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THE LIGHTEST PENN REEL EVER MADE The Lightest PENN Reel Ever Made. The all new Conflict II matches an extremely light weight design with PENN’s legendary durability. Featuring our RR30 body, CNC Gear Technology and HT-100 Drag system, the Conflict II is the ultimate inshore reel.
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CEO / EDITOR IN CHIEF : Ben Martin • camads@coastalanglermagazine.com COO : Tracy Patterson • tracy@coastalanglermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR : Rebecca Snowden • graphics@coastalanglermagazine.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Derrick Oppelt • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794
FLORIDA
BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : Chris Milner • (321) 631-1001 • cmilner@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
flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
SOUTHEAST
ATLANTA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com CHARLESTON : Jane A. Redden • (205) 725-9616 • jane@coastalanglermagazine.com
Sam Buckareff • (843) 607-8629 • sam@coastalanglermagazine.com
CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT : Mark & Haley Alberghini • (704) 651-1934 • mark@theanglermagazine.com COLUMBIA/MIDLANDS : John Lux • (803) 807-6885 • jlux@theanglermagazine.com MYRTLE BEACH : Mike Masiero • (732) 674-3019 • mmasiero@coastalanglermagazine.com SW GEORGIA : Bob & Brenda Rice • (706) 614-8231 • bobr@theanglermagazine.com TIDEWATER/OUTER BANKS : John Tiger • (757) 707-9654 • john.tiger@coastalanglermagazine.com
Laura Tiger • (757) 707-9655 • laura@coastalanglermagazine.com
WESTERN NC : Debra & Joe Woody • (828) 775-9663 • woody@theanglermagazine.com WILMINGTON/MOREHEAD : Charlie Lamm • (252) 205-6472 • clamm@coastalanglermagazine.com
NORTHEAST BOSTON : George Regan • (617) 488-2842 • boston@coastalanglermagazine.com LONG ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 • lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com CONNECTICUT/RHODE ISLAND : Lisa & Michael Danforth • (203) 321-7635 lisad@coastalanglermagazine.com
GULF COAST MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST : Adam Nelson • (228) 627-5903 • anelson@coastalanglermagazine.com
You guys are everywhere.
A
nglers share some very unique commonalities. One trait that seems standard across the board is that whenever we find ourselves in a new destination, regardless of why we’re there, we always want to find out about “what’s biting.” Normally a quick trip to a local tackle shop gets us up to speed. I often hear from readers that they were in a different state or a different region and found a copy of our magazine at the tackle shop they went into. One such reader recently told me, “I live in Wilmington, North Carolina, and I read your Wilmington edition every month. I was in Mississippi recently on business and I saw a copy of your magazine at a local tackle shop. The next month I was in Key West, Florida and saw a copy of the magazine at a tackle shop there. I just landed in Connecticut today and can’t believe that I just picked up another copy of your magazine at a tackle shop here in Connecticut. You guys are everywhere.” It is true; we are available for free in over 30 market areas, but we’re not everywhere yet. Our franchise publishing model is changing the way American anglers view a local fishing magazine, and we’re looking to further expand our footprint. If you think owning your own business as the publisher of your area’s local fishing magazine is something that would fit your career and lifestyle goals, give us a call for information on potential franchise opportunities in your area. Previous publishing experience is not required. We have a complete training program and ongoing support system that enables our co-publishing partners to quickly establish the magazine as a primary resource for the avid angler nearly everywhere. 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.
Ben Martin Editor in Chief info@coastalanglermagazine.com
1-888-800-9794
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WHO CARES ABOUT PUTTING YOUR LURE RIGHT ON TOP OF FISH?
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For over a century, a league of canned crusaders have been fighting to keep boats safe from barnacles, slime, algae and other aquatic evils that rob your boat of its true performance. With advanced know-how and unique capabilities, each antifouling is tailored to different conditions, and has the power to defeat fouling in all its forms. Micron® Extra leads the charge in all waters. Using its signature dual-protection with boosting Biolux® technology, it provides high-quality, multi-season protection that survives hauling and relaunch without the need for repainting. For super-powered antifouling protection and proven performance, choose Interlux®.
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Paddlesports Product Review CARIBE TIBURON INFLATABLE SUP You’ll be slithering through the waves with ease and gliding along in true mariner style when you hop on Caribe’s inflatable SUP. Decorated with a shark silhouette and further amplified by a cool camo print, this blue and black paddleboard is always a hit among water-lovers with a penchant for adventure. The Tiburon Inflatable Paddleboard comes with 6 D-Rings on the softpad so you can attach a variety of accessories like a cooler, 2 Kayak Seats, dry bags, etc. it also comes with a D-Ring on the front bottom deck, excellent for anchoring or towing the board. A very wide 34” design provides stability like no other board on the market. It’s ideal for fishing and long rides and has a smooth non-slip softpad that provides grip as well as comfort. Concerned about hooks on board or punctures from oyster beds? No worries! Double deck Tarpaulin layers protect the board from punctures while providing the most rigid inflatable experience out there. All Caribe’s boards come with a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
WWW.CARIBESUP.COM
AIRHEAD SUP BONEFISH 1138 True to its name, the Airhead SUP Bonefish 1138 is a paddleboard specifically designed for fishing. This super-stable fishing SUP has two inflatable sponsons that give anglers the firm platform they need for fighting big fish and navigating rough water. There are four strategically placed mount pads on deck to accommodate four rod racks, Airhead SUP Fishing Racks and Bucket Racks. Two smaller accessory mounts are perfect for small rod holders or other accessories, and two stainless D-ring cooler tie downs round out endless possibilities for equipment customization. A classic teak-look EVA decking provides sure footing. At just 41 pounds, transport of the Bonefish 1138 is easy, and two molded handles fore and aft make carrying it to the water a breeze, even when it’s fully loaded. There is versatility built in with 10 stainless steel D-rings and two stretch tie downs. The Bonefish 1138 comes with a mesh backpack for transport and storage, a Hi Pressure hand pump for quick and easy inflation, a pressure gauge, valve wrench, board strap and repair kit.
WWW.AIRHEADSUP.COM
KAKU WAHOO 10.5 The new Kaku Wahoo 10.5 may be the baddest little ’yak on the water. It is a compact version of the Wahoo 12.5, which has proven itself as a superb fishing kayak. Kaku went and shaved a couple of feet and more than 10 pounds off of the original Wahoo to create a boat that is easier to transport and paddles very well in the tight environs kayak anglers often find themselves in. And while the Wahoo 10.5 gives up size, it does not sacrifice fishability or performance. It has all the features of the Wahoo 12.5. By flattening the rocker and lowering the keel, Kaku has designed a boat that tracks well and is easy to stand on. A sick deck pad rounds out the look of a quick little ’yak that is stable, comfortable and easy to handle.
KAKUKAYAK.COM
MANTA RACKS Whether it’s a mother-ship expedition offshore, a day-cruise to some isolated islands or exploration deep into the mangroves, there are a lot of places paddle-sports enthusiasts want to be that are too distant to access under paddle power. SUPs and kayaks take up a lot of room on the deck of the boat, and Manta Racks has come up with the perfect solution. The Manta Racks system stores your kayaks or SUPs securely to your boat, where they are out of the way, and it utilizes the boat’s rod holders, so there’s no need to drill any new holes for mounting. With a patented 360-degree locking swivel feature, paddleboards, wakeboards, kayaks, kiteboards, water skis and surfboards can be easily stored on the gunnel of the boat without drilling extra holes. All of your boards are out of the way of your passengers, securely fastened to your Manta Racks system. Go farther when you take your boards.
WWW.MANTARACKS.COM
WILDERNESS SYSTEMS RADAR SERIES With its new Radar Series, Wilderness Systems continues to build on its legacy of innovation, performance and quality in fishing kayaks. The Radar Series is Wilderness Systems’ first tri-powered kayak, which means it has paddle, power and pedal capabilities. It features S.M.A.R.T. Hull Technology that combines stability, maneuverability, acceleration, responsiveness and tracking throughout the entire design for ultimate
performance in multiple water environments. In addition to a flat platform for standing and freedom of movement, the Radar boasts state-of-the-art outfitting including expansive SlideTrax rails, a multitude of storage opportunities, and scupper options to deploy the Helix MD motor drive, Helix PD pedal drive and multiple options for electronics, including down-imaging, side-scanning or both. With Helix PD, a built-in steering control system allows for easy navigation that leaves your hands free for fishing. The AirPro Max seat complements the package with optimized positioning for any mode of travel.
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Paddlesports Product Review NUCANOE FLINT NuCanoe made waves when it introduced its new Flint kayak at iCast. Here is a boat jam-packed with features for serious anglers, yet the price tag is way below what you’d expect for such a high-quality kayak. At 11’3”, and less than 70 pounds, The Flint is the perfect boat for exploring creeks, rivers and backwater marshes. It is agile, responding nimbly to the paddle, and it also tracks very well despite its shorter length. Light enough for easy one-man transport, this boat is amazingly stable, and unique scupper hole design provides a firm deck. The Flint cockpit is wide open and fishes like a much larger kayak. There’s plenty of room and stability for standing to fish on an uncluttered deck, and the new Hawg Trough channel keeps your measuring board handy but out of the way. With five gear tracks, handy spaces for tackle boxes and angled flush-mount rod holders, NuCanoe has come up with a simple yet efficient and customizable layout for everything an angler needs. The side handle that doubles as a quick-clip paddle holder is a handy innovation someone should have come up with long ago. Cap it all off with the comfy custom-height Pinnacle seat NuCanoe is known for, and this is a top-notch fishing platform for a reasonable price.
WWW.NUCANOE.COM
PERCEPTION PESCADOR PILOT 12.0 Perception’s pedal-powered Pescador Pilot is a fishing machine that is extremely comfortable and functional for anglers. It excels in flat water and is an excellent kayak for inshore and bay fishing as well as on freshwater lakes and ponds. The Pilot Drive propeller system effortlessly propels the boat, even in reverse, while leaving both hands free. The spacious, sit-on-top design with generous storage and accessory mounts make the kayak easy to customize. Superior stability allows anglers to cast and fight fish while standing. Comfort is absolutely necessary for serious anglers spending long hours on the water. The Pescador Pilot is built for that. A roomy captain’s chair features zonal mesh to promote cooling airflow. On-the-fly seatback adjustment tilts back for relaxed pedaling or forward for sportier pedaling.
