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Hauling Mutton And Grouper
Off The Marathon Bottom By CAM Staff
Darcie Arahill’s biggest mutton snapper to date came from 200 feet of water off Marathon in the Florida Keys.
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ottom fishing is about hard-pulling fish and filling the cooler with some delicious table fare. With grouper season in full swing, there may be no better way to get your daily workout than floating over a reef or wreck. And you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to do it than off of Marathon in the Florida Keys. Darcie Arahill, host of the YouTube channel Darcizzle Offshore, spent a day with Capt. Dave Schugar and the crew with Sweet E’Nuf Charters out of Marathon and absolutely loaded the coolers with mutton snapper, amberjack, blackfin tuna and yellowtail snapper. It was the kind of trip that bottom fishing is supposed to be. Capt. Dave spent the early part of the day hopping from wreck to wreck and patch reef to patch reef, briefly prospecting each one with baits before moving on in search of hungry fish. He eventually found them over structure in about 200 feet of water. “You gotta keep moving to find those bites,” said Darcie, understanding the searching it takes to find productive bottom. But after setting up a drift on this spot, the whole boat knew they were on the fish. The action started quickly and it was fast, with multiple double and triple hookups. They caught some fish vertical jigging, but Darcie’s largest mutton snapper ever—a beautiful 13.6-pounder—was battled off the bottom after it ate a live pinfish. The live-bait rig consisted of a pinfish hooked through the lips with a circle hook, which was tied into 25 feet of leader and a three-way swivel. A 10-oz. teardrop sinker was deployed off the other arm of the swivel to get the bait down to the bottom. The group hauled several muttons up from the depths, and they also caught amberjack, jack crevalle, bonita and blackfin tuna off the same spot. Capt. Dave took the opportunity to give a quick demonstration on how to properly bleed a blackfin to deliver better tasting fillets to the table. Instead of cutting the fish’s throat, use your hands to tear the gills beneath the gill plate.
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“You don’t want to cut the heart,” he said. “You want to cut the gills so all the blood can drip out… The heart’s still pumping, but it breaks the circuit so all the blood will pump right out.” With the fish boxes filling up, Capt. Dave decided it was a good time to head for shallower water to pursue grouper and yellowtail snapper. They ended the run in about 100 feet of water over the sunken center swing span of the original Seven Mile Bridge. In the 1980s, 4,500 tons of concrete and steel from the bridge were sunk as a part of Florida’s artificial reef program. Constructed in 1912, the Over-Sea Railroad bridge connected the Florida Keys to the mainland and to each other for the first time. Now pieces of the railroad make great fish habitat. With a couple heavy-duty grouper rigs deployed with big live grunts, Darcie went to work on the yellowtail. Yellowtail fishing with light tackle offers fast action and delicious fish. It’s a lot of fun and a perfect style of fishing for families, Darcie said. With chum out, it’s as easy as flipping out a piece of cut bait on a lightweight spinning rod and allowing it to drift with the chum until a fish picks up the bait. As the boxes continued to fill, this time with yellowtail, there was a vicious takedown on one of the grouper rods. A grueling struggle to haul the fish up was rewarded with a big 25-pound black grouper. It was the exclamation point on the end of a fine day on the water. Check out Darcie’s YouTube channel Darcizzle Offshore at www.youtube.com/user/DarcizzleOffshore.
To see more Mutton fishing with Darcizzle, go to
CRYSTALSALTWATERS.COM
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The History Of Rapala
I
t all began with a hungry Finnish guy and a carving knife. It was the 1930s when a simple fisherman made an observation of simple genius: Big fish eat little fish, especially little fish that are wounded. So began one of the greatest fishing stories ever told. As Lauri Rapala fished the waters of Finland’s Lake Paijanne, he quietly rowed and watched. And what he saw was how hungry predator fish would dart into a school of minnows and attack the one that swam with a slightly off-center wobble. Lauri realized that if he could craft a lure that mimicked the movements of a wounded minnow, he could catch more fish, earn more money, and not spend time constantly baiting lines. So Lauri set to work. He whittled, carved and shaved. Eventually a lure took shape. Using a shoemaker’s knife and some sandpaper, he created his first successful lure from cork in 1936. Tinfoil from chocolate bars formed the lure’s outer surface. Melted photographic negatives were the protective coating. It perfectly imitated the action of a wounded minnow. Legend has it that Lauri sometimes caught 600 pounds of fish a day with that new lure. And as word of his abundant catches spread, the lure’s reputation grew. The rest, as they say, is history. That first lure was the forefather to the lure that has helped more fishermen experience the thrill of more big fish than any other: the legendary Original Floating Rapala. As fishermen around the world began to catch more and bigger fish with Rapala’s lure, it became clear that what triggered them was the lure’s tantalizing
wiggle and wobble. Even though fish throughout the world are different, predators and baitfish always acted true to form. Big fish hammer wounded little fish. That’s why Lauri tested each lure to make sure it swam true to the unique “wounded-minnow action.” It wasn’t the fastest way to make a fishing lure. But it was the only way to make a Rapala. To this day, Rapala lures are hand-tuned and tank-tested to swim perfectly right out of the box. It’s an action as distinct to a Rapala as a fingerprint is to a person. With every unforgettable trip of a lifetime, every successful Saturday afternoon with a kid at the local fishing hole, the Rapala legend grew. A deep-seated trust formed between anglers and Rapala. Weekenders became hardcore. Dads became heroes. More and more fishermen began reaching for Rapala. For millions, success could be measured by the growing number of trophy fish caught on Rapala lures. To this day, no other lure holds more world records. And because we the designers at Rapala are fishermen first, they know not only what fishermen need, but what they can’t live without. When the Shad Rap exploded onto the scene, its ability to catch fish spread like wildfire. Tackle shops sold out across the country. Resort owners and mom-and-pop bait shops rented out Shad Raps by the day, and even by the hour. Yes, it was that good. Twenty years later, it’s still one of fishing’s most successful lures. Likewise, the moment Rapala introduced Fish ’n Fillet knives, they enhanced the fishing experience for millions. The tapered design and unique flexibility of the Fish ’n Fillet made filleting easier, which is why they’re still the number one fillet knives in the world. And so a foundation was laid. The successes of the Original Floater, Shad Rap, and Fish ’n Fillet were followed by other Rapala products that found their way into tackle boxes and history books. They are lures like the Magnum, the Rattlin’ Rapala, the Fat Rap, the CountDown, the Husky Jerk and the Tail Dancer. There’s a reason so many fishermen around the world put their faith in Rapala. It’s a confidence that stretches through 140 countries and is validated each year by the 20 million Rapala lures sold. Simply put, Rapala products make better fishermen. Nothing is rushed to market; everything is carefully crafted from years of experience. It is a legacy of unwavering quality that can be seen in every lure, every fillet knife, every tool, and every cast of our premium monofilament line. It is a legacy that continues with new Rapala offerings, new actions, new sizes, new colors, new finishes, new tools, new accessories and new ways of catching more fish. The sweet smell of success lingers long after the scent of fish slime fades. Tens of millions of walleye, trout, bass, wahoo, snook and tarpon later, Rapala continues to stand the test of time. Because through it all, one simple truth has endured. That which is irresistible to fish will always be irresistible to the fisherman.
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ne of the most prolific inshore species available to anglers on any coast, spotted seatrout come in two varieties: eaters and gators. Eater trout—those measuring in the 15-inch range—are extremely popular, due to their affinity to gather in big schools and chase down lures. Gator trout, however, are a whole different ballgame. Targeting big trout requires a different approach. Most resources suggest moderate-sized artificial lures, like imitation shrimp, for seatrout of any size. Yet, on numerous occasions, I’ve had big gators run down and attempt to swallow smaller trout while I’ve reeled them in. As seatrout grow larger, their diets shift from small crustaceans to almost exclusively fish—the bigger the better. Live baits are my preference for targeting big fish. Mullet are a favorite, as are pinfish and croakers. With big baits in the livewell, it’s time to find gator water. While it’s common to find schools of smaller trout in deeper channels adjacent to shallow flats, trophy trout spend more time around subtle depressions and breaks. If you’re catching large numbers of eaters, a change of areas is usually required to find gators. Most of my fishing is done in super-skinny water in heavily pressured areas with tough fish. Fishing these small, shallow areas requires stealth and patience. For big trout, I move into an area as quietly as possible, put the Talon down, and wait.
As things settle down, it’s important to assess the area. Flooded oyster bars or current-swept mangroves are always worth a shot, but don’t overlook inconspicuous spots. If an area is relatively shallow, with one washout or depression that’s just a foot deeper than everything else, that spot can be key, especially at low tide. Before the first cast is made, it’s important to select proper tackle. Line and hook size should be greater than what’s considered routine. With a mainline of 20-pound braid, I attach a long leader of 25-pound test fluorocarbon. It’s my only hope against razor-sharp oyster bars. I tie on a 5/0 to 7/0 VMC circle hook that’s super strong. A small float helps keep track of a hard-swimming mullet. It’s important to lob baits delicately toward the target. However, once a fish is hooked, any delicacy is tossed aside, as big inshore fish don’t play nice. Here, the proper rod becomes key to the equation. I like St. Croix’s Mojo Inshore rods for gator trout hunting. These rods are workhorses, covered in a double layer of finishing cure and backed by a five-year warranty. But durability doesn’t come at the sacrifice of quality. Mojo Inshore models are built from SCII graphite and contain hardcore components. Longer models aid in casting, hooksets and moving big fish away from cover; the 7’6” medium-heavy is perfect. Once your trophy trout is boat-side, be sure to handle it carefully. Summertime water temperatures leave these fish compromised after a fight. Giant spotted trout are rare and always females; to release them in a healthy state ensures a future for us all.
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Beautiful Log Home Erected in One Day!
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ounds incredible, doesn’t it? When we first heard that statement from Chip Smith, Owner of Blue Ridge Log Cabins, I smiled and said, “We would like to see that.” Chip’s confident smile back and his reply, “Great. Let’s get you scheduled to observe a cabin construction first hand.” The following article documents the amazing process developed by Blue Ridge Log Cabins and verifies construction of a 5,000 square foot log cabin in one day! This awesome engineering feat can be viewed in a time-lapse video by visiting www.blueridgelogcabins.com. Take a look; it’s quite impressive. Celebrating 25 years as an innovator in their industry, Blue Ridge Log Cabins have been featured on “Extreme Makeover,” HGTV’s “Amazing Log Homes” and were recognized as America’s Favorite Log Homes 2017 in a survey conducted by Log Cabin Hub. Editor’s Note: the logs used by Blue Ridge Log Cabins are engineered in their state of the art, 110,000 square foot, temperature-controlled production facility in South Carolina and are kiln-
dried and precisley constructed in their facility. Every log fits perfectly before it arrives to your job site. In their system, your log home has already been constructed at their facility before it arrives to be assembled. Nothing is left to chance, no guesswork, no hassles. It truly is an amazing process to watch. Their process is a truly personalized experience. They have a wide variety of floor plans to choose from in their Estate, Classic and Cabin Collections. Or bring your own ideas to them and let Blue Ridge Log Cabins customize a home for you. Then choose your style and decor so that your home truly is unique to you. All plans are reviewed and approved by a licensed third-party engineer to make certain all local building codes are met. The Blue Ridge Log Cabins team will visit your land to ensure there are no unexpected surprises as construction commences. Should you need help in finding the perfect property, they can assist with that, as well. Once you finalize your plan and design your home, Blue Ridge Log Cabins’ team of experts begin building your home inside their facility. While your foundation is going in on your property, they’re building your dream home including electrical, plumbing, windows and doors as well as installing appliances, fixtures, cabinetry and more. Once your home is delivered to your property and onsite construction begins, your dream cabin will be up before the day is over. If you enjoy the beauty and ambiance of wood and the mystique of log home living you owe it to yourself to see how easily and economically a Blue Ridge Log Cabin can come together. We were impressed and have no doubt that you will be too. For more information, please visit www.blueridgelogcabins.net or call toll free 888-340-9782.
