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EDITOR : Nick Carter • editorial@coastalanglermagazine.com WEBMASTER : Dmitriy Pislyagin • webmaster@coastalanglermagazine.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Corporate Headquarters info@coastalanglermagazine.com • 888-800-9794 BIG BEND : Mike McNamara • (850) 510-7919 • captmike@coastalanglermagazine.com BREVARD : David String • (321) 684-5888 • dstring@coastalanglermagazine.com DAYTONA/NEW SMYRNA BEACH : Don Meadows • (407) 960-2340 • donm@coastalanglermagazine.com FLORIDA KEYS : Ed Gocher • (305) 587-9101 • ed@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT LAUDERDALE : Gene Dyer • (954) 680-3900 • gene@coastalanglermagazine.com FORT MYERS : Nadeen Welch • (239) 595-8265 • nwelch@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER MIAMI : Scott Deal • (561) 945-6999 • scott@coastalanglermagazine.com Monica Isaza-Deal • (561) 945-8899 • monica@coastalanglermagazine.com GREATER ORLANDO : Phillip & Giselle Wolf • (407) 790-9515 • phillip@coastalanglermagazine.com LAKELAND & SUMTER : Mary Flaitz • (352) 598-4219 • maryf@coastalanglermagazine.com NAPLES : Mike Weber • (414) 531-4172 • mikew@coastalanglermagazine.com NC FLORIDA/NATURE COAST : Cary & Lynn Crutchfield • (352) 372-4237 • crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com NE FLORIDA : Danny Patrick • (904) 742-4696 • danny@coastalanglermagazine.com OKEECHOBEE : Ken Gabryel • (863) 532-3671 • keng@coastalanglermagazine.com PANAMA CITY/FORGOTTEN COAST : Randy Cnota • (229) 834-7880 • randyc@coastalanglermagazine.com PALM BEACH COUNTY : Barbara Ryan • (561) 373-8040 • barbara@coastalanglermagazine.com SARASOTA : Phil Prevoir • (239) 257-4684 • pprevoir@coastalanglermagazine.com TAMPA BAY : Chuck Atkins • (239) 464-5153 • chuck@coastalanglermagazine.com TREASURE COAST : Misti & Gary Guertin • (772) 285-6850 • treasurecoast@coastalanglermagazine.com flahama@coastalanglermagazine.com
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Catching Winter Cobia In The Keys By John Steinhorst
F
ebruary through April offers some of the most productive fishing of the year in the Florida Keys. An amazing variety of migratory fish species travel to the Keys as cold water temperatures push them south in the Gulf of Mexico and on the east coast. The most convenient place to base a Keys fishing adventure is directly out of Marathon, which comfortably rests in the middle of this tropical island chain. Marathon encompasses a unique collection of islands, creating the ideal boating and family destination with access to both ocean and gulf waters but far enough from the crowded streets of Key West. Capt. Chris Morrison, a 20-year Keys veteran who guides out of Marathon, enjoys hooking excited anglers up with these hungry migrating species, which include record-breaking cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, trophy sailfish and several species of jacks. Versatility is the name of the game, and options are abundant. Most often the best plan is to just decide where you want to fish, from the immense Gulf or blue ocean waters to the many reefs and wrecks surrounding the islands. Then be ready for anything when you get there. There are several techniques that work for each species, and Morrison utilizes a wide variety to keep his 8
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Temple Fork Outfitters’ Gary Loomis Inshore boat, although cobia sometimes swim with bull sharks and rays. Start drifting live shrimp back Series rods bending and his clients smiling. Live bait and jigs are most productive to with light monofilament leader and small hooks, ensure positive results. Pinfish and live shrimp and you are bound to get action from one of are among the easiest to obtain, since most local several species of snapper. If you start getting bit bait shops carry them. Deep jigs, such as butterfly off clean, add a piece of leader wire and you will types, and ¼- to 1-ounce bucktails are essential likely get hooked into a cero or king mackerel. to carry in your arsenal. For catching cobia, If you decide to fish the bay or gulf side of the present the pinfish on ocean-side wrecks and Keys island chain, you might want to anchor reefs as well as Gulf waters from 15 to 100 feet in 10 to 15 feet of water and hang that chum using the same rig for grouper down deep. Limit bag for landing Spanish mackerel. Head out to is one per person with a 33-inch size minimum. deeper Gulf waters and expect more cobia, king On sunny days, Morrison likes to spot cobia mackerel, and goliath and gag grouper. The with his polarized sunglasses from the tower of wintertime fishing action in the Florida Keys will his SeaVee boat above the reef line or in blue be sure to heat up your reel. If you need an expert light-tackle fishing water when a color change edge is present. When you see a cobia on the surface, cast the bait in guide, Capt. Chris Morrison has guided anglers front with no weight and at least 60-pound to more than 100 world records and received monofilament leader. Wire is usually necessary a Lifetime Achievement Award from the on your jigs as king, Spanish, and cero mackerel International Game Fishing Association. Visit are numerous throughout these prime fishing www.captchris.com for more info. grounds. John Steinhorst has contributed to many If you do not have a guide, the reef line on the ocean side from 25 to 40 feet is a good place publications during the last 20 years and can to start. Anchor and hang a chum bag over the be contacted at www.JohnSteinhorst.wix.com/ IslandMedia. side with ground-up frozen baitfish. Chum brings the For more Cobia fishing in the Keys, go to party to the back of your COASTALANGLERSALTWATER.COM
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Captain Fantastic.
How have so many of Marathon’s light-tackle guides achieved super-hero status? Because whether it’s tailers in the shallows, migrating tarpon out front or snook and redfish out back, our professional captains come to the rescue by putting you onto some amazing angling action. fla-keys.com/marathon 1.800.262.7284 COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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RodsandReels Product Review AVET REELS SXJ 6/4 RAPTOR Since 1999, Avet Reels has been bringing to the market revolutionary reel designs that set the standard for performance. Their innovative SXJ 6/4 Raptor lever drag casting reel features Avet’s patented dual carbon fiber drag system, which produces twice the drag of the original Avet reels. The powerful system features adjustable strike pre-set and a strike stop button to prevent accidental advancement. The reel’s one-piece frame is precision machined 6061 T-6 marine grade aluminum with stainless steel components and is anodized for superior corrosion resistance. An offset machined handle arm reduces center-line profile and cranking wobble and is capped with a comfortable soft-touch handle knob. The two-speed transmission has a user-friendly shifting mechanism. Avet’s silent dog and gear anti-reverse system and M.C. Cast adjustable magnetic anti-backlash cast control system, both patented, are some of the most innovative and reliable in the industry. The SXJ 6/4 Raptor has nine stainless ball bearings, an alarm clicker and a light, narrow spool designed for optimal jig casting efficiency and less line leveling on the retrieve. It’s proudly made in the U.S.A.
CANYON REELS EX-80 TWO SPEED TROLLING REEL In case you hadn’t heard, Canyon Reels has redesigned its powerful EX-80 Two Speed Trolling Reel to give anglers the edge when pulling spreads for huge fish. The original EX-80 was extensively tested and matched up very well against the giants off the Northeast coast. When the captains made suggestions, Canyon listened, and the result is an even better EX-80, which features multiple upgrades that make it smoother, and easier to use. The EX-80 is a monster reel. It boasts a max drag of 105 pounds at strike and more than 155 pounds at full drag. A pre-set feature allows for accurate drag settings with an easy one-touch shifter. Upgrades include additional harness lugs that provide better balance control, an all new double drag system for drag runs that are even smoother than the original, and an oversized T-bar handle for additional cranking power. Several other improvements have also been made to increase the durability of this already remarkable reel. The end result is an incredibly smooth and user-friendly reel with the power to stop any fish in the ocean.
WWW.AVETREELS.NET
WWW.CANYONREELS.COM
ENIGMA HPT TITANIUM CASTING RODS
JP ROSS BEAVER MEADOW
Enigma Fishing is raising the bar on performance, while lowering the price point. Every aspect of their HPT Titanium Casting Rods were designed with extreme attention to detail. These high-performance tournament level rods are designed with premium, ultra-light Japanese Toray Carbon proprietary blend blanks. The HPT rods were designed and tested with input from professional anglers such as three-time Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year, Aaron Martens. Enigma Fishing has customized and precision balanced each individual HPT rod to be ultra functional, exceptionally beautiful and tailored to exacting actions and specifications demanded by today’s tournament anglers. All rods feature premium American Tackle components, including the multiaward winning MicroWave Line Control System, which increases casting distance and accuracy. The blank-through reel seats offer finger-to-blank contact for unparalleled sensitivity and incredible ergonomics and palmable comfort, while further reducing weight as well. Premium cork grips balance out each rod perfectly! Enigma Fishing’s new HPT series features a sleek black rod blank, cork handles, stylish purple wraps and chrome accents. Delivering technique-specific performance second-to-none, the all-new HPT series raises the bar for all others!
WWW.ENIGMAFISHING.COM
MUD HOLE TURNKEY INSHORE ROD KIT
The JP Ross Beaver Meadow is a fly rod meticulously designed to fish the beaver dams and plunge pools of small trout streams where an 11-inch fish is a trophy. That’s not to say this rod can’t handle an 18-inch brown on big water, but blue lines are where it shines. It is a short, sensitive rod with the feel needed for the gentlest of nibbles but enough power to reach out 50-plus feet with a hopper-dropper rig. The Beaver Meadow is available in a 5’ 2/3-weight, two-piece and a 6’6” 2/3-weight four-piece for fishing small streams with wet flies and dry flies. The 6’6” also has the ability to cast medium weighted streamers. The 7’6” 4-weight four-piece, the 7’9” 3-weight fourPhoto by Draper White piece, and the 8’0” 5-weight four-piece all have the shorter length required for tight quarters but the backbone to land larger fish and cast streamers and multi-fly rigs. JP Ross rods are custom-made by hand in Upstate New York. Each rod is made to order, so the details are exquisite, and components can be customized from the grip and reel seat to the guides and thread color. The Technology used to achieve this awesome balance of sensitivity and power is breakthrough technology, the joining of carbon fiber and fiberglass that JP Ross calls Carbon Silica Hybrid interface. It makes a beautiful casting and wonderfully sensitive rod.
