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EDITOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794 BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (407) 960-2340 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Ed Gocher • (305) 587-9101 • ed@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Flaitz • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Mike Weber • (414) 531-4172 • mikew@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com OKEECHOBEE : Ken Gabryel • (863) 532-3671 • keng@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
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Catching Winter Cobia In The Keys By John Steinhorst
F
ebruary through April offers some of the most productive fishing of the year in the Florida Keys. An amazing variety of migratory fish species travel to the Keys as cold water temperatures push them south in the Gulf of Mexico and on the east coast. The most convenient place to base a Keys fishing adventure is directly out of Marathon, which comfortably rests in the middle of this tropical island chain. Marathon encompasses a unique collection of islands, creating the ideal boating and family destination with access to both ocean and gulf waters but far enough from the crowded streets of Key West. Capt. Chris Morrison, a 20-year Keys veteran who guides out of Marathon, enjoys hooking excited anglers up with these hungry migrating species, which include record-breaking cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, trophy sailfish and several species of jacks. Versatility is the name of the game, and options are abundant. Most often the best plan is to just decide where you want to fish, from the immense Gulf or blue ocean waters to the many reefs and wrecks surrounding the islands. Then be ready for anything when you get there. There are several techniques that work for each species, and Morrison utilizes a wide variety to keep his 8
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Temple Fork Outfitters’ Gary Loomis Inshore boat, although cobia sometimes swim with bull sharks and rays. Start drifting live shrimp back Series rods bending and his clients smiling. Live bait and jigs are most productive to with light monofilament leader and small hooks, ensure positive results. Pinfish and live shrimp and you are bound to get action from one of are among the easiest to obtain, since most local several species of snapper. If you start getting bit bait shops carry them. Deep jigs, such as butterfly off clean, add a piece of leader wire and you will types, and ¼- to 1-ounce bucktails are essential likely get hooked into a cero or king mackerel. to carry in your arsenal. For catching cobia, If you decide to fish the bay or gulf side of the present the pinfish on ocean-side wrecks and Keys island chain, you might want to anchor reefs as well as Gulf waters from 15 to 100 feet in 10 to 15 feet of water and hang that chum using the same rig for grouper down deep. Limit bag for landing Spanish mackerel. Head out to is one per person with a 33-inch size minimum. deeper Gulf waters and expect more cobia, king On sunny days, Morrison likes to spot cobia mackerel, and goliath and gag grouper. The with his polarized sunglasses from the tower of wintertime fishing action in the Florida Keys will his SeaVee boat above the reef line or in blue be sure to heat up your reel. If you need an expert light-tackle fishing water when a color change edge is present. When you see a cobia on the surface, cast the bait in guide, Capt. Chris Morrison has guided anglers front with no weight and at least 60-pound to more than 100 world records and received monofilament leader. Wire is usually necessary a Lifetime Achievement Award from the on your jigs as king, Spanish, and cero mackerel International Game Fishing Association. Visit are numerous throughout these prime fishing www.captchris.com for more info. grounds. John Steinhorst has contributed to many If you do not have a guide, the reef line on the ocean side from 25 to 40 feet is a good place publications during the last 20 years and can to start. Anchor and hang a chum bag over the be contacted at www.JohnSteinhorst.wix.com/ IslandMedia. side with ground-up frozen baitfish. Chum brings the For more Cobia fishing in the Keys, go to party to the back of your COASTALANGLERSALTWATER.COM
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Captain Fantastic.
How have so many of Marathon’s light-tackle guides achieved super-hero status? Because whether it’s tailers in the shallows, migrating tarpon out front or snook and redfish out back, our professional captains come to the rescue by putting you onto some amazing angling action. fla-keys.com/marathon 1.800.262.7284 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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RodsandReels Product Review AVET REELS SXJ 6/4 RAPTOR Since 1999, Avet Reels has been bringing to the market revolutionary reel designs that set the standard for performance. Their innovative SXJ 6/4 Raptor lever drag casting reel features Avet’s patented dual carbon fiber drag system, which produces twice the drag of the original Avet reels. The powerful system features adjustable strike pre-set and a strike stop button to prevent accidental advancement. The reel’s one-piece frame is precision machined 6061 T-6 marine grade aluminum with stainless steel components and is anodized for superior corrosion resistance. An offset machined handle arm reduces center-line profile and cranking wobble and is capped with a comfortable soft-touch handle knob. The two-speed transmission has a user-friendly shifting mechanism. Avet’s silent dog and gear anti-reverse system and M.C. Cast adjustable magnetic anti-backlash cast control system, both patented, are some of the most innovative and reliable in the industry. The SXJ 6/4 Raptor has nine stainless ball bearings, an alarm clicker and a light, narrow spool designed for optimal jig casting efficiency and less line leveling on the retrieve. It’s proudly made in the U.S.A.
CANYON REELS EX-80 TWO SPEED TROLLING REEL In case you hadn’t heard, Canyon Reels has redesigned its powerful EX-80 Two Speed Trolling Reel to give anglers the edge when pulling spreads for huge fish. The original EX-80 was extensively tested and matched up very well against the giants off the Northeast coast. When the captains made suggestions, Canyon listened, and the result is an even better EX-80, which features multiple upgrades that make it smoother, and easier to use. The EX-80 is a monster reel. It boasts a max drag of 105 pounds at strike and more than 155 pounds at full drag. A pre-set feature allows for accurate drag settings with an easy one-touch shifter. Upgrades include additional harness lugs that provide better balance control, an all new double drag system for drag runs that are even smoother than the original, and an oversized T-bar handle for additional cranking power. Several other improvements have also been made to increase the durability of this already remarkable reel. The end result is an incredibly smooth and user-friendly reel with the power to stop any fish in the ocean.
WWW.AVETREELS.NET
WWW.CANYONREELS.COM
ENIGMA HPT TITANIUM CASTING RODS
JP ROSS BEAVER MEADOW
Enigma Fishing is raising the bar on performance, while lowering the price point. Every aspect of their HPT Titanium Casting Rods were designed with extreme attention to detail. These high-performance tournament level rods are designed with premium, ultra-light Japanese Toray Carbon proprietary blend blanks. The HPT rods were designed and tested with input from professional anglers such as three-time Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year, Aaron Martens. Enigma Fishing has customized and precision balanced each individual HPT rod to be ultra functional, exceptionally beautiful and tailored to exacting actions and specifications demanded by today’s tournament anglers. All rods feature premium American Tackle components, including the multiaward winning MicroWave Line Control System, which increases casting distance and accuracy. The blank-through reel seats offer finger-to-blank contact for unparalleled sensitivity and incredible ergonomics and palmable comfort, while further reducing weight as well. Premium cork grips balance out each rod perfectly! Enigma Fishing’s new HPT series features a sleek black rod blank, cork handles, stylish purple wraps and chrome accents. Delivering technique-specific performance second-to-none, the all-new HPT series raises the bar for all others!
WWW.ENIGMAFISHING.COM
MUD HOLE TURNKEY INSHORE ROD KIT
The JP Ross Beaver Meadow is a fly rod meticulously designed to fish the beaver dams and plunge pools of small trout streams where an 11-inch fish is a trophy. That’s not to say this rod can’t handle an 18-inch brown on big water, but blue lines are where it shines. It is a short, sensitive rod with the feel needed for the gentlest of nibbles but enough power to reach out 50-plus feet with a hopper-dropper rig. The Beaver Meadow is available in a 5’ 2/3-weight, two-piece and a 6’6” 2/3-weight four-piece for fishing small streams with wet flies and dry flies. The 6’6” also has the ability to cast medium weighted streamers. The 7’6” 4-weight four-piece, the 7’9” 3-weight fourPhoto by Draper White piece, and the 8’0” 5-weight four-piece all have the shorter length required for tight quarters but the backbone to land larger fish and cast streamers and multi-fly rigs. JP Ross rods are custom-made by hand in Upstate New York. Each rod is made to order, so the details are exquisite, and components can be customized from the grip and reel seat to the guides and thread color. The Technology used to achieve this awesome balance of sensitivity and power is breakthrough technology, the joining of carbon fiber and fiberglass that JP Ross calls Carbon Silica Hybrid interface. It makes a beautiful casting and wonderfully sensitive rod.