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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures
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he Texas summer surf can spoil a newcomer in a heartbeat and is what the seasoned surf angler awaits each year. Vacation days are set aside well in advance and excuses to come in late to work are ready and often recycled. Spoil a newcomer, addiction, you might ask, what is so special about the surf? My fastest limit, 10 trout from the upper Texas coast, came on 12 consecutive casts. One was a dud, a lost fish, and 10 were solid trout, 19.5 to 24 inches. After I caught my limit, I continued to catch and release solid trout up to 5 ½ pounds. If that doesn’t spoil you, nothing will. Days like this are not uncommon when the conditions are right. The key to a successful morning in the surf is to remember you don’t plan a trip when you want, you go when the surf calls you. Green incoming tides rising with the sun paired with a calm surf are my favored conditions. May and June routinely provide the best odds of landing the larger trout with Independence Day marking the arrival of masses of school-size fish. I like to start my day before the sun’s rays illuminate the horizon. Standing on the sand, tossing topwaters or suspending baits parallel and as close to the sand as I can effectively work the lure. I have caught many trout pushing 7 pounds along with large flounder and snook using this approach. It is amazing the size of fish that will feed in mere inches of breaking water. As the blanket of darkness no longer conceals my presence, I will begin to gradually angle my casts towards the open Gulf. I will broaden my search area and structure type until I find where the fish are feeding, never overlooking the shallow water where I began my day. As the sun climbs, the trout will typically find comfort in the guts, chasing mullet, shrimp, shad and other baitfish. When this occurs, I still vary my cast from parallel to offshore, covering the deep guts and not overlooking the structure, which is the bar. As you would do while fishing the bay, don’t overlook the drop off. Casting along it can produce great catches. White water and waves crashing is an often-overlooked hot spot. I seldom see surf fishermen casting into the whitewash, which can be a huge mistake. The turbulence disorients the baitfish which are easy meals for the thick-bodied, strong-swimming surf trout. I can remember one day in particular when most, if not all, of my trout were caught in the white water on top of the bar. A solid trout inhaled my slow-sinking lure as it tossed and turned in the froth. After that, I made repeated casts into the turbid water to end a successful day that up until that point had been quite slow. Let me check the forecast, is it calm yet? Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
For basics on Surf Fishing, go to
www.coveralls.biz
FISHINGWATERS.CO
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DAVID MANEY, FOWLER’S SUNGLASSES
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aving been actively involved in the sunglasses industry for over 20 years and having sold over 25,000 pairs of sunglasses last year, I’m often asked, “What is the most important thing to consider when choosing a pair of sunglasses?” My answer is always, “the way they fit your face; comfort is the most important consideration.” I’m surprised at the number of people who choose their sunglasses based on brand. For anglers, and I am one, the next consideration can be offshore or inshore. The blue mirror lens models hold the best lens clarity for offshore while the green mirror/amber lenses produce the clearest lens visibility for the inshore angler. I’ve been a big fan of Revo’s Blue Crawlers for my offshore sunglasses, and I switch to my ambers as my go-to inshore glasses. Another big consideration for some is OSHA-approved eyewear. The correct approval body is ANSI approved. This ANSI validation of the sunglasses is the only accepted approval by OSHA’s requirements, however, few brands actually possess the ANSI approval. If OSHA requirements are important for your choice of sunglasses, make sure you’re seeing the ANSI approval in writing and not simply relying on your representative’s assurance. Finally, if you’re a prescription eyewear user, ensuring that the lens you receive when you request your prescription sunglasses from your favorite brand is not always apples to apples. Make sure that the exact same lens technology
is available for your prescription sunglasses as their nonprescription lenses. Otherwise, you could own an expensive pair of non-angler-friendly sunglasses. Believe me, it happens all the time. There are many new entries in the sunglasses field these days. Lens technology advancements continue to improve the quality of the angler’s viewpoint. If you’re in the market for a new pair of sunglasses, I recommend you do a little research before you make your purchase. Don’t just go buy XYZ sunglasses. Find the pair, regardless of brand, that’s best for you. If Fowler’s can be of any assistance in helping you make that decision, please feel free to call or email us. We’re happy to help ensure that you’re completely satisfied with your next sunglasses purchase. David Maney is considered to be one of the most published experts in the general field of sunglasses. He has appeared in Southern Living Magazine, USA Today and U.S. World Report and even appeared on Oprah. Fowler’s has been in business for 118 years and has sold over 250,000 pairs of sunglasses. For more information on Fowler’s and David Maney, visit www.fowlerssunglasses.com or call 888-340-9021.
6 Reasons Why Fowler’s Sells More Sunglasses than Anyone Else in the U.S. Over 250,000 Pairs Sold #1. Price #2. Selection #3. Price #4. Selection #5. Price #6. Selection
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SUNGLASSES NATIVE EYEWEAR SIGHTCASTER Native Eyewear’s Sightcaster is all about giving you the right tool for the pursuit of a good catch. Color enhanced, high-definition optics cut through glare on the water allowing you to see deeper and farther. Native’s premium polarized lens technology also blocks up to four times more infrared and protects against harmful UV rays, helping your eyes stay fresh even after a long day on the water. The full-wrap, X-Large frame comes with nonslip grip material along the temples and nose pads to ensure all-day comfort with a lightweight and secure fit.
WWW.NATIVEEYEWEAR.COM COSTA REMORA
Costa Del Mar was born on the water and is committed to protecting it. This summer, Costa will celebrate its tradition of conservation by launching its OCEARCH Limited Edition collection. Costa is a primary supporter of OCEARCH, a research organization that generates critical scientific data on keystone marine species like great white and tiger sharks. Its vessel, the M/V OCEARCH, is an at-sea laboratory that puts science on the side of sharks to help protect our oceans worldwide. One of the models in this OCEARCH Limited Edition collection is the Remora, a brand new frame that features all of Costa’s signature performance technologies. This particular pair features a brand new lens as well! The Gray Silver Mirror lens is great for all-day wear. It is a polycarbonate lens with silver mirror on a gray base. The frame color is called Tiger Shark, and reflects the patterns of its namesake. Think of it as the popular tortoise shell in a more shark and ocean-inspired colorway! MSRP: $169. These glasses also come with a limited edition cleaning cloth and C-MASK. For more on OCEARCH, go to www.ocearch.org.
WWW.COSTADELMAR.COM RIO RAY SEASIDE Rio Ray Optics is the best new brand and most comfortable polarized sunglasses on the market. Designed for the outdoor lifestyle, all Rio Ray sunglasses come with 100 percent optically correct polarized CR39 lenses, indestructible TR90 frames, optical spring hinges for maximum comfort and a hassle-free lifetime warranty. All Rio Ray hard-coated polarized lenses are made of the highest quality CR39 and contain nine layers of protection with 100 percent UV protection. A hydrophobic coating on the front repels water, sunscreen and dirt, which makes cleaning and maintenance easy. A vibrant flash mirror provides additional glare reduction and a superior scratch resistant coating prevents lens damage. The backside anti-reflective coating eliminates bounce-back glare. Rio Ray MaxFlex frame technology makes these the most comfortable sunglasses on the market utilizing lightweight TR90 nylon, which maintains the frame shape and offers incredible durability. Our frames were designed to be 100 percent prescription ready, and each pair comes with a full array of accessories including a hard and soft case, cleaning cloth and retainer. There are over 40 styles to choose from, an average MSRP of only $149.99, and new styles are on the way for each season. Replacement lenses are available for only $24.99. Rio Ray is always looking for high-quality retailers to partner with, and they have the best retailer friendly program in the sunglass industry. For dealer inquires, call 800-498-2104 or email jarrod@ riorayoptics.com.
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S RE VIEW2017 REVO GUIDE S AND GUIDE II Back in 1985, Revo became a global performance eyewear brand known as the leader in polarized lens technology. Their glasses were first created utilizing lens technology developed by NASA as solar protection for satellites. Today, Revo continues to build on its rich tradition of technology and innovation by offering the clearest and most advanced high-contrast polarized sunglass available. With two new frames, the Guide II and the Guide S, Revo seeks to fill the needs of those seeking the best in performance sunglasses. Both frames feature HighContrast Polarized Serilium lenses that are lightweight, shatterproof and formulated of polycarbonate. Revo’s 8-base lens technology offers a more curved fit relative to your face, and elastometric nosepads provide a more secure fit for active wearers. Sleek and modern, the Guide II adds an element of comfort to the all-activity, allcondition mentality. What carries on in the Guide lineage, however, is the confidence to exceed expectations and reach the objective. The Guide S blends all-terrain functionality with a sleek fit. They are equipped with fast-flow vents and Motion-Fit technology for optimal comfort in any condition or environment.
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SKELETON OPTICS RENEGADE
FLYING FISHERMAN MORAY
New for 2018, take hold and be bold with Flying Fisherman’s Moray sunglasses, a sporty frame equipped to take your fishing game to the next level. Built with durability and comfort in mind for anglers who work hard and play even harder, the medium fit, semi-rimless wrap-around frame provides generous lens coverage, helping shield the sun from all angles. Non-slip, co-injected temples and adjustable, rubberized nosepiece give this frame solid performance and comfort for all-day wear. The Flying Fisherman Polarized, AcuTint lens coloring system eliminates glare and enhances color contrast, without distorting natural colors. The enhanced visual sharpness and comfort adds to fishing productivity, and maximizes the outdoors experience for anglers and watersports enthusiasts who need to see below the water’s surface to spot fish and structure. Morays are available in matte black frames with copper-red mirror, smoke, or smoke blue-mirror lenses, matte grey frames with smoke blue-mirror lenses, and matte white frames with smoke-blue mirror AcuTint lenses. MSRP is $24.95 - $29.95, and the Moray will be in stores this September. Call 305-852-8989 or visit the website for more information or to receive a free catalog.
WWW.FLYINGFISHERMAN.COM
POPTICALS POPSTAR
Skeleton Optics high-performance eyewear delivers superb craftsmanship, trend-forward innovation and advanced technology for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. From the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, Skeleton Optics sunglasses are designed to empower ordinary people to do extraordinary things, inspiring them to live the “No Boundaries” lifestyle. The new Skeleton Optics Renegade frames not only embrace that belief but take it to the next level. Adding to their already popular Original Collection, Skeleton Optics took the wraparound feature of the best-selling Scout model, and extended the frame width while working closely with the Zeiss Optical team to increase the lens height and create the all new Renegade sunglasses. Rugged and durable, yet sleek and stylish, Renegade sunglasses are perfect for a day on the water, on the trail, in the car, at the beach or in town. Renegades feature polarized polycarbonate lenses by Zeiss with 100 percent UV protection and advanced TRI-PEL/RI-PEL coating to enhance colors and promote clear vision in any outdoor environment. Lenses also include a premium hard coating for scratch and impact resistance. Grilamid TR-90 frames were designed and manufactured in Italy for lasting durability, comfort and protection. The in-line nosepiece is anti-slip and moisture wicking. Specifications: • Base Curve of 8 • DBL: 18mm • Temple Length: 115mm • Lens Size A/B: A65xB40 For information, call 888-564-9025.
WWW.SKELETON-SUNGLASSES.COM
Sunglasses are a necessity, but they’re also a burden. There is an ever-present possibility to lose or damage this expensive piece equipment. And you can forget about storing a conventional pair in a case in your pocket. They’re just too bulky. That’s where Popticals steps in. This revolutionary new line of portable, pop-out sunglasses has a patented design that makes storage safe and convenient. Popticals’ FL2 Micro-Rail System allows the sunglasses to easily fold down to be stored in a small hardshell case. You won’t even notice this compact design in your pocket, and the unit can be clipped to anything with an included carabiner. These glasses are high-performance, as well. The NYDEF Nylon Lenses manufactured by Carl Zeiss Vision are clearer and 16 percent lighter in weight than polycarbonate lenses. They offer complete UV protection, filtering out 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays, while hydrophobic and oleophobic technology repels water, oil, sweat and dust. The Swiss Grilamid TR 90 frames provide long-lasting durability and resistance to extreme temperatures while remaining lightweight and comfortable for extended use. Popticals are engineered in the U.S.A and handcrafted in Italy. See the Popticals website for a wide range of styles designed for any outdoor pursuit.
