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By Capt. Mike Weinhofer hen I arrived in Key West more than 30 years ago, there was a sign on the fence at the airport that said “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” At the time I had no idea how special Key West was as a fishing destination. It isn’t that it’s the best fishery for any one species. The opportunities here are endless. It has a lot to do with Key West’s location and topography. Key West is a tiny island 120 miles out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. It has shallow waters surrounding it to hold bait and deep water near to shore. It’s a very unique ecosystem. It’s a natural migration point for many species to feed and breed. Shallow flats surround Key West and serve as a breeding ground for bait and shallow-water trophy fish. The tarpon migration is world famous. Whether you want to fly fish or bait fish for tarpon, they are always willing to entertain. The shallow flats are also home to bonefish and permit, the hardest fish in the world to catch on a fly. But while the flats are loaded with fish, it’s not just the shallow water that mesmerizes. The call of bluewater seems to ring in everyone’s ears. Just 5 miles offshore on the Atlantic side lies the shallow-water reef. The reef is home to grouper, snapper and all types of tropical fish as well as myriad baitfish. The reef is also a congregation point for bluewater fish. The small ballyhoo and other baitfish attract larger and larger fish to the shallows. It is not uncommon in the winter months to watch sailfish chase ballyhoo in less than 15 feet of water. Just outside of the reef, the water drops to about 120 feet in 500 yards, and then there is an area called “The Bar.” It’s the old coral reef from when the water table was 40 feet lower. The Bar is about 200 yards wide and holds all kinds of fish. It shadows the reef for about 20 miles to the west. The west end of the bar is a magical place, with east-bound current upwelling on the end, bait feeds on pushed-up nutrients, and where bait congregates fish follow. Now for the offshore bluewater. “Woods Wall” is named after the man that discovered it, the famous Keys fisherman Norman Woods. At
W
make even more structure. So close to shore and holding such a variety of fish, it is a bluewater angler’s dream. Amazingly enough, we have not even touched on the fishing west or the north of Key West yet. To the west lie shallow flats and a string of islands that hold bait, tarpon, permit, sharks and many more species. Then, when you get about 20 miles west of Key West there is an island atoll call the Marquesas. It is a special place. Flats fishers come from all around the world to fish this little island. Many stories have been written about epic battles with tarpon and permit and what a magical place it is at sunrise, when anglers watch shallow-water fisheries come to life. Farther to the west are 10 or so wrecks in less than 15 feet of water. Fishing around these wrecks is like fishing in an aquarium. The water is crystal clear and bait is everywhere. Whether it is barracuda, permit, cobia or sharks, the wrecks are alive with activity. Another magical place 64 miles west of Key West is the Dry Tortugas, a group of small islands surrounded by shallow water and some of the best bottom fishing in the world. The Dry Tortugas is home to Fort Jefferson, a national park and a whole other ecosystem I could spend an entire article describing. To the north of Key West lies the Gulf of Mexico, a shallow basin for the nearshore that drops to about 100 feet in depth at 40 miles. The Gulf is loaded with wrecks that hold all kinds of bottom fish. Grouper, snapper and cobia fishing is a blast, as is the jewfish and shark fishing. Never mind fishing behind the shrimp boats for blackfin tuna, bonitas, cobia and other fish. And there are the radio towers that stand tall out in 80 to 120 feet of water that hold all kinds of bottom fishing opportunities as well as kingfish, amberjacks, sharks and cobia. In short Key West is not the best fishery for any one thing, it has it all. The topography makes it like no place else in the world to fish. Its unique layout allows us to hide from prevailing winds and make even the worst winds fishable. Quite often the hardest decision is which way to turn in the morning, left or right can make all the difference. It is one of the few places you can catch tarpon in the morning, sailfish in the mid day and dolphin or tuna in the afternoon. Everything is just so close, and there are just so many choices it makes each morning a debate. After 30 years, I still enjoy all the hard choices. Capt. Weinhofer runs charters on the Compass Rose. Visit www. KeyWestFloridaFishing.com or call 305-395-3474.
the edge of the continental shelf, the top of the wall is 800 feet deep with a shear drop to deeper than 1,800 feet in a mere 100 yards. The Gulf Stream slams into this shear face and makes rips and upwellings. If that weren’t enough, there are cracks in the wall that extend inshore to 8
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Fight the blues.
If nothing makes you happier than battling a billfish, you’ll find plenty to smile about in Key West. Minutes from shore you can go toe-to-toe with behemoth blue marlin, the greatest gamefish of them all. You can chase after tuna and dolphin, too. Wahoo! fla-keys.com/keywest 1.800.527.8539 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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ON THE COVER Editor’s Note:
Each month, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Angler Magazine staff search our vast coverage area for photos that will grace our covers. With well over a million readers in diverse coastal and inland markets, our magazines strive for broad national appeal as well as local-level intelligence to put anglers on fish. The cover is different depending on which edition you, the reader, are holding. The following is a little information about this month’s covers.
COASTAL ANGLER MAGAZINE Freeport, Bahamas Yellowfin
FREE
Sushi doesn’t come any fresher than it does Outdoor 32nd Annual on the deck of the Finster when yellowfin Palm Beach Apparel International Edition Boat Show tuna are pushing bait off of Freeport in the Bahamas. This month’s Coastal Angler Magazine cover photo, courtesy of Picture Perfect Charters, is of Capt. Pete Milisci with a nice tuna that has an imminent encounter Local with a fillet knife and some soy sauce. Team Finster is an offshore tournament team based out of Fort Myers, Fla. They fish sailfish tournaments on the east coast of Florida as well as some offshore stuff on the west coast. All that sounds fun, but so does their annual spring tuna outing across the Gulf Stream from Fort Lauderdale. It’s the kind of trip most occasional anglers dream of, and these guys do it pretty much every year when the yellowfin show up. They spend the better part of a week operating out of a condo in Port Lucaya, venturing out just 10 miles from the docks each day to chase birds and catch big tuna. They load coolers with mahi, blackfin and yellowfin tuna, and even the occasional mutton snapper caught from the dock while they are cleaning the day’s catch. What more could an angler ask for? March 23-26
WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS WANTED! The Best American Hooks & Weights For Better #Fishing
Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Lake Erie, Smallmouth Bass
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Over the last decade or so, Lake Erie, the fourth largest of the Great Lakes, has really taken off Outdoor Apparel as one of the best smallmouth bass fisheries in Edition the world. This has been widely credited to the arrival of the invasive round goby, a bottomdwelling species that has become a staple in Local the diet of bass and other game fish. Biologists have reported impressive growth rates of smallmouth bass in Lake Erie since the gobies took hold there. The long-term impact these invasive fish will have is not completely understood, but for the meantime they are propping up a great fishery. The photo on the cover of this month’s editions of The Angler Magazine is of Kayla Culp, of Ridgeway, Ontario and a chunky bronzeback she caught while drop shotting soft plastics in Lake Erie’s East Basin. She mainly fishes the Canadian side of the lake, where bass season doesn’t begin until early summer. Anglers on the U.S. side of the lake also get to experience fishing through the stages of the spawn, which typically begin with a pre-spawn push to shallower water in April and run into June when the fish retreat back to the depths. The photo was taken by her boyfriend, fishing buddy and all-around lucky dude Matt Sirianni. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 265
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APPAREL Product Review XTRATUF KRYPTEK ANKLE DECK BOOT Introducing the Kryptek Ankle Deck Boot from XTRATUF, a beloved fishing boot brand popular amongst recreational and commercial fisherman alike. XTRATUF boots are a gear staple of every man, woman and child in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and beyond, not only for the protective properties that have made them must-have gear for boating, sailing and fishing enthusiasts, but as a fashion and trend statement around the world. This boot is a simple, wearable way to achieve a fashion-forward look in a truly iconic boot with significant brand heritage. New for spring 2017, XTRATUF and Kryptek, camouflage design innovators, are collaborating on a new deck boot collection that combines the technology of the popular XTRATUF Performance Ankle Deck Boot with sleek Kryptek camo designs, including the Yeti and Pontus patterns (MSRP $90). It features a 1mm Neoprene XpressCool bootie that surrounds the whole foot and ankle providing all day comfort. Like all XTRATUF footwear, the Kryptek Ankle Deck Boot is 100 percent waterproof, and it includes a boatload of performance features. • XpressCool lining to keep feet cool in warmer weather • Full-rubber, lightweight silhouettes • Slip-resistant chevron outsole • Pull-on tabs for easy on and off
WWW.XTRATUFBOOTS.COM
L.L. BEAN HYBRID FISHING SHIRT With a unique combination of fabrics, excellent ventilation and built-in sun protection, L.L. Bean’s Hybrid Fishing Shirt delivers unbeatable performance. This shirt is slightly fitted to provide on-thewater functionality while looking good. A relaxed fit through the chest and sleeve as well as stretchy knit upper arms with built-in articulation allow for a full range of motion when casting. A slightly slimmer waist keeps uneccesary fabric out of the way when you’re fishing. The Hybrid Fishing Shirt features a blend of woven and knit nylon and polyester with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. It’s breathable, and a caped back for ventilation will keep you cool and comfortable during long days on the water. Polygiene treatment prevents the growth of odor causing bacteria to keep you from smelling worse than the fish you catch. L.L. Bean has designed a performance fishing shirt that looks as good as it performs on the water. Trim for attaching zingers and forceps and streamlined pockets for gear complete the package.
WWW.LLBEAN.COM
SCALESKINZ MULTIFUNCTIONAL HEADWEAR Capsmith Inc. is the No. 1 trusted source for fishing and outdoor enthusiasts with more than 32 years of experience in the headwear industry. Scaleskinz Multifunctional Headwear can be worn many different ways, and will attract all the right attention with colorful detail and sun protection. Scaleskinz feature a seamless tubular design that can be worn in 12 different ways, including a cap, scarf, facemask, headband, neck shade or shape it to fit your needs. This exclusive product offers maximum protection against sun, wind and rain. Scaleskinz are the perfect addition to retail stores that cater to fishing enthusiasts. Available designs include Dolphin, Tarpon, Marlin, Redfish and Bass. One Size Fits Most. For wholesale Scaleskinz inquiries, contact Capsmith Inc. at 1-800-228-3889, or buy online at www.ihatehats.com.
REEF CONTOURED CUSHIONED SANDALS
Reef has become the go-to purveyor of sandals that look as good as they feel on your feet. Their new Contoured Cushioned Sandals are so comfortable you might not even take them off to go to bed. These sandals feature molded rubber sponge footbeds, so you really are wearing pillows on the soles of your feet. Synthetic-nubuck-leather uppers are stylish and durable, and they are padded with jersey lining to feel super soft against your skin. Finally, these shoes are outfitted with anatomical arch support to keep you comfortable all day long, through any adventure. What more could you expect from a company that is world-renowned for making high-quality footwear for those who enjoy life on the water. Whether you’re headed offshore or to the tiki bar, Reef’s Contoured Cushioned Sandals will keep your feet looking as good as they feel.
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APPAREL Product Review PELAGIC BATTLE GLOVES Ever look at an old salt’s hands? Fishermen are right up there with mechanics for having the most abused hands out there. Pelagic, a company that designs clothing specifically for protecting anglers from the harsh marine environment, has the perfect solution for protecting your hands while they’re doing battle. Pelagic Battle Gloves give anglers an edge when fighting monsters of the deep. These heavy-duty “Sure Grip” fishing gloves are ideal for fishing heavy mono, braid or wire lines and are Kevlar reinforced for maximum protection from line cuts, blisters, sharp fins and teeth. Made with open fingertips for maximum dexterity and finger maneuverability, they protect your hands while allowing you to do the intricate work of rigging lines and baits and tying knots. These gloves increase angler endurance, yet are versatile enough to use for fish handling, bill grabbing, fish filleting, and many other offshore purposes. With Velcro security and stamped with the Pelagic deluxe logo, Battle Gloves are a must-have for any offshore adventure.