WWW.JPROSSFLYRODS.COM
Mud Hole Custom Tackle is offering amazing value with its inshore fishing rod building kit. This turnkey kit includes everything you need to build your own custom inshore trout and redfish fishing rod. The kit features the extremely popular and versatile SJ842 rod blank. This 7’0” medium-light power rod features a fast action for throwing soft plastics and topwater lures at wary flats fish. Along with the blank, the kit includes a matched guide set, handle kit and everything from the CRB Wrapper, a CRB rod dryer and ProPaste and ProKote Rod Finish along with all the tools needed to build your own custom rod. This is a great set for the avid fisherman who wants to take his or her fishing to the next level. To get started custom building your own high quality rod, visit www.mudhole.com and check out all our Turn Key Kit options or simply Google: Mud Hole Turnkey.
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RodsandReels Product Review OKUMA KOMODO SS BAITCAST REELS
The original Komodo 350 size baitcast reel has been the recipient of tremendous accolades. It is considered an extremely tough reel and an excellent value. For 2017, the Komodo family welcomes the Komodo SS, featuring a new 450 size and stainless steel drive system. The Komodo SS is built around a heavy-duty stainless steel main gear, pinion gear, drive shaft and spool shaft to deliver an internal foundation of unrelenting strength and corrosion-resistance. Komodo SS reels use rigid, machined aluminum frame and spool, aluminum side plates, high-output Carbonite drag system capable of a maximum drag output of 30 pounds, and updated 6-pin Velocity Cast Control System. Performance features include six or seven (depending upon size) stainless steel High Performance Bearings, plus roller bearing, for outstanding corrosionresistance. The synchronized level-wind system does not disengage for casting, which allows it to maintain alignment at all times and eliminated drag pressure spikes when using braided lines. Bait clickers are standard on all models. The Komodo SS series includes two sizes, 350 and 450. The 350 size includes a 6.4:1 gear ratio and maximum drag output of 25 pounds. There are four models in the 350 size. The 450-size Komodo is available in a 6.3:1 gear ratio and a hyperfast 7.1:1 ratio. Komodo SS series baitcast reels are covered by the Okuma 3-Year Limited Warranty.
WWW.OKUMAFISHING.COM
UGLY STIK BIGWATER SERIES Ugly Stik has refreshed its iconic Bigwater series with all-new Ugly Tuff saltwater guides and an updated look. Beginning with Ugly Tech construction, the Bigwater series maintains the toughness for which all Ugly Stiks are known. One-piece Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides eliminate insert pop-outs and provide durability and corrosion resistance for those harsh saltwater applications. The Bigwater series retains the traditional Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for more strength at the tip of the rod. Comfortable EVA handles and conventional reel seats give anglers a non-slip, comfortable grip no matter the conditions. The fly, standup, downrigger/dipsy diver, surf, spinning and casting models have also been upgraded to include a standard seven-year limited warranty. Four Bigwater spinning combos and two trolling combos for downrigger applications are also available. The combos feature a graphite spinning reel, available in sizes 50, 60 and 70, and have a durable aluminum spool. The reel featured on the Bigwater downrigger combos is a size 30 line counter round reel with a metal handle and power knob.
PENN SLAMMER III The Penn Slammer III, which won Best of Show in the saltwater reel category at iCast 2016, is the reintroduction of the heavy-duty reel that has become trusted by charter captains around the world. Slammer III reels feature a new IPX6 Sealed System, which keeps water out of the gear box and drag system in heavy spray and sea conditions. An updated Slammer Drag System now utilizes a proprietary Dura-Drag material. With the computer-controlled CNC gear technology system, the precision brass main, pinion and oscillation gears are individually machined for exact tolerances to provide the smoothest operation. Eight models of the Slammer III are available, ranging in size from 3500 to 10500 models. Gear ratios range from 6.2:1 with 37 inches of line retrieve on the smaller reels to 4.2:1 with 43 inches of line retrieve on the largest. Maximum drags start at 30lbs in the smaller models and run to 60lbs on the largest. The oversized reel handle grip gives the angler added control during the fight. The 3500 Slammer III is the smallest of the family weighing 13.9oz while the 10500 weighs 43.1oz.
WWW.PENNFISHING.COM
DANCO BAIT STIK Danco’s Bait Stik is the original rod and reel combo developed specifically for catching bait with a sabiki rig, and it is still the best. The rod in this combo is 7’3” and features two-piece construction with an extra-hard phenolic tip for superior strength and extreme sensitivity. Comfortable EVA grips and a gimbal butt with cover means anglers will be yanking bait from the water with ease. Anyone who has ever tried to store a sabiki rigs knows the frustration of attempting to keep them from becoming a tangled mess. With the Bait Stik, that is not a problem. While not in use, the sabiki rig can be safely and conveniently stored inside the rod, which is a huge plus. The combo comes with either a casting or spinning reel. The spinning reel comes with an anodized aluminum spool, a graphite body and rotor and an oversized eggshaped knob. The casting reel has an aluminum body and side covers, brass gearing and a star drag. Catching bait has never been so easy. When the bait tank is full, rinse everything down with fresh water, store the sabiki rig in the rod and forget about it. Look for the Danco Bait Stik in your tackle store.
WWW.SHAKESPEARE-FISHING.COM
OCEAN 2 RIVER TOURNAMENT COMBO
ZEBCO BIG CAT SERIES Zebco is launching an impressive offering of beefedup rods and reels called “Big Cat” to accommodate serious value-minded anglers who passionately pursue catfish. The spincast reels are built with a titanium nitride plated stainless steel spinnerhead to add durability and reduce friction. Big Cat XT conventional-style reels will likely be the top pick for the most avid trophy hunters from the Mississippi River to Santee Cooper and all waters in between. Two conventional reels will be offered. The Big Cat XT 30 conventional trolling reel will hold 455 yards of 30-pound test. The Big Cat XT 350 round baitcasting reel holds 200 yards of 20-pound test. Worth noting is that a headlamp handy for nighttime catfishing will be free to consumers who purchase rods and reels within the very affordable Big Cat and Big Cat XT series.
WWW.ZEBCO.COM
Ocean 2 River (O2R) Tournament spinning combos are designed to perform to the exacting standards of serious tournament anglers while standing up to the grueling conditions and treatment offered up by hard-core fishermen in the marine environment. The IM-7 fast action graphite rods come with Seaguide Atlas Performance aluminum oxide guides, comfortable cork split grips and a graphite reel seat with a cork inlay and cushioned stainless steel hoods. These rods combine strength with sensitivity and excellent casting power. They are available in medium and medium heavy weights to suit a range of line and lure weights. The reels feature a solid aluminum frame, graphite side covers and rotor and a double anodized aluminum spool to stand up to the saltwater environment. A 5.1:1 gear ratio is suitable for fishing a wide range of lures all day long without wearing out the angler’s wrists and hands. Stainless ball bearings and a comfortable oversized T-knob provide for longer casts, smoother drag runs and comfort while fighting fish. Look for the O2R combo and other fine Danco products in your tackle store.
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ON THE COVER
RHODAN INTRODUCES 72” SHAFT GPS GUIDED TROLLING MOTOR
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 The Florida Keys, Marathon
FREE
BIG BEND EDITION
The February edition of Coastal Angler Magazine features a cover image of Capt. James Platt with a 35-pound cobia he landed onboard a SeaVee boat about 10 miles out from Marathon’s Tarpon Creek Marina on the ocean side of the Florida Keys. The photo was provided by Capt. Chris Morrison of Keys Light Tackle Fishing Charters, who Local was fishing with Platt when they caught a limit of cobia, along with king mackerel, mangrove snapper and grouper. Morrison uses medium-heavy, Gary Loomis-designed Inshore Series rods from Temple Fork Outfitters along with 30-pound test Cortland Master Braid line to handle cobia and many species he targets in winter months. Home to the world-famous Seven Mile Bridge, Marathon is a group of tropical islands perfectly situated in the middle of the Florida Keys island chain. This ideal boating and family destination offers easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay, Everglades and Gulf of Mexico waters for an amazing diversity. Wintertime in the Florida Keys means anglers see large numbers of migratory fish such as cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, wahoo, sailfish and blackfin tuna pushed down from colder northern waters. Marathon is an excellent destination to base your Keys vacation for an unforgettable adventure. See writer John Steinhorst’s article on winter and early spring fishing out of Marathon in this month’s issue. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 265
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THE ANGLER MAGAZINE Ice Fishing On Golden Pond, New Hampshire
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA EDITION
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This month’s cover image for The Angler Magazine was taken by Chuck Fritz on the ice at Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire. Old Timers might remember the 1981 movie “On Golden Pond.” It was filmed on Squam Lake, and the most interesting storyline in the film had to be the cantankerous Local character Norman’s obsession with catching a humongous rainbow trout named Walter. Squam Lake looks a lot different with a layer of ice over it than it does in the movie, which was shot in the summer. The fishing is still good, though. Just ask Tim Moore, the ice fishing guide who was photographed for the cover with a pretty yellow perch he caught through a hole in the ice. The ice fishing season on Squam and nearby Lake Winnipesaukee generally runs from January through March each year, and anglers target giant white perch and lake trout as well as smallmouth bass, crappie, sunfish and yellow perch. If there’s anyone out there who knows where Walter is hiding after all these years, it has to be Tim. See Tim’s story inside this months issue and check out his website at www.timmooreoutdoors.com. Fishing Reports Catch Photos News & Events
VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 264
F R A N C H I S E
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MERCURY MARINE’S VESSELVIEW MOBILE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
M
ercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile app is now available for free download on the App Store and Google Play in North America. Available for iOS and Android mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, the VesselView Mobile app instantly provides users access to their boat’s SmartCraft digital data in the palm of their hand. The product recently won a prestigious IBEX innovation award. The VesselView Mobile module, which is needed to fully utilize the app, is available for purchase at participating Mercury Marine dealers, from the VesselView Mobile app or on www.vesselviewmobile.com. The product is compatible with all Mercury SmartCraftcapable engines built since 2003. One module supports single through quad engine applications. SmartCraft is a fully integrated suite of digital technologies, including marine gauges, sensors, vessel systems and computercontrolled features, giving users a higher level of control over their boat’s propulsion and electrical systems. Now, with Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile, users can see SmartCraft engine data right on the screen of their mobile device. The app also includes useful new features such as Fuel Information, Maintenance Reminders, Mapping, Performance Summary, and Fault Code Diagnostics. VesselView Mobile makes preparing for and spending a day on the water easier, safer 14
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and more enjoyable by letting users perform the following functions from their mobile device: • Connect to the SmartCraft data network in your boat from your iOS or Android mobile device via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0) • See SmartCraft engine parameters like engine hours, fuel burn, water temperature, battery voltage, RPM, etc. (parameters available are specific to each engine family). • Get fault code diagnostic information so you know and understand if that fault is something to be addressed when you return to the dock, or is more urgent. • Fuel Management provides accurate fuel usage data along with fuel remaining plus indicates time and distance to empty when the user enters fuel added via the app. • Locate your nearest Mercury Marine dealer • Get points of interest information for your body of water, including fuel and restaurant locations, and more • Record a moment on the water for future reference • Access checklists associated with your boating lifestyle • Get maintenance reminders and access historical maintenance information logs. Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile app also provides users with a Web-based account that gives them and their preferred dealer app and module will be on display at the 2017 an even deeper connection to their boat. The Miami International Boat Show.