WWW.POPTICALS.COM
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FLY FISHING
TARPON TIME: THE TWO HANDED STRIP
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t’s tarpon time! Many of you will be headed to tarpon waters this summer looking to hook one of ocean’s greatest gamefish on the fly. When you go, consider altering your fly retrieval technique from the standard one-hand strip to the two-handed stip. If you do, you might be surprised at how effective a two-hand strip can be at catching this great gamefish. There are some saltwater fish that react to a fly that is stripped as fast as possible. Tuna, barracuda, roosterfish, amberjack and yellowtail are all good examples. These guys prefer a fly that moves like an Indianapolis racecar. If the fly isn’t imitating a fleeing baitfish, and suddenly stops, this group of gamers will turn and swim away. The two-handed strip is also a wonderful technique for feeding a well-presented fly to a tarpon. But there is a difference. The twohanded strip is slightly different for tarpon than it is for offshore and nearshore species. Where offshore fish like tuna want the fly to burn through the water without pause, a tarpon often wants to see the fly move through the water at a slower pace while still keeping the fly’s continual motion. An advantage of the two hand strip technique is the angler has total control of the fly’s pace through the water, making it possible for the angler to speed up or slow down the fly depending on the reaction of the tarpon to the fly. For example, if a tarpon reacts aggressively toward the fly, the angler might speed up the retrieve to initiate a strike. If the tarpon’s reaction is less aggressive, almost passive, the angler can manipulate the fly’s speed and try to turn on the tarpon’s “light switch” to instigate a strike. Another advantage to using the two-hand retrieve is that the rod is placed under the arm rather than in the hands, making it almost impossible to lift the rod tip on a strike. This combats the urge of freshwater converts to set the hook by lifting the rod, a big no-no
in tarpon fishing. With the rod under and arm, the only way to hook the fish is with a solid stripstrike. For a successful twohanded strip do the following: • After the fly has been cast, place the rod under the arm (right or left). • Point the rod tip down, keeping the tip on the water at all times. • Begin the strip by pulling the fly line with your hand at the first stripping guide. Repeat this with the other hand. • There should be a continual motion, changing hands with each strip. • Vary the speed of the fly as you strip it through the water. • Strip the fly all the way to the boat and repeat. If you feel a strike, give your line a solid strip-strike. Use the two-handed strip, and I guarantee you will never go back to the one-hand strip again. Good luck on the tarpon grounds this season!
For Tackle Box Essentials from Bowman, go to
CAMFLYFISHING.COM
High Performance Eyewear
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By Chris Beardsley
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know I’m not alone when I say that I really like fishing for sharks. They can be caught on virtually any cut or live bait and fight as well or better than other “more desirable” game fish. Sharks are opportunistic feeders and can be caught offshore as well as inshore, and fishing for them in the surf can be a lot of fun. In most Gulf waters, sharks are plentiful. Unbeknownst to beachgoers, they often occupy the same warm water where swimmers frolick. On a recent trip to the Gulf, I was summoned from the surf by frantic family members when a respectable shark was seen swimming in the same trough I happened to be in. No harm done. The good news is that the majority of sharks pose little threat to humans. While moderate casting distances make shore fishing appealing, it might be considered bad form to land a shark where others are swimming. Be aware of your surroundings and, if necessary, find a more remote location to avoid spookin’ the kids. Generally speaking, the sharks you will target range from 3 to 4 feet and often feed on small fish and crustaceans. Your favorite 7-foot medium to medium-heavy rod and 5000 series reel combo will work perfectly. Of course, there are as many opinions regarding bait as there are fishermen, but when it comes to sharks, cut bait is a favorite. I prefer a 3-inch, skin-on ladyfish fillet while others prefer blue runners or frozen squid. A common rule of thumb is “the larger the bait, the larger the fish.” So gear selection is critical. A 2/0 circle hook is the smallest I will use, and a steel leader provides good insurance. On the other hand, larger sharks are caught in relatively shallow water too, and their close proximity to shore can make for some exciting fishing. If you plan to target the big boys in the surf, just remember that these are large, powerful animals that require the use of proper gear and utmost respect before, during and after the catch. For sharks starting at 5 feet, an 8000 series reel with 65-lb. braid coupled with a stout surf rod, 7/0 hooks and single-strand steel leaders are a minimum starting point. It is important to understand that landing and releasing the fish as quickly as possible greatly increases its survivability post-release. You will do yourself and the fish a great service by researching which sharks are in your area and what equipment to use. I once read that fishing for sharks was reserved for vacationing Midwesterners and included a tidbit questioning the region’s collective manhood for doing so. Before I could get too offended, it dawned on me that 1) I am from the Midwest, and 2) I do like catching sharks! I am still trying to figure out how this affects my manhood, but in the meantime, make way because I’ve got a bucket of cut bait, a steel leader and some hungry sharks to feed! Chris is a freelance writer from Wisconsin with an obsession for all things saltwater. He does most of his fishing on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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TIPS FROM A PRO
MID-SUMMER BASS FISHING
I
BRANDON LESTER
grew up fishing lakes well-known for large schools of bass spending the summer months offshore. When we get to mid-summer and the water temperature starts hitting 80 degrees, it is safe bet that fish are going to be on offshore structure like ledges, humps and drop offs. I start looking on main-lake areas, on the lower half of the lake from the dam, where most good summer ledges are on the lakes I fish. Using the mapping on my Raymarine electronics, I search for places that top out from 12 to 20 feet and drop down to anywhere from 50 to 60 feet. Bass will start heading out there when the water gets to 70 degrees and at 80 they will definitely be out there. They spawn with a water temperature of 62 to 64, so as the water warms they will be headed that way. When the water is 80 degrees, the fish in the lake that move (some stay shallow all year) will be out there. The biggest deal is finding the depth range of the fish. When they first get out to offshore structure, they like 12 to 17 feet. As they stay longer— it could be weeks or a month—they will then move deeper, from 18 to 25 feet, maybe even as deep as 30 feet. To find the depth range of the fish, I will graph and look for the bait and then the fish. Usually I can see the fish on my Raymarine units, but I will often fish around a big school of bait in case the bass are hiding right under the thick bait. If I don’t see bait or bass, I won’t make a cast. Electronics are too good these days to fish places just because there were fish there at one point in the past. Gear To Use Offshore I always start with a moving bait, such as a deep-diving crankbait, to see if I can get the fish fired up. The biggest ones in the school will bite a crankbait. I like a Strike King 6XD and 8XD fished on a MHX CB907 cranking rod that I built myself with supplies
from Mud Hole. I always put new Mustad hooks on the baits. #2 KVD Triple Grip trebles are my preference. For line I use 10- to 12-lb. Vicious Fluorocarbon for the 6XD and 15- to 17-lb. on the 8XD. I like a slower 5:4:1 gear ratio reel to help them dive to their deepest depths. When those fish start grouping up out on the ledges, you can really have a lot of fun. Hundred-fish days are possible on the Tennessee River lakes, and I get excited just thinking about it. When that water temp gets close to 80, it is time to get out deep and get healthy in a hurry come tournament day.
Get more tips from Lester at
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CHECK US OUT AT:
Website: www.coastalanglermag.com/galveston/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoastalAnglerMagazineTexas/
July is National Hot Dog Month, and according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans will be consuming hot dogs in record numbers this summer. The council estimates that over seven billon hot dogs will be eaten by Americans between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with the July 4th holiday being the biggest hot-dog holiday of the year. Every year, Americans eat an average of 60 hot dogs each. Council research shows that for adults, mustard is the condiment of choice, while children prefer ketchup. Most Americans say grilling is their favorite way to prepare a hot dog, far outpacing any other cooking method. For more information on hot dogs you can check out the Council’s website at www.hot-dog.org National Ice Cream Month is also being celebrated this month. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. About 10 percent of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream. The average American consumes almost 22 pounds of ice cream per year. Vanilla continues to be America’s flavor of choice with vanilla, chocolate, cookies ‘n cream, strawberry and chocolate chip mint being the top five flavors. So friends, celebrate the month of July with a grilled hot dog and a bowl of your favorite ice cream! BELOW ARE JUST A FEW OF THE FISHING TOURNAMENTS HAPPENING IN THE MONTH OF JUNE: Date Tournament Website For Information 7/8/17 West Bay Slam Tournament www.fishwestend.com 7/7-8 Cula Rouja Fishing Tournament www.cularoja.com 7/13-15 Rudy’s Redfish Pro Series www.redfishseries.com 7/21-22 Blue Wave Owners Tournament www.bluewaveboats.com 7/27-30 Port Mansfield Follow the Fish Tournament www.portmansfieldchamberof commerce.com 7/29 Saltwater Sweeties Tournament www.cbga.org 7/29 Galveston Redfish Series www.galvestonredfishseries.com As always we would like to thank our pro writer’s who take their time to offer up expert fishing tips: Cassie Willis, Craig Lambert, Jeffrey Acosta, Galveston Bay Foundation, Dean Muckleroy, Mark Franklin, Mark Talasek, Tobin Strickland, Mike Meza, Michael ‘Sharky’ Marquez and Brian Joseph Spencer. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our advertisers: Hook Spit, Serious Tackle, Bacliff Builders Supply (Ace Harware), OJ’s Marine, Avid Anglers Jewelry Design, Fisherman’s Motel, Tran Sport Boats Inc, Gulf Coast Palapas, Cowboy’s Wild Game Washer, Spotless Services, Advanced Marine Service, LLC, Blackburn Marine, SafeFloor, JZ Rails, Gulf Coast Complete Marine and Ron Hoover RV & Marine Galveston. Without them, this magazine would not be possible. Remember to visit and shop with our advertisers and please make sure you ask for your Coastal Angler discount upon purchase. Read us online at www.coastalanglermag.com/galveston/. Click on our ‘advertiser’s ad’ and go directly to their web site. Tight lines, The Mowry Sisters – Chanci & Michelle We offer the best value for your budgeted advertising dollars. 1. Print 10,000 copies each month Conroe to Matagorda 320 pickup locations 2. Large Web presence 3. Active Facebook page 4. Local custom written fishing forecasts for each weekend. Can be sponsored!! 5. Custom distribution you can add or delete our 320 magazine pick up locations 6. Printed ‘Support our Community Business’ map featuring customer locations and contact information. 7. Rates starting at $49 per month 8. No contract just a 30 day written cancelation Contact David and Chanci Mowry Father and Daughter Team at 713.446.7395 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM JULY 2017 www.CoastalAnglerMag.com/Galveston
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WIND Cassie Willis WITH
S
ummer has kicked off and Surf Fishing is back in action. Surf fishing is known for annual run of good speckled trout fishing along Texas beach fronts. However, anglers looking to wade the surf, piers and jetties will find more than just trout including redfish, Spanish mackerel, jacks, ladyfish, and tarpon during the summer months up and down the Texas coast. No matter what part of the Texas coast you’re fishing, passes, “cut,” or any vein that provides water exchange between a bay and the open Gulf is the best areas to fish. Be sure to always look at the weather forecast, surf cams, tide chart, and wave height predictions. As well as, the looking at the wind and wave heights to calm a bit. I personally use the Surfcams. Saltwater Recon is one you can use www.saltwater-recon.com for Galveston. It’s a great way to look at the marine forecast. But to always be safe way you can use the National Data Buoy Center Website. When fishing the surf in the mornings, evening or night remember to fish the first gut is the best choice. This gut is where most bait fish so most predator fish cruise down the gut. The morning bite will usually last an hour after sunrise and then move back into deeper water. During the lowlight period, louder topwaters are heard over the sound of the waves and results are more productive. Darker colors provide a silhouette in the morning. Soft-plastic baits can produce a vibration which attract fish as well. But be sure to let the plastic go to the bottom of the gut and work it to the top. Once the sun comes up and its bright out try changing the color to chrome and choice a lure that would give a reflective flash in the water. The chrome and blue super spook is one of my favorite to
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use in the surf. Silver and gold spoons are always a good choice as well. There are many choices to choose from so go with what you are comfortable with using. Always remember that safety is the first precaution and with the warmer months the stingrays are more abundance, jellyfish and sharks, so be sure to shuffle your feet and keep your stringers tied with a slip knot for easy access to release and way from your body. Don’t for get to register for the CCA STAR Tournament! Good Luck Hunting Them Trophy’s and Safe Adventures, Cassie Willis, Pro Angler’