WWW.PELAGICGEAR.COM IN GOGS WE TRUST! The Kluch Signature Gog Tee features a simulated goggle eye portrait complete with $100 bill background and Kluch lettering. Available in a variety of styles, this shirt is built of a 100 percent ringspun cotton fabric for that true comfort fit. When it comes to sport fishing, having the right bait means everything! The “In Gogs We Trust” collection was inspired by those brutal days fishing tournaments and being down a release needing another bite to edge into first. After countless attempts of creating luck, teams turn to their wells in search of the best-looking bait to catapult them onto the podium. When all of a sudden the right short starts acting up and there he is!
BODY GLOVE 3T BAREFOOT WARRIOR
Many watersports require toe dexterity, and that’s where the Body Glove’s 3T Barefoot line of water shoes shines. Whether you’re a top athlete, a beginner, or somewhere in between, 3T Barefoot shoes are the perfect footwear for everything water. It doesn’t matter if it’s Stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or just swimming off a rocky shore, the 3T Barefoot is up to the task. A patented three-toe design allows for dexterity in the toes that need it. A minimalist, neutral-balance foot bed allows for maximum ground feel while keeping your foot protected. Body Glove’s Integrated Drainage System (IDS) lets water drain out while preventing debris from entering the shoe. It can be worn either in or out of the water. Other features of the 3T Barefoot include adjustable shocklaces, easy slipon design, hybrid use for in or out of the water, zero heel lift, and the drainage system, which cools the foot with air circulation when out of water.
WWW.BODYGLOVE.COM OLUKAI PA‘A SANDALS
WWW.KLUCH.COM A good pair of sandals is as important to life on the water as a boat, maybe more important. The Hawaiian company OluKai knows this well, which is why they make footwear designed specifically for the ocean lifestyle. At the core of OluKai’s philosophy are quality, durability, comfort and craftsmanship, which means their sandals are crafted to perform and last. OluKai’s new PA‘A sandals were designed with on-the-water action in mind. Translated, PA‘A means secure in English, and these flip-flop-style kicks provide secure footing while battling fish from the deck of a boat or while scrambling out on a jetty to cast. They are fully adjustable on both straps with molded D-rings and micro hookand-loop to ensure a snug fit so the sandals won’t fall off your feet. Water resistant synthetic straps and soft, quick-drying jersey knit lining provide comfort in and out of the water. The footbed is crafted of anatomical, compression-molded EVA midsole with a brushed ICEVA drop-in. The outsole features a non-marking, wetgrip sticky rubber base enhanced with rubber pods for durability and maximum water traction. If you’re looking for a sandal that offers all-day comfort and secure footing in any situation, PA‘A sandals are about as good as it gets.
WICKED DRY & COOL PERFORMANCE SHIRTS Hook & Tackle, designers, manufacturers and distributors of authentic performance fishing apparel since 1963, introduces the new Wicked Dry & Cool collection. Designed with a breakthrough Wicked Dry & Cool proprietary fabric that wicks moisture while keeping you cool, the shirts feature radial sleeves for expansive arm movement. The extremely light yet durable fabrication offers UPF 50+ sun protection, quick dryness and odor resistance. Tested and proven to be the coolest shirts in the market, they are now available in four designs from sizes XS-3XL. For more information, contact Stan at srudman@sportailor.com or visit the site.
WWW.HOOKANDTACKLE.COM
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Lake Erie’s
Big Brown Bass L
By Nick Carter ake Erie boasts some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the world. And over the nearly 10,000 square miles of surface area on this massive lake, the Eastern Basin offers some of the best habitat for bronzebacks. The Eastern Basin is the deepest part of the lake and is separated by a ridge that runs north to south from Long Point in Ontario, Canada to Erie, Pennsylvania. Buffalo New York sits on the eastern shore at the mouth of the Niagara River. Anglers visiting Niagara Falls would be foolish not to set aside a day for fishing the irregular near-shore topography that makes the Eastern Basin such a good fishery. Biologists see incredible growth rates from smallmouth in this area, and 5- to 7-pound fish are a regular occurrence. Kayla Culp, a teacher from Ridgeway, Ontario, has spent years patterning smallies on the Canadian side of the lake. In the Canadian waters of Erie, bass season is closed in spring to protect bedding fish. This is not the case for U.S. waters, where anglers take advantage of pre-spawn migrations as early as April. When the fish move up onto sand flats and chunk rock and into the bays and major tributaries in early spring, it is a time for bumping the bottom in 15 to 20 feet of water with spoons, tube jigs or blades. It can be a grind to find fish, but anglers who set up over a school will find plenty of action and potential for giant smallmouth bass. Lakewide, bed fishing is generally frowned upon. When the Canadian season opens in late June, smallmouth are typically feeding aggressively during their post-spawn transition to deeper water. Culp
said early summer is a fun time to fish the lake. Smallies will be on the weed edges, and they are susceptible to run-and-gun tactics or trolling with fast-moving lures like jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Location is everything when fish are spread out over so much water. Some enjoy drift fishing to find fish. Culp said to trust your fishfinder and cruise, looking for rock-to-sand transitions. This is especially important as fish move deeper. In summer, big smallies will hang around structure or transitions just off the bottom. The depth can go from 10 to 15 feet in early summer out to 30 feet as the water warms. This summer bite is Culp’s favorite of the year. She enjoys drop shotting soft plastics and tubes into schooled-up fish. When it’s on, 30 fish or more from 2 to 5 pounds and larger are a definite possibility. A natural approach is best in Erie’s clear waters. Dark colors like green and brown make up the majority of Culp’s soft-plastic arsenal. This makes sense. It fits the color scheme of the round goby. These little bottom dwellers invaded the lake in the mid 1990s, and smallies developed a taste for them. Biologists have estimated that gobies account for up to 75 percent of an Erie smallmouth’s diet. The goby invasion is widely credited for accelerated growth rates of smallmouth in the lake. For more bass fishing on Lake Erie, go to
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The Freeport Meat Run
Lorem ipsum
An Annual Trip Of A Lifetime By Nick Carter
By CAM Staff - Photos Courtesy of Picture Perfect Charters
F
or some anglers, the fishing trip of a lifetime is an annual event. Team Finster, out of Fort Myers, Fla., fishes top offshore tournaments, but one of the highlights of their fishing year is an annual spring meat trip that coincides with the arrival of big yellowfin tuna in the Bahamas. Team member Pete Milisci, who operates Picture Perfect Charters out of Fort Myers, feels it’s well worth hauling Team Captain Zac Carpenter’s 34’ SeaVee three hours across the peninsula to launch off Florida’s east coast near Fort Lauderdale. Big yellowfin move through in late April and early May, and five guys spend the better part of the week chasing birds and filling fish boxes. The trip starts with provisioning and bait. As charter captains, team members begin saving and freezing leftover bait from charter trips a month in advance because chumming is key. They prefer fishing live bait, so the livewell is loaded with pilchards and threadfins before they leave. Provisions and gear are crammed into every available hold before they set out on what should be a couple hour run in front of twin Mercury Verado 300s across the Gulf Stream to Carpenter’s condo in Port Lucaya, Freeport, Grand Bahama. The crossing always takes longer than it should. It’s difficult for a boatload of anglers to pass up fish along the way. “Last trip, we had all the fish boxes full before we even got there,” Milisci said. “We came upon a whole tree adrift with mahi all over it. They were good mahi, too, all gaffers.” It’s a good thing there’s an ice machine at the condo. Even when cleaning fish at the dock, there is opportunity to put more meat on ice. Milisci said tarpon and big mutton snapper appear to clean up the scraps. Cooked whole and fresh, those snapper are fine eating. The main event begins after checking in with customs and unloading. “The fishing is right out front. It’s within 10 miles,” Milisci said. “You lose sight of land, and you’re in ’em.” Tuna move constantly, and they move fast. Finding fish is a matter of finding birds on the radar. Huge groups of birds are typically found over bonito, so Team Finster is looking for smaller pockets of birds that are a giveaway for tuna. They never pass a frigatebird without checking it.
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When fish are found, the boat is maneuvered in front of the anticipated direction of the school’s travel. The engines drop into neutral and heavy chumming begins with a month’s worth of frozen baitfish. “The fish are on the surface. They’re coming up blasting baits, and the birds are diving on the bait they push up,” Milisci said. “Sometimes you’ll see fins coming up on your bait.” When fishing in a maelstrom of 10- to 15-pound blackfin tuna and yellowfins weighing 30 to well over 100-pounds, it’s important to fish heavy gear. There are also sharks mixed in, and they will leave nothing but a fish head at the first hint of blood in the water. Anglers must crank hard and fast with 60w and 80w Penn Internationals spooled with 200-pound-test mono and 200- to 300-pound leaders. Anglers either reel fish in from the rod holder with bent-butt rods or fight them with a belt. Tuna will eat dead bait, but the team prefers presenting pilchards and threads on a slack line until they run out of live bait. Milisci said the fish are smart enough to let a bait go if they feel the slightest amount of tension on the line, so that slack is important until a fish eats. Then it becomes a grueling race against the sharks. The reward is almost immediate when a fish hits the deck. Wasabi and soy sauce are kept on-hand, and knives go to work while the rod-man catches his breath. For more on Team Finster or to contact Zac Carpenter or Pete Milisci, see finsterfishing.com. To book an inshore trip with Milisci out of Fort Myers, go to www.pictureperfectcharters.com. For highlights from this Tuna catch, go to
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MARCH 2017
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Spawning Phase Will Play A Big Role In Conroe Bassmaster Classic
K
elly Jordon is not a weatherman. He can’t say for sure what the conditions will be when 52 of the world’s best anglers descend on Lake Conroe, an hour outside of Houston, Texas for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, March 24-26. But as a Texas native and a 22-year veteran of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, Jordon knows bass are likely to be in some phase of the spring spawn— and he said the angler who best identifies that phase is likely to be the winner of the event. “If I was going to guess—depending on what the weather does—I’d say we’ll be toward the final quarter of the spawn,” said Jordon. “There will still be some fish on the beds, but there will also be a lot of postspawn fish.” A spawn/postspawn scenario could provide a lot of options, and it could certainly lead to some giant fish being brought to the scales at the Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park. Jordon said the bluegill will likely be coming up to spawn, and big bass can often be found feeding around bluegill beds. Male bass are also likely to be guarding recently hatched fry, and big females that are hungry from the spawn could be roaming the shallows. Though some bass are likely to still be on the beds, Jordon said he doesn’t expect sight fishing to be a dominant technique. “I don’t think somebody can win on sight fishing alone,” he said. “You’re likely to see several giant fish caught off beds or maybe a key 5-pounder at a time when someone really needs it. But I don’t think it’s something you’ll be able to totally hang your hat on.” As for the type of structure that’s likely to be most popular, Jordon said anglers will have their pick. “The water color will depend on how much rain we get and which part of the river you’re fishing,” he said. “The water way up on the upper end could be a lot more stained than the lower end. But when you get up there, you’ll find plenty of backwater stuff, some side creeks, some marinas, some residential
areas with canals, big gigantic flats—a little bit of everything.” The lower end of the lake could appeal to dock fishing specialists. “The lower half of the lake—if not more than half—is pretty much wall-to-wall boat docks and seawalls,” Jordon said. “Whether you want to fish shallow shoreline cover or deep shoreline Bassmaster Elite Series angler and cover, there’s tons of it Classic competitor Bradley Roy caught available. You can find this giant largemouth during pre-pracseawalls that may have tice on Lake Conroe. 10 feet of water around them. “You’ll find flat banks and deep banks. It’s a really dynamic place—and since we’ll be in the spring spawning season, the person who finds not only where the fish are, but where they’re headed, is going to be the one who’s in the best position to win.” With the phases of the spawn playing a major role and Conroe’s reputation for producing big bass, there’s a good chance there will be some 30-pound sacks brought to weigh-ins. For more on last years Bassmaster Classic, go to
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FLY FISHING
WADE FISHING ESSENTIALS
W
ade fishing is one of the most rewarding ways to target shallow-water fish like bonefish or redfish. However, there is more to wade fishing than just walking on a white sand flat or beach and casting to fish. To make the wade fishing experience more enjoyable, here are a few tips to help you make longer casts, protect your feet, blend into your environment, stay safe and catch more fish! Stripping Basket There is nothing more frustrating than fishing from the beach and having your fly line wrap and tangle around your legs and feet especially after you have made a perfect cast to a school of stripers, a corbina or surf perch. The simplest way to solve this problem is to invest in a stripping basket. Made from a variety of materials and available in many styles, a stripping basket will assist you in managing your line. Removing your concern for loose line will allow you more time to concentrate on improving your casting and distance. A stripping basket is not limited to beach fishing, either. More and more anglers are also accepting the value of the stripping basket on boats. A taller free-standing cousin to the wearable basket allows you to keep your line off the deck and avoid its many potential hang-ups including boat cleats, shoe laces, coolers and the other obstructions on a boat’s deck. Wading Footwear There are hundreds of different types of practical shoes for fishing. Select a shoe with high ankle support, a firm and solid toe and stiff arch support. Since you’ll be wading in a variety of bottom conditions from soft mud, soft sand, hard sand and even reefs or oyster beds, it’s a good idea to get a shoe that has a thick sole to prevent punctures. Blend In Blend into your environment. Match your clothes to your
surroundings. If you are fishing the beach, wear neutral colors like tan, light green or even brown. When fishing the flats, a light blue shirt, and stone-colored shirts or pants are your best choice. Also don’t overlook camouflage outfits when stalking spooky fish in shallow water. There are plenty of camo patterns on today’s market, and aside from looking good, wearing camouflage allows you to blend into the environment. Don’t Get Lost One of the worst fishing nightmares is becoming lost or disoriented on the ocean, on the flats or in a marsh’s maze. A handheld GPS can prevent this terrifying situation. Also, if you find an outstanding area where the fishing is red-hot, you can mark it in your GPS and return to the exact spot whenever you choose. Most GPS units contain moon phase and tidal information, which are keys to successful saltwater fly fishing.