WWW.JPROSSFLYRODS.COM
Mud Hole Custom Tackle is offering amazing value with its inshore fishing rod building kit. This turnkey kit includes everything you need to build your own custom inshore trout and redfish fishing rod. The kit features the extremely popular and versatile SJ842 rod blank. This 7’0” medium-light power rod features a fast action for throwing soft plastics and topwater lures at wary flats fish. Along with the blank, the kit includes a matched guide set, handle kit and everything from the CRB Wrapper, a CRB rod dryer and ProPaste and ProKote Rod Finish along with all the tools needed to build your own custom rod. This is a great set for the avid fisherman who wants to take his or her fishing to the next level. To get started custom building your own high quality rod, visit www.mudhole.com and check out all our Turn Key Kit options or simply Google: Mud Hole Turnkey.
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RodsandReels Product Review OKUMA KOMODO SS BAITCAST REELS
The original Komodo 350 size baitcast reel has been the recipient of tremendous accolades. It is considered an extremely tough reel and an excellent value. For 2017, the Komodo family welcomes the Komodo SS, featuring a new 450 size and stainless steel drive system. The Komodo SS is built around a heavy-duty stainless steel main gear, pinion gear, drive shaft and spool shaft to deliver an internal foundation of unrelenting strength and corrosion-resistance. Komodo SS reels use rigid, machined aluminum frame and spool, aluminum side plates, high-output Carbonite drag system capable of a maximum drag output of 30 pounds, and updated 6-pin Velocity Cast Control System. Performance features include six or seven (depending upon size) stainless steel High Performance Bearings, plus roller bearing, for outstanding corrosionresistance. The synchronized level-wind system does not disengage for casting, which allows it to maintain alignment at all times and eliminated drag pressure spikes when using braided lines. Bait clickers are standard on all models. The Komodo SS series includes two sizes, 350 and 450. The 350 size includes a 6.4:1 gear ratio and maximum drag output of 25 pounds. There are four models in the 350 size. The 450-size Komodo is available in a 6.3:1 gear ratio and a hyperfast 7.1:1 ratio. Komodo SS series baitcast reels are covered by the Okuma 3-Year Limited Warranty.
WWW.OKUMAFISHING.COM
UGLY STIK BIGWATER SERIES Ugly Stik has refreshed its iconic Bigwater series with all-new Ugly Tuff saltwater guides and an updated look. Beginning with Ugly Tech construction, the Bigwater series maintains the toughness for which all Ugly Stiks are known. One-piece Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides eliminate insert pop-outs and provide durability and corrosion resistance for those harsh saltwater applications. The Bigwater series retains the traditional Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for more strength at the tip of the rod. Comfortable EVA handles and conventional reel seats give anglers a non-slip, comfortable grip no matter the conditions. The fly, standup, downrigger/dipsy diver, surf, spinning and casting models have also been upgraded to include a standard seven-year limited warranty. Four Bigwater spinning combos and two trolling combos for downrigger applications are also available. The combos feature a graphite spinning reel, available in sizes 50, 60 and 70, and have a durable aluminum spool. The reel featured on the Bigwater downrigger combos is a size 30 line counter round reel with a metal handle and power knob.
PENN SLAMMER III The Penn Slammer III, which won Best of Show in the saltwater reel category at iCast 2016, is the reintroduction of the heavy-duty reel that has become trusted by charter captains around the world. Slammer III reels feature a new IPX6 Sealed System, which keeps water out of the gear box and drag system in heavy spray and sea conditions. An updated Slammer Drag System now utilizes a proprietary Dura-Drag material. With the computer-controlled CNC gear technology system, the precision brass main, pinion and oscillation gears are individually machined for exact tolerances to provide the smoothest operation. Eight models of the Slammer III are available, ranging in size from 3500 to 10500 models. Gear ratios range from 6.2:1 with 37 inches of line retrieve on the smaller reels to 4.2:1 with 43 inches of line retrieve on the largest. Maximum drags start at 30lbs in the smaller models and run to 60lbs on the largest. The oversized reel handle grip gives the angler added control during the fight. The 3500 Slammer III is the smallest of the family weighing 13.9oz while the 10500 weighs 43.1oz.
WWW.PENNFISHING.COM
DANCO BAIT STIK Danco’s Bait Stik is the original rod and reel combo developed specifically for catching bait with a sabiki rig, and it is still the best. The rod in this combo is 7’3” and features two-piece construction with an extra-hard phenolic tip for superior strength and extreme sensitivity. Comfortable EVA grips and a gimbal butt with cover means anglers will be yanking bait from the water with ease. Anyone who has ever tried to store a sabiki rigs knows the frustration of attempting to keep them from becoming a tangled mess. With the Bait Stik, that is not a problem. While not in use, the sabiki rig can be safely and conveniently stored inside the rod, which is a huge plus. The combo comes with either a casting or spinning reel. The spinning reel comes with an anodized aluminum spool, a graphite body and rotor and an oversized eggshaped knob. The casting reel has an aluminum body and side covers, brass gearing and a star drag. Catching bait has never been so easy. When the bait tank is full, rinse everything down with fresh water, store the sabiki rig in the rod and forget about it. Look for the Danco Bait Stik in your tackle store.
WWW.SHAKESPEARE-FISHING.COM
OCEAN 2 RIVER TOURNAMENT COMBO
ZEBCO BIG CAT SERIES Zebco is launching an impressive offering of beefedup rods and reels called “Big Cat” to accommodate serious value-minded anglers who passionately pursue catfish. The spincast reels are built with a titanium nitride plated stainless steel spinnerhead to add durability and reduce friction. Big Cat XT conventional-style reels will likely be the top pick for the most avid trophy hunters from the Mississippi River to Santee Cooper and all waters in between. Two conventional reels will be offered. The Big Cat XT 30 conventional trolling reel will hold 455 yards of 30-pound test. The Big Cat XT 350 round baitcasting reel holds 200 yards of 20-pound test. Worth noting is that a headlamp handy for nighttime catfishing will be free to consumers who purchase rods and reels within the very affordable Big Cat and Big Cat XT series.
WWW.ZEBCO.COM
Ocean 2 River (O2R) Tournament spinning combos are designed to perform to the exacting standards of serious tournament anglers while standing up to the grueling conditions and treatment offered up by hard-core fishermen in the marine environment. The IM-7 fast action graphite rods come with Seaguide Atlas Performance aluminum oxide guides, comfortable cork split grips and a graphite reel seat with a cork inlay and cushioned stainless steel hoods. These rods combine strength with sensitivity and excellent casting power. They are available in medium and medium heavy weights to suit a range of line and lure weights. The reels feature a solid aluminum frame, graphite side covers and rotor and a double anodized aluminum spool to stand up to the saltwater environment. A 5.1:1 gear ratio is suitable for fishing a wide range of lures all day long without wearing out the angler’s wrists and hands. Stainless ball bearings and a comfortable oversized T-knob provide for longer casts, smoother drag runs and comfort while fighting fish. Look for the O2R combo and other fine Danco products in your tackle store.