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Making Memories
W
ell Summer is upon us and we have gone to a summer fishing pattern. I’ve been starting my mornings drifting shallow around 2’ and moving deeper around 4’ as it warms up, keying on slicks and contour lines on my GPS. Here’s a little tip if you don’t have a GPS, drift crab traps! Crabers always drop their traps on the 4’ contour line, so if you see a line of traps make a mental note how far from the shore line they are. You might want to try drifting between the traps and the shoreline, then drifting down the row of traps as it gets warmer and the trout move deeper. The trout bite has been good lately, I’ve been catching my stringers on 2-3 anchor drops by 10:00 leaving plenty of time to go find some redfish. The redfish bite has been average to above average. The better days have been when we have had some extra water movement along the shorelines, somedays they’re on every shoreline you fish. I want to touch on something about when your fishing, have fun! Over this last month my clients have caught plenty of fish but most important have had a lot of laughs. The stories you hear in a day of fishing are the best part of the trip, with the fish being a bonus. The time that Uncle James backed the truck into the water, or the state record flounder you knocked off my line with the net. Something about the memories made in the outdoors that last us a lifetime. In your pursuit for a trophy or full stringer remember to have fun, start telling those old jokes or stories. I can’t count how many times I’ve had to stop laughing to catch or net a fish. Y’all stay safe out on the water, don’t forget to hydrate when you’re catching. Tony Gonzalez Inshore Fishing | www.capttgif.com | 210-846-5083 Like me on Facebook: Capt. Tony Gonzalez Inshore Fishing
With boating season really kicking in this month, this is the perfect time to service your boat motor to ensure a trouble-free season. Manufactures recommend servicing your boats motor each year or 100 hours of run time, whichever comes first. Service such as oil and gear lube change, fuel filter, water pump impellers, thermostats and other maintenance items specific to your motor are essential to the life of the motor. It also allows the tech to inspect the oil and gear lube for signs of water intrusion indicating a leaky seal or other potential problems. At Clear Lake Powerboat Service, Inc. a Premier Mercury Service Dealer, we take great strides to provide our customers with the best service possible. We also provide service for Volvo Penta, Mercruiser, Indmar and other gasoline marine motors. Preventative maintenance prevents problems from arising so they do not interrupt your boating season. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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GALVESTON & UPPER COAST 3
6/18/17 5:42 PM
OUTDOORS REPORT
Port Aransas to Baffin Bay
T
he fishing this month has been amazing for redfish trout and flounder. The redfish have been up in the grass flats in 8 inches to 2 feet of water mid day. Most of the time when I’m targeting redfish I am just cranking and giving A quick twitch every 3 to05 seconds keeping the Luer in the mid water column. I’ve been having great success with down south luers bone diamond for redfish. With trout I’ve been having success with the down south lures Watermelon red flake. When targeting try out I like to raise my rocked it to service a Luer and then let it flutter down finding at what point are they striking it at the top at the middle or the bottom and then adjust I retrieve accordingly. I have also been picking up flounder on both of those Lures. People asked me quite often but Rod model I’m throwing it is the G Loomis NRX 803C and the Shimano zodius reels being Curado 70. Now
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for a report Estes flats have good numbers of redfish and trout. The boat home and crash channels also have good numbers of redfish and trout. Allen’s bite has some nice trout caught some up to 27 inches. The Portland shoreline has early-morning try out the bite is stopping around 9:30am. In Baffin Bay compared to pass has redfish trout and drum and scattered schools of fish along the King Ranch shoreline. Capt.Javi Castillo
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G A LV E S T O N B AY F O U N D AT I O N : G
alveston Bay Foundation is hosting its 5th annual Ladies Casting for Conservation fishing tournament on July 22nd this year. It is a women’s one-day tournament in Crystal Beach, Texas on Bolivar Peninsula. This unique event brings together fishing enthusiasts and helps protect Galveston Bay’s natural resources. The tournament has drawn interest from anglers throughout the state. This tournament is for everyone, from those fishing for the first time to those that know how to reel in a big catch! It’s a day of
fun and an opportunity to learn about Galveston Bay. Both guided teams and non-guided teams are eligible. Participants enjoy a day of competitive fishing that benefits Galveston Bay Foundation in its efforts to preserve and protect Galveston Bay. Founded in 1987, GBF is a non-profit conservation organization that works to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system through its programs in education, conservation, advocacy, and research.
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GALVESTON & UPPER COAST 5
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O U T D O O R S M A N R E P O R T
Summer Reds In Galveston By: CAM Special Correspondent Tobin Strickland
S
ummer time is redfish time, or at least it kicks off the typical shallow redfish fishing season. There are still plenty of trout to be caught but let’s face it, if you haven’t had a bone shaking redfish topwater explosion then it’s time to add that to your bucket-list…every year. Many people don’t realize Photo Courtesy Capt. Chuck Uzzle Orange, Tx that there is a seasonal pattern to redfish that is explained by forage movements and one of the biggest pieces of the puzzles has been “where have the redfish been all spring?” The reds have been with the trout in the main bays feeding on shrimp during the spring and are not in most marshes or grass flats. Right now that’s coming to an end and by the time this article hits the reds will be scattering back across marshes, shallow oyster patches, and some grass flats looking for a variety of shallow water creatures such as crabs, juvenile white shrimp, grass shrimp, juvenile menhaden, glass minnows, and mud minnows. Capt. Chuck Uzzle of Orange fishes the Sabine Marsh and said it best in our Shallow Redfish DVD, “The more shrimp, crabs, and menhaden or shad species you find in an area the more reds you are going to find. Chuck is definitely worth taking a trip with and the Beaumont /Orange area is less than 2 hours away… you’ll feel like you’ve left the hustle and bustle of Houston by getting lost back in the marsh with ol’ cuz. Chuck can be reached at 409-6976111 Check out Tobin’s new Lure for Redfish and Trout in Shallow Grass or Oyster at TroutSupport.com 6 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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6/18/17 5:42 PM
Fishing on Lake Conroe
I
ntense summer heat is beginning to roar its ugly head creating warmer water down here on Lake Conroe! Despite this, the fishing has still been great! Crappie have been excellent up until recently as the water temperature rises and the bites are gradually slowing. You may have to hit several brush piles to catch a limit right now. Catfish and Black Bass can be found along with the Crappie on brush piles. I went Crappie fishing with my kids this morning. We were over a brush pile in 8-12 feet of water. Two of us were catching Crappie and Catfish off one side of the boat, and it was nothing but Bass off the other side! They’re down there and we hit a limit of each species, so they’re all biting quite enthusiastically. This is a result of Bull Bream spawning in the brush, attracting several species of fish to certain structures below the surface. Catfish are biting well around the clock! They are again steady on baited holes and brush piles in 15-25 feet of water. Night-time One of the many successful fishing trips provided bank fishing has proven to bring in by Bradley’s Guide Service on Lake Conroe. Flatheads and larger Catfish using live or cut bait, while day-time catfishing for eater sized fish has been extremely successful on Catfish Bubblegum. Local guides have been giving good reports of Hybrid Bass being caught to the limit as well. As summer heat begins to peak, make sure you stay well hydrated and apply sunscreen frequently! Y’all be safe! Let’s go fishin’ y’all! Catfish Bubblegum | Bradley Doyle (Owner/CEO) catfishbubblegum@gmail.com | (936) 524-6768
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GALVESTON & UPPER COAST 7
6/18/17 5:42 PM
F I S H I NG R EP O RT
GA
Matagorda
By
H
ey guys, a big hello from here in Matagorda, TX. The Bluewater Fever has hit here on the Texas Coast. We have just experienced a unseasonal major calm in the weather here and this past weekend (May 6, & 7) was absolutely gorgeous here in the Gulf. The deepwater floater rigs were a parking lot Saturday night, with estimates of 40 boats between Boomvang & Nancen and points near. We even passed piles of bay boats at 40 plus miles offshore! What a great early season gift from the weather Gods. Well on May 2nd, NOAA issued the 2017 Gulf of Mexico Federal Red Snapper seasons. Recreational anglers get 3 days beginning June 1, 2017 at 12:01 local time, while federally permitted for-hire folks will get 49 days. I will just leave that right there! I just hope that the recreational guys also get 3 days of dead calm waters. I can tell you, along with everyone else, you will not have any trouble catching them. In fact, good luck not catching them. We caught red snapper this past weekend in 450 feet of water. They are everywhere. In recent years, to keep from having to weed out dozens or more of smaller snapper, and to target the larger snapper for customers, we have been using baits such as whole Spanish Mackerel in the 15 inch plus range, along with jigs like the new Texas Tormenter tipped with XL sardines. This, at least for us, in some small part has kept the smaller fish at bay. But I have been surprised at the size of bait that a 16” red snapper can engulf. Beginning June 1, there ought to be some seriously large red snapper brought to the docks. Ourselves, we went deep on this beautiful weekend out of Matagorda. With red snapper season a month off, we did some deep dropping out past 65 miles. We were dragging bottom in areas between 750-1200 feet of water targeting tilefish & barrelfish. These guys are phenomenal table fare. We put a some in the box and moved over to daytime swordfishing and managed to go 2 for 3 on some smaller ones. It’s always a rush to see the ever so slight rod tip flicker when you have 1600 feet of line out. We had a great trip. And on a side note, we saw some large weed patches this weekend, along with scattered weed everywhere. Haven’t seen this in a couple of years it seems. Hopefully this will equate to some great dorado being caught this season. Get out there and enjoy the bluewater folks, and be safe! Captain Jeromey Turner | Texas Bluewater Mafia Offshore Charters www.texasbluewatermafia.com
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6/18/17 5:42 PM
GALVESTON BAY FISHING REPORT By: Capt.Craig Lambert
L
ots of good fishing opportunities will prevail this month especially for trophy sized speckled trout. Every July I am always excited and look forward to catching big trout during midday periods especially on those calmer days when it is hotter than hot. Deep water along with structure are the key elements and if you add in perfect wind conditions (light) then those big girls are almost guaranteed to bite. The many wellpads, oyster reefs and other structures located around the ship channel will be good areas to find speckled trout and most fish are creatures of habit just like you and me. They go to the same spots every year because the water is cooler than other parts of the bay and the food is plentiful. Fishing the many gaswells and reefs extending from the lower ship channel all the way up to lower Trinity Bay is going to be a good pattern for trout fishermen for the next few weeks. Most well pads offer an artificial reef complete with an oyster shell base and areas for specks to hide from sharks and dolphins. I prefer to start out fishing deep in the morning so 3/8th or 1/4 oz jigs are preferred depending on depth and strength of tide. I find that as the sun comes up the specks tend to move up higher in the water column especially if the water is clean and the winds are light so adjust accordingly. Look for soft plastics like Bass Assassins, Norton Sand Eels and others to produce extremely well while croakers dominate the scene for live bait. Don’t count out using topwaters during that midday bite. With those fish up in the water column that puts topwaters in the mix. Red fish are schooled up and roaming the open bays in several different areas. These schools can be seen visually when they come up to the surface chasing and busting through baitfish. They are also easily spotted by the trail of slicks they usually leave behind them. The bait you throw at them
will not matter much. A jalapeno pepper on a hook will work if you can get it in front of them. The rocks and riprap located all along the ship channel will also produce plenty of gamefish including redfish, sheepshead and even a flounder or two if you are lucky. Make sure and keep your baits up close to the rocks where the fish are at. This is a great month to be on the bay system so be safe and as always take a kid fishing! Capt. Craig Lambert | Galvestoninshorefishing.com | 832.338.4570
S
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6/18/17 5:42 PM
MATAGORDA OFFSHORE FISHING REPORT By: Capt Mark Holland
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ello from Matagorda, Texas. The offshore fishing season has begun and the charter boats in Matagorda are bringing in limits of big red snapper, kingfish and ling. Kingfish have showed up in the shallow inshore waters area and so have the ling. Our clients have enjoyed some good catches of red snapper, kingfish, ling, yellow edge grouper and scamp grouper in the last week. Plenty of weedlines have been seen as well and there are ling and mahi mahi showing up on them. If the winds calm down, expect to see some good catches of mahi mahi coming in soon as the gulf water gets warmer. July and August are historically good months for them.
