Coastal Angler Magazine | February 2019 | Lakeland by Coastal Angler Magazine

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LAKELAND & SUMTER EDITION

Tampa's

Treasures

Record-Class

Blackfish Inshore Rigging Tips PHOTO COURTESY OF DARYN ANDREW WHITE VOLUME 23 â&#x20AC;¢ ISSUE 288

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O P P O R T U N I T I E S

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LIFE ON THE COAST IS BETTER WHEN YOU STAY CENTERED.

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Make the most of the open water with Yamaha’s 190 FSH® Series. Our all-new 19-foot center console boats have been redesigned from the ground up for more fishing and family fun. A saltwater corrosion resistant driveline protects you from the harshest elements. And with an extra spacious layout and new storage pods to keep all of your gear, the 190 FSH Series will put you in the middle of everything you love about living on the coast. Starting at $29,799.

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FROM SHIP TO SHORE

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AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.

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FEBRUARY 2019

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Tampa Bay, A Jewel On

Florida’s Gulf Coast By Rosemary J. White

ampa Bay has some of the very best fishing in the state of Florida, which means it is some of the best fishing in the world. What makes Tampa Bay so unique is the many different varieties of both freshwater and saltwater fish to catch, as well as the many different ways to catch them. If you are not a boat person, Tampa offers the world’s longest fishing pier, the Old Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here you can catch snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, red snapper and pompano. That’s 10 species of highly desirable fish from just one location, without a boat! And if that list alone is not impressive enough, fishing the bridge is convenient, too. You’ll need some specialized gear, but once

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you’ve got it you can drive right onto the pier to your exact sweet spot and unload. It’s also lit at night! There’s no limit as to what time of the day you can fish. Feel like delving into the ocean world a little deeper than a concrete bridge? Tampa Bay boasts the stunning Fort Desoto County Park. Here you can simply slip on a pair of old sneakers and wade into cerulean blue waters and lush seagrass beds. Sound surreal? It is. Wading is a stealthy approach to fishing. In addition to species from the list above, you can also catch redfish, trout and flounder. Looking to fish the deeper waters of the bay? About 45 miles out, the water depths start to reach the 80-foot range. Out here, the possibilities are endless. Varieties of grouper, assortments of snapper, arrays of sharks, blackfin tuna, sailfish, mahi, amberjack, jack crevalle, permit and bonita can be added to the previously mentioned lists of available species. What if you tend to lean more toward the fresh side? Tampa Bay has some of the most diverse freshwater fishing opportunities one can imagine. Use a kayak to quietly glide through the tannic waters of our creeks to catch largemouth bass that grow upwards of 10 pounds. The creeks also hold massive bluegills, crappie, toothy alligator gar, tilapia, catfish and carp. The secret to what makes our freshwater fishing so thrilling is that you never know what you are going to catch. You see, many of our saltwater species inhabit our freshwater, as well. It is not only possible, but it is common to catch a big largemouth and then five minutes later a 15-pound common snook. Tampa Bay offers a temperate climate, direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, artificial reefs, a unique slowly sloping continental shelf, and an abundance of freshwater feeds. From grass flats and mangrove systems in our inshore ecological system, to the deeper channels throughout the bay and Intracoastal Waterway, anglers have the opportunity to catch anything from sharks to Goliath grouper. The potential for the catch of a lifetime exists on every cast.

*At Ma sal inc

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NauticStar Introduces

SEE IT AT THE MIAMI INTL BOAT SHOW BOOTH A237 The 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a new 25-foot model to NauticStar’s very successful hybrid lineup. This unique multipurpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform. NauticStar has also moved into the 30-foot plus category with its

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newest member of the family: the 32 XS Offshore. This outstanding saltwater performer delivers all the necessary fishing features for the serious angler with a smooth, dry, comfortable ride with cutting edge styling and comfort features never before seen in a boat of this style and size. With its 10’ 6” beam, the 32 XS Offshore offers a spacious and comfortable bow that features large forward lounge seating with arm rests and plush wrap-around bow seats. The head console has a fully lined interior with a sink, SeaDek floor and electric flush toilet. It has a spacious and ergonomic helm to allow for dual 12-inch or 16inch multifunction displays. The leaning post features ergonomically correct Llebrock double billfish seats with flip-up bolsters and pivot arms. It has a sink, tackle storage, and a slide-out, 35-quart YETI cooler. The D-channel, integrated T-top can be fitted with a variety of options such as a retractable shade and fold-down cockpit television. Aft, the jump seats flip-up for a spacious fishing deck with sizable, infloor fish boxes and large port side dive door. “Engineered for exceptional reliability and performance, the new 32 XS Offshore carries forward NauticStar’s 100-percent wood-free construction and one-piece foam filled fiberglass stringer system,” said Ryan Witt, director of engineering. “Additionally, we’ve added some great new design features such as sculpted hull sides, a sideentry cockpit door, and large insulated in-floor fish boxes. The 32 XS Offshore also features cutting edge technologies with NaviOP digital vessel control system and Klipsch custom-tuned audio system.” “I am very proud of the team and all they have accomplished over the past year,” Schiek added. “These new models are truly exciting and we look forward to introducing many great new models in the future.” The 251 Hybrid and 32 XS Offshore will be on display in Miami at booth A237 and available for test rides in the Yamaha in-water display. For more information on each of NauticStar’s new model introductions, please visit: 195 Bay - https://nauticstarboats. com/boats/nauticbay-boats/195-nauticbay/ 251 Hybrid - https:// nauticstarboats.com/boats/hybrids/251-hybrid/

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auticStar Boats, a subsidiary of MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc., has been reinvesting in the business at an accelerated pace, specifically, modernizing the plant and developing leading edge new products. The Company launched the new 195 Bay Boat in August, followed by the 251 Hybrid in September and will debut its largest offshore model yet, the 32 XS Offshore, at the Miami International Boat Show. “To say we have been busy at NauticStar is an understatement,” NauticStar President Tim Schiek said in a statement. “We have assembled a strong team of marine experts focused on delivering the highest quality and best performing boats in their segment. This is not only driving continuous improvement in our boat building processes, but throughout the entire organization. We have also implemented a more disciplined product development process that is delivering more new products, at a faster cadence, with increased consumer insights and innovation that ultimately will deliver the best boating experience for our consumers at a reasonable price.”

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With its sleek lines and stylish contours, the new 251 Hybrid offers a fresh new look and a 25 foot addition to the NauticStar Hybrid lineup. This unique multi-purpose vessel offers the perfect size and features for a family friendly pleasure boat and a tournament ready fishing platform. If you need a serious fishing machine for yourself or a boat with enough room for a large crowd, the 251 Hybrid is the boat for you! Check out all the incredible features of the 251 on our website and design the boat of your dreams.

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FEBRUARY 2019

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By Tom Schlichter

Winter Bulldogs Out Of Ocean City, Maryland By Tom Schlichter

Ron McClelland caught this 24-pound blackfish aboard the Fish Bound out of Ocean City, Md. in April of 2018. Mate Kevin Twilley helps hoist the beast. Photo courtesy of Fish Bound Charters.

enneth Westerfeld was expecting a big blackfish when he set up on a solid, single-tug while wreck fishing out of Ocean City, Md. back in January of 2015. What he wasn’t expecting was a new International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record at the end of the line.

