The new Carnage ™ III series rods are constructed from carbon or an e-glass and carbon blend, for an extremely powerful rod that leaves fsh begging. Yet it’s light enough to keep a fisherman going until the battle is won. Spec’d with high-end components like Fuji ® K-Guides, Sea-Guide ® and Fuji ® reel seats, plus a mix of hypalon/rubber shrink tube handles, the new Carnage III rod promises to be as ruthless as the name implies. PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN ™ .
©2022 Pure Fishing, Inc.
Do you love boating? Then you know how fun and relaxing it can be on the open water. But you also know that things can go wrong sometimes, like storms, accidents, theft, or injuries. That’s why boat insurance is so important. Here are some reasons why.
• Boat insurance can help you pay for damage to your boat, or to other boats or docks, up to specifed limits.
• If you borrowed money to buy your boat, your lender may require insurance. And if you want to explore different places, some marinas or waterways may ask you to show proof of insurance.
• Boat insurance can also come in handy if you need an on-water tow, jump start, or fuel delivery with optional Sign & Glide® coverage. And if your boat sinks, boat insurance can pay for the cost of removing it from the water (if removal is legally required).
Get boat insurance from Progressive and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it.
Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes
Go to progressive.com to learn more.
If
Introducing The All-New NavNet TZtouchXL Series
Transform Your Helm Into A Multi Function Masterpiece
NavNet.com
Over the last few years, a burgeoning fshery has established the Gulf Stream out of Charleston as a big-time billfsh destination. Te ofshore trolling bite has been very good.
Capt. Mike Able keeps close tabs on the fshery. He and his brother, Graham, run Haddrell’s Point Tackle and Supply, a familyowned hunting and fshing store, which has grown to two locations and a fy shop in the Charleston area since their father, Mike Sr., started the business in 1983.
“Charleston has defnitely been put on the map with the billfshing we’ve had the last several years. It’s really been phenomenal,” Able said. “I mean, look at the Carolina Billfsh Classic. In the CBC last year there were outriggers full of sailfsh fags… we’re talking double-digit stuf. And not just the big boats. I mean, the big boats have an advantage, but guys are catching blue marlin from center consoles, too. You know the fsh are really chewing when the center-console guys are hitting fsh like that.”
Te Carolina Billfsh Classic (CBC) is one leg of the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfshing Series. It is held out of Mt. Pleasant each June. Last year, with poor weather
conditions during the one-day shootout, 47 boats released nine blue marlin and 53 sailfsh. Te top boat released four blue marlin. Te second-place boat released seven sailfsh and a blue marlin.
Able said conservation eforts, particularly from the Governor’s Cup, have led to healthier stocks. He also thinks anglers are getting better at fnding and catching billfsh. Te run outside the ledge is still 50 to 55 miles, but these days captains can go straight to potentially productive water. Satellite services make it easy to identify blue water, weed lines, temperature breaks and color changes to make a solid gameplan before leaving the docks. Additionally, technology like Omni Sonar can pinpoint fsh with an efective range of 5,000 feet.
“You could mark a fsh from a half mile away and go over and drop baits,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you can make them bite, but you know they’re in the area.”
Peak season for blue marlin and sailfsh is May and June, but blues will be in the area all summer. Sailfsh can be good into October or November, when wahoo enter the mix heavily. Able said a lot of marlin they catch are 150- to 200-pound “rats,” but they see some 300- to 400-pounders and an occasional 500-pluspound blue marlin. White marlin might also show up in a spread.
One of the perks of trolling out of Charleston in spring is you’ll also likely fll the box with dolphin and blackfin tuna. Capt. Able hung up his charter captain hat a few years back.
By Nick Carter
Now he fun-fshes with pretty remarkable success for billfsh and meat fsh by pulling a mixed spread with dredges, squid chains and circle-hooked ballyhoo from a ’34 Regulator.
Check out Haddrell’s Point Tackle & Supply at HadrellsPoint.com.
Instead of going “bottom fshing” this season, I would focus on going “grouper fshing”… at least for gags while the season lasts. You can go ‘bottom fshing” for the next seven months, but let’s put some gags in the boat while the law allows it! Here are some tips to help you bag some gags.
• Having the right bait is a major part of this puzzle. A pinfsh trap in a productive area for just a few hours and an (otter-proof) foating bait pen at the marina are priceless.
• You must anchor up or use the trolling motor in “spot lock” to properly fsh any piece of good bottom.
• When I frst post up on a good-looking mark on the recorder, I have everyone else on the boat fre down whole frozen squid on a jig. At the same time, I use a sabiki to catch whatever baitfsh are available on the structure. Here’s how it works:
1) Te squid might catch a handful “bottom fsh,” and maybe a grouper or two.
2) Most importantly, it sets a nice chum slick on the bottom that attracts the real predators of the structure directly under
your boat, and they will be ready to eat.