With performance, comfort, features, and storage that outdistance its price point, especially for a peddle-driven kayak, the Pescador Pilot is also a great value. This boat is proudly designed, molded and hand assembled in the USA and is backed by a 5-year warranty.
WWW.PERCEPTIONKAYAKS.COM
OLD TOWN PREDATOR PDL Prepare yourself for a totally new fishing experience. Old Town has taken boat control to new heights with forward and reverse via an efficient and easy-to-use propriety pedal-drive system. It gets you to the spot fast, and keeps you on the spot without paddling. With forward, reverse and agile maneuverability, you’ll experience precise boat control while your hands remain free to focus on fishing. The removable pedal drive installs in seconds and tips up instantly for shallowwater docking. The Predator PDL’s specially-designed hull combines the perfect balance of smooth pedal stroke speed and stand-up stability. The Old Town PDL pedals exactly like a bicycle, converting modest pedaling into maximum propulsion. A 10.3:1 gear ratio means that anglers can reach speeds up to 5.5 mph to reach fishing spots fast and efficiently. It also makes trolling through a range of useradjustable speeds easy and effective. The Predator PDL is infinitely customizable with rigging accessories from Cannon, Scotty, YakAttack, RAM and more.
WWW.OLDTOWNCANOE.COM
SEA EAGLE 350FX FISHING EXPLORER For anglers who like to go it alone, Sea Eagle’s 350fx is a terrific choice. The most stable and rugged entry in Sea Eagle’s Explorer Series of inflatable kayaks, it’s a lightweight (51-lbs.) and easily portable one-person fishing machine. Nearly indestructible, the 350fx features a double layer of 1000 Denier reinforced protective layers on the tubes and bottom, a 40-inch fish ruler, plus two spray skirts—each with three rod holders and accessory belts that hold tools, hooks and lures. A fully adjustable foot brace is easily positioned for maximum comfort and more power per stroke while a nifty anchor system quietly locks in advantageous casting positions. Suitable for paddling in waters rated to Class IV, 16 high-capacity self-bailing drain valves make this entry ideal for fishing in moderate whitewater rivers up to Class III. Close the valves to remain high and dry on flat waters, and insert the removable skeg to improve flatwater tracking. Fully inflated in seven minutes, the 350fx fits in a car trunk and handles electric motors up to 34-pound thrust. This inflatable fishing kayak is 11’6” long and has a maximum weight capacity of 575 lbs.
WWW.SEAEAGLE.COM
FLYCRAFT STEALTH The Flycraft Stealth is one of the most versatile boats in the world. Its unique construction and shape give it the functionality of many boats in one. From motoring on the coast or lakes to rowing rocky streams and mild whitewater, the Flycraft Stealth is your one boat answer. The boat’s lightweight and minimalistic design allow it to be easily carried on a roof or in a truck bed. No roof rack? No problem; this boat deflates and packs down to fit in a trunk or closet. At just 98 pounds, one person can easily transport or load this boat solo. For information, call 801-810-4022.
WWW.FLYCRAFTUSA.COM COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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QUIK-CHANGE II ™ Our Innovative, Interchangeable Fixed Blade Cutlery System 9” FILLET 7” FILLET 5” FILLET 3” SERRATED
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3/19/18 2:52 PM
FLY FISHING
Michelle Bowman with a Yucatan baby tarpon from an inflatable SUP.
For more Bowman, go to
CAMFLYFISHING.COM
GAME CHANGER Sea Eagle FishSUP Stand Up Paddleboard
Win th Sea Eagle e FishSUP Pro Moto r Fishing Rig Packa ge! Fu
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Fits in a Bag! Paddle or Motor
Incredibly stable, the new inflatable FishSUP FS126 Stand Up Paddleboard is an angler’s dream. Lightweight, packable, portable and ready in moments. The FishSUP fits in any car trunk and inflates in just 7 minutes. Stand, sit, fish, motor, troll, fresh, salt or brackish water...the FishSUP goes everywhere. 800-748-8066 M-F 9-5 EST Dept C2048B 19 N. Columbia St., Suite 1
• 12’6” long x 40” wide for exceptional stability • Motor mount holds up to a 55 lb. thrust electric motor • EVA foam pad for secure stand up footing • 36” Built-in fish ruler • Heavy duty two layer drop stitch construction for a solid, super tough SUP board • Multiple d-rings and elastic cord for gear & accessories
MSRP $1149!
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
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NO 26
The best fishing stories start with you getting away.
F F
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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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For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participapting Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
REPOWER FINANCE Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
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Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboard on approved credit.*
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 04/01/18 and 06/30/18 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 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. 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 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. “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.
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SOUTHEAST
By Will Clements
B
ass move shallow in spring, and kayaks are some of the best crafts to follow them. Most kayaks draft only 4 to 5 inches and can get to many places that bigger boats can’t. Culvert coves are some of my favorite places to bass fish this time of year. On large reservoirs, culvert coves are the shallow coves cut off from the main lake by roads or other barriers. The water has to come through somewhere, and typically this is via a narrow concrete bridge or large culvert. Many of these backwaters are only accessible in kayaks or other small vessels. On lakes with significant winter drawdowns, some of these areas are dry through the winter, which allows terrestrial grass and brush
to grow. When spring rains bring lakes back to full pool, these areas are flooded, creating havens for bass moving shallow to spawn. A kayak can slide into these areas and escape the traffic and spring winds on the main lake. Many people bank fish from the road in these areas; a kayak can access the entire cove. Kayaks also give you the ability to sneak up on bedding fish. Often you can drift in slowly enough that the fish see your kayak as a floating log. Being quiet is the key to sneaking up on these shallow fish. Try putting peel-and-stick foam anywhere you lay your paddle or rods. Any slight bang against the plastic hull reverberates through the water and can spook fish. Also, be aware of your shadow. Kayaks inherently cast less of a shadow than larger boats, especially when the angler is seated. Try standing in your kayak only to spot bedding bass. Then sit down to sneak in for the cast. When bed fishing, release fish quickly back to their beds to keep our fisheries strong. For prespawn and postspawn bass, be sure to fish the creek channel and culvert leading into and out of these areas. Bass congregate in these areas before and after spawning. My favorite baits to throw in these areas are bluegill imitations and reaction baits. In these sheltered backwaters, bass encounter less fishing pressure and can be easier to catch. When bass are up shallow or protecting beds, I like bluegill imitations. My favorite is a swim jig. You can fish it slow like a jig, fast like a swimbait or anywhere in between. It comes right through the grass and brush. I also like buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. In stained water caused by spring rains, bass will jump all over a loud and flashy bait. These protected, stained backwaters will warm up faster than any other water in the lake. Bass will be searching for any warmth they can find. Keep an eye out for these secluded culvert coves, and keep your kayak ready. Will Clements is an Outside World Outfitters Fishing Team member (outsidegeorgia.com/), a club series coordinator with River Bassin (www.riverbassintrail.com) and a Nucanoe team member (www.nucanoe.com).
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BLUE RIDGE
By Jimmy Harris
O
ne of the first things new trout anglers hear is that trout are found around the “seams.” A seam is the line of differentiation between two different currents in a stream. The most obvious places are where an eddy actually has water moving upstream in the totally opposite direction from the main downstream current. It makes the perfect place for a trout to lie in wait in calmer water and strike out into the current at any food being washed downstream. The result is the fish expends very little effort while gorging on the conveyor belt of food the stream offers. It’s pretty much what we do as we take up position in our recliner in front of the TV on game day. During commercial breaks, we make a mad dash to the fridge for more wings and beverages and land back in the comfort of the lounger before the games comes back on. Life is good here, as it is for trout living on the slow side of a seam. It’s fairly easy to detect a seam when looking out across a stream.
Find the places where two different current speeds align and you’re likely to find fish. And if you fish those seams all day long, you’re probably going to get into some fish. But I want you to start looking at the stream in 3D. 3D fishing simply means there are varying speeds of current that you can’t visually see but should know are there because of stream dynamics. They’re found as you go from the top of the water surface down to the bottom of the streambed. These seams are just as important and maybe more so than those seams you identify on the surface. Typically, water on the surface is the fastest. As you drop below the surface, you’ll find the speed slowing down. As you approach the very bottom, you will find the current slows dramatically and may not be moving much at all. The friction between the streambed and the water can literally stop the downstream motion of the water in those few inches immediately adjacent to the bottom. Fishery biologists refer to this as the boundary layer. What a perfect place for a trout! There is as much cover overhead as possible to avoid predators. The fish sit near the bottom facing upstream from whence cometh their sustenance. And it takes just about zero energy to move up in the water column, grab a bite and return to the comfort of the boundary layer. Just a slight tilt of the pectoral fins and the fish glides into the overhead current to eat. It then tilts the fins downward and returns to its holding lie. You can describe it as flying in the water. It’s as if your recliner had motorized wheels that glide you from the TV room to the kitchen and back. It is an amazing thing to watch indeed. Jimmy Harris owns Unicoi Outfitters. Check them out at www.unicoioutfitters.com.
For a video of a 20-inch brown trout living in the zone, scan the QR code or go to...
