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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 10/01/16 and 12/31/16 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 outboards made between 10/01/16 and 12/31/16. 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 marine engines. 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 marine engines purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 10/01/16 and 12/31/16.“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. © 2016 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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More Of A World Traveler’s Top Fishing Destinations By Patrick Sebile
L
ast month in these pages, I laid out what in my opinion are the top-5 fishing destinations in the world. It was a list of the most impressive fisheries I have experienced in a career spent traveling to fish the most renowned waters on this planet. From southern Africa’s Atlantic coast to Scandanavia, Panama, Australia and Venice, Louisiana, those five destinations topped the list among the 64 countries where I have fished. But there are other destinations well worth mention as some of the top fisheries in the world. With this article I will touch on five more destinations I believe to be some of the best on the planet. • Florida, U.S.A: Choosing a whole state and calling it a destination might be a stretch. However, the variety of great fisheries offered by this peninsula is what makes it one of the best places in the world for anglers. With fantastic inshore and offshore fishing, seasonal highlights like the east coast mullet run and some of the best bass fishing anywhere, Florida’s patchwork of options make it a great place for fishing. • South Island, New Zealand: This place is as wild as wilderness can get. Fishing for trout in New Zealand streams with the backdrop that was the set from the “Lord of the Rings” movies has to be one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Also, the north island offers great saltwater fishing for humphead snapper and yellowtail amberjack, which is one of the meanest and most powerful fish that lives in the world’s oceans. • Lake Biwa, Japan: This 259-square-mile lake is surrounded with history as one of the oldest lakes in the world. It is filled with millions of ayu—a small trout-related fish—that turned out to be the major food for a population of largemouth bass. There are consistently more
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Photo Courtesy of Al Stewart Photography
big bass in Lake Biwa than anywhere else I know of. It is where the longtime IGFA All Tackle world record was tied just a few years ago with a bass that weighed 22-pounds, 5-ounces. • Ivory Coast, Africa: Years ago, I ran a lodge on the Ivory Coast, not far from the city of San Pedro, where Stuart Campbell used to come targeting record blue marlin. He succeeded a number of times. From April to June, my average day consisted of three to five fish in the 300- to 600-pound range. • Massachusetts, U.S.A.: I’m a striped bass addict, and fishing the shores of Massachusetts is a pilgrimage I must make on an annual basis, period! There’s nothing like fishing for striped bass when they’re blitzing bait on the shorelines of the northeastern states. Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing (www.sebile.com).
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It’s the Honda of Outboards. Literally.
Quality, reliability, technology and fuel-efficiency have made Honda an automotive legend. You’ll find those same strengths in every Honda Marine outboard. Honda outboards deliver best-of-class features in models ranging from 2.3 to 250 hp. Many even share engine technology and components used in Honda vehicles like the Accord, Odyssey, Fit and Pilot — vehicles that have proven themselves over millions of miles. No wonder all Honda outboards are backed by the only 5-year manufacturer’s warranty in the industry. Power your boat with the brand that offers millions of miles of proven performance — Honda Marine.
Take Advantage Of 2.49% APR Financing On All New Honda Outboards Or 4.49% APR Financing On All New Honda Outboard Engines Or Boat/Motor Packages — Going On Now! To Find Your Nearest Authorized Honda Marine Dealer, Visit Our Website Now From Your QR-Enabled Phone, Or Go To ca.hondamarine.com *APR financing available on all new Honda outboard engines through American Honda Finance Corporation upon approved credit. 2.49% APR financing for 24 – 48 months, available to customers who qualify for the AHFC super preferred credit tier. Example for new Honda outboard engines: 2.49% APR for 36 months financing at $28.86 a month for every $1,000 financed. 3.49% APR for 60 months financing at $18.19 a month for every $1,000 financed. 3.49% APR for 84 months financing at $13.44 a month for every $1,000 financed. Offer good on any new and unregistered Honda outboard engine, with a minimum amount financed of $1,000 and a minimum monthly payment of $100. Check with participating dealers for complete details. Dealers set actual sales prices. For well-qualified buyers, not all buyers may qualify. Higher rates apply for different terms and/or buyers with lower credit rating. Lower rates may also be available. Offer valid through 01/03/17, on new and unregistered Honda outboard engines (2hp – 250hp) and only on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. Honda Financial Services’ standard credit criteria apply. **APR financing available on all new Honda outboard engines or packages (boat, motor and trailer, where Honda outboard engine is the main source of power) through American Honda Finance Corporation upon approved credit. 4.49% APR financing for 12 – 180 months (term and rate based on amount financed) available to customers who qualify for the AHFC Super Preferred credit tier. Example for new Honda outboard engines or packages: 4.49% APR for 84 months financing at $13.90 a month for every $1,000 financed. 4.49% APR for 144 months financing at $9.00 a month for every $1,000 financed. 4.49% APR for 180 months financing at $7.64 a month for every $1,000 financed. Offer good on any new and unregistered Honda outboard engine or package, with a minimum amount financed of $1,000 and a minimum monthly payment of $100. Check with participating dealers for complete details. Dealers set actual sales prices. For well-qualified buyers, not all buyers may qualify. Higher rates apply for different terms and/or buyers with lower credit rating. APR may be subject to dealer mark-up. Offer valid through 01/03/17, on new and unregistered Honda outboard engines or packages and only on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. Honda Financial Services’ standard credit criteria apply. ©2016 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM DECEMBER 2016 NATIONAL 7
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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 Eleuthera, Bahamas
FREE
This year’s December holiday editions of Coastal Angler Magazine feature an image Holiday of Gene Dyer and a 30-pound mahi caught GIFT while fishing aboard Uncle Tom Dyer’s GUIDE 55-foot Hatteras off Eleuthera, Bahamas. Dyer is Coastal Angler’s newest franchisee, having recently taken over the Fort Local Lauderdale franchise location. Gene comes to Coastal Angler as a former advertising sales executive for Florida Sport Fishing. Eleuthera is one of the long skinny Out Islands that make up the eastern edge of the Bahamian archipelago. It is a spectacular vacation destination with miles of pink sand beaches, and for anglers it is a renowned bonefish destination, noted for expansive and easily accessible flats. As evidenced by Dyer’s Mahi, Eleuthera is also a fantastic jumpingoff place for the reef, spearfishing and sport fishing the Bahamas are famous for. Excellent reefs such as Devil’s Backbone are teeming with snappers, groupers and amberjack. And with depths of thousands of feet a few miles offshore, anglers can take a quick boat ride and tangle with tuna, marlin, snapper, mahi-mahi, sailfish and some huge wahoo. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 263
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Southeastern Mountain Trout
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA EDITION
FREE
There is no better gift for a trout angler than the opportunity to cast to gorgeous fish in the streams of southern Appalachia. The cover image for our holiday editions of The Angler Holiday Magazine comes from the north Georgia GIFT GUIDE mountains, where Tommy Nicodemus caught this big rainbow trout from Noontootla Creek Local while fishing with guide Chuck Head of Unicoi Outfitters. Noontootla Creek is one of the best small trout streams in Georgia, and it feeds the larger Toccoa River, which boasts one the Southeast’s premier tailwater trout fisheries. Noontootla itself flows from high-headwaters through public land on Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area, where it is a small stream offering wild brown and rainbow trout. For decades it has been managed under special regulations, which have produced a great, if sometimes challenging, fishery. Our cover fish was caught from an extensively managed private trophy stretch of Noontootla Creek called Noontootla Creek Farms. The image was captured by Jason Weldon. PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON WELDON
