Coastal Angler Magazine | August 2020 | Ft. Lauderdale Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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Big Baits, Lowcountry Big Grouper REDS PHOTO BY CAPT. JOHN RYAN • INSTAGRAM: @FILLETSHOWFISHING VOLUME 25 • ISSUE 305

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Sight Fishing Reds In The South Carolina Lowcountry

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By Nick Carter

oling his skiff through grass in shin-deep water, Capt. Josh Boyles was the first to spot a big redfish crashing bait about 100 yards away. The vast grass beds around Hilton Head, S.C. were inundated in an especially high tide, and we had been working them for a couple hours with limited success. Most of the limited success was blamed on a pair of trout anglers with little saltwater fly fishing experience. Boyles had already put us on a couple fish. We had botched both royally. Conditions seemed right, with plenty of water for reds to push into in search of crabs, but the fish weren’t showing themselves. And we needed to see fish in order to cast to them with one of Boyles’ Swamp Fox flies on an 8-weight fly rod. “I’m not going to lie. This is pretty slow,” Boyles said. “We should be seeing a half-dozen fish at once and trying to decide which one to go after.” With classic tailing redfish behavior, fish root around with their noses in the muck. On the other end, their tails wave above the surface like little beacons. Reds are not hard to find when they do what they’re supposed to. These fish were not cooperating. Instead of seeking tails, we were reduced to watching for unusual wakes and nervous water. Boyles hypothesized the fish might be eating baitfish or shrimp instead of crabs, which would account for their horizontal position in skinny water. As we poled slowly to where the fish was spotted in an open pool amid a sea of grass, I stripped line from the reel and onto the deck. There was no additional sign of the fish, but we had to check it out. The tide was beginning to turn out, and it would take all the fish with it. Boyles had earlier explained why tailing reds are great sport for fly rodders just getting into the saltwater game. Redfish are comfortable in the shallows, so they don’t spook easily. Also, they feed actively and opportunistically in the grass. If they see the fly, they will most likely eat it. When our redfish reappeared, it was right in front of the boat. So close that it made casting difficult. I saw it for a second, but Boyles could see it clear as day from the platform. He began barking instructions. “Two o’clock, about 15 feet out,” he said. “See the wake?” The fish was moving right to left across the bow. I made a timid first cast, which caught the wind and plopped down off target. “Pick it up! Do it again,” Boyles said, urgency entering his voice. “Play the wind. Put it in front of him.” The pressure was on, and the second cast was better. “Strip it… Strip it… Now stop!” Boyles instructed as he watched the action unfold. “Give it a little twitch.” He didn’t have to tell me to set the hook.

For com too the gre be we’

Al Tro tha imp dee pol clas The fish swirled. I jerked back hard with my line hand, the rod pointed right at the commotion. With a jolt, the redfish was on and streaking across the flat! Pound-for-pound, nothing pulls like a red, and this was a big one, spending its last season in the marsh before it would move offshore to join the rest of the big bulls. Capt. Josh Boyles is a veteran Lowcountry guide who offers local and international fishing experiences. Email him at joshboylesfishing@gmail.com or call (843) 816-2229.

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SiriusXM Fish Mapping: SERIOUS TOOLS FOR SERIOUS ANGLERS

hether it’s a weed line, a color change or a temperature break, success in the wide-open environs of offshore fishing depends on finding the features that hold baitfish and predators that hunt them. With this in mind, SiriusXM has developed a powerful new set of tools to help serious offshore anglers narrow the field of search and find fish more quickly and efficiently. Combined with SiriusXM Marine’s weather data, the company’s Fish Mapping service is so advanced it almost seems unfair. But when you’re competing for big tournament money or have a boatful of clients or friends to keep happy, any advantage is welcome. Real-time data and eight dedicated features pull together information captains need to save time and fuel in pursuit of the ocean’s biggest gamefish. All of it is marked directly on the boat’s display, making it easy to identify areas where fish are likely to be. Here’s a list of those fish-finding features: • Fishing Recommendations: Based on data-driven analysis from oceanographers, the service recommends hot areas for specific species overlaid on your chart. This tailored information is kept fresh with twice-weekly updates to keep you on the action as it evolves. It can be viewed in combination with Fish Mapping’s other features to help solve the puzzle. • Weed Lines: Vast drifting weed lines are always hotspots for hunting pelagics. They provide food and habitat for open-ocean baitfish and shrimp, which draws in the big-game species. Finding them can be tricky, though, since they are constantly moving. Fish Mapping’s Weed Line feature updates every 24 hours to display where weed lines have been sighted recently and where they are most likely to form. • Sea Height Anomalies: Areas where sea height is noticeably different from the surrounding water often indicate an upwelling, where nutrient-rich water pushes to the surface. These are favorable conditions that attract baitfish and gamefish. Using realtime radar and sea-surface models, experts analyze the data and identify upwelling areas every 24 hours. This feature can also be used to locate downwelling areas, so you won’t waste your time fishing nutrient-poor, unproductive water. • Surface Temperature Contours: Different species prefer different temperature ranges, and Fish Mapping’s easy-to-read temperature contour lines quickly and clearly illustrate water temperatures to home in on the ideal conditions for your target species. This feature updates with current temperature data every three hours. • Sea Surface Temperature Front Strength: There’s no need to spend hours running and searching for significant temperature variances between bodies of water. These “ocean fronts” are hunting grounds for big pelagics, which take advantage of concentrated nutrients and fish-movement barriers created by 6 NATIONAL