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“We were into big blackfish right off the bat,” explained the Queens, N.Y. angler, “and I knew immediately when I set the hook that this was a double-digit white chin. I got three quick turns on the reel and then all I could do was hold the rod high and tight while she dove for the wreck. More than half way to the top, however, she got a second wind and tore 40 feet of line from my drag, which was nearly locked tight. I couldn’t believe the power. That’s when I knew this one was more than special.” When the monstrous bulldog finally hit the deck, Westerfeld was stunned by its size. Back at Sunset Marina in Ocean City, the huge white chin officially tipped the scales at 28 pounds, 8 ounces. That blackfish, still the all tackle world record for the tough-lipped bottom feeders, was decked aboard Capt. Kane Bounds’ six-pack charter boat Fish Bound, a vessel on which Westerfeld has taken several ’teen-sized bulldogs over the years. “I’m convinced there’s even bigger blackfish in Maryland waters,” he said. “A couple of years ago, an experienced SCUBA diver reported seeing two giant blackfish on an offshore reef there—the smaller one he estimated at 30 pounds.” Capt. Kane agrees that bigger fish probably lurk in the 80- to 150-foot depths where he concentrates most of his blackfish efforts. “I think our ’tog have a little longer growing season than up north,” he reasoned. “That makes a difference with a fish that can live more than 30 years. In 2017 alone, we had five that broke the 20-pound mark. Three of those were released.” You’ll want to fish heavy in these waters if giant ’tog are your target. Bounds recommended conventional outfits with smooth drags and 50- to 60-pound test braided lines. He also goes big on hooks, choosing 5/0 and 6/0 sizes over more traditional 3/0 and 4/0 selections. Expect to need 8 to 12 ounces of lead to get to the bottom. Monster blackfish bite right through the winter months, with many of the largest fish decked each year in February, March and April. Westerfeld advised anglers looking for the blackfish of a lifetime to use fluorocarbon leaders no matter which rigs or hooks they choose. “Maryland’s waters are pretty clear in the winter and low visibility fluorocarbon leaders really provide an edge,” he said. “Seaguar’s 60-lb. test Blue Label fluorocarbon leaders have worked well for me. They have great abrasion resistance and impact strength, plus very little stretch—three things you really need with these brutes.” To fish with Capt. Kane on the six-passenger Fish Bound, contact: www. fishboundcharter.com; 443-497-1361. Open boat fans can check out the Morning Star (http://morningstarfishing.com; 410-520-2076).

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1/21/19 10:31 AM

Central Florida Bass Are On The Beds By Nick Carter • Photo by Brett Cannon

hile largemouth bass across much of the country remain hunkered down in a winter pattern, bass in central Florida are running full tilt in all three stages of the spawn. Right now tournament angler and guide Ricky Congero is wearing out big Florida strain largemouths on the eight Kissimmee Chain lakes around Orlando. Whether you’re an angler in need of a road trip or if you’re sitting in an easy chair waiting on your reservoir to get right, Congero’s tactics might help steer you to the largemouth of a lifetime. Starting in November and December, Kissimmee largemouths begin staging up in prespawn behaviors. The first big waves of fish hit the flats toward the end of January. They’ll move in and out with the passage of cold fronts, but from January into early March there will be fish in all stages of the spawn. The key to locating them among miles of thick vegetation is to find hard-bottomed shallow flats. “You can pattern them year-round based on the spawning flats,” Congero said. “During prespawn, they’ll be staged in the first grass maybe

100 yards off those flats. Postspawn, they’ll move out into the dense hydrilla and hyacinth.” Congero starts by covering water with moving baits like swim jigs and Chatterbaits in search of bass preparing to move up. When the smaller males arrive on the flats to fan out beds, it’s an indicator that fishing is about to get very good. “If you start catching a bunch of young bucks on the flats, the big females won’t be far behind,” he said. In the tannic waters of the Kissimmee lakes, it’s difficult to spot fish on the bed. Instead of sight fishing, Congero looks for the locations big females prefer. “You always find the bigger females bedded on isolated pads, as opposed to the big clumps of pads,” he said. “They’ll spawn right at the base of the stem.” And while heavy braid and heavy-duty tackle are mainstays for hossing big fish out of thick vegetation, fishing beds requires stealth and finesse. Sizing down to 17- or 20-pound fluorocarbon, Congero likes a short 5- or 6-inch Senko. A staple on the Kissimmee lakes is black with a blue tail. He Texas rigs it with 1-ounce tungsten bullet weight, which is pegged to the head of the worm. This allows him to feel when his bait hits the stalk, at which time he lets it sit on the bottom until the bass picks it up. “Don’t set the hook as soon as you feel her pick it up,” he warned. “She might just have the tail in her mouth and you’ll come back with half a worm. Wait until she’s swimming off with it. Reel up all the slack and give her a second or two before you set it.” For a guided trip, contact Congero at (973) 6998981 or email info@blackcloudfishing.com. Follow him on Instagram @Ricky_Congero.

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VISIT AND Visit andEXPLORE Explore Burnsville, NC Burnsville, N.C.

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hether you’re hiking, exhibits. The restaurant, conces- through Yancey fishing or camping sion stand and gift shop are open County. hether you’re hiking, fishing or Mountains and the South Toe in the mountains or May thru a fun camping in the mountains, at- October. River Campground Valley. StretchingEnjoy nearly has 9 tent sites only. attending a performance at Parkfilled day on tending a performance at Parkway 500 miles through the mountains the Playhouse ororcoming North Virginia way Playhouse comingtotothe theMt. Mitchell Winding of along the Carolina southern and water, catching Crafts Fair Crafts or Carolina Literary without a single red light, Mt. Mitchell Fair orMountains Caro- edge of Yancey County, the Blue the the fishBlue native to Festival, there’sLiterary alwaysFestival, a good day waiting Ridge one of the best lina Mountains Ridge Parkway givesParkway travelersisan our mountains. for you in Burnsville, North Carolina, espe- scenic drives in America. there’s always a good day waiting amazing view of the Black MounWe is guarantee cially for travelers who like to discover their The Blue Ridge Parkway the forown youjourney. in Burnsville, North Car- tains and the South Toe River your fishing only access to Mount Mitchell County is home State Park at Hwy andwill mileolina, Yancey especially for travelers whoto waterfalls, Valley. Stretching for nearly 500128trip be full campgrounds, hiking post It’s five miles sumSnakeroot Ecotours offers custom tours like to discover theirbackroads, own journey. milestrails, through the355. mountains of to of the fish-catching clean rivers, and six the 10tohighest peaks mit. and The Parkway by Civilian Con-Observation at Mount State Park. of one ofplatform the wildest andMitchell most scenic corNorth Carolina Virginia was – built Yancey County is ofhome experiences! in the eastern United States. servation Corps labor in the 1930s. Workers ners of Western North Carolina. They invite and not one single redlight – the waterfalls, campgrounds, backToe River, Located in southern Yancey County, used dynamite to blast tunnels through the you into astoundingly Southern diverse Appalachian habitatsMounand Blue Ridge Parkway is one the a Carolina roads, hiking trails,(6,684 clean feet) rivers,is the Hemlocks, Black Mount Mitchell highest mountains andofcarve road through rough, and reveal the mysteries of the Southern Appatains. More info at www.snakemountain of the peaks Mississippi River. It drives remote terrain. The Parkway rises to an el- lachian scenic in America. and six of theeast 10 highest in best Mountain Campgrounds are all lo-Mountains. See more info at www. rootecotours.com. was designated North evation over 5,000 as it off passes through snakerootecotours.com. Blue Ridge Parkway is thefeetcated Eastern America. the first state park in The Highway 80 in the South The Burnsville-Yancey ChamCarolina in 1916. Today it features an obYancey County. Located in southern Yancey only access to Mount Mitchell Toe River area of Yancey County. servation platform on the summit next to Enjoy a fun-filled day on the water, The Burnsville-Yancey Chamber of ber of Commerce and Visitor State Park at catching Hwy 128the andfish mileCounty, Mount Mitchell (6,684 State Park and and Visitor Center is located at Elisha Mitchell’s grave and an interpretive nativeMount to ourMitchell mountains. Commerce Center is located at 106 West Main post 355. It’s miles to thefishing feet) is the highest mountain East Crabtree Meadows by Main Street in Burnsville. Inside museum with historical and environmental Wefive guarantee your trip will be full are of accessed 106 West findofa inforhelpful The restaurant, standThe Parkway fish-catching experiences! was built by the Blue Ridge Parkway. you’ll find aStreet. of exhibits. the Mississippi River. It wasconcession des- summit. helpfulInside staff you’ll and lots and gift are park openinMay through River, Carolina Hemlocks andEcotours Black offers staff and lotslodging, of information mation shopping,on CCCOctolabor in theToe 1930s. Workers ignated the shop first state North Snakeroot cus-on attractions, ber. Theincampground limited to used only nine Mountain are all located off dining and local businesses and services. The attractions, lodging, shopping, dynamite to blastcampgrounds tunnels tom Carolina 1916. Today itisfeatures tours of area one of of the wildest tent sites. Highway 80 in the South Toe River Visitor Center and office are open Monday& dining, and local businesses through the mountains and carve an observation platform on the most scenic cornersthrough of West-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Winding along the southern edge of Yancey County. Mountand Mitchell State Park road through rough, remote ter- ern summit to Elisha services. Visitor Center and office Carolina. Yanceynext County, the Mitchell’s Blue Ridge a Parkway and Crabtree Meadows areNorth accessed by theWe invite (828) you 682-7413. givesand travelers an amazing view ofrain. the Black Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway rises to an ele- into astoundingly diverse habitats open Monday thru Friday 9am to grave, an interpretive museum with historical and environmental vation over 5,000 feet as it passes and reveal the mysteries of the 5pm. Call (828) 682-7413.