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 263
F R A N C H I S E
Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
FISHING WITH UNICOI OUTFITTERS
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W
inter means giant redfish on the fly. From Florida to Texas and up the east coast of the United States, giant redfish are a prime target species for many saltwater fly anglers. In my opinion, there is no finer wintertime saltwater species to sight fish a fly too. The fishing opportunities are endless, and the chance to hook a true giant heavier than 30 pounds is very likely. However, for the fly angler to be successful he/she must be able to make the cast. First Things First The first thing I suggest to anglers before they jump into saltwater fly fishing is to really learn how to cast a fly line to 40 feet quickly and accurately. We are often led to believe that if the angler can cast a long distance then he or she will be a successful fly angler. There is nothing further from the truth. I’ve seen wonderful fly casters become frustrated when sight casting to redfish. They are so focused on making a long cast that they miss the f ish-catching opportunities within 40 feet of their rod tip. Casting to redfish is more about accuracy and quickness than is distance. Learn The Double Haul Developing a solid double-haul is the foundation of a quick and accurate cast. Not only does the double-haul help with distance, if executed correctly, it reduces the number of backcasts the angler must make. It is well to remember that the more time the fly line is in the air, the less time the fly is on the water. The best way to learn the double haul is to find a grassy area like a park. Next, strip out 40 feet of fly line and make a forward cast, allowing the fly line to lie on the grass in front of you. Next, lower your rod tip to where it is touching the ground in front of you. Then, pick up the fly line and make a back cast, laying the line out behind you. This is the single haul. Next, pull the fly line off the grass behind you with your line hand while the fly rod is moving forward, and with the rod moving forward, pull the line down towards your belt line. As you feel the fly rod load while it bends on the forward cast, release the line from your line hand, allowing the fly line to shoot forward through the guides. This is the second haul of the double haul, an effective cast when long- distance casts are required, but also important for the short, quick accurate cast needed when fishing red fish. The Back Cast Is Important Much of your success in fly casting is dependent upon the development of a smooth back cast, that is the ability to cast 20 to 30 feet of line behind you whenever demanded. Remember the fly fisherman’s adage that “your forward cast is only as good as your back cast,” and a good cast is the “rule-of thumb” when casting flies to redfish. If a redfish appears behind you, simply make a forward cast. With your fly line on the water, simply pick up the line, and shoot it behind you. Retain eye contact with the redfish’s position. In next month’s column, Casting to Redfish Part Two, I will write about the importance of the repositioning cast and quick cast.
FLY FISHING
ON THE COVER
CASTING FOR THE REDFISH GAME: PART ONE
Follow Conway Bowman at www.conwybowman.com, on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
For More Fly Fishing with Bowman, go to
CAMFLYFISHING.COM
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DECEMBER 2016
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Gift Ideas FOR ANGLERS
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heck out these great gift ideas for the outdoor enthusiast on your holiday gift list. These local merchants are available to ensure your holiday gift giving satisfaction. We always try to encourage our readers to shop locally. It’s our community and we all benefit from supporting our local businesses. They’re here for us all year long and our personal convenience depends on their sustainability. Tell them Coastal Angler/The Angler Magazine sent you. By the way, if you see something here that you wish could be under the tree with your name on it, just take out a marker and circle it. Then leave this page open for your friends and family to see. Yes, crude but effective.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Coastal Angler/The Angler Magazine.
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LONGLINERS NOT TO FISH
I
t can be tough to keep up with all the acronyms involved in and created by the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. TIGs (Trustee Implementation Groups) sprouted to assess damages and then decide how to spend the money recovered for restoration projects. The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group is one of those TIGs. Its responsibilities are for projects designed to benefit pelagic species and deep-water habitats. In 2017, the group is implementing an interesting project aimed at restoring pelagic fish to the Gulf of Mexico. Many Gulf oceanic fish, eggs, and larvae were injured by the oil and chemicals used for cleanup. Species injured include pelagic (or open-ocean) fish such as tuna, billfish, sharks and mackerel. The Open Ocean TIG is working with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help restore these fish populations by reducing fishing mortality. This will allow fish to grow and reproduce, helping support healthier populations of fish throughout the Gulf. The project will establish a temporary, voluntary, six-month repose period each year of the project, which is expected to last
five to 10 years. During this repose period, participating vessel owners will refrain from pelagic longline fishing and will be financially compensated to offset their potential loss in revenue. To help offset economic impacts of the repose, participants will be encouraged to fish for yellowfin tuna and swordfish using alternative gear. These gear types have been shown to result in low levels of bycatch and bycatch mortality. This will also provide an opportunity to study and improve the efficiency of alternative fishing gear over time. The project is tailored to restore resources impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and does not affect existing management practices or regulations. The project will be launched as a pilot, with a four-month repose period starting March 1, 2017. Interested pelagic longline vessel owners can learn more about this project or contact Kristin Byler at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for more information. This is the first direct fish restoration project to be implemented by the Open Ocean TIG. An additional $380 million has been allocated for future fish and water column restoration projects.
To Learn More about the life of a Longliners life on a boat, go to
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By Tobin Strickland • Photo by Kyle Johnson ill warm water temperatures reduce winter big trout catches? It’s a question that many are beginning to wonder. “Is it cold enough yet? Have the big trout moved to the mud?” These are some of the questions I’ve been hearing. The answer is… Well, it depends. In shallow-water big trout haunts, we’ve found that the big fish move there much earlier than what we once thought, some will even stay all year in the right conditions. The fish are there for more than just the mud. As Capt. Steve Soule has said, “They are there for protection, food, and solitude.” Many of the places they frequent have formed mud on the bottom due to the layout, more so than for the mud. Depth also affords trout with similar protection, and with depth the water temperature swings are more subdued giving fish a more stable environment. With depth, there is no need for the stabilizing effect that mud also offers. In the end, I don’t think the warmer conditions will reduce the catches of seasoned big trout anglers, unless you are in south Florida, where the cold is required to move the trout into the bays. We will need to be ready as the conditions change along the way with each passing cold front, even if they remain weak. Warmer weather will allow many of the fish to stay shallow, but who knows, we may still get a winter yet.
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Tobin created TroutSupport.com - Tech Support for Speckled Trout and Redfish anglers.
