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Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB RICE, THE ANGLER MAGAZINE ATLANTA VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 277
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BOOST YOUR CATCH w/RezBoostTM Technology
Interested in getting the most out of your own trusted transducer, or not sure you’re ready for the expense of installing a new CHIRP transducer? Furuno has a solution that will get the very best performance from your traditional narrowband transducer. Our RezBoostTM Fish Finders deliver clearer images than ever before, we’re talking up to 8x sharper. Whether it’s NavNet TZtouch2 or the FCV588/FCV628 stand-alone Fish Finders, RezBoostTM will boost your catch!
Get up to 8x sharper resolution, using a standard narrow band transducer, to more clearly define fish targets.
Assess individual fish size and depth based on echo strength for fish from 4 inches to over 6 feet.
Identify the sea floor composition from four types (Rocks/Sand/Gravel/Mud).
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BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (321) 436-5895 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Cliff Lumpkin • (305) 849-9093 • cliff@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Brasher • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com
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Owning a Fishing Magazine
This edition of the magazine is being brought to you by your local publisher. Their contact information is shown on the left of this page. They’re doing a great job to make sure that you receive accurate fishing forecasts and marine related information every month. They also ensure that you can easily find a copy of the magazine throughout your community. They also make sure that this magazine continues to be available to you for free. As you read the magazine, you’ll notice that business owners place their ads in the magazine. That’s what keeps this magazine free to the public. Your local publisher of the magazine would appreciate you letting these businesses know that you saw their ad in the magazine and that you appreciate their support of this resource. Our publishers do a great job of providing this resource to your community. You might even consider sending them an email or a call to let them know you appreciate what they do. Everybody enjoys hearing “Good job” from time to time. If you or someone you know would be interested in learning about our franchise opportunities, we would love to hear from you. We want to expand our magazine throughout the country. Owning your own fishing magazine requires hard work and dedication, but it can be a very rewarding profession. Some say “the best job you’ll ever have.” We currently have over 30 locations, and we have been franchising the magazine for 10 years. If you would like to turn your passion for the outdoors into a profession, give us a call. We may have just what you’ve been looking for. Best regards,
Toby Nelson • (228) 623-1761 • tnelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
GREAT LAKES WEST MICHIGAN : Phil Belsito • (616) 957-1714 • phil@theanglermagazine.com
INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS : Ace Bassue • (407) 285-9453 • ace@coastalanglermagazine.com COSTA RICA : Mike Erickson • (561) 262-2242 • mike@coastalanglermagazine.com © 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Coastal Angler Magazine / The Angler Magazine will not be held liable for injuries incurred while partaking in activities described herein, or for claims made against products or services provided by advertisers. SAFETY
Ben Martin Editor in Chief info@coastalanglermagazine.com
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Outdoor Apparel FISH HIPPIE FLATWATER COLLECTION SHUCKERHUT PLAID Those who live an outdoor life should be able to represent it in their casual lives as well as “out there.” That’s the idea behind Fish Hippie, which was created by anglers who favor good times with friends, time on the water and “drifting off course” as often as life allows. New for spring 2018 from the Fish Hippie Flatwater Collection, the Shuckerhut Plaid blends on-the-water comfort with casual style of the highest quality. Designed with comfort and versatility in mind, the Shuckerhut delivers a silky-smooth touch with an apt range of movement and flexibility. Hidden-button collars prevent dreaded “collar flare,” while double chest pockets and two back shoulder pleats converge for an elevated level of functional, yet casual, style. The specially created four-way stretch fabric is 30+ upf, wrinkle and stain resistant and is easily worn fishing, as well as to the office or a night on the town. The Flatwater Collection is the latest offering from Fish Hippie for those more at home on the road less traveled. Learn more about Fish Hippie and survey all the lifestyle-driven gear and apparel at www.fishhippie.com.
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L.L.BEAN ULTIMATE FISHING SHIRT L.L.Bean recently introduced its new Ultimate Fishing Shirt, and it’s exactly what you need for a long day on the flats or a wade trip up your favorite stream. The Ultimate Fishing Shirt is a technical fishing shirt, thoughtfully designed with a combination of fabrics for ease of movement, comfort and durability. It looks good and keeps you dry with moisturewicking fabrics, but what makes it the Ultimate Fishing Shirt is its ability to provide protection from both biting insects and the sun’s harmful rays. With UPF 50+ sun protection and No Fly Zone technology to repel insects, this shirt eliminates two of the most prominent factors that lead to discomfort on the water. It features four chest pockets to hold essential gear, it can be worn tucked or untucked, the sleeves can be rolled up and secured, and an extended collar unrolls from hidden snaps to provide added protection from the sun. The slightly fitted design offers a relaxed fit through the chest and sleeve, with a slightly slimmer waist to both look good and provide for unhindered movement. The Ultimate Fishing Shirt is available in Dusty Sage, Marine Blue and Graystone colors.
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CAPSMITH REEL ANGLER HEADWEAR
SHIMANO EVAIR BOAT SHOES
Do you need custom headwear? Capsmith Inc. is the No. 1 trusted source for fishing and outdoor enthusiasts with more than 33 years of experience in the headwear industry. A wholesale distributor of fishing headwear, Capsmith has a line of stylish hats designed specifically for anglers. Their Reel Angler headwear collection celebrates life out on the water. Their in-stock Reel Angler collection comes in a variety of cool fish designs including dolphin, marlin, tarpon, sailfish, yellowfin, bass, snook, seatrout and redfish. These five-panel caps feature sublimation printed crown and bill inspired by nautical maps. A 3D embroidered Reel Angler logo on crown adds a premium look to this one-of-a-kind cap that features an extended bill with a green undervisor to avoid water glare. A soft performance mesh back and snapback closure ensures comfort for extended wear. Wholesalers, distributors or custom-made customers can contact Capsmith at 1-800-228-3889 or sales@capsmith.com.
Perfect on the deck of or a boat, Shimano’s new Evair boat shoes offer both style and function for all kinds of fishing. The ultra lightweight EVA midsole provides all-day comfort, and if they get wet, the upper mesh is made from a quick dry fabric. The heel can be bent down to wear like a sandal. Relying on its expertise with cycling shoes from its bicycle components division, and Shimano’s success with its Evair marine/ fishing sandal and award-wining Evair flats boots, Evair boat shoes include design features like a exposed EVA soft material on the inside front sole to better grip a trolling motor pedal. The non-marking sole is welcomed on any boat, plus it provides traction on a wet surface. Designed, developed and manufactured by Shimano, Evair boat shoes are offered in two colors – blue and navy – and in whole sizes from 7 through 13.
WWW.CAPSMITH.COM COLUMBIA PFG SOLAR SHADE ZERO
This woven button-up, longsleeved shirt is fully featured with Columbia’s new Omni-Shade Sun Deflector and OmniFreeze Zero to help keep you cool and protected for long days on the water. This key style for Columbia PFG is strategically zoned and offers the sun-deflecting dots exactly where you need it on the shoulders and back, to help protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays. In addition, this shirt has a sun protection collar, roll-up sleeves, rod holder and Light Rail zippered chest pockets.
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CAPITAL SPORTSMAN ULTIMATE HYBRID The Ultimate Hybrid from Capital Sportsman is more than a great fishing shirt. Capital Sportsman set out to design one shirt that would be functional for any outdoor activity, while being stylish enough for indoor activities – the ultimate
hybrid shirt. Available in three original patterns, four solid colors and limited-edition seasonal patterns, it was designed for comfort and is made of a 100% cotton twill fabric with a baby-soft hand. It also has a special “soft-as-butter” under the arms and in a back vent which provides exceptional ventilation. A relaxed fit provides freedom of movement for casting. Other features include a roll-up sleeve tab, two easy-access chest pockets and a secured zipper pocket for important documents such as a license or passport. There is also a utility loop, which is important if you need to keep that extra fly handy. The Ultimate hybrid already has people talking. Cory “Ruthless” Routh of Ruthless Outdoor Adventures said the Ultimate Hybrid is, “more comfortable than anything I’ve ever tried on. I can go from the field to the office, no problem.”
WWW.CAPITALSPORTSMAN.COM
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Product Reviews
SIMMS CHALLENGER JACKET
KLUCH MAKIN’ MOVES COLLECTION
From bitter early morning cold through late-afternoon storms, the outside elements can be a distraction when you’re zoning in on the end of your line. Simms’ men’s Challenger Jacket fights back against the elements with heavy-duty Toray fabric and fully taped seams for completely waterproof, breathable comfort. Fleece-lined pockets warm your hands in the most numbing weather. An adjustable storm hood packs away in the collar, and a storm flap with water-resistant zippers adds protection from the driving rain. This jacket will keep you warm and dry while you fish, regardless of the type of fishing you do.
Whether you’re making a move toward the hot bite or looking to reset your spread, the new Kluch Makin’ Moves collection has the perfect shirt for every offshore angler. These shirts are available in short or long sleeve cotton. Each shirt sports a classic distressed design with comfort in mind. Head on over to Kluch.com today and get your hands on one before they’re gone!
WWW.SIMMSFISHING.COM
Hooked Soul is an outdoor apparel company offering premium men’s and women’s clothing, specifically designed for extended wear, comfort and with anglers and outdoor enthusiasts in mind. Hooked Soul is an extension of the wearer’s passion for sports, hobbies, and lifestyle experiences with family and friends. Whether fishing in the blue waters of the ocean or freshwater lakes, rivers and streams, each outdoorsman demands comfort and protection from the elements. Hooked Soul was founded in 2014 by three friends and fishing enthusiasts. The inspiration for Hooked Soul came from being outside, the camaraderie and the thrill of the day’s catch. Their passion for an outdoor lifestyle led these three friends to research and bring to market superior performance clothing, the kind they always wanted for themselves. Today Hooked Soul has become an expression and a lifestyle. Hooked Soul, do you have it?
HOOKED SOUL
WWW.KLUCH.COM REALTREE FISHING HAT Realtree has always been about family, friends and the outdoors. As the America’s No. 1 camo pattern, the iconic brand has been providing quality to those who love the outdoors since the 1980s. Last year, Realtree entered into the fishing world with a lifestyle brand ideal for sportsmen and women who trade their bows and guns for fishing rods during the summer months. Realtree Fishing gives an additional connection to the brand they know and respect. Check out their good-looking Realtree fishing hats. They come in several different colors and designs perfect for fishing or everyday wear. These mid-profile hats feature the cool fishhook Realtree Fishing logo embroidered in the front panel, mesh backing and plastic snap closure.
WWW.REALTREE.COM SOFTSCIENCE FIN 3.0
WWW.HOOKEDSOUL.COM
DICKIES WATERPROOF BREATHABLE REFLECTIVE JACKET From the job site to the boat deck, Dickies’ Waterproof Breathable Reflective Jacket has it all. It keeps you comfortable, dry and protected from the elements while providing greater visibility in low light conditions. • Waterproof: The jacket is water resistant and its chest and lower pockets feature waterproof zippers. • Breathable: At just 5.6 ozs., this jacket is lightweight and breathable to keep you comfortable no matter the conditions. • Reflective: For safety, this jacket features enhanced visibility in low light conditions. It appears to light up when light is flashed upon it. 100% Polyester reflective print 10K/10K lamination.
WWW.DICKIES.COM OT WEAR CUSTOM APPAREL OT Wear designs using vivid colors and unique, custom graphics to exceed their customers’ expectations. Their professional designers create custom jerseys and athletic apparel for whatever activity you choose. Distinctive dye-sublimated graphics combined with vivid colors on high performing, comfortable and durable apparel will give you a distinctive edge to stand out from the crowd. Your sponsors will be blown away with how their logos are showcased on your jersey. Let OT Wear outfit you or your team in style with a range of men’s and women’s cuts and
The Fin 3.0 fishing shoe adds a four-eye textile lacing system, an easy-on pull tab and EVA reinforcements on critical toe, forefoot and ankle locations to provide maximum stability in virtually any weather condition. Like all SoftScience shoes, it is lightweight, superbly cushioned and stable, with a woven, breathable reinforced upper. The forefoot water flow system is ideal for worryfree water activity, keeping your feet stable and not slippery. A relaxed fit, the shoes have a removable, washable Trileon insole and Trileon nonmarking, slip-resistant outsole.
WWW.SOFTSCIENCE.COM choice of performance fabrics. They can give you true brand consistency by matching your other marketing materials. Submit your own artwork or let the designers work with your graphics to create highperformance apparel that is unique to you. You will have a stunning, unique look that won’t be matched by others. All of OT’s apparel is made in the USA, from fabric to finished product. Contact them today and let them help you create an extraordinary new look for you or your team.
WWW.OUTDOORTECHWEAR.COM
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FISH & FISHING
Finding The Touch MARK SOSIN
T
oo many anglers blame what they consider the obvious when they are not catching fish. They reason that the fish aren’t hungry, they’re not fishing in the right spot, or the lure they have chosen is not producing the results they expected. Sometimes, it merely takes a subtle touch to turn frustration into success. Although my father fished around the bend many years ago, I still marvel at his skill working a yellow Upperman bucktail in the ¼- or 3/8-ounce size. To this day, I have never met an angler who could come close to matching his success with that single lure. He caught countless species on that bucktail, from striped bass, bluefish and weakfish, to redfish, trout, bonefish, permit and tarpon. Even when I stood next to him and tried to match his every move, I fell far short. What that taught me is that some simple thing in the retrieve (or lack of one) can make a major difference. Let me share a few examples with you. Two of us fishing side-by-side were casting MirrOlures. They were the same model and the same color. He would get strike after strike, while I could barely get a fish to hit my lure. No matter how closely I watched him, I couldn’t detect any difference in the area we fished and the speed of the retrieve. I had to threaten to physically harm him if he didn’t tell me what he was doing. The only difference was that he occasionally vibrated his wrist on the hand
holding the rod. That caused the lure to flash just like a baitfish, and a predator reacted to that instantly. In another example, my friend and I were both fishing a swimming plug with a lip. During the retrieve, it would dive down, but if you stopped reeling the lure would start to float back to the surface. Once again, my partner got strike after strike, and I could barely catch an occasional fish. All he was doing was swimming the plug for a short distance, pausing for an instant, and then continuing the retrieve. Every time he paused, the plug would start to rise in the water column and then dive again when he resumed reeling. The sudden dive made it appear the lure was trying to escape from a predator. That’s all it took. Here’s one more example. The successful angler would start with a rather slow retrieve and then speed it up about halfway back to the boat. If a fish happened to see the plug, the change in speed would make it appear as if the plug were trying to get away and that’s a trigger mechanism. Seasoned anglers who fish artificials and score frequently limit the number of lures they carry and develop a touch for each one that produces strikes. Basically, there is more than one way to fish any artificial. My suggestion is that you keep trying a variety of subtle approaches until you become the angler that others envy and try to copy.
