The Angler Magazine | February 2019 | Charlotte/Piedmont

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CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT, NC EDITION

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World Record

Cutthroat Lonestar Lunkers PHOTO COURTESY OF BRETT CANNON

VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 288

F R A N C H I S E

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For: Coastal Angler

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FROM SHIP TO SHORE

All trademarks mentioned are owned by, or licensed to, the AkzoNobel group of companies. © AkzoNobel 2018.

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Tampa Bay, A Jewel On

Florida’s Gulf Coast

By Rosemary J. White

T

ampa Bay has some of the very best fishing in the state of Florida, which means it is some of the best fishing in the world.

What makes Tampa Bay so unique is the many different varieties of both freshwater and saltwater fish to catch, as well as the many different ways to catch them.

If you are not a boat person, Tampa offers the world’s longest fishing pier, the Old Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here you can catch snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, red snapper and pompano. That’s 10 species of highly desirable fish from just one location, without a boat! And if that list alone is not impressive enough, fishing the bridge is convenient, too. You’ll need some specialized gear, but once

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you’ve got it you can drive right onto the pier to your exact sweet spot and unload. It’s also lit at night! There’s no limit as to what time of the day you can fish.

Feel like delving into the ocean world a little deeper than a concrete bridge? Tampa Bay boasts the stunning Fort Desoto County Park. Here you can simply slip on a pair of old sneakers and wade into cerulean blue waters and lush seagrass beds. Sound surreal? It is. Wading is a stealthy approach to fishing. In addition to species from the list above, you can also catch redfish, trout and flounder.

Looking to fish the deeper waters of the bay? About 45 miles out, the water depths start to reach the 80-foot range. Out here, the possibilities are endless. Varieties of grouper, assortments of snapper, arrays of sharks, blackfin tuna, sailfish, mahi, amberjack, jack crevalle, permit and bonita can be added to the previously mentioned lists of available species.

What if you tend to lean more toward the fresh side? Tampa Bay has some of the most diverse freshwater fishing opportunities one can imagine. Use a kayak to quietly glide through the tannic waters of our creeks to catch largemouth bass that grow upwards of 10 pounds. The creeks also hold massive bluegills, crappie, toothy alligator gar, tilapia, catfish and carp. The secret to what makes our freshwater fishing so thrilling is that you never know what you are going to catch. You see, many of our saltwater species inhabit our freshwater, as well. It is not only possible, but it is common to catch a big largemouth and then five minutes later a 15-pound common snook.

Tampa Bay offers a temperate climate, direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, artificial reefs, a unique slowly sloping continental shelf, and an abundance of freshwater feeds. From grass flats and mangrove systems in our inshore ecological system, to the deeper channels throughout the bay and Intracoastal Waterway, anglers have the opportunity to catch anything from sharks to Goliath grouper. The potential for the catch of a lifetime exists on every cast.

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NauticStar Introduces

SEE IT AT THE MIAMI INTL BOAT SHOW BOOTH A237 The 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a new 25-foot model to NauticStar’s very successful hybrid lineup. This unique multipurpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform.

NauticStar has also moved into the 30-foot plus category with its

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newest member of the family: the 32 XS Offshore. This outstanding saltwater performer delivers all the necessary fishing features for the serious angler with a smooth, dry, comfortable ride with cutting edge styling and comfort features never before seen in a boat of this style and size.

With its 10’ 6” beam, the 32 XS Offshore offers a spacious and comfortable bow that features large forward lounge seating with arm rests and plush wrap-around bow seats. The head console has a fully lined interior with a sink, SeaDek floor and electric flush toilet. It has a spacious and ergonomic helm to allow for dual 12-inch or 16inch multifunction displays. The leaning post features ergonomically correct Llebrock double billfish seats with flip-up bolsters and pivot arms. It has a sink, tackle storage, and a slide-out, 35-quart YETI cooler. The D-channel, integrated T-top can be fitted with a variety of options such as a retractable shade and fold-down cockpit television.

Aft, the jump seats flip-up for a spacious fishing deck with sizable, infloor fish boxes and large port side dive door.

“Engineered for exceptional reliability and performance, the new 32 XS Offshore carries forward NauticStar’s 100-percent wood-free construction and one-piece foam filled fiberglass stringer system,” said Ryan Witt, director of engineering. “Additionally, we’ve added some great new design features such as sculpted hull sides, a sideentry cockpit door, and large insulated in-floor fish boxes. The 32 XS Offshore also features cutting edge technologies with NaviOP digital vessel control system and Klipsch custom-tuned audio system.”

“I am very proud of the team and all they have accomplished over the past year,” Schiek added. “These new models are truly exciting and we look forward to introducing many great new models in the future.”

The 251 Hybrid and 32 XS Offshore will be on display in Miami at booth A237 and available for test rides in the Yamaha in-water display.

For more information on each of NauticStar’s new model introductions, please visit: 195 Bay - https://nauticstarboats. com/boats/nauticbay-boats/195-nauticbay/ 251 Hybrid - https:// nauticstarboats.com/boats/hybrids/251-hybrid/

TI EES EHT TA LTNI IMAIM WOHS TAOB 732A HTOOB

auticStar Boats, a subsidiary of MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc., has been reinvesting in the business at an accelerated pace, specifically, modernizing the plant and developing leading edge new products. The Company launched the new 195 Bay Boat in August, followed by the 251 Hybrid in September and will debut its largest offshore model yet, the 32 XS Offshore, at the Miami International Boat Show.

“To say we have been busy at NauticStar is an understatement,” NauticStar President Tim Schiek said in a statement. “We have assembled a strong team of marine experts focused on delivering the highest quality and best performing boats in their segment. This is not only driving continuous improvement in our boat building processes, but throughout the entire organization. We have also implemented a more disciplined product development process that is delivering more new products, at a faster cadence, with increased consumer insights and innovation that ultimately will deliver the best boating experience for our consumers at a reasonable price.”

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With its sleek lines and stylish contours, the new 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a 25 foot addition to the NauticStar Hybrid lineup.

This unique multi-purpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform. If you need a serious fishing machine for yourself or a boat with enough room for a large crowd, the 251 Hybrid is the boat for you!

Check out all the incredible features of the 251 on our website and design the boat of your dreams.

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By Tom Schlichter

Winter Bulldogs Out Of Ocean City, Maryland

By Tom Schlichter

Ron McClelland caught this 24-pound blackfish aboard the Fish Bound out of Ocean City, Md. in April of 2018. Mate Kevin Twilley helps hoist the beast. Photo courtesy of Fish Bound Charters.

K

enneth Westerfeld was expecting a big blackfish when he set up on a solid, single-tug while wreck fishing out of Ocean City, Md. back in January of 2015. What he wasn’t expecting was a new International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record at the end of the line.

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“We were into big blackfish right off the bat,” explained the Queens, N.Y. angler, “and I knew immediately when I set the hook that this was a double-digit white chin. I got three quick turns on the reel and then all I could do was hold the rod high and tight while she dove for the wreck. More than half way to the top, however, she got a second wind and tore 40 feet of line from my drag, which was nearly locked tight. I couldn’t believe the power.

That’s when I knew this one was more than special.”

When the monstrous bulldog finally hit the deck, Westerfeld was stunned by its size. Back at Sunset Marina in Ocean City, the huge white chin officially tipped the scales at 28 pounds, 8 ounces. That blackfish, still the all tackle world record for the tough-lipped bottom feeders, was decked aboard Capt. Kane Bounds’ six-pack charter boat Fish Bound, a vessel on which Westerfeld has taken several ’teen-sized bulldogs over the years.

“I’m convinced there’s even bigger blackfish in Maryland waters,” he said. “A couple of years ago, an experienced SCUBA diver reported seeing two giant blackfish on an offshore reef there—the smaller one he estimated at 30 pounds.”

Capt. Kane agrees that bigger fish probably lurk in the 80- to 150-foot depths where he concentrates most of his blackfish efforts. “I think our ’tog have a little longer growing season than up north,” he reasoned. “That makes a difference with a fish that can live more than 30 years. In 2017 alone, we had five that broke the 20-pound mark. Three of those were released.”

You’ll want to fish heavy in these waters if giant ’tog are your target.

Bounds recommended conventional outfits with smooth drags and 50- to 60-pound test braided lines. He also goes big on hooks, choosing 5/0 and 6/0 sizes over more traditional 3/0 and 4/0 selections. Expect to need 8 to 12 ounces of lead to get to the bottom.

Monster blackfish bite right through the winter months, with many of the largest fish decked each year in February, March and April.

Westerfeld advised anglers looking for the blackfish of a lifetime to use fluorocarbon leaders no matter which rigs or hooks they choose.

“Maryland’s waters are pretty clear in the winter and low visibility fluorocarbon leaders really provide an edge,” he said. “Seaguar’s 60-lb. test Blue Label fluorocarbon leaders have worked well for me. They have great abrasion resistance and impact strength, plus very little stretch—three things you really need with these brutes.”

To fish with Capt. Kane on the six-passenger Fish Bound, contact: www. fishboundcharter.com; 443-497-1361. Open boat fans can check out the Morning Star (http://morningstarfishing.com; 410-520-2076).

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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Central Florida Bass Are On The Beds

By Nick Carter • Photo by Brett Cannon

W

hile largemouth bass across much of the country remain hunkered down in a winter pattern, bass in central Florida are running full tilt in all three stages of the spawn. Right now tournament angler and guide Ricky Congero is wearing out big Florida strain largemouths on the eight Kissimmee Chain lakes around Orlando.

Whether you’re an angler in need of a road trip or if you’re sitting in an easy chair waiting on your reservoir to get right, Congero’s tactics might help steer you to the largemouth of a lifetime.

Starting in November and December, Kissimmee largemouths begin staging up in prespawn behaviors. The first big waves of fish hit the flats toward the end of January. They’ll move in and out with the passage of cold fronts, but from January into early March there will be fish in all stages of the spawn. The key to locating them among miles of thick vegetation is to find hard-bottomed shallow flats.

“You can pattern them year-round based on the spawning flats,” Congero said. “During prespawn, they’ll be staged in the first grass maybe

100 yards off those flats. Postspawn, they’ll move out into the dense hydrilla and hyacinth.”

Congero starts by covering water with moving baits like swim jigs and Chatterbaits in search of bass preparing to move up. When the smaller males arrive on the flats to fan out beds, it’s an indicator that fishing is about to get very good.

“If you start catching a bunch of young bucks on the flats, the big females won’t be far behind,” he said.

In the tannic waters of the Kissimmee lakes, it’s difficult to spot fish on the bed. Instead of sight fishing, Congero looks for the locations big females prefer.