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new boat show is coming to Pier Park in Panama City Beach next March. Wheels Up Events, LLC, a well-known local promoter of high-end fishing tournaments and unique family-orientated boat shows, recently announced plans to host the first Emerald Coast Boat & Lifestyle Show at Aaron Bessant Park March 3-5. The new show will feature boat displays from all major manufacturers representing the latest in boats of all types from the highly popular personal kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, to small trailerable cruisers, high-performance center-consoles and runabouts as well as active outdoor lifestyle accessories. Featuring marine and outdoor lifestyle exhibits of all types along with seminars and live entertainment, the event will be much more than just a boat show. Iconic brands such as Sea Ray, Everglades, Boston Whaler, Sea Hunt and more have already registered to display their latest models at the event. Additionally, the show will display bicycles, electric carts, fitness products and the latest in outdoor gear. Today’s boats are incredibly technologically advanced with features such as active dynamic positioning and gyro stabilization now available in smaller vessels along with advanced drive systems and excellent fuel economy. Kayaks and SUPs also have benefitted from lighter, stronger materials and innovative drive systems. From Crab Island to Shell Island and St. George Island, the new Emerald Coast Boat & Lifestyle Show caters to today’s outdoor active lifestyle family. Given the show’s unique location immediately adjacent to the immensely popular Pier Park, and the associated exciting amenities all within walking distance of the beach, the Emerald Coast Boat & Lifestyle Show is sure to become a breakout hit during Panama City Beach’s 2017 Spring Break Season. For more information, visit GulfBoatShow.com or contact Chris Miller at 850-348-1498 or Chris@CMMMarinas.com.
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11/17/16 4:48 PM
DECEMBER 2016
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December is finally upon us once again and that means Christmas is right around the corner. Christmas shopping for an angler isn’t always easy. All the different rods, reels, lures, flies, baits and more can make finding the right gift for the angler in your life difficult. We at Coastal Angler will make it easy for you. Why not get the fishermen in your life a high performance rod from our advertiser Hook Spit. Check out all of their great products online at www.hookspit. com. Hook Spit offers custom performance rods, clothing and you can also purchase gift cards so that your fisherman can choose their own custom performance rod. Our advertiser Avid Anglers Jewelry Design provides unique, realistic jewelry that has been designed and hand-crafted by fellow fishing and hunting enthusiasts. Avid Anglers offers designs of both offshore and bay marine life as well as freshwater bass and hunting motifs. The pieces are available in 14K gold or sterling silver. Pendants, charms, pins, earrings, bracelets, tie-tacs and rings can be created to customize any collection. These truly unique pieces express a love of nature and the outdoors and would be an excellent gift for your outdoorsman. Check out their website at http://avidanglerjewelry.tripod.com For those who want to add something special to your residence. Check out all the different options that our advertiser Gulf Coast Palapas offers online at http://gulfcoastpalapas.com. Residential or Commercial, Gulf Coast Palapas will build you the best Palapa on the market. They are family owned and operated with no subcontractors. Not only do they offer Palapas, they also will build outdoor fire places, decks, outdoor bathroom/ showers and outdoor kitchens for both commercial and residential areas. Wouldn’t you love to bring the best of Mexico or the Bahamas directly to your home or business? Picture yourself or your customers lounging comfortably in the shade under your very own Palapa just as if you were on vacation. Gulf Coast Palapas can paint and build that exact picture because they are the true Palapa builders. Whatever your Christmas need, we hope that you will shop with our advertisers as they are truly the best in the business. 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, Brian Joseph Spencer and legal adviser Attorney Weston Prescott Ray. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our advertisers: The Nautic Group, 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 under the red banner find and click ‘online editions’ scroll down to the ‘Galveston edition’. Click on our ‘advertiser’s ad’ and go directly to their web site. Tight lines and Merry Christmas from our family to yours, The Mowry Sisters – Chanci & Michelle Facebook - Coastal Angler Magazine Texas
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FINANCING YOUR NEW BOAT
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uying a boat isn’t as painful as you might think! Naturally, prices for new boats vary depending on size and make, but many boat manufacturers and dealers can put you in the captain’s chair for considerably less than a monthly new-car payment. In fact, monthly payments for many entry-level boats can be less than $250. Boat buyers have many choices when it comes to paying for their purchase. Here are a few of the advantages of financing your purchase through your dealer: n Lower down payments – the down payment is based on the age, type and price of the boat you are buying, as well as your own credit profile. In today’s market, lenders offer financing with down payments typically in the 10%–20% range, but often there are programs available through various manufacturers that could allow you to qualify for less, or zero-down on new boat specials. n Faster credit decisions – because you are working with professionals, these lenders understand boats and their buyers. You can apply for a loan and often be approved in 24 hours.
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n Longer financing terms – terms generally will be more attractive than with lending institutions not actively making boat loans. Boat loans of 15, and even up to 20 years in some circumstances, are very common. n Lower monthly payments – because marine lenders extend longer terms on boat loans than local banks and credit unions, your monthly payments are likely to be much lower than you have expected. n More electronics and extras – marine lenders often will allow you to finance optional equipment, electronics, extended service plans and life/disability insurance coverage with your purchase. By financing your boat purchase you can usually afford a newer, larger or more powerful boat, a better trailer and all the gear that it takes to make boating safer and more enjoyable! The Nautic Group has an experienced in-house finance department affiliated with all major recreational lenders, and can assist you
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11/17/16 5:56 PM
WELLCRAFTS
RETURN
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ellcraft is back in full force with nine new models launched in the last year. The brand comes out of the gate strong with the goal to lead the pack in bay boat, center console and walkaround offerings. The Wellcraft design team, in collaboration with pro fishermen, has built a brand new offering as well as new identity. Filling a gap in the Wellcraft line up the 22-foot Fisherman bay boat model, 24-foot Fisherman bay boat and the 24-foot Fisherman center console all recently arrived in the market place. With brand new hull designs, the bay boats and center console models come fully equipped with all the fishing amenities needed
for a day-long outing. Upgrade packages feature the Tournament edition in the bay boat line up, and Scarab Offshore in the center console line up. The new center and dual console boats, available in 22-feet, 24-feet and 26-feet, are packed with flexibility for fishing or cruising. Designed for families or weekend warriors, all the new Wellcraft models will satisfy any boater’s dream of quality, comfort, and performance. As the premier Wellcraft dealership on the Texas Gulf Coast, The Nautic Group recently debuted the new bay boat and center console models, and is proud to offer the full selection at their dealership in Kemah Texas.
