Suzuki Marine’s new Stealth Line outboards have been recognized with a 2024 Top Products Award by Boating Industry Magazine. Annually, editors at this leading industry trade journal select the newest and most innovative products of the year. With this prestigious award and a powerful overall industry response to the Stealth Line, Suzuki Marine USA will add three additional popular models to the family.
“We’re honored to receive this award from Boating Industry Magazine on behalf of everybody at Suzuki,” said Brandon Cerka, General Manager Sales and Marketing for Suzuki Marine USA. “This recognition was especially gratifying to us, as the Stealth Line was the first product specifically designed by Suzuki Marine USA and brought to fruition by Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan. It’s already been a huge hit with our boatbuilding partners, dealers and customers across America, and now this industry recognition is icing on the cake.”
Suzuki’s new Stealth look was unveiled with great fanfare during this year’s Miami International Boat Show. With a new, allmatte-black finish and matching Chrome Black graphics, Suzuki’s Stealth Line delivers a bold look that compliments a range of popular boat styles, from bass boats, bay boats and flats skiffs
to performance pontoon and deck boats to large offshore center consoles.
The current available Stealth lineup covers a wide range of applications fresh and salt with inline 4-cylinder 115HP, 150HP and 200HP models, along with two powerful V6 250HP motors in both mechanically and digitally controlled versions. Each of these five available models deliver all the advanced technology, powerful performance, superior fuel efficiency and rugged reliability boaters expect from Suzuki, and they’re backed with the company’s 5-Year Limited Warranty.
“We knew the Stealth look was going to be popular, because we listened to our dealers and partners and gave them what they had been asking for,” Cerka explained. “That said, even we were surprised by the immediate demand across our nationwide dealer network and customer base. It’s inspired us to fast track the expansion of Stealth Line to several other topselling Suzuki outboard models including our Flagship 350 integrated steering model.”
Suzuki Marine’s unveiling included a preview of a Stealth version of the company’s flagship V6 DF350AMD outboard, the industry’s first motor to provide the performance benefits and increased efficiency of dual contra-rotating propellers. Based on the response to the new
Stealth look, Suzuki Marine is moving forward with plans to expand with the addition of the 350HP integrated steering model and 300A model (single prop) in time for the 2025 boat show season as well as the in-line 4-cylinder 140HP model available in late fall or early winter 2024.
Suzuki Stealth Line outboards can be purchased through authorized Suzuki Marine dealers. Due to their popularity, boaters are advised to check with their dealer for availability.
To learn more about Suzuki’s new Stealth Line of outboards, visit your Suzuki Marine dealer, contact Suzuki Marine at (813) 687-7200 or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
T13-20!
he “Grandaddy of all Kingfish Tournaments” will get the First Coast buzzing July 13-20, as the 44th annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament presented by VyStar Credit Union hosts a full week of tournaments with more than $500,000 in cash and prizes.
The competition kicks off July 13 with the Kingfish Kick Off Beach Tournament, in which competitors are limited to state waters within 3 miles of shore. This event evens the odds for the smaller boats to haul in the largest kingfish of the day and collect the $50,000 cash prize.
Fishing for the General Tournament begins Friday morning, July 19. This cornerstone event pays out to 20 places for both large fish and aggregate. First place for largest fish of the tournament will be awarded a Contender 28T with twin 200 Yamaha outboards, an Ameritrail Trailer and a custom T-top and leaning post by Custom Marine. This boat package is valued at more than $225,000.
Junior anglers have a shot at a 16-foot boat with a 15 hp Yamaha, and the Junior Offshore Tournament pays out to 25 places. The Ladies
Division pays out to 10 places.
Presented By
activities, raffles and seminars.
For inshore anglers, the popular Redfish Tournament fishes on Saturday, July 20 with payouts of more than $12,000.
All the boats and fish coming to the docks at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek Park in Jacksonville creates a festival atmosphere. The tournament draws a crowd of spectators who enjoy cold beverages, hot food and vendors. Awards Day on Saturday, July 20 is all about celebration, with Kids Zone
Jacksonville Marine Charities is the operating arm of the event, and it supports non-profits throughout the state. Recently, Child Cancer Fund, the Down Syndrome Association and the Child Guidance Center have benefitted from the organization, which also supports other local charity fishing events like The Premier Trout, Flounder Pounder, Wounded Heroes on the Water and others.
For complete details, visit kingfishtournament.com
Introducing our new inflatable stand-up paddleboard hybrids: Cubera 125 Lite and Uptown 100 Lite, our revolutionary pedal-drive inflatable. Experience the same signature durability, stability, and extensive customization options as our hard-sided kayaks but more portable for easy adventuring.
Vibe’s industry-leading expertise has forged the Makana 100 to be the most versatile pedal drive kayak on the market. It is now compatible with the Impulse Drive, unlocking the ability to choose between a propeller or a fin drive system with simple pod swaps. The Makana 100 redefines the ability to choose your own adventures. www.vibekayaks.com
he Vibe Makana 100 has enhanced its versatility by accommodating two different pedal drives through a quick and easy pod swap. Paddlers can now purchase the 10-foot pedal kayak with an included fin drive or propeller drive, and now have the option of switching drives based on the adventure ahead.
Crafted with Vibe’s unparalleled expertise, the Makana 100 stands out as the epitome of feature-packed 10-foot pedal kayaks, setting the standard for superior stability and maneuverability in its class. It has become a favorite amongst anglers due to its versatility and performance.
As one enthusiast put it, “Having a light 10-foot kayak with a pedal drive that is ALSO stable and comfortable to fish out of is a massive deal. I’ve really found it excels in small water that would normally be a hassle with a bigger boat.”
The Vibe X-Drive is a fin drive system, ideal for quickly covering long distances with minimal pedaling effort. It is less likely to catch on vegetation and underwater obstacles compared to the Impulse Drive, Vibe’s propeller drive system. However, the propeller drive provides the added advantage of instant reverse, which helps positioning when fishing in deep open water.
SO NOW THERE IS ONLY ONE QUESTION: WHAT DRIVE ARE YOU PICKING WITH THE MAKANA 100?
Summer in the Keys, albeit hotter than the devil’s you-know-where, is one of the best times to be on the water. With more calm days, open seasons for most species, and mahi peppering offshore waters, this is the time of year to boogie out and hunt for whatever tickles your fancy.
Swordfishing is great any time of the year, but during summer you can justify the fuel burn to get where they live. It’s nearly impossible to run that far offshore in June and not come across diving birds indicative of mahi or tuna. With minimal effort, this can be a nice
score to put something in the box if you don’t have luck with the swords. It is normal to get skunked while swordfishing, and I don’t recommend going if you can’t accept that possibility. The best way to go into it is to be fully prepared for both a fish of a lifetime or to just chill with friends. Make no mistake, when you do land one of these beasts, it’s some of the most exciting fishing you can experience, and it’s worth the skunk risk.
Although you don’t have to run as far, the same consolation prize applies to heading out for tilefish, snowy and yellowedge grouper, queen snapper, barrelfish and rosies. Mahi fishing to, from and during deep-dropping rounds out a trip nicely.
Be prepared for mahi when heading
offshore in summer. Keep at least four rods designated for working a school and more for trolling. J hooks are a must for these headshaking, sky-rocketing, flippy-flappy, squirmfish, but just about any line and bait will do. These tasty little dummies aren’t picky and would strike a banana peel if you jigged it right. That said, the speed of the bait is a variable you might have to adapt to. Their toddler mentality kicks in when you try to take a bait away from them, encouraging them to strike something they just turned their nose up at. If you get hit when reeling in your bait, open your bail and give them a chance to eat.
If you get excited about fish with pointy faces, be prepared for a marlin encounter this time of year. I keep rigged ballyhoo in a
trolling spread and a pitch rod set up. Marlin aren’t overly common here, but when you see one, you want to be prepared for more than to simply wave and think, “that was neat.”
Marlin enjoy a mahi snack as much as we do and will pop up unexpectedly while mahi fishing. If you have a large live bait, toss that sucker out. If not, a mahi from the box will do in a pinch. Give her time to eat, hang on and enjoy the ride.
Mahi season is already off to a great start for both size and numbers. Come on down and fill your coolers!
Capt. Quinlyn Haddon; Sweet E’nuf Charters, Marathon, Florida Keys; @captainquinlyn; captainquinlyn.com; (504) 920-6342.
word for it. See for yourself. Scan here, and we’ll show you!
13" 16" 22" 24"
Furuno has again raised the bar for the most powerful, easiest-to-use Multi Function Displays (MFDs) with the new NavNet TZtouchXL. Five sizes of MFDs provide all the functionality boaters desire and never-before-seen features.