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hat a wild, wet and woolly week it was for the fleet fishing the Pelican Yacht Club Invitational Billfish Tournament out of Fort Pierce, Fla. Jan. 9-12. First, the fleet of 30 fishing teams crushed all the records for the 39th annual tournament, and for the 65-year history of sailfish tournaments fished in eastern Florida waters. The final tally was 969 sailfish caught and released. The tournament’s second day of action wound up being the single best day in sailfish tournament history for any event fished north of Palm Beach County in waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A total of 712 sailfish were caught and released by the 27 boats on the water that day. The top three boats that day accounted for 121 sailfish by themselves — JT, led by Capt. Mark McDevitt, had 41 sailfish; Cowpoke, led by Capt. Mike Brady, had 40 sailfish; Alikai, led by Capt. Patrick Price, had 40 sailfish. The 41 by JT, owned by David Johnson of Beach Haven, N.J., stands as the new record for the tournament for a boat in a single day. Consider also that tournament rules stipulate fishing time as 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. But since the boat departed Fort Pierce Inlet each day, and the sailfish were concentrated in an area north of Patrick Air Force Base and south of Port Canaveral’s main channel some 45-50 miles north, tournament boats were forced to sacrifice up to 1:45 of fishing time each day just to reach the best fishing. But when they did, they were rewarded, at least for two days. The event began Jan. 9 when Grand Slam, led by Capt. David Grubbs

of New Smyrna Beach, sat down on an area so packed with hungry sailfish that it looked like a feeding frenzy under his boat. Grubbs felt it was going to yield some fish, and ran there because he knew it would produce bites. Few, if any, in the fleet knew his plan. By noon, the cat was out of the bag. Big time. He wound up with a Treasure Coast area then single-day record 38 sailfish catches that day and a substantial lead on his competitors, known to be some of the best sailfish skippers in the western hemisphere. Teams racked up catches of an incredible 86 double-headers, 45 triples and 15 quads. It was truly staggering. On Jan. 10 the fleet followed the leader, Grubbs and crew, to the fertile fishing grounds off the Space Coast and helped him achieve something many experienced sailfish specialists thought could only be accomplished in Mexico or Costa Rica. The captains called it epic and incredible, unbelievable and amazing. But it wouldn’t last. On Jan. 11 the fish had either scattered a bit, moved back north out of range, or simply quit biting, like fish of any species do. The fleet of 27 fishing that day picked up “just” 93 releases. Saturday, with a smaller fleet fishing because of lay days mandated by tournament rules, those numbers dwindled more. The final day anglers tallied only 29 releases, reminiscent of the season’s start in December when sailfish bites were very hard to come by.

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Close Encounters of the Shark Kind By John Lidington

A diver observes a reef shark near Shark Canyon. In natural encounters, when sharks are not being fed, they rarely approach divers much closer than this.

“K

atharine the Giant Great White Shark Lurks Off Florida — Again” If Katharine was here, as the South Florida SunSentinal announced on Nov. 26, winter was on its way. Usually this snowbird shark from Cape Cod arrives first, and being a great white, she always makes the news. For divers, though, her arrival means the migrating lemon and blacktip sharks are on the way. It’s shark time for Florida’s Gold Coast! When I started diving in the 1960s, the arrival of sharks meant the departure of divers. Prevailing wisdom held that sharks were dangerous and unpredictable and should be avoided. That outlook on sharks began to change in the 70s. Scientists, such as the University of Miami’s Dr. Samuel Gruber, had turned shark behavior into a major study area. H. David Baldridge analyzed data from more than 1,500 cases in the worldwide shark attack file established by Dr. Perry Gilbert to identify the real factors behind shark “attacks.” The emerging picture showed an animal superbly adapted to its environment by its 400-million-year existence in the oceans. Man, as a newcomer to their world, was not seen as food, and usually ignored. In his 1974 book “Shark Attack,” Baldridge wrote: “I wish not to generate any

fear of sharks in the mind of any reader, yet a healthy respect for these beautifully adapted beasts would appear to be justified…” It took the PR genius of Jacques Cousteau to popularize this science and help dispel unnecessary fear of sharks. The air of authority gained from his highly regarded TV series lent credence to his book “The Shark: Splendid Savage of the Sea,” in which he documented divers regularly interacting with sharks. Sharks were becoming accepted in the diving world. But there was a bump in the road. At the same time “Shark Attack” appeared, Peter Benchley published Jaws. His depiction of sharks as malevolent killing machines was promptly translated to visual form in Steven Spielberg’s movie adaptation. The impressions from those twin horror assaults did eventually fade, but for quite a while it was the rare diver who didn’t experience flashbacks of huge toothy mouths while doing back entries. The twenty-first century has seen divers’ attitudes shift even more favorably toward sharks. Today many divers want to encounter sharks. They regularly visit sites naturally frequented by sharks in hopes of diving alongside these majestic fish. When diving Jupiter during the winter shark migration, your chances for shark encounters skyrocket! According to Shana Phelan of Singer Island’s Pura Vida Divers, “The most common sharks we see year round are nurse sharks, reef sharks and lemons. Our most active shark months are in the winter, with lemons in January and blacktips in January and February. Winter sightings are most likely at Shark Canyon and on some of the wrecks.” Shark Canyon, here I come! Pura Vida Divers hosts regular shark dives in February. To learn more about these awesome creatures, book a PADI Shark Conservation Specialty Diver class, or hop aboard their next charter. Contact Pura Vida Divers at 561-840-8750 or visit www.PuraVidaDivers.com.

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By Craig Sutton

ishingNosara’s celebration of its tenth season of fishing continues, and as always the action in northwest Costa Rica is unbelievable. All five boats are in the water and scoring big for guests with 72 trips this month. Yellowfin tuna and dorado are the staple catch this time of year, but in December we welcomed swarms of marlin in the mix. The team nabbed 19 marlin releases, 47 sailfish releases, 209 dorado, 106 yellowfin tuna and nine roosterfish releases. The catch of the month came on Dec. 30 as the Discoverer nabbed a monster 350-pound blue marlin. Angler Bob Brescia battled this beastie all the way to a safe re-

lease and then followed up with two nice sailfish releases. They also added a tasty dorado for the dinner table. Amazing work all around by Capt. Carlos and the big battleship! Capt. David on the 23-foot Adventurer fished every day from Dec. 20-28 and scored a wide variety of great fish for his clients. Yellowfin tuna were in the mix, even though we aren’t anywhere close to their peak season. It’s a great sign to see these football-sized “yella fellas” this close to shore this early in the year. The 27-foot Explorer also proves that you don’t need a big boat to catch big fish in Costa Rica. Capt. Fico and Mate Elias have grown into master fishermen and their skills continue to sharpen every time they hit the water. The consistent dorado action continued for the Explorer at the end of the year. It’s great to see that the well-established patterns are continuing for our fishery, and there is no shortage of late-season mahi on the menu Capt. Alex of the 32-foot mega-panga Harvester welcomed Gage Bonestroo and his son for a fun day of catching on Jan. 7. Big dorado kept these boys busy, and it’s always fun to see a young angler enjoying the craft of sport fishing. Here’s what Gage had to say: “Took my 6-year-old son on his first offshore fishing trip with Alex on the Harvester. It was one hell of a day! Captain and first mate worked hard to put us on fish… and they did! Great lunch and friendly crew. Thanks, Craig for a seamless experience. Top notch.” Laura Blair and her family scored five sailfish releases on Dec. 27. “We had an awesome time! Capt. Carlos and Kevin were an excellent team and provided top-tier service as we landed a tuna and five sailfish. We had some great tuna sashimi and seared tuna steaks provided by the fish my daughter caught within the first 10 minutes of putting the lines out! Thanks again, Laura Blair.” If you have been reading this report for a while and waiting for the right time to visit, stop reading and call ASAP at 904-591-2161 or e-mail craig@fishingnosara.com so we can make your fishing dreams a reality.