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OUTDOORS REPORT
FISH ING REPOR T
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in Baffin Bay
Fishing in Baffin continues to be as good as it gets. We have been catching Trout on drop offs, and shallow grass lines all over the bay. The bigger trout are still in shallow water.Big Bull Reds have finally made their way to the back of Baffin. Its a sight to see them, in shallow water blowing up anything, and everything in their path. Last week we pulled up to a deep rock in Alazan, and within a minute my buddy hooked up to a huge 52 1/4” monster bull red. His first big run almost had him spooled as I was getting off the anchor to chase him. Chip fought that bull for almost 30 mins, when we finally got him in the boat. We hurried with CPR, and got him back in the water. We have been finding them on deep rocks, and shell beds. These big boys will hit anything thrown at them. Catching these big boys can be lots of fun, just remember to get them back in the water ASAP. Duck season has just started, and we have seen lots of ducks all over Baffin. Saturday morning before shooting time we had a group of teal in our decoys along with alligator gar swimming around which both got away.Bowfishing is starting to get good. cooler water temperatures will clear up the water enough to see
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e are finally here. The water temp has dropped into the mid-60 and the trout and reds have taken notice, the birds are still working and fishing them has been productive. There are still a lot of small sand trout scattered over the whole bay. I love fishing this time of year, with the ducks and geese arriving and the bays thinning out of people heading to their deer leases and some of the best fishing of the year. The trick is timing your trip with the fronts with the arrival of stronger fronts and barometric pressure
swings that accompany them will affect the bite. My favorite time to fish is the third day after the front has blown through. Smaller fronts don’t seem to make as big of a difference. I start out in deeper water early and as the shallow water heats up move in to the shallows. Remember MUD bottoms hold heat. Wading in the cooler water can produce some pigs in the winter months so leak check your waders and break out the Corkeys and Skitter walks, tie on a tail or popping cork, which ever you prefer, it’s on. I still have some dates available for November and December. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Tight lines, Capt Dean Muckleroy. 281.660.4280 | www.trinitybaytxfishing.com the gar laying on the bottom. Baffin is full of grass this year, and I’mLooking forward to the Ducks finally returning in numbers.High water, is making it tough for the birds in some spots, but overall we are looking good. Wearin em out. Capt Mark Franklin 361-720-4003 markbowfish@sbcglobal.net If it lives in Baffin ... I chase it ! DECEMBER 2016
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11/17/16 5:56 PM
FISHING Cassie Willis WITH
CLEAR SKIES, THE PRESSURE IS HIGH
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arometric pressure is always being something I’ve study and logged over the years fishing myself. With Barometric pressure come many theories. Barometric pressure is the weight of the atmosphere above. What is considered normal is 30 inHg or 1016 millibars. For an extremely high pressure reading would be 30.5 is considered extreme high, and 28.5 is considered extreme low. In theory, the dropping of air pressure brings feeding activity on and rising pressure slows the feeding activity down. In general, Barometric pressure is used in fishing reports when fishing in shallower waters vs. offshore in deeper water. The weight of the water when your offshore is relatively insignificant when you try to go off the weight of the air. Contributing factors in the barometric pressure could be rain, clouds and any other weather condition. There is a saying, “Clear skies, the pressure is high. Its rising as the sky is clearing. Normal is Normal. When its ugly out its getting Low.” Which is a good way to remember where the pressure in “theory” of what it should be. And when the pressure is “falling” before a storm is always the best feeding activity. But there are also theories, that high to low pressure before a storm, the water is denser then air and generates more pressure then air. So, when a wave hits it produces a variation of pressure and the atmospherics pressure dramatically changes and the wave effect is happening more often. The belief behind the theory that the barometric pressure effects the feeding action is that the change in the pressure on the fish’s bladders. And that in which makes the fish feel unconformable. Fish are then believed that they move around to feel better and not feel full and
bloated. So, with lowering pressure it is believed these fish move into deep water seeking higher water pressure and ride out the low pressure around structures. So, remember with falling pressure comes more fish movement but could also be bad weather coming with a front. As people say, The “calm before the storm”. Which is one of my favorite times to fish. I’ve been known to be fishing the rain and be excited the bite is fixing to turn on. But be sure your safe and not caught in any bad storms. Safety is more important they catching a limit of fish. Good Luck Hunting Them Trophy’s and Safe Adventures, Cassie Willis, Pro Angler’
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WANT TO BE A
G U I D E PA RT 2 ? that on a video so they can treasure that moment for as long as they want to. It is also important to keep an eye on the weather and make a good judgment call on rescheduling a trip if Mother Nature doesn’t core operate. The safety of your customers is more important that risking it on the bay. Sometimes it does take a lot to get up in the morning but when you’re up and ready and you hook your first catch you forget how tired you are. The passion for teaching others and the how to for this sport is what will separate one from another. I enjoy taking people of all ages out and seeing their first catch and land their personal best fish is reward in its self. Another thing to consider is knowing any other guides that are on the water near you so if you need assistance in getting back to the boat launch for any reason you can call for help. Also it is a good idea to have a great relationship with your sponsors and or mechanic to keep your maintenance up on your rig or gear. There are several more items to consider but it all starts with you – your passion – your desire. If you’re in the Galveston area and looking to book a trip give me a call at 832-887-8453 or visit my FB page @ Acosta’s Guide Service. or or years I have heard a few people mention to me that they Remember there is no feeling of one like want to be a fishing guide! There are more things to consider other than fishing areas and you must poses the passion for teaching Rippn Lipz n Bendingrodz. and the love to fish. That moment that your customer or customers catch their fish of a lifetime. What’s more exciting is trying to catch REMEMBER TO SEND IN YOUR PICTURES
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FOR THE BRAG BOARD, SEE YOU ON THE WATER
6 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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DECEMBER 2016
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11/17/16 5:56 PM
MATAGORDA FISHING REPORT By: Captain Mark Talasek
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ook like it’s going to be a short pants and tee shirt Thanksgiving. Old man winter just has not showed up yet. Speckled trout catching is in full swing here in Matagorda. This is oneof the best years I have seen for east Matagorda bay. An abundance of summer rain has been a major factor. The fresh water has produced a bumper crop of shrimp. Trout are gorging themselves. This in turn pushes the shrimp to the top of the waterwhere seagulls are happily waiting. Find birds and you will find fish. Sometimes the birds are full and sitting on the water. Don’t let that fool you. Drift through them anyways. Remember to be courteous. If another boat is fishing birds first give them some room. With all of the boats now days a couple of boats can fish one set of birds. Live shrimp deep beneath a popping cork has produced keeper trout to 4 pounds. Plastic fished deeper has accounted for bigger fish and an occasional red. If these mild temperatures remain floundering will be great when it opens back up in December. Give me a call when you are ready to go catching. Captain Mark Talasek | 979.479.1397 | www.talasekguideservice.com
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O U T D O OR S M AN REPORT Time is Flounder Best By: Tobin Strickland Approaching
By
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ith this years continued warm temperatures the flounder run is a good bit extended, but now is THE time, last year’s main ‘run’ didn’t happen until December as well and last into January. The actual flounder run, or fall migration, has been evolving since September when the flatfish began concentrating in upper estuary marsh cuts. The unseasonably warm temperatures extend the amount of time the fish will stay in the bays. Photo I spoke with Captain Courtesy Joey Barnett of Galveston Capt. Joey to get his take on it “If you Barnett think of the bays as a big funnel it will give you a better picture of how the flounder slowly begin to concentrate at the top of the system and then as they move across the bay as the season progresses. At any time during the fall you can find and catch good flounder. This month will be the best as the fish concentrate in main channels and passes IF we get the big fronts we need to flush the bait out of the bay”. Capt. Joey will be fishing the lower bay and river cuts between Freeport and Galveston this month and can be reached at (979) 7995421. Gulp curl tail mullet and Chicken Boy Bubba Cluckers rigged on ¼ ounce or heavier jigheads work well in shallower water, but if you’re going for bigger fish in deeper water you can’t beat the original Flounder Pounders. Tobin created TroutSupport.com - Tech Support for speckled trout and redfish angers. Great Stocking Stuffers.