AUGUST 2020

precipitous temperature changes. Fish Mapping estimates the strength of these ocean fronts and updates them every 24 hours. There tends to be good fishing where temperature fronts and plankton fronts coincide. • 30 Meter Subsurface Temperatures: Surface temperature is not always a good indicator of what lies beneath, where pelagics do most of their hunting. This feature tracks water temps 30 meters below the surface and updates every 24 hours to help you find your target species’ preferred temperature range. • Plankton Concentration Contours: Baitfish feed on plankton; big fish feed on baitfish. It’s easy to understand why concentrations of plankton can lead the way to good fishing. Displayed with green contour lines on your multi-function display and updated every 24 hours, Fish Mapping makes quick work of locating productive water. • Plankton Front Strength: Strong plankton fronts offer good conditions for gamefish to hunt. Baitfish prefer nutrient-rich stained water. Gamefish prefer clear water where they can spot their prey. When the two conditions exist side-by-side and coincide with a temperature front, it presents optimal fishing conditions. The plankton front strength feature displays these conditions on your display and updates every 24 hours. With tools like these, it’s easy to see why SiriusXM’s Fish Mapping service gives serious offshore anglers a leg-up on open water. They even offer a one-month trial of the service because a test drive will prove how valuable their up-to-date, easy-to-access information is. For more information, visit www.siriusxm.com/FishMapping

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UNDER SEA THE

What It’s Like to Spearfish I

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and relaxed, and “becoming one with nature” will you be part of the tribe. This unlikely fraternity of ocean hunters is made up of men and women of all ages, races and socio-economic status. The only rules here are made by Mother Nature, and the only requirement is an unspoken bond with the ocean and a respect for its resources. Unlike our mostly predictable lives, every dive is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get. I’ve experienced a school of mantas flying by, a gentle whaleshark ambling along, a sunfish scratching itself on our anchor line. I’ve experienced the exhilaration of being accepted by a pod of wild dolphins. I’ve been bumped by a hammerhead and stared down by a menacing mako. I’ve endured jellyfish stings, sealice rashes, and a crab in my ear canal. The most thrilling sight of all—after paying your dues—is spotting your prey in the shadows.

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Th po we go du as oft

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“It of in to Sil Tr rea

By Sheri Daye

have a friend at work who is horrified by my spearfishing. He asks, “Why don’t you just buy fish at the market? Aren’t you scared of sharks? What’s it like?” I know spearfishing will never be his cup of tea, but I try to explain why it’s mine. The simple answer is it’s fun to jump into tropical water and choose a delicious fish for dinner. But the truth is those flat, warm, fishy days are few and far between. The truth is that weathermen are liars, visibility can turn ugly, and fish are unpredictable. The truth is that underwater hunting is hard work in an alien environment. One of many challenges is to become comfortable underwater—so comfortable that fish believe you belong there. Fish sense herkyjerky motions and aggression, which means you will never be able to stalk them unless you learn to control your movements, and more importantly, your emotions. You must also overcome the primal fear of becoming the hunted, which is ingrained in all of us. And, as a freediver, you must become adept enough to achieve decent breath hold times. Only after persevering, learning to be smooth

D 1

When hunting tunas, the sight of the yellow finlets speeding under you will make your heart thump. When hunting wahoos, the silver ghost appearing out of nowhere will take your breath away. The realization that your eye has caught the silhouette of a black grouper in the reef will send you into adrenalized stealth mode. Back at the dock, as you fillet your fish and watch the sun set, you feel a sense of accomplishment and relief to be back on solid ground. But you also feel a sense of longing to be back in the weightless, quiet, unpredictable, beautiful ocean. As cell phones begin to ring, traffic on the way home raises your blood pressure, and thoughts of work invade your brain, you begin to plan your next trip back to the soul-cleansing world beneath the sea. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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Discovered! Unopened Bag of 138-Year-Old Morgan Silver Dollars Coin experts amazed by “Incredible Opportunity” The Morgan Silver Dollar is the most popular and iconic vintage U.S. coin. They were the Silver Dollars of the Wild West, going on countless untold adventures in dusty saddlebags across the nation. Finding a secret hoard of Morgans doesn’t happen often—and when it does, it’s a big deal. How big? Here’s numismatist, author and consultant to the Smithsonian® Jeff Garrett: “It’s very rare to find large quantities of Morgan Silver Dollars, especially in bags that have been sealed... to find several thousand Morgan Silver Dollars that are from the U.S. Treasury Hoards, still unopened, is really an incredible opportunity.” -Jeff Garrett