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ON THE COVER
RHODAN INTRODUCES 72” SHAFT GPS GUIDED TROLLING MOTOR
Editor’s Note:
Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE The Florida Keys, Marathon
FREE
BIG BEND EDITION
The February edition of Coastal Angler Magazine features a cover image of Capt. James Platt with a 35-pound cobia he landed onboard a SeaVee boat about 10 miles out from Marathon’s Tarpon Creek Marina on the ocean side of the Florida Keys. The photo was provided by Capt. Chris Morrison of Keys Light Tackle Fishing Charters, who Local was fishing with Platt when they caught a limit of cobia, along with king mackerel, mangrove snapper and grouper. Morrison uses medium-heavy, Gary Loomis-designed Inshore Series rods from Temple Fork Outfitters along with 30-pound test Cortland Master Braid line to handle cobia and many species he targets in winter months. Home to the world-famous Seven Mile Bridge, Marathon is a group of tropical islands perfectly situated in the middle of the Florida Keys island chain. This ideal boating and family destination offers easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay, Everglades and Gulf of Mexico waters for an amazing diversity. Wintertime in the Florida Keys means anglers see large numbers of migratory fish such as cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, wahoo, sailfish and blackfin tuna pushed down from colder northern waters. Marathon is an excellent destination to base your Keys vacation for an unforgettable adventure. See writer John Steinhorst’s article on winter and early spring fishing out of Marathon in this month’s issue. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 265
COASTALA NGLERMAG .COM
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Ice Fishing On Golden Pond, New Hampshire
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA EDITION
FREE
This month’s cover image for The Angler Magazine was taken by Chuck Fritz on the ice at Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire. Old Timers might remember the 1981 movie “On Golden Pond.” It was filmed on Squam Lake, and the most interesting storyline in the film had to be the cantankerous Local character Norman’s obsession with catching a humongous rainbow trout named Walter. Squam Lake looks a lot different with a layer of ice over it than it does in the movie, which was shot in the summer. The fishing is still good, though. Just ask Tim Moore, the ice fishing guide who was photographed for the cover with a pretty yellow perch he caught through a hole in the ice. The ice fishing season on Squam and nearby Lake Winnipesaukee generally runs from January through March each year, and anglers target giant white perch and lake trout as well as smallmouth bass, crappie, sunfish and yellow perch. If there’s anyone out there who knows where Walter is hiding after all these years, it has to be Tim. See Tim’s story inside this months issue and check out his website at www.timmooreoutdoors.com. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 264
F R A N C H I S E
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MERCURY MARINE’S VESSELVIEW MOBILE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
M
ercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile app is now available for free download on the App Store and Google Play in North America. Available for iOS and Android mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, the VesselView Mobile app instantly provides users access to their boat’s SmartCraft digital data in the palm of their hand. The product recently won a prestigious IBEX innovation award. The VesselView Mobile module, which is needed to fully utilize the app, is available for purchase at participating Mercury Marine dealers, from the VesselView Mobile app or on www.vesselviewmobile.com. The product is compatible with all Mercury SmartCraftcapable engines built since 2003. One module supports single through quad engine applications. SmartCraft is a fully integrated suite of digital technologies, including marine gauges, sensors, vessel systems and computercontrolled features, giving users a higher level of control over their boat’s propulsion and electrical systems. Now, with Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile, users can see SmartCraft engine data right on the screen of their mobile device. The app also includes useful new features such as Fuel Information, Maintenance Reminders, Mapping, Performance Summary, and Fault Code Diagnostics. VesselView Mobile makes preparing for and spending a day on the water easier, safer 14
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and more enjoyable by letting users perform the following functions from their mobile device: • Connect to the SmartCraft data network in your boat from your iOS or Android mobile device via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0) • See SmartCraft engine parameters like engine hours, fuel burn, water temperature, battery voltage, RPM, etc. (parameters available are specific to each engine family). • Get fault code diagnostic information so you know and understand if that fault is something to be addressed when you return to the dock, or is more urgent. • Fuel Management provides accurate fuel usage data along with fuel remaining plus indicates time and distance to empty when the user enters fuel added via the app. • Locate your nearest Mercury Marine dealer • Get points of interest information for your body of water, including fuel and restaurant locations, and more • Record a moment on the water for future reference • Access checklists associated with your boating lifestyle • Get maintenance reminders and access historical maintenance information logs. Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile app also provides users with a Web-based account that gives them and their preferred dealer app and module will be on display at the 2017 an even deeper connection to their boat. The Miami International Boat Show.
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1/17/17 12:52 PM
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Core Concepts Make
Ice Fishing Easier By Tim Moore
S
pending hours on a frozen lake isn’t easy. Your body works overtime just to stay warm. Then, add the activity level that often accompanies ice fishing, such as drilling or chiseling holes and chasing tip up flags, and it can be downright exhausting. The degree of difficulty extreme cold temperatures add to fishing is what keeps most people from trying ice fishing. While there is a ton of gear designed to make ice fishing easier, core concepts, such as efficiency and mobility go a long way to make ice fishing easy enough for even the most warm blooded people. When you strengthen your core muscles with exercise, you train the rest of your 16
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muscles to work in harmony, which leads to better balance and stability. The same can be said for ice fishing. Exercising core concepts on a regular basis not only improves technique and lure control, but ice fishing actually becomes easier. The hottest new lures and trending techniques might catch a few fish, but they do little to improve your ability as an angler, especially when everything is frozen. Efficiency is arguably the foundation of any core. A highly efficient ice angler accomplishes more tasks in a shorter amount of time, and therefore catches more fish. Being efficient means eliminating unnecessary steps. Fewer steps means more time fishing, and more time fishing means more fish caught. Every second you spend with your line out of the water is time spent not catching fish. Efficiency begins off the ice. There are many things you can do before you leave your house that will make you more efficient. Start by leaving equipment and lures you won’t need at home. If you’re going fishing for panfish and you have larger rods mixed in with panfish rods, you will have extra gear to deal with on the ice. It doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’re fishing in subzero temperatures and the rods you need get tangled with the rods you don’t need. Rigging multiple rods with different lures before you leave your house will also reduce steps on the ice. Then you can cycle through pre-rigged rods rather than tie new jigs in the cold, wind or snow. Have you ever seen the deck of a tournament bass angler’s boat? They have many rods rigged with different lures so they don’t have to re-tie while they are fishing. The same goes for ice fishing, especially when it’s freezing out. The work you do at home pays off on the ice, but there is more you can do while fishing to make things easier, such as putting gear back in its place when you’re not using it. Then when you want to move you have less equipment to put away. Sometimes we are so
excited to get fishing that we tend to lay gear on the ice when we are done using it rather than put it back where it belongs. By the time we decide to move there is gear all over the place, which makes moving harder. The Godfather of modern ice fishing Dave Genz always says, “If it’s easy you’ll do it.” Focus on ways to make everything easier and you will be more productive. The little things add up. Just as backpackers try to shave ounces off their packs to make hiking easier, successful ice anglers are always trying to shave off unnecessary tasks to make fishing easier. The equipment you use also contributes to your efficiency. A Vexilar sonar flasher removes a lot of the guesswork. Figuring out if there are fish under you and their depth could take hours without a flasher. A sonar flasher is easy to use. It will instantly show you the entire water column including the bottom, your jig, and anything else that shows up under you, such as a fish. All in real time! Clam Outdoors makes a number of items specifically designed to make certain tasks easier on the ice. Prices range from a few dollars into the $1,000 range. The simple lowcost products often make a big difference. The Clam Can allows you to carry bait in your pocket. Not a big thing, but it makes a huge difference when it’s cold. Rod Slicks keep ice rods from getting tangled, and Fish Trap shelters get you out of the cold quickly and allow you to move around easier. The parts all have a sum that equals success. Mobility is another important core element of ice fishing. Mobility allows you to cover more water, which allows you to put your lure in front of more fish. Think of ice fishing the same way you do when open water fishing. We rarely head out onto the water and cast in the same spot over and over again. Ice fishing is no different. Every hole you drill is a cast. Make more casts and you’ll catch more fish. If you make a lot of casts in an area and don’t catch anything, move to another area and repeat. Give yourself a time limit, and don’t stay in the same area if you’re not catching fish. Ice Fishing doesn’t have to be cold and difficult. Core concepts that make ice fishing easier also make it more fun. Establish a routine and it will become second nature. By constantly thinking of ways to strengthen your core, you make ice fishing easier. Before you know it, you will be catching more fish than ever before. And who doesn’t love catching more fish? Tim Moore is a full-time licensed fishing guide in New Hampshire. He owns Tim Moore Outdoors and the New England Ice Fishing Academy. For more information visit www. TimMooreOutdoors.com. For more Tim Moore, go to
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&
CHECK US OUT AT: Website: www.coastalanglermag.com/galveston/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoastalAnglerMagazineTexas/ Our local site is live and it is tied to the national website as well as 40 other local sites. The national site gets 50,000 clicks a month. We look for a significant increase as the local sites drive additional clicks. 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. Local custom written fishing forecasts for each weekend. Can be sponsored!! 4. Custom distribution you can add or delete our 320 magazine pick up locations 5. Printed ‘Support our Community Business’ map featuring customer locations and contact information. 6. Rates starting at $49 per month 7. No contract just a 30 day written cancelation Contact David and Chanci Mowry Father and Daughter Team at 713.446.7395 February is National Bird-Feeding Month in the United States. This celebratory month was created to educate the public on the wild bird feeding and watching hobby. In January 1994, Illinois 10th District Congressman John Porter read a resolution in the Congressional Record making February National Bird Feeding Month. The observance was established because it’s one of the most difficult months in most of the U.S. for birds to survive in the wild. Over the years, this celebratory time period has evolved and many organizations take this opportunity to publicize wild bird feeding. If you already feed birds or are an avid bird watcher, now is a great time to teach a friend, a child or a neighbor the benefits of feeding our feathered friends. Here are a few tips to get you started: • Purchase a bird feeder or make your own. • The ideal bird feeder is strong enough to withstand the weather elements, constructed to keep the seeds dry and easy to fill and clean. • Choose your bird food. • Place your bird feeder and position your feeder in a quiet area were they are easy to see and convenient to refill. Bird feeding is a particularly satisfying hobby for the backyard bird enthusiast or beginner. A feeder draws birds into the open and nearer to the house, where they can be observed easily. Feeders should be placed close enough to shrubs to afford some protection. 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 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
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WADE FISHING - THE HUNT OF TROPHY TROUT By: Captain Jake Rangnow
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ew things excited me more than the hunt for big trout. It’s a game of patience, persistence and maybe a little bit of luck; but when they all come together they make for something special. We have gotten to the point where it is time for the “Magic 3”. This is a point in the winter where the tides bottom out, the water temperatures plummet, most of the small bait is gone from the bays, and a big trout’s diet consist almost exclusively of bigger fin fish. This really changes the game and the “Magic 3” comes into play. I feel that around every three days big trout feed. These big trout over 28” are smart. The water is cold and they don’t want to have to chase around small, fast bait all day. I am not saying that you can’t get them to eat every day, because they are opportunistic predators; but this time of year they would rather eat a 12” mullet than chase around small fish or shrimp while continuously burning lots of energy. The winter pattern is simple but can seem almost impossible to predict at times. Every 5-6 days the conditions change like clockwork. First is a day of calm south wind as the front approaches, this is one of the best days to get lots of good bites. Then with the front comes, a strong North wind and cold temperatures, which pushes the fish off of the shallow mud and into the deep winter holes. They usually will remain there for a couple days (sometimes it is 4-5 days). Then will come the high blue skies and a strong north wind; this is usually one of the most difficult times to catch a big trout. The pressure is high, the temperature is cold and sometimes it seems as if there may not be a trout left in the bay. They don’t move
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much and lay low where the water temperatures are much more stable. Finally comes the magical third day, the wind will lie down and will switch to the east, the sun warms up the shallow mud flats, with the water warming on flats the mullet start to disperse from the depths and with them come the big trout. They will be hungry and likely haven’t eaten much in the last 3 days. These big trout will usually stay in the same area for a couple of days as the temperatures stabilize moving through the flats ambushing unsuspecting mullet and they feed when the opportunity presents itself.