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B
ass anglers use lipless crankbaits in many circumstances and ways. I believe it is not used enough for reds, trout, tarpon and snook. In fact, a lipless crankbait is one of the most effective baits to catch fish in shallow water, and it’s definitively one of those I use often. And I’m not alone. When Louisiana’s famous Team Broussard was at the very top of their tournament career a few years ago, “Cajun” Phil and Capt. Kevin had many wins including the Redfish Cup and Team of the Year titles. The secret weapon they were hiding from media and competitors alike was a Flatt Shadd 50 snagless. That small, compact, lipless crankbait puts out vibrations that travel far through the water, catching the predator’s attention as if it was of a much larger bait. The quick, side-to-side motion also creates a lot of flash, adding visual attraction. When I was the Mepps spinner designer 20 years ago, I worked closely with scientists who had an understanding of the factors that attract predatory fish. The type of vibration and its volume were key. Both with inline spinners and lipless crankbaits, moving a significant amount of water is essential for creating signals that are much larger than many other types of baits. This is why baits with spinning blades and those that emit vibrations commonly catch large fish, even when the lures are small. Often, a predatory fish is first alerted to a potential meal by its lateral line, a natural radar. These small baits fool the fish into thinking it is chasing down much larger and more significant prey. How do you use a lipless crankbait best when you’re on the flats or casting close to the mangroves? If it is deep enough, you can cast and burn it or slow roll it to offer consistent action and cover lots of water as a search bait. This is the main way I use a lipless bait when targeting tarpon or large channel bass (red drum) in main inlets, estuaries and anywhere there is enough depth and preferably some current. But for the true, shallow inshore and backcountry fishing, I use them as I would a soft jerkbait rigged on a jig head. I twitch-twitch-pause and yo-yo it. The great thing with a vibrating bait is every time you pull on the rod, you can feel the bait reacting. Action can be constant when fish are aggressive, but for cold water or finicky fish, don’t hesitate to let the lure pause on the ground for a few seconds here and there. You might be surprised to find the majority of bites happen on the drop, or even when the lure is lying motionless. Fish can be so hungry for it that they swallow it in a snap, resulting more than you can imagine in hook sets deep within the fish’s mouth. If you haven’t thrown a small lipless crankbait around in the shallows, give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised. Patrick Sebile is the owner and lure designer of Sebile Innovative Fishing (www.sebile.com).
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For tips and techniques on fishing with lipless crankbait, go to
CAMSALTWATER.COM
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2/14/17 1:45 PM
NORTHEAST
Mako Shark Takes
Amazing 13,000 Mile Journey
A
male mako shark named Hell’s Bay has broken a record, traveling more than 13,000 miles, equal to over half-way around the planet, in 600 days. It is the longest track ever in the Atlantic Ocean by a mako shark tagged by researchers in Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI). “We’ve had some of our tagged makos take some pretty interesting tracks over the years, but this one swims above the rest,” said Mahmood Shivji, a professor at NSU and the director of GHRI. “Having Hell’s Bay report for as long as he has is fantastic because we’re able to really get a detailed look at mako migration behavior over a good amount of time. He was like the Energizer bunny—he kept going and going and going, and luckily did not get captured like many of our other sharks.” The 600-day track of Hell’s Bay mako can be seen at: nova.edu/ sharktracking (select Project 3). Hell’s Bay was tagged in May 2015 off the coast of Ocean City, Md. In the first year, Hell’s Bay traveled north along the east coast and then returned close to the tagging site. Hell’s Bay spent 2016 hanging around the coast of Maryland and taking jaunts throughout the Atlantic traveling east of Nova Scotia to just south of Bermuda before returning to Ocean City. In 2017, it repeated a similar path closer to the coast. Hell’s Bay showed clear seasonal patterns to its movements, spending the winter and early spring far offshore, and the rest of the year on or close to the continental shelf. The closest relative to the white shark, makos are the cheetahs of the shark species. As the fastest shark species, makos can swim up to 60 mph. The tags are funded by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF), a not-for-profit organization that conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment.
“These satellite tags allow us to follow sharks in near-real time,” said Greg Jacoski, executive director of the GHOF. “Understanding where these animals travel and the habitat that they use is the first step to better conserving the species.” Hell’s Bay was named after Hell’s Bay Boatworks, a boat manufacturer based in Titusville, Fla. The tag was sponsored by Capt. Chris Peterson, who owns Hell’s Bay Boatworks. A new GHRI study has just reported that 22 percent of the makos that have been satellite tagged were caught or killed by commercial or recreation fishermen. Shivji indicated that worldwide, sharks are being killed off in unimaginable numbers – some estimates say between 70100 million sharks per year. Clearly, that is not a sustainable level of removal, since many shark species, including makos, reproduce at low rates. For more information about the GHOF and GHRI, visit www. guyharvey.com. To see Hell’s Bay’s journey as well as other sharks tagged by GHRI researchers, visit nova.edu/sharktracking. For more about tracking Mako Sharks, go to
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Feathering a Baitcaster To Cast Farther By Tobin Strickland • Photo courtesy of Troutsupport.com
T
I think just about every one of us has at some time had an adult fishing mentor, or even a family friend that offered to take us fishing. I know my life wouldn’t be the same without my Dad who started us off fishing; heck I was in diapers holding a Snoopy rod and 303. Later as we got old enough to handle fishing out of the boat, my dad would take us with numerous fishing guides, both inland and inshore saltwater fishing. Even if you don’t have children yourself, you can take part in expanding and growing as an angler by taking a kid fishing just once. Another option is to contact Big Brother/Big Sisters or any orphanage or foster kids and play it forward by getting to know a kid by taking them fishing. You never know, that one act of kindness and generosity could be a life-changing experience, and they may stick with it for their entire lives. I know that my life would be entirely different without having been mentored by several outdoorsmen over my life like my dad, a couple of dad’s friends, Capt. Steve Hillman, Capt. Steve Soule, Capt. Chuck Uzzle and Capt. Ernest Cisneros as well as some others. Here are some pointers to simplify getting a kid started. Have your trip be more about giggling, laughing and telling stories than it is about catching a limit of fish. If the child’s age is less than 8 or if they have not done much fishing at all, then take them to a farm pond, stock tank, creek, canal or even a catfish tank so they will catch some fish. Perch (sunfish) are typically always ready to eat a cricket, corn-nibblet or piece of a hot dog on a small light-wire hook. Keep it simple with the rod and reel choice; you don’t have to run out to BAAD Marine Supply to buy a new rig or anything. A small 4 ½-foot-long, light-action rod with a closed-face reel is a good starting point. Bobbers are fun to watch and take out the guesswork. Sometimes knowing what not to do is also important. This is not the time to take the kid out for a long grind with lures; that’s a good way to make it boring for a kid and have them want a video game. If a kid has been started correctly and he’s bored with farm ponds, then it’s time to get him on the boat looking for numbers of fish. Cherry pick your days and take him during the summer months using live bait for the first couple of times until he’s confident. As he grows, you can start to bring in the lures. Now this is the point to book a trip with a guide and allow them to be your partner in his mentoring process as well.
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he final step to casting farther is learning to “feather” the reel spool. Feathering the reel spool edge or the line on the spool is accomplished by using the thumb to ever so slightly brush the spool edge during the initial one-third of the cast. With the increased power being loaded into the cast now, you have to control the spool speed during at the beginning of the cast until downrange velocity is a little more constant. This takes practice, practice, practice. Start by not fully removing your thumb from the spool during a cast. Instead of fully removing the thumb off the spool at the beginning of the cast, just leave the thumb to barely brush the line or the spool edge as the line leaves the spool. I find feathering is more consistently accomplished on the edge of the spool. As you practice, your touch will be become lighter and more precise. You’ll begin to feel the point where the spool is running smoothly, and at that point in the cast you can completely remove the thumb from the spool and let the reel do all the work. Here on the flats, we’re using the Team Lews Lite and ProG to consistently make very long casts working structure such as potholes and edges of grass and oyster. Many times catching fish at the end of the cast and adding fish that weren’t reachable prior to using these tools. Tobin Strickland (aka TroutSupport.com) is a Lew’s Field Staff member.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:20 PM
LONG ISLAND EDITION
www.coastalanglermag.com/longisland
MARCH 2017
PUBLISHER’S NOTE MIKE AND LISA DANFORTH
C
oming to Connecticut, Expanding Fishing Reports, The New England Saltwater Fishing Show, More Word on the Bite, Free Ads and more… It’s a busy month at Coastal Angler. OK, well most of today is being spent shoveling out from under the 15 inches of snow from yesterday, but beyond that there is lots of activity. As we have spoken with advertisers and readers in both Long Island and Rhode Island it has always been clear that these advertisers need to look to the left for their clients. In other words, folks from NYC, Nassau County and Connecticut tend to look East for their aspirational fishing trips and shows. They want to get to deeper, more open water to chase bigger fish. They are looking for information on where to fish, who to fish with, what new gear to use and then of course the local knowledge from water and tide conditions to hatch of the day. To that end, we will be launching the new Coastal Angler Magazine Connecticut Edition in April! Readers and advertisers will get more: more news and reports from the waters we share for readers, more distribution and prospects for our advertisers! We can’t wait. But we need your help (again.) We are looking for one captain in each market to expand our coverage of local fishing reports. We have several markets covered, and now fishing reports for South Shore, Montauk, and Block Island. In return, we will help you promote your charter/business as the local expert. This is a one time, win/win offer. Interested, if so, please reach out to me as soon as possible at LisaCoastalAnglerMagazine@gmail.com. We will be choosing the market experts by mid-March for publication in April. And it’s time for the RISAA show! That can only mean the long awaited launch of Season 2017, the best in new gear, and figuring out how NOT to spend the mortgage money in Providence next weekend! RISAA’s New England Saltwater Fishing Show is truly kid-in-a-candyshop time. As guys selling everything from plugs to charters to boats will tell you, this is a buying show. As Publishers, we are often sent gear to evaluate. We really appreciate that as we all can be creatures of habit and stick with old favorites unless given the unavoidable chance to try something cool and new. But the RISAA show makes us break out the cash in earnest! March is also the month we introduce our special advertising incentives for Season 2017. Six time (April – September) advertisers will receive free banner advertising for the whole season on our website, on Zach’s weekly fishing reports page which starts in the spring. This is the page folks download and take with them, the page avid anglers can’t do without. These banners are usually $100 a pop so it is a great deal! Call us with any questions or for a proposal today! This offer is limited to the first 10 advertisers who sign up so don’t miss it!