3) Afer four or fve volleys of squid, everyone baits up with a beautiful baseball-in-diameter-sized live bait and sends them back down to the bottom together. Tese baits are too big for most bottom fsh to get their mouths around.
4) Now, the grouper appear on the scene, curious about all the noise and the good smell. What do they see? Tey see a pinfsh from the marina or whatever came up on the sabiki. I like to fsh these baits on one of my Crab Decoy Jigs, which makes it look like the bait is struggling in the grasp of a hungry crab or squid. A big grouper, and especially a gag grouper, sees this as a Happy Meal. Tey love crabs, squid and baitfsh, and with this rig they think they’re getting it all in one bite.
5) An added bonus is that this is clean tackle, free of excess hardware, that sends the correct signal to grouper and results in bites.
• Te downside to this style of fshing is it will attract sharks. It’s all fun and games until the man in the gray suit shows up. Ten it becomes hard work. Sharks of all kinds are drawn to struggling snapper.
For more info on the jig, tackle and/or bait, check out Tim Barefoot’s YouTube channel and website at barefootcatsandtackle.com.
Owner StriperFun Guide Service, Tennessee and Kentucky Walleye, Bass, Crappie and Muskie Charters, Superbaittanks. com, Captain Jim Marine Electronics and much more……
DATE OF REPORT: May, 2024
Greetings to my readers! I hope that the world finds you and your family doing well!
The early summer Crappie fishing on Dale Hollow Lake produces fantastic big stringers of nice slab Crappie! These trips run June and July. We longline small crank baits catching massive slabs! Our clients always have a great time on Dale Hollow! Look for large schools of bait.
Laurel Lake, located west of Corbin, Kentucky, is one of the top Walleye lakes in America! Our Kentucky Walleye Charter guide Fred Hoskins has several decades of fishing experience for Walleye on Laurel Lake. We offer both day and night trips. The fishing is phenomenal! We fish live bait as well as troll and cast Captain Jim “Walleye Magic” lures concentrating on where creek channels his the river channel.
The Striper – Hybrid fishing on Cherokee Lake is very popular with our clients. In April we troll live bait on planer boards 10 to 30 feet deep and also downline on suspended schools of fish, concentrating on main creek channel points.
The Striper and Hybrid fishing is simply off the chart! 20 and 30 fish days are frequent (TN allows catch and release! With three full time guides StriperFun offers day trips on Cherokee Lake year-round (weather permitting).
It is great to be alive and be a “free” American! I look forward to seeing all of you this year on the water. Always remember to stop and shake the hand of a person in uniform or wearing garb that shows they are a veteran! Their service is why you speak English, can vote and can enjoy the freedoms you do!
Until next time, blue skies and tight lines!
With full State licensing and insurance, all Captain Jim’s Guide Service guides (19 guides on 18 waterways fishing 9 different species of fish) can take you on a safe, fun and unforgettable fishing adventure! Check out all of our fishing services as well as our exclusive “online” store at www.striperfun.com or call 931-403-2501 to make reservations today.
GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Starting April 15, the National Park Service (NPS) will close Ramsey Cascades Trail on weekdays while trail crews finish the full-scale rehabilitation work started in 2022. The rehabilitation of this iconic Smokies trail is part of the Trails Forever program supported by Friends of the Smokies.
The trail will be closed Monday through Thursday each week, except federal holidays. The weekday closures will be in place from April 15 to November 14. The only weekend closure planned is May 3 through May 5 while trail crews replace a footlog bridge.
Trail crews will repair tread surfaces, improve drainages, construct trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls and remove trip hazards like exposed roots and rocks. The rehabilitation will improve overall trail safety and protect the park’s natural resources. Located in the Greenbrier area, the popular four-mile Ramsey Cascades Trail is the only way to access the 100-foot Ramsey Cascades, the tallest waterfall in the park.
Significant flooding and storm damage caused the NPS to close the trail completely for several months in 2022 and early 2023. Trail crews rerouted 200 feet of trail, built and installed a new footlog bridge and built four new trail structures damaged by the flood.
The Trails Forever program is a partnership established by the
Friends of the Smokies and Great Smoky Mountains National Park to fund a permanent, highly skilled trail crew that rehabilitates highuse trails. In 2012, the Friends set up an endowment to support the program. To date, the Friends have contributed more than $2.6 million to rehabilitate Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops and Forney Ridge trails.
What a great tournament trail this has shaped up to be with a last place finish in the first tournament of the year on Dale Hollow. To the Douglas tournament, placing 5th with a 11.06 lb. weigh in our season has been a roller coaster for sure. Both Watts Bar and Douglas Lakes decided to show off with tournament history records in bag weights this tournament season.
Watts Bar Lake Results -Matt Xenos Club President
What a beautiful day we were blessed with today! The weather was perfect, and we had 26 boats enter the event. As the spawn heats up so does the fishing. As usual Watts Bar showed out with some big doubledigit weights. 6 places were paid out in today’s event.