 Historic Morgan Silver Dollars  Minted in New Orleans  Struck and bagged in 1882  Unopened for 138 years  26.73 grams of 90% fine silver  Hefty 38.1 mm diameter  Certified Brilliant Uncirculated by NGC

 Certified “Great Southern

Treasury Hoard” pedigree

 Limit five coins per household Actual size is 38.1 mm

the southern gentleman by giving the coins the pedigree of the “Great Southern Treasury Hoard.”

But where did this unique hoard come from? Read on...

These gorgeous 1882-O Morgans are as bright and new as the day they were struck and bagged 138 years ago. Coins are graded on a 70-point scale, with those graded at least Mint State-60 (MS60) often referred to as “Brilliant Uncirculated” or BU. Of all 1882-O Morgans struck, LESS THAN 1% have earned a Mint State grade. This makes these unopened bags of 1882-O Morgans extremely rare, certified as being in BU condition—nearly unheard of for coins 138 years old.

Morgans from the New Orleans Mint

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The U.S. Treasury Hoard

Given the limited quantity of coins available from this historic hoard, we must set a strict limit of five coins per household. Call quickly to secure yours today as supplies are sure to sell out quickly!

In 1859, Nevada’s Comstock Lode was discovered, and soon its rich silver ore made its way across the nation, including to the fabled New Orleans Mint, the only U.S. Mint branch to have served under the U.S. government, the State of Louisiana and the Confederacy. In 1882, some of that silver was struck into Morgan Silver Dollars, each featuring the iconic “O” mint mark of the New Orleans Mint. Employees then placed the freshly struck coins into canvas bags... Fast-forward nearly 80 years. In the 1960s, the U.S. government opened its vaults and revealed a massive store of Morgan Silver Dollars—including full, unopened bags of “fresh” 1882-O Morgan Silver Dollars. A number of bags were secured by a child of the Great Depression—a southern gentleman whose upbringing showed him the value of hard assets like silver. He stashed the unopened bags of “fresh” Morgans away, and there they stayed...

The Great Southern Treasury Hoard

That is, until another 50 years later, when the man’s family finally decided to sell the coins—still in their unopened bags—which we secured, bag and all! We submitted the coins to respected third-party grading service Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), and they agreed to honor

Regular 1882-O Morgans sell elsewhere for as much as $133, and that’s without the original brilliant shine these “fresh” 138-yearold coins have, without their special NGC hoard designation, and without their ability to tell their full, complete story from the Comstock Lode all the way to your collection.

1882-O Morgan Silver Dollar NGC Certified BU from the Great Southern Treasury Hoard — $99 ea.

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H Photo courtesy of FWC TrophyCatch.

James Wirtz caught this 10-pound, 6-ounce beast from an unnamed Florida lake on June 16.

Deep Summer’s Shallow-Water Option By CAM Staff

ere’s some advice for bass anglers sick of the summertime grind. Instead of dredging out deep ledges or dragging worms on offshore humps, go shallow and beat the banks. Yes. You read that right. In deep summer, bass that aren’t stacked up deep will scatter to seek out the best water conditions and feeding opportunities they can find. And while you probably shouldn’t throw all your tournamentday hopes into this pattern, which really is hit-or-miss, hitting it right can lead to some of the biggest largemouths of the summer. Wave action is a key to this pattern. On lakes with heavy boat traffic and on windy days, waves slamming into the banks oxygenate water. While water conditions across the rest of the lake are hot and stagnant this time of year, the shallows offer higher oxygen levels that attract baitfish and bass. By the same token, the backs of creeks with some current often offer better oxygen levels as well as cooler water. Vegetation oxygenates water, also, and provides shade from the stifling sun. Bait is another reason big fish will be up shallow. All of the bream species—the bluegills, shellcrackers, redbreasts and others—spawn during the full moons of summer. When they bed up in colonies, they do it in the shallows, often in just a couple feet of water. Bream beds are buffets for big largemouths, which hang just off the beds waiting on any strays small enough to fit in their mouths. Now, beating the banks all day looking for one big fish in the scorching August heat doesn’t sound like much fun. But that one kicker fish you need to bolster a tournament limit is not likely to be hanging out with all those 2-pounders suspended on a deep ledge. These are also great tactics for fun fishing, when you’ve got the luxury to only fish the comfortable morning and evening hours. In low light, a buzzbait burned around a bream bed or in the shadows of a blowdown can be just the thing to draw a reaction strike from a big girl lazing in the shallows. Running a spinnerbait, bladed jig or square-bill crankbait around and under shallow docks can be very productive. Resist the urge to slow down and pick apart cover with a jig or worm. Shallow fish will be scattered this time of year, so it makes sense to cover a lot of water. Hit all the stumps, grass, rocks and any other cover you encounter. Keep moving, but do it slowly and quietly. Keep your distance, and make long casts. Sound travels far and fish spook easily in the shallows.