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ell the month of November will be coming to a close and the fishing in Galveston Bay has been great at times and then you struggle to find keeper fish. We have caught lots of fish, and there has been lots of bird action on the bay from Trinity Bay to West Bay but the problem is they are all 14 inch trout. I have caught some keepers under them but not many. The redfish on the other hand have been great with the late fall and warm temperatures. We have caught plenty of bull reds along with slot reds on shallow reefs in about 4 feet of water. With the coming of our first big cold front soon, the north wind will finally start to dump the marshes a little and this will contribute to better catches of all game fish especially finally start to get the Flounder run moving in the right direction. The warmer temperatures and high water levels have not really started to get them migrating to the Gulf. Well until next time keep the lines tight.
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Captain Mike Meza | Reel Smooth Guide Service 281 904 6925 | www.galvestonbayguideservices.com 8 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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11/17/16 5:56 PM
GALVESTON BAY FISHING REPORT By: Capt.Craig Lambert
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n my opinion December is THE most underrated month of the year and I am always amazed at how few anglers are actually on the water. As the flounder move to the ship channel offshore and the gamefish hang shallow in the afternoon sun we can look forward to another fantastic month of great weather and hopefully some much improved fishing over the last few months.
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The speckled trout fishery has been fair at best this fall season. The best fish are being caught this month by the wade fishermen which is typically the norm during colder months. Speckled trout and redfish have pulled up shallow following their prey of finger mullet, piggy perch and others small marine invertebrates. Looking for easy meals on shallow, muddy, sun warmed flats is where the fish will be and afternoons are typically best but do not overlook that hour before the sun comes up when specifically looking for trophy speckled trout. Sheepshead, flounder and redfish continue to be big producers at the jetties. Good weather allows anglers the opportunity to get out to the rocks and get hooked up. Drift fishing over shallow flats and shell reefs has been producing sheepshead, redfish and black drum and will continue to do so throughout the next few months. Drifting a live or dead shrimp under a popping cork is by far the best bait method for hooking up one of the many gamefish found in our bay system. The warmer autumns we have been experiencing these last few years are making for a slower and later flounder run. A lot of flounder are still hanging around the Galveston ship channel and the jetties right now and if you are a true trophy flounder fishermen December is the month you have been waiting for all year. It is no secret that the larger females move through their migration much later in the season than the younger fish. Targeting these larger females is an art that requires patience and skill. I have heard and read that to catch a big flounder you need a large 6 inch mullet or something of the sort and this is simply not true. When a hungry large female pulls up to a “feeding” spot that is exactly what she is doing. She is not sitting around rock piles and walls to take a nap. Flounder will pull up to find food and when they are feeding they are extremely aggressive and will hit just about any bait thrown in front of them. Spoons, spinnerbaits, corkies and plastics will all be devoured by a hungry large flounder. Adding some type of scent to your bait will help but it is not always needed. A Berkely Gulp is rarely turned down by any flounder so it is my go to bait paired with a 3/8 oz jighead. Covering a lot of ground with small and quick 6 inch hops will put a ton of flatties in the boat. Moving around a lot and working walls by vertical jigging has become an incredibly effective technique for me on days when the bite is slower. On better days I try not to move too much as the fish are typically on the move and coming to “feeding” areas. Rocks/riprap, dropoffs, shallow shorelines along the intracoastal canal, points and almost anywhere in the Galveston ship channel is where you will find them en masse. The tides look fantastic this month so definitely take advantage of the great weather and great tides. And always try to take a kid fishing! See you on the water! Capt. Craig Lambert | Galvestoninshorefishing.com | 832.338.4570
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DECEMBER 2016
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G A LV E S T O N B AY F O U N D AT I O N
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HEALTH M A INTAINS “C” I N SECOND ANNUA L REPO RT C A RD
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or the second year in a row, Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) and the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) released the Galveston Bay Report Card. Although the overall health of the Bay remained the same with a grade of “C”, interesting changes occurred within many of the categories analyzed. The report card calls attention to 19 indicators impacting the Bay, the surrounding watershed, and ultimately, the health, livelihood and play of millions of Texans. These indicators are grouped into six critical issues: water quality, pollution events and sources, wildlife, habitat, human health risks, and coastal change. This year, our analysis once again led to an overall grade of “C” for Galveston Bay which is labeled as “adequate for now”. This is proof of the Bay’s resilience despite facing significant challenges such as pollution, declines in habitat acreage, and the impacts of coastal change. Water Quality continues to be the highest scoring category and has improved from a B to an A this year, which is great news for the Bay and the Rivers and Bayous that flow into it. There is evidence that the progress begun with the Clean Water Act in 1972 and continued today in efforts associated with regional watershed protection planning are paying off.
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Research reveals what has changed this year.
Additionally, most fish and bird populations continue to hold steady in the Bay area and the brown pelican continues to be a shining example of a species that has come back from the brink of extinction. On the other hand, the Rivers and Bayous flowing into Galveston Bay, including their surrounding watersheds, received a “D” in a new invasive species category because there are more than 90 species of invasive plants and animals established in the Galveston Bay watershed. The best way to control invasive species is to keep them out of our yards and waterways: if you don’t know it, don’t grow it! Also, in the Toxins in Sediments indicator, legacy pollutants such as PCBs, dioxins, and DDT and pollutants such as mercury and pyrene associated with ongoing human activities can be found in the sediments around the Houston Ship Channel. These pollutants can find their way into the Bay food web and even some of the seafood that we eat from these areas. Visit the Report Card site,www.GalvBayGrade.org to see how your neighborhood measures up in terms of water quality, wetlands, and many other areas.
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11/17/16 5:56 PM
BRAG
Sponsored by
www.hookspit.com
BOARD
Cole Ayers with a redfish caught using a topwater lure in Copano Bay
Vannaro Sok, Tiki Islan d caught using gulp on a tandem
rig
CATCH of the
MONTH Josh Keyes caught in West Bay
Leatrice Nixon caught this redfish in Galveston Bay near the Boliver Ferry on live shrimp.