“You always find the bigger females bedded on isolated pads, as opposed to the big clumps of pads,” he said. “They’ll spawn right at the base of the stem.”

And while heavy braid and heavy-duty tackle are mainstays for hossing big fish out of thick vegetation, fishing beds requires stealth and finesse. Sizing down to 17- or 20-pound fluorocarbon, Congero likes a short 5- or 6-inch Senko. A staple on the Kissimmee lakes is black with a blue tail. He Texas rigs it with 1-ounce tungsten bullet weight, which is pegged to the head of the worm. This allows him to feel when his bait hits the stalk, at which time he lets it sit on the bottom until the bass picks it up.

“Don’t set the hook as soon as you feel her pick it up,” he warned. “She might just have the tail in her mouth and you’ll come back with half a worm. Wait until she’s swimming off with it. Reel up all the slack and give her a second or two before you set it.”

For a guided trip, contact Congero at (973) 6998981 or email info@blackcloudfishing.com. Follow him on Instagram @Ricky_Congero.

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VISIT AND Visit andEXPLORE Explore Burnsville, NC Burnsville, N.C.

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hether you’re hiking, exhibits. The restaurant, conces- through Yancey fishing or camping sion stand and gift shop are open County. hether you’re hiking, fishing or Mountains and the South Toe in the mountains or May thru a fun camping in the mountains, at- October.

River Campground Valley. StretchingEnjoy nearly has 9 tent sites only. attending a performance at Parkfilled day on tending a performance at Parkway 500 miles through the mountains the Playhouse ororcoming North Virginia way Playhouse comingtotothe theMt. Mitchell Winding of along the Carolina southern and water, catching Crafts Fair Crafts or Carolina Literary without a single red light, Mt. Mitchell Fair orMountains Caro- edge of Yancey County, the Blue the the fishBlue native to Festival, there’sLiterary alwaysFestival, a good day waiting Ridge one of the best lina Mountains Ridge Parkway givesParkway travelersisan our mountains. for you in Burnsville, North Carolina, espe- scenic drives in America. there’s always a good day waiting amazing view of the Black MounWe is guarantee cially for travelers who like to discover their The Blue Ridge Parkway the forown youjourney. in Burnsville, North Car- tains and the South Toe River your fishing only access to Mount Mitchell County is home State Park at Hwy andwill mileolina, Yancey especially for travelers whoto waterfalls, Valley. Stretching for nearly 500128trip be full campgrounds, hiking post It’s five miles sumSnakeroot Ecotours offers custom tours like to discover theirbackroads, own journey. milestrails, through the355. mountains of to of the fish-catching clean rivers, and six the 10tohighest peaks mit. and The Parkway

by Civilian Con-Observation at Mount State Park. of one ofplatform the wildest andMitchell most scenic corNorth Carolina Virginia was – built Yancey County is ofhome experiences! in the eastern United States. servation Corps labor in the 1930s. Workers ners of Western North Carolina. They invite and not one single redlight – the waterfalls, campgrounds, backToe River, Located in southern Yancey County, used dynamite to blast tunnels through the you into astoundingly Southern diverse Appalachian habitatsMounand Blue Ridge Parkway is one the a Carolina roads, hiking trails,(6,684 clean feet) rivers,is the Hemlocks, Black Mount Mitchell highest mountains andofcarve road through rough, and reveal the mysteries of the Southern Appatains. More info at www.snakemountain of the peaks Mississippi River.

It drives remote terrain. The Parkway rises to an el- lachian scenic in America. and six of theeast 10 highest in best Mountain Campgrounds are all lo-Mountains. See more info at www. rootecotours.com. was designated North evation over 5,000 as it off passes through snakerootecotours.com.

Blue Ridge Parkway is thefeetcated Eastern America. the first state park in The Highway 80 in the South The Burnsville-Yancey ChamCarolina in 1916.

Today it features an obYancey County.

Located in southern Yancey only access to Mount Mitchell Toe River area of Yancey County. servation platform on the summit next to Enjoy a fun-filled day on the water, The Burnsville-Yancey Chamber of ber of Commerce and Visitor State Park at catching Hwy 128the andfish mileCounty, Mount Mitchell (6,684 State Park and and Visitor Center is located at Elisha Mitchell’s grave and an interpretive nativeMount to ourMitchell mountains.

Commerce Center is located at 106 West Main post 355. It’s miles to thefishing feet) is the highest mountain East Crabtree Meadows

by Main Street in Burnsville. Inside museum with historical and environmental Wefive guarantee your trip will be full are of accessed 106 West findofa inforhelpful The restaurant, standThe Parkway fish-catching experiences! was built by the Blue Ridge Parkway. you’ll find aStreet. of exhibits. the Mississippi River. It wasconcession des- summit. helpfulInside staff you’ll and lots and gift are park openinMay through River, Carolina Hemlocks andEcotours Black offers staff and lotslodging, of information mation shopping,on CCCOctolabor in theToe 1930s.

Workers ignated the shop first state North Snakeroot cus-on attractions, ber. Theincampground limited to used only nine Mountain are all located off dining and local businesses and services.

The attractions, lodging, shopping, dynamite to blastcampgrounds tunnels tom Carolina 1916. Today itisfeatures tours of area one of of the wildest tent sites.

Highway 80 in the South Toe River Visitor Center and office are open Monday& dining, and local businesses through the mountains and carve an observation platform on the most scenic cornersthrough of West-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Winding along the southern edge of Yancey County. Mountand Mitchell State Park road through rough, remote ter- ern summit to Elisha services. Visitor Center and office Carolina.

Yanceynext County, the Mitchell’s Blue Ridge a Parkway and Crabtree Meadows areNorth accessed by theWe invite (828) you 682-7413. givesand travelers an amazing view ofrain. the Black Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Parkway rises to an ele- into astoundingly diverse habitats open Monday thru Friday 9am to grave, an interpretive museum with historical and environmental vation over 5,000 feet as it passes and reveal the mysteries of the 5pm. Call (828) 682-7413.

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SOUTHEAST

Photo by Capt. Jordan Todd, Saltwater Obsessions

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s we transition from winter to spring, the fishing really starts to heat up along the Franklin County, Fla. coastline. Many pelagic fish are still not quite readily available, but Spanish mackerel usually show up in a big way just as soon as water temps start to warm a bit. Once located, Spanish can provide non-stop action trolling a Clarkspoon Mackerel Tree rig or other small spoons.

Casting at schools with spoons like the Hopkins Shorty or Kastmaster can be especially fun and productive. Spend some time cruising around looking for diving birds, they’re usually feeding on the same baitfish as the Spanish.

Here’s a tip for your Clarkspoon Tree rig: Try sliding a 1-ounce

or heavier egg sinker on the main line above the leader. Trolling it this way gets the rig deeper for more bites. Also, vary your trolling speeds from slow to fast to see what’s working best for that day; slow is usually best, but not always.

Early season means sheepshead to many folks here, and these fine-eating fish are plentiful. They’re not always easy to catch, but light line, small hooks and live shrimp or crabs will get lots of bites.

Getting them hooked and landed is at times the challenge. They like to be close to rocks and bridge pilings, and some can be large, hard fighters.

Locations like bridges, causeways and inlets offer deeper water that holds redfish and black drum… and they can be massive in size.

Once located, they can be stacked up and very aggressive, which makes for some big fun!

A strong outgoing tide is best, but an incoming or slack tide doesn’t mean fish are any less hungry. Live bait like pinfish or menhaden work great, and live or fresh shrimp will really get the job done too. Black drum are especially fond of fresh shrimp. Use a simple Carolina-style rig with a 1-ounce or heavier weight and a 16- to 24-inch leader of 20- to 50-pound-test mono or fluorocarbon matched with an appropriate sized hook.

Offshore, mangrove snapper are a good bet for reef fishing, while the abundant red snapper are out of season for harvest. Chumming chunks of Spanish sardine or cigar minnows, followed by a chunk on a free-line will get some big bites. Use a 30- to 50-pound fluorocarbon leader with a small but strong circle hook. They can be tricky to coax into biting, so fluorocarbon line is important. Try to bury the hook in the bait so it is not visible to the fish.

Experienced guides are at the ready to put you on some great early season action, but this fisherman-friendly area is perfect for accommodating boaters, so drag your rig down for the early season bite and have a ball!

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BLUE RIDGE

By CAM Staff

W

hen it comes to trophy managed trout waters in the Southeast, not all are created equal. There are a multitude of factors to consider when fisheries managers set out to create a trophy fishery. Balancing the needs of the fish with the expectations of paying anglers is a trick that can be tough to master.

While any yahoo with some stream frontage can stock a few hundred trout and feed them until they’re fat and sloppy, it takes careful strategy to nurture a fishery for trout that not only grow large but also retain the natural instincts that make them such worthy game fish.

North Georgia’s Noontootla Creek Farms (NCF) is an example of trophy trout fishing done right. Guide David Hulsey will be the first to tell you that location has as much to do with their little creek’s productivity as anything.

To begin with, Noontootla Creek is a thriving wild trout fishery without any help at all. Upstream of the 1,200-acre NCF bird-hunting and trout fishing preserve, Noontootla flows off Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area as one of the best public wild trout streams in the state. Its pristine, cold and clear waters provide almost everything required for a trophy fishery… including trout.

Hulsey said the farm doesn’t need to stock any fish at all. The trout are mostly stream-born rainbows and browns. A few stocked brookies and bows show up from time to time, likely migrants from the Toccoa River downstream, and the appearance of these introduced fish is dull in comparison to the bright wild fish that remain on the NCF property year-round.

Noontootla offers small-stream fishing for big trout over 2 miles of private water. With supplemental feedings, their fish grow to 2 feet and longer, but these are not pellet pigs. The fish at NCF exhibit the looks and feeding behaviors of wild trout, and it takes a certain amount of skill for anglers to catch them.

The fishing is limited to fly gear only, with barbless hooks and a strict catch-and-release requirement. The creek is broken into four half-mile beats to control the amount of fishing pressure. Through this careful management, NCF has created a trophy fishery that is as close to natural as they come, which means it can be as challenging as it is rewarding.

A strong stonefly population makes stonefly nymphs a good option year-round, while seasonal hatches of various caddis and May fly species keep trout tuned to natural feeding patterns. One of the highlights each year is the summer terrestrial bite, when giant trout jump on big, high-floating hopper patterns.

For information, see ncfga.net or call or email David Hulsey at 770-639-4001 or david@ncfga.com.

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FEBRUARY 2019

C

orridors, ditches, pinch points, funnels—whatever you name them, these descriptions relate to the terrain fish use to travel. These corridors carry fish to and from resting and feeding grounds and play a major role in social behaviors, including spawn-related activities.

A common denominator in these fish thoroughfares is the attractant source to both predator and prey, which is current flow.