For more about artifical lures with Mark Sosin, visit
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FLY FISHING
Fly Reel Backing
L
osing a big saltwater gamefish after it is hooked and decides to head for the horizon is, in many instances, the result of filling your reel with backing that is either too short or too light. It can ruin an otherwise wonderful trip. Also, making wrong choice in backing can lose you not only your fish, but worse, it can cost you a very expensive fly line. Twenty-pound backing is a good choice for most inshore saltwater fly fishing situations, and 30-pound backing will more than fill the bill in getting you through a tussle with an uncooperative bluewater gamefish. The Old School Frame Of Mind: Dacron These days there are many choices when it comes to choosing backing for your fly reels. Some anglers prefer braided backing because of its small diameter. I prefer the tested and trued performance of standard hi-vis Dacron. Why? Because, It’s easier on the fingers while fighting big fish, and it does not have the tendency—as braid does—to dig into itself when reeled back onto the fly reel. How Much Do You Need? Your fly reel should house a minimum of 175 yards of 20-pound Dacron backing. Many inshore saltwater gamefish will make initial runs of from 75 to 100 yards before they turn and settle into a fighting mode. For bluewater fly fishing, 30-pound Dacron or gel spun is standard. A minimum of 300 yards should fill these reels. Big bluewater gamefish like the tuna and marlin will run off 200
yards of backing before you’ve had time to say, “Come back and fight like a man!” These fish can also dive to great depths, thus making essential an abundant supply of backing. One caveat to remember is “Don’t short-line your backing.” Best Color For Backing? The phrase “getting into your backing” always arouses excitement through a saltwater fly fisherman’s being each time he hears it. There is nothing more exciting than witnessing one hundred yards of water-shedding backing slicing through the water, pulled by a bonefish, tarpon, sailfish or marlin. It’s a common occurrence in saltwater fly fishing. When this happens, the color of your backing is essential in tracking the fish’s direction. Is it swimming at an angle or is it sounding. Make no mistake, eventually every saltwater fisherman experiences this. High-visibility backing will help determine how to fight the fish. For instance, when tarpon fishing it is important that you are able to turn a tarpon’s head during the tussle, a move aimed at keeping the tarpon off balance and assuring the fish is brought quickly to the boat. Also, the use of hivis backing allows the angler a better sight-line in tracking the fish’s direction so pressure may be applied in an opposite direction. The best colors? As I stated above, I prefer hi-vis backing in bright yellow or bright orange, both highly visible backing regardless of weather conditions or water coloration.
For Tackle Box Essentials from Bowman, go to
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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2018 GEICO
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hen Yamaha introduced the 19-foot 190 FSH center console boat in 2016, the company tapped into a segment of boaters who want to fish more than runabout owners, but who also want to tow and entertain more than other center console owners. By all accounts, Yamaha’s “family sports hybrid” concept proved to be a success. Featuring an innovative, yet familiar, center console deck design, a performance sports boat hull, and the versatility unique to jet power, the 190 FSH is attracting more younger, first-time buyers than traditional center console brands, and is already the second best seller in the category. For 2018, Yamaha is expanding their FSH offering to include a 21-foot model that is better suited for rougher waters and delivers the added peace of mind that comes with dual engines. And because the motors and driveline are tucked in the hull underneath the captain’s leaning post, the boat provides an open 360-degree experience that fishermen love. The 210 FSH includes all the features that fishing enthusiasts require, along with family features that are perfect for an entire day out on the water to include water sports, swimming and lounging—all in the same boat, and at a competitive price starting under $40,000. The 210 FSH is available in three variations that include the base model 210 FSH, an upgraded 210 FSH Deluxe, and the flagship 210 FSH Sport that offers the features of the Deluxe with the addition of a custom T-top. All three models come with Yamaha’s award-winning TR-1 High Output marine engines. 210 FSH Walkthrough Starting at the bow, there is comfortable, padded seating with ample room for four adults. The padded cushions snap off, so they are easy to store or leave at home when you are heading out for a fishing trip. Under the starboard bow seat is an insulated fish locker, and there is a dedicated locker for a full-size Danforth anchor. There is more storage below the port bow seat, in the sole, and inside two large consoles. In front of the helm console is more seating, and the console lifts up to reveal a cavernous storage area that also serves as a changing room or a head compartment thanks to the curtain enclosure included on the Deluxe and Sport models. The 210 FSH is loaded with the angling features one would ex-
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pect in a premium center console boat to include coaming pads, vertical and horizontal holders for 14 rods and a 26-gallon aerated live well. A cool feature you won’t find on other center console boats is Yamaha’s exclusive Jet Wash system that uses pressure from the jet pumps for easy cleanup of the cockpit, whether you land a big fish or the kids fill the boat full of sand. The Helm The helm is thoughtfully designed with a simple-to-remove windshield for low profile storage, a stainless-steel sports steering wheel, easy access to all boat control switches, a locking glove box and an open area to flush mount electronics such as a fishfinder, a GPS unit and other marine electronics. The 210 FSH comes equipped with Yamaha’s 4.3” Connext Touchscreen Display, which is NMEA compatible to send vital engine information to third-party electronics. Behind the helm is a padded leaning post with a backrest (on Deluxe and Sport). Under the leaning post is a dedicated space for a removable cooler. The Transom The transom area on the FSH Series is unlike any other center console boat on the market. Since the engines and drivetrain are in the hull, the entire back of the 201 FSH is open for unobstructed casting and watersports towing. The 210 FSH features Yamaha’s signature two-tier swim platform that sits low at the water’s edge. A retractable stern ladder makes reboarding after swimming a breeze. The transom also includes a tow eye for watersports. Like all Yamaha boats, the 210 FSH features Yamaha’s patented clean-out ports that allow for the removal of debris from the jet pump without having to get in the water or swim under the boat. Rounding out the FSH’s list of innovations is the addition of Yamaha’s Articulating Keel, the latest in Yamaha’s Advanced Responsive Handling features. The Articulating Keel is an extension of the boat’s keel that moves and tracks along with the jet pump nozzle to provide comfort, stability and straight-line tracking at all speeds. For buyers attracted to the iconic styling of a center console boat, but need more versatility to appease the family, look no further than the Yamaha 210 FSH.
For more on Yamaha’s 210 FSH Series, go to
ANGLERLIFE.CO
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Center sp W
ho doesn’t have a smile on their face when they’re spending time on the water? You can’t help yourself. Boating is getting away from it all. And getting away from it all is always more fun with friends. This is where the United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club comes in. Enjoying your time on the water with family and friends starts with being safe and responsible while having fun. That’s what makes America’s Boating Club different than most boating organizations. For over a hundred years, the organization’s focus has been on providing unsurpassed boating safety education. But the organization’s leadership and members are passionate about a membership that doesn’t end on Sunday and doesn’t care if the calendar says it’s winter. It’s about being together and building a community through a variety of events like parties, meetings and even just getting together for no reason at all. Driven by this passion, United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club, the country’s largest nonprofit boating organization, just launched its new logo. This is the first of several planned updates in the organization’s new brand image and identity. Changes to the organization’s website, social media platforms and collateral are expected in the coming weeks. “We are United States Power Squadrons, but we are also America’s Boating Club,” said Louie Ojeda, chief commander, United States Power Squadrons. “This is not just a name change, it describes what we do. We go boating and have fun doing it. Over time, our squadrons have evolved to become social clubs as well as providers of high quality boating education – allowing members to enjoy the sport and camaraderie of boating and any number of activities that keep us together. Togetherness is what this lifestyle is all about. We joined the organization for the boating education, but we stayed for the friends.” Offering classes For Boaters, By Boaters in boat handling, navigation, boat maintenance, weather and related subjects, United States
Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club serves as a virtual “yacht club” with boating and social activities for all types of recreational boaters. With over 27,000 members organized into 356 squadrons across the country, America’s Boating Club is comprised of families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education. Squadron members are vital to strengthening the communities
they live in and know it’s important to live their values by giving back through public service and volunteer opportunities. Members provide courtesy vessel safety checks, help the NOAA’s National Ocean Service keep nautical charts accurate and organize beach cleanups. “Our commitment is to continue learning, teaching, laughing and helping our fellow members enjoy boating,” continued Ojeda. “Whether you’re passionate about cruising, racing, making new friends, volunteering in your community or learning from experienced boaters, your local squadron has the resources you need to engage your passions and, perhaps, instill some new ones.” In February of 2017, the United States Power Squadrons announced its America’s Boating Club co-brand to its squadrons, following an almost yearlong re-naming exercise. To learn more about United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club, visit www.americasboatingclub.org.
Join in the Fun!
United States Power Squadrons is America’s Boating Club Learn boating skills. Engage with boating friends. Connect with the boating community.
Learn more at www.americasboatingclub.org
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SOUTHEAST
By Randy Cnota
S
pring means one thing to me… bedding bass! This is that magical time of the year when giant bass come to the shallows to procreate. Depending on where you fish, the first waves of bedding bass could show up in February or earlier, and in some places the spawn stretches through the spring and into summer. Their movement is affected by moon phases somewhat, but more so by water temperature. Once it’s in the 60-degree range, start combing the shallows for white spots where they’ve fanned out a bed with their tails.
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Once you’ve located them, it is important to understand that they’ve located you. Bass are extremely aware of their surroundings. This makes it difficult at times to trigger a fish to take a lure. I like to run through an area with the trolling motor on high and put a 6-foot tomato stake right smack in the middle of the bed that’s holding the fish I intend to catch. Then I leave the area and allow the fish to calm down. During this waiting period, I might spend an hour doing the same thing in another area or probe the deeper areas surrounding the flat looking for pre- or post-spawn fish. Fish will be in all three spawning stages throughout spring, and any shallows that hold fish will have fish in the deeper water nearby. After an hour or so, sneak back quietly into the area you’ve staked out. Pole in, let the wind blow you in or troll in at a very low speed. Remember, you must be quiet, which means no banging around. Have everything you need on the deck of the boat. This is when a shallow-water anchoring system is worth its weight in gold. Minn Kota Talons and Power Poles are the premier systems available. Other less costly ways to anchor a boat are available as well, like Boatsticks at boatsticks.com. You’ll want to position your boat far enough from the bed to not spook the fish, but close enough to cast several yards beyond the target. You need two Texas-rigged baits—a Z-Man Grass KickerZ and a Punch CrawZ. These baits float in the upright position, which tells a bass that something is feeding on her eggs. Swim the Grass Kicker over the bed several times. This will get the fish fired up. Then hop it right into the bed and stop it. Give it a pulsating action. If this doesn’t provoke the fish to eat, try hopping the Punch CrawZ on the bed. Sometimes you have to go back and forth with those baits to entice a strike, but often you will get them to eat right away. When you do this enough, you’ll learn to understand the fish’s behavior. If a fish runs big circles away from the bed and is slow to come back, it might not be catchable. If she displays aggression and stays close to the bed, that’s a catchable fish. Randy Cnota is co-publisher of the Panama City/Forgotten Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.
GREAT FISHING REQUIRES GREAT REST!
Boater’s Welcome! Capt. Mike McNamara
(850) 510-7919
or email redfish@stmarksoutfitters.com
www.stmarksoutfitters.com
721 Port Leon, St Marks FL
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MARCH 2018
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By Capt. Chester Reese
W
ith winter on the way out, pompano and cobia start their migration from the south, up through the Gulf of Mexico, to reach spawning areas. When the water reaches 70 degrees, the hunt for these great eating fish begins. Both are hard fighting fish, offering anglers amazing fishing opportunities all over Franklin County. To many people, pompano are the most excellent eating fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Some anglers work to be experts, understanding what time of day and tide range is best and exactly what tackle to
Discover
pick, so that they know when it’s best to grab a rod and go. You can catch them from the shore or a boat, and they’re perfect for firsttime anglers with limited experience. When water temps get right, they come in large schools to feed and spawn. Some reside in our waters all summer, so don’t give up on them in the warmer months. The most commonly used set-up is a two-hook dropper rig baited with sand fleas or pieces of fresh shrimp. White bucktails and special pompano lures work well too. Tip them with fleas or shrimp and work them slowly on the bottom just inside the sandbars close to the beach. As the migration moves through, you can find them over our grass flats. Cobia get my juices flowing in the spring. These fish can go over 50 pounds and provide anglers a catch of a lifetime. Another migrating species, they’re also arriving with the warmer waters. Cobia are found worldwide and are prized for their bountiful, white delicious meat. Structure of any kind attracts and holds these fish, and it’s not uncommon to find them in schools around wrecks or buoys. They also like to cruise the beaches where they can be sight fished from boat or shore. Prime baits for taking cobia are crabs, shrimp, fish and eels, but lures catch them all the time, too. Work baits both on the surface and on the bottom, since they inhabit all areas of the water column. When the bite is on, it can be a frenzy to hook and fight these bruisers. Even after fighting hard for a long time, when boated they can slap and jump until subdued. Be careful of the strong tail and dorsal spines. We have a great fishery for cobia and pompano in our Franklin County waters, and some of the best captains and guides that can put you on them. Visit our local tackle shops in East Point or St. George Island, and they’ll set you up to successfully catch and prepare these special fish. Contact Capt. Chester Reese and Natural World Charters at (850) 228-9060. For a complete list of rentals, charters, supplies and more, visit www.floridasforgottencoast.com.
Florida’s Forgotten Coast
Your fish is waiting. Visit Floridasforgottencoast.com/ca for complete launch, marina, guide and tackle information
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I Fs Bay & OF hOre Fi ts, Come Fish With Us! shing a Fl
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n February, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management council took steps toward turning over management of the Gulf red snapper fishery to the Gulf states. By approving Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) applications for each of the five states on the Gulf of Mexico, the council opened the door for a pilot program that would allow each state to manage recreational fishing for red snapper during 2018 and 2019. Seasons for red snapper harvest would be determined by the respective states, and red snapper landings would be monitored by the states. State seasons would close when a state’s quota is caught. These EFPs are issued for scientific studies, and this study will determine the effectiveness of state management of the recreational red snapper fishery. At the federal level, NOAA Fisheries now must rule on whether or not to approve the program for implementation.