ON THE WATER
It was the Middle of January, about 60 degrees, sunny, a light Northeast wind, and a couple of days post front. Everything was set up nice to get a few big bites on the mud flats. We started out on a windblown shoreline, hopped out of the boat and headed to a drain that was dumping against the light north wind. It was mostly just a mud flat in front of the drain with current coming around a small shell hump. We worked slow up to the shell pad and pulled a solid 28” trout of the eddy side of the pad. The lure of choice was a pink corky devil. We then worked up to the drain and caught another healthy 28” trout that fell to a dark purple tail about 50 yards in front of the drain. Next, we headed out to a big mud flat surrounded by deep water. We knew that the fish were likely to pull up there later in the day. We got out and started our wade, we moved slow fan casting. As we scanned the flat, mullet were flipping and jumping all over. We made what felt like 100+ casts with not a single bite, but we knew they were there just needed them to eat. Finally the bite came as soon as my corky hit the water. It was a 30”, 8 pound stud. Another 10 cast later it happened again, almost in identical fashion, as soon as the lure hit the water, there she was. This told me I was getting reaction strikes. I quickly tie on the first top water I could get to and the second cast I hooked up to a over 30” fish, which would have been my biggest of the year she ended up pulling off but it was one of the most ferocious blow ups I have ever seen. It just goes back to a few of the keys to catching trophy trout; patience. Give it time; sometimes it takes a grind to find that big bite. You may have to go many trips without finding that big fish, but there is no better teacher than experience. They say luck is a great result of preparation and opportunity. So get a game plan together, then adjust depending on what you see and feel once you are in the water. The simplistic complexity of the hunt for a trophy trout is a process that we live for! Tails and Tusk Outfitters | Captain Jake Rangnow | 361-243-2490
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1/18/17 6:05 AM
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FI S H I NG R EP O RT
Trinity Bay
O
verall fishing has been fairly good even with the water temperature swings with every passing cold front. We have been catching larger fish when the water cools down. I have spent most of my time in the back bays west of Trinity. Live shrimp are still hard to beat drifting with a long leader in 5 to 8 foot of water. Soft plastics have been paying off also with ¼ or 1/8 oz jig head, Bass Assassins, D.O.A’s , and Down South paddle tails. I have been starting off with dark colors early or on cloudy days and switching to lighter colors as the sun gets brighter or the clouds clear. Hopefully next month I will be reporting about throwing corkeys, soft dines and some catch and release big girls. If you are not into winter fishing using this time to get your boat and tackle ready can head off problems next spring, its right around the corner. Tight lines,
Capt Dean Muckleroy | 281.660.4280 | www.trinitybaytxfishing.com Like us on facebook @ Muckleroys Guide Service
Big Trouts
F
ebruary is a great time to catch trophy trout. This time of the year the trout are laying close to the bottom waiting for bait to swim by. You have to fish over mud with shell, the water will be a little warmer in that area. Also fish near rocks (rocks will warm the water from the sun). This time of the year most trout will only feed late in the even when the water warm up. What type of lures (slow sinking lures, like fat boys, mirror lures and a soft plastic with a light weight). Remember your fishing for that one bite. Good luck. Captain Mike Cacciotti 281-507-1933 Captain Mike Cacciotti | 281-507-1933 www.galvestonbaytxfishingtrips.com
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WIND Cassie Riner WITH
W
hen it comes to fishing people think “WIND” but the wind is not always just blowing it helps the galvanize the fishery, especially if it is right after calm, warm weather. Undisturbed water can suffer from a lack of oxygen. Wind starting to beat on shorelines and structure, can inject oxygen into the water. Structures in the water can cause a disruption in the waves can bring up oxygen levels. And bringing up oxygen levels brings bait and the predators to the area. The wind blowing in the same direction against a shore line will push plankton and feed towards the shoreline. In which the oxygen levels in that area will increase. And the lack of oxygen in the water, comes with fish dying. Another factor with the wind that helps with fishing is the wind and wave break up the smooth surface and makes fish more less likely to be spooked by boat movement and wading. But waves hitting the boat when anchored can put off noise so be careful when positioning the boat. A strong long-lasting directional wind can create a current along shorelines, if hit at an angle. Also, it can be easy to over-estimate a current, a 30 mph wind might generate a .5 mph current, and a slower wind will generate a much slower current. Fish will almost always point their head into the current, and so you should cast into the wind and so your lure retrieve will be in the face of the fish. Usually, fish are hesitant to chase a lure which has come from behind it. Be sure to look for cuts, humps, points in water banks, with the current going over low water could be an area of high activity. Also, look for windy shorelines and if it looks like the current is running try to fish upwind. But you need to keep in touch with your lure on the retrieve, and a fast retrieve on a heavier lure. Wind makes baitfish
more active, so select lures which imitate the baitfish. The wind will play a factor in the temperature of the water as well, so it might affect the depth of the water you need to be fishing in. Long directional wind can push warmer surface water downwind and will be replaced from upwind by colder deeper water. The downfall with wind comes more advisories in health and safety. And speaking for myself, I am horrible at getting windburn. It is merely the same thing. But the contributing, the cooling effects of the wind decrease the perception of heat and burning, meaning people are less likely to protect themselves against the sun, and most likely to stay exposed. If you plan on fishing or being on the water in high winds comes more safety precautions. Be sure your emergency equipment, anchor, life jackets are on the vessel and the motor is running well. Being safe on the water is number one and being ready for the wind and weather to change anytime. This is Texas and we all know how much the weather changes and so fast. Wind plays many factors on the water and fishing. So, good and some bad. But being cautious of your surrounds and weather is important. Good Luck Hunting Them Trophy’s and Safe Adventures, Cassie Riner, Pro Angler’
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WINTER FISHING
or many years many anglers looked forward to wade fishing in the colder weather. Well this has been a challenge this winter. Temperatures are all over the place so tracking or following the normal winter pattern has been a challenge. What I have done is switch to wade some n drift some depending on water temperature. I also look for ledges n structure that’s been the key for me as well as off color water. And as anyone would say look for bait moving. We have also tossed corkies from the boat constantly changing our retrieve to find the strike zone. I have also tossed them by old piers, casting and letting it drop retrieving with a slower twitch. Another good lure I have caught them is on Down South Lures on 1/8 ounce jig for a slower fall. The great thing about tossing DSL is that the tail is always moving regardless of the drop so this will get you a reactive strike. Some of my customers have had difficulty feeling the bite due to most of the bite has been real soft on both baits. The key is keep your line tight and when you feel the weight set the hook. Just remember you cannot catch or learn on the couch. If you are in the Galveston Area and want to book a trip give me a ring and let’s get out there to
Rippn Lipz n Bendingrodz.