Culverts that allowed small creeks to flow under road beds that were flooded on impoundment, deliberate cuts that were established to permit boat travel, blowouts in flooded dams, road support bridges across terrain gaps, the tip ends of underwater bars or short cut-throughs between land masses are all conducive to these marine life highways.

One such area is only a mile from my home on the banks of Lake Eufaula, which sits on the Georgia/Alabama border. The now underwater confluence of Dry Branch and Sandy Branch is only 50 yards east of where a concrete culvert passed under the old highway 39. The amount of bass and crappie I have caught in this one spot cannot be counted or measured, and the area is no larger than an average-size carport.

So stretch your imagination and come up with a figure that might represent the total pounds of fish that have been caught by all anglers visiting this exact spot in 54 years, the age of Lake Eufaula. I am going to declare this one spot to be nominated to the Bass Fishing Hall Of Fame.

As I sit here plinking on my computer writing this article, at least 10 such “honey holes” come to mind. No matter where you fish, careful study of your Lake Master Maps and Humminbird units will disclose multitudes of these fish-concentration magnets. When you find one that has not previously been discovered, you just might encounter Ol’ Mossy Back, a fish that has never before seen a fishing lure.

Arguably, no person dead or alive has more fishing hours on Lake Eufaula than yours truly. Having fished this lake for a portion of 150 days a year for 54 years equals a bunch of fun. So if I can find new “honey holes,” so can you… wherever you fish.

An old saying goes: the value of any land, whether above water or below, is determined by location, location, DETECTION.

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INSIDE

KISS Roy The Emotion of the Take - a Boy’s First Deer Alabama Rigs Be Ready for Anything with a Ready Rod Meet Bill Swope (Gunny) February’s Foolish Fly Fisherman The Science Line: The Best Lure for Lake Norman Love those Smallmouth

Photo courtesy of Michael Cates of his son Collin Cates, fishing in December

February 2019 Forecasts for: Hickory & Rhodhiss Wylie High Rock/Badin/Tuckertown

For editorial comments, articles, photography, advertising and all other inquiries please email Simmons@theanglermagazine.com or call Doug or Juli at 980-333-7273 Visit our website at: www.TheAnglerMag.com/Charlotte Like us on Facebook at: The Angler Magazine Charlotte, NC COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THE ANGLERMAG.COM

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FEBRUARY 2019

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February’s Foolish Fly Fisherman

By Ryan Wilson

hat kind of moron looks at sub-freezing temperatures, gray skies and wind chill and decides to put on a pair of plastic pants and go stand in the water? The kind of moron that understands that while winter fly fishing presents a set of unique challenges, it offers outsized rewards. Cold weather means numb toes, fingers that won’t work and incredulous stares from our friends that don’t fish. It also means gin-clear water, small flies and a stretch of river all to ourselves.

The key to appreciating fly fishing in February is properly managed expectations. The same stretch of stream that, in midNovember, made you consider ditching your day job to take up the professional fly fishing circuit, now has you scrolling EBay to see how much you could make hocking your used gear. Due to fishing pressure, predation, weather systems and fish movement, our Delayed Harvest trout populations will

have experienced a natural matriculation, wherein we can count on fewer and more educated fish being in our favorite spots.

So why bother? Well frankly, if the only thing that drives you to the river is raw numbers, maybe you shouldn’t bother.

That’s okay, no one else should judge your motivations or what qualifies a great day on the water for you. It’s your hobby, so enjoy it as you like. However, for those of us looking for something else, late winter fly fishing has a world of experience to offer.

Challenge. Catching trout this time of year requires proper presentation, fly selection and those other angling skills like stealth, the ability to move and reading water. The accomplishment rises in concert with the difficulty. The challenge of targeting more educated fish will force you to improve as an angler. Forcing yourself to do it right here, will build muscle memory and encourage proper

technique during the rest of the fishing season.

Solitude. Fly fishermen love to meet other fly fishermen, except of course when we’re actually fly fishing. The cheerful bearded guy wearing the Fishpond hat, whom I’d spend half an hour chatting with while waiting for a flight, is the same dude that I curse not quite under my breath when I see him splashing around in MY dang spot, downstream of MY dang bridge, spooking all of MY dang fish! Well if I’m fishing in February, there’s a good chance that bearded dude stayed home and that run beneath the bridge is really all mine. This relative lack of pressure allows an angler to find a little peace and quiet, along with an opportunity to properly work a stretch of stream, rather than simply spot hopping.

Time on the water. Folks, we are only allotted so many tics of the clock in this life to chase trout. Those seconds pass by whether you use them or not.

Who cares if the bite is slow and

the weather sucks? If you’ve got the time and the passion to be outside appreciating our wonderful natural resources, why in the world would you be doing anything else?

The trick to loving this month is learning to appreciate what you have. Every fishing excursion is its own unique experience and it is unfair to the experience to compare one day to the next. If you approach your late winter day as an opportunity to learn, challenge yourself and find joy with each cast, your fly fishing experience will be thoroughly enriched – and that full bodied, colorful bow that you finally enticed to rise will be all the more rewarding.

Ryan Wilson is the owner and operator of Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters in Cornelius, NC. They offer a world-class guide service, as well as all of the gear you need to get outfitted. www.carolinnaflyfi shing.com 704-896-3676

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FEBRUARY 2019

NC Concealed Carry Advanced Concealed Carry Basic Pistol Shooting Refuse to be a Victim TEENS 1st Steps Pistol KIDS Firearms Safety FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation NRA Instructor Workshops

704-237-4487 Mooresville, NC Karen has helped over 2,000 adults and children gain the knowledge and skills necessary for keeping themselves and their families safe.

www.CarolinaSelfProtection.com

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1/17/19 8:27 PM

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ots of anglers will tell you that color doesn’t matter much. One look in their tackle box though will leave you furrowing your eyebrow and scratching your head. I’m sure you would find a wide array of colorful lures, all designed to do something specific. Including matching the color of live bait.

No matter how seasoned of a fisherman you are, it’s hard to argue that color, (like size) doesn’t matter. Even underwater, there is color. Though underwater, our human eye prism colors act quite differently. And it’s how these colors “act” that can be the difference in a fishing day and a catching day.

In school your teacher probably taught you the Roy G. Biv mnemonic to help you remember the colors in order on the prism. (R)Ed, (O)range, (Y)ellow, (G)reen, (B)lue, (I) ndigo, and (V)iolet. Those are our basic, human eye colors and make up all other colors when blended. Studies have found, that

KISS Roy . . .

By Michelle Armstrong fish do indeed see color, just not like us.

Remember, fish are opportunistic eaters. They eat what they see, makes a noise, swims near, or hits them in the head. They may not see the exact color, but they can distinguish shape and size. And if no color exists, no shape can be seen.

Underwater, colors get absorbed at different frequencies, and the color mostly goes away.

The first color to lose itself is red, followed by orange, then yellow... the colors disappear in the same order as the prism...with violet keeping it’s color the longest.

Depending on cloud cover, sediment, or sun placement, red can suffer noticeable loss in as little as five feet of water. Add wind or current, and it gets even trickier.

A Bass’ underwater blue light environment is made up mostly of sediment and algae.

Studies have shown that for this reason, freshwater fish can better distinguish shades of green. It’s

not magic, that the #1 selling color to attract Bass are Green Pumpkin. And Mr. Green is the middle guy on the prism.

In fishing terms, here is my thought...

Red and orange are the first colors to disappear. That doesn’t mean you should not fish with them. Red and orange play a dominant role in these parts when it’s crawfish season. Our crawfish here are mostly Orange, crawling around on red clay banks.. You would be a fool not to throw a Jig that mimics this color. However once you get into a little deeper situation when you’re throwing that same color it disappears. Now you’re relying only on the movement your jig makes when it hits a rock or gets right in the fish’s face. Your strike potential is reduced greatly. So it makes sense to make an easy adjustment and tie on a different color jig. Green pumpkin for example will hold its “color” shape of a crawfish more so than red or orange. If you’re fishing

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TAM Charlotte 2019 02b.indd 3

deeper go to a black blue jig.

Once you get it into perspective it is pretty easy. Which brings me to another mnemonic that I changed a little...KISS. (K)eep (I)t (S)imply (S)imple. If the fish are biting, pay attention and repeat what your doing. When they stop, make a simple change and forge ahead. Now go catch fish!

Michelle is a freelance writer who has been fi shing competitively for over 25 years at local and national levels. She can often be found conducting seminars at Bass Pro Shop in Concord, NC

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The Science Line: ThBye Jake Best Lure for Lake Norman Bussolini

have always been intrigued at professional fishing tournament weigh-ins when the pros parade across the stage to show their prize catches and when asked by the program moderator, they mention the lure that caught their prize fish.

I remember several years ago when I attended my first weighin I heard the tournament winner mention the name of the lure that won him the top prize. The next afternoon as I was passing Gander Mountain in Mooresville which was still open at the time, I decided to go in and buy me one of those prize-winning crank bait lures. Of course, much to my surprise the store was completely sold out of any lure that even looked like the one in question.

Of course, I thought, that Pro was sponsored by that lure company and there was some probability that he never used that specific lure but it sure presented him a great opportunity to advertise it for his sponsor.

Not all anglers have sponsors and many of the regular anglers of Lake Norman are very willing to share their secrets about equipment and procedures. In a recent issue of The Angler, Michelle Armstrong shared some great information about her top 10 lures. Michelle is a pro, but she has been very generous with her

4 CHARLOTTE/PIEDMONT

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time helping others experience the joy of hauling in a big Lake Norman bass.

Well, I am not a professional fisherman and I have no sponsors, but I do have a lure that I believe is the best lure to use to catch fish on Lake Norman. Years ago, I might have called it a version of a Hopkins lure. Today it is simply my old standby chartreuse jigging lure Without exaggeration, over the last ten years I have caught more than 1000 fish with this jig.

There have been days that I caught so many fish with it that I cut off two of the hooks just to prevent causing damage to the smaller fish. It doesn’t take much skill to use this lure. You don’t cast it, you don’t flip it, you don’t troll it, you simply find the fish on your sonar and jig the lure straight up and down to the depth where the fish were seen. Most of the time you will get a fish on the first drop but if that doesn’t happen, do not fear, it won’t take long to get your first bass or perch. I have even caught crappie and an occasional catfish jigging this lure.

Unfortunately, you won’t find this lure in your local fishing supply store. There are two people that make these lures locally.

The first one to do it was Tackle Town, mentioned by Michelle in her recent article. Another local

FEBRUARY 2019

rod and lure maker, Roger Eddy of Mooresville has been making this and many other excellent lures.