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Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time
I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly
at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth. There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point. Second, the fruit just taste
better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature. Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together. Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com
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BLUE RIDGE
I
t’s been called the “Test of the Best” bass anglers, the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing” and the “World Championship of Fishing.” By any name, the Bassmaster Classic was the salvation of Ray Scott’s Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) when the tournament was launched 47 years ago. Now known as the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, the annual tournament began modestly with just 24 competitors in October 1971. Arkansas angler Bobby Murray won the inaugural Classic, held on Lake Mead, Nevada. Scott recalls that the lakeside weigh-ins attracted only a handful of spectators. More important than crowds, however, were the two-dozen outdoor writers who attended at Scott’s invitation. Their articles in ma-
jor publications across the United States lent legitimacy to the fledgling sport of tournament bass fishing. Founded 50 years ago, B.A.S.S. struggled for attention in the beginning. The B.A.S.S. Tournament Trail was popular among bass anglers but lacked broader exposure until Scott and then-Bassmaster Magazine editor Bob Cobb concocted the season-ending championship. B.A.S.S. membership grew rapidly after that first Classic. Many industry insiders consider the birth of B.A.S.S. and its tournament circuits to mark the beginning of the modern era of bass fishing. When the 48th Classic takes place March 16-18 on Lake Hartwell at Anderson, S.C., it will be unrecognizable compared to its meager beginnings. The prize for claiming the first Classic crown was $10,000, winner take all. The event today pays out $1 million to the 52 qualifiers, including $300,000 to the champion. Weigh-ins for the first 10 Bassmaster Classics were held at lakeside, but as crowds grew, weigh-ins moved indoors, and a boat and tackle show was added. “The Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods has become a highlight of Classic Week for thousands of fans,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin, who noted that the combined attendance at Classic venues has averaged more than 100,000 for the past six years. The Expo will be held March 16-18 in the TD Convention Center in Greenville, S.C. Weigh-ins will be in the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in downtown Greenville those days. One of the biggest developments in the evolution of the Classic has been its impact on local economies. Las Vegas barely noticed that 60 or so people in town for a three-day tournament in 1971. In Greenville next month, 11,000 room nights will be booked in association with the event. Economic impact for the Greenville/Anderson area is expected to exceed $24 million. Clearly, Ray Scott’s Las Vegas Classic gamble, almost 50 years ago, has paid off. For more information visit Bassmaster.com.
For more from Bassmaster, go to
THEANGLER.CO
SouthernRaft.com
828.255.6700
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A large stonefly nymph is one of my go-to patterns throughout the year, but particularly in the early spring. You’ll very often find this fly at the bottom end of my nymph rig, dredging deep pools and runs. The tungsten bead and wire helps the fly get to the bottom quickly, and stay there, putting it right in the trout’s feeding area. There is something about a large stonefly, with legs undulating, that larger fish looking for an easy meal just can’t resist.
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Hook: extra long nymph or streamer hook, size 8-14 Bead: 3.5-4mm tungsten bead Thread: 70 or 140 denier ultra-thread olive, black, brown Weight: .010 to .015 (depending on hook size) lead-free wire Body: medium-size variegated chenille (black and olive shown) Legs, Antenna, Tail: olive Span-flex or Flexi Floss
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Fish until the cows come home.
Here in The Florida Keys & Key West, you can run-and-gun for dolphin in the morning, fly a kite for sailfish in the afternoon and battle giant swordfish deep into the night. So come down and milk the world’s best deep-sea fishing for all its worth.
DESTINATION FISHING
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Islamorada On The Fly
S
TOM SCHLICHTER
andy Moret pointed to port: “10 o’clock!” he said in a hushed voice. “Lead them.” It took a second for me to sight in, but a moving shadow just beyond the bow brought things into focus. A pod of 70-pound tarpon were running a channel edge and we were perfectly positioned for an intercept. Late with the cast, I dropped my streamer on the nose of the lead fish, which promptly turned and powered into oblivion across the shallow flats of Florida Bay, compatriots in tow. Moret smiled and politely let me off the hook. “Happens all the time down here,” he said. “We’ll get another shot.” Chalk one up to lessons learned. A heavy front was moving in, and what had been a drizzly morning suddenly turned threatening, sending us racing back to port for a round of refreshments at the Lorelei Marina (www.loreleicabanabar.com/ marina-and-fishing). With the Florida Keys steadily rebounding from the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma, anglers across the country are once again making plans for an assault on the stellar flats fishery here. Featuring tarpon, bonefish, redfish, snook and sea trout, the shallows of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park on the village’s lee side are ideal for fly fishing and Moret, one of the founding fathers of long-wand sport in these waters, couldn’t be happier. “We still have a way to go before everyone is back on their feet, but we are getting there,” he said in a recent interview. “As for the fishing, it’s bounced back nicely.” As a guide and outfitter, Moret (www.floridakeysoutfitters. com) logically suggests first-timers to the area head out with a professional skipper. “It’s the quickest way to learn the intricacies of tempting local gamefish,” he explained. Still, he noted that the
fishing in these parts is consistent enough that those launching a kayak or even fishing from shore around bridges and passes have a chance to score. “The most important thing in the Keys is to practice your casting – especially when flyfishing,” he advised. “It’s vital to make a few casts in every spot you stop to factor in the wind, current and water depth courtesy of Sandy Moret before you even see the Photo Sandy Moret shows off a chunky Islamorada fish.” snook taken on the fly. Moret, recently honored with 2018 Fly Fisherman Conservationist of the Year Award by the Bonefish Tarpon Trust (www.bonefishtarpontrust.org), works a wide range of patterns but does have several favorites. He likes a size 4 creamand-tan Merkin with lead eyes for bonefish. For silver kings, a Keys Tarpon Streamer in purple and black is his choice for murky water. To target snook and redfish, he throws purple Deceivers in discolored water and yellow and white in clear water. Concentrate your efforts on rising tides to avoid groundings, he cautions, and keep moving until you find the fish. Getting to Islamorada is easy. Find your way to Miami or Fort Lauderdale and head south on U.S. 1. Once there, you’ll find plenty of places to stay including the world class Cheeca Lodge (www. cheeca.com) and Amara Cay Resort (www.amaracayresort.com).
Lake Erie Experienced
Record Walleye Fishing In 2017
Photo courtesy of Capt. Wes Carlton
D
uring the 2017 season, walleye anglers on Lake Erie experienced the highest recorded success in nearly 30 years. “The New York State waters of Lake Erie are world famous for outstanding angling opportunities for walleye, smallmouth bass and yellow perch,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Our Lake Erie waters have consistently ranked among
the top three most heavily fished waters in the state, and the fishery generates more than $26 million in economic activity annually. Anglers should take advantage of Lake Erie’s current conditions and experience this world-class walleye fishery for themselves in 2018.” DEC has conducted an angler survey on Lake Erie to estimate fishing quality and fish harvest annually since 1988. In recent years, walleye fishing quality has been generally increasing. Survey results for 2017 revealed record-high walleye catch rates that are nearly three times greater than the 30-year average. DEC estimates that anglers harvested more than 70,000 walleyes in 2017, a level not achieved since 1989. This exceptional fishing was due in large part to contributions of strong walleye reproductive success in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2015. Recent evidence also suggests that walleye reproduction was strong again in 2016. Walleye are one of the most popular gamefish in New York, as they put up an exciting fight during the catch and make for tasty meal on the table. Walleye are aptly named because of their unique eyes that have a reflective layer of pigment called the tapetum lucidum, which allows them to see very well at night and during other low-light periods. This layer also gives walleye their “glassy-eyed” or “wall-eyed” appearance. Lake Erie is continually ranked among the world’s top walleye fishing destinations by angler publications, with an abundance of trophy-size walleye ranging from 8 to 10 pounds. Local tournament winners often score fish exceeding 11 lbs. Given that walleye typically live 10 years or more in Lake Erie combined with excellent reproduction rates in recent years, anglers should experience continued, exceptional walleye fishing in future years.
Boat Show Season -- See You at Your Local Boat Show
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March 2018
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2018 ATL MARCH .indd 1
MARCH 2018
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing Waiting for Spring
The Flies Of Early Spring Contributed by Capt. David Hulsey International Federation of Fly Fishers Master Certified Casting Instructor http://www.hulseyflyfishing.com 770-639-4001
Contributed by James Bradley www.ReelEmInGuideService.com (706) 273-0764 Usually during March, we see signs of springtime. Warmer days to come will surely start bringing some trout up to the surface for a quick snack. We’re looking for an outstanding spring this year and a bunch of hook ups! One thing to work on before your first outing is casting practice. Many folks put their rods up at the end of the fall, never seeing them until the day that they hit the mountains to tempt some trout. It’s best to practice some before heading up. Work on your roll cast and some water haul casts, and stay in tune with your rod. Work on precision casting. We take thousands of anglers each year, and I can personally tell you that those who are ready to fish (good casters or those that practice their casting) catch more fish. Use your lawn as a casting area if possible. This allows you to make casting practice easy and simple without distractions like excessive trees or fish. Use a few markers on the lawn for target and precision casting. Also, pay attention to your fly line during its flight. Make small adjustments to regain tight loops on your forward and back cast. Many times, we see improper stops which opens your loops and destroys your cast’s momentum. Remember, many streams are tight and false casting can be very limited. We see many people trying to cast slack which kills their cast. It’s probably the number one cause of a bad cast. Another great option is going to someone like a certified casting instructor to oversee your casting. A good casting instructor can watch you for a few minutes then dissect your cast and its faults. It’s hard to break bad habits without correct repetitions and a good eye watching. Instructors can also show you how to make some of those new casts you might be wanting to try. After you have freshened up on your casting, don’t forget to clean up your rod. Be sure to put wax on the male ferrules. This will help with putting the rod sections 2 ATLANTA
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together and taking them apart
more easily. You can use some fine or extra fine sand paper to clean up the soiled handle if you like. At the beginning of the spring and fall seasons, we go through our reels thoroughly with Q-tips and fresh grease. Many times, you can bring that old fly line back to life after washing it and apply a fly line conditioner. A clean and slick fly line resists friction from the rod guides, will shoot further, and it stays in better condition to prevent sinking (if it’s a floating fly line). March brings out some mayflies like the Quills. The Blue and Gordon are two of the earliest, and they may draw a few trout up to the surface for takes. The Quill Gordon is a much larger than the Blue Quill, but the Blue usually hatches in bigger numbers. Gordons should be size 10-12 and Blues should be size 18-20. Stay with standard fare on subsurface flies like Stoneflies, Prince’s, PT’s and Hares Ear in sizes from 14-18. Water is still cold, so using some weight will get those flies on down toward the bottom. Reel ‘Em In Guide Service is the only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide in North Georgia’s Historic High-Country region. They have been offering their services to fly anglers since 2001. They have permits for guiding in North Georgia and North Carolina, offer over 7 miles of private trophy waters across Georgia, and operate float trips on the Toccoa River in GA and the Tuckasegee River in NC.
The month of March is a welcome sight after the cold wet winter we’ve had here in the Southern Appalachians. Despite the lingering cold morning or two, snowflake, and the occasional tornado, March and April can be good months to be a fly fisher. Upon those transitional winds of early spring can ride hordes of Black Caddis hatching on our local tailwater fisheries such as the Toccoa, Hiawassee and Tuckaseegee. Massive swarms fluttering above the river can give the fly fisher the first shot at matching the hatch in the new year. This particular Caddis fly normally can be imitated by a swung little black soft hackle the most effectively. Size 16 or 18 is about right for your pattern. The temptation of throwing an Elk Hair Caddis or other dry fly usually will be met with some frustration being that the trout will usually be feeding on the bug on its accent to the surface. Splashy rise forms from the fish will be a telltale tip to watch for. Another great thing about early spring is the arrival of the first big bugs of the year. The Quill Gordon is a large gray mayfly that gets the fish pretty excited if there are good numbers of them coming off the water at once. This beauty is about
a size 12 or 14 with large sailboat type wings sticking upright above the body. You can use a Catskill style Quill Gordon imitation or an Adams dry will usually suffice if in the right size. Our freestone streams of the area will usually “wake up” when this bug appears, and the dry fly fishing with other flies will remain good until it gets hot in the summer. The March Brown mayfly arrives usually the last week of March or the first couple of weeks of April. Similar in size to the Quill Gordon, it’s another fish exciter when it bounces down the river trying to get airborn. They must taste good, because I’ve seen very large trout that are normally very particular do some really stupid things to get to these juicy insects. The Catskill tied version of the March Brown works well to imitate it in about size 12. They normally turn up in our freestone streams along with throngs of anxious fly flingers trying to speed up the warm weather ahead. Give us a call at 770-639-4001 to schedule a guide trip to shake off the winter blues and catch the fish of a lifetime. Check out our website at www.ncfga.com for information on our amazing trophy water fishing.
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MARCH 2018
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing CHATTOOGA RIVER
The winter season has been just that on the rivers around Chattooga River Fly Shop. Numerous days of below average temperatures, then a couple of days in the high 40’s-50’s. A little bit of rain here and there, but not enough to make the rivers unsafe to wade. All in all, the rivers are truly fishing very well. As the waters start their warming trend, the first emergence of the Mayflies and Caddis start to appear on the rivers. As everyone enjoys the “topwater” dry fly fishing, let’s remember there are a lot more fish feeding on nymphs and emergers “down under”. Fishing a tandem rig with a nymph and an emerger while awaiting the hatch will be very productive. Fishing these tandem rigs, a cast upstream and mend the line for
a “dead drift” is key. After the flies have drifted past your stance on the river, let them “swing” downstream, and let your line straighten, which allows the flies to rise to the surface as the naturals do. Fishing flies on the “swing” is very productive and will reward you greatly. Once seeing a few of these flies in the air and a few rises, switch to a dry fly and drift your fly to these rising fish. Let’s not forget that streamer fishing is still very productive as well. With the colder water temperatures and higher water conditions, sink tips or weight pinched onto the leader has been necessary to keep the streamers down in the water column. Many large fish have been caught in the delayed harvest sections of both the Chattooga and Chauga Rivers using these on the dead drift and twitch technique, and by stripping the streamers back through the pools and seams. As the water temperatures rise and water levels decrease, floating lines
will be adequate. As our temperatures are on the rise, this is a great time of year to get ready for panfish and bass on the fly. We offer guided trips for one to two people on a mountain lake by boat for a great day on the water. We have all the equipment necessary to make your day a success, whether we are topwater fishing or subsurface for these fine fish. We have expanded our fly tying material walls. Whether you are tying for trout, bass or panfish,
we have a wide array of materials to do the trick. We will be having once-a-month fly tying demo days to see these new tying materials in use. Keep an eye out on our social media sites and website for details and dates. We offer hands on, oneon-one fly tying classes to help you along in your journey of tying. You will receive expert advice on what to tie, when to fish the bug you are tying, and other tips and techniques. We look forward to seeing everyone out on the rivers.