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teamed blue crabs seasoned with J.O. No.2 or a custom blend that J.O. manufactures is the flavor people experience at crab establishments all over. Most people credit this crab house seasoning to another product but J.O. has been the crab houses’ seasoning of choice since 1945. J.O. Spice, started by J.O. (James Ozzle) Strigle and his wife Dot in Baltimore City in 1945, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. A native of Tangier Island, Va., J.O. Strigle brought the seafood spice blend he created in his kitchen on the island to Maryland. Jane McPhaul, J.O.’s daughter took over operations of the family business in the late eighties while her son, Don Ports, was serving in the Marine Corps. In 1990 Don joined his mother in the family business with a vision to expand. In the summer of 1991 Don met his spice girl, Ginger, with the pick up line, “you’re destined to be mine; you’re named for a spice,” said J.O. Spice Company president Don Ports to wife Ginger Ports the moment they met. Twenty eight years later, Don and Ginger- alongside their children Brittany, Tyler and Bethany, are continuing the family traditions of quality seasonings, spices, and more at reasonable prices at their Halethorpe based J.O. Spice Company. “We can provide crab houses everything they need for the crab eating experience, minus the crabs”, Don says. The company added crab boxes, crab paper, bushel baskets, crab knives, crab mallets and a variety of other items to their offerings. “We purchased our first laser engraver and that opened the door to the retail gift world and personalized options,” Don says. J.O. specializes in custom blended seasonings for pizza companies, pit beef stands, butchers, potato chip companies and more. We are more than seafood seasonings. “My children, the fourth generation, and our amazing team work side-by-side to make all of this happen,” Ginger says. “At J.O., we are all family who enjoy working with so many other family businesses. We are blessed.” Please visit us at jospices.com.

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AUGUST 2020

FLORIDA 3

By John Saporito

How To

Beat

The

Pressure

lorida is home to some of the best and most diverse fishing on earth. The state also offers unmatched access to its fisheries. But with easy access comes a great challenge: fishing pressure. Fishing pressure results when

a population of fish is overexposed to fishing activity. Fish are capable learners with strong survival instincts; they become progressively more difficult to fool and catch as they experience our repeated attempts to capture them. Since they

pass their survival prowess on to their offspring, subsequent generations are empowered to avoid capture. Therefore, every fisherman should learn to cope with this obstacle so they may enjoy a lifetime of productive fishing regardless of how the future of Florida’s fisheries unfolds. While the less-traveled offshore waters may not show the effects of fishing pressure, the most accessible waterways in the state certainly do. This impacts many of our favorite gamefish, including inshore icons such as tarpon, snook, redfish and sea trout. The state gamefish, largemouth bass, is also subject to immense pressure. Fortunately, there are steps every angler can take to ensure even the wariest gamefish can be tempted to strike. The first is to use stealth when stalking your target species. The best way to avoid spooking fish is to not alert them to your presence in the first place. When fish know you’re there, they instantly become more difficult to catch. Be careful with every move, whether wading, walking a shoreline or positioning a boat. When you find fish that won’t bite, consider making a move. The problem for most fishermen is they prefer to fish easily accessible locations. The easier the access, the higher the pressure, and this shows

in how fish react to baits. Seek out locations that are more difficult to get to. Give yourself some space, and the results will speak for themselves. If you find fish that won’t bite and decide not to move, a good alternative would be to show them a finesse approach. Downsize lures and baits, cast quietly, and eliminate components of the rig a fish may find intimidating. A final remedy for fishing pressure is simply to fish off times. A dozen or more fishermen in the area around you is not ideal, neither are boat motors, jet skis and loud radios. By fishing the times when others are least likely to be on the water—think late at night and very early morning—you give yourself a tremendous advantage. While graveyard shifts might not be as relaxing as sitting on a beach chair in the afternoon sun, the fishing is likely to be more productive. Although fishing pressure is a growing problem, it presents an opportunity for anglers willing to take the steps to prepare for it. With a little know-how and proper execution, you can keep your rod bent on any of Florida’s fabled waterways. John Saporito is a lifelong fisherman and student of the seas.Visit him online at guerillaangling.com.