REMEMBER TO SEND IN YOUR PICTURES FOR THE BRAG BOARD, SEE YOU ON THE WATER
HookSpit Rods
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oming in early 2017 from Hook Spit Performance Rods! Available in three difference lengths 6’6, 6’9, 7’0 Wader Lt. and your choice of 316 Hard Frame Guides for $159 or REC Recoil Titanium Guides for $249. It’s the perfect color to go with the new 13Fishing Concept “TX” Special Edition. The 13 Fishing Concept “TX” was built for demands of the gulf coast anglers. It’s tough enough to hold up with the high salinity levels and corrosion resistant sealed bearings (10) with ocean armor protection. Light weight of 5.99 ounces. It comes with the stand spool holding 135/12lb but you have the choice to purchase and customize your concept reels with a deeper spool. The Titanium drag system is hard to beat with the max drag of 25lb. These reels will be in stock at Hook Spit early January for the price of $299.
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1/18/17 6:05 AM
MATAGORDA FISHING REPORT By: Captain Mark Talasek
O
ld man winter is starting to take his grip. Water temperatures are lowering. Fish are moving to deeper water for warmth. Less people are on the water. This is the time of year I like to work on equipment. Getting everything back in tip top shape after a long fishing season. I usually ship some of my reals back to Shimano in California for a thorough cleaning. Pull the boat to the barn fixing wiring connections, trailer maintenance ect. between the rainy days and cold fronts. I am thankful for God allowing me to make a living doing what I love. As the fishing slows it allows me to chase some big girls along the shorelines. This is the time of year for a trophy trout if you want a wall hanger. When the sun comes out on a winter day mud warms up first. This in turn attracts big trout who are looking for a larger bait to eat. They don’t feed as often so large mullet are their staple during the winter. I have seen trout with 12” mullet inside them. Find a muddy bottom and tie on your favorite subsurface lure. It is a grind but the rewards are worth it. Have a wonderful Christmas and God bless. Captain Mark Talasek | 979.479.1397 | www.talasekguideservice.com
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GA
O U T D O O R S M A N R E P O R T
February is the New March
By
By: CAM Special Correspondent Tobin Strickland
T
he cold that briefly visited us, seems all too distant as I write this. The forecast of the end of January looks more like the end of February. These warmer temperatures are going to require you to be on your toes in looking for fish this spring. This warmer weather pattern could mean a quicker return of forage species from the Gulf and this influx will have the fish begin the move toward more traditional spring areas and habitat.The fish will move from typical winter forage areas to even shallower spring areas and they won’t necessarily be sticking to the mud either. There will be trout in mud and shell mix, mud and grass, and on sand. Their move to the sand is dictated more by the forage coming in from the gulf and Photo Courtesy the locations you will find it. The spring TroutSupport.com transition is tough because the water temps are such that it allows the fish to spread out anywhere they want to. Some will even move into marsh areas if the conditions are right. Stick to your game plan, think about areas you caught fish in past springs and go looking for tiny baitfish such as glass minnows and juvenile menhaden about the size of a nickel. Finding little bait can mean big rewards this time of year. Suspending plugs will still get the starting line up with Mirrolure Paul Brown FatBoys, Mirrodines, and Softdines, along with Little Johns on light 1/16th heads. Tobin created TroutSupport.com - The instructional Trout and Redfish DVDs, some say are the best available. TroutSupport - Tech Support for Speckled Trout & Redfish http://www.troutsupport.com
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Galveston Bay
T
he fishing along the Upper Texas Coast remains strong. We are still catching great numbers of speckled trout using live shrimp, and Tidal Surge Lures split tails. Just last week there was still birds working in Trinity Bay with some solid fish located underneath them eating shrimp. I have never had bird action in January heading to February I guess the long summer did have some benefits this year, as it is still relatively warm for January as far as Texas standards. I have also been fishing in West Galveston Bay when the water gets cold and if you can find some heavy mud to wade fish or some pockets of 6 to 8 ft. water with a good mud mix of mud with shell the trout and reds are in those locations heavy feeding. I have been using bigger baits in West Bay like Corky Fat Boys in pink and the fish cannot stand those lures. The water in west bay can also get a little clear this time of year so if the water is too clear, fishing can get tough so make sure you are looking for the mud streaks along the bay as the fish will tell you were they are located. Tis time of year my favorite colors are plum/chartreuse and pink as the fish seem to lean to these colors in the area I fish this time of year. One last thought until next time please be careful in the fog as there have been many boats running hard in the fog with nearly no visibility. Please use common sense boaters and slow down as it is that is dangerous as you can’t see fellow boaters until it might be too late. Tight lines until next time. Captain Mike Meza | Reel Smooth Guide Service | 281 904 6925 Galveston Bay Fishing Charters, Galveston Fishing Trips 8 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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1/18/17 6:06 AM
GALVESTON BAY FISHING REPORT By: Capt.Craig Lambert
W
hy is February such a good month on Galveston Bay? Well let’s start with giant Trophy sized Speckled Trout on the shallow flats and shorelines being hungrily sought by the wadefishermen who have waited all year long for this month to target their favorite species. The big fish bite sparks off the beginning of a springtime pattern that will last until late March or early April and with the right weather this can be one of the best times of the year for some serious Speckled Trout action. We can also look forward to the beginning of the Black Drum run which will definitely make the jetty anglers happy. Black Drum aka “Big Uglies” will come in to the jetties and then follow the main ship channel northward inhabiting all of the reefs and spoils along the way. As February rolls in, the days are getting longer, spring is getting closer and the fish are getting hungrier. This is Trophy Trout month and some of us wait all year long for February to arrive to go chase down that elusive
PA
monster sized yellow mouthed beauty. Late winter/early spring has always been the best months for chasing big specks on shallow flats and our bay complex is loaded with great areas to hunker down in the water and go looking for these beautiful fish. Most of my best experiences with Trophy Speckled Trout have been at very low light conditions or even in the dark. Trying to coincide a full or new moon with the major and minor feeding times are your key factors to predictable fishing for oversized Specks. They tend to follow those major feeding times very closely. Remember the “Big Girls” get big for a reason so targeting them is like targeting any trophy animal. A great deal of dedication, experience and skill is involved with some good timing and luck. My favorite all-access wading spot and Trophy Speckled Trout spot is the Anahuac National Refuge shoreline. With easy access by truck no boat is needed and you literally have access to several miles of fantastic fish-catching shoreline with all of the natural conditions needed. Weather and tidal conditions must be right for the Refuge with normal to above average tides and some type of easterly wind if possible. Other areas to look at are the south shoreline and coves of both East and West Bays along with the northern upper pocket of Trinity Bay. All of these areas are hot spots for trophy fish. But there are plenty of opportunities out there beyond these well known areas for you to explore and make your own angling memories. Shallow shorelines with lots of mud and shell is what you need and the desire to be dedicated and go make it happen. Soon the Black Drum will begin to invade our jetty system and ship channel, typically around mid to late February, as they spread up and along the many spoils and reefs along the ship channel going past the Fred Hartman bridge. A close cousin to the redfish, the Black Drum is great table fare and a hard fighter that can grow to brutish sizes of up to 60 pounds or more. Keep the ones under 20 inches to eat and throw the rest back. They tend to get wormy as they get bigger so just release the bigger ones with care. A live or dead shrimp is your best bait for putting a lot of these fish in the freezer. I usually find them in the same shelly areas as the redfish and trout. They are typically on or near the bottom eating clam shells, shrimp and crabs hanging out where the shell is thickest. I usually find them on shallow flats in 2-5 ft of water so a popping cork with a deep leader hanging a few inches above the bottom. But do not be in a hurry to set the hook on them. They have a tendency to “nibble” on your shrimp and taste it a little before committing to it so let them take your cork under water for a slow 3 second count before setting the hook. This will increase your hookups and fill the freezer with tasty fillets. Look for some of the best angling days of the year to happen this month and they will definitely coincide with good weather conditions and good tides. So don’t forget to take a kid fishing and I will see you on the water!! Capt. Craig Lambert | Galvestoninshorefishing.com | 832.338.4570
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G A LV E S T O N B AY F O U N D AT I O N
B
V O LU NT EER T O TA K E CA RE OF Y OUR B AY
O
n a cold morning in January, a rare 22-degree day, 13 volunteers came to Turtle Bayou Nature Preserve in Anahuac to help plant trees. The volunteers worked in pairs to shovel out holes, pat dirt down and hold trees upright to make sure they were properly planted until 100 new trees were in the ground at the Nature Preserve. Skai Shadow drove two hours to the Nature Preserve to bring his three children to help with the planting. “I wanted to do my part to help out with the new Nature Preserve,” he said. “I brought my kids because it’s not every day that they get to plant a tree and it’s important for them to Skai Shadow and his daughter plant a tree at a January Galveston Bay Foundation tree planting at experience the outdoors.” Alexandra McCartney, Barbers Hill High School student, came with her three friends to the Turtle Bayou Nature Preserve. planting because it was a new experience for her. “It’s really fun, I enjoy it,” she said. “I thought it was going to take forever to dig a hole, but it’s going by surprisingly fast.” Galveston Bay Foundation has several opportunities to volunteer around the Bay throughout the year. Our next tree planting will be on February 11 from 8am – 12pm at Exploration Green in the Clear Lake area. On February 18, we will be collecting and smashing abandoned and derelict crab traps in two locations (Fort Anahuac Park in Anahuac, TX and Stingaree Restaurant in Bolivar, TX) during Texas Parks And Wildlife’s Abandoned Crab Trap Removal. Volunteers make our work protecting and enhancing the Bay possible at Galveston Bay Foundation. Visit www.galvbay.org to sign up to volunteer.