There have been several reports of local anglers finding schools of hybrids and pulling them into the boat as fast as they can drop the lure. There is however a slight technique that works well with this jig. Most of the time the fish will hit the jig on the way down. Properly jigging the lure makes if float downward with an action that looks like a wounded bait fish and those are the ones that the predators go after first. You will feel a slight bump as you lower the lure and you immediately put a slight tug on the rod tip to set the hook.

This lure does not contain circle hooks so a hook set is needed. As soon as you feel the fish on, make sure you do not give the line any slack because these Lake Norman fish are educated and they will find a way to wiggle off if you let the line slack.

In one of my recent fishing lectures, I labeled this lure “my

lure of the decade” because I have caught more fish with this lure on Lake Norman than any other lure that I have even owned.

Some anglers say that almost any color for this lure works just effectively. One popular Lake Norman guide alternates with white and chartreuse but my experience clearly indicates that any color works well as long as it is chartreuse and I stick solely with that color.

Of course the trick to success with this lure is to find the schools of fish that are in their feeding mode. This usually takes place in the spring prior to the spawn and then all summer long.

I dedicate one rod to this lure and I always have it easily accessible.

As soon as I spot a group of fish on my sonar, sometimes as few as three fish, I grab that rod and lower the jig and within seconds I have a fish in the boat.

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The Emotion of ThBye Karen Take - A Boy’s First Deer Fisher

his past Thanksgiving, my nine-year-old son became a rightful hunter.

His father has taken him along on his annual hunting trips to Mason County, West Virginia for the last three years, but this was the year he was planning to take his first deer out of the woods.

While preparing for the trip, he was excited, detailed about packing his gear, and meticulous while cleaning his Savage .243.

He counted his ammunition twice and triple checked that he had packed his hunter orange.

He took a good luck shot right before he left – a bullseye on a 9” paper plate at 65 yards. (That’s my boy.) The very last thing he did was pose for a picture for me

in front of our American Flag. I was excited for him, but nothing compared to what he was feeling, I was sure.

What was he feeling, I wondered? I spoke to him on the phone the next day, but I wasn’t allowed to ask. “What happens at hunt camp, stays at hunt camp, Mama.”

On day two of his adventure, his dad sent me a video of him killing his first deer. I finally realized it. He felt a lot. SO MUCH – down to the core of his soul, and it stopped me in my tracks. I had no idea. I had no idea that a hunter feels sorrow or sadness or even grief-stricken at the taking of an animal for food.

In the video, he struggled with

willing himself to pull the trigger.

That trigger must have felt like a thousand pounds. He stopped multiple times and whispered through silent tears, “I can’t do it, Dad. I can’t.” All his father could say was, “Yes you can.” As his mother, it was hard for me to watch.

I reached out to several friends who hunt to get their viewpoints on the reactions of killing an animal. I was intrigued and curious if strong emotions had a place in the sport. Each and every one of my friends responded with similar versions of, “You are not a true sportsman if you don’t feel for the animal you kill.” I learned a lot by talking to them, and I was thankful for their honesty and

openness.

So, it happened. A 200-pound doe lay down, and waited for her boy hunter to take her out of the woods.

The blessings we receive from her will always be remembered at supper as we give thanks.

Perspective abounds.

Karen Fisher opened the doors to Carolina Self Protection, LLC in 2012 and began an incredibly rewarding career in firearms and personal safety education. Karen offers many classes at her classroom in Mooresville, NC www.carolinaselfprotection.com 704-237-4487

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FEBRUARY 2019

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Love Th ose Smallmouth

By Britt Stoudenmire

W

hile February is prime musky season on the New River, it is also the time of year that we begin preparing for our upcoming smallmouth season. We cut our teeth in the guide business over 15 years ago when our dear, latefriend Cap’n Jack West presented me with an opportunity to help him in his thriving guide service.

While Jack may have been older, he was truly young at heart and really fun to be around. I can still remember the moment when we were anchored below a rapid on the New River and Jack asked me to help him. I was shocked to say the least, and Jack reassured me that I could do this, and that I’d be really good. I told Jack that I needed some time to think and pray on it, and that I’d let him know. Sadly, Jack passed away the same day I responded to him that we were looking forward to joining his team.

We were devastated to say the least and had no idea what we were going to do. Because his

confidence had made such an impression on me, we decided to forge on. We scraped some money together to buy our first raft and in our first season on the New River, 2004, we ran 35 guided smallmouth trips. It was an exciting time and everything was so new and full of adventure.

There was no social media and the associated pressure to “keep up” with the pack; it was just pure fishing and enjoyment at its finest.

Our business grew exponentially the next several years as it turned out that Jack was right; I really did have a knack for chasing big smallmouth and a passion to share it with others.

I have grown to really love coldwater fishing and the tranquility it provides to virtually have the river (and fish) to yourself. I have caught smallmouth with water temperatures down into the 30’s but I prefer the New River to be between 39 and 45 degrees. February and March, and sometimes into April, are excellent times of the year to

chase big smallies as they are typically grouped up and willing to bite if you find them and probe them hard enough. My bait of choice is my 1/4oz “Ungulator” rabbit hair jig that I designed and tied to match the cold water forage that New River smallies will fight over; mad toms. I like to target winter areas that have some depth, good rock or log structure on the bottom, and attract food.

I will use the jig to “dissect” the bottom very deliberately, using a rod-lift to slowly drag and stop the jig as needed. I love to feel the jig fall off a rock as smallies will many times hit the jig on a freefall off cover. Hits, or “tinks” as I call them, can be subtle or jolting but don’t take any chances and set the hook on any “feel goods” by reeling all the slack of the line before a cross the eyes hook set.

Make sure to use extreme caution while fishing during the winter months and always wear a PFD and let someone know where you are at all times.

The ironic thing is that every

winter, particularly February, the anticipation begins to build for the upcoming season. No matter how good or how hard the previous season was; I’m as excited as I was the first season we forged out into the unknown. We are so grateful for all the friendships we have made through this journey and feel truly blessed to have spent so much time on (and off ) the water with so many wonderful people.

The author, Britt Stoudenmire, and his wife Leigh, have been outfitting anglers for fifteen years on the New River in Virginia. They offer both guided fi shing trips (newriveroutdoorco.com) & waterfront lodging (walkercreekretreat.com).

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Alabama Rigs

By Capt. Craig Price

S

iatnuomanilorac.ww

ince bass pro Paul Elias used an Alabama rig to blow away the field and win an FLW event on Lake Guntersville in October 2011, Alabama rigs (A-rigs) have enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity and use. As with almost all “latest and greatest” discoveries, the excitement has plateaued in the last couple years, but these rigs are still widely used and are still effective at catching fish.

In case anyone is still not familiar with A-rigs, www. bassmaster.com says “the Alabama rig is not a lure, but a device that allows an angler to deliver multiple lures on a single cast. The Alabama rig devised

by Andy Poss…..is a cast-able umbrella rig.”

I primarily troll A-rigs because I often have too many anglers on my boat to safely cast them. But I wanted to learn more about when and how to cast them to catch bass, stripers, and hybrids. So I consulted Shane Lehew, who is nsports.com a young, accomplished pro bass angler and guide from Charlotte.

In addition to being well versed in fishing these devices, Shane and his father operate a company, www.shanesbaits.com, that manufactures a line of multiarm rigs along with jigheads and other accessories.

Shane’s tips on how to best

rig, apply, and fish multi-lure equipment are summarized below.

1. Keep the overall weight of the rig as light as possible. Try 1/16 oz. jig heads and paddle tail swim baits that mimic the forage. Even with rigs that utilize 5-9 jigs, the overall weight shouldn’t exceed 3 oz.

2. Jig heads with springs help hold the soft plastics in place, and allow for weedless rigging.

3. Shane typically fishes a 7’ or longer medium to heavy action rod with 20 lb. fluorocarbon line.

4. The most widely recognized opportunity to effectively fish A-rigs is when casting to suspended fish that are focused on large schools of forage in 20+ ft. of water, an ideal scenario for fall and winter. Your casts should allow the rigs to fall into or near the feeding zone, then use a medium speed retrieve.

5. A 3 oz. rig should fall about 1.5 ft./sec.

6. Adjust the speed, or stop and start the rig to vary the presentation. Fish more slowly as water temps fall past 50F. 7. Shane also fishes the rigs slowly over brush and rock piles when the fish are deeper and less active. He suggests rigging the first layer of jigs weedless to minimize hangups.

8. Weedless rigs can also be cast

w

into shallow water when fishing banks and piers.

Here’s a few of my own pointers to add to Shane’s recommendations.

If fluorocarbon line is too expensive for your budget, try 20-30 lb. braid. One can get plenty of distance casting 30# braid, and the extra strength is useful when recovering snagged rigs.

In addition to paddle tail swim baits, I’ve had success on LKN using really small baits like Lit’l Fishies and Gulp Alive Mullet curlytail bodies. Fluke type baits may be more effective in cold water due to a more minimal swimming action.

A technique that intrigues me is power reeling which I first encountered via some Lake Lanier guides who use it to target stripers in deep water (50+ ft.).

The technique is pretty simple – when you’re marking suspended fish, drop the rig to the bottom, tighten up your slack, then reel the rig vertically to the surface with a medium to fast retrieve.

There’s something about the lures swimming upward past an unsuspecting hybrid or striper’s nose that triggers a reaction strike. Keep a firm grip on the rod because the strikes are vicious, and multiple hookups are common.

Finally, it amuses me that all my life I learned and practiced stealthy and quiet approaches to catching fish. Small tackle, invisible leaders, even quiet casts were among the measures paramount to success. Now we’re throwing antennas at ‘em that sound like bricks hitting the water. Plus A-rigs have all kinds of visible metal arms, clasps and swivels. But they catch fish, often two or more at a time! The rise of Alabama rigs is just another reminder that in the fishing world old dogs can and should learn new tricks.

Capt. Craig Price is a guide in NC & SC. He enjoys showing his anglers when, where and how to catch them all www.folkn.com ~ 704-996-0946

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Meet BillBySwope (Gunny) . . .

Michelle Armstrong

op Shelf Fishing/Operation Northstate (from a veteran’s perspective) Each month since May 2018, we have been writing a “Veteran highlight” article explaining the concept of Top Shelf Fishing. If you’ve missed them, in short they are an organization committed to giving disabled and wounded Veterans the real life experience of fishing a tournament.

The organization touches so many lives in many ways. I wanted to share the impact this has from my favorite veteran...

Bill Swope (Gunny) joined the Marines a proud boy of 17 years old. He quickly found his “place” and served in Vietnam as a helicopter door gunman. Legend says that the average lifespan of a door gunman is five minutes but in reality it’s a more impressive 13 to 30 days.