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4 FLORIDA

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FLORIDA 5

Paul Kolacia, of Rock Grass Fishing Charters, reports good things out of Homosassa

Bay Scallop Reports A

Mixed Bag

arly scallop season reports were mixed and across the board up and down Florida’s west coast. While poor weather and murky water led to reports of dismal results for many scallopers, others crowed of quick limits for those in the know.

More like diving than hunting Easter eggs, going deep seemed to be the key in most areas early on. With plentiful scallops reported in 10 to 15 feet of water, many casual scallopers were left scratching their heads. Meanwhile, those willing to work for

Dive iNTO

them were filling buckets. It’s worth noting that charter captains who are on the water daily seemed to have an edge on the rest of the crowds. These early results might bode well for late-season trips, as unfound scallops remain in the water. With a few storms from the southwest to push them in shallower, the tasty bivalves should be much easier to find. Pasco County’s short, July 17-26 season came and went after presstime, but the remainder of the scalloping zones will be open this month. The zone including Franklin, Wakulla and northwest Taylor counties remains open through Sept. 24, and there have been several good reports from St. Marks. The Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties zone also closes Sept. 24. Early reports from Hernando Beach, Homosassa and Crystal River were discouraging early on, but things seemed to be picking up nicely in mid-July. The zone off Dixie County and the remainder of Taylor County is open through Labor Day, and reports out of Steinhatchee went from bad to pretty good within a few days in mid-July. Everyone’s waiting eagerly for the Aug. 16 opening at St. Joseph Bay. FWC’s scallop-count numbers were off the charts for St. Joe last

year, and although the release of the 2020 counts has been delayed by COVID-19, it stands to reason there should be good numbers there. Bag and vessel limits are 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or a 1/2 gallon (4 pints) bay scallop meat per vessel. Vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit. When scalloping in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device, and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device if on a river, inlet or navigation channel. Boat operators traveling within 300 feet of a diversdown flag or device in open water or within 100 feet of one on a river, inlet or navigational channel must slow to idle speed. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating/Regulations and click on “Divers-down Warning Devices.” Help FWC’s scallop researchers by completing an online survey at svy.mk/ bayscallops. Harvesters can indicate where they harvested scallops, how many they collected and how long it took to harvest them. Participants can email BayScallops@MyFWC.com to ask questions or send additional information.

SCallop Season Come experience Scallop season in Crystal River and Homosassa. Be a part of the tradition that creates memories of a lifetime with family and friends. discovercrystalriverfl.com/scalloping

6 FLORIDA

AUGUST 2020

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FLORIDA 7

A Perfect Day Out Of

PANAMA CITY By John Saporito

he rod slammed down. I hit the lever to engage the electric reel. It growled and started winching up something big from the bottom 175 feet below. The rod twitched and bounced as it pulled in line. Then the monster from the bottom almost stopped the electric reel. The rod bent for all it was worth. The reel stopped, and the line broke. We were all speechless. I was fishing with my friend Andrew and new friends Darrel, Brent and Gene. We were 52 miles out of Panama City Beach on Andrew’s 43-foot Yellowfin. It was one of those nearly perfect days, with the smoothest water I’ve seen in a long time. It was the first time Darrel had ever been fishing, and it was Brent’s first deep sea trip. On the way out to deep water, we saw a float and circled back to find a school of small mahi mahi hanging around it. I occasionally forget things when loading the boat, which is hard to believe because I keep everything but the kitchen sink on the boat. Well, somehow 14 rods seemed like enough. Trouble was, all the spinning setups were left behind. “Well, this is going to be tough, but we can catch these mahi with bait casters,” Andrew said. He rigged one up with a small hook and weight and cast it out. He handed it to Darrel, who hooked his first fish ever. He was all smiles when that mahi came over the rail. I remembered

8 FLORIDA

AUGUST 2020

by Gary Turner

my first bluegill I caught with my dad years ago. I know how good Darrel felt. At the first drop, we rigged rods with 8/0 Owner Circle hooks and 1.5-ounce weights. Soon we were catching all kinds of fish off the bottom: some red snapper, black grouper and some really nice trigger fish. Brent hooked one fish that put up a real fight. He was making ground, when all of a sudden it yanked hard enough to pull Brent to the rail. Then the line lost all its resistance. There was still weight, but no fight. As it neared the top in the clear blue water, you could see the head of a nice red grouper sheared in half by a big shark. As we continued our day, we moved around, dropped some live pinfish and caught more snappers, and groupers. We encountered a grass line with a bunch of mahi on it and caught a few small ones before I had a big bull break off right at the boat. I know I had the kid-who-dropped-hisice-cream look on my face. The last spot was the big fish bottom. Live baits were put down and the bite was on. We all got a shot at some big fish in this spot, but they kept breaking us off. The two electric reels gave it their best shot, but to no avail. You really couldn’t ask for a better day with friends on the water. Contact Gary Turner at gary@purgeright.com.