An all-new chart offering called TZ MAPS sets these MFDs far ahead of the field. Navigators have complete control of data they download, such as raster or vector charts, satellite photos and bathymetric data. Plus, they can select specific areas to keep updated. Objects can be turned on and off in the Layers menu with a single swipe on the display. Users can create custom objects or update charted objects, on the system on the fly. Custom objects can be shared with other users through
offers “off the charts” bathymetric data with contours that can be easily configured to a resolution three times better than anything else on the market. Bathymetric data can be overlaid onto navigation charts. All of this can be rendered with custom color palettes and terrain shading.
Purchase of TZ MAPS areas also unlocks AI Routing to plan routes. The free TZ iBoat app for mobile devices allows at-home planning that transfers to TZtouchXL. With a free TimeZero account, waypoints and routes can be backed up or retrieved from the cloud. Charts can be purchased directly from the MFD!
DRS Radar connection unlocks two new safety features: Risk Visualizer™ and
AI Avoidance Route™. These two features provide 360° representation of collision risks and a route around them that can be sent to a Furuno NAVpilot autopilot.
The series comprises five MFDs with displays from 10” to 24”. All feature a powerful hexacore processor for lightningfast response.
All magnetron or Solid-State Doppler Radars, high-powered Fish Finders, AIS, Autopilot, and Deep Water Multibeam Sonar options of NavNet TZtouch3 are compatible with TZtouchXL. Many of the must-have features are also available, including Target Analyzer™, Bird Mode, Rain Mode, and PIN Code Lock. The TZT10X, TZT13X, and TZT16X feature a built-in 1kW TruEcho CHIRP or CW Fish Finder and built-in 235kHz or 455kHz CHIRP Side-Scan. Two new remote-control options are also available.
To learn more, visit: www.NavNet.com
I’ve long been a proponent of chumming up a place on the bottom with squid and then feeding grouper a big live bait. However, after the last few trips, I’m starting to rethink this tactic because of the number of sharks we’ve been catching.
I’ve never seen as many sharks as we are seeing right now. The bottom is covered with them, and the top layer of the water column is full of them. This past trip, we put out five Spanish mackerel on light lines hoping for a wahoo bite. We caught five sharks almost instantly. One of these bites was the biggest tiger shark I’ve ever seen. It was at least 12 feet long and 2 feet wide across the head. The rest of them were standard 6- to 9-footers; it takes a toll on you to get them to the boat for dehooking.
Between all the American red snappers—which we aren’t allowed to keep—and all the sharks, we’ve been run off of several square miles of bottom lately. Thankfully, we’ve found some of the grouper we’re looking for, but I’m seriously rethinking the “chumming” part of the tactics I usually employ. Normally, I begin on a spot by dropping whole squid on jigs, which the smaller fish pick apart to create a lot of smell down on the bottom. Then I drop live pinfish or small snappers to the grouper drawn in by the “chum.”
Lately, I’ve resorted to dropping big, pretty live baits first to see if we can get a few grouper bites before the taxman arrives, and it’s become a matter of WHEN rather than IF he shows up. It’s “hit-and-run” fishing. We pull up on a nice mark with pinfish and grunts already rigged on the jig. I hit the spot lock on the Rhodan and drop in for a few good bites. When the sharks show up, we just move up or down the ledge. Lather, rinse and repeat as often as needed. Granted, we haven’t boated as many of the smaller snappers or seabass for the cooler, but we’ve
caught some beautiful grouper with this “hit-and-run” style of bottom banging.
The wahoo are different story. We quit putting the light line out due to the instant shark bite. I’ve got to figure something out for that. From now until the end of October or the first of November, wahoo will be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. They will come inside the edge of the Gulf Stream following big stacks of bait. As usual, some king mackerel fisherman will catch a 100-pounder on a live menhaden in less than 100 feet of water while chasing a tournament-grade kingfish. I said all that to say this: We’re going to take more pinfish and less squid to catch “hit-and-run” grouper. Someone please educate me on a bait that will not catch a red snapper!
For more info on the jigs and bait, check out Tim Barefoot’s YouTube channel and website, barefootcatsandtackle.com.
Millennium Marine’s Pro-M B100 features a unique, patented design that provides unmatched comfort, functionality and durability. Enjoy all-day comfort on the water rain or shine with Millennium Marine.
One of the most important aspects of fishing for any angler is patience. Extending that patience over long hours, especially for saltwater fishermen, can mean the difference between coming home with a handsome trophy or leaving with empty pockets. From the time it takes to get to the fishing spot to the passing minutes—or, in some cases, hours—between strikes, it's patience that can make all the difference.
And a big aspect of that patience is comfort. Few things can erode a person’s patience, like trying to perch in an uncomfortable seat for hours or waiting for that muchanticipated bite on the other end of the line. A lack of comfort can quickly turn into a lack of patience, leading an angler to throw in the towel early in the trip.
Millennium Marine has the answer to those comfort problems with their line of PRO-M Series Saltwater seats for watercraft. The PRO-M series of ComfortMax seats has three distinct models available with anodized, heavy-duty aluminum frames designed to stand up to the rigors of daily use in a saltwater environment.
Millennium’s unique, patented saltwater design provides unmatched comfort and durability, no matter the conditions' severity. It features the
breathable, cool fabric of Millennium Marine’s ComfortMax seat for mold and mildew resistance. Thanks to anodized aluminum construction, the PRO-M Series can withstand elements from saltwater to the blazing sun. Each seat in the series mounts to any standard boat seat pedestal and has a one-year warranty.
The PRO-M 200 features a unique design with lumbar support will enable hours of comfort while sitting, while the PRO-M 300’s unique design allows hours of comfort while sitting, leaning, straddling, or casting. The top-of-the-line PRO-M 100 features a ComfortMAX contoured, tight sling seat that is adjustable and reclining. It also folds flatter than competitor’s seats, allowing better visibility while under way.
All three series come in a choice of grey or white colors.
Plantation Resort on Crystal River offers unforgettable experiences for travelers of all ages and interests to enjoy endless outdoor activities. From boating and fishing to scalloping and wildlife encounters, visitors from around the globe travel to Florida's Nature Coast to enjoy all it has to offer. Reflect on the peaceful joy you'll feel swimming alongside a manatee and her baby, the rush of adrenaline after hooking an evasive gag grouper in the shallow waters of the Gulf...there are so many memories waiting for you here!
Guests will find a full-service resort with classic rooms, excellent dining, a lagoon-style pool, an Aveda spa, and a traditional golf course. Discover all there is to create your next great vacation memory.
Scallop Season Is Almost Here! (July 1 – Sept 24, 2024) DON’T MISS OUT! Book Your Trip Now! Our reservation team can help you make all the arrangements. We have the best guides that will take you out, which is the best way to ensure a great time on the water. We can also accommodate those do-ityourself folks with a boat ramp and seawall tie-ups if you bring your boat.
From boating and fishing to scalloping and wildlife encounters, Plantation on Crystal River is an ideal setting for travelers of all ages and interests to enjoy endless outdoor activities. To follow is just a sampling of the abundance of available outdoor pursuits.
BOATING: With more than 25,000 accessible acres of waterways, including Crystal River and Kings Bay, Plantation on Crystal River is a boater’s paradise. In addition to scenic river tours from Plantation Adventure Center & Dive Shop, kayaks, jon boats and pontoon boats can be rented by guests who want to explore on their own.
FISHING: With Central Florida fishing at its finest, Plantation on Crystal River is located alongside the Crystal River inlets and Kings Bay, just a short distance from local lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. Whether by land or by sea, anglers can cast a line for bass, grouper, snook, flounder, redfish and more. At the end of a successful day of fishing, Plantation’s chefs will be happy to prepare the fresh catch for the guest’s dining pleasure.
GOLF: Guests can tee off on the resort’s traditional Florida-style 18-hole championship course. Surrounded by native plants and oaks, the championship course challenges guests with a number of difficult fairways and waterways, including the course’s signature No. 11 hole. The Original Golf SchoolTM at Plantation on Crystal River accommodates players of all levels, with experienced professionals offering on-course instruction, with no more than four students per professional instructor.
SCALLOPING: There is no better place to go scalloping on Florida’s Gulf Coast than Plantation on Crystal River. Taking place in shallow waters, scalloping is a fun family activity that only requires a snorkel, net and a pair of fins; no previous experience is needed. Scalloping does require a special permit, but licensed group tours and charters are available
for those without a license. Scalloping season is typically July 1 to September 24.
Plantation on Crystal River’s Adventure Center & Dive Shop provides guests with a once-in-alifetime opportunity to swim and interact with threatened West Indian Manatees in the waters of Crystal River and Kings Bay. Snorkelers will find many of the gentle creatures in the crystalclear spring waters migrate during cooler winter months with some that stay year-round. The manatees can also be easily observed from any part of the Plantation’s expansive sea wall and gazebo point.