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By Steve Wayne f you have been living under a box of Whopper Ploppers and were unaware of the recent changes in professional bass fishing, the Bassmaster Elite Series roster of professional anglers has changed. With the newly created Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour, many Elite Series pros left the Elite Series in order to compete in the newly formed Bass Pro Tour. The Elite Series responded with a reduction of their tour roster to 75 anglers and welcomed many new faces. Here’s a lineup of the Florida Bass pros competing in the upcoming 2019 Elite Series. Who will you root for? • Drew Benton, of Panama City: The 2018 BASS Elite Series Lake Travis champion has amassed nearly $300,000 in winnings since 2016. Expect Benton to do very well in 2019 as he is beaming with confidence from a very successful 2018 season. • Drew Cook, of Midway: A BASS Opens qualifier, Cook had two top-three finishes during the 2018 season of the BASS Opens Series. He has had a good bit of success fishing a variety of waters outside of Florida. Expect him to be a contender for Elite Series Rookie of the Year. • Koby Kreiger, of Bokeelia: This seasoned

Florida pro Drew Benton with the BASS Elite Series 2018 Lake Travis Champion trophy. BASS Photo.

2 NORTH FLORIDA

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pro returns to the Elite Series after fishing the 2018 season on the FLW Tour. Kreiger has big-league experience and should fare well in both smallmouth and largemouth fisheries. • Kyle Monti, of Okeechobee: A second-year Elite Series pro, Monti returns after a season-high 34th-place finish at Grand Lake. Monti cut his teeth bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee, so expect him to do well at the first Elite Series stop on the St. Johns River in Florida and grass filled Lake Guntersville later in the season. • Cliff Prince, of Palatka: This veteran Elite Series pro returns with seven top-10 Elite Series finishes. Prince should be the odds-on favorite to do well if not win on his home waters of the St. Johns River Feb. 7-10. • Bernie Schultz, of Gainesville: This veteran Rapala pro has amassed over $1.2 million in Elite Series winnings. Schultz is deadly with everything from a spinning rod to a flipping stick. Watch him to do well in 2019. • Jessie Tacoronte, of Orlando: This second-year Elite Series pro returns after missing the 2018 season due to shoulder surgery. Look for Tacorente to bounce back after a sub-par first season. He should be healthy and ready to go for 2019.

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By Capt. Michael Okruhlik • Photo courtesy of Controlled Descent Lures

s a young boy growing up in a small town, being outdoors was the thing to do, and fishing was my favorite pastime. I have vivid memories of biking to ponds and creeks with my buddies and trips to the Texas coast with my family. When I wasn’t fishing, I watched fishing on TV. Hank Parker was one I tuned in on regular basis. So, you can imagine how humbled I was when I met Mr. Parker with my two sons. My youngest gave him the age-old trick of, high-five, down low, too slow! Mr. Parker doubled over laughing.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have published articles in a national fishing magazine, for which I am truly grateful to Coastal Angler. Nor did I imagine someday I would design and manufacture my own line of fishing lures. Without fishing, none of this would have been realized. Since we are in the season of giving, give the gift of fishing to a child so they can have similar memories. On a recent trip, I took both of my boys, 5 and 7, fishing in the kayak. This was a lure-only trip. The boys wanted to get some casting practice, and they wanted to trick a fish on Dad’s lures. The tides had been relatively high for the past several weeks, and I had been catching some good reds on one particular flat. The area had some small islands and a grass flat that tapered off to a cove that was about 6 feet deep. I explained to my boys the lay of the bay and explained how some areas had drains or slightly deeper channels that drained off the flat and into a cove. These were the areas where we would cast because the fish would use them like roads as the tide was falling. I explained it was like a leaf floating down a river. Once they selected the color of lure they wanted to throw, I strategically anchored the kayak in a position where they both had the opportunity to fish the area properly. It wasn’t long before we had the first fish, a 16-inch trout. After a few more trout for both, the excitement really began. My youngest hooked into a 7-pound red! The fish took him 360 degrees around the kayak, tangled in his brother’s line, and went under the anchor rope! After the fish was landed, we took a few photos and I continued to show them the value of catch and release, which we did with all fish that day. To say that I am a proud father is an understatement. In 2018, my oldest landed his largest trout, which weighed more than 5 pounds, and my youngest caught his largest red! Take a kid fishing and let them make their own memories. You never know where it might take them. Captain Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway Spyder MX Polk & Sumter Edition Staff: Sales, Editing & Production- Mary Brasher Graphic Arts & Design - PPP Graphic Design Distribution - Mary & Larry Brasher, Joyce & Capt Dave Ochs Media Mgr - Patrick Powers Contributing Writers - Capt Keith Mixon, Jim Veal Jr, Capt Dave Ochs, Ron Schelfo, Capt. Scott Taylor, Capt Eddie Perry, Capt Rick Burns, Chris O’Byrne, Capt Bobby Woodard, Hunter Towery

Facebook -CoastalAnglerMagazineLakelandVicinity • Twitter - @camlakeland • Instagram- camlakeland • Youtube- CAM Sumpter Lakeland Each month I will bring you the latest and best knowledge for you to put to good use. I also invite you to share my passion for this area and if you would like to become a contributing writer contact us. You can read our magazine online anytime or sign up for a free digital subscription. Just visit our website and never miss an issue! CoastalAnglerMag.com.

Best Fishing Days 2/7 - EVENING 2/15- MORNING 2/16 - MORNING

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INDIAN RIVER LAGOON FISHING FORECAST Have you ever wanted to catch fish while it is cold in Florida? If so, the month of February is a great time to do so. Fish such as the spotted sea trout can provide some of the best top water action year-round. Typically, trout can be caught along the flats during the early morning or late evening hours when conditions are calm. Many of these trout will be in search of an easy meal such as small bait fish, shrimp or small top water lures. One lure that will receive plenty of action is Rapala’s Salt Water Skitter Walk (gold mullet). Typically, many of these trout will be feeding along the flats in three feet of water or less. Anglers will also want to fish their baits near schools of bait fish as well as near sandy pot holes. Did you know that trout have excellent eye sight and can be easily spooked? One way to overcome this is to make long accurate cast to a targeted area. To do so I suggest using a 7’ medium action spinning reel combo equipped with 20-pound test braided line and 15-pound mono leader. According to the FWC, spotted sea trout can be caught and harvested in our region (southeast) year-round. Seatrout must be more than 15 inches and less than 20 inches total length (may possess one over 20 inches included in bag limit). Also, anglers can possess up to four trout per day. In addition, the month of February can be a good time to catch flounder. When targeting flounder, anglers will find that it doesn’t take a lot of skill or effort. Typically, flounder can be caught along a sandy bottom adjacent to structure such as bridge pilings or channel drop offs. Most of the time, flounder will sit and wait for a tasty meal to swim by. Many anglers will find that flounder are not very picky. Live shrimp, cut mullet, cut clams strips, or small bright colored jerk baits will work best when targeting these tasty fish. One of my favorite ways to catch them is to use a medium action spinning reel combo equipped with 20-pound test braided line and 15-pound test mono leader. Unless you are fishing in a strong current, anglers will want to use a 3/8-ounce jig head for attaching shrimp, cut baits, or scented jerk baits. When fishing inshore, anglers should fish around docks with jerk baits. This will allow one to cast to a target area. When fishing inside the port or along the Canaveral buoy line I suggest drifting. Jigging your bait off the bottom while drifting can be an excellent way to catch one. According to the FWC, flounder have a minimum size limit of 12” total length and have a daily bag limit of 10 per harvester per day. Submitted By: Capt. Keith Mixon Mixin' Work With Play Fishing Charters 321-212-8484

2 POLK & SUMTER | FEBRUARY 2019 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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KISSIMMEE CHAIN FISHING FORECAST