Krew Carver
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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DECEMBER 2016
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OUT CAST CHARTERS FISHING ADVENTURES WITH CAPT. MICHAEL ‘SHARKY’ MARQUEZ
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ishing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. My earliest recollections are waking up at the crack of dawn, to go wade fishing with my dad. He taught me about rods, reels, weights, hooks, bait and more; it was in my blood, I was hooked! Being out on the water, for the early morning sunrises, gave me an appreciation of God’s creation. From that early age, I knew I wanted to spend my life on the coast. At 17 years old, I proudly became an Aggie at the Texas A&M University Galveston campus where my desire for living the ‘Island’ lifestyle grew stronger. During my senior year, I started Out Cast Charters in Galveston, Texas. I remember going to class in the mornings, running straight to the boat, picking up my customers, catching and fileting fish, and then back to campus, just in time for my evening classes. As you can imagine, I was well known around school as the ‘fishing guy’ because of my delightful fishing smell that radiated from me in class. By my 20th birthday in 2016, I graduated from Texas A&M University. I am thankful to my family and friends for their support and am blessed to have a such a great customer base with more than 2000 social media followers. After fishing all summer in the Texas heat, numerous hooks in my hand, funny tan lines, and 1820 hour days on the water, I am honored to have been nominate and voted in “Best of Galveston’s” top 5 fishing boat captains as well as top 5 charter companies in Galveston, Texas. Fishing has offered me many opportunities and blessed me with amazing customers, who I consider to be family. This journey continues with so many wonderful supporters and a great family who have had my back through it all. My desire is to be a blessing to all I meet and to offer them a fun outlet in the crazy world we live in. Whether on the water or on land, I want to continue to help people make memories that will last a lifetime. Thanks and Gig’em Capt. Michael ‘Sharky’ Marquez Out Cast Charters www.outcastfishincharters.com MonstaFishin Apparel www.monstafishin.com 12 GALVESTON & UPPER COAST
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Flounder Tips & Tactics
L
et me introduce myself, my name is Brian Joseph Spencer. I really have a great passion for the outdoors. Whether it is fishing or hunting I am always doing one of Colby Black caught this beautiful the two in any of my free flounder on the gulf coast! time. In the last few years I started to target my favorite fish species, the flounder. It has taken me awhile to even begin to figure out this fish. Most of the time when people catch them it is usually a happy accident, due to the fact that they will hit the bait and just go to the bottom and then devour it, without any indication that they are there until you set that hook. One of the key things when fishing for flounder is to work the bottom as much as you can. It is basically like dragging bottom until you feel a “thump” “thump”, once that happens I open up my bail on the reel and let the line slack. This way the flounder does not feel any resistance and let go. After this occurs I will count to fifteen and the take out the loose line and set the hook as hard as I can, due to the fact that flounder have a tough mouth. I use berkely gulp in chartreuse on a ¼ oz jig head. Next article I will give more insight on fishing and gigging for flounder. If you have any questions feel free to email me. Tight lines and sharp gigs until next month. Brian Joseph Spencer | Flounder Fanatics @ Facebook Flounderfanatics@gmail.com
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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
I
t’s December. I’m ready for some winter wade fishing, and I am sure you are, too. Now the question, is our equipment ready? The last thing I want to happen… again, is to be waist deep in 45-degree water and 40-degree air temp and realize my waders have sprung a leak. Let’s go over a few things to prevent this. First, I start with storage last spring. I store all of my waders and jackets in a clim at e - c ont ro l l e d environment. I also make sure to hang them up to avoid items getting tossed on top of them. Photo courtesy of My Coast Outdoors. Well in advance of my first trip, I will do a thorough into spending substantially more spection in search of pin holes and abrasions. The money for what I felt was the best method I have found for this same product. I heard reviews is to turn my waders inside out, that the others were warmer etc., grab a spotlight and head for a but I just didn’t see it since they dark room. I shine the spotlight are both fairly thin and breathinside and look for any light able. Once I tried a pair of the shining through. In the event I spot a hole, I will circle that more expensive brands, I was area with a permanent marker. hooked! It was a night and day Once identified, I then use the difference in the feel, comfort appropriate patch adhesive for and warmth. Not to mention the my waders and make the neces- more expensive ones typically sary repair. After this, I like to fill come with some type of warranthem with water as a secondary ty. Although I have not had any problems to find out first-hand, check. Now, when it comes to the I hear customer service is top type of equipment to buy, there notch if something does fail. As I mentioned, both price are endless options from economical to expensive. There are points will work, but there is two trains of thought here, and something to be said for buying over my career I have subscribed quality when it comes to winter to both. I used to purchase the wade fishing gear. So whatever more economical products, and your preference, always take the for the most part they served me time to check your equipment well, but I have had those occa- prior to that first wade in search sional uncomfortable long, wet of those winter trophy speckled and cold days. My thought pro- trout. cess was I could buy 6 to 10 pairs Capt. Michael Okruhlik is of these waders or buy one pair of the expensive ones. The 6 to the inventor of Controlled De10 might last me a lifetime. It was scent Lures and the owner of hard for me to see the benefits www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
For More Tips on Winter Wading, go to
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It’s Time For The States To Manage Reef Fish
T
he election is over, and now there’s a chance for Congress and the states to get together and do something that makes sense to almost all of us who fish in the Gulf of Mexico. This would be bi-partisan and a win-win for all of us except perhaps a few on the fringe who would like to see all fishing halted. The states need to take total control of all management of reef fishes in the Gulf of Mexico. Reef fishes are generally non migratory. Some make seasonal movements or migratory aggregations, but never the long treks undertaken by coastal pelagics like mackerels and cobia. The reef dwellers are not that different from the state-managed species like flounders and spotted sea trout. State management measures similar to those used for these state species would work equally well for the reef species. Habitats off the different states differ greatly, providing major differences in population dynamics of reef species. Off Alabama, for example, thousands of artificial structures provide ideal habitat for red snapper. The population there is such that I have repeatedly speculated Alabama could have a six-month red snapper season with a two fish bag limit, and it wouldn’t make a dent in the population. This is based on my 30-year study of red snapper there. And off the other Gulf states, habitats vary. The petroleum platforms off Louisiana and Texas support very healthy populations, which could easily handle a much-extended season. And even within a state’s boundaries, there are marked differences. The Florida panhandle habitats vary greatly from those off the west Florida peninsula shelf, supporting alternative management. Different habitats with variable population characteristics should be managed with regulations that are tailored to these differences. These fisheries would be better managed by individual states rather than the federal government.