Countless on-property amenities also provide entertainment to guests at Plantation on Crystal River. Highlights include a scenic, lagoon-style swimming pool overlooking the river, sand volleyball court, horseshoes, shuffleboard, oversized outdoor chess and checkers and a regulation croquet court. Nearby attractions include Three Sister Springs State Park, Crystal River Archaeological State Park, Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, Coastal Heritage Museum, Weeki Wachee and the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Park.
Transportation is convenient with nearby international airports, including Tampa International Airport only 70 miles away, and Orlando International airport just 90 miles away.
Pover the past couple of months, and June marks the final stretch of their journey. These elusive permit are wrapping up their ‘spring break’ routine and are heading to some of our offshore wrecks to spawn.
This time of year can be great for permit, because they school up and provide ample opportunity for hookups. Pursuing a permit takes strategy and stamina, since these fish are known
trying to land one of these prized sportfish needs to know what they are signing up for.
When fishing for permit on offshore wrecks in Islamorada, we usually target schools around wreck sites like the Eagle in June. These wrecks are typically on the ocean side in deeper waters, ranging from about 30 to 100 feet deep.
For tackle, we typically use 6500 combos with fluorocarbon leaders
and circle hooks. Spotting and sight-casting to permit is usually the go-to method. This means looking for glimpses of flashing silver just below the surface. Permit love crabs, and they have great eyesight. Artificial crabs like the Savage Gear 3D Crab are very realistic, and they are effective and cost-friendly. However, it’s tough to beat a live blue crab for permit bait. Hook them through the shell to keep them lively. Let the crab swim freely to drift into the school of permit and prepare for action.
During the fight, fine-tuning the drag is crucial with permit because overpowering them won’t do the trick. You want the drag set just right, enough to make progress when reeling in, but allowing the permit to run… and it will run.
Permit are one of the most sought-after sportfish in the Keys because they’re notorious for their incredible strength. Anyone who’s ever hooked one
can tell you that they’re strong enough to make even the toughest angler break a sweat. Once you do land your first permit, it is a moment you’ll never forget.
While they are a ton of fun, permit aren’t known as a particularly desirable food fish. Catch and release is the way to go because they play a crucial role in our ecosystem, and releasing them safely helps ensure we’ll have permit to play with in the future. Land them as quickly as you can. Handle them gently for a quick release to minimize stress and ensure the fishery thrives.
Many times while permit fishing, we encounter exciting bycatch like other jack species, grouper and snapper. It’s all about the thrill of the catch in these beautiful waters of the Florida Keys.
To book a permit charter, visit www.beansportfishing.com.
Be it red snapper season, Blue Angels air shows, or everyday exploration of the miles of Pensacola Beach just three miles away, fishing is a huge part of Emerald Coast Getaways’ Life on the Water vacation rental, and the creation of this property kept that in mind for the discriminating angler and boater.
Located on the Gulf Breeze peninsula between Pensacola Beach and Pensacola, Life on the Water is situated on a deep water canal, with 120 ft. of brand new dockage plus 30 feet under boat house cover, there’s plenty of protected room for two+ boats. Your boat will be secure, protected from open bay beatings, yet less than two minutes to open water and three miles to Flounders, Pensacola beaches, and the various restaurants accessed via boat. The property has two driveways, so trailer parking is available, with the Oriole Beach Boat Ramp one mile away, and two marinas with fuel within a five minute boat ride. Life on the Water also boasts a custom fishing cleaning station, power and water for the boats, and there’s even a lower dock landing for the kayaker and paddle boarder. Just out the canal are miles of grass flats with great fishing for speckled trout and redfish. There’s even a pinfish trap on the dock for bait!
If you decide not to trailer your boat, rent a boat! Pensacola Pontoons will deliver a boat right to our dock. Just say when and they will get it delivered. Lets get you on the water!
Guests will fall in love with the ultimate outdoor space featuring
a pet friendly fenced-in yard (pet fee does apply), upstairs and downstairs entertainment decks, 2 gas grills and private pool overlooking the water.
From the coastal decor to the amazing outdoor spaces, this 3,143 sq. ft, 5 bedroom/3 bath home is sure to impress. Just released to the market, this multi-level home accommodates 12 guests comfortably allowing plenty of space for everyone. This kitchen is well stocked and fit for a chef, comes complete with the stainless-steel appliances, Calphalon cookware and beautiful quartz counter tops. The open concept design allows the perfect space to interact with family and friends.
No detail was overlooked in the design and décor, a stately home in a charming neighborhood, making this an unforgettable vacation location! Life on the Water will become your families hidden gem. We truly look forward to hosting your stay!
Yamaha’s 22 FT FSH boat series has become a fan favorite amongst anglers new and old to the trade. Building upon the success of Yamaha's versatile 21-foot center console line that it replaced, there are three separate 22-foot FSH® models that come with Yamaha’s innovative center console technology and features.
This series begins with the value-minded 220 FSH Sport powered by twin 3-cylinder, 4-stroke TR-1 HO (High Output) engines. Moving up the line is the feature-rich 222 FSH Sport, and the premium 222 FSH Sport E being the pinnacle of the series. Offering sleek lines, agile handling, and superb performance, the 222 Series center console boats are big, with the all-new twin 1.9L HO Yamaha Marine Engines for a quicker and smoother acceleration.
All three models come with a fabric or fiberglass-molded T-Top with four "rocket launcher" rod holders. The spacious 22-foot platform continues Yamaha's trend toward contemporary design with its deep cockpit and great freeboard, enabling a spacious interior and large bow and cockpit areas.
The center console is nicely finished with plenty of room for Yamaha's Connext® 5-inch touchscreen that controls the boat's entertainment and vital system functions, a glass windshield, stainless steel steering wheel, a locking glove box, and a 9-inch Simrad® marine electronics system. All three models flaunt wireless-charging phone mounts to ensure everyone stays connected when it matters most.
There's nothing better than hanging out at a favorite cove listening to a great summer playlist. Yamaha has you covered here with its a Hertz® premium sound system that comes
standard on the 222 FSH Sport E. This marine sound system comes with a Hertz® head unit, four deck speakers, and two speakers in the color-matched hardtop.
And all three 22’ FSH models come standard with mounts for optional swim-up seats. At anchor, two removable seats can be attached to the stern. These seats sit just below the water's surface, providingcomfortable inwater seating facing the transom of the boat. And since the reboarding ladder is located between both seat positions, egress onto the swim platform is a breeze.
Ultimately, Yamaha’s 22’ FSH models have set the standard in versatile luxury, while continuing to keep the end consumer in mind with its plethora of convenient amenities.
Understanding that fishing is the heart and soul of the 22 FT FSH product line, anglers around the globe have the below features to look forward to when purchasing a Yamaha 22FT FSH series boat:
• Storage for eight rods under the gunwales
• Storage for six rods on the side of the console
• Aerated 26-gal stern livewell
• Simrad® multi-function display
• Jet Wash® washdown system
For more information on Yamaha’s 22FT FSH boats, visit www.yamahaboats.com
Every month, I provide tips to help make you a better angler. This month’s tip is one of the most important. With so many tackle and gear options on the market these days, staying organized on the water is difficult. Here are a few things I do that make me a more efficient angler because I know exactly where to go when looking for the right tool for the job.
Storage options vary depending on the type of fishing you do. I’m going to stick to bass fishing, but don’t be afraid to alter these tips to your style of fishing.
When storing baits, hooks, line and gear, your No. 1 enemy is moisture. Keeping your tools dry should be a priority because it keeps hooks sharp and everything else rust-free. I store almost everything in waterproof boxes or bags. These storage options might be a little more expensive up-front, but when compared to losing a whole box of lures or hooks to rust, your investment will pay for itself many times over.
thing to do is to take your tackle out of the boat and move it inside, but this is not an option if you fish a lot and have a lot of gear. DampRid containers help keep everything safe and dry by absorbing moisture from the air in your boat’s storage compartments.
Now let’s talk about organization. If you’re a bass angler, you have a ton of soft plastics in different styles and colors as well as packs of hooks, jigs and weights to fish them. I use plastic Sterlite containers with latches to store my bags of soft plastics. You can buy them at Walmart. I organize my baits by the type of soft plastic they are, and I label each container. On the water, this makes it easy grab the style of bait I’m looking for. Also, before I leave the house, labels make it easy to load what I think I’ll need for the day and remove what I don’t.
On the hook side of organization, one mistake people make when organizing hooks is to take them out of the original packaging to place them in compartment boxes. This is a huge mistake. Hook packs are clearly labeled by size and style, which allows you to quickly identify them on the water. Also, hook packs are designed to keep hooks sharp, untangled and dry. You can store your hooks in a box, but you should leave them in their original packaging.