B
Had Scott Armin and his friends out this past weekend and they enjoyed some good catches of red snapper and kingfish. Also, Brian Hanson and his crew enjoyed some Red Snapper, Kingfish and some Ling to take back to Houston. Lastly, Chris Finley and his two boys enjoyed some good catches of Red Snapper and Kingfish. Chris’s boys are some fishing machines and they slept the whole way in from offshore. By the time this article is published, we will be getting close to prime time offshore fishing here on the Texas Coast. Get in the action and book your offshore trip today. Captain Mark Holland | Matagorda Sportfishing and Offshore Tackle www.matagordasportfishing.com
Own a classic. One of the best boats ever built. As cool as driving a 66 vett. The haul is inspected and graded a 9. Inspection report available. Original Texas boat, I am the 3rd owner. 1977 21’ Outrage with a 2006 2 stroke Yamaha 200. Under 200 hours always maintained. Runs like a scalded dog 53mph. Aluminum 2 axel trailer is in perfect shape.
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10 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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6/18/17 5:42 PM
BRAG
Sponsored by
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BOARD
hing Galveston Bay Joe Henry caught wadefis
Sheridan Smith caught in Trinity Bay using croakers on a jig.
CATCH of the
MONTH
Vannaro Sok
Christmas Bay. Jessica Sustaita caught on
Catch of the Month receives a FREE $25 HOOK SPIT gift card. Send your catch pictures to chancim@coastalanglermagazine.com To redeem your ‘Catch of the Month’ Gift Card present this page at the Hook Spit store in League City COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Flounder Tips & Tactics Snapper Season S H
ince flounder is one of the best tasting fish out there I decided that this month I would have to share my favorite recipe with everyone. I would say that the best part about it is how flaky and white the meat is along with the simple fact that it is not fishy tasting at all. The first thing that I do differently would be filleting the flounder instead of using the whole fish, either way will work but I suggest the fillets to keep from worrying about getting any bones. Start out with 2 pounds of flounder all cleaned and skinned. Run to your local grocery store and get a few items that you will need. Stuffing mix (cheap kind) regular flavored, canned lump crab meat, butter, lemon and tony chacheres seasoning mix. Just go by the directions on the box and prepare the stuffing the way it calls for before oven preparation and mix in the crab meat in for your last chore. Stir it up real well, then get your fillets and season them before you add the mixture. I personally just use salt and pepper with Tonys seasoning, then some lemon juice. Once you are ready to stuff just take a spoonful of the mixture and place Kevin Hlanak caught the beauties in Houston area. on either end of the fish and roll it toward the other end while keeping the concoction on the inside of the fish. Sometime you will have to put a toothpick through the middle to keep it from coming apart. Set your oven to 325 degrees and leave the flounder in for about 20-25 minutes. One thing i do is put a little piece of butter on the top of each filet and some lemon juice. Put a piece of foil down on your baking sheet before hand and pre-butter the top so nothing sticks. Separate the fish about 3 inches apart just so they do not touch. At about the twenty-minute mark I like to check the fish because over cooked is no good, so just keep an eye on it. I like to also occasionally put a little extra butter over the top to keep moist while it cooks. When done I will usually pair it with some rice and a nice vegetable. Hope you enjoy. As for the flounder and what they are doing I had gotten to go gigging this last week and found quite a few actually but this time they were all in and around oyster beds. I would find at least one fish per every two pockets, it was awesome. The sizes were all around 17-22 inches and had very good weight to them, I was quite surprised. When using my chicken boy lures bubba clucker in red and white I was slamming them one after another. My limit came very quickly. They are for sure getting and staying in those shallower areas so go find you some flounder. I have been seeing them up against the grass lines on the shoreline. Until next time, tight lines and sharp gigs. Remember to check out my clothing line at saltthugz.com. Thanks again to all of my sponsors: chicken boy lures, fin addict angler, salt thugs apparel co, Kelley wigglers, M & R Tackle, Thump kings, hookspit rods, hell razor jig heads, redtail republic, ardent reels and stinky pants fishing. Brian Joseph Spencer Flounder Fanatics @ Facebook | Flounderfanatics@gmail.com 12 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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M
ello fellow fishermen of the great Texas Gulf Coast. This is Captain Mike Roberts off the Blue Fin out of Freeport, TX. Red Snapper season has kicked off with a bang! As most readers know the Texas coast has some of the best Red Snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. With the large quantity of Red Snapper in our waters, there are plenty for all anglers. King fishing started off a little slow but in the last week has improved significantly. We primarily fish forty to sixty miles offshore on most of our 12 hour fishing trips. The water has been green as far out as sixty miles but has recently began to push inshore due to the currents and the blue water begins to move in like normal. We have seen the number of Cobia and Dorado rise in the last few days. As the blue water moves in and the water warms up, we should see these numbers rise even more. This year we are finally starting to see a lot more of the Sargassum grass in the water. When the water calms down for a good amount of time, we should be able to start seeing some good weed lines form. This will be great for those that would like to do some trolling for Wahoo, Dorado or a variety of other pelagic sports fish. Hope everyone is getting to enjoy the great fishing we have had on the Gulf Coast so far. Fingers crossed for calm seas and tight lines. Stay safe out there and good luck everyone! Captain Mike Roberts, The Blue Fin Blue Fin Charters 979-239-1133
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6/18/17 5:42 PM
By
MONSTA NEWS!
RECIPE OF THE MONTHMONSTABULLRED
By: Out Cast Charters Family
W
e’ve been keeping our bait wet and catching some real MONSTAS out there. Thank you Out Cast family, for a lot of fun and your continued support!
LET’S RECAP MAY’S MADNESS!!!
Let’s keep this one with the June special shall we. So you just got home from your Shark & Bullred Hunt and you want to cook up some of that MONSTAFISH catch, sounds good right?! Well let’s make sure we do it right then!
INGREDIENTS
• MonstaBullred Fillets on the half-shell • Butter • Lemon
The Speckled Trout hit hard in the bay; Sand and Speckled love the live shrimp but the Jetties is where we’ve seen the bigger Trout and some Sharks. The Bull Reds are harder to come by but Slot Reds are just waiting to be caught. Sheepshead can be found right up on the rocks, but like the Bulls, they will be harder to come by with more of the predatory fish coming in from the deep. Also, with the warmer waters, come some of the bigger Sharks and they don’t call him ‘Captain Sharky’ for nothing y’all! Stay tuned with more to come this June!
• Garlic • Grill • Stove-top (siring)
COOKING DIRECTIONS
Lets get to work! First use warm water to wash the fillets; this will take out some of the extra fishy taste and make it easier for the meat to cook. When you’re finished, clove and dice some fresh garlic-if you’re feeling extra fancy you can even mince the garlic depending how much flavor you want. At this point get the grill going nice and hot and get the skillet warming up too. Place the fillets on the grill, scales down and drizzle with butter and garlic. After about 4 to 5 minutes place the fillets, scales up, on top of butter and garlic, in the skillet.This is mostly done for looks, however doing this also locks in the buttery garlic flavor in as well. This part will be a lot faster as well taking only 2 minutes normally but can be longer depending the size cut of the fillets. After this, plate the fish and get ready to eat! My personal favorite is eating this with a good spinach salad and garlic bread on the side!
WELCOME BACK CAPTAIN PHILLIP!
His love for fishing has been evident since he was a boy proudly wearing the slime of his catch. When he is not studying at the university, he is on the water. He has spent hours on the water in Alaska, Canada and Hawaii. He has spent the last three summers with Out Cast and earned his license last year. Capt. Phillip has made his mark in Galveston with some awesome customers; he is a family favorite as he helps young anglers develop a love for fishing.
That’s all for this month! Until next month, Keep those rods bent and bait wet!! Stay safe!
Did we mention the MONSTAS that are still out there?? COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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ABOUT S I S T E R S
helping S I S T E R S
SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2017
Sisters Helping Sisters October 2017 Sponsorship Opportunities Celebrating 5 Years of Changing Lives Bayshore Park San Leon Texas October 14, 2017 www.SHSTEXAS.org Sisters Helping Sisters Tournaments is a 501 C(3) non-profit organization. ProvidedProviding financial and spirtual aid to local ladies battling cancer. 14 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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6/18/17 5:42 PM
WHY DO RED DRUM HAVE SPOTS? By: Taylor Guest
F
ish are given two types of names: a scientific name, which is derived from the Latin or Greek language, and an official common name given by scientific entities in order to standardize public usage, although, most of the time, the scientifically accepted common name is the least familiar among anglers. The scientifically accepted common name of the fish in this article is the red drum, although South Carolinians and Georgians refer to it as spot-tail bass, while North Carolinians refer to it as channel bass, and any state associated with the Gulf of Mexico region refers to it as redfish. The scientific name of red drum is Sciaenops ocellatus. The word Sciaenops is derived from the Greek words skiaina + ops, which translate to red mullet appearance, while ocellatus can be traced back to the Latin word for spotted, or in the case of the distinctive spot located on the tail of red drum, eyelike spot. So why the spot? Biologists believe red drum develop black spots, usually one on each side of the tail, as an antipredator mechanism. The reason behind this antipredator mechanism is either intimidate the predator, or to fool a potential predator into striking the tail, thinking the black spot is an eye, as opposed to the head, for it is much easier to escape and heal from a tail wound that from a head wound. Predatory fishes typically attack prey near the head, thus increasing the chances of administering a fatal blow, not to mention, the orientation of the fins make it particularly difficult for a fish to be swallowed starting from the tail, so the head is the ideal place to launch an attack. In the case of red drum, the pseudo-eye of the tail spot decreases the chances that a predator can administer a fatal blow to the head, by confusing the predator into thinking the tail is actually the head. Although the typical red drum has but only one spot on either side of the tail, rare individuals have multiple or even countless spots along the entire body of the fish. Imagine what a predator would think of that! Although most spots are distinct and independent of one another, variations in spot shape, size, and connectivity can lead to unique shapes, signs, or even letters! Although multi-spot red drum are a rarity, still more rare are the red drum born with no spots. Some biologist theorize that red drum spots and numbers range based on certain environmental factors such as salinity or geographical location. Some, however, believe it is as simple as random genetic selection, with no real dependence on environmental factors such as the aforementioned. Sexually mature adults that have reached a size refuge from predation, thus no longer needing the antipredator function that the spot offers, will often lose the pigmentation that causes the spotting; however, spot have been seen to persist in large “bull” red drum. This begs the question, is the spot maintained due to random genetic selection, or is there still an antipredator need for this adult spotting. What predator is out there with certain adult red drum populations that causes the genetic selection of the retention of the spot? Large sharks? Side note: A common myth about red drum spots is that red drum can change the number and shape of their spots on command, something like a cuttlefish. This is not true, for the number and shape of spots that a red drum has are fixed. What’s the most spots you’ve ever seen on a red drum? COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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Common Sense In Our Fisheries Management