10 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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BRAG
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SHARK FISHING ADVENTURES With Capt. Michael Sharky Marquez
O
ver the years, I have acquired the nickname “Capt. Sharky” and here is why. Fishing has enabled me a way to express myself and be atone with nature; it has become my true passion in life. No matter what species I am fishing for, I enjoy every moment. It seems we all have our favorites but from a very young age, I have been fascinated with sharks. No matter where our travels took us, I just had to have a shark tooth necklace at every stop. At age 10, I was blessed enough to catch my first Blacktip Shark and was instantly HOOKED! The adrenaline of the line screaming and intensity of the fight became addicting. A few years back I discovered the sport of Land Based Shark Fishing. LBSF is a way to target MONSTAFISH from the land and feed my passion. Here’s how we do it! Prepping for the trip begins a month out. Choosing the best location is key to having a successful trip. These areas are typically away from the population, which enables us to safely catch and release amazing sharks. We jam pack reels with 1,000-2000 yards of heavy line and use rods that are rated for the heaviest of fish. Once we arrive at our destination, the work begins. Holes are dug out for PVC pipe set-ups, which secure the massive reels. After double-checking the heavy leader rigs, we bait up! Since Bonita is a bloody fish that exudes a lot scent when cut open, it has become one of our favorite baits. Getting the bait where it needs to be can be the tricky part. With the bait strapped to our kayak, we paddle out attempting to survive the long trip to the deepest of waters. Sometimes our biggest challenge is to wrestle the raging waters with waves well over our heads! An average drop distance is around 500 yards off of the beach and beyond. This can take 20 minutes or more to drop a single bait, depending on weather and conditions. Once the baits are deployed, we wait patiently. At this point it reminds me of the movie scene from JAWS. The reel on the boat, slowly clicking as the line gets pulled out. No matter if it is daytime or the deep dark of the night, once the reel starts to click, we are stoked. We live for the sound that follows; the screaming line coming off of the reel. We grab the fighting harness, set the hook, and scream, “It’s a MONSTA BABY!!” The tug-o-war fight may last for hours with these Monsta Sharks. Once we get them to shore, we tag, photo and release them safely back into the water in under a minute. It is like a ‘well-oiled machine’ with our crew. LBSF has been an amazing way to feed my MonstaFishin addiction as well as help the research and study of sharks so that they may continue to live in a healthy environment. Tight lines, Capt. Michael ‘Sharky’ Marquez Out Cast Charters www.outcastfishincharters.com MonstaFishin Apparel www.monstafishin.com
12 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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GULF OF MEXICO
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1/18/17 6:06 AM
Flounder Tips & Tactics W
ell since my last article the weather has changed back and forth from cold to warm to freezing and back to warm. Which definitely will make it harder to pinpoint where the flounder will likely be. I have tried to go gigging a few times in the last week or so. Each trip resulting with different outcomes, due to winds being exceptionally high in the last couple days causing the water to turn chocolate milk color. Before the wind though we found some very good ground and with it being parallel to a deep channel we found ten the first night and seventeen on the next. Once the wind kicked up I haven’t been able to see or find any fish. Make sure and pick a nice night if your going to spend the time out there looking for fish. Also I cannot stress enough on how important it is to have a buddy system when out wade fishing or gigging. It could save your life. When using my fishing pole I have actually been still trying my favorite lures. Most of the time I will look for an area where water funnels into a deep water drop off as flounder love to ambush their prey. Moving water is also a good indication that flounder will be around. The main thing that you must remember when fishing for flounder is that after you feel the “thump” “thump”, pause and count to at least fifteen seconds. This will allow the fish to actually get the whole bait in its mouth. If it is a trout or redfish it will run with the lure. Just don’t forget to use the lightest jig head you can that will allow you to stay on bottom where the flounder are. All of these tactics will change in some form each issue due to different conditions. Thank you for your continued support. Until next issue, tight lines and sharp gigs. Any questions feel free to email me or join Flounder Fanatics on Facebook. Brian Joseph Spencer | Flounder Fanatics @ Facebook Flounderfanatics@gmail.com
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An educational series for Coastal Anglers
W H AT H A P P E N E D TO
OUR
FISH?
W
ho should manage the Gulf of Mexico’s Red Snapper fishery? This public debate has now reached Congress. A bill addressing the question passed through the committee process to the House of Representatives where it is waiting for a vote. So, let’s dig into the issue, shall we? Presently, the Federal government is responsible for managing/ enhancing the Red Snapper fishery in all Gulf waters beyond the nine-mile state limits. Inside this boundary, the fishery is managed by the bordering states. That lunacy begins a boondoggle that only governmental bureaucracy could have so effectively initiated! The fish don’t recognize the nine-mile boundary -- so why such an arbitrary system? Let’s look at results - the Federal Government’s management compared to management by the Gulf States’ Fish and Wildlife departments (under their state legislatures). The Federal Government’s fisheries management spends $900 million dollars annually – yet, by their own admission, has never provided an accurate stock assessment of the Red Snapper fishery. $900 million dollars per year and they continue to fail at the basics upon which all fisheries policy and management must build. Red Snapper are not pelagic. They are a reef fish living around underwater structures and moving very little. Yet, the samplings by NOAA’s Marine Fisheries “experts” take stock samplings primarily from outside where these fish live! How ludicrous, huh? The Federal Government has further minimized the promising “Rigs to Reefs” program under which non-operational oil rigs were toppled to provide productive artificial reef environments. This formerly successful concept sustained and built the marine habitat onto what is often otherwise a barren Gulf seafloor. Sadly, politically-motivated efforts have undermined “Rigs to Reefs”. They mandated the explosion of old rigs, destroying their marine habitat, killing thousands of fish, and demolishing their artificial reef homes. You can watch an actual YouTube of this on the Facebook page “What Happened To Our Fish?” Conversely, the Gulf States have exceptionally managed their small portion of the fishery. They have revived the formerly failing fisheries of Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook, Grouper, and now Flounder. Through regulations, enforcement, habitat creation, and hatchery breeding/ stocking programs, our state marine environments are healthy - hence providing fishing as a recreational resource for families and sport fishermen - all managed by the states with no support from the Feds. Throughout their small nine-mile range from the shoreline, the five Gulf States have been building reefs to enhance the marine environment and promote fishery growth. While the Feds are wasting billions of dollars, unable to assess the Red Snapper stocks, and destroying marine habitats, the states are leveraging public funds by collaborating with conservation organizations and philanthropists to create new habitats and preserve others. By working together, they are creating and preserving marine habitats to achieve lasting conservation benefits for
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our coastal waters. This is an excellent ‘footprint’ to expand into what are now Federal waters. Locally, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is building numerous reefs in nearshore sites along the Texas coast including Freeport, Port Mansfield, Corpus Christi, and Matagorda/Sargent, with new sites beginning at Rio Grande, Sabine, Galveston, and Port O’Connor. Similar programs have been operating in all five of the Gulf States. With such a dramatic difference in results between the fisheries managed by the states and those squandered by the Federal government’s efforts, why is there even a debate? Why hasn’t Congress passed House Bill HR3094 to transfer the management of the Gulf Red Snapper fishery from the Feds to the Gulf States? Sadly, some Congressmen believe that only “Big Government” programs should solve all problems (despite the U.S. Constitution). Even more disappointedly, some politicians are receiving political contributions from those who benefit financially from the mismanaged systems. Certain rules are actually structured by committees comprised of individuals who financially benefit from their own rulemaking. These individuals are a few selected commercial fishing and federally-licensed charter fishing interests. A few dozen such operators have enjoyed millions in income from the current fiasco - “follow-the-money”. The congressmen from Texas who are co-sponsoring U.S. House of Representatives’ bill HR3094 include Brian Babin, Gene Green, Pete Olson, John Mica, Louie Gohmert, Blake Farenthold, Ruben Hinojosa and John Carter. If this doesn’t include your Congressman, he is not a co-sponsor – but needs to be. He may be uninformed, one who believes only in “Big Government” solutions or possibly is influenced by campaign donations from beneficiaries of the boondoggle.