- In first place today and taking home the win. Was the team of Jimmy Pratt and Ray Pratt. With a weight of 13.43 LBS and winning the SNIPER MARINE LLC big fish pot with a 2.16 lb. slab! Congrats to you both on a hard-fought win. Awesome sack of fish.
- In second place with a bag weighing in 13.05 LBS was the team of Mike Chesser and Frankie Chesser. Great bag guys!
- In third place with a bag weighing 11.87 was the team of Scott Bunch and Aaron Porter. Good sack men.
- In fourth place with a bag of 11.37 was the duo Trey Helms and Josh
Continued, see WATTS BAR CRAPPIE Page 17
ey folks, hope you’re loving this beautiful weather. This is your best time of year to stock up on some fine-eating mountain trout.
Several of our local lakes really fish well for these mountain trout. Cheoah, Santeetlah, Bear and Wolf are probably the best for trout. Although all have natural spawning trout in them, the state hatcheries stock a good number of brown, rainbow and brook trout. On hatchery
Fontana Lake Fishing Guides – Ronnie Parris, Owner & Head Guide LAKE, CREEK & RIVER FISHING • FLY FISHING • CAMPING
We o er both full and half day trips with the most competitive rates available. All tackle and supplies you will need while you are on your trip is covered by our listed price.
supported waters there is no minimum size limit and your allowed to keep 7 per person. These fish are best fried or grilled. Smoked is also really good. Oven baked with a little lemon or lime juice is always a crowd pleaser.
1012 East Alarka Road, Bryson City, NC • 828-488-9711, Cell: 828-736-9471
smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com
There are many techniques to catching trout, with my favorite being slow trolling. I run a variety of small crank baits and soft plastic lures. Spoons are also good producers. Live bait is another option, with live
Continued, see TROUT BUFFET Page 17
Yes!!! May has arrived and everything is going splendidly. The fact that I have put off some important stuff hasn’t come back on me yet, but there’s still time. For a while now I have meant to clean all my battery connections and check fuses, replace what was needed and get a trouble free start to the guide season. Ignoring the little voice in the back of my head I figured I had plenty of time to get things done.
A couple of weeks ago I had a trip to a striper lake with a foursome that included two guys in their early teens. (Really like to put young men on fish early as I remember early on my dad did that for me, and a
lifetime of exploration and joy was started.) I put the boat in the water, tied her off and started putting everything in its place. Folks arrived a few minutes later and we idled away from the dock.
I run three Lowrance units, two 9s and a 12 for my Livescope. Push the power button on the first unit, nothing. Try number two, nothing. Go to number three, same deal, nada. Redundancy in offshore fishing is the smart way to go, so I have the 9s on one battery and the 12 on its own so I will always have one working, right? Wrong. I can’t get anything to turn on, not a blip. Try checking fuses, clean leads, put one set on another battery, still nothing. I’m already thinking I’ve just committed to giving these guys a free, probably fishless trip.
Having fished here a ton and it’s April I should know where there are some fish, and around the corner to my second spot there is a maelstrom
Continued, see MAKE THE BEST OF IT Page 17
Out on the tranquil waters, with the waves gently splashing against your hull and the sun bouncing back up into your face with a warm glow, there’s a serene magic to fishing. But amidst the quest for the trophy catch, there lies an untapped reservoir of knowledge waiting to be discovered - the rich tapestry of plant life that surrounds us.
Picture this: you’re perched on the edge of a serene lake, your favorite fishing rod in hand, waiting patiently for the telltale tug. But what if, instead of idly waiting, you took a moment to observe the various foliage around you? I mean, really focus on it. Learning to identify the edible from the poisonous, the beneficial from the harmful, the native to the invasive, can transform your fishing excursion into a voyage of discovery.
On each cast, delve into the world of plant identification. Spot the vibrant hues of wild berries peeking out from behind cover foliage and acquaint yourself with knowing when they are ripe. But tread cautiously; for every delectable treat nature offers, there lurks a potential danger. Knowing how to discern the toxic from the nourishing can be a lifesaver in the wilderness. Yet, the benefits of
If you open a hatch on my boat, you’ll find a dozen or more tackle trays with an assortment of hooks, weights, swivels, and of course lots of lures. As a matter of fact, you might think you were looking down the aisle of a tackle store by the numbers of lures that I’ve stuffed in there.
As anglers, we need to have whatever we think the fish might be biting that day…and we need to have lots of it. Right? Diving plugs, suspending plugs, topwater plugs, swimbaits, soft plastics, jigs, spoons, bucktails…and it goes on and on.
The real secret with artificial baits is to mimic the food source gamefish want to eat. Or, to pitch a lure that causes an instinctive reaction strike. I honestly don’t know whether I’m getting an “I’m hungry” strike or a “reaction” strike many times. I’m just happy when the fish takes the lure.