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing Do You Push or Pull Your Cast? Rene J. Hesse Certified Casting InstructorFederation of Fly Fishers & Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping Meetup Organizer
At the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show last month there were several professional fly casters speaking and giving lessons. There is always something to learn in fly casting, and if you think you know it all, don’t bother reading further. If you are interested in expanding your concepts in casting, I think you will enjoy this. Mack Brown has written several books on fly casting. He is a Master Instructor with Fly Fishers International, and he opened my eyes to a different way of looking at the mechanics of a forward cast. He showed up in an untucked flannel shirt and jeans with no sponsor label or anything that would say, ‘Hey, look at me’. But when he started speaking about the concept of ‘pushing or pulling’ in the forward cast, it really got me thinking. Here is what we talked about as we tested the theory. Traditional teachings say that we bring the rod forward and then rotate the rod at the end of the cast by pushing with our thumb or finger. And that works. It is taught by saying, ‘Push like you are opening a screen door button’ or ‘Flick paint on the wall with a paint brush’, ‘Stop-snap’, ‘Micro wrist’, and things like that. Good visuals that usually get the caster to mimic a similar move to accomplish the goal. The goal is to get the rod tip to go on a straight line path and form nice loops. The pushing usually creates an over-rotation of the rod, and that creates a wide loop. Now try this. Grab a fly rod, pencil, TV remote and hold it like your fly rod. Hold it in the position to start a forward cast. That would be with the palm of your hand up to or past your ear, and your elbow as high as your mid chest, slightly off to the side, kind of like you were going to throw a paper airplane or drop an ax on wood, or do the tomahawk chop. As you drop your elbow and bring your hand forward, use your little finger and ring finger to pull the rod butt into the palm of your hand. Do it again. Concentrate on going slow and dropping your elbow like you would an ax, and at the last moment, pull the two fingers into your palm. The rod will rotate just enough to generate the proper amount of power at the proper time. Pull the rod butt into your palm to rotate the rod at the end of the cast, rather than push the rod tip forward. It will change your cast. For you advanced casters, think in terms of the stroke length as translation or delayed rotation which keeps the rod tip back as the hand comes forward. And then think of the ‘pull’ as the rotation portion of the casting stroke. You don’t have to force or over pull. It will smooth out the cast. I had often described the casting sequence based on the FFI traditional teaching, and now there is another arrow in the quiver to describe the mechanics. Give it a try, practice it and make an effort to focus on the simple technique. You will be surprised how well it works. Go cast!
Post a Picture of your catch!
Ellijay, GA facebook.com/theanglermagazineGA
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Guided Fly Fishing for Trout, Trophy Trout and Float Trips
MARCH 2018
ATLANTA 5
2/15/18 2:59 PM
Local Rivers & Fly Fishing ALLATOONA by Wil Hammond Blackhawk Fly Fishing Instagram: slamminonthefly
Forecast By: Capt. Robert Eidson First Bite Guide Service 770-827-6282 eidson6260@att.net www.firstbiteguideservice.com
Cased Girdle Materials: Brown and Black Stonefly Chenille, Thin Rubber Legs, Flymen Fishing Co Stonefly Bead head, UV curing goo. Size 10 Lightning Strike Stonefly Hook. Tying: Start by lightly bending the shank of the hook to the right or left for a natural look. Slide your bead head to the eye of the hook. Place your back tail filaments position straight back and wrap to secure. Next, add the chenille simply wrap a few tight wraps in the back near tail. Continue to wrap your thread to the head of the fly. Now for the legs, each leg is one piece of rubber legging. Keep the legs close together near the eye of the hook. Once all three legs are secured, go ahead and tie your antennae on by sliding the bead head slightly back. Once the antennae are secure and positioned correctly, bring your bead head back on top of them. Now wrap the chenille up the shank of the hook. Wrap between the legs giving a nice even spacing between each section of legs. Once you wrap to the bead head, tie it off with a few secure wraps. Whip finish behind the bead head. For the last step, take your UV clear goo and a needle to apply it. Create a wing case over the section of the legs and cure with UV light. Repeat process two to three times to create a nice cased thorax.
Wow! What a crazy couple of weeks we have had around here. The flu, rain and the Super Bowl! Linesides fishing is getting better. The rain we’ve had lately has really muddied the waters. But the good news is the rain was warm and is starting to raise the water temps. Temperature rises faster in stained and muddy water than it does in clear water. Hopefully,
we will see the end of the shad kill in the next couple of days. It’s usually a week after the end of the shad kill when we start seeing the bite return. I expect the bite this spring to be off the charts. We are just days away from catching good quality fish on Allatoona again. Spring is almost here and so is great fishing. Call and book your outing today 770-827-6282.
“I expect the bite this spring to be off the charts.”
Fishing the Cased Girdle: use as a wet nymph in deep holes or fast moving water. The Flymen Fishing Co. bead head is designed to get that fly down fast. This fly is most effective in the warmer months. I use it anytime from March to November depending on water temps
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing OCONEE ON THE FLY
By Wayne Moore www.oconeeonthefly.com When I reached out to The Angler Magazine about fly fishing on Lake Oconee, my guess was no one had ever published an article on the subject before. My wife and I escaped from Atlanta two years ago, moving to peaceful Lake Oconee. The only thing I knew I’d miss was fly fishing the Chattahoochee. I had no idea that when I came here, fly fishing would be so incredible! Quickly, I discovered that heavier rods, different flies and new techniques were required to hook and land some of Oconee’s giants. Hooking a 5-lb hybrid on a fly rod is like hooking a Harley Davidson! Before we moved, I hired some fellow guides in Atlanta who specialize in stripers on the fly. Rob Smith (River through Atlanta, guiding the Chattahoochee) and Henry Cowen (Lanier’s fly fishing pioneer for stripers) were invaluable resources. After a guided trip with each, I gained knowledge that would have taken me years to figure out on my own. The main food source for hybrids and stripers on Oconee are 2-inch threadfin shad. Several flies imitate them well; my favorite being Cowen’s “Somethin’ Else.” This looks just like a small shad and is effective throughout the water column. I’ve found the retrieve is critical. Several short strips followed by a 30-second dead stop and repeat is the ticket. For surface activity, nothing beats the Wiggle Minnow. The angle of the foam in the front of this fly causes it to dive and wiggle when stripped, like a Rapala. My go-to rod is a Scott 9-foot, 8-weight rigged with intermediate line. I use a 9-foot, 12-lb. tapered leader. A good reel is key, as these fish will take out a lot of line. Bob Merriman at The Fish Hawk in Atlanta can set you up with everything you need. Timing is everything when you are going after hybrids, stripers
Guided Fly Fishing and Conventional Tackle Trips for Hybrids, Stripers, and Crappie Booking now, novice or experienced anglers. On the water instruction, top of the line fly gear!
and even white bass on a fly rod. So, here are few key times that will give you the best chance for success. The second week in March is famous for the white bass run at Dyar’s Pasture on the Oconee River. If you are new to fly fishing, this is a great time to build confidence. There are occasionally some hybrids and stripers in the mix as well, so be prepared for a fight! News of this run gets around Lake Oconee quickly, so get there early. The shad spawn usually starts the first week in April. All over the lake, shad are against sea walls and in the shallows. For a shot at a fat hybrid during this morning bite, throw a shad imitation like a “Lefty’s Deceiver.” Finally, my favorite time to take someone out is during the “pump back bite.” This bite runs from July through October, and occurs when Georgia Power is pumping water up from Lake Sinclair into Oconee. This knocks the shad off the walls of the dam and they come up to the surface. Imagine boiling water with schools of hybrids exploding on the surface all around the boat and ready to take your fly! I encourage you to give this a try, but be warned, it is habit forming! Oconee On The Fly is booking trips for 2018 now! www.oconeeonthefly.com. Mixing fly fishing and conventional tackle gives you the opportunity to learn something new; experience the thrill of catching a hybrid, striper, or largemouth on a fly rod; and still load the boat on conventional tackle after the peak hours of fly fishing. Call Wayne Moore: 706816-4281 or E-MAIL: wmoore1700@ outlook.com
Mix it up with light spinning tackle as well for a great combo trip!
Captain Wayne Moore - Oconee On The Fly, Inc (706)-816-4281 www.oconeeonthefly.com / wmoore1700@outlook.com
FlyFishBlueRidge.com generut@tds.net
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing
It’s Been a Hoot! Contributed By: Jimmy Harris
www.unicoioutfitters.com Unicoi Outfitters, Helen, Georgia
No, I’m not cashing it in. Just wanted to grab your attention and invite you to the Hoot On The Hooch, March 24th at the Helendorf Inn in Helen, GA. It begins around 5 PM and is usually over by 9 PM. Over 25 years ago, a small band of dedicated trout anglers and cold water conservationists came together to found the Georgia Foothills Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Little could we have imagined the things we would get involved with. Lots of on-theground (or in-the-creek) stream conservation work, building stream structures and helping restore native brook trout habitat in the Chattahoochee National Forest. We still do these projects today, but our mission has broadened over time. Consider what this small band of dedicated volunteers is doing these days: • Provide annual financial support to the Youth Education Program at Smithgall Woods. • Actively participate in monthly and seasonal classes and outings for Project Healing Waters. • Provide financial support for Casting for Recovery.
• Supply the equipment and supervision for Trout In The Classroom projects in White and Hall Counties. • Finance scholarships and volunteers for the annual week long Trout Camp every summer at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School for kids 12 to 15 years old. • Volunteer as guides and instructors at DNR’s Outdoor Adventure Day. • Volunteer at the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery. • And, yes, we go fishing! Barring bad weather, we have weekly chapter fishing outings which are open to anyone regardless of whether they are members of Trout Unlimited. Funding for all these activities and projects comes primarily from the annual banquet; The Hoot On The Hooch. It’s a great evening of bar-b-que, music, raffles and auctions. We will also be drawing for the Trout Unlimited Dream Trip at the banquet. Anyone who has an interest in giving back to the resources we all value so much is invited to this family friendly event. See you there!
“...wanted to invite you to the Hoot On The Hooch, March 24th at the Helendorf Inn in Helen, GA. It begins around 5 PM and is usually over by 9 PM.”
All Mounts - First Come, First Served
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2/15/18 3:00 PM
Local Rivers & Fly Fishing
March Fly Fishing Report Well, football season is officially over and the start of spring training is again upon us. The start of baseball season means two things; the Yankees may be close to winning their 28th World Series, and the spring fishing on all our area lakes is about to begin. How the fishing in March will shape up is always a question that nobody can answer definitively. It is clearly THE most unpredictable weather for us living in North Georgia, and if it warms up early, so will the bite. If it doesn’t, then we will wait toward the latter half of the month to begin the spring run and the highly coveted “pre-spawn” striped bass bite. Probably the best advice I can give anglers fishing the lakes in North Georgia during the month of March is twofold: take advantage of the moon phases and take advantage of the pre-frontal systems. Try to plan your trip around both the full and new moon phases for best results. Fish will respond well to both of those moon phases. Also, if you are going to fish before a front moves through the region, in all likelihood you will be rewarded. If you choose to fish postfrontal, you better be happy to just be alive and out on the water rather than sitting behind your desk in the office. In other words, a day of not catching beats a day at work EVERY TIME! We actually have two types of patterns that exist for March. The first is the pre-spawn, which is a big fish pattern. This can take place during the entire month of March. However, this could be delayed if temps stay cool. If someone is going to land a trophy on Lake Lanier (or any North GA impoundment), it is usually done during this time period. Striped bass are seen crashing threadfin shad on the surface in the coves all over the lake. While the fish can be caught on both the north end as well as the south end, I would always give the nod to the north end for this pattern. However, last year the pre-spawn was off the charts on the very south end of Lanier. Look for birds (specifically terns & gulls) to help find these fish. They can be in the backs of the coves in very shallow water or in the mouths of the coves over a 30-40 foot bottom. Either way, they will be feeding on threadfin shad in the 2” to 3” size and possibly herring in the 4” to 5” size range. Fly anglers need be prepared with both a sinking line as well as an intermediate (slow sinking line) in order to cover both just subsurface as well as to twenty feet down. The sinking line comes in handy if you cannot get to the fish while they are on top. The fish on top will make toilet flush type boils on the surface. Fish up into the mid-teens and even pushing into the twenty plus pound range can be seen on the surface at this time of year. The females are fattening up for their spawning run up the river, and this is the beginning of what I call trophy season. Somethin’ Else, Coyotes, Clouser’s and baitfish patterns can all be the ticket this time of year. If you start with the bigger flies and get refusals then simply size down until you get a bite! Look for fish feeding best around first light and last light and during cloudy days and pre-frontal conditions. The second half of the month offers a slightly different pattern to watch for especially if the water temps warm up to near sixty degrees. Now the stripers, largemouth and Kentucky spots will be feeding in the coves, and you will come away with a mixed bag of fish. What I love about the second half of March is the sheer number of bites an angler tossing flies can expect. There are plenty of days where fly anglers can land double digit numbers of fish in a morning or afternoon outing. Spring is in the air at this time of year and the fish start getting very active. Dock light fishing is in full swing too! All the lake’s dock lights will be full of fish. This pattern will exist on all our North GA lakes as the stripers do not know where they live. They are just feeling happy, peppy and bursting with love now that spring is in the air and water temps are rising. For conventional anglers, it’s hard to beat either a 3/8 ounce Fish Head Spin with a fluke attached or simply a weightless fluke thrown on a spinning rod. Also try tossing a Little Cleo to surface feeding fish. Remember these fish are NOT eating on the surface but rather one to three feet under the surface. The
blow ups you visually see on top is just the fish giving a kick with its tail to go back down. For those anglers who have been sitting in their recliners the past two months, now is the time to clean the equipment in preparation of some fabulous March fishing. Get the honey-do list completed and make the time to get out on our area lakes. Spring has sprung and so will the fly fishing for stripers and Kentucky spots! One more note to anglers looking for a good meal; March is also crappie time on all our area lakes. Expect to find these tasty critters in shallow water from two to six feet deep. Fill up a bucket and invite yours truly to a good ole fashioned fish fry! See you on the pond…
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
Can You Keep A Secret? By Capt. Cefus McRae Nuts & Bolts Fishing Series
I’ve done a lot of fishing with charter guides, as well as a lot of weekend warriors, who really know how and where to catch fish. These individuals have spent countless hours on the water, and over the years they have found special places that consistently produce fish. As a charter guide, you’re expected to deliver a fishy adventure day after day. That means you need a lot of “Secret Spots” that you can rely on to produce fish. Not every spot will hold fish year round, so you’ve got to have a huge cache of reliable destinations. My plotter has literally hundreds of ‘Marks’. Some of them are notable spots I can usually pull a fish or two from. It would be easy to get overwhelmed by so many locations, so I’ve made notes and categorized them by season, by weather patterns and by water conditions. Over time, you will begin to see patterns and can use this information to make your days much more productive. It’s what the good guides have been doing for years. But what if you’re new to the area? Maybe you’re exploring a new destination for the first time. How do you decide where to fish, and how to fish that locale? There’s lots of great information available in the form of fishing reports online, and through monthly publications like The Angler Magazine. You have to be careful that the online reports you get are coming from reliable resources, but you can bet what you read in the guide reports in this magazine is about as close to being there as it gets. Personally, I like to read forecasts versus reports. Reports are pasttense. It’s what was biting last week or last month. Forecasts, while they do contain a certain amount of speculation, are based on current trends, experience and years of knowing what the fishing should be like in the near future. Barring some unforeseen weather episode, like a hurricane or unseasonal cold snap, these forecasts can be highly reliable. Combine a forecast with a contemporary report and you’ve got some fantastic intel that will help you narrow down location, lure choice and time of day. Your neighborhood tackle store can be a tremendous resource for contemporary information as well. Stop in, get to know the folks, and spend a little money there. While you’re at the register, ask a few questions about the fishing conditions. They’re usually more than happy to help out. If you want a crash course that will fully saturate you with contemporary knowledge, future forecasts, tackle and bait choices and more, then consider attending a Nuts & Bolts of Fishing Seminar. These are 5 to 7 hour live events where Pro Staffers provide valuable information about local lakes and coastal areas, including exactly where to go at specific times of year to catch fish. If you’d like to know more, check out the Fishing Seminar page at NutsAndBoltsFishing.com. The next event is March 25th at the Anderson Civic Center, and we’ll focus on striper fishing on Lake Hartwell. Here’s a little secret…Hartwell, Murray, Lanier and other Southeastern impoundments all have very similar characteristics when it comes to bass and striper fishing. What works for one, will usually work for the other too. Tight lines and calm seas.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
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LAKE LANIER CRAPPIE Forecast By: Dan Saknini, Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. www.laniercrappieanglers.net Water temperatures are in the low to mid 50’s. That is 10 degrees higher than last week. The backs of the creeks are heavily stained, and that is where you will find the warmest water temps. The lake level went up about a foot in the past week, and the floating debris is abundant all over the lake making navigation hazardous. Be careful, as some logs are water logged and below or even with the water surface. Fishing conditions have improved, but the number one question I get asked is “where is the bait?” A handful of creeks are showing signs of bait. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of the bait that survived the cold are hanging in the channels in deep water, up to 110 foot depths. Sooner than later, the bait will shallow up. With the trash floating and wedged in docks, we are having a hard time getting our jigs past the trash to sink. It is very challenging. But homeowners had to bring their docks in with the rising lake levels, and some of the brush piles that are usually underneath the docks are now on the outer edges of the docks. Take advantage of those locations as they are much easier to fish. With these water temperatures, you can’t help but think the pre-spawn is here.