Once back home he did not receive a warm welcome. The times were so different and these heroic soldiers were very ill regarded.

“Veterans returning from the Vietnam war were not treated well or shone any respect. It’s been 50 years and we finally have been recognized for what we did and had been through. I realize that not all people think the same way now”.

Gunny, like so many other Veterans became reclusive, only going out to work and provide for his family.

“I’ve fished most of my life, but after my time in the Marine Corps I was unable to communicate or interact with anyone except my immediate family or other Vietnam vets. If I wasn’t fishing alone, I would sit at home alone”.

One day while in a boat repair shop, Gunny saw a flyer for Top Shelf Fishing. He called and spoke to the founder Terry Snyder and knew right away he wanted to be part of this.

Gunny, along with 75 fellow Veterans, had no idea what to expect but signed up for the Lake Norman event. For his first tournament experience, it was 42 degrees, raining and windy.

Through the adverse conditions, Gunny and his host boater caught fish and stayed out until time to weigh -in.

“He kept asking me if I was ok, or if I wanted to go in early.

My response----Don’t worry about me, I’m here as long as you can last. Most others came in before noon”.

Host boaters are always aware of the circumstances some veteran’s may face. They are concerned about the comfort of their Veteran and do all that is possible to make sure they have a great experience.

“All support personnel and boaters treated us with the utmost of respect. Top Shelf and it’s supporters have given so much to honor all who served. A job well

OperationNorthState.com

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done to them! I have yet to see a dissatisfied veteran on my many outings with Top Shelf. They all look forward to the event that are offered”.

Gunny was so impressed, he decided that day, that he wanted to be part of all of the Top Shelf tournaments.

He has since involved a few fellow Veterans and they travel together to the events, some as far as 6 hours away.

“Top Shelf has definitely enhanced my lifestyle”.

Gunny admits that all of the events have had there highlights but some he favors more. . ..

“I think the best was my first trip on Randleman Lake. I was looking for my boater with the same number as mine. I called out my number, and heard a meek, feminine voice say ‘That’s me’. I told my friends---Holy Crap-(or the Marine version of holy crap that we can’t print) -I’m paired up with a woman! Well I thought I’d make the best of the situation and teach this gal how to catch some fish. Boy did I learn a lesson, --she had 4 fish in the boat before I had a tap on my line.The remainder of the day went the same. I had no chance of catching up with her.

She was a remarkable lady and fisherman. Ever since this trip I’ve requested to be paired up with her.

I still have not out fished her, but I’m slowly getting closer. We keep in touch and have become good friends. We have fished outside of Top Shelf and shared trips with her family and my wife together.”

Gunny has been so inspired by his experiences that he has decided to give back in his own

way. . .

“I’ve learned so much from my host boaters, that I now take my boat (as a host boater) on Top Shelf outings with a veteran on my boat with me. It’s my small way of helping this great organization.

Over the last 5 years of outings with Top Shelf, I’ve met so many good people, and have had so many good times. The experience made me want to do more for others. Our Marine Corps League has started up the Toys 4 Tots in our county. We place flags on veterans graves at the local cemetery, and spearhead the Memorial Day ceremony in the town of Forest City. We also organize the placing of American Flags up and down main street in Forest City on designated holidays”.

Gunny plans to fish as either a host or a guest in all future Operation North State events.

He encourages Veterans to come experience what this group has to offer.

As you can see, Top Shelf is so much more that a fishing experience. The people involved in every aspect are truly inspirational.

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Be Ready for Anything with a Ready Rod

By Capt. Cefus McRae, Nuts & Bolts of Fishing Series

magine this scenario... you’re bottom fishing for snapper and grouper. You’ve anchored the boat over some great live bottom and you have your hands full wrestling big bottom dwellers up to the boat. All of a sudden you see a big brown shadow cruise by the boat...a 50 pound COBIA !!! You look around and there’s nothing but bottom rods rigged with 16 ounce weights. Mr. Cobia swims on by, and you’re left with a big frown on your face.

Now bass fishermen are probably the most well-equipped for scenarios like these because they have come to appreciate the importance of having several rods…rigged and ready…to address changing conditions on a moment’s notice. Ask a tournament angler and they’ll most likely tell you they keep six or more rods on standby at any given time. In the case of a bass angler, it’s often because they are using different weight rigs and their baitcasters are balanced for a specific weight of lure. Or, they know the time it takes to change out lures, is time they can’t be casting for a tournament-winning fish.

Whether you prefer fishing fresh or salt, you never know when a totally different situation will present itself. Unless you are prepared, by the time you’ve got a rod selected, un-tangle the line from the guides, tie on a plug or jig and make the cast, the opportunity to cast to the fish is long gone.

The Solution? A Ready Rod. My Crevalle 24 Bay will hold 38 rods. That’s usually enough to get the job done. And I try my best to dedicate at least two of them as Ready Rods…and just like my life jackets, I have them easily accessible, rigged, and ready at a moment’s notice.

By my definition, a Ready Rod is simply another rod, rigged and ready to cast to a fish that presents itself in a manner different than the way you are currently fishing.

If you’re bottom fishing over a wreck, then have a spinning rod

rigged with a big popper or live bait set-up that you can quickly pitch out to a wandering cobia, a tailing redfish or a sailfish that happens by. If you’re downlining live baits for stripers for instance, then have a jerkbait or big chugger ready in case the school starts crashing baitfish on top.

The opposite can work in your favor as well. Suppose you’re having a great time casting to Spanish mackerel and you look at the sonar to discover you’re drift ing over some interesting looking bottom. Have a bottom rig ready to ease over the side and send a lively pinfish down to see what’s there. You just might pick up a big snapper, grouper or amberjack as a bonus.

For my arsenal, I rig up two spinning outfits…one with a heavy jig that I can quickly attach a plastic trailer to…and another one rigged to handle live bait. I also keep a downrod handy rigged with an egg sinker and a live bait hook. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve trolled over an area…hooked up and then discovered the main group of gamefish is about 30 feet below the surface. Having a rod ready to drop a bait immediately can be the difference between fishing, and catching. All these rods stay out of the way in my t-top rod holders, but anyone on the boat can grab one when the opportunity arises.

The point with a Ready Rod is to have ‘something’ ready to throw to a fish that is there for a brief moment. And a Ready Rod could produce the biggest fish of the day.

Tight lines and calm seas, Capt. Cefus McRae

Light Tackle Stripers on Lake Hickory

By Tyler Rose Who Late winter bass fishing on Lake Hickory often involves the rhythmic twitches and pauses of suspended jerkbaits, bone jarring strikes, ripping drags, and the realization that the angler has hooked into a different species of bass altogether. While many tournament bass anglers are quick to dismiss any fish that cannot win them money as an unwelcome bycatch; casting for striped bass on light tackle can be some of the most exciting action that Lake Hickory has to offer.

What and Where For those anglers that are open to the idea of running into this hard fighting “bycatch” more often, you will want to focus your efforts around areas that attract large quantities of shad, the main forage fish of Lake Hickory.

In particular, the steep banks around the Rhodhiss dam, main lake points, steep bluffs, and creek mouths along the lower end of the lake provide ample depth and cover for baitfish to congregate. Striped bass are opportunistic feeders that ambush schools of shad from below, meaning you will want to fish areas that drop off into at least ten to fifteen feet of water. The steeper the drop, the easier it is for a striper to feed.

When and Why Late February and early March can be a tough time to dial in a consistent pattern for largemouth bass on Lake Hickory.

Fluctuations in water temperatures often leave largemouth with lockjaw and anglers wondering whether they should stick to traditional winter patterns, or start looking for fish sunning themselves along shallower banks. Striped bass are an anadromous fish that naturally lives in saltwater and breeds in freshwater. While the stripers that are stocked in Lake Hickory have never seen the ocean, their semi-pelagic tendencies are embedded in their genetics make for consistent feeding habits, hard fights on light tackle, and excellent table fare.

How Matching the hatch is key when targeting stripers, and anglers can find success on shad colored suspending jerkbaits. Most of the shad in Lake Hickory are three to four inches in length, making the Lucky Craft Pointer, Rapala X-rap, and Jackall Squad Minnow popular choices. These light jerkbaits can be

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easily thrown on spinning tackle and can be a great way of hooking a child angler up with a fish nearly as long as they are tall. For areas with deep submerged cover, Alabama Rigs full of paddle tail swimbaits and fished on heavier line are more appropriate. Remember to always have at least two rods rigged and ready as schools of striped bass will often quickly break the surface to feed no matter how cold the water gets.

Whether you are an angler with no trolling gear that wants to catch a striper or a bass fisherman that wishes to spice up winter fishing, Lake Hickory provides excellent opportunity for late winter striper fishing.

So go on ahead and get out there! You might just be lucky enough to have the most fun you never knew you could have on bass tackle.

Tyler Rose is a sophomore English major at North Carolina State University, but more importantly he grew up within walking distance of Lake Hickory.

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Forecast for

T

Forecast for

LAKE WYLIE

HICKORY & RHODHISS

BY: JERRY NEELEY

BY: COLT BASS

Carolina’s Fishing Guide Service (704) 678-1043 www.carolinasfishing.com

he fish have been in somewhat of a holding pattern for most of the winter. They are deep and hard to catch. There will be a few days toward the end of this month where the NIGHTS stay into the 40 degree range and the day time temperature moves up into the 60 degree range. That’s when Mother Nature says, ok, its time to move toward the creeks and get ready for spawning. So, you began to fish along the mouths of creeks and points. As a rule they are not ready to chase baits just yet, but they can be had!

If I were bass fishing, I would use a slow presentation bait such as a jig or worm on a c-rig. Please don’t fish too fast. Most beginners do this, so slow down and enjoy the moment. Fish everything, stumps, rocks, docks and laydowns. My favorite time to spinnerbait fish is early spring in dingy or muddy water. You can catch some very big bass during this time of year. They are full of eggs and hungary. I like to fish trees and docks with a spinnerbait on the sunnyside of the lake.

A few degrees can make the difference between just getting out for a while and catching a few nice fish. You may pull up on a point or cove and bam, there they are, on everything in the area. Thats when its fun.

Crappie fishing has been good all winter. I fish deep during the winter months. Tight linning is my favorite way to fish. I use a single gold #6 hook tipped with a minnow and an half ounce egg sinker. I run about .3MPH or anchor over the fish. Here is the trick. I turn on My H2 to the frenzy setting and drop the speaker over into the water. In a few minutes here comes the fish. Lots of time I’ll have my limit in less than two hours. The crappie will move all over the creeks at the end of the month. You can shoot docks, fish brush and long line during this time.

I have caught a bunch of crappie in 6-10 feet of water in February.

Catfishing is fun. Trolling in the mouths of creeks and in main lake will catch a few. Find the white perch and the catfish will be nearby.