Hopefully, these tips help you be more efficient on the water and save you some money by protecting your investments. Tight lines out there.
Another good trick I’ve learned is to use DampRid moisture absorbers. Here in Florida, where humidity is high and temperatures fluctuate, condensation builds up in boat compartments. The best
Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfishing.com.
FIRST PRIZE - 2024 CAROLINA SKIFF 19LS with 115hp Suzuki Engine & Wesco Trailer
SECOND PRIZE - ONE YEAR’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE FREEDOM BOAT CLUB Good at any Freedom Boat Location
In the boating world, brand loyalty is earned. Over years, boater experiences with vessels— good and bad, on and off the water—are what build the reputations of boats. It might, or might not, come as a surprise that two brands that have garnered sterling reputations in the industry for functionality and dependability are manufactured by the same builder.
C-Hawk and Mitzi Skiff are both built in the U.S.A. with the same philosophy that simplicity leads to vessels that are easier and more affordable to operate and maintain. A simple, well-designed and well-built boat, comes with less hassle, leaving more time to spend on the water. Especially among anglers, this philosophy has built large followings for both brands among people who are more interested in fishing and boating than they are in pampering their pretty boats.
“We build a keep-it-simple-stupid boat. If you want something you can soft scrub at the end of the day and put it away, you’re my guy,” said Brad Grubbs, the owner and manufacturer of C-Hawk and Mitzi Skiff. “We set out to make boats that are affordable to operate and affordable to own, and the philosophy has worked.”
Although Mitzi Skiff originated in the 1990s for a singular purpose, the same philosophy for simplicity applies. Fly fishing the flats drove Tom Mitzlaff to design a skiff with quiet maneuverability, extremely shallow draft and a clean deck layout to make him a better fisherman. It was simple by necessity, and it revolutionized the industry.
Three decades later, Mitzi’s line of 15’, 16’and 17’ skiffs achieves those purposes exceptionally well, and they have led the way with innovations that make them the flats boats other boat builders imitate. A Mitzi does everything the pricier skiffs do, yet they are affordable enough for any angler to own and operate.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Grubbs quipped. Mitzi builds skiffs for anglers more interested in fishing than in spending a lot of money.
The 15’ remains a purpose-built flats boat for one or two anglers to sneak up on wary fish in super-skinny water. The 17’ models are more multi-purpose. They can fish three anglers, and while they are primarily a flats boat, they perform admirably as bay boats with a modified V-hull and an 11-degree deadrise at transom to reduce hull slap. Rolled gunnels knock down spray for an exceptionally dry ride.
They are solid and durable for long years of heavy use, and from hideaway pushpole holders to flush-mount hardware, Mitzi delivers clean and stable casting decks designed specifically for hard-core anglers. www.mitziskiffs.com
C-Hawk has been around since the mid1970s and offers lines of bombproof 16’ to 29’ center consoles and 22’ to 29’ sport cabins that were originally developed for commercial applications. C-Hawks remain widely used commercially, and many recreational boaters
also see the value in a vessel that’s built to take a beating.
“Really, we just took a commercial-duty boat and put a little lipstick on it,” Grubbs said. “The boat is as tough as it ever was. It’s been the same boat for nearly 50 years.”
At their core, C-Hawks are hardcore workhorses, and the center console models have become popular with charter captains because they are built to withstand hard use for years of trouble-free boating. Grubbs pointed to C-Hawk’s 25 CC as a great example of what the brand has become. It’s an extremely stable fishing platform that drafts just 12 inches, and with a 300 horsepower max it’ll take you anywhere you need to go from skinny water to light offshore duty. What’s more, it’s infinitely customizable from the factory.
“We can mix and match consoles, fish boxes, full transoms, cut transoms, bare hulls… you name it,” Grubbs said. “There are some recreational guys adding towers and sight fishing for cobia, and such. Everything we do is built around keep it simple, keep it efficient, keep it easy to maintain, keep it cost effective to own and operate.
They are all unique… no cookie cutter trailer queens here. The 25 is a great example of what C-Hawk is.” www.chawkboats.net
Just in case you missed the first few runs of blackfin tuna that made it to south Florida, they’re still around, and this month I’d like to share some information and tips about targeting this amazing eating fish.
Blackfin are very easy to distinguish from other tuna species. Like all tuna species, they are football shaped with smooth scales. Unlike yellowfin, blackfin do not have elongated dorsal or anal fins. They have a black stripe running along the top of their back. Most blackfin caught around here weigh between 5 and 10 pounds and measure in the 20- to 30-inch range.
These tuna are found from Massachusetts down into Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico. Within these regions they will almost always be found in schools. These schools can be found in a variety of water depths which varies due to current and water conditions as well as the presence of baitfish. However, they will typically not venture past 200 feet.
Since blackfins are highly migratory fish and are constantly moving, they can’t exactly be targeted off reefs and other structures, like some other species. However, they do feed primarily on baitfish and hunt prey like grunts, threadfins, blue runners or even pinfish, and many times structure is what consolidates these baitfish. Tuna schools can often be found wherever the bait schools are, and they tend to stick around for a while as they clear out all the baitfish in an area. There are occasions when they will also eat squid or shrimp that floats past them. Off Florida, blackfins spawn from April
to September. When they spawn, the schools of blackfin move farther offshore and participate in broadcast spawning. The purpose of moving offshore is to make sure that the eggs stay adrift in the Gulf Stream and don’t get pushed inshore. However, since the eggs and young tuna spend a majority of their life offshore, this creates opportunities for predators such as mahi-mahi, skipjack tuna, sailfish, birds, and of course sharks. There are many ways to target blackfin tuna. I like to drift fish for them with whatever bait is prevalent and available, whether it’s blue runners, sardines or threadfins. A typical spread for drifting might include two weighted downlines— one for the middle of the water column and one deeper— and a couple of freelines, one on each corner. Kites are another great way to present baits on the surface. With a spread like this, you’ll cover the water column from top to bottom and have a good chance of putting baits in a school of hungry blackfins. If you don’t love live bait, slow-pitch jigging around reefs is also an option. Either way, you never know what else you’ll catch while fishing for tuna. Remember, fishing is called fishing and not catching for a reason. Try and try again until you succeed! The IGFA all-tackle world record blackfin tuna weighed 49 lbs., 6 ozs. It was caught off Marathon, Florida back in 2006.
Emily Rose Hanzlik has caught more than 60 IGFA world records in various categories. Find her on social media @emilyhanzlikoutdoors.
WATCH VIDEO
Whether you’re fishing in a kayak, canoe, or small boat, the ePropulsion eLite is your reliable companion. Max 5.6 miles at half throttle and 3.5 miles at full throttle.
Experience the eLite Difference. Go Electric. Go Silent. Go Fishing!
In general, the trend in boating these days is bigger is better. Right? Engine horsepower is getting higher and higher, and boats are being built able to accommodate two, four, even six engines. But what about the other end of the spectrum – anglers and cruisers that are looking for the ultimate in portable propulsion? Whether you are looking for a boost for your kayak or a reliable motor for your inflatable fishing boat or tender, the perfect engine should be lightweight, easy to take on and off, easy to use and provide the range and speed for almost any conditions. It should be self-contained, so you don’t have to deal with lugging around a fuel tank, or even have to purchase and safely store gasoline on your boat. Electric propulsion is the way to go, but no one has really gotten the right combination of affordability, reliability and power – until now.
range raises the bar in electric boating standards.
Designed to be the most compact and lightweight electric outboard in its class, the ePropulsion eLite 500W electric outboard is
The ePropulsion eLite, which has been created for the tender and smaller boating market, represents a new era in clean, quiet, and eco-friendly marine propulsion. The direct-drive motor and advanced propeller design delivers high efficiency with near-silent operation, especially attractive for anglers, as it is less likely to scare away fish. With a focus on minimal maintenance and cutting-edge technology, this addition to the ePropulsion
an easy-to-use carbon-free solution for small engine application. Its Sport mode adds an additional 50% boost in power for challenging conditions bringing the top speed to over five miles per hour. With multiple charging options, including 110/220V AC, 12V DC and solar with the use of optional ePropulsion converters, the eLite can be fully charged in around four hours. For added capability and convenience, the engine includes a USB-C output that allows users to charge and power other electrical devices.