ANNOUNCING Connecticut Edition LAUNCHING APRIL 2017
W
e are thrilled to announce the launch of Coastal Angler Magazine for the Connecticut Shoreline. This newest edition of Coastal Angler joins editions in Long Island, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Upper New York State to comprise the Northeast Edition of Coastal Angler, part of Coastal Angler Magazine nationwide.
SEEKING FISHING CAPTAINS FOR OUR NEW REGION
We will be expanding fishing reports in the Rhode Island, Long Island and Connecticut markets and are actively looking for one captain in each of the following markets: South Shore, Montauk and Block Island to be our resident expert and supply weekly fishing reports. In exchange for the time it takes you to create the reports, we will post them on and promote them through all of the associated websites and print issues of Coastal Angler. We know these reports will bring added enjoyment for our readers and support for the growth of your business. We will select our local experts by March 10 and launch the new reports in April. To advertise in any or all of these important markets or to participate in the new fishing report series please contact us. Tight lines, Mike and Lisa Danforth LisaCoastalAnglerMagazine@gmail.com
CONNECTICUT EDITION
See you at the show! Tight lines, Mike and Lisa Danforth 2 LONG ISLAND
MARCH 2017
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
FISH FOCUS ZACH HARVEY
I
The Next Four Years
will quietly admit that when Trump won the election, I breathed a very short and well-concealed sigh of relief—not because I had any personal faith in the man’s integrity, intelligence, poise, or political aptitude, but because I’d been getting increasingly alarmed by the audacity of some environmental NGO’s in the wake of Obama’s marine monument executive order bonanza. Almost as soon as the ink had dried on an order that sealed fishermen out of thousands of square miles of bottom along the edge of the shelf SE of Cape Cod, Environmentalist interests put a full-court press on canyons further west, including Block and Hudson among other grounds of major import to fishermen from Virginia to Cape Cod. Using the momentum and the precedent of that order, which took a shotgun approach to protecting obscure, recently discovered deep sea corals whose actual location was totally unknown, they sought to close most of the Edge using these same little-studied bottom features. In the months leading up to Election Day, the left (and enviros especially) was operating as though a Clinton victory were a foregone conclusion, I was becoming genuinely fearful that another four years under a liberal administration would usher in a mania of arbitrary area closures and leave an already punchdrunk fishing industry in smoldering ruins. For the record, I am not the only left-leaning fisheries guy who felt this momentary relief. Nor am I the only guy who has since found new causes for alarm as our megalo-oligarch President Trump has snatched the reigns of executive power (and then some). My conservative friends in fisheries remain hopeful that our newly-anointed Supreme Leader will deliver on campaign trail promises to approach new regulation with an eye for untangling the statutory gridlock that has hamstrung various industries (the fleet, by extension) for years. For my part, while I’m grateful for the momentum shift, I’m considerably less confident that the next four years will do anything great for the fishing industry. Here’s the trouble. For one thing, a grim truth about our industry is that, on a national, big-business scale, total US fishing revenues, or fishing jobs, look cute alongside any other food-production or leisure/ entertainment industry. America on the whole barely eats seafood—the bulk of what seafood we do consume is shrimp (much of it imported) or Alaskan pollock harvested by a relative handful of corporate-owned factory trawlers in the Pacific Northwest. Stack our New England fleet up against, say, Big Chicken, Big Beef, Pepsico, or the defense history. Outside of the quaint seasidetown photo-ops or the appealing mythology of the American frontier spirit among independent fishermen (staples of election-year politics in New England), we just don’t represent the raw economic juice to command the sort of sustained executive or congressional attention it would take to put a small dent in the foothill of red tape that snarls up most fishing businesses. More importantly, the huge regulatory burden current fishermen face is a product of many layers of overlapping environmental, budgetary, and interstate-commerce statute, not to mention state-federal jurisdictional gray areas or the thicket of permit issues. The fish-management regime’s reach extends well beyond the limitations of executive power, even if it were the President’s intention to put that house in order. The root struggle these last 5 to 8 years—the underlying problem that
arises in various fisheries multiple times per fishing year—is a statutory paradox stemming from Congress’s ongoing love affair with the idea that regulators must base all decisions on sound science. Unfortunately, with Commerce/NOAA/NMFS personnel and budgets stretched paper-thin
See Fish Focus (Continued on Page 7)
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MARCH 2017
LONG ISLAND 3
“Bass Ackwards” Fishing BY TOM SCHLICHTER
I
t was one of those mornings when nothing was going right. I was the quickly approaching season ahead. Often, you can find these old late getting up, the sun was already intense and I had left a bagful relics at fishing tackle flea markets or on-line. of new jigs I wanted to try sitting on a stump next to my driveway. Usually, I start my test by working backwards through my tackle box. Worst of all, the Lake Ronkonkoma largemouth bass population was on On those days when the fish aren’t in a particularly cooperative mood yet another hunger strike. and I’ve exhausted all the standard game plans, or if I simply feel like By 9:00 a.m. I was on a second pass through my tackle box, working trying something new, I reach for what I consider lures that had already proved worthless over favorite fishing holes to be the least likely item to succeed and give it a that had already proved empty. It’s amazing, try. If that doesn’t’ work, I reach for the next least I began to think, how helpless you likely offering, etc. “Bass Ackwards” fishing, I call feel when your top producers it, and you’d be surprised at how many “new” lures don’t get the job done. My favorite you can discover this way. spinnerbait, plug, plastic worm, Two winters ago, for example, I popper, twitch bait and crank bait uncovered a couple of ancient Jim Bagley had all drawn blanks. What to do? Salty Dog pink shrimp in a long Looking down at the messy forgotten fishing pouch that had trays, it struck me that this would be a good time to slipped behind a shelf in my cull out some old stuff and make room for new. I basement. I dropped them into decided to try out some lures that I had never one of my nice, new Plano Boxes given much chance. If they failed - as I was which contained a variety of the sure they would - each would be given latest soft plastics for weakfish and away, discarded or regulated to a drawer in fluke. the tackle cabinet in my garage in the hopes There they sat until one day in of one day in the future being considered August when my usual flatfish offerings were “vintage” collectables. In just about any case, drawing blanks. I’m guessing it had been 15 or It digs deep and looks prehistoric maybe 20 years since I’d thrown a Salty Dog. Even most would at least be removed from my primary box. Scanning across the tangled mess in the lower tray, as bass lures go, but the Mud Bug though it was in mint condition, this one looked is another Throwback Thursday I reached for hideous-looking crank bait. It was fat, old and faded, tired actually, compared to brightly brown, yellow and very ugly. It had a big lip and had lure that can still be quite effective. colored, curly tail, paddle tail and split tail soft baits yet to see the water for the several years I had carried Photo courtesy of Pradco Fishing. I favor these days. I tied it on and fifteen minutes it along. later had the first keeper of the day on ice. I took two Designed to dig deep, it was probably too heavy for more keeper fluke – one a nice 4-pounder – in the the light spinning gear I had brought along - so I tied it on anyway and next hour to salvage what was looking like a shutout. heaved it out toward the center of the lake. As I began cranking away It turned out that, on this trip at least, the Long Island Sound summer the lure dug in and sent a wiggling, thumping sensation up the line. On flatties wanted a slow moving lure with minimum action and the boring the second, and what should have been the final cast for this lure, it was looking Salty Dog proved it could be as effective as ever. Within a few smashed by a 19-inch bucketmouth! A pair of 15-inch fish later and I was weeks, I had tried my Salty Dogs on Peconic Bay school weaks and had hooked. The lure, a Fred Arbogast Mud Bug, would remain in the box a blast hooking 2- to 3-pounders with ease at the end of an outgoing but it would attain a more prominent position on the top tray. Right next tide. Needless to say, I’ve since rounded up a small supply of these early to it would be added two more. So much for making room. saltwater soft plastics. I can’t wait to break them out again this spring.
Reverse Draft Picks
More Old Favorites
Just about every fisherman I know carries an assortment of lures to match virtually any combination of fishing variables that could ever exist. Most, however, use only a handful of these lures on a regular basis. I have dozens of lures that never or rarely see the end of a line, much less the inside of a fish’s jaw. But, thanks to instances like the one above, I’ve been “discovering” new and effective lures on a more regular basis. In fact, I now actually plan a little time into most trips to test a few in the hopes of uncovering another gem. It’s a Sinking Rebels have been in the author’s striper plug bag for decades. This point to keep in mind as you clean one, second from right, had much of its finish scraped off from late-night out and reload your tackle box for sessions with schoolie bass. Photo by Tom Schlichter
The same bass ackwards approach led me to rediscover one of my favorite surf lures for stripers several years ago. I was getting noting more than an occasional light nudge on my favorite needlefish and bucktails while working the graveyard shift off Long Island’s North Fork. A search through my plug bag revealed an old forgotten favorite hiding behind a large bottle plug – a 7-inch sinking Rebel in black over silver. This one had a crushed belly hook and its color was nearly worn off from hot action more than a decade ago. It remained in my bag as more of a good luck charm than
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anything else and I hesitated before tying it on. It took a couple of casts to get the feel and retrieve speed just right but once I did, it was lock and load with husky schoolies in the 6- to 12-pound class until the dropping tide reached its midpoint. It was then that the bluefish moved in and a 10-pounder crushed my plug. Fortunately, the bruiser was hooked in the corner of its toothy jaw and I got the Rebel back. I retired it forever that night but picked up a few more while rummaging through the “Sale” bins winter shows to spread amongst my various plug bags. I’m now set for a couple of years. This past fall I dug up another oldie but goodie: a 3-1/2inch blue over white jointed Rapala Floater that simply destroys largemouth bass, bronzebacks, pickerel, perch and sunfish in clear water on bright days. I was fishing with my buddy Mike Welsh – who usually gets the best of me – but the action had been minimal on Fort Pond as we worked jig & pig combos across a mid-lake ridge before moving up onto the flats. Mike chuckled when he saw me tie on the small, worn and somewhat fragile stick bait but I got the last laugh as it dug up more than a halfdozen bass over the next two hours. “That lure is getting it done,” Mike finally relented as the afternoon grew late. “I know,” I replied. “I can’t believe it was still in my tackle box. I haven’t thrown it in years. Too bad I only have one.” Next time we head out, I’ll have to make sure to bring along at least two. And, maybe, another one for Mike.
The blue/white Jointed Floating Rapala is has been around for very long time but, as the author recently discovered, it is still super effective for pulling bass, pickerel and panfish from gin-clear waters on chilly, sunny days. It’s especially effective in the early spring and late fall when weed growth is minimal. Photo by Felicia Scocozza.