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Cool Off With A

SUMMER WADE

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

ade fishing comes natural to me. It’s the preferred method of inshore fishing where I grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast. And for those willing to give it a try, it’s a great way to catch fish wherever the bottom composition allows. Wading is a great way to catch fish all year long, and it is a perfect way to keep cool and catch fish during the dog days of August. It also puts you in tune with your surroundings, the bottom contour and structure, and gives you the ability to stealthily cover an area more efficiently. Here are some guidelines I follow on a hot August morning: I start early, and I’m in the water before safe light. Starting under the cover of darkness gives you an edge. Tossing a topwater lure tight to the shoreline is my go-to method. There is nothing more exhilarating than a blow up under the cover of darkness, and amplify that by 10 when the lure is near you! I start out near the shore and fan cast in all directions to thoroughly cover 180 degrees around me. Start with short casts and gradually increase

Photo courtesy of Knockin Tail Lures.

your distance when entering a new area. If you start by casting as far as you can and catch a fish, you will ruin any opportunity of getting a strike from the fish that were between you and the end of that long cast. This is truer in a skinny-water environment than in deeper water. I like to change my retrieve every few casts to see if a particular cadence outperforms others. My cadence is also determined by the type of fish I am targeting. Trout and reds have no problem hitting a lure on the pause, but snook will shy away from a motionless plug. As the sun begins to rise, I might or might not change my lure. For bass anglers, keep in mind that while bass might be less eager to hit topwater during a high sun, saltwater fish do not appear to mind. If they are still eating on top, I will not switch, but if

a change is required, I tie on a 4-inch swimbait and continue fan casting toward the shore. If the bites are not there, I ease out a little deeper. Depending on depth, work from the bottom to the top on alternating casts until the fish are located. To cover new water on my wade back, I zigzag from shallow to deep. This allows me to cover a wider variety of structure and bottom contour while hitting any repeat areas from a different angle. This can often be productive, depending on how the fish position themselves in relation to the structure. Be safe and take a kid fishing, even wade fishing. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures, Controlled Descent Lures, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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AUGUST 2020

FLORIDA 9

Motorized Kayak Wins

2020 ICAST BEST OF SHOW

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t goes without saying that an online 2020 ICAST was very different from the bustling mega-show that has descended on Orlando in recent years. That said, one of the show’s highlights—The New Product Showcase— matched well with the new virus-inspired online format. The world’s top brands and most innovative creators rolled out their latest and greatest, and there’s some cool new gear out there. The coveted Best of Show award went to Johnson Outdoors Watercraft for their Old Town Sportsman Autopilot. It is a kayak purpose built for an electric motor. A short-shaft trolling motor with 45 pounds of thrust is seated through the deck in front of the angler. It is controlled with a wireless remote. Among other cool features, GPS-anchoring with the Autopilot is new to the world of kayak fishing. Here’s a rundown of the ICAST category award winners: • Boating Accessories – Minn Kota Raptor Shallow Water Anchor. • Giftware – Garmin quatix® 6X Solar watch • Footwear – Under Armour Micro G Kilchis • Eyewear – Costa Del Mar Ferg • Women’s Lifestyle Apparel – Simms Women’s Challenger Jacket and Bib • Men’s Lifestyle Apparel – AFTCO Saba Recycled Seam-Free Boardshorts • Warm Weather Technical Apparel – AFTCO Diffuse Air-o Mesh Fishing Shorts • Cold Weather Technical Apparel – AFTCO Reaper Windproof 3-layer Softshell Jacket • Coolers — YETI Roadie 24 • Electronics – Humminbird Coastmaster Charts • Cutlery, Pliers, Tools – Line Cutterz Dual Hybrid Micro Scissor • Fly Fishing Accessory – Frabill Floating Trout Net • Fishing Accessory – ATC Tsuka Handle System • Kids’ Tackle – Abu Garcia Gen Ike EZ Cast Baitcast Combo • Terminal Tackle – Rapala VMC Crossover Rings • Tackle Management – Plano EDGE FLEX • Ice Fishing – Rapala STRIKEMASTER LITHIUM 24V • Fishing Line - Berkley FluoroShield • Freshwater Soft Lure – A Band of Anglers Hyperlastics Dartprop Pro SK • Freshwater Hard Lure – Z-Man Chatterbait Jackhammer Stealthblade • Saltwater Soft Lure – 13 Fishing The Mullet • Saltwater Hard Lure – Shimano SP Orca 150 Flash Boost, Blue Sardine color • Fly Fishing Rod – Hardy Zane Pro • Freshwater Rod – St. Croix Legend Xtreme spinning • Saltwater Rod – St. Croix Mojo Inshore • Rod & Reel Combo – Abu Garcia Virtual Casting Combo • Fly Reel – Hardy Ultradisc UDLA Reel • Freshwater Reel – Shimano Vanford 2500 Spinning Reel • Saltwater Reel – PENN Battle III Reels 10 FLORIDA

AUGUST 2020

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AUGUST 2020

FLORIDA 11

Photo courtesy of Texas Sharelunker.