At just under three-feet in length and
weighing 14.7-pounds including the built-in battery, the eLite stores easily and the one-click quick-release bracket allows for installation and removal in a matter of seconds. For exceptional portability, the tiller handle converts to a perfectly balanced carry handle. With multiple trim and tilt angles, adjustable steering resistance and shaft length, and a shallowwater mode, the eLite is completely customizable. Its Smart Battery Monitoring System efficiently optimizes performance, carefully regulating battery level, temperature, and remaining state-of-charge all displayed on an ultra-simple interface, leading to extended range, a more energy-efficient operation and longer battery life. Built to last, it is IP67 waterproof, and is constructed of aviationgrade aluminum alloy for lighter weight and greater durability. In addition, the anti-ground auto kick-up feature protects the motor from accidental damage. Available for under $1,000, it is also the most affordable electric outboard in its class.
There’s no time like today to upgrade to the electric outboard of the future. The ePropulsion eLite is in stock and ready to take you quietly and sustainably to your next adventure.
In case you haven’t seen it yet, this enormous 888-pound bluefin tuna caught in late April out of Destin just might be the largest bluefin ever caught off Florida. It was brought to the docks at Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House on Destin Harbor, and although the fish won’t qualify as a state record because landing it was a team effort, no one in Destin really seems to care. It’s a catch worth celebrating.
According to The Destin Log, Capt. George Gill was piloting the Flat Dangerous on its first Gulf of Mexico trip on Wednesday, April 24. About 68 miles out of Destin, the new 80-foot Viking encountered a massive school of surface-
feeding bluefins while the crew was fishing for bait.
With just four baits onboard, some small yellowfin, skipjack and blackfin, the captain gave chase, and the crew tossed baits into the school of bluefins. They lost three big fish in short order, but the fish of a lifetime for boat-owner Warren Williamson, of Alabama, came tight on the fourth and final bait.
The fish died about an hour into the fight, and it was a team effort to haul it to the surface over the next four hours with 100-pound main line, 150-pound braid and 400-pound leader.
The fish measured 110 inches in length and
weighed 888 pounds. That’s a heck of a fish to break in a new boat!
The existing state record, caught by Rick Whitley out of Destin in 2017, weighed 826.5 pounds. Another would-be new record was caught in 2022, also out of Destin by a team of anglers sharing time on the rod. That fish weighed 832 pounds. The Gulf of Mexico bluefin tuna record stands at 1,152 pounds. That fish, caught off Louisiana in 2003, is the largest fish caught by rod and reel in state history.
For more on this awesome fish, visit The Destin Log and Get The Coast.
Trim control the way it’s meant to be . . . at your fingertips. With Pro-Trim, you can keep both hands on the wheel and concentrate on your driving. Its clean, modern design looks at home in any cockpit and there are no cords to tangle around the steering wheel, a big plus for boats with hydraulic steering! The Pro-Trim single-switch controls one function (engine trim or jackplate) Pro-Trim Dual controls two functions (trim and jackplate).
etting the most out of today’s highperformance, high-powered outboard fishing machines requires precision engine height and trim position control. This is precisely what Dometic Marine’s innovative Pro-Trim System delivers, making it an ideal “bolt-on” upgrade for bass boats, bay boats and other high-performance fishing rigs.
Properly adjusted outboard motor trim and engine height can help a boat pop out of the hole quickly and get up on plane faster, while also getting the best top-end speed and hull stability while running at Wide Open Throttle. A welltrimmed outboard boat will also get better fuel economy, helping fishermen squeeze the most fun out of every day on the water.
With its clean, modern design, straightforward installation and single or dualfunction capability, Dometic Pro-Trim is an ideal choice for a range of outboard powered boats and an easy DIY upgrade serious for anglers.
Pro-Trim is designed for use with a range of
popular SeaStar hydraulic and mechanical steering systems. By mounting either a single or dual Pro-Trim System between the steering wheel and the helm bezel, boaters will have precise control of engine trim and/or jack plate adjustment right at their fingertips.
Functioning similar to an automotive “turn signal” switch, Pro-Trim allows boaters to make quick and precise up/down adjustments to engine trim and jack plate height, all while keeping their hands on the wheel and their vision ahead of the boat. This is vital when running at speed and when operating in shallow waters.
“Professional bass anglers, saltwater guides and other high-performance boaters know how important proper engine trim and motor height are to optimizing boat performance and control,” said Dometic Marine Segment President Eric Fetchko. “This system was designed to help boaters make incremental adjustments on the fly, to get the best ride, efficiency and safety in any
situation,” added Fetchko.
Single and dual-function systems can be used to control not only engine trim and jack plate height, but also horns or other systems. Pro-Trim is engineered for marine use, with a strong stainless-steel bracket, UV-stabilized ABS switch cover and heavy-duty marine wiring harness. An ideal DIY boat improvement project, Pro-Trim comes with all required mounting hardware and boater-friendly installation instructions.
Anglers can learn more about Pro-Trim, hydraulic and electric steering, and other innovative Dometic products to enhance the ride and control of today’s boats by visiting www.dometic.com
Welcome to the best day of the week—the day before your next fishing trip! This is the day when you get to prepare for what you love: Fishing! Most of us are saddled with responsibilities and have very little time to focus on the planning and especially the “where-to” phase of fishing. In spite of this, we need to hit the water with a good game plan. When beginning your prep, remember you are after top of the food chain quarry. And for them, there are no grocery stores or fast-food chains down below— only the burning desire to eat. It drives everything a top predator does. “Where can I get my next meal.” If you can decipher this key ingredient to the same degree as the species you are after, you will most certainly catch fish.
To do this, we must focus on environmental factors that affect bait movement and concentration. Predators are doing the same thing. Any area that collects and holds baitfish will ring the dinner bell that all predators hear, and they will come running!
A look at Sea Surface Temperature (SST) charts the day before a trip will provide accurate surface temps and chlorophyll imagery among other things that are essential to finding bait and feeding fish. A reasonably priced satellite service is SatFish, which can be accessed via a phone app. At $129 per year, it is a relatively low cost compared to rising fuel prices. Using an application such as this can save many hours and expense searching for gamefish. Most services offer online tutorials and information on how to read their charts. Let’s focus on a few factors that can improve the odds at finding fish.
The boundary areas between blue and green water, often referred to as color breaks, will typically stack up bait and hold above-average numbers of gamefish.
Chlorophyll is the beginning of the food chain for marine life. Find it and you have a good chance at locating bait and fish. Temperature and chlorophyll breaks will oftentimes correspond with color changes. So, once you've reviewed the images and located the general area of a color break, this becomes an area of interest.
This mahi was caught where warm inshore water pushed against the Gulf Stream.
Structure is critical to consider when targeting gamefish. It provides shelter and feeding opportunities for all marine life. While you can stumble upon fish just about anywhere in the ocean, you'll locate more on or around structure.
In the case of large underwater structure, nutrient-rich waters will be pushed by the current towards the surface, creating an area where bait will concentrate and hold. Also remember that weed lines are a key form of structure when fishing the edges of the Gulf Stream.
If you can find a color change that corresponds with structure, this is where you want to begin your days fishing.
If everything lines up, there’s a good chance upon arrival that you’ll see marine life
blue water interact.
If you can’t be on the water every day, the next best thing is to use an imagery service. Make sure to check just before leaving port for the latest images.
including birds, porpoise, flying fish and other bait. This doesn’t mean you won’t catch fish in off-colored water, but there’s a much better chance you’ll find concentrations of bait in or around the edges of areas where green and
Tides from inlets also play a role in water clarity, creating rips and weed-line formation. Bait will concentrate along the edge, especially where this water pushes up against the waters of the Gulf Stream. Look for these demarcation lines on incoming and outgoing tides. Learn how to read these vital signs both on and off the water using charts. If you can consistently find areas that hold bait, you’ll always have a shot at your quarry. You will have become a top predator!
Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefishing_™
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
While fishing one very windy day in early spring, I let the fish guide me to success. Let me explain: I started the day utilizing experience and tactics I had been taught and read about for decades, but they didn’t work.
In early spring, when the bait is very small, the conventional wisdom is to use small lures or “match the hatch,” as the old adage goes. However, on this day, that didn’t work! If I had let myself stay stuck in the old rut and habits, I most likely would have been skunked. I would have gone home thinking I hadn’t found the fish or that they weren’t eating, and that could not have been further from the truth.
On this trip, I intended to target larger fish, prompting me to switch from the popular method to the exact opposite. I switched from a 3-inch swimbait to a 5-inch Knockin Tail Lure. This gave me several advantages. With
the high wind, I was able to more accurately control my casts. This was key, as I could target bait flips, mud boils and underwater structures that I could see with the aid of my polarized sunglasses. The larger lures also enabled me to feel my lure, allowing me to stay in constant contact with it and not miss a strike. With the heavy wave action, the larger rattling tail was better at attracting the fish, allowing them to home in on the lure through the commotion of the water.