These two 6 and 7lbrs caught on wild shiners on Lake Rosalie

Bass fishing has improved somewhat on the Chain. I say somewhat because some of the lakes are producing much better than others. Your best bets are Lake Hatchineha, Tiger Lake, Rosalie, Lake Walk in the Water and the Kissimmee River. The larger female Bass are beginning to move into the shallows as they are now in pre-spawn mode. Look for this trend to continue through March. Right now, many Bass are following the threadfin shad pods and are still in deeper open water especially on the shell beds. This trend will soon change especially as the next three full moon cycles approach. Weightless worms, lizards and swim baits on a weighted hook along the cover should produce well during the next few months. A stand-up jig with a finesse worm on the shell beds can be very good while the Bass are in a transition phase. Don’t forget to fish the creeks and canals during post cold fronts for the next couple of months. For all you Speck anglers if you are not fishing Lake Rosalie and Lake Walk in the Water your ship has just left you behind. Night time fishing on these two lakes is best. A minnow on a slip cork rig is best in 14’ of water set at 7’-9’ is producing 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lb Speck. During the day, trolling road runners is deadly. These Specks are full of eggs and stuffed with small threadfin shad- a good indicator these Specks are also in a pre-spawn mode. The next two full moon cycles there’s going to be some serious spawning on the grass lines. Get out the jigs and start jigging! On a final note, the spraying of aquatic vegetation continues at an alarming rate on the Chain. I understand that FWC has to get a handle on the hydrilla in the lakes. But every type of vegetation known to the Chain is being sprayed. This is just an abuse of the taxpayer’s money and anglers fishing license fees, with no accountability in place. The slot limit law on Bass is also not very popular either. There are a lot of disgruntled anglers and “Mom & Pop” bait stores and Fish Camps that are suffering financially because of this law. Many out-of-state Bass anglers are not returning to Central Florida because of these two issues. I intend to write our newly elected Governor and to invite him to see firsthand the effects of the spraying and the slot limit sizes are having on this area. Submitted By: Capt Dave Ochs Waters Edge Fish Camp • 10730 Camp Mack Rd • Lake Wales, Fl 863-589-6295

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CENTRAL FLORIDA FRESHWATER FLY FISHING REPORT Matching the Hatch and Dissecting Cover Conditions: Good Surface Temp: 60f Clarity: Slightly Tannic 18-24-inches Guide Tip: For the most part, the fish have been cooperating well given the windy days we’ve had. The fly choices are standard patterns, such as white gurglers in a size 4 and white E.P Shad streamers in a size 6. These are year-round staples in my fly boxthey are the perfect size to “match the hatch”. The gurgler can be fished either close to shore pounding the bank or fished with a small streamer about 30 inches down as a dropper in deeper water. Techniques: The fish will be pushing up shallow more as the spawn is even closer. Some fish are already there, and less schooling action will be present. In some of our lakes, fish constantly school year-round. When the fish start to go lock jaw on those post-frontal days or even if the conditions are right and they’re playing hard to get, I focus on what I call “hard cover”. This encompasses a variety of habitat that a lot of fly anglers overlook, and I harp on this quite often. The biggest fish will be most often in the heavy cover. The advantage to flies is their inherent subtle natural action. I call my fly rod my best finesse fishing set-up. There are places a fly rod isn’t suited for, but around heavy cover you can take advantage of the realism of fly patterns and pick up nice fish that see countless lures pitched by their heads all day. Partially submerged timber warms quickly, and this is especially important coming up when the water temps drop, and the bite becomes more sporadic. There are limitations when using a fly rod in heavy cover, such as lifting power. My gear selection for this specialized type of fly fishing isn’t a whole lot different than fishing sparser cover like thinner grasslines, just slightly beefier. I prefer using a fly with a good weed guard like a mono loop to keep from getting snagged. The topwater bite has been good especially over submerged grasslines near a drop off. The top producing colors have been white or olive with a slow retrieve. I like to throw the poppers/gurglers at the base of trees and slowly strip it back making sure to pause for several seconds during the retrieve. The bluegill has still been munching on worm flies and tungsten nymphs slowly crawled on the bottom. When picking nymphs, they aren’t as picky as trout but having a varied selection of prince nymphs, hare’s ear nymphs or bully spiders is a safe bet. Topwater sprogs have worked well on warmer days fished near bulrushes. Olive and black poppers have also been working especially when accompanied with a Prince nymph as a dropper about 30 inches below. When fishing a popper dropper rig I like to use a lighter tippet usually 4x or 5x on the dropper fly so if you get hung you’ll only break off one fly instead of two. Tilapia have been being caught on small nymphs as a fun bycatch when panfishing. They are still sticking close to the shore near the heavier grass and are a fun fight, they also like to eat worm flies. Local Lake and River Levels: The fishing should continue to improve. Lake levels are still dropping slowly, and water clarity is cleaning up nicely. The Peace, Myakka, Hillsborough, Econ, and Withlacoochee Rivers are all at above average levels. Levels on the Kissimmee River are at below average levels. Submitted by: Hunter Towery Peace Creek Guide Service 863-837-7028

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CHARLOTTE HARBOR FISHING FORECAST As I write this it is 42 degrees outside with forecasted low temps in the 30’s within a few days so I decided to share some cold weather tips that I have learned over the years. The first key to success in any fishing scenario is to understand how the fish are reacting and why. That is no different in cold weather. Their metabolism will slow down, and they will become lethargic, using all excess energy to regulate their temperature. So switching to slow moving live baits like shrimp and crabs, or slowing down the presentation of artificial baits, will often help produce results when the water temp drops. Secondly, knowing how fish move and where to find them in colder water is important. Fish will use natural and man made cover to stay warm. Examples of man made warmer areas for fish to gather are around power plant outflows, bridge pilings, docks and seawalls. Power plants draw cooler water in to cool their turbines and then discharge the water at a considerably warmer temperature. Additionally, the concrete and wood used to construct bridges, docks and seawalls will absorb the sunlight and radiate heat back into the surrounding water. Some examples of natural cover that will be warmer is deeper water, slower moving current areas or darker muddy bottom. Fish will often move to these areas as they don’t fluctuate in temperature as much and provide a warmer more stable climate for the fish. Another tip when fishing back bays or canals is to fish the western side first as that is the side that will catch the sun’s rays and start to warm up first. Also fishing the northern shore will help as the sun takes a more southerly path through the sky in the winter. Last but certainly not least is the planning of the trip. As with all fishing trips proper planning is a big key to success and in the wintertime, I try to plan my trips to fall in front of an approaching front. This helps produce results because the barometric pressure will be dropping and usually triggers the fish to eat. If I must fish post front, then I will start my day a little later to allow the sun to get higher in the sky and start warming up some of the areas I discussed above.

Good luck, tight lines and if you have any questions or would like to book a charter please don’t hesitate to contact me at 863-224-1418 or check out my website at www.Captain-Bobby.com. I have limited dates still available for 2019 Tarpon charters in beautiful Boca Grande, Fl. Capt. Bobby Woodard www.Captain-Bobby.com 863-224-1418

PANA VISTA LODGE FISHING REPORT

Just like to let everyone know that the specs started around the first of the year. Johnnie English and Ken Sells (in above picture) have been catching some nice catches on a regular basis. Most of their fish are in the 1 ½ to 2-pound range. Billy Searcey has been doing well on the bass. He is catching limit catches up to 5 pounds on crank baits. February best bets: The specs should continue hitting on minnows and jigs. The bass should start hitting live bait more in February so break out your shiner rod and get with them.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA REGION FORECAST Well this has been one wild and crazy winter so far from Thanksgiving up until now. And looking at the Farmer’s Almanac along with multiple weather sites it does not figure to be any more stable in February. In fact, many of my sources are calling for cooler weather & bigger temp swings this month than the last two, which is hard to fathom considering what we’ve dealt with since December. That being said, it’s time to put the big boy britches on (along with long johns, thermals, parkas, bibs, boots, electric socks, A young Camp Mack gloves, ski masks, Adirondack suits, bear Bass fishing fan. skin rugs, etc) and go fishing. Let’s start with the Winter Haven South Chain and smaller stand alone lakes. These are ideal bodies of water to fish when Ma Nature has gone off the deep end and forgotten that we live down here in Florida for a reason, especially in the winter. There are many deep spring fed lakes with deeper vegetation which have thermoclines that the fish and baitfish can use as protection when the air temps drop 20-30 degrees in a short period with the wind howling at 15-30mph out of the North. This is when patience and persistence pay-off. It’s called slow yourself down, then go even slower. As for artificial baits, Texas rigged ribbon tails and speed worms excel, along with belly weighted flukes, smaller swim baits, and dead-sticked senkos. When fishing shiners, I’m partial to dragging them slowly along the grass but always look around to see what the lake it is telling you. While fishing out of Camp Mack on the Kissimmee Chain, it’s going to be a methodical approach taking wind and lake temps into consideration. There are going to be a lot of confused fish wanting to move up to spawn and if the fronts keep coming through a lot of these fish may stay out in the staging areas. I can’t give you a magic bullet on this one as the weather is one huge unknown and these lakes have a ton of shallow acreage to them. Look for birds and baitfish around grass points, pads, and bulrush heads that have a drop or deeper water access nearby. Slowly worked speed worms, flukes, and vibe worms are always hard to beat. And take a swim jig or two along for luck and don’t’ be afraid to crawl them over “deeper” grass and hydrilla. If we get a couple of steady weather days out here, grab the Gambler EZ Swimmers and head for the outside hydrilla and pads and slow-roll that puppy along the surface and let it drop into any holes you see, then hang on for the ride!