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or over a decade money has “talked” in our fisheries management. Money differ by what category of fisherman hooks funneled from the private “Environmental Defense Fund” through the fish. If the proper decision for the health front organizations (Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance, Charter Fishermen’s and growth of the publicly-owned fishery is to Association, etc.) created fat profits for select commercial fishermen. Their release juveniles to reach their reproductive windfall continues at the expense of recreational and charter/head boat size, then that size should be the same fishermen. throughout the fishery regardless by whom The public’s fishery has been sold by our politicians and political appointees the fish is caught. Currently a commercial for the personal profits of a few, creating “overnight millionaires”. The profits catch must be 12” but a recreational catch of these fifty largest commercial fishermen (often termed the “Sea-Lords”) must be 16”; this exposes a system designed have funded the campaigns of select congressmen - at the expense of for business profitability and not as claimed consumers, charter/head boat businesses and recreational fishermen. for the “sustainability” of the fishery. Since the Consumer fish prices skyrocketed due to small fishermen being required red snapper’s reproductive size is 15” – how can killing a 12” fish that has to purchase (from their Sea-Lord competitors) the right to sell their catch of never reproduced “sustain” the fishery? Gulf red snapper. These “indentured” fishermen pay $26 to their Sea-Lords • Imitate the Australian sustainability model of the Great Barrier Reef. for every (average-sized) red snapper they sell! That nearly doubles the price Many fish, like the red snapper, do not migrate 20 miles during their entire to the public! lifetime. Accordingly, we can establish rotating “no fishing zones” to We’ve seen the wreckage from this money grab. Now it’s time for common provide healthy stock recovery and growth. sense management – WITH THE FOCUS ON THE FISHERY, NOT ON • Address the demand of restaurants by augmenting the commercial catch PROFITS. with aquaculture, as is done with red drum, shrimp, catfish, salmon, trout, and many other species. It is estimated this could double the Gulf of Mexico’s commercially available red snapper without increasing the WE MUST: pressure on the fishery from commercial fishing. • Begin with • Replace monetary greed with actually managing our public’s resource. As a factual is done with the harvesting of our other natural resources, such as timber evaluation of the and petroleum, all desiring access should pay access fees, proportionate size and health to their consumption, to support the national deficit, enforce regulations of the fishery. to protect the resource, and to initiate programs to grow the resource for Under federal future generations (reef building, habitat restoration, etc.) management The federal government’s “one size fits all” approach to fisheries this has been a management can’t ever succeed. In the Gulf of Mexico alone there are a complete failure, dozen distinct ecosystems with differing variables. We must transfer our as admitted under oath by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The states bordering fisheries management from Washington D.C. to the bordering sates where each fishery must be authorized to take over their adjoining fisheries’ data people understand the fishery and have a vested stake in the success of its management for all interests. The federal government’s “management” has collection and management – it’s funding, functions, and enforcement. • Recognize that the fishery is a public resource and must be available to all. been an overwhelming boondoggle. It’s only successes have been building It must not be controlled by a handful of commercial fishermen who milk political “power bases” and pouring millions into private bank accounts of a the nation’s resource without paying for their harvest, at the expense and handful of commercial fishermen who, in turn, have bolstered the campaigns of select congressmen and other officials. exclusion of all others. A common-sense bill has been proposed in the U.S. House of • Protect and grow every fishery by limiting access during spawning seasons. How ludicrous that the present federal Gulf red snapper “management” Representatives to begin fixing this mess; it transfers fisheries management establishes the charter and recreational fishing “seasons” just as the sows to the bordering states. This bill is the “Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act HR2023”. If your congressman has co-sponsored HR2023, are ready to lay thousands of eggs! • Initiate “slot” sizes for all commercial and recreational fishermen with he’s part of the solution and has his constituents’ interests at heart. If he has undersized juveniles (pre-breeding size) and large sows being released by not, he is perpetuating the corrupted system and needs your encouragement the proven techniques now available. New technology (www.seaqualizer. to represent YOU! If he’s writing letters that “sound” supportive, but is not com) allows deep-water fish like the red snapper to be returned to depth signing on as a HR2023 supporter – he is marketing himself and you’re to reproduce. A single sow can produce over FOUR BILLION eggs in her getting lip service. Stay abreast and follow the issue on our Facebook page lifetime – let her do so! • Uniformly manage the fishery. “Good management” techniques must not “WhatHappenedToOurFish?” Email RecreationalFishermen@gmail.com. 16 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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First Confirmed Snakehead Caught in Mississippi Lake
USFWS Photo
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he scourge is spreading. In early June, a bowfisherman arrowed Mississippi’s first confirmed northern snakehead from an oxbow lake of the Mississippi River. The fish was caught from Lake Whittington in west-central Mississippi’s Bolivar County near the Arkansas border. Bow fishermen Brad Baugh and Bubba Steadman, of Cleveland, Miss., shot the fish on June 5. They kept the fish, photographed it, and immediately contacted the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP). “Snakeheads have been present in the White River Basin in Arkansas since 2008 and have been steadily expanding their range towards the Mississippi River,” said MDWFP Delta fisheries biologist Nathan Aycock. “The Mississippi River provides these fish with access to connected oxbows like Lake Whittington as well as the Yazoo and Big Black Rivers.” Northern snakeheads are native to China, Russia and Korea. Established populations have been found in Arkansas, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, where their impacts to native fish populations remain unknown. Northern snakeheads are typically found in shallow, backwater areas and can breathe air, which allows them to survive for extended periods of time out of the water. Northern snakeheads appear similar to the Southeast’s native Bowfin, also known as grinnel or mud bass. MDWFP and other state wildlife agencies encourage anyone who thinks they have caught a snakehead to keep the fish, photograph it, and contact wildlife officials.
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n appropriate Florida fish for July, when we celebrate our independence on the fourth, is the flagfish, also called the American flagfish, a small fish that is usually found only in Florida. It takes its name from the male fish’s resemblance to the American flag: a large black or blue dot and red-and-white stripes on its body that resemble a flag. The Latin name (“Jordanella floridae”) honors an important zoologist, C. Basil Jordan, who ran a fish research program for the U.S. Fish Commission and for the Smithsonian Institution in the late 1880s. He was also the U.S. Commissioner for Fish and Fisheries, as well as the author of many publications and scientific reports. The fish, which fish stores sell for aquaria, takes its other common name, “pupfish,” from the seemingly playful mating habits of the male fish, habits that look like puppies at play. The fish were originally found in Florida drainage ponds, as well as the Ochlocknee and St. Johns Rivers. They seem to prefer slow-moving water with a lot of vegetation and are usually found in swamps and marshes. A sharp-eyed observer may see them even in brackish waters, for example in estuaries where river water mixes with
seawater. The small fish, which may grow to only 2 1/2 inches in length, are actually in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fish with the fewest eggs. The fish usually produce only about twenty eggs over a span of several days, although the female fish have been known to lay many more eggs in aquaria, where the fish are very productive at eating algae in the aquaria. In the wild, flagfish feed on crustaceans, insects, plants and worms. The males do their part in taking care of the eggs, which the female has laid over algal-covered rocks. The eggs will adhere to the rocks because of a sticky thread that connects the eggs to the rocks. The male adults will guard the newly laid eggs and fan them with their fins in order to keep them clean and aerated. The life span of the fish is two to three
USA Fields First-Ever Ladies’ Team For Match Fishing World Championships
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atch fishing… chances are it’s a style of competitive fishing you’ve never heard of. While match fishing is hugely popular throughout Europe, its seemingly bizarre tactics leave even experienced American anglers scratching their heads. But don’t confuse something unfamiliar with a sport that’s simple or unsophisticated. To the contrary, a quick search of the Internet will reveal a world of highly evolved angling complexity. Match fishing competitions find participants confined to small areas, or pegs, along a bank, with the goal of catching the heaviest combined weight of fish during a prescribed time period. Equipment and tactics vary depending on the venue and available species. Top competitors catch six fish or more per minute over a three-hour period—all the while managing
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years, but – with care – they can live for five years. This column usually deals with much larger fish, the kinds that can be found in our oceans and rivers, but it seemed appropriate on this Independence Day to honor the American flagfish. Kevin McCarthy, the award-winning author of “South Florida Waterways” (2013 - available at amazon.com for $7), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.
For more on Kevin McCarthy, go to
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delicate tackle, adjusting presentations and continually metering precise quantities of ground bait into the water to attract fish and keep them feeding. Competitors often employ tiny size 16-20 hooks to target fish less than four-inches long, but must be ready to battle larger fish like carp on the same gear. Six accomplished female anglers will represent the United States at the 24th Annual Ladies’ Match Fishing World Championships in Szolnok, Hungary on Aug. 26 and 27. The first-ever ladies team was assembled by the United States Angling Confederation. The team consists of Barb Carey, Hannah Stonehouse Hudson and Kristen Monroe, all of Wisconsin, Elise De Villiers and Penelope Smit, of Florida, and Shelly Holland, of Minnesota. De Villiers and Smit are veteran match anglers, while Carey, Holland, Hudson and Monroe will be competing for the first time in Hungary. “We don’t expect miracles,” said Team Coach, Attila Agh, a lifelong match angler from Hungary who moved to the United States 17 years ago and has since become a U.S. citizen. “Our competition has been fishing in this way for their entire lives. But I am very encouraged by the spirit our ladies are showing, their angling ability and their competitive nature. They are learning the necessary skills that are new to them and progressing quickly.” Agh warned the competition not to count the Americans out, and the team agrees. De Villiers, who started her match-fishing career in the U.S. nearly 20 years ago, coached and fished on South Africa’s ladies team in the FIPSed World Championships in 2012 and 2013. “I’m very excited that the U.S.A. will have a team competing in Hungary this summer,” she said. “I’m enjoying getting to know these other wonderful ladies and helping to prepare them however I can. I’m extremely proud to be representing Team USA.” In addition to maintaining a rigorous training schedule, the USA Ladies’ Match Fishing Team is raising money to offset significant costs leading up to the competition. Individuals and businesses interested in helping financially are invited to make tax-deductible donations of any amount at www.gofundme.com/team-usa-ladies-match-fishing. Visit www.teamusafishing.org for more information, or join the conversation on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TeamUSALadiesMatchFishing/.
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FISH & FISHING
LURE LOGIC
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ome lessons gnaw at your memory for years. A group of highly skilled fly fishermen stood on the bank of a well-known river visiting and talking about nothing important. Suddenly, within casting range, a trout kept rising and picking insects off the surface. One of the long time anglers began casting a dry fly upstream of the fish, letting it float past the target. Nothing happened. He made cast after cast, watching the trout ignore his offering and keep feeding on the real thing. I saw it happen. For no particular reason, the angler made a cast that was slightly (and I mean slightly) different from all the others. The trout rose and took the fly. Witnessing that made me totally aware that success or failure when fishing an artificial lure could hinge on a factor almost too minor to notice. I’ve seen times when vibrating your wrist when retrieving a plug spelled a strike while simply cranking the reel proved futile. There have been times when a momentary pause in reeling a plug allowed it to rise slightly and that made the difference. A tackle box full of different artificials is not the answer. You can get by with a half-dozen different baits once you learn how to fish them effectively. The basic rule states that if you are not getting strikes, vary the retrieve. Fish are cold-blooded and react slower and for shorter distances as the water temperature drops. When a fish is holding in one spot waiting for food to come to it, your cast and retrieve should follow that pattern.
MARK SOSIN And keep in mind that your favorite lures on your home waters work just as well on the road. I’ve caught the same species on the same lure a continent apart. In your selection of lures, you want to be able to cover the water column from the bottom to the surface. That doesn’t mean each bait has to travel that distance, but rather that you should have some that work the bottom, others for the surface, and the rest in between at mid-depth. Fish see differently than we do. What looks good to you may not tempt a fish into striking. And, if there are standards and rigid laws, I haven’t learned them. I’ve caught sailfish on a plastic worm rigged for largemouth bass and another one on a cigar. My wife caught a sailfish deep jigging with a white bucktail. The key to success with artificial lures is not the baits you choose, but presentation. It has to look edible to a fish and trigger the desire to strike. Part of that presentation has to appear that the lure is trying to escape. All predators expect their next meal to try to get away from their jaws. No predator expects to be attacked by its prey. I can’t help but think about that trout on that memorable day. The untrained eye could not see that the fly floated just a hair differently when the fish sucked in the dry fly. Look for subtle differences in your retrieves and your catch ratio will become impressive. That should make you smile.