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MARCH 2017
LONG ISLAND 5
First Fishing Pole By Tommy Kampa
I
t’s blowing a blizzard outside, a whiteout as I start writing today and fishing is the furthest thing from my mind. So I thought it would be fun to go in a different direction to keep you entertained and maybe bring some of your own memories to mind. Do you remember your first fishing pole? I’ve been fishing for as long as I can remember; lucky enough to have a Mom & Dad that liked to fish and bring me along, my earliest fishing memories are hand lining Mackerel up in New Hampshire, where my parents would share a beach house with my aunts, uncles and cousins for a week or two during the summer. Getting to go on a party boat to fish was always the highlight of my summer, but my parents didn’t trust me with a rod, only a hand line. I watched with envy everyone that held a rod and reel, pestering my parents to let me use one. Christmas morning my wish came true! My own fishing rod standing next to our Christmas tree; I was the happiest eight year old on the planet. Over fifty years has passed, many rods have come and gone, but I always kept my first rod; never using it much after the age of twelve, it stood in my garage gathering dust. Recently I decided to learn how to build my own rods, something I’d always wanted to do, just never have gotten around to it. I bought a Power Wrapper and a basic package of rod building materials from the MUD HOLE Rod Building & Tackle Crafting Company (Mudhole.com) to start with; as soon as it came I set it up and figured it would be smart to repair some guides to familiarize myself with my new purchase until
I figured out what type of rod I would build first. Into my “fish room” (as my wife calls it) I went looking for rods to repair; I have accumulated at least a hundred rods over the years; Spinning, Plugging, Surfcasting, Conventional, Stand up, Trolling and Fly Rods. Heavy, light, short, long, cheap, expensive, some used a lot, others sporadically; rods for Cod, Tuna, Shark, Striped Bass, Fluke, Black Sea Bass, Blackfish, Blow fish, Kingfish, Bluefish, Mahi, Trigger, Pollock, Halibut, Salmon, Trout. Then my first rod caught my eye, standing in a corner, it looked in need of “TLC” and a perfect candidate with which to begin my new hobby. Stripping off the old guides, I started remembering all the adventures this rod and I shared; learning how to fish, tying knots, rigging for different species, catching big fish, small ones, disappointments, triumphs, getting seasick, sunburned, being cold and wet. Those early days of fishing were great, going on my Dad’s boat, a 27’ Chris Craft Cabin Cruiser with him, my grandfather, brothers and assorted characters from our neighborhood in Queens. Most of my early fishing memories are Flounder fishing in the back bays of Long Island’s south shore near Merrick. I remember the water being so clear that you could see the bottom; “Wasn’t that a fish Dad”? It seemed like the bottom was paved with Flounder. Our rigs were simple, a sinker, one Chesterton hook baited with a blood worm, dropped to the bottom, bounced a few times, waiting for a nibble, the slow lift, hooking the Flounder and reeling it to the boat. Learning to unhook your fish (because Dad liked to fish too), making sure it was a keeper, a “big keeper” because there were so many and we were taught to only take what we needed for our dinner. My rod was a five foot True Temper conventional boat rod matched to a small Penn reel, spooled with Ande monofilament. I loved that rod! It was perfect for the bay fishing that I was doing back then. We also used to catch a lot of Blowfish back then; I used to love tickling their bellies and watch them inflate themselves. They were also great to eat! My Dad taught me how to clean them; he’d cut them behind the head and I’d pull the skin off, rinse them in saltwater and ice them down. At home my Mom would bread them and pan fry them till they were a crispy golden brown. We would eat them with our hands like we would a chicken leg; I guess that’s why many people called them “Chicken of the sea”. We also went fishing for Fluke in Jones Inlet and I remember some doormats coming over the rail. My biggest Fluke was covered with seaweed so it wasn’t as big as I thought. I remember going Black Fishing at the Rotor wreck, right off Tobay beach, but I don’t remember being anything but a little seasick and playing with Green Crabs until one pinched me good. My Mom liked to fish too, but preferred to drift in the bay on a friend’s small aluminum skiff, catching Fluke, Blowfish and King Fish. My Dad would tease her, saying she bought the fish from the fish store, but Mom could hold her own fishing and always seemed to get the biggest fish by the end of the day. If I got bored or hot she’d drop me off on the flats so I could go clamming. My only equipment was a pail wrapped in a life preserver, tied to my waist with some rope. I’d wiggle my feet into the mud until feeling a clam I would reach down and grab it with my hands. It was a great way to stay cool on a hot summer day and if I got hungry I would just smash two together, cracking the shell, slurping them down; making sure there
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Fish Focus (Continued from Page 3) in recent years, there has been almost no money available to conduct all the aforementioned groundbreaking fishery research. As it stands, the only route out of unnecessarily harsh catch restrictions on species like, say, black sea bass, will be a whole pile of data that will eventually hack the considerable statistical uncertainty about the size, composition, or distribution of that fish stock down to size. Current wording in the Magnuson Act requires that regulators subtract the margin for error (as a percentage of the total allocated landings). Maybe I’m being overly cynical, but hiring freezes and probable major shifts in budgetary priorities don’t give me soaring hopes for the fishery’s five-year outlook. Or, put another way, with multiple federal agencies that serve much larger segments of the US population in disarray, I doubt we’ll see a brighter day for our fishermen atop the new administration’s to-do list. Or course, there’s a more fundamental concern for the fishery’s five- or 10-year prospects—a familiar worry for those who’ve been paying close attention to federal fisheries policy over the last decade. For better or worse, we’re now five or so years down a path to industry consolidation. Since the enviro world found religion in catch shares some years back, regulators have been using a combination of limited entry/ access and “natural” market forces (working capital first and foremost) to deliver a huge reduction in domestic fishing capacity. If you want to know where this is all headed, all you need do is examine any other major American industry in the Big Box Era of American business. By any name, catch shares are a tool of corporatization and, more importantly, of privatization. Unlucky for working fishermen, the process by which units of a commodity historically viewed as a public resource fall into private hands seldom favors the little guy. And if you want to get a clearer sense of where President Trump falls on small-business economics, look at the way the man conducted
business in the private sector, particularly the way he has negotiated or leveraged his debts. If you want some insight into his sentiments about the oft-romanticized work of fishing, consider: The guy who plans to build the Great Wall of Texas, who has been crystal-clear about his intent to close America’s doors to immigrants, is a guy with little use for the mythology of frontiers or the independent spirit of fishermen. Many of our politicians and the throngs of lobbyists who steer them have bought into the commoditization—the buying, selling, trading, and individual ownership—of fish stocks (or timber, or water, etc.) as units of future annual harvest with variable exchange rates. Brutal as it sounds, there are many business ventures that can profit from a given tract of seabed. It’s no accident, I’ve begun to suspect, that Obama sought to enclose and protect a large swath of our ocean. A decade into a closed-door dialogue about “marine spatial planning,” we’ve yet to see the full range of global players currently jockeying for position as we begin to negotiate the lay of fences across our liquid frontier. Mining, global container shipping, LNG ports, offshore wind and hydroelectric, oil, even academic research—business of serious financial consequence trying to gain footing. The clearing of our “common grazing land” of the fishermen who have long pulled their living from a watery extension of the public domain will—sooner than most of us suspect—secure the future for newer, bigger, better commerce. Business on that scale is a force that dwarfs party politics. If you had it in your head that the far left (a la CLF, Pew, the Ocean Conservancy, EDF) is the sole purveyor of anti-fishing policy, start thinking bigger. Not all that’s green is good. If you have a serious personal urge to secure your fishing future, now is the exact time you need to step up. Do extensive homework before you give any organization clearance to speak on your behalf. You’d be appalled to learn where many respected environmental groups land on key fishing or ecological issues. As for the faith you place in (or withhold from) our new top exec, believe half of what you see and none of what your hear.
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MARCH 2017
LONG ISLAND 7
WORD ON THE BITE TOM SCHLICHTER
March Shows Offer More Than Bargains
E
arly March can be a trying time for local anglers. Sure, die- and seminars and you can really come away with some valuable hards can sample cod fishing, or maybe haul some perch information. or trout though the ice if there is any left, but mostly this That’s especially so at the World Fishing and Outdoors Expo is a time for dreaming of spring - when crews remove winter (www.sportshows.com/suffern) scheduled for March 2 – 5 at wraps from their vessels and both inshore Rockland Community College in and sweet water action finally hit stride. Suffern, NY, and the New England But we’re not quite there yet so it’s a good Saltwater Fishing Show to be held thing there are still a few major sportsman’s at The Rhode Island Convention shows to attend this month. These should Center (www.nesaltwatershow. allow you one more chance to fill out your com) in Providence from March fishing arsenal for the seasons ahead, trade 10 to 12. The former bills itself as a few last tales of the ones that got away or the Northeast’s premier fishing, didn’t last year, and provide a little boost of hunting and outdoors travel event fishing fever to hold you over unit the bite while the latter lays claim to being finally resumes. the largest fishing show in the There’s another reason I like to attend Northeast. the larger shows, however, and that’s to get Of course, you’ll want to bring first-hand information on tackle, gear and along enough funds to stock up It’s absolutely amazing what you can see on the techniques from pro-staffers and those on a few last items, but you’ll get latest fishfinders. The clarity and usefulness who actually help design the latest and so much more from these shows of Humminbird’s Helix 10 and new Solix greatest rods, reels, lures and electronics. if you slow down and ask some systems are truly outstanding. Put in your time stopping at the booths serious questions of the experts Photo courtesy of Johnson Outdoors.
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and catch a few free seminars. In short, you can get a crash course from the experts on everything from choosing the best offshore fishfinder within your budget to landing the perfect surf rod for working bottle plugs or casting live eels. In most cases, all you have to do is ask. The Humminbird team, for example, will man booths at both shows providing anglers an awesome opportunity to see and learn about their latest releases. “Fishfinder technology is getting an update for 2017 and boat or sportsman’s shows are one St. Croix Rods: Fishing rods these days come in dozens of sizes, of the best ways to meet with product experts to learn about new technologies, updates and improvements,” said Ray Schaffart, Brand styles and designs. Which one is best for you? Ask the experts at the Manager for Humminbird (www.humminbird.com). “We recently St. Croix booths. Photo courtesy of St. Croix Rods. launched the new Cross-Touch SOLIX unit and MEGA Imaging for both our SOLIX and HELIX G2N units. John Skinner is You really have to see MEGA Imaging to believe it. well known for producing Our team at the shows will be able to walk attendees entertaining and educational through all our new product updates right there on the fishing videos that cover floor.” how to catch a wide a variety The new MEGA Imaging is fabulous, by the way, of species from surf, kayak so be sure to check it out. and boat. You can catch his “We’ll be at both shows, too,” related Jeff Schuler, videos on You-Tube at John Vice President of Brand Management at St. Croix Skinner Fishing, but if you’d Rods (www.stcroixrods.com). “These shows really rather have him answer are an awesome opportunity to get the scoop right questions in person he’ll form the source. There are so many different rods have a table the Providence available these days ranging from general choices Show. He’ll also have his to cover most fishing situations to rods designed to latest book, Fishing For excel at specific techniques. Our goal at these expos Summer Flounder: Fluke is to create a friendly atmosphere of education where Jigging from Shore, Boat, we can talk, teach and offer the information you need and Kayak on sale. The book to make a great choice.” is also available at www. While you are at either show, be sure to check out Talking directly with a lure’s manufacture flounderbook.com. the St. Croix Legend Surf series. The various sticks in is a sure way to gain insight into its use. The Al “Gag” Gagliarducci this line-up range from the 9-foot, moderate action Legendary Al Gags will be on hand at both is one of the most respected LGSS90MM2 that is perfect for tempting stripers in the the New England and Ward Melville shows lure designers in in the surf with needlefish, bucktails and swimming plugs to to discuss using his Whip-It Eels and newly Northeast. Inventor of the the 11-foot, medium-heavy LGSS110MHMF2 crafted released Underspin lure that catches Whip-It Fish and Whip-It to sling rigged eels everything from stripers to fluke. Eel, you can find his line of and large plugs for Photo courtesy of Al Gags Custom Lures. Al Gags Custom Lures in trophy fish. Which just about any local tackle Legend Surf Series rod do you need? Just ask surf shop or online at www.algagsfishinglures.com. Want to know fishing guru and St. Croix how to work his designs most effectively? Then ask the master consultant, Alberto Knie. He himself. “Stop by and let’s talk about my brand new Under Spin lure helped develop and test them and will be available to field for stripers and fluke, or my new 5-ounce Rattling Head that really cuts through strong currents,” invites Al. “We can also chat questions at both shows. about my about my Whip-It Eels. They catch everything from stripers and doormat fluke to cobia and snook.” Of course, Coastal Angler (www.coastalanglermag.com/ Catch author and expert longisland) will also attend the New England Saltwater Fishing angler John Skinner at the Show. Stop by booth 9026 to say “Hello,” sign-up for home New England show and delivery and offer your suggestions on how we can make our pick up a copy of his new book: Fishing for Summer See Word on the Bite (Continued on Page 10) Flounder. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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LONG ISLAND 9
First Fishing Pole (Continued from Page 6) were a couple of dozen left for the rest of my family. Once home, they were shucked, eaten on the half shell or made into Baked Clams, or sautéed with garlic, olive oil, parsley and poured over linguine. I can still taste those sweet briny clams. If you feel the need to get out fishing there’s a pretty decent Cod bite off of Block Island. It’s a short ride from Montauk to the fishing grounds on any of the Party or Charter boats. There are also boats leaving from Freeport, Point Lookout and Captree that are fishing offshore wrecks for Cod and Ling. It looks like the 2017 Fluke regulations for New York will be three fish at 19 inches with a 128 day season. New Jersey and Connecticut will have the same regulations but Rhode Island fishermen will be able to take four fish at 19 inches and have a 245 day season. I don’t understand why Rhode Island gets such a long season, especially after Massachusetts and Rhode Island voted to limit our season to less than Ninety-six days. This measure was voted down. I wish everyone could be on the same page; it’s the same fish and virtually the same waters. Like us on FACEBOOK at Coastal Angler Magazine Long Island and Moonlight Lady Fishing; I’ll be posting trip reports and photos daily. Catch ‘em up!!!! Captain Tommy Kampa holds a USCG 100 TON MASTER’S LICENSE; he runs a 29’ Dyer custom bass boat, the MOONLIGHT LADY. We are booking Striped Bass Charters now for the season start on April 15. Captain Tommy can be reached at capttommykampa@ gmail.com or 347 203 5087 to book a charter or express a comment or suggestion.