Trolling on .5 MPH using cut perch will catch some nice fish.

White perch fishing is fun for kids. I use a two hook minnow rig and troll right down the middle of the creeks. Big Allison is a good place to do this. Remember what I said? Keep a diary and you will catch more fish.

It’s time to check out your boat, trailer and motor before the fishing season swings into full gear. Grease your trailer bearings now, before it’s too late. Tighten up any loose screws and check your batteries and running lights. Don’t forget your fire extinguisher and life jackets.

When I take clients out for a days fishing this is what I tell them.

These are the things that require zero talent: 1. Be on time 2. Be prepared 3. Have energy 4. Have passion 5. Be coachable Take a kid fishing, someday when you get old, he may come by and take you fishing.

F

Colt Bass Fishing (828) 381-3426 www.coltbassfishing.com

ebruary fishing on Lake Rhodhiss and Lake Hickory is still going to be a slow mans game for a few more weeks. February is basically going to be a repeat of last month. It’s still cold outside, water temperatures are still down, and fish are still going to be very lethargic. We don’t have a hot hole on either lake and typically do not have birds giving us any idea of where the fish are leaving you one option. Get out there and look. I’m going to start every trip trolling lures with my big motor looking for schools of stripers. On both lakes I’m typically going to stay on the lower ends of the lake looking for structure. Creek mouths, rock ledges, sand bars, sand flats, and main lake points are all good starting points. Your main objective here needs to be marking fish. A lot of the fish you mark may not actually come out of it’s school to chase and bite your lure because they’re so slow right now, but remember where they are. After doing this on 3 or 4 spots it’s time to go back to the schools you’ve marked and slow troll live baits. Sitting on top of theses schools or just barely creeping baits around these areas will be the best way to get a striper to bite. Wherever you are marking the fish put your baits 1 foot above them and hold on.

Nothing this month is going to be wide open by any means but spring is just around the corner!

Forecast for

HIGH ROCK/BADIN/ TUCKERTOWN DAM BY: DARIN BROWN

F

Hwy. 49 Sporting Goods (704) 463-7053 www.49sports.com

or those who don’t mind braving a little cold weather, February can be a great time to catch some slab sized crappies. Drift ing or slow trolling over deep water structure is the most widely used technique during this time of year. But if you pick up a couple of nice fish over a piece of structure try vertically fishing a small jig or minnow right over the top of it. This time of year go small with your lure or live bait. If you use live minnows, try the smallest ones you can get on a hook. If you are using jigs try a small 1/32 oz jighead with 1” to 1 1/2” jig body. Often the jigs with the least amount of action can be very productive during this time. Remember the cold water slows the metabolism of the fish down and they will most likely not move far to chase a lure or bait so you may have to put the bait right on the fish. If you are a foot or two off you may never get a bite. Slow your bait down to a crawl and watch for a very light bite. You may not even feel the bite but your line may go slack or move a little to one side.

Striped bass have been actively chasing bait fish on Badin Lake.

Most reports are coming from the Beaver Dam Creek area around the islands. The fish seem to be, as usual, more active during cloudy overcast days. Trolling around the area while keeping a watch out for birds actively feeding on the water is a good way to locate them.

Visit our Website coastalanglermag.com/Charlotte Local Forecasts Fishing and Outdoor Articles Bragboard (submit your pic) Distribution Map Tournament Calendar

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1/20/19 1/21/19 10:529:11 AM AM

By Capt. Terry Fisher

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ast September, my first-mate Vicki and I took off on a whirlwind vacation to explore the waters of Italy. We started in Venice, where other than the shoe leather express, the only way to get around is by boat. To my knowledge, Venice is the only place on earth where unique modes of water transportation play out in day-to-day living.

The Adriatic Sea plays host to yachts, cruisers, pleasure and fishing boats. The Riva de Biasio (The Grand Canal), Venice’s main thoroughfare, is busy with all types boats, like taxis, police, garbage, ambulances and construction cranes, which all share the canal in relative peace. Fishermen line the canals with long poles, catching what look like small baitfish for dinner.

Tuscany, in central Italy, was our second stop, where we hired fly fishing guide, Gianlucca Orselli, of Florence. Gianlucca was one of four terrific guides from a local fly shop in Florence. He grew up fishing the Arno River, which runs through the middle of Florence,

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but suggested we fish the Lima River, close to the towns of Lucca and Pisa.

During a 90-minute drive to the river, we saw the old castle walls of Lucca and other historical sites we would not have seen without the drive. Once in the mountains, the views were as picturesque as those of northeast Georgia. The river and its feeder creek were comparable to places we’ve fished in Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming.

We worked hard to catch rainbows and browns. Unfortunately, the fishing was not as productive as we had hoped, but it was no different than some days I’ve spent on rivers in the U.S. There are a lot of trout and char streams in Italy to consider, but we would not trade our experience of being together in this lovely setting.

Our third stop, the Italian Riviera, is where Vicki and I left part of our hearts. The Cinque Terre is part of an Italian National Forest located in northwestern Italy on the Liquarian Sea. The rugged coastline is incredibly beautiful. Five villages are built on mountain ledges, with steps up to each cliff-side dwelling.

Fishing and boating are “old world,” existing mostly for locals who make their livelihoods on the sea. A limited number of recreational fishermen on small vessels were seen close to shore or sitting on the rock ledges catching small fish on sabiki-like rigs.

We chose the quaint town of Vernazza as a base and stayed for three nights. I rented a 20-foot boat for two days to explore the waters. There were reports of yellowfin tuna swimming the rocks as close as 300 yards offshore, but all we could do was wish for adequate equipment and bait, as there were no tackle shops. Next time we will take our own.

Explore the possibilities of fishing in Italy at www.flyfishitaly. com. Or contact me by email or phone at fishfacecharters@yahoo. com, (239) 357-6829.

1/21/19 10:52 AM

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nglers from across the Southeast are waiting for the unofficial opening of the 2019 season: the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show, Feb. 1-2 at the Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.

The show will feature a tribute ceremony to the late fly fishing icon Lefty Kreh plus demonstrations and audio/visual presentations each hour together with wall-to-wall displays of the newest rods, reels, lines, boots, waders, clothing and flies.

In addition to tackle, lodges and exotic destinations, show visitors can view continuous fly tying demonstrations, how-to seminars and presentations ranging from Fly Fishing the Carolinas to Dorado in the Bolivian Jungle to Blue Marlin on a fly.

Seminars include those on striped bass with Henry Cowan to Fly Fishing for Bass Top to Bottom. Casting demonstrations are scheduled by Gary Borger, Bob Clouser, Landon Mayer, Brian O’Keefe and George Daniel among others.

Featured fly tiers include Ed Engle, Mayer, Cowan, Clouser, Borger and Dave Whitlock.

For the first time at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show, the Women’s Showcase offers a women’s seminar on Saturday from 10-4 with presentations

by Heather Hodson of United Women on the Fly; Maurrie Sussman, Sister Number One of Sisters on the Fly; Emily Mauri of Bullsugar; Jen Ripple of DUN Magazine and others.

The southeast premiere of the 2019 Fly Fishing Film Festival will be held Friday at 6:30. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Fly Fishing Show admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days. Children 5 and under are free as are Boy and Girl Scouts under 16 in uniform.

Children 6 to 12 are $5. Active military with an ID is $10.

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By O’Neill Williams

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outh Carolina’s Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie form what is known as the Santee Cooper Lakes. They are connected by a diversion canal. Lake Marion is the larger of the two lakes, covering 110,000 acres. Lake Moultrie covers 60,000 acres. They spread out between Charleston and Columbia, S.C. The Santee Cooper Lakes have gained a well-deserved reputation for yielding some of the best catfishing in the world.

Capt. Darryl Smith (www.captaindarryls.com) fishes out of Canal Lakes Marina in Cross, SC. It’s a good, safe, clean place to overnight, and Mac Daddy’s Restaurant is there with some good eats. Darryl guarantees you will catch at least 100 pounds of catfish per day. After all, he has 23 line-class world records. Call Darryl, and you’ll be fishing out of a 30foot pontoon boat with a shelter, so you’ll be dry and warm no matter what.

Darryl guides on the lake 320 days per year. In 2018, he averaged

W

ith winter fishing in full swing, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of hellbenders (water dogs) to the

agency.

Reported sightings are an important part of a long-term inventory and monitoring project for hellbenders that agency staff, along with partners, began in 2007. Agency biologists want to learn more about where hellbenders—gigantic, aquatic salamanders averaging 16 to 17 inches in length—are located and how their populations are faring.

In North Carolina, hellbenders are found only in fast-moving, clean mountain streams in the western part of the state. Hellbenders, also called “snot otters” and “Alleghany alligators,” were once common but have disappeared throughout much of their habitat, due mainly to declining water quality and habitat degradation, and to a lesser degree to persecution from anglers who mistakenly think that

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catching 60 catfish per day. His largest blue weighed 140 pounds, which pushed the lake record of 143 pounds.

I’ve fished with Darryl three times, each time producing a television show. Once we fished the shallow backwaters filled with trees and stumps. Twice we fished “out in the lake” over sunken islands and old river channels. We always caught a giant cooler full, about 50 or more cats ranging from 4 pounds to 35 pounds. I think my largest blue with Darryl was 63 pounds. On many occasions, we’d have three hooked at once. Think about that, at a 20-pound average, which is very conservative, we’d have 60-pounds of cats on at once. To complete the necessary television production, Darryl and I have never been fishing more than 5 hours. I’m going back soon.

What makes these lakes so fertile to be able to produce what may be the best catfishing destination in North America? In simple terms, the water temperatures, amount of both freshwater and sea-run baitfish, shad, clams, mussels, shrimp, menhaden, even black mullet abound.

The various species of catfish: blues, channel, yellow, mud, flathead, etc. spawn up to seven times per year. It’s the perfect catfish habitat.

So, what do you have to bring along? Tackle if you like, but Darryl has just the right stuff.

You bring food and drinks and a big smile. The only other thing I might suggest is to bring some children. It’s perfect for children. The fish are very friendly and there are plenty of them. Darryl will set the rods and reels, bait up the rigs and make the casts. All you need to do is start reeling when the rod tip dips. Think about what that might do for a child’s confidence, reeling in catfish as big as they are.

At Santee Cooper, the bottom is paved with giant catfish. Go get some. But don’t wait too long. I’ve already made reservations for 2019.

The column above is one of the chapters from new book “O’Neill Outside, The Outdoor Experience,” coming out in April of 2019.

hellbenders decrease trout populations.