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Core Concepts Make
Ice Fishing Easier By Tim Moore
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pending hours on a frozen lake isn’t easy. Your body works overtime just to stay warm. Then, add the activity level that often accompanies ice fishing, such as drilling or chiseling holes and chasing tip up flags, and it can be downright exhausting. The degree of difficulty extreme cold temperatures add to fishing is what keeps most people from trying ice fishing. While there is a ton of gear designed to make ice fishing easier, core concepts, such as efficiency and mobility go a long way to make ice fishing easy enough for even the most warm blooded people. When you strengthen your core muscles with exercise, you train the rest of your 16
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muscles to work in harmony, which leads to better balance and stability. The same can be said for ice fishing. Exercising core concepts on a regular basis not only improves technique and lure control, but ice fishing actually becomes easier. The hottest new lures and trending techniques might catch a few fish, but they do little to improve your ability as an angler, especially when everything is frozen. Efficiency is arguably the foundation of any core. A highly efficient ice angler accomplishes more tasks in a shorter amount of time, and therefore catches more fish. Being efficient means eliminating unnecessary steps. Fewer steps means more time fishing, and more time fishing means more fish caught. Every second you spend with your line out of the water is time spent not catching fish. Efficiency begins off the ice. There are many things you can do before you leave your house that will make you more efficient. Start by leaving equipment and lures you won’t need at home. If you’re going fishing for panfish and you have larger rods mixed in with panfish rods, you will have extra gear to deal with on the ice. It doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’re fishing in subzero temperatures and the rods you need get tangled with the rods you don’t need. Rigging multiple rods with different lures before you leave your house will also reduce steps on the ice. Then you can cycle through pre-rigged rods rather than tie new jigs in the cold, wind or snow. Have you ever seen the deck of a tournament bass angler’s boat? They have many rods rigged with different lures so they don’t have to re-tie while they are fishing. The same goes for ice fishing, especially when it’s freezing out. The work you do at home pays off on the ice, but there is more you can do while fishing to make things easier, such as putting gear back in its place when you’re not using it. Then when you want to move you have less equipment to put away. Sometimes we are so
excited to get fishing that we tend to lay gear on the ice when we are done using it rather than put it back where it belongs. By the time we decide to move there is gear all over the place, which makes moving harder. The Godfather of modern ice fishing Dave Genz always says, “If it’s easy you’ll do it.” Focus on ways to make everything easier and you will be more productive. The little things add up. Just as backpackers try to shave ounces off their packs to make hiking easier, successful ice anglers are always trying to shave off unnecessary tasks to make fishing easier. The equipment you use also contributes to your efficiency. A Vexilar sonar flasher removes a lot of the guesswork. Figuring out if there are fish under you and their depth could take hours without a flasher. A sonar flasher is easy to use. It will instantly show you the entire water column including the bottom, your jig, and anything else that shows up under you, such as a fish. All in real time! Clam Outdoors makes a number of items specifically designed to make certain tasks easier on the ice. Prices range from a few dollars into the $1,000 range. The simple lowcost products often make a big difference. The Clam Can allows you to carry bait in your pocket. Not a big thing, but it makes a huge difference when it’s cold. Rod Slicks keep ice rods from getting tangled, and Fish Trap shelters get you out of the cold quickly and allow you to move around easier. The parts all have a sum that equals success. Mobility is another important core element of ice fishing. Mobility allows you to cover more water, which allows you to put your lure in front of more fish. Think of ice fishing the same way you do when open water fishing. We rarely head out onto the water and cast in the same spot over and over again. Ice fishing is no different. Every hole you drill is a cast. Make more casts and you’ll catch more fish. If you make a lot of casts in an area and don’t catch anything, move to another area and repeat. Give yourself a time limit, and don’t stay in the same area if you’re not catching fish. Ice Fishing doesn’t have to be cold and difficult. Core concepts that make ice fishing easier also make it more fun. Establish a routine and it will become second nature. By constantly thinking of ways to strengthen your core, you make ice fishing easier. Before you know it, you will be catching more fish than ever before. And who doesn’t love catching more fish? Tim Moore is a full-time licensed fishing guide in New Hampshire. He owns Tim Moore Outdoors and the New England Ice Fishing Academy. For more information visit www. TimMooreOutdoors.com. For more Tim Moore, go to
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12/15/16 1:24 PM
Chasing Big Bulls In BC By Cam Sigler Jr.
B
ack in 2014, I went north of the Canadian border to fish for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout with Gordon Silverthorne, who owns the Kootenay Fly Shop in Fernie, British Columbia. This area west of Calgary is littered with good waters. I have taken large groups up to fish the Elk and surrounding rivers with him. It was on these trips that I found myself focused on catching bull trout. Big bulls on a fly became my quest. I had caught many, up to nine in a day, but had yet to break the 27-inch mark. Bull trout are in the char family with brook trout and Dolly Varden. They range from northern parts of California and Nevada in the south to the Northern Territories of Canada and East to Montana and Alberta. They can grow in excess of 40 inches long and to weights heavier than 30 pounds. They migrate up and down systems based on food sources and into feeder creeks to spawn. They typically inhabit waters that stay under 59 degrees and are one of the most sensitive of the chars, requiring pristine waters to thrive. They are recognized as endangered in most states and protected in most systems in the provinces. A bull trout of 12 pounds might be 10 years old. I was back in Fernie in 2015 chasing trout with a few friends. As usual, we had good fishing for beautiful cutthroats, but I was chasing bulls. We spent a few days on the Elk River and caught a few bulls longer than 20 inches, but not in great numbers. My attention turned to a small pristine river south of Fernie called the Wigwam. In the past I had sent anglers from my groups there, but because of limited daily access, I had not fished it myself. Access is difficult. From the parking area, it’s 800 feet down to the river. It’s a hang-onto-trees steep. It reminded me of some streams I guided in Alaska, cold and clear enough to see pebbles 20 feet deep. The first hole was full of bull trout. After many casts, I landed one longer than 30 inches. As a group, we
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caught many cutts that averaged about 16 inches and juvenile bulls of the 19-inch variety. In conversation, Gordon spoke of the nearby Kootenay River bull trout fishery and about setting up an operation there. The Kootenay is a glacial-fed river formed by runoff and feeder streams primarily out of Kootenay National Park above Cranbrook, Canada. I told him to count me in for an expedition that fall. It didn’t happen because of a landslide in the river’s headwaters that blew the river out for an entire season. It’s tough to fish a fly without visibility. Because of water levels and clarity, the window for fly fishing the Kootenay is about six weeks in fall, if you are lucky. I finally got my chance to fish it in late October of 2016. Author Tom Boyd, who is writing a book on all the char species, and I made the 6-hour drive north from my second home in Washington to a tent camp Gordon and big-game outfitter Eric Grinnell had erected on the river. The camp was great, complete with a stove in every tent and a generator for lights. It was located a good distance between put-in points, and we saw only four other boats over three days. The four of us had a terrific time. We saw a few deer on the river and kept an eye out for grizzly and black bears but saw no evidence of them. I did wake one night to the sound of wolves howling in the distance. Water levels dropped over the three days we fished, and the water cleared even more. The weather was clear and cold. The fishing is primarily from 16-foot boats with outboard jet pumps. The river is braided and skinny in places, so the driver must pay attention. It is glacial fed and there are quarter-mile log jams on the banks. When this river is running 15 feet above the level we fished at, it must be roaring. This is a 7- to 9-weight show with sink tips. I have caught many bulls dead drifting a rabbit strip or synthetic-based fly that swims with this method. This trip, stripping seemed to work the best. We
were on the tail end of the kokanee salmon spawn. Once spawned out, these landlocked sockeye salmon float downriver, and the bull trout key on the spent fish. So we threw lots of 10-inch flies. Bull trout are very aggressive and opportunistic. They have to be in these systems. Bulls can move daily, but once we found them in a section they readily took most flies we threw. Bull trout, like many trout, like structure. Snags, logs, and big rocks in the river often hold them. I caught the biggest fish of our trip on the last cast of the last day in a tail out. It topped 29 inches and took a crawfish pattern I tie for smallmouth. We caught a few juvenile bulls in the 19-inch range and a few cutthroat, but our average bull trout was about 23 inches. I saw a few fish that were clearly bigger than our biggest catch. My guess is there are bulls in the Kootenay pushing the 40-inch mark. The largest we heard of on a fly weighed about 30 pounds. The bull trout fishery in the U.S. and Canada is fragile. I suggest chasing them sooner than later. If you decide to fish the Kootenay next fall, look for the guy holding up the 35-inch fish. Hopefully that’s me, as I will keep going back. For information or to set up a trip, contact Gordon Silverthorne at info@kootenayflyshop.com.
