to the boat and right under the prop wash. Tis is hands down my most productive bait. I fnd speeds of 6 to 8 knots usually work well. Tis allows me to cover a lot of ground and is fast enough to elicit a strike. I ofen fnd any slower and the fsh don’t seem interested. Te other great thing about these lures is the hooks are very large, and they stick once they make contact.
When you’re trolling the deeper-diving DTX 165s, you will need a reel with some signifcant drag, as these big-lipped plugs take a lot to hold in place. Te Accurate BV600, with its dual drag system, is a great reel for the job. Te BV X76H matches perfectly with it and is a great multi-duty trolling rig that doubles as an awesome grouper rod. Even though you don’t need a super-light tip, like with live bait, a rod that gives is a plus with these sof-mouthed fsh.
As for spots, look for hard bottom that holds bait. Wrecks and reefs are great, too. It sometimes pays to make wider circles around these structures to get away from the barracudas.
With a few lures and some know-how, you can easily head out and catch some kings without dedicating an entire day to your eforts.
Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament anglers who has been writing about fshing for more than three decades.
The heritage of American Silver Dollars is rich and diverse, marked by stunningly beautiful designs, leading to an enduring desirability in the hearts of collectors around the world. In this iconic U.S. Silver Dollar set, spanning nearly 150 years, you’re getting FIVE American Silver Dollars issued over the last 15 decades that each reflect the history, culture and economic aspects of the United States.
Each of these U.S. Silver Dollars is sought-after by collectors individually, but this set includes every design of U.S. Silver Dollar in American history, issued from 1878 to 2024!
Morgan Silver Dollar: First struck 146 years ago in 1878, the Morgan has a historic legacy as the coin that helped build the American West. Minted until 1904, then again in 1921, this 90% silver coin with its iconic Lady Liberty design is the most collected vintage Silver Dollar in the world. Extremely Fine (XF) condition coin included in set.
Peace Silver Dollar: With a beautiful design memorializing peace following the end of World War I, the 90% silver Peace Dollar was intended as a one-year only release struck in 1921—but it proved so popular with the American people, it was struck until 1928, then again in 1934-35. Extremely Fine (XF) condition coin included in set.
Eisenhower Dollar: The last circulating U.S. dollar coin, the Eisenhower Dollar, aka the “Ike Dollar,” was prized by Americans, with its design featuring war hero President Dwight D. Eisenhower, backed by an image symbolizing the Apollo II moon landing. First struck with silver 1971-1976, the Eisenhower Dollar in this set was struck in 40% silver for collectors, and you will receive a coin in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition.
Silver Eagle Type 1: The first-ever U.S. Silver Dollar minted in 99.9% silver, these coins were first minted in 1986 following President Ronald Reagan’s signing of the Liberty Coin Act into law on July 9, 1985, which authorized the U.S. Mint to strike America’s new silver bullion coin. This gorgeous Silver Dollar features the original, revered Type 1 “Heraldic Eagle” reverse design by John Mercanti, 12th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition coin included in set.
Silver Eagle Type 2: In honor of the popular 99.9% silver coin’s 35th anniversary in 2021, the Silver Eagle received a new, esteemed Type 2 “Eagle Landing” reverse design. This is the current issued coin by the U.S. Mint. Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition coin included in set.
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