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing Where to Fly Fish in April
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The month of April is just about as good a time as any to fly fish here in the Southeast. The water temperatures are starting to rise, and on special mornings one can feel that warm breeze making its way down the river. The trout in our local rivers and streams are starting to rise to a variety of insects instead of feeding only on flies plowing a furrow in the bottom. As one famous fly fishing scribe has once said, it is truly the “sweet of the year”. The answer to the question of where to fly fish in April is just about anywhere. The real question is how you want to fish, and that response will answer the first perfectly. Do you want to hike in a few miles and toss Adams dries to small colorful wild fish? Then the Smoky Mountain backcountry or Georgia’s Cohutta Wilderness may be your answer. Deep Creek, or if you’re feeling real squirrely, Hazel Creek across Fontana Lake in the Smoky Mountains National Park really wake up in April. The Jacks or the Conasauga River in The Cohutta Wilderness in Northwest Georgia will be running strong, and the trout will be looking up by now. If you don’t mind crowds, the Delayed Harvest streams in Georgia and North Carolina can’t be beat for numbers and size of dry fly eating trout. Georgia’s upper Toccoa River and Smith Creek delayed
harvest sections in Unicoi State Park both will be nicely stocked and will be good producers. North Carolina’s Nantahala River and Fires Creek delayed harvest streams are sure to blow your mind with huge numbers and large fish. If you are interested in learning more about fly-fishing for trout, be sure to visit one of these delayed harvest streams this spring. The sheer numbers of fish will increase the amount of interaction with the trout and are sure to help you hone your skills. The opportunities to float in a drift boat and fish are also more realistic with the lakes starting to fill and the flow rates on the tailwaters getting a little more agreeable. The Toccoa River in Blue Ridge, Georgia and the Tuckaseegee River in Sylva, North Carolina both are great this time of year, and we stay busy floating for half or full days on these two great trout waters. Private water fishing on trophy water is very good now, and Noontootla Creek Farms produces some real monsters in the springtime. If you might be thinking about learning to fly fish for the first time, check out our full day Hulsey Fly Fishing School at Noontootla Creek Farms. We teach a relaxed but structured class that is sure to get you up and running in this fantastic sport! Check it out on our website at www.ncfga.com
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing
April Fly Fishing Report Here is why April in my opinion may be the BEST month to fish area lakes throughout North GA; it is easily one of the two or three months to fish for both striped bass and spotted bass on nearly all our area lakes. What makes April so productive is that the winter pattern has ended, and we are fully ingrained with warm spring-like temperatures every day. This has the fish feeling spunky and committed to two things; eating and spawning. Both of these are based on warmer water temperatures. Once the fish are committed to both the pre-spawn feed and the spawn itself, it has the fish on the move. Striped bass will be for the most part already in the upper reaches of the river systems their lakes are formed by. While this usually starts in end of March and goes thru April,
this year we will see this event already post-season, as the water temps sent the fish upriver earlier than normal. Not all fish head north. Some fish will head to the backs of some of the larger creeks where there is a good source of fresh water. This is when the fish will get SHALLOW. For anglers wanting to take advantage of the spawn, all one has to do is head north into their lake’s respective river system. The fish will bunch up in huge numbers and will last from two to three weeks. For anglers fishing Lake Lanier, all you need to do is head up either the Chattahoochee or the Chestatee Rivers to wait for their return down river in this annual event. Fish will be eating nearly anything thrown in their line of vision. While most fish are still feeding on threadfin
shad in the 2”-3” range, do not hesitate to toss flies that are a tad larger. Equipment remains the same using both 8 and 9 weight fly rods. Lines are still the same employing both an intermediate and fast sinking fly line in case you are finding fish in water 8’-10’ deep (fast sinking line) or 2’-5’ deep (intermediate slow sinking line). Clousers, Coyotes and Something Else flies are still your best bet. For anglers bringing conventional tackle, it is best to toss medium action rods with 12-pound test line and have an assortment of baits with them. Some of my favorites are flukes (weighted and un-weighted), ¼ ounce bucktails, Mcsticks, Spy baits and Krocodile spoons. You can start fishing points in the dark using Long
A Bombers. That bite is usually kept very quiet by in-the-know striped bass aficionados. Anglers will also find spotted bass getting shallower at this time of the year in preparation for their spawn. Anglers need to fish in the 3’ to 8’ depth and toss a little lighter tackle (6 and 7 weight rods) for these bass that are getting very aggressive. Tossing flies on your lake’s points up shallow as well as fishing the grass flats will have you finding lots of hungry spotted bass. Largemouth will also start getting active, and now is the chance to catch a trophy fish up shallow and on dock lights too! I would even venture to guess that the beloved Redfin bite will begin by the full moon in April this year. This is easily one of my most favorite patterns there is. It is the ONLY time I may not use a fly rod on Lanier day in and day out. When a striper eats a Redfin, they want to completely destroy it on the surface! Take advantage of April on your area lakes and go have a ball. See you on the pond!
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing CHATTOOGA RIVER
The sweet smell of spring wisps through the air, and cooler mornings and warmer afternoons delight us with rising trout to many bugs hatching on the rivers. Nymphs, emergers, dry flies, where do you begin? Let’s break this down. Starting out the day, a tandem rig with a nymph and emerger trailer will be a good set up, as the bugs have yet to hatch early in the day. Starting at the tops of the riffles and a slight upstream cast and swinging this tandem rig will work well. Slowly work the entire riffle area with numerous casts to make sure you cover behind every rock in the riffle. Once the riffle is covered, swing this tandem rig into the heads of the pools, and a pinch of weight may be necessary to get the flies down to the fish. Also, swinging these flies along the seams will be just as productive.
As the day progresses and temperatures rise, the bugs emerge to break to the top of the water to fly away. Now it’s time to tie on our dry fly. A little more precision in our cast and mending techniques will be needed as you will want to cast well above these rising fish. Having a drag-free drift into the location of the rising fish will be key. Don’t set the hook too early, as it is very easy to do. Hook set too early, fish is gone, and we’re back to casting to another rising fish. Persistence pays off. Once, the fish have stopped rising, it’s time to switch back to the tandem rig and swinging. If wading, hiking and rivers are not what you’re looking for, let us help you with our guided fly fishing boat trips. Small mountain lake fishing for bass and panfish is heating up. We provide everything necessary on our trips to make sure you have a great day out on our local waters. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers and lakes, and let’s remember to leave no trace!
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing Are You a Pusher or a Puller?
Rene J. Hesse Certified Casting InstructorFederation of Fly Fishers & Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping Meetup Organizer Last month in The Casting Corner we looked at the concept of the rotation portion of the forward cast. The delayed rotation portion of the cast was emphasized. Rotation being done by using your little finger and ring finger to ‘pull in’ the rod handle to your hand to rotate the rod rather than ‘pushing’ the rod with your thumb. The discussion of the concept with another Fly Fishers International instructor brought up a good point. His contention was that people learn different ways, and this was just another way of teaching delayed rotation and not overpowering the cast. The mental image is one way of saying the same thing that the other instructors were saying in different words. If someone is overpowering the cast, and we are seeing a lot of waves in the line or we want to have them back off the power, there are several ways to convey that. If they are not making a smooth constant
power application to a stop or rapid deceleration, there are ways to convey the thought and techniques to teach them. The goal is to find the wording or demonstration that connects with the person. Whether you picture your mechanics as a push or pull, pop-stop, power snap, educated wrist, or making a smooth constant rate of acceleration to a stop, as long as you achieve a relatively straight line path of the rod tip, you will be on your way to forming nice loops. So is the ‘pulling’ a new concept? It was to me, and it changed my cast for the better. Is it a new physical technique? No, we do it already at different degrees. Whatever concept you connect with that works for you is the right one to use and practice. Read as much as you can, and practice with an instructor as often as possible. At some point when you need ‘the cast’, you can think back to the technique that works for you.
The Guide's Angle
Contributed By: Chris Scalley River Through Atlanta Guide Service
Rise Forms?
Little had been known about feeding behavior within the stream water column of trout up until 40 years ago when people like Gary LaFontaine and Doug Swisher wrote extensively about this phenomenon. Both of these gentlemen dawned scuba gear armed with waterproof cameras to capture the behavior of hatching aquatic insects and how fish would key in on specific life stages when these bugs were most vulnerable to predators. They proved that you need more than just traditional dry flies to catch fish during a hatch, even if you see rising trout. Rise forms are various disturbances that trout create on the water’s surface. The classic “ring of a rise” is the circular wave of water made by a trout while feeding on or near the surface usually seen from some distance often with an audible splashing sound. If you can get closer, you may notice some fish sip with a slight poke of their snout visible, some porpoise with their head-back-tail visible, sudden swirls or an abrupt splash. The big breakthrough was how the insects were impacted by different water types. In the slow meandering stretches of a river otherwise known as flat water or “frog water”, the surface tension is greater and more difficult for mayflies and caddisflies to penetrate. In flat water, fish tend to key in on the insects with nymphal shucks still attached, which is a result of greater surface tension which makes for an easy meal for the fish. This surface tension is also known as the meniscus, and flies tied and manipulated to drift just under or within the surface film will score more consistently. There are many patterns out there to imitate these crippled stages of the hatch both with mayflies and caddisflies. On the Chattahoochee, our primary spring hatch is caddisflies in a variety of hook sizes #14 down to #20 with most in the #16 & #18 in colors ranging from black to light tan. Good patterns are the X-Caddis, LaFontaine Sparkle Pupae and in a pinch, trim the hackles flush with the hook point of an Elk Hair Caddis. I have developed a pattern called Scalley’s Cripple Caddis, which can be fished either greased with dry fly dope or not treated with an added split shot to penetrate the water column, then swung to mimic emerging pupae. The other water type found on rivers and streams is “fast water” or “riffle water” typically found at the head or tail of a pool where the gradient of the stream bed is steep. This faster water has less surface tension, and the fish have less time to inspect their prey, so less specialized flies work well like an Elk Haired Caddis, Royal Wolff or Trude, Adams or Stimulators.
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing OCONEE ON THE FLY TIMING - EYES, MOONS, AND GEORGIA POWER?
By Wayne Moore www.oconeeonthefly.com Fly fishing: Last Saturday morning, I was driving to meet a customer listening to the O’Neill Outside Radio show and Henry Cowen was “on the air”. Henry just happens to be the pioneer of fly fishing for freshwater (or sodium free) stripers and has been fishing Lake Lanier for over 20 years. My heart sank when I heard Henry say that fly fishing for stripers was tough as they are in a staging mode and would be found high in the water column but in 65 feet of water. He went on to say the best shot for fly guys was first light and last light, and this bite was of short duration. Timing is everything for the fly fishing angler here on Lake Oconee. A few things to consider (paraphrasing Henry here) and adding some of my own observations: 1) Fly fishing is usually best in low light – Why? Eyes! Look at the eyes on the next striper or hybrid you catch. They don’t have eye lids. So, fish at first light, last light and overcast days. 2) Moon – According to Henry, fish around the full moon and new moon phases if you can. 3) Weather fronts – this one got me good. Fish the front of the front. Postfront is not good for fly fishing. (Trust me, this one is on the mark.) 4) Georgia Power – They can make or break a trip. The effect of moving water outweighs all of the above here on Oconee. Unfortunately, Georgia Power does not post a generation schedule like the Corp of Engineers does on Lanier. Once it gets a little warmer here, they usually generate in the afternoon. When it gets hot, they pump back water in the morning. This gets the shad moving and the fly bite started. If you are fly fishing and none of the above are happening, put down the fly rod and downline live bait! This is the reason I always offer combination trips. Current conditions on Oconee: Crappie – Incredible! Every guide on the water has been boating limits for at least a month. We had some heavy
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! Mix it up with light spinning tackle as well for a great combo trip!