In my opinion, the best bait is going to be whatever the fish happen to be eating in their natural environment. And that typically boils down to live bait. I’m not aware of any gamefish that can survive solely on plastic, wood or nylon. To survive, they have to eat other critters. And if you can zero in on that natural quarry, then you’ve got a fighting chance at catching a fish. Whether you’re presenting an actual baitfish or mimicking it with something man-made.
Minnows, smaller fish, crustaceans, bugs, worms, eels, even rodents and reptiles all represent food sources to top-of-the-food-chain gamefish. And if I have the opportunity, I’m going to try to fill my bait
well with something tasty and frisky that will fit on a hook. Frisky is a definite key to success. Live baits require some special attention, if you want to keep them at their peak friskiness all day. Here’s a couple tips that can make the difference between fishing with great baits and notso-great baits.
#1. Buy your live bait from a reputable source that has LOTS of customers. If they have a lot of customers, that means they’re going through lots of bait, and that means they get replenished frequently. Which means you’re getting fresh bait too.
#2. Don’t overcrowd your bait well. You can’t put 20 pounds of potatoes in a 10 pound sack. Live baits need room to move without constantly bumping into each other or bumping into the walls of your bait well. You’ll know you’ve put too many in when you pull a herring or pogie out and it has a reddish nose. I’d rather have 50 great baits, than 100 baits that are about to expire.
#3. Consider the water temperature and oxygen content of the bait tank at the bait shop and try to maintain that in your own bait well. That might mean adding some ice during the day. Pulling 85 degree lake water into your bait well will have a detrimental effect on your minnows. Bubblers work OK. Recirculators are also good. But you may want to consider adding an oxygen diffuser system to your wells to keep baits fresh all day, or even overnight.
Continued, see IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BAIT Page 14
BEYOND FISHING continued from page 13
botanical awareness extend beyond knowing a tasty snack from an ER visit inducing bite. By committing yourself to the study of plant life, you become attuned to the subtle fluctuations of the natural world. Notice how changes in vegetation coincide with shifts in water quality and temperature, offering invaluable insights into the health of aquatic ecosystems.
And it doesn’t stop there. Expand your horizons to encompass the towering sentinels of the forest - the trees. Learn to distinguish the majestic Oak from the Poplar, the resilient Pine from the delicate Maple. Each species holds its own secrets, from medicinal properties to ecological significance, waiting to be unlocked by the curious angler.
Fishing, far from being a solitary pursuit, becomes a gateway to a deeper understanding of the interconnection between all life forms. It’s not just about reeling in the biggest catch; it’s about forging a profound connection with the natural world that sustains us all. When you understand it better, you are more motivated to protect it – to preserve it.
So, the next time you find yourself lost in the tranquility of a fishing trip, take a moment to look beyond the shimmering surface of the water. Take a look at the greenery around you. Take a couple pictures and look them up later if you don’t know what it is. Embrace the invitations of curiosity that surround you, waiting to be discovered among the swaying reeds and rustling leaves. For in the embrace of nature lies the true essence of the angler’s journey—a never-ending quest for wisdom, woven between the tangled roots and whispering winds of the great outdoors.
continued from page 13
#4. Have some sort of filtration on your bait well. This comes in a variety of forms, and manufacturers offer lots of options. The stress of being in a confined space causes fish to exude a lot of ammonia, and that’s not an ideal environment for bait. Open your hatch regularly to let some of it escape as a gas.
#5. Do your best to keep your bait well water level as full as it can be. A partially filled bait well will ‘slosh’ around and that does bad things to your bait. Imagine being in a washing machine…that’s what it’s like to your prized and expensive baits.
#6. You want to keep your bait frisky and appealing when it’s on the hook. It’s important to match the hook size to the size of the bait…not the size of fish you think you might catch. A properly matched hook will allow the bait to swim freely, and they will remain alive much longer; giving you more opportunity to hook up with a monster.
Finally, when a live bait does eventually expire. Don’t throw it back in the water. Put it in a small container with a little ice in it. When the bite slows down, cut those bluebacks, greenies, or pogies into tiny chunks and use as chum. You’ll be amazed at how you can turn the bite back on.
Tight lines and calm seas.
Capt. Cefus McRae
(Note: This is an article from Dec. ’22, which might be worth another look by us all as we head into prime fishing season.)
What is simple ain’t always easy. It’s a truth that applies to so many things in life, including the act of doing the right thing. Ethics, in angling or almost anything we do, is that personal moral compass that points us in that “right thing” direction.
Too often, though, we ignore the reading and veer off course. Regularly failing to do the right thing defines a person even more than doing it. It’s one of the first things we consider about someone when getting to know them.
But it’s not that in a given situation, we consciously think to ourselves, “I want to do the wrong thing here.” It’s that we are highly skilled rationalizers. In a split second, we acknowledge the right thing and the wrong thing, tell ourselves we really are good people, then justify our wrong actions with being short on time or not wanting the little extra hassle or because—and yeah, I’ve actually heard this— it somehow has something to do with the evil (pick your political party) trying to take away our freedoms.