This switch in tackle size turned a few hours of no strikes into another 2 to 3 hours of catching nearly 30 redfish in the same area. To prove my point, when one of the 5-inch lures needed to be retired, I switched back to the 3.25-inch Knockin Tail Lure with no results. The fish couldn’t lock onto the smaller lure, and it didn’t provide enough sound and vibration for what they needed in that time and place. I tried
the smaller offering for about 15 minutes, and within a few casts of switching back to the larger profile, another nice red slammed it!
The tip of the day is: it’s OK to start with time-proven tactics, and most of the time it’s the correct thing to do. However, when the fish are not responding, do not remain stuck in that rut for too long. Make some changes, and let the fish guide you to success. Remember, none of those fish read the articles, books or watched the shows telling them how to feed. As always, take a kid fishing; you just might learn something.
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
When it comes to growing giant largemouth bass, Texas has it figured out. Since 1986, the state’s Toyota ShareLunker program has conducted a breeding program using huge largemouths caught and donated alive by anglers. These donated bass, called Legacy Class, must be heavier than 13 pounds. They spawn in a facility before being released, along with their offspring, to spread big-fish genetics across the state.
The results of the program are apparent in the giant Texas bass caught each year. Many of them go right back into the breeding program, and the spring of 2024 was the fourth ShareLunker season in a row that has been deemed exceptional.
This spring, anglers contributed 19 Legacy Class, 13-plus-pound, bass from seven different lakes throughout Texas. Three new waterbodies recorded their first Legacy Class fish, but O.H. Ivie in west Texas was at the head
of the class again this season with 12 entries. O.H. Ivie generated seven consecutive Legacy Lunkers to close out the 2024 collection season. It has produced an unprecedented number of ShareLunkers during the last four seasons, accounting for the final ShareLunker of the 2020 collection season and then exploding for 12 Legacy Class Lunkers in 2021, 2022 and 2024. It proceeded to shatter the single-season collection record for that waterbody, with 15 ShareLunkers in 2023.
O.H. Ivie boasts 51 combined Legacy Lunkers and multiple Legend Class entries over the past four collections seasons.
Highlights from the 2024 Toyota ShareLunker collection season:
• Seven reservoirs delivered Legacy Class Lunkers (Fort Phantom Hill, Inks Lake, J.B. Thomas, Naconiche, O.H. Ivie, Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend)
• Three new reservoirs with Legacy Class ShareLunkers (Fort Phantom Hill, Inks Lake, J.B. Thomas)
• Three new waterbody records (J.B. Thomas, Inks Lake, Fort Phantom Hill) and one new junior waterbody record (J.B. Thomas)
• Angler Kyle Hall’s 15.82-pounder was the 37th heaviest all-time Texas largemouth bass
• Angler Kyle Hall recorded a Legacy Lunker in three consecutive seasons
• Six out-of-state anglers etched their name into the program’s record book. The anglers hailed from Kansas, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Washington.
• Angler Larry R. Walker reeled in two Legacy Class Lunkers in 2024
State biologists implemented a genetic analysis of this year’s Legacy Lunkers and made some incredible discoveries. For example, they determined ShareLunker 666, reeled in by Larry R. Walker from O.H. Ivie, was a recapture of ShareLunker 646 originally caught by Mechelda Criswell in 2023.
A 13.2-pound fish from Lake Athens proved to be the offspring of ShareLunker 552 which was caught by Randall E. Claybourne in 2014 at Lake Fork. This is the first time a Legacy Class descendant from this specific family tree was discovered in the program.
Of the 19 Legacy Class ShareLunkers, 13 of the fish had secondary relationships to either previous Legacy Class fish or other ShareLunkers that anglers submitted scale samples for genetic analyses. Tissue from a pair of full siblings from Oak Creek were submitted by Criswell through the ShareLunker app. One of
these fish was caught in 2023 and the other in 2024.
Unfortunately, one of this year’s 19 Legacy Class fish, the 13.42-pound ShareLunker 662 from Inks Lake, perished due to extenuating circumstances. However, in the last five years, the program has achieved an excellent overall fish survival success rate of 94 percent.
That’s a lot of big-fish genetics going back into Texas fisheries.
For more information, go to TexasSharelunker.com.
Hilton’s innovative SAT2NAV system connects your Garmin, Furuno or Raymarine chart plotters to HiltonsOffshore. com’s server directly from your MFD. Customize/download the latest dynamic charts and then navigate on them outside of cell range — ALL FROM YOUR MFD SCREEN!
Split screen a Hilton’s chlorophyll or sea temp chart along with a bathymetry chart and/or instrumentation.
Since 2004, Hilton’s has helped serious offshore anglers catch more fish while burning less gas. This is the company that pioneered online satellite fish forecasting with timely updated charts that display all of the pertinent fishfinding information at a reasonable cost for the best anglers in the world.
This year, Hilton’s pushed the industry forward again with its SAT2NAV system. In a quantum leap ahead of any other service in the industry, Hilton’s has brought its unparalleled charts where they belong… to your boat’s chart plotter screen!
Gone are the days when a separate smart device was required to navigate on charts downloaded while in cell phone range. SAT2NAV allows you to surf Hilton’s online mapping portal, select desired charts and then navigate on them—all on the water and all from the multifunction display in your cockpit. Nobody in the industry can do what Hilton’s is doing with SAT2NAV.
SAT2NAV is an external device that connects to the monitors of your Garmin, Raymarine or Furuno multifunction displays. It has its own WIFI and GPS antennas and brings access to Hilton’s charts to the monitors at your helm. It is now possible view your vessel’s position relative to temperature breaks, color changes, high-res bathymetry, altimetry, etc. on your multifunction display.
With split-screen, all of this powerful imagery can be displayed alongside sonar, radar or other desired information.
With SAT2NAV, it’s never been easier to identify and navigate to ocean features where bait and gamefish congregate. You can do your homework on the charts at home, but sometimes it’s necessary to call an audible on the water. With Hilton’s charts clearly visible on your monitor, you can find those good currents, minute temperature changes, sea-surface upwellings, color breaks and navigate to them. Perhaps more importantly, you can eliminate dead water, which makes you a much more efficient and effective angler.
Of course, all of this comes with Hilton’s unrivaled service. Their philosophy, reputation and longevity in the industry rely on the concept that if the information doesn’t help you catch fish, you won’t use it. So, they continually strive to provide the best up-to-date imagery, information and technology, and they’ll go above and beyond to make sure you know what you’re looking at and how to use it.
Hilton’s, again, is leading the industry. With SAT2NAV they can do what no one else in the industry can do right now. At the same time, they are continually working to be better with additional eye-opening features that will further distinguish Hilton’s as the best in the fish forecasting industry. Stay tuned…
“Texas” Roy Crush said the snook he caught on April 26 in Quepos, Costa Rica could have eaten his previous personal-best snook. At 58.6 pounds and 50 inches long, Crush’s giant Pacific snook is certainly the fish of a lifetime. It crushed the existing IGFA 20-lb. line-class record of 47 pounds, and it’s just a pound shy of being the largest snook on record with IGFA.
“I lost a big one earlier, so I was just concentrating on getting it in and not screwing up,” Roy said. “I knew it was big when it came up, but when I saw the guides in the boat—the guys who do it every day—start to get pumped up, I knew it was something special.”
Roy is an experienced angler with a background fishing professional inshore tournaments on his home-waters around Galveston, Texas. He was in Quepos for the first time with Capt. Steve Hoyland, of Hoyland’s Adventures. They were filming for Texas Boys Outdoors, Crush’s non-profit that provides fishing trips for kids, veterans and first responders.
With local guides in Quepos, they got some spectacular fishing footage over a couple of days. While Carolina rigging live sardines
on 20-lb. tackle, Crush and some buddies boated the 50-incher along with other slob snook that measured 45, 42 and 37 inches. The video will air this summer on the Texas Boys Outdoors show on the Pursuit Channel.
“I’m glad some of my best fishing buddies were there and we got to experience it together,” Roy said. “I also caught my first sailfish, so I think I’ll be going back to Costa Rica. Next time, we’ll take some firefighters or veterans.”
Roy and his wife Jean Crush started their non-profit because Roy had made a hobby out of guiding free trips on Galveston Bay for people who need to go fishing, like sick kids and veterans.
“I do something I enjoy, and I get to give back a little. It’s a real blessing,” Roy said.
As for the record fish, Roy is getting together the paperwork to submit to IGFA. The current 20-lb. line class record weighed 47 lbs. It was caught off Panama in 2017. The all-tackle
world record stands at 59 lbs., 8 ozs. It was caught out of Quepos by Capt. Ward Michaels in 2014.
For more information, visit texasboysoutdoors.org and their Facebook page Texas Boys Outdoors.