rain earlier in the month, but if you wait three days after a rain, they will still bite. The fish are north of I-20 in the Apalachee and the Oconee. Push baits out of the front of the boat on 14 to 16-foot rods with 1/16 ounce Jiffy Jigs tipped with a minnow. Hybrids and stripers – good from Richland Creek to the dam. Fish downlines and long lines in 65 feet of water. The fly rod bite will heat up around the end of the month when the shad spawn starts. A final word: When I decided to open Oconee On The Fly, a fellow guide warned me that the other guides here are “going to hate your guts!” The reality is quite the opposite. The guide community here is incredible, and they are all very good! They share information with each other and the fishing public; this benefits everyone. Special thanks to guides Doug Nelms and Jason Nelms for welcoming me to the guide community here and all they have shared with me. Lastly, fishing here can be a community thing, and many guide boats will be found in one area. It’s fine to join in, but please observe the 100-yard rule and never get closer than that to another boat. (This means you tournament fishermen too!) Oconee On The Fly, www. oconeeonthefly.com. Mixed fly fishing and conventional tackle. Call Wayne Moore: 706-816-4281 or email: wmoore1700@outlook. com
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Local Rivers & Fly Fishing Springtime Fly Fishing Contributed by James Bradley www.ReelEmInGuideService.com (706) 273-0764
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April has always been a fond month for me. Milder weather is always a plus for anglers and guides alike. Just all kinds of activity everywhere, and especially on and in the streams. The rainbow trout are beautifully colored up right now from their spawning activities. April will have all kinds of insects coming from abroad. This will get many trout looking up for these tiny morsels. Nothing like rising trout to a dry fly! Our friends at the Department of Natural Resources started stocking many streams back in early March. They will continue to fill streams with trout until July 4th for the first half of the year. Keep in mind that the delayed harvest streams and rivers will continue to get some fish until the season ends which is May 14th. The five delayed harvest waters are Amicalola Creek, Chattahoochee River, Chattooga River, Smith Creek and the Toccoa River. Be sure to check the Georgia Fishing Regulations for more information. Some flies to have for your outing in the Southern Appalachians will be Caddis, Mayflies, and Stoneflies. The following is a good assortment to have on hand in dry
or nymph stage: Brown, Grey and Green Caddis sizes 14-18 (Elk or Deer Hair Caddis), Quill Gordon (early in the month), Blue Quill, March Brown, Red Quill, and Light Cahills (late in the month) sizes ranging from 10-20 (mayflies), and lastly will be Stoneflies like Little Black Stones, and Yellow Stones sizes 14-18. I personally like a Yellow Stimulator or Yellow Elk Hair Caddis size 14-16 for my dry fly fishing. Regardless, if fishing with dries or nymphs, it is important that you try to match the size you are seeing first, then color. If nymphing, take a little time to flip some rocks to match the Mayfly or Stonefly sizes. Making a good choice for your dry fly and dropper fly (if permitted) will help lead you to success! Reel ‘Em In Guide Service is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide based out of beautiful Ellijay, Georgia. They have been offering their services to fly anglers since 2001. Their Special Use Permit for Guiding allows them on the Chattahoochee National Forest, they have licensed guides for North Carolina, offer over 7 miles of private trophy waters across Georgia, and offer drift boat trips on the Toccoa River and the Tuckasegee River in NC.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
Fishing with a Stick By Capt. Cefus McRae Nuts & Bolts Fishing Series
In a very literal sense, we fish with sticks. Rods, even with the high tech composites used today, are still basically sticks. A couple hundred years ago our forefathers used a stick, some twine and a crude hook to catch dinner. Our grandfathers, and many of us, used cane poles with a bobber and a worm to catch bream on a farm pond. Fast forward and we’re still using essentially the same contraptions, albeit with much fancier technology and paint jobs. I still carry a stick on my boat, most of the time. This stick is in the form of a cut-down pool cue. I cut the skinny end off, leaving a stick about four feet long. It has a rubber cap on the thick end, and some days it’s one of the best fish catching tools on the boat. Fish have lateral lines that help them ‘see’, especially in murky water and at night. These sensitive organs sense vibrations, pressure
gradients and movement in their vicinity. Schooling baitfish create vortices as they move through the water, and game fish can sense this as an opportunity for an easy meal. Now for a little bit of physics. Low frequency sound waves move better and farther through the water than high frequency sound waves. So a low ‘thud’ can be sensed by fish at great distances. My fish stick can produce those low frequencies by tapping it on the deck of the boat. The Wide Open II has a spot on the deck just to the right of the helm that, when tapped with the rubber end of the pool cue, produces a nice low thump. Don’t ask me why, but fish will come to that noise. Maybe it’s curiosity, maybe they think it’s a bunch of their buddies feasting, or maybe they think it’s a big school of bait frolicking in the water. Whatever the reason, I can do some deck-
worked for me on more than one occasion. Now, this doesn’t always work. Some days, no matter what you do, fish just won’t bite. But when the bite slows down, and I know I’m in a fishy spot, a little deck-drumming can turn it back on. It certainly can’t hurt. After all, they’re not biting now, so what’s the harm? So make your own drumming stick, find the sweet spot on your boat’s deck and start making some music that will have the fish dancing to get on your hook. Tight lines and calm seas.
drumming and after a few minutes, if there’s any fish in the general vicinity, my sonar will light up. Another school of thought relates to stocked fish. Many of our southern impoundments have stocked bass, stripers and hybrids. Those fish were raised at a hatchery with lots of noise; feed trucks, doors slamming and feed buckets banging against the hatchery raceways, and usually those noises happen around feeding time. Makes sense? Cobia are naturally curious critters, and they will come to a methodical, low thumping too. It’s
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APRIL 2018
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Local Lakes & Forecasts A Great Place To Stay In Blue Ridge.
LAKE LANIER CRAPPIE Forecast By: Dan Saknini, Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. www.laniercrappieanglers.net
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Water temperatures are in the low 50’s, and the water is moderately stained. Best advice we can give you is to go out and fish! Don’t use the cool temperature as an excuse, because you will be missing out. To my surprise, I only saw one bass fisherman today on the lake. Wow! What happened to the die-hard fishermen? The cool temps have pushed the crappie to slightly deeper water at 12 to 20 foot depths. We are mainly targeting docks in that depth range. You will notice that after catching a few fish at deeper
depths, the school tends to shallow up, waiting to pounce on your jig when it falls. Bobby Garland soft body jigs are working equally as well as hair jigs. If you prefer crappie minnows under a cork, try to pitch it in the darkest part of the dock. Using a 12 foot pole may help you get it in the right spot easier. Long line trolling is also effective this time of year. You might as well avoid the blowdowns until the water temps rise to the mid-50’s or above, as they are not producing at all right now. We are targeting the bigger fish, so we are moving around a lot to cover as many docks as we can. Layer up and get out on the water and you will be rewarded with a great catch! 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
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Water temperature: 60 degrees, lake level: normal, clarity: 2 feet. March was pretty typical on Carters as far as the fishing goes with plenty of big fish being caught in between rain and cold fronts. As the water warms, the bite will steadily increase. Also, the bait will start to gather under your lights, so bust out the Hydro Glow light and the cast net and get the freshest bait possible. The big alwife are still my go-to bait, and really the only way to catch them is in a quality cast net. I prefer a 10 or 12 foot Barracuda Cast net with 1/2” mesh. These heavier, larger mesh nets sink faster and open wider to assure your best bet at catching these ultra-fast baits. After your tank is loaded, bust out the planer boards and flat lines and start pulling banks in the creek arms of the main lake. The stripers and hybrids are holding near the bait in these creeks. I stay over a 30 to 40 foot bottom and keep the boat moving about 1.5mph. I like to keep my bank side board about 20 feet
off the shore and opposite board as far away from the boat as I can. I always run 2 flat lines staggered behind the boat from 50 to 75 feet. A 14-pound leader and a small 1/0 octopus hook attached to the bait through the tip of the nose is my basic terminal rig for stripers this time of year. The spotted bass bite has been nonstop near cover and on the main lake points. Lots of 4-pound+ spots have been caught so far this year and expect that to stay solid through the end of spring. The walleye bite is picking up, and this month should be prime time to target these toothy critters. Shallow points, shoals, humps and bends in the river are all holding eyes. We have only seen a few so far this year, but the ones we have seen have been in 6-pound range. I typically drop down to 8 or 10-pound flourocarbon as they can be ultra-spooky at times. The night bite will be excellent by the end of the month, and I expect a great year of walleye fishing on Carters. Spring also ushers in the flathead catfish bite. These big bruisers are a blast to catch and offer a great option when the stripers are done feeding for the day. Big live baits fished on the bottom near heavy cover is key to attract these trophy sized bottom dwellers.
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Linesides fishing is good! The spring bite has started. The white bass are starting to move up the rivers. Look for the hybrids and stripers to be close behind. The main lake is still fishing well on both ends of the lake. The better bite has been on small gizzards and threadfins fished on freelines and planer boards. The
south end of the lake seems to be better for hybrids, while the north end of the lake seems to be fishing better for stripers and white bass. I look for most of the fish to migrate north in the next few days and start staging for their annual spawn run. Spring is almost here, and it’s time to get back to fishing. Dust off the tackle, charge the batteries and grab a kid and head to the lake. Give us a call at 770 -827-6282 and book your spring outing. The bite has started
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE LANIER STRIPERS Forecast by: Clay Cunningham www.catchingnotfishing.com 770-630-2673 After a wet March, hopefully the weather is finally taking a turn for the better. The water temperature has been all over the place this past month. As we move into April, the water temperature should finally move solidly into the sixties. Sixty-five degrees is the magic number for the striped bass spawn. Most years this occurs the first week of April. The fish will work their way up into the rivers and work their way back down over the next month. The key pattern will be to pull the banks and points with freelines and boards mostly on the north end of the lake. Be sure to use your electronics to spot the fish in these areas. On the Humminbird Side Imaging, you can see the fish on each side of the boat. In the past five years, the electronics have progressed immensely. The best setup is a Shakespeare Striper Rod paired with a Penn Squall Linecounter reel. The linecounter on the reel makes life simple and more precise. Spool the Penn Squall Linecounter with 15 pound Trilene Big Game line. On the end of the line, you will need
a flourocarbon leader. Tie on a Spro Power Swivel and a five foot section of 15 pound Trilene 100% Flourocarbon and a Gamakatsu 1/0 Octopus hook. Pick up a set of Water Bug Planer Boards and some live herring, and you are good to go for the day. If you prefer to use artificials, be sure to pick up some Sebile Magic Swimmer Swimbaits in White Linear and Ayu in several sizes. The most popular sizes being the 95 and 125 size. So far this year, the Magic Swimmer in the 95 has been best due to the baitfish being a little smaller this year. Be sure to throw the smaller 95 size on 10 pound Trilene Big Game or Trilene 100% Flourocarbon on a seven foot medium action Penn combo. Personally, I like the Penn Conflict 3000 spooled with 10 pound Trilene Big Game on a Fenwick 7 foot medium spinning rod. The Sebile Stick Shad is also a great bait. Give it a try as well. Pick up a selection of other topwater wake baits and walking baits and you are good to go. April is a great month for casting here on Lanier. Early and late in the day are always best, but do not be afraid to throw it in the middle of the day. Some big fish will show up this month, and the size of the average fish this year is way up from last year. Looking forward to a great action packed April.