Concrete pyramids being used in Texas’ artificial reef construction. (Note their size compared to the workers.)
If your Congressman is not a co-sponsor to HR3094, his vote works AGAINST families and sport fishermen. Do you want responsible management and a healthy fishery? Ask your U.S. Congressman to co-sponsor HR3094 to transfer the Gulf fisheries management to control by the five Gulf States. If your Congressman “talks the talk” but doesn’t agree to co-sponsor HR3094, then you are listening to “political speech”! Will you make one phone call? To locate your U.S. Representative visit: www.house.gov/ representatives/find and type in your zip code. Click your Representative’s website for the phone number. Follow Facebook page “What Happened To Our Fish?” to read about the fisheries management issue by scrolling down through the “newsfeed”. Contact us at RecreationalFishermen@gmail.com Contact info: recreationalfishermen@gmail.com Follow this issue on Facebook: What Happened to Our Fish?
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
1/18/17 6:06 AM
UNDER THE SEA
r spread SPEARGUN SELECTION
S
SHERI DAYE
peargun selection is one of the most hotly debated topics on spearfishing forums. Fortunately, there are many great brands nowadays – such as Wong, AB Biller, Riffe, Hammerhead, Cressi, SEAC, Mares, Rob Allen, Koah, Mako, JBL and more. Over the last century, spearfishing equipment has evolved from very simple muscle-powered slings and polespears, made with wood and rubber bands, to the modern-day spearguns equipped with a trigger mechanism and more exotic materials. Interestingly, slings and polespear are making a comeback—but that’s a topic for another month—so let’s concentrate on how to select a modern-day speargun. If you walk into your local dive shop, you will notice there are two main categories of band-powered spearguns: the American style, usually recognized by the wood stock, and the Eurogun, which has a tubular shaped barrel and a rear handle. The Eurogun originated in Europe where most spearfishing is freedive-only, fairly deep, and for small, easily spooked fish. Hence these spearguns have a low-profile, streamlined design and thinner shafts. If you are diving in similar conditions, the Eurogun style might be for you. On the other hand, if you want a sturdy, durable and easy-to-load gun that will handle bigger fish, you might lean toward the American/wood-style gun. This is also the style used for big powerful tuna guns, because they can be ballasted and accommodate up to six bands. There’s also a hybrid design, which incorporates the best elements of both with wood stock in the back and a carbon fiber tube in the front. Once you’ve chosen between styles, the next question is length. Most Eurogun sizes are 90 to 160 centimeters, and most American guns are between 36 and 65 inches. So, with the conversion from centimeters to inches, they have pretty much the same length range. If you are diving in low visibility or hunting in rocks like they have in California or Rhode Island, you would choose a shorter gun. If you are hunting spooky fish in clear waters like mutton snappers in Florida, you would opt for a longer gun. If you are just getting started and expect to dive in variable visibility, 130 centimeters or 50 inches would be a good medium length for an all-around reef gun.
Sheri Daye hunts with a Wong Hybrid Speargun. Photo by Joe Marino.
Here are some additional tips: 1) Join a local spearfishing club and learn from the more experienced people. Observe what equipment they use and ask for advice. 22) Shop at a dive store that caters to spearfishing. They carry more choices and have experienced personnel to help you choose. These include Austin’s in Miami; Florida Freedivers in Palm Beach; James & Josephs in San Diego, Calif.; Freedive Shop in Sacramento, Calif. and more. 3) Check out the custom-gun builders. There are some high-quality builders who will work with you directly, give you advice, and design it to your specs—such as Wong Spearguns from Hawaii or Sea Sniper from California. Most importantly, you should pick a style that suits you and the conditions you dive in. Chances are you will get hooked and add more spearguns to your arsenal in the future! Follow “Sheri Daye” & “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” April 22-23, 2017 – Ft. Lauderdale - Instagram and Facebook.
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FRESHWATER
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER THE REBIRTH OF 8- TO 10FOOT BASS RODS BRANDON LESTER
E
ver since I can remember, there has been a rule in B.A.S.S. tournaments barring the use of rods longer than 8 feet. To my knowledge, it is because Dee Thomas and other Californians were using 10-foot and longer rods for “flipping” when the technique was first invented. Evidently the powersthat-be back then didn’t like this new way of fishing, so they banned the use of long rods. At the conclusion of 2016, B.A.S.S. decided to change this rule and allow us to use any rod up to 10 feet in length. Bass fishing has evolved
they fight. The extra rod length will help keep the line tight during the fight, giving the fish less opportunity to escape. For the small wooden crankbaits, the longer rod gives control over how deep the bait dives. Hold the rod tip up, and the bait dives shallower. Stick a couple feet of the blank in the water, and it runs deeper. Add longer casting distance and you will be hitting depths never before achieved with some baits. A longer rod will also be beneficial for flipping and pitching. We all know what
tremendously in the past several years, and there is no doubt this rule change will be another big breakthrough. Will long rods become the norm in everyone’s boat? I don’t think so, but I believe these rods will have a time and place in bass fishing. I have been busy building and testing a few of these longer rods with the guys at Mud Hole Custom Tackle. We’ve made encouraging findings. The first long rod I built is a 8’6” medium power spinning rod. I wanted a rod to cast small, wooden crankbaits on light line for more distance. I also wanted this rod to act as a drop shot rod for open-water smallmouth fishing. Although I don’t see myself using this rod all the time for drop shotting, imagine a scenario where you are casting a drop shot in current and need that extra length to control the way the line drifts. Also, anyone who has ever fought a river smallmouth knows how hard
happens when we set the hook on a 12-inch bass with a 7’6” rod, well imagine what will happen when you set the hook on one with a 9-foot flipping stick. We’ll be jerking 3-pounders out of the thickest cover! When that 10-pounder bites, she might not be the one that got away anymore. There might be cases where a long flipping rod is more efficient, as well. The technique of flipping, as it was done originally, by stripping line through the guides and never using the reel, will probably come back to light because we can now use a rod long enough put a bait where it needs to go. I will be building a long flipping stick before the elite series heads to Lake Okeechobee. What better place to try it out than the land of the giants? Keep tabs on 8-foot-plus rod building by visiting www. MudHole.com, and hit me up on Facebook with any questions.