LAKE ALFRED / AUBURNDALE / WINTER HAVEN FISHING FORECAST Bass spawning season is in full swing during the month of February. You’ll find lots of Bass staging on bed . . This is the time you’ll find those Big Beautiful Bass. We’ve had great reports recently on excellent Bass fishing primarily from Lakes Winterset and Cannon on the South Winter Haven Chain and also Lakes Alfred, Rochelle, and Haines on the North Chain. Lake Haines seems to be the best reporting of that group citing many Bass in the 7-11 lb. range. Lake Juliana in Auburndale has also seen premium fishing lately. Here’s a “Tip from Ron”: When trying to attract those large Bass in our area, use a Bass Assassin Boss Shiner Swim Bait or a Fish Head Primal Vibe Swim Jig. Run those baits by the bed and you’ll see the fish jump to eat them! When you get a good catch, don’t forget to return the fish quickly back to the water on their bed area. We must be responsible to protect our Bass environment. NOTE: If your catch is 8 lb or larger, report it to TrophyCatchFlorida. com. You could be eligible for a prize! Spec fishing is also very good this time of year. Our area continues to experience some of the best Spec fishing in years!! Anglers fishing the South Winter Haven Chain (Canals) are reporting record size and lots of limits. Additional area Lakes Alfred, Haines, Rochelle, Juliana and surrounding smaller lakes are having great success also. Year after year with the cooler temperatures and higher water levels, Central Florida offers some of the very best fresh water fishing in Florida!! The 20th season of Ron’s Tackle Box Weekly Bass Tournaments has now ended. Our Bass Tournaments, whether weekly or special events provide for great fishing and fun!! . . Stay tuned for future developments DON’T FORGET . . Ron is always available for up-to-date fishing reports and locations, so come see him or give him a call! Submitted By: Ron Schelfo Owner RON’S TACKLE BOX, LLC 380 S. Lake Shore Way • Lake Alfred, FL 33850 863-956-4990 • www.ronstacklebox.com Check us out on FaceBook and “LIKE” our page. “Catch” my Weekly Fishing Report every Saturday (6-8 AM) on WFLA 970 AM

Submitted By: Capt. Scotty Taylor TMC Guide Services, llc • 855-354-8433 Scott@TMCGuideService.com • TMCGuideService.com Capt. Scott is the official guide for VisitCentralFlorida.org & Guy Harvey Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort

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Caster Types and Rod Swipes By: Chris O’Byrne

Different types of fly rods bend and unbend with different characteristics. Manufacturers use the word action to describe: where on the shaft, or “blank,” the rod bends. How much it bends at F and D, rod types to match caster types each location, and how quickly it returns. When purchasing a fly rod, action is an important point to consider, in part because your personality shows in your natural casting tempo. The ancient Greeks who gave us fly fishing, also gave us a way to describe personalities. In terms of matching a fly rod’s action to an angler’s personality, two of these stand out. Energetic, fast-moving people were called sanguine. On the other hand, calm people who naturally prefer quietude, who move at a slow, thoughtful and deliberate pace, and who stay relaxed even in exciting situations were described as phlegmatic. A recent fishing trip where I helped a tranquil angler find a rod to match his cast provides an example of a good match between casting personality and rod action. This gentleman spent part of the morning not bending a stiff, fast action rod with his gentle casting stroke. As a result, his casts were short, and to cover water I was required to move the boat often. When I handed him a smooth flexing rod, his gentle power found a partner, and the length of his casts grew. I was able to keep the boat farther from the shoreline, and he could present the fly to more water. After he caught the first fish of the day on a nice forty-foot cast, he said with a touch of new-found swagger, “If you wait for this rod to bend it really does its thing.” In your search for a rod to match your casting personality, different rod materials will provide you with different feels. Bamboo is known for a slow bending and unbending. Relaxed anglers love the phlegmatic action of modern fiberglass. And today’s graphite blend materials come in a spectrum of actions as wide as our personality types. Using their own blends, the Orvis Company has found a new way to match rod swipes to caster types. In different weight categories of their new Helios 3 line, Orvis offers two actions. The finer Helios 3F (F for feel) has a slower action that protects delicate tippets, and coordinates well with phlegmatic casters. My fishing guest matched up with one of these rods. The stiffer Helios 3D (D for distance) versions have a fast action that helps anglers to cast with more power and harmonizes with a sanguine rapid tempo. No matter which personality type describes you, a rod is out there ready to match your cast. Think about your personality and how that effects your preferred casting tempo, then cast several rods. You will surely find one that matches your moves with you. Does the action of the rod match his casting personality?

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Boat/Personal Watercraft/Canoe/Kayak/SUP Dealers Manufacturers/ New & Consignment Sales/Realtors Hillman Motors Inc. 2701 Havendale Blvd. NW Winter Haven FL 33881 863-967-4628 • www.hillmanmotors.net M-F 9-7, Sat 9-5 Closed Sunday

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REEL BEAUTY IS ONLY FIN DEEP Capt. Rick was deep jigging for some Grunts when this ‘Cuda happened to get in the way. It was a quick CPR an back in the drink for this swimming razor blade!

With the colder water temperatures, we’ll have for February many species will relocate from their normal haunts to some shallower locations. Some reasons: to find warmth and a better comfort zone, to find the bait and food source, or to spawn, like Trout. Don’t always assume that colder water and weather sends everything 20,000 leagues under the sea. Let’s cover a few of these beauties that can keep the rod bending and reel singing in a little better than fin depth. Starting with one of my favorite freshwater species, “Specks”. Specks, or Crappie, as our winter visitors call them, during the summer are found in deeper water, and are more wide-spread, thus harder to locate and catch. But the Winter brings them in shallow for spawning and can sometimes be caught in as little as 12” of water. But mostly in the 2’ to 6’ depth. Look for bulrushes, lily pads, overhanging branches, limbs, or trees hanging in the water, and you’ll find the Specks. We as kids, even went around the neighborhood after Christmas and collected 4 or 5 trees that were thrown out, and tied them all together to a block, and dumped them in our lake at the end of the dock or a specified place we had marked; makes good bottom structure and collector for the Specks to do their thing. Don’t keep the little 6” and 8”, let them grow up for next year. Make it a voluntary 10” 2019 resolution. And something we can possibly fillet. If we don’t start conserving now, the state will do it for us. On the salty side: Some Gag Grouper are still in the 4’ to 8’ shallow water rocks. (Catch and release only). But the baitfish for the most part has left, leaving the Gags to take almost any offering that swims by. Cast and utilize your favorite shallow water 3’ to 5’ running plugs over the rock piles for best results.

Although Snook season is closed in our area, it doesn’t mean you can’t catch an release them. As ones like this that was caught in the river by Barbara Napoles this time of year.