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Water temperature: 53-58 degrees, water level: full pool, clarity: stained. The time of year has finally got here to catch numbers and some very healthy bass on Jackson. The fish are making their journey to spawn. Main lake points are becoming loaded with bass moving up from their deep winter holes. In the early morning, throw a crankbait in shad or crawfish colors to catch active fish. As the sun
comes out, switch to a Carolina rig trick worm. Fan cast these main lake points as the bass will be moving up all through the day. A shaky head on these areas will catch fish just as well. Fish short pockets as some buck bass may have already moved up starting to look for spots to make a bed. You’ll see bass cruising and looking. Just remember that you’ve got to fish the highway to these spawning areas. As far back as you can go, you’ll find fish willing to eat before they spawn. Remember, this is by far one of the best times of the year to catch fish. Take a child fishing so they too can enjoy our great outdoors. Tight lines.
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APRIL 2018
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Small Waters Can Bring Big Rewards in the Spring Contributed By: Jay Striker www.jaystriker.com Before there was a big bass boat with a 250HP Mercury with Power Poles and high stakes to compete for, there were the small waters of Georgia where I fell in love with fishing. With having fished so many small waters, there are some basic things to keep in mind that will help you be successful. When you go, remember to study your surroundings, be as quiet as possible, and have the equipment and the right lures to be successful. Study your surroundings: Understanding your surroundings makes pond fishing much more enjoyable. Know how to approach the body of water you are going to fish. One key thing to look for is finding a remote pond perhaps on a map or ask some of your friends
where are the good ponds to fish. Here in GA there is the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center which has over 15 different ponds and lakes that have some great fishing. You can also contact your state DNR office and ask them where there is accessible waters to fish. Be sure to be safe, as some of these small waters will have you walking through some really tough brush to reach untouched waters to possibly hang a trophy of a lifetime. Being very quiet is one key to success, especially if you are fishing from the bank. I like to stalk the bank, which means walking slowly around the pond not making a lot of noise. You don’t want to spook them away. When fishing from the bank, be sure to stand back from the
edge of the water and make long casts to the lake. On windy days, cast into the wind rather that with the wind, because pond bass like to set up where their meals drift by. Casting into the wind allows for that presentation. Most ponds will have clear water and an elevated shoreline, so as you rise up over the pond, they can see you. Wear some type of drab or camo patterns to break up your profile. Having the right equipment and lures for fishing small ponds: When deciding to fish these little special lakes, having the right stuff is key. If you are fishing from the bank, having a small backpack will help carry all of the lures you need to have. Baits that are must-haves are topwater baits, Texas rigged worms, frogs, spinnerbaits and small crankbaits should be more than enough to enjoy the day of fishing. Minnows will get the attention of a lot of bass in ponds, but be sure to ask permission to fish minnows. If you are fishing from a small boat, be sure that you have all the safety equipment you need. Be sure to stay back away from the bank with
your boat and try not to bang your tackle and rod against the boat, as it will spook the bass near you. Places to target on small ponds are brush piles, stump fields, channel breaks and drops offs, rocks, and grass flats. This is the time of year to consider heading out to the small waters and take a chance on bass that are less pressured and willing to bite. Knowing your surroundings, being stealthy and having the right equipment will help you have a great day on one of the local ponds. Be sure you get permission to fish private ponds, and if you get permission, be sure to leave it better than you found it. Please take time to follow me on social media. Facebook- Jay Striker, Instagram- Jay Striker, You-tubeOn Deck with Jay Striker, Website: Jaystriker.com
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APRIL 2018
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Fishin’ on Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw, GA by Dickelsby
So there I was, looking around for an authentic, honest to goodness Yeti product, when lo and behold I came upon the new, beautiful Field & Stream store. Outdoor products have been an interest of mine for decades, so I was really anxious to see what was going on. I started roaming around and almost immediately came upon the immense Yeti collection. Next, following my well trained senses, I marched right over to the new, extra-large, well adorned with wall mounted giant fish photos, fishing department! I met Zach Bargeron, Manager, and scored a tour of the angling treasures that they offered. I quickly learned that paddle sports was the fastest growing new segment, and right then and there laid my eyes on the most beautiful, well equipped Olde Town Kayak I’d ever seen. This baby was pedal-powered with ruddersteering from a comfy upright seat with room for more rod holders and gear than you could imagine! There also was a huge collection of salt water artificials and rods and reels that would be just right for a first stop before hitting the coast! Additionally, a beautiful display of baits and rigs from DOA to ZOOM were a treat to behold. We didn’t have to go much further to observe the display advertising the advent of a major fly fishing section soon to open. Y’all ought to stop by and check this place for yourself!
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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 Lake Nottely’s waters are on the rise, and by mid-April we should see a significant change in water level which will offer better access to those hard-to-get places. Currently, we are 11 feet below full pool. Water clarity is clear for most of the lake except for the backs of creeks. Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s and a bit warmer in the coves and creeks. Striper fishing has been excellent for this time of year. We’re having a successful early spring catching some quality stripers, with the majority of them in the 20 to 40-pound range. Presently, these Lake Nottely monsters are in their full-spring pattern and chasing bait in the mouths and backs of creeks and off rocky shallow points. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for where the bait is. There’s been a lack of seagulls lately, so you’ll have to rely on your electronics and your vision. If you see bait busting, that’s usually a good indication there’s fish chasing them up. As far as bait goes, some days the fish are feeding on small herring and other days they are hitting on large bluebacks and shad. For the next month or so, look for fish to move further back in the creeks, rivers, and around shallow coves as early spring spawning will start. Pulling planer boards and free lines with live bluebacks and shad will be your best techniques. Also, look for a great topwater bite to start. I always
like to have a Zara Spook or a fluke at the ready to nail those top-busting fish. Spotted bass fishing also remains very strong. At the moment, we are catching some nice 4 to 5 pound spots with an occasional largemouth. Several of our largemouth lately have been in the 8 to 10 pound range. As for the largemouth, I always quickly get these guys back into the water and never keep them. Hopefully these huge largemouth bass will make a comeback in our local lakes. These largemouths and spots will soon start to work their way to shallower water. Start looking for some large schools of spots halfway in the backs of creeks, pockets and around shallow humps and look for largemouths to be hanging around shallow points and a brush further down into the creeks and rivers. April is a fantastic month for catching some monster stripers 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 fish. We are a full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lake Apalachia for huge lake trout, and Lakes Nottely, Chatuge and Blue Ridge. 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 the best live herring around. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine—let us help you get your fish on
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Local Lakes & Forecasts
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Fishing the Spawn on Lanier Contributed By: Jim “Jimbo” Mathley www.jimboonlanier.com Fishing during the spawn can provide some interesting opportunities and many different choices. Bass focused on the spawn are often quite finicky and tough to catch at times. Bed-fishing is very popular this time of year, especially for tournament anglers, and certainly can provide some outstanding catches. In most instances, I prefer to leave the fish to their reproductive cycle, and often shy away from bed fishing. In this article, I will focus on tips and techniques to catch fish that offer an alternative to the bed fishing option. Optimal Conditions: This year, 2018, we are in sync with the normal timing of the spawn on Lake Lanier. Last year, we were early due to the warm winter. We did experience a quick warm-up in February, which was prompted by warm, heavy rains which warmed the lake up 10 degrees and raised the lake 4 feet to nearly full pool levels in a very short time. Since the abrupt warm-up, we have returned to more seasonal weather patterns. Another factor that will play a major role this year is the presence of the dog fennel in shallow waters that has grown up during the time the lake was so far down in 2017. Now that the lake is back up near full pool, this weed growth will provide the bass and baitfish cover, and the anglers another great fishing option. 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. 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 30-45 days, depending on the weather conditions and water temperatures. Further, it is important to understand that many fish that spawn in “waves” do so during a favorable moon phase, given the water temperature requirements are met. The full and new moon phases often prompt fish to move into their bedding routine. Make sure to cross reference the moon calendar with water data to understand when fish will likely begin their spawning
rituals. Location: The largemouths 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. The spotted bass can be found in similar areas, but often prefer a hard bottom type area, such as that a pebble rock/clay flat or sandy pocket can provide. Unlike the 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, islands, and sandy saddles between islands on the main lake. So, if you are looking for a trophy spot in the springtime, your efforts may be better spent on the main lake as opposed to the creeks. The creeks, however, will offer greater numbers of fish and more action than will the main lake in most cases. Spots and largemouth both will stage around and under docks near likely spawning areas. Check those areas thoroughly. Lures and Presentation: Now I want to share some of the techniques and lures that can be used to catch these fish. Rather than focusing on specific “bed fishing” techniques, I am going to share some proven tactics that can be used to catch fish just before they actually lock down on the beds. 1. Worm/jig – These baits are proven fish catchers year-round, and the spawn is no different. These are great baits to skip and pitch around docks for those staging fish we discussed earlier in this article. Use a 3/16 ounce Picasso Shakedown Head or Chattahoochee Cross Ball and tip it with a Zoom finesse worm. If the fish are ultra-finicky, don’t forget the Carolina Rig. This presentation method is often ideal for finicky spawning bass. Drag or drift this rig slowly over secondary points or the ends of spawning flats for some potentially awesome results. Also, when fishing a Picasso Shakedown Head and worm combo, consider using a lighter jig-head. I often choose a 1/8 ounce head or lighter to target these spawning fish. I will often tip this with a 4 inch worm as