Get more tips from Lester at
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FRESHWATER BOSSMAN TECHNICAL POLING SKIFFS
16,950
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Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time
I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly
at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth. There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point. Second, the fruit just taste
better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature. Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together. Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com
“ I had the chance to test the new Bossman TailSpotter and I must say I was very impressed. I’ve run a lot of boats in my career and this boat is as good if not better than anything I’ve driven.” Capt. Mike Hakala, Aqua Dream Lures
SKIMMER TUNNEL HULL
19,950
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SPRUCE UP AND SUPER-TUNE YOUR REELS BossmanBoats_.25_0716.indd 1
T
ackle geeks have climbed high rungs of reel optimization for decades. Their basic game remains the same today: super-tune fishing reels by adding premium components and applying best cleaning and maintenance practices. But better materials and technology have elevated expectations of what fishing reels can be made to do. Russ Lane, who has earned six appearances in the Bassmaster Classic, took his habitual tackle tinkering to high-tech heights several seasons back. Lane today replaces standard reel parts with premium components that extend reel life and enable spools to spin at dazzling RPMs. What’s the fisherman’s takeaway after these reel transformations? The clearest advantages are longer casting distances, better control, heightened casting accuracy, and improved feel and sensitivity. Some premium reel components—strikingly colorful multi-textured reel knobs and anodized star drags and cast control caps, for example—can practically turn reels into showpieces, too. “Fishermen can’t believe what custom components can add to a reel’s capability,” said Noah Arroyo, owner of Off the Hook Reels. “And some fishermen are just as attracted to the unique colors and finishes you can bring to a reel and the rich look of premium parts.” Consider replacing standard reel parts with these upgrades: • Ceramic bearings – Ceramic bearings or ceramic hybrid bearings (the latter feature ceramic balls in a stainless steel or plastic cage) can elevate reel performance dramatically. Ceramic bearings can range up to 60 percent lighter than stainless steel bearings. They generate less heat and lower vibration levels, too, reducing friction as the spool revolves. Spool RPMs may climb dramatically, extending casting distance and improving accuracy by reducing the effort required to execute a cast. They also possess five times the life expectancy of stainless steel bearings. The one downside is that they produce a very audible hum, a turn-off to some anglers. HawgTech promotes its ABEC-7 hybrid bearings in nylon cages as allowing “a more free spinning bearing that also runs quieter.” • Carbon Fiber Reel Handles – Lightweight carbon fiber reel arms are
the most common reel upgrade. The difference in weight and sensitivity from conventional reel handles is discernible. They also give a sleek, skeletal look to the reel. • Winn Reel Knobs – Reel knobs made from Winn’s patented WinnDry polymer deliver the same all-weather “tacky” feel and security that Winn grips bring to fishing rods. “The Winn knobs available from HawgTech are so good, your grip never slips even when hands are wet or coated with fish slime,” said Arroyo. Two of Lew’s Best of Show awards at ICAST 2016 featured fishing reels with Winn reel knobs. HawgTech offers these knobs in several bold colors. • Anodized Aluminum Star Drags, Cast Control Caps – Colorful anodized aluminum can give a reel an “auto show” glow. You can go with matching or complementary color options for star drag controls, cast control caps and related parts. Maintenance steps: Of course, flashy parts alone won’t optimize reel performance. Make sure the internal workings of your reel are flawlessly cleaned and lubricated, too. “You have to optimize everything when you super-tune. Polish and clean ends and shafts and pinion gears,” said Arroyo. “When you do and then add your ceramic bearings and premium parts, you really end up with a great piece of machinery.”
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TAUTEN LINEWELDER Sick of having to learn and tie complex knots? The Tauten LineWelder creates a weld that is actually stronger than any knot. The device creates a “sleeve” of thermoplastic polymer around both ends of a looped line, holding the loop in place without bending or weakening the line. Knots weaken the line, and most lines’ strengths are rated with a knot, so using a Tauten LineWelder in place of tying a knot lets you get a connection that’s stronger than the advertised strength of most lines! The process is quick, easy, consistent and doesn’t require you to tie complicated knots. It’s perfect for new fishermen or veteran anglers who don’t want to bother with finicky knot tying. Just loop the line in the device, pull it taut and push the button to create a weld. This device can help fishermen who don’t want to tie complicated knots by removing the need entirely and allowing anglers to focus on the sport they love. The LineWelder works best on 10- to 12-pound-test monofilament nylon and fluorocarbon lines and 10- to 50-pound-test braided lines. Using an experimental technique, it can even join braided lines with monofilament nylon or fluorocarbon leaders to eliminate the need for a swivel. Accessories to weld a wider variety of lines are currently in development and will be available in the future. Visit tauten.com for more information and to see videos of the LineWelder in action. The Tauten customer service staff is always eager to answer any questions, so don’t hesitate to contact them.
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UR-Cut
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The only custom moldable handle fillet knife.
Ergonomically perfect. Virtually non-slip. Unmatched comfort. Unmatched control. Takes minutes to do.
UR-Cut features the same legendary DEXSTEEL, super-sharp edge, and just-right flexibility that you are used to with Dexter... 1.Dip handle in boiling water for 2 minutes. 2. Dip in cold water for 1 second. 3. Grip and form handle for 10 seconds. 4. Put back in cold water for 10 seconds and your done.
DEXTER UR-CUT FILLET KNIFE Dexter UR-Cut Fillet knives are the only fillet knives that allow you to custom mold the handle to your hand. UR-Cut provides the ultimate in comfort and control and is virtually non-slip in your hand. It’s simple and takes only minutes to customize UR-Cut to fit your hand. First, grip the handle and determine your grip position, paying attention to your thumb position. Dip and completely submerge the handle in boiling water for 2 minutes. Make sure the pot is deep enough so the handle does not contact the bottom or the sides of the pot. Then dip in cold water for 1 second, grip, squeeze, and hold the handle for 10 seconds. Dip back in cold water for 10 seconds and let cool. You now have a custom fillet knife, molded to fit your hand. Just like other Dexter knives, UR-Cut features the same legendary DEXTSTEEL blade, with super-sharp edges that are easy to re-sharpen and have just-right flexibility. UR-Cut fillet knives are made in the U.S.A. and are available in 6”, 7” and 8” lengths. Available at your local and online retailer. For more information and to view all Dexter fishing knives visit dexteroutdoors.com.
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NEVER WAX AGAIN! RESTORE AND PROTECT YOUR BOAT Poli Glow does what wax can’t! As seen on Ship Shape TV
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THE ONLY LURE WITH THE PATENTED
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FISH & FISHING
A DIFFERENT APPROACH MARK SOSIN
A
small sign on the corner of my attorney’s desk warns his clients to “Assume Nothing.” That caveat is just as valid on the water as it is in the practice of law. If an angler does not start catching fish within minutes of arriving at a spot, he begins to assume that his quarry must be elsewhere. The assumption, of course, is that he has chosen the right bait or lure and presented it in a natural and appealing manner to a fish that is ready to eat. A fish’s behavioral patterns, honed over eons, follow very specific guidelines with few deviations. Anything that differs from the norm instinctively alerts a fish that something may be amiss and it thinks of its own safety first. Regardless of size, a predator does not expect to be charged or attacked by its prey no matter how small the prey is in relation to the predator. That’s why a 3-inch fly made of feathers can spook a 100-pound fish. And remember that fish do not feed constantly for a variety of reasons. Most species use tidal currents, water flow, or the neck of a funnel to their advantage as they search for food. They either hold facing the current, swim against the flow, or work across it. Whenever you present a bait or lure, it should be upcurrent from where you expect the fish to be so that your offering appears to go with the flow. That tenet even applies when you are casting to a cruising fish. The more natural the presentation, the better the chance of a strike. Your quarry automatically measures energy tradeoff. The idea is to exploit each situation so they will expend the least amount of energy for the value received. That translates into the fact that they frequently refuse to chase a bait or lure very far before turning away. An ambush feeder merely wants to dart out, grab its prey and return to its lair. Bottom denizens follow a similar practice. If your offering isn’t close to the sea floor, it’s difficult to get them to swim toward the surface to get it. Successful bottom bouncing starts upcurrent and allows the bait to drag along in the productive zone. Once it sweeps above the quarry, the potential for getting a strike diminishes rapidly. Water temperature enters the energy tradeoff equation. In cold or even cool water, fish react sluggishly because the water temperature slows down their metabolism. It might even force them out of their usual lair in search of warmer water. In those situations, choose baits or lures that are easy for a fish to catch and slow down the retrieve or the trolling speed. And remember, in cooler water it takes fish longer to digest food so they feed less frequently. Those who catch fish consistently study and comprehend the basics of feeding strategy. You can be sure that the behavioral patterns of each species are not about to change. That puts the onus on you to modify your tactics until you uncover the combination that works. Before you abandon a spot because you think it doesn’t hold fish, make sure you have explored the full gamut of options. If you do make any assumptions, convince yourself that a fish is looking at your bait or lure right now. The results might surprise you.
For More Mark Sosin Visit
CAMFISHING.COM Fishing Lights Dock Lights Flounder Lights 785-621-2646
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NEW INTERLUX MICRON WA BOAT PAINT Micron WA (Water-Activated) is the newest addition to the AkzoNobel’s Interlux industry leading Micron Technology product range. It is a showcase antifouling paint that offers long-lasting, multi-seasonal protection in a water-based formulation. Micron WA combines powerful antifouling performance while reducing impact on the environment, leaving a smooth, clean hull. This paint is ideal for cruise, power and sailboats and suitable for all waters. Using a novel paint technology called Water Activated Matrix, Micron WA delivers a crisp, vibrant color and uniform appearance to provide a striking, attractive finish, while at the same time efficiently releasing the active ingredients to deliver powerful antifouling performance. More information is available at: www.yachtpaint.com/usa/diy/ products/antifouling/micron-wa.aspx
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