Reds and Trout can be found in some real skinny water this time of year, And believe it when I say, that a 27” 8lb top of the limit red can be totally submerged in 7” of water, (I’ve measured it) making for some of the best sight fishing of the year with artificials and the long rod in this clearer water. Mangrove (Gray) Snapper are gathered up around most any spring in shallow water. If you can catch your 5 per person limit, you have found a honey hole. They must be 10” minimum, and most are cookie cutters, at 9” or 9-3/4”. Sheepies, are also congregating around the shallows. Rocks, barnacle covered bridge pilings, oyster bars, and the like, in 1’ to 8’ will put you on these black and white striped, convict, zebra resembled, but fine eating fish. They got a set of chompers only a mama could love, and ugly is to the bone. Mullet: or as we Crackers call them, the vegetarian chicken of the sea. The colder temps gather them up in the rivers and residential canals, in 2’ to 6’ by the hundreds. Space won’t allow, but if interested, e-mail me for rigging and technique. Good ole shore bank fun, and better eating. No size, 50 per person. Enjoy some reel beauties of the Nature Coast, in the not so deep, WinterTime. Be safe, and good fishing. Submitted By: Capt. Rick Burns Reel Burns Charters Homosassafishingguide.com www.reelburns.com • 352-201-6111

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By Chris Beardsley

s an avid surf fisherman, I enjoy the variety of fish that can be caught from the beach. Of course, catching anything worthwhile can be a challenge. Depending on the tide, time of year, time of day, water temperature, lunar phase, what color socks the mailman is wearing and what uncle Eddie had for dinner last night can all play a part. This is especially true when targeting speckled sea trout, especially big gators. With so many things swimming just off the shore, targeting a

Grouper Closures In Florida Waters

single species from the beach doesn’t always pay. There are, however, ways to increase your odds. Using the proper bait, lures and techniques are paramount. When surf fishing, I like to consider myself a jack-of-all-trades. In other words, I like to come prepared. If one thing doesn’t work, I don’t wait long to move on to the next thing. I have favorite confidence baits. There are times, however, when those fail and I’m quick to change it up. When targeting big trout from the beach, I like to throw a gold spoon. It’s a quintessential bait for nearly anything, and it rarely fails to produce. With low visibility or when it’s slow and the big gators, or little specks for that matter, just aren’t interested, a paddletail with contrasting colors is a great choice. Again, the gold spoon is killer in low-vis situations, but a 3-inch Bass Assassin Chicken on a Chain rigged with a red or chartreuse jig head also fits the bill perfectly. I also like the Berkley white paddletails with the same color jigs. Another way to put a good gator in the cooler is try bouncing a Doc’s Goofy Jig off the bottom, just like fishing for pompano. The pink and yellow seem to produce best, and don’t be afraid to be a little aggressive with them. When fishing a paddletail or a Goofy Jig, let the jig contact the bottom then give a sharp lift and let it drop until it contacts the bottom again. Raise your rod tip straight up and allow the jig to drag across the bottom. Give it an occasional twitch, and then repeat the sharp lift action. Changing the tempo of the retrieve and frequency of your lift can make all the difference. Long casts are crucial in the surf, and require a medium action rod at least 7.5-feet long. I use 30-pound-test braid. The super thin diameter coupled with the ability to really load up the rod provides plenty of inertia to launch relatively light baits a good distance into the surf. Targeting gator trout in the surf is challenging, and using the old standbys is often great strategy. But using a variety of baits and techniques can increase your odds of success.

Canada Meds of Sumter County

ag grouper closed to recreational harvest in Gulf state and federal waters Jan. 1. The same day, several species of grouper closed to recreational and commercial harvest in Florida state waters of the Atlantic and all state waters off Monroe County. This Atlantic seasonal closure includes: gag, black, red, FWC Photo yellowmouth and yellowfin grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby. A similar closure is in place in Atlantic federal waters. For gag grouper, state waters off Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor and Jefferson counties will reopen to harvest April 1 through June 30 and Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. All other Gulf state waters (except waters off Monroe County, which follows the Atlantic state season) and all Gulf federal waters will reopen June 1 through Dec. 31. In the Atlantic and state waters off Monroe County, several species of grouper, including gag, will reopen May 1. Grouper information, including Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico grouper regulations, is available online. Go to MyFWC.com/Fishing and select “Saltwater Fishing Regulations” then “Groupers” under the “Reef Fish” tab.

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onsider this an important decision. Other than deciding whether or not to use one, a surprising number of anglers seldom give leaders much thought. As long as there is some type of buffer against the deadly dentures of some species or the abrasive hide of others, fishermen tend to be satisfied. Their attention shifts to other aspects of the sport. Choosing the right material and proper construction for an effective leader are some of the most overlooked challenges in rigging. The ultimate, of course, centers on fishing a light line without a leader. That seldom is possible on the saltwater scene. Experience will prove to you that the fish you hook has teeth, abrasive skin, or the bottom is rugged. Any of these factors will end the battle almost before it starts. The general rule is that the heavier the leader material, the fewer strikes you will get. The solution demands a compromise. You want the strongest leader possible without sacrificing too many strikes. Monofilament leader invariably produces more strikes than single strand wire or nylon coated wire. Sometimes you have to use wire or every fish of a given species will cut you off. When you do use wire, rely on the shortest length that will produce favorable results. For offshore trolling, a short length of wire makes it easier to rig a bait. Some anglers even insist that a skipping offering being trolled works better if there is a short length of wire in front of it. The length of the leader is equally significant. From

MARK SOSIN a protective standpoint, if the species you seek has an abrasive body, the leader should be longer than the average fish you might catch. Then, when the fish is moving away from you and the line streams over its back, you have the protective advantage of a leader. This part of the leader does not have to be as heavy as the short length around its mouth and gills, but it should be stronger than the line. Fly fishermen become aware of a leader’s importance very quickly. In that type of fishing, the leader helps to turn over the fly properly so it lands on the water delicately. In very clear and shallow water, a longer leader enables the caster to enjoy a more delicate presentation where the fly line lands farther from the fish. This is particularly important on the saltwater flats for a variety of species including bonefish, permit, tarpon and redfish. Fly leaders take many basic forms, but the most important thing to remember is that each succeeding section should be shorter than the one before. The majority of tournaments and all recordkeeping organizations establish specific leader requirements. It makes sense to study them before you decide to compete or fish for a record. Leaders are a critical part of rigging each outfit you use. Cutting corners or ignoring details can be a serious mistake. If you lose a trophy fish because of a faulty leader, you’ll have a hard time forgiving yourself.

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Queen Conch In The Bahamas Sheri Daye

hile hunting for that perfect fish for dinner, you sometimes run across other tasty treats. One of my favorites is from the Bahamas: the famous queen conch. This creature is as delicious as it is beautiful and deserves to be treated with great respect. Their slow growth and late maturation makes them susceptible to overfishing. Once abundant in the Florida Keys, it became illegal to harvest them in the 1980s when they were harvested to the point of collapse. It’s taken quite a few years to see the beginning of a comeback, but they will likely need continued protection for years to come in the U.S. In the Bahamas, the importance of this valuable resource has been realized and rules are in place to protect it. The recreational limit is six, and they must have a thick, well-formed lip—meaning they had a chance to grow into adulthood and reproduce. Also, they must be harvested while freediving. Inside the conch shell is a soft-bodied mollusk, which is in the same family as clams, oysters, octopi and squid. They live near coral reefs and seagrass beds and can reach up to 14 inches long. Besides humans, they have a few predators in the water—loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, spiny lobsters and more. The meat has been consumed for centuries by islanders in the Caribbean and serves in a multitude of dishes such as salads, chowders and fritters.

Conch Tips:

1) Regulations are subject to change so double check before harvesting any marine life. 2) When diving, it is easy to see that in certain places in the Bahamas, especially close to highly populated areas, the conch are 16

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not as abundant. Do not take any from these areas, even if it’s legal. 3) They are easy to spot and move slowly, so use good judgement. Target mature adults that have reproduced and are toward the end of their lifecycle. Consider taking less than the legal limit. 4) The mollusk is not easy to extract or to clean, so if you don’t know how, make sure you have a professional on hand at the end of the day to help you or teach you. 5) Don’t forget to check for pearls in the mantle. These pink pearls are beautiful and more rare than traditional pearls. 6) The inedible part of the conch (the guts, also called “slop”) makes excellent bait for fishing, especially for mutton snappers. Nothing goes to waste! 7) You might (or might not) want to eat the pistol, also known as “Bahamian Viagra.” It is part of the conch’s digestive system and looks like a clear noodle. 8) The Bahamas exports conch to the U.S., but bringing your own conch meat back to the U.S. by boat is strictly prohibited. Safe diving and Happy Hunting! Sheri is a world-record holder, host of Speargun Hunter, and producer of “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Follow “Sheri Daye” and “The Blue Wild” on Facebook and Instagram.