This 8.5-pounder caught by Hunter Manning came from Texas’ Sam Rayburn Lake, which ranked as the seventh best bass lake of the decade.

California’s Clear Lake Named

BEST BASS LAKE OF THE DECADE

ince 2012, Bassmaster Magazine has released an entertaining annual ranking of the country’s best bass fisheries based on data compiled from various sources. With COVID-19 making this year’s data hard to come by, Bassmaster decided to look back and pull together a list of the best bass lakes of the decade. California’s Clear Lake was the surprising pick for Best Bass Lake of the Decade. While considered a West Coast powerhouse, Clear Lake has never topped the Best Bass Lakes list until this year. However, in the past decade, California’s largest natural lake has also never ranked below tenth in the country and has been the top-ranked Western fishery for the past three years. Anglers can expect to consistently catch big bass in a fishery where an average bass weighs more than 5 pounds. In fact, a bass over 16 pounds was landed at Clear Lake last year. Combine that production with a pristine setting in California’s wine country, and you have a bucket-list fishing destination. Alabama’s Lake Guntersville, home of the 2020 Bassmaster Classic, took the No. 2 spot, matching its 2019 rank. Like Clear Lake, the Big G has never been named the Best Bass Lake in the nation, but it is rarely out of contention. Guntersville is known for breathtaking scenery and easy access, but big fish swim there as well. Most big-bass prizes are awarded to fish topping the 8-pound mark, with 10-plus-pounders taking center stage on occasion. True giants call third-place fishery, Lake Erie, home. While most of the tournament data comes out of Buffalo, N.Y., anglers can expect smallies in the 6-pound range anywhere along the shoreline, which includes New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Michigan’s Lake St. Clair, where you can catch the smallmouth of a lifetime, is in the fourth spot. Rounding out the remainder of the Top 10 lakes are California’s Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta at fifth; Toledo Bend, on the Louisiana/Texas border, at sixth; Texas’ Sam Rayburn Reservoir at seventh; Texas’ Falcon Lake at eighth; Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene at ninth; and Florida’s Lake Okeechobee at tenth. The rankings identify the Top 25 lakes in the nation based on headto-head comparisons. As for bragging rights on which state has the most fisheries in the all-decade rankings, that title goes to Michigan with seven lakes. Right behind the “Great Lake State,” there is a three-way tie with California, Florida and Texas each placing six lakes on the list. See www.bassmaster.com for the complete list of the Best Bass Lakes Of The Decade. 12 FLORIDA

AUGUST 2020

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FORT LAUDERDALE www.coastalanglermag.com/fort-lauderdale facebook.com/CoastalAnglerMagazineFortLauderdale

Flatline Ralph of J T . t p a C up with g teamed in l h is f t r o B Norma Sp cks of Y a S y n in bagged Capt. V hing and Sportfis uper. nowy gro a stud s

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FROM THE

PUBLISHER

henever I meet one of our readers at a boat show or the tackle shop, one of the most prevalent comments I hear is, “you sure must fish a lot”. The truth is that I don’t get to fish near as much as I did before I became the publisher of Coastal Angler Fort Lauderdale. There’s a lot more that goes into publishing a fishing magazine than getting on a boat, catching some fish and taking a few photos. First and foremost, much of my time is spent talking with current and potential advertisers. Without advertising dollars, producing a free monthly magazine would be impossible. Next comes the writing and editing part. Sometimes, writing an article is like a walk in the park. Other times, it can be very difficult to come up with the right words to present the facts or tell a story. Editing articles that have been submitted by our monthly contributors can be challenging as well. Generally, it’s a matter of a comma here or a period there, but there are times when the entire article needs to be rewritten. Then there is the layout and design process. Fortunately, my graphic designer Laura Kelly is fantastic at what she does and is a huge help each and every month. The magazine then gets sent off to the printer, but there’s more. The final step in the process is distribution. Getting 10,000 magazines out on the street is no easy task. Coastal Angler Fort Lauderdale is delivered to nearly 200 locations across Broward County and is also available to read online for free. Keep reelin,

GENE DYER

Editor & Publisher Coastal Angler Fort Lauderdale fortlauderdale@coastalanglermagazine.com (954) 680-3900

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FORECASTS

SPORT

FISHING

summer is always an exciting and welcome surprise. Wreck fishing is very good this time of year. Amberjacks are stacked up on the wrecks and artificial reefs in 200 to 300 feet and are best caught by dropping live baits up current of the structure. Black grouper, warsaw grouper and cobia are also biting at these same spots if you can get your bait past the aggressive amberjacks. You can also catch a lot of vermillion snappers and smaller groupers by dropping a chicken rig baited with chunks of squid. There is some excellent fishing these days. Even though it's slow offshore, there are lots of fish to be caught in on the reefs. Tight lines everyone.