Word on the Bite (Continued from Page 8) magazine even better. While the huge, multi-day expos naturally draw the biggest crowds, you’ll still find a few smaller shows and seminars filling out March. One in particular that is really worth the trip is the Ward Melville High School Fishing Club’s 5th Annual Saltwater Fishing Expo and Fundraiser (www.wardmelvillefishingclub. com) scheduled for Saturday March 4 at Ward Melville High School. It’s a one day event that has become tremendously popular over the past few years. “What makes this show something different,” says Bob Wilson, the club’s administrator, “is that this is a FREE event run completely by a group of high school teenagers. Proceeds from the show go to fund club activities throughout the year. In addition to over 120 vendors, we’ve scheduled more than 15 seminars and assembled a panel of local experts including Bill “Doc” Muller, Angelo Peluso, Capt. Amanda Peterson, “Outdoor Tom” Schlichter and other local sharpies to tackle your fishing questions.” Yet another neat aspect of the Ward Melville show is that youth anglers ages 5 to 20 can sit in on a seminar or participate in a workshop to earn free gear (while it lasts) for their participation. Apparel, terminal tackle, lures, baits and more are generously made available from sponsors and others in the industry. Should you miss Al Gags or John Skinner at the Providence Show, you can also catch them here. 10 LONG ISLAND
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PAN ROASTED ACADIAN REDFISH RECIPE Ingredients: • One 1 1⁄4 -pound fish dressed and scaled. Congratulations if you caught it! • Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing • Salt • Freshly ground white pepper • 4 parsley stems • 3 crushed garlic cloves • 6 halved lemon slices • 1/2 cup dry white wine Vegetable oil for cooking Butter for finishing Not to be confused with the popular Cajun dish, • Fresh lemon juice for finishing blackened redfish (really a red drum,) Acadian Redfish • Fresh chopped herbs is an Ocean State classic. Commonly known as ocean Cooking Instructions: perch, it’s one of three common redfish found 1. Preheat the oven to 450°. in the Northwest Atlantic. 2. In a large sauté pan add canola and heat the pan at medium high. 3. Brush the fish with oil and season generously inside and out with salt and pepper. 4. Stuff the cavity of the fish with the parsley stems, garlic and lemon. 5. Sear the fish in the center of the sauté pan for about 3 minutes on one side, the skin will be crispy and brown. Flip the fish over and place the entire sauté pan into the 450 degree oven for between 3-5 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part near the head registers 135°.) 6. Remove from the oven and add white wine, butter and lemon juice and baste fish. Add fresh herbs to finish. 7. Let rest for 2-3 minutes and serve.
This vessel is the most well equipped 41’ Albemarle Express out there. She’s a 2006, with just over 2000 hours on Cat C-12’s 710hp each, professionally maintained with certified Cat Mechanics, all service records are available from 2012, when this 2nd owner took over. Major extra equipment installed in 2012 is the Flir and All Garmen Electronics, 64 mile radar, transducer that can read up to 6000’, Acer Spotlight, 6 man life raft, 2016, new Oceanic underwater lights.
Contact Captain/Owner Jock Danforth
617-791-9009
email: finandtonic@mac.com For more details. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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AMITYVILLE
IGA Supermarket
OYSTER BAY
Comb’s Bait & Tackle
HAMPTON BAYS
Stop and Shop
BABYLON
King Kullen East End Bait & Tackle White Water Outfitters - X FROM HAMP MAID
PORT JEFF STATION
Captree Cove Restaurant
CENTER MORICHES King Kullen
HUNTINGTON
CORAM
Hi-Hook Bait & Tackle
Stop & Shop
LINDENHURST
CUTCHOGUE
Pelagic Outfitter Inc Marine Mate
King Kullen
EAST HAMPTON
LITTLE NECK
E.H LIRR Station Stop and Shop
East coast Fishing Supply
LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD STATION
FARMINGVILLE Stop & Shop Dunkin Donuts
Stop and Shop Sean’s Place
FRANKLIN SQUARE
MANORVILLE
Slots-a-Lot Raceway
King Kullen
FREEPORT Freeport Railroad Station Freeport Bait & Tackle Fred Chall Marine Sea Isle Bait & Tackle
MASSAPEQUA
GARDEN CITY RIVERHEAD
MONTAUK
Stop and Shop Riverhead Bay Motors Riverhead Toyota Eagle Chevrolet
Southshore Marine Supply
MEDFORD Stop & Shop IGA Supermarket Montauk Marine Basin
NEW HYDE PARK Stop and Shop
GLEN COVE
OAKDALE
Stop and Shop Dunkin Donuts
fish and wildlife taxidermy J&H Sports Outlet
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You can find your monthly issue of Coastal Angler Magazine Long Island FREE OF CHARGE at these locations. If you would like the convenience of a personal subscription which brings your issue of Coastal Angler Magazine Long Island directly to your home through the mail, just go to the website to subscribe at http://coastalanglermag.com/rhodeisland/subscribe/ 12 LONG ISLAND
MARCH 2017
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ASMFC To Loosen
Striped Bass Regs
T
here may be good news for striped bass anglers on the East Coast, as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is considering loosening restrictions for recreational and commercial harvest of the popular gamefish coastwide. According to the Associated Press, potential changes are being driven in large part because of economic hardships experienced in the Chesapeake Bay fishery. In 2015, regulations were tightened automatically based on a stock assessment that indicated the species was being overfished. Now, an updated 2016 assessment of the stock shows that overfishing is not occurring, and data shows a strong presence of the 2011 yearclass, which is anticipated to join the coastal spawning population. An ASMFC release indicated a draft of the new regulations should be presented for board review in May.
Maryland Conducts
Pre-Season Trout Stockings
T
he Maryland Department of Natural Resources began stocking trout in waters across the state in January ahead of the 2017 fishing season. About 338,000 brown, golden and rainbow trout were released. “The trout stocking program raises several hundred thousand trout at our hatcheries, which are stocked for anglers of all ages and skill levels,” said Maryland Fishing and Boating Services director David Blazer. “Our team provides anglers with diverse trout fishing experiences, from the solitude of a mountain stream to an outing at your locally stocked pond with family and friends.” Most trout are grown at the department’s hatcheries, the Albert Powell Hatchery in Washington County and the Bear Creek Hatchery in Garrett County. Additionally, the department partnered with the private Mettiki Hatchery to rear trout for Garrett County. The stocking program is funded by the sale of non-tidal fishing licenses, trout stamps and Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program funds. A list of stocked locations is available at bait and tackle shops, department service centers and online. The department also provides weekly updates at 800-688-3467. The exact location and timing for stocking is dependent on ground conditions, stream flow and weather.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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New Jersey Rallies Against Crippling Fluke Regulations
D
epartment of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin recently joined federal and state lawmakers, leaders of the state’s recreational and commercial fishing industries, anglers, and people whose livelihoods rely on fishing to rally in opposition to proposed drastic recreational harvest reductions for summer flounder, saying the changes would devastate the state’s fishing industry and have far-reaching economic impacts on shore tourism. The rally follows votes last month by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) that would likely result in an increase in the size of individual summer flounder anglers can keep, as well as a decrease in number of fish that may be kept each day, and a reduction in season length. One of the options under consideration could reduce New Jersey’s recreational harvest limit for summer flounder by as much as nearly 50 percent. Summer flounder is one of the most popular game fish in the state among recreational anglers and is very important to commercial fishing operations. “Such a draconian reduction in the recreational harvest limit would be tantamount to a moratorium on one of the most popular fish sought after by recreational anglers in New Jersey, making it nearly impossible for them to keep any of the flounder they catch,” Commissioner Martin said during the rally at the Fishermen’s Supply Company in Point Pleasant Beach. “This will cripple marinas, charter boat operators, and owners of bait-and-tackle shops, and would have severe consequences on the hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses that support anglers and their families.” Commissioner Martin insists that sound science must drive decisions to balance protection of the summer flounder resource and the needs of the recreational and commercial fishing industries, which generate about $2.5 billion annually in economic benefits for the state. He wants 2016 size limits, catch limits and season lengths be kept in effect for 2017 pending a more thorough review of scientific data. Other options the ASFMC is considering range from reductions of 28 percent to 41 percent. Any reduction for 2017 would be on top of a 27 percent reduction New Jersey has had to implement after successfully fighting off a proposed 59 percent reduction in 2015. “For too long summer flounder fishery management has been driven by knee-jerk reactions that lack scientific foundation and have profound impacts on the lives of many people,” Commissioner Martin said. “Many families plan their summer vacations around the summer flounder
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season,” said Commissioner Martin. “Coming to the Jersey shore to fish for fluke is a time-honored tradition that would be placed at great risk if anglers and their families felt that there would be no point in making the trip.” Among the federal and state lawmakers joining Commissioner Martin were U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, whose district includes the northern coastal portion of the state, and Monmouth County Assemblyman Dave Rible. These lawmakers have also taken strong actions to oppose the measure. Fishing advocacy groups that have been actively opposing the measure include the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the New Jersey Coast Anglers Association, the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, United Boatmen and the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund. Commissioner Martin plans to testify against the proposed quota changes during the ASMFC meetings scheduled Jan 30 through Feb. 2. ASMFC is poised to formally adopt one of five general management approach options that could range from coast-wide harvest reductions to more localized regional reductions. After these meetings, the Commission will instruct the states on how to achieve the reduction targets. Fishery managers use a combination of individual fish length, daily catch limits, and season length adjustments to achieve harvest reduction targets, or quotas. Commissioner Martin said that past management of quotas for recreational and commercial fishing industries have been much too capricious, varying widely from year to year and leading to great uncertainty in both industries, as well as competitive disadvantages to New Jersey. Commissioner Martin recently submitted comments to the ASMFC formally opposing the changes. In the long term, New Jersey strongly recommends that members of ASMFC work in coordination with the federal government to create a new paradigm regarding the management of this species,” Commissioner Martin wrote in his comments. “If the purpose of ASMFC is to protect the flounder stock while also providing equitable harvest limits for the recreational and commercial fishing industry, then annual quota shifts that are not based on the most recent science and modeling are of questionable value. Recreational fishing in New Jersey alone directly creates some 20,000 jobs and contributes $1.5 billion to the state’s economy, with commercial fishing generating another billion dollars in economic benefits. Commissioner Martin stressed that a more thorough scientific analysis of summer flounder, also known as fluke, should include a peer-reviewed assessment of data gathered by a variety of sources, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Recreational Information Program, a detailed survey of anglers. Commissioner Martin offered the state’s resources to help develop a new benchmark assessment. The summer flounder season in New Jersey typically runs from May through September, concurrent with the peak tourism season. Current New Jersey regulations allow recreational anglers fishing in most parts of the state to keep summer flounder that are at least 18 inches long, at a maximum of five fish per day. In Delaware Bay, anglers may take up to four summer flounder per day that meet a minimum 17-inch length requirement. The DEP is particularly concerned about any regulatory changes that would increase the minimum length of fish caught in New Jersey because few fish would meet the larger size limit. Summer flounder in New Jersey tend to be smaller than in states to the north due to the species’ biological needs and migration patterns. Moreover, coast-wide more than 90 percent of summer flounder that are greater than 18 inches in length are females, meaning an increase in size limits would encourage higher harvests of reproductive fish, which is counterproductive to sound fishery management.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:20 PM
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by blending into the reef, and some just want SHERI DAYE to look cool. Ladies, if you’re looking for he popularity of spearfishing in the “skins” for the summer U.S. has grown significantly, and it in attractive patterns, has spawned product innovation and improvements—not only with spearguns, check out Slipins. You might not blend into but with associated dive apparel. Believe it the reef, but you will look amazing! 2) Gloves: There are more sizes, or not, how you dress can play an important thicknesses and features now. I’ve been part of the hunt. Here are some examples: 1) Wetsuits: It’s important for a hunter to diving in water so cold that I lost feeling be comfortable in the water. If you are cold in my hands and couldn’t feel the trigger. and shivering, if your suit is rubbing the I should have sprung for a thicker pair of back of your legs, if it feels too tight in the gloves when I traveled to California. With the popularity of polespearing, chest—you will not perform as effectively. In this regard, new wetsuits with open-cell there’s a need for gloves that make it easy to technology and newer materials have been hold a loaded polespear, so the grip is made a godsend. They are softer, stretchier and of nitrile or latex while the rest of the gloves thinner, yet they keep you warmer than the (back of hand and wrists) are a dynema/ old materials. A good wetsuit should feel Kevlar composition. The all-Kevlar gloves like a second skin and should not let water are useful for handling fish or lobsters. It’s in anywhere. The following brands are not uncommon to get cut by gill rakers when available at your local dive shop: Yazbeck, dispatching bigger fish. Wearing solid gloves will give you confidence when handling fish. Mares, Riffe, Omer, Cressi and more. Most spearfishing wetsuit brands now Check out Neritic and Akona, among others. 3) Booties: With the advent of long fins have both a men’s and women’s cut, resulting in a better fit. The new stretchy materials for spearfishing, it’s become more important are forgiving enough to fit most bodies. for the fin-pocket/bootie combination to Still not happy with the fit? No worries; form a good fit. An ill-fitting fin will greatly there are several affordable custom wetsuit reduce efficiency in the water. As with gloves, manufacturers who will tailor one to your there’s a greater variety of choices, and it’s important to try them on with the foot measurements. Try Oceanos or Elios. Another recent development is the pocket you plan to wear. Next time you go spearfishing, make wide variety of camouflage patterns. Some hunters believe it allows them to be stealthier sure you are dressed for success!