For more Bull Trout Fishing in BC, go to
FISHORDIE.CO
1/18/17 2:08 PM
A WINTER WADE
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik • Photo Courtesy of My Coast Outdoors
A FLY FISHING
s we idled away from the dock on a mild mid-winter morning, we all anticipated that telltale thump of a solid wintertime trout. Although the fall and winter weather had been mild, the big trout had already started finding their way to the normal winter feeding areas where we hoped to intercept them. Armed with slow-sinking soft plastics, we were confident we would be giving our cameras a workout on this trip. As we quietly drifted into our first and what would be our only stop of the day, we noticed a lone angler had beat us to our target area. Showing him the
CHOOSING A SALTWATER FLY ROD
C
hoosing the right fly rod is a personal choice. There are so many rods and various rod actions (fast, moderate, tip flex, full flex, slow etc.) that selecting a rod can be very confusing. It’s confusing to me, and I live a breathe this stuff! Rod Length: 9 feet or Shorter? In most saltwater fly fishing situations the 9-foot rod is standard. It provides enough length to keep a back cast off the water, to pick up fly line off the water to redirect a cast and is the best option for making longer casts. However, in recent years many companies have developed wonderful fly rods that are much shorter and can cast with the best 9-footers on the market. The new short rods are 7 to 8 feet in length and have a moderate (slow) action. The combination of a shorter rod and slower action make these rods a deadly tool when casting larger flies and poppers at close range. Fly fishing for redfish, baby tarpon or other fish that hold tight to cover does not require long casts. And when making short cast, the short rod is a more accurate tool. The Grip And Feel Find a fly rod that feels good while you’re holding it. The feel can be the difference between casting the rod well and not. I have picked up some very high-end rods with grips that felt like tree trunks. I believe a grip with a narrower diameter is best because it allows you to feel the rod load much better. Rod Guides The guides on a fly rod are an important part of the overall
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courtesy he deserved, we anchored up short of the sweet spot and made our first wade out deeper. We pecked away at some mediumsized specks and kept an eye on the lone angler who we felt had the upper hand based on location. We watched him land one trout before he boarded his skiff and slowly idled out of the area. Although we had more action in deeper water than he had up shallow, we still decided to ease into our original planned area as the rising sun increased the water temp on the shallow flat. As the sun rose higher in the sky, the baitfish became more active and helped fine tune our target areas to cast. The water here was shin deep and clear with the bottom structure composed of soft mud with abundant grass and potholes. Using a white, slow-sinking paddle shad, I was slowly swimming it across the flat, pausing to let it slowly descend, and then I’d continue the retrieve and repeat. On one pause, I felt that telltale solid thump and then listened to the drag scream after the hookset. They were here! This was our first solid fish of the day, a thick-shoulder 6-pound trout. After a quick photo and release, we continued to ease down the shoreline sight casting to potholes or mullet. The next strike was hit and run, with the fish staying low and burning drag. After spinning me around a few times, I landed a solid upper-slot red. After several hours on this wade, I finally saw what I had been looking for, fleeing mullet at the edge of a pothole. A few cranks of the reel handle and I was hooked up. Not what I anticipated, but it was a medium-sized trout. I made a second cast to the same pothole, reeled my lure to the far edge and as soon as it paused it was inhaled! This trout sent foaming water sailing through the air while shaking her massive head. She tail walked four times before I had her close enough to verify her true size. The icing on the cake, an 8-pound trout in clear shin-deep water on a south Texas grass flat. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com. For more wading in the Texas winter waters, go to
PEACEFULWATERS.CO performance. Many rods today are equipped with flexible snake guides, better known as REC Recoil guides, that are lighter than standard snake guides. These REC guides allow the rod to flex between the stripping guides’ footings for a more efficient transfer of energy during the cast. These REC guides add to the rod’s casting performance, creating greater line speed. Another added bonus to these REC guides is they will bend and not break if bumped on a boat rail. Rod Action Rod actions vary greatly. It’s kind of comparing apples and oranges. Some anglers prefer a fast action; some prefer a moderate action. There are benefits to both, but for the beginning or intermediate fly angler, a moderate action rod is the best choice. A moderate action rod will cover a wide spectrum of casting situations and is easier to cast and cast efficiently into a stiff wind. These rods also load a fly line using more of the fly rods taper, making it easier for the angler to feel the rod load. You can always purchase a fast action rod down the road as your skills progress. Rod Balance So, now that you have picked out that perfect saltwater stick, ask yourself… How does it feel in my hand? Is the rod tip heavy? Is the rod butt heavy? Does the rod feel too heavy overall? Too light? These are all question that need to be answered. The best rod is the one that feels well balanced from tip to butt. Balance the rod on your index finger at the top of the full wells grip. A well-balanced rod will balance evenly on your index finger. This is a fly rod’s sweet spot. It will be the optimum place for the thumb of your casting hand every time you cast.
For More Fly Fishing with Bowman, go to
CAMFLYFISHING.COM
1/18/17 2:08 PM
LONG ISLAND EDITION
www.coastalanglermag.com/longisland COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM SCHLICHTER
FEBRUARY 2017
PUBLISHER’S NOTE MIKE AND LISA DANFORTH Tuna in Cabo, The Boat Shows are
LONG ISLAND EDITION
Back, Free Ads and More…
F
ebruary means different things to different people. Schoolies in Providence? Valentine’s Day? Winter vacation? This winter vacation ranked among the best for us. We headed to Cabo with our good friends, Dave and Rosie, with Marlin on the mind. We had lined up one of the legendary captains of Cabo through Pisces charters and the fish were biting about 25 miles off-shore. Well, man plans and God laughs. We never caught that Marlin, not a bill-fish nibble. But Mike totally scored. Just as we headed to the waters beyond Todos Santo on the Baja Peninsula of Mexico the word went up that the tuna bite was on nearby. We couldn’t resist. The wallyhoo lures went on, lines went over the side, and within 10 minutes both Mike and Dave had pulled in two small bullets – about 10 lbs each. Lines went back in the water and BAM! Mike (with a game assist from Rosie to let him get a drink and bandage the rising blisters on his hands) was into something big. No. Bigger than big. The rod was bent double and the reel was screaming. 2 hours later he landed a gorgeous, 213 lb yellowfin tuna. The story is in process – awaiting some final details from our friends at Pisces – and we will bring it to you in the next issue. In the meantime, we had to share the awesome recipe for seared tuna (spoiler alert – the secret is butter) and look forward to sharing the full story next month. Check out the recipe in this month’s Sea-to-Table on page 10. We were able to score delicious tuna steaks, and get them to a dockside restaurant within hours of the fish being caught. We ordered margaritas, and Mike shared the bounty with the whole restaurant. A fiesta ensued. If you know Mike, this was to be expected. And it’s boat show time! You’ll see us (along with Captain Jack Sprengle and other luminaries of the angling world) at the Providence Boat Show February 3-5. We hear it will be bigger and better than ever! We are a little off as the New England Saltwater Fishing Show has moved to March 8, so we are feeling a bit bereft. But there is a silver lining. You have some extra time to get those ads in for the March issue which will usher in the season and be prominently featured at the Show. And March is also the month we introduce our special advertising incentives for season 2017: Six time (March – August) advertisers will receive a free ad in September and free banner advertising for the whole season on our website. 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! See you at the Show! Tight lines, Mike and Lisa Danforth
ADVERTISE TODAY! BUY 6 MONTHS RECEIVE FREE AD! March – August advertisers will receive a free ad in September and free banner advertising for the whole season on our website. 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! Complimentary consultation and graphics design of your ad with each schedule booked.
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2 LONG ISLAND
FEBRUARY 2017
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FISH FOCUS ZACH HARVEY
In The Bubble
I
probably shouldn’t admit this. Hell, I should probably be writing about “situational awareness,” or chanting Safety First. I really should, after way too many years on deck, know better. Still, I love fishing in fog or snow—in the bubble. Having taken more than a few watches in thick fog, I’ll acknowledge that being charged with an entire crew’s safety when you can’t see the bow of the boat you’re steering is more than a little nerve-wracking. It involves putting an awful lot of faith in your fellow mariners—a grim proposition given the number of $300,000 sport boats we’ve all seen resting five feet above the high tide mark on jetties or an occasional coastal back yard—and additional faith in one’s radar and GPS. In the old days, it was about compass course and wristwatch, followed by a ton of squinting and trying to follow familiar sounds—the blasts of another vessel’s horn, a hooter buoy, a foghorn, or the sound of the breakers— above the drone of diesel engines underfoot. Here in 2015, it’s the same drill, except that we have more blinking screens trying to distract us from what we really need to be doing: Squinting and listening, trying to keep tabs on land masses and other targets inside the radar’s half-mile range—pausing occasionally from the former tension to ponder all the logs that came off their respective beaches and went back out into circulation with the last moon tides. Then again, for all the reasons I should probably be wound PTSD tight in no-vis conditions, my inner philosopher-deckape still loves standing on a pitching deck in can’t-see-the-bow-from-the-anchor-box fog. It’s a total shake-up of our instincts about distance. That is, winging butterfish chunks into the void at, say, the Fishtails, or hauling gillnet in 30 fathoms, it’s easy to forget the expanse of water that lies beyond “the bubble”—that impenetrable dome of low-hanging water vapor. Spain’s a l-o-n-g haul east and south. Bermuda, Africa, South America? After long hours—days even—in the void, our relationship with space gets wildly distorted, so that, when the shroud finally lifts, we’re about flattened by the long view. Good God, man, it’s an ocean! Oh, the horror! Where… are… my… sunglasses?! I don’t quite understand why it’s so, but there’s something exhausting about working on an expanse of open ocean, no visual reference points to ground us in space. For me, it’s as if some part of my head is working literally 24-7 to keep its bearings—the way a cell phone will roam itself dead trying to orient itself offshore. When the deck’s socked in, I stop fretting about where I am—and here’s the googan part—let the captain worry about that. I realize how sadistic that sounds—reaping the rewards of another man’s immediate misery. I also realize how stupid that sounds. I have rationalized this two ways: first, there’s a reason I don’t travel far with captains I don’t trust implicitly, and on those rare occasions when I’m out in fog with a guy whose skills I doubt, I live the ugly half of fog— high alert at all times. Beyond that, the number-one most critical thing when you work on the water is to stay calm at all times. Fretting because you can’t fall back on distance-vision is counterproductive and probably dangerous. Put another way, in the fog, I realize I can’t control the vapor in the air, so I don’t try; I make the best of it. There are other bonuses to fishing in fog. For one thing, zero-vis conditions tend to thin the herd quite a bit, leaving much more room to work out on the grounds. For another, the secrecy part of fishing is much easier. It’s easier to avoid notice as you sneak on to one of your pet wrecks, no longer worried about all the other skiffs trying to climb up your backside, mug you up. And last, a tiny bonus for the career deckapes of the world: fog keeps everything damp, heads off all that
baked-on goodness that keeps some folding green in Mr. and Mrs. Soft Scrub’s pockets. To be honest, though, I seldom think much when I stand on a socked-in deck. Maybe that’s the real appeal of fishing in the bubble. Dealing with long fetches is part of the life at sea. As much as 360-degree water all the way to the horizon breeds a kind of humility found nowhere else in life, the opposite—being at once adrift on endless water and blanketed in a cloud—offers a different but equally renewing shift from the everyday perspective. These days, I take thick fog as a reminder to keep it short-range, to stop worrying about what’s biting along the horizon and stay rooted in the joys of the foreground.