A pair of Kings and Queens with Fishing Headquarters!

here are a few schools of mahi mahi out there to be found, but you really have to work hard and get lucky to find them. Lately the action has been on the reef and the edge of the Gulf Stream. Bonito and kingfish are tearing up the reefs and are easily caught trolling planers with spoons and sea witches. We're also catching a few wahoo and blackfin tuna, which always seem to bite when you least expect them. While most of these fish are biting the deep planer baits, a few fish such as sailfish are more apt to hit the surface lures. Sailfish bite the best during the fall and winter months, but they can be caught throughout the year here in South Florida. A few of these sailfish are biting for us while trolling the reefs. A sailfish caught trolling in the middle of

DRIFT

FISHING

t's been a hot month for fishing on the Fort Lauderdale drift fishing boats. The kingfish are biting really good on the reefs in 80 to 140 feet of water. Kingfish seem to be biting really good in the mornings and then slowing way down in the afternoons. Fortunately for us, the mutton snappers are biting really well on the afternoon trips. Bonito, a nonedible species of tuna, are also biting voraciously on the Fort Lauderdale reefs. Bonito migrate

CAPT. NICK COLOSI New Lattitude Sportfishing (954) 707-2147 www.NewLattitude.com

through our waters every summer in massive schools. Even though they aren't much for eating, they give any angler who hooks into one a great fight. Bonito migrate in such large schools that we can often catch 40 or 50 of them in a single trip. Now that's a nonstop action fishing trip. Night fishing is great this month too. Mangrove snappers are biting excellent. On our 6 hour snapper trip this week, we caught 214 mangrove snappers. All month, the snapper action has been hot. Yellowtails are biting great on the night trips as well. The current in the summer is usually

very conducive to yellowtailing. We're also catching some mutton snapper and grouper on the night anchor trips. I love night fishing in the summer because it's so hot during the day. The ocean really cools off nicely once it gets dark. August is an excellent month for fishing, so grab a rod and soak a bait because you are bound to catch something. Good luck fishing everyone. Sea ya on the water.

CAPT. PAUL ROYDHOUSE Fishing Headquarters (754) 214-7863 www.FishHeadquarters.com

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AUGUST 2020

FORT LAUDERDALE AREA 5

FORECASTS

KAYAK

FISHING

temperatures, they will be deep in the water column. Make sure to bring your kayak downrigger for the most success. If you don't have a downrigger, you can utilize a bank or egg sinker and attach it to your main line with a rubber band. Bottom fishing will be consistent with some monster amberjacks being caught on the deep wrecks off Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale. At first light, when right on top of one of the deep wrecks in 200 plus feet, drop your glowing vertical jig and you will get an automatic strike. My jig of choice is a pink or glowing green JimyJig. If you’re lucky, you might even pull up a big wahoo. Be sure to register for the Summer Slam scheduled for August 29th. For more information check out www. extremekayakfishing.com.

Joe Hector with a solid wahoo caught off Hillsboro Inlet.

ugust is by far my favorite time of year to fish. Big schools of wahoo run through Pompano Beach every year in August and most of these fish are huge. A few years ago during the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament Summer Slam part two, there was a 52 pound and 30 pound wahoo brought to the scale. Both fish were caught in 180 feet, straight out from Hillsboro Inlet. The best wahoo fishing in August is going to be a few days before and after the full moon with an outgoing tide. My rig of choice has always been 30 pound mono to 50 pound fluorocarbon leader tied to 12 inches of wire with a 3/0 J-hook and the important stinger rig. Almost all the wahoo I’ve landed were only hooked by the stinger in the throat, so make sure to use it. Some nice dolphin will be caught in 200 to 350 feet. Spinning outfits in the 20 to 30 pound range are perfect for

targeting mahi mahi. Be sure to go stealthy with a 30 pound mono leader and a 3/0 circle hook. Live pilchards are the go to bait for catching dolphin from a kayak.

Port Everglades Tides

www.USHarbors.com

Port Everglades, ICWW, FL - Aug 2020 High

Date

Look for weed patches or a color change for the best chance to hook up. The kingfish bite will be solid, but with the high water

JOE HECTOR 954-895-4527 Extreme Kayak Fishing Inc. joe@extremekayakfishing.com www.extremekayakfishing.com

Hillsboro Inlet Tides

www.USHarbors.com

Hillsboro Inlet (ocean), FL - Aug 2020

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