opposed to a traditional offering of 6 inches or more. 2. Super Spin - I like to downsize to a 1/4 ounce model with a small trailer and work the back third of creeks with this bait during the pre-spawn and just before the fish go on beds. It offers versatility in presentation and depth, a great combo. A traditional spinnerbait can be a good choice as well. 3. Swimbait – Swimbaits offer great versatility as they can, based on the model, be fished at any depth you wish. Throwing a big 6 or 8 inch swimbait and slow rolling in these areas just off of spawning flats or around secondary points and docks can entice bites from very big fish. I recommend the Sweet Herring
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Swimbait options for this tactic. Keep in mind this approach will not garner you many bites on any given day, but the fish you do catch will likely be monsters! Also, a Keitech Swimbait on a jig head fished off of rocky and clay points as well as in pockets can be a great option for both numbers and big fish as well. While the spawn can be a challenging time of year to catch fish, focus on the immediate pre-spawn period with the tips and baits noted above for some outstanding results! 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
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Local Lakes & Forecasts Head South for Winter
The following is a brief portion of O’Neill’s book to be e-published soon. Preorders will be available soon. We decided we’d head south. I mean it’s already spring and winter has been a long time going, so we planned a very special trip a few years ago. Way south. Costa Rica. Crocodile Bay Lodge/Resort. Look it up. Maybe the best overall fishing
in the world for a combination of saltwater big game species. We routinely catch and release 10 to 12 sails a day in the 100-pound category. My largest was 130+ pounds and took at least 90 minutes to boat. Roosters, the fish with the racing stripes that is, up to 40 or so, and my very first rooster weighed in at 75 pounds and nearly broke my back, Red snapper, bonita, Sierra mackerel and the like can be caught. Food is excellent, accommodations lush, clean and safe. Pretty nice place. You got to want to go there. It’ll take a Delta flight from Atlanta to San Jose, Costa Rica, limos everywhere for a stay overnight near the airport and a fortyCOMFORT AND CONVENIENCE. minute charter to the lodge. Don’t worry, these guys are experts % A.P.R. FINANCING $ * executing the arDOWN, FOR 48 MONTHS rangements, travel, rooming, etc. without a single hitch. O’Neill has visited
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a dozen or so times. So how much does it cost? I’ll tell you in a minute, but first the equipment. Thirty-three to thirty-eight foot Strikes, Whaler Outrages, dozens of other sea worth craft staffed with friendly, efficient, mostly English speaking captains and mates, all take your anticipated mystery out of the day. I truly believe that Crocodile Bay Lodge is the best equipped lodge in Central America. Turns out it’s a fisherman’s dream trip. You really don’t have to take anything. Computers are in the lobby with high speed internet connections, ample clothing available in the local shop should purchasing very special shirts with Crocodile Bay Lodge logos, toiletries and what not. Did I mention the food? Oh, my goodness, chefs roam the kitchens preparing a feast three times daily. It’s a treat. Often a portion of your day’s catch is your centerpiece for the evening meal. You will have to purchase or bring a baiting suit for the pool with swim-up bar and the hot tub atop a raised platform at sunset. Did I mention also the eco-tours, waterfalls, horseback riding, zip-lining? The fishing can wear you out, so there’s plenty to do otherwise in making this trip one of a kind. Back to the fishing. Travis and I
traveled there a few years ago, and during one of the days offshore, we raised thirty-four sails and caught seventeen. What a day. Inshore the next day, roosters to thirty pounds and red snapper in the upper teens. What a day. I said that already, didn’t I? Anyway, how much does it cost? About $2,000 for three days I suppose. Should you go and when? Yes, late December, January, February, March and even April while the turkey season is in full bloom and the truly great bass fishing across the South has kicked in. Just go to www.crodocilebaylodge.com and find out all the particulars.
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3/18/18 4:26 PM
Local Lakes & Forecasts Cloud Fishing
Dove Hunter
Contributed By: Noey Vinyard
The opening of dove season is a day I look forward to every year, and there’s a reason for this. You see, I am by far the most popular dove hunter in the world. I’m popular with the other hunters on the field. I’m very popular with the manufacturer of the shotgun shells I use. But first and foremost, I’m extremely popular with the doves themselves. I once sat down and figured out how much it cost me to harvest a full pound of dove breast. I factored in guns, shells, transportation, Rolaids, antidepressants and everything else that goes along with dove hunting, and well, let’s just say that I stopped adding when the figure got close to the national deficit. Mourning doves are beautiful birds, with a soft call you can hear in the early mornings or late in the afternoon. Of course, I believe this to be a clever front. For those of you who have never hunted doves, let me give you a quick rundown. When
the day first starts out, they are cruising the millet fields at a modest 763 mph. After the first shots are fired, they kick in the afterburners and pick up the speed to Mach 3. Now if they would fly in a straight line, dove hunters may have a chance. But no, this is not the case. They can make left and right angle turns that would make F-16 pilots green with envy. At the end of the day and after I’ve shot at every bird on the field at least eight or nine times, they usually just put on an oxygen mask and cruise in the stratosphere. They stay up there until I leave to take my antidepressants. Then, and only then, do they flutter down and eat at a leisurely pace. That’s not to say I don’t take a few birds with me when I go home. I don’t know why, but every once in a while a bird will fly over, I shoot at it, its wings fold, and it falls to earth. It’s a very strange phenomenon indeed, since there is never any evidence of
the bird actually being hit. I once hunted with a friend who also just happens to be a veterinarian. He was convinced the seizure in the bird’s wings was caused by uncontrollable laughter. I don’t like hunting with him much anymore. Another strange phenomenon is the way other hunters act toward me during dove season. They all want to buy me breakfast and ask where I’m going to hunt. I’ve even seen fist fights break out over who was going to hunt to my right and left. Another friend of mine once told me why. He
said it was because who ever hunted near me not only got to shoot at the birds on their part of the field, but would eventually get to shoot at the ones that flew over my part as well. I don’t like hunting with him much anymore either. So on opening day, if you happen to run into a middle aged man and the back of his truck is full of empty shotgun shells and his cooler is just plain empty, ask for his autograph. He could very well be the most popular dove hunter in the world.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE BURTON
Forecast by: Capt. Wes Carlton Georgia Lake Fishing 770-318-9777 www.georgialakefishing.com Water temperature: 57 degrees, water level: full pool, clarity: stained. Bass: The largemouth bite has been decent lately. Most of these fish have hanging around structure towards the backs of creeks in the 9 to 18 foot depths. We have had good success throwing Farley swimbaits mid-morning in and around trees close to ledges. Work these baits a little slower than normal. These fish are not real aggressive and take a little finesse sometimes. Be prepared for some big blow ups on these swimbaits. The spotted bass are shallow and deep. We have had the best luck catching the bigger spots in and around docks in the 25 foot depths. Try working a shaky head tipped with a Greenie Weenie worm. Some of the Burton docks have a lot of brush around them. Using the side scan on the fish finder helps identify the better docks holding good structure and brush piles. This is where the bigger bass seem to live. Look for the bass to pull up shallow to spawn over the
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next several weeks. Trout: Most of the trout population seem to be midway back in the creeks from 12 to 40 feet of water. Trolling spoons has been successful for us over the last few weeks. We have caught a few bigger brown trout on Spro Mcsticks casting to surfacing fish. Look for the trout to start making their way towards the main lake channels and secondary points over the next week or so. Walleye: The walleye bite has been all over the place this month. The fish have spawned and are starting to feed finally! Trolling crankbaits in 15 to 30 feet of water has been the most effective way of catching these fish. Trolling for walleye requires some patience. These fish are very structure oriented and don’t travel too far to catch a bait. Targeting the depth and areas they are in is critical to success. We normally keep our gear (plugs) close to fallen trees when trolling. This can be tricky and costly, but the reward has been some nice 4 to 7-pound walleye. Most of the baits we have been trolling are a fire tiger pattern. A crawfish look seems to work best. Look for this pattern to continue for the next few weeks.
“Trolling for walleye requires some patience. These fish are very structure oriented and don’t travel too far to catch a bait.”
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE BLUE RIDGE By: Shane Goebel Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service & The Angler Magazine Fishing Team www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021, 1-844-4-ANGLER Located about two hours north of Atlanta, Lake Blue Ridge plays host to some of North Georgia’s best smallmouth and bass fishing and April is a great month to hit the water. Currently, Lake Blue Ridge is 10 feet below full pool. Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s. Water clarity is clear in the main lake and stained in the creeks and rivers. We are still 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. 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 free lines 100 to 120 feet behind the boat while you pull planer boards. In the midmorning hours, we’ll switch to down lining live blueback herring. Most of our fish have been caught in the 30 to 40-foot range. 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. April will also kick off the start of a great walleye bite. Lake Blue Ridge
walleye will start to make their way into the rivers and creeks from the deeper water to stage in spawning areas. After this migration, the walleye are typically hungry and will feed vigorously on more nontraditional baits. With April weather in mind, we usually see some good amounts of rain and an increase in water levels in the lake. This leads to muddier water conditions. Brighter color lures in the yellow, orange and red will tend to work more efficient than live bait. On occasion, trolling Rapala Jointed Shad Raps, Cordell Wally Divers and Bomber Fat Free Shad will tend to work more efficiently than live bait. Sometimes, the more erratic movement and vibration of artificial bait will cause the walleye to strike, especially in calmer waters. For the most part we try to target these fish by slow trolling live minnows and blueback herring pulled behind planer boards. For those walleye clinging to the bottom underneath the boat, a live blueback or a night crawler 6 to 12 inches from the bottom on a down line will work. April 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.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE SINCLAIR
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Forecast By: Ken Sturdivant ken@southernfishing.com Lake Sinclair is down 1.1 feet with the water stained and water temperature in the 60’s. Bass fishing is good. With the warming trend the spotted bass and largemouth have moved to secondary points and shallow cover in the spawning bays off the main lake and in the mid to lower lake. Use a Red Eye Shad and the
Bandit 100 series crankbait in solid white, Rat-L-Traps in chrome and blue and chrome and green are working. Use the Texas rig with a Zoom Dead Ringer in June bug or green pumpkin. Start with the deeper end of the points and work the crankbaits first, and then work back to the shallow sandy flats and grass beds to find where the fish are holding. Fishing a Zoom 6 inch lizard around shallow brush and stumps is producing some good fish.