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER THE THINGS WE WEAR
O
BRANDON LESTER
utdoor apparel isn’t as much fun to talk about as how to catch big bass, but it’s important for those of us who spend a lot of time on a boat. I’m not sponsored by any clothing companies or anything like that, but I do know what I like. Let’s start with hoodies. You just can’t beat a quality hoodie for chilly mornings and running down the lake. Most of my sponsors have sent me a hoodie or two, but I have to say my all-time favorite one is from Raymarine. There’s something about the texture of the hoodie. It’s manufactured by
cover up from the sun as well. They keep me cool and really make a difference in how much energy I have after a long day on the water. I also like MHX’s lightweight hat as well as a trucker hat I have from Phoenix Boats. A rain suit is key for me too. Mud Hole was nice enough to send me one from Gill that really works well. They make good stuff. Raymarine sent one made by Stormr, and it is my favorite for cold weather. Mercury provided me one from Simms that is really nice, and it has held
Sport-Tek and is just extremely comfortable. It looks good too. For those cold mornings, I really like to have on a beanie, too. I have accumulated several from Mercury, and I really like theirs. Mercury’s are good quality and don’t shrink. I’ve had others that got loose and feel like they were going to fly off. Everything has to be tight when running at 70-plus mph. Buff USA makes good beanies, as well, and several other cold weather products I like. Most of us think of Buff for sun protection, but they perform in the cold too. Speaking of sun protection, I will indeed have a UV Buff around my neck 95 percent of the time. I also wear their gloves, and honestly it feels a little strange to not fish with gloves on anymore. As younger anglers, we’ve heard stories and seen pictures of sun-damaged skin. Most of us heed the warnings. I wear MHX sun shirts to
up very well. You can never have too many rain suits. You never know when you’ll need a backup for either yourself or someone fishing with you. To complete the look and feel, I like to wear lightweight, comfortable fishing shorts from Mercury. You see a ton of anglers wearing the Mercury shorts, so it was obviously a brilliant marketing move for them to send them to us. It just feels like “game day” when I have them on. Did I mention all this stuff is wrinkle free. Even our jerseys are wrinkle-free. I usually stay in hotels, and I’m thankful to be able to pull my gear out of the suitcase or out of a boat compartment and have it look good. Valley Fashions does a good job with our jerseys. That’s enough about clothing. Next month we will get back to fishing. If you ever have any topics you would like me to cover, hit me up on Facebook or Instagram.
Get more tips from Lester at
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FISH & FISHING
PRIORITIES
A
MARK SOSIN
nglers tend to reverse priorities. Instead of focusing on fishing an artificial effectively, they worry more about choosing some magical fly or lure guaranteed to produce a spectacular catch simply by being in the water. Success seldom happens that way. If you have confidence in your choice and believe it will work, it probably will, provided your presentation and retrieve are effective. The best bait in the box will bomb unless it looks realistic and natural to your quarry. Fishing an artificial is a mental game. It’s easy to be distracted and simply cast and retrieve without any purpose or thought behind each presentation. Every cast should be made to correctly cover a specific segment of water and effectively put an offering in front of a fish. Simple things can make a difference. Here are a couple of examples. I watched an angler cast a swimming plug with a lip into the shallows, crank the reel handle four to six times so the plug dove downward along the dropoff, pause for a moment until the plug began to rise, and then continue the retrieve. If you stood next to him and simply retrieved the plug without pausing so it could rise, you couldn’t buy a strike. Another time, a friend who had been a guide was fishing with me. He kept getting strikes on his lure, while I became more frustrated with every cast, and we were using the same artificial. I watched his every move and tried to duplicate it to no avail. Finally, I asked him what he was doing that was different than my retrieve. As he worked his lure, he kept vibrating his hand. It was too subtle to see. Vibrating his wrist caused his lure to flash underwater just like a real baitfish. That made all the difference. Finding a school of breaking fish on the surface stirs the soul and telegraphs the imminent success to every fiber in your body. The key is to keep the boat away from the school while moving up ahead of it. Casts should be made in front of the school when possible or
at least close to it so that the retrieve follows the basic path of the school. Assuming the school is moving north, you want your retrieve to cover the northeast or northwest quadrant. It should move in the general direction of the main body of fish. Not very often will a school member chase a lure going in a direction opposite that of the main body of fish. Retrieving an artificial must make it appear to the fish that it is trying to escape. If the predator senses that the lure is moving toward it, you can bet it will spook. Every cast should be carefully calculated to make the lure look realistic. If a fish fails to strike, vary the retrieve. And, in cooler water, don’t overlook a slower retrieve. Those anglers who set the standards fishing artificial baits make every cast count. Follow their lead and you should begin to catch more and more fish on artificial lures.
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TACKLE CORNER:
GETTING A FRESH HANDLE ON SPINNING RODS By Mike Pehanich
T
he topic of spinning tackle can be a lightning rod among fishermen. Opinions on it vary greatly across the angling spectrum. Some rely on spinning tackle and, literally, can’t fish without it. Some hate it and can hardly broach discussion of this “down-side” style of fishing without a snide aside (“a birdsnest waiting to happen”) or epithet challenging the user’s manhood (“fairy wand”). In recent years, effective finesse techniques in the bass world have taken the fire out of the debate, and a sober “it’sjust-a-tool” mentality has cleared a place for spinning in the arsenals of most serious anglers. Design Disadvantage Outside the realm of partisan debate, however, spinning tackle has remained open to at least one legitimate complaint. The design of most spinning rods compels the fishermen to grip the rod across the reel seat and straddle the reel stem, leaving the angler’s hand little or no grip security and comfort. The design leads to particular disadvantage when fighting big fish or fishing in adverse weather conditions, from snowstorms and freezing cold to tropical humidity and lightning bolts. Fortunately, solutions have come to the fore. Here are three options to answer the spinning rod conundrum. Hooded Reel Seat With Polymer Grip: Hooded reel seats,
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such as those in Fuji’s VSS series, are designed for a grip shaped to extend over the reel seat. The design provides palm support—grip comfort and security at the palm interface—even with fingers straddling the spinning reel stem. Fuji, through its exclusive American distributor Anglers Resource, introduced a proprietary set of Winn grips (WVSS1615, WVS17), tailored to fit precisely with two of its newest and most popular spinning reel seats and its Perfect Fit Trim. This combination of grip and reel seat adds ergonomic benefit and puts more of the hand into contact with the non-slip Winn grip polymer. Aero Comfort Finish Reel Seat: American Tackle offers a spinning reel seat with a topside extension that delivers palm support. Like hooded reel seats, the design provides ergonomic benefit by supporting the palm, but it is a hood-like portion of the reel seat rather than grip material that reaches up to meet the palm. The “comfort finish” reduces the degree of hand slippage. Mummy wrap: West Coast saltwater anglers were the first to overwrap spinning rod handles with Winn Superior Rod Wrap, a “skin” of patented Winn polymer, known for its tackiness in adverse weather conditions. The tape-like material is backed with a forgiving adhesive that wraps easily around rod handles. The “mummy wrap” approach adds a continuous wrap from rod butt to foregrip with the reel already in place. The mummy wrap straddles the reel stem over both ends of the reel foot. Palm and fingers have complete contact with the non-slip polymer covering the entire handle. Check out the spinning rods in your arsenal, and see if one of these solutions can add comfort and effectiveness to your fishing. Rod wraps are simple solutions. Check with a custom rod builder or rod repairmen about retrofitting spinning rods with a new grip or reel seat.
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The fact is, you don’t need to pay high prices for a medical-grade FDA If you are not completely satisfied, simply return it within that registered hearing aid. Battery Compartment time period for a MDHearingAid PRO® is a high 100% refund of your performance hearing aid that works right purchase price. Outperforms Many Higher Priced Hearing Aids! out of the box with no time-consuming “adjustment” appointments. You can Since Medicare and most private insurance do conveniently access a hearing specialist not cover hearing aids, ENT surgeon Dr. Cherukuri online or by phone---even after the sale. designed a game-changing solution without GetMDHearingAid.com No other company provides such sacrificing the quality of components that you extensive support. can actually afford. Use Code: ® Over 75,000 satisfied customers agree. The result is the - MDHearingAid PRO For a Year Supply of Now that you know, why pay more? $ Power & Channel Switch
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“Recommending Poli Glow is a no brainer.” - PRACTICAL SAILOR, the #1 consumer resource of the U.S. boating industry
FREE SHIPPING Code: CA13 | 1-800-922-5013 WATCH THE DEMO at PoliGlowProducts.com 36
NATIONAL
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MARCH 2017
“I have had this aid two days and all I can say is WOW!” --Terrsa H., Grove, NJ
BE ONE WITH THE FISH An Aqua-Vu HD underwater camera is the quickest way to find big bass. Unlike pixels and mysterious sonar signals, an Aqua-Vu reveals a live, crystal clear image of the underwater world. See largemouths buried in vegetation and brush, smallmouths hidden beside boulders, suspended spots and everything else beneath your boat.