I once heard someone say their personal motto was, “Do the right thing, right now.” Pretty good motto—tough—but pretty good, huh? It’s a concept we could stand to follow a whole lot more in our sport. Teddy Roosevelt, our greatest outdoor-loving, conservation-preaching president, said, “To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”
There are several angling ethics lists out there, some of which are pretty solid, some too long and redundant. I think it really boils down to just a few basic things we can do to make our sport, our natural/recreational resources and ourselves, as anglers, a lot better.
THE ANGLER’S CODE OF 7:
1. Respect other anglers and recreational users
2. Follow the laws and rules of the water
3. Respect and protect all natural resources at all times
4. Keep only fish that will definitely be eaten
5. Make every effort to quickly release fish unharmed by hook or hand
6. Give aid and assistance to those in need
7. Give back to the sport via the three S’s: Sharing, Service and Stewardship
I know a lot of sportsmen who have lived honorably by these principles for most of their lives. Conversely, I know too many other ol’ boys who still live to run wide-open, “rip lips” and run up numbers—fish, environment and other fishermen and recreationists be damned. The longer I live, the more I want to be remembered in the company of the first group—and for never missing a chance to call out the second.
David Arthur Ramsey is an outdoor photographer, writer and conservationist, born and raised in the mountains of northeastern Tennessee. His outdoor writing and photography have been published locally, regionally and nationally and are most often associated with work to preserve and protect threatened lands and waters throughout the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Field and Stream Magazine and Toyota Motor Company named David the National Hero of Conservation in 2011 for his leadership in saving the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork watershed in northeastern Tennessee. His newly published book, Rocky Fork: Hidden Jewel of the Blue Ridge Wild, tells the story, through his rich photography and his first-hand account, of the more than decade-long battle to preserve this Appalachian and American treasure.
WATTS BAR CRAPIE continued from page 6
Fullbright. Good bag guys.
- In fifth place was the team of Gary and Jesse Cline with 11.30 Lbs. Nice bag gentlemen.
- In sixth place, also with a bag of 11.30 was the team of Matt Xenos and Josh Sanders. Congrats on a solid sack.
The winners of the ACC Crappie Stix roll the dice rod giveaway was the team of George Hamby and Tom Claxton. They received two brand new ACC rods!!
Watts Bar is looked forward to all year long for its ability to produce nice bags of fish. This year was no different. Congrats to all the anglers who participated in the event, and we can’t wait to see everyone at the Classic April 20th.
continued from page 8
minnows and night crawler rigs working well. When casting for trout, I usually start off with artificial, but will not hesitate to put on a crawler or even whole kernel corn for bait. In recent years companies like Berkeley and Gulp have perfected trout baits with their own scent that make them irresistible to trout.
Trout like cold water and lots of oxygen, so keep this in mind and pay attention to the water temperature. And in hot weather watch for a thermocline, as trout tend to hold in the center of the thermocline. If you see surface activity, don’t assume it’s bass, as trout love working a good hatch. These fish are very soft-mouthed, so don’t set the hook hard or fight them too aggressively.
This is a great time of year for taking kids out, so as always, stay safe and take a kid fishing.
continued from page 10
of diving birds, splashing stripers and for the next five hours we boat over forty hybrids and stripers up to 15 lbs. The old saying about the blind squirrel has saved my butt again.
Back at the barn I discover my charging plug was bad, and probably for a couple of trips I wasn’t recharging anyone. New cord, several hours doing electrical maintenance and lesson learned. So, if that little voice keeps nagging for you to straighten out, fix up, replace or grease anything you had better listen. The squirrel also has some hungry periods when not so lucky.
God bless everyone. Take kids fishing when you can. Give me a call if you want to try for some fun fish.
Capt. James McManus owns 153 Charters. Give him a call for a great day on the water at (828) 421-8125
The North Georgia and Western North Carolina mountains come alive in the month of May. It’s usually seventy degrees and sunny at least for part of the month making getting outside and doing stuff a pleasure and not a chore. Since last month the insect hatches on our local trout streams have been consistent enough to make even the wariest old rainbow or brown look up at every piece of flotsam and jetsam floating overhead. It’s dry fly time in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Put away those junk chunking five and six weights and dust of that sweet little two or three weight and get after it! Hatches can come off from morning until dusk and the returning mayflies and caddis make good fishing every hour of the day. Most mayflies and caddis are tan or yellow in coloration and easy on the eyes to see bouncing through the riffles. Sulfur mayflies and tan caddis are abundant in addition to Yellow Sally stoneflies toward the end of the month so be prepared.
Sulfurs are usually about size 16 or 18 and the Caddis about a 16. The Sallies are usually about a size 16 also. If you experience a large hatch of either there
should be numbers of trout on the surface feeding. Yes, you can catch them under water but who would want to. A short six-foot two weight is perfect for the small jump across streams of Appalachia. A longer seven and a half foot or eight-foot three weight is about right for the larger streams for sniping those hard to reach risers.