The crappie are looking for food and are moving more shallow for the spawn. Darker jigs are still recommended in moderate to heavily stained water. One helpful tip: use darker jigs in stained water. In moderate to light stain in the mouths of creeks, use lighter colors. Just experiment. If your fishing partner is using one color, be sure to use a different one until you figure out what they want. Also, don’t use any line heavier than 4 pound test. I use 2 pound test all year long. In summary, we can feel the bite coming on, so go out and enjoy! Fishing should get easier over the next few weeks, so get out on the water, enjoy the warmer weather and catch some fish! Stay safe on the water and wear your life jacket!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts CARTERS LAKE
Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973
lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com
Water temperature: low 50s, lake level: full, clarity: 3-5 feet. March is here and that’s the beginning of a lot of good things on Carters Lake. The stripers are still scattered, but the bait is starting to gather in larger schools as they move into pre-spawn. The best striper bite has been upriver from the island to Ridgeway. Look for the fish in 30 to 60 feet on the edge of the channel. Spoons, jigs, Fish Head Spins and live bait have all been productive in the past few weeks. As the water warms up in March, just follow the bait, and they will lead you to the fish. We target the biggest schools of bait we can
find and cover the water thoroughly. The backs of the creeks are getting worked over by some nice hybrids at first light. We have seen several nice schools busting on shad for about an hour each morning. Look for this action to improve as we move through March. The walleye are moving upriver for their spawning run and can be found in the shallower water getting ready to spawn. Live shad, minnows and jigs tipped with either are great choices for fooling the eager-to-eat walleye. The best bite will be just after they spawn and move back down river to refuel by heavily feeding on the baitfish in the area. The spots are filling up with eggs and seem also ready for their annual spawn. We target the fish that are out in open water this month, as they seem to be actively feeding more than the fish that are setting up to spawn .
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE LANIER SPOTTED BASS Forecast By: Ryan Coleman LanierSpots Pro Guide Service 770-356-4136 Spotted bass fishing is tough. The surface temps are in the mid to upper 40’s, and the lake is 5 feet below full pool. The water level has been very stable now for a few months. Fishing is tough. It’s picking up, but overall, it’s not great. Fish are scattered all over the place in shallow and deep water. There are some good schools out deep in the timber, but you will need to pick and probe all over to catch them. The shallow fish seem a little easier to catch but much harder to find. For the deep fish and fish on the
boat docks, I have been working a 3/16 ounce jighead rigged with a 6” SpotSticker Finesse Stick in Green Pumpkin/Green, Blueback Herring or Electric Shad. They will eat a 3/8 ounce jig out there in the timber, but I can’t get them to eat the jig on the docks right now. Seems like they want a straight worm up shallow. This is a very typical bite for us in February. Once we start to get a few warming days and some consistent sun, they will start to pull up on the shallow docks and you can work a jerkbait or crankbait around the docks and whack them. Just be patient. When the water gets in the mid 40’s, it’s always iffy on Lake Lanier. Good luck out there and be patient.
JACKSON LAKE
By Brian Lee leebrian16 @yahoo.com
Water temperature: 43-49 degrees, water level: full pool, water clarity: stained/muddy. The bass are starting to make their move to spawning areas as the water temp continues to climb. The days are getting longer again and the bass are feeding up before the spawn. Concentrate early morning with search baits
to locate active fish. Main lake points, secondary points and long spawning coves will be the ticket. Crankbaits are one of the best search baits you can own. Once you’ve located fish, you can load the boat with some nice chunky fish. A Senko can catch these fish as well. You just have to slow down for the technique to work. This time of year is one of the best times to catch multiple size fish on a single trip. Till next month, tight lines and remember to introduce a child to the great outdoors
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE NOTTELY STRIPER By: Shane Goebel Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service & The Angler Magazine Fishing Team www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021, 1-844-4-ANGLER
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In like a lion, out like a lamb. This ole folklore is so true for the North Georgia mountains. As early spring approaches and brings with it hard to predict weather patterns, one thing is sure to be consistent, and that is that the fishing keeps getting better on Lake Nottely. For me, March has always been the kickoff to an awesome striper fishing season. With its warmer weather and longer days, it’s my favorite month for fishing. Currently, Lake Nottely is 13 feet below full pool. Water temperatures have been bouncing from the mid 40’s to low 50’s. Water clarity is clear in the main lake and just slightly stained in the backs of creeks. Striper fishing has been super out here lately. We’ve had a very successful January and February. Most of the stripers we are catching have been in the 15 to 30 pound range, and we’re averaging about 10 stripers a trip. This pattern should continue into the month of March and increase as the stripers start their pre-spawn. Continue the same techniques as the previous months, pulling planer boards with live herring and shad in the backs of creeks and around shallow, sloping banks. Make sure you keep your bait close to the surface and work close to the banks. I usually run my shad and bluebacks 15-25 feet behind my planer boards. As you pull boards, it’s always a good idea to work
the banks by casting a Zara Spook or a Red Fin. As the sun comes up, turn your focus to fishing the mouths of creeks, as the stripers will follow bait to deeper water. With pre-spawn in mind, more and more stripers will start to stage in the mouths of creeks in March. Keep an eye on your electronics for schooling stripers, and pay attention to where the bait balls are. I guarantee you, if you find the bait, the stripers will be close by. We’ve also been catching some nice spotted and largemouth bass out here, too. The spotted bass have been schooled up on shallow points and flats around the mouths of creeks. The majority of these nice bass have been caught on our downline bite around 10 to 20 feet deep. March is a fantastic month for catching a lot of stripers and bass on this North Georgia lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of Lake Nottely’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Blairsville, GA’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Hiwassee and Chatuge (in North Carolina), and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, GA. And for all your live bait and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing and have the best live herring around. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in The Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts College Team Living the Dream By: Ryan Kennedy YouTube: Ryan Kennedy Fishing Instagram: ryankfishing ryankfishing@gmail.com
The third month of 2018 is here, and my tournament season is back in full swing. For me that means traveling all over the country with the Kennesaw State University Bass Fishing Team. I am confident that I speak for all of us that we are extremely grateful for the opportunities given to us as college fishermen. Just like the professionals on the tour, there is so much more that goes on beyond the T.V. episode from each tournament. Without the support of companies, organizations, and good people with a passion for the outdoors, none of this would be possible. Starting with the companies, all of those who choose to support college fishing are aware that being in college usually means being on a limited budget. Our team sponsors and many other
companies in the fishing industry are willing to cut into their profits by offering us significant discounts or complementary products to support our journey fishing the many different college tournament trails. Moving on, organizations such as ACA, B.A.S.S. and FLW put on several college tournaments each year that give college fishermen opportunities to compete for monetary prizes and all sorts of fishing equipment. Sounds pretty amazing for someone in college, right? It gets better! These organizations allow us to compete in these tournaments for a ZEROdollar entry fee for each tournament! Finally, we have the people with a passion for the outdoors that have a desire to see college fishing grow as a sport. The people that support us are everyone from family and friends to
total strangers that are happy to see college students pursuing a dream. So, with all the gratitude in the world, THANK YOU! Thank you to all the companies who have helped me personally, college bass fishing teams, and the fishing industry as a whole for making college fishing possible. Thank you to each and every one of the college fishing tournament organizations such as ACA, B.A.S.S., FLW, and many more. Thank you to the families, friends, and anyone who has made sacrifices to support your loved one’s passion or any part of the fishing industry. The fishing industry is growing at an astronomical rate, and I am beyond excited to see how far it will grow in the coming years. With tournament organizations even reaching out to grade-school fishermen to get them involved in the sport of bass fishing, there is no limit in sight for how big
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the fishing industry can grow. I am looking forward to the rest of this fishing season and many more to come in the future. With a grateful heart and eyes on The Lord, I am grateful for the many blessings that have been given to me and those that surround me in college fishing. Tight lines and God Bless!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE MARTIN Forecast By: Capt David Hare 256-401-3089 Alex City Guide Service Well, March is on top of us here on Lake Martin. Not only does it explode with anglers of all types, but it is an awesome month of catching all varieties of fish; the crappie, the bass and the best fighting fish you will ever catch in fresh water, the Lake Martin trophy stripers. You will witness all types of fishing being done in March. There is not a wrong or bad way to fish this month. Some ways may be a little better than others, but none are bad! As always, I will be fishing live bait and most likely be pulling planer boards with large gizzard shad trying to entice that trophy striper to come to the surface for that explosion you all have come to expect
when you fish with us! For that angler that likes the night springtime bite, March produces that too. If the water levels have risen above your favorite underwater lights, then bass along with stripers will most likely be roaming these lighted areas just waiting on you to trigger a strike. If you like super light tackle fishing, then the March crappie fishing here is a must for you. It is nothing unusual in March for each angler on the boat to limit out with some very nice crappie. I’m not going to recommend any certain place on the lake for this month, because I personally find fishing to be good in almost any area of this awesome body of water. Until next time, catch one for me. Keep what you need for a meal and release the rest!
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2018 ATL MARCH .indd 19
MARCH 2018
ATLANTA 19
2/15/18 3:01 PM
Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE LANIER STRIPER
,
EN FISHERM R O F E C INSURAN ISHERMEN BY F
Forecast By: Steve Scott http://TeamLanier.wordpress.com/menu February water temperatures started to rise into the fifties as the month progressed. Stripers remained scattered from shallow on the banks to deep in the channels over the trees. Umbrella Rigs and Mini Macks over 35’ humps and points became the consistent method for catching stripers. Mid-February began the big striper season which would last until midApril. That being said, to get a big striper would require a big bait like a mongo gizzard shad 15” plus or a large trout 12” or more. GO BIG or GO HOME. With these larger baits a stinger hook should be used. Without it there is a chance the striper will dog-bone the bait in the middle and take off with it. I use either a 2x treble hook or a #6 for the hook placing it on one end in the vent with the eye pointing forward with only 1″ of slack in the line and the other end looped over the hook before you put it in the roof of the mouth and out the top of the nose with more hook showing. Target hours for the trophy stripers are between 2pm and 5pm. At this point we should review some rules which will improve your chances of getting a trophy striper. If using trout on a planer board, make the leader a very short leash at 5′ or less. If the fish runs, loosen your drag. Also try to use the rod to slow the fish down by moving from left or right. Take line up when you can and add one click of drag after each run. Here’s where 17-20 pound main line with 15 pound fluorocarbon leader comes in handy on your planer
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boards and directional bobbers. If you are using gizzard shad on freelines, don’t stop the boat when a fish is on; speed up when making turns. If the gizzard shad surfaces near the planer board, let more line out or reel in several turns, then stop. This may cause a strike. Concentrate your efforts over flats, humps, points and sandy beaches. Pitch a blueback herring near the planer board if the shad surfaces. Locations to try are just outside of the Gainesville Marina buoys by putting out a couple of directional bobbers over an 80’ bottom with a striper fly like a Clouser Minnow 20-30 feet behind the bobber. Umbrella Rigs should be used over 35’ humps throughout the lake and especially at the crossing of Balus and Flat Creeks. Use downlines and directional bobbers over the trees in Flat Creek. Don’t forget flatline trolling on main lake points and humps. Go to my blog for the flatline chart. TIP OF THE MONTH: Are you equipment ready for the trophy striper? Be sure to have a MH rod coupled with a reel capable of holding at least 300 yards of line in the event you get spooled. See more information at TeamLanier.wordpress. com/menu.