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FEBRUARY 2017
LONG ISLAND 3
Winter Cod: Keep it Simple
W
BY TOM SCHLICHTER
R
eports of fair to good codfish action have been the rule across Long Island this winter. Montauk, as is often the case, has seen the most consistent catches but some scores have also been recorded on vessels sailing from Shinnecock, Captree, and Freeport. If you haven’t gotten in on the fun just yet, the time to act is now. While the baccala are likely to stick around into March, you just never know when these fish will pack up and leave. Better to be safe than sorry and get out there as soon as possible. True, March codfish action can be super at times, but February tends to be more reliable as long as the fleet can get offshore on a regular basis. Naturally, you’ll want choose a day with calm winds and mild temperatures when setting your sights on Mr. Whiskers. Be sure to also dress warm and get to the boat early in order to guarantee a choice spot along the rail in the bow or stern on pay-to-play vessels. It also helps to plan weekday rather than weekend trips, if possible. Mid-week adventures tend to have more elbow room, fewer competing boats jockeying for position over prime bottom, and wrecks that have had a day or two to re-stock after weekend poundings. Once you finally set sail – no matter what day of the week – resolve to keep things simple. Cod aren’t overly complicated fish, especially when you have a good captain at the helm. Focus on getting things right at the terminal end of your line and the odds are good you’ll return with enough fillets for several delicious dinners.
Waist High
Take rigging-up, for example. There are several popular terminal set-ups from which to choose these days including a basic bottom rig, high-low rig, snafu rig and jig rig among others. Add to each of these the option of tying in one or more teasers of various types and you’ve got a lot to consider. When bait-fishing for cod, be it with cut strips of skimmer clam, herring chunks or even white crabs left over from blackfish season, I like a single hook rig the best. It’s important to note, however, that codfish don’t hang as tight to structure or the sea floor as blackfish, so you’ll want to position the hook higher above the bottom than you would for ‘tog. I’ll usually use a dropper loop to tie a 6/0 sproat or octopus style hook into a five-foot length of 40-to 60-pound test mono leader well above an 8- to 10-ounce bank sinker. Tie the hook in about waist high. Note that it doesn’t matter if you are a little taller or shorter than your rail mates because the sweet spot for cod is between 2-1/2 and 3-1/2 feet above the bottom. Place the hook at your own waist height and you’ll never have to guess about being in the strike zone. A single-hook rig is my preference because I like to concentrate on cod specifically. Some anglers prefer to hedge their bets with mixed-bag catches that include ling, silver eels, conger eels, bergalls and any number of additional cellar dwellers. If you want more variety in your game, use a dropper loop to tie in a second hook six inches above the sinker. A size 4/0 is about right for these additional treats while still being big enough to stick a decent codfish if it decides to grab hold. 4 LONG ISLAND
FEBRUARY 2017
The downside to using two hooks with bait rigs for cod is that all the time spent reeling up smaller bottom feeders decreases your odds of hooking pool contenders. The biggest cod, you see, are often a bit slow to respond to a freshly presented bait. With one hook set well off the bottom, they have a good chance to be first in line. With two hooks, one being tight to the bottom, the smaller scavengers have a clear advantage.
Do The Herring Jig
Bait-fishing is the usual approach when the cod schools are scattered, holding near sticky structure or simply off their bite. If herring arrive on the scene, however, cod will often school tightly and pursue the big, silvery baitfish over more open bottom. When they do, diamond jigs shine bright. If you’ve used diamond jigs for stripers, you already know the routine. The big difference when targeting cod is that you’ll need bigger jigs to get to the bottom quickly. Choose an 8- to 12-ounce hammered diamond jig in silver and tip it with a hot pink, red or bright orange jelly worm or soft-plastic trailer. Go ahead and add a bright colored teaser an arm’s length above the jig, too. Since you’ll be actively working this rig and not allowing it to sit on the bottom as you would a clam bait, the number of smaller scavengers you’ll encounter should be minimal. Another key to jigging cod, as with jigging stripers, is to work the lure at a slow to moderate speed. As opposed to bluefishing, where a fast retrieve is needed to excite your target, cod jigging calls for a steady, comfortable pace. Drop the lure all the way to the bottom, crank up eight to ten turns of the reel handle and then disengage the reel and allow your lure to drop to the bottom again. Repeat the process over and over, setting the hook at the slightest bump or sensation of extra weight. Tough and Stringy When it comes to codfish bait, skimmer clam reigns supreme. It is, however, possible to offer even a trophy-class codfish too much of a good thing. Many anglers string three, four or even more strips of clam together in the hopes of attracting big fish with a huge pile of bait. That rarely works, however, since a big glob of bait just hangs on the hook with little or no natural motion. Rather than worry about your bait being big, make it point to ensure that every piece of clam you drop to the bottom is properly skewered on the hook. Start by choosing just one or two pieces of skimmer that have both a tough rim section to hold the hook as well as some stringy ribbon lengths that will wave enticingly in the current. Pass the point and barb though the tough section at least twice and allow the rest to simply hang free. All you need is one or two pieces of skimmer on each hook. That gives a cod a clean target and ensures the hook point will remain clear so it can easily dig in when you lift the rod after feeling a bite. From that point on, the rest is easy. Just reel up smooth and steady with the pool fish at the end of your line, count your winnings on the way home, and remember to tip the mate at the end of the day. When the February cod bite is in full swing, it’s as simple as that.
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Western Sound February 2017 BY CAPTAIN TOMMY KAMPA
H
i everyone: It’s been awhile since we chatted; I hope you all had line, lures, terminal tackle, clothes, boots, charter trips, both local great season fishing, and a Happy, Healthy Holiday! and destination trips to all over the globe. These are great places to take your kids too; there always is something going on to keep them The winter has not been too bad yet; Cod Fishing has been pretty entertained and get them interested in fishing. COASTAL ANGLER good out in Montauk, Shinnecock, Captree, Freeport and Brooklyn MAGAZINE will post lists of the shows in your area in the magazine for the boats that can get out. Down in New Jersey and further South, and you can also go online to find them. Black Fish are still in season and some real big double digits are being caught. Enjoy the rest of the month and start getting ready for the best fishing season you ever have! The Western Sound is pretty quiet except for Herring; but down on the South shore, Perch are being caught in the brackish estuaries, and Like us on FACEBOOK at Coastal Angler Magazine Long Island and if you can find some ice free ponds, the Long Island Trout season is Moonlight Lady Fishing ; I’ll be posting trip reports and photos daily. open; it’s a great way to get some fresh air, walk a bit and bring home some tasty trout. Make sure you get your New York State Department Catch ‘em up!!!! of Conservation Freshwater license before going Trout fishing, and you might as well get your saltwater register as well. It is very easy to do this online at www.nysdec.gov Captain Tommy Kampa holds a USCG 100 TON MASTER’S LICENSE; he runs a 29’ Dyer custom bass boat, the MOONLIGHT If you decide to go Cod Fishing, make sure you are prepared for the LADY. We are booking Striped Bass Charters now for the season start elements! A good pair of insulated rubber boots and warm hat is on April 15. Captain Tommy can be reached at capttommykampa@ a must. Wear a few light layers to keep warm and be able to move gmail.com or 347 203 5087 to book a charter or express a comment or about. You should also have a good pair of rubber bibs, jacket and suggestion. neoprene gloves too. Many boats will require a reservation this time of year and it’s always good to talk with the captain you sail with to see what he may recommend to bring on your trip. These captains want you to catch fish!! Listen to them, they do it every day and are very knowledgeable to what will work. If you’re lucky enough to be standing next to a “sharpie “who is catching, watch what he does, how his rigs are tied, what size sinker, any special teasers, what color are they? Watch the weather, it can get pretty nasty out in the Atlantic this time of year and if you’re not used to it, an uncomfortable day may lie ahead. This is also a good time to go through all your tackle, get those rod guides replaced, reels serviced, line changed so you’re ready for opening day; it can be painful to lose that first big fish of the season due to “angler neglect”! Most tackle shops are open this time of year, if only for limited hours would welcome your business. Support your local tackle shops, they can pass on some significant information later in the season to what’s going on in your fishing area and “regulars” always get the best service! This can also be a good time to buy any equipment, line or tackle you may need for the coming season, you might even catch some great sales. If you own a boat, this is a good time to think about any maintenance work or new equipment you may need for the upcoming season. Don’t wait till spring, all the boatyards and mechanics will be real busy by then and you’ll have to wait for your turn and watch everyone else go FISHING! There are many Fishing & Hunting Shows & Expositions this time of year all over the New York metropolitan area. Most have seminars given by notable captains specializing in every species of Fish and the techniques they use to catch trophy fish. Many vendors are also at these events, offering everything you could imagine from rods, reels, COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
FEBRUARY 2017
LONG ISLAND 5
Make the Most of Your Visit to the
Providence Boat Show By Cynthia Goss
Come to the Providence Boat Show to see the fleet of boats that will get you on the water this season, including the new Grady-White Freedom 235 at Cataumet Boats and the new Regulator 31 at Ocean House Marina.