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Eric Welch Welch’s Guide Service www.welchsguideservice. com 706-455-2323 Water temperature: 47-52 degrees, lake level: 5.3 feet low, clarity: clear. Bass: Fishing is picking up and fixing to bust wide open. We’ve been having some crazy weather. One week it will be warm with warm rains, which pushes the water temp up, and the next week we have nights that are back in the teens, pushing the temps back down. The fish are starting to move up on bright sunny days. If you’re wanting to target largemouth bass, you need to fish spawning areas, backs of pockets and around docks that have brush or cover. They are going to be looking for the cover or something to spawn near but still want the access to deeper water right now. I’ve been targeting these areas with a Strike King KVD 2.5 square bill, shaky head with a Zoom trick worm, umbrella rig, spinnerbait, jig and Strike King 2.5 Rage Swimmer. In some places you will find the largemouth stacked together around the brush. Most of the spotted bass I’ve found have still been deep, but are in the areas that they will be moving up to spawn, which is off long rocky points and pee gravel bank lines. I’m targeting these areas with a Strike King KVD jerkbait, 3.5” tube, Zoom small crawdad, shaky head, jig, umbrella rig and Strike King Menace on a jig head. If you’ve never fished an umbrella
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rig, you don’t know what you’re missing. They catch some big fish, and you can cover a lot of water. The set up I like the best is a 5 wire that has small willow blades, and I will only use 3 swimbait hooks that are 1/8 ounce. On the other two wires I will rig up two dummie swimbaits. The reason I do this is to keep them from tangling up when casting, and they seem to not hang up under water as much. The swimbaits I use are Strike King 3.5 Rage Swimmers. We only use the best equipment and only target fish with artificial lures. We can also help you learn more about your electronics. Give Welch’s Guide Service a call. We’re your #1 guide service, and we’ve been doing this since 2001.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts LAKE LANIER STRIPER Forecast By: Steve Scott http://TeamLanier.wordpress.com/menu The unseasonably warm air temperatures that occurred on and off toward the end of February into the first weeks of March caused the stripers to delay their yearly run up the rivers to do their pseudo-spawn because the water quality was not ideal for spawning. With the smaller stripers in large schools and the larger stripers roaming as loners, you would still find the larger stripers anywhere from the dam to midlake, as opposed to last year when they were basically north of Hwy 60 and Toto Creek in the rivers. While there were some cold snaps in March, it had extended the trophy season further into April still making it prime time to catch a big striper. You need to get out there with those big baits, and I mean gizzard shad at least 12” or more and rainbow trout 10” plus. Don’t forget that all important stinger. Methods to use early in the morning with a water temp around 49° are planer boards with a big bait like a gizzard shad 12” plus, 5’ behind the board in shallow water right up on the bank (the short leash prevents the shad from diving down into blow-downs and other structure) or a directional bobber with a blueback herring over an 80’ bottom. Another method to use midmorning to early afternoon with a water temp around 64° is a flatline trolled unweighted over main lake points and humps. Keep your speed at .7 to 1.2 mph. Weighted planer boards and flatlines with the bait out seventy to one hundred feet is another good method
over the river channel and bends in the river where the channel comes close to the bank. TIP of the month: If you fall into the water hopefully with your life jacket on, remember to grab the boat and maneuver yourself to the back of the boat and grab onto the big motor then press the tilt switch and raise yourself back into the boat. Check the Techniques link on my website at www.TeamLanier.com to see how planer boards and flatlines can be deployed.
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Local Lakes & Forecasts KIM’S KITCHEN
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ROASTED WILD TURKEY 1 wild turkey (10 to 15 pounds) 2 large apples, quartered 6 to 8 medium red potatoes, quartered 2 pound baby carrots 2 medium onions, sliced 2 cups water 1-1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup French salad dressing 1/4 cup barbecue sauce 2 tablespoons ketchup 2 tablespoons steak sauce 1 tablespoon lemon juice Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan; place apples in turkey cavity. Place potatoes, carrots and onions around turkey. Pour water over vegetables. Combine seasoned salt, salt and pepper; rub over turkey. Combine remaining ingredients; brush over the turkey. Cover and bake at 325° for 3-1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 180°. Baste if desired. Turkey may be uncovered for the last 30 minutes for additional browning if desired. Yield: 10-12 servings
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Local Lakes & Tournaments LAKE OCONEE
Ken Sturdivant ken@southernfishing.com Lake Oconee is full with the water temperature 55 to 60 degrees. There is a heavy stain up the rivers, then stained to the river bend area of the lake. Richland Creek is clear. The cold rain and wind have slowed the largemouth bite. The same patterns are still working, but the cold fronts have slowed the bite down. Spinnerbaits have been the best producers over the past week. Fish them from the middle of the coves to the back. Docks and wood structure have been the best producers. Match your spinnerbait color to the water color. White/chartreus seems to be the best all around. Jigs fished under docks will also draw a few strikes. Use Texas rigged worms in green or pumpkin (or a combination) fished under docks on the Richland Creek
side of the lake. Most of these docks are in the middle of the coves to the back of the coves. Striper fishing is good. The best location has been around the jumping rock area on the south end in the afternoon. Live bait fished on flat lines have been the way to catch these fish. The fish are hard to see on your graph because they are so high in the water column. I have been using bass minnows, but shad will also work. The dam bite has not happened as of today but it is on the way. Crappie fishing is good. The fish have started to move into the creeks. Long lining has been the best producer over the past week. Any jig color will work as long as it has chartreuse in it. The fish are deep, so you need to make sure you are getting your bait down to the fish. These fish are 10 to 15 feet deep. Heavy jigs are the ticket.
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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! Incredible Huk with a pair of early spring bass from Lake Lanier
Kate Willess with a striper caught on a fly with guide Garner Reid, Cohutta Fishing Co
Steve Kibler used a San Juan Worm to land this big rainbow fishing with guide Dalton Tankersley with FlyFish Blue Ridge.
Lorretta Marks won the big fish at the North Georgia Crappie Anglers tournament
Logan McCord caught this monster 16.3 pound bass out of Lake Lanier near 6 Mile Creek at 1AM using a pumpkin seed Yum Dinger worm Texas rigged
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Circe Tsui caught this huge rainbow fishing with guide David Hulsey at Noontootla Creek Farms.
Tracy Gilmore from Buford was night fishing on Lanier when he caught this big largemouth on a 10 inch black worm
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By Conner Jones
E
Look for Shadows: A trout’s camouflage is effective, designed to hide it from predators with better eyesight than humans possess. Sometimes the best way to spot a fish is by looking for shadows. If a fish is suspended any distance off the bottom, it will cast a shadow that contrasts against the bottom more so than the fish itself. Find the shadow, and you have found the fish. Find the Right Water: This means using the angle of the sun to your advantage. Try to position yourself so glare is minimal. Heavy currents and deep water can obscure what is hiding below, so be sure to check the shallows. Tail-outs are the shallow stretches at the end of a pool, usually with a uniform current and gravel or cobble bottom in free-stone rivers. These features make the tail-out ideal for spotting fish, but their shallow nature can put fish on edge, so be sure to go slow! The Gear: It’s hard to overstate the importance of good sunglasses on the water. Good sunglasses will not only cut the glare off the water, allowing you to see the underlying structure of the river, they will also enhance your ability to see fish. Good sunglasses are the key to being able to spot fish and also the easiest way to step up your sight fishing game, so invest in a good pair. Conner Jones is with Cohutta Fishing Company. Contact him at cjones@cohuttafishingco.com and visit their website at www.cohuttafishingco.com.
ven out in the open, trout are remarkably adept at hiding their presence. The muted colors and speckles of their backs are beautiful out of the water. In the water, these features make them invisible to the untrained eye. Most of their predators come from above, so spotting and stalking trout is difficult, which is what makes it so much fun. Here are a few tips to help you successfully sight fish for trout. Go Slow: This cannot be overstated. The easiest fish to see is the one you just spooked. As the fish bolts you will inevitably ask yourself, “Why was I in such a rush?” Go slow, start at the tail of the pool and work your way to the head. Be methodical. Look for Motion: It’s amazing how little motion it takes for a trout to keep its place in the current. However, these small movements are sometimes all it takes to give away a fish’s location. Look for unnatural movement like the side-to-side pulse of a tail or the telltale white of an opening mouth. Sometimes, this is the only clue Airline_CoastalAnglerAd_3-2016_Layout 1 3/18/16 1:07 PM Page 1 a trout will give to its location.
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On The Water With
Kaku By Capt. Ryan Drygas
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arpon Springs, a small town on the west coast of Florida an hour north of St. Petersburg, is a best-kept secret for redfish and snook. It sits within a web of waterways connecting the Gulf of Mexico to rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes and eventually Tampa Bay. This vast system offers excellent inshore opportunities, and it’s a ton of fun to explore under paddle power. I know a local who grew up there and knows the water like the back of his hand. Kevin Hawkins, owner of Kaku Kayaks, invited me out on the water to try his newest SUP, the Voodoo. Kevin lives, eats and breathes fishing. When he’s not fishing from one of his kayaks or SUPs, he’s thinking about ways to design these boats so they’re better to fish from. The Voodoo is a hybrid that melds the best qualities of an SUP, a kayak and a micro-skiff. We launched from his local ramp on a Saturday afternoon a cou-
ple hours before sunset. I don’t have the words to describe the picturesque setting that spread out before me. Mangroves, oyster beds and hidden shoals were in abundance. We paddled to the tip of a mangrove island where a smaller canal led to docks, sandbars and windbreaks. We had to cross the main channel to get there, and there was a 1- to 2-foot chop with the boating traffic and winds. The Voodoo was stable and fast, tracking straight as it cut through the channel. I was surprised the chop didn’t offer more of a challenge, but the hull design of the Voodoo is flawless. It also features a chair, which—without adjustment—offers two seated positions and can be used as a poling platform. The boat paddles well from a seated or standing position, and the ability to make powerful strokes with a low center of gravity came in handy during the crossing. As we rounded the tip of the island, we found wind-shade in a pocket. We poled down to cast right under the mangroves and docks. The Voodoo’s stern has five molded-in Power Pole mounts that allow for dual or single Power Pole Micros. And from a stability standpoint, the boat might as well be the deck of a skiff. Kevin hooked into a 25-inch redfish and fought it with ease from the open deck. As we paddled through the backside of the mangrove islands, we cast to oyster beds and under docks. The final spot Kevin had planned was a back corner of an area with a long sea wall and sand flats. Kevin wanted to hit it right at sunset, when the redfish bite is best. We could see reds tailing over the shoals as the tide went out. If you are looking for a perfect fishing machine, look no further than Kaku. These boats are a fisherman’s Cadillac. Kevin’s obsession with crafting a superior fishing vessel is evident in the sleek, stable versatility of his boats. For more on Kaku Kayak, visit kakukayak.com.