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2018 ATL MARCH .indd 20
MARCH 2018
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MARCH 2018
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
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MARCH 2018
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Lake Lanier in March – Fishing the Winter Transition
Contributed By: Jim “Jimbo” Mathley www.jimboonlanier.com Fishing during March can provide some interesting opportunities, and often anglers struggle during this transition period. The largemouth will be soon to spawn, and the spots will begin to stage in preparation for the spawn. The lake level is rising quickly and the winter temperatures have been colder than normal so far in 2018. This will provide some different opportunities for this March as we should find different trends and patterns this spring as a result of the weather trends. Let’s explore how to address the winter to spring transition on Lanier in these unusual weather and water conditions. Optimal Conditions: There are a few things to consider when you begin fishing during this time of year. You will be fishing the pre-spawn in March, so let’s start with the end in mind and review the spawning habits of both the largemouth and spots. The largemouth in the lake will physically go on the bed at water temperatures of 58-60 degrees. The spotted bass tend to spawn a bit later when the water temperatures reach 62 degrees or above. Typically, the fish spawn in “waves”, rather than all at once. After the first “wave” of fish completes their spawning routine, there will be fish in all stages of the spawn (pre, spawn, and post) for the next 3045 days, depending on the weather conditions and water temperatures. Further, it is important to understand that many fish that spawn in “waves” as mentioned above, do so during a favorable moon phase, given the noted water temperature requirements are met. The full and new moon phases often prompt fish to move into their spawning routine. Until those conditions are met, fish will be staging and feeding up in preparation for this process. So, where do we need to look? Location: The largemouth in Lake Lanier tend to spawn shallower than do the spotted bass. The largemouth can be found bedding in creek pockets, often in the back of these pockets in a protected area. They will position themselves next to a piece of cover such as a blow down tree or stump for security and are often in 3 feet of water or less. Look around
docks in shallow water for these fish as well as stumps and adjacent blow downs. The spotted bass can frequently be found in similar areas, but often prefer a hard bottom type area, such as that a clay flat can provide. And again, the spots will typically spawn deeper than do the largemouth and can be found in 6-15 feet of water and even deeper. Unlike most largemouth, there are a contingency of the spotted bass that will spawn on the main lake. These fish can be found on or around humps, points and sandy saddles between islands on the main lake. These females are often some of the biggest fish in the lake. Until the time when the fish spawn in these areas, fish key features adjacent to these spawning areas. Secondary points and docks often provide great staging areas for these fish and become a prime target this time of year. The spots will be in the same types of places to spawn and will stage in similar areas as well. Lures and Presentation: Now that we have explored the location that fish can be found during the spawn, let’s examine some of the techniques and lures that can be used to catch these fish. 1. Jerkbaits - A great choice as the water warms out of the 40’s and into the 50’s. Work these baits around docks, points and over humps. A SPRO McStick is a good option. Experiment with cadence to find the right retrieve speed and pause cycle. The colder the water, the longer the pause. 2. SuperSpin – This bait from SuperFish Baits in the ¼ ounce size is an excellent choice to work in shallow creek ditches as well as in and around secondary points and docks. Experiment with trailer size and type. Either a Super Fluke Jr. or a boot-tail type trailer such as a Zoom Swimming Fluke are good places to start. 3. Crankbait – Excellent choice to cover water in the back of creeks and pockets as well as around secondary point, docks, and flats. Try the SPRO Little John Series in varying depth ranges and at variable speeds until you find the best one for the day’s
conditions. 4. Worm/jig – Always an option in the springtime. A Chattahoochee Jig on rocky/clay secondary points and around docks is always a good choice for spots or largemouth. If the fish are ultrafinicky, don’t forget the old Carolina Rig to present your soft-plastics. Drag or drift this rig slowly over secondary points or spawning flats for some potentially awesome results. Also, when fishing a Picasso Shake Down and worm combo, consider using a lighter jig-head. I often choose a 1/8 ounce head or lighter to target spawning fish. I will often tip this with a 4 inch worm as opposed to a traditional offering of 6 inches or more. I often work the baits slowly in this situation to trigger strikes. While the winter to spring/early spawn can be a challenging time of year to catch fish, it can be awesome if you remain versatile and openminded in your approach. Use the tips and techniques noted above to guide your fishing during the spawn and you will enjoy some great
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success. See you on the water! Jimbo is a Full-Time, Year-Round spotted bass guide on Lake Lanier. For more information or to book your trip, contact Jimbo on Lanier! 770-542-7764. Jimbo’s Website: www.jimboonlanier.com
MARCH 2018
ATLANTA 23
2/15/18 3:04 PM
Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE ALLATOONA STRIPER/HYBRID
Lake Allatoona should be around 835 feet which is 5 feet below full pool. It may be too early to tell, but the warmer February weather allowed water temps to recover nicely and the shad kill has pretty much ended for 2018. The upper end of the lake was stained a few weeks ago by a couple inches of heavy rain. More rain could keep the northern part of the lake turbid, but if it dries out some, clarity will improve as the days get longer and things warm up. White bass and crappie will be headed up towards Canton as well as Rope Mill and Allatoona Creek. Some hybrid and striper are likely right on their heels as the water warms into the 50’s and stays there. Our baitfish population, primarily threadfin shad, will start moving from the depths of the main lake into the shallower areas of creeks
to catch the warming rays of the sun and to gain some nourishment on plankton in the water. Gizzard shad will begin migratory runs wherever they can find current. Give it a couple more weeks before the bigger striper start showing up in the same areas. Planer boards and downlines around the mouths of creeks like Kellogg, Illinois, Clear, Stamp, and the Clark/Tanyard complex will produce fish. Based on what your electronics tell you, fish your downline depths accordingly slightly above the fish you see. As the days continue to warm and we get close to pollen time, some fish will stay in the top five feet of the water column making them nearly impossible to detect on your fishfinders. Large gizzard shad and planer boards will be the way to capitalize on these big, roaming predators. If you choose to head up the rivers, live and cut bait either drifted with the current, or fished on bottom while anchored or tied off will produce fish. Swim a big bait out on a balloon to entice one of Allatoona’s
30-plus pound beasts! For lure action, the spoon bite should still be going wherever you can find good concentrations of baitfish over water that’s 20 or more feet deep. Vertical jigging with a Flex-It or Capt Mack spoon can, at times, catch more fish than live bait. You likely won’t have the size of fishing a 12 inch gizzard shad, but it can be a lot of fun. Umbrella rigs trolled around schools of bait at 2.5-3 mph will be a great way to get that tug as well. As usual, chartreuse, white, and pink are Allatoona’s go-to colors. We should
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Local Lakes & Forecasts TRACTORS! TRACTORS! TRACTORS!
LAKE LANIER STRIPERS Forecast by: Clay Cunningham www.catchingnotfishing.com 770-630-2673 March is finally here and it is time for spring. Two patterns will develop in March. Some of the stripers will be in the creeks and some of the stripers will be in open water. It is hard to say which will be holding more fish. The stripers in the creeks will be feeding on shad and herring. The stripers in the main channel will be feeding on herring. For best results, rig up several freeline rods. The proper setup for the herring is a 7 foot Shakespeare Striper rod paired with a Penn Squall 20LC reel spooled with 15-pound Trilene Big Game line. Tie on a five foot 12-pound Trilene 100% Flourocarbon leader, Spro Power Swivel and a 1/0 Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap hook. For the shad, use the same Shakespeare rod and
Penn reel setup but use a 4/0 to 6/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook depending on the size shad. At times, a stinger hook like a size 1 Gamakatsu treble is also necessary if the shad is 10 inches or more. Drop these baits back a 100 feet with no weight. At times, a balloon is also necessary to keep the bait near the surface. Planer boards like the Water Bugz Boards are also key to keeping the baits spread out. If you prefer artificials, cast a Spro 3/8 ounce Prime Bucktail in the back of the creeks. If the fish are very shallow, go to a 1/4 ounce Spro Prime Bucktail. If the water is stained, throw the chartreuse Prime Bucktail. If the water is clear, throw the white Prime Bucktail. The Capt. Mack Farr jig is also a great option. Cast these bucktails on a 7 foot medium Penn spinning rod paired with a Penn Conflict 3000 or Penn Battle 3000. Ten pound green Trilene Big Game is the standard line. The most common mistake is too heavy of a line.
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MARCH 2018
ATLANTA 25
2/15/18 3:05 PM
Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE BURTON
Forecast by: Capt. Wes Carlton Georgia Lake Fishing 770-318-9777 www.georgialakefishing.com Water temperature: 43 degrees, lake level: 7 feet low, clarity: slight stain Bass: The bass are deep. The spoon bite has been very productive around brush piles and in the middle of pockets. We have been using a chartreuse or gold Flex-It 5/10 spoon. Try targeting 28 to 35 feet of water. There have been a few fish showing up on red clay banks mid-day to midafternoon. A chrome jerk bait has been the ticket for these fish. This pattern should continue for the next few weeks. Hopefully we will see a rise in water temps for the spring topwater bite! Walleye: The walleye are making their way up the creek channels toward the spawning
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grounds. Trolling fire tiger/crawfish crankbaits or free-lining medium shiners works well this time of year. Try keeping the boat speed around 1.7 to 2.2 mph. Targeting water less than 18 feet deep has been working best. Another good technique this time of year is a crawler harness. We will use these for the next month or so. We use split shots to achieve our acquired depth on the crawler harnesses this time of year. https:// goo.gl/images/3ri6zg Trout: The trout bite has been a little slow lately and should rebound over the next week or so with all of the recent rains bringing fresh nutrients into the lake. Try looking for trout towards the backs of the creeks in 8 to 12 feet of water. Casting a small Rapala Countdown seems to work best. We have been catching some yellow perch and chain pickerel while fishing for trout. Good Luck!
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2018 ATL MARCH .indd 26
MARCH 2018
Located about two hours north of Atlanta, Lake Blue Ridge plays host to some of North Georgia’s best smallmouth and bass fishing. This beautiful 3,300-acre body of water produces some awesome trophy smallmouth, and March is a great month to hit the water. Currently, Lake Blue Ridge is 24 feet below full pool. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s. Water clarity is clear in the main lake and stained in the creeks and rivers. We have been catching a lot of smallmouth and spotted bass all over the lake, with the majority of our smallmouth being caught in the Toccoa River area. Target these fish off rocky points, ledges, and shallow humps around the lake. Also, focus on working the banks that the early morning sun hits first. We’ve been pulling planer boards with live blueback herring early. It’s
also a great idea to set out a couple of freelines 100 to 120 feet behind the boat while you pull planer boards. When the sun really comes up in the mid-morning hours, we’ll switch to downlining live blueback herring. Most of our fish have been caught in the 30 to 40-foot range. This really seems to be the best technique for the larger smallmouth but not until the sun really gets up. Look for large schools of smallmouths in the Toccoa River and Star Creek area. Live bait seems to be the key out here lately, but a jigging spoon and shaky head can’t be ruled out this time of year. March is a fantastic month for catching some very big fish on this lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 guide service put you on some of Lake Blue Ridge’s best trophy fish. And, for all your live bait and tackle needs, go check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing. Now bundle up, hit the water, and go “get your fish on”! Good luck!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Pay Attention to Your Surroundings Contributed By: Jay Striker www.jaystriker.com I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have been so anxious to go fish and never stopped to take the time to read the surroundings that would have clued me in on what the fish might be doing. Knowing how to pay close attention to what is happening will give you the ability to put a pattern together much faster and also keep you safe on the water too. I want to shed some light on some of the patterns I have started to look for while going to the lake, while on the lake, and things that help keep me safe on the water by being aware of my surroundings. We all have heard old sayings or superstitions that lead us to believe that fishing will be good today or not so good. One old saying from years past was “If on the way to the lake, you see the cows laying down, the fish are not going to bite, and to go back home.” Even though I may not believe it, for some reason when I’m on the way to the lake and I pass a field of cows, somehow that thought comes to mind. Is this just a coincidence, or could it be that Mother Nature is trying to tell me something? Whatever the case, there are some things I do look at when I’m heading to the lake. Where I live we have a lot of power generating dams that have big smoke towers bellowing steam or smoke from them. Each time I’m near one heading to the lake, I always check to see what direction that smoke is flowing, and more importantly, how fast it’s moving. I know that if that smoke/steam is hovering around the same height as the tower and shifting to the west, it could mean bad weather is on the way. Another sure sign that bad weather is coming is hearing a lot of static on an AM radio station that you are used to getting clearly. When on the water, how am I supposed to adjust to the changing conditions on the lake? Just pay attention to the sky as it holds all of the keys to what the conditions are and what is coming. Some examples are: When the winds start to move
in a counter clockwise motion (east to northeast) is another sign the weather is changing for the worse. A distinct ring around the moon means high winds could be present. One of the easiest signs to notice is if you can see the backs of the leaves on the trees when the wind is blowing, then bad weather is heading right for you. One of the oldest sayings when it comes to fishing is “Wind from the north, don’t go forth. Wind from the east, fish bite least. Winds from the south, blows the bait in the fish’s mouth. Wind from the west, fish bite the best.” Of all of the wise sayings in fishing, I think this one I believe the most. Weather plays a huge part in the success of a fishing day. Paying attention to your surroundings and understanding the small things will help you decide what to do. Mother Nature has a way of educating us all, and we need to take a little time to be silent and listen when Mother Nature is talking. Pay attention to everything going on around you as it may help you make better adjustments to catch more fish and make it safely back to shore.
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ATLANTA 27
2/15/18 3:06 PM
Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE SINCLAIR
Forecast By: Ken Sturdivant ken@southernfishing.com Lake Sinclair is down .88 feet with the water clear and the temperature in the 50’s. Bass fishing is fair. The lake is stained to muddy with surface temperatures ranging from 47 to 51 degrees. Only two patterns produce a few fish. Use a football jig in deep water around creek and river ledges,
humps, points and roadbeds. Also, use crankbaits in two to seven feet of water around docks, grass lines and shallow ditches. Some productive crankbaits have been the Rapala #5 Shad Rap in chartreuse and pearl and the Bomber Flat A in a fire tiger color pattern. Fish them as slowly as you can, using the stop and go retrieve. Our extended forecast calls for rain with cold air temperatures.