Y
ou may have already purchased your tickets to the Providence Boat Show and planned which day you’ll attend this three-day expo presented by Washington Trust. But have you planned your route through the show? The show takes place February 3-5 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, and this article will help you get the most out of your visit.
Boats and More Boats: If you’re in the market for a new boat, this Ocean State boat show is the prime place in New England to shop. Boats purchased and registered in Rhode Island are not charged sales tax, so factor in your saving as you shop. Do your legwork online before heading to the show by visiting providenceboatshow.com to research which boat brands and models will be on display. Whether you want to check out Robalos at Don’s Marine, Regulators at Ocean House Marina, Sea Hunts at Inland Marine, Carolina Skiffs at Wood Boat & Motor, or even the Hobie fishing kayaks at Megrew’s Boats, you’ll know 6 LONG ISLAND
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beforehand which dealers are your must-see stops. And don’t forget that the fleet for sale is way bigger than the one on display inside the convention center. According the Matt Leduc of Latitude Yacht Brokerage, there were nearly 1,000 brokerage boats represented at last year’s Providence show, and this winter there are over 5,000 power boats on the brokerage lists in New England. So if you are considering a brokerage boat, talk to Leduc and others at the show representing these preowned boats.
Learn from Experts: Captain Jack Sprengel of East Coast Charters has again handpicked an impressive lineup of local anglers to lead the show’s Sport Fishing Seminars. Many of these experts and the unique topics they cover cannot be found at other events, which makes these seminars a great opportunity for Ocean State locals and visitors alike. “Here in the Northeast, we have some of the most exciting sport fishing opportunities on the planet--not to mention some of the
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PROVIDENCE BOAT SHOW DATES: February 3-5, 2017 WHERE: Rhode Island Convention Center (One Sabin Street, Providence, R.I.) WEBSITE: providenceboatshow.com TICKETS: Purchase online at the show’s website. Students & military with ID will get $2 off tickets purchased at the entrance. Kids 12 & under are free! best captains and guided fishing operations to help put anglers in the right to experience them,” says Captain Jack. So whether you plan to target sea trout or sharks, or wade into the shallows on foot or head out to the Northeast Canyons, you’ll find sessions in this seminar series to teach you what you need to know.
Sharpen Your Skills: Another exciting development this year are new Knife Skills Classes with local Chef Zeke and Flint & Flame. With a new Rhode Island showroom in Bristol, this company’s knives are made from high-quality German carbon steel and celebrated by top chefs and home cooks. Chef Zeke will lead several Knife Skills classes so you can properly fillet the fish you catch or buy at your local market. A graduate of Johnson & Wales whose true passion is using his know-how as a professional chef to help home cooks improve their skills, Chef Zeke will demonstrate how a range of knives serve different purposes for preparing your catch. Chef Zeke will give you pointers on how to choose the freshest catch from your fish or farmer’s market. The boat show also includes a Fish Fillet Demo & Tasting with George’s of Galilee, an eatery overlooking Block Island Sound that has been serving its signature dishes since 1948, Oyster Shucking Classes with Bristol Oyster Bar, Seamanship Seminars, and special events. Visit the Providence show website to check the online schedule of events so you can plan your time.
For Women Boaters: Women boaters who want to deepen their knowledge should be at the show on Saturday for a special “Women on the Water” seminar. This two-hour Premium Seminar is taught by women for women. Led by an experienced female captain, the course is designed for all ability levels and will cover navigation basics, rules of the road, docking and maneuvering, emergency procedures, safety--and much more. Purchase your “Women on the Water” ticket in advance at the show’s website; the $45 fee includes your ticket to the show on Saturday. The boat show closes early on Sunday, so no one will miss the Super Bowl. Show organizers will be serving Oysters & Bloody Marys on Sunday morning, so start your pre-game festivities early by shopping and seminar-going at the Providence Boat Show! COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
FEBRUARY 2017
LONG ISLAND 7
WORD ON THE BITE TOM SCHLICHTER
Jig Gently for Winter Largemouths
I
t used to be that you could count on at least some solid ice for hardwater sport on Long Island and throughout coastal Connecticut during the month of February. Blame it on climate change if you like, or simply a shift in weather patterns, but the opportunities for setting a few tip-ups these days seems to be dwindling. Of course, die-hard freshwater fans are going to find a way to wet their lines one way or another. Less ice means simply means more open water and for those who have figured out ways to present their offerings low and slow, largemouth bass remain a viable target. In fact, in recent years, I’ve taken to working some of my favorite lakes during the dead of winter the same way I might back in the late fall with some pretty good results. An Ultra-light Approach Successful cold water fishing for bigmouths is vastly different from targeting them in the heat of summer. Gone are the weed mats that begged for your casts in mid-July, the easy to spot wakes of fish moving in the shallows or near the surface, the aggressive surface strikes that sent your heart racing and hopes soaring as you prepared to let fly your next cast. With water temperatures at this time of year trending anywhere from 40 degrees to just above the freezing mark, the metabolism of cold-blooded predators like bigmouths and even sunfish, perch and pickerel slows down substantially and, in general, so does the bite. If you want to continue to battle bass under such conditions, you’ll
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need to try some different tricks. One that works exceptionally well is jigging small soft-plastics with ultralight tackle. Now, before we get started, let me begin by noting this late winter action tends to work best in deep water. Being that Long Island lakes and ponds tend to be shallow, you’ll want to try these techniques on larger, deeper lakes like Ronkonkoma, Fort Pond, and Laurel. Being three of the deepest lakes in our area, each of these options feature plenty of water in the eight- to 12-foot range, which is ideal for experimenting and refining this approach. On the Nutmeg State side, shallow lakes dominate the coastal areas, but a quick run inland will turn up plenty of opportunity in bigger waters like Candlewood Lake. That said, I’ve jigged winter bass in as little as two or three feet of water, and commonly in five- to seven-foot depths on some lakes and ponds. The fish are where you find them and, even in the dead of winter, they’ll move around a bit so keep in mind that being a little flexible in your approach is rarely a bad idea. Downsize For Success With you quarry having a slow metabolism at this time of year, and the water being gin clear since most of the zooplankton has died off, this is a good time to think small. Many freshwater anglers are familiar with summertime jigging using heavy-headed, big skirted jigs to punch through the weeds. Think of light tackle, cold water jigging as being the polar opposite.
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The chunky cold-water bass inhaled a sliver of a hair jig. Photo by Tom Schlichter. Lightweight trout rods and four-pound test fluorocarbon line is what you’ll need to scale things down appropriately. Consider 1/16-ounce Strike King Bitsy Bugs or Squimin’ Squirts, a two-inch Keitch Tiny Spider, or a small home-tied hair jig weighing 1/32 to 1/8 of an ounce. Additional solid choices include a 3/16-ounce football jig with two-inch soft plastic paddle tail, and 2.5-inch Mann’s Sting Ray Sassy Grubs. With any of these lures you are likely to score plenty of bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie and perch as well, but moving out to deeper water helps isolate the bass. As a rule, I prefer neutral colors for cold water jigging. Olive and black work well, as do various shades of brown from time to time, especially on lakes known to have crayfish. Combos of black and blue, bluegill patterns, and bright white (although far from neutral) rank among my favorite patterns. The combination of lightweight lures with slow sink rates and ultralight spinning rods with fluorocarbon line allows for a super-natural presentation. Use the lightest jigs on calm days or in shallower water, the heavier ones when the wind starts blowing or you move out into double-digit water depths. For rods, an ultralight trout setup works well, although you can’t go wrong with a freshwater bass outfit designed specifically for light tackle jigging. The
Lightweight jigs and tiny soft plastics are a sure route to late winter action with everything from panfish to bucketmouths. Bass Pro Paul Mueller knows how to scale down when the weather gets cold. Photo by Tom Schlichter.
See Word on the Bite (Continued on Page 11) COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
FEBRUARY 2017
LONG ISLAND 9
Welcome to our ongoing series highlighting Long Island’s fresh seafood in the growing trend of providing local and sustainable fish and shellfish to consumers and restaurants. In this Sea-to-Table column, we highlight a different seafood each month, interview the folks who grow and catch the food, as well as the restaurant owners and chefs who prepare it. We feature their favorite recipes along with wine and beer pairings to enhance the experience. We invite you to enjoy our recommendations and to submit your own to us at Lisacoastalanglermagazine@gmail.com.
CABO’S BEST PEPPERCORN TUNA There is no doubt that the one of the greatest rewards of fishing is in eating the catch. There is just nothing better tasting – or better for you - than freshly caught and prepared fish. One of our favorite recipes is this simple preparation for tuna. You would swear you are eating the finest Wagyu Beef or filet. In addition to the simply delectable nature of tuna which was swimming in the ocean an hour or two earlier, one secret to the deliciousness is that small dash of butter to get the peppercorns started and softening. In addition to softening the peppercorns, which causes them to melt into the tuna and form a divine crust, that bit of butter just sends the taste over the moon. Your eyes
By Lisa Helme Danforth
will roll back in your head. Add in margaritas and share with good friends (or the whole restaurant as Mike did in this case) and you will be in heaven! When we brought Mike’s 213 pound yellowfin to the dock in Cabo it created a sensation of folks jostling to have their pictures taken with the prize fish. We took about 10 pounds of meat and gave the rest to the captain and crew (see the full story in next month’s Coastal Angler!) We walked 25 feet to the nearest dockside restaurant where the chef prepared the tuna two ways: seared with the peppercorn crust and grilled, and grilled with mango salsa. Below see the recipe for our runaway favorite!