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By Tom Schlichter
Y
ou couldn’t tell by looking in the tannic-stained water, but Capt. Gary Dubiel was convinced redfish were holding just a few feet from the bank. “Toss your line up tight and see what happens,” he instructed. My cork popper landed with a splat and the trailing DOA shrimp settled toward the bottom. I waited a second, gave a “pop” and watched the cork slide under with an 8-pound red in full protest. “They’ll smack that setup every time,” smiled the skipper. It’s no secret that the coastal waters of North Carolina teem with redfish and stripers, but many visiting anglers focus their efforts solely on inlet and ocean waters. For truly amazing topwater action, the bays, creeks and river systems are also well worth exploring. “There’s amazing variety on the inside here,” said Dubiel, of Spec Fever Guide Service (www.specfever.com), who specializes in putting light-tackle and fly-fishing fans right in the mix. Dubiel especially enjoys working the Neuse River area because it hosts stripers and seatrout year-round, plus redfish from spring though mid-October. “These stripers are estuarine and don’t run to the ocean,” he explained. “They typically measure up to 32 inches, which makes them perfect for light gear and fly rods. Even better, they mix in with the specks and slot-sized redfish. We often catch all three on the same trip.” The striper action really heats up in late April when the bass return from spawning farther upriver to offer outstanding surface action from Oriental to New Bern, N.C. Much of the fun takes place in knee-deep depths here in the river’s mouth at Pamlico Sound, and that makes for a ton of topwater thrills. Interestingly, the Neuse River—America’s widest at 6 miles across the mouth— doesn’t have a lunar rise and fall in tides. Rather than look for current, Dubiel works around structure while using a trolling motor to quietly get in and out of
potential hot spots. He likes casting at old wood when possible, often using a Bob’s Banger Capt. Gary Dubiel of Spec popper. “Because the fish often Fever Guide Service works hang in the shallows here, you can call them from a considerthe long wand for shallow able distance if you make a litwater Neuse River stripers, reds tle noise,” he said. “This is also and specks. Photo by Felicia a great lure for covering a lot of Scocozza. water. Some of our wood fields are pretty expansive.” Push up into the Neuse River tributaries above and below New Bern and you’ll also find largemouth bass, crappie and perch. The creeks stay warmer than the river in the winter months, so there are times in late winter and early spring when you might catch any of these along with a striper, redfish or speckled trout as well. “It certainly makes for an interesting mixed bag,” quipped Dubiel. Just an hour drive from Moorhead City, N.C., the Neuse River is easily accessible from Oriental, New Bern or the ICW. For accommodations, consider Bridgepoint Marina (www.bridgepointe.com) in New Bern. It’s within 500 yards of public launching at both Lawson Creek Landing and Union Park Point. For more info on the New Bern area, visit www.visitnewbern.com.
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ho doesn’t have a smile on their face when they’re spending time on the water? You can’t help yourself. Boating is the definition of 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 Gary Cheney, 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. Our squadrons are 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 local clubs across the country, America’s Boating Club is comprised of families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education. 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 Cheney. “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 renaming exercise. To learn more about United States Power Squadrons–America’s Boating Club, visit www.americasboatingclub.org.
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FRESHWATER Jordan Lee Wins Back-To-Back
Bassmaster Classics Bassmaster photos by Andy Crawford
I
n sixth place headed into the final day of the Bassmaster Classic on March 18 at lake Hartwell, S.C., Alabama’s Jordan Lee was in striking distance to do what only two anglers have ever done—win the Super Bowl of bass fishing twice in a row. And he did it. With a final day surge that took him to the scales with 16 pounds, 5 ounces, Lee tallied a three-day total of 47-1 to edge out California pro Brent Ehrler by a single pound. With his Classic win last year at Lake Conroe, Texas, Lee joins Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam as the only three anglers in the history of the sport to win back-to-back classics. With the $300,000 purse, Lee pushed his career earnings with B.A.S.S past the million-dollar mark.
“It was just a perfect week for me,” Lee told Bassmaster. “I caught fish on five different baits and a lot of different techniques.” Boat docks were the ticket to Lee’s success. Following poor practice rounds, he could not nail down a strong pattern. From Day 1, Lee reverted to his comfort zone and his strength. “I just wanted to cover as much water as I could to give myself the best chance of putting a bait in front of a fish,” he told Bassmaster. “On this lake, I knew boat docks were going to play because they always do—and that’s what I like to do.” Live on Day 1, video showed Lee pumping his fists over a chunky largemouth he finessed out from under a dock with black floats. Black floats tend to warm the water around them, and the fish were staging up prior to the spawn. A strong sack of 18-10 on Day 1 must have buoyed Lee’s confidence in the dock pattern. Despite catching nothing but smaller spotted bass and just 12-2 on Day 2, Lee was still solidly in the top 25 to make the cut to fish Championship Sunday. Lee found his magic pocket on Day 3. Fishing a Strike King Rage Swimmer, a Strike King Ocho and a Strike King Shimmy Stick, he stuck to that one little pocket and pulled fish from beneath almost every dock. Green pumpkin was his primary color. Jason Christie, of Oklahoma, who led through the first two days of competition, dropped back to third place after the final day with a three-day total of 45-15. Ehrler’s 46-1 earned him second place. Alabama pro Mark Daniels Jr. caught the Berkley Big Bass of the tournament, a 6-pound, 11-ounce largemouth that won him $2,500. Reporting by Bassmaster’s Bryan Brasher.
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ike land hunters or rod-and-reel fishermen, spearos also study and perfect some tricks of the trade. Spearos immerse themselves into the fishes’ environment, so the first skill to master is to look like you belong there. Beginners tend to exhibit aggressive behavior, chasing and spooking fish. If fish scatter when you get near, study how calmly an experienced diver moves in the water. Until you achieve a non-threatening aura, all other tips and tricks will be useless. After achieving smooth diving technique, here are some techniques to get near fish. 1) Aspetto (Italian for “wait”)—It starts from the surface with a smooth duck-dive into the water while removing the snorkel. You descend with soft kicks until you begin to free-fall as you scan the bottom. By turning your fin blades, you maneuver to the right spot, perhaps where the reef meets sand. You lie motionless on the bottom until curious fish come to check you out. Moving only your eyes, you pick out the prey, move your gun slowly, and make a well-placed shot. A good spearo will make this technique look easy, but it is not. This is especially effective with evasive fish that become curious when you do not move, such as mutton snappers in Florida, stripers in the northeast, and bigeye emperors in Hawaii. 2) Agguato (Italian for “ambush”)–This is a dynamic stalking technique to get closer to prey without being noticed. The diver navigates the bottom using the environment to get closer to the prey. The diver must consider current, visibility and available bottom structure while moving from one object to another, blending into shadows or hiding behind reef formations. If your body can be hidden while closing the gap, the fish will remain unaware of your presence.
3) Flashers/ Sheri Daye practices “aspetto” technique. chum—Especially Photo by Joe Marino effective for hunting pelagics such as jacks, tunas, dolphin and wahoo. Multiple mirrors dangle below a float, and the flashes of light in the water imitate the reflective glare from a school of baitfish. The fish come in to investigate. Chum can be used in combination with a flasher to bring them even closer and keep them interested. In addition to these techniques, serious spearos are likely to train in a pool, use meditation techniques, and do cardio exercises to increase their breath hold capacity. Many take freediving classes to increase bottom time and safety. While there is no certification required to do it, classes should be a pre-requisite, as freediving is a sport that can lead to “blackout” and death if not practiced correctly. Spearfishing is a beautiful, selective way to catch fish, but it is also physically and mentally demanding. Above all, be safe and happy hunting! 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.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
CAMSPEARFISHING.COM
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hen Jesus Chavarria was a small boy nearly 60 years ago, he remembers a giant silver fish with huge scales brought to the dock at his home in the small Pacific river port of Sierpe, Costa Rica. No one had any idea what it was. He went on to captain offshore sport fishing boats all over the west coast of Costa Rica for the next 35 years and retired a few years ago to taking guests fishing the backwaters of the Sierpe River. His specialty is snook but now and then he began to catch tarpon. Tarpon are not indigenous to the Pacific Ocean, but over the years anglers began to encounter a tarpon now and then. The thought is that over more than a century since it was constructed, the Panama Canal has provided passage for tarpon, which now reside in the Pacific. Tarpon capture has been recorded as far south as Colombia and as far north as El Salvador. Saul Porras’ capture of a tarpon that weighed barely 3 pounds at a creek mouth in southern Costa Rica changed the whole thought process. Chances that a fish that small swam through the canal and that far are slim. Are tarpon now breeding in the Pacific? FECOP, the sport fishing advocacy and conservation group in Costa Rica, agreed to sponsor a project to find out more about tarpon in the Pacific. They contacted Didiher Chacon, who had worked on a Costa Rican Caribbean tarpon project almost three decades ago in Barra del Colorado for Dr. Roy Crabtree, of Florida. He agreed to work on the science part of the project. “The Sierpe Wetlands are perfect habitat for juvenile tarpon,” explained Chacon. “That very well may account for the increase in numbers of tarpon caught there in the last few years.” Most of the river tarpon are small, less than 30 pounds, but fish as large as 100 pounds have also been taken. Phase 1 of the project will concentrate in southern Costa Rica. A DNA comparison will be done between Pacific-caught tarpon and tarpon taken from different parts of the Caribbean side of the country. They will also study what the Pacific tarpon have been feeding on. Today this can be done with a small tissue sample without sacrificing the fish. All Pacific caught tarpon will also be tagged. Chacon noted that there is a possibility over time for tarpon to change the ecology of the rivers. It is not yet known what they are feeding on or how they will affect native fish. The Pacific-side tarpon are now showing with enough frequency to make it worth finding out. Tropical storm Nate delayed the project when the massive amounts of rain that fell not only caused major landslides but also completely flushed everything out of most of the country’s rivers. Find out more about Pacific tarpon and other FECOP projects on sport fishing conservation at www.fishcostarica.org.
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N
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