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I served on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for 18 years, and served as its chair three times. The council members and staff are hamstrung by certain provisions of the Magnuson Act, which governs stocks in federal waters. While the Act has resulted in many benefits, there are two major problems: stocks must be managed on a quota and in most cases stocks must be managed as a single unit. By mandating a quota, the Act disallows innovative options, such as closed areas in lieu of a quota. Also, determining a quota requires a stock assessment, and as we all know, stock assessments are expensive, slow in coming, and notoriously subject to major revisions. Of course the mandate that stocks be managed as a single unit precludes the differential habitat considerations described above. Another problem with federal oversight has to do with effort. Until a few years ago, effort was determined by the MRFSS (Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey). This program was so “fatally flawed” that it had to be replaced by what is known as MRIP (Marine Recreational Information Program). Alas, the two programs had such conflicting results that the Council and National Marine Fisheries Service are still trying to untangle the flawed data. In addition, the states are developing their own effort data programs, far more sophisticated than the MRIP program. It has been suggested that the Gulf states don’t have the resources to gather and interpret the data necessary to make sound scientific decisions. Not true! The states are currently generating enough data to do a far more effective job of localized management. Think of the economic benefit to the states of having a longer season. Are we in for a three-day snapper season in 2017? Isn’t the system broken? Doesn’t it make sense that the states manage? Dr. Bob Shipp is professor emeritus of marine science at the university of South Alabama and author of Dr. Bob Shipp’s Guide to Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico, available at: bobshipp.com.
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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
DECEMBER 2016
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New African Surf Rod Design Promises ‘Seven Seas’ Success By Mike Pehanich
T
he landscape is stark off Namibia’s South Atlantic Coast. Sands end in sea, and, well, that’s about all there is to see! But these coastal waters where Jeri Drake and wife Sue fish and train for international surf fishing competition are loaded with game species, including copper sharks (“bronzies”), spotted gully, cow sharks, blue rays, smooth hounds and many more. You might never make it to Africa to fish these waters, but the tackle and techniques that Jeri—a master rod builder, innovator, member of Namibian President’s fishing team, and owner of Excalibur Tackle (www. excalibur-tackle.com ) in the town of Henties Bay—takes to the surf could find application on your coastal waters, too. Fishing is serious sport along the “Skeleton Coast,” particularly for tournament anglers who, armed with long rods and a fighting belt, often wade out several hundred yards to sandbanks, routinely casting 6- to 7-once sinkers and bait 100 to 160 yards or more to reach hard-fighting game fish. Rod design for Jeri Drake, known simply as “Jeri” in southern African fishing circles, has evolved into 14-foot and longer rods. He has developed his own blanks for this style of fishing, with unique handles featuring short butt sections and long fore grips, the latter measuring around 28 inches. The essential difference to U.S. style blanks is a ‘faster’ action, as opposed to the usual ‘through’ action. Jeri employs the same “reel down” design—reel positioned relatively close to the fighting belt—with surf rods he builds for both “fixed spool” (spinning) reels and conventional reels. The long fore grips allow fishermen to change the fulcrum point while fighting the fish. The “reel down” design also makes it easier to master more powerful casting techniques and thus achieve better distances. Wading through troughs and casting and fighting fish in sea spray calls
for a non-slip rod grip material. Jeri crafts his rod handles individually, wrapping Winn Superior Rod Wrap (www.winngrips.com ) directly over the large butt section of the rod blank. The all-weather WinnDry polymer, which also wraps easily over existing cork or EVA grips with its tape-like backing, retains its tacky feel even when he’s immersed in sea spray. In lieu of finishing tape, Jeri terminates the ends of the rod wrap with thread wrap and a finishing coat. This prevents seawater, sand particles and any other substance to undermine the grip material by seeping in between the wrap and blank. It also gives the handle a more finished look. To protect the polymer material from wear and punishment where rod butt meets rod belt, Jeri places a woven carbon sleeve above the butt button. The base of the rod wrap starts above the sleeve. This keeps the polymer from contacting the rod portal of the belt. Adapt some of Jeri’s surf rod tips to the rods in your arsenal. You’ll be tipping your cap to the tackle innovations of the avid anglers of southern Africa!
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UNDER THE SEA
SPEARFISHING WORLD RECORDS SHERI DAYE
M
ost people have heard of IGFA (International Game Fish Association), which manages world records for fishermen. But have you heard of IUSA (International Underwater Spearfishing Association)? IUSA keeps track of spearfishing world records. Both were founded more than 65 years ago and have a rich history—and both pride themselves for providing a universal code of sporting ethics as well as record keeping. The IUSA rules are fairly simple: the fish must be taken while freediving and using a muscle-powered speargun, sling or polespear. The catch must be legal, unassisted and weighed on a certified scale. The application must include photos of the weighing, dimensions and witness information. The categories are: men and women, saltwater and freshwater, speargun and sling/polespear. In other words, a woman can have a record black grouper taken by polespear in the ocean; a man can have a record walleye taken by a speargun in a lake, and so forth. I was inspired a few years ago to see if I could get a world record yellowfin tuna. That led me to learn to hold my breath, educate myself on equipment, get in better shape, learn all about tunas, save money for trips and make friends with other bluewater hunters. Having that goal set many other activities in motion.
I was fortunate to achieve my goal with a 179-pound tuna in Mexico. While the catch itself was exciting, I now realize that it’s the hunt, not the catch—or as they say, “it’s the journey, not the destination.” The lessons learned, the new friends made along the way, the memories—that is what becomes most precious over time. If you’re interested in pursuing a world record, here’s some quick tips: 1. Go where the fish are! Investigate areas, charters, and recent catches. 2. Use the right tool for the job. For example, Wong guns are known for bluewater hunting, Hammerhead is known for slings/polespears, etc. 3. Know the rules in advance so you don’t unwittingly disqualify a record. They can be found on the IUSA website at www. iusarecords.com. 4. Pack a certified scale and tape measure in your dive bag. You never know when that special catch will take place! Chatillon scales are known for being accurate and “certifiable.” 5. Above all, be safe and have fun. Records are an enjoyable pursuit, but they don’t compare to your health and wellbeing. With a bit of persistence and some luck, you might be able to immortalize the fish of a lifetime by claiming a world record. Life is short, so get out and enjoy it! Follow “Sheri Daye” & “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” April 22-23, 2017 – Ft. Lauderdale - Instagram and Facebook.