INGREDIENTS 1. The freshest piece of ahi or yellowfin tuna you can muster, ideally off the dock ( 2 steaks) 2. One teaspoon sea salt 3. One quarter teaspoon cayenne pepper 4. One half teaspoon fresh butter 5. Two tablespoons of EVOO – extra virgin olive oil 6. At least one teaspoon of whole peppercorns – we like more 7. Two avocados 8. One half cup of arugula for dressing plate DIRECTIONS 1. Dry and season the tuna steaks with salt and cayenne pepper 2. Melt the butter with the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the peppercorns in the mixture until they soften and pop, about 5 minutes 3. Place the tuna steaks in the skillet and cook to desired doneness, 1 1/2 minutes per side for rare 4. Slice tuna about one quarter inch thick, or thinly to serve 5. Slice avocados 6. Plate by placing arugula on plate, drizzle with EVOO, arrange tuna and sliced avocado 10 LONG ISLAND
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Word on the Bite (Continued from Page 9) lighter the line you work, the smaller the jig you’ll be able to manage, but make sure your reel has a smooth drag. You can hook some pretty hefty fish using these tiny jigs and the biggest of them can turn out to be wrecking machines despite a slow metabolism. Crawl Slowly, Lift Softly As a rule, cold water bass tend to strike softly. Crawl or walk your lure s-l-ow-l-y across the bottom, feeling for every little rock, pebble or piece of small structure. You’ll want to bump whatever you feel on the lake bed and then lift the jig softly just an inch or two. Most times, you’ll feel a little “tick” or added weight as a fish picks up the lure instead of a solid strike or even tug. If the line simply feels a bit heavy, it’s time to tighten up and set the hook. Initially, you’ll probably miss a few strikes with these small lures and gentle presentations simply because the pick-ups are difficult to recognize. Often, the line feels like it has garnered a little bit of weed – which is unlikely at this time of the year since most weed beds have long since faded. If anything feels different than normal, go ahead and swing away. In terms of starting points, I like to head to deep water right out of the gate. When fish are holding well off the bank at this time of the year they tend to school fairly tight. That can make for some exciting action since stacked fish are often more aggressive than loaners and it is possible to wake up the competitiveness of an entire school simply by hooking a fish or two. If the deep water action fails to materialize, however, there’s no shame in searching the shallows. Key on areas that might be slightly warmer than surrounding waters, such as boulders, bulkheads, inflows or outflows. Rocky bottom, if you can find it, is also a good bet since it often holds small baitfish or even crayfish and fodder for bass is at a premium this time of the year. With a little luck, our local lakes and ponds will be sporting plenty of ice as St. Valentine’s Day rolls around. If not, however, consider taking the fight to the bass in open water. Just be sure to dress for warmth, wear your life jacket (it’s the law), go small and slow your presentation to a crawl. All it takes is a solid hook-up or two and your heart will start pounding with excitement - even on a chilly February afternoon.
This crappie inhaled a tiny soft plastic grub crawled along the bottom. Photo by Tom Schlichter. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
FEBRUARY 2017
LONG ISLAND 11
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
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Captree Cove Restaurant
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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
GREENPORT Shelter Island Ferry Terminal
ORIENT Orient Point Ferry Terminal
Port Jeff Ferry
SMITHTOWN L.I.J. Cohn Hospital
PORT WASHINGTON Dunkin Donuts Stop and Shop
RONKONKOMA Stop and Shop
SAYVILLE Dunkin Donuts
SHELTER ISLAND IGA
SOUTHAMPTON 7-11 Store
SOUTHOLD Southold Fish Market
STORM MOTORS - JEEP. CHRYSLER,DODGE Hampton Jitney Buzz Chew Cadillac
VALLEY STREAM Valley Stream LIRR Station
WADING RIVER King Kullen
WANTAGH Causeway Bait and Tackle
SOUTHAMPTON Shinnecock Indian Outpost
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
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IT'S BOAT SHOW TIME! www.
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www.MitziSkiffs.com
www.CHawkBoats.net
252-235-2461
A DREAM WEDDING
By CAM Staff
From left, Capt. Kevin Rose and Capt. Judy Helmey officiated and witnessed the wedding of Erin Bodnar and Casey Maday, of Des Moines, Iowa, aboard the Miss Judy Too before catching a pile of fish for the reception.
L
ove and the smell of sheepshead were in the air on Jan. 6 aboard the Miss Judy Too out of Savannah, Ga. It was a dream wedding for bride Erin Bodnar and groom Casey Maday, of Des Moines, Iowa. The couple got hitched while bobbing over an artificial reef off the coast of Georgia with captains from Miss Judy Charters officiating and witnessing the event. “It was a grand day for a wedding and fishing,” wrote Capt. Judy Helmey in a special edition of her weekly fishing report. She added that it was a, “one fiddler one fish kind of a catching deal.” And it’s a good thing the bite was so hot. After the ceremony, the newlyweds and the crew burned through 267 fiddler crabs to boat this mixed bag of sheepshead and black drum. They were on a mission, because fish is on the menu for the couple’s wedding reception back in Iowa.
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UNDER THE SEA
r spread SPEARGUN SELECTION
S
SHERI DAYE
peargun selection is one of the most hotly debated topics on spearfishing forums. Fortunately, there are many great brands nowadays – such as Wong, AB Biller, Riffe, Hammerhead, Cressi, SEAC, Mares, Rob Allen, Koah, Mako, JBL and more. Over the last century, spearfishing equipment has evolved from very simple muscle-powered slings and polespears, made with wood and rubber bands, to the modern-day spearguns equipped with a trigger mechanism and more exotic materials. Interestingly, slings and polespear are making a comeback—but that’s a topic for another month—so let’s concentrate on how to select a modern-day speargun. If you walk into your local dive shop, you will notice there are two main categories of band-powered spearguns: the American style, usually recognized by the wood stock, and the Eurogun, which has a tubular shaped barrel and a rear handle. The Eurogun originated in Europe where most spearfishing is freedive-only, fairly deep, and for small, easily spooked fish. Hence these spearguns have a low-profile, streamlined design and thinner shafts. If you are diving in similar conditions, the Eurogun style might be for you. On the other hand, if you want a sturdy, durable and easy-to-load gun that will handle bigger fish, you might lean toward the American/wood-style gun. This is also the style used for big powerful tuna guns, because they can be ballasted and accommodate up to six bands. There’s also a hybrid design, which incorporates the best elements of both with wood stock in the back and a carbon fiber tube in the front. Once you’ve chosen between styles, the next question is length. Most Eurogun sizes are 90 to 160 centimeters, and most American guns are between 36 and 65 inches. So, with the conversion from centimeters to inches, they have pretty much the same length range. If you are diving in low visibility or hunting in rocks like they have in California or Rhode Island, you would choose a shorter gun. If you are hunting spooky fish in clear waters like mutton snappers in Florida, you would opt for a longer gun. If you are just getting started and expect to dive in variable visibility, 130 centimeters or 50 inches would be a good medium length for an all-around reef gun.
Sheri Daye hunts with a Wong Hybrid Speargun. Photo by Joe Marino.
Here are some additional tips: 1) Join a local spearfishing club and learn from the more experienced people. Observe what equipment they use and ask for advice. 22) Shop at a dive store that caters to spearfishing. They carry more choices and have experienced personnel to help you choose. These include Austin’s in Miami; Florida Freedivers in Palm Beach; James & Josephs in San Diego, Calif.; Freedive Shop in Sacramento, Calif. and more. 3) Check out the custom-gun builders. There are some high-quality builders who will work with you directly, give you advice, and design it to your specs—such as Wong Spearguns from Hawaii or Sea Sniper from California. Most importantly, you should pick a style that suits you and the conditions you dive in. Chances are you will get hooked and add more spearguns to your arsenal in the future! Follow “Sheri Daye” & “The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo” April 22-23, 2017 – Ft. Lauderdale - Instagram and Facebook.
For more Sheri Daye, go to
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TIPS FROM A PRO
FRESHWATER THE REBIRTH OF 8- TO 10FOOT BASS RODS BRANDON LESTER
E
ver since I can remember, there has been a rule in B.A.S.S. tournaments barring the use of rods longer than 8 feet. To my knowledge, it is because Dee Thomas and other Californians were using 10-foot and longer rods for “flipping” when the technique was first invented. Evidently the powersthat-be back then didn’t like this new way of fishing, so they banned the use of long rods. At the conclusion of 2016, B.A.S.S. decided to change this rule and allow us to use any rod up to 10 feet in length. Bass fishing has evolved
they fight. The extra rod length will help keep the line tight during the fight, giving the fish less opportunity to escape. For the small wooden crankbaits, the longer rod gives control over how deep the bait dives. Hold the rod tip up, and the bait dives shallower. Stick a couple feet of the blank in the water, and it runs deeper. Add longer casting distance and you will be hitting depths never before achieved with some baits. A longer rod will also be beneficial for flipping and pitching. We all know what
tremendously in the past several years, and there is no doubt this rule change will be another big breakthrough. Will long rods become the norm in everyone’s boat? I don’t think so, but I believe these rods will have a time and place in bass fishing. I have been busy building and testing a few of these longer rods with the guys at Mud Hole Custom Tackle. We’ve made encouraging findings. The first long rod I built is a 8’6” medium power spinning rod. I wanted a rod to cast small, wooden crankbaits on light line for more distance. I also wanted this rod to act as a drop shot rod for open-water smallmouth fishing. Although I don’t see myself using this rod all the time for drop shotting, imagine a scenario where you are casting a drop shot in current and need that extra length to control the way the line drifts. Also, anyone who has ever fought a river smallmouth knows how hard
happens when we set the hook on a 12-inch bass with a 7’6” rod, well imagine what will happen when you set the hook on one with a 9-foot flipping stick. We’ll be jerking 3-pounders out of the thickest cover! When that 10-pounder bites, she might not be the one that got away anymore. There might be cases where a long flipping rod is more efficient, as well. The technique of flipping, as it was done originally, by stripping line through the guides and never using the reel, will probably come back to light because we can now use a rod long enough put a bait where it needs to go. I will be building a long flipping stick before the elite series heads to Lake Okeechobee. What better place to try it out than the land of the giants? Keep tabs on 8-foot-plus rod building by visiting www. MudHole.com, and hit me up on Facebook with any questions.