LAKE CHATUGE
Eric Welch Welch’s Guide Service www.welchsguideservice. com 706-455-2323 Water temperature: 43-45 degrees, lake level: 7.3 feet low, clarity: clear. Bass: The fishing has been tough with the crazy cold weather we’ve had the past month. There have been some pockets that have frozen over, and there has been a shad kill. I’ve been starting my mornings fishing deep, rocky banks and seawalls with a Floatn-Fly and a jig head with a tiny fluke. Another new bait to try with the water this cold is a Z-Man Ned Rig. There is still some deep structure in the lake and laydowns that you can throw a jig and a shaky head in green pumpkin around. If it’s a warm sunny day, I’m going to throw an A-Rig around docks leading into small rocky spawning areas, which will warm up faster during the day. The same areas are also good this time of year for a Strike King Red Eye Shad, 4XD crankbait and a jerkbait. With your electronics, you will see fish suspending and on the bottom. You can target these fish with a spoon and VMC moon-eye jig with a Tiny Fluke. As the lake starts warming up, you will start seeing the largemouth bass move up in the back of sunny pockets. We have some exciting news; On September 20-23, Lake Chatuge will be hosting the Bassmaster Angler of the Year Tournament. The top 50 best pros of 2018 will be competing on a lake in 28 ATLANTA
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north Georgia. This means you are probably going to see pros like Kevin VanDam, Michael Iaconelli, Skeet Reese, Brandon Palaniuk, Jacob Wheeler, Greg Hackney and others competing for the championship which will pay out $1 million dollars with $100 thousand going to first place. So if you looking to come up and watch the weigh-ins, you better start booking your rooms now. Give Welch’s Guide Service a call. We’re your #1 guide service. We’ve been guiding since 2001.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
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Kayak Korner
by Will Clements Outside World Outfitters Nucanoe Fishing Team Instagram: @rivermaverick @ riverrenegades
Getting Your Kayak Ready for Spring It’s been a rough winter here in Georgia. Between the bitter cold, snow, and now heavy rains, we’re all feeling the effects of cabin fever. Here are some things that you can do to make sure you and your kayak are ready for warmer weather. First, a good scrub and rinse. It’s always good to give it a wash to keep it looking fresh and to keep dirt and grime build up from affecting your kayak’s vital functions. Be sure to check hatch gaskets for dry rot and make sure the inside of the hull is aired out to prevent mold and mildew. After washing your kayak, try wiping it down with an aerospace protectant such as 303 or Armor All. This acts as a sunscreen for your kayak and keeps the plastic from breaking down during long sunny days on the lake. After washing, go through and check all the parts and accessories to make sure they are in working order. (Double check your drain plug.) Be sure to check deck bungees. If you left them pulled tight all winter, they might not hold things down very well this summer. It’s always a good idea to store your kayak with all bungees loose so that they don’t lose their elasticity. Also, consider storing your kayak with the hatches open to keep the gaskets from being flattened and losing their seal. If you need to replace any parts, now is the time to do it. Once your kayak is all good to go, check through your other essentials to make sure they haven’t dry rotted or walked off. These are things like your paddle or pedal drive, your PFD, whistle, headlamp or light source, etc. Rats and mice
seem to love eating/nesting in PFD’s left outside, so be sure to check for those; you wouldn’t want any furry hitchhikers on your first trip. Now that all the dirty work is done, it’s time to go through the fun stuff: rods, reels, tackle boxes/ milk crates, etc. Wipe down your rods to remove any dirt, and be sure to check line guides for any nicks or scratches from last year. You can run a Q-tip through the guides to clean them and find any sharp edges or chips that may need smoothing out or replacing. Be sure to clean and lube your reels and re-spool new line on any reel that needs it. Then go through your tackle boxes to check for any terminal tackle that may have rusted. It’s always a good idea to store your tackle trays open in a dry place when you’re not using them. As kayak fishermen, our tackle does tend to get wet more often than folks in big boats, so be sure to be extra vigilant in this area. Check out Plano’s Hydro-flo tackle boxes that allow baits to dry out in the box, or make your own with a small drill bit. Water tight tackle boxes can also work, but I have found that I end up putting a wet bait back in the box and sealing it up, which ends up sealing its rusty fate. If you find any broken or missing parts that need replacing, feel free to come see me and the crew at Outside World Outfitters in Dawsonville. We’ll do our best to get you ready for the warmer weather, and if you’re in the market for a new kayak for this fishing season, you can try out any of our kayaks in our indoor pool!
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Local Lakes & Forecasts A Great Place To Stay In Blue Ridge.
KIM’S KITCHEN
Grandma’s Quail Ingredients • 8 quail • garlic powder to taste • salt and ground black pepper to taste • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup shortening ( I use oil) • 1/4 cup water • 1/2 cup sour cream
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Heat the shortening (oil) in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over mediumhigh heat. ( cast iron works well ) 2. Season the quail with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Place the flour in a shallow dish; roll the quail in the flour. 3. Working in batches, brown the quail on all sides in the preheated shortening. Place the browned quail in a large roasting pan or casserole dish; pour the water over the quail and cover with aluminum foil. 4. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C), taken in the thickest part of the thigh. Spoon the sour cream over the quail. Allow the sour cream to melt before serving. This recipe can easily adapted to an outdoor grill or a campfire.
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LAKE OCONEE
Ken Sturdivant ken@southernfishing.com Lake Oconee is full with water temperatures in the 40’s. The lake is muddy up the river, stained from Sugar Creek up to I-20, and clear in Richland Creek and on the south end. Bass fishing is slow. The best bite lately has come on the spoon fished on the humps and road beds on the south end of the lake. Use your Lowrance to locate the fish on the sides of the humps and then drop a spoon into them. You can also find some fish in the river bend area of the lake just off the river channel. They will be as deep as 30 feet. Some of the bigger fish have come in this area. Some fish are starting to show up under docks off the main channel. They a coming on jigs fished up under the docks very slowly. Striper fishing is fair. The best fishing has been in the middle of
the lake from Lick Creek to River Bend. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools and you can catch them with spoons and live bait. I have been using bass minnows, but shad will also work. You can use the birds to locate some bait, and the stripers will be close by. The afternoons have been a little better as far as production. The good thing now is the fish are big. Crappie fishing is slow. The fish have moved into deeper water and out to the mouths of the creeks. I have seen some fish come from as deep as 30 feet just off the channel in the main lake. These deeper fish are coming on minnows fished just off the river channel. The timber in Sugar Creek has been the best producer in the last few days. You can also find fish between the bridges in Lick Creek. If the water warms up, the fishing will improve. Make sure to stop by Sugar Creek Marina and pick up your spoons and all your tackle needs.
by River Walker Blairsville, GA I’ve always enjoyed fishing in the fall and winter. This is when the brown trout come out of the streams and creeks to spawn in the larger rivers. The brown trout pictured is 28 inches long and has a hooked jaw to show it is a male. All anglers have their favorite flies. Mine are a #6 or 8 olive bead head Wooly Worm and a #12 tan bead head Hare’s Ear.
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Wall of Fame
Win A Free Angler Magazine Cap! A Angler Magazine cap will be given away each month for the best reader submitted photo!
WINNER! Josh Thornton with the North GA Crappie Anglers with a pair of Lanier big ones
Gary Black from Hendersonville, NC with a giant 38-pound striper caught on Lake Nottely fishing with Big Ol Fish Guiding Service
Chris Hughes with a pair of Allatoona stripers caught on artificial baits on a guide trip with Orion Fishing Charters
Matt Fulton with a huge cottonmouth he killed while duck hunting in January!
Larry Frazier with the North GA Crappie Anglers with a big 2-pound Lanier crappie
Tony and Jean Maddox holding Jean’s 26-pound red snapper caught at Panama City. Colin McCulley caught this catfish at a small farm pond just outside Milledgeville on a black Wooly Bugger and was using a 5wt rod
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New IGFA Observer Training in Mattituck, Long Island
Photo courtesy of Casa Vieja Lodge, Guatemala ver wonder what it would be like to sit on a big, beautiful sportfishing boat and watch a top-notch crew work their magic against monster marlin and schools of sailfish? Can you hear the lines going off? Can you hear yourself screaming “release!” Then you’re ready to become an observer. All observers must take the IGFA Observer Training Course. It takes about four hours, it’s a great way to meet other fishing enthusiast and there’s no test or exam. The International Game Fish Association will conduct an observer training courses in New York on Long Island at Strong’s Water Club and Marina in Mattituck, Long Island, New York on Saturday, May 19. The half-day session teaches observer responsibilities and duties, billfish identification, and IGFA’s International Angling Rules. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., includes a training manual, two DVD’s, a one-year IGFA membership and costs just $150. Take the course, and observe in luxurious resorts in Aruba, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To learn more, go to igfto.org. To sign up, go to igfa.org/Educate/ Observer-Training.aspx.
E
By Doug Haddaway
Photo courtesy of Capt. Mike Weinhoffer
For more about the Dry Tortugas, go to
CRYSTALSALTWATERS.COM
By Chris Scalley
North GA’s Full Service Fly Shop
W
ith spring in the air, anglers are finally ready to shake the dust off their fly gear and hit the river to remedy that cabin fever. Anticipation of the first dry fly action of the season gets all fly fishermen fired up! But hold your horses. Let’s really think about the aquatic bug lifecycle. For advanced invertebrates like caddisflies or black flies, the sequence of stages are egg, larvae, pupae, adult. With more primitive insects like mayflies and stoneflies, the cycle goes egg, larvae (nymph) then adult. Early spring, usually March in the South, is the starting point for most aquatic invertebrate’s initial emergence. Anglers should
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focus on the middle stages like larvae, nymphs and pupae, which are most readily available to the trout. Even though you might see a rise here and there, you will likely catch more and bigger fish on subsurface patterns such as nymphs and wet flies. I have always agreed with my clients that one fish on a dry is worth 10 on nymphs, but at the end of the day, most folks just want to catch a lot of fish. Over most of the southern waters, the best dry fly fishing won’t begin in earnest until a little later in spring. That’s when trout will key in on adult and pupal stages of hatching insects on the river. Then it will be very handy to know about rise forms created by trout and fly fishing the “surface” and “surface film” with dry flies.
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By Will Robinson
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hoosing the right fly reel can really make your head spin. From basic drags to sealed-disk braking systems, the prices and quality vary dramatically. My gut always tells me to get the best that I can. Buy it once and you won’t be replacing it in a couple of years. While this typically holds true for fly reels, there are instances when it can be overkill. If you are looking for an inshore 8-weight and will be typically chasing snook in the backcountry, the need for
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a reel with a silky smooth drag and 300 yards of backing is pointless. You will likely be fighting most fish within 50 feet of you. And much of the time, you’ll be hand-lining them and have no need for a fancy drag system. In these situations, the reel is more of a line holder and can be much less expensive than their highly tuned cousins. A good starting point is deciding if you need a sealed drag reel. They are nice, and most are very well made with super smooth drags, but that comes at a price. A great advantage of these reels is that they are virtually maintenance free. The sealed drag keeps water out, so rinse them down well after fishing and, you are pretty much done. The negative is they are typically higher-end reels and a bit pricey. For nearly two decades I have fished with non-sealed drags and have never had an issue, but I need to do a little more maintenance and cleaning on those reels. Also, if you primarily fish from a boat where dunking a reel is not likely, this could be a great way to save some dough. Another important question is size, which often has to do with how much backing you think you will need. Since the tackle is lighter, it’s nice to have the line for long runs when fishing open areas, but again, if you typically fish tight spots there might not be a need for 300 yards of backing. Conversely, if you are looking to chase large tarpon or go offshore, you need plenty of backing. Larger arbors are great, even with limited backing. They allow you to pick up line at a much faster pace, making life easier on both the fish and fisher. Finally, opt for ported reels, as they are lighter and allow your backing to dry much faster. This is important for the longevity of the line. Smooth drags and plenty of backing are always nice. But be honest with yourself, this is an instance in which you can save a considerable amount of weight and money depending on the type of fishing you will be doing. Will Robinson is a seasoned tournament angler and has been writing about fishing for more than two decades. His picks for the best reels can be found at Galvanflyreels.com and Nautilusreels.com.
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2/16/18 9:26 AM
By CAM Staff
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o many inshore anglers, springtime means flatfish, and there’s no destination fishery more closely associated with giant doormat flounder than Murrells Inlet, S.C. When waters begin to warm into the mid 70s, the inlet fills up with glass minnows, pogies and mullet. Flounder follow the bait, and they’ll set up in ambush points waiting for an easy meal. Murrells Inlet becomes the epicenter on the Atlantic coast for anglers seeking tasty flatfish. Most years, the flounder bite begins as early as April and will reach its peak in June. But flounder aren’t the only game in town. The same influx of bait draws all sorts of gamefish into this closed system of marshes and backwater creeks. Speckled trout fishing heats up, and as the crabs get more active on the flats, large schools of tailing redfish provide excellent sight fishing opportunities on light tackle as well as on the fly. With lures,
For more information on fishing, golfing and the Inlet Sports Lodge at Murrells Inlet, S.C., go to www.inletsportslodge.com/ or call 877-585-9360.
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flies or live bait, the grass edges, creeks and oyster bars offer an almost surefire shot at an inshore slam of flounder trout and reds, and hard-pulling black drum will likely be in the mix as well. In the sound, there is even more sight fishing to be done. Triple tail and some big sharks will be taking advantage of all that bait. There’s good news from the federal fisheries managers, too. After almost a year of no harvest, cobia are again fair game. There is not much in fishing as exciting as spotting and casting to cruising cobia, but big bull reds definitely give them a run for their money in terms of pure strength. Along with the famous fall run, bull reds show up at Murrells Inlet in spring. Fish in the 20- to 40-pound range are a common occurrence. Outside the inlet, with a run of just a few miles, the nearshore reefs can be easily accessed, even on a half-day trip. Mackerel, sharks, black sea bass, reds, flounder, bluefish, spadefish and more make for an exciting cooler-filling outing. A little farther out, there is excellent trolling for king and Spanish mackerel, cobia and amberjack, as well as bottom fishing for snappers, groupers and sea bass. And serious anglers should look into a full-day or overnight trip to the Gulf Stream. From 55 to 70 miles offshore, opportunities for tuna, dolphin, wahoo, marlin and sailfish abound. Trolling the Gulf Stream for big-game species off the lower end of the Grand Strand is tough to beat anywhere. If all that fishing isn’t enough to pique your interest, the area is also world famous for its golf courses, and there’s a vacation destination on the inlet that caters specifically to the needs of anglers and golfers. Located at the heart of Murrells Inlet, the Inlet Sports Lodge is a comfortable and classy boutique hotel with the finest amenities in the area. It’s minutes away from three marinas, works closely with the area’s best charter captains and can accommodate boats up to 25 feet. There’s a fish cleaning room for prep, as well as gas and charcoal grills available in the courtyard to cook your catch. Or, for those who’d rather let someone else do the cooking, the COSTA Coastal Kitchen and Bar on-site offers up fine, fresh Italian and seafood fare. There are also several other restaurants nearby that prepare the kind of delicious right-out-ofthe-water dishes that have made Murrells Inlet the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” If days on the water paired with a days on the links sounds like the perfect way to relax, the Inlet Sports Lodge has you covered. With golf packages booking a wide variety of the Grand Strand’s famous courses, there’s more golf than you can swing a stick at, including two award-winning courses with the same ownership as the Inlet Sports Lodge. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Plantation are two of the finest courses in the area as well as the nation.
For more fishing at Murrells Inlet, go to
ANGLERSLIFE.CO MARCH 2018
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ver the last five years, Columbia, South Carolina’s Lower Saluda River has been on the rise as a trout fishery. Fed by the cold waters of Lake Murray, it took work by South Carolina DNR as well as habitat improvements to turn what once was a purely put-and-take fishery into viable year-round tailwater trout fishery. With improved dissolved oxygen levels and a new flow program, anglers began catching large holdover fish back in 2012. Where stocked rainbows were once expected to die off during summer months, rainbows and browns are now thriving throughout the year. Trout exceeding 20 inches in length are now a real possibility for anglers fishing the tailwater. South Carolina stocks this stretch of river with about 18,000 rainbow and brown trout by helicopter in winter. Regulations allow for no bait or tackle restrictions, and there is a daily harvest limit of five trout per day, per person. It would be interesting to see how stricter regulations might affect the fishery. That’s exactly what South Carolina DNR has proposed. In February, public meetings were held to provide information and gauge opinions on a catch-and-release-only section of the Saluda. A 1.3-mile special catch-and-release zone has been proposed on the river’s nearly 10-mile run from the dam at Lake Murray to its convergence with the Broad River. Regulations would remain unchanged for the rest of the Lower Saluda. For information or to submit comments on the proposed plan, see www.dnr.sc.gov.
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Angler Chuck Hanford and Capt. Alex with a 60-pound roosterfish released on the Harvester in February.