Both should be fairly soft or medium action to cushion the hook set a little and smooth out those runs from a jazzed up rainbow. Fiberglass rods are great for this along with bamboo. Wet wading is a good idea if you are hoofing it up one of the mini streams sometimes for miles. The afternoons are getting a little steamy and waders are a curse. Just watch out for creepy crawlies and poison ivy! Trout are active pretty much all day for at least a couple of months before the summer sizzle kicks in. I’ll see you on the river!
Give David & Becky Hulsey a call at (770) 639-4001 to book a class or a guided trout trip. See his website at www. hulseyflyfishing.com
It is that time of year when nature’s instinct of renewal plays out in all things. In the lakes, the longer days and rain cause fish to prepare for spawn. The waters start warming real fast and bass start their migration from the winter holes to end up in the shallows to spawn. Different regions and elevations will experience this at different times.
With these events happening you have to expect that everyone else is making their plans as well. The issues you may have include the availability of things you need to replace and adding items you will use in your own plans. Do not forget about things in your inventory. I know some people that are great at organizing and some that cannot keep up with what they have. I find it easy to just go through everything to see what is missing and take care of it on a rainy day when nothing else is planned.
When working on plans it does not hurt to do a little recon on places you’re going to fish. Small bait shops will have some info on what is going on in those bodies of water. Some people take short trips to test out areas the bass are in, so they know if things are ready or close to it. I try to simplify indicators to know when it is time to start your trips such as the dogwoods blooming. You can see dogwoods bloom around the area, but I wait until I see it around the lakes I am fishing. This is because of the elevation changes and lake effect weather.
Everything you do right now is to stack all the odds in your favor. Think about what could fail that could ruin your trip. Bad line, batteries, tires, rusty hooks, and gear maintenance can put you in a situation where you’re at a standstill. These situations are the number one reasons
for failure and a waste of time. There is no reason to make big plans just to have them fail when the time has to count. It is all about having fun and keeping your focus on fishing, not problems you have to figure out how to get out of. We are finally here, and it is time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Scott Norton is a Western North Carolina native. Born in Asheville, N.C., he is a long-time hunter, angler and weekend warrior.
As the month of May rolls in, so do the prime opportunities for inshore fishing in South Carolina. Now that a windy March and wet April are behind us, May marks a turning point for saltwater anglers. The stabilizing weather and mild water temperatures allow South Carolina’s inshore species a chance to find their pattern.
May also marks the time of year where we see bait showing up in South Carolina’s estuaries. There are already some larger mullet, and the finger mullet should be in the creeks soon. Small menhaden are being found just outside of the inlets. When we get closer to June, live shrimp should also be available in the bays.
One of the highlight species during May are redfish, which become more active after the transition of breaking up from their winter schools. Peeler crab season also comes to an end, which helps when it comes to them buying in to what you’re presenting. We will be targeting reds with mud minnows, finger mullet, or pogies (when available) under a cork on most trips. Topwater and artificial baits can add more excitement for anglers who want a challenge.
Speckled trout also come out of their deep winter holes, providing anglers with the chance to successfully target them using live minnows or artificial shrimp. When water temperatures hit the mid to upper 60’s, we will be able to count on a more consistent trout bite. Last year, we had an outstanding April on the trout; but the stubbornly cool spring of 2024 has us looking forward
to May. With that said, the featured photo is a trout we caught on topwater, which is a sure sign that it’s about time for things to pick up!
Flounder are seemingly able to return to the creeks even before the baitfish show up. The creeks can produce flounder as early as March, but we tend to catch larger fish in the bays closer to May. While trolling or drifting are popular, using a minnow under a cork proves effective for catching flounder in May, especially when targeting them around oyster beds and grass lines. This time last year, we had a 27-inch 7.5-pound flounder caught by a 12-year-old from North Carolina!
In addition to inshore opportunities, nearshore fishing for weakfish, Spanish mackerel, and cobia begins to pick up. Weakfish can be found on artificial reefs, where anglers can use minnows or Buck Tail rigs to lure them in. Cobia fishing thrives in deeper waters during May, while Spanish mackerel can be targeted by trolling nearshore reefs or off the beach.
In May, the combination of various species becoming more active and the ideal weather conditions make it a great month for inshore fishing in South Carolina. Anglers can confidently aim for the inshore grand slam during this time of year. If you’re looking for a good time of year to go fishing, May offers a pretty good chance for a fun-filled day.
Capt. RC was born and raised in coastal South Carolina and is owner of Harvest Moon Fishing Charters. His grandmother taught him how to fish at the age of 2, and now he enjoys teaching others.
The fight for an unforgettable catch begins here, where 100,000 square miles of deep blue waters play home to speedy blue marlin and wahoo, massive tuna and brawny mahi mahi. Deep sea fishing in The Out Islands is a battle of wits, a test of perseverance, and a chance to prove your angler’s instinct. See what could be waiting on the other side of your line.
is true for human visitors, too. Te summertime fshing in Alaska can be astoundingly good.