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As fisherman, we all know how hard live bait can be to find. Seasonal weather patterns change the way fish are biting, so a variety of bait is key. Bait fishing is so important that fishermen spend weeks prior to tournaments catching bait and then keep them penned up all for a couple epic days of fishing. The last thing you want is for your bait to die because of a pump failure. At Hooker Electric, we have designed a durable, strong and long-lasting baitwell system. This system is capable of supplying multiple livewells with its adequate DC brushless motor. You will no longer need multiple pumps to supply each livewell. Now, by adding the Hooker Electric custom manifolds, you can divert water to the designated wells by adjusting the amount of water flow to each well with our variable flow knobs. This allows you to run all of the wells from one Hooker Electric pump and have another one for redundancy. The system is easy to use with the variable flow dial, without having to restrict the pump. This Hooker Electric livewell system is a plumb-andplay setup with a variety of sizes. It’s available in 2500, 4500 and 7500 GPH and we also offer an on/off feature for the pumps. For more information, visit www.hookerelectric.com or check out their Instagram page @Hookerelectric_pumps.

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he older I get, the more I like to fish inshore for all the usual suspects from the Northeast, down through the Carolinas all the way to the Keys. From stripers and specks, to drum and snook, every fish loves a shrimp or minnow imitation under a float. And this includes many freshwater predators. I always keep a float rig tied on when fishing inside. Popping, cigar and oval floats all have their place, and an added “clicking” sound adds value, especially when fishing a soft plastic shrimp under the float. There are plenty of commercially available floats, but I want to share a simple and effective way to achieve the same end result… and one that will rarely foul or tangle. Whether the beads are external or internal, the clicking sound is perfectly married with the splashing sound that drives fish bananas. To make the simple external-bead-style clicking float, view the video below. Allow 1/16- to 1/8-inch clearance (total, not both ends) between the beads and ends of the pegs to allow the beads to tap the plastic pegs. Follow the instructions below to make the internal-bead-style clicking float. Materials: 80-pound fluorocarbon; small plastic beads, like those found in sliding cork kits; small swivels; a commercially available foam slip cork with plastic pegs. Steps: • Thread braided mainline through the plastic peg and one of the small beads. • Feed the mainline through to the other side of the slip cork and then tie it to one side of the swivel. • For the other side, thread a fluorocarbon leader through the other peg, thread on a small bead and tie it to the other end of the swivel.

• Press one peg securely into the slip cork, and then pull the bead and swivel into the float’s interior channel. • Press the second peg into the cork, and your slip cork is now a clicking float. The tiny beads slide back and forth on the line to tap the plastic pegs inside the float. • Tie a 3/8-ounce jig head and a soft plastic shrimp onto the leader, and… just add water. There are a number of opinions on how deep to fish below the cork. I like between 18 and 24 inches of fluorocarbon, depending on water depth. This same tackle works extremely well in freshwater for striped and hybrid bass in moving water. Just use a fluke-style soft plastic instead of a shrimp. The largest largemouth bass I caught this year was under cigar float with an internal clicker. I was fishing a Super Fluke for striped bass. Smallmouth bass in rocky rivers are complete idiots over this same rig. Wherever you are, and whatever you’re fishing for, a float rig is something you should keep tied and ready on the deck. Visit Barefootcatsandtackle.com. For video instructions on making a clicking cork, see:

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nglers are catching a lot of big largemouths in Texas. Last year’s Toyota ShareLunker Program, which tracks bass heavier than 8 pounds, certified 486 bass caught from 89 Texas lakes in 2018, and that’s just the fish that were reported. At the beginning of 2018, the Toyota ShareLunker program debuted a new year-long season for anglers to enter bass for prizes, recognition, and to help enhance bass fishing in Texas. Anglers entered largemouths into four categories including six “Legacy Class” bass of 13 pounds or heavier that were entered during the spawning window Jan.1 through March 31 and loaned to TPWD for the selective breeding and stocking program. The total number of entries in other categories who provided citizen science data included: five “Lunker Legend” bass 13 pounds or heavier caught outside the spawning window or not loaned for spawning, 107 “Lunker Elite” bass weighing 10 to 12.99 pounds, and 368 “Lunker” bass at least 24 inches or weighing between 8 and 9.99 pounds. The top five ShareLunker producing lakes in 2018 included Lake Fork near Quitman with 73 entries, Lake Conroe near Houston with 41 entries, Lake Athens in Athens with 28 entries, Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Jasper with 21 entries, and O.H. Ivie Lake near San Angelo with 17 entries. For updates on the Toyota ShareLunker program visit https:// www.facebook.com/ShareLunkerprogram and https://texassharelunker.com/.

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FRESHWATER Nevada’s WORLD-CLASS CUTTHROAT

he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) keeps the most extensive list of fishing records in the world. With categories for all types of tackle and species, some records are more impactful than others. This potential all-tackle length world record for cutthroat trout is without a doubt an impressive fish. Adam Garcia caught and released this giant cutthroat on Nov. 11, 2018 while fishing Nevada’s Pyramid Lake. The fish measured 85 centimeters in length, or more than 33 inches. Once the paperwork clears, the fish could dethrone the old 81-centimeter length record. Garcia is no newcomer to the record books. According to IGFA records, he holds four line-class world records for weight, all cutthroats caught from Pyramid Lake in 2016 and 2017. Some of those were actually longer than his Nov. 11 fish. The biggest one, which holds the 16-lb. line class record, weighed 24 pounds. Pyramid Lake is a large and natural desert lake near the California border northeast of Reno. It is the world hotspot for giant cutthroat trout, where anglers can wade from shore and cast jigs for record-class fish. Every single one of IGFA’s line class cutthroat records were caught from Pyramid, as well as the all tackle world record, which was caught back in 1925 by John Skimmerhorn.

Surprising Winter is the Best Planting Time

I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly

at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth. There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point. Second, the fruit just taste

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better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature. Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together. Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com

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TIPS FROM A PRO

Cold-Water Bassin' BRANDON LESTER

ebruary is one of those transition months. Spring is just around the corner, and it might have already arrived in some places, but it’s still wintertime for most of the country’s bass fisheries. Bass are cold-blooded animals, which means the colder the water is, the more the fish’s core body temperature decreases. That also means the fish’s metabolism slows down. Metabolism is the chemical processes that occur which allow the fish to maintain life, grow, heal and make energy. Humans are warm blooded, so our body temperature stays a steady 98.6 degrees. A fish’s temperature drops with the water temp, which makes them more sluggish the colder it gets. If you’re like me, you’re ready to eat three meals a day and some snacks 365 days a year. It’s different with fish. In warm water, fish feed every day, throughout the day and into the night. In the winter they don’t feed nearly as often. One reason is they don’t move around as much, so they don’t come into contact with prey. Fish feed-up heavily in the fall when the water is still warm to put on weight. Bait is plentiful then, and instinctually they feel cold weather coming. I have way more 20- and 30-fish days in spring than winter. You’re not likely set any records for fish catches in cold water. Fish bite for two basic reasons, either because they’re hungry and the bait looks like food or because the bait has come into their territory

and they instinctively attack it. Reaction strikes are greatly reduced during the winter. In water mid-50 degrees and lower, you really need to make the fish want to eat in order to catch them. I try and fish the warmest water on a lake, as fish in these areas will be more active. A couple degrees in water temperature can make all the difference. Slower-moving baits work best for cold-water bass. I like baits that stay in one place and can be worked slowly, like a jig. A suspending jerkbait with Mustad KVD trebles will hang in one place, hopefully right in front of their face. Use lighter line in cold water, as it allows the bait to move more realistically. Eight or 10-pound Vicious fluorocarbon is preferable on a jerkbait. Objects in the water, especially rocks, retain heat. On sunny days, the shallow water near rocks on the bank will often be warmer. Keep in mind that fish don’t bite nearly as hard in cold water. You will feel them kind of “load up” on the bait instead of slamming it. The fish are just picking up the bait and doing as little as possible to catch it. Those “light bites” increase the importance of having a sensitive rod. I build my own rods and will tell you that MHX Rods from Mud Hole Custom Tackle help me catch more fish, especially in cold water. Higher quality graphite makes a more sensitive rod. MHX Rods are much more affordable and the quality is better than a vast majority of rods out there. For extremely light bites, I recommend the NEPS series of blanks built with Winn Grips.

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