For more about artifical lures with Mark Sosin, visit
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By Julie Richardson
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he first time I heard the term ‘shallow-water blackout’ my family had already been freediving and spearfishing for 24 years. My 19-year-old son Robert had taken a course and began describing this phenomenon of how a freediver could blackout while breath-hold diving. I waved my hand dismissively. “That happens to people who don’t know what they are doing,” I said. “We’re experienced.” Three months later, I got schooled in just how wrong I was. April 19, 2008 dawned with beautiful calm seas and clear skies—a spearfisherman’s dream. It was Robert’s 20th birthday, and he wanted to celebrate it by diving with his 16-year-old brother, David, and three other friends: Carson, 20; Nicky, 16; and Richard, 15, who were not experienced freedivers. The boys left early in the morning to freedive together, and we planned to join them in the afternoon with friends and family who were coming out with us on our larger boat. After a successful dive of 50 feet, the boys decided to do a deeper dive. They put the anchor out in 92 feet of water, and Robert headed down first with David behind him. At the bottom, they both grabbed some sand before heading back up. Robert was 15 feet from the surface when he looked down at his brother and saw David motionless 30 feet below him. Robert swam down and grabbed his unconscious brother around the chest before heading for the surface. That’s the last thing Robert remembers. Their friends on the boat suddenly noticed my sons’ bodies drifting face down in the current some 30 yards away. Carson dived off the boat and swam out to them with Nicky right behind him. They turned the boys over. My sons’ faces were blue with swollen purple lips and open staring eyes. The color of their eyes had faded. They were not breathing and were bleeding from the mouth. Their three traumatized friends— engulfed in a nightmare—worked together to bring them onboard and start CPR. And then I got the call. “Hello?” “There’s been an accident.” “Which one?” I asked as fear enveloped me. “Both.” I clung to the table. My heart felt like it was going to explode. I took deep breaths trying to ease the pain in my chest, but it didn’t work. I started praying, with Carson’s girlfriend, that my sons would be spared. My husband Walter and I met the helicopter at the hospital. The boys’ arterial blood gases (oxygen levels) were so low—32 and 54 per-
cent—the ER doctor did not believe the report and had it verbally repeated five times. The pulmonologist told us our sons’ lungs presented as drowning victims. Yet, after three days in ICU, Robert and David were sent home to finish healing. It was a miracle. Soon after the accident, concerned freedive experts contacted me and encouraged me to use my story to make a difference. I felt a strong desire to respond, and so two months after the accident, I founded DiveWise to further freedive safety education. Tracking fatality reports is vital in understanding how accidents happen and how we can prevent them. Divers Alert Network (DAN) maintains an online Breath-hold Incident Database, so divers can report fatal and non-fatal blackout events easily and anonymously. This can be accessed at DiveWise.org. Through much effort and single-minded dedication, Terry Maas has given a gift to freedivers everywhere with his ingenious device, the Freediver Recovery Vest (FRV). This unit is designed, through the diver’s preset depth and time setting, to deliver a blackout victim to the surface face up. You can read more about it at oceanicss.com. My sons now wear the FRV when they freedive and spearfish. There are other ways freedivers can mitigate the risk in this sport: 1. Dive with an evenly matched partner and conform to the level of the least capable diver. 2. Weight yourself correctly by being positively buoyant at the surface after a full exhalation. 3. Do not hyperventilate to excess. 4. Dive one up/one down maintaining constant visual contact. 5. When conditions allow, each diver should have a dive flag; if a boat is involved a dive flag should be conspicuously displayed. 6. Maintain close, direct supervision of a freediver for no less than 30 seconds after they surface, even if they have signaled “OK.” 7. Make your minimum surface interval twice the duration of your dive time. 8. Do not take every dive to its limit; maintain a reserve. 9. Review, practice, and discuss how to recognize and handle blackouts and near blackouts. Never before has more effort from more groups created a greater combined potential for saving lives in the sport of freediving and spearfishing. We are hopeful this will correspond to a lower fatality rate. DiveWise isn’t my organization. It’s yours. We are here to serve the freedive community. Please help by donating online at our website DiveWise.org, a 501 c(3) nonprofit organization, or by offering your suggestions on how we can better help the freedive community. We offer a big “thank you” to the organizations and individuals who have given generously these past nine years in support of our work. We couldn’t have done it without you. Julie Richardson lives in Miami, Fla. with her husband and their three sons. She and her family are avid boaters and spearfishers. In 2010, Julie won the National Award from the Coast Guard funded National Water Safety Congress for her work in promoting water safety. To learn more visit DiveWise.org.
To learn more on Freediving blackouts, go to
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FRESHWATER $1200 IN-HOUSE REBATE OR FREE BOAT COVER By Frank Geremski t The St. Lawrence produced a tie for the state record smallmouth last August when Patrick Hildenbrand caught this 8-lb., 4-oz. fish that was just 21.5 inches long.
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he St. Lawrence is a majestic river that combines a world-famous historic seaway with breathtaking scenery. Countless islands speckle the St. Lawrence, coining the area’s moniker as the 1000 Islands Region. The area’s beauty must be witnessed first-hand to be truly appreciated. Most important for anglers, this deep-water channel that connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean creates countless fishing opportunities. The 1000 Islands Region of Upstate New York offers world-class fishing for huge and plentiful northern pike and tasty walleye, and for as long as anyone can remember it’s been the musky capital of North America. But it’s the St. Lawrence’s bass fishing that will take center stage this summer, with the Bassmaster Elite Series coming to the 1000 Islands Region for the third time in five years. This fishery has always offered tremendous bass fishing, with countless shoals and sunken ships that create textbook structure for smallmouth bass, and myriad bays and weedy backwaters that offer phenomenal largemouth opportunities. A full day of bent rods on 2- and 3-pound smallmouth has always been the norm. In the last decade, an invasive baitfish species, the goby, has populated this and other Great Lakes. Their spread has been like steroids for the smallmouth population. The goby’s desired habitat aligns perfectly with the smallie’s dinner table. Evidence of this is the pot-bellied New York record 8-lb., 4-oz. smallmouth landed last August. This trophy smallmouth fishing has lured the highest level of tournament bass fishing to small, yet quaint Waddington, N.Y. from July 20-23. Bassmaster recently polled its professionals and found that the St. Lawrence ranks among their favorite destinations. Five fish bags over 20 pounds are expected. The Angler Magazine field expert and Bassmaster Justin Walts predicts about 75 percent of the professionals will target smallmouths. In smallmouth waters, pros often ensure a five-fish bag of 2- to 3-pound smallies before seeking out bigger largemouth. On the St. Lawrence, the dynamic changes because of the possibility of scoring huge smallmouth. Walts, who fishes the St. Lawrence often, favors drop-shotting deeper shoals in 25 to 50 feet of water with watermelon, shad or perch colored V-tailed shad or casting crankbaits and swimbaits on shoals 25 feet or shallower. Flipping weeds or tossing frogs in back bays is the ticket to score largemouth. Spectator participation is also a factor for the Elite Series return to Waddington. In 2015, the town hosted over 30,000 fishing fans, breaking an Elite Series record. Waddington hosts a four-day event to entertain and feed visitors, with music and fireworks provided by local sponsors. Waddington is easily reached via a picturesque drive from Syracuse, or via airports in Massena, Ogdensburg, or Watertown, N.Y. Visit www.waddingtonpartyinthepark.com for more details. For more on fishing St. Lawrence County, visit www.fishcap.com to receive a free St. Lawrence County Anglers Guide and information on other tremendous fisheries, specifically Black Lake which is loaded with bass, crappie and pike. 20
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FRESHWATER A Pro’s Guide To Okeechobee Bream By Steve Daniel, The Voice of Okeechobee
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ake Okeechobee is known as one of the best bass lakes in the world, but it is also a fantastic bream fishery. Every spring Okeechobee is invaded by thousands of anglers loaded down with cases of live crickets. I prefer to use artificials. For this reason, I look for them in open water instead of around heavy grass. Okeechobee bream spawn in big groups. When you find them, you can catch your limit quickly, and they’re easy to spot on the edges of the grass when the sun gets up. The only lure I use is a modified black Beetle Spin. I take a 1/32-ounce Beetle Spin and replace the arm and blade with an Arkie Jig Spinner, which is a slightly larger blade that makes the lure easier to cast and feel. I also replace the head with one that weighs 1/16 of an ounce. It is important to use a heavier jig that has the same size hook that comes with the original lure. That way you can use the black plastic grub that comes with the Beetle Spin. Cast this lure around the beds, and you won’t have any trouble filling your livewell. The limit on Okeechobee is 50 per day.
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SPEARFISHING – WHERE TO BEGIN?
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club members are there because they are sociable and willing to help others. They remember starting out and are often willing to take you out and give advice. Just remember to return the favor by being a good buddy; help pay for the gas, bring snacks and water to share, and help clean the boat. That will hopefully get you invited back. Learning from others who already do it is probably the most valuable step you can take. If you are lucky, you will share many great experiences, have a new AJ Hally and Sheri Daye with dinner. set of lifelong friends, and maybe even find a mentor or two.
ummer is here! What better time to learn to spearfish? Many people have gotten into it because they were already “divers” and wanted to try another activity while underwater—as happened to me. A few fishermen, who weren’t yet divers, have asked me where to begin if they wanted to learn. My first piece of advice to anyone is to be sure you are comfortable underwater, whether scuba diving or freediving. One must be so comfortable underwater that it becomes second nature. If scuba diving, achieving proper buoyancy should happen without even thinking about it. If freediving, it’s best to have many dives under your belt before picking up a speargun. Fortunately, there are many dive agencies and dive shops that offer scuba certification and freediving instruction. Beyond that, I recommend at least one year’s worth of experience diving under different conditions before attempting to spearfish. It is a very good sign if you are so calm and collected in the water that fish which are normally “spooky” will let you swim near them instead of running from your presence (such as mutton snappers and black groupers). This is the sign of an experienced diver and will help you to properly hunt fish. When ready to begin, it’s important to have the right equipment— and I’m not just talking about a speargun. Get advice from a reputable dive shop that specializes in spearfishing. They will guide you toward the right wetsuit, mask, knife, gloves and speargun. Dive shops are familiar with local conditions and will give good advice. If you have a spearfishing club in the area, by all means, join! Many
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Here are a few more tips: 1. Always remember that safety comes first. Don’t do anything that is risky or beyond your comfort zone. 2. Learn what size and species to target in order to maintain quality and selectivity. Keep it honorable and ethical. Consider setting even higher standards than the law allows. 3. Spend more time observing in the beginning. Watch the more experienced hunters; you can learn a lot just by watching them. 4. Consider starting with a polespear instead of a speargun in order to refine your stalking skills, as this requires that you get closer. This is especially good for young divers. 5. Enjoy the experience, keep it fun and consider being a mentor to someone else as you improve. Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
CAMSPEARFISHING.COM
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6/19/17 5:01 PM
CAM Special Correspondent Tobin Strickland
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t’s summertime, and shallow-water fishing for reds is kicking off this month. It will last through mid October on the Atlantic Coast, and to mid February along the Gulf Coast. Before you “see” your first tailing redfish, you really feel like everyone is just making this up. You see nothing during an eight hour shallow-water expedition, and others come back speaking of tails “… like a used car lot, flags everywhere,” as Capt. Chuck Uzzle of Orange, Texas would say.