Imagine awe-inspiring natural landscapes cascading into a sea teeming with marine life. I’ve lived and fshed in Fiji, Te Bahamas, Hawaii and Florida. Tey are all spectacular, but there’s nothing like an Alaskan summer.
My own journey to Alaska began as a young man when I dreamed of one day fshing there. Like most young adults, I strived to get good grades and work jobs to pay bills and tuition. I took the mainstream approach of university studies. Shortly afer graduation, I obtained a position with a fnancial frm. I loved the work; I hated the monotony of a nine-to-fve work life. Afer a year and a half, I called it quits and fed to Alaska with no contacts or the faintest idea of what it would be like. It’s now been 12 years, and I still call Alaska home for the summer fshing season.
I operate Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters. My fshing partner, Jake Smith, and I consider ourselves lucky for the opportunity to provide topfight experiences for clients every day.
Te prime fshing season in Ketchikan is May through September, and we provide customized charters for any group, regardless of age or experience. You can expect to catch halibut, salmon, rockfsh, cod and even Dungeness crab. We ofer full-day and multi-day packages, with daily catches aggregating over hundreds of pounds. In addition, we ofer cruise ship charters for salmon and halibut to ft each visitor’s port times. With pick-up and drop-of from downtown ports, it’s the best way to fsh during an Alaskan cruise.
John Muir, the famous naturalist, wrote that you should never go to Alaska as a young man because you’ll never be satisfed with any other place as long as you live. From frst-hand experience, I believe this to be true.
Alaska still holds riches beyond one’s wildest dreams. Hundreds of millions of salmon food into their native streams and rivers to spawn each year. Giant barn-door halibut scour the deep seas. Humpback whales migrate thousands of miles to feast on Alaska’s annual summer bounty. Eagles, bears and other wildlife abound and celebrate summer, when it’s a feast for all. Tis
Imagine riding to the richest Alaskan fshing grounds with humpback whales breaching on the horizon. Eagles soar overhead and swoop to pluck salmon from the sea. Te fshing is insane, with massive halibut and lightsout salmon fshing. It’s sensory overload in a good way, and an experience that should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list.
If planning a fshing trip in Alaska seems daunting, know that modernday Alaska is accessible to all. Tere’s no need for foat planes or dog sleds. Ketchikan is a two-hour plain ride from Seattle in a commercial airliner that touches down in a modern airport. From there, everything is at your fngertips.
Check out Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters at ketchikanfshingtrips.com. Contact them (907) 617-4717 or e-mail ketchikanfshingtrips@gmail.com.
Boating is unpredictable but with a BoatU.S. Unlimited Towing Membership, it’s easy to keep your cool if something goes wrong. With more than 600+ red boats on the water, TowBoatU.S. will have your back.
Anglers
The year is 2024, and technology is getting better and better. Whether it be the retail tech business or the fshing industry, there are tools now available that a few years ago we would have never thought were even possible. One of those technologies is forward-facing sonar (FFS). Tere’s a lot of debate about FFS in the fshing these days, but there’s no denying it’s an amazing tool when used correctly.
I have been using this technology since its earliest stages, and catching fsh while looking at my screens has become one of my favorite ways to fsh. It is extremely cool to watch a fsh eat your lure in real time, and it can also teach you a tremendous amount about what is happening under the water. Not only do I use this tech to fnd and catch fsh, I use it to pinpoint bait and areas with life, fnd sweet spots and diferentiations in an area, and eliminate dead water much faster ever before.
Figuring out how to use this new technology can be a little frustrating at frst if you don’t quite understand what’s going on. Spending time on the water, doing as much research as possible or getting someone experienced to teach you are the best ways to get an upper
hand. Fishing lakes where catching fsh isn’t very hard in general helped
me tremendously with deciphering what I saw using FFS. Smallmouth fshing in the north country was a big helper, as these fsh are aggressive and you get many opportunities to present baits and dial in your skills.
Another thing that helps you understand the picture on your screen is objects that are visible above the water. Point your transducer at a bridge, dock, tree or grass, and picture in your head what should be under the water while also watching your screen. Tis will help beginners dial in settings and get a better understanding of what is displayed. It takes time, patience and dedication to learn, but don’t get frustrated and try to have fun with it.
Tere are varied opinions on forwardfacing sonar and its place in the fshing industry, but it isn’t going away, it will only get better! Some of the coolest things I’ve witnessed and some of my best fshing days were due to the electronics on my boat.
Spending the time to learn how to use FFS is well worth the efort. Te technology is dominating pretty much every tournament right now, and it absolutely revolutionized the way I break down a body of water.
Tere are many resources out there to help you in your learning process and people like me who are always willing to answer questions. Don’t be afraid to reach out, tight lines!
Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfshing.com.