Get more tips from Lester at
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I am often asked when is the best time to plant fruiting plants. My answer is usually the same; the best time is 20 years ago or today. The second best time to plant is during the winter months. Plants are dormant, and can be easily shipped and planted with no stress on the plant because there is not a lot of maintenance once the plant or tree has been planted. Simply dig a good hole, water thoroughly
at planting, and take the rest of the winter off. Even though there are no signs of growth above ground, the root systems will have time to get adjusted to their new location and begin to initiate new root growth. There are plenty of advantages of growing your own edibles. First of all, you know what has been done over the course of the growing season from a chemical stand point. Second, the fruit just taste
better coming out of your home orchard versus buying fruit from the grocers that have little to no flavors. Thirdly, it is good for your soul and you will feel more connected to the environment and nature. Whether it is an apple tree, muscadine vine or a blueberry bush; now is the time to plant. Let’s Grow Together. Greg Ison, Ison’s Nursery and Vineyards, 800733-0324, www.isons.com
“ I had the chance to test the new Bossman TailSpotter and I must say I was very impressed. I’ve run a lot of boats in my career and this boat is as good if not better than anything I’ve driven.” Capt. Mike Hakala, Aqua Dream Lures
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ackle geeks have climbed high rungs of reel optimization for decades. Their basic game remains the same today: super-tune fishing reels by adding premium components and applying best cleaning and maintenance practices. But better materials and technology have elevated expectations of what fishing reels can be made to do. Russ Lane, who has earned six appearances in the Bassmaster Classic, took his habitual tackle tinkering to high-tech heights several seasons back. Lane today replaces standard reel parts with premium components that extend reel life and enable spools to spin at dazzling RPMs. What’s the fisherman’s takeaway after these reel transformations? The clearest advantages are longer casting distances, better control, heightened casting accuracy, and improved feel and sensitivity. Some premium reel components—strikingly colorful multi-textured reel knobs and anodized star drags and cast control caps, for example—can practically turn reels into showpieces, too. “Fishermen can’t believe what custom components can add to a reel’s capability,” said Noah Arroyo, owner of Off the Hook Reels. “And some fishermen are just as attracted to the unique colors and finishes you can bring to a reel and the rich look of premium parts.” Consider replacing standard reel parts with these upgrades: • Ceramic bearings – Ceramic bearings or ceramic hybrid bearings (the latter feature ceramic balls in a stainless steel or plastic cage) can elevate reel performance dramatically. Ceramic bearings can range up to 60 percent lighter than stainless steel bearings. They generate less heat and lower vibration levels, too, reducing friction as the spool revolves. Spool RPMs may climb dramatically, extending casting distance and improving accuracy by reducing the effort required to execute a cast. They also possess five times the life expectancy of stainless steel bearings. The one downside is that they produce a very audible hum, a turn-off to some anglers. HawgTech promotes its ABEC-7 hybrid bearings in nylon cages as allowing “a more free spinning bearing that also runs quieter.” • Carbon Fiber Reel Handles – Lightweight carbon fiber reel arms are
the most common reel upgrade. The difference in weight and sensitivity from conventional reel handles is discernible. They also give a sleek, skeletal look to the reel. • Winn Reel Knobs – Reel knobs made from Winn’s patented WinnDry polymer deliver the same all-weather “tacky” feel and security that Winn grips bring to fishing rods. “The Winn knobs available from HawgTech are so good, your grip never slips even when hands are wet or coated with fish slime,” said Arroyo. Two of Lew’s Best of Show awards at ICAST 2016 featured fishing reels with Winn reel knobs. HawgTech offers these knobs in several bold colors. • Anodized Aluminum Star Drags, Cast Control Caps – Colorful anodized aluminum can give a reel an “auto show” glow. You can go with matching or complementary color options for star drag controls, cast control caps and related parts. Maintenance steps: Of course, flashy parts alone won’t optimize reel performance. Make sure the internal workings of your reel are flawlessly cleaned and lubricated, too. “You have to optimize everything when you super-tune. Polish and clean ends and shafts and pinion gears,” said Arroyo. “When you do and then add your ceramic bearings and premium parts, you really end up with a great piece of machinery.”
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TAUTEN LINEWELDER Sick of having to learn and tie complex knots? The Tauten LineWelder creates a weld that is actually stronger than any knot. The device creates a “sleeve” of thermoplastic polymer around both ends of a looped line, holding the loop in place without bending or weakening the line. Knots weaken the line, and most lines’ strengths are rated with a knot, so using a Tauten LineWelder in place of tying a knot lets you get a connection that’s stronger than the advertised strength of most lines! The process is quick, easy, consistent and doesn’t require you to tie complicated knots. It’s perfect for new fishermen or veteran anglers who don’t want to bother with finicky knot tying. Just loop the line in the device, pull it taut and push the button to create a weld. This device can help fishermen who don’t want to tie complicated knots by removing the need entirely and allowing anglers to focus on the sport they love. The LineWelder works best on 10- to 12-pound-test monofilament nylon and fluorocarbon lines and 10- to 50-pound-test braided lines. Using an experimental technique, it can even join braided lines with monofilament nylon or fluorocarbon leaders to eliminate the need for a swivel. Accessories to weld a wider variety of lines are currently in development and will be available in the future. Visit tauten.com for more information and to see videos of the LineWelder in action. The Tauten customer service staff is always eager to answer any questions, so don’t hesitate to contact them.
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DEXTER UR-CUT FILLET KNIFE Dexter UR-Cut Fillet knives are the only fillet knives that allow you to custom mold the handle to your hand. UR-Cut provides the ultimate in comfort and control and is virtually non-slip in your hand. It’s simple and takes only minutes to customize UR-Cut to fit your hand. First, grip the handle and determine your grip position, paying attention to your thumb position. Dip and completely submerge the handle in boiling water for 2 minutes. Make sure the pot is deep enough so the handle does not contact the bottom or the sides of the pot. Then dip in cold water for 1 second, grip, squeeze, and hold the handle for 10 seconds. Dip back in cold water for 10 seconds and let cool. You now have a custom fillet knife, molded to fit your hand. Just like other Dexter knives, UR-Cut features the same legendary DEXTSTEEL blade, with super-sharp edges that are easy to re-sharpen and have just-right flexibility. UR-Cut fillet knives are made in the U.S.A. and are available in 6”, 7” and 8” lengths. Available at your local and online retailer. For more information and to view all Dexter fishing knives visit dexteroutdoors.com.
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FISH & FISHING
A DIFFERENT APPROACH MARK SOSIN
A
small sign on the corner of my attorney’s desk warns his clients to “Assume Nothing.” That caveat is just as valid on the water as it is in the practice of law. If an angler does not start catching fish within minutes of arriving at a spot, he begins to assume that his quarry must be elsewhere. The assumption, of course, is that he has chosen the right bait or lure and presented it in a natural and appealing manner to a fish that is ready to eat. A fish’s behavioral patterns, honed over eons, follow very specific guidelines with few deviations. Anything that differs from the norm instinctively alerts a fish that something may be amiss and it thinks of its own safety first. Regardless of size, a predator does not expect to be charged or attacked by its prey no matter how small the prey is in relation to the predator. That’s why a 3-inch fly made of feathers can spook a 100-pound fish. And remember that fish do not feed constantly for a variety of reasons. Most species use tidal currents, water flow, or the neck of a funnel to their advantage as they search for food. They either hold facing the current, swim against the flow, or work across it. Whenever you present a bait or lure, it should be upcurrent from where you expect the fish to be so that your offering appears to go with the flow. That tenet even applies when you are casting to a cruising fish. The more natural the presentation, the better the chance of a strike. Your quarry automatically measures energy tradeoff. The idea is to exploit each situation so they will expend the least amount of energy for the value received. That translates into the fact that they frequently refuse to chase a bait or lure very far before turning away. An ambush feeder merely wants to dart out, grab its prey and return to its lair. Bottom denizens follow a similar practice. If your offering isn’t close to the sea floor, it’s difficult to get them to swim toward the surface to get it. Successful bottom bouncing starts upcurrent and allows the bait to drag along in the productive zone. Once it sweeps above the quarry, the potential for getting a strike diminishes rapidly. Water temperature enters the energy tradeoff equation. In cold or even cool water, fish react sluggishly because the water temperature slows down their metabolism. It might even force them out of their usual lair in search of warmer water. In those situations, choose baits or lures that are easy for a fish to catch and slow down the retrieve or the trolling speed. And remember, in cooler water it takes fish longer to digest food so they feed less frequently. Those who catch fish consistently study and comprehend the basics of feeding strategy. You can be sure that the behavioral patterns of each species are not about to change. That puts the onus on you to modify your tactics until you uncover the combination that works. Before you abandon a spot because you think it doesn’t hold fish, make sure you have explored the full gamut of options. If you do make any assumptions, convince yourself that a fish is looking at your bait or lure right now. The results might surprise you.
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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 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
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 6/1/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
VALUE
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 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at
ITEM 63100
4
$ 97
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
12 VOLT MAGNETIC TOWING LIGHT KIT
SAVE 71%
ANY PURCHASE 3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT NINE LED ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT
WITH
ITEM 69111 62522/62573 69052 shown
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 6/1/17.
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating
FREE
ANY SINGLE ITEM
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 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
1/2" ELECTRIC IMPACT WRENCH
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
$8499
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 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
comp at
$34.95
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating Weighs 73 lbs.
185 99 $
20"
94 $269.99
comp at
reight.com or by calling our stores or HarborF t or coupon or prior LIMIT 5 - Good at used with other discoun with original receipt. 800-423-2567. Cannot be from original purchase be purchases after 30 dayss last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must day. Offer good while supplie 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per presented. Valid through
• HarborFreight.com • 800-423-2567
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
11
® RAPID PUMP 3 TON LOW PROFILE HEAVY DUTY STEEL • FLOOR JACK SAVE
SUPER COUPON
comp at
99 $7 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 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
ITEM 61282 shown $ 61253/62326
$17.97
SUPER COUPON
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.
FEBRUARY 2017
NATIONAL
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1/17/17 12:54 PM 1/10/17 5:21 PM
34
NATIONAL
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FEBRUARY 2017
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
1/17/17 12:54 PM
PENNFISHING.COM
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN The Slammer is back! Featuring a full metal body and rotor, IPX6 sealed gear box and spool design, a full Brass CNC Gear system,
COMMON CVRS_0217.indd 3
and a smooth yet powerful Dura Drag System. The Slammer is not only back…. it’s better than ever before.
1/16/17 3:39 PM
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1/16/17 3:39 PM