DISCOVER THE TRUE UNDERWATER WORLD, IN REAL TIME AND FULL COLOR HD. > XD Camera with ultraclear 720p resolution > Waterproof & Sunlight Viewable 7-inch LCD > Anti-Spook IR Underwater Lights > 100-feet HD Cable, Charger & Custom Storage Bag www.aquavu.com
UNDERWATER VIEWING SYSTEMS
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:46 PM
Nothing gets you closer to the fish than your small craft. And nothing anchors you better than a Power-Pole Micro anchor made just for your vessel. Add the Micro Battery Pak and you’re ready to go wherever adventure takes you.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
NAT_0317.indd 37
MARCH 2017
NATIONAL
37
2/14/17 1:46 PM
RHODAN INTRODUCES 72� SHAFT GPS GUIDED TROLLING MOTOR
New Longer Shaft for High Bow Boats Excellent for Offshore Fishing Same Superior GPS Technology
Feds Close Atlantic
Cobia Harvest Megan Willard with a stud cobia caught offshore of Hilton Head Island, S.C.
R
ecreational anglers are again feeling the sting of federal regulations. NOAA Fisheries announced in late January that cobia harvest in federal waters of the Atlantic from Georgia through New York will be closed for the remainder of 2017. As recreational anglers continue to scream of arbitrary data being used to set catch limits and estimate annual landings, NOAA says the recreational landings of Atlantic migratory group cobia exceeded 1.3 million pounds, more than double the annual allowable catch for 2016. These numbers came despite a closure in federal waters for nearly half of 2016, which was spurred when catch data from 2015 indicated an even larger recreational catch of 1.55 million pounds. Federal waters begin outside of three miles in the Atlantic, and a large majority of the recreational cobia catch occurs within state waters when these brown bombers migrate to shore and northward in the warming waters of spring and summer. NOAA has predicted the annual catch limit will again be exceeded in 2017, as state marine fisheries managers refuse to fall into line with strict federal regulations. NOAA has said the federal closure will be reevaluated if state regulations change in 2017. This federal closure does not apply to cobia on the Atlantic coast of Florida, which are part of the Gulf of Mexico migratory group. It also does not change regulations for commercial anglers, who will still be allowed two cobia per day.
4X More Accurate 36% More Efficient Outstanding Customer Support
PWC Fishing Towers
www.gpsanchor.com 38
NATIONAL
NAT_0317.indd 38
MARCH 2017
888-434-7726
Enclosures
Rod Holders
Casting Platform
E-Box
Accessory Mounts
Lights
Storage Bag
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:46 PM
SAVE 64%
SUPER COUPON
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" ALL PURPOSE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP
ITEM 69249/69115/69137 69129/69121/877 shown
SUPER COUPON
$2
99
4
comp at $8.48 $ 99
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SAVE 68%
1500 WATT DUAL TEMPERATURE HEAT GUN (572°/1112°) SUPER COUPON
ITEM 62340/62546 63104/96289 shown Customer Rating
$
$899
12
SUPER COUPON
20% OFF
# 1 SELLING
RAPID PUMP® 1.5 TON ALUMINUM RACING JACK
Customer Rating
ITEM 69252/68053 62160/62496/62516 60569 shown
• 3-1/2 Pumps Lifts Most Vehicles • Weighs 34 lbs.
SAVE $70
SUPER COUPON
ANY SINGLE ITEM
$5 999 79
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Bauer, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Hercules, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, StormCat, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17.
$
comp at
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
60", 4 DRAWER HARDWOOD WORKBENCH Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 93454/69054 63395/62603 shown
SAVE $265
12 VOLT, 10/2/50 AMP BATTERY CHARGER/ ENGINE STARTER
Tools sold separately.
Customer Rating
$12999 $15999 $395
comp at 99 $198.45
3-IN-1 PORTABLE POWER PACK WITH JUMP STARTER
comp at
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE 36%
ITEM 38391/62376/62306 shown
SAVE 38% $
SAE
SUPER COUPON
$699 9
METRIC
YOUR CHOICE
$5
99
8
$ 99
SAVE SUPER COUPON 66%
$1499 $1799
comp at
$14.97
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
NATIONAL
Customer Rating
MARCH 2017
comp at
8 Functions: Sanding, Remove Grout, Cut Metal, Cut Flooring, Cut Plastic, Plunge Cut, Scrape Concrete, Scrape Flooring
$44.99
SAVE 83% $
comp at
SAVE $83
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
$
$1 1999
14999
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 61196 62392/69597 38846 shown
SAVE 48%
SUPER COUPON $
$17
99
2199
comp at
$34.99
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior
presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
1500 LB. CAPACITY DUAL WHEEL SWING-BACK BOAT SAVE 37% TRAILER JACK
Customer Rating
SA 85
comp at
$203.73
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Customer Rating
ITEM 6922 6922
ITEM 62443 68751 shown
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
3 TON HEAVY DUTY STEEL JACK STANDS
LIMIT 800-423 purchas Offer g present
SUPER COUPON
45 WATT SOLAR PANEL 10 PIECE KIT
$999
1999 $59.98
$98.62
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior
NAT_0317.indd 40
5999 comp at
29 PIECE TITANIUM NITRIDE COATED ITEM 62281/61637 shown HIGH SPEED STEEL DRILL BIT SET
purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be
hft_coastalangler_0317_spread_M-REG100630.indd 2-3
$
comp at
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON ITEM 62279/62302/62866 68861 shown
MULTIFUNCTION POWER TOOL
$3999
99
Customer Rating
$10.99
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 69043/63282/42304 shown ITEM 42305/69044/63171
SAVE 59%
YOUR CHOICE
49 $2999 $69.99 $
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
$ 99 comp at
comp at
9 PIECE FULLY POLISHED SAVE 59% COMBINATION WRENCH SETS
40
ITEM 61740/63109 63152/4077 shown
5999 $64.99 SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
12 VOLT, 250 PSI PORTABLE INFLATOR
99
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE 57%
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
$39
B. PANCAKE
B SUPER COUPON
Cu
ITEM 95275 shown 60637/61615
Customer Rating
$5999
SUPER COUPON
A. HOT DOG
ITEM 69269/97080 shown
A
69265/62344
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS AIR COMPRESSORS
ITEM 60581/60653 shown
SUPER COUPON
79
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
SAVE RETRACTABLE AIR HOSE REEL $138 WITH 3/8" x 50 FT. HOSE ITEM 93897 shown
$
S
99
$129.99
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at 99 $28.83
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
JACKS IN AMERICA
LIMIT 800-423 purchase Offer g presente
SAV 65
ITEM 69779 67500 shown
$2999 99 7 $2 $44.99
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 800-423 purchas Offer g presente
comp at
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
2/14/17 1:46 PM
75
OG
own
WITH
ITEM 63599/69052 shown 69111/62522/62573
SUPER COUPON
$
14999
comp at
$9999
$205.99
Customer Rating
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW Customer Rating WITH LASER GUIDE
2000 WATT CONTINUOUS/ 4000 WATT PEAK POWER INVERTER
Customer Rating
ITEM 60432 69662 shown
ITEM 63091/63248 68998 shown
SUPER COUPON
$2999 SAVE $ $76
900 PEAK/700 RUNNING WATTS, 2 HP (63CC) 2 CYCLE GAS GENERATOR EPA/CARB
19999
$339
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE $95
SUPER COUPON
$11999 $16999 $215.41 comp at
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 46807/68975 69221/62123/63017 BAR 69222 shown
12" RATCHET CLAMP/SPREADER
WIRELESS SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM
3
t
$
$299
comp at
ITEM 93068 shown 69590/61910/62447 Customer Rating
SAVE 68%
SUPER COUPON
$ 99
1499 SUPER COUPON 99 comp at
$20.76
$31.46
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SAVE $60
MAGNETIC TRAILER ALIGNMENT KIT Customer Rating
9
$ 99
comp at
$19.99
ITEM 69778
SUPER COUPON
$6
$
LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
NAT_0317.indd 41
•
• No Gas Required
120 AMP FLUX WIRE WELDER
ITEM 61849/62719 Customer Rating 68887 shown
SUPER COUPON
99
750+ Stores Nationwide
$9
LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SAVE 65%
comp at
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 63024 63025 shown
SUPER COUPON
$8999 $10999
99
comp at 99 $149.99
$8999
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE NOW
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
3
SAVE 85%
3799 $106.34
SUPER COUPON
18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/DRIVER WITH KEYLESS CHUCK SUPER COUPON
comp at
wn
ing rior ipt. be day.
SUPER COUPON
130 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CASE
ITEM 69651 62868/62873 68239 shown
$13499
$
comp at
9
$ 99 $19.97
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
Blade sold separately.
• 1000 lb. capacity
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
SAVE $204
ON
ON
$7
99
VALUE
SUPER COUPON
ITEM 61969/61970 69684 shown
62
ing rior ipt. be day.
SAVE $106
SAVE 59%
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
E
3
ITEM 60497/93888 shown 61899/62399/63095/63096 63098/63097
4
SUPER COUPON
E %
N
MOVER'S DOLLY
Customer Rating
$ 97
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
15
9
ANY PURCHASE
SUPER COUPON
3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT NINE LED ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT
KE
L T
10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY
ITEM 63054/60728/69034/62858 shown
own
alling prior ceipt. be day.
FREE
SUPER COUPON ™
inal day.
SS RS
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
80 PIECE ROTARY TOOL KIT ITEM 97626 shown 68986/69451 63235/63292
$1699
Customer Rating
Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger.
SAVE $ 65%
1999 $49 comp at
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 69924 shown 62403/62862 Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
6" VARIABLE SPEED DUAL ACTION POLISHER SAVE $95
SUPER COUPON comp at SAVE $ 99 71% $24.15
9
$
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
PORTABLE FISH FINDER ITEM 62675/94511 SAVE Customer Rating 46%
$
SUPER COUPON
$699
MULTI-USE TRANSFER PUMP
ITEM 62961/63144/61364 63591/66418 shown
SAVE 59%
$65
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the "comp at" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
HarborFreight.com • 800-423-2567 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
$149.99
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
3999 $3499
comp at
6999
$5499
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON
6
$499
$ 99 comp at $12.39
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior from original purchase with original receipt. last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 7/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
purchases after2017 30 days MARCH Offer good while supplies
NATIONAL
41
2/14/17 1:46 PM 2/13/17 10:14 AM
THIS YEAR, MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY DAY ON THE WATER
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE MATCHED BY EXCEPTIONAL VALUE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE SPECIAL BOAT SHOW OFFERS FROM SUZUKI MARINE
REPOWER FINANCE
Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.
Cash Rebates on select models. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new outboards (OAC).*
Offers end March 31, 2017. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
42
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/17 and 3/31/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/17 and 3/31/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/17 and 3/31/17.“Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
NATIONAL
NAT_0317.indd 42
SZ_Q1Promo_WIP.indd 1
MARCH 2017
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
2/14/17 1:46 PM
12/4/16 1:46 PM
SPIDERWIRE® STEALTH™
EXTREMELY STRONG EXTREMELY CASTABLE
GO THE DISTANCE WITH STEALTH SMOOTH 8 CARRIER TIGHT-WEAVE BRAID WITH A SUPER SMOOTH, SUPER THIN COATING FOR QUIET AND EFFORTLESS CASTING
SPIDERWIRE.COM COMMON CVRS_0317.indd 3
2/13/17 11:38 AM
WHATEVER THE SEA THROWS AT YOU, STAND YOUR GROUND. BUILT FOR ALASKA, FIT FOR EVERYONE XTRATUF boots have been proven and tested in the unforgiving Alaskan seas. Now, that same toughness is available in the XTRATUF Performance Deck Boot. With a non-marking, slip-resistant Chevron outsole, these 100% waterproof boots are as tough as the elements.
Kryptek Pontus Kryptek Yeti
www.xtratuf.com © 2017 Honeywell International Inc.
COMMON CVRS_0317.indd 4
INTRODUCING THE NEW KRYPTEK ANKLE DECK BOOT
2/13/17 11:38 AM