But why aren’t you seeing this? There are several factors involved in seeing tailing redfish, redfish swimming in shallow water; they are not easy to see. If you are fishing shallow seagrass, marsh or even flooded spartina marsh in areas where redfish roam and you’re doing it during a season when shrimp are abundant in those areas, then there are tailing redfish there. Let’s take a look at what you should be looking for with your eyes. Both Capt. Steve Soule of Galveston, Texas and Chuck McKinney of Portland, Texas say you should be looking for the horizontal line of the redfish’s back. Everything in the marsh and on seagrass flats tends to be either vertical or irregular shaped. Grass is vertical, potholes are irregular, even oyster reef edges are irregular. See a redfish cruising the flats, and the first thing you will notice is the horizontal line of it’s back. A good pair of Costa 580g lenses is what you want for this. The only difference between a cruiser and a tailer is that the tailer is probably nose down into the mud and a little bit of his tail is sticking out of the water. You’ll probably only see a little dark triangle at the end of the horizontal line of the redfish’s back. You typically won’t see the big blue tail and black dot rising out of the water waving at you like a little red flag back and forth. So begin to look for the horizontal line, the small triangle, and the glow of coppery orange. This should help you to see what’s been in front of you all along. Let’s talk about something else here that’s also a problem for most people. These environments are very grassy, and throwing an open-throated jig head during summer low tides is asking for trouble. Might as well go ahead and throw the lunch salad on a hook, because that’s all that fish is going to see. You have to throw something weedless that you can cast accurately, no matter the wind, something that can get the fish’s attention with action or accuracy, and sinks naturally so they can’t pass up such an easy meal. The troutsupport.com lure solves many of the frustrations sight casters have to put up with. Both reds and speckled trout love it. It casts far and accurately, walks the dog, wobbles like a big slow spoon, but is buoyant enough to sink slowly right in the fish’s face. Tobin created TroutSupport.com to help anglers develop their abilities by learning what to look for on the water.
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Choosing Colors
For Your Trolling Lures By Darrell Primrose, Ballyhood Lures
“M
atch the hatch” is an old adage fishermen have used for ages. It comes from freshwater fly fishing, in which anglers seek to match, with an artificial fly, the insect life hatching off the water to fool feeding trout. The same concept applies across the fishing world. Offshore, this can mean taking the time to examine the stomach contents of the first fish you catch to see what it was feeding on. Cut that fish open and check the length and size of the current forage as well as its color. Then use that information to choose your lures accordingly. I get to talk to anglers worldwide on a daily basis. I ask them all, “What colors are most prevalent?” What I’ve learned from them goes into our Ballyhood trolling lures, and the best color combinations change from location to location. On the West Coast, where anchovies, sardines, mackerel and squid
are the most prolific forage species, the most popular trolling lure colors are used in our Mexican flag, which is green/yellow/red/white. Black/ purple is another color scheme proven to produce in a trolling spread. Squid turn purple, and that could be a reason it is such a successful color. Zuchini is also a very popular color used on the West Coast. It’s a green/ orange/yellow lure. Now, taking a look at the northeast—in the Atlantic off New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey—they catch more tuna than most places in the world. Their top must-use colors are solid green, green/yellow and black/purple. In Florida, the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands, the No. 1 color is light blue. Colors known as Bally Blue and Flying Fish Blue are quite productive. I’ll assume you caught the baitfish reference in those color names. Pink/white and black/red also see a lot of time in the water, but anglers in these southern waters very rarely use anything green. Their water is very clear, which I think has something to do with it. In the Northeast, as on the West Coast of the U.S., the water is fairly dark. When you start to get farther south in the Pacific around Cabo San Lucas and down to Cancun, the colors used tend to lean toward the same choices as those used in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The southern Pacific has the same type of clear water as they enjoy off south Florida. I can tell you the most overlooked color on the southern West Coast is pink or pink/white, at the same time pink/white is the No. 1 color for albacore off Oregon and Washington. Another guideline to color choices is to use dark colors on dark days and bright colors on bright days. Now some of this information has to do with matching the hatch, some of it is based on water clarity, but all off it is gathered from onthe-water experience and reflects what produces fish the best. Color is an absolutely critical factor in choosing which lures to include in a spread. For information on Ballyhood Top Gun Lures see www.ballyhood. com or call 714-545-0196.
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The Skimmer Kayak Motor Kit
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addle fatigue getting to you? Want to motorize your kayak or canoe? There’s no need to pay $2,000 for a motorized kayak. Watercraft Technologies’ The Skimmer is a simple system for motorizing your kayak or canoe, and it costs less than $400. It ble motor that mounts snap it on when you
is a lightweight, portaeasily to your stern. Just need it. Fishing has never been easier, safer and more convenient. Go farther and save your energy for fishing! Increase your range! Catch more fish! The Skimmer weighs only 6 pounds. It’s 12v battery operated. There are easy controls for steering and motor lift. It’s environmentally safe, with no pollution, oil or gas spills. The Skimmer is made for saltwater, but does great in brackish or fresh water. It is able to propel a craft 2-4 knots and lasts two to five hours per charge. Imagine running your kayak at that speed and that long with zero effort! This propulsion system is great for people who want to get on the water and not worry about paddling hard into a swift current or strong wind. It is also great for those with shoulder, back or elbow issues. This kayak trolling motor kit carries a one-year, full parts replacement policy. See The Skimmer in action and order online at www.kayaktrollingmotor.com or order by phone at 631-848-3119.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Feds Extend Gulf Red Snapper Season
TSUNAMI SHIELD SPINNING REELS Saltwater can be a double-edged sword! It’s in our blood and it’s what fuels our passion to keep searching for that next trophy. But, it is also the great enemy of fishing tackle. The unique Tsunami SHIELD series of saltwaterproof spinning reels feature up to 13 internal seals in key, strategic locations to shield critical components from harmful saltwater intrusion. The internal seals, super smooth and strong CF3 carbon fiber drag system and five sealed stainless steel bearings are wrapped in a hybrid machined aluminum body combining protection, precision and toughness. The heavy-duty rotor brake controlled bail system and precision machined aluminum, braid-ready spool assure the best control of super braids cast after long cast. The 3000 and 4000 SHIELD models contain 11 strategically located internal seals for years of reliable use with minimal maintenance. The 5000 and 6000 Shield reels contain 13 various internal seals at all of the locations where salt water could reasonably be expected to penetrate the reel for even greater protection in these larger reels. Hybrid all metal construction includes precision machined aircraft aluminum and tempered aluminum precision stampings and heavy duty protective anodizing to keep these reels operating up to factory specifications year after year. The combination of these top-notch designs and precisely mated components are what make the Tsunami SHIELD spinning reels an all-new contender for your favorite reel for years to come! MAP: 3000/4000: $99.99; 5000/6000: $109.99
I
n mid June, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced that private recreational anglers would be allowed an additional 39 days to harvest red snapper in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This allowance, the result of negotiations between the five Gulf states and the DOC, comes on the heels of the shortest recreational red snapper season in history. Private recreational anglers were originally allowed just three days of snapper fishing in federal waters June 1-3. This newly re-opened season consists of three-day weekends, Fridays through Sundays, June 16 through Sept. 4 (Labor Day). The extension, however, comes with a tradeoff. State controlled waters extend out to 9 miles, and federally controlled waters are from 9 miles out to 200 miles. In exchange for the additional opportunities in federal waters, state waters will be closed to red snapper harvest for private recreational anglers Mondays through Thursdays this summer. Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas have indicated there might be additional fishing days in state waters this fall depending on the harvest estimates from the summer season. This extension does not make any changes to the quota or season length for the federally permitted for-hire component of the recreational fishery or the commercial individual fishing quota program and the 2017 commercial quota.
The all-electric Power-Pole Micro anchor is compact, virtually silent and drives the 3/4” Micro Spike at the push of a button. Add the rechargable Micro Battery Pak and you’re ready to go wherever adventure takes you. Get all the details and find a dealer near you at power-pole.com.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT INTERLUX INTERPROTECT HS InterProtect HS is a versatile, costeffective, two-part epoxy that meets the most restrictive V.O.C. regulations and helps reduce solvent emissions into the environment. It can be used above and below the waterline as a primer for all substrates. The high solids formula requires fewer coats to reach the desired dry film thickness. An underwater barrier system applied either by roller/brush or airless spray can be achieved in just 7 mils Dry Film Thickness (DFT). InterProtect HS uses Micro-Plate® Technology, which substantially reduces water migration through the epoxy to the hull surface and provides protection from corrosion for all metals. It can also be used as part of a gelcoat blister repair or prevention system and as an alternative no-sand primer on new, or never-been-painted fiberglass boats. For more information, go to www.yachtpaint.com.
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The Gator Den is a brand new, 12 room motel located at Angler’s Resort, on the Withlacoochee River, Dunnellon, FL. We have a Bait & Tackle Shop, Pontoon and Jon Boat Rentals, Airboat Tours and the Blue Gator Tiki Bar Restaurant, all on premise making this a fisherman’s getaway. 12189 S Williams St Dunnellon, FL 34432 | www.AnglersResort.us Motel: 352-489-2397 Restaurant: 352-465-1635 Boat Rentals: 352-489-2397
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT TECNIQ BOAT SPREADER LIGHTS Some of the best fishing happens after the sun goes down. For illumination assistance and safety on board at night, TecNiq offers its new P10 and P11 LED Boat Spreader Lights. Available with all white or white/red LEDs, they deliver up to 1,450 lumens with remarkably lower power draws. Offered in recessed and surface-mounted versions, they’re perfect for a tuna tower or T-top. Boat Spreader Lights feature anodized and white powder coated aluminum bodies and impact-resistant polycarbonate flood projection lenses for exceptional durability. Both TecNiq models are available with four highperformance white LEDs, or two white and two night-vision friendly red. They’re completely waterproof and sealed to IP68 standards. TecNiq’s recess mounted P10 Boat Spreader Light installs flush for an integrated appearance. The four white LED model produces 1,300 lumens, or 700 lumens white and 160 red in the combo version. Both draw a maximum 1.2 amps at 12V DC or 0.6 amps with 24V DC. It measures 4.8” L x 1.73” W x 1.26” D. It retails for $145. The P11 surface mounted Boat Spreader Light installs anywhere with its included stainless steel hardware. It produces 1,450 lumens white, or 825 white and 160 red in the combo version. Its maximum draw is 1.6 amps at 12V DC or 0.8 amps with 24V DC. It measures 4.8” L x 1.6” W x 2” D. It retails for $154. Contact TecNiq, 8850 M, Richland, MI 49083. 269-629-4440. sales@ tecniqinc.com; www.tecniqinc.com.
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What Makes A Great Pair of
Fishing Sunglasses?
F
ishing is about being in the right place, at the right time, with the right gear. One bit of gear nearly every angler uses yet may take for granted are sunglasses. But when it comes to fishing sunglasses, what separates a good pair from a great pair? First, fishing sunglasses should always be polarized. Polarization eliminates glare reflecting off of the water, to better show what’s happening under the surface. Not all polarization is equal. Some polarized sunglasses block only 20 to 30 percent of glare. Maui Jim Sunglasses feature patented PolarizedPlus2 technology, eliminating 99.9 percent of glare using high-efficiency, proprietary polarizing film. Maui Jim’s lens materials also stand out. Their SuperThin Glass is 20 percent lighter than standard glass and is saltwater resistant so they won’t peel after too much time at sea. Add it all up, and Maui Jim Sunglasses offer anglers unmatched color, clarity and detail. It’s also important to have the correct lens color to match conditions. Days with varying conditions, from overcast to sunny, are best suited for more versatile lens colors, such as Maui Jim’s HCL Bronze, Maui HT or MauiRose. For days when the sun is on blast, a darker lens color like Maui Jim’s Neutral Grey is your best bet. Another obvious reason any angler should wear quality sunglasses is eye protection. Maui Jim’s block 100 percent of harmful UV rays from the eyes and surrounding areas, and are the only premium sunglasses to have the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. Finally, because accidents happen, a stout warranty never hurts. Maui Jim’s two-year warranty and unparalleled customer service can ease fears of the occasional mishap. So, before your next fishing adventure, be sure to pack a quality pair of sunglasses like Maui Jims. The difference will be crystal clear!
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SUZUKI DEALS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THREE SUZUKI DEALS FOR MORE SUMMER FUN
Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.
Cash Rebates on select models. See your dealer for details.
REPOWER FINANCE
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*
For details and the name of your nearest participating Suzuki Marine dealer, visit www.suzukimarine.com Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 7/01/17 and 9/30/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 7/01/17 and 9/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. 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 7/01/17 and 9/30/17. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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