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he 2018 season is in full swing in Nosara, Costa Rica. The five boats of the FishingNosara team have already run 225 trips since our season kicked-off in November, and show no signs of slowing down. As usual, the flagship Wanderer has led the charge with great action this season. One of our favorite anglers Leah Merryfield helped the Wanderer ring in the New Year with a great day of action on Jan. 1. Capt. William found a 40-plus-pound dorado lurking offshore, and Miss Merryfield was there to land the monster. Mate Johnny had his work cut out for him to filet this big green beast. With dinner on ice, Mike battled a big sailfish all the way in for the release. Filets for the table and another trophy release for the scrapbook… that’s a perfect day of fishing to kick off 2018. On Jan. 9, Soren and Marianne Dalberg-Pedersen had a big day with
Capt. William, highlighted by a pair of awesome marlin releases. They added a big dorado for the icebox, and all of this happened on just a fivehour, half-day trip! Our big battleship Discoverer also has been delivering big fish and big smiles. Our dear friend Jerome McKown continues to add to his FishingNosara Hall of Fame resume with a great day of action for his group on Feb. 1. After a sweet sailfish release, these Texas anglers scored a nice yellowfin tuna with a baitcaster reel he brought from home. Ryan McPherson joined Capt. Carlos and had the best five-hour trip you can imagine on Jan. 31. First up was a big blue marlin release. The blue water kept producing with an excellent sailfish backed up by a tasty yellowfin tuna. Our newest weapon, the 32-foot Eduardono mega-panga Harvester, has already redefined the potential of panga fishing in Central America. After three full days of fishing, angler Chuck Hanford saved the best for last with a mammoth roosterfish release on his final day of action on Feb. 5. This monster was a legitimate 60 pounds, proven by Captain Alex’s Bogagrip. Great work by the mega-panga to photograph and release this monster. Meanwhile, our smaller pangas, the Explorer and Adventurer, are delivering the best bang-for-your-buck fishing action in all of Central America. The Explorer put on a show for Maurycy Krzastek, of Poland, with a wonderful day of action on Jan. 12. The fish were fired-up as the Explorer released not one but two mighty marlins. This amazing feat was backedup with plenty of dorado, so these boys will be well fed. Great work by Capt. Fico! The Adventurer scored a swarm of permit, snappers and yellowfin tuna on Jan. 6. Want to have ceviche, sushi and filets all in one meal? Capt. David is known for delivering a wide variety of edible delights every time he hits the water. Daily updates on the team’s catches are available at blog.fishingnosara.com and on the major social media platforms.
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By TAM Staff
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his is the time of year when crappie anglers flock to the water. The predictability and seemingly never-ending abundance of these tasty fish make them a springtime tradition with a community feel. No one’s going to fight you for crappie; there are plenty for everyone. Here are a few tips to help you load a cooler this spring. • Fish The Right Areas: This time of year, crappie are either shallow or thinking about moving shallow, depending on where you fish. With warming waters, the spring spawn will find them right up on the banks in water as shallow as 1 ½ feet. Explore backs of the creeks that feed reservoirs or the flats adjacent to creek channels. Crappie use those channels to travel in and out of their spawning areas, so they’ll be stacked up in shallow brush near those slightly deeper areas when they move up. They’ll be holding in those slightly deeper channels before and after the spawn. • Brush, Brush, Brush: The necessity for cover cannot be overstated. Crappie seek out hard bottoms with abundant cover to hide and
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protect their beds. Laydowns on the bank, shallow docks, timber and brush stacked up by currents, angler-placed brush in shallow water, all of it will hold spawning crappie as long as there is firm bottom for them to build their nests and something to conceal them. • Tactics: Male crappie are usually the target when fishing during the spawn. Males are the ones that guard the beds, and while they are in protector mode they are aggressive. They are not necessarily feeding; they are attacking. Minnows under a float are the traditional bait for crappie fishing, and it is a tactic that works any time of year. But during the spawn, minnows can actually hurt your productivity because fishing them out of the livewell and hooking them up is time consuming. If they will take a jig, there is no reason not to use one. Jigs are just more efficient. This time of year, bright and gaudy colors are the way to go. Angry fish don’t need to be enticed into feeding, just getting their attention is often enough to make them strike. Whether you’re vertical jigging thick cover or casting to the banks, move quickly until you find crappie and then slow down to catch all of them that will bite. • Remember: When you find a good spot, mark it on the graph or remember where it is. Crappie know where to go to spawn successfully and comfortably. They will utilize the same areas year after year, and so should you. This holds true on a short-term basis also. Catch a limit one day, and you might think you’ve fished a particular bank out. Don’t count on it. Those good spawning sites reload. New fish will move in to take the place of the ones you took home to the fryer. That spot is worth checking again as early as tomorrow or even this afternoon.
For more on fishing Crappie in the spring, go to
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BRANDON LESTER
T
he first pro event of the 2018 Bassmaster schedule was the Bassmaster Eastern Open in Kissimmee, Fla. I love Florida in winter, and love it even more now. I finished the event in second place, my highest professional finish to date. To notch that result, I had to adapt. Here’s how I did it. In practice and early on day one I was catching fish on a prop bait. The fish were eating it, but I started catching smaller fish as time wore on. I knew big fish were in the area but weren’t willing to hit a topwater. They were buried in the cover, and I needed to go in after them. That meant punching the heavy mats. My arsenal for approaching the thickest Florida cover is simple but vital. I like to
use a MHX FP936 flipping stick with a 1 ½-ounce tungsten weight. I like a 4/0 Mustad 3X Grip Pin Max flipping hook, which helps keep a compact creature bait on the hook shank while penetrating abrasive cover. I pair it with 65-pound Vicious No Fade Braid to a high-speed reel to ensure I can muscle trophy fish from matted cover. A big key to punching heavy cover is the bait. It must have a compact shape to slip through the mats behind that big weight. I worked with X Zone Lures to create a new punching bait that does just that and is a new look for the fish. The Muscle Back Finesse Craw is the result. You can find them on the X Zone website (www.xzonelures.com). I relied on the Okeechobee Craw and Black/Blue Flake colors, which are both Florida staples.
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UNDER THE SEA
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ho says you can’t have it all? When it comes to wetsuits—whether man or woman, warm or cold water, scuba or freediver—there are many great choices on the market. They are more comfortable, better-fitting, and more fashionable than ever. Pioneers in the dive world had to endure cold temperatures sometimes. Finally, in 1952, a University of California physicist invented the wetsuit. Water conducts heat away from the body about 20 times more efficiently than air, which is why an unprotected individual feels cold even in “warmish” water. The inventor created a foam-like material to cover the body, which reduced the water’s ability to conduct heat away from the body. This, plus the fact that water is warmed by your body and trapped inside the suit, made for a more comfortable experience. Previous materials were very fragile or very rigid. Due to product innovation, wetsuits are more flexible, warm, and come in many different colors—even camouflage patterns. Better-fitting designs and new methods of joining the seams make today’s suits even more waterproof and reduce “flushing,” which is the seeping in of cold water. In the warmest parts of the world, divers may opt for a simple “lycra skin” for protection from jellyfish, coral and sunburns. However, even in the summer, most will still wear at least a 2-mil wetsuit. On the other end of the scale, my very admirable friends in northern California wear two-piece 8-mil wetsuits complemented by thick neoprene boots, gloves and hoods. As an example, someone in the Bahamas might wear a skin for the summer and a 2-mil in the winter. Someone in Florida might own a 3-mil for the summer and a two-piece 5-mil for the winter. A Californian would probably own a two-piece 5-mil for the summer and 8-mil for winter.
The rule of thumb is that you want to wear the thinnest possible wetsuit, but enough to feel comfortable throughout the dive. That’s because you want to maintain maximum Photo by Jose Fernandez flexibility and reduce the amount of lead needed on your weight belt to submerge (wetsuit material is buoyant). The beauty of owning two-piece suits (hooded top and farmer john bottoms) is that you can switch pieces around for the perfect combination—such as wearing a 5-mil bottom with a 3-mil top. Along these lines, it’s also possible to buy a sleeveless vest for more layering options. With just a few basic pieces, many different combinations are available. This is especially handy if traveling and exact conditions are unknown or could change. The following brands are available at your local dive shop: Yazbeck, Mares, Riffe, Omer, Cressi and more. If an off-the-rack suit does not fit, there are several affordable custom manufacturers who will tailor one to your measurements, such as Polosub or Elios. These days, there’s no reason to be uncomfortable in the water. Happy diving! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
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The Professional Choice For 200 Years
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ichael Clark’s 9.66-pound sheepshead might not be the biggest ever caught, but it’s the heaviest officially recognized sheep ever caught on a fly rod in Louisiana. Clark, of Charleston, S.C., and his father-in-law Craig Pagels booked a couple days with Louisiana Low Tide Charters and Capt. Lucas Bissett last January to fish the marshes of Delacroix. The big sheepshead came on the second afternoon of the trip. The day had dawned clear and calm, but when winds picked up in the afternoon it stirred up the mud bottom they were fishing. Capt. Bissett made the call to move in search of a sand bottom and clear water. It was a good call. Bissett spotted two sheepshead from the poling platform. “He told me to strip out all my line and said ‘four o’clock, four o’clock,’” Clark said. “I threw it out there and dropped it right on the shadow. Then I waited for what seemed like forever. Then I twitched it once and it took the fly.” The fish ate Bissett’s own pattern, a Bissett’s Mud Bug, which has a deer hair head and a baitfish profile. It was caught on a 10-weight Orvis Helios. The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA) recognized it as the fly-caught state record. The all-tackle LOWA record for sheepshead was caught in 1982 by Wayne Desselle. That one weighed 21.25 pounds.
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By Tobin Strickland - CAM Special Correspondent Photo Courtesy of Capt. Ernest Cisneros - Simms Ambassador
pring temperatures can swing widely; the morning can start very cold with late season frontal passages, or strong winds with clouds or fog. Even warm days can feel cold due to the water’s ability to cool the near surface layer of air. However, those cold mornings can warm to hot afternoons and back to cold. First, start with a thermal layer that breathes well that can be worn on its own if it warms up. I prefer merino wool for this, but cotton thermals are fine as well if that’s your budget. The merino seems to wick and dry better and is comfortable in a wider range. Next comes a hoodie of some sort, whether that be heavy cotton, fleece or poly, and on your legs either poly sweats or jeans are usually enough for spring. The hoodie will be a welcome addition over your hat of choice at dawn, during high winds, or evening low-light conditions. The final layer should be some sort of windproof and waterproof layer. For wade fishing or rough water conditions, I like a pair of Simms fishing waders and a jacket. I can’t stress enough how important it is to block the wind and water on the top layer. Spring fishing brings variable conditions that require you to layer your clothes so you can adjust through the day. The mornings may be cold, but the mid afternoon leaves you peeling off clothes and sweating. You’ll be ready if you layer. Tobin created TroutSupport.com - Tech Support for inshore fisherman wanting to take it beyond the basics.
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TRI-FOLD ALUMINUM LOADING RAMP 18 VOLT, 3/8" CORDLESS • 1500 lb. DRILL/DRIVER WITH capacity KEYLESS CHUCK Customer Rating
99
SAVE $ 60%
1499
COMPARE TO
$
29
99
PEAK MODEL: PKC0TV-R ITEM 61960/61777 shown Includes AC/DC adapter and 12 volt DC cigarette lighter plug.
$
NOW
$1399 $1999 COMPARE TO
HUSKY
$
3498 SAVE 60%
MODEL: H4110
Customer Rating COMPARE TO $
ITEM 47214 60631 shown
$5 99
13 PIECE, 1/2" DRIVE HEAVY DUTY HAND TRUCK DEEP IMPACT lb. capacity SOCKET SETS •• 600 10" pneumatic tires
$ TYPE SAE
NOW
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
99
NOW
8
SUPER COUPON
NOW
$6
SAVE $ 99 70%
ITEM 69505/62418/66537 shown
ITEM 62340/62546/63104/96289 shown LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
3/8" x 50 FT. INDUSTRIAL GRADE RUBBER AIR HOSE
12" OLLY
$899
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
hown
99
KOBALT
46" MOBILE WORKBENCH WITH SOLID WOOD TOP
NOW
$999
COMPARE TO
6V, NiCd ack.
• Laser guide
SUPER COUPON
NOW
19499
COMPARE TO
ITEM 63927
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
NOW
$
ER ON
$
SAVE $69
9995
MODEL:1450
Customer Rating
ESS QUE KIT
9
$
PELICAN
SUPER COUPON
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
39
Case contents
locks 99 notandincluded.
COMPARE TO
ITEM 69091/61454/62803/63635/67847 shown
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
PER PON
219 SAVE $69
9 $1299
COMPARE TO
ITEM 63418/63419/62656/67646/62514/63417 shown
UPON
$
NOW
SAVE 70%
$2999
MODEL: C201H
Customer Rating
$10999 $13999 99
$
NOW
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
NOW
$
HUSKY
16999 $1 49
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating • 16-15/16" L 12-7/8" W 6-11/16" H
99
SUPER COUPON
• Versatile - 24 configurations • Safe + Secure + Stable • Super strong - holds 300 lbs. • Weighs 34 lbs.
COMPARE TO
COMPARE TO
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
SUPER COUPON
Model 3800
21 GALLON, 2.5 HP, 125 PSI ULTRA-LIGHT, CRUSH PROOF VERTICAL OIL-LUBE WEATHER-RESISTANT AIR COMPRESSOR LOCKABLE CASE
2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL NOW
NY GLE M*
Cannot be ide Track g Lot Sale , trailers, , Fischer, ot valid on gh 7/1/18.
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
Battle Tested
SUPER COUPON
REESE
149
$
MODEL: 74554700
9499 SAVE $74
ITEM 69595/60334/90018 shown
NOW
99
$74
19
NOW
99
SAVE 71%
$1 699
Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger.
COMPARE TO
BLACK & DECKER
$
5999
MODEL: GC1801
ITEM 69651/62868 62873/68239 shown
4 LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 7/1/18*
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specifi ed comparison, which is an item the same or similar function, 850 Stores Nationwide or HarborFreight.com COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM I MARCH 2018 I with NATIONAL 33 was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 7/1/18.
CANGL_NAT3-NAT34.indd 33
may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
2/16/18 PM 2/1/18 12:35 3:26 PM
SUZUKI MAKES IT EASY AS
1-2-3
1. Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
2. SEL
These are limited time offers. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
N SO S NG ARD AVI TBO T S I OU TANUZUK INSECT S
Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.
3. Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*
REPOWER FINANCE
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/18 and 03/31/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/18 and 03/31/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account). 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 credit worthiness. $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 01/01/18 and 03/31/18. “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. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
34
NATIONAL
I
MARCH 2018
CANGL_NAT3-NAT34.indd 34 SZ_Q1Promo_1PG_WIP.indd 1
I
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/16/18 12:35 PM 12/8/17 2:46 PM
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