Although they may occasionally go after a trout on a line or stringer, looking for an easy meal, hellbenders eat mainly crayfish according to wildlife diversity biologist Lori Williams, who has done extensive work on hellbenders. “They may also eat unsuspecting minnows and scavenge for dead fish, discarded bait or other dead animals,” she said. “However, fish can be bigger predators of young or larval hellbenders than hellbenders of fish.”

Contrary to popular belief, hellbenders are not poisonous, venomous, toxic or harmful to humans, although they may bite if someone tries to pick them up. Leaving them alone is not only good for hellbenders but also it is the law. Hellbenders are listed as a species of special concern in North Carolina. Because of this listing, it is illegal to take, possess, transport or sell a hellbender or to attempt to do so.

A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can result in a fine and up to 120 days in jail.

Williams also cautions people to refrain from moving rocks in mountain streams as these rocks provide shelter for hellbenders, as well as other species of fish, salamanders and insects.

Anyone who finds a hellbender is asked to leave it alone but to note the location (physical location or GPS coordinates) and take a photo, if possible, and email that information to Williams at lori. williams@ncwildlife.org. If anglers happen to catch one on hook and line, they should carefully remove the hook if it is safe to do so without harming the animal or cut the line as close as possible and return it back to the water. People also can call the commission’s Wildlife Interaction Helpline (866) 318-2401 and provide details of the observation.

For more information, visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s hellbender webpage at www.ncwildlife.org.

To learn more about the Hellbender, go to

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FISH & FISHING

r spread C

onsider this an important decision.

Other than deciding whether or not to use one, a surprising number of anglers seldom give leaders much thought. As long as there is some type of buffer against the deadly dentures of some species or the abrasive hide of others, fishermen tend to be satisfied.

Their attention shifts to other aspects of the sport.

Choosing the right material and proper construction for an effective leader are some of the most overlooked challenges in rigging. The ultimate, of course, centers on fishing a light line without a leader. That seldom is possible on the saltwater scene.

Experience will prove to you that the fish you hook has teeth, abrasive skin, or the bottom is rugged. Any of these factors will end the battle almost before it starts.

The general rule is that the heavier the leader material, the fewer strikes you will get. The solution demands a compromise. You want the strongest leader possible without sacrificing too many strikes. Monofilament leader invariably produces more strikes than single strand wire or nylon coated wire.

Sometimes you have to use wire or every fish of a given species will cut you off. When you do use wire, rely on the shortest length that will produce favorable results. For offshore trolling, a short length of wire makes it easier to rig a bait.

Some anglers even insist that a skipping offering being trolled works better if there is a short length of wire in front of it.

The length of the leader is equally significant. From

MARK SOSIN a protective standpoint, if the species you seek has an abrasive body, the leader should be longer than the average fish you might catch.

Then, when the fish is moving away from you and the line streams over its back, you have the protective advantage of a leader. This part of the leader does not have to be as heavy as the short length around its mouth and gills, but it should be stronger than the line.

Fly fishermen become aware of a leader’s importance very quickly. In that type of fishing, the leader helps to turn over the fly properly so it lands on the water delicately.

In very clear and shallow water, a longer leader enables the caster to enjoy a more delicate presentation where the fly line lands farther from the fish. This is particularly important on the saltwater flats for a variety of species including bonefish, permit, tarpon and redfish.

Fly leaders take many basic forms, but the most important thing to remember is that each succeeding section should be shorter than the one before.

The majority of tournaments and all recordkeeping organizations establish specific leader requirements.

It makes sense to study them before you decide to compete or fish for a record. Leaders are a critical part of rigging each outfit you use. Cutting corners or ignoring details can be a serious mistake.

If you lose a trophy fish because of a faulty leader, you’ll have a hard time forgiving yourself.

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Queen Conch In The Bahamas Sheri Daye

W

hile hunting for that perfect fish for dinner, you sometimes run across other tasty treats. One of my favorites is from the Bahamas: the famous queen conch.

This creature is as delicious as it is beautiful and deserves to be treated with great respect.

Their slow growth and late maturation makes them susceptible to overfishing. Once abundant in the Florida Keys, it became illegal to harvest them in the 1980s when they were harvested to the point of collapse. It’s taken quite a few years to see the beginning of a comeback, but they will likely need continued protection for years to come in the U.S. In the Bahamas, the importance of this valuable resource has been realized and rules are in place to protect it. The recreational limit is six, and they must have a thick, well-formed lip—meaning they had a chance to grow into adulthood and reproduce. Also, they must be harvested while freediving.

Inside the conch shell is a soft-bodied mollusk, which is in the same family as clams, oysters, octopi and squid. They live near coral reefs and seagrass beds and can reach up to 14 inches long. Besides humans, they have a few predators in the water—loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, spiny lobsters and more. The meat has been consumed for centuries by islanders in the Caribbean and serves in a multitude of dishes such as salads, chowders and fritters.

Conch Tips:

1) Regulations are subject to change so double check before harvesting any marine life.

2) When diving, it is easy to see that in certain places in the Bahamas, especially close to highly populated areas, the conch are 16

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not as abundant. Do not take any from these areas, even if it’s legal.

3) They are easy to spot and move slowly, so use good judgement. Target mature adults that have reproduced and are toward the end of their lifecycle. Consider taking less than the legal limit.

4) The mollusk is not easy to extract or to clean, so if you don’t know how, make sure you have a professional on hand at the end of the day to help you or teach you.

5) Don’t forget to check for pearls in the mantle. These pink pearls are beautiful and more rare than traditional pearls.

6) The inedible part of the conch (the guts, also called “slop”) makes excellent bait for fishing, especially for mutton snappers. Nothing goes to waste!

7) You might (or might not) want to eat the pistol, also known as “Bahamian Viagra.” It is part of the conch’s digestive system and looks like a clear noodle.

8) The Bahamas exports conch to the U.S., but bringing your own conch meat back to the U.S. by boat is strictly prohibited.

Safe diving 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.

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As fisherman, we all know how hard live bait can be to find. Seasonal weather patterns change the way fish are biting, so a variety of bait is key. Bait fishing is so important that fishermen spend weeks prior to tournaments catching bait and then keep them penned up all for a couple epic days of fishing.

The last thing you want is for your bait to die because of a pump failure. At Hooker Electric, we have designed a durable, strong and long-lasting baitwell system. This system is capable of supplying multiple livewells with its adequate DC brushless motor.

You will no longer need multiple pumps to supply each livewell.

Now, by adding the Hooker Electric custom manifolds, you can divert water to the designated wells by adjusting the amount of water flow to each well with our variable flow knobs. This allows you to run all of the wells from one Hooker Electric pump and have another one for redundancy.

The system is easy to use with the variable flow dial, without having to restrict the pump. This Hooker Electric livewell system is a plumb-andplay setup with a variety of sizes. It’s available in 2500, 4500 and 7500 GPH and we also offer an on/off feature for the pumps.

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Tim Barefoot

he older I get, the more I like to fish inshore for all the usual suspects from the Northeast, down through the Carolinas all the way to the Keys. From stripers and specks, to drum and snook, every fish loves a shrimp or minnow imitation under a float. And this includes many freshwater predators.

I always keep a float rig tied on when fishing inside. Popping, cigar and oval floats all have their place, and an added “clicking” sound adds value, especially when fishing a soft plastic shrimp under the float.

There are plenty of commercially available floats, but I want to share a simple and effective way to achieve the same end result… and one that will rarely foul or tangle. Whether the beads are external or internal, the clicking sound is perfectly married with the splashing sound that drives fish bananas.

To make the simple external-bead-style clicking float, view the video below. Allow 1/16- to 1/8-inch clearance (total, not both ends) between the beads and ends of the pegs to allow the beads to tap the plastic pegs.

Follow the instructions below to make the internal-bead-style clicking float.

Materials: 80-pound fluorocarbon; small plastic beads, like those found in sliding cork kits; small swivels; a commercially available foam slip cork with plastic pegs.

Steps: • Thread braided mainline through the plastic peg and one of the small beads.

• Feed the mainline through to the other side of the slip cork and then tie it to one side of the swivel.

• For the other side, thread a fluorocarbon leader through the other peg, thread on a small bead and tie it to the other end of the swivel.

• Press one peg securely into the slip cork, and then pull the bead and swivel into the float’s interior channel.

• Press the second peg into the cork, and your slip cork is now a clicking float. The tiny beads slide back and forth on the line to tap the plastic pegs inside the float.

• Tie a 3/8-ounce jig head and a soft plastic shrimp onto the leader, and… just add water.

There are a number of opinions on how deep to fish below the cork. I like between 18 and 24 inches of fluorocarbon, depending on water depth.

This same tackle works extremely well in freshwater for striped and hybrid bass in moving water. Just use a fluke-style soft plastic instead of a shrimp. The largest largemouth bass I caught this year was under cigar float with an internal clicker. I was fishing a Super Fluke for striped bass.

Smallmouth bass in rocky rivers are complete idiots over this same rig.

Wherever you are, and whatever you’re fishing for, a float rig is something you should keep tied and ready on the deck.

Visit Barefootcatsandtackle.com.

For video instructions on making a clicking cork, see:

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nglers are catching a lot of big largemouths in Texas. Last year’s Toyota ShareLunker Program, which tracks bass heavier than 8 pounds, certified 486 bass caught from 89 Texas lakes in 2018, and that’s just the fish that were reported.

At the beginning of 2018, the Toyota ShareLunker program debuted a new year-long season for anglers to enter bass for prizes, recognition, and to help enhance bass fishing in Texas.

Anglers entered largemouths into four categories including six “Legacy Class” bass of 13 pounds or heavier that were entered during the spawning window Jan.1 through March 31 and loaned to TPWD for the selective breeding and stocking program. The total number of entries in other categories who provided citizen science data included: five “Lunker Legend” bass 13 pounds or heavier caught outside the spawning window or not loaned for spawning, 107 “Lunker Elite” bass weighing 10 to 12.99 pounds, and 368 “Lunker” bass at least 24 inches or weighing between 8 and 9.99 pounds.

The top five ShareLunker producing lakes in 2018 included Lake Fork near Quitman with 73 entries, Lake Conroe near Houston with 41 entries, Lake Athens in Athens with 28 entries, Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Jasper with 21 entries, and O.H. Ivie Lake near San Angelo with 17 entries.

For updates on the Toyota ShareLunker program visit https:// www.facebook.com/ShareLunkerprogram and https://texassharelunker.com/.

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FRESHWATER Nevada’s WORLD-CLASS CUTTHROAT

T

he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) keeps the most extensive list of fishing records in the world. With categories for all types of tackle and species, some records are more impactful than others. This potential all-tackle length world record for cutthroat trout is without a doubt an impressive fish.