Rainshadow Rod Blanks from Batson Enterprises have a 25 year track record of delivering custom-level quality, high performance, and value to the world’s premier fishing rod producers and elite anglers. Batson has combined the industry’s best line up of rod blanks and components with direct access to our network of professional rod builders that make awesome rods happen. Click to visit us online, browse rod blank and component options, and get in contact with the best fishing rod creators in the business.
Forty-nine reservoirs stretch across the Tennessee Valley like a string of pearls. And for those who love to fish, those lakes are just as valuable. Whether it’s bass, crappie, walleye, or catfish, whether for sport, food, or just fun, you can find world-class lake fishing only hours away from any spot in the Tennessee Valley. From more than 11,000 miles of shoreline or while floating on more than 700,000 acres of water, residents and visitors will quickly learn why this area is considered one of the best fishing destinations in the U.S. and, some would say, the world.
Fishing from the shore can be restful and rewarding—and anyone can do it. All you need is a little intel about how to find a spot where the fish might be biting. Here are a few tips for successful shore fishing from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency:
• Fish are often swimming near the shore in the spring and fall. If you’re fishing from the shore in the heat of summer, do it in the evening or early morning—or even after dark.
• Fish near-unique features such as docks, logs, trees, rocks, or rocky areas; aquatic vegetation; or places where creeks enter the water.
• When fishing in moving water, look at the surface for boils and breaks—this means there is some underwater structure blocking the current, which could be the perfect hiding place for fish.
• Begin fishing (casting) close and parallel to the bank, then work your way outward (fan casting) toward deeper water.
• If you don’t get any bites, try switching baits. If this doesn’t work, move to another hole.
• Wear polarized sunglasses so you’ll be able to see fish as well as submerged objects more clearly. (Your eyes will also be protected from the tackle.)
If you love outdoor sports—boating, hunting, fishing—and the natural world, or if you just like to observe wildlife, build birdhouses, maintain a bird feeder or are just curious about the critters in your backyard, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is here to help enrich your outdoor experience. Visit us at www.tn.gov/twra/
You don’t need an invitation to have fun in Upcountry South Carolina: Come kayak crys-tal blue lakes, hike to rushing waterfalls, dig into local cuisine, attend family oriented events and breathe fresh mountain air. But when you hold a South Carolina fishing license, it feels like an official ticket to enjoy the great outdoors.
Fish bite year-round in the lakes, rivers and streams of Upcountry South Carolina, which is located in the state’s northwest corner in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Devils Fork State Park in Salem is a great place to access Lake Jocassee, which holds state records for rainbow trout, brown trout, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and yellow perch. Or try your luck at Lake Hartwell, at Lake Hartwell State Park in Fair Play and Sadlers Creek State Park in Anderson, three-time host of the Bassmaster Classic.
The Chattooga River boasts healthy wild trout populations and is also regularly stocked by Oconee County’s Walhalla State Fish Hatchery. The Whitewater River above Lower White-water Falls is another great option for wild trout. Lake Keowee, at Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Pickens County, swims with largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, yel-low perch, catfish, brown and rainbow trout.
Pick up everything you need—including advice— at local fly shops or book a guided fish-ing trip. Sam Jones, of Jocassee Charters, puts anglers on trophy trout. Buster Green’s Guide Ser-vice reels in stripers, hybrids and bass on Hartwell and Keowee. Chattooga
River Fly Shop leads fly fishing trips on the Chattooga and Chauga rivers.
Even if you don’t fish, you can still get on the water. Jocassee Lake Tours offers tours of the lake and of Jocassee Gorges, which National Geographic called a “destination of a Lifetime.” Some amazing spots can only be reached by boat. Several tours are offered, so you can learn from a naturalist while riding on a pontoon or paddle a kayak through coves and under waterfalls.
Prefer to captain your own boat? There are several rental companies, including Tri-County Boat Rental, on Keowee, Jocassee, Hartwell and other lakes.
If you’d rather be under the water, Jocassee is a world-renowned freshwater diving desti-nation that boasts visibility of more than 50 feet at depth. Lake Jocassee Dive Shop offers lessons and guided trips to see “The Wall,” where a section of mountain was blasted to build the dam, or a 40-foot swim-through wooden sailboat.
From fishing to boating, hiking to camping, biking to bird watching and more, the Up-country’s state parks are a great place to play. Dip into the swimming hole at Oconee State Park. Hike to the tops of Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains at Table Rock State Park. Explore the 13,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area at Caesars Head State Park. Or create your own adventure at any of the Upcountry’s 13 state parks.
UpcountrySC.com to learn more.
By David Hulsey
Getting started fly fishing can seem to be a mythical, expensive and sometimes daunting task for newcomers to the sport. Nothing could be further from the truth. Over the past 20 years of teaching literally thousands of people how simple fly fishing is, a few things have stood out as clearly as the kype on a big old brown trout’s jaw.
A few common misconceptions I’ve heard from beginners:
1) “ The places I fish are too small to use a fly rod.”
With a little practice, you can cast a short fly rod in a tunnel of overhanging rhododendron bushes. Short roll casts and even bow-andarrow casts can be used to present a fly in very tight places.
2) “ You can’t cast a fly as far as a spinning rod can cast a lure.”
While in some instances this may be true, a seasoned caster can usually dump all the line off the reel and cast a fly farther than you can set a hook into a fish anyway.
3) “I catch fish using conventional tack le but don’t know how to catch a fish on fly tackle”
If you already know how to catch fish with conventional tackle, you’ve already won half the battle. Knowing where fish like to be is the first step. Now you just have to learn to drift the right fly over the fish in a natural manner.
Usually, after getting these misconceptions taken care of right off the bat, it seems to free up anglers’ minds to absorb the good stuff. Tackle
selection doesn’t have to be complicated. Matter of fact, the following list of tackle seems to cover most situations we could possibly get ourselves into here in the South. Always get the best quality you can afford. Here’s a good starting point.
First, select a 9-foot 5-weight fly rod. This size rod can cast medium size poppers to bass and bluegill and also toss dry flies, nymphs and streamers to trout on your nearby stream. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Most will start a little over a hundred dollars and go up from there. The length and weight of the rod is usually printed on the blank of the rod just in front of the handle.
Second, get a decent fly reel. Make sure it’s light enough not to be a problem to cast. A smooth usable one can be had for around $50 and go up from there.
Third, purchase a weight-forward floating fly line matched to your rod weight. Get the best one you can afford. This is probably your most important investment. You can put a great fly line on a real dog of a rod and make it cast like a dream. The formula on the line box will read as follows WF-5-F.
tippet. Tippet is used to repair your leader that will be snagged in the trees a few times.
Fourth, a 7.5-foot 3x, 4x or 5x leader will suffice in a bunch of situations. Your leader is a tapered piece of monofilament that provides an invisible link between your fly line and the fly. Use the 3x for streamers and bass flies, the 4x for nymphs and the 5x for
Sixth, a small selection of flies that will produce trout almost anywhere are as follows: olive Wooly Bugger, size 10; Pheasant Tail Nymph, size 16; Hares Ear Nymph, size 14; Prince Nymph, size 16, Parachute Adams Dry, size 16; Elk Hair Caddis, size 14; and a yellow Stimulator; size 14. Add a chartreuse popper, and you will be ready for almost any
and gadgets will come over time. Lastly, get professional instruction. It will shorten the learning curve and increase your fun level tremendously!
David Hulsey is a North Georgia-based guide and fly fishing instructor. Call him at (770) 639-4001 and check out Hulsey Fly Fishing at hulseyflyfishing.com.
, the leader in high-performance soft-sided coolers, is hitting the water this year with new, upgraded fishing products. Our fishing team partners told us what they needed, and we listened!
Products are in stock and ready to ship; The Fishing Cooler Backpack, 2, 4 & 6ft Fish bags, Fillet bags, Boat fenders, EVA Traction pads, Inflatable Docks, ISUPs, and of course, our high-performance coolers specifically designed for use on boats, guaranteed not to leak, and to keep ice cold for up to 24 hours.
Thirty years ago, AO was launched to provide active, hard-core people with quality products at a reasonable price. We started selling our soft-sided coolers to the hard-core, go-fast boaters and fishermen in Lake Havasu. We aimed to keep ice in our coolers for up to 24 hours in 120-degree Havasu heat. That goal was accomplished 30 years ago, and we’re still at it.
We know our customers; they fish and boat in the summer and ride the dunes or trails in the winter. AO products give those high-octane souls greater freedom to embark on and enjoy what’s important to them.
Make sure that your gear does not hold you back from doing what you love. AO products are built to handle whatever offshore adventure is coming next.
AO is flexibly rugged, seriously fun, and honestly real!