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Team MHX finds Success in 2016
H
FLW Photo
ow does a team that collectively won over $425K in 2015 go out and improve? “Maintaining the incredible work ethic of our anglers while working directly with our team to continue to develop the best blanks out there,” said Bob McKamey who is The Man when it comes to rod building and managing the team. FLW Tour pro John Cox started off the year with a bang at Lake Okeechobee with a top-12 cut and valuable AOY points. John narrowly missed the Angler of the Year in 2015 but had and extra spark when starting out the new season. An interesting side note to that Okeechobee event was Brad Hallman from Norman, Oklahoma, who was flipping dense reed heads with a custom-built MHX-FS966. “We didn’t initially know Brad was using our blanks until after the win,” Bob said. Come to find out, one of the MHX Regional Staff members Brandon Mosley, who fishes the COSTA series built Hallman’s rods before the event. So with just one event down in the FLW Tour, MHX Blanks had accounted for over $100k, not a bad start. Less than a month later, the Elite Series was on the St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla., and MHX Pro Brandon Lester found himself in the Day 1 lead and newest Team Member Bradley Roy was not far behind. Although he relinquished the lead over the next few days, Brandon and Bradley finished in the Top 20 to earn valuable AOY Points and nice paydays. Not to be outdone, John Cox and the FLW Tour were on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina the very same weekend, and Cox had the lead in that event. Although he did not win wire to wire, he was at the top when the smoke cleared on Sunday. With a Top-12 in the first event and a win in the second event, it seemed Cox wasted no time getting back to his
2015 form. On the regional event side, team member Brandon Mosley maintained a hot hand through the Costa Series and made two out of three cuts while building his rods as well as Hallman’s out on the FLW Tour. As the FLW Tour and Elite Series went on throughout the year, Cox, Roy and Lester continued to produce all while building their own rods. Cox, the most notable, who builds lake-specific rods in his hotel room during practice also has fellow anglers coming to him to fix a tip-top or a guide in an emergency. As the 2016 Season comes to a close, MHX has had an incredible year with multiple titles, a FLW Cup Championship and even team members headed to the Classic for the first time in their careers. Keep an eye out for the MHX Team as 2017 Season begins in January. If you are looking to build your own fishing rods check out MHX Rods at www.fishmhx.com and Mud Hole Custom Tackle at www.MudHole.com.
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COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
How Does Harbor Freight Sell GREAT QUALITY Tools at the LOWEST Prices?
2.5 HP, 21 GALLON, 125 PSI VERTICAL AIR COMPRESSOR
We have invested millions of dollars in our own state-of-the-art quality test labs and millions more in our factories, so our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to you. It’s just that simple! Come visit one of our 700+ Stores Nationwide. R PE ON SU UP CO ITEM 69091/61454 61693/62803
Customer Rating
67847 shown
SAVE 347
$
$14999 $497
$17999
comp at
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
R PE ON SU UP CO
SAVE 105
2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
$159.99
$
$
SUPER QUIET
SAVE $179
comp at
$469
$28999
33999
ITEM 69729/63080/69676/63079 shown ITEM 69675/69728/63090/63089 CALIFORNIA ONLY
SUPER COUPON
WOW • 70 dB Noise Level
Wheel kit sold separately.
Customer Rating
$
2999 $
3999
$69.97
comp at
69474 92623 shown
ITEM 60626
SAVE 57%
R 7" VARIABLE SPEED PE ON SU UP Customer Rating POLISHER/SANDER CO
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Customer Rating
ITEM 61258 shown 61840/61297/68146
comp at
1499 $31.47
$899
ITEM 62340 SAVE 62546/63104 71% 96289 shown
1500 WATT DUAL TEMPERATURE HEAT GUN (572°/1112°)
R PE ON SU UP CO
Customer Rating
SAVE
8
comp at $ 99 $34 .99
82% $599
ITEM 42292 shown 69594/69955
AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at
$5499 $8999
4000 PEAK/3200 RUNNING WATTS 6.5 HP (212 CC) GAS GENERATORS
QUALITY TOOLS LOWEST PRICES EVERYDAY VALID NOW ON 5,000 + ITEMS
VALUE
$ 97
4
1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE
WITH ANY PURCHASE
20% FREE
OFF
ANY SINGLE ITEM
ITEM 69031/69030 shown
ITEM 63100/69626
9
$ 99
$
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
comp at
20"
RAPID PUMP® 3 TON LOW PROFILE HEAVY DUTY STEEL FLOOR JACK ITEM 61282 shown Customer Rating 61253/62326
$
SAVE 71%
$34.95
$1999 comp at
LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the "comp at" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
• HarborFreight.com • 800-423-2567
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Customer Rating
R R 12 VOLT MAGNETIC PE ON PE ON SU UP Customer Rating TOWING LIGHT KIT SU UP CO CO
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
15999$395 $9999 $269.99 comp at
13999 $8499 SAVE 185
Tools sold
R PE ON SU UP CO • Weighs 73 lbs.
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, automotive lifts, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Badland, Bremen, CoverPro, Creekstone, Daytona, Diablo, Doyle, Drummond, Earthquake, Franklin, Hercules, Holt, Jupiter, Lynxx, Maddox, Portland, Predator, Quinn, StormCat, Union, Viking. Not valid on prior purchases. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17.
$
$
ITEM 93454/69054 shown 63395/62603 separately.
WOW SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
OOD 60", 4 DRAWER HARDWENC WORKB H
SAVE $255
800-423-2567. Cannot or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original be used with other discount Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original purchase with original receipt. through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. coupon must be presented. Valid
ER N UP PO
Customer Rating
ITEM 69780 41005 shown
S U CO 1000 LB. CAPACITY SWING-BACK TRAILER JACK
SAVE 49%
comp at
2599 $39.94
$1999 $
On All Hand Tools
• 700+ Stores Nationwide • Lifetime Warranty
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed • Over 30 Million Satisfied Customers • No Hassle Return Policy
999 37 $1029.99
35999
$
comp at
$
ITEM 68784 shown 69387/62270/62744
Customer Rating
44", 13 DRAWER INDUSTRIAL QUALITY ROLLER CABINET
WOW SUPER COUPON
SAVE $670
• Weighs 245 lbs.
Customer Rating
• 5 mil thickness
SIZE MED LG X-LG
YOUR CHOICE
5
$15.99
$ 99 $7comp99at
ITEM 68496/61363 68497/61360 68498/61359
POWDER-FREE NITRILE GLOVES PACK OF 100
or by calling stores or HarborFreight.com or prior LIMIT 5 - Good at our other discount or coupon with used 800-423-2567. Cannot be from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be er per day. Offer good while supplies Limit one coupon per custom presented. Valid through 4/1/17.
R PE ON SU UP CO
Item 68498 shown
SAVE 62%
LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
WOW SUPER COUPON
$
comp at
3999
2999
E 130 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CAS
ITEM 69331/63091/63248 68998 shown
$
$89.98
SAVE 66%
or by calling stores or HarborFreight.com LIMIT 4 - Good at our used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be er per day. Offer good while supplies Limit one coupon per custom presented. Valid through 4/1/17.
comp at
99 119$199
8499
ITEM 61971 61972 98199 shown
R 10" SLIDING COMPOUND PE ON Customer Rating MITER SAW SU UP CO
SAVE $114
$
$
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
25
NATIONAL
DECEMBER 2016
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
26
FRESHWATER
DECEMBER 2016
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
NEW STEALTH BLUE CAMO BRAID FOR SALTWATER ADVENTURES SPIDERWIRE® STEALTH™
SPIDERWIRE.COM COMMON CVRS_1216.indd 3
11/17/16 11:22 AM
COMMON CVRS_1216.indd 4 1526-16G Coastal Angler_NewSize.indd 1
11/17/16 11:22 AMAM 11/15/16 10:43