It’s well known that some of the best kingfsh fshing starts with a livewell full of frisky baits. Unfortunately, catching them can eat up much of your fshing time. Afer that, it can be hours of bump trolling waiting for a fsh to hit. Fortunately, for those who just want to head out for a couple hours of fun and blistering runs, it can be accomplished with artifcials. Besides getting you straight to the fshing, you can cover a lot more ground by pulling hardware, and it is not nearly as tedious.
Like using live bait, wire leader is crucial. Kingfsh have razor sharp teeth that will go through even stout mono with little efort. I prefer single-strand wire and usually opt for at least #7 (80-lb.). Single strand tends to kink afer just one fsh, but that’s not always a problem when pulling big plugs, as they will pull the wire straight. Also, watch your split rings. Tey can weaken the loop where it attaches to the lure, so be sure to constantly inspect your connections. I like to cover many diferent depths in the water column when trolling. I
start with a shallow runner like the Nomad 190 AT that runs 3 to 5 feet deep, which I set way back. I also like the Nomad Madmacs that run just slightly deeper. I run it 30 to 50 feet in front of my shallow long-bait to facilitate turning. Ten I like to go deeper with a DTX Minnow 165. I run that close to the boat and right under the prop wash. Tis is hands down my most productive bait. I fnd speeds of 6 to 8 knots usually work well. Tis allows me to cover a lot of ground and is fast enough to elicit a strike. I ofen fnd any slower and the fsh don’t seem interested. Te other great thing about these lures is the hooks are very large, and they stick once they make contact.
When you’re trolling the deeper-diving DTX 165s, you will need a reel with some signifcant drag, as these big-lipped plugs take a lot to hold in place. Te Accurate BV600, with its dual drag system, is a great reel for the job. Te BV X76H matches perfectly with it and is a great multi-duty trolling rig that doubles as an awesome grouper rod. Even though you don’t need a super-light tip, like with live bait, a rod that gives is a plus with these sof-mouthed fsh.
As for spots, look for hard bottom that holds bait. Wrecks and reefs are great, too. It sometimes pays to make wider circles around these structures to get away from the barracudas.
With a few lures and some know-how, you can easily head out and catch some kings without dedicating an entire day to your eforts.
Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament anglers who has been writing about fshing for more than three decades.
The heritage of American Silver Dollars is rich and diverse, marked by stunningly beautiful designs, leading to an enduring desirability in the hearts of collectors around the world. In this iconic U.S. Silver Dollar set, spanning nearly 150 years, you’re getting FIVE American Silver Dollars issued over the last 15 decades that each reflect the history, culture and economic aspects of the United States.
Each of these U.S. Silver Dollars is sought-after by collectors individually, but this set includes every design of U.S. Silver Dollar in American history, issued from 1878 to 2024!
Morgan Silver Dollar: First struck 146 years ago in 1878, the Morgan has a historic legacy as the coin that helped build the American West. Minted until 1904, then again in 1921, this 90% silver coin with its iconic Lady Liberty design is the most collected vintage Silver Dollar in the world. Extremely Fine (XF) condition coin included in set.
Peace Silver Dollar: With a beautiful design memorializing peace following the end of World War I, the 90% silver Peace Dollar was intended as a one-year only release struck in 1921—but it proved so popular with the American people, it was struck until 1928, then again in 1934-35. Extremely Fine (XF) condition coin included in set.
Eisenhower Dollar: The last circulating U.S. dollar coin, the Eisenhower Dollar, aka the “Ike Dollar,” was prized by Americans, with its design featuring war hero President Dwight D. Eisenhower, backed by an image symbolizing the Apollo II moon landing. First struck with silver 1971-1976, the Eisenhower Dollar in this set was struck in 40% silver for collectors, and you will receive a coin in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition.
Silver Eagle Type 1: The first-ever U.S. Silver Dollar minted in 99.9% silver, these coins were first minted in 1986 following President Ronald Reagan’s signing of the Liberty Coin Act into law on July 9, 1985, which authorized the U.S. Mint to strike America’s new silver bullion coin. This gorgeous Silver Dollar features the original, revered Type 1 “Heraldic Eagle” reverse design by John Mercanti, 12th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition coin included in set.
Silver Eagle Type 2: In honor of the popular 99.9% silver coin’s 35th anniversary in 2021, the Silver Eagle received a new, esteemed Type 2 “Eagle Landing” reverse design. This is the current issued coin by the U.S. Mint. Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition coin included in set.
SAVE with this Ultimate U.S. Silver Dollar Set! You’ll save both time and money on this 150 Year U.S. Silver Dollar Set, with FREE SHIPPING and a BONUS presentation case, plus a new and informative 150 Years U.S. Silver Dollars booklet! Call right now to get yours before they’re gone!
Ultimate U.S. Silver Dollars Set — Regular Price $249 - $199
Save $50.00 (over 20%) + FREE SHIPPING For fastest service call