We’re looking for active, adventurous folks that demand quality and performance from their gear. Share your adventure and send us your fish story or photo.
On the global stage, Alaska is undisputedly recognized as the best salmon fishery in the world. Just like the quarry they pursue, anglers return annually to take part in the wild Pacific salmon bounty.
The height of the salmon season runs from June through September, when mature salmon return from their open ocean feeding grounds after years at sea to spawn in the streams where they hatched. All five types of wild Pacific salmon embark on epic migrations back to their
home streams to fulfill their purpose of spawning. This natural phenomenon ignites the pursuit from commercial and recreational anglers annually. Catching salmon in Alaska can be achieved through many techniques. Trolling is the most common tactic used by commercial and recreational anglers, alike. We troll with a series of downriggers to lower salmon-fishing rigs to multiple depths of the water column and put tackle in the depth zones where
By Capt. Lukas Brickwegsalmon are feeding. We troll spoons, rigged herring, artificial squid and fly patterns. Frequently, these lures and baits are attached with a leader to a flasher that acts as an attractant underwater. The flasher has holographic and reflective tape in all colors. It rotates and reflects light as it’s trolled through the water. Flashers replicate a school of salmon feeding, which attracts other salmon to the area where your lures are working behind the flasher.
Salmon feed throughout the entire water column. But for the most part, the most common depths for catching salmon range from 15 feet to 150 feet. By using multiple downriggers and clips, you can efficiently fish this wide depth range with a series of rods. The salmon baits and lures are attached to the downrigger clips that keep them at the various depths in the water column. Trolling for salmon requires a boat speed of 1.5 to 3.5 mph. Due to the metabolism of cold-water fish, we troll much slower than for the pelagic species in warmer waters.
When a salmon strikes the lure, the rod tip flicks up and releases from the downrigger clip. This signals a strike, and the angler must get to the rod to put tension on the fish. Salmon mouths are relatively soft. This results in specific salmon fishing equipment to aid in retrieving these fish.
are times when the major schools are 40 to 60 miles out, and it’s worth making the run to get to better fishing. Out of Ketchikan, Alaska, where we run charters during the season, we commonly run 30 to 50 miles to encounter huge schools of silver and king salmon. But for the most part, salmon can be caught close to the ports because they are returning through nearshore waters to spawn.
Salmon fishing rods, for example, are longer than most trolling rods and they are flexible with little backbone. This helps absorb the salmon headshakes and alleviates tension which could pull the hook. Salmon reels are typically smaller in comparison to other offshore fishing equipment, and we use monofilament line which stretches to further absorb tension from salmon headshakes.
The Alaskan salmon fishing season runs
through September. In this time, all five types of wild Pacific salmon return to spawn. King salmon—the big ones, which we catch in the 15- to 30-pound range—arrive first, and the best time to fish for kings is June and July. The other species: sockeye, chum, silver and pink salmon arrive after the kings. The best time to fish for the other salmon species runs from July through September. Silvers commonly weigh 6 to 14 pounds, and pink salmon weigh 3 to 7 pounds. These are the most common species caught while trolling in the ocean for salmon.
Salmon fishing typically does not require long boat runs to reach the fish. However, there
This world-renowned summer phenomenon is a sight to behold for those interested in seeing it in person. Catching wild Pacific salmon is just part of the experience in this majestic setting. Picture humpback whales breaching around the boat in waters teeming with herring and krill. Imagine watching a 1,200-pound sea lion chasing your hooked salmon in an attempt to rip it from your line. Eagles cascade down to pick scraps or salmon they spot on the surface. This all occurs where you are surrounded by towering tree-lined fjords. If this experience isn’t on your bucket list, we recommend you update that list. Salmon fishing in Alaska is a must do.
Contact Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters at (907) 617-4717 or e-mail ketchikanfishingtrips@gmail.com. ketchikanfishingtrips.com
The fishing was pretty good off the Georgia coast in early May. Two Telfair County, Ga. anglers set new saltwater state records, one for a nearly 24-pound almaco jack, and one for a 30-plus-pound blackfin tuna. Jason H. Rich, 40, of McRae-Helena, reeled in a massive 23-pound, 15.04-ounce almaco jack on May 2, while fishing offshore between the South Ledge and Navy Tower R3. This impressive catch shatters the previous record of 19 pounds, 10.53 ounces set by Hayden W.
Mundy, of Midway, Ga., just three months ago in March. Rich, a licensed saltwater guide, was fishing aboard his boat “Slay Ride” and used a spinning rod with a vertical jig to entice the record-breaking almaco jack.
Two days later, Molly M. Strickland, 27, of Lumber City, landed her record-setting catch on May 4. While fishing near the South Ledge, Strickland hooked a hefty 30-pound, 14.24-ounce blackfin tuna. This impressive fish ties the existing state record for blackfin, which was set back in 1999 by Penny Morgan-Turner of St. Simons Island. Strickland was fishing a daisy-chain rigged with ballyhoo aboard the vessel “Bare Down,” captained by Blake Barry. Both fish were weighed at DNR’s Coastal Regional Headquarters in Brunswick, Ga. Rich’s fish was 39.2 inches total length, 34.5 inches fork length, and 24.75 inches in girth. Strickland’s tuna was 38.6 inches total length, 33.9 inches fork length, and 25.2 inches in girth.
See all of Georgia’s saltwater records at CoastalGaDNR.org/SaltwaterRecords.
smaller chicken dolphins. If lures are your thing I prefer Yozuri Crystal Minnows and honestly color doesn’t matter. Pitch around the weed lines or patches and look deeper down for the bigger Mahi. As for Tuna with all the chumming going on, I like to send down a vertical jig on 60#-80# test at least 100’ below the boat. Working your jig through the water column is a good way to fire up any kind of fish that may be lurking around in the shadows. If you have a large diamond jig I’d put some heavy wire in front of it for a chance at a wahoo. Triple Tail are amazing fish on light tackle and I recommend 15#-20# fluorocarbon and #2 Owner hook. Live
If bottom fishing is your go to joy Vermillion snappers, Groupers, and Rock salmon is my target. For Vermillion snappers I like using a 2-3 hook chicken rig mixed with cut squid and Boston mackerel. Let your weight sit right on the bottom and wait for those 2-3 light bites. Rock salmon and Groupers like to hide out in the rocks and caves, so a slip lead is what I like to use. Heavier leader line for Groupers and larger baits close to the bottom. Feel the bite and start cranking. The first 20’-30’ are the most
When it comes to offshore fishing don’t give up. There’s a lot of trial and error. Figure out what works best for you and as always keep your lines out and keep them tight.
Coastal Angler Magazine and its freshwater component The Angler Magazine continue to experience franchise growth. Recent additions to the franchise expansion include Middle Tennessee, Puerto Rico and St. Augustine, Fla. According to CEO Ben Martin, the franchise model is the strongest business platform available in today’s publishing space.
“We’re just about to expand into the
Texas market, and we look for accelerated growth throughout the region,” said Martin. “Coastal Angler and The Angler magazines boast 25 current locations, and these new editions will bring that new total to 28.”
The franchise publishing model acts as a co-op entity enabling franchise owners to enjoy lower costs on printing and other business purchases. Its training program and support system empower
individuals with no prior publishing experience to launch and operate successful local fishing magazines in nearly any market where fishing is a popular pastime.
First published in 1996, Coastal Angler embarked on the franchise model in 2008. The total circulation for the magazine is now over 250,000 copies per month, and it is recognized as the largest outdoor publication in the country.
Mark Twain said it best when he said, “The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation.”
An avid outdoor enthusiast, David McGavock graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1991 with a bachelors in wildlife and fisheries biology. His area of specialization includes fish stocking, fish rearing, lake and pond aeration, aquatic weed and algae control, fish population management, fertilization, water quality, proper construction of lakes and ponds, and wildlife management.
David McGavock
Middle TN/ Northern AL Co-Publisher
Outdoor writing has long been his passion, and David has 30 years of field experience in both the public and private sectors. After years in the fisheries industry, he joins the The Angler Magazine team in the Middle Tennessee Nashville/ Northern Alabama Birmingham territory.
Please join us in welcoming Capt. Eric and Gina Diesl, our new St. Augustine, Fla. franchisee co-publishers. The Diesls have lived in St. Augustine for 30 years and are originally from New York and New Jersey. Eric and Gina both grew up with fathers who would take them fishing every chance they had, creating memories for them that will last a lifetime. They have one son, Reece, who loves sports and the outdoors, just like his parents.
Capt. Eric and Gina Diesl (with son, Reece) St. Augustine Co-Publishers
Capt. Eric and Gina are looking forward to utilizing their people skills and sales experience to grow the business and create a legacy magazine in St. Augustine.