Adam Garcia caught and released this giant cutthroat on Nov. 11, 2018 while fishing Nevada’s Pyramid Lake. The fish measured 85 centimeters in length, or more than 33 inches. Once the paperwork clears, the fish could dethrone the old 81-centimeter length record.

Garcia is no newcomer to the record books. According to IGFA records, he holds four line-class world records for weight, all cutthroats caught from Pyramid Lake in 2016 and 2017. Some of those were actually longer than his Nov. 11 fish. The biggest one, which holds the 16-lb. line class record, weighed 24 pounds.

Pyramid Lake is a large and natural desert lake near the California border northeast of Reno. It is the world hotspot for giant cutthroat trout, where anglers can wade from shore and cast jigs for record-class fish. Every single one of IGFA’s line class cutthroat records were caught from Pyramid, as well as the all tackle world record, which was caught back in 1925

by John Skimmerhorn.

Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time

I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly

at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth.

There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point.

Second, the fruit just taste

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better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature.

Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together.

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TIPS FROM A PRO

Cold-Water Bassin' BRANDON LESTER

F

ebruary is one of those transition months.

Spring is just around the corner, and it might have already arrived in some places, but it’s still wintertime for most of the country’s bass fisheries.

Bass are cold-blooded animals, which means the colder the water is, the more the fish’s core body temperature decreases.

That also means the fish’s metabolism slows down.

Metabolism is the chemical processes that occur which allow the fish to maintain life, grow, heal and make energy.

Humans are warm blooded, so our body temperature stays a steady 98.6 degrees. A fish’s temperature drops with the water temp, which makes them more sluggish the colder it gets. If you’re like me, you’re ready to eat three meals a day and some snacks 365 days a year. It’s different with fish.

In warm water, fish feed every day, throughout the day and into the night. In the winter they don’t feed nearly as often. One reason is they don’t move around as much, so they don’t come into contact with prey. Fish feed-up heavily in the fall when the water is still warm to put on weight. Bait is plentiful then, and instinctually they feel cold weather coming.

I have way more 20- and 30-fish days in spring than winter.

You’re not likely set any records for fish catches in cold water. Fish bite for two basic reasons, either because they’re hungry and the bait looks like food or because the bait has come into their territory

and they instinctively attack it. Reaction strikes are greatly reduced during the winter. In water mid-50 degrees and lower, you really need to make the fish want to eat in order to catch them.

I try and fish the warmest water on a lake, as fish in these areas will be more active. A couple degrees in water temperature can make all the difference.

Slower-moving baits work best for cold-water bass. I like baits that stay in one place and can be worked slowly, like a jig. A suspending jerkbait with Mustad KVD trebles will hang in one place, hopefully right in front of their face. Use lighter line in cold water, as it allows the bait to move more realistically. Eight or 10-pound Vicious fluorocarbon is preferable on a jerkbait.

Objects in the water, especially rocks, retain heat. On sunny days, the shallow water near rocks on the bank will often be warmer. Keep in mind that fish don’t bite nearly as hard in cold water. You will feel them kind of “load up” on the bait instead of slamming it. The fish are just picking up the bait and doing as little as possible to catch it. Those “light bites” increase the importance of having a sensitive rod.

I build my own rods and will tell you that MHX Rods from Mud Hole Custom Tackle help me catch more fish, especially in cold water. Higher quality graphite makes a more sensitive rod. MHX Rods are much more affordable and the quality is better than a vast majority of rods out there. For extremely light bites, I recommend the NEPS series of blanks built with Winn Grips.

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DUST AND WATER RESISTANT WINCH

YES

4.4

LOADED LINE SPEED (FPM)

3.6

YES

AUTO LOAD BRAKE

YES

YES

CABLE TENSIONER

NO

3/8"

CABLE DIAMETER

3/8"

359

AMP DRAW @ 12,000 LBS

457

BADLAND ZXR 12000

ITEM 64045 64046/63770 shown

NOW

9 $2999

399 99

$

SAVE $ 400

ANY PURCHASE

• 9 LED • Compact, Lightweight

ANY SINGLE ITEM*

COMPARE TO

WARN 96820

RAYOVAC $ 50

3

ITEM 63599/62522/63875 63884/63886/63888 69111/69052 shown

MODEL: BRS9LED-B

69999

*75399720 * 75399720

$

PRICE

WITH

3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT

12,000 LB. TRUCK/SUV WINCH 12,000 LB.

*WARN 96820 stated specs

*75399954 * 75399954

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented.

Valid through 6/3/19 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.

Customer Rating

ITEM 63086/68530/63085 shown ITEM 68525/63088/63087 CALIFORNIA ONLY

NOW

• GFCI outlets

49

$4

COMPARE TO

SAVE 2,069

WEATHERMASTER $ 99

8

MODEL: 300083999

5

COMPARE TO

$ 99

HONDA $

2,599

SAVE 50%

Wheel kit and battery sold separately.

$

MODEL: EB6500X1AT

ITEM 61765/46411 shown

*75400159 * 75400159

599

99

99 $529

$99

5

$4

COMPARE TO

11

$

$3

SAVE $83 $

CALIFORNIA AIR

183

70

MODEL: 8010

SAVE 60%

9

$ 99

COMPARE TO

RANGEMAXX

6

$ 99

ITEM 63135/61451 shown

MODEL: 1312-92

• 15,000 cu. in. of storage • 700 lb. capacity • Weighs 139 lbs.

COMPARE TO

Snap-on

$

BLUE-POINT

$

800

SAVE $ 610

MODEL: KRBC10TBPES

*75402943 * 75402943 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

DEWALT $ 99

64

MODEL: DW1369

$9

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ITEM 5889/62281/61637 shown

$

*75403951 * 75403951

99

WATERTIGHT PROTECTIVE CASE

1799

• Safe + Secure + Stable • Super Strong - Holds 300 lbs.

• Weighs 34 lbs.

$

13999

COMPARE TO

LITTLE GIANT $ 99

298

$

Customer Rating

COMPARE TO

KOBALT $

199

MODEL: SM2507LW

COMPARE TO

PELICAN

$

25999 SAVE $ 150

MODEL: 1750

ITEM 61972/61971 shown

*75407670 * 75407670 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

35%

*75403694 * 75403694 LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

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COMPARE TO

ITEM 64520 Case contents and locks not included.

TEQ $

$

NOW

229 $1 79

23999 SAVE $60

99

MODEL: 1404PV

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

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MORRIS PRODUCTS

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6

$

1606 SAVE 75%

MODEL: 53216

COMPARE TO

ITEM 94334

*75408056 * 75408056 LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

EVERBILT

9

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ITEM 61674/62761/47835 shown

$3

5

49

$ 49

*75411451 * 75411451 LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

Customer Rating

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Customer Rating

$ 99

SUPER COUPON

RAPID PUMP 1.5 TON LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM FLOOR JACK ®

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99

ITEM 60388/69514 shown

*75406033 * 75406033

COMPARE TO

Blade sold separately.

ITEM 69580/61939/62884/62890 shown

*75405457 * 75405457

$3 99

SAVE $ 99

3089 SAVE

MODEL: 12865

*75405358 * 75405358

NOW

12499

$

COMPARE TO

GOODYEAR

Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

$9999

2399

Customer Rating

MODEL 9800

99 $1 09 $14999

ITEM 67646/63418/63419/63417 shown

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

10" SLIDING COMPOUND MITER SAW • Powerful 15 amp motor NOW Customer Rating

$

NOW

99 $1 09 SAVE 189

MODEL: XE M17

YELLOW

ITEM 56239 64720 shown

$1 999

• 50-3/8" L 13-5/8" W 5-1/8" H

NOW $

ITEM 56238 64722 shown

NOW

SUPER COUPON

29 PIECE 17 FT. TYPE IA TITANIUM MULTI-TASK LADDER DRILL BIT SET • Versatile - 24 configurations NOW

ORANGE

$189

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Customer Rating

ITEM 56237 64721 shown

21999 YOUR CHOIC99E

*75402525 * 75402525 SUPER COUPON

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Customer Rating

GREEN

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SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

BLACK

ITEM 64032 64030 64033 shown

*75402423 * 75402423

COMPARE TO

BLUE

ITEM 64031

ITEM 64061 64059 64060 shown

119

COMPARE TO

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

SUPER COUPON

RED

Customer Rating

21499

*75402419 * 75402419

99

99

$

ITEM 63022

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

Customer Rating

99

334

MODEL: E43, EA6F

ITEM 62434, 62426, 62433, 62432, 62429, 64178, 64179, 62428 shown

MODEL: 25521

99 $1 79

EARTHQUAKE $ 98

SAVE 54%

VALEO $ 02

NOW

COMPARE TO

*75401515 * 75401515

NOW

• Drill speeds up to 320 RPM Customer Rating

SAVE $ 154

99

30", 5 DRAWER AMMO DRY BOX MECHANIC'S CARTS

8 GALLON, 2 HP, 125 PSI PORTABLE OIL-LUBE AIR COMPRESSOR NOW

2 HP GAS POWERED EARTH AUGER

NOW

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

SUPER COUPON

ITEM 95386 69667/68740 shown

NOW

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

*75401056 * 75401056

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

Customer Rating

MECHANIC'S GLOVES

$ 99

$

*75399843 * 75399843

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/3/19.

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

8750 MAX. STARTING/ Customer Rating 7000 RUNNING WATTS 13 HP (420 CC) GAS GENERATOR

7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" CAMOUFLAGE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP

20% OFF

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1,000+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

SAVE $65

COMPARE TO

K TOOL $ 68

125

MODEL: KTI63094

NOW

9 $599 $

7999

ITEM 64545/64552/64832 68053/62160/62496/62516/60569 shown

*75409033 * 75409033 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/3/19*

COASTALANGLERMAG.COMAt •Harbor THEANGLERMAG.COM I NATIONAL 25 was Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means Ithat FEBRUARY the specified comparison,2019 which is an item with the same or similar function, *Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 6/3/19. advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 25 hft_coastalangler_0219_M-REG163324.indd 1

1/21/19 10:31 AM 1/2/19 11:24 AM

L E A S S EVEN R E T IN T W With Special Offers For the 2019 Boat Show Season Your Suzuki Marine Dealer has exceptional deals in store for you when you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 350 horsepower during the winter Boat Show Season. Get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.

INST

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Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19. “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 26manual.

NATIONAL FEBRUARY I COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM © 2019 SuzukiI Motor of America, 2019 Inc.

CANGL_NAT3-NAT26.indd 26

SZ_2019Q1Promo_1PG_WIP.indd 1

1/21/19 10:31 AM

12/9/18 12:09 PM

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Annual premium for a basic liability policy not available all states. Prices vary based on how you buy. *Available with comprehensive and collision coverage.

COMMON CVRS_0219.indd 3

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